Page:Women of Ohio; a record of their achievements in the history of the state (Vol. I).djvu/58

54 Among the many notable descendants of Lucas and Sarah Sullivant, is one to whom the entire city of Columbus is definitely and deeply indebted today. This is MRS. ANDREW DENNY RODGERS—Eliza Sullivant— the granddaughter of the original pioneer and for more than half a century a leader in virtually every worthwhile movement — civic, social, cultural and philanthropic —in which citizens of Columbus have engaged.

Her most recent service to her city and entire community is believed to be as far reaching in its importance and its influence as it was original. For it was Eliza Sullivant Rodgers who conceived the idea of recording in permanent form the part played by women of Columbus, past and present, in the establishment, development and progress of their city. For years Mrs. Rodgers had noted with satisfaction the tribute paid to men who founded her home city, to those who contributed to its financial, industrial and educational growth. The facts were set forth in many books and articles. They were well represented on library shelves, in newspaper and magazine files. But virtually nowhere, it occurred to Mrs. Rodgers, could she find any such record concerning the women of Columbus. Search the public library shelves as diligently as she might, they were as bare of this part of the story as Mother Hubbard’s cupboard.

With the Sullivants, to note a lack is usually to meet it, and Eliza Rodgers was no exception. With characteristic enthusiasm, with the persistance which was the heritage of her race, she threw herself into the work of research. For six years Mrs. Rodgers toiled at her task. Her original idea was enlarged to include contemporary as well as pioneer history. She persuaded other capable women to enlist in the work of research and compilation.

The result was “We, Too, Built Columbus,” published in 1926 and said to be by far the most interesting as well as the most authentic volume ever written about the women of an American city.

A number of years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers celebrated their golden anniversary with a dinner party at their home on E. Broad St. The occasion caused resurrection of old newspaper descriptions of the wedding and renewed memories of many wedding guests no longer subject to earthly invitation. It told how the bride, considered the most beautiful girl in Columbus society, had been given away by her father, Mr. William S. Sullivant, in the fine old home on E. Broad St. and made it clear, between the lines if not in them, that any bride could be thankful to have so handsome, courteous and distinguished a father, oldest son of the oldest pioneer, to give her away. Also that the most distinguished father could hardly have had a finer daughter to give away—or a more desirable young husband to give her to.

The years bridged by the two wedding parties—Eliza Sullivant was married Oct. 5, 1858—and those passed since have been filled to overflowing with useful and self-sacrificing service, in which all Columbus takes due pride. But the women of Columbus rate Eliza Rodger’s recent task as