"Fanny Fern," Alice and Phœbe Cary, Mrs. Charlotte B. Wilbour, Miss Kate Field, Mrs. Henry M. Field, Mrs. Botta and other women met in Mrs. Croly's home in New York and started Sorosis, with twelve charter members. Alice Gary was chosen president, Mrs. Croly vice-president, Kate Field corresponding secretary, and Mrs. Wilbour treasurer and recording secretary. The New York Press Club invited Sorosis to a "Breakfast," at which the ladies had nothing to do but sit and eat. Sorosis, in return, invited the Press Club to a "Tea," and there the men had to sit and listen while the women did all the talking. The women were soon recognized, and Sorosis grew in numbers and influence. Alice Cary resigned the presidency at the end of the first year, and Mrs. Croly was unanimously elected in her place. She served fourteen years. She was among those calling woman's congress in New York, in 1856, and again in 1869. In 1887 she bought a half interest in
JENNIE CUNNINGHAM CROLY.
"Godey's Lady's Book," and served as editor of that journal. She resigned that position and started a monthly publication, the "Cycle," in New York. That journal was consolidated with the "Home Magazine," and Mrs. Croly is at present the editor of that periodical. She was chosen president of the Women's Endowment Cattle Company, originated by Mrs. Newby. That company, incorporated under the laws of New Jersey, had a capital stock of $1,500,000 and controled 2,000,000 acres of grazing land in New Mexico, with thousands of head of cattle. Mrs. Croly has a pleasant home in New York City. Her family consists of one son and one daughter. She has contributed largely to scientific journals. She is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences, a member of the Goethe Club and vice-president of the Association for the Advancement of the Medical Education of Women. Her home has for years been a center of attraction for authors, artists, actors and cultured persons. Her writings would fill many volumes. Her published books are "Talks on Women's Topics" (1863), "For Better or Worse" (1875), "Three Manuals of Work" (1885-89). In nearly all of Mrs. Croly's literary correspondence she has used the pen-name, "Jenny June."
CROSBY, Fanny J., blind song-writer, born in 1823. For over a half-century she has been singing in her blindness, and her songs have gone around the earth, been translated into many languages and been sung in every land. Miss Crosby showed her talent for versification in childhood. At the age of eight years she composed verses that were remarkable in their way. She was educated in a school for the blind, and she became a teacher in the Institution for the Blind in New York City. While engaged there, she wrote the words for many of the songs composed by George F. Root, the well-known musician. Among these were some that became very widely known, including, "Hazel Dell," "Rosalie, the Prairie Flower," "Proud World, Good-bye, I'm Going Home," "Honey-suckle Glen" and "There's Music in the Air." She wrote the words for the successful cantatas, "The Pilgrim Fathers" and "The Flower Queen." Her most famous hymn, "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," was written in 1868. That hymn is her favorite. In the same year she wrote that other famous hymn, "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior." Every year she has added new songs of remarkable power and taking qualities to her long list of productions. Her "Rescue the Perishing," "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross," and "Keep Thou My Way, O Lord," appeared in 1869. The last named song was set to music and used for years as the prayer-song in the Mayflower Mission connected with Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. In 1871 she wrote "The Bright Forever," in 1873 "Close to Thee," in 1874 "O, Come to the Savior," " Like the Sound of Many Waters" and "Savior, More than Life to Me." In 1875 she wrote "I am Thine, O Lord," "So Near to the Kingdom," and "O, my Savior, Hear Me." She has always been known as Fanny J. Crosby, but her name since her marriage has been Van Alstyne. She lives in New York City. It is estimated that the hymns from her pen number over 2,500, and in addition to that wonderful total must be considered the many secular songs, cantatas and other lyrical productions which have appeared under her name or anonymously. One house has published 1,900 of her productions. No complete collection of her verses has vet been made.
KATE SMEED CROSS.
CROSS, Mrs. Kate Smeed, social leader, born near Philadelphia, Pa., 18th November, 1859. In 1869 she went with her parents to reside in Lawrence, Kans., where the next seven years were spent in school and studying in the University of Kansas. In 1876 she returned to Philadelphia and devoted herself industriously to the study of music, art and the great exhibition. In 1880 she returned to her Kansas home and in that year became the wife of Charles S. Cross, a banker and business man of Emporia, Kans., where in their charming home, "Elmwood," Mr. and Mrs. Cross, with their little daughter live and dispense hospitality. Nature has endowed Mrs. Cross with large gifts, and these gifts are ever made to administer generously to the welfare of those about her and to the help of every good cause. She is an efficient officer of nearly every art, musical and literary circle of Emporia and is a staunch church woman, a member of the Episcopal Church. Some of the finest classic musical entertainments given in Emporia have been given under her direction, she herself taking leading parts in such operas as the "Bohemian
