Representative women of New England/Maria W. Going
MARIA WILDER GOING, Department President Massachusetts Woman's Relief Corps in 1901, was born in Littleton, Mass., August 7, 1845, the eldest daughter of Deacon Henry Tufts and Martha (Wilder) Taylor. Her father, born in Littleton, July 22, 1816, was the son of William Taylor, a native of Concord, Mass., and Lydia Whitcomb, his wife, whose birthplace was Littleton. The Taylor family was of English origin. Mrs. Going's maternal grand-parents were Harrison and Keziah (Powers) Wilder, both natives of Sterling, Mass. Some of her Wilder ancestors were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Deacon Henry Tufts Taylor filled many honorable positions in Littleton. For nineteen consecutive years he was principal of one of the public schools, and for several years he served as chairman of the School Committee. He was recognized as a teacher of unusual ability and as an earnest, devoted man, with rare talents for leadership. To his inspiring influence his daughter attributes her interest in public affairs. He married April 28, 1841, Martha Wilder, of Sterling,' who was born in that town, April 21, 1817. Settling in Littleton, they became identified with its public interests, and were prominent members of the Unitarian church for fifty-one years.
Mrs. Going was educated in the public schools of her native town and at Lawrence Academy, Groton, and soon after her graduation she became a teacher. Inheriting from her parents an intense love of music, she began its study when she was only ten years old, and before reaching her twelfth birthday was organist in the Unitarian church, which had the first pipe organ in the town. She subsequently devoted much time to musical studies, and in 1890 organized and equipped an orchestra, of which she became the managing director. The marriage of Maria Wilder Taylor and Myron Francis Going took place on the 25th of December, 1867. Mr. Going is a native of Townsend, Mass. On October 18, 1861, he enlisted for three years in the Twenty-sixth Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers. At the expiration of this term of service he was honorably discharged. He re-enlisted as a private, and was promoted to Commissary Sergeant. For several years he has been a member of Abraham Lincoln Post, No. 11, G. A. R., of Charlestown. This post's auxiliary, Abraham Lincoln Relief Corps, No. 39, Mrs. Going joined m 1888. After filling several minor offices in the corps, she was elected president, and performed her duties in such a creditable manner that higher honors in the order were bestowed upon her. As Department Aide, Assistant Inspector, and Installing Officer, she attended many corps meetings in different parts of the State. In 1898 she was elected a member of the Department Executive Board; in 1899 Department Junior Vice-President. The following year she became Senior Vice-President, and at the annual convention in 1901 was unanimously elected Department President.
During her term of office Mrs. Going travelled several thousand miles, participating in various patriotic assemblies. A summary of her year's work was given in her address to the Department Convention held in the Park Street Church, Boston, in February, 1902.
Referring to Memorial Day, she said; "The interesting report of the Department Chaplain will show that this sacred day was appropriately and universally observed throughout the State. Our corps, moved by a common impulse, united with their respective posts, in paying homage to our fallen heroes. As year by year rolls by, Memorial Day brings to each of us a deeper and more lasting significance, not only to the survivors of the Civil War, but to every loyal citizen of this nation. With sadness we recount each passing year a diminution in the rank and file of the Grand Army of the Republic. . . . While we speak of the brave and dauntless soldier, let us not forget the gallant sailors who lie so silently sleeping in the depths of the sea, whose rolling, restless billows chant their only requiem."
In regard to the strewing of flowers on the ocean waves, she added: "I am heartily in sympathy with the recommendation of Past National President Mary L. Carr, adopted by the Nineteenth National Convention, and earnestly hope that this beautiful ceremony will be incorporated, as far as possible, in the memorial services of every corps in this department."
Among other points touched upon in the address was the official visit made in January to the Soldiers' Home on Powder-horn Hill, including the hospital, where battle-scarred veterans, worn and weary, shattered in body and mind, are nursed and cared for. A tribute to the army nurses was followed by the reading of a letter, dated Cambridge, December 31, 1901, addressed to Mrs. Maria W. Going, Department President Massachusetts W. R. C, by Fanny T. Hazen, President Army Nurse Association of Massachusetts, gratefully acknowledging the generous New Year's gift of two hundred dollars to that organization. Mrs. Going also commended the Sons of Veterans, the Daughters of Veterans, and discussed in an eloquent and thorough manner other topics relating to the united work of the G. A. R. and W. R. C.
She was the recipient of many gifts in appreciation of her devoted labors for the cause, her administration being recognized as one of great efficiency. At the public reception held on the evening of February 12, 1902, when the historic Park Street Church was crowded with guests, Mrs. Going presided, and in a happy and dignified manner introduced the several speakers. Among them were the Hon. Rufus A. Soule, President of the State Senate, and the Hon. J. J. Myers, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who extended the greetings of the Commonwealth and of Governor Crane; John E. Gilman, Past Department Commander G. A. R., Commissioner of Soldiers' Relief for the city of Boston, who represented Mayor Collins; Judge Torrance, of Minnesota, Commander-in-chief of the G. A. R. ; Mrs. Calista Robinson Jones, National President W. R. C.; and prominent officials in Massachusetts.
Mrs. Going was appointed Counsellor on the staff of Mrs. Lyman, the incoming Department President, and is contiiuiing her work for the order. She served as treasurer of the W. R. C. table in the Daughters of Veterans' Fair, held in Tremont Temple, November, 1902, and during the year has performed duties in various official capacities. She has attended National Convention for several years as a representative from Massachusetts, and has served on important committees and as a National Aide. Her cordial manners anil able efforts in the State and national work of patriotic organizations have won for her many friends. She is secretary of the Executive Committee of Arrangements for the National Convention in Boston, August (1904), a position of great esponsibility; is a member of the reception, entertainment, and other conmiittees, and is devoting her time and talents for the success of this great gathering of patriotic women. Her portrait hangs upon the walls of the Department headquarters in Boston, having been presented by Abraham Lmcoln Corps of Charlestown, in appreciation of her services.
Mr. and Mrs. Going moved in 1881 from Charlestown to Somerville, Mass., where they have since resided. They had one son, Henry Bertram Going. He was born December 28, 1869, was graduated from the public schools of Somerville, and afterward was in business with his father. A great bereavement came to them in the loss of this beloved son, who passed to a higher life, November 21, 1903, in the thirty-fourth year of his age.