MRS. JAMES SIMPSON BELLAMY

Mary Alice French Bellamy was born at Knoxville, Ia., Feby. 9, 1859, where she has lived all her life. She is the daughter of Dr. Jedediah Tingle French and Mary Ann Crisler, both of whom are descended from Revolutionary stock and whose ancestry is traced back seven generations. She was educated in the public schools, receiving her musical education in the Indianapolis conservatory. She was married to James Simpson Bellamy on Feby. 13, 1879. Five children form the family, Paul E., aged 33, who was educated at Cornell; Herbert, age 31, also educated at Cornell; Earl Delmar, age 28, a graduate of the State University at Iowa City; Rebekah Imogene, age 21, a junior in the North Western University, and Mary Marguerite, age 16, a senior in the Knoxville H. S.

Mrs. Bellamy is a member of the M. E. church and for more than twenty-five years has been a member of the choir. She has been a member of the P. E. O. sisterhood since 1886 and has served her chapter as president. She has been worthy matron of the 0. E. S. for two years. She has been a member of the Rebekah lodge since 1872 and was the state president for two terms. Through her recommendation the two orphans' homes at Mason City were established. She is a business woman of ability, having taken charge of the Knoxville Electric Co. for two years while her husband was engaged in extending his business interests in Des Moines. She has been a mother to a nephew who is now a captain in the regular army stationed at Honolulu, and to a niece who was educated at the North Western University and is now a missionary in West China.

p. 48, The Blue Book of Iowa Women: A History of Contemporary Women, edited and compiled by Winona Evans Reeves, 1914. Published by Missouri Printing and Publishing Company, Mexico, Mo. Source: http://ia600306.us.archive.org/16/items/bluebookofiowawo00reev/bluebookofiowawo00reev.pdf (large - new window)