Rand, Carrie A. 1827-1905

RAND, SNERFEY, HERRON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 6/21/2013 at 16:14:28

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
1905

MRS. E.D. RAND DEAD
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Wealthy Iowa Woman Who
Was Involved In Herron
Scandal Dies Suddenly
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HER DEMISE OCCURRED IN ITALY
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She Was Warm Friend of Iowa Col-
lege Until the Sensational Love Af-
fair of Her Daughter and Professor
Herron Which Resulted in Herron's
Desertion of His Wife and Children.
--------------------

Special to Times-Republican.

Burlington, July 25.--Mr. H.S. Rand received a cablegram from Florence Italy, yesterday, notifying him of the death of Mrs. E.D. Rand, the widow of the late E.D. Rand, of Burlington. Mrs. Rand lived in Burlington continually until about ten years ago. The last ten years of her life have been spent with her daughter, to whom she was exceedingly devoted.

Owing to the rigorous climate of the United States, Mrs. Rand left for Florence, Italy, in September, 1904, in the hopes that the milder climate of Italy would be more beneficial to her. Her death came as the result of old age, she being seventy-eight years of age.

Carrie A. Snerfey was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, on February 4, 1827. She moved to Burlington with her father, Solomon Sherfey, in 1837, and was married to the late E.D. Rand on June 13, 1852. This union was blessed with four children: Elbridge D., who died at Keokuk five years ago; Charles W., of Burlington, who died four years ago last March; Horace S. Rand, of Burlington; and Mrs. George D. Herron, who is now in Florence, Italy. Her husband, who died many years ago, was an early resident of Burlington, and amassed a large fortune.

Mrs. Rand gained great notoriety in connection with the case of Professor George D. Herron a few years ago. Dr. Herron was for several years pastor of the First Congregational church, which Mrs. Rand and her daughter, Miss Carrie attended. Later he went to Iowa College at Grinnell, to occupy a chair founded by Mrs. Rand.

Professor Herron jumped into notoriety by advocating "free love," the college authorities and the public in general revolting at his theory.

Soon after this departure, he left his wife and allowed her to obtain a divorce, later marrying Miss Carrie Rand, whose attractions are said to have caused him to desert his wife and religion.

According to the settlement effected in the court of Judge Quarton of Algona, it is said that Mrs. Herron received about $40,000 alimony for herself and two children. As Professor Herron was a poor man, it is presumed that Mrs. Rand, who was an admirer of him, paid this sum from her private fortune.

Since the episode, Mrs. Rand had spent little time in Burlington, either staying with her daughter in New York or traveling abroad.