Education was common interest of notable women of Athens from 1860-1900
By Tommie Phillips LaCavera
Laura Battaile Cobb Rutherford (1818-1888)
On August 24, 1854, an article titled 'The Education of Our Girls' was published in the Southern Banner, Athens' weekly newspaper. The anonymously-authored article decried the fact that Athens provided every advantage of culture and education for boys - but none for girls - and challenged some Athens business or professional man to take the lead in rectifying the situation. Thomas R.R. Cobb, one of Athens' most prominent lawyers, accepted the challenge, unaware that the letter-writer was his own sister, Laura Cobb Rutherford, wife of University of Georgia Professor Williams Rutherford. Thus, the Lucy Cobb Institute (named for Cobb's own daughter Lucy) opened its doors on Milledge Avenue in 1859. Its founder, Laura Cobb Rutherford, was director. Beginning in 1861, during the bleak years of the War Between the States, Laura Rutherford was charter member of the Soldiers' Aid Society in Athens, an organization dedicated to helping Confederate soldiers by the provision of boxes of warm clothing, blankets and foodstuffs. During the war years (1861-1865), Laura Rutherford, who also served as the second president of the Society, earned the simple but reverent title 'the Soldier's Friend.' After the end of the war when the Soldiers' Aid Society was no longer needed, the membership reorganized as the Ladies Memorial Association. Laura Rutherford served as the organization's first president, an office she held until her death in 1888. Determined that some loving, enduring testimony should be paid to the South's sacred war dead, Laura Rutherford began the work of raising funds to erect a monument to the Confederate dead of Athens. The monument, which now stands on E. Broad Street, was unveiled June 3, 1872, erected at a cost of $4,444.44, and originally placed on College Avenue near City Hall. When Laura Rutherford died on October 16, 1888, 'the University of Georgia and Lucy Cobb Institute mourned her as their mother. The community felt its loss deeply - for her life had been closely interwoven with its growth.'
By Tommie Phillips LaCavera
Laura Battaile Cobb Rutherford (1818-1888)
On August 24, 1854, an article titled 'The Education of Our Girls' was published in the Southern Banner, Athens' weekly newspaper. The anonymously-authored article decried the fact that Athens provided every advantage of culture and education for boys - but none for girls - and challenged some Athens business or professional man to take the lead in rectifying the situation. Thomas R.R. Cobb, one of Athens' most prominent lawyers, accepted the challenge, unaware that the letter-writer was his own sister, Laura Cobb Rutherford, wife of University of Georgia Professor Williams Rutherford. Thus, the Lucy Cobb Institute (named for Cobb's own daughter Lucy) opened its doors on Milledge Avenue in 1859. Its founder, Laura Cobb Rutherford, was director. Beginning in 1861, during the bleak years of the War Between the States, Laura Rutherford was charter member of the Soldiers' Aid Society in Athens, an organization dedicated to helping Confederate soldiers by the provision of boxes of warm clothing, blankets and foodstuffs. During the war years (1861-1865), Laura Rutherford, who also served as the second president of the Society, earned the simple but reverent title 'the Soldier's Friend.' After the end of the war when the Soldiers' Aid Society was no longer needed, the membership reorganized as the Ladies Memorial Association. Laura Rutherford served as the organization's first president, an office she held until her death in 1888. Determined that some loving, enduring testimony should be paid to the South's sacred war dead, Laura Rutherford began the work of raising funds to erect a monument to the Confederate dead of Athens. The monument, which now stands on E. Broad Street, was unveiled June 3, 1872, erected at a cost of $4,444.44, and originally placed on College Avenue near City Hall. When Laura Rutherford died on October 16, 1888, 'the University of Georgia and Lucy Cobb Institute mourned her as their mother. The community felt its loss deeply - for her life had been closely interwoven with its growth.'
Education was common interest of notable women of Athens from 1860-1900
By Tommie Phillips LaCavera
Laura Battaile Cobb Rutherford (1818-1888)
On August 24, 1854, an article titled 'The Education of Our Girls' was published in the Southern Banner, Athens' weekly newspaper. The anonymously-authored article decried the fact that Athens provided every advantage of culture and education for boys - but none for girls - and challenged some Athens business or professional man to take the lead in rectifying the situation. Thomas R.R. Cobb, one of Athens' most prominent lawyers, accepted the challenge, unaware that the letter-writer was his own sister, Laura Cobb Rutherford, wife of University of Georgia Professor Williams Rutherford. Thus, the Lucy Cobb Institute (named for Cobb's own daughter Lucy) opened its doors on Milledge Avenue in 1859. Its founder, Laura Cobb Rutherford, was director. Beginning in 1861, during the bleak years of the War Between the States, Laura Rutherford was charter member of the Soldiers' Aid Society in Athens, an organization dedicated to helping Confederate soldiers by the provision of boxes of warm clothing, blankets and foodstuffs. During the war years (1861-1865), Laura Rutherford, who also served as the second president of the Society, earned the simple but reverent title 'the Soldier's Friend.' After the end of the war when the Soldiers' Aid Society was no longer needed, the membership reorganized as the Ladies Memorial Association. Laura Rutherford served as the organization's first president, an office she held until her death in 1888. Determined that some loving, enduring testimony should be paid to the South's sacred war dead, Laura Rutherford began the work of raising funds to erect a monument to the Confederate dead of Athens. The monument, which now stands on E. Broad Street, was unveiled June 3, 1872, erected at a cost of $4,444.44, and originally placed on College Avenue near City Hall. When Laura Rutherford died on October 16, 1888, 'the University of Georgia and Lucy Cobb Institute mourned her as their mother. The community felt its loss deeply - for her life had been closely interwoven with its growth.'
By Tommie Phillips LaCavera
Laura Battaile Cobb Rutherford (1818-1888)
On August 24, 1854, an article titled 'The Education of Our Girls' was published in the Southern Banner, Athens' weekly newspaper. The anonymously-authored article decried the fact that Athens provided every advantage of culture and education for boys - but none for girls - and challenged some Athens business or professional man to take the lead in rectifying the situation. Thomas R.R. Cobb, one of Athens' most prominent lawyers, accepted the challenge, unaware that the letter-writer was his own sister, Laura Cobb Rutherford, wife of University of Georgia Professor Williams Rutherford. Thus, the Lucy Cobb Institute (named for Cobb's own daughter Lucy) opened its doors on Milledge Avenue in 1859. Its founder, Laura Cobb Rutherford, was director. Beginning in 1861, during the bleak years of the War Between the States, Laura Rutherford was charter member of the Soldiers' Aid Society in Athens, an organization dedicated to helping Confederate soldiers by the provision of boxes of warm clothing, blankets and foodstuffs. During the war years (1861-1865), Laura Rutherford, who also served as the second president of the Society, earned the simple but reverent title 'the Soldier's Friend.' After the end of the war when the Soldiers' Aid Society was no longer needed, the membership reorganized as the Ladies Memorial Association. Laura Rutherford served as the organization's first president, an office she held until her death in 1888. Determined that some loving, enduring testimony should be paid to the South's sacred war dead, Laura Rutherford began the work of raising funds to erect a monument to the Confederate dead of Athens. The monument, which now stands on E. Broad Street, was unveiled June 3, 1872, erected at a cost of $4,444.44, and originally placed on College Avenue near City Hall. When Laura Rutherford died on October 16, 1888, 'the University of Georgia and Lucy Cobb Institute mourned her as their mother. The community felt its loss deeply - for her life had been closely interwoven with its growth.'
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See more Rutherford or Cobb memorials in:
- Oconee Hill Cemetery Rutherford or Cobb
- Athens Rutherford or Cobb
- Clarke County Rutherford or Cobb
- Georgia Rutherford or Cobb
- USA Rutherford or Cobb
- Find a Grave Rutherford or Cobb
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