Woman of the Century/Florence E. Kollock

FLORENCE E. KOLLOCK. KOLLOCK, Miss Florence E., Universalist minister, born in Waukesha, Wis., 19th January. 1848. Her father was William E. Kollock, and her mother's maiden name was Ann Margaret Hunter, a native of England. Miss Kollock received her collegiate education in the Wisconsin State University, and her theological training in St. Lawrence University, Canton, N. Y. In the former institution she was by her fellow-students considered a girl of much natural brightness and originality, while great earnestness characterized her actions. She was credited most for possessing attributes of cheerfulness, amiability, affection and perseverance. None thought of her in connection with a special calling or profession. She was from the first "pure womanly," as she is to-day. With a man's commanding forces she has all the distinctly feminine graces. Her first settlement, in 1875, was in Waverly, Iowa, a missionary point. After getting the work well started there she located in Blue Island. III., and in conjunction took another missionary field in charge, Englewood, Ill. The work grew so rapidly in the latter place that in 1879 she removed there and has remained ever since. Her first congregation in Englewood numbered fifteen, who met in Masonic Hall. Soon a church was built, which was outgrown as the years went on, and in 1889 the present large and beautiful church was erected. Now this, too, is inadequate to the demands made upon it, and plans have been proposed for increasing the seating capacity. Miss Kollock's ability as an organizer is felt everywhere, in the flourishing Sunday-school, numbering over three-hundred, which ranks high in regular attendance and enthusiasm, and in the various other branches of church work, which is reduced to a system. In all her undertakings she has been remarkably successful. To her tine intellectual qualities and her deep spiritual insight is added a personal magnetism which greatly increases her power. She is strong, tender and brave always in standing for the right, however unpopular it may be. In her preaching and work she is practical and humanitarian. In 1885, when a vacation of three or four months was given to Miss Kollock, she spent the most of it in founding a church in Pasadena, Cal , which is now the strongest Universalist Church on the Pacific Coast. In all reformatory and educational matters she is greatly interested. The woman suffrage movement, the temperance cause and the free kindergarten work have all been helped by her.