Alice Willard

Alice Capitola Willard ( Rosseter; April 13, 1860 – February 12, 1936) was an American journalist and businesswoman. She served as editor of the Times (Loup City, Nebraska), manager of the Woman's Signal (London), and managing editor of Woman's Signal Budget (London).

Early life and education Alice (nickname, "Allie") Capitola Rosseter was born near Nauvoo, Illinois, April 13, 1860, the oldest of ten children. Her parents were Cyrus E. Rosseter and Lydia A. (Williams) Rosseter. In 1872 the family removed to Grand Island, Nebraska, and from there to Loup City, Nebraska, in 1873, where the greater part of her early life was spent.

Willard's health was frail and was the cause for her to miss the advantages of a good education outside of the home. The extent of her opportunities was five summers in school until the age of 12, after which 15 months in school were added to her experience. At the age of 17, she had fitted herself to teach. Then she earned the means for a nine-months' course in an academy presided over by J. T. Mallalieu, of Kearney, Nebraska. He was a successful politician and newspaperman, under whose training she developed as a writer. The husband was assassinated in May 1887.

Prostrated for a time from the shock, Willard eventually rallied and took up her husband's work. As editor of the Loup City Times, she became a member of the Nebraska Editorial Association. She was also a member of the Nebraska Press Association.

Personal life A few years after his death, she paid debts of thousands of dollars which her husband's political career had entailed. She was not a member of any church.

Selected works "Our own lady", a sketch (1931) (Text)