Eleanor Holden Stoddard - Sept. 9, 2003 

            The Madison Historical Society’s first meeting of  the 2003-2004 year is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. in the Chase Memorial Room of the Madison Public Library.  The guest speaker is Mrs. Eleanor Holden Stoddard, who will talk about the history of Madison as she learned it,  from discussions and stories passed down through the generations of her family.  She comes from her home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, for this special program.

            Her ancestors include the Brittin and Webb families who came to Madison in the 1800s.    Brothers Abraham and William Brittin came to Bottle Hill in 1800; Abraham was appointed the town’s first postmaster, and was a partner with his brother William in a law practice and a general store.   James Augustus Webb was a benefactor who helped organize the YMCA, provided land for the Madison Golf Club, and supported many other activities in the developing town.  Mrs. Stoddard’s  grandfather, William O. Stoddard, was secretary to Abraham Lincoln.    Eleanor Stoddard says, “These first settlers brought other people into the community through marriage, and the family network grew.  Over the years these people were involved with changes in the history of the town, and a look at their lives can lead to a better understanding of the nature of today’s community.”

            When Mrs. Stoddard entered the scene in 1921, Madison was already a suburb.  She attended the Madison Academy through eighth grade, and spent her high school years at the Kent Place School in Summit.  She attended Vassar College and graduated in 1942. 

Eleanor describes World War II for her generation as  “…our war, a vast upheaval that changed our lives.  Madison lost 39 young men who would never return, one of whom was my brother John.”  She notes that Madison’s James Park is a lasting testimony to these men and others who lost their lives in Korea and Vietnam.

             Professionally, Mrs. Stoddard specialized in research, writing and editing.  Her distinguished career began during World War II with the Office of Price Administration (OPA) in Washington, D.C., and Juneau, Alaska, and the Army’s Office of the Quartermaster General.  After the war, Mrs. Stoddard, worked for TIME  Magazine, Standard Oil Company of New Jersey., the U.S. government (doing special reporting on the future of materials and energy in the free world), and later for the National Science Foundation.  She also worked in advertising for U.S. News & World Report magazine, and in promotion for the journals of the American Chemical Society. 

            Eleanor Stoddard concluded her notable career with retirement in 1983.  She took a course in oral history shortly thereafter and originated a project in which she interviewed women who had served in the military, or as associates, during World War II.  She spoke with 38 women representing all branches of the armed services, military nurses, and the Red Cross.  The Project tapes and transcripts are available to the public at California State University, Long Beach Archives.           

       The Madison Historical Society’s programs are free to the public, and all are invited to hear a unique description of Madison’s formative years by Eleanor Holden Stoddard.  The Madison Public Library’s Chase Room is located at 39 Keep Street, in Madison.  For information call 973-377-0722.