Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/506

Rh present time in business with his father in Caribou.

In comparatively early life, when she was the centre of a beautiful and attractive home, with a devoted husband ever striving to promote her wishes, and when two affectionate sons were in the most receptive years of child- hood and youth, Mrs. Spaulding became deeply interested in the aims and purposes of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, becoming a member in the early years of its history. To the upbuilding of this organization and to the working out of its principles she has spared no reasonable effort. At home, abroad, in legislative halls, in church councils, and in social circles she has given voice to her sincerest convictions. Her abilities and thorough, conscientious integrity were early recognized in the state organization, where she has occupied responsible official positions. Some of these she resigned upon the earnest solicitation of friends (who saw the need of her especia] services in the county), to accept in 1889 the county presidency, which honorable position she still holds.

Mrs. Spaulding has taken an active part in all good works and never missed an opportunity to lend a helping hand to any unfortunate who comes within her notice. At home and within the thriving village of Caribou her most active work has been done, and here she is best loved and most appreciated. It was largely due to her efforts, aided by a few other public-spirited ladies of the town, that the town library was first established. This library, which was first maintained as a reading-room, soon outgrew its original resources, and was turned over to the town.

Mrs. Spaulding is also president of the Social Club of Caribou, organized in 1898, is an active member of the Literary Club, and is in close touch with all the agencies, charitable and otherwise, for the improvement of the town and the best interests of its citizens. In religious matters her affiliation is with the Episcopal church. Mrs. Spaulding is a woman of pleasing presence, bright, attractive, and a most interesting conversationalist. In giving attention to public work she has never, in the least, neglected her household duties. Her charming residence in Caribou is an ideal home, where all the domestic virtues are fully exemplified.

This brief notice was written by one who has long known and loved her, and whose most difficult task, in writing these lines, has been to refrain from too much of compliment and praise, he being aware that anything like fulsome flattery would be to her extremely distasteful.

NNA FLORENCE GRANT, printer, is a native of Portland, Maine. Her parents. Captain Frank M. and Joan Morse (Grant) Grant, removing to Boston in her girlhood, her education was received in the public schools of both cities. After her graduation she took a full course at Burilett's Business College, which she completed with honors. Her aptitutle for a business career early began to manifest itself, and, when she was only twenty years old, she availed herself of an opportunity to buy out the printing establishment on Court Street, Boston, of two young men who were selling out. Becoming proprietor of the entire business plant, she proceeded to build up a trade. In these times of sharp competition it is no simple matter to achieve success along any line, and the art preservative of all arts is far from being an exception. This Miss Grant, with her superior qualifications and recognizing no such word as fail, has done. Entering the business without previous experience other than that gained by frequenting a printing-office and learning to set type as a pastime, she quickly mastered the details, and became very proficient in type-setting, proof-reading, making-up, and printing.

At this time Miss Grant was the only woman in Boston who owned and operated a printing establishment — an establishment, too, of which any man might well be proud, containing large presses run by electricity and having men as type-setters and in the shipping-room. During the first year (1891) she advertised largely, and received orders from every State and Territory in the Union, as well as some from abroad. One important factor in her business is the engraving and printing of fine invitations and