USA > Missouri > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County Missouri, early and recent history and genealogical records of many of the representative citizens, Volume I > Part 60
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tive secretary for this district, with the co-operation of the Christian women of the community. Since the first year the organization has boasted an average of one thousand members, including women of all denominations and of various faiths. The home of the association since its inception has been at 304 East Walnut street, but the trustees and board are hoping in the near future to erect their own building on the site already given by Mrs. Josephine Watson and Lizzie McDaniel, opposite the Young Men's Christian Association building, on South Jefferson street.
The board of directors has had four presidents, namely: Margaret Sheppard, who is still an honorary officer; Ada Grabill, Mrs. Charles Howell and Mrs. W. J. Shannon. Those who have served as general secre- taries are Mary Lehman, May Quinn, Mrs. May Lewis, Ada Grabill and Daisy June Trout.
The aim of the association is to uplift and develop young womanhood, socially, intellectually, physically and religiously, and the work is so broad it appeals to every side of a girl's life no matter what her position or station. The Young Women's Christian Association offers to its members various privileges and always at as low a price as possible. In its cafeteria meals are served at a minimum cost. Its dormitory furnishes to twenty or more girls clean, comfortable lodgings for a reasonable price. The educa- tional department offers classes of all sorts at a small tuition and lectures free of charge. The gymnasium appeals to many girls who are employed in offices during the day, and its classes are taught by a trained instructor. There is beside the social life which this organization offers to all its mem- bers and which is recognized as a real part of the life of every normal girl.
The association is evangelical, but inter-denominational. working among girls of all creeds or of no creed at all. It is in no way intended to take the place of the church, but to supplement it and to minister to the needs of young women in a way that is impossible in the average church. The real meaning of the Young Women's Christian Association is perhaps best ex- pressed by the national motto, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
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CHAPTER XVII.
WOMEN'S CLUBS.
By Mrs. E. M. Shepard.
It would be impossible to write the history of the educational and civic development of any region without taking into account the part which wom- an's activities have played in the advancement of a community from the primi- tive to the more complex stage of its existence. As some great crisis is often needed to crystallize into definite action the forces which are destined to be powerful along certain lines of progress, so it has been with the entrance of woman into the sphere of a more or less public field of usefulness, as seen in the history of the last half-century.
The close of the Civil war found the country with many questions of philanthropy and civic betterment to be solved, and it was at this time that the more leisurely class of women began to organize for service in the many di- rections indicated by the exigencies of the times. Thus the woman's club movement was born, though the full meaning of the movement was not real- ized at first, even by its organizers. With the fundamental principle of serv- ice as its reason for existence, the club, from the first, numbered among its leaders mature women who had entered upon the serious work of life and who wished to be useful. As these associations were found to create a bond of good comradeship between women thus brought together, what was more natural than that the club idea should spread to every department of life un- til, as with the "making of books." the forming of clubs should have "no end"?
,It is not with the many miscellaneous and objectless organizations of women that this chapter has to deal, but with those which have entered into the educational and civic life of the region of which we write-those which have become identified with the welfare of their respective communities, hav- ing for their aim the elevation of the average standard of life and the broad- ening of the social aims of the people. It is through the two avenues of educa- tional and civic interest that woman has entered the field of public service, and been brought into close relation with every vital question that has to do with better human living. With greater leisure than the business man, who, in the main, wages the financial battles of life, she has studied at close range the problems of education that she may help provide for her children the condi- tions necessary for sound bodily development ; for a proper intellectual un- folding: and for the spiritual enlightenment that gives breadth of vision and a true balance to character. And because she loves her family, her home, her town and her state, and feels that no one should be indifferent to those
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things which make for the highest good of all, for municipal health, beauty, self-respect and good government, she has become an ardent civic worker for the betterment of the community at large, striving for the creation of an en- lightened public opinion by means of which all reforms must come to pass. While such ideals have brought the women of our state into the arena of public service, it is a satisfaction to note that those of the region described in this history were not slow in perceiving the need of organization for the bet- ter carrying out of the new aims which had begun to give greater zest to living. Before the women in any of the larger cities of Missouri had caught the enthusiasm of organization, in the city of Springfield, in Greene county, was founded the Springfield Ladies' Saturday Club, now recognized as the oldest literary club in the state, and honored for the work which it has ac- complished in its own city, as well as the leaders whom it has given to the broader work of the later state and national organizations of women's clubs.
The opening of Drury College in Springfield, in 1873, gave a fresh stimulus to the intellectual life of this region. and brought a new group of enterprising women to enter into relationships with those already here, and it was not long before the results of these associations began to be apparent. In the fall of 1878 the first of a series of meetings in the interests of the proposed new club was held at the home of Mrs. W. F. Geiger, the result being that the early part of the new year witnessed the completion of an or- ganization that included representatives from many of the principal families of the city. With the year, 1879, the active work of this club began with a meeting in the reading room, on the third floor, of the old Greene County Bank building, when Mrs. James R. Milner was elected president, a most fitting choice, since Mrs. Milner, in addition to having been the most active of all those interested in the project, was fitted by education and her previous connection with the new college, to be a leader in the work. Writing of the early days of the club, Mrs. Milner mentions, among those who were especially active then, Miss A. J. Cowan, Mrs. W. F. Geiger, Mrs. Humphrey Howell, Mrs. Cyrus Eversol, Mrs. Wade Burden, Mrs. W. L. Hardy, Miss Ohlen (Mrs. E. M. Shepard), Mrs. Fearn and the Misses Laura Whitson and Amy Wright. On February 22d of the year 1879 the constitution and by-laws, under which the club should work, were adopted, and that date is now recognized as the birthday of the club.
CHARTER MEMBERS.
The first book of records gives the following list of charter members : Mrs. M. S. Boyd, Mrs. S. H. Boyd, Miss Minnie Brown, Miss Nellie Burden, Miss Clem Culbertson, Miss A. J. Cowan, Mrs. Cyrus Eversol, Mrs. M. E. Fearn, Mrs. H. C. Geiger, Miss Anna Grigg, Miss Emma Grigg, Mrs. W. D.
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Hubbard, Mrs. H. Howell, Mrs. H. E. Havens, Mrs. W. L. Hardy, Mrs. Rosina Kellett, Mrs. Koch, Mrs. Means, Miss Moberly, Miss Morris, Miss McChier, Mrs. Milner, Miss Ohlen ( Mrs. E. M. Shepard ), Miss Fanny Owen, Miss Alice Porter, Mrs. Peck, Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Phelps, Mrs. Paine, Miss Ophelia Parrish, Miss Perkins, Mrs. C. Sheppard, Miss M. Sheppard, Mrs. Victor Sommers, Miss Taggart, Mrs. Waite, Mrs. Waddell, Miss Laura Whit- son, Miss Mary White, Mrs. Dr. Augusta Smith, Mrs. D. C. Kennedy and Miss Lillie Brunner.
In addition to the regular literary meetings, projects of general interest to the community were constantly undertaken by this body of energetic women. Lecture courses were sustained ; dramatic entertainments added funds to the treasury ; loan exhibitions were planned to call forth hidden art and historical treasures ; music of a high order contributed to the elevation of the public taste ; and a slowly increasing collection of books was looked upon as tlie nucleus of a possible public library for the city. Later, two traveling libraries, each consisting of fifty well selected volumes, were kept circulating among the clubs of the smaller towns of this region until the Missouri State Library Commission was established, when that part of the club work was given over to the commission. A suitable permanent meeting-place was difficult to find, and the building of a club house was an ambition fostered by the necessities of the case. In the club minutes of 1883 we find the first mention of money out at interest.
In 1884 articles of incorporation were granted to the club, and the accu- mulation of money for the building of a club house became one of its chief aims. The realization of this ambition became partly fulfilled when, in the year 1906, an arrangement was entered into between the club and Drury College whereby a certain frame structure on the college campus was. turned over to the club, the latter agreeing to put approximately one thousand dollars worth of improvements on the building, and to place in the college library its collection of books, to which it agreed to add, annually, volumes to the value of thirty dollars. This arrangement, which was expected to be a permanent one, continued until the coming of a new president to the college brought about changes which resulted in the dissolution of the partnership, the return to the club of the money invested in the building, and the seek- ing of a new home in the Carnegie Library until circumstances should warrant an investment in property of its own.
The Saturday Club, through its individual members, or acting as a whole, has always done its share of the work when civic projects of any kind have been undertaken in the city. Especially has it been active in the general clean-up measures that have been inaugurated from time to time, and the sani- tary improvement of the Springfield public square was first undertaken through the initiative of these women who circulated the first petition ever
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GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
sent out calling upon the mayor and city council to enact and enforce laws relating to the general cleanliness of streets and public stairways. Always, when new civic enterprises have been inaugurated in Springfield, the Saturday Club has been a sharer in the work. The Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations have had generous contributions from its treasury, and such charities of the city as are administered by the Humane Society and Visiting Nurse Association receive valuable assistance from the members.
This club affiliated with the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1886, being among the first of similar organizations in the country to do so, and when the Missouri Federation was formed, in 1896, its delegates assisted in the organization of that body. In the person of the writer of this chapter, it furnished a president for the Missouri State Federation for four consecu- tive years, and through various members has had representation in every state and national convention since these came into existence, its women having been honored with offices on both state and national boards.
Mrs. Pope G. Myers is president for the year 1914-'15, and Miss Grace Hammond is secretary.
The Friends in Council was founded in the city of Springfield, in 1883, being composed of a few congenial friends who had previously formed a Chautauqua circle. Under the direction of a club of the same name, in Quincy, Illinois, the organization became the eleventh in the chain of Friends in Coun- cil clubs. The charter members were Mrs. John L. Holland, Mrs. Adelaide H. Toomer, Mrs. Traverse, Mrs. W. L. Hardy, Mrs. Will Hall, Mrs. J. C. B. Ish, Miss Ophelia Parrish and Mrs. J. B. Tolfree. The local club has always maintained a limited membership, fifteen at first, but later raised to twenty, which is the membership at the present time.
Mrs. Virginia Holland was chosen as the first president, and with the exception of two brief interims, during which Mrs. A. H. Toomer and Mrs. IV. G. Sweet, respectively, served, she has continued in that office up to the present time. The educational influence of this club has been an acknowledged power among the thinking women of the city. The study outlines, prepared for several years by Mrs. Anna B. McMahan of the Mother Club, of Quincy, Illinois, and later by recognized experts, have included early Greek and Roman literature, Italian, French, German and English classics, and American litera- ture and folk-lore, courses which, under the able leadership of the club presi- dent, have made most liberal contributions to the general culture of those pur- suing them. More time has been given to Shakespeare than to any other one author.
With much close study, the club mingles a sufficient amount of recreation, and the two occasions of the year when social features predominate are promi- nent dates in the club calendar. Although claiming to be a "strictly literary" organization, a strong altruistic spirit keeps it in sympathy with the philan-
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GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
throne movements of the day. Its president is one of the founders of the Springfield Children's Home, and many of its members are active workers on the various committees included in the management of the home.
The club joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1892, and the Missouri State Federation in 1896. In 1897 it was incorporated. Dur- ing its whole existence of twenty-seven years it has met once a week in Mrs. Virginia Holland's home, the average attendance being remarkably good and the interest in the studies undertaken very great. The president, in 1914-'15 is Mrs. Virginia Holland; the recording secretary, Mrs. E. V. Williams, and corresponding secretary, Mrs. Rosa Ward Atwood.
HELPED CHILDREN'S HOME.
The Progressive Workers' Club, of Springfield, is composed of a group of women who add to their desire for intellectual advancement, a deep in- terest in the welfare of the unfortunate, and it is the philanthropic side of their work that has most impressed itself upon the community. This club was organized in 1889, joined the Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs in 1905 and the General Federation in 1914, which is sufficient proof of a broad interest in humanitarian affairs.
It was the first club in Springfield to lay by a stated sum of money for the local Children's Home, an institution to which it has always been a con- tributor. It aids in the support of a city nurse, and of the Girl's Rescue Home in St. Louis, as well as in all public welfare work of a local nature.
The thirty members of which the club is now composed are constant workers for the relief of poverty wherever it come to their knowledge. The following seven presidents have successively and faithfully served the club during the years of its existence: Mesdames W. H. Fink, Cronk, T. A. Haney, W. L. Hardy, W. R. Daniel, H. E. Steinmeyer and C. E. Teed. The president for 1914-'15 is Mrs. C. E. Teed, and the secretary Mrs. M. C. Stone.
The fourth woman's club to be organized in Springfield resulted from the withdrawal of a few individuals from an older club of limited membership, in order that they might bring into club fellowship a large number of women who had expressed a desire for entering upon some plan of literary work. The meeting for organizing the new body was held in the parlors of the Metropolitan Hotel, in 1896, at which time a membership of one hundred and twenty-five women was enrolled, to form a new department club to be called Sorosis. The constitution was made broad enough in character to admit any woman of good standing in the community, and expressed an ambitious desire to co-operate with all existing forces that were striving for educational and social uplift. The charter membership list is not available, but the following were the first officers elected : President, Mrs. Adelaide H. Toomer; first vice-president, Fannie Thornton Hornbeak; second vice-
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president, Mrs. Bessie Tarr Herndon; recording secretary, Mrs. Margaret J. Phelps ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Mildred Haseltine; treasurer, Miss Emma McGregor; librarian and historian, Miss Annie Vaughan.
Of the four departments of this club, one studies current events, one classic literature, one Shakespeare and one travel, meeting every other week. Notwithstanding the literary nature of its programs and the social features of the monthly meetings, which include all departments, this organization makes opportunity for doing much practical work. It has aided the Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations, as well as given generous con- tributions to the Children's Home; and with its present membership, of one hundred and fifteen women, every civic interest is represented and re- sponded to in such ways as seem most needed. It is a member of the City Federation of Women's Clubs.
The name of Mrs. Adelaide H. Toomer will always be associated with the history of this club, as she was the moving spirit in its earlier years. It was her broad plan of organization that brought a large membership into it, from the very beginning, and caused it to be widely known for its pro- gressive attitude.
As a member of the State and General Federation of Women's Clubs. which bodies it joined in 1898 and 1897, respectively, it has always worked in connection with the various committees of those organizations for such measures as were pending for the welfare of women and children in the state and nation at large.
Several loan art exhibits have been conducted in the city of Springfield under the auspices of Sorosis women, who have thus earned the gratitude of an appreciative public, and many other entertainments of high merit have been given by them. The building of a house of its own is among the plans for the future of this club, and every year a considerable sum of money is being set aside for that purpose. In the year 1914-'15 Mrs. J. W. Sanders is president and Mrs. Harry Horton is secretary.
The Busy Women's Idle Hour is a club which grew from a series of social gathering into an organization that has had an enviable reputation for good works in many departments of the established charities of Spring- field. In the summer of 1896 a few friends who had been much together in the entertainment of out-of-town guests decided to continue their meet- ings and devote them to some useful purpose. These women were Mrs. J. B. Jewell and her two daughters, Mrs. Ely and Mrs. Chalfant, Mrs. Harry Jewell, Mrs. M. Holbrook, Mrs. James Abbott and Mrs. J. W. Nier. At the home of Mrs. Harry Jewell this decision was made, and each woman was asked to bring a friend to the next meeting, to be held at the home of Mrs. M. Holbrook. At Mrs. Holbrook's house a regular organization was effected, with Mrs. Holbrook as president and Mrs. Harry Jewell as secre-
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GRILNE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
tary. Expansion seems to have been the policy of the club, for at its next meeting, with Mrs. Charles Baldwin, each member again nominated one more, making the number twenty-four, and thirty is now the limit of the club.
SERVICE TO OTHERS.
That this was truly an organization of busy women is attested by the fact that in those early days the members took their babies along, if there were any, and tended them while planning the activities which were to reach out to the homes of the destitute and carry cheer to the unfortunate and suffering. While the social features that characterized the beginnings of this club were never lost sight of, service to others became the watchword of these women who took upon themselves emergency duty in relieving in- mediate need whenever it came to their knowledge, and also gave much time to the making of garments and household supplies for the Children's Home and raising money to help defray the running expenses of that in- stitution.
The club belonged at one time to the Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs, but later withdrew in order to devote all its funds to local charities. Notwithstanding this fact, it has always entered heartily into whatever projects the local clubs have undertaken as a whole, and borne their share of ex- pense incurred when conventions have been entertained, or similar demands made upon the generosity of Springfield women. In addition to its other charities it is a regular contributor to the Springfield Visiting Nurse Asso- ciation. The president of this club. in 1914-'15, is Mrs. Charles McGregor, and the secretary is Mrs. M. Coolbaugh.
The cultivation of the fine arts has always been a distinctive feature of social progress. Twenty years ago the need for some concerted foster- ing of a broader spirit of culture began to be felt by Springfield music lovers, a group of whom began a course of study on what is known as the Derthick plan, with a series of lessons designed to illustrate the correlation of certain motives in music, art and literature. A two years' study along these lines strengthened the desire for work that should be more exclusively devoted to music, and in 1897 the re-named Springfield Music Club entered upon the new plan of work which has caused it to become a widely recog- nized part of the social and educational life of the city. Beginning with a few individuals, this club has acquired a large membership of men and women, both professional and amateur (some of whom have studied with the best masters abroad), who compose the present working body. Its meetings are held every two weeks, from October to May.
With the study, particularly, of German, French, English and American music. this club has covered a wide range of educational topics at its meet- ings, while giving musical programs of unusual scope and interest. It has
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GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
not only sought out and developed local talent but it has done a much ap- preciated public service in bringing to its home city many noted artists, both in voice and instrumental music, bearing all the expenses connected with such undertakings. In 1904 the club, having outgrown its parlor meetings, accepted the invitation of the Martin Music Company to use their music hall, which is the present home of the club. That growth in interest corresponded with the constantly increasing membership was evidenced by the affiliation of the club, in 1908, with the National Federation of Music Clubs, a step which broadened the work of the local body and brought its membership into closer fellowship with similar organizations throughout the country.
While the first records of the society are no longer available, so that a complete list of its charter members might be had, certain names associated with the early musical interests of the city should be mentioned in this con- nection. Mrs. Ella J. Spohn, now of St. Louis, was the president of the early group of Derthick students, and Professor A. P. Hall, of Drury College, succeeded her when the reorganization took place. Mrs. Marie Burden, the first secretary and one of the most faithful of the number, will always be remembered as the first music teacher in Springfield, her coming to this city dating back to the years before the Civil war. Dean and Mrs. A. P. Hall, of Drury College, both of whom served as president at various times, were stanch supporters of the new project. Professor Chalfant, Dean of Drury College Conservatory of Music, was associated with it, as was also Professor E. H. Kelley and Professor Busch, a violinist of considerable note, now residing in Seattle. Mrs. G. A. and Miss Birdie Atwood were among the leaders in the club, the latter having been at one time president. The Misses Stella and Lena Whaley and Miss Ada Grabill were prominent, the club having been organized in the home of the Misses Whaley. With the growth of the city, many people of musical ability have been added to the membership, making a constituency that insures success for any project that the club may see fit to undertake. With active support from the Conserva- tory of Music of Drury College as well as the large number of teachers who conduct private classes in various departments of music, this club has a great variety of talent for use in its regular meetings, and the public recitals, given under its auspices, are always of a nature to attract large audiences of cul- tivated people who have been trained by this organization to become ap- preciative lovers of music. In the year 1914-'15 Mrs. C. E. Fulton is president and Miss Earle Craig is secretary of this club.
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