died, and complications in business matters
wrecked the estate, and left her dependent
upon her own energies.
Coming to Somerville a quarter of a century ago, this woman, now honored in social, fra- ternal, and professional life, took her place at the compositor's case, where she soon became an expert. Incidentally she held copy, and at her own motion began to edit manuscript, through which editing she first attracted attention. She soon became a proof-reader, and gave the paper its distinction for ty- pographical as well as literary excellence. From this it was a short cut to editorial management, which she combined with pro- motion of circulation, where her business ability first showed itself. When, sixteen years ago, the proprietor became the treasurer of Middlesex County, Mrs. Galpin assumed the management of the business details, while re- taining oversight of the circulation schemes and all literary and special features of the paper.
The Woman's Page, which she conducts, and which has been one of the leading feat- ures of the paper, has been on as high a level as the work in any of the popular literary weeklies, and would of itself give her distinc- tion in journalism. Her many series of articles on travel, both in America and in Eu- rope, are among the most readable and in- structive of their kind in magazine literature. One of the most complete of her series has been issued in book form, under the caption "In Foreign Lands." Her historical articles have attracted even more attention, and one of these has been published by the Somer- ville Historical Society as its first official issue. As a writer of verse and songs, Mrs. Galpin has won high praise. She has been equally fortunate in public speaking. Her promi- nence in various lines of activity led to invi- tations to make addresses before women's clubs, historical societies, and various other associations. Her platform work is as care- fully prepared as is the work from her pen, and her reputation as a speaker is well-nigh equal to that in literary effort. Her most important addresses in point of honor were before the Suburban Press Association of New England and the Woman's Congress at the World's Fair in 1893.
Mrs. Galpin has given her son a liberal and professional education. She has a beauti- ful home on Spring Hill, with a valuable li- brary, and has won a place in the esteem and respect of the citizens rarely won by man or woman in any community. It was an article from her pen that led to the first meeting of the Heptorean Club of Somerville, of which she was one of the organizers. She became a charter member, has been treasurer since the foundation of the club, has been on the Board of Directors from the first, and has had much influence in making this one of the leading women's clubs of the country. Mrs. Galpin was also a charter member of the New Eng- land Woman's Press Club, of which she was treasurer for several years.
At the completion of twenty-five years in journalism in one office and under one manage- ment, in the fall of 1903, the citizens of Somer- ville gave Mrs. Galpin a reception and dinner at the Vendome in Boston, as a testimonial of their appreciation of her efforts in all lines of work in the city.
The Mayor, Edward Glines, presented the greetings of the city, and other city officials, noted educators, and celebrated women of the State paid tribute to Mrs. Galpin 's work and character.
Notwithstanding her busy life, she has been a leader in many philanthropic and progres- sive civic movements. P^ew women have impressed themselves upon the community so effectively in so many ways as has she, and in everything she has undertaken she has been eminently successful. While still in the prime of life, she is winning distinction as a writer and as a speaker, in society and in philan- thropy, though her energies are largely devoted to the literary and office direction of a pros- perous weekly journal.
SARAH ELIZABETH FULLER, a Past National President of the Woman's Relief Corps, was the first President of the Department of Massachusetts — the pioneer State organization — and has a record of
