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NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 08192270 4
TECORDS C THE
WOMEN OF WISCONSIN:
MAR & 4 1914
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from Microsoft Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/centennialrecord00woma
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Aster, Lenox and Tunen Foundations,
FIVEVER MIDNMIOS VALISIMANNA HEVES
TEXT. FFETOF
CENTENNIAL RECORDS
OF THE
WOMEN OF WISCONSIN.
"WOMAN IS THE PROBLEM OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY." - VICTOR HUGO.
EDITING COMMITTEE :
ANNA B. BUTLER, EMMA C. BASCOM, KATHARINE F. KERR.
1876
MADISON, WIS. : ATWOOD AND CULVER. 1876.
1
379780
1907
COPY RIGHTED. 1876.
ATWOOD & CULVER, Printers and Stereotypers. MADISON, WIS.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Taylor Orphan Asylum, Racine,
1
Home for the Friendless, Milwaukee, 3
Beloit Charities, Beloit, 6 -
Wisconsin Institution for Blind, Janesville, 7
Cadle Home, Green Bay,
9
Milwaukee College, Milwaukee, 10
Louise Manning Hodgkins, Appleton, 20
St. Clara Female Academy, Sinsinawa, 22
Industrial School, Milwaukee, 31
Soldiers' Orphans' Home, Madison,
37
Local Visiting Committee, etc., Milwaukee,
40
Hebrew Benevolent Association, Madison,
47
Wisconsin Institution for Deaf and Dumb, Delavan,
48
All Saints Cathedral Aid, Milwaukee,
50
All Saints Sewing School, Milwaukee,
51
Temperance Union, Beloit,
52
Mission Band, Milwaukee, -
53
Wisconsin Hospital for Insane, Madison,
56
Catholic Institutions, Milwaukee,
58
Lake Geneva Seminary, Geneva,
62
St. John's Home, Milwaukee,
63
Orphan Association, Milwaukee,
67
Mrs. Wm. Pitt Lynde, Milwaukee,
70
Soldiers' Home, Milwaukee,
73
Longfellow's Poem.
Appeal to the Women of Wisconsin, 83 -
Gov. Taylor's Letter, 85
First Centennial Club, Madison, 86 -
John G. Whittier's Letter,
91
-
viii
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
Page.
Second Social Reunion, Madison,
91
Centennial at Beloit,
101
Red, White and Blue Club, Madison,
116
Third Social Reunion, Madison,
124
Fourth of July, 1875, Madison,
- 129
Bunker Hill Celebration, Beloit,
141
Centennial at Milton,
144
Forefathers' Day, Madison,
147
Centennial at Green Bay,
166
Centennial at Appleton,
172
Centennial at Oshkosh,
174
Legislative Party, Madison,
181
Centennial at Geneva Lake,
186
Centennial at Milwaukee,
189
Washington's Birthday, Racine,
191
Acknowledgments,
213
Centennial Thoughts of Woman,
- 215
Reminiscence,
219
List of Exhibits,
- 224
INTRODUCTION.
THE following Reports concerning the philanthropies of Wisconsin Women were collected for the National volume. They are, however, deemed appro- priate to accompany the annals of the latest labor of love accomplished by the women of our Commonwealth -namely, the records of Centennial organi- zations.
These papers, with the exception of one, were written by women.
We are aware that these pages do not contain all the names of institutions or individuals worthy of a place in them, but they are all that could be ob- tained in the short period allotted for the work.
In some instances, no response has been made to appeals for the data necessary for a correct report. These failures may have arisen, from the mod- esty which "does good by stealth and blushes to find it fame," or from not appreciating the value of the Record, which embalmed by "the art preserva- tive of all arts," shall bear its testimony to coming centuries.
Considering the youth of our State, we are confident she is not behind her elder sisters, in noble women and sublime charities, and we are proud to add our Memorial as Wisconsin's stone in the monument this Centennial celebra- tion is building to the honor and praise of the good and true of our sex.
MADISON, WIS., April 18, 1876.
A. B. B.
CENTENNIAL RECORDS
OF THE
WOMEN OF WISCONSIN.
TAYLOR ORPHAN ASYLUM.
THIS INSTITUTION is located three miles southwest of the city of Racine, Racine Co., Wis. It was founded by Mrs. EMELINE A. TAYLOR, widow of ISAAC TAYLOR, late of Racine, and in pur- suance of his wishes.
The third item of Mrs. TAYLOR's will reads as follows:
" Third. I give and devise unto Mrs. C. E. DYER, Mrs. MARGARET PERINE, Mrs. GEORGE MURRAY, Mrs. JOHN F. GOOLD, Mrs. JOHN TAPLEY of the county of Racine, state of Wisconsin, the sum of thirty thousand dollars, to hold in trust to erect an orphan asylum in or near the city of Racine, in the county of Racine, Wisconsin, and to support the same. Said asylum to be open for the reception of all orphan children in said county, and such other poor, neglected and destitute children as the managers, by law or their rules, may agree to receive. Said trust fund to be paid to such asylum as soon as one shall be duly incorporated and legally empowered to receive and use said fund for the purposes above specified. This bequest is made as a memorial to the memory of my late husband, ISAAC TAYLOR, and in fulfillment of his wishes."
The thirty-eighth item of the will gave and devised all the residue and remainder of the estate of Mrs. TAYLOR to the Taylor Orphan Asylum.
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CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
The will also provides that the ladies named should elect, annually, four male members to act with the trustees as a board of directors.
On the Sth day of June, 1867, the trustees organized the cor- poration. The directors then purchased a farm of about forty acres of land, and erected an asylum building thereon, which was opened for the reception of children in July, 1872. On June 2d, 1875, the corporation had funds on interest, secured by notes and mortgages on real estate and municipal bonds, to the amount of $132,354.70.
The board is required to render an account to the circuit court at the first day of the March term in each year.
The institution is under the efficient management of Mrs. HOBSON, as matron, late in charge of the Half-Orphan Asylum, of Chicago, Ill. She is assisted in her duties by Miss AMELIA PIPER, who is the teacher in charge of the school.
The institution provides a cheerful and comfortable school- room, also, a chapel in which Rev. Dr. JAMES DEKOVEN, or one of the professors of Racine College, holds service every Sunday afternoon. There are, at present, forty-three children in the in- stitution, of whom forty-one attend school. There are con- stantly employed six female servants in the asylum, and one farm laborer who, with the aid of the boys, cultivates the gar- den and farm.
It is the wish of the managers of this asylum to give the children under their care such instruction as shall make them
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CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
self-reliant and industrious; to surround them by influences which shall develop their moral character and make them useful members of society; to give them such a home that they will always remember, with gratitude and affection, the names of Mr. and Mrs. TAYLOR.
RACINE, March 22, 1875.
Mrs. CHAS. E. DYER.
MILWAUKEE HOME FOR THIE FRIENDLESS.
THE MILWAUKEE HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS was organized in October, 1867, by a small band of ladies who, by experience in private charities, were convinced of the necessity of such an in- stitution. It was intended to provide a temporary refuge for friendless and destitute women and children; to find for the former employment, and for the latter good Christian homes; to assist and encourage those who are forsaken and faltering on the way, and to throw the influence of a genuine home around all who come under its care. Its successful operation for more than eight years affords proof of its usefulness and confirms the judgment of its founders. After procuring a charter from the legislature, a house was rented on Cass street, and the institu- tion was opened for the reception of inmates in November, 1867. The board of managers and officers were as follows:
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CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
President -Mrs. C. A. KEELER. Vice President -Mrs. G. P. HEWITT. Secretary - Miss M. BLANCHARD. Treasurer-Mrs. JOHN NAZRO.
Managers :
Mrs. J. H. ROGERS.
Mrs. J. SERCOMB,
Mrs. M. ROWNDY,
Mrs. C. D. BIGELOW,
Mrs. H. H. BUTTON,
Mrs. J. C. COLEMAN,
Mrs. N. STORRS,
Mrs. T. H. JUDD,
Mrs. E. R. PEROOUS,
Mrs. S. D. ARNOLD, Mrs. H. CHASE,
Mrs. T. M. GWYNNE.
Mrs. J. B. JUDSON,
Mrs. A. GREEN,
Mrs. M. P. JEWETT,
Mrs. CHAS. BIGELOW,
Mrs. G. F. AUSTIN,
Mrs. J. C. SPENCER,
Mrs. J. H. TWEEDY,
Mrs. J. G. INBUSCIL,
Mrs. G. B. MINER,
Mrs. W. H. GARLICK, Mrs. JOHN PLANKINGTON,
Mrs. J. HILES,
Mrs. J. DOWNER, Mrs. A. H. GARDNER.
At the close of the first year, Mrs. HEWITT and Miss BLANCH- ARD having resigned, Mrs. J. DOWNER succeeded as vice presi- dent, and Mrs. W. L. DANA as secretary, and, at various times, the following ladies have been added to the board of managers:
Mrs. G. E. COLLINS, Mrs. J. MAGIE, Mrs. D. W. BROWN.
Mrs. J. J. TALLMADGE,
Mrs. W. C. DURANT, Miss E. MISNER,
Mrs. E. D. HOLTON, Mrs. D. W. BLANCHARD, Miss ABBIE OGDEN,
Mrs. LEWIS BLAKE, Mrs. J. A. DUTCHER, Miss L. PLANKINGTON,
Mrs. A. FOLLANSBEE, Mrs. C. WHITCOMB, Miss T. A. GREENE,
Mrs. LEVI KELLOGG,
Mrs. JOSEPH MANN, Mrs. WM. E. SMITH,
Mrs. W. G. BENEDICT, Mrs. C. H. LEUTHSTROM, Mrs. DAVID ADLER, Mrs. L. EVERINGHAM, Mrs. EDWIN HYDE.
The growth of this charity has been constant and healthful, commending itself to the public by its record of good accom- plished.
Its financial affairs have been conducted on thorough business principles. It is supported by annual contributions from the
5
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
merchants and other charitable citizens, giving a regular income which has thus far prevented the necessity of fairs and other la- borious entertainments.
The receipts from these subscriptions during the year ending October 1, 1875, amounted to $2,317.25. Occasional appropria- tions from the state legislature have given substantial and needed assistance. A house and lot on Van Buren street were pur- chased in 1869, to which additions have been made, although in the constant increase of applicants its accomodations are greatly overtaxed. The statistics give but a meager outline of the work. Since the organization of the Home, 2,370 inmates have been cared for, clothing in large quantities has been furnished to the needy, tickets or passes supplied to unfortunate travelers, homes provided for more than 50 children, families assisted to com- mence housekeeping, situations procured for servants and an in- finite variety of aid extended to all forms of misery and help- lessness.
There is no distinction of sect or nationality, no certificate of character is necessary, only the assurance of actual need is re- quired to gain admission.
In April, 1873, the work was extended by the addition of the Young Woman's Home. This department was opened for the purpose of providing for those young women without homes in the city whose wages are inadequate to meet their necessary ex- penses. For the payment of $2.50 per week, a sum which sim- ply covers the actual cost, they are supplied with the comforts of
4
6
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
a home, and are spared the trials and temptations incident to cheap boarding houses.
The office of Matron was filled for three years and a half by Mrs. M. P. WHITCOMB, who was succeeded by Miss HELEN MY- RICK, a lady who possesses rare and admirable qualification for the difficult duties of her position.
The scope of this charity widens year by year, the demands for assistance increase more rapidly than the limited means of the institution, and plans for the future greatly exceed the achievements of the past.
Mrs. WILLIAM L. DANA, Secretary.
BELOIT CHARITIES.
THE CONGREGATIONAL WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY is auxili- ary to the State Society which is an auxiliary of the National Board of Foreign Missions. Mrs. M. BRIGGS WILLIAMS, Miss MARY PORTER, Mrs. EMMA DICKENSON SMITH, went from Beloit to North China as missionaries. "Their works do praise them." The amount raised, one dollar each member, is divided pro rata between foreign and home missions. Many boxes of clothing have been prepared by this society and sent to missionaries' families.
The young ladies have a separate organization. The Metho-
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Aster, Lenox and Then Foundations.
MILWAUKEE, LICH & ENG. DC
FOR THE
7
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
dist, Baptist and Presbyterian churches have similar organiza- tions.
During the late rebellion the Beloit Sanitary Aid Society was composed of these same ladies who belong to these various mis- tionary societies, and was considered one of the most efficient in the state.
Several pupils in foreign lands are supported by the contribu- tions of the Sabbath Schools of Beloit.
ANNA KEEP.
WISCONSIN INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.
THIS INSTITUTION is located in the city of Janesville, and is a state charity, free to all the blind who come under its regula- tions.
For the past year its superintendent has been Mrs. SARAH F. C. LITTLE, who succeeded her husband in this office, which he had most honorably filled the last thirteen years of his life. Mrs. LITTLE, by reason of her cooperation and entire sympathy with her husband in the management of the work, was deemed by its board of trustees more competent to bring to successful issne the plans formed for the best interests of the institution than any other person.
The first year of Mrs. LITTLE's administration has passed, and
8
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
her qualifications for the office have stood the scrutiny of those who have in trust the supervision of the state charities. They award her a high meed of praise, and " gladly bear testimony to the character and efficiency of her work."
The institution numbers eighty-four pupils; and to those fa- miliar with blind asylums and their internal life, it need not be explained what varied qualities of head and heart are required by the superintendent of such an establishment to give harmony and completeness to the whole.
The wisdom and decision of a legislator, the moral principle and culture of a teacher, and the tenderness of a mother, are all unitedly requisite in the head of a home for those unfortunate . ones who are denied life's sweetest boon -to whom nature has given "eyes that roll in vain to find light's piercing ray, and find no dawn." Let Wisconsin women be proud of the achieve- ments of Mrs. SARAH F. C. LITTLE.
When appointed to this field of labor, Mrs. LITTLE was the only woman in our whole country upon whom such an onerous task had devolved. Since then the state of New York has fol- lowed our example, and placed upon Mrs. LORD, of Batavia, the mantle of her husband, Dr. LORD, long superintendent of the blind institution in that place. Such things demonstrate two steps of progress in the world's history: First -that executive gifts are found to be not bestowed on one sex alone, but may ex- ist and be combined with womanly grace and feminine propri- ety. Secondly-that woman is, by the liberal culture of the
9
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
age, finding herself on the same intellectual platform as man - and that while she accords to him superior strength of muscle, powers of endurance, and capacity to battle with the wild forces of nature and the brute passions of men, she rejoices in a day in which, by mechanical inventions, she is relieved of much tedious and long-suffering domestic labor, and which thus equal- izes her lot, giving her time for the highest development, and an opportunity to stand in her appropriate place, by creation's fiat - a help-meet for man. A. B. B.
MADISON, WIS., March 8, 1876.
NOTE. - Since writing the above it has been ascertained that Mrs. L. has superintended the erection of the new building, and made herself familiar with all the workings of its steam engine, so as to be able to ascertain and direct needful repairs.
THE "CADLE HOME,"
AN ASYLUM for orphans, for homeless and destitute persons, located at Green Bay, Wis., was organized May 1, 1872, although the Women's Society of Christ Church had worked for its estab- lishment from 1866. It was opened in January, 1874; was named Cadle Home in memory of the earliest Protestant Mis- sionary of this region.
Since its opening it has relieved 147 persons, of all ages, from the infant born within its walls to the aged of 90 years and older. Although under the management of the Episcopal
10
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
Church, its benefits are extended to any one destitute or home- less, irrespective of creed.
It is wholly supported by gifts of the charitable and proceeds of women's work.
In addition to the Home, a hospital building has been added, in 1875, capable of accommodating sixty or more patients, all to be maintained by woman's work. Prominent in establishing and maintaining this work have been Mrs. C. D. ROBINSON, Miss M. A. SMITH, Mrs. E. S. WHITNEY, and indeed the entire board of managers have worked as for their own dearest and best ob- ject in life.
Board of Managers.
Mrs. J. S. BAKER, 1st Directress.
Mrs. Dr. COWEY,
Miss HELEN CARSWELL, 2d Directress. Mrs. A. G. HOLMES,
Mrs. E. S. WHITNEY, Treasurer. Mrs. E. TYLER,
Mrs. Dr. AYRES, Secretary.
Mrs. F. P. IRWIN,
Mrs. J. WHITNEY.
MILWAUKEE COLLEGE.
THIS INSTITUTION was reorganized, on a plan somewhat pecu- liar, in the spring of 1850, from a school founded by Mrs. L. A. PARSONS two years before.
The theory was furnished by Miss C. E. BEECHER, and her in- fluence secured to the school, during the first twelve years of its existence, material funds to the value of at least $12,000.
11
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
The practical application of the theory was made under the supervision of Mrs. L. A. PARSONS and Miss M. MORTIMER, who, after careful examination, were happy to devote themselves to this work. The plan for the school was as follows:
1. The citizens of a large town, where a school is needed, shall organize a board of trustees, impartially representing the several religious denominations of the place; and this board shall as- sume the responsibility of support for four well qualified teach- ers. These teachers shall be nominated first by the association represented by Miss BEECHER, afterwards vacancies shall be filled by the nomination of the remaining teachers; all nomina- tions being submitted for approval to the board of trustees.
2. The four teachers shall constitute a Faculty, each being the head of a given department, and no one having control over the others. Questions of general interest to the school shall be settled by a vote of the faculty, one of whom, at their discretion, may be chosen to an office corresponding to that of President of a college.
No large boarding establishment was to be connected with the school. The plan proposed in the future, three additional de- partments - the Normal, the Health and Domestic depart- ments.
Friends gathered to the new enterprise - Mrs. BYRON, Mrs. Dr. LAPHAM, Mrs. A. D. SMITH, now all passed to their reward, Mrs. G. P. HEWITT, Mrs. Dr. GREEVES, Mrs. W. P. FLANDERS and others, earnest in labor and self denial. In 1851, the school
12
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
was incorporated as the " Milwaukee Normal Institute and High School." In 1832, the building since occupied by the school was erected at a cost of $5,000. The plan for this, and $600, were furnished by Miss BEECHER. Some funds were raised abroad because of interest excited in the plan of the school, and some were raised by scholarships issued at ruinously low prices. The school took a recess while the building was in process of erection, and during this time Miss BEECHER and Miss MORTIMER, in consultation with other members of the American Woman's Educational Association, revised the course of study for the schools, examined text books and made out more fully and clearly their system for elevating woman and educating the children of the land. Leading educators were consulted. The new course of study aimed to develop all the powers, and at the same time to fit the pupil for the life which comes after school.
Miss MORTIMER was nominated by the association to the Nor- mal Department, which, beside the proper duties belonging to this position, required her to give instruction to teachers and young ladies designing to be teachers, not members of the insti .. tution, and also to superintend the instruction in all depart- ments. The endowment was now so far begun. that Miss MOR- TIMER's salary was pledged by the association. On her return to Milwaukee, in the antumn of 1852, to meet the outside demand for a "Head " to the school, the teachers decided to nominate a president or principal, and Miss MORTIMER was chosen. The
13
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
various nominations for the new year were confirmed by the trustees, and in October, with a full board of teachers and a goodly number of pupils, the school was reopened in the new building. The plan of the school was carefully explained to the new teachers, and all worked in their appropriate departments of responsibility and instruction with zeal and harmony. The board of teachers at this time was as follows: .
MARY MORTIMER, Normal Department, and Teacher of Moral and Mental Science.
LUCY PARSONS, Classification, and Teacher of History and Geography.
AMANDA LOOMIS, Government, and Teacher of Mathematics and Natural Science.
JULIETTE MILLARD, Accounts and Records, and Teacher of English Language and Literature.
ELIZABETH WARNER, Primary School, and Teacher of Drawing.
During the year 166 different pupils were on the roll, and the new plan was working to the entire satisfaction of the teachers. Each was supreme in her own department, while no one was burdened with the care of all matters pertaining to the school, and questions of general interest were readily settled by a vote of the teachers. Complete prosperity was hindered by a debt upon the building, by insufficient and inferior furniture and fix- tures, and by deficiency of income to meet necessary expenditures.
From these causes troublesome days came. Several teachers left from insufficient or unpaid salaries, and the college plan of departments was for a time invaded, and might have been given up entirely had it not been for aid received from the association at the east, and that some of the teachers were ready to make sacrifices for it.
14
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
In 1853, at the suggestion of the President of the Board of Trustees, Dr. LAPHAM, though opposed by the teachers as too pretentious, the name of the institution was changed to Mil- waukee Female College, and about the same time, Mrs. PAR- SONS, the founder of the school, and perhaps hitherto its most deeply interested friend, resigned her place in it, to aid in organ- izing a school on the same plan in another place.
The next year, a successful effort was made to improve the financial condition of the institution. The scholarships were given up, and new subscriptions were made, more than sufficient for what were deemed needed improvements. A small surplus was left in the treasury. O. H. WALDO, Esq., Dr. LAPHAM, Hon. W. P. LYNDE and others, gentlemen and ladies, were active in this progress. A period of prosperity followed, with a full faculty of teachers, according to the plan, and a school ranging in numbers from 15S to 180.
In 1857, when the school was at its highest prosperity thus far, and had a board of teachers competent to conduct it to still better things, with their several departments carefully defined, Miss MORTIMER resigned, and though opposed by trustees. teach- ers and others, left. The financial crisis of that year soon fol- lowed, and for this cause and others, for which the teachers in charge connot be held responsible, the college during the next six years was not on the whole very prosperous. The largest class that had yet completed the course of study, however, was graduated under the leading teachers of those years, Misses M.
15
CENTENNIAL RECORDS.
E. and C. E. CHAPIN, and a tasteful and commodious dwelling for the teachers and about ten pupils, was erected on the college grounds, from funds brought by Miss BEECHER towards a prom- ised endowment.
On account of the insufficiency of the income of the school to meet its outgo, the premises were, in 1863, leased to Prof. S. S. SHIERMAN, a gentleman of financial responsibility and of expe- rience and reputation as a teacher. This change led to a contest with the association at the east, which held a bond from the trustees that the original plan of the institution should be adliered to. At the close of three years, this contest was settled by the resignation of Prof. SHERMAN, and the return of Miss MORTIMER, with full permission from the Board of Trustees to restore the old plan. But the debt of the institution was now $3,000, treble what it had been when Miss CHAPIN left, valuable repairs had been made, and contrary to the spirit and design of the original plan, and to her wishes and convictions of what was wisest and best, it was insisted that Miss M. should take the same lease which Prof. SHERMAN had held.
The association, however, consented to this arrangement, and Miss M. began her work with the full intention of getting rid of this lease and placing the institution under the control of some board as soon as possible. She restored the departments of the past, and the course of study with small modification, and the school opened well.
The next year, funds were raised for improvements and addi-
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