A Woman's Life-Work

A title by Laura Smith Haviland, who was born in Kitley Township, Ontario. At age 16, Laura met Charles Haviland, Jr. (1800-1845), then 24 and a devout Quaker, and whose father and mother were both acknowledged ministers in the Society of Friends. Charles and Laura were married November 11, 1825. Laura's family, along with others, joined Elizabeth Margaret Chandler, who had organized the Logan Female Anti-Slavery Society, the first anti-slavery organization in the state of Michigan. Laura and Charles had many concerns for the children who were orphaned in the county. In one of their most significant accomplishments, they founded a school, the Raisin Institute, in 1837, and decided that it would be open to all, regardless of race, creed, or sex. The couple also created the first Underground Railroad station in Michigan. The station aided escaped slaves to travel to Canada to regain their freedom. In honor of Haviland's efforts, two cities have been named after her; Haviland, Kansas and Haviland, Ohio. A statue of Laura Haviland stands in front of the city hall in Adrian, Michigan. It has an inscription that reads: "A Tribute to a Life Consecrated to the Betterment of Humanity."