Clark, a prominent local businessman who had many business interests in the community. During Harris's stay here, it is said he Harris attempted to organize a businessman's club. His effort was not successful. Harris returned north a year later to continue his education and pursue other interests. One of those interests was the founding of the first Rotary Club in Chicago 1n 1905. However, Harris never abandoned his friendship with Clark. Several years later Harris influenced the Chicago Rotary club to elect as honorary members Clark and Jacksonville attorney David D. Doig. In the book Founder of Rotary credit is given to the friendship and influence of Clark on Harris. Without that friendship, Jacksonville may not have joined Rotary's family so early. With only 40 Rotary clubs in the nation, and only New Orleans in the south, in 1912 the Chicago club sent a prominent member to Jacksonville to assist in organizing a new club. On February 13, 1912, at the Windsor Hotel downtown at Hemming Park, 14 businessmen met and officially organized. Members gathered for lunch weekly at the Windsor Hotel and later at the Aragon Hotel. The club adopted the logo of the Chicago Rotary club as its membership symbol. By the end of the first year the 14 members had grown to 71. Now approaching its Centennial, the Rotary Club of Jacksonville has more than 325 members and fostered more than 20 other Rotary clubs in the region.
![Today's meeting program featured Frank Walker (FL Chamber of Commerce) as speaker [center]. Member Matson Coxe [left] i...](https://img3.ngos1.com/866/998/1501491698669980.jpg)
