When I realized that I had a photograph of the Monday Reading Club after having seen many references to it in the newspapers, I decided that it was time to write a column. Columns with a related photograph seem to be of more interest. Unfortunately, we may never know who is who in the photograph; from the articles we know the names of some of the people who might be in the photograph. The most beneficial article was about their twentieth anniversary in 1918.
The club was organized in March 1898 by Mrs. Martha Relf and Mrs. A. F. [Mary Krueger] Rote; however, no newspaper articles were found until February 1909. It was stated that the membership was limited to 25 women, but some of the articles mention that 30 ladies were in attendance. It might be that five [or more] of them were invited guests. It was mentioned that they had “been meeting weekly for the study of serious and high class literature for over ten years.”
That meeting in 1918, which was one of its semi-annual social gatherings was held on the afternoon of February 13 at the home of Miss Kittie Jackson [now 2010 11th Street]. The program started with a vocal solo by Miss Laurene Gardner and a violin solo by Mrs. Nettie Booth Wegg, both being accompanied by Miss Ethel Churchill, who then played a piano solo. A drama was presented by Misses Charline Booth, Alice Treat, and Madams Relf, Ellis, Lysaght, Lottie Ludlow, Nellie Stone Treat, Villa White, and Amelia Churchill. The house was “suitably decorated with hearts and valentines” and valentines, many of them original, were distributed before a “bountiful luncheon” was served. Miss Adele Ludlow, a former member living in Janesville, attended.
The members were entertained at the Rote home [now 1502 15th Avenue] on the evening of November 2 with Mrs. Rote as the hostess. The club was divided into two sections with one half entertaining the other half each time. Miss Adelia Gardner took charge of the entertainment. Luncheon was served at 6:30 to the 32 members, including several guests. Servers were Misses Louise Twining, Fanny Elmer, Alma Regez, and Cecil White. A program of short speeches and vocal and instrumental solos was then given. Mrs. C. A. Booth gave a talk after which Mrs. Rote outlined “The Work of Womens Clubs of the State.” Miss Lavange Slayton, Milwaukee, then favored the audience with several vocal solos. The editor added, “The members of the club, who planned the social, have reason to congratulate themselves on the success of their evening’s entertainment.”
The following month from 3:00 to 6:00 on the afternoon of December 27, Mrs. E. C. Copeland entertained the members at her home on 16th Avenue just north of the Square. This was in honor of Mrs. John C. Chadwick, Edmonton, Canada, and Mrs. Anna Weber-Cleveland, Chicago, both former members of the club.
“The affair was in the nature of a ‘White elephant party,’ each one exhibiting some antiquity in her possession. Among the numerous objects displayed were family albums, a peculiar cut glass water set, blue and pink satin collars, antique cloaks “too good to throw away,” gaily decorated vases and many other oddities, which furnished much merriment and amusement for the ladies.” An elegant lunch was served before the ladies left.
Three years later on the afternoon of March 25, 1925 “ladies in the club” held a Washington’s birthday party at the home of Mrs. Villa White [now 1921 11th Street]. The guests wore colonial dress and mimicked George and Martha Washington, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, John Park Custer, and Benjamin Franklin. “The National colors were greatly in evidence in the decorations and each guest provided a gaily decorated basket containing the requisite for a fine supper,” which was served late in the afternoon. The entertainment consisted of original jokes and stunts. Mrs. F. J. Bolender welcomed the group and Mrs. Rote responded.
Mrs. White hosted again four years later for the 20th anniversary of the club on March 25, 1918, this time with a military theme. The members responded to the “muster roll” with patriotic quotations. “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” was sung by the club. Additional musical solos were performed before a three-course luncheon was served in the evening with the tables decorated in red and white.
It was shared that former members Mrs. Helen G. Treat, Mrs. Helen White, Mrs. Eliza Studley, and Mrs. Harriett Meeker had passed away. Living members were Mrs. Martha Relf, Mrs. A. F. Rote, Mrs. Louise Barber, Mrs. E. T. Gardner, Miss Adelia Gardner, Mrs. E. C. Copeland, Mrs. C. S. Young, Misses Alice and Nellie Treat, Mrs. F. P. Treat, Miss Meta Monroe, Mrs. Villa White, Miss Flora Wood and Mrs. Jane Lysaght. In addition, Mrs. C. F. Christensen and Mrs. G. E. Ellis, Madison, and Mrs. Kittie Jackson, Chicago, were here for the event.
The club was entertained at the home of Mrs. Henry Ludlow [now 2003 11th Street] on June 14, 1920 with Mrs. F. A. Shriner, Mrs. P. J. Weirich, Miss M. Alice Treat and Mrs. Ludlow as hostesses. “An interesting paper on Oriental rugs was read by Mrs. Shriner; another paper on Japanese pottery was read by Mrs. Ludlow. A beautiful display of pottery and Oriental rugs was viewed by the ladies. Refreshments were served. Thirty members and guests were present.”
The club met again at Mrs. Rote’s home on February 28, 1924 to surprise founder Martha Relf on her birthday. “A delightful picnic supper was provided by the surprise party during which interesting toasts were given” with Mrs. Fred J. Bolender serving as toastmistress. Adelia Gardner responded with an original poem to Mrs. Relf. There were 24 members of the club present.
It is unknown how long the group continued to meet, but there was report of at least one meeting in 1925.
— Matt Figi is a Monroe resident and a local historian. His column will appear periodically on Saturdays in the Times. He can be reached at mfigi48@tds.net or at 608-325-6503.
