Skene Library Founded as a Memorial

On the mountaintop overlooking the thriving little village of Griffin Corners is "Bonnie Em," the palatial summer residence erected by Dr. Skene, and occupied by him and his wife until his death in July, 1900.

About the year 1894, Mrs. Skene expressed a desire to found a free circulating library in our village, but little attention was paid to the matter by our citizens.

After two years of importuning and entreating by Mrs. Skene, a meeting of citizens was called on the evening of November 28, 1896. It was organized by the election of DeWitt Griffin as chairman and M. S. Keator as secretary.

At a meeting of December 12, the committee reported they had a conference with Mrs. Skene. She expressed herself as being deeply interested in the library.

The meeting voted that the association should be called "The Skene Library Association," to the election of officers and the following officers were duly elected: DeWitt Griffin, president; Mrs. T. C. Banker, Mrs. J. J. Blish and Mrs. George H. Lasher, vice-presidents; M. S. Keator, secretary; Charles H. Vermilyea, treasurer, after which a vote of thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Skene.

At the annual meeting in 1897, DeWitt Griffin was elected president; Mrs. A. J. C. Skene, first vice-president; Mrs. C. J. Hillis, second vice-president; George H. Lasher, third vice-president; M. S. Keator, secretary; H. W. Keator, treasurer; Miss Kate Doolittle, librarian.

At the annual meeting in December, 1898, the following officers were elected: Mrs. George Lasher, president; Mrs. A. J. C. Skene, first vice-president; Mrs. C. J. Hillis, second vice-president; Mrs. J. Biehler, third vice-president; Mrs. George L. Faulkner, secretary; John B. Gregory, treasurer.

Through the influence of Mrs. Skene, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Carnegie donated ,000 for a library building. A lot has been purchased and on Monday, November 25, the corner stone of the building was laid.

Dated: November 15, 1901
DeWitt Griffin, President