Category: Gender

The previous post provided material about the founding of the Seminary of Historical and Political Science in 1889 at the University of Kansas, together with information about the scholarly career of one of its co-founder, Frank Wilson Blackmar. Kansas at that time was fairly progressive with respect to the admission of women to higher education and it was only a few days ago when I learned that “co-educator” was a label once used to denote a male instructor willing/capable of teaching both males and females.

What I found worth sharing here is the report of a new course introduced on the “Status of Woman” for the spring semester of 1892. Also worth the effort of transcription is a summary of a session of Blackmar’s Seminary devoted to “Status of Woman”. I have tracked down the five women participants named in that session as well as the Topeka businessman who donated $100 to acquire books on the topic for the new course on women’s issues.

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“Co-educator”

…[Frank Wilson] Blackmar is married, has had experience as a co-educator, and has served as an assistant here [at Johns Hopkins], as well as a popular lecturer to workingmen…

Source: From a recommendation letter by Johns Hopkins history professor Herbert Baxter Adams, quoted in The University Courier (Lawrence, Kansas), May 10, 1889, p. 2.

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The elective course
“Status of Woman”

A number of inquiries have been made about the new optional [i.e., elective course] introduced by Prof. Canfield, called the Status of Woman in the United States. (See the course description below.) To those interested in this subject it may be said that the optional will be given as advertised. The course is in the program for the second half year, and consequently nothing can yet be said as to the success of the study. An alcove has been set apart for the literature of this subject, and already over half a hundred volumes have been added to the collection.

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22. The Status of Woman in the United States. Three conferences each week during the second term, on the Status of Woman in all countries and times; with special investigation of the present legal, political, industrial, and professional position of women in the different States of the American Union.

Source: Seminary Notes published by the Seminary of Historical and Political Science, Vol. I, No. 2 (October 1891), pp. 44, 47.

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Donation to buy books for
“Status of Woman”

Shortly before Prof. James H. Canfield left Kansas University to become Chancellor of Nebraska University, he announced that a new course of study would be offered in the ensuing year upon the “Status of Woman.” Considerable interest was taken in this throughout the state, and a gentleman of Topeka, Mr. T. E. Bowman, generously contributed $100 as a nucleus for the purchase of reference books upon the subject. The gift was acknowledged both by Chancellor Snow and by Prof. Canfield, but in the unlooked for resignation of Prof. Canfield, the gift was lost sight of for the moment and has since lain in the Clerk’s office until recently brought to light. The Notes regrets that acknowledgement was not made earlier for this gift. The course “On the Status of Woman” is now being given by Prof. Blackmar, and many reference books have been purchased for the study. Mr. Bowman’s gift is, however, an addition, and more than that such gifts are always an encouragement to the instructors of the Historical department.

Source: Seminary Notes published by the Seminary of Historical and Political Science, Vol. I, No. 7 (April 1892), p. 165.

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Thomas Elliot Bowman was born September 30, 1834 in Westford, Vermont; he died May 25, 1896 in Topeka, Kansas. He and his family moved to Kansas ca. 1879.

“T. E. Bowman is a Vermonter by birth, though prior to coming to Kansas, his business life was spent chiefly in Boston and vicinity, as a partner in the firm name of Seavey, Foster & Bowman silk manufacturers. Ill health caused him to leave New England and brought him to this state 16 years ago, and his residence since that time has been in this city [Topeka]. Upon his coming to Kansas he began loaning his own funds and the funds of a few of his old business associates, upon real estate, and from this beginning developed the successful business which is still existing under the firm name of T. E. Bowman & Co….he was the leading spirit in several philanthropic enterprises; latterly being deeply interested in the kindergarten movement.”

Source: The Topeka State Journal, May 25, 1896, p. 3.

“It would not be easy to name the different causes which appealed to his sympathies and his practical financial support. Much that he did was done so quietly that very few persons know of all his careful personal touch with the best life of the city.”

Source: Tribute published in The Topeka Daily Capital, May 26, 1896, p. 4.

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“Status of Woman”
Seminary Session
March 22, 1892

The Seminary met on March 22, to listen to papers on the “Status of Woman.”

Miss Nina Bowman read a paper on the “Property Rights of Women.” In primitive times women were thought to have no rights at all. In France no married woman has any property rights and the common law prevails.

In England women have no voice in parliament. A single woman has the same rights of property as a man; has the same protection of law, and is subject to the same taxes. After marriage the husband has absolute power over the wife’s jewels, money and clothes. In 1870 a law was passed which gave women a right to their separate earnings.

In America the common law restrains married women from all custody over their own property, either real or personal. Since 1848 many changes have been made in the property rights of married women. In our own state the wife has full power over her own property and earnings and may dispose of them in any way pleasing to her. After marriage a woman may sue and be sued in the same manner as if not married. A woman may convey or mortgage her own property without her husband’s signature, but the husband in disposing of property must secure his wife’s signature.

Miss Amy Sparr then read a paper on “Woman’s Suffrage.” The woman question is still young in years, but its strength and growth are not to be measured by its age. Those who have taken the practical side of the question are those who have made such remarkable progress. In England women have been admitted to many electoral privileges and to public work involving great responsibility. Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Mill have aided much in changing public opinion in England. Great progress is being made with the general public but is much less assured and rapid in Parliament. In England, Scotland and Ireland women may vote for nearly all elective officers.

In the United States women have with difficulty succeeded in getting the right to vote in municipal elections in a single state, namely Kansas, where they have the right to vote for any city or school officers. Several states have admitted women to the membership of school boards of primary public schools. In Wyoming women vote at all elections and in Kansas they have full local suffrage. All statistics show a gain in women’s votes.

Following this a paper on “Women in the Professions” was read by Miss Maggie Rush. It began with women in the ministry. Once women were not allowed to sing in church choirs because Paul had commanded that they should keep silent. The Universalist church was the first to open the doors of its theological schools to women. About fifty women have been ordained in this church. Theological seminaries for women have been opened in Oberlin, Ohio; Evanston, Illinois, and Boston. As lawyers women in England have been permitted to qualify for and practice as attorneys at law. The first woman admitted to the bar in this country was Arabella Mansfield, of Iowa, in 1869. Seven women have been admitted to practice before the supreme court of the United States. Most law schools now admit women. Some women prefer office practice and others court work. In Wyoming and Washington mixed juries have been tried and found perfectly satisfactory.

Women have taken a stand in medicine which is rapidly growing in favor. Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman physician. She graduated in 1849. The American Medical Association first admitted women to membership in 1876. In 1880 there were 2,432 women registered as physicians in the United States. Teaching is peculiarly adapted to women. Women were recognized as teachers for the first time in 1789. Vassar, Wellesley, and Bryn Mawr all have women among the members of their faculties.

Miss Martha Thompson then read a paper on “Women in Industrial Pursuits.” More than one-half of the human family consists of women and the greater portion of these must earn their own living. As they become more skillful and capable their wages will be brought more on an equality with those of men. Women do not work together as men do, and their political disabilities deprive them of the influence which men often have to control wages. In the largest cities about three hundred different employments are open to women.

Factory work brought women into competition with men. When sewing machines were introduced one woman could do the work for which formerly six had been required. In large cities many homes have been provided for working girls, where they can secure board, protection, and recreation. Many women who are not compelled to work for bread, work for pin money and can work for much less than otherwise; therefore wages are decreased. A great many women will not enter domestic service because they think it more servile and menial than other employments. In Massachusetts 64 per cent, of the women are engaged in housekeeping and laundry work.

Eleanor Blaker, Reporter.

Source: Seminary Notes published by the Seminary of Historical and Political Science, Vol. I, No. 8 (May 1892), pp. 193-194.

A few details about the women participants

Nina Bowman. [became a teacher]

Kansas State Census (March 1, 1895): age 24, born in Ohio, residing in the town of Newton in Harvey County. Parents: C. S. Bowman and Clara Bowman.
University of Kansas, Twenty-Fifth Annual Catalogue, 1890-1891: Nina Claire Bowman of Newton. Member of the Freshman class. L.Sc. (p. 15).
Find a Grave webpage: Nina Clare Bowman (1870-1955) in the Greenwood Cemetery in Newton, Harvey County, Kansas. Parents: Cyrus S. Bowman (1840-1917) and Clara Bates Bowman (1840-1931)
1920 US Census. Single teacher in high school, living in Manhattan, New York City.
University of Kansas Alumni Directory, 1873-1928, p. 27. “Bowman, Nina Claire, ’93, N.Y. City, 527 West 121st St., Teacher.”
1950 US Census. Single, never married.

Amy Sparr [became the wife of a cattleman and banker]

The Eureka Herald and Greenwood County Republican, October 6, 1893: “Cards are out announcing the marriage of Miss Amy Laurene Sparr to Mr. Howard D. Tucker, at the Lutheran church, this city, at 10 o’clock a.m., Wednesday, October 18, 1893.”
Lawrence Daily Record, October 9, 1893. “Miss Amy Starr and Mr. E.[sic] D. Tucker will be married at Eureka on October 18. Mr. Tucker was formerly a Washburn student and Miss Sparr attended Kansas University a year and was a very popular society girl.”
Find a Grave: Born in Iowa (February 1871) and died March 1948 in Eureka, Greenwood County, Kansas. Spouse: Howard David Tucker.

Maggie [Margaret] Rush [became a teacher]

Kansas State Census (March 1, 1895): Maggie Rush, age 24, born in Illinois, residing in the city of Lawrence in Douglas County. Parents: J. Rush and E.A. Rush.
The Abilene Monitor, November 30, 1893. “Miss Rush, one of Minneapolis’ charming school teachers, arrived on the Santa Fe last night, and is visiting with Miss Martha Thompson [see below], of the High School.”
US Census 1920: occupation, school teacher.
University of Kansas Alumni Directory, 1873-1928, p. 162. “Rush, Margaret Sarah, ’93, Overland Park, Kan.”
Find a Grave website: Margaret Rush, born  1870 and died 1949. Grave is at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas. Parents: Jacob Rush and  Eliza Ann Stout Rush.

Martha [Alice] Thompson [became a teacher]

University of Kansas, Twenty-Fifth Annual Catalogue, 1890-1891: Martha Allen [sic] Thompson of Lawrence. Member of the Sophomore class. Cl. (p. 15).  Note: Alumna Martha Alice Thompson, B.D., Class of 1885 (p. 112), same person.
Lawrence Daily Gazette, June 5, 1894. “Miss Martha Thompson and W.W. Brown of the class of ’92 are here attending the exercises in company with their pupils in the Abilene schools.”
Lawrence Daily Gazette, August 3, 1892. W. W. Brown and Miss Martha Thompson, who graduated with the class of ’92, K.S.U., will teach in the High School at Abilene.
Abilene Weekly Chronicle, June 7, 1895. Martha Thompson appointed one of two assistant teachers at the Abilene high school.
Abilene Weekly Chronicle,  July 5, 1895. Parents circulated a petition not to renew her teaching contract. “It has been openly charged that the lady is no disciplinarian, that she is not so patient as she should be and has frequently addressed pupils who were not so bright or quick as she would like in a manner calculated to humiliate them before other scholars.”
Lawrence Daily Journal, July 12, 1895. “Today [Miss Martha Thompson] sent the superintendent notice that she would not accept the position [i.e., assistant teacher at Abilene high school] and will go elsewhere.”
Abilene Weekly Chronicle, August 23, 1895. “Miss Martha Thompson has been elected to a position as teacher of Greek and Latin in the Lawrence high  school.”
Sigma Xi, Quarter Century Record and History (1886-1911). Sigma Xi (Iota Chapter) of University of Kansas, p. 401: “Martha Alice Thompson, U 1892, Kansas City, Kansas. Instructor in Latin high school”
University of Kansas Alumni Directory, 1873-1928, p. 188.
Thompson, Martha Alice, n’85, ’92, K.C. [Kansas City], Kan., 1044 Barnett St., Teacher.”

Eleanor Blaker [became a pastor’s wife]

University of Kansas, Twenty-Fifth Annual Catalogue, 1890-1891: Eleanor H. Blaker of Pleasanton. Member of the Freshman class. G.Sc. (p. 15).
The Iola Register, May 17, 1901. “…marriage of Rev. Jay Withington, of Humboldt, to Miss Eleanor Blaker, of Pleasanton…Miss Blaker is the daughter of the wealthy miller and lumberman of Pleasanton.”
The Pleasanton Herald, April 5, 1907. Obituary for Eleanor’s mother: her brother “Ernest, now professor of mathematics in Cornell University.” Eleanor B. wife of H.J. Withington of La Cygnet, and William W. of Longville, La.
Find a Grave website: Born September 8, 1872; died December 18, 1945. Grave in Portland, Oregon. Husband Henry Jay Withington (married May 15, 1901 in Linn, Kansas). Parents: Alfred Blaker and Anna H. Blaker.

Image Source:  Faculty Group Photo of the University of Kansas Faculty, 1892/1893. University of Kansas Archives.