Spencer v. Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen

The .defendant is a benefit association with a large membership, the chief aim of which is to provide a .beneficiary fund in the nature of an insurance on the lives of its members. The local organizations are called subordinate lodges, and above those is the Grand Lodge, usually of state jurisdiction, and still superior to that is the Supreme Lodge, made- up of duly elected representatives of the grand lodges.

In October, 1888, Charles O. Spencer became a member of Youngstown Lodge, No. 289, and upon his application a.beneficiary certificate for $2,000 was issued by the Grand Lodge, payable to…