Page:Woman of the Century.djvu/296

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FINLEY.
FISHER.

presidents of Princeton College. Her grandfathers, both on her father's and mother's side, were wealthy. Her grandfather Finley received large tracts of land from the Government in acknowledgment of his services to his country during the Revolution. He laid out and owned the town of Newville, Pa. Some of his land was in Ohio, and he finally removed to that State. In the winter of 1853 Miss Finley began her literary career by writing a newspaper story and a little book published by the Baptist Board of Publication. Between 1856 and 1870 she wrote more than twenty Sunday-school books and several series of juveniles, one series containing twelve books. These were followed by "Casella" (Philadelphia, 1869). "Peddler of LaGrave," "Old Fashioned Boy" (Philadelphia, 1871). and "Our Fred" (New York. 1874). It is through her "Elsie" and "Mildred" series that she has become popular as a writer for the young. Of the "Elsie" series there have been seventeen published, and she is at work upon another. The "Mildred" series is also very popular, six of that series having been published Miss Finley's pen has not been employed in writing exclusively for the young. She has written three novels "Wanted—A Pedigree" (Philadelphia, 1879), "Signing the Contract" (New York, 1879), and "Thorn in the Nest" (New York. 1886). Miss Finley resides in Elkton, Cecil county, Md., in a cottage which she has built in a pleasant section of that town.


FISHER, Miss Anna A., educator, born in Cambridge, N. Y., in 1858. She comes of New England parentage and inherited from her father a taste for literature and history, and her early reading and education were well and wisely directed. From ANNA A. FISHER. her mother she inherited many charms of person, and a poise of character marked by decision, excellence of judgment, great force and a heart full of tenderness and thoughtfulness for others. As principal of Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa., she passed nine years of eminent usefulness, giving an amount of mentality and strength that left a marked impression upon that institution. She is a graduate of Antioch College, from which institution she received her degree of A. M. In connection with teaching she has found great delight in continuing her studies in certain Tines of work, especially literature and history. An associate member of the committee on education in the World's Congress, she has had various positions of honor offered her. She was a candidate for consideration as president of Barnard College. In the autumn of 1891 she was elected to the chair of literature in Denver University, Col., and is now lady principal. She is filling that position successfully.


FISHER, Mrs. Rebecca Jane Gilleland, philanthropist, born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 183- REBECCA JANE GILLELAND FISHER. Her maiden name was Gilleland. On both her father's and mother's side she is of distinguished ancestry, and belongs to the Johnstone, Barber and Chase families. Her parents were highly cultured and devout members of the Old School Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Fisher's father moved to Texas with his family in an early day, believing it to be a good place for investment, but utterly ignorant of frontier life. Never having been inured to hardships, they were ill-prepared for the trials which awaited them. Her father joined the Texas army in 1838, and soon after both parents were killed by the Indians. In a few hours after their death, loving ones took charge of the daughter and did all that was possible for her comfort and happiness. Mrs. Fisher's fondness for literature was shown at an early age. For many years she has contributed articles for the press, which have received high encomiums. She was educated in Rutersville College, and in May, 1848, she became the wife ol Rev. Orceneth Fisher, D.D. California, Oregon and Texas have been their especial fields of labor. For forty-five years she