MS 521 - Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (U.S.) Columbia Camp #17 (North Baltimore, Ohio)

Title	MS 521 - Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (U.S.) Columbia Camp #17 (North Baltimore, Ohio)
Introduction	The records of Woodmen of the World, Columbia Camp #17, North Baltimore, Ohio, consist of approximately .5 linear ft. of minutes, a membership ledger, cash books, correspondence, and account books, dating from 1894 through 1913. The collection was transferred to the Center for Archival Collections during April 1988 from the Wood County Historical Museum. This register was prepared by Marilyn Levinson, Curator of Manuscripts, Center for Archival Collections, March, 1990. No restrictions exist on the the use of this collection.
Agency History	Woodmen of the World (WOW) was a secret fraternal society organized primarily to provide life insurance for members and, secondarily, to serve social purposes. Little is known of Columbia Camp #17 of North Baltimore, Ohio. It is possibly the counterpart of the Supreme Forest Woodmen Circle, Oak Grove #18, also of North Baltimore. The Woodmen Circle and WOW were founded in 1891 by Joseph Cullen Root, and incorporated in 1895, with headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Root had founded Modern Woodmen in 1883, which had its headquarters in Rock Island, Illinois, and severed ties with that group to found WOW and Woodmen Circle. Woodmen Circle operated as a women's auxiliary of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society, but with separate and independent management.
Scope and Content	The records of Columbia Camp #17, Woodmen of the World, document some of the history, structure, and procedures of a secret and ritualistic fraternal life insurance organization from 1894 to 1913. The minutes of the organization offer a record of financial business transacted at meetings, with an occasional reference to more social activity. The correspondence, legal, and financial records reflect more of the structure and procedures of the group.
Series Description	PROCEEDINGS MINUTES February 7, 1910-November 3, 1913 Arranged chronologically Contains officers' names, meeting dates, results of elections of officers, financial transactions, treasurer's reports, and occasional comments on refreshments and social facets of the organization. MEMBERSHIP LEDGER 1905-1911 Arranged chronologically Membership listing, which includes member name, age, certificate number and date, and dues payment history. Oversized - wrapped separately. MEMBERSHIP ROSTER 1898 Arranged chronologically Membership listing, including name, membership certificate number, and age. CORRESPONDENCE November 1898-December 1899 Arranged chronologically Contains letters from the National Camp, primarily detailing membership dues assessments and procedural questions. FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS ACCOUNT BOOKS 1894-1914 Arranged chronologically Banker's accounts detailing Camp financial transactions, including Orders paid, and Charity Fund assessments. CASH BOOKS 1898-1902 Arranged chronologically Clerk's cash books detailing, by name, member's payments into Camp dues, Sovereign Camp dues, and Charity Fund assessments. PRINTED MATERIAL BLANK FORMS 189- Forms related to Camp offices and membership, including transfer of membership from one Camp to another, waiver of lost certificate of membership, and credentials of Camp elections. BROCHURES 1899? Informational brochure, detailing Woodmen of the World history, membership assessment rates, prohibited occupations, and comparisons with other national mutual insurance societies.
Inventory	Box 1 Folders Minutes, Feb 7, 1910-Nov 3, 1913 Membership Ledger (Wrapped separately), 1905-1911 Membership Roster, 1898 Correspondence, Nov. 1898-Dec. 1899 Account Book, 1894-1899, 1901-1914 Account Book, 1900 Clerk's Cash Book, 1898-1900 Clerk's Cash Book, 1900-1902 Blank Forms, 189-