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       We thank Thee, Lord, for many gifts
         By Thee in mercy sent,
       For life and love, and every joy
         Within our being blent.
       We thank Thee for Thy tender care
         That guards us and defends,
       And most of all, dear Lord, today
         We thank Thee for our Friends.
H....
     FRANCES HELEN BRACE EMERSON
            (Mrs. Prof. Joseph Emerson)
          Author-Antoinette Kent, Beloit
    Frances Helen Brace was born in Rochester, New
York, September 11, 1838. Her father was Harvey Brace,
her mother was Hanna Thompson, daughter of Mr.
Thompson, the younger brother of Mrs. Joseph Flint
Willard. Mrs. Emerson was closely associated with her
kinswoman, Frances Elizabeth Willard. Mr. Harvey
Brace settled just outside of Janesville on a farm in the
town of Center where Mrs. Emerson passed her girlhood
days. This was previous to the coming of the Willards
-they came in 1846.
    When Helen Brace was old enough to leave home
she attended school at Philipps Union Seminary, Albion,
New York, Baraboo Seminary, and Milwaukee Seminary.
Her life was devoted to the study and teaching of Art
and Literature. She was a teacher of Art and History
in Milwaukee (Downer) College, in Gannet Institute,
Boston and Professor of Art and Literature at Wellsley.
When she married Professor Emerson in 1884, she
brought with her a mind matured by age and experience
coupled with classical thought and lofty ideals. She bent
all her purpose to the organization of a real Art Hall for
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