Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-06-05
Miss Winnie Ream.

sin, under Gov. Dodge, and was
subsequently an incumbent of various
other public offices in that State He
went to Washington during the latter
part of Mr. Fillmore's administration.
and took position as draughtsman in
the general land office. About the year
1854 he went to Kansas as chief clerk
for Surveyor-General Calhoun.
During the time Mr.. Ream was IN
Kansas his children were sent to school
at Christian College. Columbus, Miss.
The mother, although an invalid, was
very ambitious, and, mother like, had
nothing at heart so much as the welfare
of her three children. The eldest Of
the three was a son; the next was a
daughter, who is now the wife Of ex-
United States Senator Ross. Winnie
was the youngest child, and was not
only q pet at home. but was the belle
Of all the juvenile parties-a position
to which she was justly entitled by vir-
tue of her accomplishments in singing
and dancing.
At the early age Of eleven years Vim
ME had written several poetical articles,
which displayed a precocity uncommon
to one Of her age These poetical effu-
sions were published in some of the
western journals, and earned her the
reputation of being a born poet" At
a subsequent period she began to dis
play more than ordinary musical abili-
ties, which she has cultivated to a de-
gree that renders her a good performer
upon the harp and guitar. and a most
excellent vocalist. Her musical abili-
ties have been frequently called into
requisition at Washington in the inter-
est of various public charities, for whose
benefit concerts have been given.
Mr.. Ream, the father Of Winnie, re-
turned to Washington in 1861, and soon
after Miss Winnie was appointed to a
clerkship in the Washington postoffice.
She held this position until some time
in 1864, when a little incident occurred
which developed a genius hitherto un-
observed, and proved an opening TO a
career that now promises to give her
not only fame but fortune.
While on a visit to the studio of q
sculptor in Washington, she suddenly
formed the resolution to become a sculp-
tress, and asked the artist whose stu
do she was visiting, to give her some
thing to copy. The sculptor, willing
to humor her wishes, loaned her me-
dalllon to copy. This she did with sur
prising fidelity, which the SCULPTOR
freely acknowledged From that time
forth she felt that she was to be a
sculptures, and by diut of great indus
try and laborious study she made as
tonishing progress for one of her years.
Miss Ream's first works comprised
busts Of the Hon. Reverdv johnson,
United States Senator Sherman, Hon.
Ihaddeus Stevens, and the late Presi-
dent Lincoln. She also modelled some
ideal subjects, and among others, the
!" Indian Girl, -" Twin Sisters" w ater
Nymphs, D" America" and" Violet"
In designing and completing these
works, she evinced superior good taste
and ability. Her great energy and in
dustry and perseverance, attracted the
attention Of Presid ent Rogers, OF Chris
tan College, the Hon. James Rollins, of
Missouri, and several eminent person
ages in Washington, including the late
Thaddeus Stevens, Gen. n. P. Banks.
the late Admiral Farragut, Gen. u. s.
Grant and Gen. William T. Sherman.
The good opinion of her artistic ability
as displayed in her earlier works re-
suited IN the order passed by congress
for the Lincoln statute, which now
adorns one of the public squares in
Washington, and for which she was
paid by the U. S. government the sum
of $4,000. The sittings for this statute
were made from life at the executive
mansion while Mr.. Lincoln was presi-
dent Of the United States. Co.
She has since made bust of Lincoln,
which was purchased by Cornell Col
lege for the library of that institution.
A bust of Ex-Mayor Powell, of Brook
lyn, N. Y, which is now in marble, and
adorns the speakers chair of the coun-
Gil chamber of Brooklyn. Busts in mar
BILE Of the twin daughters of Edward
Clark, Esq, architect of the United
States Capitol. A bust of the Hon. D.
]. Mcneil, President Of Cambria Iron
Works, Johnstown, Penn.
Miss Ream is now engaged upon a
life-size statute of the late Admiral Far
ragut, and has several others in contem-
plation Among her ideal works which
have been most admired, is statute of
" Miriam " in marble, representing her
when she met the children of Israel af-
ter they had crossed the Red Sea. This
has been purchased by wealthy lady
IN Philadelphia, at a cost Of S., 900.
All who have made the acquaintance
of Miss Winnie, represent her as one of
the most charming, piquant, and de-
lightful little creatures imaginable. Her
perfect self-possession and apparent I'M
consciousness of self, and her wonder
full COW ersational powers, are the graces
With which she attracts and delights ev-
cry one-equally charming and enter
tanning the cultivated and putting at
ease the diffident and awkward, with a
pleasant. and appropriate remark to
each, without an instant's thought or
hesitation. She appears as self-possess-
ed and as exuberant in a room crowded
with strangers as with the most init
mate friends and acquaintance; and ii
her visitors should be utterly. unable to
talk, size would make the conversation
lively nevertheless. jjI2A 3
| Miss Roam 1thouuh p,,,ob i1yoood "a