Woman of the Century/Freeda M. Lankton

FREEDA M. LANKTON. LANKTON. Mrs. Freeda M., physician, born in Oriskany, N. Y., 10th August, 1852. She grew to womanhood in Rome, N. Y. Her father was a Baptist clergyman of ability. Her mother was a woman of mental and spiritual strength. Being a delicate child, she received mostly private instruction. Much of her time was spent in her father's study, with the companionship of his extensive library or as a listener to scientific and religious discussions. Her early inclinations foretold her mission in life. As a child she was especially fond of administering to cats, dogs and dolls, indiscriminately, the medicines of her compounding and took delight in nursing the sick and in reading on such subjects. When fifteen years of age, an inflammation of the optic nerve, caused by over- study and night-reading, forced her into complete rest. Grief for her mother's death aggravated the inflammation, and for three years she was unable to study. Her college course was relinquished, and she depended entirely for information upon the reading of others. As her vision improved, she persevered in study and again visited the sick. She was married in 1870. Later, overwork and anxiety for others reduced her to an invalid's life for three years. During that time medical study was her amusement, and the old longing developed into a purpose, encouraged by her husband, to devote her life to the relief of suffering. She had charge, for some time, of the "Open Door," a home for fallen women, in Omaha, Neb. She is one of the King's Daughters, and her purpose is usefulness. She now resides in Omaha.