| ANNE BISPLINGHOFF STEWARD -source -Tennessee the
volunteer state - page 56 Anne Bisplinghoff Steward, president of the State Federation of Women’s Clubs for Tennessee and well known in Chattanooga by reason of her social position, benevolent activities and club work, was born in Chattanooga on the 18th of September, 1872. Her father, John Henry Bisplinghoff, was a native of Elberfeld, Westphalia, Germany, and was a son of John Henry and Helena (Von Steinhoff) Bisplinghoff, residents of Elberfeld, where their son, John H., was reared. He came to the United States in 1844 and after living for a time in Albany, New York, came to Tennessee, established his home in Hamilton county and here devoted his attention to the occupation of farming. He wedded Wilhelmina Rhodemaker, a daughter of Joseph Rhodemaker of Dusseldorf, Germany. Anne Bisplinghoff passed her girlhood days under the parental roof and completed her education in Notre Dame Academy. Throughout her life she has been characterized by studious habits that have made her familiar not only with literature but with many of the vital problems that are continually coming up for settlement. She keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and investigation especially as relating to economic and sociological conditions, and it has been her deep interest in the welfare of her fellowmen that has led her to take a most active and helpful part in club work. In this she has steadily progressed and in 1920 she was elected to the presidency of the Tennessee State Federation of Womens Clubs and is also a director of the General Federation of Womens Clubs for Tennessee. She is thus a member of the highest executive board of the organization, which found splendid representation when it’s president was named one of the four women to sit in the peace conference at Washington in an advisory capacity. Mrs. Steward is in full sympathy with the work of the Federation, which is now most thoroughly and splendidly organized, with it’s various departments of service looking ever to the cultural, intellectual and moral benefit of humankind. Mrs. Steward is a member of the resolutions committee of the National federation of Womens Clubs, and is a member of the advisory council of the American Motion Picture Corporation of New York. She also occupies the position of treasurer of the Kosmos Cottage Association of Chattanooga and was one of the pioneers in this important movement. The girl in need or trouble has ever found a helpful friend in Mrs. Steward and her activities in behalf of organized activity in this direction have been continuous. Mrs. Steward is also vice president of the Spanish-American Was Auxiliary of Chattanooga, is a director of the Childrens Bureau of Chattanooga, a director in the Home Placing Institution of Nashville, chairman of good roads for the third district, and is a member of the Kosmos Club, Women’s Club, Pro-Re-Bona Society, Old ladies’ Home association and the board of the Lincoln Memorial University of Harrogate, Tennessee. Mrs. Steward was one of the first to advocate the planting of trees on the public highways, particularly upon the highways of historical significance. Her activities have been many and varied, but all have been characterized by their relation to social and economic development. She has been eminently successful in whatever she has undertaken and in her very laudable work has manifested exceptional executive ability and distinct personal accomplishment. However important and extensive Mrs. Steward’s public and social work has been, it has not interfered with the details of home life which she has always cherished. Known to her friends as a devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Steward has not allowed outside affairs, however important, to intrude upon her home and family. The fact that she has been able to be a successful public worker as well is indicative of her strength and quality of character. On September 7, 1890, occurred the marriage of Anne Bisplinghoff to Clarence Steward, now one of the foremost citizens of Chattanooga. To Mr. and Mrs. Steward three children have been born: Mary M. is the wife of W.J. Mills of Chattanooga and the mother of two children, William Steward and Anne Elizabeth; John Alexander and Pawling Shriver are the two sons. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church. |