Oak Park's Borrowed Time Club--New!

Photo of the Borrowed Time Club taken on March 2, 1911. Philander Barclay, who began assisting the club early in its formation, is in the back row, at the extreme right. The framed photo in the foreground is of club members in 1904. The 1911 photo appeared in the Oak Leaves, June 24, 1911; pg. V. Mounted newspaper photo from the Borrowed Time Club Collection, Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

Oak Park’s Borrowed Time Club

By Anna-Maria Manuel

Published September 16, 2025.

The Borrowed Time Club was an important part of Philander Barclay's life. The social club for men (and, later, women) 70 years of age and older had its roots in a group of local, elderly men that informally gathered at the harness shop of Edward F. Robbins, at 127 Lake Street (old address, before street renumbering; on the north side of Lake Street, between North Marion Street and Harlem Avenue) in Oak Park. [1] The old timers were drawn to Robbins because of his personality — “his genial disposition, smiling countenance, cheerful speech, sociability, optimism and sterling honesty.” [2] During those early gatherings, “each one of the veterans had some special experience to relate,” wrote George Ambrose, editor and publisher of the Oak Park Argus. “They were playfully joking with one another, and seemed to be 'keeping tab' on each other.” [3]

Ambrose recalled that in January 1902, the regular visitors to the harness shop held a meeting, agreeing that men 70 years and older would be eligible for membership in the new organization. Robbins was “suggested as” and became president of the club. [4] The club’s official name, Borrowed Time Club, was adopted in August 1902. [5]

When the club was founded “it was utterly without objective or ambition other than for the enjoyment of the social contacts of its members one with another, passing a pleasant hour in telling stories, expressing their views or exchanging personal reminiscences.” [6]

1. “On Borrowed Time”; Oak Leaves; January 4, 1913; pg. 4.

2. “Borrowed Time Club”; Oak Leaves; July 16, 1927; pg. 42.

3. “On Borrowed Time”; Oak Leaves; January 4, 1913; pg. 4.

4. Ibid.

5. “Borrowed Time Club”; Oak Leaves; July 16, 1927; pg. 50.

6. “Borrowed Time Club”; Oak Leaves; July 16, 1927; pgs. 50-51.

Barclay’s Involvement with the Club

Philander’s father, druggist James S. Barclay, died from stomach cancer at 71 years of age on January 23, 1902. [7] The elder Barclay had been in the informal group that met at Robbins’ harness shop. Sadly, the druggist’s death occurred one day after the club’s organization. His name is on the list of charter members and the first on the list of deceased members. [8]

After James Barclay died, Philander “found himself enjoying the company of the old men who had been his father’s friends.” [9] Philander began assisting the Borrowed Time Club early in its formation, even though he was a young man. Philander’s continued service to the club (and his founding of a similar organization in Los Angeles, California) was his way “to honor and bring cheer to the old men who . . . meant so much to him in the years since his father's death.” [10]

There was also the historical aspect of the club. As Village Historian, Barclay “appreciated the fact that early gatherings of the group were significant in portraying a period that would pass.” [11] According to Barclay, the elderly men were “interesting because oftentimes they threw new light on subjects of history, on the lives of famous men or on old celebrities of a local character.” [12]

Throughout the rest of his life, Barclay assisted the Borrowed Time Club. In an article about the club that appeared in the February 1913 American Magazine, a member said, “We insist on his [Barclay] being at our meetings when he can get away from his [bicycle] shop; but I guess that it don't take much insistence, for he's as happy as can be when he's with us.” [13]

7 “Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https:// www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-65MT-C4?view=index : Aug 11, 2025), image 668 of 1287; Illinois. County Court (Cook County). Image Group Number: 004483122 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-65MT-C4?view=index.

8. “Borrowed Time Club”; Oak Leaves; July 16, 1927; pgs. 50.

9. John Anson Ford; “Borrowers of Time”; “Interesting People” section; American Magazine; February 1913; pg. 32.

10 John Anson Ford; “Borrowers of Time”; “Interesting People” section; American Magazine; February 1913; pg. 33.

11 “Club Will Hear Wax Records of Voices Past”; Chicago Tribune; June 18, 1933; pg. WC11.

12 “Friend of the Old Men Here”; Los Angeles Times; February 5, 1912; pg. 12.

13 John Anson Ford; “Borrowers of Time”; “Interesting People” section; American Magazine; February 1913; pg. 32.

Barclay Named Honorary Member of Club

By 1911, Barclay was an honorary member of the club, “in recognition of services rendered the organization.” [14] So, how did Barclay participate in the club as an Honorary Member?

According to an issue of the Oak Leaves from 1933, Barclay “was always ready to lock up his bicycle shop in order to take some of the older men to the meetings of the club in his auto.” [15]

To preserve the voices and stories of a few of the club’s members, Barclay recorded oral histories on wax cylinders, first in 1905, and again in 1927. [16]

Barclay did presentations at the club, most notably in November 1911, when he publicly played, for the first time, the wax-cylinder records he recorded in 1905 of the two oldest club members, Elijah Williams Hoard (1812 – 1908 [17]) and Edward F. Robbins (1816 – 1910 [18]).

Barclay presented his recordings when interest in the club was at a low point, due to “the looseness of the organization, irregularity of meetings and the frequent deaths occurring among the members.” [19] Barclay made local and national news because of the novel way he preserved history — by sound recordings — “linking the present with what appears a very ancient past.” [20] The club received recognition and attention in national publications [21], no doubt helping revive interest in the club, inspiring other cities to form their own “Borrowed Time” organizations, and, perhaps, encouraging similar recording projects.

Barclay was still giving presentations to the club in the 1930s. What seems to have been his last talk occurred on June 22, 1938. He spoke about the early history of the Borrowed Time Club. During his talk, Barclay gifted to the club three framed original photos, which he took in 1903, of Edward Robbins and his harness shop — the club’s first president and the club’s birthplace. [22]

14. “Borrowed Time Club Meets”; Oak Leaves; June 24, 1911; pg. V.

15 “Men and Women on Borrowed Time Honor Founder of Club at Wednesday Meeting”; Oak Leaves; June 22, 1933; pg. 30.

16. Philander Barclay; Untitled notes concerning Barclay’s Borrowed Time Club wax-cylinder records; 1927; Philander Barclay Collection; Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

and

Philander Barclay; “Phonograph Records for Mr. Philander W. Barclay by Mr. E. W. Hoard, Mr. E. F. Robbins, Oak Park Volunteer Fire Bell"; Barclay’s notes about his wax-cylinder records; 1905; Philander Barclay Collection; Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

17. “Cook, Illinois, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https:// www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D1MQ-LTC?view=index : Aug 11, 2025), image 243 of 1152; Illinois. County Court (Cook County). Image Group Number: 004004776 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D1MQ-LTC?view=index

18. “Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https:// www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-XC49-2HK?view=index : Aug 11, 2025), image 1199 of 1541; Illinois. County Court (Cook County). Image Group Number: 004004731 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-XC49-2HK?view=index

19 “Borrowed Time Club”; Oak Leaves; July 16, 1927; pg. 51.

20. “Dead Speak Again”; Oak Leaves; November 25, 1911; pg. 7. Also see:

-- “Voices of Dead Entertain Club”; Chicago Tribune; November 24, 1911; pg. 1

-- “Dead Comrades Greet Club Members”; Washington Post; March 3, 1912; pg. M8

-- “Voices of the Dead Are Heard at Unique Club”; Popular Mechanics; January 1912; pg. 27

-- “Friend of the Old Men Here”; Los Angeles Times; February 5, 1912; pg. 12.

21. See list of publications above.

22. “Borrowed Time Club to Honor Father Robbins”; Oak Leaves; June 16, 1938; pg. 18.

Related Clubs

The Borrowed Time Club in Oak Park is notable for having inspired the formation of (at least) two other clubs:

The Los Angeles (CA) Borrowed Time Club, founded in 1912 by Barclay. [23]
The Lakewood (Ohio) Borrowed Time Club, founded by Rev. William A. Carver (1850 – 1939 [24]) in the 1930s. [25]

23. John Anson Ford; “Borrowers of Time”; “Interesting People” section; American Magazine; February 1913; pg. 33.

24. State of Ohio; Department of Health; Division of Vital Statistics; Certificate of Death; accessed on FamilySearch.org on August 18, 2025.

25. “Death of Rev. W. Carver Noted Methodist Pastor; Oak Leaves; November 2, 1939; pg. 74.

Los Angeles Borrowed Time Club

During the winter months, Barclay usually closed his bicycle shop and wintered in Los Angeles, California. According to Barclay, by 1922, he had visited Hollywood five times in the past ten years. [26]

In 1912, while visiting Los Angeles:

[Barclay] was moved to pity at the sight of the old men in the parks who seemed very lonely. He found that many of them were in the city for only the winter, to escape the severe weather in the East. He secured an interview with the mayor of Los Angeles, told him what he had seen, and proposed a Borrowed Time Club, the nature of which he explained. The mayor gave his hearty endorsement. Barclay then spent several days acquainting the old men in the parks and elsewhere with his plan. [27]

For Barclay, forming a Borrowed Time Club in Los Angeles had its challenges. According to the Oak Leaves, “Now and then he [Barclay] would find a man who was suspicious of a stranger, and there were some who were indignant at being supposed to be old enough to be a member of such an organization.” However, “the majority received his [Barclay’s] proposition gladly.” [28]

26 Philander Barclay; “Parks for Hollywood”; Letter to the Editor; Holly Leaves; July 1, 1922; pg. 30.

27 John Anson Ford; “Borrowers of Time”; “Interesting People” section; American Magazine; February 1913; pg. 33.

28 “Borrowed Time Days”; Oak Leaves; September 21, 1912; pg. 40.

Lakewood (Ohio) Borrowed Time Club

Members of the Lakewood Borrowed Time Club in 1932. Photo taken at the north entrance of the Lakewood Public Library (Main Library). Rev. William A. Carver is fifth from the left, in the front row. Photo from the Borrowed Time Club Collection, Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. Many thanks to Sarah McKinsey, General Information, Lakewood Public Library (Main Library), for her assistance in confirming the building depicted in the photo.

Rev. Carver was an active member of the Oak Park Borrowed Time Club. According to a recording of Carver that Barclay made in 1927, he did not want to be a “looker on,” when he joined the club. [29] Carver served as the club’s president from 1928 to 1929. [30] During his vice-presidency, Carver organized a large celebration for the club’s 25th anniversary, which included newspaper photographers and “press representatives.” [31] Carver compiled a 33-page booklet detailing the club’s history, Authentic History of the Borrowed Time Club. [32] He even wrote a poem dedicated to the club. [33]

Around 1930, Carver moved to Cleveland, Ohio to live with his son, Paul R. Carver. [34] He soon realized that he missed the Borrowed Time Club. [35] In roughly 1931, when the Carver family relocated to Lakewood, a suburb of Cleveland [36], he formed the Lakewood Borrowed Time Club. [37] By the time Carver died in 1939, the Lakewood club had 300 members. [38]

29. Rev. William A. Carver cylinder recorded by Philander Barclay, February 9, 1927; Philander Barclay Collection; Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

30. “Borrowed Time Club”; Oak Leaves; March 20, 1931; pg. 98.

31. Philander Barclay; Untitled notes concerning Barclay’s Borrowed Time Club wax-cylinder records; 1927; pg. 11; Philander Barclay Collection; Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

32. “Borrowed Time Club”; Oak Leaves; July 16, 1927; pg. 42.

33. Philander Barclay; Untitled notes concerning Barclay’s Borrowed Time Club wax-cylinder records; 1927; pg. 11; Philander Barclay Collection; Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

34. 1930 U.S. Census.

35. “Death of Rev. W. Carver Noted Methodist Pastor”; Oak Leaves; November 2, 1939; pg. 74.

36. 1931 Cleveland, Ohio City Directory.

37 “Death of Rev. W. Carver Noted Methodist Pastor”; Oak Leaves; November 2, 1939; pg. 74.

38. Ibid.