Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/678

 596 HISTOEY OF GOODHUE COUNTY In 1881 Mrs. Harriet A. Hobart, wife of Dr. Chauneey Hobart, of Red Wing, was elected president, and Mrs. E. S. Wrigbt, of Red Wing, secretary of the state W. C. T. U., which offices they held for thirteen years. Red Wing nnion also furnished to the state one vice-president (Mrs. Julia B. Nelson, 1888-90), two state lecturers and organizers (Mrs. Carrie Knox Godfrey and Mrs. Julia B. Nelson). Mrs. M. A. Dockstader has served as state superintendent of the department of anti-narcotics, and Mrs. Julia B. Nelson as superintendent of press work, of the franchise department, work among the Scandinavians and work among colored people. At first there were but three W. C. T. U. districts in the state, then five, following the boundaries of the congressional districts. Until there was sufficient organization for conventions and regu- lar elections, the districts were in a territorial condition, having presidents appointed by the state executive. Mrs. M. A. Dock- stader was the first president of the district to which Goodhue county belonged. Mrs. R. C. C. Gale, of Faribault, was district president from 1881 to 1886. In 1887 the state had been divided into sixteen W. ('. T. U. districts. District 1 comprised Goodhue. Rice, Dakota, Carver and McLeod counties. Mrs. Dockstader was president of this district for two years and was succeeded by Mrs. Jemima A. Clifford, of Northfield. who was annually re- elected until 1901, when an amendment to the state constitution proposed by Mrs. Julia B. Nelson, eliminated county organiza- tion and divide districts, making thirty-two districts in the state. Goodhue and Dakota counties formed district 26. Later Rice and AVjishington counties asked to become a part of this district and at a joint convention held in Hastings, they were made a part of district 26. The presidents have been : Mrs. Julia B. Nelson, Red Wing; Mrs. M. J. Rust, Hastings, and Olive Me- Naughton of St. Paul Park. The officers elected June 18, 1909, were: President, Olive McNaughton, of St. Paul Park; vice presi- dent. .Mrs. A. J. Stauffer, Faribault: secretary. Mrs. C. E. Gates. Goodhue; treasurer. Jennie Seasons, Cannon Falls, a daughter of Mrs. J. M. Mitchell, who was treasurer either of the county or district for seventeen years. While there was county organization (1887 to 1901), Mrs. Sarah E. Hasler, of Red Wing, was president for four years and was folloAved by Mrs. M. E. Ackerman of Stanton, Mrs. M. H. Dack of Stanton and Mrs. May Taplin of Miesville. The county secretaries were : Alice Brown and Mrs. Agnes C. Davis of Red Wing, Mrs. M. E. Ackerman and Mrs. Cora Whitson of Stanton. The county treasurers were : Mrs. Mary C. Engstrom and Mrs. M. J. Mitchell, Cannon Falls: Mrs. H. E. Ackerman. Stanton, and