of her voice with Professor John O'Neil of Boston, continuing under his instruction until she went to Europe. In Milan, where she studied under San Giovanni, she was given her stage name of "Giglia Nordica," the Italian for "Northern lily." Under Giovanni's teaching she prepared herself for opera, making her debut as Violetta in the opera of "Traviata." Her first engagement of importance was at St. Petersburg, where she sang for two seasons, achieving a brilliant reputation. From that city she went to Paris, where she appeared as Marguerite in "Faust," at the Grand Opera House. After singing there several months, she married Mr. Frederick A. Gower, and soon retired from the stage.
After Mr. Gower's death in 1884, she appeared again in opera at Covent Garden, London, and in all the principal opera houses of Europe and America. Up to this time Nordica had confined herself to French and Italian roles, but during a visit to Bayreuth in 1893 she was asked to create the role of Elsa in "Lohengrin," and, learning the German language in five months, made her appearance at the end of that time. She elicited much enthusiasm, and it was a season of triumph. Her repertoire now embraces forty operas and all the standard oratorios. She is best known in Wagnerian parts. In the United States she has appeared in grand opera several seasons. She speaks fluently all the languages in which she sings. Personally she is a woman of much charm and magnetism, as well as beauty. She has a gracious manner, and is especially loyal to her old friends.
She married a few years ago Herr Zoltan Dome.
She takes an interest in her native State, and from time to time visits her birthplace.
CHARLOTTE AUGUSTA BRIDGES LEE, for some twelve years or more,
until her death on December 24, 1903, a resident of Auburn, Me., was born, brought up, and educated in New York City, being a daughter of Charles and Harriet (Hervey) Bridges. On September 11, 1866, she married Stephen Lee, and subsequently resided at different times until 1890 in New York and Brooklyn. The family then removed to Auburn, Me.
Mr. and Mrs. Lee had two children,' Herbert Stephen and Edith Enmia, both born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Mrs. Lee was a member of the Congregational church. She was a director in the Women's Christian Association and the Social Settlement, and took an active interest in the philanthropic work in which these organizations are engaged. She served acceptably as president of the Auburn Art Club and of two literary societies, Sorosis and the Literary Union of Lewiston anfl Auburn.
MARY ABBY FELTON WHITMARSH, Ph. G.— While in Germany the woman druggist has been a familiar figure for years, in America she is an exceptional person. To one woman who chose this vocation a large share of success has come, and it will be interesting to glance at her history. Her maiden name was Mary Abby Felton Stiles. In 1873 she became the wife of Daniel Webster Whitmarsh, of Middleboro, Mass.
She was born in Barre, Worcester County, Mass., August 22, 1853, the daughter of Joseph Henry and Mary Amelia (Felton) Stiles. Her father, a native of Worcester, Mass., died in 1862. He was the son of Henry and Avis (Williams) Stiles and a lineal descendant, seventh generation, of Robert1 Stiles, of Rowley Village (now Boxford, Mass.), who married in 1660 Elizabeth, daughter of John1 Frye, of Andover. From Robert1 and Elizabeth the line continued through Timothy2 and Hannah (Foster) Stiles; Jacob3 and Sarah (Hart well) Stiles, of Lunenburg; Captain Jeremiah4 and Mary (Sanger) Stiles, of Keene, N.H.; Jeremiah, Jr.,5 and Abigail (Bridge) Stiles, of Worcester; to their son Henry,6 above mentioned.
The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Whitmarsh were Nathaniel6 and Abigail H. (Bowker) Felton; and the Felton ancestry is traced back through Nathaniel,5 Nathaniel,4 Ebenezer,3 Nathaniel,2 to Nathaniel1 Felton, the immigrant progenitor, who came to Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony, in 1633, and who married Mary
