Near Boscobel in Grant County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Gideons
One night in September 1898 two salesmen, John H. Nicholson and Samuel E. Hill, shared room 19 in the Central Hotel, Boscobel. They wondered if some organization could not be started for the mutual help and recognition of Christian travelers. A chance meeting of the two on May 31, 1899 in Beaver Dam led to plans for an organizational meeting held July 1 in Janesville. They were joined by William J. Knights who suggested the name "The Gideons" from the Book of Judges. Hill was chosen first President. By 1948 (the Fiftieth Anniversary) the Gideons Commercial Travelers' Association of America had become world-wide and had distributed over 15½ million Bibles, Psalms and New Testaments to hotels, the armed forces and to young people.
Erected 1958 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 80.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1816.
Location. 43° 7.155′ N, 90° 42.276′ W. Marker is near Boscobel, Wisconsin, in Grant County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 61 and Old 61, on the left when traveling south on U.S. 61. Marker is just south of Boscobel at a highway pull-off. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boscobel WI 53805, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Crossing the River (approx. 2.2 miles away); Boscobel - A River Town (approx. 2.2 miles away); The River (approx. 2.2 miles away); Trade Links – River Borne (approx. 2.2 miles away); The "Dinky" (approx. 9˝ miles away); Gays Mills Apple Orchards (approx. 15.2 miles away); Gays Mills Sesquicentennial (approx. 15.6 miles away); Cliff Swallows (approx. 15.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boscobel.
Also see . . .
1. Our History. The Gideons International. (Submitted on June 19, 2011.)
2. Gideons International. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on June 19, 2011.)
3. The Boscobel Hotel. City of Boscobel, Wisconsin website. (Submitted on June 19, 2011.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,281 times since then and 285 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.