Across the Generations: A Legacy of Learning While Elizabeth “Barrie” Carter Gibby, Class of 1970, attended Rockford College, majoring in English and education, she co-organized May Day weekend, served as vice president for the student affairs committee, and spent many hours in Clark Arts and Maddox Theatre. She remembers picking up Kurt Vonnegut at the airport and transporting him to the Humor Festival, an event she helped produce. Barrie’s entire adult life echoes the lives of two beloved women who preceded her: her greatgrandmother Martha “Mattie” C. Howard Wells, Rockford Female Seminary Class of 1866, and her mother, Elizabeth “Bess” Newhall Carter, Rockford College Class of 1941. Mattie was born in Kewanee, Illinois, in 1847 — the same year Rockford Female Seminary was chartered. A promising scholar, Mattie began her studies when she was just 17 years old. Her older brothers fought in the Civil War, and while at college, Mattie and her classmates heard the shocking news that President Lincoln had been assassinated. Mattie recalled her college days as “memorable and happy” and praised Principal Anna Peck Sill “for her fair-mindedness.” She remembered outdoor “calisthenics” and required chores assigned to each young woman. Mattie served as a bell ringer, starting at 4:45 a.m. when she roused the kitchen staff. At age 19, Mattie was the youngest to graduate and the valedictorian of the Class of 1866. In 1872, Mattie married Cyrus W. Wells, and settled in Minneapolis, raising a daughter, Blanche (Barrie’s maternal grandmother). Mattie channeled her love of education and the arts throughout her life. She founded study clubs devoted to lifelong enrichment and inquiry, similar to today’s book clubs. She led tours through Europe. People were so inspired by her intellect and wit that in 1916, Mattie was selected to be toastmistress at her 50th class reunion. Mattie received an honorary master’s degree in 1936, a year before her own granddaughter, Elizabeth “Bess” Newhall entered Rockford College, Class of 1941. Mattie celebrated her 100th birthday in 1947, as Rockford College marked its centennial year. By then, Bess had graduated from Rockford, majoring in botany/biology.
Elizabeth "Bar Class of 1970.
Martha "Mattie" Howard Wells was featured on the cover of the Rockford College Alumna magazine in 1947 — the year of the college's 100th anniversary and of Mattie's 100th birthday. 14 CATALYST CATALYST 11