USA > Wisconsin > Racine County > Racine > Racine, belle city of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 31
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united to suppress the Rebellion; to perpetuate the memory and history of those who have died; to lend assistance to the needy and to their widows and orphans, and to collect and preserve relies and documents relating to the war of 1861-65." Each state constitutes a department and the local organizations are called posts. The order reached its highest membership about 1890, when there were about half a million Grand Army men in the United States. In 1915 the number was about one hundred and seventy thousand, the death rate being about twelve thousand a year. National eneampments are held ammally and Wisconsin has furnished two national commanders - Lucius Fairchild in 1886 and Augustus G. Weissert in 1892.
The Department of Wisconsin was organized on June 7, 1866, and shortly after that a post was formed in Racine, with Henry Wright as commander, but it was of short duration and none of its records can be found. Governor Harvey Post, No. 17, was organized on January 24, 1881, with nine charter members and L. C. Porter as commander: R. M. Boyd. senior vice-com- mander; George E. Smith, junior vice-commander; F. Marshall, quartermaster: R. Augustine, officer of the guard: E. B. Sage, surgeon: A. W. Smith, officer of the day: J. C. Huggins, chaplain. This post is still in existence and meets on the second and fourth Tuesday afternoons of each month in Casino Hall, on the corner of Fifth Street and College Avenue. The officers for 1916 were: Jacob Sneeberger, commander; Newton Feleh, senior vice-com- mander; Lute Place, junior vice-commander: Joseph Cooper, adjutant. Robert B. Lang and Hiram J. Smith of this post were honored by being elected department commanders of Wisconsin.
Luther Crane Post, No. 201, located at Burlington, was or- ganized on August 6, 1885, with thirty-four charter members, and on January 26, 1886, George B. Lincoln Post, No. 215, was organized at Union Grove, with a charter membership of twenty. The three posts - Governor Harvey, Luther Crane and George B. Lincoln - are the only ones ever organized in Racine County. The posts at Burlington and Union Grove have been so weak- ened, as the old "Boys in Blue" answer the last roll call, that meetings are no longer held regularly, though the surviving members meet on Decoration Day to place wreaths upon the graves of their fallen comrades, or upon call, when occasion requires.
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WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS
During the Civil War soldiers' aid societies were organized in ahnost every town and village of the Union. They raised funds and distributed hospital and sanitary supplies among the various commands. At the close of the war those societies were disbanded, but after the Grand Army of the Republic was placed upon a firm footing, many of the patriotic women of the nation saw that their services were again needed and in several states the aid societies were revived as auxiliaries to the Grand Army. Ohio and Massachusetts were the first states to form permanent organizations. In Ohio they were called Post Ladies' Aid Socie- ties, and in Massachusetts the Women's Relief Corps. When the national encampment was held at Denver, Colorado, in July, 1883, Paul Van der Voort, then national commander. extended an invitation to all these societies to attend the meeting and form a national society. Delegates came from almost every. state and the Women's Relief Corps was organized.
In Racine County the Governor Harvey Relief Corps, No. 29, was organized on October 8, 1885, as the auxiliary to Gov- ernor Harvey Post. Twenty-four charter members were en- rolled. Mrs. Eleanor JJones was the first president; Mrs. Eliza- beth Cary, senior vice-president; Mrs. Emma Bones, jimior vice- president: Miss Ollie Eadus, secretary; Mrs. Enna Marsh, treas- urer: Miss Ida Marsh, conductor; Mrs. Mary Anderson, chap- lain. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday aft- ernoons of each month in the post hall. In Jime, 1916. the offi- vers were: Mildred Heiberling, president; Aima Snyder, senior vice-president: Laura Crane, jimior vice-president; Hattie Cov- ert, secretary and treasurer. At one time this corps numbered over seventy-five members.
Luther Crane Women's Relief Corps, No. 62, was organized at Burlington on December 5, 1893, with twenty-six charter members; Myra Spoor, president; Angusta Hohes, senior vice- president; Hattie Zimmerman, junior vice-president; Frances Goodwin, secretary; Julia Mills, treasurer; Lillian Jones, con- ductor; Margaret Wilson, chaplain.
George B. Lincoln Women's Relief Corps, No. 99, the aux- iliary to George B. Lincoln Post, at Union Grove, was organized on March 17, 1897, with a charter membership of thirty.
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LADIES OF THE GRAND ARMY
In 1867 the patriotie women of Portland. Maine, organized a society called the Loyal Ladies' League. Subsequently the name was changed to the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. Its purpose is similar to that of the Women's Relief Corps. The first state department organized was that of New Jersey, in 1881. The Department of Wisconsin was organized in 1893, but no cirele was organized at Racine until March 6, 1915. On the evening of that day. Robert T. Pugh Circle, Ladies of the Grand Army, was organized at Guild Hall with eighteen charter members. Mrs. Flora Smith was the first president; Mrs. Robert E. Miller, senior vice-president: Miss Geraldine Pugh, junior vice-president: Miss Lillian Du Four. treasurer. and Ina Kingsley Du Four, chaplain.
OTHER PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES
In 1907 the Daughters of the Grand Army was organized and the national headquarters located at Detroit, Michigan. Local societies are called fortresses. Lincoln Fortress, No. 2, Department of Wisconsin, was organized at Racine on January 5, 1910. with thirty-six charter members and Mrs. Laura M. Buck as the first commander. The object of the society is "to transmit the honor that belongs to Union veterans of the Civil War to their families; to preserve with sacred fidelity the mem- ory' of the noble deeds and sacrifices of those who fought for the preservation of the nation in the great war of 1861-65; to unite with loyalty and love for each other: to practice the precepts of true fraternity toward all sisters of the order, thus emulating the spirit which unites our fathers, husbands, sons and broth- ers: to honor the memory of those fallen, and to perpetuate and keep forever sacred Memorial Day."
The Sons of Veterans is similar in character and purpose to the Daughters of the Grand Army. The membership is com- posed of sons of honorably discharged Union soldiers. Local organizations are called camps. Charles Filer Camp, No. 31, at Racine, was organized on October 20, 1896, with thirty-two char- ter members: J. F. Mills, captain; R. E. Browne, first lieutenant; George Snyder, second lieutenant: L. H. Fisher, chaplain.
At Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1883, a society of women was organized as an auxiliary to the Sons of Veterans and was
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officially reorganized and recognized by that order in 1884. The first national encampment was held at Akron, Ohio, in 1887. Charles Filer Auxiliary was organized on May 9, 1899, with twenty-four charter members and is now in a flourishing con- dition.
William A. Bancroft Camp. No. 16, United Spanish War Veterans, was organized on June 6, 1905, with fifty-two charter members, which number has been increased to about seventy. Charles F. Cramer, a native of Racine, was elected national com- mander in 1915, though he was then a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. In connection with Bancroft Camp is Bancroft Auxiliary, composed of the wives and other near female relatives of the veterans. It was organized on December 16, 1905, with forty- one charter members: Edith Olson, president; Daisy Sugden, senior vice-president; Fannie Casterton, junior vice-president; Nellie M. Olson, secretary.
The Daughters of the American Revolution marks its begin- ning from October, 1890, and Washington, D. C., as its birth- place. One of the founders was Miss Eugenia Washington, a great grand-niece of Gen. George Washington. The objects of the society are: To perpetuate the memory and gallant deeds of the men who fought for and achieved the independence of the United States; to mark by monuments or tablets historical sites; to encourage historical research in matters pertaining to the Revolution; to collect and preserve relies, documents, etc .; to promote patriotism by encouraging the celebration by proper ceremonies of all national anniversaries, and to carry out the injunetion of Washington in his farewell address 'to promote institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge'."
On June 8, 1891, the society was incorporated by act of Congress for the District of Columbia, with Mrs. Caroline Scott Harrison, wife of Benjamin Harrison, then President of the United States, as the first president-general, or national presi- dent of the organization. Within a few years the organization spread to nearly every state in the Union, and as only those hay- ing Revolutionary ancestors are eligible to membership, to be a Daughter of the American Revolution is considered a mark of honor. In 1915 Wisconsin reported twenty-eight chapters. The chapter at Racine was organized on February 22, 1899, and now has about fifty members.
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CATHOLIC SOCIETIES
The Catholic Knights, a fraternal insurance society that ad- mits men and women on the same footing, was founded in 1877 at the suggestion of Bishop Feehan, of the Nashville (Tennessee) Diocese. The Catholic Knights of Wisconsin was organized at Green Bay on January 21, 1885. Local lodges are called branches, of which there are four in Racine and one in Burlington. Since the order was established in the state about five million dollars have been paid out in death benefits.
The Knights of Columbus originated in the City of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882, to assist siek or disabled members, pay death benefits, ete. Racine Council, No. 697, was organized on August 3, 1902, with fifty-six charter members, and has always been active in the charity work of the city. Meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month. There is also a council in Burlington.
The Catholic Order of Foresters was founded on May 24, 1883, "to promote friendship, unity and true Christian charity among its members." Local organizations are called courts. In Racine there are five courts, viz .: Salzmann, No. 140; St. Cecilia, No. 162; St. Rose, No. 195; St. Mary's, No. 211, and St. Francis. No. 427. Burlington has a court with a strong membership. The order originated in Illinois and was at first confined to that state, but has since spread to all parts of the Union. Since it was first established it has paid out about twenty millions of dollars in sick benefits and to the widows and orphans of deceased members.
TRADES UNIONS
In workingmen's parlance, Racine is known as a "union town." The various occupations are well represented, the em- ployees in the numerous manufacturing establishments and other lines of business being organized into unions, which are nearly all connected with some national or international association. A list of the Racine trades unions includes the bakers and confectioners, barbers, bartenders, boot and shoe workers, brewery workers, building laborers and hodcarriers, building trades council, car- penters and joiners, carriage, wagon and automobile workers, chauffeurs, cigarmakers, electrical workers, journeymen tailors, lathers, longshoremen, machinists, metal polishers, molders, mo- tion picture machine operators, musicians, painters and decora-
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tors, pattern makers, plumbers, printing pressmen, sheet metal workers, stage employees, trades and labor council, the typo- graphical union and the united garment workers.
COMMERCIAL CLUB
One of the main reasons why the business men of Racine have been successful is that they have learned to "pull together" for the connon good of all. As early as 1858 the city had a Board of Trade, which included practically all the leading merchants and manufacturers, as well as a mber of professional men. The city directory of that year gives the location of the board as "the corner of Main and Third Streets," with Elisha Raymond as president ; S. C. Tuckerman, vice-president; JJohn R. Rowley, sec- retary: Salmon F. Heath, treasurer. The board of directors was composed of Gilbert Knapp, S. W. Spafard, J. W. Moore, H. P. Whitbeck, A. C. Sandford, George C. Northrop, James Tomlinson, Nelson Pendleton, A. G. Hartshorn. S. F. Heath, Isaac Taylor, John Dickson, Eldad Smith. S. C. Thekerman and J. A. Carswell. All these men have passed from the stage of action, but the precedent they established has been followed by other organiza- tions, culminating in the Racine Commercial Chib of the present.
The Commercial (mnb was first discussed by the members of the "Six O'Clock Club" in June, 1912, and on November 14, 1912, the club was formally organized with 417 members. The first officers were as follows: F. Lee Norton, president; W. F. Mc- Canghey, first vice-president; Peter T. Stoffel, second vice-presi- dent: A. J. Horlick, treasurer. For the first four months the club ocenpied quarters in the Schulte Building. It then removed to the rooms formerly ocenpied by the Elks on the second floor of the Commercial and Savings Bank Building, on the northeast corner of Fifth and Main Streets. The new quarters were opened on the last day of April, 1913.
In the meantime, on March 8, 1913, the directors employed Walter H. Reed, of Schenectady. New York, as secretary. Mr. Reed had served as secretary of the Schenectady Board of Trade and brought with him to Racine an experience that has proved a valuable asset to the Commercial Club. He still holds the office and is in charge of the club's work, as outlined by a board of fifteen directors, which includes the leading business and profes- sional men of the city. The officers of the club for 1916 were:
HAN
RACINE Y. M. C. A. BUILDING
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Walter C. Palmer, president; George N. Fratt, first vice-presi- dent; M. E. Walker, second vice-president: Walter HI. Reed, see- retary; A. J. Horlick, treasurer. In October, 1915, the club made a special campaign and took in over three hundred new members, increasing the membership to 757.
From the beginning of its career the club has been active in promoting the material interests of the city. During the week beginning on June 9. 1913. it held a "Made in Racine" exhibi- tion, which was visited by 65,000 people. The exhibit was a reve. lation to many of the citizens of Racine - people who had lived there for years, yet had no idea of the magnitude and variety of the city's manufacturing industries. Another exhibition of the same character was conducted for a week (JJime 7 to 12) in 1915 and was attended by thousands of people, some of them from a distance. The club holds "get together" meetings and diners, for the purpose of developing a greater fraternity among the business men, so that all will work in harmony for the betterment of the city. The good roads movement has received the club's support in a substantial way, $12,000 having been raised to aid in the construction of six miles of concrete highway, and through its influence mile posts have been established upon all the principal roads leading to Raeine. When the proposition to issue bonds for the erection of an armory came before the people of the city, the Commercial Club worked for the cause, and through its influence the Ilome for Feeble-Minded was established at Union Grove. It has helped to bring new industries to Racine: promoted the first municipal Christmas tree; encouraged school and garden contests; gave $200 in prizes for the greatest amount of vegeta- bles raised upon a given area of ground; maintains a traffic de- partment that works for the reduction of freight rates; has always supported measures for the improvement of the harbor; and, in fact, has been influential in improving industrial conditions in many ways.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The Racine Young Men's Christian Association was organ- ized on August 9, 1875, with fifty members and the following officers: W. T. Lewis, president; C. A. Weed, vice-president; W. T. Bull, corresponding secretary; Robert Howard, recording sec- retary; J. S. Hart, treasurer. Meetings were at first held in the
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hall occupied by the Temple of Honor, and in the first four years increased the mumber of members to about one hundred. In 1886 the association purchased a plat of gromd 100 feet square on the northeast corner of Sixth Street and College Avenme and erected thereon a substantial brick building three stories high, with basement under the entire structure. The association used the basement for shower baths and a swimming pool; the main floor was divided into store-rooms which were rented to mer- chants; on the second floor were the offices, elb-rooms, gymna- sinm and reading-room, and the class-rooms and a few bed-rooms were on the third floor.
In June, 1914, the association, then imbering over five "hundred members, began a campaign for a new building. The campaign was conducted under the direction of Louis C. Brad- shaw and in less than two weeks the sum of $175,000 (including the equity in the old building) was raised. Ground for the new building on the southeast corner of Fourth and Wisconsin Streets was broken by Judge E. B. Belden in March, 1915, the corner-stone was laid on June 26, 1915, and in June, 1916, the new home was occupied by the association. The building was designed by Guilbert & Funston, and the building committee that superintended its construction was composed of C. C. Git- tings (chairman), F. A. Morey, George N. Fratt, John Wiechers, J. F. Bickel and E. B. Belden. The lot upon which the building stands is 120 by 175 feet and the building is 112 by 130 feet, leaving an athletic field 45 by 120 feet. In the basement is a cafeteria, a locker room for members, shower baths, a tile lined swimming pool 20 by 60 feet, four modern bowling alleys and two handball courts, besides the boiler room. On the main floor, to which there are two entrances - one on Wisconsin and one on Fourth Street -are a large lobby, reading room, a billiard and pool room large enough for four tables, a gymnasium 55 by 75 feet, general offices of the association, a room for chess and checkers, and a small banquet room. The second floor are the class rooms, directors' offices, a large banquet hall, and the assembly room. The third and fourth floors are chiefly occupied by bed-rooms. The association now has about eight hundred members. The old building on the corner of College Avenne and Sixth Street was sold to the Knights of Pythias in April, 1916.
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
This association was organized in 1893 and its first home was in a small room in the Young Men's Christian Association Building on College Avenue. Three years later it moved into larger quarters on Wisconsin Street, where it remained for about two years, when the membership had increased to over two hundred and a larger home became necessary. The association then moved to No. 408 Main Street and the first gymnasium class was organized. In 1905 the first trained secretary was employed and the association was incorporated. That same year a new location was leased in the Elliott Building and a physical direc- tor was employed. The membership passed the five hundred mark in 1907 and the next year a domestic science department was inaugurated. A lunch room was opened in 1910. In 1911 the association underwent a thorough reorganization, the member- ship having dropped to 341. With the new board of directors and the introduction of several new features the association began a healthy growth and in 1914 numbered 1,000 members, an event that was celebrated with appropriate observances. In 1912 the present quarters at No. 424 South Main Street were occupied for the first time, and in February, 1916, the association celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the founding of the first Young Women's Christian Association by a "Jubilee Pageant" at Dania Hall. The association owns a lot at the intersection of Fifth Street and Lake Avenue and is living in hopes that it will soon be able to erect thereon a suitable building for a permanent home. The officers of the association for 1916 were: Mrs. W. F. MeCaughey, president: Mrs. E. E. Cahoon, first vice-presi- dent; Mrs. W. W. Storms, second vice-president; Mrs. Jacob Lund, secretary: Miss Edith Schultz, treasurer. The active work of the association is under the management of Miss Faith Par- melee, general secretary: Miss Margaret White Winslow, exten- sion secretary: Miss Amy K. Garner, physical director, and Miss Lydia Boornke, office assistant. In January, 1916, the associa- tion began the publication of a little monthly periodical called "The Association News," edited and conducted by committees of the members.
MISCELLANEOUS SOCIETIES
In addition to the various organizations above mentioned there are in the county a number of fraternal societies, the prin-
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cipal feature of which is the payment of benefits in case of sick- ness and a certain sum to the family of each deceased member. It would be impossible to describe each of these societies in de- tail in a single chapter, though the good work they have done and are doing forms a part of the history of Racine County.
Racine Council, No. 220, Royal Arcanum, was organized on December 19, 1878, with forty charter members and George W. Scanlon as the first regent. It now has over six hundred mem- bers. Connected with the council is Racine Conrt, No. 27, Royal Ladies, which was organized on Jime 19, 1908, and now has about one hundred members.
Racine Tent, No. 43, Knights of the Maccabees, was organ- ized on December 5, 1893, with Frank G. Tieknor as the first commander. Regular meetings are held in the Odd Fellows' Ilall on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month. Clover Hive, No. 29, Ladies of the Maccabees, the ladies' auxil- iary of the tent, meets at the same place on the second and fourth Wednesday evenings of each month.
Racine Aerie, No. 281, Fraternal Order of Eagles, holds its regular meetings in Eagles' Hall, No. 309 South Main Street, every Wednesday evening. At the beginning of the year 1916 W. H. Armstrong was president, and Joseph C. Hamata, seere- tary. The ladies' auxiliary meets in the same hall on Tuesday evening of each week; Mrs. Marie Schweitzer, president; Mrs. Laura Dick, secretary.
Lakeside Camp, No. 379, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized on July 13, 1887, with fifty-four charter members and now minbers nearly six hundred. About one hundred and fifty thousand dollars have been paid to the families of deceased members of this camp since its organization. Connected with it is Hawthorne Camp, No. 1884, Royal Neighbors, which is the ladies' auxiliary of the order. It was organized in November, 1899, and now has nearly two Inmdred members.
Belle City Camp, No. 39, Woodmen of the World, was in- stituted in July, 1898, with a charter membership of twenty. D. O. Hibbard was the first consul commander. It now has about three hundred members and holds meetings in Winters' Hall on the second and fourth Monday evenings of each month. Jasmine Grove, No. 9, of the Woodman Circle (the ladies' de- gree) was organized in 1899 and now has a large membership.
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Court Belle City, No. 1450, Independent Order of Foresters, was formed in December, 1913, by the consolidation of three courts previously organized. Andrew J. Nelson, of this court, was elected high chief ranger for the State of Wisconsin in 1914. Companion Court Eva, No. 278, composed of the wives and daughters of the Foresters, was organized on December 29, 1899.
Racine Lodge, No. 437. Loyal Order of Moose, was organized on January 26, 1911, with fifty charter members. Its growth has been rapid and it is now one of the strong fraternal societies of the county. Regular meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month in the hall in the Baker Block on Main Street. In 1916 John G. Eager was dictator and J. A. Ferguson was secretary. The ladies' auxiliary meets at the same place on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month.
The manufacturing concerns and jobbing houses of Racine employ a number of traveling salesmen. In 1906 fifteen of these salesmen met and organized Racine Conneil, No. 337, of the United Commercial Travelers. James E. Bush was the first senior counselor; E. E. Scott, junior counselor; W. H. Gebhardt, secretary and treasurer; I. L. Easson, Thomas Addison, W. E. Bain and J. F. Johnson, executive committee. The principal feature of this order is the payment of indemnity in case of ac- cident, the benefits ranging from $25.00 per week to $10,000. Meetings are held in Winters' Hall on the first and third Satur- day evenings of each month. The officers for 1916 were: J. O. Kennedy, senior counselor; W. H. Gebhardt, secretary and treasurer.
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