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The Blue Book of Iowa Women A History of Contemporary Women

Compiled by Winona Evans Reeves, 1914.

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Mrs. Ada Langworthy Collier

Among the Iowa women of unusual literary attainment is Mrs. Ada Langworthy Collier, of Dubuque, who for many years has contributed to the best periodicals and journals of this country.  She has written novels, poems, short stories, essays and reviews which received the most favorable comment from literary critics.  Her earliest works were printed in the early '60's and for more than forty years her pen has added to the store of literature and has brought honor to her native state.  Perhaps her most important work is the poetical story of "Lilith," which was published in 1892, and which ahs had a wide circulation.  Much of her first literary work appeared over the noms de plume of "Marguerite" and "Anna L. Cunningham."  Her first production was a series of Hospital Sketches which were true Civil War pictures.  Her travel sketches "Among the Mountain Mists," "A Day's Ramble" and others are delightful word pictures.  She was born and reared in Dubuque, the daughter of Lucius Hart Longworthy and Valeria Bemis.  Her father came to Dubuque in 1827, before the state had been named Iowa, but was called "Black Hawk Purchase," being among the first to work the lead mines there.  He erected the first frame home built in Dubuque.  In later life he was an essayest and lecturer of ability.  Mrs. Collier was educated at LaSell Seminary, Auburndale, Mass.  She was married Oct. 16, 1867, to Robert W. Collier, who was a man of scholarly attainments.  They have one son, James C. Collier.  "Linden Croft" is still the family home although Mrs. Collier spends much time in travel.

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