The first meeting of Rotary was four businessmen meeting on 23 February 1905 in Chicago. The catalyst was a 37 year old lawyer Paul P(ercy) Harris who had recently arrived in Chicago and was feeling a little lonely. His wish to recapture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth.

The others present were Silvester Schiele (coal merchant), Gus Loehr (mining engineer), and Hiram Shorey (tailor). The meeting was held in Loehr’s office at Room 711, Unity Building Chicago. The office was saved from demolition and reinstalled in Rotary’s HQ in Evanston.

Over the next few months other members were invited to join.

The original idea was to rotate the meetings among members’ offices (hence the name Rotary) but by the end of sixth, the membership was so large they had to change to meeting in hotels and restaurants..

The initial purposes of the meetings were that business leaders should meet periodically to enjoy fellowship and enlarge their circle of business and professional acquaintances. Within a year or two, a third purpose was developed which was “the enlightenment of its members with regard to, and the participation of its members in, public affairs or community welfare work, thereby making each member a better citizen.”

The Chicago Club’s first project was to erect city public toilets to improve sanitation in Chicago in 1907.

The first Club President was Silvester Schiele. In the third year Paul Harris was the Club President.