Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/646

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REPRESENTATIVE WOMEN OF NEW ENGLAND
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land, and numbers among her acquaintance several prominent New England authors. The poet Whittier spoke favorably of her talent. A Christmas story entitled "The Children," published in Christian Work, 1902, and a serial illustrating the laws governing a wife's dower, which was run in the Portland Transcript several years ago, show with what fine sympathy she understands the inner nature of women and children, and with what nicety she depicts their individual traits of character.


HARRIET STANLEY LAMBARD, of Augusta, Me., well known for her connection with philanthropic work, was born in that city, April 24, 1837. Her father, George Washington Stanley, was a native of Attleboro, Mass., but spent most of his life in Augusta. Her mother, in maidenhood Mary Dearborn, was a native of Winthrop, Me.

Harriet Stanley, as a child, was a pupil in private schools of Augusta, going later to Boston and Belmont for further training. When in her teens she attended the Congregational Female Academy in Augusta. Although her family were Unitarians, she became an interested attendant of the Episcopal church, at the age of eighteen joining St. Mark's, of which she is still an active member. In 18S4 she was married to Thomas Lambard. Mr. Lambard died in 1892. Since his death Mrs. Lambard has resided at her home on Winthrop Street, having as members of her household a niece and nephew. She enjoys society, but does not care for clubs. Much of her time is given to travel. She is fond of journeying in her own country, and claims that not for scenery, health, or pleasure need the American go abroad.

Since the establishment of the Old Ladies' Home in Augusta, Mrs. Lnmbard has been on its Board of Managers, and she is now holding the office of Vice-President. When Augusta's City Hospital was incorporated, and the Hospital Aid Society was formed, Mrs. Lambard was elected President. In that capacity she faithfully served until 1901, when she resigned. As a willing helper and most generous donor, her name will always be associated with the institution. In its few years of existence this hospital, at the State capital, has a record that places it among the most useful and most admirably conducted institutions of its kind in the State. When it was first opened, in 1897, the work was carried on in a rented building, but in 1900 the closing of the Girls' School at St. Catherine's Hall gave the directors an opportunity to purchase a building well adapted to hospital requirements. "It is a large and noble-looking structure, built in the beautiful old colonial style of architecture, and situated on an elevation, which secures not only the sanitary advantages that come from perfect drainage, but sunshine and pure air." It commands a superb view of the Kemiebec valley, and is an ideal home for the sick. Its equipments are all modern and first-class, the staff able and the directors may well claim that "there is not a hospital in the country that is conducted on broader lines or with a more sincere desire to meet fully and fairly all possible needs of the public it serves."


LILLIAN NORTON (Madame Nordica) was born in Farmington, Me., December 12, 1857, the daughter of Edwin and Amanda E. (Allen) Norton. Her maternal grandfather, the Rev. John Allen, was known everywhere as "Camp-meeting John," such gatherings, in several hundred of which he took part, having a peculiar charm for him. He was an interesting and original preacher, and was distinguished for his wit and ready repartee. He served as chaplain in the Maine House of Representatives in 1879 and 1881. Madame Nordica's mother was a woman of broad intelligence and marked executive ability. Christian graces adorning her character.

As a bit of old New England history it is interesting to note that Nordica's great-grand-father, Nathaniel Hersey, was in 1777 taxed for his "faculty," with four other citizens of the town, who were regarded as possessing marked business capacity.

W'hen Lillian Norton was but a child, her parents removed to Boston. She inherited from both father and mother a talent for music, and at the age of fifteen she began the culture