The period after the Civil War, was a time of stress, turmoil and uncertainty. It was during this period that Fraternal Benefit Societies, Mutual Benefit Associations, and Self Help Groups developed in the United States to provide members with financial protection, a collective voice, and fraternal brotherhood. The first such organization was the Ancient Order of United Workmen (AOUW).
The AOUW was founded by John Jordan Upchurch and thirteen others in Meadville, Pennsylvania on October 27, 1868. Each member paid $1 into the insurance fund to cover the $2,000 benefit paid to a members dependents when he died. Each time a member died, $1 was due from the surviving members to reestablish the fund. Fraternal benefits societies soon became quite popular as a means of providing financial protection to working class people at an affordable rate. Additionally, Fraternal benefits societies typically maintained a lodge where members could meet together in a spirit of fraternalism and brotherhood. In at least one case - the Populist movement - the fraternity evolved into a powerful political organization providing a voice for their members.
Fargo, North Dakota
Ancient Order of United Workmen
(Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance Co.)
The postcard to the upper left shows the AOUW headquarters or "Grand Lodge" building at the corner of 10th Street and 2nd Avenue North. This building was constructed in 1927. Three additional floors and a new wing were added to the building in 1952, as can be seen in the postcard to the lower left.
On January 1, 1948, the AOUW of North Dakota officially became the Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance Company.
For more information about PML, please visit their web site.
Thank you to Pioneer Mutual Life and Marlys Carlson for providing historical information for inclusion here.
By 1887, the AOUW had more than 176,000 members in 3,200 member groups (called lodges) across the country. Prior to July 18, 1895, the lodges in North Dakota were affiliated with those in South Dakota. For the first few years, the Grand Lodge offices were located in the basement of the Red River Valley National Bank, occupying two small rooms and a vault. This office was operated solely by E.J. Moore, Grand Recorder. About 1906, the offices in Fargo were moved to the second floor of what is now the Northern School Supply at the corner of NP Avenue and 8th Street North. The AOUW constructed the building shown in the postcard dated 1913 to the right to serve as their headquarters. It is located at 112 Roberts Street.
In 1916, E.J. Moore was elected Supreme Recorder and the office was moved from Meadville, PA to Fargo. Mr. Moore served the AOUW for 44 years. The AOUW moved out of their building in 1927 (see below) and the Interstate Business College took over the building until 1978 when they moved to a different location. At some point, the building became known as Federal Square
Pictures of the original AOUW building can be found here.
