# Representative women of New England/Mary E. MacGregor

​MARY E. MacGREGOR, of Portland, the president of the Maine Home for Friendless Boys and widely known in connection with the child-saving work of the State, was born in Portland, being the daughter of George S. and Ellen (Merrill) Barstow. Her father was a merchant in that city, and her mother a writer of both prose and verse, with several children's books to her credit. (See .sketch of Mr.s. MacGregor's sister, Mrs. Augusta M. Hunt.)
Mary E. Barstow (now Mrs. MacGregor) was educated in the public schools of Portland, completing her course of study in the high school. On November 12, 1859, she was married to Gains B. MacGregor, of Lock Haven, Pa., the descendant of a long line of sturdy Scottish ancestors, all of marked musical ability. His grandfather MacGregor, who was a Revolutionary soldier, married Betsey Bellows, whose family, it is said, figured conspicuously in the early history of Vermont, her father being an eminent jurist.
The early married life of Mrs. MacGregor was blassed in States west of New Englnnd. Twenty-two years ago she returned to her native city, where at present she is known as the "children's friend."
The society for the protection and care of friendless and destitute Ijoys of Maine was established February 9, 1898. After two years of practical experience in placing boys for adoption in country or city homes, and thus removing them from vicious surroundings, it was deemed wise to establish a home where neglected boys might have proper care until permanent places could be obtained for them. The actual necessity for such a temporary home was shown in the fact that many boys, taken from bad surroundings and sometimes inheriting evil tendencies, required special training and some refining influences before they were eligible for permanent homes. Accordingly a building was leased, November, 1895, to be known as the Maine Home for Friendless Boys. Furnishings and some money were solicited, but, as no assured fund was forthcoming, special effort has been made constantly for this purpose. A new building was erected in Portland, and formally opened in February, 1901. The success and present prosperity of the home is due largely to the energy and per.severance of Mrs. MacGregor, the president and the originator of the plan of work. She has interested Maine people in the enterprise, and to-day the institution represents in a large degree her labor and influence.
For the past twelve years Mrs. MacGregor has been an indefatigable worker in the Fresh Air Society of Portland, of which she was one of the original founders. She served most acceptably for twelve years as a director of the Female Samaritan Association, and then resigned the position to devote her time to the Home for Boys.
Aside from philanthropic work, she is prominently known in social and literary circles of Portland, her connection with the Monday Club (one of the first women's clubs organized in that city extending over a period of twenty years. As a member of the Woman's Literary Union, her influence has been helpful, both through contributions from her pen and her efforts to establish a high ideal.
Mrs. MacGregor is a most approachable, sympathetic woman, ever ready to do something toward lightening the burdens of the sorrowing.
Ellen Barstow MacGregor, of Portland, Me., the daughter of Gains B. and Mary E. (Barstow) MacGregor, was educated at Temple Grove Seminary, Saratoga, N.Y., where she ranked high as a student. She is now well known as a pianist and composer. She inherited her musical talent from her father's family, who claim some noted musicians of the past. When only two 3'ears of age she committed to memory a number of tunes, and accurately sang them. At the age of five she composed little pieces, which ​she would play on the piano, giving a left-hand accompaniment, while the remarkable memory for committing music began to develop also. Miss MacGregor has had the benefit of the best instruction in piano playing, harmony, and counterpoint, under Carl Baermann, of Boston, Dudley Buck, of New York, and other leading teachers. Her first compositions of instrumental music were marches, which have received the commendation of Gilmore, Sousa, Jean Missud, and other leading band-masters in this country, who have paid her the high compliment of adapting and ])laying them on important occasions. At the Maine Musical Festival given in Portland in October, 1899, her compositions were played, and received great favor. Of late she has been turning her attention with marked success to song-writing almost exclusively, and numbers among her productions some very taking songs: a lullaby, "We're sailing to Dreamland" (with violin obligato); "My Phyllis"; "The Old Love"; Serenade; "Now and Then"; and "O Lassie, be True to me," a Scottish song for contralto, which has been received most favorably. Of her instrumental music the "Dirigo March," "The Bowdoin," "The Gaiety" (two-step), and the "Colonial Dames Waltzes" are best known. Some of her most recent compositions are: "Little Gems for Little Folks" (a set of eight pieces for piano), and "The Fadette Two-step," dedicated to Caroline Nichols, leader of Fadette Woman's Orchestra.
As a prominent member of the Rossini Club, an organization of Portland ladies, she is identified with the musical interests, not only of Maine, but of all New England. She is a member of the Shubert Concert Company (as pianist and accompanist), and has been a member of the Boston Ideal Quartette (miscellaneous). Miss MacGregor has ixho given a number of musical lecture recitals on famous composers, besides one on " Contemporary Women Composers," and two others entitled respectively " Development of the Opera," and "Formation of the Ballad," all illustrated by music. Her services musically have always been freely given for charity, and few musicians have contributed more liberally of their talent and time than Miss MacGregor.