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Part Taken by Women in American History


the Continental Hall Committee. She was admirably adapted to her position of president of the society, to which she was elected by the congress of 1898.

JULIA CATHERINE CONKLING.

Mrs. Roscoe Conkling, founder and first regent of the Oneida Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was born in Utica, New York, May 4, 1827. She was the youngest child of Henry Seymour and Mary Ledyard Forman Seymour. Mrs. Conkling was endowed with rare gifts of personal beauty and most lovable traits of character. All her early life was spent in Utica. In June, 1855, she married Roscoe Conkling, who was just beginning his brilliant public career. During the many winters Mrs. Conkling spent in Washington with her husband, she was frequently mentioned as one of the most graceful and refined women of the administrations of President Lincoln and President Grant, and as possessing a high-bred charm of manner rarely equaled. The Oneida Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was formed at her house in 1893 with a most gratifying number of eligible applicants, full of zeal and patriotism, present. Mrs. Conkling died at Utica, New York, October 18, 1893.

MARY ORR EARLE.

Mrs. Mary Orr Earle, corresponding secretary-general of the Daughters of the American Revolution, is the daughter of the late Hon. James L. Orr, of South Carolina. She was born in 1858, while her distinguished father was Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Mrs. Earle's connection with the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution is through descent from Robert Orr, a captain of Pennsylvania troops, and dates from the organization of the society in 1890, she having been one of the early vice-presidents and a member of the first national board. At the congress of 1895 she was elected corresponding secretary-general, which position she has filled with marked ability. Gifted with rare mental and social qualities, Mrs. Earle has drawn around her a large and cultured circle of friends at the national Capital, where her accomplishments as a linguist are much appreciated in the diplomatic corps.

MRS. OGDEN H. FETHERS.

Mrs. Ogden H. Fethers was born in New York State and educated at Claverock on the Hudson. Her maiden name was Frances Conkey. She is a descendant of Elder William Brewster, of Plymouth Colony, and her membership to the Society of the Colonial Dames is through Rev. James Fitch of Connecticut Colony.

On July 15, 1868, she was married in Canton, New York, to Ogden Hoffman Fethers, a well-known and able attorney, of Janesville, Wisconsin.

In 1909, upon the death of Mrs. James Sidney Peck, of Milwaukee, Mrs. Fethers succeeded her as governor of the Society of Mayflower descendants for the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin is the only state which has enjoyed having a woman governor of this society. Mrs. Fethers' name will be long remembered