The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-10-19
NOTED WOMAN
VISITS KENOSHA
Widow of General ''Sor'
Meredith Spends Week
End Here.
LEADER OF WOMEN

Kenosha had as it's guest over the
week end Mrs. Virginia Claypool Mere
dith of Lafayette, Indiana, known as
Indiana's most distinguished woman,
and woman who has had a most
prominent part in the work of the
women of the nation during the past
half century. Mrs Meredith was the
guest of Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Dexter
and the Misses Dexter at their home
ON the South Milwaukee Road and will
remain with them until Tuesday after
noon. She graciously received num-
Der of people of Kenosha on Sunday
afternoon, the event being one of rare
interest. a3 $50 eS
Mrs. Meredith is the widow of Gen
eral Solomon Meredith, famous as a
leader of the Union army during the
Civil War, and about her has clustered
much of the history of the develop
ment of big movements among women
in Indiana and to lesser degree SINH
lar movements throughout the nation.
At the time of her marriage to General
Meredith she was known as the most
beautiful and the most brilliant woman
in Indiana, and the years which have
passed have added much to her repu-
tation for leadership.
While Mrs. Meredith has given much
to the work Of women, she was widely
known throughout the nation on ac-
count of her interest in the develop
ment of the cattle industry. Col. Mere
dith went to the army as the leader of
the 10th Indiana Volunteers. He was
wounded at Gainesville and shortly
after was named a brigadier general.
He led the Union army in the first day
of the battle of Gettysburg and was
forced from service when wounded in
action the second time.
He became the leader of the famous
Iron Brigade, in which many Wiscon-
sin soldiers of Civil War fame saw SER
vice, and he was the idol of the men of
the Union army. Three sons went
with him to the war, and two of them
gave their lives in the service Gen.
eral and Mrs. Meredith made their
home at Oakland farm, a wonderful
country place just out of Cambridge
City, and on this farm was developed
one of the worlds greatest herds of
shorthorn cattle. On the death of
General Meredith in 1876 his widow
took upon herself the entire manage
ment of the farm and the DEVELOPMENT
of the great herd of cattle. Giving
part Of her time to the many calls
made upon her by her work among.
women and the rest of it to the work
of the farm, she remained at Oakland
until ten years ago, when she went to
Lafayette OF make her home.
Was Aid of Mrs. Palmer
Mrs. Meredith served for more than
decade as president of the Indiana
Federation of Women's Clubs. When
the Worlds Fair was held in Chicago
in 1893 she was named by the governor
of Indiana to represent the women of
that state on the board Of managers,
and in this work she became the chief
aid Of Mrs. Potter Palmer in the han
ding of the many activities of women
at the great exposition.
She has travelled much and has been
distinguished in the field of literary
work. Her active interest in affairs Of
women and in the affairs of the nation
has not been waning interest, as she
today retains leadership in many of
the organizations among women.
It is recounted that when the gov
eminent recognized more fully the
place Of woman for leadership on gov
ernmental boards a call was made upon
the governor Of Indiana to name trus-
tees for Purdue University.
~ am asked to name TO this impor-
tsnt position most distinguished per-
sonage and woman" said the gov
ernor in his letter, "and it is my pleas
ure to name Mrs. Meredith"
Mrs Meredith is one Of the most
charming Of women, and her life has
been so filed with service to her coun-
try and to her fellow women that she
makes most charming visitor. 1t is
a matter of regret that call to official
duties at her home makes it impossible
for her to meet more of the leaders of
Kenosha's women organizations.