Warren County Local History
by Dallas Bogan |
Contributor: |
Dallas Bogan on 23 July 2004 |
Source: |
Dallas Bogan, Warren County, Ohio and Beyond (Bowie Maryland: Heritage Press, 1979) page 359 |
Return to Index to see a list of other articles by Dallas Bogan |
This week our article shall be entitled "Distinguished Women of Warren
County." It seems as though the writer has been focusing on the men of
the County; however, there were many women of distinction amongst the multitude.
Some of these ladies have gone forth and distinguished themselves in a worldwide
fashion and some have simply wound themselves into the hearts of Warren Countians.
Catherine Hurin Skinner, daughter of Mr. Silas
Hurin, was the first child born within the bounds of Lebanon. Hurin
Park was named in honor of this event.
A great benefactor by the name of Mary Ann Klingling has put
her imprint on the community of Lebanon. Mary Ann died August 15, 1867, from
injuries received in a runaway horse accident. Her will stipulated that $35,000
be left for a building that would shelter the homeless children, thus an institution
named the Children's Home was built.
Mary Ann came to Lebanon from Germany with her brother, John.
He acquired a small fortune in the drug business, which was located in a room
where the Henry Reid drug store was later established. After
John's death, Mary Ann inherited her brother's estate. A story goes that Miss
Klingling had a lover of high standards in Germany, but his family disapproved
of this relationship.
Vowing never to marry, both parties provided a will that stated that if either
dies the monies were to go toward the building of a children's home. The lover
died first leaving a will providing for a home for the poor children in his
homeland.
Another lady born in Lebanon was Dolly Woolwine Nobles. She
moved to Cincinnati with her family while still a young lady. While in the Queen
City she joined the Shakespeare Club. Madame Madjestka, the
renowned performer, was entertained by the club and was impressed by Dolly's
performance. She urged her parents to have Dolly take comprehensive dramatic
training. Dolly later moved to Washington and became a student of Madame
Madjestka. She joined the company of Milton Nobles,
noted actor and playwright, and later became his bride. They entertained throughout
the country, and in later life settled for Vaudeville. Another lady by the name
of Laura Woolwine sought her recognition on the stage, too.
Her professional name was Laura Bellini. She has been renowned
as Lebanon's Prima Donna. Bellini first attracted attention while studying with
Madame Rive in Cincinnati. Later, after traveling to Milan,
Italy, she studied under Lamperti, and it was here that she took the name of
Bellini, just before she made her debut in Rigoletto. She consequently traveled
and sang in Italy, France, Trieste, England, Corsica, Havana, Mexico, and New
York. She sang with the Conreid and Duff Opera Companies until she was called
home by the sudden illness and eventual death of her parents. Remaining in Lebanon,
she made her home at her grandparents, subsequently going into the teaching
vocation at Lebanon and Cincinnati.
Jane Osborn Hannah was not a true Lebanonite, having been born
in Wilmington, Ohio, but she came to the city at a very early age to live with
her grandparents. Her career was one of brilliance. She was a concert and oratorio
singer, and studied abroad for Grand Opera. She sang at all the leading opera
houses in Germany, later returning to America, and on February 18, 1912, Madame
Hannah made her debut at the Lebanon Opera House.
Still another vocalist that sprang from the City of Cedars was Blanche
Scoville. She was graduated with honors from the Cincinnati College
of music where she studied under the guidance of Signor Albino Porno.
After graduation, she traveled to New York City and found employment under Anton
Seidl in his Opera Company. A prearrangement that she return home to study German
for the Opera Company was interrupted by a bout with typhoid fever. She died
at the age of 24, never fulfilling her dreams.
Amanda Stokes was the first woman from Warren County to enlist
in the Civil War. Selling all her possessions, she used her funds to buy delicacies
for the soldiers who were gallantly serving their country. Her presence in the
Civil War was for a period of about five years. She was present at the battles
of Stones River, Chattanooga, Chickamauga and Nashville.
Having spent her entire funds, she left the service penniless. She ultimately
found employment at the O.S.S.O. Home in Xenia. She petitioned for a pension
through many channels and none was given, until, by a special act of Congress,
a pension of fifteen dollars a month was awarded shortly before her death in
1886. In recognition of this fine and generous lady, the Daughters of America,
in 1906, named their lodge The Amanda Stokes Council, No. 132, in her honor.
Mrs. Mary Proctor Wilson had the distinction of being one of
the most prominent newspaper ladies of her day. She was editor/owner of the
Warren County Patriot for over twenty-five years. Among her other accomplishments
were: the first Probation Officer in the County; she was a member of the State
Board of Visitors for more than eight years; she was on the Board of Lady Visitors
for the O.S.S.O. Home in Xenia for twenty-one years; and was Postmistress of
Lebanon during the Cleveland Administration.
Grace Margaret Wilson at one time graced the city of Lebanon.
She moved to Toledo in her stature as a newspaperwoman, and was the Dramatic
Editor for the Toledo Times. Her accomplishment in that capacity was that she
published two volumes of poetry, and was notable in the literary clubs of Toledo.
L. Ray Balderstone, the niece of Jarvis F. Stokes,
received her Master of Arts at Columbia University in 1915. In 1914, she published
her second book on laundry work, which was a guide for both housewife and teacher.
She was an ardent lecturer on the subject.
Melva Beatrice Wilson, raised in Warren County, was one of
the world's top sculptureres. She was the daughter of Judge John Lafayette
Wilson. She received a scholarship from Adrian College, Michigan. For
three consecutive years, she won the $100 prize for sculpture excellence at
the Cincinnati Art Academy. This lady of renown first traveled to Europe and
then to New York. Possibly her greatest work was a processional of four hundred
figures called "The Way of the Cross," crafted for the St. Louis Cathedral.
These were the ladies of another time. Perhaps, in another article, the writer
will bring this episode up to present
NOTICE: All documents and electronic images placed on the Warren County OHGenWeb site remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. These documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the submitter, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed Warren County OHGenWeb coordinator with proof of this consent.
This page created 23 July 2004 and last updated
28 September, 2008
© 2004 Arne H Trelvik
All rights reserved