1955 Chicago

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HISTORY CALENDAR	SECTION HOME	Conventions of Rotary International - COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION			THEMES
HOST CLUBS	50TH ANN.	CENTENNIAL	1ST CONVENTION	ALL CONVENTIONS	CURRENT RI THEME

The 46th Convention - Chicago, Illinois, USA May 29-June 2, 14,312 in attendance

Herb Taylor, the third president from the Chicago club in the first half century of Rotary.

Find Herb Taylor, author of the "Four Way Test", among the Early Leaders of Rotary

Also see "Rotary at 50" The Golden Jubilee

See President Taylor's homepage and bio

A keepsake and tribute to Harry Ruggles from the 50th year of Rotary.

Wolfgang Ziegler

The Golden Jubilee of Rotary

From proceedings of 46th RI Convention

"The widow of Sylvester Schiele, first President of the #1 Rotary Club, Mrs. Jessie Schiele, was presented at this point on the programme and then, as the session was drawing to a dramatic climax, the Chairman announced a very special guest.

The audience, anticipating what was to follow, quietly rose, as Ches Perry escorted to the stage Mrs. Jean Harris, the widow of the Founder of Rotary - the 'bonnie Scottish lassie' whom Paul had married in 1910 and who, by his side for nearly four decades, had watched the Rotary movement grow and flourish until his death in 1947. The introduction was brief and impressive and as Ches concluded, the draperies at the back of the stage slowly parted, revealing a large life-like portrait of the Founder. Mrs. Harris responded briefly, expressing her gratitude for the welcome. And as she concluded, a small girl crossed the stage and handed her a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses." (edited by Calum Thomson)

Herb Taylor

, Chicago Rotarian and author of the Four Way Test was RI President for 1954-1955

The day prior Jean and Mrs. Silvester (Jessie) Schiele visited the

graves of their husbands

Dick McKay photo

The First Vice-President of RI Gian Paolo Lang of Italy was on hand for a memorial service at Paul Harris' grave prior to the convention. Wolfgang Ziegler Collection

Gian Paolo Lang and general secretary Chesley Perry with the Founder's widow, Jean Harris at the podium for the 50th convention of Rotary in Chicago. (The Rotarian Photo)

On the Sunday afternoon just preceding the Convention opening, more than 100 Rotarians, including members of the Board of Directors of Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Chicago, joined a pilgrimage which made its way to Mount Hope Cemetery where Founder Paul P. Harris, and Silvester Schiele, the first president of the Chicago Club, sleep peacefully within close proximity of each other.

The widows of both the deceased - Mrs. Jean Harris and Mrs. Jessie Schiele – were participants in the memorable ceremonies.

During the First Plenary Session Chesley Perry said: “The year 1910 is a historic one in Rotary, the year the National Association of Rotary Clubs was founded, but it was also the year that Jean Thomson, a charming Scottish lassie, became the bride of the Founder of Rotary. Paul is gone, but we are happy that Jean is still with us, as charming as ever. It is a privilege and a high honor to be permitted to present to you Jean, Mrs. Paul P. Harris." [Applause]

Presentation of bouquet of yellow roses to Mrs. Harris by N. Hays.

Wolfgang Ziegler Collection

Jean Harris at the convention dinner with Mary McKintosh

(The Rotarian Photo)

Vice President Richard Nixon addressed the convention in Chicago

President Taylor Bio