Representative women of New England/Lavina J. Spaulding
LAVINA J. SPAULDING (Mrs. William C. Spaulding), president of the Aroos-^ took County Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was born in Pugwash,
N.S., but from early childhood has been a resident of Maine. Her ])arents, John and Sarah (King) Sterling, were natives of Halifax, N.S., and both came of good olil Kngli.sh stock. Her grandparents on the motiier's side were Charles and Sarah King, and on her father's side were Captain John and Margaret Sterling, of Halifax, N.S.
When Lavina Sterling was too young to remember very distinctly the place of her nativity or to have any strong affiliations therewith, her parents removed to Fort Fairfield, Me. She was thus reared and educated under the American flag, and is intensely American in all her instincts and proclivities. It was in the pioneer days of Northern Maine, when the location of the north-eastern boundary was a mooted question between the governments of the United States and Great Britain, that the Sterling home was established in the frontier town of Fort Fairfield. .John Sterling, the father, at once became one of the feading men of the little settlement, which at that time was merely an opening in the grand old "forest primeval," where a few hardy and adventurous spirits, like himself, had penetrated the wilderness and made homes for themselves and families.
His house was the central point of the new settlement and the hospitable abiding-place of all strangers who come for a temporary stay in the little forest village. The locality had been one of the most important points in the famous Aroostook War, when the State of Maine made its brave and manly protest against the encroachments of British greed; and a log fort and blockhouse had been there erected under Governoi- Fairfield's administration, thus giving the name to the frontier town.
Before the glowing fire of hard-wood logs, piled high upon the ample hearth, the younger members of the Sterling family listened to the stories of the stirring times when the homes of the villagers were upon "disputed territory," and when Great Britain was striving to gain permanent possession of this fair land. Amid these healthful natural surroundings was the youth of Lavina Sterling passed, and within the influence of these sturdy conditions was her character" formed. Here she early imbibed those sterling qualities of mind and heart which .she has continued to retain, even after the union with the man of her choice brought with it a. change of name.
These frontier villages in Northern Aroostook developed with wonderful rapidity after the treaty of 1842 had terminated the long controversy and established the boundary beyond dispute. Soon good schools were established, and, as the population rapidly increased by the immigration of sturdy settlers, a degree of culture obtained, rugged at first, of necessity, but based upon the honest {principle that in their isolated condition all thrust work heartily together for the common weal.
In the public schools of the town Miss Sterling acquired the rudiments of a good English education, which was supplemented by a course of study in Houlton Academy, now Kicker Classical Institute. In July, 1865, she was united in marriage to Mr. William Cole Spaulding, of Buckfield, Me., now one of the most prosperous merchants of Aroostook County. Mrs. Spaulding had two children, both worthy sons of a devoted mother. John Sterling Spaulding, who, after coming to man's estate, entered into business with his father, passed to the higher life on December 15, 1896. The remaining son, Atwood William Spaulding, was military secretary, with the rank of Major, on the staff of Governor Powers. He is at the
present time in business with his father in Caribou.
In comparatively early life, when she was the centre of a beautiful and attractive home, with a devoted husband ever striving to promote her wishes, and when two affectionate sons were in the most receptive years of child- hood and youth, Mrs. Spaulding became deeply interested in the aims and purposes of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, becoming a member in the early years of its history. To the upbuilding of this organization and to the working out of its principles she has spared no reasonable effort. At home, abroad, in legislative halls, in church councils, and in social circles she has given voice to her sincerest convictions. Her abilities and thorough, conscientious integrity were early recognized in the state organization, where she has occupied responsible official positions. Some of these she resigned upon the earnest solicitation of friends (who saw the need of her especia] services in the county), to accept in 1889 the county presidency, which honorable position she still holds.
Mrs. Spaulding has taken an active part in all good works and never missed an opportunity to lend a helping hand to any unfortunate who comes within her notice. At home and within the thriving village of Caribou her most active work has been done, and here she is best loved and most appreciated. It was largely due to her efforts, aided by a few other public-spirited ladies of the town, that the town library was first established. This library, which was first maintained as a reading-room, soon outgrew its original resources, and was turned over to the town.
Mrs. Spaulding is also president of the Social Club of Caribou, organized in 1898, is an active member of the Literary Club, and is in close touch with all the agencies, charitable and otherwise, for the improvement of the town and the best interests of its citizens. In religious matters her affiliation is with the Episcopal church. Mrs. Spaulding is a woman of pleasing presence, bright, attractive, and a most interesting conversationalist. In giving attention to public work she has never, in the least, neglected her household duties. Her charming residence in Caribou is an ideal home, where all the domestic virtues are fully exemplified.
This brief notice was written by one who has long known and loved her, and whose most difficult task, in writing these lines, has been to refrain from too much of compliment and praise, he being aware that anything like fulsome flattery would be to her extremely distasteful.
e. w.