Representative women of New England/Abbie T. Usher
ABBIE TRASK USHER, for four years President of the Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to A. W. Bartlett Post, G. A. R. of Newburyport, was born in Roxbury, Mass., September 19, 1847, a daughter of John Bowdlear and his wife, Mary Seeley. Educated in the public schools of Roxbury, Abbie Trask Bowdlear shortly after her gradua tion was married, on May 25, 1865, to William Robert Usher, a shoe manufacturer, of Stoneham, Mass. While living in Stoneham, Mrs. Usher was active in church and benevolent work, thus endearing herself to the community.
In 1884 Mr. Usher removed to Milton, N.H., starting a shoe factory there. During a resi- dence of several years in Milton, Mrs. Usher was especially interested in religious work. She attended the Baptist church, which had at that time only a few members. The church buikling and its furnishings were unattractive, and the vestry where the prayer meetings were held was "worse than the church," she said. An old stove stood in the middle of the room. The men were seated on old-fashioned wooden seats on one side of the vestry, the women on the other. There was no settled minister, and no cordiality.
Mrs. Usher said: "I camiot stand this. If I am to live in this town, I must have a church home." She cjuietly became acquainted with the people, then started a sewing-circle, and formed other plans for creating a new interest. By suggesting that they open their homes for socials, and formulating methods of work that was much needed, she awakened enthusiasm. In a brief time there were many changes in the management of the church, and thrtuigh her zealous efforts a new church edifice and parson- age were built.
In 1886 Mr. and Mrs. Usher returned to Stone- ham, and soon after settled in Newburyport, where they became leading citizens. Mrs. Usher entered with enthusiasm into the relig- ious, patriotic, anrl charitable work of that city. She was an active member of the Baptist church, was President of the Woman's Auxiliary to the Young Men's Christian Association for six years, and served as Director of the Young Woman's Christian Association of Newbury- port. She attended State conventions as a delegate to societies connected with the Bap- tist denomination, and had an extensive ac- quaintance among its leaders throughout the State. Her hospitable home was always open to welcome clergymen and delegations from other places whenever they visited Newbury- port to conduct special religious work. Mrs. Usher's brother, Jolm Augustus Bowd- lear, was in the Thirty-second Regiment, Massa- chusetts Volunteers, during the Civil War; and her first work for the soldiers was in the early days of that conflict, when, as a school- girl, she heli)ed to scrape lint for use in the hos- pitals. Loyal to the Union and all the prin- ciples it represents, she never cea.sed her efforts for the "boys in blue." There was a revival of interest in A. W. Bartlett Relief Corps during her presidency, and she initiated over fifty members. Public meetings were held, also union gatherings with the post — socials and conferences that advanced the beneficent work of both organizations.
Serving as a delegate to the annual conven- tion of the Department of Massachusetts, W. R. C, in 1886, she became interested in its work throughout the State. Her efficiency and devotion were cjuickly recognized, and she received appointment on important conunittees representing the State work. The duties of Department Aide, of Assistant Inspector, ami of Installing Officer were performed by her with credit. For seventeen years she was an active worker for the State organization and a promi- nent participant in its annual conventions. Mrs. Usher was elected for two successive years as Department Chaplain of the Woman's Re- lief Corps of Massachusetts, and her reports containetl suggestions and recommendations of value.
She was deeply interested in the work of patriotic instruction, and at the annual conven- tion in 1901, held in Boston, was appointed to the office of Department Patriotic Instructor. A complete report of the work accomplished was given at the convention in 1902, and cov- ered twenty-four printed pages. Among the statistics it contained arc the following: —
| Number of corps in Department | 172 |
| Number of school-rooms in Department having a flag | 4,255 |
| Number of school-rooms in Department giving flag salute | 5,117 |
| Number of school-rooms in Department displaying Declaration of Independence . . | 262 |
| Number of towns or cities in Department holding patriotic contests | 28 |
Mrs. Usher in her report stated that she had received many letters showing great interest in the work of patriotic instruction, and that in responding to inquiries and in furnishing desired information she had written nearly two hundred letters and postals.
She recommended that all corps make a special effort to interest the superintendent, school hoard, and teachers, assuring them, when indifferent, that this is a national movement and that united action is earnestly desired. In a circular issued to the corps for their guidance, she requested every president to cooperate with the assistant patriotic instructor of her corps in preparing for a patriotic exercise or entertainment, that their respective communities may realize their ambition to spread the lessons of patriotism among the children. She urged them to encourage the children to quietly salute the flag wherever they might see it.
"One of the best plans of creating an interest," she said, "is a public gathering, with the presence of the clergy and some of the prominent citizens as speakers. This should be arranged with a view of presenting the cause in a manner that will appeal to the hearts and minds of the people, and especially to those having the management of the public schools.
"Citizens' Sunday is another method of securing widespread interest in this movement. Invite a clergyman to preach a sermon devoted to this matter, or, if deemed more effective, arrange for a union service in one of the churches, with addresses by several clergymen.
"As the press is an important factor in moulding public opinion, secure, whenever possible, the .support of the editors of your local papers, for their influence will be invaluable.
"Socials, festivals, entertainments, union meetings, the observance of historical anniversaries, and so forth, are among the many ways of promoting the success of this movement. The Patriotic Primer for the teacher, the Declaration of Independence Chart, and the Oleograph of the History and Origin of the Stars and Stripes have been endorsed by the National Woman's Relief Corps. The presentation to schools of flags, historic pictures, and books. and any gift in keeping with the spirit upon which the Grand Army of the Republic and its auxiliary were founded, will exert an influence in the right direction."
Mrs. Usher visited many corps and public meetings in behalf of this branch of the cause, speaking entertainingly and with earnestness. Several hundred letters containing advice and helpful instructions were written by her each year. As a delegate from the Department of Massachusetts, she attended several National Conventions of the W. R. C, and was a member of national committees, also an aide on the staff of the National President. In all these varied duties she retained her active interest in the local corps, and rendered invaluable aid as chairman of its Executive Committee.
Mrs. Usher was the second Worthy Matron of Beulah Chapter, 0. E. S., of Stoneham, and was a member of the Order of Odd Ladies in Boston. She was prominent in social circles in Newburyport and a leader among women in many of the progressive enterprises of the city. She was largely instrumental in securing a soldiers' monument in Newburyport, being the only woman member on the committee therefor, and she had charge of the exercises at the unveiling of the monument, July 4, 1902. She was a zealous worker in the interests of the Soldiers' Hf)me in Chelsea.
While on a visit to Texas with her husband, Mrs. Usher' was very helpful in giving instruction to the local corps. For several years her health had been impaired. She received an injury while in Texas, from the effects of which she died in Newburyport, May 31, 1903. Thus passed one who was beloved by all who knew her.
Mrs. Usher had one son, William Ambrose Usher. Born in Stoneham, Mass., December 14, 1866, he received his education in the public schools of Stoneham, and is now in the shoe manufacturing business with his father. On April 18, 1886, he married Gertrude Lougee Brown, of Boston. They have two children: Helen Gertrude, born December 22, 1888; and Abbie Marion, born July 14, 1895. At the summer home of the Usher family at Salisbury Beach numerous friends have been hospitably entertained.