USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 67
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When the old Y. M. C. A. building on Jefferson street was sold a campaign was at once started for the purpose of raising funds with which to erect a new building. A. M. Ward, of New York, an international secretary, was engaged to take charge of the campaign. The work started in June, 1909, and at the end of ten days of a strenuous and magnificent canvass, the splendid sum of $103,500 had been pledged for a new building, which was to be supplied with all modern equipments. Later a building committee was selected, composed of E. C. Fos- ter, chairman, J. M. Morse, J. A. Harman, E. T. Miller and W. E. McRoberts. On December 2, 1909. the contract for the construction of the building was awarded to Fred Meintz, and the firms of Shattuck & Hussey, Chicago, and Howard & Emerson, of Peoria, were secured to draw the plans for a $75,000 structure. Work was commenced on the building later on and by the middle of July. 1912. it was turned over to the officers of the association, completed. It stands on the corner of Sixth avenue and Franklin street, on a lot previously purchased by the association and is one of the finest structures of its kind in the state. It was anticipated that the dedicatory services would be held on August Ist. The cost of the building and lot was $105,000, and furnishings, $15,000, which was all paid up at its completion.
The present officers are as follows: President, Horace Clark; vice presi- dent. E. C. Foster : recording secretary, F. H. Avery ; treasurer building fund, S. D. Wead; general secretary, Herbert H. Holmes; directors, Horace Clark,
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ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL AND CHAPEL. PEORIA
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YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING. PEORIA
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
E. C. Foster. F. H. Avery. B. Cowell, D. S. Long, J. M. Morse, William Haz- zard, W. G. Causey, George F. Carson, W. C. Collins, H. W. Lynch, J. A. Har- man, F. S. Wallace, Leonard Hillis, M. W. Rotchford, J. T. Neilson ; physical director, H. D. Sanborn ; boys' secretary, A. S. Kresky; association secretaries. T. J. Killin and J. H. Kopp.
RAILROAD Y. M. C. A.
The Railroad Young Men's Christian Association commenced work in Peoria, December 1, 1900, and it is located at 2336 South Washington street in a build- ing 40x75 feet, two stories in height, with basement. This structure contains twenty-nine sleeping rooms, a reading room, amusement room, temporary hospi- tal, lunch counter, dining room, bath room, barber shop, store rooms, etc., and its total cost was $17.500, mainly the investment of the Peoria & Pekin Union railways. Its object is to furnish the best facilities to railroad men for body. character and soul-building by giving its members, at a nominal cost, clean, wholesome food and other necessaries and pleasures. Its membership, composed exclusively of railroad men, numbers 250.
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
At the laying of the corner stone of the new building occupied by the Young Women's Christian Association, Jennie Adair Johnston read a history of the society, from which the following generous extracts are taken: In November, 1893, Miss Jennie Martin, of the Illinois state board, and Miss Ida Bradshaw, of the Wisconsin state board of the Young Women's Christian Association, arrived in Peoria and started out to interest the people here in the movement for the organization of a Young Women's Christian Association. They found pub- lic opinion in sympathy with the cause and after a few days' canvass a meeting was held in the parlor of the Second Presbyterian church and the longed-for society was organized under the constitution recommended by the international committee, with officers and board of managers as follows: Mrs. Anna W. Rogers, Mrs. Mary M. McCulloch, Mrs. Ida Bourland, Mrs. Annie E. Dough- erty, Mrs. A. E. Petherbridge, Mrs. Addie Hazzard, Mrs. Katie M. Day, Mrs. Catherine M. Hill, Mrs. Elizabeth W. Henry, Mrs. Jessie S. Page, Mrs. Mary W. Parker. Mrs. Linda B. Tobias, Mrs. Henry Rouse, Mrs. Hannah M. Hough- ton and Miss Florence Bannister.
The newly formed society held its first meeting December 9, 1893, in the parlor of the woman's auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian Association building, with Mrs. Jennie S. Page in the chair. Committees were appointed on membership, finance, education, social, devotional and furnishing, and at the second meeting held January 26, 1894. in the same place, a report read indicated that $600 in money had been pledged. At the meeting the principal discussion was over the matter of a home for the association and a dwelling, standing between the Dime Savings Bank and Bartlett's store, was selected for the society's home.
A membership of 300 was reported at a meeting held in February, 1894, and measures were at once taken to secure a secretary. At a meeting held February 27th following, articles of incorporation were filed and an advisory board appointed, consisting of George Page, J. W. Rogers, David McCulloch, N. C. Dougherty and O. J. Bailey. Miss Ida May Hickok was secured as secre- tary but after a short time she resigned and in August Miss Caroline Palmer was appointed. Educational classes were instituted and efforts were made to secure the attendance of girls working in the various hotels, factories and stores.
Soon after the association had been installed in its new home the building was sold and another one was rented of Mr. Norton. To this building the as- sociation moved and remained for a period of fourteen years.
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
In 1905 Miss Harriet Vance, of Portland, Oregon, was called to the sec- . retaryship, and the membership of the association having grown to pleasing proportions, this zealous young woman put forth every effort toward creating a sentiment in favor of securing a lot and building a modern home for the as- sociation. The work initiated by her was kept up and in March, 1907, several competing organizations were formed among the young lady members and an active campaign was inaugurated in which the sum of $34,000 was pledged for the home. In the fall of 1907 Miss Ida Starkweather was called as general secretary, Miss Vance having accepted a call to Pittsburg, and under the skill- ful engineering of Miss Starkweather, aided by enthusiastic lieutenants, and strong public sentiment, ground was broken on March 4, 1907, on a lot previously purchased, and on April 30th following, the corner stone of the building was laid, Dr. Arthur Little, of the Second Presbyterian church, being master of ceremonies. The beautiful building, which cost $30,000 and standing on a lot for which $8,000 was paid, was dedicated and thrown open to the public, Friday, January 1, 1900. The structure stands on Liberty street, between Jefferson and Madi- son, and the design is along old English lines, being constructed of brick, with long windows, pillared porch and solid front. It covers the entire lot, 63 feet front and 931/2 feet in length. The front is of brown vitrified brick. Standing three stories in height and having a complete basement, there seems to be nothing that has been forgotten in the beautiful home. The interior is very home-like and very tastefully and conveniently arranged. There is a library, liv- ing room, class room, dining room, tea room, assembly hall and a well appointed gymnasium.
The association building is open daily from 8 a. m. to 9 p. m. and the reading and rest rooms are governed by the same rules. Cafeteria lunch is served to gentlemen as well as ladies from 11 :30 in the morning to 1:30, daily, except Sundays, with supper on Saturday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30. There is an employment and boarding directory and membership is open to all women of good moral character. The annual fees are: A regular, $1; junior, 50 cents ; sustaining, $5. Membership in the association entitles one to the use of the builling at all times-the parlor, library, rest rooms, employment bureau, board- ing house directory, cafeteria, social occasions, entertainments and lectures. Some of the classes admit members free of charge. These are the literature, travel and Bible classes, also the glee club. Other classes require a small ad- (litional fee, such as art needle work, sewing, millinery and others.
The membership of the Young Women's Christian Association now numbers 1,306. The officers for 1912 are: Mrs. W. C. Collins, president ; Miss Elizabeth Mckenzie, general secretary; Miss Alice R. Reynolds, extension secretary ; Miss Laura Bryan, office secretary ; Miss Florence M. Parmelee, physical di- rector : Miss Inez C. Dusten, cafeteria director ; Mrs. Helen McDowell, matron ; Mrs. Flora B. Reagan, travelers' aid.
THE CREVE COEUR CLUB
The Creve Coeur Club was organized April 5. 1894, by the incorporators, Theodore Kuhl, Elwood A. Cole, Joseph E. Callender, Frank B. Newell, Horace Clark, Jr., Frank H. Gift, H. G. Rouse, Charles R. Warner and Charles E. Wheelock. The association takes its name from the celebrated fort built by La Salle, and its object is to promote the business interests of the city of Peoria and the social enjoyment of its members. The management is vested in a board of nine directors. The officers for the first year were: Theodore Kuhl. president : Charles R. Warner, vice president ; Joseph E. Callender, secretary ; Frederick F. Blossom, treasurer. The home of the club is a magnificent modern building erected for the purpose on the corner of Jefferson and Liberty streets. The membership is large and is composed of business and professional men. It is democratic in character and non-political.
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PEORIA COUNTRY CLUB
ADZKI ENTURY GL.
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CREVE COEUR CLUB, PEORIA
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
THE COUNTRY CLUB
The Country Club of Peoria was incorporated June 26, 1897, and has for its object the encouragement of athletic exercises, recreation and social enjoyment. Its management is vested in a board of eleven directors and its membership is about 135. The first board of directors consisted of Walter P. Colburn, Frank- lin T. Corning, Sumner R. Clarke, Frederick H. Smith, R. W. Kempshall, J. B. Greenhut, Nathaniel Griswold, R. D. Clarke, Clifford M. Anthony, H. Frederick Steele, Jacob Wachenheimer. The first officers were: Frederick T. Corning, president ; Walter P. Colburn, vice president; R. D. Clarke, secretary ; and Frederick H. Smith, treasurer.
The club grounds are situated in Peoria Heights and contain twenty-seven acres overlooking the Illinois river. The original club house was formerly the residence of Mrs. Caroline S. Gibson, but recently a new building has been erected and a lookout from which the surrounding country can be seen for many miles. The spot chosen is an ideal one and is pointed out to strangers visiting the city as a place to be seen before leaving. Adjoining the grounds is a tract of land consisting of forty acres, devoted to golfing.
Other clubs that should be especially mentioned are the Women Teachers' Club, which was organized in the fall of 1897, with Miss Kate Rutherford, pres- ident : the New Era Women's Club, organized November 12, 1892, with twelve charter members; the Peoria Art League, previously known as the Sketch Club, organized in the winter of 1800-1. Its charter members were Grant Wright. Carl Pehl, A. B. Marston, L. A. Loomis, a pioneer artist of Peoria, Walter Laird, Hedley W. Waycott. Jesse Watson, Albert Chilcott, Frank Goss, Oric Snyder, Fred Klein, Robert Slack, William Kerr and Robert Weller.
THE DEACONESS HOME AND HOSPITAL
Some twenty-six years ago, a zealous and energetic woman of the church, Mrs. Lucy Ryder Meyer, founded the order of the Deaconesses of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in the city of Chicago, and opened a Deaconess' home and training school at or near the corner of Rush and Ohio streets, for the purpose of organizing and training volunteer young women for Christian and charitable work among the poor and needy, and under the auspices of the church.
The work has prospered so that beside the large home and Wesley Hospital in Chicago, deaconess' homes, training schools and hospitals have been estab- lished and maintained from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans, and quite a mim- ber of deaconesses have gone to foreign countries as missionaries. About the year 1808, one of the deaconesses, Miss Ida Phillips, came to this city and through her efforts, the Deaconess' Home and Hospital of the Central Illinois Confer- ence was established here.
Following the arrival of Miss Phillips, meeting of the members of the Meth- odist churches were held and the work discussed, and resolutions were passed asking the Central Illinois conference to establish a home and hospital in the city of Peoria. The conference which met that fall, took such action, and November 1, 1898, a meeting of those interested was held, which meeting was continued to November 7th. At this time a board of trustees and necessary officers were elected, an association having been incorporated October 28, 1898, under the corporate name of The Deaconess' Home and Hospital of the Central Illinois Conference, with the following named as first trustees: F. W. Merrell. G. R. Shafer, Jacob Straesser, Dr. W. W. Wyatt. Mrs. L. E. Bovee, C. T. McFall, Miss Ida Phillips, Mrs. M. Rogers, Mrs. Florence Gardner, C. V. Engstrom. William Schleicher and William Hazzard. This board of trustees was reelected. with the exception of William Schleicher, who declined to serve. November 14th following, the terms of the trustees were fixed as follows: F. W. Merrell, P.E., three years; G. R. Shafer, two years: Mrs. L. E. Bovee, two years ; C. V.
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
Engstrom, two years; Jacob Straesser, three years; Miss Ida Phillips, three years : Mrs. M. Rogers, one year : Dr. W. W. Wyatt, one year; Mrs. Florence Gardner, one year; C. E. McFall, two years; and William Hazzard, one year. Mrs. Gardner resigned, and William Taylor, of Edwards, was elected in her stead. The officers elected were as follows: F. W. Merrell, president of the board; Jacob Straesser, vice president ; C. V. Engstrom, treasurer, which office he still holds; and Miss Ida Phillips, financial superintendent.
November 23. 1898, the trustees purchased from Mrs. Lydia Bradley the large brick residence now known as No. 221 Glen Oak avenue, for $12,000. The association commenced at once to make the necessary alterations and repairs and a few months later opened the home and hospital, with Miss Lucy Hall, a deaconess, as superintendent and matron, with a corps of nurses.
From the beginning the new hospital was a success and gained the praise of physicians and patients. However, after it had been in operation a couple of years, a neigbor complained against it as a nuisance and the hospital was closed. On the Ist of December. 1905, the board of trustees obtained an option on the property and an agreement was entered into with Mrs. Amelia Bontjes, by which they afterwards purchased from the latter the property adjoining the home and hospital on the west side, for $13.000, the former hospital was again opened. In the meantime the board of trustees had purchased the vacant lot on the east side of the hospital and later sold the Bontjes property to Dr. E. W. Oliver at a considerable financial loss, but with stringent provisions in the deed which are intended to forever preclude the possibility of further injunc- tion proceedings.
In the fall of 1910 Rev. J. E. Mercer, having been financial agent for several years, and having been quite successful in securing funds and pledges, the board of trustees decided to begin the erection of a new hospital building, con- sisting of a central building and two wings, and contracted with William Z. Martin, a local contractor, for the erection of one of the wings. The dimen- sions of this wing are 62 x 75 feet and five stories high. It is designed in the renaissance style of architecture, with the face wall of the basement story of buff Bedford stone. The next three stories are faced with dark brick, and the upper story with buff brick with appropriate stone and dark brick trimmings. The basement or first story has two large wards, one for men and one for women and children, with necessary bath rooms, toilet rooms, linen room, and diet kitchen. Here also are the autopsy room, morgue and room for heating plant, and all are to be connected for present use, with the old building, by an ap- propriate passage way. The main floor accommodates the administration rooms, doctor's room, drug room and a number of private wards with bath and toilet rooms. The second and third floors will be devoted to private rooms, a num- ber of which will have baths attached. The fourth story is to contain the operat- ing room, surgeons' room, instrument and sterilizing rooms, nurses' dining room and main kitchen, with dumb waiters connecting with the various floors. On the roof, open air rooms for convalescents are to be arranged. The entire building is to be fire proof, and will contain every known convenience of the modern hospital. The ventilation will be so arranged that the fresh air supply for each room may be controlled independent of every other room, and suitable to the needs of each patient. Every known appliance in the way of elevators, electric lights, electric calls, sanitary floors, etc. will be supplied. This part of the entire building will cost from $50,000 to $70,000, and the entire contem- plated hospital building will present a frontage of about 160 feet in Glen Oak avenue, and is expected to cost $200,000.
The grounds have an extensive frontage on Glen Oak avenue and Knoxville avenue and extend back to Crescent avenue. The architect of the new build- ing is B. L. Hulsebus, of Peoria.
The report to the session of the Central Illinois conference which met in this city September 6-11, 1911, shows that under the efficient management of Miss
NEW BUILDING OF THE DEACONESS' HOSPITAL View from the east
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DEACONESS' HOSPITAL, PEORLA View taken from the north, showing all of the buildings
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
.Nellie Irene Young, superintendent of nurses, 231 patients received care in the hospital during the preceding year. Of these 103 were surgical cases. Charity work amounting to $2.364.88 was done. Under the management of Rev. W. R. Wiley, the present efficient general superintendent and financial agent, there has been gratifying success in raising the necessary funds to carry on the work. It is expected that the wing now under construction will be completed in a few months and will accommodate from forty to fifty patients.
The management of the home and hospital is under a board of trustees con- sisting of twenty-five members, of whom thirteen are ministers, and twelve, laymen. The present officers of the board are: Rev. O. T. Dwinell, president ; Dr. W. W. Wyatt, vice president: L. C. Hinckle, secretary; and C. V. Eng- strom, treasurer. Rev. J. W. Pruen is auditor and Rev. W. R. Wiley, superin- tendent. The executive committee consists of Revs. O. T. Dwinell. S. P. Archer. W. D. Evans, C. V. Engstrom, Jacob Straesser, William Taylor and L. C. Hinckle.
The entire funds for construction and support, aside from what may be received from paying patients, arise from donations. The board now owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Emden, Illinois, donated for the purpose.
THE FRIDAY CLUB
The Friday Club is the oldest women's club in Peoria, having been in ex- istence since 1875. At that time Mrs. E. D. Hardin invited to her house a group of women who called themselves jokingly at first "The Tired Mother's Club." While they read and discussed books and magazines, their children played on the spacious grounds of Mrs. Hardin's home. The club is unique, for in all these years it has never had any officers, or any constitution or rules, yet it has never failed to offer a delightful literary program at its bi-monthly meetings, and its members, who volunteer one after another to take charge of the arrange- ments, are devotedly attached to its interests and to one another. Any daughter of a member or granddaughter (and there are granddaughters now) is entitled to membership as a birthright. Twenty-five has been the average membership and the meetings of late years have been held not at one place, but in the homes of the different women. The club has joined the Civic Federation and has often helped some specially needed cause.
THE PEORIA WOMEN'S CLUB
The Peoria Women's Club has been in existence since January 20, 1886, at which time the first little group of women assembled in response to a call issued by Mrs. Clara P. Bourland.
Beginning with twenty-seven members, the club grew steadily, increasing al- ways in strength and usefulness, until now the membership is close to three hun- dred and fifty. Its objects, "mutual sympathy and counsel and united effort to- ward the higher civilization of humanity." were felt to be best served by dis- tributing the work under various departments. These are now the home and education, art and literature, social science and music departments. Each de- partment offers a number of classes for the pleasure and instruction of mem- bers. The home and education department has nearly always maintained a class in current events and for many years a large and enthusiastic travel class. Lately classes in domestic science and parliamentary law have been organized. The art and literature department has practically from the beginning of the club life given classes in the study of history, literature and arts of various countries, with particular attention to the study of Shakespeare's work and that of Brown- ing. The Shakespeare class closes its year's work with a presentation of one of the master's plays, given in costume and always with much spirit and intelli-
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
gence. Recently a class in the study of modern drama has been formed. This department has also given a number of excellent exhibits of engravings, oil and water color paintings, etchings and photographs, all of a high standard.
The department of social science has taken an active part in many good works for the community. It set on foot the movement which eventually resulted iu the establishment of the present hospital for the insane at Bartonville, secured the passage of an ordinance prohibiting expectoration in the street cars and on sidewalks and the appointment of a police matron. It has supported at differ- ent times cooking classes for girls, a boys' club, and for a year or more, until the state provided a worker, paid the salary of a teacher who instructed the adult blind of Peoria, in reading, typewriting, etc.
This season, 1911-12, it has given one hundred dollars toward the Detention Home and is interested in the establishment of a separate school room for de- fective children.
The music department is the only one which holds regular bi-monthly meet- ings. It has a large membership and provides most interesting programs, which, although prepared as studies, give great pleasure to the audiences and help to spread the knowledge and understanding of music. At one time the department had a mandolin and guitar orchestra, and for the last few years has done splen- did work with its Woman's Club Chorus. The class has given several concerts and is always ready to contribute its share to the club entertainments. In the fall of 1911 a new department, called the evening department, was formed for the benefit of professional and business women, whose duties prevented their attending the day sessions of the club. It meets twice a month to discuss cur- rent events and to enjoy a literary program at eight o'clock, after which a sup- per is served by the domestic science class.
The general meetings of the club are held on the second and fourth Mondays of the months from October to June, the topics presented being divided among the interests of all departments. While the papers and addresses have been contributed largely by club members, there has been a steadily growing tendency to secure speakers from out of town, which has added variety and breadth to the program. The club has had lectures from Julia Marlowe, Frederick Ward, Walker Whiteside, Julia Ward Howe. Abbey Sage Richardson, Judge Lindsey, Jane Addams and many others equally noted, and the concert committee in addi- tion to the work of the music department, provided for many years a course of from three to five concerts, at which there appeared such world renowned artists as the members of the Kneisel and Spering Quartettes, Fritz Kreisler. Josef Hofman, Bloomfield Zeisler, George Hamlin, Herbert Witherspoon and Cecil Fanning. The joy and inspiration which such artists as these have brought to Peoria's people. cannot be too highly estimated and the musical life of the city owes a tremendous debt to the Women's Club, which has preserved the highest standards, no matter what the discouragements or difficulties.
The dramatic committee has presented many plays of interest and usually provides the entertainment for Founders' Day, which is always celebrated Janu- ary 20th. Other special events, in charge of the social committee, are the presi- dent's reception to new members, given in the autumn, the informal tea and social half hour, which follows the monthly meetings, and the annual breakfast. which closes the club year in May. The first meetings of the club were held in the Pettengill Seminary and thereafter at the National Ilotel parlors until Janu- ary, 1894, when the club moved to its own building, at the corner of Madison and Fayette streets. The first thought had been to erect a modest building, adapted to club purposes only, but the need of a hall for chamber. music and lectures had been so strongly urged by musicians and friends outside the club that the present plan, though it involved heavier responsibility. was adopted.
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