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  • History from the Hornets' Nest
    Excerpts from: Hornets' Nest The Story of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, published in 1961
    The Good Fellows Club has been described as "The most unusual organization in the world," and belongs to Charlotte alone. This unusual club had its beginning in the Men's Benevolent Association which was sponsored by Dr. Archibald A. McGeachy, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church and one of the most popular men in Charlotte. The first meeting was held in the backyard of the McGeachy home, probably in the summer of 1917. Its purpose was to interest a group of "good fellows" to give a helping hand with certain charities not covered by other organizations. The club is non-sectarian.

    There was a reorganization of the original group in the fall of 1919 with a change of name to the Good Fellows Club. David Ovens, one of Charlotte's outstanding business men was named as president. Mr. Ovens presided at all meetings in his inimitable way and continued as president until his death in September 1957.

    The following are some of the men who have served as Directors and given much of their time to carrying out the work of the Good Fellows: A. Jackson Beall; Claude A. Cochran; E. McA. Currie; W. Carey Dowd, Jr.; John C. Erwin; Dr. Edgar Gammon; Thomas M. Glasgow; Mark P. Johnson; Dr. James A. Jones; Robert A. Mayer; Dr. Oren Moore; Carl G. McCraw; Colonel J. Notman Pease; Victor Shaw; and Paul C. Whitlock.

    The one meeting each year is held just before Christmas, and there is always an outstanding musical program. The heart of the program is three talks limited to three minutes each by members of the club who present needs of a destitute family or someone in distress.

    As much as $6,000 has been donated at a single meeting [prior to 1961. The annual meeting raises closer to $200,000 in 2006.] This money, together with the... annual dues... constitutes the club's budget to carry on its work with needy cases during the entire year. The club works closely with the Welfare Department.

    Membership is open at all times to any who want to be "good fellows" by giving a helping hand.