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 Image Our First 50 Years 

  Twenty carefully chosen volunteers came from Chicago in a special Illinois Central parlor car. They were joined in Rockford by a larger group recruited locally. The adventure continued aboard the two-decker excursion boat Illinois, steaming slowly up the Rock River past Harlem Park, a riverfront "Garden of the Gods," miniature Coney Island and Chatauqua grounds.

The purpose? Fellowship, fun and formation of a Rotary Club in Rockford. The Chicago group was recruiters, charged with spreading the Rotary word of good cheer.

One of those recruiters later recalled that the boat was "laden with food" and that song ruled the day. He claimed: "Such songs as Take Me Out to the Ball Game, I Want a Girl, and Sweet Adeline won the hearts of those charter members of Rockford Rotary Club. Singing got 'em."

The date was June 9, 1916. Six days later, 63 Rockford residents met in the Nelson Hotel to officially form Rockford Rotary Club.                                                                                                                                

They were all male, of course, and relatively young. Most of them were in their 30s. Most were local businessmen, but the chief of police, sheriff, school superintendent, high school principal, park superintendent, and an Episcopalian clergyman were included. In keeping with the times, most of them lived on Rockford's west side. Eight of the 63 lived on prestigious National Avenue.

John Parker, who had brought the Rockford group together, was elected as Rockford Rotary's first president. Carl A. Ross was vice president; Clayton McElwain was secretary, Lloyd Scott was treasurer, and L.C. Patterson, Adam Gschwindt, and Roscoe S. Chapman were named directors.

In 1916, there already were 242 Rotary Clubs with 27,000 members in the United States, Canada, and England. But Rockford was unique. Many of its founding members were enthusiastic baseball players and fans who feared Rotary meetings might detract from their baseball and insisted that July and August be kept open for their sport. Thus Rockford alone among Rotary Clubs has a charter calling for meetings only 10 months of the year.

Rotary Clubs date from Feb. 23, 1905, when four men, called together by lawyer Paul P. Harris, met in Chicago. Harris later recalled: "There was no inspired beginning. Young businessmen, mostly from the country, came in response to my call. Unacquainted with city life, we gathered together to help and befriend each other. We had been lonesome and we found a cure for lonesomeness." Thus was born the idea that business relations should foster friendly relations, a foundation stone in the Rotary movement.

At that first session in Chicago, members agreed to take turns in hosting following sessions, rotating among their various business offices. From this came the name Rotary. (At least that's what the legend says.)

Once started in Rockford, Rotary grew rapidly. Within a month of the first meeting there were 71 members; by the end of the first Rotary year there were 102. All who joined that first year are considered charter members.

At the June 27, 1916, meeting Rockford Rotarians agreed on their first project, to help the Salvation Army's building fund campaign. But the club quickly turned its attention to the needs of underprivileged boys. It held a 1916 Christmas party, complete with gifts, for 119 youngsters. And, early in 1917, launched a drive seeking funds for a new Boy's Club building.

In 1921, the club's goals were spelled out: "First, get behind and help Rockford Boys' Club; second, get behind any movement for a boys' camp for Rockford boys this summer; third, raise funds to be lent to deserving boys who desire to carry on their studies past the high school level with funds to be returned without interest after they have completed their studies. These goals led inevitably to building and operating Camp Rotary, the club's major project for more than half a century.

Image But Rotary also had its social side. On Feb. 22, 1921, in honor of Washington's birthday, the club held what probably still stands as the most elaborate party in Rockford history. Held in the Nelson Hotel, at a cost of $8,000, the menu, music and program were in keeping with Colonial times.

According to one account: "An Hour with Washington and His Associates" highlighted the gala, candle-lit affair with Rotary President Oscar F. Wilson appearing as Father Time; Norman E. Catlin as Washington; Burt M. Allen as John Quincy Adams; Webb C. Stevens as Alexander Hamilton; and Seth B. Atwood as Thomas Jefferson."

There were four speakers, Rev. John Gordon, Rev. Charles Gage, Garnet W. McKee, and Dr. William A. Maddox. Rockford College girls danced the minuet. On the menu were such colonial delicacies as "fowl on gambone, potatoe cake with pease, syllabub with rose tips, and nutmegge." The next day's newspaper said it "surpassed in perfectment of detail and brilliance any similar function ever given in the city."

"Decorations included a 13-star dome and 13 columns representing the 13 original states in a colorful reproduction of an arch erected for Washington's first inaugural trip in 1789 to New York City. Historic flags and shields were on wall panels. Newspaper accounts said: "All the windows were veiled in star-dotted azure and from the chandeliers, aglow with burning candles, depended silver stars.

"Rotarians and their wives appeared in formal outfits and those who took part in Colonial skits were in full regalia, authentic reproductions of 18th century costumes topped by wigs and headpieces." (It must be noted that attending this celebrated fete and less elaborate annual "ladies' night" programs was about the only role women played in Rockford Rotary for more than 70 years. A policy that finally ended when women were admitted to membership in 1987.)

It also was in 1921 when Rockford Rotary launched its most ambitious project, the development and operation of Camp Rotary. The club began buying land on a site selected by Seth B. Atwood and eventually owned 83 acres southeast of Rockford along the Kishwaukee River.

Oscar Wilson, Rotary president in 1920-21 recorded what happened next: "Harry Green designed the buildings and cut all the lumber at his box plant. John and Frank Petritz gave the water tank. Horace Howell the engines. Frank Keeler and Crane Co. gave water and sewer pipes. Charles North elevated the water tank. Harry Burpee gave the flagstaff. Donald Ferguson built the swimming pool at cost. Bill Hart installed sewer and water systems. Harry VanDenberg gave the toilets at cost. Painters Union painted the buildings. Carpenters Union built a portion of Fresh Air Camp. Master Plumbers gave soil pipe, etc. Plumbers Union installed toilets and plumbing."

In the eight years starting in 1920, Rotarians raised $26,562 for the camp. At first, campers slept in 13 tents borrowed from the army and swam in the muddy waters of the Kishwaukee River. But soon there were 16 cabins, each large enough for 18 boys. There were 14 other buildings, a 186,000-gallon swimming pool, an athletic field, and a boxing ring. And there were periodic fund drives to pay camp expanses and the fees for boys who couldn't pay their own way. In 1927, cold weather facilities were built, allowing winter camp sessions. In 1928, camp sessions for girls were added.

Finally, just to make sure 1921 would be one of Rockford Rotary's most important years, Agard Bartlett was elected club secretary and launched regular publication of the Cog. Bartlett was the first of a remarkable trio of club secretaries. He held the post for 21 years, until 1942.

Two years later, on May 3, 1944, John C. Stafford was elected secretary and took over as Cog editor. With a one-year exception, Stafford held the position until his death in June of 1964. Stafford's personally selected successor, R. Warren Bate, took over the secretary-editor post, an assignment he still holds more than 30 years later. Thus those three men have served Rotary with distinction for a total of more than 70 years.

Stafford did surrender the secretary post during the 1956-57 year to serve one term as president. Al Triebel was secretary that one year, making him unique among Rockford Rotary members. Triebel also served a term as treasurer. Thus, when Al was installed as Rotary president in 1962-63, he became the only man to hold all four Rockford Rotary officer positions.

John Stafford's death in 1964 set off one of the more difficult periods in Rockford Rotary history. A month later, George M. Edblom died after 31 days as club president. Later in the year, failing health forced Robert W. Myers to resign as treasurer.

As a result, club directors appointed all four officers that year, an unprecedented action. By board action, Warren L. Carlson moved from vice president to president, Dr. William Sowle was named vice president, R. Warren Bate was named "temporary" secretary, and Ed Abegg was appointed "temporary" treasurer. As most Rotarians know, Abegg held the post for many years.

Local Rotarians also had troubled years in 1930 and 1931, thanks to the Great Depression. Club funds were deposited in Rockford National Bank when it was forced to close. Rockford Rotary was left with a cash balance of $17. Horace P. Howell, club president in 1931-32, recalled later: "The essence of the whole Rockford Rotary year's activities was to keep up an interesting program of events, but do not spend money." In 1932, the cost of club luncheons was 60 cents.

But even through the dark years of the Depression, necessary funds were found for Camp Rotary. A new filtering system was installed in 1931 at the very depth of economic bad times. By 1936, things had improved considerably and on Sept. 3 a new Rotary season was launched with a talk by a newly named brigadier general, George C. Marshall. The general, of course, went on to direct all American forces during World War II and to oversee the post-war economic recovery of Europe.

During World War II, Rockford Rotary held annual USO parties for service men and women, most of them from Camp Grant. At the 1942 party, 2,100 sandwiches were served. A year later, 1,600 persons attended.

In 1944, despite the demands of the war, Rotary found time (and $5,143) to dig a new well and construct a new activities building at Camp Rotary. In the post war years, inflation hit the club. In 1946, the lunch fee jumped to 85 cents. A year later it was $1.02. At that time, the average age of club members also had inflated, to 53 years.

In 1948, after more than 30 years of meetings at the Nelson Hotel, Rotarians balked at "poor food and worst service" and on Dec. 2 moved club meetings to the Lafayette Hotel. In 1949, the tradition of stopping for an invocation at 12:15 on meeting days got its start.

In 1955, Grace A. Nappi became the first Rockford Rotary nominee to win a prestigious Rotary Foundation Fellowship award for post-graduate study abroad. She later became a college president.

Singing is a traditional part of Rockford Rotary fellowship. Remember, at the 1916 outing when Rockford Rotary was founded "singing ruled the day." In early 1960, Dr. William H. Sowle started to lead the singing at meetings quite regularly. When Sowle served as club president in the 50 anniversary year of 1965-66 Chuck Olson took over the singing task. Sowle explains what followed: "Olson's wife was a poet and started writing words for the songs about Rotary speakers once in a while.

"After my tour as president, I got my old job back because Chuck left Rockford. I tried to do the poem stuff too and after a while it worked pretty good, so every new president since has asked me to take the job.

"When Dick Litterst came on board in 1972 things improved. He was a big help. He would add a note or take one away to keep the rhyme.

"He didn't know any of the campfire songs and didn't play by ear. So if we didn't have the music to a song I would sing or hum it and Dick would take a napkin and draw a music staff and write the melody line. Then he would put the napkin on the piano and play from it for the singing."

As Sowle points out, some club members like the singing and some don't, but the tradition rests firmly in the very foundation of Rockford Rotary and the special songs introducing club speakers are an unusual highlight, apparently unique to this club.

Much of Rockford Rotary is rooted in tradition, often with origins now long lost. One such tradition is the way Rockford Rotary selects club presidents. The process really starts with selection of a program chairman because a club president must serve one year as program chairman and another as vice president before rather automatically becoming president.

Thus the selection actually is made two years in advance when, late in a Rotary year, a program chairman is selected for the following year. The vice president, who is about to become president, starts the process by calling a meeting of the 10 most recent club presidents who are readily available. At this meeting, the vice president presents a list of qualified candidates -- usually Rotarians who have served as committee chairmen and, generally, also hold Paul Harris Fellowships. Thus it is a list of those who have exhibited a strong commitment to Rockford Rotary and a willingness to serve. Through a couple hours of discussion, the 10 past presidents narrow that list down to the six Rotarians they consider most qualified. The vice president then selects his program chairman from that short list, announcing the selection at the last day of the old Rotary year.

Also traditional to Rockford Rotary is the irreverence with which the club installs its new president each year. This "Order of the Shelf" program (in which the old president is shelved) is more a roast of the in-coming president than a ceremony. It is a time for fun, games, and as much showmanship as possible.

For example, during installation of new officers in the spring of 1961, in-coming president Cam Perks decided something very different was called for. Rotarian Allan P. Geddes, in charge of the event, recalls what happened next: "Cam had recently purchased the 'farm' southwest of Rockford so we decided to work that into the program. Les Geddes had a burro named Harry Truman. We 'borrowed' Harry and brought him to the hotel, put a saddle on him, put Cam in the saddle and sent them into the ballroom where the meeting was in progress. Everything went well until Harry got to the dance floor, lost his footing and slid slowly to the floor -- four legs in four directions. Cam stepped out of the saddle as if it had been planned that way. The burro tried to get his footing, flailed about in all directions and finally got to the edge of the dance floor. With forelegs on the carpet, he kicked out with his hindlegs, caught one of the round tables which literally exploded. Crockery and food all over the place.

"As I recall it, the manager of the hotel sent the club a bill for what must have been the total breakage for the last six months."

Maybe that was among the reasons the Lafayette closed its dining room in June of 1963 and Rotary moved its meetings to the Faust Hotel.

A year later, Ernest L. Swarts became the first Rockford Rotarian elected District governor. For the Golden Anniversary year of 1965-66, Bill Sowle was elected president; Frank Ellis vice president; and Ed Abegg and Warren Bate returned as treasurer and secretary. Earl Lindberg was anniversary committee chairman.

As a highlight of the year, the club commissioned a 50-year club history. The book, Five Decades ... 50 Golden Years, remains among the very best of Rotary histories. Oliver L. Cremer, veteran newspaper editor, wrote and produced the history.

On Thursday evening, May 26, 1966, Rockford Rotarians and their wives met in the Grand Ballroom of the Faust Hotel to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary. Speaker was Herbert J. Taylor, international president in 1954-55 and author of Rotary's famous Four-Way Test.

The issue of the Rotary Cog distributed the previous day took a look into the future. Under the heading The Next Fifty, the Cog said: "Not being gifted with second sight, we dare not indulge in speculation about the next fifty years. Rockford Rotary Club has made great strides through its first fifty years of existence, and it is important that each year, as the Club moves on to its centennial, we take a new look at the Object of Rotary and deepen our concern over its fulfillment in our own lives, in the community in which we live, and in the world.

"Our goal should always be before us -- to keep the ideal of service before the individual. It will take on significant meaning when we ourselves and our Club keep ourselves abreast in a world which is constantly changing. We as individuals must look to develop better human relations, whether it is with men of other countries, or right in our own community.

"Let us find the strength and courage to work for a world of reason.

"Let us magnify the good that lies in every man's heart.

"Let us help men to see not that which divides them, but that which unites them.

"Whatever may happen in the next fifty years, Rockford Rotary will proceed as an association of men of goodwill within the worldwide framework of Rotary International, who work hard in all their stations of life, as if remembering the commandment 'In the sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread until thou return unto the ground'."