08/04/2025
Every stone tells a story.
From pioneers to parents, veterans to visionaries — our grounds are filled with history, love, and legacy. We invite you yo come and a quiet walk through time and discover the stories etched in stone.
George Sample
He was a member of the Woodsmen of the World and had one of their upright markers. This is his marker here ar Crown Hill Cemtery.
Ever noticed a gravestone shaped like a tree stump?
That’s the mark of the Woodsmen of the World, a fraternal organization founded in the late 1800s that provided life insurance and community support to its members. These unique tree-stump markers were often provided as part of a burial benefit, symbolizing strength, equality, and the natural cycle of life.
To become a member, individuals typically applied, paid regular dues, and passed a health exam. In return, they received financial protection for their families, access to a strong support network, and—depending on the time period—a distinctive gravestone that still catches the eye today.
The organization wasn’t dissolved but modernized into WoodmenLife, and the iconic gravestones are relics of its more ceremonial past.
Next time you’re in the cemetery, keep an eye out. History lives in these stones, and every one has a story to tell.
