ASHLAND — For centuries women have fought for equal rights around the world. Seneca Falls, New York was the first location of a Women’s Rights Convention in the United States in 1848. Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote the “Declaration of Sentiments” which created an agenda of women’s activism and outlined the rights that American women should have as American citizens and patriots.
The role of early American women was to run the household, spin, sew, preserve food, cook, clean, entertain, and care for the animals that provided dairy and meat for the family. They also made soap, candles and other products used in the home, performed important community service work and educated their children, preparing them for adult life. None of this was easy because there was no available technology to streamline these activities. Society also required women to be covered with layers of clothing so the work was often hot and uncomfortable.
By the early 19th century, social status had progressed in the United States. Different classes developed depending on where women lived and their financial means. The change also allowed women to evolve as individuals. A few pursued careers as teachers, nurses, doctors, and other professionals. Women also became domestic workers or assisted their husbands with the family business, while others continued for decades in the traditional role of wife, mother and homemaker.
Despite society’s belief that women were incapable of independent thought, many women pressed forward in the quest for equal rights and the first stages of that endeavor in the United States included the right to vote. Stanton and other women such as Susan B. Anthony were able to bring a proposal for a Women’s Suffrage Amendment to the U. S. Congress in 1848. Ohio became the fifth state to approve the 19th Amendment on June 16, 1919 and it was finally passed into law on Aug. 26, 1920.
As we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of women achieving the right to vote, there are many notable women who were successful in Ashland’s early days. The following is mention of just some of these ladies from the 1800’s and early 1900’s:
Katherine Doran, who was born between 1800 and 1810 was a business owner and possibly the first milliner to place an ad in the newspaper. She stated in the ad that she could make to order ladies riding coats and dresses as well as gentlemen’s pants and coats. She worked from her home on Main Street in exchange for country produce.
Jane E. (Coulter) Sloan (d. 1899) is the first documented principal. She worked at the Female Department of the Ashland Academy which was the first school established in Ashland in 1838. She held this position in 1841-42.
Agnes Dwire was the first female to introduce and wear pantalettes in 1839. Pantalettes were drawers worn under a dress meant to show below the hem and were often adorned with ruffles or lace at the bottom. They were the first step toward women wearing clothing other than long, heavy dresses and women could be jailed for wearing anything other than a long dress.
Electa (Robbins) Hall (1826-1924) was a lifelong member of various women’s organizations in Ashland and was possibly one of the town’s first activists. She was very busy in her later years working to help women obtain the right to vote. Once the right for women to vote became a law, Electa was the first voter in Ashland’s Precinct B, First Ward to cast her ballot in favor of the prohibition enforcement amendment. She also voted for Warren G. Harding for President of the United States.
The Ladies Aid Society was formed on Sept. 28, 1861 to assist with the Civil War efforts. Members such as Sarah (Wright) McCombs (1816-1905), Mary E. (Sloan) Jennings (1820-1885), Mary Jane (Grey) Stubbs (1822-1899) and Caroline (Carr) Slocum (1829-1901) all helped to make bandages, convenience kits and write letters to soldiers. They also donated food, supplies and extra clothing to Union soldiers. Jane Hibbard (1817-1873) and Susan (Jacobs) Kenny (1831-1913) owned two of the only known sewing machines at the start of the Civil War and helped sew blankets, shirts, socks and underclothing for soldiers.
Susannah (Bowermaster) Grosscup (1821-1899) may have been the first beautician to advertise in the newspaper. The ad stated she was prepared to make up switches from combed hair, curls, and performed hair work of all kinds. A switch is a hairpiece used for creating a ponytail style on the hair.
Maggie Beatty (d. 1881) was appointed in 1875, as the local agent for the Citizens’ Mutual Relief Association of Ohio. The association offered life and home owners insurance. Maggie was described as a great speaker, writer and debater.
Catherine (Mitchell) Herbrand Otter (1829-1910) was listed in the 1880 federal census as “Keeping a restaurant” for her occupation. Catherine supported an ordinance that closed all the billiard and pool rooms as well as the saloons at 10:30 p.m. She stated the kind of customers the restaurant got after that time wasn’t worth much because all they did was play cards. “Mother Otter” as she was known was described as a very resourceful woman who had five children and was twice widowed.
Portia Mansfield (1866-1889) was a writer and wrote on a regular basis for a leading magazine. Unfortunately she died at a young age and we will never know where her talent would have taken her. Sarah (Deshong) Arthur (1848-1928) became the first librarian at the Ashland Public Library in 1893. Her salary was $120 a year.
Sarah (Kilgore) Wertman (1841-1935) moved to Ashland in 1878 and set up practice as an attorney after passing the Ohio bar exam in 1893. She practiced law with her husband and specialized in real estate and abstracting.
Emma (Fulkerson) Cressinger (1838-1909) became the general manager of the women’s edition of a local newspaper in 1895.
Belle F. Osborn (1854-1923) was a teacher for 22 years. She often tutored students for free and later became a high school principal, interim superintendent and librarian. Osborn Grade School formerly located at 522 E. Main Street was named after her.
Sarah A. (Urie) Beer (1841-1935) owned the Kauffman – Beer Manufacturing Company along with her husband, Sherman and Jacob Kauffman. They made bed springs, cots, folding tables and chairs.
Hats off to these early Ashland pioneers who led the way for many other women who have made Ashland and the world a better place to live over centuries by becoming pilots, inventors, astronauts, CEOs, soldiers, scientists, engineers and other once traditionally male occupations. And kudos to the American homemakers of today, whether male or female. Maintaining a home and raising children is still a vital role in our society.
