Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-02-18
GOES BACK ESQ YEARS
Worlds Richest Woman Can Trace
Her American Ancestry to
the Pilgrims.
MARRIAGE WAS A LOVE MATCK
Blessed with Wealth, Mrs. Hartman
Materially Assisted Husband
in Early Struggles.

Mrs. Edward II. Hartman, who, by
the terms of her husbands will, be.
comes the worlds richest woman, can
trace her American ancestry back to
1850. For two centuries, says the
New York World. her forhears have
lived in the northern section of this
State-men of solid responsibility and
women of assured social position. She
was Mary Williamson Averell, and her
birthplace was the thriving little city
of Ogdensburg, in st. Lawrence Coun.
ty.
Further back than goes the memory
of any living man the Averells have
been a power in the business and So
cial life Of Ogdensburg. Her father.
William Averell, was the head Of .
banking house and president Of the
old Ogdensburg & Lake ChamplaiA
Railroad Company. which Is now he
Rutland. Her grandfather was Judge
Averell, one of the most distinguished
jurists in the history Of st. Lawrence
County.
The judges wife, Mrs. William Az.
erell, was rated a beauty In her day.
and throughout her long life in Og-
densburg her social supremacy was
never disputed. She lived to be 80
years old and almost every member OF
her family was long-lived and remark.
ably vigorous to the end.
1t was from this stock that Mary
Williamson Averell sprang, lowered
from the start Of life with good
health, social position and consider.
able wealth. She had hardly made her
social debut, when Edward II. Harri.
man came into her life. He had ale
ready made a name for himself in
| Wall street and big financiers were
talking of him as a coming man."
Almost before Ogdensburg society
realized hat young Mary Averell had
laid aside her school books. her en-.
gagement to Mr.. Hartman was an.
nounced.
1t had been a love match In the tru-
est and best sense Of the term and the
years brought no wavering Of mutual
devotion. Six children were born -
the Harrimans and all survive save
the eldest, Edward H. Hartman, Jr.,
who died in infancy.
The other children are Carnelia. the
wife of Robert Livingston Gerry; May.
who was recently reported engaged to
Robert w. Goelet; Carol. who has only
entered society; w. Averell, the eldest
son, who is learning railroading, and
Roland, a boy in his teens. studying
under a private tutor.
Mrs. Hartman has been a prominent
figure at many of the social functions
which live In history. She was a guest
at the wedding of Janet Reid, daugh-
ter Of Whitelaw Reid, in London, and
her gorgeous diamond necklace made
up of huge and perfectly matched
stones worn on that occasion drew
out press comments throughout Eu-
rope.
Mrs. Hartman was also a guest at
James Hazen Hyde's Louis Quinzs
ball, at which Nine. Rejane, the noted
French actress, figured.
In January Of last year at her din
ner dance which introduced her young
est daughter to society Mrs. Hartman
entertained Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Ise'
lin, Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence Mackay,
Mr.. and Mrs. James A. Burden. Jr.:
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney
Gladys Roosevelt, Mrs. Henry Rogers
Winthrop, Ruth Twombly. Dorothy
Whitney and a host Of others number.
ed in the elite.
OF Mrs. Harriman's social future
there is no feeling OF doubt. With
practically limitless wealth at her
command, society confidently expects
that she will ultimately exert q power.
full influence in it's affairs.
The future of the great house %
Tower hill, with its 200 rooms and
more is an interesting topic Of specu'
lation.