A devoted temperance advocate, Adeline Davis Chisholm wrote articles for the Women's Christian Temperance Union and ran its periodical, the
Entry written by Daryn Wright
Adeline Davis was born in Hamilton, Canada West, on 14 April 1844 to Milton Davis (b. c1809) and Hannah Cook (b. c1825). She studied at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary in Lima, NY, and later taught an infants' class at a Methodist Sunday School in Hamilton, ON. It is likely she taught at Centenary Methodist Church, where Daniel Black Chisholm (1832-1898) was Superintendent.
Adeline (commonly referred to as Addie) and Daniel married on 17 August 1864 and later had two children, though only Arthur Murray Chisholm (1871-1960) survived to adulthood. Daniel worked as Mayor of Hamilton and later as an Member of Parliament.
Adeline devoted her life's work to temperance. She became president of the Ontario Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1882, a post she held until 1885. Although she and Daniel shared many interests, including the temperance cause, their marriage did not last; in 1883 Daniel left town suddenly, reportedly because he had misappropriated a large sum of money from his clients. Adeline moved to Ottawa, ON, with their son and opened her home to boarders, one of whom was George Eulas Foster (1847-1931), Minister of Finances for the Government of Canada. The two began a relationship, and Adeline went to Chicago, IL, to obtain a divorce from Daniel. The divorce was finalized in 1889, and Adeline and George married shortly thereafter, on 2 July 1889. Apparently the validity of the divorce was questioned in Canada, and the couple were consequently shunned from social gatherings. It is also likely that George's political career suffered for it.
In 1885, Adeline became publisher and editor of the WCTU's periodical, the
Adeline's work was inspired by Letitia Creighton Youmans (1827-1896), the previous president of the Union. Like Letitia, Adeline believed in temperance education for children and juveniles. She was a supporter of the Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union, a subgroup of the organization for women sixteen and over. The seed organization worked to initiate homes for unwed and abandoned mothers, residences for working women, temperance and gospel missions among the poor, and literacy programs for young children. Through Adeline's perseverance in the Union, a "Scientific Temperance Instruction" course was made compulsory in schools by 1885.
The same year as her divorce, Adeline resigned from the position of President of the Ottawa branch of the WCTU. During the annual convention, she was treated to an extended tribute and was lauded for her hard work and "Christian gentleness and kindness."
Adeline died on 17 September 1919 of breast cancer. She is buried in Ottawa, ON.
For a more detailed biography, see her entry in the
Milton Davis was born around 1809 in the United States. He worked as a stagecoach proprietor. He married Hannah Cook (b. c1825) and the couple had at least five children together.
Hannah Cook was born in Hamilton, Upper Canada, around 1825. She married Milton Davis (b. c1809) and they had at least five children together.
Daniel Black Chisholm was born on 30 November 1832 in Wentworth County, Upper Canada, to George Chisholm (b. 1792) and Elizabeth McCarter (b. 1796). He worked on his parents' farm briefly after their death, and later studied at Victoria College in Cobourg, Canada West, from 1857 to 1859. He then studied law with Miles O'Reilly in Hamilton, Canada West. He was called to the Bar in 1864, and became a partner in the firm of Chisholm and Hazlett.
Daniel married Adeline Davis (1844-1919) on 17 August 1864. They had a son, Arthur Murray Chisholm (1871-1960) and another child, who died in infancy. Daniel was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1872, was re-elected in 1874, but was defeated in 1875. He served as Chairman of the Provincial Board of Directors for the Hamilton and North Western Railway. In 1883, Daniel left town suddenly, reportedly having lost a large sum of money belonging to his clients. He fled to Evanton, IL; he and Adeline finalized their divorce in 1889. Daniel died on 22 September 1898 and was buried in Baker County, FL, USA.
George Eulas Foster was born in Carleton County, NB, on 3 September 1847 to John Foster (1806-1888) and Margaret Heine (1807-1850). He attended the University of New Brunswick and received his bachelor's degree in 1868. He later taught in several high schools and seminaries, until 1870, when he was appointed Professor of Classics and Ancient Literature at the University of New Brunswick. He resigned from the position in 1879, opting to enter into politics instead. George was made Minister of Marine and Fisheries in 1885 and was promoted to Minister of Finances in 1888, retaining this position for several years.
In 1889, he married Adeline Chisholm (1844-1919). Adeline had been previously married, but after being abandoned by her husband she had opened up her home to lodgers, George being one of them. They had no children together.
George joined the Opposition during the defeat of the Tories in the elections of 1896, and remained an Opposition MP until 1911. He served as an MP and Senator in the Canadian Parliament for forty-five years. In 1914, he was knighted for his work in the Royal Commission on Imperial Trade. During 1920, he became acting Prime Minister of Canada while Robert Borden (1854-1937) was ill, and from 1920 to 1921 he was Chairman of the Canadian delegation to the first assembly of the United Nations. He died on 30 December 1931 and is buried beside Adeline in Ottawa's Beechwood Cemetery.
George's memoirs were edited by William Stewart Wallace (1884-1970) and published as
Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, Lima, NY
Publisher and editor of
Teacher in one of Hamilton's Methodist Sunday schools, possibly at Centenary Methodist Church
President of the Ontario Woman's Christian Temperance Union
President of the Victorian Order of Nurses, Ottawa
Ontario Woman's Christian Temperance Union
Ottawa Humane Society
Women's Canadian Club
Women's Canadian Historical Society
Women's Morning Music Club
Ottawa branch of the Victorian Order of Nurses
Adeline's name is recorded on her son Arthur's birth record as Synthia Adaline Percy Davis. All other forms list her first name merely as Adeline.