Rotary had its beginnings in Defiance late in 1920. The club materialized from visits to the Toledo Club by Frank F. Hall as a guest of Toledoan, William Roemer. One of the initial steps was to empower a committee to select a list of 25 men as a nucleus. On that pilot committee were Frank Hall, Chauncey I. Morse, Dr. Barlett J. Emery, Robert T. Whitaker and Virgil Squire. All 25 prospective members attended the initial discussion session that was held on Dec. 8, 1920 in the Defiance home of Virgil Squire. The host was made temporary chairman, and Riley W. Wortman agreed to serve as temporary secretary. It was on Dec. 17, 1920 that the 25 men were accepted into membership of Rotary and so became the charter members. Toledo Rotarian Roemer handled the gavel at that second meeting which was held in the Crosby House then on the site where now stands the motor bank of The State Bank and Trust Co. An application for affiliation with Rotary International was adopted that day and the temporary committee was made permanent. Bartlett J. Emery, Robert T. Whitaker and Frank F. Hall were added as directors.
It was decided to hold future meetings at noon each Monday in the Crosby House. Charter night was changed, however, to Wednesday, Feb. 2, 1921, at which time the charter was presented by the district governor, Sam Squire of Elyria, and Toledoan Roemer.
The roster of the Defiance club expanded from 25 to 54 members during the first five years. In the 10th year the total plunged to only 17, no doubt reflecting in part the "Great Depression." The next 15 years experienced a revival with active memberships reaching 47 by the 25th anniversary; 82 in 1955; then 113 at the 50th year, and 150 at present.
Expansion has always been vital to the club's program as manifest by sponsorship of new area clubs. These have been Montpelier in 1937, Hicksville in 1938, Delta in 1940, Delphos in 1949, and Ottawa-Glandorf in 1995.
Promoted by suggestion of Rotarian Justin Coressel, the club also approved creation of "Rotary 65", apparently a group unique in Rotary circles, the first one in this district. Rotary 65 was formed Jan. 4, 1971. Among its aims are: help in community projects, club membership, fellowship and entertainment, acts of mercy, and visiting the sick. The group meets for lunch each Friday at 11:30 a.m.
Another noteworthy distinction came to the Defiance Club in 1967 when it was host to District 660. That was during the district governorship of the late M.L. Searcey. The affair attracted 825 Rotarians and guests to Defiance.
Over the years, Defiance Rotary has sought to be true to ideals of service on which Rotary International was founded, and to continue its mission by means of programs for community and civic services.
Defiance Rotary Club has its own Mount Rushmore. Chiseled on an imaginary cliff-side is a mountain of memories concerning this group's history in the four avenues of service: club, vocational, community and international.
Defiance Rotary has been active in achieving a number of worthwhile objectives. The Defiance Club has donated funds to help support many local agencies and organizations like the Boy Scouts, Crime Stoppers, DC TV, YMCA, D.A.S.H., Defiance College, youth sports activities, Defiance Senior Center, Defiance 2000, Fort Defiance Bicentennial, Hospice, Junior Achievement, Lifeline, Rotary Foundation, M.E.S.A., student scholarships, and "Shots for Tots." The Defiance Club, along with the Defiance College, hosts the World Community Workshop, an international service and youth project of District 6600. The club has participated in the financing of a $20,000.00 building at the pioneer Auglaize village restoration, promoted by the Defiance County Historical Society; donating $10,000.00 to original YMCA building fund; and completing four phases of Rotary Walkway which generated over $30,000.00 for local organizations and charitable groups. With the development of the Paul Harris Fellowship program, $28,000.00 has been contributed to RI's Polio Plus Campaign, with all-time giving exceeding $84,000.00. A $25,000.00 donation to the YMCA Aquatic Center was funded by proceeds generated from the annual Corvette Raffle (initiated in 1991). In 1993, the Club pledged $15,000.00 over five years to the Defiance College Capital Campaign. Pledges were made toward the Gene Smart Community Center ($10,000) in 1996 and the DHS Track ($5,000) in 1997. In 2008, more than $50,000 was donated to various groups.