Lincoln: The First Great Rotarian (Unofficially, of Course)
The Rotary magazine story traces the roots of this idea back to a 1916 Rotary Convention, where Joe Mitchell Chapple delivered a speech calling Lincoln “the first great Rotarian.” His message resonated so strongly that the sentiment stuck, reappearing in Rotary lore for more than a century.
The article also shares a remarkable—and true—story that brings history full circle.
Fleetwood Lindley: The Last to See Lincoln’s Face… and a Rotarian
In 1901, a Springfield teenager named Fleetwood Lindley received a tip that Lincoln’s tomb was being opened one final time. He hopped on his bicycle and raced to Oak Ridge Cemetery, becoming the last living person known to have seen Lincoln’s face.
And in a twist fit for Rotary storytelling, Lindley went on to become… a Rotarian.
This discovery adds unexpected legitimacy to the long-running “Rotary Sarcophagus” tradition—honoring historical figures whose character and service embody Rotary values, even if they never had the chance to attend a meeting.
A Fun Reminder of Rotary’s Long Memory
While Lincoln will never appear in our attendance stats, his legacy of integrity, service, and leadership continues to inspire Rotarians—past, present, and imagined. We can now say we have documentation to back it up.