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 67
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The woman who read Shakespeare as it came out in the magazines is a library patron, as well as the one who read the Waverly newspaper, but failed to understand why a book should be made of it. While one patron was asking for "The Four Horsemen of the Erysipelas," another wanted some jazzy poems; a college student at home on vacation, asked for "European Civilization of Criminals," and when a woman asked for "Speckles," the librarian supplied her with "Freckles." Is this a true statement-wholly true: "Among the most patient and obliging persons in public service, and among the least appreciated are the library attend- ants, who will give anyone references for information." Usually one in quest of information appreciates such service. The writer found the Lima library force most willing and efficient.
Charles Kingsley said: "We ought to reverence books, to look at them as useful and mighty things; if they are good and true, whether they are about religion or politics, farming, trade or medicine, they are the message of Christ, the maker of all things, the teacher of all truth." Emerson says: "Books are the best things, well used; abused, among the worst." Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote: . "I like books. I was born and bred among them, and have the easy feeling when I get in their presence, that a stable boy has among horses." Stevenson said: "Every book is a circular letter 'to the friends of him who writes it," and Socrates sums it all up, saying: "Employ your time in improving your- selves by other men's documents." While some depend on the public library, others are book collectors, and here is a suggestion :
"When you buy an edition de luxe, Be sure and examine the buxe ; Make sure they are just so Ere you pay out your dough, And don't buy de luxe Buxe from crux."
WOMEN'S CLUBS IN ALLEN COUNTY-Since the Woman's Relief Corps was organized within three years after the close of the Civil war, it is unmistakably the oldest woman's society in Allen County; its appeal is to the families of soldiers in all wars. Since intellectual life may suggest the school, the church or the press, it is a safe statement that the club attracts the wives of educators, pulpiteers, editors and advance thought women in all spheres; an hour spent together in study, means more to them than just to "run in with a sunbonnet on," as was once the universal custom in many communities.
Under existing conditions, when formal visits are made cards are left as witnesses-a card for the husband and a card for the wife, but better leave it to those who have distributed them-the rules governing the card question; when formal visits are made the time is limited to a few minutes, and reputations are comparatively safe under such arrange- ments. A generation ago a woman brought her needlework or her knitting; she had not thought about cards as a necessity, in order to
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impress upon her hostess the fact of her visit. Instead of study and research, the time was spent in the exchange of news, and the discus- sion of any possible rumors circulating in the community ; a liberal edu- cation had not yet revolutionized society: There were not so many newspapers and magazines, and the neighborly visit with its attendant conversation was then a physical necessity.
The women of today have an environment different from that surrounding their mothers, and why should not their individuality assert itself differently? The hospital in the community has relieved them from ministering to the sick, and the daily newspaper brings to them the news of the world; the telephone relieves them from the necessity of street dress in planning social functions; there are those who lament the passing of the old-fashioned hospitality and sociability, while others welcome the change as a forward movement; under the new order of things women have more time for self improvement. While the first trial of woman's suffrage contributed largely to the republican majority in Allen County, it was also a factor in delaying the count ; the triumph of nationalism over internationalism was the keynote of the 1920 elec- tion, all political parties receiving support from the club women of Allen County.
Since women are a force to be reckoned with in future elections, and the suffrage is largely the result of their efforts, women who are leaders in thought recognize the fact that womanhood must measure up to the high standards-that public servants must not be guilty of blun- ders, and they are fitting themselves for future opportunities of useful- ness. Query : Is the loss of femininity a distinctive loss to society? Since women are men's equals, should they demand that men doff their hats to them? Self-respecting women do not demand such things, but they see no reason for the decline of masculine gallantry because of the ascendancy of womanhood. Someone remarked that when women voted, men devoted themselves to ridicule of the voteresses; many things are said that are unwarranted, and the club woman by pursuing the· even tenor of her way will soon forget such things.
The T and T Club of Lima is unique-both men and women hold membership in it, and it is the only federated club that includes men ; it is federated in both city and state; it is a coterie of married persons who meet fortnightly for informal intellectual profit in a measure, but especially for the pleasure following from informal discussion and inti- mate conversation. N. W. Cunningham of Bluffton is its president. The T and T Club was organized in 1893, and it is limited to thirty-two members; this club has sponsored many community movements.
While the Allen County Historical and Archaelogical Society is not federated, men and women are admitted to its membership: and it has a kindly interest in all; it has elsewhere received attention. · It has no membership limitation at all. Only those who hark back to the past in Allen County care to affiliate themselves with it; the sons and the daughters of pioneers attend the meetings.
The first literary society-the forerunner of the club, met in Sanford's Hall on Wednesday evening, December 1, 1858, and Judge B. F. Met- calf was the speaker; lectures ensued for a time, and then it seems that the society lapsed until February 16, 1861, there is mention of it again, when Miss Love Meily read an original essay entitled Edgar Allen Poe, which was a tribute to America's most gifted and most unfortunate poet.
In 1857, there was a dramatic society organized by the young people of Lima, and all the town turned out for the programs. It must have been a forerunner of the Thespian Club, organized November 30, 1860,
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which put on its first play on Christmas eve; its literary. and dramatic aspirants (see Chapter on Theaters) were active for many years; some of the most prominent people in the community were Thespians. Another account says the Lima Dramatic Club was active in the '70s, and that April 10, 1874, it put on a home talent production that aroused enthusiasm.
In the spring of 1868, when there was just one school building in Lima, a reading club including the eight school teachers and the school superintendent was formed; it was called the Dickens Club and it met every two weeks at the homes of the members; the club read David Copperfield, and refreshments were a feature of each meeting. Under the leadership of this club, school exhibitions became popular; when an exhibition was being staged in Ashton's Hall with Miss Ella Hanson as the Goddess of Liberty, there was a fire, the stage caught from the tableaux lights; the hall was crowded and pandemonium reigned; they had a "Dickens" of a time, but finally subdued the fire and finished the play.
In a Directory of the Lima Federation of Women's Clubs, is the statement that the Woman's Club organized in 1879, and federated in the state in 1894, and in Lima in 1905, is probably one of the oldest in the United States, growing out of a reading circle of 1861, although in its development it has changed its name several times; Mrs. Josephine Smith and Mrs. Matilda Moore are charter members. It may be infor- mation to some that the oldest woman's club in the United States is in Posey County, Indiana; this statement is found in the book: "The New Harmony Movement." While not all the women's clubs in Allen County are federated, some of them had federated in the state and nation before there was a Lima Federation. Mrs. Luah M. Butler, as president of the Lima Federation of Women's Clubs, reports that some clubs have federated since the publication of the directory.
The Lima Federation of Women's Clubs secured its splendid directory through its co-operation with A. W. Wheatley, district chair- man of the Salvation Army Home Service Fund; he would finance the publication on condition that Mrs. Butler as president of the Federation would act as chairman of Doughnut Day, and that the representatives of three organizations turning in the most money from doughnut sales should have their pictures in the directory. The Salvation Army thus realized more than $1,000 on the sale of doughnuts, and paid $200 for the publication of the directory. The women whose pictures appear in it are: Mrs. George Hall, Mrs. Claudia Stewart Black and Miss Mary Conrath. The Federated Clubs Directory includes the names of more than 1,000 women who are identified with different kinds of club work in Lima and vicinity.
The Lima Federation of Clubs belongs to the Northwest District of the Ohio Federation through which it belongs to the General Federa- tion of Women's Clubs. Mrs. John W. Roby of Lima is district vice president of Northwest, including: Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams and Wood counties. Besides Mrs. Roby, who is recognized in the Ohio Federa- tion, Mrs. Kent W. Hughes is a member of the State Board of Educa- tion, and Dr. Josephine Pierce is state chairman Board of Public Health.
Women who have served Allen County are: Mrs. Lena B. Davis, Mrs. J. K. Bannister and Mrs. J. E. Sullivan, as executive committee of Women's Work Allen County Chapter American Red Cross; Mrs. Irene Mills Jackson, executive secretary of Home Service Section American
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Red Cross ; Mrs. J. B. Poling, supervisor of hygiene courses, and chair- man of the Juniors, American Red Cross; Mrs. Wallace King, chairman Women's Division Victory Loan, and Mrs. H. H. Starrett, chairman American Committee for Devastated France. Mrs. F. H. Creps is president War Mothers' Society; Mrs. Grace O. Enck, chairman Home Nursing Department, American Red Cross of Lima; Mrs. Nettie Wil- liams Miller, probation officer of Juvenile Court; Mrs. W. E. Crayton, chairman of knitting, American Red Cross; Mrs. Katherine Reilly, milk and housing inspector, and Mrs. E. C. Powell, chairman of publicity American Red Cross.
The Federation of Clubs is on record as desiring streets repaired promptly and cleaned constantly ; the outskirts free from rubbish and the alleys kept clean ; smoke consumers placed on large chimneys ; war de- clared on rodents as carriers of disease; a Young Women's Christian Association with modern improvements, a club home that will accomodate 1,000 women; an Americanization home where old and new Americans can meet for mutual benefit ; a Salvation Army citadel and home ; a mod- ern athletic field for sports; restrictions against unsightly buildings ; public preservation of trees ; enforcement of pure food laws ; employment of a woman food inspector, and a nutrition clinic for underfed children. Many things above enumerated have already become realities in the community. In enumerating reasons why women want to live in Lima, the directory seems to have listed all the advantages found in any city in the world. The Federated Club members are Lima Boosters.
Some social critic writes: "The club of the modern woman is not a thing to be ridiculed and scorned, as were many of the literary, sewing and bridge clubs of a few years back; the club of the modern woman is a boon; the home woman does not neglect her home for the club; she seeks her club for relaxation. The modern club is almost home for the business woman; this is particularly true in the larger cities which have club rooms in the downtown sections. * *
* The club of today offers something of permanent value to both its members and the community." As Federation president, Mrs. Butler says: "The club women have been tried and not found wanting, for one and all have done their 'bit' in war work; realizing that many need to rest, the present administration has tried to bring into the ranks of workers many young women, and new comers who seem qualified to do con- structive work along lines of Americanization, Community, Industrial and Social development ; loyalty and support is all that is needed from those who have helped in former years, as well as from all new mem- bers." All clubs are urged to have their year books of uniform size, to leave copies at the library and at the different newspapers, and to read the daily club announcements.
An alphabetic list of the Lima Federated clubs follows: The Altrurian Club-the welfare of others, was organized in 1900, and Mrs. W. F. Booth, Mrs. D. J. Cable and Mrs. Lizzie K. Price, who were charter members, are still active members of the club twenty years later.
The Arbutus Club was organized in 1890, and its object was the mutual improvement of its members; it studied history, literature, art, science and current news; its membership is limited to thirty.
The Bayview Club, organized in 1892, took its name from the course of study pursued ; its purpose is mutual improvement along cultural and educational lines.
The Chautauqua, organized in 1895, adopted the Chautauqua course of study ; this club was active in agitating the library question.
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The Child Welfare, also mentioned under the head of charities, is a county association in which many club women are prominent workers; it promotes all issues which have as a purpose child betterment, or the health and happiness of the children of Allen County.
The Clionian Club is devoted to literary study.
The College Women's Club was organized in 1914, with the purpose of drawing together the alumnae of the different schools; it fosters an interest in higher education, and maintains a scholarship loan.
The Day Nursery Association which is federated is described else- where as a charity.
The Delphian Club, organized in 1914, pursues a line of study aimed to cultivate the art of conversation.
The Domestic Science Club was organized in 1918, with twenty as its membership limit ; this club works along culinary lines.
The Floral Guild was organized in 1908, for charity and to bring sunshine into the lives of unfortunates; its motto is : "Scatter your flowers as you go; you may never go over the road again."
The Girls Welfare League of the Lima Central High School was organized in 1914, and its object is to furnish milk for sick and poorly nourished children whose parents are unable to provide the proper food; all high school girls are eligible to membership in this league; an annual event is a penny carnival, the proceeds of which are used to carry on the work; the girls work under the direction of the faculty.
Home Nursing Department American Red Cross, elsewhere men- tioned, has been of untold service since its organization in 1919; it is managed by loyal club women.
The Hawthorne Club, organized in 1912, meets for social intercourse and civic uplift ; the collections are given to the Red Cross.
The Jewish Ladies Club, organized in 1901, holds monthly meetings; they sew and give funds to local charities, they contribute to the Day Nursery, Salvation Army and the hospitals.
The Lotus Club, organized in 1886, brings together women interested in art, historical and literary studies, and current events.
Mercy Circle of King's Daughters, organized in 1916, is a branch of the International Order of King's Daughters; it was established to stimu- late and assist in all charities.
The N. B. B. O. O. was organized in 1910, and is active in the support of Visiting Nurse and other organizations.
The Philomathean Club was organized in 1890 as a Chautauqua Reading Circle ; its aim has been to keep abreast with the problems of the day, as well as to enjoy the social features of club life; two charter members: Mrs. Helen Hadsell and Mrs. Frank Holmes still live in the community, and Miss Jean Stoner is in Brazil, and Miss Mary Thomas is in India; four charter members are living thirty years later.
The Players' Dramatic Club was organized in 1913, to further the cause of dramatic art.
The Political Equality Club is federated, but no data is given.
The Round Table was organized in 1890, and its motto is "Remem- brance." The aim is culture, encouraging habits of regular reading and systematic study, to develop the power of thought and cultivate a lit- erary taste, thus increasing the capacity for intellectual and social enjoyment.
The Shakespeare Club was organized in 1905, and was immediately federated in City, State and General Federation.
The Sorosis Club was organized in 1894, for mutual intellectual benefit to its members.
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The Social Service was organized in 1912, its object being to pro- mote a higher standard of living for women and girls.
The Twentieth Century Club was organized in 1889, as a C. L. S. C., but in 1896 it changed its name.
The Woman's Club, organized in 1879, has been mentioned as among the older clubs in the United States.
The Woman's Music Club, organized in 1891, is mentioned in detail in the chapter on music.
Woman's Board of Managers Lima City Hospital was federated in 1919, and it is mentioned in the chapter on hospitals.
Since the publication of the Lima Federation Year Book, Mrs. Butler reported the Frances E. Willard Women's Christian Temperance Union, 300 strong, and the Girls' Welfare Club of the South Side High School, and all clubs having definite prupose and outlined programs are invited to affiliate with the Federation. "In union there is strength," and through concerted action more can be accomplished than through any group working alone.
It was in the late '90s that Professor B. F. Biery of the Bluffton public schools established the first lecture course for Bluffton and the surrounding community; in time it was known as the Bluffton lecture course, and it brought some of the best American and European plat- form talent into the community; the town hall capacity was sold out each year before the beginning of the course; lectures were always held in the town hall until there was a new high school auditorium.
After the coming of President S. K. Mosiman to Bluffton College, he started a series of Artist Recitals at the college which resulted in establishing the college course in music; this effort was later combined with the Citizens' Lecture Course, and the College Music and High School Picture Course grew out of it. The lecture talent is selected by the high school administrative officers, and the artists are chosen by the College Choral Society executive committee ; since 1916, the course has been financed' by the College Choral Society.
The Bluffton Travel Club, organized in 1902, with Mrs. N. W. Cunningham as president, is limited to twenty-five members; weekly meetings are held at the homes; it was organized at a time of general prosperity in the country, and the members wanted to express their gratitude for existing conditions ; this club participates in all community movements, and is active in music circles. Mrs. Cunningham has had unusual advantages in the way of travel, and she is able to conduct arm- chair journeys through books of travel.
The Century Circle in Bluffton is of recent organization; its mem- bership is limited to thirty ; it is a study club including many representa- tive women. The Bluffton College faculty women affiliate with both the Travel Class and Century Circle.
Since Delphos is a "Border City," its social relation is divided be- tween other communities. The Sorosis Club was organized in Delphos in 1895, having the motto: "Excellence is never granted to man, but as a reward of labor." It is a literary club given to research and self im- provement. Its Year Book is on file at the public library.
The Delphos Tourists Club was organized in 1900, and is interested in the study of general literature; the programs indicate that Delphos women have studied the franchise question, although they are of the German domestic type of womanhood that is inclined to leave some things to the men ; they are content to become the mothers of men. The Delphos Club women are good patrons of the public library. The Com-
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munity maintains a Chautauqua lecture course, and the profits go towards the support of the library.
The Excelsior Club in Spencerville was organized October 22, 1896, with twenty members and after twenty-four years some of the charter members sustain active relation to it; the programs are of miscellaneous character, interspersed with current events and timely topics. The mem- bers seldom fail to bring up their work; the club has affiliated with the Spencerville Civic League, and when war activities were at their height all Spencerville club women went to the Red Cross work rooms. The same is true of club members all over Allen County.
The Clio Club of Spencerville was organized March 27, 1898, on the basis of twenty members; its programs include studies of literature, art and music; it meets at the same time the Excelsior Club is in session, and one woman cannot be a member of both organizations; both the Clio and Excelsior clubs "did their bit" at surgical dressings, knitting, etc., in the Red Cross workshop in Spencerville.
The social life of Lafayette, Westminster, Harrod, West Newton, Beaver Dam, West Cairo, Gomer and Elida as well as the different farm communities, manifests itself in lodges and in church activities ; the Grange has long furnished country women the social privileges enjoyed by others in clubs and guilds.
In the Lima Federation of Women's Clubs Year Book, Mrs. Butler congratulates all club women for their activities in the Red Cross work- shops ; while clubs were not abandoned, they were a secondary consid- eration when the women of the country were combining their forces to alleviate distress on the battle fields of the world.
While it is a patriotic rather than a research society, its membership necessarily limited to those who are descended directly from Revolu- tionary soldiers, the Lima Chapter Daughters of the American Revo- lution was organized February 11, 1907, and it holds monthly meetings ; the year book shows a varied program, many of the members also being affiliated with other societies; the local chapter has members in Delphos and Spencerville within the county, and its non-resident members are from many parts of the country. While there is no local organization of the Sons of the American Revolution, a number of local sons hold membership in Columbus and in other cities. Lima Chapter Daughters American Revolution and local Sons American Revolution were active in connection with the ceremony of unveiling the monument at Fort Amanda, July 5, 1915, elsewhere mentioned in this history. Lima Chap- ter Daughters American Revolution secured a government marker for the grave of Sergeant William Chenowith in Tony's Nose Cemetery, and it furnished the flag that floats on gala days at Fort Amanda. The Chapter may yet mark Wayne's Trace along the Auglaize river through Allen County. It was active as a Chapter in Red Cross work in the war period. A number of Allen County women are active in state committee work in the Ohio Chapter, of which Lima Chapter is an auxiliary.
The Art Department of the Lima Federation of Clubs has brought many exhibits to Lima, and there is an oil painting in the public library done by Thomas Parkhurst that has been purchased as a basis for a collection of pictures to be known as the Lima Museum of Art; this picture is held in trust by the Art Committee of the Lima Federation of Women's Clubs until the formal organization of a Lima Art Museum Association. Miss Gamble is glad to have the picture in the library reading room as many visitors admire it.
Miss Matilda Badeau is mentioned as a china decorator, and as an artist who sometimes makes out-of-door sketches. In the lobby of the
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Lima Young Men's Christian Association building there was a collection of pictures made by Franklin A. Burkhardt, in which there was excellent perspective ; his only training had been in the Young Men's Christian Association night school, and the collection was shown to induce other amateur artists to qualify as students; in a community like Lima it would be impossible to list all who have done amateur art work, or who have decorated china. Art is taught in the public schools, and in many homes are some of the best pictures.
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