ORIGIN OF THE ASSOCIATION. HE first step which led to the organization of the "EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY," was taken by H. M. Addison, who was "father of the thought," and who published in the fall of 1879 several articles in the Cleveland newspapers relative to the project. These articles having created a favorable impression, so encouraged him that he circulated a written call for a public meeting of the pioneers and early settlers of Cleveland, for the purpose of consultation and effecting a permanent organization of such an association. The call was signed by a goodly number of Cleveland's prominent citizens, among whom were the following: John Crowell, Ahimaz Sherwin, Wm. H. Stanley, Erastus Smith, J. P. Bishop, S. L. Blake, M. Barnett, Elijah Smith, Daniel R. Tilden, William Fuller, H. B. Payne, L. Dow Cottrell, John A. Foot, James A. Bolles, W. S. Rulison, A. R. Chapman, Jabez Hall, J. E. Twitchell, R. R. Herrick, N. B. Sherwin, S. Williamson, John C. Grannis, H. P. Weddell, James Barnett, E. B. Hale & Co., P. R. Everett, Edmund P. Morgan, R. R. Root, R. C. Parsons, O. F. Welch, George O'Conner, John Welch, Henry H. Dodge, Elijah Bingham, Geo. C. Dodge, J. A. Vincent, J. J. Elwell, Elias Cozad, W. H. Doan, O. H. Mather, Jas. D. Cleveland, S. J. Andrews, J. H. Wade, A. Everett, E. S. Root, Wm. Perry Fogg, Moses Warren, J-C. Brewer, E. S. Flint, Geo. B. Merwin, W. S. Streator, M. S. Castle. Henry Wick, Charles Whittlesey, Daniel W. Duty. In response to this call a large number of pioneers and early settlers convened at the Probate Court Room, on the evening of Nov. 19th, 1879, organized the meeting by appointing Hon. John W. Allen chairman, and H. M. Addison secretary, and after a free discussion and interchange of views relative to the object of the meeting, adopted the following constitution: ARTICLE I. This association shall be known as the "Early Settlers Association of Cuyahoga County," and its members shall consist of such persons as have resided forty years in the same, and who shall subscribe to this constitution and pay a membership fee of one dollar, but shall not be subject to further liability. ARTICLE II. The officers of the association shall consist of a president, two vice presidents, secretary and treasurer, with the addition of an executive committee of not less than five persons, all of which officers shall be members of the association and hold their offices during its pleasure, and until their successors are duly appointed and they accept their appointments. ARTICLE III. The object of the association shall be to meet in convention annually, with the view of bringing its members into more intimate social relations and collecting all such interesting facts, incidents, relics and personal reminiscences relative to the early history and settlement of the city and county, as may be regarded of permanent value, and transferring the same to the "Western Reserve Historical Society" for preservation, and for the benefit of the present and future generations. ARTICLE IV. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at public meetings of the association, and in his absence the like duty shall devolve upon one of the vice presidents. The secretary shall record in a book for the purpose the proceedings of the association, the names of the members in alphabetical order with the ages and time of residence at the date of becoming members, and conduct the necessary correspondence of the association. He shall also be regarded as an additional member, ex-officio, of the executive committee, and may consult with them but have no vote. The treasurer shall receive and pay out all the moneys belonging to the association, but no moneys shall be paid out except on the joint order of the chairman of the executive committee and secretary of the association. No debt shall be incurred against the association by any officer or member beyond its ready means of payment. 3 ARTICLE V. The executive committee shall have the general supervision and direction of the affairs of the association, designate the time and place of holding its meetings, and publish due notice thereof with a programme of exercises. The committee shall also have power to fill vacancies that may occur in their own body or in any other office of the association, until the association at a regular meeting shall fill the same, and may appoint such number of subordinate committees as they may deem expedient. It shall also be their duty to report to the association at its regular annual meeting the condition of its affairs, its success and prospects, with such other matter as they may deem important, the same to be published in pamphlet and distributed to members of the association, if approved and so ordered by the association. ARTICLE VI. The annual meeting of this association for the election of officers shall be held on the second Monday of January of each year. ARTICLE VII. The constitution may be altered or amended at any regular meeting of the association on a two-thirds vote of the members present, and it shall take effect from the date of its adoption. |