Popular Ladies Birthday Club celebrates 100

By Dawn Timbs, Staples World reporter

This article is reprinted with permission by Staples World. 

For the past 100 years, the Poplar Ladies Birthday Club has served not only as a social outlet for women in Poplar Township (in Cass County), but as a service organization whose motto is to “Help One Another.”

Pictured above, in a photo from 1942, are early members of the Poplar Birthday Club. Many familiar names were written below the photo, including Chapin, Granby, Johnson and Dumpprope. Many archive photos, scrapbooks and journal entries will be on display at the Birthday Club’s 100 years celebration, which will be held at Leader Community Hall following the Memorial Day program at Poplar Cemetery at 1 p.m. Contributed photo

The group officially began on March 18, 1926. They held their first meeting at the home of Imogene Johnson, “for the purpose of organizing a social club or society,” according to minutes from that meeting. During the course of the afternoon, nominations were held, with Minnie Hubbard chosen to act as the club’s president for the year, and Julia Goodall as its secretary/treasurer.

The minutes go on to note that “the club decided their regular meeting day was to be on the third Thursday of the month. Since April was favored with four of our ladies’ birthdays, we decided we would have a special meeting in April, besides our regular meeting on the 15th.” Ultimately, the group decided to call themselves “The Ladies Birthday Club.”

Membership dues were set at 25 cents per year in 1926, with an additional fee of 10 cents per capita for each member’s birthday. “No charge is made for your own birthday,” as was noted in the minutes. After the business portion of that initial meeting, “a bountiful lunch was served,” and at the request of Mrs. Chas McGwin, the ladies sang as their closing number, ‘Onward Christian Soldiers.’

There were 16 charter members of the Poplar Ladies Birthday Club: Minnie Sowers, Lennie Chapin, Gertrude Johnson, Dorothy Dahle, Pearl Sowers, Vivian Matthews, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Boyer, Pauline Matthews, Florence DeWald, Jennie Johnson, Imogene Johnson, Effie McGwin, Minnie Hubbard, Mrs. Chas McGwin, Mayme Chapin, and Julia Goodall.

At the second meeting, three new members were added: Grace Johnson, Bertha Howe and Mrs. George Towne. Gladys Granby was initiated at the third meeting; Jane Matthews and Bessie Dittmer at the fourth; Stella Collison at the fifth; and Susie DeWald by the end of the first year bringing the membership to 24.

In addition to the club’s motto, “Help One Another,” the ladies chose as their club song, “Help Somebody Today.”

Some of the activities held that first year included a wiener roast, starting a traveling library, making quilts, and decorating the graves at the Poplar Cemetery.

In March of 1930, maintenance of the Poplar Cemetery was made the Club Mission, and the first cemetery committee was elected. Money collected from bake sales and quilt sales was used to support the Poplar Cemetery upkeep, as well as monetary allotments from the township.

In 1933, the stone pillars at the cemetery gateway were made by Ole Granby and the overhead arch and letters by Orel and Cecil Nichols. That year also marked the start of the ladies planning the programs for ‘Decoration Day.’ In 1934, they added the unique feature of children scattering flowers over the grave of the Unknown Soldier. According to club minutes, this was started at the suggestion of Carl Granby Sr. and is a tradition which continues today.

A century’s worth of minutes, along with photos and scrapbooks, document the many ways the Poplar Ladies Birthday Club has helped maintain the cemetery, including obtaining markers for all unmarked lots, a decision made in 1935. Along the way, the club’s efforts have been supported by the Poplar Town Board and community members who’ve  helped with fundraising efforts for various projects, including erecting a tool shed, drilling a well, and installing a monument with the names of local service men who gave their lives during World War II.

Although care of the cemetery was relinquished to the Poplar Town Board in 1984 (the township has funded and managed the upkeep since that time), the Birthday Club continues to make an annual monetary donation for its upkeep. Club members also participate in spring and fall clean up efforts, and ensure all graves have a marker.

The Poplar Ladies Birthday Club has been busy planning for their 100 years celebration which will be held on Memorial Day, at Leader Community Hall, following the 1 p.m. service at Poplar Cemetery. Pictured  at BRICKS Restaurant in Motley this past March, from left, are club members Deb Shake, Bev Hoemberg, Julie Granby, Linda Johnson, Janine Wells, Susie Bartels, Vickie Granby, Gay Swecker, Bernice Thomson, Hope Johnson, Shirley Feakes. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) Contributed photo

Since 1926, the membership has totaled 141 ladies, with 40 having 20 years of membership or more, 13 with 50 years or more, and eight with 60 years or more. The longest standing member has been Iras Chapin with 81 years, followed by Rosa Johnson with 80 years, Mabel Wetherell with 69 years, and Eileen Granby, 65 years. Currently, the longest living member is Gay Swecker with 64 years.

Since 1939, as noted in the minutes, the Motley American Legion has been participating in the Memorial Day program at Poplar Cemetery. They were there again this year, providing the Color Guard and Firing Squad.

Celebration on Memorial Day

The Poplar Ladies Birthday Club held its 100-year celebration on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, at the Leader Community Hall following the 1 p.m. service at Poplar Cemetery. All were welcome to stop by and view the memorabilia on display, and share a bite to eat and memories while visiting with friends and neighbors.

Thank you to Staples World for sharing this article and photos with Senior Perspective.