USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 28
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For our first cleanup day we planned a grand roundup of workers with rakes and hoes and other necessary tools, who were to start promptly at niue A. M., when all bells would ring and whistles blow. And such a seurrying and eleaning of corners was never before seen and such a merry army of men and women, boys and girls, responded as made a clean Harvard a surety. Papers and tin cans and all rubbish in the streets were raked into convenient piles and later teams were sent to gather up and eart away the refuse. The alleys presented a problem by themselves, and as we had no laws to enforce elean alleys, we hired a man with a team to go certain days through the alleys back of the stores and eart away all collections ready. The result was immediate im- provement in the looks of the alleys, and the eleaning out of spaces that had been for years untouched, besides the hauling away of immense wagon loads every week. Later this work led to the city garbage col- lection system which has been very successfully carried on under the supervision of the city health officer for several years, and incidentally, has removed to a remarkable extent that deadly pest, the house fly, thus proving a wonderful gain in sanitation.
As early as 1908 we originated a plan for districting our city, and appointed ehairmen of streets, eaeh ehairman to appoint assistants, who would have not to exceed two blocks or squares under her supervision. In this simple way, every house could be quickly reached with the least effort of time or labor. The plan commended itself in many ways. It fostered neighborhood pride and spurred to individual effort and brought about splendid results.
At the early meetings considerable study and discussion were ear- ried on relative to the ornamental planting of gardens and home grounds, and resulted in'an enthusiastic planting of flowers, shrubs and vines, that changed the city as if by magie. Special care was urged in the cutting of parkings or spaces outside the sidewalks, with the result that a wonderful improvement was soon seen, the grass being eut way to the wheel tracks in the center of the streets, which were then unpaved. producing a park effeet which was extremely effective even in the hum- blest neighborhoods, no unsightly fringe of tall grasses and unsightly weeds being left to mar the beauty of the smooth, green lawn. The last plan of street cutting was quickly aeted upon by the up-to-date farmers in the vicinity, and their homes have attracted universal attention and praise, being singled out as models of the progressive farm home.
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Much eredit is due to the officers and members of the advisory boards in which lists, in addition to those already mentioned, will be found the following dependable members: Mrs. John King, Mrs. A. J. MeCarthy, Mrs. W. H. Cobb, Mrs. K. B. Titcomb, Mrs. W. D. Hall, Mrs. James Shehan, Mrs. M. F. Walsh, Mrs. J. B. Lyon, Mrs. Lucy Young, Mrs. Mart Stafford, Mrs. W. C. Wellington, Mrs. Fannie Webster, Mrs. O. 1. Putnam, Mrs. John Boodle, Mrs. L. A. Gardner, Mrs. F. C. Peters, Mrs. II. L. Ferris, Mrs. Rev. Giesel, Mrs. Carrie North, Mrs. Aubrey Cook, Mrs. Asad Udell, Mrs. J. M. Harris, Mrs. Ilarry Beardsley, Mrs. Harriet Eastman, Mrs. M. J. Emerson, Mrs. R. G. Jones, Mrs. Gilbert Wagar, Mrs. J. HI. Viekers, Mrs. E. Carpenter, Mrs. Frank Bordwell, Mrs. Alex. Diggins, Mrs. Robert Minshull, Mrs. M. M. Towne, Mrs. Robert Nihan, Mrs. C. J. Hendricks, Mrs. Bert Ford, Mrs. Frank Phelps, Mrs. Albert Whaples, Mrs. James Lake, Mrs. A. C. Manley, Mrs. F. H. Dobson, Mrs. George Martin, Mrs. Helen Johnson, Mrs. George Walker, Mrs. Ora Stewart, Mrs. Richard Engle, Mrs. Robert Hall, Mrs. William Doyle, Mrs. A. C. Strain, Mrs. J. Keeler, Mrs. Eugene Ferris, Mrs. Howard Ferris, Mrs. Anna Fountain, Miss Florence Crumb, Miss Carrie Wyant, Miss Minnie Breitenfeldt, Miss Alda Wilbur, Miss Ella Miller, Miss Nell Richardson and Miss Fannie Powers. Every enterprise entered upon for the good of the city has been splendidly upheld and all possible assistanee has been given. Cemetery sidewalk building, as well as other cement sidewalk construction demanded by eity standards, received full support, as well as the oiling of streets and the planting of vines and shrubs on school grounds and in numbers of vaeant spaces.
Community elubrooms have been continued through the support and efforts of the Civie Club. In faet every movement for the city's benefit or improvement has been actively sustained and furthered by this asso- ciation and through all these years the interest and work has grown until IIarvard stands today, largely through the work of this elub, in the front ranks of attraetively planted and beautifully cared for small towns of northern Illinois, if not of the entire state.
MRS. C. W. GODDARD, Pres.
The following letter belongs to the above article :
"'Dear Mrs. Doolittle :-
"I have heard the history of the Harvard Civie Association read, and find it pleasing in every way save one. The writer has given herself no eredit for all the good work she has done for our organization, and I feel that it is unjust.
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"I was president for three years through the hard work of estab- lishing a permanent association, and know that it was her persistent efforts that brought success to us, for although she had good help, she was, and is, the backbone of the Harvard Civic Association.
"I have written the above from my own sense of right, and hope it will be kindly considered by the party credited.
"One of the presidents of the
"Harvard Civic Association."
In 1919 this organization was merged with the eivie department of the Harvard Woman's Club with Mrs. Charles W. Goddard as chairman.
HARVARD FORTNIGHTLY CLUB
In the summer of 1898 the Up-To-Date Club and the Honor Club united to become the present Harvard Fortnightly Club.
The Up-To-Date kept posted on the Spanish-American War; also general eurrent events. The Honor represented Ilope, Faith, Charity and Progression.
The new organization was named the Harvard Fortnightly Club by unanimons vote, forty members being the maximum, though the mem- bership has since been increased to fifty.
Mrs. J. W. Groesbeck was chosen president and held the office from October, 1898, to October, 1904. Mrs. Harriet Eastman, Mrs. Fannie Wellington, Mrs. A. C. Manley, Mrs. H. W. Blodgett and Mrs. J. H. Deaner have each served three years. The present president is Mrs. Daisy Goodsell.
The club federated with the state in 1906, and with the county the same year; in 1913, with the eleventh distriet.
For several years the work was for higher social and moral condi- tions but as interest increased local educational work was taken up and the public library, the schools and the Red Cross received benefits from the organization. For a number of years a lecture course has been sponsored and food sales and the movies have played their part toward charitable earnings. A Chautauqua, beginning August 1, was added to the list of 1919 work.
All moneys gained by club effort are used to help the needy or for local improvement, so in April, 1919, fifty trees were set out along the cemetery road in honor of our Ilarvard soldier boys. A Parent-Teacher Association was formulated in January, 1919, with a membership of
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ninety-six. Last, but not least, the French and Belgian orphans have received a portion of the II. F. C.'s earnings.
Sinee organization seven members have died, eight moved from HIar- vard and eleven resigned, but the waiting list was large enough to fill these vacancies without delay.
The names of charter members are: Mrs. J. C. Blake, Miss Daisy Blake, Mrs. J. S. Brasier, Miss Florence Bowman, Miss Edna Blanchard, Mrs. HI. D. Crumb, Mrs. Elmer Carpenter, Mrs. E. L. Church, Miss G. Carlson, Mrs. D. Davidson, Mrs. J. C. Diener, Miss W. Diener, Mrs. H. Eastman, Mrs. G. T. Griswold, Mrs. J. W. Groesbeek, Miss Mayme Groes- beek, Mrs. J. M. Harris, Mrs. R. W. Hall, Mrs. W. D. Hall, Mrs. F. J. Hubbell, Mrs. E. Krotzer, Mrs. James Lake, Mrs. M. W. Lake, Miss Gene- vieve Lake, Mrs. Frank Mason, Mrs. H. B. Minier, Mrs. V. MeKinstry, Miss J. Marshall, Mrs. J. J. Rountain, Mrs. P. E. Saunders, Mrs. Stewart Saunders, Mrs. M. A. Stafford, Mrs. W. C. Wellington, Mrs. P. E. Whit- tleton, Mrs. Fannie Webster, Mrs. Freeman Wilson, Miss Hattie Wilson, Mrs. H. S. Williams, Miss Nellie Williams, Mrs. H. T. Woodruff and Mrs. A. W. Young .- By President's Committee.
HARVARD WOMAN'S CLUB
The Harvard Woman's Club was the outgrowth of an idea. Many years ago a number of Harvard ladies were invited for a social after- noon when a fine lecture or a good story was read by the hostess or one of the guests. The time was so happily and profitably spent, the plan of entertainment met with enthusiastie appreciation and other ladies followed with like entertainment. It is from the influence of these afternoons that our elub undoubtedly received its origin, being organized October 19, 1891. Mrs. W. C. Wellington and Mrs. R. W. Hall, having it in mind for some time, had carefully worked out a plan for a club beginning. That the selection of members was most satis- factory, although in several instanees those brought together were mere acquaintances, the years have proved by uniting all into a wonder- fully intimate friendship which has greatly enriched and blessed our lives.
The following is the list of charter members: Mrs. Fannie Kinnie Wellington, Mrs. Anna Bagley Hall, Mrs. Harriet Nims Binnie, Mrs. Julia Aver Minier, Mrs. Harriet Watson, Mrs. Lueelia IInnt, Mrs. Ilarriet Miles Eastman, Mrs. Mary Crumb, Mrs. Clara Curts, and Mrs. Caroline Blake Goddard.
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The rules and by-laws first formulated have practically remained unchanged. The club is not a study elub, but a reading and social club. The season opens in October. Meetings are held every Monday afternoon, reading from 2:30 to 4:30, followed by refreshments at five o'clock, closing with post prandial.
Reading entertainment and post prandial are furnished by members in turn, the reader selecting any subject or matter she chooses. Each member invites one guest so that each week a company of twenty enjoys the reading and very informal discussions in which both guests and mem- bers are urged to participate, in addition to the dinner and the delightful post prandial which latter has always seemed especially helpful and inspiring.
No change in membership has occurred in the past twenty-three years until our loss, by death, of our youngest member, Mrs. Crumb. Several removals from Harvard and one withdrawal, added the names of Mrs. Mary Bagley Nims, who also moved away after one year, Mrs. Harriet Aver Towne, Mrs. Luey Gardner Young, Mrs. Mary Young Wil- liams, and Mrs. Leretha Austin Axtell.
The officers being elected annually by ballot, it has necessarily some- what of a rotation from vice president to president, most of the mem- bers serving many seasons. The office of secretary and treasurer, how- ever, has not been so changeable, the present incumbent, Mrs. Goddard, having held the office since the close of the first year.
The club has secured for Harvard several noted lecturers including Prof. David Swing, Newel Dwight Hillis, Rev. Frank Gunsaulus, and Jenkin Lloyd Jones. Also one season a lecture course of several numbers was held, the proceeds of $95.00 being given to the library. The club has held many delightful receptions for out-of-town guests, some for teachers of our publie schools, one colonial reception when the members were dressed to represent historic dames, and a large number for the husbands of the members at which other guests were included. Several receptions were also held in celebration of important elub events, such as the one hundredth meeting when one hundred guests were served with special refreshments, a program, toasts and a general good time. The 400th meeting was celebrated as a New Year's-day book reception at the public library. This added 400 books to our new library collection.
To the Harvard Woman's Club the library is deeply indebted in that through its efforts, under the leadership of the library committee of the club, Mrs. Hall, watchful supervision has been maintained and invalu- able assistance given. It is also largely due to this elub that the constant
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stream of new books, necessary to carry on, has been supplied. One of the club's "library memorials" was onr "Pay Shelf Fund" started in the fall of 1913 by our gift of $10.00, this to launch a perpetual fund for the purchase of the latest fiction, which should be on a special shelf, and all books drawn from it were to be paid for by a small charge per week, all money so received to be re-invested in more "new books."
Our 500th celebration, November 2, 1915, consisted in a trip to the library in a body, where our president, Mrs. Hunt, presented our anniversary gift of an additional $20.00 to the pay shelf. During 1918 this fund has accumulated $150.00 for the purchase of new live liter- ature for circulation, and as the years follow must roll up larger and larger sums annually. Another club gift to the library was a good, serviceable clock. Through the efforts of our club, a library tax has for some time yearly been secured, in 1918 amounting to $1,000.00. Besides Mrs. Towne's gifts of hundreds of books either purchased expressly for the library, or taken from her private library, she presented to the library her very valuable and exquisite collection of butterflies, mounted in plaster or cotton plaeques, together with the cabinet in which they are housed. This gift is of great beauty and will ever be a source of delight and edueation.
A fine picture of President Lineoln was given to our high school. To the activities of the Woman's Club, the Harvard Red Cross directly owes its origin. An initial membership of about fifty was seeured by them after reading and discussion of the Red Cross and its work at a regular meeting of the Woman's Club, when our secretary volunteered to receive the names and dues to be forwarded to Washington. Later through the elnb's agitation and insistenee, a leader was secured, Miss Florence Crumb, and her splendid perseverance resulted in the establish- ment of the Harvard branch of the Red Cross. Every member of the Woman's Club has been an active worker in the Red Cross either as head of some department, or a contributor of funds, or knitting. For two years the club has supported a French Orphan.
The Woman's Club has been an active force in assisting every move- ment for the benefit of Harvard and the uplift of her eitizens. Over 8,000 persons have been dined and entertained by it, the largest number recorded in one year being 650. Approximately 1,500 of the ehoieest magazine stories and artieles by the most brilliant writers of all ages have been read and freely discussed, all of which must have broadened and deepened the community thoughts and lives as surely as they have broadened and deepened ours.
--
Heo. A. Hunh
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HUNTLEY WOMAN'S CLUB
A company of women met on the afternoon of August 11, 1911, and were addressed by Mrs. Minnie Starr Granger, then state president of the Federated Clubs of Illinois. The subject considered was the organi- zation of a Woman's Club in Huntley. After the address discussion resulted in a vote by those present to form a club and become federated with the state at once.
Mrs. Belle Hoy was elected president, and committees were appointed to draft a constitution and prepare the work for the coming year. The name of the organization was to be The Huntley Woman's Club and the object, intellectual advancement, interchange of ideas and the promotion of the best interests of our community. The charter members were as follows: Mrs. Meda L. Smith, Mrs. Sarah Hadley, Mrs. Jennie L. Mason, Miss Catherine Donahue, Mrs. Myrtle S. Cook, Mrs. Claribel Hoy, Mrs. Beatrice Hoy, Miss Etta Sheehan, Mrs. Minnie C. Devine, Miss Georgiana Hadley, Mrs. R. Donahue, Mrs. Neva Hawley Van Ness, Mrs. Bessie Cook Butler, Miss Elizabeth Keating, Mrs. Harriet Crowley, Mrs. Rose Safford, Mrs. Abigail Richardson, Mrs. Ella Hart, Mrs. Theodore Fred- ericks, Mrs. Minnie Keating, Mrs. Anna Hadley, Mrs. Hester Disbrow, Mrs. Catherine Ober, Mrs. J. A. Sinnett, Miss Helen Grace Randall, Miss Lida Eleanor Randall, Mrs. Mae Statler, Miss Edith Hooker, Miss Gertrude Mason, Miss Alma Pabst, Mrs. Mabel Cruikshank, Mrs. Rene Marks, Mrs. Arletta Yarwood, Mrs Lora Harvey.
The first year the club had but two departments, a study class which met in the afternoon, and evening meetings onee a month. The next year four departments were created, as follows: home and education, history and travel, civics, and literature and music.
The presidents of the clubs have been as follows: Mrs. Belle Iloy. Mrs. Beatrice Hoy, Miss Gertrude Mason, Miss Lida Randall, Mrs. Arletta Yarwood, Mrs. Neva Hawley Van Ness, Mrs. Mary Barthol- omew, Mrs. Arletta Yarwood, Mrs. O. W. Mason, Mrs. J. W. Burns, and Mrs. F. R. Liddil.
The charter members of the club of Huntley should feel proud of the record of their work. There have been mistakes without doubt, but it has always been the purpose of the club to keep their object in view, even if at times it might seem far off. It has been the purpose of the elub to bring all the good things into the community within its power and as we look back we can feel that the efforts have not been fruitless. There is a present membership of forty-five.
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In February, 1915, a public library was started by the members of the elub, and has been in active operation ever since. When our country became involved in the Great War, the elub set aside its rontine work as all other loyal clubs did, and gave preference to the Conneil of Defense and Red Cross. Our active club members took up this broader work as capably and intelligently as they had previously done the regular elub work, thus proving the value of their training, and their loyalty to their country.
The Huntley Woman's Club affiliated with the District Federation in 1911, the State Federation in 1911, and the County Federation in 1917. GERTRUDE MASON.
LOTUS COUNTRY WOMAN'S CLUB
The Lotus Country Woman's Club of Spring Grove was organized December 9, 1911, at the home of Mrs. Fred H. Hatch. Nine women met to discuss the possibilities of a study club. Those present were as follows: Mrs. Fred L. Ifateh, Mrs. F. W. Hatch, Mrs. B. A. Steven, Mrs. T. D. Cole, Mrs. G. E. Wieland, Mrs. J. P. Vidward, Miss Julia Vidward, Mrs. Robert Currier, and Mrs. G. B. Hardy. It was decided to form a club and the following officers were elected: Mrs. Fred L. Hatch, president : Mrs. B. A. Stevens, vice president : Mrs. F. W. Hatch, corre- sponding secretary ; Mrs. G. E. Wieland, recording secretary : and Miss Julia Vidward, treasurer. The directors were as follows: Mrs. W. E. Colby, Mrs. T. D. Cole, and Mrs. G. B. Hardy. The chairman of the constitution and by-laws committee was Mrs. G. B. Hardy. The program committee was as follows: Mrs. G. B. Hardy, Mrs. G. C. Wieland, and the chairman of social committee was T. D. Cole. It was deeided the club was to be a literary and social organization, with meetings on the first and third Saturdays in the month at two, p. m., at the homes of the members, refreshments to be limited to tea or coffee and wafers or cookies.
The elub was named after the beautiful Lotus beds in Grass Lake. A few years later the word "Country" was added, making it the Lotus Country Woman's Club. The club affiliated with the State federation, the District federation, and the Federation for Country Life.
The progress of the elub in 1912 was as follows:
Flower, Lotus. Colors, yellow and green. Motto, "Not for ourselves alone. "
The following women have acted as presidents: Mrs. F. L. Hatch,
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Mrs. B. A. Stevens, Mrs. J. C. Furlong, Mrs. G. C. Wieland, Mrs. J. C. Furlong.
At the sixth meeting of the elub, held at the home of Mrs. F. W. Hatch, March 2, 1912, it was suggested that as the old officers were the originators of the elub, it would be proper and fair that they be re- elected to their respective offices the ensuing year, thus giving an officer the privilege of holding office for two years. With a little change the following were elected: Mrs. F. L. Hatch, president; Mrs. B. A. Stevens, first vice president ; Mrs. Lynn Overton, second vice president ; Mrs. G. C. Wieland, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. F. L. Hatch, corre- sponding secretary ; directors, Mrs. E. G. Turner and Mrs. J. C. Furlong.
At this time the elub had about twenty members, but it grew until at the present time there are forty members, not including the Music Club of fifteen girls which is an auxiliary to our club.
A farm festival and children's flower and vegetable show was held September 15 to 20, 1913. Among the speakers were Joseph E. Wing, Mrs. H. M. Dunlap and Dr. Cyril G. Hopkins.
During 1918-19, it was voted to hold the meetings in Sehramn's Hall, which the club had just rented. All of the members belong to the Red Cross, and the club has given generously toward its support.
There is a library connected with this elub, which was started by the donation by each member of a book to be read by the members. Now there are over 100 volumes in the library, besides the use of a traveling library from Springfield.
A French orphan was adopted through our elub, by the four schools representing members in our club, Spring Grove, Creek, English Prai- rie, and Solon Mills sehools.
It has been the aim of the elub to provide entertainment for the young people of the community, and many are the good times they have had. A study course was decided upon for 1919 and 1920. Mrs. J. C. Furlong is the present president ; G. Turner, recording secretary ; Mrs. R. R. Turner, corresponding secretary : Miss Mary Swenson, treas- urer ; Mrs. Reed Carr, auditor; directors, Mrs. F. W. Hlatch and Mrs. G. J. Richardson.
We have had two deaths in the elub, Mrs. Elizabeth Pinney of Solon Mills, dying May 14, 1917; and Mrs. Catherine Westlake of Spring Grove, dying January 6, 1919.
MRS. E. G. TURNER.
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MARENGO WOMAN'S CLUB
In 1894 eight ladies met at the home of Miss Nellie Fillmore to form a conversation club, so unpretentious as to have no rules or regulations. The object of the club was for the members to become easy and proficient conversationalists. At each meeting on Monday afternoon, every mem- ber was obliged to relate a short and select story. It was such a success that by the end of the first year the most retiring and unassuming member gave a review of J. M. Barrie's "Little Minister" like a gifted reader.
The charter members of this elub were as follows: Mrs. Helen Husted, Mrs. Caroline Coon, Mrs. Harris G. Otis, Mrs. M. G. Hackley, Mrs. Elizabeth Shurtleff, Miss Jean Stanford, Miss Elizabeth Sperry, and Miss Nellie Filmore. It was thought best for us to broaden out and enlarge the membership of our club to twenty-five members, who appointed Mrs. John Parkhurst, Mrs. Caroline Coon and Mrs. Harris G. Otis, assisted by a most able lawyer, Mr. A. B. Coon, to draw up a constitution and some by-laws. Mrs. Gertrude Dorman gave instruction in parliamentary law. The object of the club was to study art and literature for mutual benefit. We reviewed the art and literature of Italy, France, England, Germany, Japan, Egypt and the United States, oftentimes spending months and even a year on one country. We met in private homes, but after the Community Hall was completed in 1916, we again changed our plan, increasing our membership to nearly one hundred, and began meeting in the new hall. The club now meets in the hall the first and third Friday from October to May 1. There are five departments of the club : civies, philanthropy, reform, science and edneation, literature and art and music. The club now has a member- ship of ninety-eight.
Before the war, each department held meetings outside the club for study. At the regular meetings we have had outside talent, being ad- dressed by ministers, lawyers, physicians, philanthropists and educators, and otherwise entertained by opera singers, bands, cartoonists, clay mod- elers and artists. Ross Crane brought a fine exhibit from the Art Insti- tute and give us several lectures. Bonnie Snow brought a wonderful collection of art and erafts from public schools all over the United States, and gave us two or more lectures on the subject.
The club cared for the public library for fifteen years, and its de- mands from that day to this keep growing, and now through the aid of C. B. Whittemore, we have a two mill tax and the library now requires
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no further aid from the elub. Mrs. C. B. Whittemore, one of our mem- bers, is president of the library board. At different times the elub has given teas, luncheons, banquets and garden parties, for great social features.
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