Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/648

Rh Skelton, daughter of the Rev. Samuel Skelton, the first minister of Salem.

Mrs. Mary A. Stiles was for years a teacher. Her daughter, through her influence early interested in good reading, was educated in the schools of Barre (attending successively a district school and the high school) and at Pierce Academy in Middleboro (co-educational), then one of the leading secondary schools of New England.

Two subjects have always held Mrs. Whitmarsh's attention, natural history and materia medica. In studying the latter she grew more and more attracted toward that branch of science, and in the fall of 1896 she entered the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. After one year's hard study—the rules of the school necessitating four years' actual experience—Mrs. Whitmarsh decided that such experience should be in an establishment of her own. Accordingly she fitted up a new store with fine equipments at Geneva Avenue, Dorchester, to which during the ensuing year she gave her entire time and attention. In 1899 she resumed her studies, dividing her hours between school and her place of business. She was graduated in 1901, receiving her diploma for having satisfactorily finished the general course. Since that time she has been absorbed in her rapidly growing business. She is a popular woman in her community, and is alike respected for her ability and integrity. Mr. and Mrs. Whitmarsh have always attended the Congregational church. For clubs she has no time, although in sympathy with their work; and her duties make her but an irregular attendant at the Daughters of Rebekah Lodge, of which she has been a member for several years. Mr. Whitmarsh is a skilled pattern-maker in iron work.

INA BOYNTON PEAKES, of Boston, is an energetic business woman who has achieved success in the field of insurance. The necessity of earning her owm livelihood came about through the death of her husband. After turning over in her own mind the few profitable occupations that offered honorable employment for women, she decided upon insurance, and accordingly studied the methods employed by men in the presentation of that subject, striving in particular to acquire a direct and business-like manner. Her efforts were successful, and, step by step, she has advanced from her early beginnings until to-day she stands as one of the leading women insurance underwriters of Boston, which city, it may be said, has the only association of women underwriters in the world. Mrs. Peakes is an independent agent, not being connected with a women's department. She approves of the admission of women to all professions and all suitable lines of business, and takes great pleasure in noting the success they are achieving in their various undertakings.

OSTON WOMEN'S EDUCATIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL UNION.—From the present plane of woman's activity in affairs it is difficult to appreciate the courage and prescience of a small band of women who in 1877, under the leadership of Dr. Harriet Clisby, organized the Boston Women's Educational and Industrial Union " for the purpose of increasing fellowship among women in order to promote their educational, industrial, and social advancement." Dr. Harriet Clisby was elected President, Miss M. Chamberlin Secretary, and Mrs. S. E. Eaton Treasurer. These officers, with four directors, adopted a constitution whose foundation was so broad and deep that during the past quarter of a century the Ihiion has always found an open door for any work that "advanced the Interests of women."

"A union of all for the good of all," there was in its inception a deep vein of ethical purpose, a tremendous initial impulse of faith, religious fervor, and enthusiasm. It was born in the days of few organizations and of limited opportunities for women. The force of self-expression was beginning to stir, but had to force its way against the inertia of conservatism.

In the faith of the founders of the Union appeared a regenerating force to touch the community to higher life. The Union came