West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
WEST LIBERTY ROTARY CLUB

The West Liberty Rotary Club was organized in the fall of 1924, with Dr. Wm. Bywater of Iowa City as special representative, of District Governor Boardman, and Dr. Lester A. Royal,organizing chairman, Dr.H. A. Knott, George Hise and W. L. Waters, assisting.

Beginning on October 24, 1924 the club held regular weekly meetings in the Woodman hall, continuing to meet there until June 16, 1925, when the place of meeting was changed to the Masonic dining room, the present location.

Dr. Lester A. Royal served as the clubs first president; George Hise, secretary; Ray Whitacre, treasurer; Jess Gorsline, sergeant at arms, these officers holding over until July 1, 1926. In its fourteen years of existence the club has had only two secretaries, George Hise, 1924-1928, and Dr. Royal, since that time.

At a formal meeting on January 7, 1925, attended by more than 100 Rotarians from this district, the charter, bearing the number 1859, granted December 16, 1934, was presented to the club by " Shorty " Frances, Marshalltown, secretary to Governor Boardman. Among the guest speakers were Dr. Bywater, Iowa City; Attorney Stafford, Muscatine; Alex Miller, Washington.

The attendance record of the local club has been outstanding for many times it has been first in the district. Two charter members, W. G. Eichenauer and W. L. Watters and several of the more recent members have perfect attendance records.

Ray Heath is the president-elect, and Dr. L. A. Royal, secretary.

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