HomeFront Sitrep with Modern Woodmen

Modern Woodmen history
Finding roots in ancient Rome
Helping families after a breadwinner’s death was a key reason fraternal benefit societies were first formed in the mid-1800s – and why Joseph Cullen Root founded Modern Woodmen of America in 1883. But the concept of life insurance goes all the way back to 100 B.C.

The vision behind our name
We have no woodworking in our history. No cabinet making. No lumberjacks.

Our name was inspired by pioneer woodmen. They cleared forests to build homes and communities and provide security for their families. Modern Woodmen’s founder, Joseph Cullen Root, felt this was the perfect symbol to illustrate his goal of clearing away financial burdens for families.

On Jan. 5, 1883, Modern Woodmen of America was born in Lyons, Iowa. We moved across the Mississippi River to Fulton, Illinois, in 1884. Our headquarters relocated downriver to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1897. Rock Island remains our home office hometown to this day.