Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/386

Rh Mrs. Mary L. Carr, eighteenth national president of the Woman's Relief Corps, was born in Maine, but has lived for so many years among the towering rock-ribbed mountains of our Western land, that she seems "to the manner born" and partakes of their steadfastness, strength and purity. She was a charter member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and her interest in the order has never waned, but time and talents are fully consecrated to its objects. Mrs. Carr comes of loyal stock, and marriage to one of the nation's heroes only proves how deep rooted was her love of patriotism. Colonel Byron L. Carr enlisted the day Fort Sumter was fired upon and fought through the war and towards the last, indeed at the last, lost his right arm at Appomattox. Mrs. Carr is the widow of Colonel Carr. She has been a regular attendant at conventions ever since the National Woman's Relief Corps had its birth in Denver. She stands first when it comes to deciding judicial points. As an orator it would be hard to find her equal. Mrs. Carr lives at Longmont, Colorado.

Mrs. Calista Robinson Jones, nineteenth national president of the Woman's Relief Corps was teaching in Chicago when the Civil War broke out. To show her patriotism, she, with two other teachers, sat up all one night to make a flag to throw to the breeze the next day. When the banner was completed they raised it over their school, and so far as is known it was the first flag to be raised over a schoolhouse in Chicago, and perhaps in the state. All through those dark days, she worked with the various societies which had sprung up, and in every way possible showed her loyalty to her country and its defenders. From her entrance into the order which promoted her to its highest office, she worked for all its interests and was faithful in performing all its duties. Mrs. Jones made an excellent presiding officer. Her home is in Bradford, Vermont.

Mrs. Lodusky J. Taylor, twentieth national president of the Woman's Relief Corps, was the first to hold that office from the far Northwest. She came before the convention with all the members of Minnesota, both Woman's Relief Corps and Grand Army of the Republic endorsing her, and when she went out of office had lived up to the expectations of all her co-workers, and redeemed every pledge made at the beginning of the administration. Mrs. Taylor was born in Le Soeur, Minnesota, being the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patton, who were of New England Puritan stock, and were early pioneers of the North Star State. She has for many years been engaged in promulgating patriotic principles among the children of the schools of her own town and state. Mrs. Taylor lives in Le Soeur, Minnesota.

Mrs. Sarah D. Winans, twenty-first national president of the Woman's Relief Corps, came to her office fully prepared for her duties by years of ser-