Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY
ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY. The St. Andrew’s Society celebrates Scottish heritage and tradition through social events, fund-raising, fostering good will, understanding and communication. St Andrew’s Societies are found all over the world but there is no central organization or “mother chapter”. Instead, each St Andrew’s Society is an autonomous organization. There are still some St Andrew’s Societies which limit themselves to only male membership or limit their membership to individuals who were either born in Scotland or who are direct descendants of people born in Scotland. Today however, most of the Societies are open to all regardless of gender. (1)
Most St Andrew’s Societies are established as charitable and/or not-for-profit organizations. Many Societies give scholarships for university study and for special Scottish cultural classes (e.g., Highland Dancing, Celtic Harp). Some Societies sponsor Scottish Games or at least sponsor trophies at their local Scottish Games. All St Andrew’s Societies are social groups with many regularly scheduled activities. These may include dinners, luncheons, Tartan Balls, and Kirking of the Tartan. There are likely to be special interest groups for genealogy, Gaelic language, military and/or history. Some even sponsor their own Pipe Bands and Highland Games. (2)
Some controversy exists over the origins of the first St Andrew’s Society. According to the St Andrew’s Society of Charleston SC a number of gentlemen, “chiefly natives of Scotland,” organized the St. Andrew’s Society in 1729, the first such Scottish organization in the world. Named for the patron Saint of Scotland, it lent assistance to widows, orphans, and others in need of help. There are also two other totally separate types of St Andrew’s Society. One is a group of laymen (and women) associated with churches who perform steward functions. There is another group called the Society of St. Andrew, also church affiliated, that helps to feed the poor and hungry. Since St Andrew is also the patron Saint of Greece and old Russia, there are a few St. Andrew’s Societies which are for Greek or Russian fellowship (it is easy to spot the difference … they don’t wear kilts). (3)
The "Saint Andrew's Society of Dubuque" had as its chief aim assistance to the poor and unfortunate resident or stranger. Another aim was to cultivate sociability and friendship among those of Scotch heritage and to celebrate either St. Andrew's Day or Robert Burns' birthday. (4) Previous to the 1859 celebration of Robert Burn's birthday, there had been a Burn's Club in Dubuque. In January of that year the first St. Andrew's Society was formed. Officers included C. Leckie, president; W. H. Hervey, vice president; J. M. McKinlay, secretary, W. M. Jones, treasurer; and W. McLaren, Joseph Rattery, and George Young, relief committee. (5)
This organization remained until December 24, 1859 when a split developed over temperance. The majority reorganized on a temperance basis while the minority met for a period of time and then disbanded. Membership in the new organization rose in the years from 1860 to 1879 to over sixty-five members. In 1879 it was the intention of the organization to continue for at least another twenty-years. (6)
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Source:
1. "About Us," Online: http://saintandrewssociety.org/about/
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. "Dubuque County Before 1880," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, November 6, 1933, p. 12
5. "St. Andrews' Society," Dubuque Herald, January 26, 1879, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18790126&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
6. Ibid.