Woman of the Century/Cornelia M. Bergen

CORNELIA M. BERGEN. BERGEN. Mrs. Cornelia M., philanthropist, born in Brooklyn, N. Y., 12th July, 1837. Her education was begun in the school of the Misses Laura and Maria Betts, to be continued in the school of Miss Sarah Demorest. and to be finished. when she was eighteen years old, in the well-known institution kept by Alfred Greenleaf. From the time of her graduation, in 1855, until the present she has been actively engaged in philanthropic work, mostly of a private character. She believes that to succeed, to gain the best results in that field of work, it is necessary to give close and earnest personal effort. She has never associated herself with any particular institution of a charitable nature, but she has every year given generously to a number of philanthropic and charitable enterprises. Her life has been devoted to aiding and encouraging worthy ones, to whom she was attached by bonds of regard and friendship. Her main idea of life is to make lighter, brighter and happier the lives of those less fortunate than herself. Her substantial gifts have been accompanied by personal attention, comforting ministrations and cheering words. Her home life has been varied. She was married 22nd September, 1858, to Jacob I. Bergen, who died in 1885. He was well known in Brooklyn having served as surrogate of Kings county. Their family numbered five children, only three of whom are living. Mrs. Bergen is to-day a youthful woman in appearance, and she has reaped a harvest of love and respect for her benevolence. In 1886 she became a member of Sorosis and of the Society for the Advancement of Women. Later she joined the Seidl Club, and in 1890 she became a member of the Brooklyn Institute. In those societies her influence has been felt in many ways, and her membership in them has greatly widened her field of philanthropic labor.