Ancient Order of United Workmen. Grand Lodge of Montana

The Ancient Order of United Workmen, the first fraternal life insurance society in the United States, was organized during the 1870s by John Jordan Upchurch in Meadville, Pennsylvania. The original group had only twelve members. By 1898 there was a national membership of over 400,000.The Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Montana was organized by J.W. Kinsley, Deputy Supreme Master Workman, on December 18, 1890. Kinsley had served as Supreme Overseer of the national organization in 1889. Montana lodges included Butte Lodge #1; Hecla Lodge #12 at Glendale, organized by G.G. Earle and others; Elkhorn Lodge #16, organized in 1891 by Charles E. Ringwall and others. and Centennial Lodge #28 in Boulder, organized in 1885 by J.W. Kinsley and others. Previous to the organization of the Montana lodge, the state's members were affiliated with the Grand Lodge of Nevada.

From the description of Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Montana records, 1883-1906 (Montana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 462892809

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