of
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, pages 443-444
OLD LADIES' HOME. In 1894 certain ladies of the various Muscatine churches started a movement toward the establishing of a home for women who had arrived at that age and condition as to make for them most desirable and necessary a place to spend their declining years in comfort and security. On December 6, 1894, an organization of the Christian and philanthropic women of Muscatine was effected, by the selection of a board of managers and the adoption of by-laws, under which the proposed home should be governed.
In 1895 the home was incorporated and under the charter the following board of managers was elected: Mrs. J. E. Musser, Mrs. E. L. Jayne, Mrs. Emma Dean, Mrs. L. E. Giesler, Mrs. S. A. Foulke, Mrs. Mary Weed, Mrs. W. S. Robertson, Mrs. Ellen M. Brown, Mrs. Anna Lee Mahin, J. S. Braunwarth, M. D.; Mrs. I. O. Horton, Miss Susan F. Stone. The first president of the home was Mrs. P. M. Musser, who has continued in that position up to the present time. Mrs. W. S. Robertson was elected vice president; Mrs. Henry Jayne, secretary; and Mrs. Alfred Brown, treasurer.
From various sources and through the indefatigable efforts of Mrs. George D. Magoon, Mrs. T. R. Fitzgerald and others, funds were secured to furnish a home, but it was not until 1896 that a permanent building was obtained, and this was made possible by the generosity of P. M. Musser, who bought a resident property at 1119 Mulberry street for $5,000, and presented it to the board of managers of the Old Ladies' Home. Since that time the home has been open, with every room occupied, every inmate comfortable and happy in the restful security afforded her.
The first person to make application for entrance into this retreat was Mrs. Kate F. Stone, who was admitted January 17, 1897. She gave $500 as an entrance fee. Mrs. Stone's was the first death of the institution, she having passed away January 4, 1900. Other inmates have followed her to the grave in the order here named: Mrs. Minerva B. Drake, October 24, 1900; Mrs. Margaret Humphreys, January 16, 1901; Mrs. Kate Nelson, June 1, 1901; Mrs. Martha A. Parvin, May 13, 1902; Mrs. Parintha D. Butts, November 14, 1903; Mrs. Helen D. Aylworth, March 31, 1904; Mrs Lucelia F. John, June 19, 1907; Mrs. Abbie E. Fields, February 21, 1908; and Miss Eleanor Howell, April 9, 1911.
Donation socials have been held from time to time, suppers and the like, by and through which funds have been added to those already in hand, to replenish the larder, the coal bin and the clothes press. As the existence of the institution is wholly dependent upon the good will of the citizens, the home management is always appreciative of any assistance coming its way. Gifts of a very substantial nature have been received and at this time the management has a sinking fund of $15,000. At the beginning, the entrance fee was $200, which was soon found to be inadequate and raised to $500. The number of inmates is limited, owing to paucity of accommodations, to five persons.
The present officers of the home are: President, Mrs. P. M. Musser; vice president, Mrs. W. S. Robertson; secretary, Mrs. J. A. Bishop; treasurer, Mrs. A. B. Brown. Board of directors: Mrs. J. A. Bishop, Mrs. Z. W. Hutchinson, Mrs. J. Scott Blackwell.
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