USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 41
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In 1898 Mr. Chas. G. Reade became the secretary of the department, con- tinuing until 1903 when he was succeeded by Mr. Platt R. Lawton, who has filled the position successfully up to the present time. Little by little the number of studies offered by the institute, as it was called, was increased until in 1899 they had grown to 23, and in 1909 to 37; while the number of students grew to 440 and in 1909 to 663. Originally occupying two rooms of the build-
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ing, this department later required over twenty including a fully equipped ma- chine shop, drafting rooms, chemical and electrical laboratories and school rooms. Most of these were in buildings adjoining the main association building which had been outgrown within five years of its completion.
In 1890 through the gifts of a number of manufacturers a valuable technical library was placed in the building as a part of its educational equipment. In recent years in addition to the usual reading room, library, class and other educational enterprises new work has been undertaken including instruction of foreigners, teaching English and American citizenship; summer day school for the boys who desire to advance more rapidly in the public school; special prac- tical night classes for employed boys; popular and high class entertainment at very low prices.
Each year during this same period marked a growth in the specific religious work. The need of definite Bible study was early seen and Secretary Sinclair became one of the recognized leaders in the development of these classes. In them were trained many of the leaders of the great men's Bible class move- ment of the present time and these classes were the inspiration of many of the Sunday school organizations now existing in Dayton. For years Secretary Sin- clair conducted a Sunday-school teacher's class on Saturday night which enrolled several hundred teachers of the city. The men's meeting on Sunday afternoon ; the special evangelistic meetings for men both in the building and out; the many conferences of workers for training in church work have all been of vital influence in the city. For years this department has encouraged interest in foreign missions among its members and has supported a secretary in China under the direction of the Twenty-Four-Hour-A-Day club and in cooperation with the International Committee of the Young Men's Christian Associations.
The growing work required leadership and to assist the general secretary able associates have been employed. The department has been a training school for young men. From it Verling W. Helm became secretary for Japan, Chas. G. Reade left it to enter the ministry, W. W. Peter is preparing for foreign work as medical missionary, Harry W. Arnold is now assistant secretary for religious work of the International Committee, Carl C. Rutledge is now student secretary of Philadelphia, W. J. Fraser is now general secretary at Newark, Ohio, and R. G. Upson is now pastor of a prominent church in Indiana.
The outgrowth of the religious work was the industrial which has to do es- pecially with work among men in the shops of the city. In September, 1898, Mr. Augustus Nash was invited to Dayton for a special series of noon-day services in factories. The result of this was the organization of Bible classes in many of the shops taking a brief time during the noon hour and attended by an average of over 2,000 men each week. Dayton was one of the first cities in the country to undertake this work and the plans have been continued regularly since its organization. In addition to the religious and Bible study, educational talks and practical demonstrations have been given, and assistance has been rendered in the organization of shop clubs, relief associations and other prac- tical forms of welfare work extending the influence into every part of the city. Much of the work of development in this department was done by Mr. Fraser during his secretaryship.
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Among the departments the physical was one of the earliest, the gymnasium having been equipped, as indicated before, in 1885. With the coming of Mr. William E. Day in 1888 the instruction of this department was put upon an educational basis and soon became the leading center of physical training in the city. In May, 1890, the board of directors upon recommendation of the secretary and a special committee bought six acres of ground on the north side of the city along Stillwater which became known as Athletic Park. By the gift of Mr. D. E. Meade the association secured the ownership of a stretch of the river bank and half the width of the river to be used for boat club and boating pur- poses. This part of the work of the association has been developed, good build- ings have been erected and a successful enterprise has been continued.
During these years the gymnasium has grown to be one of the largest features attracting hundreds of young men each year. From it have gone physical directors to other associations in all parts of the world.
From the beginning of the association, the social life has been cultivated among the members. The new building in 1887, opened new opportunities and it became a rendezvous for young men, especially in the evenings. A new feature was adopted in the building and it became, it is said, the first association building to have dormitories for young men, giving them a home and at the same time furnishing a revenue to the association. In connection with this in later years has been developed a home restaurant which filled a need long felt in the city for an attractive place not only for young men but for families.
The Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, New Year's receptions, summer camps for young men and boys, election night returns, popular Saturday night entertainments-all have been important features in the life of the city.
In 1904, a tract of land was purchased about four miles north of the city along both banks of the Stillwater to be used as a park and camp for members and friends. The association has at the present time about thirty-five acres of most beautiful woodland, now known as Sinclair Park, which it is developing into a valuable summer camp for young men and for families, who are unable to leave the city during the summer.
Not the least of the departments developed is the boys'. The little group of boys who organized the first junior department in 1874, has now become a com- pany of more than five hundred with a building and complete equipment, doing practical work for all classes. After occupying rooms in the old building the department was given the club building adjoining the main building at Fourth and Ludlow streets, when the present building was erected. Its work has been re- markably successful in interesting boys and developing their ability.
Under the wise statesmanship of Mr. Sinclair and the devotion of a large num- ber of volunteer workers during these twelve years, the association came to be recognized as an essential feature in the life of the city. Its membership grew from three hundred to two thousand five hundred men and boys, so that the building originally intended to accommodate one thousand two hundred or one thousand five hundred members was overcrowded within five years.
One addition after another was made to the working space of the building by renting rooms in adjoining properties and adapting them to the work. Even
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a brick stable became a schoolhouse with a well-equipped machine shop and a former gambling room was transformed into a drafting room and laboratory.
At length it became evident that something would be necessary to meet the great needs of the city. On January 9, 1899, a committee consisting of Messrs. E. L. Shuey, J. Elam Artz, Virgil Brooks, L. H. Vinson, Thomas Elder, E. M. Kuhns, and D. A. Sinclair, was appointed to inquire into the needs of the asso- ciation and the condition of the building. This committee upon February 20, 1899, outlined the things absolutely necessary for immediate continuance and recommended the purchase either of property adjoining the old building, or of an entirely new site for a new and modern building. The recommendations were adopted and a new committee appointed on new location, consisting of Messrs. E. L. Shuey, W. D. Chamberlin, Thomas Elder, P. N. Sigler and J. Elam Artz. Mr. Sinclair on April 19, read a notable paper before the Present Day Club upon "Our Country's Supremacy-Dayton's Opportunity." In this, he outlined the great need of broader opportunities for young men in Dayton particularly along the line of industrial training and high social life. He showed clearly the op- portunity of the Young Men's Christian Association and the value of an adequate building. His ideas received the approval of the business men of the city and the movement to secure a new building and location was launched. In October, the association bought a lot 150x200, on the corner of Fourth and St. Clair streets and in a short time, the money was pledged to pay for it. Before the plans could be thoroughly prepared, it became known to a few that the homestead of Miss Mary Belle Eaker on the northwest corner of Third and Ludlow streets, would be given to the association for its building. The adjoining property was then purchased thus giving to the association a magnificent site of 136x220 feet on one of the best corners in the city. The club house on the west part of this lot was shortly after fitted up for the boys' department. On May 29, 1902, Miss Eaker died and her will disclosed that she had not only given the lot to the association, but had made it the joint residuary legatee of her estate the amount to be used for endow- ment only. When the estate was finally settled, this bequest was found to be al- most $100,000. Before the plans could be readjusted to the new location the association's leader who for twenty-eight years had represented it in all the city life, was stricken by sickness and compelled to go away for his health. A few weeks later in the extreme northwest, Mr. Sinclair was taken suddenly ill and died on September 25, 1902, at Billings, Montana. His death and burial made a profound impression upon all classes of men for it was said that he was "the most influential man in the city."
Unassuming, and aggressive, kindly in spirit, but uncompromising in his judg- ment of wrong, the friend of the lowliest and the confidant of the highest, a teacher by nature and a Bible student of the rarest type, practical in every idea, but of the deepest devotional spirit, he was a leader in every movement for civic and re- ligious life in Dayton. Year by year, his influence widened as lads and young men whom he had helped to guide, became leaders or workers in their particular field. He knew how to choose men and to enlist them in any service he desired. His sincerity, judgment and rare good sense made him to be trusted by all classes as few men ever are. He probably knew more of the inner life of more men and women than any other man who has ever lived in the city. He grew with the city
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and its ever enlarging opportunities found him ready with a new and larger plan to meet them. When therefore he laid down his work and his life, he left a vacancy not only in the association secretaryship, but in religious, civic and business life of the city. And it was all a part of his sense of duty to the Christian religion of whose teachings he was so marked an example.
The death of Mr. Sinclair naturally interrupted the plans for the building, but the young men proved that the association was permanently founded by making the year following the most successful one that the association had ever had. Mr. Frank S. Gardner served as acting secretary until March, 1903, when Mr. Hollis A. Wilbur became general secretary, serving through the new building period until November 1, 1909, when he resigned to take the secretaryship of the Young Men's Christian Association at Kobe, Japan. Mr. Wilbur had been state secretary of Ohio and brought to the new task rare tact, indefatigable effort, a clear knowl- edge of association requirements and a business judgment of high order.
As soon as possible the committees were organized and the plans for the cam- paign for funds completed. After overcoming many difficulties, subscriptions to the amount of $262,000 were secured in June, 1905, one generous gift of $50,- 000 being the inspiration which brought about this result. This with property already owned gave to the association nearly $400,000 as a basis for its new build- ing. The plans for the building were prepared by the Dayton chapter of the American Association of Architects of which Mr. S. R. Burns was president, and the immediate representative in working out the details of the building. A citizen's committee of one hundred gentlemen had the general work of securing funds, Mr. John Kirby, Jr., being chairman. The immediate responsibility for directing the work, was in the hands of an executive building committee con- sisting of Messrs. E. M. Thresher, Thomas Elder, Edward Canby, O. J. Bard, George Wuichet, E. L. Shuey and B. F. McCann. The corner stone of the new building was laid by President William H. Taft, at that time secretary of war, on April 28, 1907, in the presence of a great company of people. The building was opened with elaborate exercises during the week from April 30 to May 9, 1908. During this time, it was estimated that more than 20,000 people visited the building.
This new building, 95x216 feet, six stories high with an L containing the gymnasium and the adjoining building for the boys' department, is one of the largest and most complete association buildings in the world. It is made of re- inforced concrete and brick, the first story being of Ashley Falls marble, the gift of one of the directors of the association. It is most complete in every re- spect, fully developing the ideas which over thirty-eight years of work had shown to be needed in Dayton. The value of the property including the boys' building, is about $550,000. It will accommodate at least 4,000 members and furnishes a center for the uplifting social, educational, religious and physical life of the men of Dayton and the community.
The growth of Dayton and of this organization is nowhere better illustrated, than in this magnificent building. a perpetual monument to the generous coopera- tion of all people. Instead of a small family parlor there are now large and com- modious reception and club rooms, where hundreds may gather ; the small gym- nasium has become a large and fully equipped department with many rooms and
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full equipment ; the educational department has two floors, nearly thirty rooms, containing shops, laboratories, draughting rooms, class rooms, offices and techni- cal reading rooms ; the dormitories offer a home for 150 men ; the religious work rooms are the center for many gatherings of churches and church people ; the read- ing rooms are among the most attractive in the land ; the boys' building adequate, but with promises of something better. All these are only the enlargement of the plans begun a generation before by a company of devout men whose succes- sors have sought to carry the same spirit into the "Greater Dayton" of the twen- tieth century.
Since the completion of the building the work has developed rapidly and the trustees are planning for much enlarged work naturally along the lines which the experience of the previous years has shown to be best, but with greatly enlarged success, because of the greater facilities. The membership has already increased to about 3,000, and the new features adopted by the departments are attracting attention throughout the association world. The appreciation of the work of the Young Men's Christian Association was well shown when in the early part of 1909, the people of Dayton subscribed for the benefit of the association and the Miami Valley Hospital the sum of one hundred and eighty-six thousand dollars, of which amount, according to the plan before agreed upon, the proportion of one hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars went to the Young Men's Christian Association. This amount was to be applied to meet the increased cost of the new building and equipment above the first estimates and to open the way to the largest activities and benefits of the association in its new home.
The trustees at present are : O. J. Bard, John F. Baker, George B. Smith, G. N. Bierce, Virgil L. Brooks, Edwin L. Shuey, Thomas Elder, B F. McCann, E. F. Kimmel, George B. Lewis, E. S. Lorenz, H. B. Canby, W. D. Chamberlin, E. M. Thresher, A. S. Weusthoff, R. C. Kumler, L. H. Vinson, C. E. Bice, W. D. Sullivan, S. S. King and A. H. Dunham.
l'he officers are: President, O. J. Bard; First Vice-President, E. S. Lorenz ; Second Vice-President, E. F. Kimmel ; Recording Secretary, L. H. Vinson ; Treas- urer, A. S. Weusthoff. The employed officers are : General Secretary, H. A. Wil- bur ; Assistant General Secretary, E. Jay Rogers ; Financial Secretary, George B. Landis ; Boys' Work Secretary, Carl B. Kern; Educational Secretary, Platt R. Lawton; Religious Work Secretary, F. J. Nichols ; Physical Director, William E. Day ; Assistant, E. H. Gress ; and a full corps of assistants.
It is impossible to write further than has been done of the hundreds of those who have been active in the work of this great association during its forty years of history. To no one can exclusive honor be given, for almost all those who have helped to make Dayton what it is today in business and philanthropic circies, have been in some way identified with the work of this association at some time. A few instances of conspicuous service however, may be mentioned: Mr. E. A. Daniels, the second president, served for nearly thirty years on the board of di- rectors ; Messrs. J. C. Reber and G. N. Bierce both gave service on the same board for over thirty-five years; Mr. John Dodds was director and trustee for nearly twenty-five years and Mr. John H. Winters was a trustee of the property of the association and its endowment for nearly thirty-three years.
The roll of presidents from the beginning is :
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R. W. Steele, 1870-1871 ; E. A. Daniels, 1871-1873; H. E. Parrott, 1873-1874; C. V. Osborn, 1874-1876; John Dodds, 1876-1878; W. C. Herron, 1878 (three months) ; D. E. McSherry, 1878-1880; J. C. Reber, 1880-1882; G. N. Bierce. 1882-1885; E. A. Daniels, 1885-1888 ; E. L. Shuey, 1888-1890 ; W. A. Scott, 1890- 1892 ; George R. Huffman, 1892-1893 ; C. L. Loos, 1893-1894; A. M. Kittredge, 1894-1895 ; R. T. Johnson, 1895-1896; Thomas Elder, 1896-1898; B. F. McCann, 1898-1901; E. M. Thresher, 1901-1904 ; E. L. Shuey, 1904-1907 .; B. F. McCann, 1907-1909, O. J. Bard, 1909- .
WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The Woman's Christian Association traces its origin to the presence in Dayton of two representatives of the Young Men's Christian Association of Cleveland who had come under the influence of Mr. Thane Miller. After a consecration service called by these gentlemen they asked those who would do any work the Lord put upon them to pledge themselves. To this appeal seven women re- sponded. They sent notices to the different churches inviting women to join their proposed organization. An encouraging number responded. They asked that Mrs. J. H. Winters, the daughter of Mrs. Nancy Bates, might become the president of their proposed organization, saying that Mrs. Bates herself, who had recently died, would have been their first choice.
As Mrs. Winters was not present, an invitation to come was sent to her, but owing to the death of her mother, she declined. Another meeting was called in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association in the old Journal building on Main street between Second and Third streets. At this time forty men and women, including ministers, and the two Cleveland Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation men were present. At this time it was decided to send again for Mrs. Winters and a delegation, sent to her home, brought her to the meeting. The object of the meeting was explained and many expressions of willingness to aid the new cause were heard.
The plan was discussed to act in unison with the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation in relieving and visiting the poor.
When the matter of choosing a name arose, Mrs. Winters suggested that as there was a Young Men's Christian Association, this organization be called the Woman's Christian Association. It was determined to solicit contributions from women only. The Young Men's Christian Association offered the use of their rooms for the meetings.
The association was formally organized November 26, 1870. Volunteers were called for and committees formed for visitation and missionary work in all the wards of the city. When one barrel of flour was needed and hoped for, several were contributed. Three furnaces were donated when one was needed.
The property of the orphans' home on Magnolia street which was no longer needed for that purpose had been made transferable by the Legislature to any institution caring for widows and destitute women by arrangement proposed by Mrs. Nancy Bates. In order that the new organization might legally acquire the property and in harmony with the suggestion of Mrs. Winters the associa- tion became incorporated with the name "Woman's Christian Association of
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Dayton, Ohio, for the Support of Widows and Destitute Women; and for the spiritual, moral, mental and social welfare of women in our midst." Honorable L. B. Gunckle kindly arranged the legal transfer.
The first managers and officers were as follows: President, Mrs. J. H. Win- ters ; Vice-Presidents : Mesdames J. B. King, William Herr and H. N. Stephens ; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. J. Harry Thomas; Recording Secretary, Miss Maggie Cox; Treasurer, Mrs. H. D. Carnell. The managers were as follows : Mesdames C. E. Corp, A. L. Martin, C. L. Hawes, J. H. Brownell, Preserved Smith, M. E. King, Abia Zeller, Miss Joan Rench, Mesdames George Holgen, David Gebhart, H. M. Van Doren, and Miss Ellen Brown.
The fiscal trustees appointed were as follows: Messrs. J. H. Winters, Robert W. Steele, Charles H. Crawford, Eben M. Thresher, S. W. Davies.
A list of the committees appointed in the early history indicate the scope of the work undertaken. Among them were the following: Employment, re- formatory work, jail, county infirmary, Soldiers' Home, widows' home, industrial school, Chinese work, missionary, dispensary, membership, donation, finances, soup house.
The work has been varied, and the workers always ready and willing to "lend a hand" whenever they were needed, or whenever called upon.
The first winter the entire city was visited, in order to seek out the deserving poor, and that those suffering from any cause might be given relief. No one was ever turned away empty handed. When intemperance and vice of any kind was met with, every effort was put forth to lift up the fallen, and lead all such to a purer and better life.
The second year a number of women volunteered to hold Sabbath services with the prisoners in the jail. From that time until the present date the work has been uninterruptedly carried on.
The same year a small band went every two weeks to sing and read to the blind at the Soldiers' Home. This work afterwards changed in character, and the ladies went every other week to visit the hospital wards, and every two weeks to hold gospel meeting on Sunday afternoon in the church at the home. In this mission the workers were kindly received and courteously treated by the officers. A carriage was sent to meet the committee Sabbath afternoons, at the terminus of the street car line, to convey them to and from the church.
During the first year of the association there was an efficient finance com- mittee. Experience, however, taught that the workers were obliged to give too much time and strength in planning dinners, fetes and other entertainments to secure money. So it was decided when in need of money, clothing and provisions, to let the citizens know in some other way.
From the beginning there has been a faithful employment committee. Twice it was though best to open an employment bureau, and place it in charge of a competent woman. This woman was paid, and did her best to find good em- ployment for those in need of work. This plan did not give the satisfaction hoped for.
During the infancy of the association, two women volunteered a very difficult work, one requiring much grace and wisdom-the reformation of fallen women. This committee was also strengthened by two other helpers.
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February 8, 1875, the old orphans' home on Magnolia street which had been transferred to the Woman's Christian Association in 1872 was open for the re- ception of widows and destitute women. The building was publicly dedicated May tith of the same year. June 27, 1883, the old building was abandoned and the present Widows' Home on Findlay street south of Third street was occupied. This new home was formally dedicated July 25th. Mrs. John Winters bought from the Woman's Christian Association the first widows' home building for the sum of $5,000 and presented it to the Deaconess, now the Miami Valley, Hospital. The five thousand dollars purchase money was added to the endow- ment fund of the present home. Mr. Winters also gave one thousand dollars. The land for the second home was donated by Mr. N. P. Huffman. The new building was planned to cost ten thousand dollars but about twenty thousand dollars were spent. 1
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