Tombstone Tuesday: Modern Woodmen of America

This tombstone in Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio is a great example of the Modern Woodmen of America. Many genealogists and taphophiles are familiar with the Woodmen of the World organization, which placed countless tree-stump tombstones on the graves of its deceased members. The Modern Woodmen of America is older than WOW, though it was founded by the same man, Joseph Cullen Root. He formed MWA in Lyons, Iowa in 1883. He left the organization and formed WOW in Omaha, Nebraska in 1890.

Modern Woodmen of America is still an active fraternal/insurance organization. Today it offers a variety of insurance and financial services. Its website features a timeline of its history.

Rihl tombstone with Modern Woodmen of America logo, Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio. Photo by Amy Crow, 10 May 2009; all rights reserved.
Rihl tombstone with Modern Woodmen of America logo, Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio. Photo by Amy Crow, 10 May 2009; all rights reserved.
Close-up of Modern Woodmen of America logo, Rihl tombstone, Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio. Photo by Amy Crow, 10 May 2009; all rights reserved.
Close-up of Modern Woodmen of America logo, Rihl tombstone, Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio. Photo by Amy Crow, 10 May 2009; all rights reserved.
Posted: June 23, 2009.

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