Page:Woman of the Century.djvu/265

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DRAKE.
DREIER.

his young wife's interest in the laws relating to women. Their home was the center of happiness and progress, and it was only widening the circle of early associations to find therein a hearty welcome for David, Richard and Robert Dale Owen, the distinguished soils of Robert Owen. PRISCILLA HOLMES DRAKE. Colonel and Mrs. Drake worked with Robert Dale Owen during the Indiana Constitutional Convention of 1850 and 1851 to remove the legal disabilities of women. Before the sections were presented, which worked such l>enefit to women, they were discussed, line by line, in Mrs. Drake's parlor. She had an acute legal mind, and Mr. Owen was not slow to recognize her valuable aid in the construction of the important clauses. It was she who suggested a memorial to Robert Dale Owen from the many noble mothers who comprehended the scope of his work for women. When Lucy Stone delivered her first lecture in Indianapolis, Mrs. Drake was the only woman in attendance. She was also present at a notable meeting, shortly afterward, when Lucretia Mott presided. The acquaintance thus formed led to an interesting correspondence. Mrs. Drake was in possession of main valuable letters from distinguished men and women, addressed to herself and husband. In 1861 they removed to Alabama, near Huntsville, where they continued their interest and work in the cause of woman's suffrage. Mrs. Drake was left a widow in 1876 and died at her residence, nth February, 1892. She was the mother of seven children, four of whom survive her and by inheritance and education are earnest supporters of the woman suffrage cause.


DREIER, Mrs. Christine Nielson, concert and oratorio singer, born in Madison, Wis., 10th June, 1866. Her father's name is Andrew Nielson, and both parents were among the early Scandinavian immigrants to this country and settled in Chicago in 1851, afterward removing to Madison. Christine Nielson still retains her maiden name on the stage, although she became the wife, 4th June, 1891, of Otto Albert Dreier, since 1886 the Danish Vice-Consul in Chicago, where they make their home. The career of Christine Nielson thus far is CHRISTINE NIELSON DRIER. a striking example of what energy and perseverance can do for a young woman of genius. Her first teacher, and the one to discover her capabilities, was Prof. T. A. Brand. She then studied with Mrs. Marl De Moe, herself a successful concert singer. Christine began to sing in public at the age of thirteen, attracting, at an orphan's home concert in Madison, the attention of those whose foresight discovered future fame for the young vocalist. She chose Chicago for her more advanced studies, and became the pupil of Mrs. Sara Hershey Eddy. She accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Eddy to Europe in 1889. and after singing with great success in London, Paris and Copenhagen, she spent a year or more in London as a pupil of George Henschel. Her voice is a contralto of wide range, and the comments of the American and foreign press have been highly Complimentary, showing her to be possessed of unusual musical accomplishments.


DREW, Mrs. John, actor, born in London, England, 10th January, 1820. Her maiden name was Lane. Her father was an actor, and he placed the child on the stage in juvenile parts when she was eight years old In 1828 she came to the United States with her mother and played in New York and Philadelphia. She made a tour of the West Indies and returned to the United States in 1832. In 1833 she played in a number of roles in New York theaters. In 1834 she played the part of Julia in "The Hunchback" in the Boston Theater. In 1835, when fifteen years old, she played Lady Teazle in "The School for Scandal" in New Orleans. She won success from the beginning and was soon "leading lady" at a salary of twenty dollars a week. She became the wife of Henry Hunt, a veteran English opera singer, and