Royal Highlanders
History of the order
Organized in 1896 as a fraternal benefit society, this order admitted men and women to its ranks on equal terms. Two classes of membership were available, benefit and social. The ritual, which was secret, was based on Scottish history and intended to teach “Prudence, Fidelity, Valor.” These latter three were the watchwords of the society. All members took a vow of secrecy. The society invested extensively in Nebraska farm lands. In 1930 the society had approximately 17,000 members. The order reincorporated in 1937 to become a mutual life insurance company, and in 1946 it changed its name to Lincoln Mutual Life Insurance Company. Head offices were in Lincoln, Nebraska.