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BURIED TREASURE

1940 – District 7 is Born!

By Harvey Schowe, DTM – District 7 Historian

Newspaper headlines screamed Germany invades
Denmark and Norway. Bonneville Dam was two
years old generating electricity to Portland and
surrounding areas, Troutdale boasted a population
of 227, and the Shakespearean festival in Ashland
suffered a backstage fire that destroyed nearly all
of that season’s costumes. This was the backdrop
to the formation of District 7 Toastmasters in
1940 by Ernest C. Davis and Frederick H. Eley.

Ernest C. Davis and his family moved to Portland from
Texas in 1929. In 1937, he joined Portland Toastmasters
after learning about the program from members
who were participating in various civic clubs and
organizations. He became very active which led to
being elected the District 2 governor for 1939-1940.

Frederick H . Eley emigrated from Canada to the United States in 1907 and settled in
Santa Ana, California where he established a successful architectural business. He was
the first registered architect of Santa Ana, California, and was regarded as the area’s most
prolific and finest early architect. He designed more than 30 schools and many other
buildings. A number of his works are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1922, he received a commission from Ralph Smedley, YMCA Secretary and Construction
Superintendent, for designing the YMCA Santa Ana Building. They became friends and
Smedley invited Eley to join Smedley Chapter One, the original Toastmasters club he
started in 1924 in the basement of the YMCA in Santa Ana. After Toastmasters International
incorporated in 1931 he was appointed as director and treasurer from 1932 to 1934.

Eley and his family moved to Salem, Oregon in 1937 where
he joined the Forum Club, a Salem YMCA speech club. He
persuaded members to organize it into a Toastmasters club and
was the club’s first secretary. In June 1940, Ernest Davis, 1940-
1941 International Director, announced the formation of District
7 and appointment of Frederick Eley as first District 7 Governor.

On the world stage, tensions were building towards conflict and Ernest C. Davis
destruction. In Oregon, a bright beginning was launched for
people eager to improve their communication and leadership
skills. Today, District 7 continues to thrive. It’s grown laterally to
include clubs from its northern border in Longview, Washington
to it’s southern border in Alturas, California. The district spans
westward from the sandy beaches of southern Washington to
northern California.

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