Camden People - Helen Mather

HELEN C. BETTS MATHER was born in 1866 to John B. and Heannette Betts. She grew up in Gloucester County, where her father was a builder and lawyer. At the time of the 1880 census, which included younger sister and brother Clara and Dauphin, lived in Westville NJ. The Betts family lived at 530 Penn Street in Camden in 1887, John Betts then still engaging in construction.

Helen Mather married a widower, John A. Mather Jr. around 1900. The Mathers lived for the most part in Camden but at the time of the 1910 Census, Helen and John Mather were living with Mr. and Mrs. Betts in National Park NJ, John Betts then 74 and semi-retired. John A. Mather Jr. was engaged in insurance and real estate at that time.

John A. Mather Jr. had enlisted as a Private in the 3rd Regiment, New Jersey National Guard. He had a distinguished career, rising from private in the National Guard to be a Brigadier General. During the

Spanish-American war he served as a Captain. Rising to the rank of general, he commanded the 3^rd Regiment, National Guard of New Jersey, from August 13, 1903 to February 25, 1913. General John A. Mather Jr. died suddenly on February 11, 1917 and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden.

Helen Mather was was active in many civic causes in Camden. She was president of the Woman's Club of Camden, N.J. from 1915 through at least 1919. In that year she complied a 25 year history of the club. In 1912 she promoted the establishment of the Woman's Club Building Committee, which managed to have the club establish its home at 636 Linden Street after the end of World War I. Helen Mather was also active with the Camden County Red Cross during America's involvement in World War I.

At the time of the 1930 Census, Helen Mather was living with her 93 year old father, John Betts, at 6752 Hillcrest Avenue in Pennsauken NJ. She passed away in 1947, and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery, by the side of her husband.

Camden Courier-Post - January 10, 1928

SELF-GOVERNMENT, RELIGION BACKBONE OF REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN, DECLARES HEAD

Mrs. Mather, prominent club woman, is regent of the Nassau Chapter, Daughter of the American Revolution, and takes an active part in the Camden Woman’s Club. Mrs. Mather makes her home in Merchantville.

The cooperative government system and the religious life of the New Jersey State Reformatory for Women form the backbone of the institution, according to Miss Cordelia Lounsberry, who spoke before the Camden Woman’s Club, at a meeting in the clubhouse, 636 Linden Street, yesterday afternoon.

Miss Lounsberry is the superintendent of the institution situated at Clinton.

Ranging in age from 16 to 60, women from all parts of the state are committed to the reformatory for any charge from misdemeanor to first-degree murder, Miss Lounsberry explained.

“We regard the work in the institution educational from a physical as well as a mental standpoint,” the superintendent continued. “Through our cooperative system we teach the women ideals of honor and fairness and the system has proved more effective than any I have ever seen exercised in schools and colleges.”

“Religious services conducted in the chapel of the church each Sunday have a great influence on the majority of the women,” Miss Lounsberry stated.

The superintendent also declared important as part of the institutions work the domestic service course where the women are taught cooking, sewing, cleaning, as well as outdoor work.

Sixty percent of the women committed to the institution are feeble-minded and rightly belong in other institutions which are too crowded to care for them,” Miss Lounsberry stated.

Mrs. A. Hanes Lippincott, president, was in the chair for the business session, when first reading of the revision of by-laws in the club constitution was heard.

The Art Department, under the chairmanship of Hugh M. Condie, is arranging the next regular meeting of the club scheduled for Monday, January 23.

Mrs. Thomas Flockhart, chairmen of Art of the New Jersey Federation of Woman’s Clubs, will be the principal speaker and works of several prominent artists will be on exhibit.

*Harleigh Cemetery Camden NJ**


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