Part of the American History & Genealogy Project

Bunker Hill Monument Association

To women the credit is due for the preservation of historical homes, marking of historical spots, and the completion of many of the works started to commemorate deeds of heroism. Among these should be mentioned the completion of the Bunker Hill Monument. In 1823 the Bunker Hill Monument Association was incorporated and this ended the efforts for this work for two years; then the cornerstone was laid while General Lafayette was on a visit to this country. The material was brought from a granite quarry in Quincy and a railroad had to be built for this purpose, the first in the United States. In 1828 the funds for the work were exhausted and the work stopped, not to be resumed until 1834, and again suspended for lack of funds. In 1839 two gentlemen, Amos Lawrence, of Boston, and Judah Truro, of New Orleans, offered $10,000 if a similar amount would be raised by others. This enlisted the interest and pride of the women of Boston, who proposed to get up a fair for this purpose. The fair was decided upon and was to be held in Quincy Hall, September 5, 1840, and every woman in America was invited to aid, or contribute her work or money. These patriotic women of Boston managed the entire scheme and were rewarded by realizing $30,035.50, and from other sources money came to the association through these women until $55,153.27 was in the treasury of the association and the completion of the monument assured, and to these women we owe Bunker Hill Monument.

The present officers of the National Organization are:

Mrs. Frederic Schoff, president.
Mrs. Arthur A. Birney, secretary.
Mrs. W. B. Ferguson, treasurer.

Vice-presidents:
Mrs. David O. Mears.
Mrs. Orville T. Bright
Mrs. Fred T. Dubois.
Mrs. Edwin R. Weeks.
Mrs. Ray Rushton.

Historian: Mrs. R A. Tuttle.
Recording secretary: Mrs. James S. Bolton.

These ladies, together with the following list of active members of the organization, have done prodigious work in every state in the Union. Mrs. William T. Carter, of Philadelphia; Mrs. Joseph P. Mumford, of Philadelphia; Mrs. William J. Thacher, of New Jersey; Mrs. Frank De Garmo, of St. Louis; Mrs. B. H. Stapleton, of Mississippi and Miss Sophie B. Wright, of New Orleans.

Elizabeth Lawton Barker

Mrs. Charlotte P. Acer Barnum was born in Shelley Center, Orleans County, New York, in 1865, January & her father was Volney Acer, who was born in Pittsford, Monroe County, New York, and her mother Charlotte Clark Peck who was born in Tallmadge, Summit County, Ohio. Her mother's ancestors all came from New England, where they had lived for generations. Her father's family settled in Pittsford (7 miles from Rochester) in 1790, and the original farm on which her great-grandfather settled is still in the possession of the family. The Acers were originally from Holland but her great-grandmother was Dorothy Adams, a kin to John, John Quincy and Samuel, as well as to Judge Otis and other early New England settlers.

Mrs. Barnum was graduated from Vassar College in 1886. Since that time she has studied abroad in France and Germany and has done research work in Boston and New York. In 1893 she came to live in Pittsford, her father's old home, where she was married in June, 1907, to Nathaniel C. Barnum, whose ancestors settled in Rochester in 1794.

Mrs. Barnum was for four years secretary of the National Vassar Students' Aid Society and was for ten years the president of the Rochester Branch of the Vassar Students' Aid Society. At present she is treasurer of the Century Club of Rochester, chairman of the committee of the state of New York of the Society of School Patrons of the National Education Association, and on the executive committee of the Society of School Patrons of the National Education Association, representing on the executive committee the Association of Collegiate Alumnae.

Miss Helen Varick Boswell is a Baltimorean, and although, for some years, has been an active worker in the political and later in the industrial and social work taken up by the New York State Federation of Women's Club, she is probably today best known as the woman selected by President Taft and sent by the United States Government to Panama to look into the social conditions there, and as having founded eight women's clubs on the zone, which are federated and are known as the "Canal Zone Federation of Women's Clubs." This creating of social life through united club effort was much needed in the zone, and it brought the women together and helped to make the history of that place. When Mr. Taft last visited the zone and was the guest of the women's clubs, he was emphatic in his statement that they had been a strong factor in the progress of the work, for they had helped to keep all the people contented, and have done much for the civic betterment of the small communities in which they are at present placed.

Miss Boswell devotes much of her time to the women's department of the Federation and General Federation of Women's Clubs; is chairman of the Industrial and Social Conditions department of that organization. Among the subjects discussed in her lectures and talks before the public in the interest of her work, are: "Social and Political Progress of American Women," "Society and the Criminal," "The Club Woman as a Molder of Public Opinion," "Every-day Life on the Canal Zone."

Miss Boswell comes of Revolutionary ancestors, is prominent in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and is well known in the social and official life of Washington and New York.

Miss. Eleanor M. Brackenridge

Mrs. Addison F. Broomhall
Was elected president of the Ohio Federation in 1909. She has been a worker in the Federation since its organization; has served her state as treasurer.

Federation secretary and chairman of the Convention Advisory Committee. She has been active in library work and for two years was chairman of the Library Extension Committee of the General Federation. Mrs. Broomhall's husband is one of the most brilliant lawyers in Ohio.

Mrs. Edward L. Buchwalter is one of the best-known club women in the country. She has been identified with the General Federation since the beginning and has attended every biennial. She was born in Ohio but her interests pertaining to women's clubs know no state lines. In 1898 Mrs. Buchwalter was elected a director of the General Federation, serving two terms. She was chairman of the Milwaukee biennial program committee, which for advanced thought has not been surpassed by any biennial program; here civil service reform and the responsibility of women as consumers were first discussed. Mrs. Buchwalter was chairman of the Los Angeles Convention; was a vice-president of the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Expedition. In 1904 she was elected president of the Ohio Federation, which she had been instrumental in organizing. She has been president of the Springfield Woman's Club. Gifted with a remark-able memory, quick to recognize merit, more critical of herself than others, tire-less in her effort to advance the club movement, Mrs. Buchwalter plans and exe-cutes with the same enthusiasm which has not waned in her twenty years' service.

Mrs. Philip Carpenter, of New York, was born at Rainbow, Connecticut, educated in Mills College, California, and New York University Law School. She is an ex-president of the New York State Federation, president of Sorosis, president of Women Lawyers' Club of New York City, and ex-president of the National Society of New England Women. She was the second woman lawyer to appear in the New York Court of Appeals, and the first to win anything there.

Mrs. Jennie Croly was born in Leicestershire, England, December 17, 1831. Her father, the Reverend Joseph Howes Cunningham, brought is family to the United States when Jennie was about nine years old. The latter was a precocious child and early showed her literary trend in little plays written in childhood. Her first production that was published appeared in the New York Tribune. Her taste for journalism grew rapidly and she filled many important positions on various of the New York newspapers for many years. Her pen name was "Jenny June." Her activity was remarkable and she extended her work to a number of the magazines. She edited and controlled many publications for a great number of years. Early in life she became the wife of David B. Croly, then city editor of the New York Herald, later managing editor of the New York World, and subsequently editor of the Daily Graphic. In all of these publications Mrs. Croly collaborated with her husband. In March, 1868, Mrs. Croly, "Fanny Fern," Alice and Phoebe Cary, Mrs. Charlotte B. Wilbour, Miss Kate Field, Mrs. Henry M. Field, Mrs. Botta and other women met in Mrs. Croly's home in New York and started the famous Sorosis with twelve charter members. This was one of the pioneer women's clubs of America and to Mrs. Croly should be given the credit of its inception. She served for fourteen years as its president. She was among those calling the Woman's Congress in New York in 1866, and again in 1869. She was a member of the New York Academy of Sciences, of the Goethe Club, and vice-president of the Association for the Advancement of the Medical Education of Women. Her home was for many years a center of attraction for authors, artists, actors and cultured persons. Her writings, which continued until her death in 1901, would fill many volumes.

Mrs. Sarah Platt Decker
One of the most distinguished clubwomen of the country is Mrs. Sarah Piatt Decker, of Denver, Colorado. Mrs. Decker has been very active in the work of the societies to which she belongs, giving her time and strength to the work these clubs have undertaken. She was for some time president of the Woman's Club of Denver, and is considered an authority on the best methods for civic improvement. She has been vice-president and president of the National Federation of Clubs. Her exceptional talent and wonderful executive ability contribute largely to the success of the various clubs of which she is a member.

Mrs. Herman J. Hall was born in Oneida County, New York, educated in Buffalo, New York. Spent much time in travel and study of the history of art. Has made a specialty of Pagan and Christian Symbolism in art and lectures upon these subjects. Founded the League for Civic Improvement and the Art Study Club in 1888, and which now numbers nearly six hundred, the largest of its kind in America. Ex-president of the Woman's Auxiliary and ex-second vice-president, American Outdoor Art League. Ex-chairman Art Committee General Federation Woman's Clubs for first four years of Art Department Ex-chairman Art Committee Illinois Federation, Woman's Club. Ex-chairman local Exhibition Committee Municipal Art League at Art Institute, Chicago. Honorary member Chicago Outdoor Art League; also Outdoor Art League of San Francisco and founder of the Outdoor Art League of Los Angeles. Member Audubon Park Board, New Orleans, La. Author of ''Two Women Abroad" and contributor to various magazines. Most of the work done by Mrs. Hall in the organizing of these various clubs and associations was pioneer work. Her lectures are upon the travels and studies which she has made in the various countries which are subjects of her lectures. She has made a most exhaustive study of the architecture, sculpture, metal work, paintings and prints, porcelains and pottery, textiles, landscape art and flower cult of Japan and China; also the history, agriculture, life and arts of Russia, Spain and other European countries.

Minona Stearns Fitts Jones 1855 ~ 1926

Mrs. Charles H. Kumler is a member of the Industrial and Child Labor Committee of the Federation of Women's Clubs; has been active in this line of work for many years, taking a special interest in the organization and development of Noonday Club in factories where young women are employed. She did much to create sentiment favoring the regulation of child labor in Ohio. Aside from her club interests she is a well-known collector of antiques and possesses one of the most valuable and varied collections.

Mrs. Elizabeth Langworthy was born in October, 1837, in Orleans County, New York. Her father was one of the heirs of the Trinity Church property in New York. Her mother was descended from a prominent French family.

In 1858 she became the wife of Stephen Langworthy of Dubuque, Iowa, whose parents were among the early pioneers of that state. In 1861 Mr. and Mrs. Langworthy made their home in Monticello, Iowa, and here she was instrumental in founding the public library of that city. Later, in the city of Seward, Nebraska, where their home was established, she served as president of many societies for local improvement and also of the Seward History and Art Clubs and it was through her suggestion and instrumentality as a member of the Board of Lady Managers of the World's Columbian Exposition, that the hammer was presented to Mrs. Potter Palmer, then president, with which she drove the last nail in the Woman's Building. Mrs. Langworthy raised the fund for this purpose.

Mrs. Lawrence Maxwell was born and educated at Ann Arbor, Michigan, meeting her husband. Mr. Maxwell, at the university. Mrs. Maxwell is an ex-president of the Cincinnati clubs and largely identified with the musical interests of Cincinnati. For seven years she has been president of the board of managers of the Widows' and Old Men's Home. Mrs. Maxwell was president of the local biennial board of Cincinnati when the meeting of the General Federation was held in that city in 1911. The success of this board is due largely to the uniform tact and courtesy of Mrs. Maxwell, whose wide club and social experience has been felt not only in Cincinnati but throughout the state. Mrs. Maxwell has a broad view of life and its duties, believing that a woman must prepare herself to reign in her home while dispensing the courtesies and sharing the enjoyments of social life, yet, she still must give a large share of time, strength and interest to the betterment of humanity.

Mrs. Philip N. Moore

Lucy Gaston Page
Miss Page, the founder of the Anti-Cigarette League of America, was well known in Chicago club life and philanthropy, where she founded, several years ago, this work which she carried to New York City, where some of the leading citizens of that metropolis are co-operating with her. We know of no greater field of usefulness or benefit to the human race of the future than the work done by this organization. Investigations on this subject have been started by the interest developed by this organization in many states. The Sage Foundation experts have taken it up in the New York public schools; the Big Brother Movement has also become interested in the importance of this work. It is rapidly commanding the attention of sociologists and philanthropic and home economic workers throughout the country.

Miss Elizabeth F. Pierce is the daughter of the late Charles W. Pierce, a business man of Boston, and a niece of Mrs. J. Ellen Horton Foster, and was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She is noted in her native city for her earnest religious and philanthropic work, especially in the Foreign and Home Missionary Societies of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After the death of her father, she and her mother, Mrs. Foster's sister, removed to Washington. Miss Pierce immediately identified herself with her church, and its wonderful work along many lines. She has been most active at a member of missionary society, the Daughters of the American Revolution and other patriotic associations. She was elected recording secretary general of the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as such until 1911, when she was elected chaplain general of that great order.

Catherine Nobles, born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her father, Charles H. Nobles, was a native of Providence, Rhode Island, who moved to New Orleans in early life. Her father was one of the founders of the Howard Association of New Orleans. Was an officer of that body until his death. Mr. Nobles had rendered valuable assistance in the various epidemics that fell upon New Orleans from 1837-1867. Miss Nobles has been prominent in club life in New Orleans and became widely known as a club woman; she served as secretary of the Woman's club of New Orleans and the Woman's League of Louisiana. In 1892 at a meeting of die General Federation of Woman's Clubs of the United States, held in Chicago, Miss Nobles was elected Ofie of die board of directors.

Amelia Stone Quinton 1833 ~ 1926

Mrs. Nettie Ransford was born November 6, 1858, in Little Falls, New York. In 1898 she was General Grand Matron of the Masonic Order of the Eastern Star. This order is an organization of the wives and daughters of Masons and affiliates in their charitable work. Her parents were from Scotland. After graduating in 1857 she settled in Nebraska and taught school in Omaha and Fort Calhoun, here, in 1858, she married William T. Ransford, and in 1862 they moved to Laporte, Indiana. She was one of the first women who joined the Order of the Eastern Star, soon after that order was organized in 1872. She was elected Worthy Matron in 1874 and re-elected several times. In 1879 she was elected Grand Matron, being re-elected to this office several times. She was elected Most Worthy General Grand Matron in the sessions of the General Grand Chapter held in Indianapolis in 1879, and was the first General Grand Matron to serve under the changed constitution. Her duties are such that she has traveled through-out the entire General Grand Jurisdiction and has distinguished herself in ways which can only be appreciated and understood by members of this order.

Caroline M. Seymour Severance 1820 ~ 1914

Mrs. Lucinda H. Stone was born in Hinesburg, Vermont, in 1814. Her maiden name was Lucinda Hinesburg. She has always been active in educational work, has founded many women's libraries and has been often called the "Mother of Women's Clubs of the State of Michigan;" taught in several of the well-known educational institutions in that state. In 1840 she became the wife of Dr. J. A. B. Stone, also a teacher. In 1843 they took up their residence in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Dr. Stone was president of the Kalamazoo College for twenty years. The female department of this institution was under Mrs. Stone's charge for many years. Before the war, Mrs. Stone's home was the resort of the abolitionist and equal suffrage leaders.

In 1864 Mrs. Stone gave up her educational work and devoted her time to the organizing of women's clubs and societies for the education of women. Mrs. Stone was the first woman to use her influence toward the admitting of women to the University of Michigan, and for the work which she did in this direction, the University of Michigan, m 1891, conferred upon her the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Mrs. Grace Wilbur Trout was born and educated in Maquoketa, Iowa. Discerning early that certain qualities of voice made her especially fitted for platform speaking, she specialized in that form of study. Her father drilled her, and often said to her, "When you talk, say something." Instead of entering the profession for which she had been prepared, she married George W. Trout, and a few years later they moved to Chicago. Not long afterwards, Mrs. Trout became interested in the Mormon question, writing a story entitled "The Mormon Wife," which received great commendation. Mrs. Trout was at one time president of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the National Club; member of the West End Women's Club; president of the Women's Auxiliary of the Oak Park Club; member of the Nineteenth Century Club of Oak Park; member of the Chicago Women's Club for ten years, and member of the Chicago Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Is president of the largest Equal Suffrage League in Illinois. She is one of the well-known speakers on the subject of equal suffrage in the Middle West, being thoroughly informed on her subject. Filled with the enthusiasm of it she presents her theme in a masterly shape.

Mrs. Samuel Johnston Wright

Women of America

Source: The Part Taken by Women in American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.