Just goes to show that they were fighting with the insurance companies even back then.
George C Boening, son of Catherine Heinz Boening and Philip Joseph Boening I, was just 20 years old in 1904 when he became seriously ill. The circumstances of his illness are not known, but he was living with his mother Catherine at the time. During his young work career (which, according to the 1900 census included a post as an elevator boy), he became a member of the lodge of the American Fraternal League, to which he paid regular membership dues. The year George fell ill, the AFL was bought by a larger insurance provider, the North American Union, which informed George that because he was two months in arrears of his monthly dues he was being dropped.
George’s brother (which one?) paid the two month’s dues, and the NAU sent a postcard to George informing him he was reinstated. A few days later, George succumbed to pneumonia.
After George’s death, Catherine wrote to the NAU to collect on George’s $1,000 insurance policy and the claim was denied. Catherine took the NAU to court, and the judge found in her favor. The NAU appealed the decision to the IL Appellate Court, and it was sustained, along with interest. The case was written up in the May, 1910Reports of Cases Determined in the Appellate Courts of Illinois, Vol. 155, p. 528-532.
Lemon Hill Research 