In early 1874, quite a number of Icelanders lived in Wisconsin and people exchanged views on what the future would be, where it would be best to settle. Unemployment was higher in the United States at that time than had been known for years, and many Icelandic immigrants thought it best to find areas to explore and begin farming. There was more talk in the first months of the year, including the Danish royal visit to Iceland in the summer and the planned national memorial festival on August 2. Jón Ólafsson, Páll Þorláksson and Rev. Jón Bjarnason were among those who discussed these issues among themselves. Jón Ólafsson played a major role in implementing the idea that Icelanders in Wisconsin would gather on August 2 and hold their national commemoration festival on the same day as the festival would be held in Iceland. On the same day, August 2, 1874, several people gathered in Milwaukee and founded the first Icelandic Society in the West. Reverend Jón Bjarnason was elected the first president of the association and Jón Ólafsson its first secretary. Below are the society’s bylaws:
Laws of the Icelandic Society in America
Article 1
Our association is called “Icelandic Society in America”
Article 2
The purpose of the society, to preserve and strengthen Icelandic nationality among Icelanders on this continent and the free progress and cultural spirit, which in all centuries of Icelandic history has been such great credit to our nation, but resist all that in spiritual and secular matters, which leads to the contrary. In particular, the purpose of the association is to be a liaison between Icelanders in various places in this continent and between Icelanders here in the west and our districts at home in Iceland or in other countries. Thus, the association wishes to give individuals or associations of people, and in particular the newspapers in Iceland, access to all the information and assistance that is in its power.
Article 3
A member is any Icelander, male or female, who has come of age and wishes to work with his countrymen in America for the purpose of the society and confirms this by signing his name under this law (or sending a written request to become a member to the board), and who in addition pays the society 25 cents annually. However, a couple only has to pay a fee that would be for one person.
Article 4
Men and women have the same rights in the Society.
Article 5
The society’s board of directors is in charge: the president, secretary and treasurer, they shall be elected at the annual general meeting each year. None of them are currently required to be present; but each of them may under his responsibility substitute a person for himself. If they cannot, the vice president, deputy secretary and deputy treasurer will carry out their duties in their absence. They shall be elected at the same time as the chief officials of the society.
Article 6
One Annual General Meeting shall be held each year at a time and place decided by the Board of Directors, and it shall do so as far as is expedient for the members. It discusses the general affairs of the society, elects people to its board, audits its accounts and does everything else necessary. Extraordinary meetings may be convened by the Board, if deemed necessary.
Article 7
The majority determines the votes at all meetings. All elections shall be in writing.
Article 8
The president is in charge of the society. He calls people to meetings, sets them up, and directs them. He is responsible for the implementation of all the society’s decisions and monitors that everyone who is elected to any job in the society does his duty. A secretary keeps a log, in which he writes names, etc. of all members and other Icelanders outside the association who may be in the area covered by the society. To this end, each member is obliged to inform the board of directors in a written letter to him or her, and to inform, as soon as possible, any changes that may occur. The person who neglects this shall pay a fine according to the decision of the board of directors, from 5 cents to $1.00, and he shall abide by its decision in the near future; but he may refer his case to a meeting. The secretary also keeps a letter book and a diary and carefully preserves all the society’s documents. He also handles the registration of all letters and reports sent by the society. The president signs all the company’s letters together with the secretary.
Article 9
The treasurer collects all the income of the society and documents the things he pays out, which the president determines.
Article 10
The society elects as many representatives and in as many places as necessary. These people elect the board of the society. Representatives report to the board once a year or more often on the situation of Icelanders in each district.
Approved at a meeting of Icelanders in Milwaukee on the 2nd day of August 1874, on the anniversary of the thousandth anniversary of the founding of Iceland.
Jón Ólafsson
Secretary.
The society did not last long simply because the group behind it was dispersed in the following months. A special division was established in Ontario, however, and when the discussion on the all-Icelandic colony on the plains in the west of Canada reached its climax, this society supported the idea (Norðanfari, January 12, 1876). The influence of this social institution, however, became considerable in the following years, it can be said that Icelanders have hardly settled, a few together, across the continent without founding an society that should operate on the same basis as the “Icelandic Society in America”.
English version by Thor group.