Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/806

Rh the Persian medal for art and science, sharing with Mme. Modjeska the distinction of being the only women in the world to receive this honor. She has also a medal for art from the Court of Coburg, and the honor of "Imperial Chamber Virtuoso" from Austria, and from the Emperor Francis Joseph, the Elizabethan medal for Art and Science, and the Golden Order of Merit of the Cross and Crown. These distinctions have been rarely conferred upon foreigners. She is the wife of Captain A. L. Apfelbeck, of the Austrian army.

Born in Nashville, Tenn. Is the daughter of Colonel J. M. Keating, a newspaper man of prominence in that city; was a pupil of Emile Levy; studied in New York under S. B. Mills and Madame Carreno; took lessons from Mrs. Agnes Morgan and subsequently from Richard Hoffman and Joseffy; is a successful teacher of music in Memphis; always giving free lessons to one or two pupils, as her contribution to charity and the advancement and aid of her own sex; has written a primer on technique for beginners.

Julia Elida Dickerman, daughter of Charles E. and Ellen Louise Dickerman, was born in Carbondale, Illinois, February 21, 1859. Ln 1869 Miss Katie Logan—a relation and adopted daughter of General and Mrs. Logan—who possessed a fine soprano voice which had been highly cultivated by the best teachers of Philadelphia and New York, came to Carbondale to reside in General Logan's family, and at the earnest solicitations of friends, among them Mr. and Mrs. Dickerman, gave lessons to a few young girls in vocal and instrumental music. Elida Dickerman was one of her pupils. Miss Logan soon discovered that Elida Dickerman had musical talents of the highest quality, and was exceedingly proud of the progress of her young pupil, who so faithfully and indefatigably mastered every lesson she gave her. She discovered that Elida's voice had a wide range and if properly trained would win her an enviable reputation. At the age of thirteen she was taken to New Haven, Conn., to school, and to study music. Here her musical education was pursued until, as a young lady, she returned to Southern Illinois to practice her chosen musical profession. As a teacher, soloist and organist she has ever since been well known throughout Illinois and the Middle West. She married Charles A. Sheppard, a merchant of Carbondale.

Since the establishment of the Southern Illinois State Normal University, in Carbondale, Mrs. Sheppard has had charge of the musical department of the University.