Representative women of New England/Adelaide E. Boothby
ADELAIDE E. BOOTHBY, the wife of Colonel Frederic E. Boothby, of Portland, Me., and one of the leading women workers in various charitable organizations of that city, is a native of Waterville. Me. Her parents were Charles and Vesta B. Smith. As Adelaide Endora Smith she was married to Frederic E. Boothby, October 25, 1871. Colonel Boothby was born in Norway, Me. , being the son of Levi Thompson and Sophia Packard (Brett) Boothby. In 1857 the family removed to Waterville. For many years Colonel Boothby has been an official of the Maine Central Railroad. His title comes from his service on the staff of Governors Bodwell, Marble, and Burleigh, six years in all. He was president of the Portland Board of Trade for five years, was elected Mayor of the city in the spring of 1901, and is now (autumn of 1903) serving his third term in that office. With the exception of a three years' residence in Augusta, Colonel and Mrs. Boothby have lived in Portland, their pleasant rooms at the Falmouth House being a hospitable social centre.
Possessing an unusually sympathetic disposition, Mrs. Boothby has proved a ready listener and a willing helper to many who have applied to her for aid and encouragement. She has held offices of responsibility in the Invalids' Home, the Temporary Home for Women and Children, the Home for Friendless Boys, and auxiliaries to the Young Men's Christian Association. Even in her social life she has remembered the claims of charity and philanthropy, and has caused the proceeds of whist parties and merry-makings to go toward the alleviation of suffering. Mrs. Boothby has been especially interested in the work for the girls of the Temporary Home, of which she is a practical and thoughtful officer.
Conspicuous among her energetic labors is## her service as president of the Civic Club, which vk^as founded in May, 1898, by Mrs. Etta H. Osgood. Its object is "to promote by education and active co-operation a higher pubiic life and a better social order." One of its principles is a belief in the trinity of health—pure food, pure air, and pure water. The watchword of the club is, "Duties assigned cheerfully assumed." Applications for membership are carefully considered, and only those who are willing to perform some service in behalf of its objects are welcomed as members.
The club has laid out playgrounds at the North School in Portland, has been instrumental in procuring the ordinance prohibiting expectoration, and secured the placing of rubbish buckets on the streets. It has also secured an appropriation for public baths and for milk inspection. Its power for good is appreciated by the citizens of Portland, and its valuable work will receive their earnest support.
When, several years ago, Professor Chapman was making strenuous efforts to establish the Maine .Musical Festival, Mrs. Booth))y entered heartily into his plans. At a time when failure seemed inevitable, she was one of the stanch supporters of this project, which has given to the State such rare musical privileges.
Mrs. Boothby's private charities are legion and unknown. As the wife of the Mayor she extends cordial good will and ready welcome to all. As an officer of various organizations she is faithful and efficient. As a citizen .she is valued for her generous sympathies and for her support of all matters of public interest.
When a citizen of Maine said, "I am sure Portland is written on the hearts of Mayor Boothby and his wife, they have always so labored for the good of the city," he expressed a .sentiment that is endorsed by all good people within its borders.