The Moline Business Men's Association
In response to a petition circulated by Messrs. C. F. Dewend and C.
Iver Josephson, a meeting was held in the City Hall on September 13, 1898,
which was attended by about one hundred of Moline's most prominent
business, professional and manufacturing men for the purpose of organizing
the above association. Temporary officers and committees were appointed on
membership, finance, bylaws and incorporation, a preamble was drawn up,
the import of which was that the association was organized to subserve and
advance all material and legitimate interests of Moline, East Moline and
vicinity, and our welfare generally.
The membership at present is about one hundred. The association meets the
second Tuesday of each month, the board of directors the Tuesday previous,
the annual meetings are held the second Tuesday in October. The monthly
meetings were held in various places, first in the City Hall, then in
McKinnie Hall, Moline Club Hall, Elks Club, and Assembly Room of the
Peoples Savings Bank and Trust Company. The board of directors hold their
meetings in the secretary's office. The association is a member of the
Upper Mississippi River Improvement Association, as well as a member of
the National Board of Trade. It has always been represented by a large
delegation at the annual meetings of both these organizations wherever
held. It has shown what can be accomplished by a united effort, by holding
the Street Fair of 1899, which attracted more people to the city than any
other event held heretofore, also celebrating the same year, the Fourth of
July, with a public demonstration the like of which was never known in
this part of the country. It installed artisan water mains to the public
fountain on Market Square, it. placed other fountains in the city, it
installed electric street decorations as well as flag decorations for all
festive or conventional occasions. The association financially assists for
the expense of all State conventions held in the city, and is instrumental
in getting these various conventions to come here. I t is continually
looking after the introduction of new industrial institutions to settle
here, and has been instrumental in obtaining various new factories.
Through its persistent efforts Moline received an appropriation from the
General Government of 8386,000 for a steamboat lock and harbor. The lock
has been completed and was accepted by the National Government engineers
on the 7th instant of this month (January, 1907), the deepening of the
channel harbor and constructing a landing, and the beautifying of River
Side Park with trees, shrubbery, drives and walks, will all be completed
this year, giving Moline a beautiful park, in the center of the city, on
our river front.
During the last year it has undertaken and accomplished the building of a
modern theatre at a cost of $75,000, of which sum the association paid
$10,000, raised through a seat sale and donations. The theatre was built
entirely upon plans and under the surveillance of the association. There
is no more modern building of its kind, and of its size, outside of
Chicago.
The unity of thought and action on the part of the members and the
directors, with the financial assistance generously bestowed by our
manufacturers and business men, has made it possible, and will in the
future make it possible, to carry on the great work for which we are
striving, namely, a Greater Moline.
Source: Historic Rock Island County, pub. Kramer & Company, Rock Island, Illinois, 1908