he price of the labor, etc., was no small
undertaking, requiring much labor from the members of the society. It
was an interesting sight, on Thursday of each week, to see hundreds of
poor women filling the large rooms of the association on Chestnut
Street, from morning to night, receiving work and pay, and to witness
the untiring industry of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and
Committees, waiting upon them.

The visitation of these families by committees, and their reports, to
say nothing of the general sanitary and hospital work performed by the
society, required a large amount of labor; and in addition to this the
aid rendered to destitute families of Union refugees, and the part taken
by Mrs. Clapp in organizing a Refugee Home, and House of Industry, would
each of itself make quite a chapter of the history of the association.

In all these labors Mrs. Clapp showed great executive and administrative
ability, and must be reckoned by all who know her, among the truly
patriotic women of the land. And in all the relations of life her
character stands equally high, adorning, as she does, her Christian
profession by works of piety, and patriotism, and love, and commanding
the highest confidence and admiration of the community in which she
lives.

The devoted labors of MISS H. A. ADAMS, in the service of the soldiers
of the Union and their families, from the beginning of the war, till
near its close, entitle her to a place in the records of this volume.
She was born in Fitz William, New Hampshire, at the foot of Mount
Monadnock, and grew to maturity amid the beautiful scenery, and the pure
influences of her New England home. Her father, Mr. J. S. Adams, was a
surveyor, a man of character and influence, and gave to his daughter an
excellent education. At fifteen years of age she became a teacher, and
in 1856 came West for the benefit of her health, having a predisposition
to pulmonary consumption, and fearing the effect of the east winds and
the trying climate of the Eastern States.

Having connections in St. Louis she came to that city, and, for a year
and a half, was employed as a teacher in the public schools. In this,
her chosen profession, she soon acquired an honorable position, which
she retained till the commencement of the war. At this time, however,
the management of the schools was directed by a Board of Education, the
members of which were mostly secessionists, the school fund was diverted
from its proper