Encyclopedia Dubuque
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PEABODY, Mae Hackett
PEABODY, Mae Hackett. (Chicago, IL, Nov. to, 1873--Dubuque, IA, Oct. 13, 1924). The adopted daughter of William H. PEABODY, Mae recognized in Dubuque for her many charitable activities. She was the Third District chairperson of the Iowa Federation of Women's Clubs and was affiliated with the Iowa League of Women Voters. (1)
In 1908 Mae and several traveling companions met United States Secretary of War William Howard Taft, his wife and official party in Tacoma, Washington. The Tafts invited the Iowans to join them on a trip through Siberia, but Mae and her group had already made plans for a trip to India. Finding the conditions unbearable hot, they reconsidered and met the Tafts in Vladivostok, the only port Russia has on the Pacific Ocean. While there he saw Admiral Hemphill, step-father of Dr. John C. Hancock of Dubuque. (2)
In an interview with a Telegraph Herald reporter, Mae recounted the amazement of the Russians that Taft did not wear a uniform. At formal occasions, he wore formal evening dress. She found the future president able to "grasp the minutest details very quickly and put it into a clear and concise form for others." Taft was "very friendly...and the impression prevails in foreign countries that he will be fair and careful, and will do whatever he promises." Mae carried letters from Senator William Boyd ALLISON whose name was well known in Russia and Asia. (3)
On January 2, 1914 Mae Peabody booked a charter flight on the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line becoming the first woman and first commercial passenger to fly on a fixed-wing scheduled airline. (4) This flight was on a Benoist XIV amphibious aircraft at St. Petersburg Pier. Mayor Abram C. Pheil of St. Petersburg and Mae were the first passengers. The flight reached a maximum speed of 75 miles per hour and an altitude of 50 feet. (5) She had previously had a chance to fly, but had been ill. She was determined to fly at the next opportunity. After her flight, Mae said she was considering the offer of the line's manager to purchase her own plane at a price of $4,500. (6)
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Source:
1. "Miss Mae Peabody Called By Death," Telegraph Herald, October 13, 1924, p. 4
2. "Dubuque Girl Makes Trip Across Siberia as Member of Secretary Taft's Party," Telegraph Herald, March 15, 1909 (Special thanks to Lisa Ott for sharing this information.)
3. Ibid.
4. "First Night, First Flight," Paradise News, Online: http://www.paradisenewsfl.com/the-magazine/featured-articles/january-2014/2033-cover-story-first-night-first-flight.html
5. "Mae Hackett Peabody." Linwood Legacies. Online: http://www.linwoodlegacies.org/the-peabody-family.html
6. "Miss Mae Peabody First Woman in St. Petersburg to Ride in Air Boat," The Evening Independent, January 2, 2014, p. 1