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JULY
1910. PAUL HARRIS MARRIES
 Although
we have the marriage license for Paul and Jean Harris, it
perhaps raises more questions than it answers. With the help of
Julia Reed at the Newberry Library, Chicago, of Susan Hanf at
Rotary International History and Archives, and Jack Selway, we
have found out a little. The first curiosity is that
the license shows Paul Harris as aged 40. He was in fact 42.
This should and could have been corrected, but wasn't.
The minister who conducted the wedding was the Rev Paul
McClanahan, the young priest of the Second United Presbyterian
Church. This church would be most appropriate for Jean Thomson
who had come to the USA from Edinburgh, Scotland, where the
Presbyterian church has always been particularly strong. We
have no evidence but it is likely that she attended this church,
which was on the corner of 65th and Parnell Avenue. This was
just a few blocks from 416 West 60th which according to the
license was where Paul and Jean were married. This building
which still exists, appears to be an ordinary dwelling, Exactly
why this house was used, we do not know nor whether either Paul
or Jean had a connection with it.
 Photo
by courtesy Neil Dahlmann, Highland Park RC
416 WEST 60TH IN 2011
Over the years, many streets in Chicago have been re-named and
renumbered. A major renumbering occurred in 1909 but this would
have been before the marriage, so it seems that this building
may well have been where the ceremony was carried out. It was
apparently built in or about 1890. So far we have not traced
who lived there in 1910.
The Rev Paul H McClanahan was involved in politics, standing
for office on the slate of the 'Prohibition Party', and being a
member of a Prohibition Committee. We have no knowledge as to
whether the Harrises were teetotallers or not as we have not
found any photos showing either Paul or Jean with a glass of
anything identifiably alcoholic in their hand. There are some
clues in 'This Rotarian Age'. One quotation reads:-
" Interspersed with wine rooms were hundreds of saloons, some of
which were breeders of crime and political corruption, while
others were not considered offenders in those particulars. Wets
and Dries who knew ante- prohibition days in Chicago, are in
agreement on one phase of the much mooted question: they are in
agreement in the belief that saloons, as then conducted, were
liabilities rather than assets. "(p. 24)
" ...the stimulating influence of
alcohol served as quick and certain means of breaking down the
barriers between men.... A strong man might withstand its
demoralizing influences for a time a long time perhaps, but it
usually got him sooner or later." (p. 24)
" Rotary has never taken sides on the prohibition question, but
Rotary gatherings have been characterized in all countries for
sobriety." (p. 64)
These certainly hint at Paul Harris's views, but are not
conclusive. If anyone can help with either the reason for the
use of 416 West 60th rather than a church or whether the
Harrises were teetotallers, do please contact us.
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