The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-03-13
Address by Mrs. e. S. Plimpton

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There have been many noble men
and women who have devoted their
lives to the good of others and whose
names are honored and revered. whose
memory is cherished with affection.
Such lives are noble and helpful both
for what they themselves have done.
and tor the inspiration and example
they are to others. Their years come
to an end, but their influence continues
and their works do follow them.
Few women devoted to deeds of
philanthropy and reform have accom-
plished more than did Annie Wltten-
meyer. Few have been better known
or more beloved than she. Amongst
that great number of men who faith.
fully served u country there are
thousands to whom she ministered, and
who, in her death, realize and mourn
the loss of a personal friend. Others
here will call to mind the memory of
her service to our soldiers. l am re.
quested to review her life, and espec-
tally her great work in connection with
the w. G. I. ", for in, every effort
possible for the good of mankind she
gladly and heartily identified herself.
Her maiden name was Turner. She
was born in Ohio and lived both in
Kentucky, and in our loved Iowa. She
inherited a warm and a~ffectionate
temperament, a hosp,table and kindly
nature. Both her parents we're south
erners, her mother a native of Ken
lucky, and her father of Maryland.
She was thus by inheritance possessed
of a disposition fitted for kindly acts,
and especially adapted to do the work
that the great events of her day opened
before her. She would have been a re.
markable woman in any age, but her
great nature found in the stirring
events of her times ample opportunity
to become, not only good but illustrious
She made her impress upon those
events, and in common with many
others helped to accomplish that which
has been achieved.
A true sketch of her life reveals u G
cess in many different channels of
good. Her philanthropy extended not
ITO soldiers alone, but she sought every
where to awaken an interest in the
poor, the sick, the suffering; with these
she personally sympathized and arous.
ed the regard of others also in their be.
half. "a
She was an editress, a lecturer, a
poet, an author of merit and a wonder
full correspondent. Her wal c~orrespon-
dence, of over 5000 letters, is bound,
remounted on linen paper and placed
in the archives of the Iowa State His,
torical society, a practical evidence Of
the personal activity and usefulness of
an honored and devoted woman.
When the Crusade movement crystal
lied into the National w. C. 7. u.
Mrs. Wittenmeyer became its first
president and served for five years in
that Office. In that period a great work
was accomplished. Twenty-three states
were organized, a national organ
founded, and a beginning Of the de.
%partments of work which have since
continued, and today are doing SO much
to bless the world.
An impetus was given to the work o.
the w. c.. 7. U. in the very beginning
and even though she has gone, yet The
work goes on and on, each year with in
creasing power, to aid and uplift hu
mainly, even as she planned and hoped
She labored hard for the cause, goins
from place to place, and arousing in
terest and directing progress every
where. She visited torty-six large con
v%entions the first year and often spok,
as many as six evenings in the week
1t was fortunate that she was vigorou'
in healht or she could not have done s,
much. But the strain was great eve
though she was strong. and finally roll