USA > Ohio > Women of Ohio; a record of their achievements in the history of the state, Volume III > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
1060
WOMEN OF OHIO
Her manifold duties also include the coordination of all federal work in the state, necessitating intimate knowledge of all such programs, aiding execu- tives in the effectuation of their functions and keeping constantly informed on pertinent state legislation and the establishment and maintenance of a liaison system. Upon Miss Glascott also devolves the conduct of an official information service on all phases of government work, the preparation of con- fidential reports for the executive director and reviewing the progress of federal work in the state, appraising the effectivness of such work and pointing out needs which are not being met. She must also follow and if necessary promote bills in the Ohio legislature which affect federal programs in the state and she must act in an advisory capacity to other federal agencies on any problems they may have.
Miss Glascott has always given her poltical support to the Democratic party and she belongs to various organizations directly concerned with civic affairs, being a member of the Citizens League of Cleveland, the Consumers League of Ohio, the Ohio State Planning Conference and the Regional As- sociation of Cleveland. She is on the executive board of the Cleveland Wom- en's Chapter of the National Women's Aeronautical Association, is a member of the Sleepy Hollow Country Club and belongs to the Episcopal church. Her capability and her interests have carried her into important connections and the state recognizes the value and worth of her public service
MRS. ULYSSES S. GRANT
MRS. ULYSSES S. GRANT (Julia Dent Grant), wife of the eighteenth president of the United States, was born in St. Louis, Mo. and was never really a resident in Ohio. But her distinguished husband, one of the greatest generals the world has ever seen, was a native Buckeye, whose birthplace at Point Pleasant, Clermont County, Ohio is proudly preserved by the peo- ple of that village.
It is true that Grant's parents, Jesse and Hannah Grant, moved to George- town, Ohio when Ulysses was in his infancy and that he, after his gradu- ation from West Point and his service in the Mexican War, made his home for a time in St. Louis. This was about four years after Julia Dent be- came Mrs. Grant, in 1848.
In 1809 they left St. Louis and lived for a short time at Galena, Illinois, where Grant engaged in the tanning business with his father and brothers. But at the outbreak of the Civil War Grant re-entered the army and from then on made history. The victory of his forces over those of the Confederacy changed the economic structure of the entire south. It started a new in- dustrial system and a new era.
It also accelerated a celebrity that, in 1868, made Ulysses Simpson Grant president and his wife first lady of the land.
1061
WOMEN OF OHIO
It seems to have had little effect, however, on the mother Grant himself so much resembled, reticent, imperturbable Hannah Grant. Henry Howe tells a characteristic story about her. The Jesse Grants lived in Covington, Ky., when their son was president. At the very hour that General Grant was be- ing inaugurated president, a neighbor noted his mother on the porch of her home sweeping down cobwebs with a broom. It so happens that the family of the writer of this biography also lived at a later time, in Covington, Ky., and so came into possession of an old secretary which had belonged to Grant's parents.
It is still a prized possession, on which the author looks with renewed interest. Did Hannah Grant, when she had destroyed the cobwebs, go in- side and perhaps dust the secretary ? And moreover, what and where on earth were newspaper reporters in those days?
Julia Dent Grant was well adapted to the responsibilities of her high position. But fate had bitter suffering in store. Following a triumphal tour of the world, her husband engaged in business in New York, failed dis- astrously and presently the dread disease of cancer had conquered one of the greatest conquerors of the world. His last months were devoted to com- pleting his memoirs-his only legacy to Julia Grant, the wife who had shared his rise to glory and its tragic aftermath.
CLARA GREEN
CLARA GREEN, lecturer and public speaker, born and reared in Coshoc- ton, O., has a father whose place in public life looms so large that her own major job in recent years is to tell the world authentically about him.
Clara's father is William Green, president of American Federation of Labor. Clara is one of his six children. She was graduated from Coshoc- ton High School, attended Denison University and later Ohio University at Athens, where she majored in dramatic education. For a time she taught dramatics but following a siege of serious eye trouble, since cured, she gave up teaching for the lecture field.
General economic problems, with emphasis on labor, usually provide top- ics for her addresses but she commands most interest when she reveals intimate glimpses of her father and his tilts with John L. Lewis, chief of the Congress of Industrial Organization, for several years past, the A. F. L.'s arch-rival.
Miss Green's picture of her father has been that of a calm and unwor- ried family man despite his bitter battles as a labor organizer.
"When rival union organizations formed the C. I. O. I was worried and alarmed," she said. "But father was not worried. Throughout the duration of labor difficulties he was able to see the viewpoint of both the employer and the worker."
1062
WOMEN OF OHIO
Clara Green's sincere interest in economic problems extends to social problems as well and she has given time and energy to civic and welfare work. An accomplished pianist, music has also been a source of keen in- terest and self expression to the daughter of one of the most famous labor leaders of the world.
OLIVIA SCOBEY HARMON
OLIVIA SCOBEY HARMON (Mrs. Judson Harmon), was born in Hamil- ton, Ohio, daughter of Dr. William H. Scobey, a distinguished physician of southwestern Ohio during the early part of the nineteenth century.
In June, 1870, she married Judson Harmon, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who served two terms as Governor of Ohio.
Mrs. Harmon, during her husband's administration, became especially interested in the welfare of the young inmates of the Girl's Industrial Home at Delaware, Ohio, where an investigation of conditions was being conducted. Through here influence, she succeeded in securing the appointment of a woman as director of the institution-a procedure hitherto considered il- legal, ill-advised and certainly astounding. She believed thoroughly, and made her belief felt in a practical way, that the treatment of the young women in state reformatories should be corrective rather than punitive.
Mrs. Harmon died at her Cincinnati home on March 28, 1916, leaving three daughters, Mrs. George Cassat, Mrs. Alfred M. Cassat and Mrs. Edward Wright, Jr.
MRS. BENJAMIN HARRISON
MRS. BENJAMIN HARRISON (Caroline Scott Harrison), wife of the twenty-third president of the United States, was born, reared, educated and married at Oxford, Ohio where her father was a professor.
This fact was excellently emphasized in 1929 when there was established at the Oxford College for Women a fine dormitory as a memorial to Mrs. Benjamin Harrison.
This memorial was given by the Daughters of the American Revolution of which, while she was mistress of the White House, Mrs. Harrison was the first President General. She held this office until her death in 1892.
Julia Bundy Foraker, in her "I Would Live It Again" tells of Caroline Scott's wedding. It took place, practically, at dawn. Not that anybody disapproved, quite the contrary. Young Ben Harrison was, as the saying is, a good match. He was a grandson of William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the U. S. and great grandson of the Benjamin Harrison who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
He was born at Vincennes, Indiana, graduated from Miami University and from the old Cincinnati College of Law and began the practice of his profession at Indianapolis, Indiana.
CAROLINE SCOTT HARRISON
wife of President Benjamin Harrison, native of Oxford, Ohio, and first President General, Daughters of the American Revolution
1065
WOMEN OF OHIO
The reason the wedding took place so early was simply so the bridal pair could get an early "bus" out of town.
The first Mrs. Benjamin Harrison (after her death and after Ben Har- rison left the presidency, he married his wife's niece Mrs. Dimmick) was a very beautiful woman, cultured and quite talented. She painted well on china and a dinner set was made in France for the White House from her designs.
She was dignified but gracious and kindly. She died in the White House where she had presided with a tact and kindliness that won her many friends.
MRS. RUTHERFORD B. HAYES
MRS. RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, wife of the 19th president of the United States was born in 1831 in Chillicothe, Ohio, the daughter of Dr. James Webb, a highly esteemed physician and Maria Cook Webb.
Her mother was the daughter of a revolutionary war soldier who went to the Northwest territory about 10 years before Ohio became a state.
Lucy Webb's father died when she was two years old. It was in reality, a heroic death, such as many a devoted physician has faced unflinchingly. He had gone to Lexington, Ky., former home of his family to arrange for freeing slaves which had been part of his inheritance. He intended to send them to Liberia but cholera was raging at the time of his visit. He attended the stricken unhesitatingly and was himself struck down.
Lucy's mother moved with her daughter and two sons to Delaware in order that they might attend Ohio Wesleyan. Later Lucy studied with her brothers and recited to the college professors, was sent to Wesleyan Female College at Cincinnati and presently her mother and brothers moved there in order that Joseph and James could complete their medical studies.
Mrs. Webb had sufficient means to provide for the education of her children and sufficient force of character to see that this education was acquired. However, Lucy did, by this time, have certain plans of her own. While in Delaware, she is said to have met and become engaged to Ruther- ford Hayes who was studying law, and who had now begun to practice in Cincinnati.
Lucy was married December 30, 1852. The Rev. L. D. McCabe, who performed the ceremony, had been Lucy's professor at Ohio Wesleyan. He was to be guest of honor at the Hayes silver wedding anniversary celebrated 25 years later at the White House. But there was plenty to go through mean- while, the Civil War, for one thing. Both Lucy's husband and her two brothers entered the army as soon as war was declared. Not only was the Hayes home in Cincinnati open to all sick and suffering soldiers, but after the battles of South Mountain, at which Major Hayes-he had already won this rank and later became a general-was wounded seriously, his young wife went to the hospital in Maryland where he was taken and remained
1066
WOMEN OF OHIO
to nurse others carried from nearby battlefields. She was made, by virtue of a badge presented by her husband's soldiers, a member of the Army of West Virginia. General Hayes was elected and re-elected congressman after the war. He was elected and re-elected govrnor of Ohio. He was nominated for the presidency of the United States at the Republican National Con- vention held in Cincinnati in 1876.
Ladies of the White House have all been accorded generous recognition of their admirable attributes and attainments but it is doubtful if any first lady ever held a deeper place than Mrs. Hayes in the real affection of the public.
In the first place, people admired her courage. It took plenty, in that day of copious and constant drinking, to banish all intoxicants-not only liquors but all wines-from the White House during the Hayes administration. Political enemies, sophisticates-there were just as many, proportionally, yes- terday as today, opponents of the temperance movement, lost no opportunity to ridicule the White House wineless dinner parties and the Sunday night hymn singings.
Mrs. Joseph Benson Foraker has a graphic pen picture in her own autobiography of these quite unprecedented and quite unrevived functions.
"Lucy Webb Hayes, in hoop-skirted black velvet, illusion and pearls, seated at a Chickering square piano, playing hymns while the guests. a crowd of people sang with heart and soul: There is a land of pure delight-Where saints immortal stand"-
Make no mistake, Julia Foraker's picture is not slighting or facetious.
It is rather a tribute to the ability, as well as the determination of a high souled, high hearted woman to be herself and true to herself in the high place to which life had called her.
And, presently, everybody realized this and virtually everybody praised her as virtually everybody praised her equally unpolitical husband. Another thing-the old Washington families, the aristocrats, the blue bloods, ended by enthusiastically approving Lucy Hayes. She was, they said-a real lady- and they were right. Beautiful, stately, perfectly dressed-she had a gift for good clothes-cultured, dignified, gracious, kindly-what more could she be ?
She could be one thing more, the kindest hearted and most generous of women. In addition she could be,-and was-a fine mother to eight children; a fine and happy mother, happier than ever during the eight years of private life that followed at Spiegal Grove, the Fremont, Ohio home to which the Hayes' went from Washington.
In 1889 death came suddenly and painlessly took kind and gentle Lucy Hayes. She had a paralytic stroke and died four days later. At the time it was said that no woman had ever been more widely mourned.
LUCY WEBB HAYES
wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes A leader in the temperance movement Native of Chillicothe, Ohio
1068
WOMEN OF OHIO
DOROTHY DOAN HENRY
DOROTHY DOAN HENRY for several years past superintendent of Cuya- hoga County Detention Home, was the first policewoman, of Cleveland, Ohio. Her name has become a symbol for skill and understanding among leading penologists and her service has been recognized with high appreciation by her fellow citizens.
Until the number system was established for important streets of the city of Cleveland, what is now East 105th was Doan Street. It was so named in honor of Nathaniel Doan (then spelled Doane) who in 1798 came from Chatham, Conn., to the then wilderness from which Cleveland was to rise. It took the party 92 days to make the trip and Doane soon started back, for sorely needed food and equipment.
It is from Nathaniel Doan that Dorothy Doan Henry is descended. Doubt- less it is from this and other bold spirited ancestors that she has derived the resourcefulness, ability and courage that have characterized her career.
Dorothy Henry was graduated from Western Reserve University, began her social service at Akron and was for two years a welfare supervisor at Detroit, Mich. For six years, from 1924 to 1930 she was head of the Wom- an's Bureau of the Cleveland Police Department, resigning to become assistant superintendent of the State Girls' Industrial Home at Delaware, Ohio. When she resigned, Safety Director Edwin D. Barry of Cleveland commented pub- licly on the wonderful work she had done in reorganizing the Bureau.
In the summer of 1938 Miss Henry was given leave of absence to study the special needs of children's institutions of Washington, D. C. in order that she might accept appointment by Katherine Lenroot, director of the Federal Children's Bureau, as reorganization director of the welfare program of the nation's capital.
Few visitors to the Children's Bureau need be told that Dorothy Doan Henry is from Cleveland. They usually know all about her. Those who do ask are likely to receive added information. "Dorothy Henry from Cleve- land? Dorothy Henry is Cleveland."
SARA EMMA CADWALLADER HYRE
SARA EMMA CADWALLADER HYRE, formerly member of the Cleve- land Board of Education and clerk-treasurer of the board from 1912 to 1924, was chosen for another service still far from general for women, that of membership in the General Assembly of Ohio, as representative from Cuya- hoga County, from 1929 to 1932.
She was born at Akron, the daughter of Thomas Miflin and Nancy Carlisle Cadwallader and received her M.A. at the University of Akron. For a time before her service on the board of education she was a teacher in the public schools. She is especially interested in extension of education through Con- munity use of school buildings outside of school hours.
1069
WOMEN OF OHIO
MILDRED REES JASTER
MILDRED REES JASTER (Mrs. John Jaster, Jr.), national Democratic committee woman for Ohio, was born in Cleveland, educated in Cleveland pub- lic schools and the Hathaway Brown School for Girls. She lived on Lake Shore Boulevard until her marriage, then at 3024 Woodbury Road, Shaker Heights until 1934, moving then to Columbus and now residing at 1339 Lin- coln Road.
Deeply interested in women's work in politics, Mrs. Jaster has been active in the Democratic Executive Committee of Cuyahoga County; presi- dent of the Public Affairs Committee and a director of the Reporter Plan. For four years she was director of the Women's Division at Democratic State Headquarters. She became vice chairman of Democratic State Committee and is now serving the third year as National Committeewoman.
Mrs. Jaster was manager of the women's Democratic state campaign in 1934 and directed participation of women in Democratic state and national campaigns in 1936.
Mildred Rees married John Jaster, Jr., secretary and treasurer of the Uhl-Jaster Company in Cleveland, later divisional engineer of Cuyahoga County in the State Highway Department, now director of highways for Ohio. They have two children, Gail, age 10, and William Rees Jaster, age twenty.
Mrs. Jaster's father, William F. Rees, was associated with the Society for Savings Bank in the City of Cleveland from 1880 until time of his death in 1934, also actively and prominently identified with the "Cleveland Grays" for a great number of years. Her grandfather, Warham T. Warner, had an im- portant part in Cleveland's growth and development. He built the old Post Office ; old Custom House; Payne and Oviatt blocks; American House ; Old Stone Church ; and such old residences on old Euclid Avenue as the home of the Youngloves, Shelleys, Hickox, Perkins and Paynes. He was also a founder of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Jaster was a charter member of the Junior Board of the Cleveland Women's Hospital and very active in promoting this fine service until her re- moval to Columbus, where she is identified with various outstanding civic and welfare organizations.
ADA H. JENKINS
ADA H. JENKINS (Mrs. Charles Jenkins) died in 1937, leaving behind her a unique record for philanthropic service. Of this service, Ada Chapel, center of both social and religious life of East Wilmington, is now the outward and visible sign. Mrs. Jenkins built the chapel to benefit the under-privileged community with which she has worked untiringly.
Money, energy and time were expended to bring comfort and a better chance to the poorest of the poor. She worked in the midst of sordid surroundings with
1070
WOMEN OF OHIO
her own hands, disregarding the disparity between disordered, grimy tenements and her own beautiful and well kept home. She continued her personal activities until approximately 80 years of age and died mourned by hundreds whom she had striven to benefit.
ELEANOR ISABELLE JONES
ELEANOR ISABELLE JONES, government official, was born at Camden in 1888, the daughter of Dr. Charles C. and Lillie (Morlatt) Jones.
She was educated at Camden Public School, Maryland College for Women, and George Washington University.
She is now an official in the files and index section of the U. S. copyright office, Library of Congress, and was previously librarian of the Virginia Poly- technic Institute, Blacksburg, Va.
Miss Jones is a member of A. A. U. W., of Dorothy Hancock Chapter, D. A. R .; alumnae association of Pi Beta Phi and the alumnae association of Maryland College for Women.
GERTRUDE JONES
GERTRUDE JONES, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George P. Jones, a leader in the state Republican Party, resides at 719 South Main Street, Findlay, Ohio. Mrs. Jones is a state central committeewoman representing the Eighth District and former chairman of the state central woman's division. In 1934 she was candidate for Congress from the Eighth District. She writes for political magazines and has travelled extensively in this country and abroad.
MAE L. KLOEPFER
MAE L. KLOEPFER has the distinction of being the first woman to hold the position of city treasurer in Bucyrus. She was elected in 1929 but resigned before the term had expired to accept a position as deputy in the office of the Crawford County treasurer, a position which she still holds.
Mrs. Kloepfer is a member of the Democratic Party and has served as head of the Crawford County and Bucyrus Democratic women's organizations. She was elected to the Democratic central committee in 1928 and has served that group ever since. She became a member of the Democratic executive committee in 1930 and was secretary of that committee in 1934. She is also affiliated with the Crawford County Young People's Democratic Club.
As an alternate from the Eighth Congressional District to the Democratic National Convention at Philadelphia in 1936, she received the position as hon- orary assistant vice chairman of the convention.
Mrs. Kloepfer is a niece of the late James C. Tobias, who in 1888, was elected probate judge of Crawford County, a position which he held for eight years.
1071
WOMEN OF OHIO
He was later elected judge of the court of common pleas district comprising Crawford, Marion and Wyandot Counties.
Her father, John L. Tobias, native of Greencastle, Pa., witnessed as a boy, stirring scenes when General Lee's Army marched through the countryside dur- ing the time of the Civil War. Disturbing conditions caused his parents to move to Ohio, where in later years he met and married Elizabeth M. Meyer, a native of Bucyrus, whose father, John Meyer, also served Bucyrus as city treasurer.
Mrs. Kloepfer's husband, the late Karl W. Kloepfer, was a Bucyrus business man until several years before his death.
Gardening is Mrs. Kloepfer's hobby and she serves the Bucyrus Garden Club as treasurer. She is a Bucyrus affiliate of the National Federation of Busi- ness and Professional Women, a member of the Girl Scout Board, and of several social groups.
ALICE ROOSEVELT LONGWORTH
ALICE ROOSEVELT LONGWORTH is no longer a bystander in public life. She never was, in reality. It was, perhaps, a proper and praiseworthy assumption for the daughter of the most dynamic president ever in the White House, the wife of the most popular congressman ever in the speaker's chair, to have encouraged. But it was an assumption only. A pleasant euphemism, nothing more.
Few, if any, women ever resident in or otherwise connected with the inner circles of Washington life, have been more keenly and deeply absorbed in what goes on at the nation's capital. Yet few if any women have, in the past, disclaimed more persistently any active participation in national affairs.
Few if any women would laugh off more quickly-or more sincerely-any implication of international political importance. Yet few if any women have had more important part in shaping the history of the whole world on at least one historically important occasion.
This was true, in the opinion of the present writer, when the deeply impas- sioned interest, political acumen and effective influence of Alice Roosevelt Longworth helped to finally defeat, in 1920, the adherence of the United States to the League of Nations.
When Theodore Roosevelt became the twenty-fifth president of the United States, there was bestowed unofficially but, it seems, quite unanimously, on his daughter by; his first wife a title all her own. She was christened, spontaneously and almost universally, the "Princess Alice."
She was then still in her girlhood. In the years that have passed, life has brought a variety of experiences to this now matured but marvelously magnetic woman, who by her marriage to the late Nicholas Longworth, Ohio congressman, chose Ohio as her adopted state.
Their wedding was front page news in Siam, in Africa, in Iceland and the Island of Tasmania. It is said that until very recent years-the advent of the
1072
WOMEN OF OHIO
Duchess of Windsor, newspapers totalled greater linage and display on Alice Roosevelt than on any other woman in newspaper history.
But this is not what gives unique significance to the career of Mrs. Long- worth. The significant fact is that no woman ever publicized is to this day, in truth, less authentically known.
Virtually all the life of Alice Longworth has been surrounded by reporters. Yet she never gave a newspaper interview.
Virtually all her life has been surrounded by politics and politicians. Yet until quite recently-in October, 1938-she had never made a public speech.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.