Allegan County, Michigan - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 13 of those read), 1907

One o£ the most popular and valuable institutions of Allegan is the public library, which has been developed from the usual grade of township library to one of wide range of usefulness. Up to 1903 the library was of the ordinary type, was maintained without library sj'Stem, and only the incidental fees and taxes were devoted to its support. In 1903 H. L. Green, township clerk, asked for a one and one-half mill tax on the township, the proceeds from which should be devoted to the improvement of the library. This was granted, and the amount appropriated to the library since that time has been as follows :

February 22, 1905, the Ladies' History Class donated one hundred dollars, and May 8, 1905, another sum of one hundred and five dollars. A large room has been set apart for the library in the rear of the Masonic Temple and large additions are being made each year to the collection of books, tiiere being at the present writing four thousand one hundred and eighty volumes on the shelves. Fifteen hundred dollars were expended for new books during 1905. The librarian. Lenora Porter, is still engaged in cataloging the books and making the collection of increased usefulness to the public. The names of S. F. ilurphj'. H. L. Green and Rev. Lucas, the Episcopal minister, should be mentioned because of the leading part they took in securing the special tax levy and in other ways promoting the establishment of a real public library for Allegan.

The old Allegan Library and Literan,- Association should also he mentioned in this connection. Organized in 1871, the association in 1875 became a stock company, shares being sold at twenty-five dollars each. Its members, between thirty and fortj' in number, organized for literary improvement, and for this purpose purchased a considerable librarj', altogether about a thousand volumes. Some years ago the organi;iation was dissolved and the assets, consisting principally of books, were divided among the individual stockholders. This association had no connection with the town librarv. Among the leaders in the movement were General B. D. Pritchard, J. B. Humphrey. A. S. Butler, John W. Stone, H. CWeeks, E. Amsden, W. W. Warner and others.

Having the future educational welfare of Waylanti at heart, Mrs. Julia Henika, one of the prominent and pub lie -spirited women, bequeathed in her will the sum of two thousand dollars for the erection of a library. To this amount was added five hundred dollars by George H. Henika at one time, and again two hundred dollars ; Mrs. Mary Forbes added five hundred dollars, and the village purchased the lots on which this handsome library stands, a credit to the community and a monument to the memory of those, especially Mrs. Henika, through whose generosity this building was made possible.

The library contains about five hundred volumes, part of which have been donated. At the last spring election a library board was appointed, who have general supervision of the work. An appropriation of a one-mill tax has been granted by the village, which will give about four hundred dollars to be spent for books, periodicals and running expenses for the present year.

The organization known as the Plainwell Ladies' Library Association was effected in February, 1868. The idea had birth some months previous in a doorstep conversation between two neighbors and the idea having been born it grew. It was discussed with neighbors and friends. The experience of friends in other towns was drawn upon ; then a meeting of all interested was called to discuss the project. Several meetings were held before the organization was perfected. After careful consideration a constitution was adopted, officers elected and a name chosen. It has been a helpful agency in giving character to our town. It has always been the aim of the board of managers to have only pure and helpful books in circulation. All the work of maintaining this library has been gratuitous, even the librarian's work being freely given.

The Library Association has no endowment and no debts. It has given many and various courses of entertainment and they have always been of a high order. The first courses of public lectures ever given in our town were conducted by the L. L. A. For more than two years the members of the board at their monthly meetings after the business of the hour have enjoyed a literary feast prepared by one of its members on some subject of interest.

The present assets of the association are a pleasant library home, newly decorated and carpeted, something over two thousand volumes arranged on convenient shelving and the nucleus of a museum. It is the strong hope of those who have longest been identified with this association that in the near future some way may open whereby it may become a free public library.

This club was founded November i, 1904. The charter members were: Mrs. Sarah Hodge, first president; Mrs. W. R. Takken, Mrs. Edwin Booth, Mrs. W. P. Sutton, Mrs. C. E, Bird, Mrs. F. G. Hayes, Mrs. George Haines,

In 1905 the Douglas Culture Club, of which Mrs. William Turnbull is president, was organized. This drew away from the Saugatuck Society some of the ladies from Douglas who had previouslv been associated with that club.

February 22, 1893, a few women, possessed of progressive ideas, met at the home of Mrs. L. F. Wallbrecht and there laid plans for a society which should be known as the Ladies' Literary Association. Officers elected at that meeting were : President, Mrs. Mary Clark ; vice-president, Mrs. Lillian Buskirk; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Sara Manley.

"The object of this association is mutual improvement and a desire to keep abreast of the time?, and to become better informed of the general interests of the day as well as the history and literature of the past."

In September, 1896, the constitution was revised, the yearly dues raised to twenty-five cents, and the society's name changed to Ladies' Literary Club. In May, 1899, the club became incorporated under the name of Ladies' Library Club, and since that date the annual dues have been fifty cents.

The first year-book of the club was printed for the season of 1898-99 and contained only the dates of meetings and topics for each evening. Previous to that the evening's program was planned and rendered by a committee appointed a week or two in advance.

Fifteen women whose names were enrolled as members in the club's initial year were active members during the past season. They are: Mesdames Eila Heazlit, Flora Fitch. Emma AUgeo, Belle Turner, Ellen Hoyt, Mabel Schuyler, Dell Chappie, Allie Shattuck, Mary Clark, Sara Manley, Margaret Schuh, Lillian Buskirk, Hattie Wallbrecht, Cynthia Slade and Miss Fannie Hoyt. The seven last mentioned in the list have kept that membership unbroken, the others having allowed their names to be dropped from the roll in some of the intervening years.

For a few years the funds realized from dues and ati occasional entertainment, aside from the amount needed to meet the club's financial requirements, were expended in books, and a small library is maintained.

But for the past three years the club has been interested in a movement that is of a more general benefit, the entertainment course; hence, it has been deemed advisable to hold a larger fund in reserve against a possible time of need, in case the expenditures for attractions exceed the ticket sales.

The names of nearly one hundred women have at one time or another been recorded as members of the society, forty-four having been enrolled the past year.

For the past thirty-one years this association has existed for the study of general history and the broadening of the intellectual tastes of its members. Its positive benefits in this direction and its active existence for so many years cause it to rank almost as an institution in the village. The year-book for 1906-07, which must be commended for its handsome typographical appearance and artistic arrangement of matter, is in itself the best commentary on the club's ideals and work. The general topic for the year is "History as Seen Through the Novel and Drama," and the weekly programs from September to May are devoted to various classics illustrative of epochs and characters of history from the beginning of the Roman empire to the heroic struggles of Thaddeus of Warsaw.

The class was organized February i. 1875. with twenty charter members. In 1878 the name was changed to the Woman's Lyceum, with some corresponding change in the manner of conducting the meetings. The original name has since been resumed. In 1904 the class was federated with the State Federation of Women's Clubs, at whose annual meetings it is represented by delegates. The present officers and the membership list follow :

The deceased members of the class, recorded In Memoriam, are: Mrs. Willard Higgins, Mrs. Emma R. Pond, Mrs. Sarah A. Amsden, Mrs. Frank Bailey, Mrs. B. D. Pritchard, Mrs. Josephine Packard, Mrs. Sarah E. Bingham, Mrs. Emma S. Barrows, Mrs. James Rockwell, Mrs. A. E. Bassett, Miss Frances H. Wilkes, Mrs. Etta B. Killian, Miss Mabel Grice and Mrs. Edwy C. Reid.

The Treble Clef Society was organized July 19, 1889, at the home of Mrs. J. M. Killian, although it did not receive Its name until the following meeting, September 14. Ihere were eighteen charter members - Mesdames J. M. Killian, E. T. Cruse, Ed Jenner, L. !-. Sollendine, E. T. Van Ostrand, W. B. Williams, J. W. Howe, V. M. Burleigh, and Misses Mary Bassett, Hattie Smith, Clara Sherwood, Martha Sherwood, Lizzie Jenner, Helen Peck, Rubie Sherwood, Xina Sherwood, Pearl Moore and Bertha Pritchard,

The first officers - President, Mrs. J. M. Killian; secretary, Mrs. V. M. Burleigh. At the fourth meeting a critic was elected and later a vice-president and treasurer.

Quoting from the constitution, article 11: "The object of this society shall be the cultivation of a taste for the higher class of music and a better appreciation of the masters."

A program committee of three outline the work for the coming year, placing each meeting in the hands of a committee, who arrange the program for that particular evening. Each evening is devoted either to some noted composer, some particular style of music or some group of composers, such as Polish or German,

The present membership numbers, active fifty-four and honorary fifty, with the following officers : President, Mrs. Pearle iloore Gray ; vice-president, Mrs, Clarence Messinger; secretary, Mrs. Ernest N. HuUey ; treasurer, Mrs, William Lucas ; critic. Miss Weeks ; executive committee, Mrs. Fred Chischester, Mrs. Charles Wilkes and Miss \"an Ostrand; program committee, Mrs. Pearle Moore Gray, Miss Weeks and Mrs. W. B. Williams.

This year (1906-07), as an example, there are the following evenings each in charge of a special committee: President's evening; Polish cornposers; Grieg (Folk Song); American composers; students' evening; orchestration (symphony); Beethoven (Sonata); light opera; open meeting; women composers, and two artist recitals. The colors are yellow and white and the flower the carnation.