Ada Henry Van Pelt facts for kids
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Ada Henry Van Pelt (born in 1838, died in 1923) was an amazing American woman. She worked hard for important causes like temperance and women's right to vote. She was also a writer, a speaker, and even an inventor! When she was 74 years old, she got a patent for an electric water purifier.
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Early Life of Ada Henry Van Pelt
Ada Henry was born in 1838 in Princeton, Kentucky. Her father, Major C. B. Henry, was a banker. She had a sister named Anna and a brother, Colonel A. P. Henry. Her brother led the 15th Kentucky Cavalry during the American Civil War.
Ada Van Pelt's Career and Achievements
Editor and Journalist
For six years, Ada Henry Van Pelt was the main writer and editor for a newspaper called Pacific Ensign. This newspaper focused on the temperance movement, which worked to reduce or stop the use of alcohol. During her time at the newspaper, she also served as president of the Pacific Coast Woman's Press Association.
Public Speaker and Red Cross Work
In 1898, Mrs. Van Pelt went on a speaking tour. She talked about California and her important work with the American Red Cross. She helped the Red Cross during the Spanish–American War. Her talks often included pictures to help people understand her experiences.
Playwright and Inventor
Mrs. Van Pelt also wrote two plays that were performed in the San Francisco area. One was a funny play called "The Cross Roads School." The other was a serious play about the Civil War called "The Quaker Sentinel."
Ada Van Pelt was also a clever inventor. She held several patents for her inventions. A patent is a special right given to an inventor to make, use, or sell an invention for a certain time. One of her inventions was an improved permutation lock. In 1911, she patented "An Apparatus for Utilizing Momentum." This invention used the power of moving objects. In 1912, she became an honorary member of the French Academy of Sciences, which is a very special honor for scientists and inventors.
Personal Life of Ada Henry Van Pelt
Ada Henry married Captain Charles E. Van Pelt in 1864. At that time, he was serving in the 48th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Mounted Infantry during the Civil War. After the war, the couple moved to Nebraska. Mrs. Van Pelt later moved to California in 1889.
Ada Henry Van Pelt was very involved in her community. She was one of the people who helped start the public library in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was also a member of the Ebell Club in Los Angeles, a women's club focused on education and community service.
Ada Henry Van Pelt passed away in 1923 when she was 84 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Ada Henry Van Pelt para niños
