Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/532

Rh tion was married, on May 25, 1865, to William Robert Usher, a shoe manufacturer, of Stoneham, Mass. While living in Stoneham, Mrs. Usher was active in church and benevolent work, thus endearing herself to the community.

In 1884 Mr. Usher removed to Milton, N.H., starting a shoe factory there. During a resi- dence of several years in Milton, Mrs. Usher was especially interested in religious work. She attended the Baptist church, which had at that time only a few members. The church buikling and its furnishings were unattractive, and the vestry where the prayer meetings were held was "worse than the church," she said. An old stove stood in the middle of the room. The men were seated on old-fashioned wooden seats on one side of the vestry, the women on the other. There was no settled minister, and no cordiality.

Mrs. Usher said: "I camiot stand this. If I am to live in this town, I must have a church home." She cjuietly became acquainted with the people, then started a sewing-circle, and formed other plans for creating a new interest. By suggesting that they open their homes for socials, and formulating methods of work that was much needed, she awakened enthusiasm. In a brief time there were many changes in the management of the church, and thrtuigh her zealous efforts a new church edifice and parson- age were built.

In 1886 Mr. and Mrs. Usher returned to Stone- ham, and soon after settled in Newburyport, where they became leading citizens. Mrs. Usher entered with enthusiasm into the relig- ious, patriotic, anrl charitable work of that city. She was an active member of the Baptist church, was President of the Woman's Auxiliary to the Young Men's Christian Association for six years, and served as Director of the Young Woman's Christian Association of Newbury- port. She attended State conventions as a delegate to societies connected with the Bap- tist denomination, and had an extensive ac- quaintance among its leaders throughout the State. Her hospitable home was always open to welcome clergymen and delegations from other places whenever they visited Newbury- port to conduct special religious work. Mrs. Usher's brother, Jolm Augustus Bowd- lear, was in the Thirty-second Regiment, Massa- chusetts Volunteers, during the Civil War; and her first work for the soldiers was in the early days of that conflict, when, as a school- girl, she heli)ed to scrape lint for use in the hos- pitals. Loyal to the Union and all the prin- ciples it represents, she never cea.sed her efforts for the "boys in blue." There was a revival of interest in A. W. Bartlett Relief Corps during her presidency, and she initiated over fifty members. Public meetings were held, also union gatherings with the post — socials and conferences that advanced the beneficent work of both organizations.

Serving as a delegate to the annual conven- tion of the Department of Massachusetts, W. R. C, in 1886, she became interested in its work throughout the State. Her efficiency and devotion were cjuickly recognized, and she received appointment on important conunittees representing the State work. The duties of Department Aide, of Assistant Inspector, ami of Installing Officer were performed by her with credit. For seventeen years she was an active worker for the State organization and a promi- nent participant in its annual conventions. Mrs. Usher was elected for two successive years as Department Chaplain of the Woman's Re- lief Corps of Massachusetts, and her reports containetl suggestions and recommendations of value.

She was deeply interested in the work of patriotic instruction, and at the annual conven- tion in 1901, held in Boston, was appointed to the office of Department Patriotic Instructor. A complete report of the work accomplished was given at the convention in 1902, and cov- ered twenty-four printed pages. Among the statistics it contained arc the following: —

Mrs. Usher in her report stated that she had received many letters showing great interest