The Ohio Society of New York is an historical, social, and patriotic organization established in 1885 and based in New York City. It is the oldest state society in New York.
History The Ohio Society of New York was founded by Civil War General Thomas Ewing Jr., when he and several other prominent gentlemen of Ohio roots living in New York City met on November 10, 1885, and made the first entry into the society's first minute book. They met 10 days later, on November 20, 1885, and adopted a constitution.
Initially a dining society, the group later leased private rooms at the Waldorf Astoria (then located on Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street) until 1929, the Hotel Pennsylvania until 1962, and the Biltmore until 1977.
The society is perhaps best known for its extravagant annual banquets which, during the 1800s and 1900s, were often oversubscribed and frequently reported on by the media. It continues to hold meetings and events today.
Membership Candidates must be invited to join by a member who will act as proposer and facilitate the introduction of another member willing to second the nomination. Candidates must then meet with and be approved by the board of governors. Eligibility may be established by Ohio ancestral lineage, residence, or education. The Governor of Ohio and Bishop of Ohio are customarily admitted to membership.
Notable members
Public officials William B. Allison, U.S. Senator Calvin S. Brice, U.S. Senator (founding member) William C. Cooper, U.S. Representative James M. Cox, Governor of Ohio Martin L. Davey, Governor of Ohio Stephen B. Elkins, U.S. Secretary of War Charles Foster, Governor of Ohio, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury George W. Geddes, U.S. Representative Newton Gilbert, Lt. Governor of Indiana Mark Hanna, U.S. Senator Warren G. Harding, 29th President of the United States Judson Harmon, Governor of Ohio John Hay, U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James's (honorary member) Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th President of the United States (honorary member) Myron T. Herrick, Governor of Ohio Charles D. Hilles, Private Secretary to President William H. Taft Hugh Judge Jewett, U.S. Representative John P. Jones, U.S. Senator Stanley Matthews, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Henry B. Payne, U.S. Senator Preston B. Plumb, U.S. Senator Ogden Reid, U.S. Representative Whitelaw Reid, U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James's Milton Sayler, U.S. Representative John Sherman, U.S. Senator, U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury William Henry Smith, Ohio Secretary of State Milton I. Southard, U.S. Representative (founding member) William L. Strong, mayor of New York City (founding member) William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States (honorary member) Robert A. Taft Jr., U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative William H. Upson, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Morrison R. Waite, Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court George White, Governor of Ohio
Army and naval officers General Thomas Ewing Jr. (founding member) General Philip H. Sheridan (honorary member) General William T. Sherman (honorary member) Major General Wager Swayne Brigadier General George King Hunter Brigadier General Chase Wilmot Kennedy Brigadier General Julius Augustus Penn Brevet Brigadier General Anson G. McCook (founding member) Brevet Brigadier General Henry Lawrence Burnett (founding member) Brevet Brigadier General Thomas T. Eckert, Assistant Secretary of War Commodore Harold Eldridge Captain Calvin E. Coulter Captain John C. Leonard Colonel John L. Bond Colonel Berkeley Enochs Colonel Wm. Perry Fogg (founding member) Colonel Henry O. S. Heistand Colonel Benson W. Hough Colonel John James McCook Colonel C. W. Moulton (founding member) Colonel James W. Van Dusen Colonel Charles C. Walcutt Jr. Commander Frank T. Watrous Lieutenant Colonel Chauncey B. Baker Lieutenant Colonel Richard T. Ellis Major Ephraim C. Dawes
Other notable members Paul D. Cravath, founding partner of Cravath, Swain & Moore Thomas Edison (honorary member) Harvey S. Firestone B.F. Goodrich Augustus D. Juilliard John D. Rockefeller Algernon S. Sullivan, founding partner of Sullivan & Cromwell
References
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