Jessie Fremont O'Donnell

Jessie Fremont O'Donnell (January 18, 1860 – April 30, 1897) was a 19th-century American writer of poems, novels and magazine articles, as well as a lecturer.[1] In December, 1887, her first book, Heart Lyrics appeared. Later books were Love Poems of Three Centuries, Three Centuries of English Love-Songs, A Soul from Pudge's Corners, and others, besides contributions to various U.S. periodicals.[2] She also essayed successfully the short story in some well-told tales and faithful character studies.[3]

Jessie Fremont O'Donnell, "A woman of the century"

Early life and education

Jessie Fremont O'Donnell was born in Lowville, New York, January 18, 1860.[4] She was the youngest daughter of Hon. John (sometimes referred to as Charles) O'Donnell, a member of the New York State Legislature from 1863 to 1869,[2] including State Senator from Lewis County, New York.[5] In the state legislature, he was the author and successful advocate of many reform measures on the subjects of taxation, temperance and kindred matters. He also held the position of Clerk of the New York State Assembly, Supervisor of the Internal Revenue, Railroad Commissioner, and is a fluent speaker and forcible writer upon assessment, taxation, and general questions of political economy.[3] Her mother was a woman of literary ability.[6] Her siblings included brothers, Clarence, Everett, Will, and Eugene.[7]

O'Donnell studied in the Lowville Academy and later, spent several years in Temple Grove Seminary, Saratoga Springs, New York, graduating with the highest honors of her class and as its chosen orator and poet.[6][2] With no thought of preparing herself for any career, she was free to follow her inclinations, and pursue studies which she chose for her pleasure. Her time was largely spent among her books or out of doors. During the greater part of the summer season, several hours of every day were spent horseback riding.[3]

Career

Following the bent of her own inclinations upon leaving school, she pursued carefully chosen lines of reading and study, almost unconsciously fitting herself for the life she could not then be said to have chosen. Though writing from an inward impulse and for her own pleasure from her earliest girlhood, it was not until three or four years after her graduation that she was led to devote herself to writing.[3] She began to write of what she beheld and what she felt in her daily life, and she developed a gift of imagery. While she was writing in an irregular way, she learned the art of printing, working at the case in her native village and in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and writing occasional editorials.[6]

Her first poems were published in the Boston Evening Transcript. In 1887, she published a volume of poems entitled Heart Lyrics (New York City). The strong originality and musical quality shown in those poems won appreciation. The reception of her book was so assuring that she decided to pursue literary work systematically. Thereafter, she accomplished a lot. She largely chose historical subjects for her poems, which were published in various magazines. In December, 1890, after patient preparation, she published Love Poems of Three Centuries in the The Knickerbocker Nugget Series. Posthumously, the Putnams published a new edition of O'Donnell's Love Poems of Three Centuries (1600-1900) in 1912.[8]

She was also a very successful writer of prose. Her story, "A Soul from Pudge's Corners" was first issued serially in the Ladies' Home Journal. Her series of essays entitled Horseback Sketches (New York, 1891) were some of her most successful works. They were written for Outing and were issued in that periodical through 1891 and 1892.[6] Many of O'Donnell's poems were particularly adapted to recitation, for example, "The Sale of a Pig", "The Star-Spangled Banner", "The Coal-Digger", and "The Bell of Pekin".[2]

She achieved a marked success in the lecture field with her "Three Centuries of English Love Song", an outgrowth of her editorial work on the Love Poems.[6] She was actively interested in Shakespearian matters and was also a member of Sorosis.[2]

Later life and death
Jessie O'Donnell (1892)

With her father and mother, she moved from Lowville to New York City in 1896.[1]

Of slight build,[4] O'Donnell was critically ill of consumption for two months before she died at her home in New York, April 30, 1897.[2] During her illness, she was attended by her brother-in-law, Dr. Frederick B. Woods, who came to New York City from Chicago, Illinois to attend her.[1] Interment was at Lowville.[5]

Selected works
  • Memories of the Irish Franciscans, 1871
  • Heart Lyrics, 1887
  • Love Poems of Three Centuries, 1890
  • Horseback Sketches, 1891
  • Three Centuries of English Love-Songs
  • A Soul from Pudge's Corners

References
  1. "Obituary". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 2 May 1897. p. 5. Retrieved 18 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Werner's Magazine Company 1897, p. 561.
  3. Moulton 1889, p. 339.
  4. Herringshaw 1892, p. 86.
  5. "An Authoress Dead. Jessie F. O'Donnell, Who Wrote Verse, Fiction and Lectures". Buffalo Courier. 2 May 1897. p. 1. Retrieved 18 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Willard & Livermore 1893, pp. 543-44.
  7. O'Donnell 1890, p. iii.
  8. "Book News". The Los Angeles Times. 20 October 1912. p. 48. Retrieved 18 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.

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