Woodmen of the World Tree-Stump Stones
Tree-stump stones were created by the non-profit fraternal organization Woodmen of the World, which was founded in 1890 by Joseph Root in order to help with peoples’ financial insecurities - so that they would not have to die without life insurance. Between its founding and into the 1920s, members of the organization were provided with a free tombstone. Later on, members were charged $100 if it had the Woodmen of the World logo on it.
Tree-stump stones were later sold through Sears and Roebuck mail-order catalogs. A 4-foot tree-stump stone went for as little as $28.75, plus 6 cents per character for engraved names and dates. They were shipped from Vermont and arrived within 4 – 6 weeks.
Families could even choose to purchase a tree-stump stone from the Sears catalog and then hire a local stonecutter to customize it with details to suit the personality, hobbies, or occupations of the deceased.
Flora Cemetery
Kirkland, Illinois
DeKalb County
Oakwood Cemtery
DeKalb, Illinois
DeKalb County
Tree-Stump stones were popularly made of limestone, as well as marble, granite, and sandstone. They range in size from a few feet to around 10 to 12 feet in height.
Features commonly found on a tree-stump stone:
* A scroll, ribbon, or parchment “tacked” to the stump that bears the name, birth and death dates of the deceased.
* Ivy and vines wrapping around the stump
* Nature-Themed Carvings, such as a squirrel or an owl
Tree-Stump Memorial Stone to the Forney Family Children
( Arthur Forney: 1892 - 1903 )
( Pearl Forney: 1897 - 1903 )
( Clarence Forney: 1906 - 1911 )
White Oak Cemetery
Forreston, Illinois
Ogle County
Tree-Stump Stone for TJ Bunn
Evergreen Memorial Cemetery
Bloomington, Illinois
McLean County
Original requirements to join the Woodmen of the World (since withdrawn):
*Male
*Caucasian
*Age 18 to 45
*Any religion
*Resided in one of the 12 “healthiest” states: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio
*No hazardous occupations, such as underground miners, gunpowder factory employees, saloon keepers, sailors, aeronauts, railroad workers, liquor manufacturers / wholesalers, and professional baseball players