USA > Ohio > The Western Reserve of Ohio and some of its pioneers, places and women's clubs, Vol. I > Part 31
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Very often, your man of genius, for he it is that makes the distinct contribution to progress, arises in the most unex- pected locality.
When Burbank desires a new kind of blackberry, he plants ten-thousand blackberries, out of which he may select the de- sired variation, the larger number of plants insuring, the more certainly, the desired variation.
So, civilization is most sure to have a man or woman of genius, if it gives him the largest possible chance of getting himself formed and educated and brought on. Now, the older civilizations reduce the number of blackberry plants, that is, they cut off first of all the women, half of the population, from
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participation, in contributing some new direct impulse to hu- man progress, that is, they did what they could in this direc- tion. Some women like Joan of Arc, or Isabella of Spain, in- sisted on making some contribution to the progress of human life. But the stupidity of these centuries in which half of the brains of mankind were doomed to be without opportunity of education is unaccountable to us. If there had been a plan to deliberately cheat all progress to condemn women to an inferior life was certainly the best possible method of achieving that end.
If a stock herder had desired to keep his stock from im- proving or even desired it to degenerate he would have followed the plan arrived at by the generation of men who denied the light of truth to their wives and daughters and deemed it a waste of effort to teach girls anything outside the walls of the home.
And along with this cutting off of women from educational opportunity came naturally the cutting off by the caste system under various forms of the so-called "inferior classes," who were set apart to till the soil and do the menial work of hu- manity. So, if civilization marched at all, it did so under the greatest disadvantages. Only a few blackberry plants were allowed to grow in which there might be variations and im- provement. Only among a select few, in the family of man- kind, could any progress be expected. Now, the people out here in Ohio and Michigan did a great thing for the devel- opment of civilization, when they offered the highest possible educational opportunity to women. They doubled at once the number of blackberry plants out of which valuable variations might come. They gave to wifehood and motherhood a new distinction and while the results of their work have already
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been shown in the fact that the seat of power in the nation is today transferred from Virginia, Pennsylvania and Massa- chusetts to the great interior Commonwealths, it is yet to be shown still more when the 27,000 women, now in college in the States west of Ohio, become a part of the working civiliza- tion of the Republic as compared with the 6,000 in the North Atlantic States.
When you consider the farther fact, that a large propor- tion of this 27,000 is to bear children and send them forth from homes of intelligence and broad outlook, the significance of the college education of women is greatly intensified. In the ne- cessity and poverty of frontier life, to give women equal privileges with men meant to educate her in a school where both men and women should be trained together. Co-education was therefore a necessity of those meager times. If Oberlin, to give a college education to women could have afforded it, she might have had separate classes for men and women, but she could not, and they recited to the same teachers and sat in the same room and lost none of the bloom and charm of woman- hood, as some conservatives feared. At Jacksonville, Ill., the two separate colleges were founded, but the school for women furnished easier and less advanced studies than the college for men. In Wisconsin, Beloit College was established on the same theory of Jacksonville and both have been overshadowed by the State Universities where doors are open equally for men and women.
It does not take a vivid imagination to see that when you turn loose in a plastic commonwealth of Anglo-Saxon people, a few women of college education, that you have a distinct leaven at work for the higher education and civilization of that community. For instance, a woman graduated from a college
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finds herself in San Francisco; she opens a school and begins to teach girls in that school-less region. Her grace and charm wins her pupils' love; they become the wives of successful men, in San Francisco and Sacramento; children, growing up in those homes, are today leaders in the higher life of the Pacific Coast, standing by the University, prompting better things in the public schools. The influence of the Ohio College women abides there, in the churches, in the literary activity, in charities and in the saner sentiments of the people. This teacher, visited us in Asia and was such a comrade to me, a mere boy, that she won my mind and heart and drew all that was best in me to herself. In the northwest, a college man and a college woman, after marriage, came, organized a little
church that was a social and religious center. They went to the Falls of St. Anthony and organized another church, where, now, the State has planted its university. They moved on, started another church in Dakota, which is equally prosperous, and again moved to the Indian Reservation on the banks of the Missouri. Their two sons and a daughter are leaders in the higher life of these western communities, for, to this woman, who lived to be 82, came the boys of the lumber camps, and girls from the village. In that home, were books and pictures, correct speech and refinement, and in her Sunday school class were the men who were to do the great work in that peerless northwest state, the central figures in the great milling industries, the lights at the bar, the constructors of a state like Minnesota. I lived in a northwest state when it was still a Territory but into which had come teachers from Wis- consin, Iowa and Ohio, a great number of whom were college bred women, wives of ministers, lawyers, physicians and teach- ers-they had an influence in forming the sentiment of the
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state for temperance and thorough education. They helped to secure the law that the 16th and 32nd section, in every town- ship, should be set apart for the endowment of free public education and no acre should be sold for less than ten dollars. This endowment, today, will aggregate 25,000,000 and the state is one of the most progressive and prosperous in the Republic. The average product, sold, was $750 for every man, woman and child within its borders.
In one of these northwestern states there was not a fair crop for three years. The Louisiana lottery said to the legis- lature, "We will pay a sum equal to the entire cost of your state to maintain your courts and legislature each year, if you will allow us to set up a lottery in your state." The political leaders said, "Let us accept it." Then the women arose by the hundred thousand and protested against this shame. Their leaders were the college women; they said, "We will not be bought and sold for gain." And that is the one state in this union that has kept itself clean from the beginning. It has never tolerated the saloon and never will. In ten years it has more than doubled its population, and of its 450,000 peo- ple all but 5,100 of its adults can read and write. The women of Colorado have a vote in all elections, the West has been won for better things by these college women in all the walks of life, they are going out in ever increasing numbers to build strong foundations for righteousness. In the lowest forms of life the brain of the female has never been found inferior. No good horseman expects less speed or sense in his trotter be- cause of the sex and why men should have supposed that their fathers were smarter than their mothers is hard to discern. They clipped off higher mathematics, sciences of all sorts, his- tory and philosophy, from the ladies' course of Oberlin to meet
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the inferior brain of women. It was not long, however, before the women crept into the sacred classical course and demon- strated that in every study offered, she was a match of the highest men in college, so, in the most of our western colleges and universities the question of capacity and superiority is no longer raised, and when men object to having the women in the classes, the reason given is, that the women distract the attention of the young men and prevent their doing justice to their studies. Is it not significant that the empire is now pass- ing from the eastern leaders to men who have grown up in these regions, where women have been accorded the highest education? If we go to Congress, the leaders there are no longer from New England or the Middle States. It is no acci- dent that has made Allison and Doliver leaders of the best things, and to these men come such splendid recruits as La- Follette of Wisconsin. It is no accident, that Congressman Burton, beginning his education in Iowa, finished it in Oberlin, and now representing this great city should be the most re- spected man in the House; and that Hepburn, author of the rate bill should be the right-hand supporter of the Speaker; that Taft should be the right-hand of the President, who learned to live the strenuous life in Dakota; that the Supreme Court is made up of western men mostly; that the influential men of New York, who are standing for the best things, are from this region, where their mothers were first given the right to be educated.
The West never could have been won for high thinking and noble leadership in ideas, but for the college women who for two generations have wrought righteousness in them.
PER MARTHA PARMALEE ROSE.
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF MOTHERS' MEETING AND SEWING SCHOOL
On July 2, 1912, we closed one of the best years in our history. By the help of kind friends we have been enabled to assist many families out of their difficulties, sickness and pov- erty and a number of times when death entered the family.
Many are leading better lives since they became members of our Mothers' meeting, due to the thorough instruction they have received in educational, industrial and spiritual lines.
In connection with our work we have many earnest women who are working for the betterment of the mothers and chil- dren, making them more efficient housekeepers and wives.
The house to house visitation has wrought many changes in the home life of the mothers and of many who do not attend our meetings, coming to us for advice in family troubles with which they are unable to cope. Numerous cards and letters are con- stantly received, telling of good results from our suggestions. Many letters close with the following: "I am so glad I came to you for advice, and all is well with me now." Our meetings are held every Thursday afternoon, which to many is the only church service they have, because of small children at home, poverty and unsuitable clothing, and in many cases an unwill- ingness on the part of the husband for them to attend church. In the mothers' meetings there is a unity of feeling and sym- pathy and the children are always welcome.
MRS. W. E. BOWMAN
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The Bible study hour, which precedes the sewing, cannot be described in any written report, it must be attended for one to realize its power.
In the sewing department of the work for mothers, the women make bedding, the most needy receiving it first and pay the cost of lining and cotton only.
The reason for our being so enthusiastic over our mothers' work is that we thoroughly believe in it and see definite results.
Hunger is satisfied, the bodies are properly clothed and the soul is uplifted.
These women are taught the Good Samaritan spirit. Those who need help least give aid to their less fortunate sisters.
Much could be said further about this department of our work. Of the good that has been done no complete record could be kept-God alone knows. The discouragements and dis- appointments have been many, yet we are encouraged to go on, knowing God is with us.
Through the kindness of Rev. Cramer of the Christian Missionary Alliance, we were again enabled to give the moth- ers and children an outing. He kindly donated the use of Beulah Park, with its accommodations, on the Lake Shore Boulevard, where 165 mothers and children were cared for dur- ing two weeks in July. Tired mothers were rested and children received health and strength. Three good meals were served daily which, with the out-door life and lake air, gave them added strength to resume the burdens of their daily life.
It is impossible to show to those for whom trips to summer resorts are a frequent experience, how much these two weeks of freedom from toil have meant to our women and children.
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The Sunday School of the East Cleveland First Presby- terian Church (Joseph Meriam, Supt.) donated 48 baskets with good substantial food for Xmas dinners for our women, giving them the best the market could afford. In addition, clothing, toys, books, canned fruit, etc., were plentifully and joyfully received. Many said they would not have had a Christmas dinner had they not received their basket.
In connection with the mothers' meeting we have a sewing school which meets every Saturday, to which the neighborhood children come. The average attendance last year was 42, their ages ranging from 6 to 14 years.
Many of the children made nine garments for themselves and in addition large kitchen aprons for their mothers. They are enabled thus to attend school, neat and clean.
No charge is made for this material, but the children are required to do their work well. A lunch is served to many who come without their dinner, the mothers being away from home at work. The lunch is enjoyed through the kindness of Schneider Bros. Bakery.
Our work is supported by a few voluntary friends, who for years have known of the work, and of the benefit to the women and children. They kindly give to its support.
Last Easter Mrs. E. W. Moore kindly donated 65 hyacinths, which were distributed among the mothers, also a beautiful Easter Lily for the leader. We wish also to acknowledge the receipt of many baskets of vegetables and boxes of clothing which Mrs. Moore sent in at different times.
A large order of groceries came from our friend, Mrs. Mary Klaustermeyer, several orders of groceries came from Mrs. J. Sencabaugh.
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Much could be said of the good work accomplished, but it is only a beginning. We hope for a greater work during the coming year.
In closing, we wish to thank the faithful teachers in the sewing school-the East End W. C. T. U., for its annual dona- tion for the summer outing; the Higbee Co. for material; Chandler & Rudd, candy at Christmas time; Mrs. E. C. Higbee, for material for comforters; and Mrs. Wm. G. Rose for a sew- ing machine which had been needed for years and which has proven indispensable in the work, and many others which space will not permit us to mention.
Thanking the friends who have aided us in the past with their valuable time and liberal contributions, and trusting that we may receive their kindly support for a larger work in the future.
MRS. W. E. BOWMAN, 2084 Cornell Road
MRS. A. D. STURGES
From the New York Times, January, 1894
Mrs. Iantha Wescott Sturges was born in Ellenville, Ulster County, N. Y., Jan. 1894. In her early childhood her father enlisted in the Union Army, leaving at home his wife and four children under ten years of age. He served during the four years of the war and re- turned from the front with a shattered constitution. He was an in- valid until he died twenty years later.
It was during his absence in the field that Mrs. Wescott resolved to bestow a thorough musical education upon her daughter. In 1869 her family removed to Jersey City. It was about this time she be- came a professional church singer, belonging at various times to some of the leading choirs of Jersey City. Then she sang in old St. Paul's, in Broadway, for a year, where she received vocal instruction from Prof. Leo Kofler, who was leader of the choir of St. Paul's.
Previous to that period of instruction she had taken lessons from Mme. Murio-Celli, Mme. Clara Brinckerhoff, and other teachers. The fees for her instruction she earned by singing in concerts and churches.
In the spring of 1878 she joined the Hutchinson family, in whose company her voice achieved an immediate triumph, both in New York and its vicinity, where she continued for over a month. She went west with them to Colorado, singing in the principal towns and cities of nine States.
While she was in Kansas she was introduced to Arthur D. Stur- ges, a prominent citizen of Chetopa, in that state.
MRS. ARTHUR D. STURGES
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Mr. Sturges was born in Mansfield, Ohio, and spent his boyhood there. His father and his uncle were among the earliest settlers who came from Connecticut to make their home in what was then the far west, taking up their residence in Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio.
While a student in the University of Michigan (his sophomore year) Mr. A. D. Sturges decided to go to Kansas, making his home for eleven years in Chetopa, where he engaged actively in the tem- perance campaign which resulted in the passage of the Prohibition Amendment to the State Constitution of Kansas.
After their marriage, which occurred in Jersey City Heights, N. J., January 29th 1880, Mr. and Mrs. Sturges came west to visit relatives in Mansfield, O., stopping en route in Painesville, where a reception was given them by Mrs. J. F. Scofield (the wife of the edi- tor of the old Painesville Telegraph) there they met most of the prominent people of the city.
While in Painesville Mr. Sturges purchased a home on Mentor Ave. (a gift to his bride) and they have since made it their summer home, spending a number of winters in New York City, and for sev- eral years were in Cleveland for the winter months.
Herbert Arthur, the elder son was born in Painesville, graduated from the high school there, and from Oberlin College. After taking his second degree from Oberlin College and teaching there for a year, he studied in Paris, France, one year and returning, taught in a west- ern college for a year ; after which he graduated from Union Theo- logical Seminary, New York, and has recently returned from another year's study in Berlin and Paris.
Dora, the elder daughter, who is an artist, graduated from the Old Chase Art School in New York City, and had several years' vocal training in New York. She married a singer, who also graduated from an art school, and both are continuing their studies in Boston, Mass. "Richard the III," as he was known in Painesville, is also
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an artist, and after a year's study in Paris, France, and further study in Chicago Art School, is married, and lives in Los Angeles, where he is continuing his art studies.
Gertrude Eleanor, after graduating from Oberlin College (also from the Physical Training Department there) was a physical direc- tor of Bellingham, Wash., Y. W. C. A. Later after graduating from the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College, was for a year an in- terne at the Homeopathic Hospital, Buffalo, New York, and is now traveling in Europe.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturges have a home in Mansfield and are still singing there and elsewhere in church and at temperance meetings and conventions. Both are ardent suffragists. Mrs. Sturges has been appointed superintendent of Medical Temperance for the Frances Williard W. C. T. U. of Mansfield, and also Supt. of Moth- ers' Meetings for Richland Co. W. C. T. U. While in Painesville she was also active in W. C. T. U. work, and for several years was Supt. of Petition and Legislation for the Lake County W. C. T. U.
While living in Oberlin, working with the Women's Christian Temperance Unions there, Mrs. Sturges helped to secure a Curfew bell : for although Oberlin had a Curfew ordinance, no Curfew bell was being rung at the hour specified.
In Mansfield, as the same condition of things obtained, Mrs. Sturges circulated resolutions to be endorsed by women's organiza- tions, also by the Brotherhood of the city, to petition the mayor and council to see to it that the bell be rung at the required hour ; some favor a whistle which might be more effective. Mrs. Sturges fre- quently sings Lincoln's favorite hymn "Your Mission," the last stanza of which exemplifies her life :
Do not then stand idly waiting For some greater work to do, Oh, improve each shining moment, For your moments may be few, Go and work in any vineyard, Do not fear to do and dare. If you want a field of labor, You can find it anywhere ..
CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction
Genealogy of the Parmelees
11
The Early Colonies of the South 15
The Boston Tea Party and its Consequences 19
The Ohio Land Company ; The Connecticut Land Company ;
The Eutopian Scheme of Rev. David Bacon; Talmadge 23
The Erie Indians or the Cat Nation 30
The Connecticut Land Company and David Hudson, Junior 32
Hannah Wells Holcomb .
43
Theodore Hudson Parmelee : Clarinda Parmelee (his sister) 50
Harriet Holcomb Parmelee
46
Eliza Ann Parmelee 58
Scraps from Aunt Ann's Memory 60
Temperance in the last Century
62
The Way of Faith, by E. A. Parmelee 63
John Brown's Career
68
Story of Oberlin College
73
President James H. Fairchild
78
Autobiography of Rev. Charles Finney. (Permission from Barnes & Co., N. Y.) 83
What Oberlin has done for Science-G. F. Wright, D. D. 128
What Oberlin has done for Railroads-Frederick N. Finney 133
What Oberlin has done for Bulgaria-Esther Maltbie 129
What Oberlin has done for China-Rev. Win. Ament ยท
132
What Oberlin has done for Berea College, Ky. 136
John Alamanza Rogers 144
7
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The Western Reserve of Ohio and Some of
PAGE
The Life of Liberty-Sallie Holly
145
Rev. Antoinette Blackwell
196
Life of Lucy Stone
163
Senator Joshua Giddings
176
Senator B. F. Wade
178
Harvest Home Excursion
188
Christian Science in Denver 202
Aid Society, M. E. Church Excursion to London, Ontario 207
The Power of Kindness, by I. R. 279
Greater Cleveland 33
The Western Reserve Centennial 1776-1876. Addresses of
Gov. Bushnell and others 212
Life of Wn. G. Rose, 1878-9-1901-2, Mayor of Cleveland 238 Noted Women of the Western Reserve-Jennie Duty ; Sarah Knowles Bolton, author ; Anna K. Scott, M. D .; Mrs. S. M. Perkins, editor of True Republic ; Mrs. Lydia Hoyt Farmer, author; Dr. Martha Canfield of Canfield & White Hospital ; Mrs. Emma B. Elliot, Home for Work- ing Girls; Mrs. M. B. Schwab, founder of the Jewish Council ; Mrs. Charles R. Miller, visitor for Home Makers, Central Friendly Inn 249
Mr. Willis Hotchkiss, Missionary to Africa 276
Letters from Los Angeles by the delegate of Chautauqua Club Mrs. Rose 283
Examination Papers of 1905. Theirs, Gambetta, and Guizot Almeda Booth, teacher in Hiram College ; President Garfield ;
39
Mrs. A. A. F. Johnson, Dean of Oberlin College, L. F. S. 290
Summer Home on the St. Lawrence River 296
The Winter in Boston : Visit to Concord, Home of Emerson and Thoreau. 314
Dwight L. Moody in Boston 304
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Its Pioneers, Places and Women's Clubs
The National Museum in Washington
318
Tour Through Europe and Northern Africa from Queenstown
to Glasgow ; from Glasgow to Abbottsford 324
Kenilworth Castle
349
Monuments of Waterloo
361
Naples, Vesuvius, and Pompeii
409
Views of Rome, Cairo and the Pyramids
417
Ancient Egypt
425
Japan, by Griffith
433
Life in the Himalayas
438
Florida and Cuba
441
Why Women Should Vote
446
Woman's Spiritual Development
447
College Women in Winning the West 449
Mrs. A. D. Sturges 460
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