Allamakee co. IAGenWeb - Misc. History

The Royal Neighbors of America (RNA) is a fraternal benefit society originally founded in 1892 as a fraternal benefit insurance society for men and women. The Royal Neighbors began as an auxiliary of the Modern Woodmen of the World but reorganized in 1895 as an independent benefit society for women.

Like the Modern Woodmen, some members of this fraternity indicate their membership on or near their gravestones.

...there may be a Royal Neighbors flower design emblem engraved on the tombstone:

R N A flower design emblems
engraved on stone

...a plaque next to the gravestone:

R. N. of A.
IN MEMORIUM
plaque

...gravestones may also be marked with a stake depicting a rose surrounded by leaves and buds emblem:

R N A IN MEMORIUM gravestone stake - photograph by Joyce M. Tice
R N A
IN MEMORIUM
stake

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The Royal Neighbors had camps in Allamakee county as early as 1899.

Little Gem Camp - No. 1314, Royal Neighbors, auxiliary to the M. W. Of A., was organized January 18, 1899 in Waukon. Riverside Camp - No. 1521, Royal Neighbors of America, was organized April 13, 1899 in Lansing.
The Mt. Oneota Camp was chartered in New Albin in 1902

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The Lansing Riverside Camp, No. 1521 of R.N.A. at their last regular meeting Wednesday, December 16th elected the following officers for the ensuing year:

Oracle - Catherine Murphy
Vice Oracle - Elizabeth Kaufman
Past Oracle - Lydia Horn
Chancellor - Susan Verdon
Recorder - Evelyn Severson
Receiver - Louisa Boeckh

~Waukon Republican & Standard
December 23, 1931

Marshal - Jennie Volkert
Assistant Marshal - Minnie Hefty
Inner Sentinel - Myrtle Gonyier
Outer Sentinel - Mina Boeckh
Manager - Katie Cooper

Mt. Oneota camp was still in existence in 1963 when the following New Albin news article was published in the January 9th Allamakee Journal:

Mrs. Mariam Weymiller was installed as oracle of Mt. Oneota Camp of Royal Neighbors in a ceremony at the home of Mrs. Clara Darling Tuesday evening, January 1st, Mrs. Josephine Moore installing officer. Others installed were Mrs. Alice Hurley, recorder; Mrs. Pearl Kroack, receiver; Mrs. Louise Meyer, chancellor; Mrs. Verona Bellon, outer sentinel; Mrs. Clara Darling, flagbearer; and Mrs. Colletta Meyer, manager for a three-year term. Mrs. Jo Moore was the installing officer. Following the business session, bridge and bingo were played with Mrs. Verona Bellon winning high score at bridge, and Mrs. Mariam Weymiller, high score at bingo. Mrs. Colletta Meyer won the guest prize. In conculsion, lunch was served.

Several obituaries posted on the Allamakee co. Obituary board mention the organization. It appears that there are no RNA chapters currently existing in Allamakee county. There is one in Elkader, Clayton county, Iowa.

~above compiled by S. Ferrall from various sources -- if you can add to the history of the Royal Neighbors in Allamakee county or have a photo of a gravemarker from an Allamakee county cemetery, please contact Sharyl.

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The Royal Neighbors of America, Mount Oneota Camp #2103, New Albin
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The photos below were contributed by Errin Wilker. They are undated, but appear to be ca1920, and the women are not identified.
If you can help with dating or identifying these photos, please contact Sharyl.