USA > Ohio > Allen County > A standard history of Allen county, Ohio : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development > Part 52
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Lima Rotary Club: The Lima Rotary Club numbering 150 members, was organized January 19, 1915, and it holds Monday luncheon meet- ings. The membership committee is known only to its president and secretary ; names are proposed for membership and the committee decides upon them. The 1920 president, Ralph W. Austin, and secre- tary-treasurer, LeRoy S. Galvin; the purpose of the Rotarian Club- service to others. It is altruistic, and has financed the Boy Scouts, and has had charge of the Lima War Gardens for three years; there are 1,100 such gardens; the thrift spirit is fostered, and people are encour- aged to help themselves. The Rotary Club has just established a $5,000 fund for the benefit of crippled children in need of surgical or medical attention. The Gridiron Club is subsidiary to the Rotary Club, starting with twenty members.
In a recent newspaper communication Lima Beane said to the Rotarians: "Despite the fact that in the distribution of charity, it is your desire that the 'right hand know not what the left hand doeth,' I'm going to violate your rule against parading good deeds, and tell my public something about what you did on Christmas day. One hun- dred and fifty families in this good city of ours who would not other- wise have had an opportunity to experience the joys of Yuletide, were made happy by you big-hearted men, sending out baskets of supplies for the day, with dainties and toys for the children; the 600 children in the 150 homes you visited will never forget you. I heartily approve of the plan you adopted, each inember being assigned to a particular
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family, to bring into their home Christmas cheer; the idea is a splendid one." The Rotary Club is widespread as a civic organization ; the Lima branch is one of many.
Lima Kiwanis Club: While the International Kiwanis Club was organized in 1913, it was in May, 1919, that the Lima Kiwanis Club came into existence. There are 375 Kiwanis clubs in the United States with a membership of 40,000; it is a welfare organization-sells the soul of the city to its members, and the organization is growing rapidly ; there are twenty-eight Kiwanis clubs in Ohio, and Indiana stands sec- ond with twenty-seven clubs. Lima has a membership of 175, and the Kiwanis Club motto: "We build." The Lima club holds weekly noonday luncheons on Tuesdays; it always has speakers of ability and current topics are under consideration. As in the Rotary Club, only one member is admitted representing one line of business or profes- sion; in this way the membership does not become unwieldy, and it is varied in its community representation. Walter Jackson is president of the Lima Kiwanis Club, and its membership supports all community welfare efforts. "A Kiwanis Club without an objective is like a ship without a rudder ; never in the history of the Kiwanis movement has any club which was working on any real job had any club problems." The Lima Kiwanis club is "on the job."
The Lions Club: The Lions Club is the most recent civic organiza- tion in Lima ; its charter bears the date, November 12, 1920, and since it is part of an International Association, there is a central power to direct and protect it; the membership is limited to one man from each business or professional classification, otherwise there being no number limitation ; meetings are held each Wednesday noon with a luncheon, and some vital subject under consideration; the object is to advance the cause of worthy community movements. R. E. Ashley is the Lions Club president. There were seventeen clubs in Ohio when the Lima club was given its charter. Lionism is another name for opportunity; it is a name that stands for character; the strength of the lion is its symbol; it is nonpolitical, nonsectarian and is composed of representa- tive men. "Each unit of the International Association has the help and co-operation of all the other units. Lionism promotes the principles of good government and good citizenship; it takes an active interest in the civic, commercial, social and moral welfare of the community." This is the day of organization and throughout the United States, men are coming together in club groups for comradeship, and for community welfare. Lima is abreast of the rest of the world with civic organizations.
Shawnee Country Club: A disastrous fire in 1917 explains the lack of information as to the time of the organization of the Shawnee Coun- try Club "several years ago." The club has acquired the ownership of 100 acres of land and has leased a forty-acre tract adjoining it, and has one good golf course with others under consideration. Its purpose is social and recreative, and the membership is limited to 250 men and 300 women. In 1917, just after a series of dedicatory events in con- nection with the newly remodeled club house, there was a disastrous fire; the whole structure lay in ashes and there were no explanations. A stuccoed brick structure arose from the ruins having dance floors and banquet halls, and the members entertain on whatever scale suits their requirements ; there are big parties and there are small dinners given there. The Shawnee Club is not open in winter, and many of the Country Club members also hold membership in the Lima Club because of the winter social advantages. Both the Shawnee Country and the
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Lima Club members are active in the Rotary, Kiwanis and Lion clubs. In the summer of 1920, a disastrous windstorm swept the vicinity of the Shawnee Country Club, destroying seventy of the most beautiful trees; an elm that had stood the storms of many winters was demol- ished; it stood near the club house, and the house was uninjured in the storm; it seems that the tree attracted the electrical current and saved the house.
Lima Locomotive Club: As its name suggests, the Lima Locomo- tive Club membership is limited to the men and their families who are employed at the locomotive factory. It is a social center for 350 mem- bers; only employes, their mothers, wives, sisters, daughters or sweet- hearts are included in the club's hospitality; the club was organized in 1915 as an amusement and recreational center. All the Lima civic and social clubs attract outside members, and Bluffton, Delphos and Spen- cerville have their community welfare organizations. The Knights of Columbus recreation building has been elsewhere mentioned, and the Lima Young Men's and Young Women's Christian associations func- tion in a similar way in the community. The secret orders also have social and recreational features. A good physique is an economic neces- isty. There are billiard tables and bowling alleys in many places; in some communities the churches supply such requirements-anything to hold the attention. Every welfare organization recognizes the athletic side of human development. A good animal is an economic necessity, collateral on any market.
Lima Young Men's Christian Association: Again the statement that the '70s were eventful years; the reconstruction period after the Civil war meant much to the United States, and now the whole world is entering upon a period of reconstruction-a new civilization. No defi- nite date is established, but in the eventful '70s, a number of Lima business men and Christian gentlemen effected a Young Men's Christian Association organization, with J. R. Hughes as president; a fund of $500 was subscribed and reading rooms supplied with current periodicals were opened on the second floor in a public square business block. H. Parman was secretary of the first Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, and among the active promoters were: R. K. Darling, A. M. Metheany, G. W. Walker, Ira Longsworth, D. S. Cross, B. F. Davis, D. Newell and many others; however, from lack of leadership the association only lasted a few years. "Everybody's business is nobody's business," and for a few years Lima had no Young Men's Christian Association at all.
On November 7, 1887, under the leadership of Rev. Fred Bell, who was a Disciple minister, there was an attempt at resuscitation, but there was nothing left and a new organization was necessary. About 125 members were secured, and meetings were held in the Collins Block; in the fall of 1888, there was an influx of new members, and an era of prosperity followed-everybody co-operating, and in 1890 the high tide of interest was reached; at this time the Rev. C. H. Yatman directed the community efforts; he was an evangelist, however, and only a temporary leader. In 1894, a twenty-four-room Young Men's Chris- tian Association building was opened to the use of local young men as a rendezvous; it occupied the site of the Blum store at West Market and Elizabeth streets; the community thought it had taken care of the needs of the Lima Young Men's Christian Association for many years ; it would be the social and religious center while the men who promoted it were spared to live in the world; however, Lima was a growing community.
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While the Young Men's Christian Association was located on Mar- ket Street, Robert J. Plate was elected president of the organization, and associated with him was Frank Eberhart as secretary; the time came when the building was inadequate for the needs of the association. The Market street property was sold for $50,000, and the present location at West and Spring streets was chosen; it was necessary to raise more money. W. C. Williams succeeded Mr. Eberhart as secretary, and he remained with Mr. Plate through the period of transition-sale of one property and purchase of another. On May 2, 1910, a campaign was launched to secure $125,000 in addition to the money arising from the sale of the Market street property, giving to the association $175,000 with which to establish itself again. The association directors enlisted 250 Lima business men who recognized the civic need, the purpose : "For efficient manhood: an open door of opportunity ; a Lima enter- prise for Lima's upbuilding," and recognizing the further fact: "The city that does not regard its young men as its largest asset, is apt to find them its heaviest liability."
Those who conducted the different war chest drives in connection with the World war, recognize the advantages of training as the men who raised the Young Men's Christian Association budget all per- formed effective service; it is the accepted way to accomplish any com- munity enterprise-an every member canvass, and not a man is missed in carrying the white man's community burden. A line from the fore- word of the Young Men's Christian Association booklet: "This build- ing stands today as a monument to the generosity of Lima's citizens, 3,300 of whom in May, 1916, pledged $130,000 for the project; the members of the building committee have performed their task with splen- did fidelity, and Lima is justly proud of the finished product; it will be a builder of morale for the whole city."
Although the country became involved in the World war while the Young Men's Christian Association building was in process, and the com- mittee faced the most difficult building conditions in a generation, every- thing is finished as planned and since September 1, 1920, with Louis C. Bradshaw as general secretary the organization is expanding in every direction ; it is pushing along in all lines of development. Mr. Bradshaw was overseas in Young Men's Christian Association service, and many young men now living in the building also had overseas adventure. The corner stone from the old building-1894, To God from Man, has been utilized in the southwest corner foundation wall, and in the south- east corner bearing the date 1917, is the effective triangle : Spirit, Mind, Body, and the Bible open at the Book of John, XVII, 21-the text illuminating the whole thing; read it.
Including the lot, the building and the necessary equipment, the Young Men's Christian Association represents a $200,000 investment ; including the basement there are seven stories at the front, with four stories at the rear; the basement contains the mechanical equipment, bowling alleys, billiard rooms and cafeteria. The main floor includes the lobby and the executive offices; the shower baths and swimming pool are on this floor. A visit to the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion will convince anyone that it is well arranged and serves an excel- lent purpose. There are living accommodations for almost 100 young men; there is always a waiting list of applicants. The transition period while without a building caused all to appreciate the new structure. All floors are connected with an Otis automatic elevator, and the top story is just as desirable as any rooms in the building; the splendidly furnished lobbies provide a social rendezvous where young men meet
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their friends; however, the building is not the Young Men's Christian Association. "While much good was done, in the old building, the new quarters give a vastly greater opportunity."
Lima Young Woman's Christian Association: The Lima Young Woman's Christian Association was organized November 25, 1919, and from the beginning Mrs. D. J. Cable has been its president; Miss Viola May Johnson, the general secretary, has as her motto: Pray, plan, push, and since she is an enthusiastic woman her motto seems to be useful. The Young Woman's Christian Association is a later mani- festation of the spirit that actuated the formation of the Business Woman's Club in 1909, when the Ohio Federation of Clubs met in Lima. The Business Woman's Club which was effective for about ten years suggested to the minds of all that it was made up from women of the business world; its purpose was the spiritual, mental, moral and physical uplift of the women and girls in the community. The Busi- ness Woman's Club paved the way for the Social Service Club that was finally merged into the Lima Young Woman's Christian Association.
On Thanksgiving day, A. D. 1920, the Lima Young Woman's Christian Association celebrated its first anniversary, and "something doing every day" was the history of Thanksgiving week, a health pageant staged in Memorial Hall being one of the features; it was under the supervision of the physical director, Miss Mary Garford. The Y. W. has met with as much encouragement from the community as was given the Y. M. in its beginning, and it has made satisfactory growth; it is not an over-night prodigy, growing as it did out of the Social Service Club, and at its rooms in the Metropolitan Block there are reading and rest rooms-a social center for many young women. The place had been opened as a Recreation Center under the auspices of the War Work Council of the National Young Woman's Christian Association, and when the war ended it was simply merged into the Lima Chapter Young Woman's Christian Association and the community welcomed it.
The Lima Young Woman's Christian Association has already acquired a building site adjoining the Christ Episcopal Church on North West Street, and there is an income from it as there are three tenant houses on it. When the time comes the association will ask the community for money; it is ambitious to have a suitable building as its recreation center ; it is said there are more than 3,000 self-supporting women and girls in Lima, and already 1,500 wholesome meals are served each week at the rooms of the association; more than 200 girls are enrolled in the educational classes, and 300 girls visit the rest rooms every day. There is entire harmony between the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion and th Young Woman's Christian Association in Lima, and the Knights of Columbus Recreation Center performs similar service. Miss Johnson is a woman equal to the requirements, and the following quotation explains her versatility : "She does everything from being an electrician to conducting funeral services."
SECRET SOCIETIES
It seems that Allen County citizens did not find time for secret orders until about the middle of the Nineteenth Century; while the lodge divides honors with the church today, it did not start with the churches; the Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists being early. The settlers were busy keeping the wolf from the door-both in a figurative and literal sense, and it may be said they were fraternal since they always responded to the needs of others-and that is the foundation purpose of most secret societies. All the Allen County towns have their quotas of
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both churches and lodges, and some who live in other towns affiliate with Lima lodges.
Allen Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 223 of Lima was organized April 12, 1853; its charter members: Charles Bloom, Eli Bond, J. J. Knox, D. S. Taylor, Samuel Ebersole, William Gibbs and A. R. Kincaid, and the first persons initiated by the lodge were: John Lenhart and George Cole. Since such orders promote fellowship and brotherly love, their membership increased rapidly. Allen Lodge suffered property loss in 1866, amounting to $3,000 from adding a second story on a business house which was blown off in a storm; it rented different halls and other lodges were instituted from it. Delphos, Bluff- ton and Spencerville all have Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodges, and there are other Lima lodges. Other Independent Order of Odd Fellows organizations in Allen County are: Lima Encampment, Ohio Encampment, Canton Orion, Patriarchs Militant and the Daughters of Rebekah; wherever there are Odd Fellows there are Rebekahs.
Free and Accepted Masons-It was January 1, 1851, that Lima Lodge No. 205 Free and Accepted Masons was organized with Orrin Curtis, Seth W. Washburn, Samuel A. Baxter, Thomas K. Jacobs, John H. Meily and others present, and those enumerated all occupying official positions. David H. Anderson, Zeno Bates and Phineas Edge- comb were also charter members. On May 5, 1851, occurred the first Masonic funeral, that of Ezekiel Hover; in June the order buried a cholera victim, Edmund S. Linn. It is related that the Lima Lodge of Masons and their wives did much to alleviate suffering from the scourge of cholera sweeping the community. When the Masonic lodge room was first carpeted, Mr. Edgecomb, who lived ten miles from town, was tyler-custodian of the building, and in order to save mud from the carpet he required all members to enter the sacred precincts in their stocking feet; since he only received twenty-five cents a week for his service, it is little wonder he made the requirements as light as pos- sible ; there has seldom been a time when this lodge was unable to hold a meeting from want of a quorum in attendance ; the members have been faithful and the lodge has a fine property at High and Elizabeth streets. The Garrett Wykoff lodge was organized July 28, 1900, and its charter was granted October 25, the Century year; it was named in honor of a worthy Mason. Lima Chapter Royal Arch Masons was organized March 27, 1852, and its charter was granted October 21, the same year ; Lima Council No. 20, Royal and Select Masters, was organized May 31, 1854, and Shawnee Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar, organized November 14, 1855, received its charter October 15, 1857; there are Masonic lodges in Delphos, Bluffton, Spencerville and Lafayette.
Trinity Chapter Order Eastern Star-wives, daughters and sisters of Masons, received its charter October 28, 1893, and it is an active chapter. The lodge has had a migratory history; it owned property, the old Masonic Building, High and Main streets, and later the Lima Masonic Hall Company, shares limited to members of the order, was capitalized at $50,000, some of the members taking many of the $10 shares; ground was broken in 1900, and July 18, Past Grand Master Nelson Williams of Hamilton officiated at the ceremony of laying the cor- ner stone. The Masonic Temple is always shown to visitors as a monu- ment to Lima Masonry. There are six floors, the lodge using the four upper stories ; there are banquet and amusement rooms, and the order is a wealthy organization. As a community center it is limited to members.
Knights of Pythias-The Lima Lodge Knights of Pythias was organized July 27, 1875; among the charter members : Walter B. Richie, H. H. Cole, J. C. Edmiston, J. W. Sullivan, James Harley, Henry G.
LIMA LODGE No. 54, B. P. O. ELKS
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Hadsell, Elton G. Metheany, Thomas Gillespie, W. W. McCormick and J. C. Musser : J. F. Hauenstein and J. N. Hutchinson were early mem- bers. In 1881 the Uniform Rank was organized and W. B. Ritchie of Lima helped revise the ritual which was adopted in 1892, by the Supreme Lodge; he worked two years on the ritual. On December 9, 1889, Justus H. Rathbone who founded the order Knights of Pythias was a guest in the Lima House where he died; he suffered from a carbuncle and local doctors were unable to relieve him through an operation; relatives were present; the body lay in state in Castle Hall and memorial services were held there; many visiting Knights and dignitaries of the order were in attendance; the body was taken to Utica, New York, for burial; there was an escort from Lima lodge.
Order of Moose-Lima Lodge No. 199, Loyal Order of Moose, was instituted on Washington's Birthday, 1910, with fifty-six names on the charter; it has grown to a membership of 1,800, and is the larg- est organization in Allen County. In 1914, the D. J. O'Day home was purchased by the order, and à modern temple is being erected there, at a cost of $165,000, and it will soon' be ready for occupancy. The Mooseheart Legion has been installed, and the second degree of Moose- dom called Mooseheart Legion degree is under process of formation ; there are seven dependent children from Lima Lodge now being educated at Mooseheart. Purity, Aid and Progress is the motto. Harry T. Walter is secretary. The Loyal Order of Moose is an international fraternal society consisting of more than 1,600 lodges in the United States and throughout the world.
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lima-The Lima Lodge of Elks' Year Book, the Thirtieth Anniversary edition issued when the local lodge entertained the Ohio Elks' Association in September, 1920, shows that it was organized in 1890, and 1909 is the date on the corner stone of the splendid lodge property. The Elks' Cafe is a popu- lar resort, and J. T. Kaufman, exalted ruler, has occasion to say in the year book: "The fact that you take lunch every so often, or indulge in a game of cards or billiards at the club, does not necessarily constitute a good Elk ; take an active interest in all business, as well as social and charitable affairs ; make Lima lodge stand out as the leading civic and social organization of the City of Lima." The membership reaches almost 1,500, and the lodge property is one of the most attractive in the country. The lodge has given many notable entertainments, minstrel performances, carnivals and indoor fairs; it has gained nation-wide fame for its annual clam bakes. The Lima Elks' float representing the Golden Days of Childhood designed by Walter G. Deweese and shown in the Chicago parade in July, 1920, placed Lima on the map of the world because of its beauty. Miss Freda Prosser as Fairy Queen occupied the throne seat on the float when it won the second honor in that great contest in Chicago. There is an annual memorial service or Lodge of Sorrow attended by the entire membership, and the sentiment of the occasion : "The faults of our brothers we write upon the sands; their virtues on the tablets of love and memory," is worthy a place in any organization.
Other Secret Orders-Improved Order Red Men, dating back to the '50s; Ancient Order United Workmen, 1883; Knights of the Maccabees, and Ladies of the Maccabees, 1893; Modern Woodmen of America, 1895; Woodmen of the World; Tribe of Ben Hur; Pathfinders; Fra- ternal Order of Eagles; Home Guards; Royal Arcanum; Knights of Golden Eagle, and many others not established in homes as the lodges above enumerated; it is not an easy matter to obtain data of secret orders unless they issue manuals containing definite information.
CHAPTER XL MUSIC AND THE COMMUNITY
"Just a song at twilight when the lights are low ; an old familiar air- a ballad, how pleasant they are when heard at evening." It was Con- fucius who called music: "The sacred tongue of God," and 2,000 years later Martin Luther declared: "Music is the only art that can calm the agitations of the soul," while in the last century the great Napoleon exclaimed : "Music is the art to which law makers ought to give the greatest encouragement." Someone pays this tribute to music: "Serv- ant and master am I; servant of those dead and master of those living. I am the incense upon which prayers float to heaven. I am the smoke which palls over the fields where men lie dying with me on their lips. I am close to the marriage altar, and when the grave opens I stand nearby ; one I serve as I serve all, and the king I make my slave as easily as I subject his slave. I speak through the birds of the air, the insects of the field, the crash of waters on rock-ribbed shores, the sighing of wind in the trees, and I am even heard by the soul that knows me in the clatter of wheels on the streets. I know no brother, yet all men are my brothers. I am the father of the best that is in them, and they are the fathers of the best that is in me. I am of them and they are of me. I am Music."
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