At the White County Old Settlers' meeting, held at Monticello, August 26, 1911, the importance of a county historical society was presented and urged by William H. Hamelle, and accordingly a committee was appointed to organize such a society for White County. The committee, consisting of J. B. VanBuskirk, William H. Hamelle, Bernard G. Smith, James P. Simons and Will S. Bushnell, met at the office of Spencer & Hamelle on the evening of September 1, 1911, and effected an organization to be known as "The White County Historical Society," with the following officers: President, William H. Hamelle; vice president, Will S. Bushnell; secretary, Jay B. VanBuskirk; treasurer, Bernard G. Smith. The president was authorized to purchase the necessary records and books for the society, and the meeting adjourned.

The charter members of the society are as follows:

Monticello—B. G. Smith, Will S. Bushnell, Wm. K. O'Connell, Mrs. P. V. Mikesell, R. D. Roberts, Wm. F. Bunnell, B. F. Price, Sr., George O. Breese, C. D. Meeker, J. D. Timmons, T. W. O'Connor, Miss Anna Magee, T. J. Woltz, Wm. P. Cooper, J. B. Roach, George Biederwolf, A. B. Clark, George F. Marvin, Wm. H. Hamelle, J. B. VanBuskirk, H. D. Shenk, Charles C. Spencer, Perry Spencer, John M. Turner, Sanford Johnsonbaugh, George K. Hughes, Frank R. Phillips, B. B. Baker, Wm. M. Reynolds, John McConnell, S. A. Carson, H. C. Johnson, M. T. Didlake, J. P. Simons, Felix R. Roth, Wm. Guthrie, and J. C. Jones.

Chalmers—S. M. Burns and James VanVoorst.

Monon—John W. Brannan, Thomas S. Cowger, Eli W. Cowger and John C. Lowe.

Reynolds—C. C. Wheeler.

Brookston—Robert H. Little, John C. Vanatta, James E. Carson, Alex. L. Telfer, Guy G. Jennings, Joseph H. Kious, August S. Bordner, and A. P. Gosma.

The objects of the society, as stated in its constitution, "shall be the collection and preservation of all material calculated to shed light on the natural, civil and political history of White county; the publication and circulation of historical documents; the promotion of useful knowledge; and the friendly and profitable intercourse of such citizens as are disposed to promote these ends."

Annual public meetings were inaugurated, the first one being held in Library Hall, Monticello, April 19, 1912. At this meeting a paper on the early history of Indiana, by W. H. Hamelle, was read by the secretary, and James M. McBeth read a history of the McBeth family, which he had prepared by request. Short talks giving cordial endorsement of the work and purpose of the society were made by James M. McBeth, Judge T. F. Palmer, H. C. Johnson, Rev. A. L. Martin and J. E. Loughry. Music was furnished by the high school orchestra and a ladies quartette composed of Miss Marjorie McBeth, Miss Grace Clapper, Miss Ruth Vogel and Miss Julia McCuaig.

Records were procured and the work of gathering historical material and collecting and indexing it by the most approved system was begun. Matter pertaining to the early history of the county, and especially biographical sketches, both of pioneers and later residents, were especially solicited, all such contributions to be sent to the secretary.

The present officers of the society are: President, William H. Hamelle; vice president, Will S. Bushnell; secretary, Jay B. VanBuskirk; treasurer, Bernard G. Smith.

Executive Committee—William H. Hamelle, Jay B. VanBuskirk, Bernard G. Smith, James P. Simons and Will S. Bushnell, all of Monticello.

Advisory Board--Cass Township, Joseph McBeth, Idaville; Jackson, *Geo. H. Mitchell, Idaville; Liberty, James Spencer, Buffalo; Union, Jas. M. McBeth, Monticello; Monon, Eli Cowger, Monon; Honey Creek, Mrs. Sarah Gardner, Reynolds; Big Creek, S. M. Burns, Chalmers; Princeton, Albert Plummer, Wolcott; West Point, Walter Carr, Reynolds; Round Grove, A. L. Telfer, Brookston; and Prairie, Thos. W. Sleeth, Brookston.