In 1899, the question arose as to what could be done to eliminate the monotony of the life of the farmer’s wife whose lives were all work and no play, and continuous worry over domestic problems without any other interests.
The cure was a widespread call for rural clubs. It was through the zeal of one lady who interested her neighbors with facts she had gathered. On Nov. 15, 1899, a number of ladies met for the purpose of organizing such a club.
The first decade, it was hard, uphill work to introduce the clubs in most localities. But, the efforts of a few courageous enough to persevere in the face of almost overwhelming obstacles placed the farmer’s wife in a new sphere.
A club was started in Ward Township with much success and other chapters were organized. Although the main organizer had no belief in the supernatural powers of the goddess Ceres, she still called the club, “The Daughters of Ceres.”
Officers were chosen, and a committee drafted a constitution and bylaws. Meetings were held weekly and later changed to every two weeks. Initiation fee was 25 cents. Colors were adopted. The initiation fee was later changed to 10 cents. Applications for membership later on had to be voted on.
Spider web, neck tie, night cap and ice cream socials, box suppers, masquerades, holiday parties and oyster suppers were held.
Programs in the early days consisted mostly of reading chapters of a book. The society progressed with more members creating a social medium and revolutionizing farm life. Members told of trips taken, school centralization, flower culture, music in the home and telephones and their uses.
An animated discussion was held at one meeting on temperance and Carrie Nation’s methods.
One of the members took a Kodak picture of the ladies on May 1, 1901. On Oct. 18, the ladies met at a photographer’s studio in Osceola and had a picture taken. On Feb. 20, 1909, the ladies had another picture taken.
An earnest energetic band of women carried on rural clubs for many decades.
The clubs made favors for trays in care centers on holidays and Christmas. Each member would give a man’s gift and woman’s gift.
Sometimes, they would decorate homemade cookies for the people in the care facilities, usually taking to five different places in Osceola.
The clubs also helped at farm sales serving home baked pies and coffee.
East Chapel Church
East Chapel Church was located 4 miles east and 1/2 mile north of Highway 34. The church was given to the East Chapel Ladies Aid in 1927. The Ladies Aid and East Chapel DOC Club had many active members.
The centennial of the East Chapel Community House was held May 26, 1991, with a church service followed by a picnic.
Although the East Chapel DOC Club is not meeting now, their 2014 members are Goldie Asmus, Vicki Asmus, Virginia Cole, Evelyn Kent, Wilda McCann, Mary Pedersen and Shirley Pennock.