Woodman of the World

From History of Woodmen:

Woodmen was one of the first fraternal benefit societies in the United States. Founded in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 6, 1890, by Joseph Cullen Root, the Society had a humble beginning with very little capital and no office space.

The origin of the name "Woodmen" was never documented. However, it has been speculated that the name was chosen because Root grew up in Lyons, Iowa, where lumber was the principal industry.

It was also reported that Root's idea for "Woodmen" came from a speech he heard about woodsmen clearing away forests to provide shelter for their families. Others speculated that Root visualized himself as the root that would grow into a shelter, protecting members from financial disaster.

The first Woodmen certificates were issued from the home of John T. Yates, who was named Sovereign Clerk. The Society had no office until space was donated rent-free for six months by the owner of the Sheely Block at 15th & Howard Streets in Omaha.

The first certificate of membership was issued to William A. McCully, Camp 1, Independence, Kan., on December 29, 1890. About that same time, the Society's first publication, The Sovereign Visitor, was established.

The first death claim paid was that of Willie O. Warner, who drowned on June 14, 1891 in Niles, Mich.

Woodmen's first financial statement, dated December 31, 1891, listed receipts of $59,753.31 and disbursements of $58,876.22, with a balance on hand of only $877.09. By 1900, the Society had $219 million of Life Insurance in force.

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Census 1900
Washington County 40-99-19-88
Canehill, Washington County, Arkansas


James Andrew Blakemore Head October 1868 Arkansas
Lillie Wife November 1871 Tennessee
Mary Daughter June 1890 Arkansas
Willie R. Son March 1893 Arkansas
Jessie L. Daughter May 1895 Arkansas
Ruth B. Daughter April 1898 Arkansas
Mattie P. Daughter May 1900 Arkansas

James' Occupation: Blacksmith
Lillie: Mother of 5 children, 5 living
Married 10 years
Rented house


Census 1910
Lee's Creek Township 001-0006-0033
Adair County, Oklahoma

James A. Blakemore Head 43 Tennessee
William R. Son 17 Arkansas Farm Labor
Liza J. Daughter 15 Missouri
Ruth B. Daughter 12 Arkansas
Martha P. Daughter 9 Arkansas
Gladys H. Daughter 7 Arkansas
Thelma T. Daughter 5 Arkansas
Ray Son 3 Arkansas
Agnes Daughter 9 months Arkansas
Clarence W. Nephew 23 Arkansas Farm Labor

Rented Farm
Lillie: Mother of nine children, eight living


Census 1920
Stilwell Township 1-7-5-78
Adair County, Oklahoma January 6
City of Stilwell
3rd & Chestnut, House #97

Lillie P. Blakemore Head 47 Tennessee Housekeeper
Ruth Daughter 21 Arkansas None
Pearl Daughter 20 Arkansas None
Gladys Daughter 17 Arkansas
Thelma Daughter 14 Arkansas
Ray Son 12 Arkansas
Agnes Daughter 9 Arkansas
Jimmie Daughter 7 Oklahoma

Lillie is a widow.
Owns house free.


Census 1930
Amarillo, Potter County, Texas
Justice Precinct #1
409 North Taylor
April 10

Blakemore, Ray C. Head 22 Arkansas Painter Interiors
Lillie P. Mother 59 Tennessee None
Pearl M. Sister 30 Arkansas Operator PBX Sanitarium
Jimmie L. Sister 17 Oklahoma Operator PBX Sanitarium

Rents house for $17 per month.
Lillie is a widow.

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Thursday, May 3, 1917
J. A. BLAKEMORE DEAD

J. A. Blakemore died at his home in Stilwell last Saturday at noon, after a short illness from pneumonia aged 51 years. He leaves a devoted wife and family of eight sons and daughters to mourn their loss. Mr. Blakemore was a member of a prominent Washington county, Ark., family. He was born, raised and lived at Cane Hill, Ark., coming to this community about seven years past. He was an industrious, quiet citizen and has made many friends with our people.

Funeral services were held at New Hope cemetery Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. L. Brown, a life-time friend of the deceased. After which burial services were conducted by the W.O.W. camp of which Mr. Blakemore was a loved member

Four brothers and three sisters survive him: L. D. Blakemore, of Stilwell, Okla.; Jesse Blakemore, of California; Irby Blakemore, Payson, Okla.; B. F. Blakemore, Prairie Grove, Ark.; Mrs. Charlotte West, Prairie Grove, Ark., Mrs. Sallie Harris, Abbot, Ark.; Mrs. Dixie Lisenby, Springfield, Mo.
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Judge and Mrs. Alberty, of Westville, visited Sunday with their son, Deputy Treasurer John A. Alberty and family, and attended the district conference.

Mrs. Charlotte West and son, Oscar and Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Johnson, were over from Prairie Grove Sunday to attend the funeral of their kinsman, J. A. Blakemore.

• Married: 13 JUL 1890 in Canehill, Washington County, Arkansas
• Note: Book I, page 466--J. A. Blakemore, 23 - Lillie Ross, 19--July 13, 1890

1. Mary Ossie Blakemore b: 1 JUN 1891 in Canehill, Washington County, Arkansas
2. William Ross Blakemore b: 10 MAR 1893 in Canehill, Washington County, Arkansas
3. Jessie Eliza Blakemore b: 16 MAY 1895 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri
4. Ruth Bell Blakemore b: 10 APR 1898 in Canehill, Washington County, Arkansas
5. Martha Pearl Blakemore b: 8 MAY 1900 in Canehill, Washington County, Arkansas
6. Gladys Hunter Blakemore b: 24 JAN 1903 in Canehill, Washington County, Arkansas
7. Thelma Tillie Blakemore b: 6 APR 1905 in Canehill, Washington County, Arkansas
8. Carroll Ray Blakemore b: 30 APR 1907 in Canehill, Canehill Township, Arkansas
9. Mary Agnes Blakemore b: 27 JUL 1910 in Canehill, Canehill Township, Washington County, Arkansas
10. Jimmie Lee Blakemore b: 3 SEP 1912 in Stilwell, Adair County, Oklahoma