# Women of the West/Montana

A Few of the Eminent WOMEN OF THE WEST
Women of Montana
By Sophia Holmes Adams
(Social Service Worker)
Montana is no longer "wild and woolly." In fact, she lays claim to educational and cultural advantages. Her vast plains, where a few decades ago, the Indian and buffalo roamed, now gleam golden under the great wheat harvest. More wheat is raised in Montana than in any other state in the Union. No longer is "Butte" the symbol of all the wild, reckless glitter of the "wide open" mining town with its saloons, dance halls and gambling dens that were open day and night. That day is gone forever. The greatest copper mining company in the world has its immense reduction works in Anaconda, twenty-eight miles from Butte. Montana proves her advancement best, perhaps, by the amused tolerance with which she meets the incredulous surprise of the eastern visitor. Six of the towns are "college towns" and many of the towns have a country club.
The technical education required of the men who are at the head of the various departments of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. and the men who are the professors and instructors at the university and colleges, is the greatest original cause for this change. These men naturally married women of congenial mental attainment. Then, as the towns grew, the need of men in all the other professions increased and these men brought their wives with them. Thus Montana is blessed with a rather large proportion of educated women scattered throughout her scanty population.
For the most part, these women did not let their brains atrophy, but while their husbands were making records in their lines, the women set to work to make records along other lines. The most influential women in Montana are not the "tea and bridge" crowd, but those who have done great work in the advancement of the finer things of life. As a result of their unselfish and unceasing labors, even the smallest communities have study clubs where the world's best in literature, art and music is brought to those so far away from the source of these things. The state has a population of very little over six hundred thousand and yet, there are six thousand members of the federated women's clubs. That means, if we figure four persons to a family, that one out of every twenty-five persons in the state gains advantages gleaned from the women's clubs. There are one hundred and thirty-five clubs in the federation.
​To give a list of the fine women who have done all this, would take too much space. Of them, nothing finer can be said than that in almost no case has the dollar mark made any difference in social status or public leadership. Some of the highest honorary positions in the power of the women of the state to confer upon other women, are held by those whose family budget is comparatively small.
By Mary Brennan Clapp (Vice-Chairman, Extension Department, Montana Federation of Women's Clubs)
In a state measuring 146,977 square miles there is room for many women, and the total population of Montana being only 550,000, one might say there is room for many more women.
The distinction of Montana women is that in the mass they are cosmopolitan. Up and down and across the continent east of the divide, femininity has ventured or been invited into Montana. Women have come to teach and remained to keep house. Women have come to keep house and their daughters remain to practice law or medicine, to enter the Forest Service, or the State Legislature, to raise families, to write poetry, fiction, philosophy, to edit newspapers, to do all that femininity has ever tried, from driving aeroplanes to raising peonies on a dry-land farm. The first woman representative to the National Congress was a Montana woman.
Montana women are foundation builders. Their pioneer mothers blazed trails and made clearings, and their daughters are to carry on the construction of a culture worthy of a foundation built from stones of sincerity, self-knowledge, courage and love of humanity.
Montana is a land of promise. Montana women are working to make it a land of fulfillment. They are studying the problems of older, congested districts, determining to provide against undesirable experiences recorded there. They are going to be wise and capable to handle the larger issues upon which national welfare depends.
By Mrs. A. J. Buchen (Member of Library Board, Deer Lodge, Montana)
The women of Montana, today, are the splendid products of the more adventurous and the more courageous, who fought ​their way along the ever-extending frontier, building in so short a time, a people who enjoy the highest standard of living, the highest degree of education, who have gone out to meet the needs of the community in a spiritual and moral way.
The trials, disappointments and experiences of life have enriched and increased their capacity for a tolerant understanding of the problems which confront them. They are unprejudiced in politics, working wholeheartedly, with a clear vision for the needs and good of all humanity, basing their beliefs upon facts substantiated by definite proofs.
They have a rare realization of the needs of women in all places, and a thorough, working knowledge of all they undertake to do. They have high and definitely-defined ideals for their families, home life, communities and all interests which they serve. They believe uncompromisingly that "No woman has a right to undertake any work outside of her home, that does not emanate from the home and, in its finest results, return to the home."
Women of Montana are independent, do their own thinking, exercise and hold efficient places in the business world as well as in the home, which, after all, is the largest and most important business outlined for womankind.
MONTANA
ADAMS, Sophia Holmes (Mrs. Francis), S.), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Holmes of Pueblo, Colo., living in Montana for the last 13 years. Married to Francis Spearman Adams. Children: Francis Spearman, Jr. State Regent of Montana D. A. R.; president Anaconda Woman's Club. Active for a number of years in social service work; dramatic reader; has given innumerable talks and entertainments for various organizations; very active in war work from 1917-19; former member of various charity boards; co-organizer of "Milk Fund" for small poor children. Graduate of Northwestern University; major in the work of the "School of Speech." Member: Anaconda Woman's Club, D. A. R., Mayflower Descendants, American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers (Anaconda section of Women's Auxiliary). Home: 408 Hickory St., Anaconda, Montana.
ATWATER, Mary Babcock (Mrs.), M. D., born in Concord, Vermont, 1869, daughter of Samuel G. and Adelia S. Babcock, a resident of Montana for thirty years. Married to Benjamin Atwater. Children: Dorothy Atwater Barron. Physician. During the influenza epidemic, had charge of Red Cross Hospitals in Montana. Member: Helena Woman's Club, D. A. R., State Tuberculosis Society, Elinor Walsh Memorial Hospital Building Committee (chairman), American Ass'n of University Women. Home: 516 Hayes Ave., Helena, Montana.
BOSSNOT, Harriet (Mrs. F. F.), born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Markle, a resident of Montana for twenty-six years. Married to Francis Forrest Bossnot. Children: Lillian Carolyn. Active social and civic worker. First vice-president of Montana Fed. of Women's Clubs, also chairman of county organization. Secretary and treasurer of local Library Board. Member: Havre Woman's Club, O. E. S. Home: 620 Fourth Ave., Havre, Montana.
BOWMAN, Ruth Scofield, (Mrs.), a native of Nebraska; a resident of Montana for 21 years. Married to Elmer K. Bowman. Children: Margaret, Harry, Fred, Lawrence, Charlotte. Active worker in the interest of World Peace. President, Montana League of Women Voters. Supported ​by the Federation of Woman's Clubs, W. C. T. U., League of Women Voters, American Ass'n. of University Women and many ministers and teachers of the State of Montana in her endeavor to educate people to the peace idea. Has issued a unique primer which has gone into every state of the Union and foreign countries. Home: 562 State Street, Helena, Montana.
BUCHEN, Clarene (Mrs. A. J.), born in Mason City, Iowa, daughter of Andrew and Carrie Johnson, both of them pioneers of the state. Resident of Montana for twenty years, married to Arthur Jay Buchen. Active in civic and club affairs. Member, Library Board. Served on Near East Relief by appointment of President Harding. Former president of various clubs. Montana Field Secretary for National Kindergarten Ass'n. Girl Scout leader. Member: Federated Woman's Club, Delphian Society, O. E. S., Daughters of Nile. Home: 819 Milwaukee Ave., Deer Ledge, Montana.
CAPRON, Mary Sanford, (Mrs.), born in Potsdam, New York, a resident of Montana for 25 years. Married to William Cargill Capron. Has studied art in New York City and Europe; conducts local art exhibits each year. Member of Library Board; instrumental in introducing Domestic Science work in the High Schools in Pueblo, Colorado. Member: Anaconda Woman's Club. Home: 700 Main Street, Anaconda, Montana.
CLAPP, Mary Brennan (Mrs. Charles Horace), born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 4, 1884, daughter of Michael H. and Mary Coyle Brennan, a resident of Montana for twelve years. Married to Charles Horace Clapp, President of the State University of Montana. Children: Daniel, Michael, Mary, Francis, Lucy, Prudence, Paul. B. A. (1903), M. A. (1906), North Dakota University. Active in civic and club affairs. Writer of verse. Speaker at women's clubs and conventions. First chairman, W. A. I. M. E., Butte, Montana. State vice-chairman of Literature, Montana Fed. Clubs. Teacher of English in State University of North. Dakota (1904-1908). Member: A. A. U. W., N. C. C. W., Sigma Alpha Iota, Mortar Board, W. A. I. M. E., Fed. Women's Clubs. Home: 661 University Ave., Missoula, Montana.
COONEY, Fanny Cory, (Mrs.), born in Waukegan, Illinois, October 17, 1878, daughter of Benjamin Sayre and Jessy Salter McDougall Cory, former resident of New York, living in Montana for 23 years. Married to Fred W. Cooney. Children: Sayre, Robert, Ted. Artist. Illustrator of children's stories since 1898, under signature of F. Y. Cory. At present devoting time to a one column comic entitled "Sonnysayings," appearing in many newspapers throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and Scotland, under the name of Fanny Y. Cory. Home: Canyon Ferry, Helena, Montana.
FEIGHNER, M. Winnifred (Miss), born in Missoula, Montana, daughter of D. R. and Jennie Monroe Feighner. Assistant librarian University of Montana. Interested in civic affairs. Member: Business and Professional Women's Club, Y. W. C. A., Mortarboard. Home: 315 East Front St., Missoula, Mont.
GARBER, Elizabeth Abbott (Mrs. Henry E., Jr.), born in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of James Dow and Selina Augusta Abbott, a resident of Montana for twelve years. Married to Henry Ernest Garber. Librarian. Interested in all club and civic affairs. Member, Billings Woman's Club, Drama Study Club, Montana State Library Ass'n, Pacific Northwest Library Ass'n. Address: Parmly Billings Library, Billings, Montana.
HATHAWAY, Maggie Smith (Mrs.), a native of Ohio, daughter of Reverend and Mrs. I. N. Smith, widow of Prof. B. Tappan Hathaway, a resident of Montana for 34 years. Educator and welfare worker. Former teacher, principal, county superintendent of schools. For 3 terms Member of Montana House of Representatives. Floor leader of Democratic Party, 1921 Session. Compiler of Manual of Laws of Montana pertaining to Children, Secretary State Bureau Child Protection; active in P.T.A. movement. Member: Federated Woman's Club. Home: 310 13th St., Helena, Montana.
HERRICK, Una B. (Mrs.), born August 24, 1863, in Madison County, Kentucky, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Madison Brasfield, a resident of Montana for 17 years. Married to the late Dr. Clinton G. Herrick. Children: Mrs. E. J. Callaway. Dean of College of Household and Industrial Arts. Member: State Federation of Women's Clubs, D. A. R., United Daughters of Confederacy, American Federation of Arts, National Home Economics Ass'n., State H. E. Ass'n., National Association of Deans of Women (on membership committee). Deans of Women Western Conference. Home: ​Montana State College, Bozeman, Montana.
HIGGINS, Alma Margaret (Mrs. W.I.), born in Deer Lodge, Montana, July 15, 1874, daughter of Nicholas John and Annie Bogk Bielenberg. Organizer of women's clubs and civic associations. Chairman Forestry Committee, Montana Federation of Women's Clubs, 1904-08. State organizer American Civic Association, member Forestry Committee, Education Committee, and during 1917, Director, General Federation of Women's Clubs. As Chairman of Art in the Home and Garden division of the M. F. W. C. since 1922, has created much interest in landscape gardening in Montana by use of contests for pictures of gardens, and gives lectures, illustrated with colored photographs or slides on "Planning the Home Grounds," "Rose Culture," "Living Christmas Trees and Their Inspiring Purpose," "Flower Arrangement as a Fine Art." Is known as the "Christmas Tree Lady" because of her interest in the use of living Christmas trees. Author: "O Tree of Light and Life" (Christmas Pageant), "A Living Tree That Tells the Christmas Story." Originator of "Garden Week" idea 1922. State vice-president, American Rose Society. Member: American Forestry Ass'n, American Green Cross, Rocky Mountain Garden Club, Homer Club, Arts and Crafts Club, Deer Lodge Women's Club (honorary life member). Home: Butte, Montana.
LAIST, Rosalba Murphy, (Mrs.), born in Butte, Montana, April 5, 1888, daughter of James Wallace and Fannie B. Murphy. Resident of Anaconda, Montana, for the last 19 years. Married to Frederick Laist. Children: James, Dorothy, Virginia. Writer of travelogues on South America and Europe. Member of local Library Board, Rehabilitation of Crippled Children Society. Member: Anaconda Woman's Club, American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers Auxiliary. Home: 218 West Seventh Street, Anaconda, Montana.
MORSE, Sara E. (Mrs.), born in West Liberty, Iowa, daughter of William and Marianna Evans, a resident of Montana since 1899. Children: Mrs. Virginia Morse Bearss. Executive Secretary, Montana Tuberculosis Ass'n. (since 1917). Attended Oberlin College, taught in Billings High School and was formerly County Superintendent of Schools. Holds positions in several organizations. Member: Social Welfare Ass'n, (secretary), D.A.R., P.E.O., P.T.A., O.E.S., Helena Auxiliary of American Legion, Helena Women's Club. Business address: State House. Home: 423 Clark St., Helena, Montana.
PERHAM, Katharyn M., (Mrs.), a native of Stillwater, Minnesota, daughter of John G. and Margaret M. Mackenzie, former resident of Salt Lake City, Utah, living in Montana for 30 years. Married to Wallace Thayer Perham. Chairman of City School Board. Vice-chairman, Republican State Central Committee; member of Resolutions Committee, General Federation of Women's Clubs, 1924-28; vice-chairman, State Advisory Board of Salvation Army; vice-chairman, American Legion Endowment Drive. Holds degree of Civil Engineer and of A. M. Past president, Glendive Women's Club of Montana Fed. of Women's Clubs; chairman of Investment Committee of General Fed. Endowment and War Service Trust Funds. Vice-president, General Fed. of Women's Clubs, 1922-24; member of Membership Committee, General Fed. of Women's Clubs, 1918-22. Member: P. E. O., O. E. S., Glendive Women's Club, War Presidents' Club, Alice Ames Winter Club, General Federation of Women's Clubs. Home: 812 N. Kendrick Ave., Glendive, Montana.
PLASSMANN, Martha Edgerton (Mrs. Theodore), born in Tallmadge, Ohio, May 14, 1850, daughter of Montana's first Governor, Sidney Edgerton. Married to Herbert Percy Rolfe. Children: Mary Pauline, Harriet L., Helen M., Lucia Ione, Edgerton, Edith, Hester. Crossed the plains to Eastern Idaho in 1863. Returned east in 1865 via Oregon Trail from Salt Lake. Came to Montana for second time in 1873. Taught voice and piano in 1875-76 at Ohio Institution for the Blind. Married in 1876. Returned to Montana, and has since resided there. Active in civic matters and in reform movements. Pioneer of Great Falls. Engaged in editorial work on Great Falls Leader, political daily, and on other political newspapers. Author of verse and stories. For several years and at present, writer of historical sketches of Montana. Home: 2516 3rd Ave. South, Great Falls, Montana.
PLUMMER, Eleanor Brennan, (Mrs.), born in Sprague, Washington, October 13, 1885, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brennan, resident of Montana for the last 31 years. Married to John Bolling Plummer. Children: Virginia, John Bruce, Margaret, ​William, Robert, Richard. Writer of verse. Winner of Kathryn Lee Bates National Poetry Contest of 1927, sponsored by the General Fed. of Women's Clubs. Her poetry has been published in Harper's Monthly Magazine, etc. Former secretary, Missoula County Fed. of Women's Clubs; chairman. Program Committee, Missoula Women's Club; 1926-27, chairman of Press Committee, National Council of Catholic Women, St. Anthony Branch; at one time a teacher and newspaper reporter. Member: Missoula Woman's Club, National Council of Catholic Women. Home: 537 South First St., Missoula, Montana.
RUSSELL, J. R. (Mrs.), born in Missouri, November 18, 1846, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Forbis, a resident of Montana for forty years. Married to the late Reverend J. R. Russell. Children: Lialah, Ebia, Theo, Charlotte, France. One of the pioneer women of the state of Montana; has always taken interest in civic, church and club problems; was active in organizing and building local Woman's Club. Member: D. A. R., Literary Club. Home: 849 West Gueste St., Butte, Montana.
STARK, Mary Fleischhauer (Mrs.), born in Berlin, Ontario, formerly lived in Livingston, Montana, daughter of Mr. C. J. and Mrs. E. Fleischhauer, a resident of Helena for about six years. Married to Judge Albert P. Stark, Associate Justice of Supreme Court of Montana. Children: Albert, Jr., Irma, Russell. Active in club and civic affairs. Chairman, Scholarship Committee Montana Fed. of Women's Clubs. Member: P. E. O., O. E. S., Helena Woman's club. Home: 516 Harrison Ave., Helena, Montana.
STERNFELS, Ida Estelle (Miss), a native of San Francisco, California, daughter of B. H. and Jennie Gallick Sternfels, a resident of Montana since childhood. Assistant librarian of Public Library. Specializes in reference work. Member: Montana State Library Ass'n. Home: Virginia Apts., Butte, Montana.
THOMAS, Edwin S. (Mrs.), born in Lyons, Michigan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Van Valkenburg, a resident of Montana for nineteen years. Married to Edwin Stanton Thomas. Children: Lillian, Mildred. Interested in all civic and club affairs. For eight years secretary of the Montana » State Board of Charities and Reform, Past president of Helena Woman's Club. Member of the State Executive Board, Montana Fed. of Women's Clubs. Member: Helena Woman's Club. Home: 824 Sixth Ave., Helena, Montana.
TRUMPER, May (Miss), born in Jeffersonviile, Ohio, daughter of Samuel P. and Maria Louise Hidy Trumper, a resident of Montana for 28 years. State Superintendent of Public Instruction since 1917. Former high school teacher, Granville, O.; principal of High School, Bryan, O.; Teacher in Flathead County High School at Kalispell, Montana; County superintendent of schools, Flathead County, Montana. Secretary of State Board of Education; member of State Textbook Commission. Member: D. A. R., P. E. O., American Ass'n of University Women, National Society for Study of Education, National Council of Education, National Council of Administration Women in Education. Home: Blackstone Apts., Helena, Montana.
WARING, Ann Katherine (Mrs.), born in Davenport, Iowa, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glaus Henry Gvettsch, a resident of Montana for eight years. Married to Clarence Leslie Waring. Public Health nurse. Field nurse with Montana State Board of Health for six years. Chairman, Child Welfare Division, Montana Federation of Women's Clubs. Chairman, Child Welfare Division, P. T. A. Congress, Member: Billings Woman's Club, P. T. A. Home: Acton, Mont.
WESSEL, Louis (Mrs.), a native of New York State, a former resident of Los Angeles, California, living in Montana for nineteen years. Married to Louis Wessel. Children: Hubert, Donald, Richard, Ella May, David. Teacher of Unity Principles. An active worker in all civic undertakings. Home: 301 S. Black, Bozeman, Montana.