Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/518

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REPRESENTATIVE WOMEN OF NEW ENGLAND
387

the Republic, and is on the Press Committee for the week of the National Encampment to be held in Boston in August, 1904.

Her pen has often paid tribute to lives far less worthy of mention than her own modest, unselfish one. At Easter of the present year a beautiful tribute was paid to Mrs. Magennis by Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, whose mother, Lucy Stone, was a warm friend of hers:—

" I know of one who seems a nun
Retired, not seeking praise;
Yet she has wings, and heaven's light clings
Around her quiet ways.

Her pen she wields in many fields
To help good thin^ along,
And, undismayed, will always aid
The right against the wrong.

"Sh^ fills her days in silent ways.
With helping many needs.
No robe of light she wears in sight:
She's clad in kindly deeds."


ALICE MAE GODDARD, National Aide in the Woman s Relief Corps, is the wife of George B. Goddard, of Brockton, Mass., a veteran of the Civil War. Mrs. Goddard was born in Digby, N.S., June 4, 1854, daughter of Thomas W. and Jane (Morgan) Kurd. Her father was born in Wallace, N.S. His parents moving to Digby, N.S., when he was a boy, he was educated in that place, and there learned the machinist's trade, serving an apprenticeship of several years. On becoming of jige Mr. Hurd engaged in shipbuilding, taking contracts for iron work on ships, following that occupation until about sixty years old. He spent his remaining days on a farm in his native town, where he died September 19, 1881. He was interested in the community in which he lived, and was always ready to assist any movement for the betterment of his fellow-men. He was well versed in political and other questions of the day, being an extensive reader and a student of history. He had great respect for the government of the United States, and sympathized with the North in its struggle for the abolition of slavery.

Mrs. Goddard 's mother was a native of Digby. Devoted to her home and her family, she was ever ready to perform an act of kindness to others. The last six years of her life were spent with her children in Brockton, Mass. She died March 4, 1887, at the age of seventy- five years, beloved by all who knew her.

Alice Mae Hurd was about six years old when her father moved to Wallace. She attended the public schools, and received as good an education as a country town could give. Not being satisfied with the quiet farm life, and wishing to see something of the world, she came to Massachusetts, and spent about two years in Marlboro, where a sister resided. She then went to North Bridgewater (now the city of Brockton), which has since been her home. Her marriage took place September 9, 1873.

She became interested in the temperance movement at an early age, and for a long time has exerted her efforts and used her influence for the suppression of the liquor traffic. She is a member of the First Baptist Church of Brockton, of the Fearless Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is specially interested in womens organizations. She served as president of the Woman's Veteran Relief Union, of Brockton, three years, having held for two years the office of senior vice-president.

Mrs. Goddard also has membership in the International S. S. S.; the Parliamentary Club; Myrtle Temple, No. 18, R. S.; Laurel Lodge, No. 21, Independent Order of Odd Ladies; the Woman's Christian Temperance Union; and Banner Lodge, No. 81, New England Order of Protection. The greater part of her time during the past thirteen years has been given to the Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. She believes that no class of citizens are so much entitled to the respect of the people as the men who served their country during the years 1861-65. In 1890 she joined Fletcher Webster Relief Corps of Brockton, auxiliary to the post in that city, named in honor of Colonel Webster of the Twelfth Massachusetts Regiment. She was elected to office seven years in succession. During her three years' service as president more than fifty members were added to the