The Tomahawk Investment Club was organized July 8, 1955 by eleven La Crosse business and professional men to invest in stocks, bonds, and securities. The charter members were: Philip Arneson, Edward Perry, John Freisinger, Lewis Fuller, Richard Hawkins, Robert McDonald, Louis Robinson, Herman Scott, Curtis Storck, George Thompson Jr., and William White.
The club elected four officers annually: the managing partner, who presided over meetings, appointed committees, and oversaw the group's activities; the administrative partner, who presided in the absence of the managing partner; the recording partner, who kept the minutes, and filed records and correspondence; and the financial partner, who kept the books. Two committees alternated monthly (later quarterly) in making recommendations at meetings for sales or purchases. The Tomahawk Club apparently fared at an average level, compared to other investment clubs nationally. The club's most successful year was 1973, when it finished eighth of 289 clubs.
The club's membership changed over the years, although several charter members remained until the club disbanded on June 19, 1981. Renewed enthusiasm on the part of some former members and new members led to formation of a new investment club, Tomahawk II, which was organized December 10, 1982. The partnership agreement for the new club extended until December 1985.
