Young Mens Club
Milwaukee County Wisconsin
LITERARY INSTITUTIONS
1857-58 Milwaukee City Directory Erving, Burdick & Co. 205 and 207 East Water Street Young Men’s Association – Rooms in Tweedy’s Block. This Association was instituted in 1848, and has now about 350 members. The library contains about 4000 volumes, and the reading room is regularly supplied with all the English newspapers in the city, together with the best American and Foreign periodicals. Initiation fee, $1.00 half yearly dues, $1.00 payable in advance. These give the members the privilege of the library and reading room. Literary and Scientific lectures are maintained during the winter season. J. R. Brigham, President A. C. May, Vice President C. F. Ilsley, Treasurer Charles A. Nazro, Secretary William Bilton, Librarian. Directors – I. A. Lapham N. S. Donaldson E. L. Buttrick J. K. Bartlett W. R. Freeman W. H. Metcalf C. J. Cary --------------------------------------------------- From: Catalogue of the Library of the Young Men's Association of the City of Milwaukee Organized, Dec. 1847 Incorporated, March, 1852 Milwaukee: Daily News Book and Job Steam Printing Establishment, 1861
Officers of the Association
1861-62 BRITT, Oren E. President MacALISTER, James Vice-President HIGBY, Menzo Secretary McDONALD, Wm.J. Treasurer DANA, W.L. Trustee PITKIN, F.W. Trustee BOWNS, E.E. Trustee JENKINS, J.G. Trustee LANGLEY, S.P. Trustee WHITNEY, T. Trustee WHIPPLE, W.G. Trustee Standing Committees MacALISTER, J. Library and Reading Room LANGLEY, S.P. Library and Reading Room WHIPPLE, W.G. Library and Reading Room WHITNEY, T. Finance DANA, W.L. Finance McDONALD, W.J. Finance PITKIN, F.W. Lectures JENKINS, J.G. Lectures BOWNS, E.E. Lectures ARNOLD, E.C. Librarian Initiation Fee $1.00; Half-Yearly Dues, $1.00 Contributors to Library The Association is indebted to: HOLTON, E.D. HOYT, J.W. POTTER, Hon. John F. GRAHAM, Col. J.D. (U.S.N.) FEATHERSTONEHAUGH, G.W. DANIEL, Wm. ADAMS, C. CHAPMAN, Geo. W. CHAPMAN, S. CAIN, Chas. DURKEE, C. MEADE, G.G. CRANE, Col. L.H.D. SHERMAN, W.H. (several fine photographs of distinguished lectures)
PAST OFFICERS
A List of the Officers of the Young Men's Association, chosen at the different Elections, From December, 1847, to May, 1861:-- Elected December 20th and 27th, 1847 J.H. VanDyke President M. Mason Vice-President Joseph Curtis Vice-President J.L. McVickar Recording Secretary Rev. A.L. Chapin Corresponding Secretary S. Marshall Treasurer B. McVickar Trustee from Honorary Members I.A. Lapham Trustee from Honorary Members E. Cramer Trustee from Honorary Members A. Finch, jr.(sic) Trustee from Honorary Members F. Randall Trustee from Honorary Members Hans Crocker Junior Trustee James Christie Junior Trustee Elected January 19th, 1848 J.H. VanDyke President M. Mason Vice-President Joseph Curtis Vice-President H.W. Tenney Recording Secretary Rev. A.L. Chapin Corresponding Secretary S. Marshall Treasurer B. McVickar Trustee from Honorary Members I.A. Lapham Trustee from Honorary Members E. Cramer Trustee from Honorary Members Edwdard Hopkins Trustee from Honorary Members F. Randall Trustee from Honorary Members Hans Crocker Junior Trustee James Christie Junior Trustee Elected December 5th, 1849 S.O. Putnam President Geo. LeFevre Vice-President Chas. F. Ilsley Secretary S. Marshall Treasurer Edward Hopkins Trustee B. McVickar Trustee I.A. Lapham Trustee H.W. Tenney Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee J.H. Tweedy Trustee Robert Menzies Trustee Elected December 4th, 1850 John P. McGregor President Robert C. Bradford Vice-President C. F. Ilsley Secretary Winfield Smith Treasurer Robert Menzies Trustee William J. Bell Trustee A. McArthur Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee E.P. Allis Trustee O.H. Waldo Trustee Nelson McCracken Trustee Elected December 9th, 1851 H.W. Tenney President M.J. Burke Vice-President B.K. Miller Treasurer W.J. Bell Secretary Joshua Stark Trustee J.P. McGregor Trustee H.J. Nazro Trustee Winfield Smith Trustee C.F. Ilsley Trustee R. Menzies Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee Elected Oct. 5th, 1852 R. Menzies President J. Stark Vice-President R.J. Bringham Secretary W.J. Bell Treasurer W.H. Wright Trustee A. Whittemore Trustee B.B. Richards Trustee A.Wilson Trustee Wm. Hill Trustee F. Baason Trustee H.W. Tenney Trustee Elected October 5th, 1853 J.K. Bartlett President J.R. Brigham Vice-President W.J. Bell Treasurer J.D. Dunn Secretary A.F. Clarke Trustee I.A. Lapham Trustee Winfield Smith Trustee W.H. Wright Trustee B.W. Griswold Trustee E.W. Tenney Trustee R. Menzies Trustee Elected October 4th, 1854 J.R. Brigham President C.F. Ilsley Vice-President W.J. Bell Treasurer I.N. Mason Secretary I.A. Lapham Trustee Winfield Smith Trustee N.S. Donaldson Trustee George LeFevre Trustee E.L. Buttrick Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee R. Menzies Trustee Elected May 2d, 1855 J.R. Brigham President W. Smith Vice-President C.F. Ilsley Treasurer I.N. Mason Secretary I.A. Lapham Trustee C.J. Cary Trustee George LeFevre Trustee N.S. Donaldson Trustee E.L. Buttrick Trustee R. Menzies Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee Elected May 7th, 1856 J.B. Brigham Trustee E.L. Buttrick Vice-President C.F. Ilsley Treasurer C.A. Nazro Secretary I.A. Lapham Trustee N.S. Donaldson Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee C.J. Cary Trustee A.C. May Trustee George LeFevre Trustee W.H. Metcalf Trustee Elected May 1st, 1857 J.R. Bringham President A.C. May Vice-President C.F. Ilsley Treasurer C.A. Nazro Secretary I.A. Lapham Trustee N.S. Donaldson Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee E.L. Buttrick Trustee W.R. Freeman Trustee W.H. Metcalf Trustee C.J. Cary Trustee Elected May 5th, 1858 A.C. May President N.C. Gridley Vice-President J.L. Spink Treasurer W.G. Fitch Secretary F.H. Terry Trustee E.W. Dennis Trustee S. Edson Trustee C. Caverno Trustee W. Price Trustee J. Johnston Trustee J.P. Ilsley Trustee Elected May 5th, 1859 J.P. Ilsley President C. Caverno Vice-President J.L. Spink Treasurer J. MacAlister Secretary W. Price Trustee J. Seville Trustee O.E. Britt Trustee H.C. Smith Trustee D. McDonald Trustee W.H. Jacobs Trustee J.B.D. Cogswell Trustee Elected May 7th, 1860 C. Caverno President J.B.D. Cogswell Vice-President J. MacAlister Secretary J.L. Spink Treasurer O.E. Britt Trustee W.L. Dana Trustee F.W. Pitkin Trustee E.E. Bowns Trustee W.G. Fitch Trustee D. Courtenay Trustee F. L. Ilsley Trustee From the 1867-68 Catalog Elected May 13th, 1861 O. E. Britt President J. MacAlister Vice President M. Higby Secretary W.J. McDonald Treasurer W.L. Dana Trustee F.W. Pitkin Trustee S.P. Langley Trustee E.E. Bowns Trustee J.G. Jenkins Trustee T.Whitney Trustee W.G. Whipple Trustee Elected May 12th, 1862 F.W. Pitkin President J. C. Montgomery Vice President F.D. Shepard Secretary* Deceased Jan 25th 1863, W.H. Eldred elected to fill vacancy J.R. Lockwood Treasurer N.C. Gridley Trustee W.L. Dana Trustee W.G. Whipple Trustee R. Eliot Trustee J.G. Jenkins Trustee H.S. Weeks Trustee W.H. Eldred Trustee Elected May 12th, 1863 J.C. Montgomery President F.B. Miles Vice President J.G. Flanders Secretary J.E. Eldred Treasurer Resigned on account of abscence from the city Sept 1 1863 A.L. Cary elected by board to fill vacancy. N.C. Gridley Trustee W.B. Price Trustee J.W. Moore Trustee H.S. Weeks Trustee J.B. Kellogg Trustee S. Chandler Trustee DeW Davis Trustee Elected May 10, 1864 F.B. Miles President DeW Davis Vice President A.L. Cary Secretary J.E. Eldred Treasurer J.W. Moore Trustee H.B. Wilkins Trustee G. Godfrey Trustee L.R. Durand Trustee W.H. Crombie Trustee A. Mullen Trustee J.S. Fowler Trustee Elected May 8th 1865 DeW Davis President J. Rice Vice President A.L. Cary Secreatary J.E. Eldred Treasurer A. Mullen Trustee J. Johnston Trustee L.R. Durand Trustee W. Hayden Trustee W.P. McLaren Trustee W.J. McDonald Trustee J.F. McMullen Trustee Elected May 8th 1866 L.R. Durand President J. R. Goodrich Vice President A. W. Wilkins Secretary J.E. Eldred Treasurer E. Sanderson Trustee F.B. Van Valkenburgh Trustee H.H. West Trustee J.R. Drake Trustee C.L. Peirce(sic) Trustee F.C. Winkler Trustee H.C. Payne Trustee Elected 1867-68 John Nazro President H.H. West Vice President Chas. L. Peirce(sic) Secretary E.R. Leland Treasurer Jas. G. Jenkens Trustee H.C. Payne Trustee John B. Goodrich Trustee Matt. Keenan Trustee F.C. Winkler Trustee W.P. McLaren Trustee H.R. Hayden Trustee Standing Committee 1867-68 Library and Reading Room J.R. Goodrich J.G. Jenkins W.P. McLaren Finance H.H. West E.R. Leland H.R. Hayden Lectures F.C. Winkler H.C. Payne Matt. Keenan Librarian E.C. Arnold Assistant Samuel Peacock Rooms open from 8 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. Initiation fee, $1.00; Semi-Annual Dues, $1.50; Life Membership, $50
Sketch of the History of the Association
This record is compiled from information gathered from official sources, and from past officers of the Association, and is presented here as a collection of facts, which will have an increasing interest for members, both old and new.* On Wednesday evening December 8th, 1847, a number of citizens of the, then, new city of Milwaukee, met in the parlor of the United States Hotel (corner of East Water and Huron streets, burned in 1854,) in pursuance of a call published in the newspapers, to take prelimin-ary steps for the formation of a Young Men's Literary Association. S. Osgood Putnam, (now of California) was president of the meeting, and E.P. Allis, secretary. After considerable consultation and discussion, on motion of H.W. Tenney, resolutions were adopted in favor of the establishment of a Library in connection with a Reading Room and Debating Society, and for the appointment of a committee to draft a Constitution for the organization of a Young Men's Association. The committee consisted of Messrs. Putnam, Mason, Vliet, Tenney, Holton and VanDyke.
On the 13th of December the committee submitted the draft of a Constitution which was considerably discussed and finally adopted by the meeting, but at an adjourned meeting, Dec. 18th, the subject was again discussed, and the record shows that objections were made to 13 of the 19 articles which composed the Constitution, and the whole matter was referred to a new committee, who, on the 20th of December, reported a revised document, which, in turn, was discussed and rejected, and the original report, somewhat amended, was finally adopted, and the Young Men's Association had a beginning.
The original Constitution divided members into two classes, by age; those over 35 years being classed as honorary members, and required to pay $5.00 initiation, and those between 18 and 35, being regular members, and paying an initiation fee of $2.00. both classes paid $2.00 yearly. Life members were admitted to either class on payment of $25.00, in one sum, and paid no yearly dues. BEsides these classes of members, persons under 18 years of age had the privilege of the library on payment of dues, but had no vote, and were ineligible to office. The offices were divided between the two classes of members. The honorary members taking five trustees, and the regular members two trustees, the presidents, two vice presidents, the treasurer and the corresponding and recording secretaries. The classification dispensed with and the board of officers established, as it still remains. The first election of officers, to hold till the regular election in January, was had in the Common Council Rooms, on the 20th of December, 1847, though the election was not completed until the following week. A list of officers is given elsewhere. The Constitution fixed the Wednesday following the second Tuesday in January,a s the day of the annual election, and accordingly the first annual election was held, January 19, 1848.
So far the proceedings of the Association had shown a special aptitude for debate and animated discussion, but after several weeks spent in the settlement of fundamental principles and the preliminaries for a permanent organization, and after the election of a full board of officers, it still remained to secure members and money to give the Association practical existence, and there were found earnest and active men, who undertook this somewhat thankless task, and to their labor we owe it, that we now have an Association and a Library. On the 5th of February they reported a subscription of $1513, and a membership consisting of 52 life members, 20 honorary members and 49 regular members. A room was leased in what was then the second, now third, floor of the building still standing at the north west corner of Wisconsin and Main streets, at a rent of $100 per year, "furnished with tables, chairs, bookcases, and other necessary fixtures for the use of the Association," in a style, of which an idea may be had, from the fact that the bills for the same amounted to considerably less that $50. The sum of $500 was appropriated for the purchase of books, and this, together with some donations, and some books received in payment of subscriptions, produced a library which, at the end of the first year of the Association, numbered 810 volumes, and together with eleven of the leading English and American Quarterlies and Monthlies, constituted the attractions of the Room, which was open on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday evening of each week, under the charge of Edward Hopkins, who volunteered to do duty as the first librarian, and to whose care and systematic labor during the first two years of the existence of the Association, very much is due.
At the annual meeting in January, 1849, the Constitution was revised and amended , as has been stated. The initiation fee was reduced to $1.00 for all members. The time of the annual elextion was changed to December. During this year, the interest in the library continued and grew, and for a part of the time the Room was kept open every evening. The number of members rose to 146. The receipts of the year were $303.44, which, with a surplus from the previous year, gave a fund of which $219.35 were expended for books, and $119.28 for incidental expenses. Two hundred and ninety nine new volumes were added to the library, and the list of periodicals was enlarged. We may presume that the directors found some difficulty in collecting dues and subscriptions, from the fact that it was officially recommended , T. Finance DANA, W.L. Finance McDONALD, W.J. Finance PITKIN, F.W. Lectures JENKINS, J.G. Lectures BOWNS, E.E. Lectures ARNOLD, E.C. Librarian Initiation Fee $1.00; Half-Yearly Dues, $1.00 Contributors to Library The Association is indebted to: HOLTON, E.D. HOYT, J.W. POTTER, Hon. John F. GRAHAM, Col. J.D. (U.S.N.) FEATHERSTONEHAUGH, G.W. DANIEL, Wm. ADAMS, C. CHAPMAN, Geo. W. CHAPMAN, S. CAIN, Chas. DURKEE, C. MEADE, G.G. CRANE, Col. L.H.D. SHERMAN, W.H. (several fine photographs of distinguished lectures)
PAST OFFICERS
A List of the Officers of the Young Men's Association, chosen at the different Elections, From December, 1847, to May, 1861:-- Elected December 20th and 27th, 1847 J.H. VanDyke President M. Mason Vice-President Joseph Curtis Vice-President J.L. McVickar Recording Secretary Rev. A.L. Chapin Corresponding Secretary S. Marshall Treasurer B. McVickar Trustee from Honorary Members I.A. Lapham Trustee from Honorary Members E. Cramer Trustee from Honorary Members A. Finch, jr.(sic) Trustee from Honorary Members F. Randall Trustee from Honorary Members Hans Crocker Junior Trustee James Christie Junior Trustee Elected January 19th, 1848 J.H. VanDyke President M. Mason Vice-President Joseph Curtis Vice-President H.W. Tenney Recording Secretary Rev. A.L. Chapin Corresponding Secretary S. Marshall Treasurer B. McVickar Trustee from Honorary Members I.A. Lapham Trustee from Honorary Members E. Cramer Trustee from Honorary Members Edwdard Hopkins Trustee from Honorary Members F. Randall Trustee from Honorary Members Hans Crocker Junior Trustee James Christie Junior Trustee Elected December 5th, 1849 S.O. Putnam President Geo. LeFevre Vice-President Chas. F. Ilsley Secretary S. Marshall Treasurer Edward Hopkins Trustee B. McVickar Trustee I.A. Lapham Trustee H.W. Tenney Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee J.H. Tweedy Trustee Robert Menzies Trustee Elected December 4th, 1850 John P. McGregor President Robert C. Bradford Vice-President C. F. Ilsley Secretary Winfield Smith Treasurer Robert Menzies Trustee William J. Bell Trustee A. McArthur Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee E.P. Allis Trustee O.H. Waldo Trustee Nelson McCracken Trustee Elected December 9th, 1851 H.W. Tenney President M.J. Burke Vice-President B.K. Miller Treasurer W.J. Bell Secretary Joshua Stark Trustee J.P. McGregor Trustee H.J. Nazro Trustee Winfield Smith Trustee C.F. Ilsley Trustee R. Menzies Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee Elected Oct. 5th, 1852 R. Menzies President J. Stark Vice-President R.J. Bringham Secretary W.J. Bell Treasurer W.H. Wright Trustee A. Whittemore Trustee B.B. Richards Trustee A.Wilson Trustee Wm. Hill Trustee F. Baason Trustee H.W. Tenney Trustee Elected October 5th, 1853 J.K. Bartlett President J.R. Brigham Vice-President W.J. Bell Treasurer J.D. Dunn Secretary A.F. Clarke Trustee I.A. Lapham Trustee Winfield Smith Trustee W.H. Wright Trustee B.W. Griswold Trustee E.W. Tenney Trustee R. Menzies Trustee Elected October 4th, 1854 J.R. Brigham President C.F. Ilsley Vice-President W.J. Bell Treasurer I.N. Mason Secretary I.A. Lapham Trustee Winfield Smith Trustee N.S. Donaldson Trustee George LeFevre Trustee E.L. Buttrick Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee R. Menzies Trustee Elected May 2d, 1855 J.R. Brigham President W. Smith Vice-President C.F. Ilsley Treasurer I.N. Mason Secretary I.A. Lapham Trustee C.J. Cary Trustee George LeFevre Trustee N.S. Donaldson Trustee E.L. Buttrick Trustee R. Menzies Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee Elected May 7th, 1856 J.B. Brigham Trustee E.L. Buttrick Vice-President C.F. Ilsley Treasurer C.A. Nazro Secretary I.A. Lapham Trustee N.S. Donaldson Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee C.J. Cary Trustee A.C. May Trustee George LeFevre Trustee W.H. Metcalf Trustee Elected May 1st, 1857 J.R. Bringham President A.C. May Vice-President C.F. Ilsley Treasurer C.A. Nazro Secretary I.A. Lapham Trustee N.S. Donaldson Trustee J.K. Bartlett Trustee E.L. Buttrick Trustee W.R. Freeman Trustee W.H. Metcalf Trustee C.J. Cary Trustee Elected May 5th, 1858 A.C. May President N.C. Gridley Vice-President J.L. Spink Treasurer W.G. Fitch Secretary F.H. Terry Trustee E.W. Dennis Trustee S. Edson Trustee C. Caverno Trustee W. Price Trustee J. Johnston Trustee J.P. Ilsley Trustee Elected May 5th, 1859 J.P. Ilsley President C. Caverno Vice-President J.L. Spink Treasurer J. MacAlister Secretary W. Price Trustee J. Seville Trustee O.E. Britt Trustee H.C. Smith Trustee D. McDonald Trustee W.H. Jacobs Trustee J.B.D. Cogswell Trustee Elected May 7th, 1860 C. Caverno President J.B.D. Cogswell Vice-President J. MacAlister Secretary J.L. Spink Treasurer O.E. Britt Trustee W.L. Dana Trustee F.W. Pitkin Trustee E.E. Bowns Trustee W.G. Fitch Trustee D. Courtenay Trustee F. L. Ilsley Trustee From the 1867-68 Catalog Elected May 13th, 1861 O. E. Britt President J. MacAlister Vice President M. Higby Secretary W.J. McDonald Treasurer W.L. Dana Trustee F.W. Pitkin Trustee S.P. Langley Trustee E.E. Bowns Trustee J.G. Jenkins Trustee T.Whitney Trustee W.G. Whipple Trustee Elected May 12th, 1862 F.W. Pitkin President J. C. Montgomery Vice President F.D. Shepard Secretary* Deceased Jan 25th 1863, W.H. Eldred elected to fill vacancy J.R. Lockwood Treasurer N.C. Gridley Trustee W.L. Dana Trustee W.G. Whipple Trustee R. Eliot Trustee J.G. Jenkins Trustee H.S. Weeks Trustee W.H. Eldred Trustee Elected May 12th, 1863 J.C. Montgomery President F.B. Miles Vice President J.G. Flanders Secretary J.E. Eldred Treasurer Resigned on account of abscence from the city Sept 1 1863 A.L. Cary elected by board to fill vacancy. N.C. Gridley Trustee W.B. Price Trustee J.W. Moore Trustee H.S. Weeks Trustee J.B. Kellogg Trustee S. Chandler Trustee DeW Davis Trustee Elected May 10, 1864 F.B. Miles President DeW Davis Vice President A.L. Cary Secretary J.E. Eldred Treasurer J.W. Moore Trustee H.B. Wilkins Trustee G. Godfrey Trustee L.R. Durand Trustee W.H. Crombie Trustee A. Mullen Trustee J.S. Fowler Trustee Elected May 8th 1865 DeW Davis President J. Rice Vice President A.L. Cary Secreatary J.E. Eldred Treasurer A. Mullen Trustee J. Johnston Trustee L.R. Durand Trustee W. Hayden Trustee W.P. McLaren Trustee W.J. McDonald Trustee J.F. McMullen Trustee Elected May 8th 1866 L.R. Durand President J. R. Goodrich Vice President A. W. Wilkins Secretary J.E. Eldred Treasurer E. Sanderson Trustee F.B. Van Valkenburgh Trustee H.H. West Trustee J.R. Drake Trustee C.L. Peirce(sic) Trustee F.C. Winkler Trustee H.C. Payne Trustee Elected 1867-68 John Nazro President H.H. West Vice President Chas. L. Peirce(sic) Secretary E.R. Leland Treasurer Jas. G. Jenkens Trustee H.C. Payne Trustee John B. Goodrich Trustee Matt. Keenan Trustee F.C. Winkler Trustee W.P. McLaren Trustee H.R. Hayden Trustee Standing Committee 1867-68 Library and Reading Room J.R. Goodrich J.G. Jenkins W.P. McLaren Finance H.H. West E.R. Leland H.R. Hayden Lectures F.C. Winkler H.C. Payne Matt. Keenan Librarian E.C. Arnold Assistant Samuel Peacock Rooms open from 8 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. Initiation fee, $1.00; Semi-Annual Dues, $1.50; Life Membership, $50
Sketch of the History of the Association
This record is compiled from information gathered from official sources, and from past officers of the Association, and is presented here as a collection of facts, which will have an increasing interest for members, both old and new.* On Wednesday evening December 8th, 1847, a number of citizens of the, then, new city of Milwaukee, met in the parlor of the United States Hotel (corner of East Water and Huron streets, burned in 1854,) in pursuance of a call published in the newspapers, to take prelimin-ary steps for the formation of a Young Men's Literary Association. S. Osgood Putnam, (now of California) was president of the meeting, and E.P. Allis, secretary. After considerable consultation and discussion, on motion of H.W. Tenney, resolutions were adopted in favor of the establishment of a Library in connection with a Reading Room and Debating Society, and for the appointment of a committee to draft a Constitution for the organization of a Young Men's Association. The committee consisted of Messrs. Putnam, Mason, Vliet, Tenney, Holton and VanDyke.
On the 13th of December the committee submitted the draft of a Constitution which was considerably discussed and finally adopted by the meeting, but at an adjourned meeting, Dec. 18th, the subject was again discussed, and the record shows that objections were made to 13 of the 19 articles which composed the Constitution, and the whole matter was referred to a new committee, who, on the 20th of December, reported a revised document, which, in turn, was discussed and rejected, and the original report, somewhat amended, was finally adopted, and the Young Men's Association had a beginning.
The original Constitution divided members into two classes, by age; those over 35 years being classed as honorary members, and required to pay $5.00 initiation, and those between 18 and 35, being regular members, and paying an initiation fee of $2.00. both classes paid $2.00 yearly. Life members were admitted to either class on payment of $25.00, in one sum, and paid no yearly dues. BEsides these classes of members, persons under 18 years of age had the privilege of the library on payment of dues, but had no vote, and were ineligible to office. The offices were divided between the two classes of members. The honorary members taking five trustees, and the regular members two trustees, the presidents, two vice presidents, the treasurer and the corresponding and recording secretaries. The classification dispensed with and the board of officers established, as it still remains. The first election of officers, to hold till the regular election in January, was had in the Common Council Rooms, on the 20th of December, 1847, though the election was not completed until the following week. A list of officers is given elsewhere. The Constitution fixed the Wednesday following the second Tuesday in January,a s the day of the annual election, and accordingly the first annual election was held, January 19, 1848.
So far the proceedings of the Association had shown a special aptitude for debate and animated discussion, but after several weeks spent in the settlement of fundamental principles and the preliminaries for a permanent organization, and after the election of a full board of officers, it still remained to secure members and money to give the Association practical existence, and there were found earnest and active men, who undertook this somewhat thankless task, and to their labor we owe it, that we now have an Association and a Library. On the 5th of February they reported a subscription of $1513, and a membership consisting of 52 life members, 20 honorary members and 49 regular members. A room was leased in what was then the second, now third, floor of the building still standing at the north west corner of Wisconsin and Main streets, at a rent of $100 per year, "furnished with tables, chairs, bookcases, and other necessary fixtures for the use of the Association," in a style, of which an idea may be had, from the fact that the bills for the same amounted to considerably less that $50. The sum of $500 was appropriated for the purchase of books, and this, together with some donations, and some books received in payment of subscriptions, produced a library which, at the end of the first year of the Association, numbered 810 volumes, and together with eleven of the leading English and American Quarterlies and Monthlies, constituted the attractions of the Room, which was open on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday evening of each week, under the charge of Edward Hopkins, who volunteered to do duty as the first librarian, and to whose care and systematic labor during the first two years of the existence of the Association, very much is due.
At the annual meeting in January, 1849, the Constitution was revised and amended , as has been stated. The initiation fee was reduced to $1.00 for all members. The time of the annual elextion was changed to December. During this year, the interest in the library continued and grew, and for a part of the time the Room was kept open every evening. The number of members rose to 146. The receipts of the year were $303.44, which, with a surplus from the previous year, gave a fund of which $219.35 were expended for books, and $119.28 for incidental expenses. Two hundred and ninety nine new volumes were added to the library, and the list of periodicals was enlarged. We may presume that the directors found some difficulty in collecting dues and subscriptions, from the fact that it was officially recommended