Today in Wheeling History: April 26—Florence V. Brittingham, a poet and short story writer who contributed to Wheeling’s literary and community life, passed away at the age of 34 (1891).
Florence Virginia Shearer Brittingham was born on November 15, 1856, in Moorefield, Virginia (now West Virginia). She was the eldest of five children born to Philip G. and Susan M. Shearer. Florence attended the Eclectic Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, where she excelled academically. After completing her education, she returned to Moorefield and later married Rev. Jacob Brittingham on September 5, 1882. The couple moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia, where Florence became actively involved in church and community work. In 1889, they relocated to Wheeling, where Jacob served at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Florence founded the first Woman's Auxiliary organization in Wheeling at St. Luke's. Despite her busy life, she found time to write poetry and short stories, contributing to various periodicals. Her posthumously published collection, "Verse and Story" (1892), includes some of her poems and six short stories. Florence Brittingham passed away on April 26, 1891, in Wheeling at the age of 34. She was buried in Olivet Cemetery in Moorefield, West Virginia.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4zsrz852), Wikiwand (https://tinyurl.com/yc67ynx4), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/5n7xabxv) (https://tinyurl.com/yc69zf3a) (https://tinyurl.com/8eb5fhjm), Internet Archive (https://tinyurl.com/yxxtnem2)
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave, Internet Archive
Florence Virginia Shearer Brittingham was born on November 15, 1856, in Moorefield, Virginia (now West Virginia). She was the eldest of five children born to Philip G. and Susan M. Shearer. Florence attended the Eclectic Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, where she excelled academically. After completing her education, she returned to Moorefield and later married Rev. Jacob Brittingham on September 5, 1882. The couple moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia, where Florence became actively involved in church and community work. In 1889, they relocated to Wheeling, where Jacob served at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Florence founded the first Woman's Auxiliary organization in Wheeling at St. Luke's. Despite her busy life, she found time to write poetry and short stories, contributing to various periodicals. Her posthumously published collection, "Verse and Story" (1892), includes some of her poems and six short stories. Florence Brittingham passed away on April 26, 1891, in Wheeling at the age of 34. She was buried in Olivet Cemetery in Moorefield, West Virginia.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4zsrz852), Wikiwand (https://tinyurl.com/yc67ynx4), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/5n7xabxv) (https://tinyurl.com/yc69zf3a) (https://tinyurl.com/8eb5fhjm), Internet Archive (https://tinyurl.com/yxxtnem2)
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave, Internet Archive
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