Julius Weidling was First Lions Club President
The first president of the Dumas Lions Club came to Moore County because he became dissatisfied with the confines of city life in Topeka, KS.
Julius Weidling was born in Carroll County, IA, then moved with his parents to Topeka where he worked in banking and wholesale businesses.
He came to Moore County in 1912 and purchased 1600 acres seven miles south of Dumas to build a high-grade cattle ranch and farm.
He built a "cozy bachelor home" on the property in 1915. A couple of years later, he married Miss Chloe Danner, a school teacher in the Middlewell School.
Julius was a charter member of the Lions Club and served as the club's first president in 1930. His term as president was at the beginning of the Depression and members were having difficulty having money for dues and weekly meals, so the meetings were not held from 1931 to 1936. The club began meetings on August 27, 1930 with 23 members in the Butler's Café, owned by J. H. Butler, but later had a building moved to Morton Park. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts shared space in the building. The final move was to the present location on Porter Street.
Julius Weidling was born in Carroll County, IA, then moved with his parents to Topeka where he worked in banking and wholesale businesses.
He came to Moore County in 1912 and purchased 1600 acres seven miles south of Dumas to build a high-grade cattle ranch and farm.
He built a "cozy bachelor home" on the property in 1915. A couple of years later, he married Miss Chloe Danner, a school teacher in the Middlewell School.
Julius was a charter member of the Lions Club and served as the club's first president in 1930. His term as president was at the beginning of the Depression and members were having difficulty having money for dues and weekly meals, so the meetings were not held from 1931 to 1936. The club began meetings on August 27, 1930 with 23 members in the Butler's Café, owned by J. H. Butler, but later had a building moved to Morton Park. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts shared space in the building. The final move was to the present location on Porter Street.
Julius Weidling was farmer, rancher, and real estate agent and first Lions Club President.
Officers of the first Lions Club were Julius Weidling, president; Noel McDade, first vice president; V. R. Crabtree, second vice president; A. E. Moore, third vice president; Gayle Crigler, secretary/treasurer; H. A. Henry, tail twister; I. E. Walker, Lion tamer; and directors Bob Powell, K. A. McAdams and Floyd Elliott.
The couple were both active participants of Moore County life. Julius was a musician and served as church pianist at the Methodist church for twelve years. Chloe taught Sunday School classes at the church and was an active member of the 1932 Study Club.
He was a member of the committee who worked with Santa Fe Railroad to obtain railroad right of way in Moore County. Other on the committee were Bob Powell, W. J. Morton, and Noel McDade. Weidling gave the first strip of land to get the project started.
He served as president of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Dumas Masonic Lodge.
The couple were parents of one son, Carl
The couple were both active participants of Moore County life. Julius was a musician and served as church pianist at the Methodist church for twelve years. Chloe taught Sunday School classes at the church and was an active member of the 1932 Study Club.
He was a member of the committee who worked with Santa Fe Railroad to obtain railroad right of way in Moore County. Other on the committee were Bob Powell, W. J. Morton, and Noel McDade. Weidling gave the first strip of land to get the project started.
He served as president of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Dumas Masonic Lodge.
The couple were parents of one son, Carl