Evangeline Marrs Whipple
Evangeline Marrs Simpson Whipple (January 15, 1857 – September 1, 1930) was an American philanthropist and author, who was known for her humanitarian activities as a member of the American Red Cross in Europe during the First World War. Early life Evangeline E. Thurston Marrs was born in Wayland, Massachusetts. She was the only daughter born to Jane Van Poelien Marrs (1832–1906), an immigrant from England, and Dana Francis Marrs (b. 1826), a machinist and farmer from Ireland. Her older brother was photographer Kingsmill Marrs, who married Laura Norcross (a daughter of mayor Otis Norcross). Marriages First marriage In 1882, Evangeline was first married to Michael Hodge Simpson (1809–1884), a wealthy cotton manufacturer from Saxonville, Massachusetts, who was 48 years her senior. As a wedding present, he gave her $1 million () in bonds. While the newlyweds went on their honeymoon in Europe, Simpson commissioned a $150,000 () mansion to be built for Evangeline in Wayland, overlooking Dudley Pond. Local residents responded badly to their age difference however, and the couple did not end up spending much time in the mansion. Simpson died of heart failure in 1884 and left an estate of $10–12 million to Evangeline. Second marriage As