Evening star., 1901-12-24
"JENNY JUNE" DEAD.
Founder Of Sorosfs and Federation OF
WOmen's Clubs.

Founder Of SOFosfs and Federation OF
WOmen's Clubs.
The New York Tribune Of today says:
Mrs Jenny c. Croly, widely known by her
pen name, Jenny June" died yesterday at
noon at No. 12S West 43d street, Of heart
failure. She had never fully recovered her
health, however, after the fall in which
she broke her hip two years ago, and last
year a heart trouble developed. Mrs. Crcly
returned last spring from England, where
she had been in the hope of recovering her
strength.
Arrangements for the funeral have not
been completed, but it is thought by the
family that services will be held on Christ
mas morning, and the interment Will take
place privately at a later date. The burial
will be at Lakewood. N. j., where Mr.. Gro
ly is inferred. Mrs. Croly's son and daugh-
ter and her daughter-in-law were with her
when she passed away.
Jenny Cunningham Croly was the daugh-
ter of Unitarian minister, and was born
in Market Marlborough, Lelcestershire, Eng
land, on December 10, 1880. Her family
came to the United States when she was
been passed in this city. She began to
write at an early age. and had been called
the pioneer newspaper woman. Marrying a.
newspaper man, David G. Croly, when ex-
tremely young, she wrote for the papers
with which he was connected and for MANY
others, as she was an energetic worker.
Over the signature Jenny June" Mrs.
Croly conducted departments in several
periodicals and corresponded with others
until within a few years. She Is said to
have introduced the syndicate system
and many other newspaper novelties.
She has been termed the mother Of
clubs" because Sorosis, the pioneer wo-
mans club, was founded by her, and the
Federation of Women'S Clubs owes Its cx-
istence to her.
Sorosis was organized in 1868, and Mrs.
Croly was asked to be its president but
refused, on the ground that "a better
known name would be of more value to the
new enterprise" in whose success she fore
saw a new development of "womal's s
sphere" She accepted the vice presidency
with Alice Cary as chief officer. Mrs. Gro
iy became the second president, however,
being elected by acclamation.
From that time until the accident, two
years ago, that untitled her for active work,
Mrs, Croly remained one of the most ener
getic members of the club and was it's
president from 1874 to 1885,
The General Federation Of Women's
Clubs was the offspring of her happy
thought to celebrate the twenty-f1rst birth
day of Sorosis. In 1889. by convention Of
women's clubs. with the ultimate object
of forming federation, which was organ
lied the year following. The presidency Of
the general federation was urged upon Mrs
Croly. but she positively refused 1t, al
though she showed her interest by accept
ing the office of recording secretary.
Mrs. Croly was most unfortunate during
the last years Of her life. In addition to
her ill health and helplessness, the enter
prises in which her money was invested
failed and her income was greatly reduced.
movement was started a few months ago
by Mrs. Ralph Trautman Of the Woman 8
Health Protective League to raise a fund
for Mrs. Crolys support, which was to
found girls industrial school after her
death as a memorial Of her. Sorosis then
claimed the right to provide for Mrs. Gro
ly, and had done SO for short time.
Mrs. Croly leaves a son, Herbert, and two
daughters, Mrs Fred Sidney, now in Eng
land, and Mrs. William Mathot