Catholic Knight begins
In 1885, Karl Benz built the world's first gasoline-powered vehicle that traveled at nine miles per hour, the first modern bicycle was built, and the National Audubon Society was introduced to the United States. During this time, Catholic Knights of Wisconsin was formed. This new fraternal benefit society was dedicated "to unite fraternally for social, benevolent and intellectual improvement of all practicing Roman Catholics of every profession, business and occupation between the ages of 16 and 60 years."
By the end of that year, there were 45 branches and 1,450 members, with Milwaukee's branch consisting of 97 members. In 1904, John M. Callahan was named State Organizer, and his home served as the headquarters of Catholic Knights for many years.
Five years later, Catholic Knight magazine was first published. Branch members began working with each other on special events and initiation ceremonies. In 1915, women were invited to join Catholic Knights as full members, and Augusta Czerwinsky was the first woman to join in 1916. By 1923, Catholic Knights moved into its first home office building in Milwaukee.
Catholic Knights expands
The Depression had only a minor effect on Catholic Knights, as conserved funds and the fraternal spirit of members kept the Society moving forward. In 1931, juvenile insurance was introduced, and throughout the Depression the number of juvenile policies continued to increase.
Joseph F. Walsh became president in 1940 and served through 1970. Through his persistence, Catholic Knights sold their former office building and purchased the Tower Hotel in Milwaukee for $1,035,000. The second floor was used for offices and the other floors continued to serve as a hotel.
In 1958, Catholic Knights of Wisconsin changed its name to Catholic Knights Insurance Society. Through the 1960s, the Society expanded and increased in the number of policies issued. In Walsh's last year as president, a new home office was built on 11th and Wells Streets in Milwaukee. This building still serves as Catholic Knights' home office.
After Walsh stepped down from the presidency, Don Bero assumed the position. The Society had 105,000 members at this time and started donating funds for student scholarships. In 1971, $60,000 was set aside for scholarships and similar programs.
On September 25, 1971, Catholic Knights experienced a tragedy that heralded the beginning of several rocky years. Don Bero, president, Carl A. Lindich, secretary, and Joseph P. Betker, director of agencies, along with their wives, were killed in a private plane crash just moments after takeoff at Mitchell Field. After their deaths, three other Catholic Knights officers died within months of each other. Dr. John Casanova served as part-time president and helped get the Society back on track.
From 1973 to 1981, Paul C. Lutzen served as president. In 1981, the Catholic Knights board of directors asked Daniel J. Steininger, then a board member and legal advisor to Catholic Knights, to help in the interim with presidential responsibilities.
The 38th Triennial Convention of Catholic Knights then unanimously elected Steininger Catholic Knights' eighth president in the history of the organization.
Leadership reorganized
At that time, Catholic Knights faced daunting problems. It had never replaced the leadership lost in the plane crash of 1970. Its product portfolio was no longer competitive. The cash surrender of products from Catholic Knights was reaching a dangerous point. And the branch system was not greatly assisting Catholic Knights in raising funds for its charitable outreach mission and activities. No new investment had been made in technology. The sales leadership was not recruiting new sales representatives in sufficient quantities to reverse the declining revenue picture. In addition, a strong union had developed within the organization that was attempting to address concerns about the failure of management.
New president Steininger, age 37, recruited and assembled a management team of vice presidents intent on creating a vital turnaround for Catholic Knights.
The team immediately began rethinking the mission of the branch system. To better raise funds for those in need in local Catholic communities, Catholic Knights began encouraging activities that raised matching funds. This, in turn, produced a very real, robust charitable program that brought in millions of dollars in support of local Catholic parishes and schools, communities and those in need.
Recent History
New products were introduced, including an interest-sensitive product and fixed annuities. Life insurance sales surged, so that by the mid-1990s, life insurance in force had grown to over $2 billion — a 300 percent increase. The asset base also had grown significantly by that time, reaching more than a half billion dollars, which represented about a 500 percent increase. Quality programs were introduced and Catholic Knights began to win awards for service to its members.
By the mid-1990s, membership growth had stalled and, in fact, was beginning to decline. It was clear that Catholic Knights would be facing a major crisis. Read more about what Catholic Knights is doing today.