Edith was born in Freeport, Illinois in 1868 and came to Iowa as an infant. Her father, James Nathaniel Prouty, was the oldest of twelve children born to Illinois settlers. After studying law in Illinois he came to Humboldt in 1869 where he practiced law. {1}

The family worked hard during the difficult years of the 1870’s. During the 1876 grasshopper invasion, the Humboldt Nokomis newspaper reported “the hoppers took a march through Prouty’s garden last week,” {2} Mr. Prouty was helpful in bringing the railroads to our area, which insured the survival of Humboldt. He was a director of the People’s Bank and helped establish the Unitarian Church in Humboldt {3}.

J.N. Prouty had a large law practice and an extensive real estate and abstract business. D.F. Coyle became his partner until Judge Coyle went on the bench in 1907. For law offices he built a handsome two-story stone building at 625 Sumner Avenue in 1882. Mr. Prouty was the first Humboldt mayor in 1871. He also served as director of the school board for a number of terms. He became one of the founders of Humboldt College, and after it closed, it was said he “gave more time and hard work than all the others.” {4}

Edith’s mother was the former Irene Sebastion of Laurel, Indiana. She was active in church work and all social affairs. The three daughters in the family were Edith, Florence (one of the initial applicants for the post as librarian at Humboldt), and Helen. In 1891 the family home was built at 311 Second Avenue North. It was a three story building with a red tile roof. After Mrs. Prouty died in 1896, Florence and Helen took over the domestic responsibilities and Edith practiced law. {4}

Edith was a lawyer. She followed in the footsteps of her father as there were no sons in the family to succeed him. She was educated for that purpose, first in the local elementary school through eighth grade and then in Humboldt college. After it closed she went to the State University in Iowa City where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a law degree in 1891. Making use of her degree in biology, she was a member of the expedition sent out from the University in 1893 to study marine invertebrate life in the Bahamas. After law school, she practiced law in Humboldt {6}.

Learning to survive in a male dominated culture may have been a problem for some women, but not for Edith. One of two women students in her law class, she was secretary of the law class and attended every reunion until her death in 1934. “Her loyalty and friendly interest kept the class together and inspired the fine spirit always shown by its members” reported the law class yearbook {7}. 

According to Iris Frost, ordinarily women were not welcomed into the practice of law because men believed that the best interest of their clients could not be entrusted to an emotional woman who could not think logically like a lawyer. Loving, nurturing women were expected to be completely devoted to their traditional roles as wives and mothers. Edith avoided this conflict by remaining single until later in life {8}. 

As an active partner in Prouty, Coyle, and Prouty, Edith gave legal counsel and actively sat in with Mr. Coyle occasionally in the trial of cases. She also handled much of the abstract business of the firm. She argued before the Supreme Court and served as the local attorney for the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company {9}.

Edith was affiliated with the Unitarian Church and was a prominent member of the Iowa Federation of Women’s Clubs. She was the first president of the Humboldt Women’s Club when it was founded in 1901. She was on the board of the Humboldt Public Library when it was founded in 1909 and gave the historical statement at the dedication. She was appointed to the board of examiners that examined the law classes at the State University of Iowa for admission to the bar. During the first World War she was state chairman of the women’s organization for Near East Relief. She was a delegate to the Republican National Convention that nominated President Harding. She was a strong advocate for women’s suffrage. In 1900, Edith was invited to be a charter member of the Chapter BV, P.E.O. in Humboldt. Later she served as Supreme (national) Chairman of P.E.O. from 1913 to 1915 {10}. 

In 1915, Edith and Judge Colby were in court challenging the will of Ellen Colby, and the Humboldt community was outraged. The problem was resolved when Edith decided she was needed elsewhere and she moved to Kansas City. Living near P.E.O. ‘s Cottey College, she began working hard to support the college. She married Ira C. Pritchard in 1920, who owned a book selling business. She passed away December 6, 1934 {11}.

Source : Pat Baker

 

{1} Built in 1882, the historic Prouty building is one of Humboldt’s oldest; Pat Baker, the Humboldt Independent Thursday March 2, 2000. p.1.A

{2} General News, the Humboldt Nokomis, June 1876, page 1

{3} Built in 1882, the historic Prouty building is one of Humboldt’s oldest; Pat Baker, the Humboldt Independent Thursday March 2, 2000. p.1.A

{4} Ibid

{5} Ibid

{6} Ibid

{7} Ibid

{8} Ibid

{9} Ibid

{10} Ibid

{11} Ibid