The National tribune., 1903-06-18
MRS. ELLA E. WEST.
Patriotic and Charitable Work of the Depart
meut President.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Mrs. Els
e. West. Department President, Ladies oi
| the Grand Army of the Republic, State OF
New York, is Past President of Phi
Kearny Circle, of Brooklyn, having
served two terms. She was formerly q
member of the Pennsylvania Reserve Cir.
Gle, of Philadelphia, where membership is
largely composed of the wives, mothers
sisters and female lineal descendants of
members of % the famous Pennsylvania
Reserves" whose record is such glorious
one. Mrs. West is also 4 member of the
Auxiliary to the Union Veterans Legion,
having served as National President with
credit and distinction. Her life work:
however, seems to be with the Ladies of
the G. A. R.. and she has the found
ing of a Ladies of the G. A. X.
Home in New York State as one great
object in view. Two years ago she gave
five suburban lots, located on the Hudson,
but short distance from New York City,
to the Home Fund, and managed with
ability the sale of tickets and the final
drawing of lots at the Saratoga Conven-
ton. The fund gained about $4OO. She
has never failed when visiting Circle
to urge upon the members the necessity
for such a refuge for Veteran and wife,
or widow.
Mrs. West was born in Philadelphia,
was educated in the schools of that city.
and Baltimore. Md, Bordentown, N. j.,
and Strathmore College. AZ the begin
ming of the civil war she was but young
girl, still she became at once actually en-
gagged in assisting in the noble work done
by the women of Philadelphia for the SOL
diers during their stay in that city, and
in providing lunches and care for the regi-
ments en- route to the front. She read to
the sick, wrote letters home to their moth
ers and friends. prepared del:cacies for
flnarp IND Faa IL la Aa1,.
levlate their sufferngs and hardshipS.
In all of her life since she has been
foremost in her kindness to the veteran
and his family; her purse is always open
to assist in making life happier for the
needy ones. These who know her best.
speak most of her quiet charity during the
past Winter during the recent coal strike.
when there was so much suffering and
want among all classes, and so many of
the veterans needed aid. In this work
she was ably assisted by the Circles Of
New York and Brooklyn, and especially by
her own Circle, Phil Kearny. 6. Mr..
West ably seconds the work of his wife.
He has been appointed by Department
Commander Bakewell as Aid-de-Camp for
the San Francisco National Encampment.
The only daughter is the wife of n Span
ish War veteran. Her work as Depart
ment President has been very successful
The kindness of Department Commander
Bakewell has been one of the things for
which she and the members of the Order
throughout the State have thoroughly ap-
preciated. The courtesy shown Mrs
West by Commander Bakewell at the Ma
tional Encampment at Washington did
much to strengthen the work throughout
the Department, and placed it where it
belongs, by the side of the G. A. II. Mrs.
West is a worthy successor of the esti-
mab,e and patriotic ladies who have pre-.
ceded her as Department President, State
of New York.-FLORIDA +. LAWRENCE,
Department Press Correspondent, VOL.
colt, n. Y.