Women of distinction/Chapter 21

CHAPTER XXI.

MRS. ELLA V. CHASE WILLIAMS.

This very excellent lady, who stands high among the females engaged in the work of education, was born in the city of Washington, D. C. Her father, William H. Chase, who was a blacksmith by trade, moved among the leading citizens of the District of Columbia during his day, and died in 1863, leaving a wife and six children. Her mother (whose maiden name was Miss Lucinda Seaton) was an immediate descendant of a very respectable family, of Alexandria, Va. She was a woman of strong will, energy and perseverance, as is evidenced by the career of her daughter, Mrs. E. V. C. Williams, of whom we are now writing, who was educated at the famous Howard University. In 1879 she began her much loved work as a teacher, for which she is so well fitted, and into which she puts so much energy. From the beginning of her chosen work in 1879 up to December 1, 1882, she taught in the public scools of Washington, D. C. , and was considered one of the best teachers then employed in the city. She resigned and was married to Rev. K. W. Williams, a Presbyterian minister, who was also educated at Howard University. This was quite an occasion, and was witnessed by a large number of people at the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, Rev. F. J. Grimkee, D. D. , officiating.

In 1883 a parochial school, in connection with the church held in charge by her husband, was organized, which has steadily grown until now it exists under the name of Ferguson Academy. It is located at Abbeville, S. C., and is a co-educational institution for boarding and day pupils, and is presided over by Rev. B. W. Williams as president, and Mrs. Williams as principal.

This very modest Christian woman is also editor of the "Woman's Department" of the Atlantic Beacon, of which her husband is editor in general. This paper is sent forth in the interest of education and the general welfare and elevation of the race. She is also president of the Woman's Synodical Missionary Society, within the bounds of the Atlantic Synod. She has made public speeches in the interest of education, missions and temperance. In 1885 she represented the Presbyterian women of the South at the Woman's Missionary Meeting, in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of America, which meeting was held in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was also a representative

SCOTIA SEMINARY.

to the same body at its meeting in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1886, and also represented them at the Centennial Assembly, which met in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1888. Her stay of nine years at Abbeville, S. C. , her present location, has been entirely devoted to the work of education. The school which she so much loves and which has been under her fostering care from its incipiency is yet growing and has become a flourishing little enterprise to her, and is doing a noble part of the work along this line. Long may this faithful servant of Christ live to do even greater work in His cause to lift up an humble people!