The evening times., 1896-03-11

pointed ambassador to the court OF Berlin. Is
q woman In every way qualified TO gracethe
high position to which destiny has called
her.
romthc bcgiuningo of fherhusband' 'srapid-
ly advancing career in little town in south
ern Michigan TO the present she has been the
gracious heipmate, stimulating his ambi-
tion. entering with hcntiiusiasmintDh To his plans,
entertaining his friends. social and political
ideally fulfiling, in ia CT, all the reations
that came to her as the wife of a rising
man.
But 1t is not alone In the character Of help
mate to q brilliant husband that Mrs. Uhl
has distinguished herself. A perfect host
ess and a skilled musician. she adds to her
rare social gifts capacity for handling
large enterprises. a grasp OF detail and cour-
age OF execution that insures the success OF
any underta king to which she lends her fine
zeal A very substantial monument TO
these striking qualities exists today in the
shape OF a wOman's clubhouse. the con-
siructioH of which occupies a unique posi-
tion in the history OF what nineteenth-cen-
tury women have done.
Not many years ago in the progressive
city of Grand Rapids, Mich. a few of the
iiiDSI Npihth SViAi'N -
little society for mutual Improvement. and
called themselves the CceeIa Club. From
small beginnings this club grew and grew
in Importance, as things have way OF do
ing in those busy, thriving Western towns,
until it came to be regarded as an institu-
ton, and the saints waxed bold enough
10 even venture u Padcrewski in their
program.
HISTORY OF THE CECILIA SOCIETY.
Mrs Uhl, always foremost in any scheme
for the public good, was identified with the
organization from its start. and was finally
persuaded 10 become its president. Once
having assumcsl the responsibilities of this
office, she was never allowed to re-
linauish them until Mr.. Uhl's official duties
required their presence in Washington.
Fortunately for the Cecilia Society. this
was not until the vast project which they
had undcrtak ken had been brought To a sue
ccssful issue
Early in Mrs. THIS administration she
conceived the idea OF the club buying lot
and erecting upon 1t its own clubhouse, and
after several years of most indefatigablc
effort and un wearied patience the society
was able To boast "f cnc OF the largest and
houses In the world: IN fact, the only one
built by women exclusively for music
Through all the difficulties and discourage
nients that attend such an undertaking the
club members never lost confidence in Mrs
This power to carr them safely through.
Mrs UhI inhcrits this executive ability d.
rectIy from her father. Benjaniin Foiiett. a
born leader. and in his day one az tho most
i..l,. In, fnE hs
prosperity of YpsiIan,i thetown in which he
lived, was so identified with his own that it
seemed to oncvcrquitcr recover fromthe shock
of his death.
He had already attained wealth and dis
tinction, when. at the age of f"rty-five, he
died. Alwaysan important manintfe Demo-
cratic party. it WAS while hurra hing for Nc
Clellan ut the convent ion thai nominated him
for p resident that Mr.. Follett wastakcn with
hemorrhage ofthelungs. which csultcdin his
death.
THE FAMILY LIFE.
Nor is Mrs. Chl less fortunate from the
mothers side of the house. No history OF
thcearly da VS. in Michigan would be complete
that failed to record the educational and
philanthropicai work done by Mr.. and Mrs.
Mark Norris; and the late Lyman ID. Norris,
one of the most distinguished la wycrs OF the
West, was Mrs. UhIs uncle.
Notwithstanding Mrs. THIS broad interest
in general affairs. she has never allowed
her time to bc absorbed by social or other
public functions. She was Il most devoted
da aughter and sister, and as wife and
mother her dearest interests have always
centercd in that sweet family life, which
constitutes the very bulwark of civilizi-
ton: while for their Old friends both Mr. and
AIRS. Uhl retain that unswcrving loyalty
which only goes with choice organizations.
Mrs. UhI is also IN earnest worker in the
Episcopal church, of which she has been
communican mt since childhood.
Mr.. and Mrs. Uhl have been blessed with
four children. all of whom are living. The
eldest daughter. Miss Lucy Uhi. is a charm
ing young woman, beautifully fitted TO
adorn the brilliant society in which she
moves.
The eldest son is probably too deeply i'm
mersed in his successful business ventures
in Grand Rapids to leave il even for. the
court of Berlin.
Miss Edwina named from her father. is
hardly yet debutantc. From infancy she
developed taste for music closely allied
to genius. She is already a brilliant
pianist. and Germany means first to her a
deep plunge into the hest music the world
has to offer
The youngest child is still a schoolboy,
to whom courts, society. and even nations,
are of little account.