Estelle Mendell Amory

Estelle Mendell Amory ( Mendell; June 3, 1846 – June 3, 1923) was an American educator and author. She is better known as a writer by her maiden name, Estelle Mendell. She published a variety of domestic articles, short stories for children, essays on living themes, and occasional poems.

Early life and education Estelle B. Mendell was born in Ellisburg, New York, June 3, 1846.

The family home was a place of refinement and culture where the Mendells entertained many prominent persons, among whom were Henry Ward Beecher, Thomas Starr King, Edwin Hubbell Chapin, Frederick Douglass, and Gerrit Smith. These encounters inspired the young girl to become a writer. When the American Civil War broke out, Mr. Mendell raised a company of soldiers, took a commission as captain and went to the South. He served throughout the war, rising to the rank of colonel by brevet. Estelle Mendell studied in the Hungerford Collegiate Institute in her home town, and in Falley Seminary, Fulton, New York.

Career Amory started working as a teacher. In 1866, her family moved to Franklin County, Iowa. She continued to teach there. In 1867, she returned to the East and re-entered Falley Seminary, where she graduated with honors in 1868. Her family -eight brothers and sisters— suffered financial difficulties from the war. She was aided by friends to complete her seminary course. After teaching for seven years, she worked as a governess in a family in Chicago, and principal and preceptress of seminaries in the East.

On January 18, 1875, in Otisville (now Dows), Wright County, Iowa, she married James Henry Amory (1838–1899),