Near Boscobel in Grant County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Gideons
Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011
1. The Gideons Marker
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
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, in the Corn Belt, in the Driftless Area Bluff Country, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
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. 9½ 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. The Gideons International. Website homepage (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.)
Photographed by Greta Schassler, May 18, 2025
2. The Gideons Marker
Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011
3. Nearby Sign
Wisconsin's Wild Turkey Hunting Capital
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,248 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on May 18, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
