Prouty, Mary B.

Mary. B. Prouty, 681 Willow road, Winnetka. is another native of New Trier township who has never strayed from the immediate neighborhood of her birth. She was born on October 29, 1874, at what is now 630 Willow road.

After reaching maturity she was engaged in office work in Chicago, and for three years was assistant postmistress of Winnetka. Locally she is best known for her service as secretary of the Winnetka District Park board, and for the public stenographic service which she established and conducted for a number of years.

Perhaps Mrs. Prouty’s most noteworthy characteristic is her philanthropy. She is an enthusiastic supporter of the Protestant Woman’s Service Club of Chicago, which organization cares for dependent Protestant children. It now has under its charge thirty-three children. On their own account Mrs. Prouty and her husband, the late Canton Prouty, reared in their own home and educated three adopted children.

Mrs. Prouty's mother passed through the Chicago fire of 1871, and personally knew Mrs. O’Leary, whose cow she stoutly denies started the blaze.