The Danish Brotherhood in America (Det Danske Brodersamfund i Amerika), organized in Omaha, Nebraska, on January 2, 1882, was a mutual benefit society for Danish immigrants and persons of Danish heritage. Active members in the organization had to purchase life and health insurance which entitled them to cash payments in case of illness and to death benefits. Other persons who did not purchase insurance were allowed to participate in some activities of the organization, including certain ceremonies and rituals which were obligatory for all members. In addition to its insurance program, the Brotherhood appears to have served primarily a social function. The constitution of the Danish Brotherhood prohibited discussions of political and religious issues at meetings. Many local lodges had libraries of Danish books which members were allowed to use at no charge.
Lodge No. 9 was one of eighteen Danish Brotherhood lodges in Wisconsin. It held its first meeting on July 4, 1883, and had about 100 charter members. The membership remained at a little over 100 members for most of the period covered by the records. Although the records end in 1920, Lodge 9 was in existence until sometime during the 1950's.
