Woman of the Century/Estelle Turrell Smith

SMITH, Mrs. Estelle Turrell, reformer, born in Forest Lake, Susquehanna county, Pa., 30th October, 1854. Her maiden name was Turrell. Her father's people were among the first settlers of Pennsylvania, emigrating at an early day from Connecticut. Her mother's family were Quakers, Her mother's maiden name was Gurney, and she was a descendant of John Joseph Gurney and Elizabeth Fry. ESTELLE TERRELL SMITH. In childhood Mrs. Smith was thought old for her years, was fond of poetry and music, and delighted in the studies of natural science. She became early acquainted with the fauna and flora about her country home. Her studies commenced at home and were pursued in the Montrose Academy, Montrose, Pa. She commenced to teach when seventeen years of age, at the same time continuing her special studies, then among the masters of art and song. In 1875 she removed with her parents to Longmont, Col. She taught two years in the State Agricultural College in Fort Collins. Col. In 1875 she became the wife of P. M. Hinman, secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, who died a few years later. She then became more deeply interested in the problems of woman's progress. Having means and leisure at her command, she devoted much time to the study and support of social reforms. Her devotion to the work of reform and her frequent contributions to the press soon won for her a place as a leader. In 1884 she became the wife of Dr. A. B. Smith, of Des Moines, Iowa. She was shortly after elected president of the Polk County Woman Suffrage Society. She has been an efficient member of the State executive committee for four years, and is at present (1892) president of the State Woman Suffrage Association of Iowa. At her instigation a series of mothers' mass meetings was held in Des Moines. The large City Hall was filled again and again, hundreds of women taking active part. Mrs. Smith was chosen president of the meetings. Much good was accomplished, especially in banishing from the city disreputable posters, cigarette cards and other evils. Through those meetings a bill regulating the property rights of women u.is presented to the State legislature.