A Brief History of the Lions of Georgia 1920 to 1954

LIONS OF GEORGIA
OFFICE OF THE STATE HISTORIAN
DECATUR, GEORGIA

May 1, 1969

The first natural division in the story of Lionism in Georgia is the period from 1920 to 1937 when the entire state of Georgia was in one District.

The attached material, relating to that period in our history, is offered to you now as a challenge, and not as a finished product. It is hoped that Lions will read it critically, and aid in correcting any errors.

Our greatest hope, however, is that Lions will be challenged to enrich this basic material with interesting sidelights, information, records, recollections, and thoughts that are not now recorded. Older Lions, particularly the Past District Governors during those years, can contribute important items with which no one else is familiar. They are the source of enriching, historical material, which, if not recorded soon till be lost forever.

The purpose of this offering, then, is to urge you to participate in the production of our history by contributing what you know of interesting facts, events, people, with as many names, places and dates as possible. We welcome such material.

Your reaction will help determine whether our history is a dry compendium of facts and statistics or whether it will sparkle with the deeds, memories, personalities, and spirit which have built, and are building, the Lionism we love.

Eugene Sanders
State Historian
Lions of GEORGIA

First Club - Atlanta

The first Lions Club organized in the State of Georgia, which now constitutes the Eighteenth District of Lionism, was that of Atlanta; which held its first meeting on December 17, 1920. The first President of this first Georgia Lions Club was J. R. Smith; the first Secretary, T. R. Gentry.

Georgia was not at that time the Eighteenth District; it was part of the old Fifth District, which embraced Eastern Texas, Louisiana, and at times, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Lionism itself was only a little more than three years old. The International Association of Lions Clubs was organized on June 7, 1917, at a historic meeting held at the Hotel La Salle in Chicago. The nucleus of the organization was a group of unaffiliated clubs of various names, scattered over the middle west and southwest. Melvin Jones, then secretary of the Business Circle of Chicago, began a correspondence with other similar clubs as far back as 1914, and labored steadily to bring them together into an association under a single name and working for a single program of usefulness.

His plan was consummated when some 27 of these clubs were represented at the Chicago meeting. They agreed to form an association, and adopted the name "Lions." They appointed committees, and issued a call for a convention of accredited delegates from the various clubs. This first International Convention of the Lions was held at Dallas, Texas, on October 8-10, 1917. A constitution was adopted, officers were elected, and a program of expansion mapped out.

One of the first steps taken toward carrying out this program of expansion was to lay out the territory of the United States into districts, and place a District Governor in charge of each. The districts, as first arranged, were numbered eastwardly from the Pacific Coast, though not with exact regularity. The arrangement was: First District, California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada; Second District, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Western Wisconsin; Third District, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana; Fourth District, Western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona: Fifth District, Eastern Texas, Louisiana, and at times Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida: Sixth District, Oklahoma and Kansas; Seventh District, Arkansas and Missouri: Eighth District, Kentucky and Tennessee, and at times Mississippi; Ninth District, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Eastern Wisconsin.

The remaining territory of the United States was not districted at that time for the reason that there was no machinery for either the organization or the administration of Lions Clubs, and the prospects then was that it would be some time before Lionism could be extended to other sections. However, Lions Clubs grew and flourished, and multiplied more rapidly than was expected by any but a few who had caught the true vision of what it meant and what it could do. Presently it was found necessary to divide some districts, appoint additional district governors, and to create new districts in states where Lions Clubs had been organized outside any regular jurisdiction.

Shortly after the International Convention at Oakland, California in 1921, the entire country was re-districted. Under the new arrangement the states were aligned thus: First District, Illinois, where the Present International Association was organized and which was made headquarters; Second District, Texas, where the earliest Lions Clubs were formed, and which at that time led in number of clubs and of members; Third District, Oklahoma, which then was a close second to Texas; Fourth District, California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada; Fifth District, Minnesota, North and South Dakota; Sixth District, Colorado; Seventh District, Arkansas; Eighth District, Louisiana; Ninth District, Iowa and Nebraska: Tenth District, Upper Michigan; Eleventh District, Lower Michigan; Twelfth District, Kentucky and Tennessee; Thirteenth District, Ohio; Fourteenth District, Pennsylvania; Fifteenth District, Wyoming and Montana; Sixteenth District, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia: Seventeenth District, Kansas; Eighteenth District, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

It was not until there were three Lions Clubs organized in Georgia that any steps were taken toward establishing a district organization. During the year following the organization of the Atlanta Club, two more Clubs were formed. The Club at Americus was organized on February 23, 1921, only a few weeks after Atlanta's first meeting. The first President was Dan Chappell; the first Secretary, C. M. Hall. The Lions Club of Macon followed on May 6. Its first President was George E. Patterson; its first Secretary, W. C. Stokes.

District Organization

These three Lions Clubs themselves undertook to set up a district government. They held a joint meeting at Macon, Georgia on December 27, 1921, and proceeded to elect H. E. Allen of Americus "Acting Governor of the Georgia Division." While the International President had not appointed him, and did not for a long time confirm the selection of the three Georgia Clubs, recognition was gradually accorded Lion Allen as the de facto District Governor, and he was very earnest and vigorous in pushing the organization of new Lions Clubs in Georgia. Six new Clubs had held their organization meetings, and three others were in process of organization before his term expired. In the meantime, Alabama, which at first he had not considered in his district, had come to the front by organization of a Lions Club at Montgomery, on June 12, 1922: and Mobile on October 9, 1922. Florida had one Lions Club -- that organized at Orlando on December 15. 1920. International informed District Governor Allen that Alabama and Florida were also under his jurisdiction, and he accepted the added responsibility.

First District Convention - October 12, 1922

The first district convention ever held in the Eighteenth District of Lionism, which then comprised the States of Georgia, Florida and Alabama, was held at Macon, Georgia, on October 12, 1922, with District Governor Allen presiding. Ten Lions Clubs took part. The registered delegates and visitors numbered 62.

The election resulted in the choice of M. J. Whitman of Macon, Georgia, District Governor. Savannah, Georgia won the 1923 district convention.

1922 - 1923

Immediately after the convention, his business demanded that District Governor Whitman remove to New York City, and he resigned his office on November 1. Under the district constitution, Deputy E. W. Rosenthal of Savannah succeeded to the District Governorship, and at once assumed office. The number of Lions Clubs in the state almost doubled in the next year under vigorous work by field directors from International, and the cooperation of the local clubs.

The second annual convention of the Lions Clubs of Georgia, Alabama and Florida, constituting the Eighteenth District, was held at Savannah, Georgia, on May 25-26, 1923. International was represented by Director Ben A. Ruffin of Richmond, Virginia, who delivered the principal address.

The delegates discussed at some length the proposal that the Eighteenth District be divided, and that Georgia constitute a separate district. The almost unanimous sentiment was that it would not be best at that time, and District Governor Rosenthal was instructed to convey this sentiment to International at the International Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Richard C. Jordan of Macon, Georgia, was elected District Governor. The three deputies -- one from each state -- were C. H. Cooper of Orlando, Florida; John L. Travis of Savannah, Georgia; and H. R. Helie of Montgomery, Alabama. The 1924 district convention was voted to Montgomery, Alabama.

1923 - 1924

The third annual district convention of the Eighteenth District Lions Clubs, of the states of Georgia, Alabama and Florida, was held at Montgomery, Alabama on May 21-22, 1924. There had been a gain of four clubs and fifty members in Georgia during the year; also there had been a most successful district conference on February 29, at the time of the visit of International President John S. Noel. Sixteen Georgia Lions Clubs and two from Alabama had taken part in that meeting.

One of the most important actions taken at the convention was the resolution to divide the district, and permit the six Lions Clubs of Alabama to organize a district of their own. The Alabama delegates had a meeting, and four of the six favored the move. When a resolution was introduced into the convention by the chairman of the resolutions committee, E. R. Beckwith of Montgomery, every delegate in the hall voted in favor of recommending to International that a separation be granted.

The Alabama delegates withdrew from the hall and held a little district meeting of their own, electing W. I. Pittman of Birmingham as District Governor, and Thomas Ward of Tuscaloosa deputy. Alabama was promptly recognized by International as an independent organization, and became the Thirty-fourth District.

The delegates from Georgia and Florida then held an election, and chose W. C. Parker of Waycross, Georgia as District Governor, with three deputies-- H. K. Park of Columbus, Georgia, Press Huddleston of Atlanta, and William Burwell of Miami, Florida. The next district convention of the Eighteenth District, was voted to Augusta, Georgia.

1924 - 1925

A few months after the district convention at Montgomery, International granted Florida permission to withdraw from the Eighteenth District and become a separate district. They became the Thirty-fifth district, and the State of Georgia constituted the Eighteenth District of Lionism.

There was a slight falling off in both the number of clubs and membership in Georgia in the year 1924-25. The Number of Clubs dropped to 15 in number, and the members dropped to 549.

Fifty delegates from nine of the Clubs were in attendance. International Directors Ben A. Ruffin, Richmond Virginia; and Thomas H. Halliburton of Macon, Georgia, delivered addresses.

George Conklin of Augusta was elected District Governor, and the 1926 district convention was voted to Macon.

1925 - 1926

The district held its own in number of Clubs, and sustained by a slight loss of 22 in membership in the year 1925-26. When the fifth annual district convention met at Macon on May 21-22, 1926, there were ten of the fifteen Clubs represented by accredited delegates. International was again represented by Director Ben A. Ruffin of Richmond, Virginia; and Tom Halliburton, of Macon, Georgia. Among the resolutions adopted was one of regret over the death of Past District Governor Richard C. Jordan.

The election resulted in the choice of William A. Mann of Macon, for District Governor, and the choice of Albany as the 1927 convention city.

1926 - 1927

There was a recession both in the number of Lions Clubs and the total membership in Georgia during the year 1926-27. The clubs fell in number from 15 to 12, and the membership from 527 to 467.

The sixth annual convention was held on May 5-6, 1927, at Albany, Georgia. The health of the district governor had broken, but none of those attending the convention realized that he was doomed to pass from this life a few months later.

Ten of the twelve Lions Clubs of the district were represented at the convention by 62 delegates.

J. 0. Pertain of Atlanta was elected District Governor, and Athens was awarded the district convention of 1928.

1927 - 1928

The seventh annual convention of Georgia was held at Athens on May 17-18, 1928. All but two Clubs sent delegates to the convention. The delegates numbered 39 and the guests 23. International Directors Thomas H. Halliburton of Macon; and G. H. Hastings of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, were the principal speakers.

Two of the outstanding Lions of the district had died since the previous convention: Past District Governor William A. Mann of Macon, and Past President George L. Alexander of the Forsyth Club. Resolutions in their memory were adopted.

The convention voted unanimously to provide funds for another three-year term of support for the Juvenile Braille Magazine, to be supplied free to all the blind children in the state.

Joseph W. Popper of Macon was elected District Governor, and the 1929 convention was voted to Valdosta.

1928 – l929

Lionism in Georgia during the year 1928 progressed very favorably and reports show an increase of nearly ninety per cent in total number of clubs and over fifty per cent in membership during that period.

The ninth annual convention was held at Valdosta, on May 2-3, 1929. The convention was presided over by District Governor Popper. Tom Curry of Dublin, was elected District Governor, and Griffin, Georgia was selected for next convention.

1929 - 1930

Although the advance was not as marked as was that of the previous year, Lionism went forward in Georgia during the fiscal year 1929-30. The ninth annual convention met at Griffin on May 14, 1930, lasting: two days, much business of an important nature was transacted, and it was decided to petition the state legislative bodies to pass a bill creating a State Blind Commission, supported by state appropriation, to make a survey of the number and condition of all the blind of the state, and report to the Lions. International Director Roderick Beddow, of Birmingham, Alabama, was the principal speaker.

Channing Cope, of Atlanta, was elected District Governor, and Atlanta was awarded the next convention.

1930 - 1931

The number of Clubs was increased during the fiscal year by two, and the total membership was increased by seven.

Through the difficult year of 1930-31 the district lost no Clubs, and the membership suffered only a slight loss of 137.

When the convention met at Atlanta on May 28-29, 1931, there were 13 Clubs represented, with a total registration of 117. Committees were appointed and resolutions adopted to continue the major activities of carrying on blind work, presenting the Braille Magazine to the blind; and going further into seeing to it that boys are kept in school. Regular Presidents and Secretaries meetings were held, at which meetings the matters of membership, finances, and other responsibilities pertaining to their offices were fully discussed.

Geoffrey B. King of Savannah was elected District Governor, and Savannah was chosen the 1932 convention city.

1931 - 1932

Under the Administration of District Governor King, Georgia forged ahead during a year when most districts were having a great deal of difficulty. Twelve new clubs were added to the district and 209 new members during the year 1931-32.

The district convention held in Savannah was one of the most successful held by the district association. Over 134 Lions registered, and many more were in attendance who attended sessions of the convention, while many guests and members of Lion families were also in attendance. The International Board of Directors was represented by International Director Edwin R. Kingsley of Parkersburg, West Virginia, who gave the major address of the convention. Dr. A. M. Soule, President of the State College also addressed the convention.

1932 - 1933

The major activity adopted for the year 1932-33 was to lend all effort to habituate uncultivated land with unemployed, so that the land can be made productive and the unemployed be given a chance to support themselves and families from the land.

Marvin G. Pound of Sparta was elected District Governor to succeed Lion King, and the next convention host city chosen was Waycross.

Under District Governor Pound, District Eighteen had a splendid record of achievement during the fiscal year 1932-33. Eleven new clubs were organized, making a net gain of six. The membership was increased by 82, and twelve members obtained Keys, making a total of 35.

The district convention was held at Waycross on June 12-13, 1933. It was called to order by Lion H. F. Stallings, President of the host club. The address of welcome was made by Hon. L. B. Harrell, Mayor of Waycross; with response by Past District Governor J. 0. Partain, of Atlanta. Marvin G. Pound, District Governor, assumed the chair and made his report. Following a Fellowship Luncheon conducted by the Savannah Club, there was a short business session featuring a fine speech by W. K. Charles, Greenwood, South Carolina, Chairman of the International Board of Governors.

Both the breakfast of the Presidents and that of the Secretaries was well attended, and there was general discussion on topics relative to the proper functioning of a Lions Club. Following reports by the various committees, there was a Model Luncheon conducted by the Statesboro Club.

George S. Johnson, La Grange, was elected District Governor, and Decatur was chosen as the next convention city.

1933 - 1934

Again Lionism in Georgia made wonderful forward strides during the year 1933-34. District Governor Johnson made 44 visits to the clubs in his district. Eighteen new Clubs were organized, giving a net gain of eleven for the year; 45 members secured Keys; 3 earned Master Keys; and the total membership of the district was increased by 340.

The convention was held at Decatur on June 20-21, and was one of the best the district had ever held. W. J. Scott, President of the host club, presided at the opening, and welcome was extended by Mayor J. C. Johnson. Response was by Past District Governor Parker, of Waycross, and H. McWhorter, of Lexington.

Some very high class entertainment was given at the noon-day luncheon, but the big feature was a splendid address by John A. Lloyd, Portsmouth, Ohio, a Director of Lions International.

An unusual and much enjoyed feature of the convention was music by the Decatur Girls High-Lions Club orchestra and the Decatur Boys High-Lions Club orchestra, the first projects of the Decatur Lions Club.

The major activities for the year were decided to be Blind Work and concentration on the rehabilitation of laggard clubs.

William T. Ray, Athens, was elected District Governor, and Columbus was chosen as the next convention city.

1934 - 1935

Georgia continued to expand and progress during 1934-36 under District Governor William T. Ray of Athens and his corps of State Officers, composed of District Secretary W. A. Abercrombie of Athens, and Deputy District Governors H. A. Stallings of Waycross, Dr. R. A. Enzor of Smithville, A. Lester Henderson of Savannah, J. E. Cook of Wrightsville, W. E. Graham of Lafayette, N. V. Dyer of Tocoa, Blue Holleman of  Augusta, N. J. Scott of Decatur.

 The number of Lions Clubs within the state was increased from 51 to 63 during the year and the membership increased 386 to an all-time high up to that time of 1,555. During the year District Governor Ray made 59 official visits to his clubs and his deputies made 21. At the end of the fiscal year 168 Georgia Lions were Key Members and six of these had reached the rank of Master Key Member.

The annual convention was held in Columbus, May 27-28, 1935 with Wilbur J. Dixon of New Canaan, Connecticut, chairman of the board of governors for the International Association, present as International representative. Many important matters such as membership, finances and programs were discussed at the meetings of club secretaries and presidents, and a special feature of the convention program was a series of five-minute talks by Lions on various phases of Lionism in Georgia. The convention presented retiring District Governor Ray with a watch as an evidence of the high esteem in which Georgia Lions held his leadership, and endorsed him for the post of chairman of the board of governors in the International Association. He was subsequently elected to this office by the board of governors which met during the International Convention in Mexico City the following July (1935). Chief among the other resolutions passed by the convention were (1) a resolution urging the construction of a national highway through Okefenokee Swamp, and (2) a resolution urging the prompt release of Georgia's federal allotment for highway construction.

Gainesville was selected as the 1936 convention City, and H. A. Stallings of Waycross, was elected to succeed Lion Ray in the office of District Governor for 1935-36.

1935 - 1936

Lionism in Georgia continued its forward stride in 1935-36. Governor H. A. Stallings, of Waycross, made 98 visits to his 72 clubs, a splendid record, and the result was plainly evident in the increased activity and enthusiasm. The total number of clubs had been increased by nine, and 172 new members enrolled. There were 192 Key Members - a gain of 24 - and 3 Master Keys had been issued, bringing the total to 9. Credit can be given, too, to his Deputies, each of whom made a report at the convention. They were: Lawrence Shields, Columbus; R. A. Enzor, Smithville; J. P. Stiles, La Fayette; Howell Brook, Canton; N. V. Dyer, Tocoa; Rev. Stanley R. Grubb, Athens; Joe Scott, Atlanta; Stanley Elkan, Macon; Herbert Elliott, Augusta; Capt. Lester Henderson, Savannah; R. E. Lefford, Vidalia; Henry C. Marks, Albany; Frank J. Tigner, Jr., LaGrange; J. B. Sasser, Adel; and Tigner E. Thrasher, Ashburn.

The Convention for that year was held at Macon on June 2-3-4. It had been scheduled for Gainesville, but that city was stricken by a Tornado, and was unable to act as host. Five cities offered to take it over, but Macon was the first, and her offer was accepted. With only five weeks in which to prepare, the Macon Lions Club, headed by President Henry Koplin, with Brooks Geohegan, Convention Chairman and Stanley A. Elkan, Deputy District Governor, did an excellent job, and the opinion that it was the finest Convention ever held in the district up to that time was universal.

The report of Governor Stallings was most encouraging. He said 17 new clubs had been organized, and was very proud of the fact that for the second consecutive year Georgia had led International in the organization of new clubs. During the Convention the organization of the 18th club was announced.

The principal speaker was Vincent C. Hascall, Omaha, Nebraska, Immediate Past President. Edward Hurrah, Columbus, was elected District Governor, and D. J. Jackson, Soperton, Lieutenant Governor, an office created at this Convention.

Albany was selected as the next Convention City for the year 1936-1937.

Next Page     History Home Page    Lionnet Georgia     MD18