On January 14, 1892, a small group of electrical workers, seven in number and believed to be the Charter Members of Local Union No. 9, were issued a charter by the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Their names and initiation dates are:

T. J. Finnell - January 2, 1892

F. R. Sanstrom - January 2, 1892

W. J. Murphy - January 2, 1892

J. J. Smith - January 2, 1892

H. G. Bowles - January 3, 1892

F. Garland - January 4, 1892

J. W. Johnson - January 7, 1892

This charter was short-lived, as the records show that a charter issued July 7, 1894 had twenty-two men initiated on that date, and these men are considered the Charter Members of the local now known as Local Union No. 9, IBEW. Their names are as follows:

C. B. Baldwinn

Chas. D. Hatt

Thos. O'Neil

A. Dill

P. McDonald

W. Taylor

W. F. Harter

H. L. O'Neill

D. Cunningham

R. McCarthy

E. Sullivan

Jay Mott

C. E. Bogan

E. Lynch

Chas. Ross

W. H. Gilmartin

S. Bayless

O. C. Irwin

R. W. Peck

H. M. Elliott

C. D. Mills

J. Thompson

Of the eleven names shown on the existing charter issued to No. 9 in 1913, seven of these were on the original charters issued in 1892 and 1894, namely:

T. J. Finnell

O. C. Irwin

D. Cunningham

Thos. O'Neil

W. F. Harter

Chas. Ross

Chas D. Hatt

It is regrettable indeed that we do not have a better record of the beginnings of our organization, and a seach of the vault at the international headquarters has provided only the information shown above, but we have come a long way since that time and have much to be thankful for to these pioneers of our organization.  

The officers and members are happy and proud of their achievements over the past century and will continue to extend every effort for the further progress of our Local Union No. 9.