Manchester New Hampshire Physician, Civic Leader and Politician: Zatae L. (Longsdorff) Straw (1866-1955)

Dr. Zatae L. Straw, likeness from “The Granite Monthly”

Zatae Leola (Longsdorff) Straw, M.D. was a strong, outspoken woman who experienced many “firsts” in her life.  She was a trend-setter and role-model for other women of her age.  The daughter of a physician, she was born in 1866 in Pennsylvania, and died in 1955 in Manchester, New Hampshire. She was the first female graduate of Dickinson College in 1887. While at Dickinson, she was the first woman to win the Pierson Oratorial prize.She loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter. She encouraged walking as a healthy pastime, and in March of 1927 walked 18 miles between Manchester and Concord NH to attend a legislative meeting–covering the distance in four hours.

After her married to Amos Gale Straw in 1891, she became one of the earliest practicing women physicians in New Hampshire. She was also active in several organizations, serving as state president of the American Legion Auxiliary for the year 1935-1936. She was also the first woman president of the American Medical Society (not to be confused with the American Medical Association).

In 1926 she became the first woman to preside over a state political gathering–as chairman of the biennial Republican State Convention. In 1928, although she eventually lost the election, she was the first woman candidate for a republican nomination for State Senator in New Hampshire.

Zatae L. Straw (Mrs. A. Gale), from “New Hampshire Notables,” 1932

The 1932 edition of “New Hampshire Notables,” presents this biography of her: “Physician; b. Centerville Pa.; dau William and Lydia R. (Haverstick) Longsdorf; ed. Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, A.B. 1887, A.M. 1890; Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania 1890; intern for one year at New England Hospital for Women and Children; removed to Blackfoot, Idaho, in charge of Government Hospital upon the Indian Reservation; after marriage in 1891 located in Manchester NH and engaged in practice of her profession, in which she still continues; member on staff of Mercy Home in Manchester NH and Hillsborough County Hospital; Representative to Legislature 1924 to 1926; ardent sports woman and fisher; Republican; Congregationalist; member Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire and National Medical Societies, D.A.R., Woman’s Relief Corps., American Legion Auxiliary, Manchester and New Hampshire Federations of Women’s Club, Grange, United Mothers Club of Manchester (hon. pres.), Woman’s College Club, Business and Professional Women’s Club, Parent-Teachers Ass’n (State Chairman of Social Hygiene), Pointer’s Fish and Game Club of Manchester, Lone Pine Hunter’s Club of Nashua; Izaak Walton League of America; m. Dr. A. Gale Straw of Manchester, N.H., Nov 12 1891; ch. Enid C., Zatae Gale, Wayne L., David Gale; res. Manchester NH.”

Janice

*Additional Reading*

-Dickinson College Bio: Zatae L. (Longsdorff) Straw– [with younger photograph]

–Archives of Zatae Leola Longsdorff Straw–

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**FAMILY TREE OF ZATAE LEOLA (LONGSDORFF) STRAW**
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[For additional lines of the Longsdorff Family see here]

Johann Heinrich “Henry” Longsdorf, was born 24 Feb 1713/14 in Germany. He married 14 Jan 1744/45 in Pohl-Gons, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany to Anna Elizabeth Kollmar. She b. 26 Nov 1720 in Germany. Henry and Elizabeth arrived in Philadelphia PA on 30 Sep 1754 from Palatinate of Wurtenberg on the ship “Edinburgh.” Daniel and Conrad Langsdorf also came with him on the same ship. In 1762 Henry’s name is on the Allen Township PA tax list and later in the East Pennsboro list [as Longstaff]. Henry A. [Henrich] Longsdorff/Langdorffin/Langsdarf came in an early day from Germany, locating in Cumberland Co PA on land two miles west of Mechanicsburg, purchasing from the William Penn Estate. He d. abt 1804 when his will was administered, Conrad Longsdorff being administrator. He was a widower by 1781 when his grandson Henrich was born.  He and his family were members of Saint Steven Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Kingston, Silver Spring Twp, Cumberland Co PA where many of his grandchildren were baptized.
Children of [Johann Heinrich] Henry & Elizabeth (Kollmar) Longsdorff:
1. Adam Longsdorf, b. 1744 in Pohl-Gons, Hessen-Darmstadt Germany
2. +Martin Longsdorf, b. 12 May 1749 in Pohl-Gons, Hessen-Darstadt, Germany
3. Johann Carl Ludwig Longsdorf, b. 10 May 1753 in Pohl-Gons, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany
4. Phillip Lansdorff, b. 3 May 1755 in PA; m. Anna Hawk/Hauk.

Martin Longsdorf, son of John Heinrich [Henry] & Elizabeth Longsdorf, was b. 12 May 1749 in Pohl-Gons, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany and d. 17 Sep 1804 in Silver Spring Twp, Cumberland Co PA. He was an Ensign during the American Revolution. He was buried in Longsdorf Cemetery, Silver Spring Twp, Cumberland Co. PA. He married 1773 to Anna Margaret Boor, dau of Michael. She b. 20 Apr 1756 in Germany.
Children of Martin & Anna M. (Boor) Longsdorf:
1. Elisabeth Longsdorf, b Jan 14, 1778 Silver Spring Twp, PA; bap Jan 18, 1778
2. Anna Margretha Longsdorf, b Nov 30 1779 Silver Spring PA; bap Dec 1779
3. Henrich Longsdorf,  b Nov 26, 1781 Silver Spring PA; bapt Sep 1782
4. Anna Maria Longsdorf, b May 15, 1785 Silver Spring PA; bap Sep 1782
5. Johann Martin Longsdorf,  b March 25, 1788 Silver Spring PA; bap March 30 1788
6. Catharina Longsdorf b May 29, 1790 Silver Springs PA; bap June 1, 1790
7.  Michael Longsdorf, born Nov 6, 1793 Silver Springs PA; bap Nov 25, 1793, and d. 1 Nov 1864 in Columbia Co PA; he m. Mary Herman. She b. 28 Jan 1796 Columbia Co PA and d. 4 Aug 1877.  Had issue.
8. +Johan Adam Longsdorf, b. Feb 10, 1795 Silver Spring PA; bap 10 Apr 1795
9. George Longsdorf, b. March 5, 1800 Silver Springs PA; bap March 30, 1800

John [Johan] Adam Longsdorff, son of Martin & Anna Margaret (Boor) Longsdorf, was born 10 Feb 1795 in Silver Spring Twp. Cumberland Co PA, and d. 24 Nov 1847 in Silver Spring Twp PA. He was buried in New Kingston, Cumberland Co PA. He engaged in farming. In 1844 he was elected sheriff of the county, serving three years. He returned to Silver Spring township at the end of his term, and died just six months after, at the age of fifty-one years. he married 27 Apr 1823 in Carlisle PA to Mary Senseman, dau of John and Hannah Senseman. She was born c1803-4 in New Kingston, Cumberland Co PA, and d. 22 Jan 1889 in New Kingston PA at the age of eighty-five years. She had been married 1st to Jacob Boor.
Children of John Adam & Mary (Senseman) Longsdorff:
1. Johannes Longsdorf, b. 17 Aug 1826, Silver Springs PA, bapt. 10 Sep 1826 Silver Spring Twp PA
2. Margarette Longsdorf, b. 29 Dec 1827 Silver Springs PA, bap 30 Nov 1828
3. ?Hannah Longsdorf, b. 4 Oct 1831 in Silver Springs PA; d. 1 March 1854 in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co PA; m. M.L.E. Houser
4. +William Henry Longsdorf, b. 24 March 1834 Silver Springs, Cumberland Co PA; baptized 25 May 1834
5. Adam Sensaman Longsdorf, b. 18 Oct 1842 Silver Springs, Cumberland Co PA; baptized 26 Nov 1842.

William Henry Longsdorff, M.D., was born 24 March 1834 in Cumberland Co PA.  He remained on the homestead in Silver Springs PA until he was 15, except for his father’s term as sheriff when they lived in Carlisle PA. He entered Dickinson College, and at the end of three years study, he decided to enter the medical profession. He placed himself under the instruction of Dr. Dale. In 1856 he graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia PA, and in 1857 from the Pennsylvania Dental School. He first practiced in Bellevue, Nebraska for a year, the then removed to Denver CO where he lived and prospected for a year and a half. He returned to PA where he became first lieutenant of Company I, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was promoted eventually to the rank of major. He was discharged Jan 19, 1864 with both legs broken at the ankles. He had a large successful practice in Cumberland Co PA until 1881 when he was elected county treasurer for 3 years, after which he settled in Carlisle PA. In 1897 he toop a long trip to the New England States and when he returned he lived at Camp Hill PA. He married 7 Apr 1857 to Lydia R. Haverstick, dau of Benjamin and Lydia (Mylin) Haverstick, old settlers of Cumberland Co PA. Presbyterian. Democrat. They resided at 209 W. Louther Street in Carlisle PA.
Children of William H. & Lydia R. (Haverstick) Longsdorff [all grad. Dickinson College]:
1. Harold Hamilton Longsdorff, b 22 July 1858 in Bellvue, Nebraska; physician, res Penn Twp, PA; m. Ella Ernst. Had ch: (1) Harold; (2) Helen
2. John Ernest Meylin Longsdorff, b abt 1861 in PA; d. 1881, aged 21 years
3. +Zatae Leola Longsdorff, m. Dr. A.G. Straw; physician
4. Hildegarde H. Longsdorff, b abt 1868 PA; physician practicing in Carlisle PA; grad. Woman’s Medical College in 1891
5. Jessica W. Dale Longsdorff, b. abt 1872 PA; took a course in medicine; m. Rev. Hiram R. Bozorth; res Downington PA and Mount Joy, Lancaster Co PA; had 2 ch: (1) Enid E. Smith & (2) –.
6. Persis Miriam Longsdorff, b abt 1874 in PA; m. Prof. Ernest W. Sipple, living Montrose, Susquehanna Co.

Zatae Leola Longsdorff M.D. was born 16 Apr 1866 in Centerville, Cumberland Co PA, and d. 1 Oct 1955 in Manchester NH; m. Dr. Amos Gale Straw; She was the first woman graduate of Dickinson College in Pennsylvania. She received her medical training at the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1890, and interned at the New England Hospital for Women and Children. She worked for the Department of the Interior, at a government hospital on the Blackfoot Indian reservation in Blackfood, Idaho.  She married 12 November 1891 to Dr. Amos Gale Straw. They resided in Manchester NH where they were both practicing physicians. She was a member of several organizations including the Manchester Women’s Club and the NHFWC. She loved the out-of-doors and outdoor sports. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and served as the National Committee Woman for NH, and president of the Henry J. Sweeney Auxiliary Unit of Manchester. She was also a member of the Molly Stark Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She had privileges at Elliot hospital in Manchester NH. She was the first woman president of the American Medical Society. In 1941 she was honored by the NH Medical Society for a half-century of service in the medical field. In 1937 she received a honorary doctor of science from Dickinson College.  In 1923 she became the first woman to preside over a state Republican convention. In 1924 she was elected to the NH State House of Representatives, and to a 2nd term in 1926. While there she served on the Committee on Public Health, and its chairperson during her 2nd term. She also served on the Committee of Fisheries and Game. She pioneered walking as a health measure, became the country’s first woman to preside over a state political gathering, as chairman of the biennial Republican State Convention. Amos Gale Straw, was born 9 Feb 1864 in Manchester NH, son of Daniel Felch & Lucretia Ann (Kenney) Straw. He died in 1926 after a long illness. He attended Manchester public schools and received an A.B. from Dartmouth College in 1887, and a medical degree in 1890; he attended Harvard Medical School in 1890. He served in the United States Army. Following the war he worked at the VA Hospital in Northampton MA. He was a lecturer to Beacon Hill Hospital, bacteriologist Manchester Board of Health, Surgeon 1st Regiment N.H.N.G. 1895-1900; sec. bd U.S. Pension Examining Surgeons since 1894. Member American Academy of Medicine, NH Medical Society, Hillsborough County Medical Society, Manchester Medical Society. He was a Republican, a Congregationalist, and Scottish Rite Mason (32nd Degree K.T.). He was past exalted ruler of B.P.O. Elks.  At one time he was a director of the Amoskeag Bank. He played in “The Trinity Quartet,” a musical group of Manchester NH composed of Frank T.E. Richardson, Roscoe K. Horne, De Lafayette Robinson and himself. Their home was at 297 Orange Street, and their office at 627 Union Street in Manchester NH. In 1926 they were both living in New Hampshire
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U.S. Census > 1900 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Hillsborough > Manchester Ward 3 > District 96
Straw, A.G. Head W M Feb 1864 36 married 9 yrs NH NH NH physician
Straw, Zatae, wife W F Apr 1866 34 married 9 yrs 1 ch 1 living Penn Penn Penn physician
Straw, Enid dau W F May 1900 single NH NH Penn
Noon, Persis, sister-in-law W F Feb 1894 26 married 4 yrs 1 ch 1 living PA PA PA
Noon, Earnest nephew W M Jan 1898 2 single NH Penn Penn
Ahern, Margaret servant W F Nov 1866 33 single England Ire Ire servant
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U.S. Census > 1930 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Hillsborough > Manchester > District 32 [297 Grange Street]
Straw, Zatae L. M.D. Head $20,000 F W 62 widow PA PA PA
Straw, Enid G. dau F W 29 single NH NH PA
Straw, Zatae Gale, daughter F W 23 single NH NH PA
Straw, Wayne C. son, adopted M W 22 single NH NH PA
Straw, David son, adopted M W 7 single NH NH PA
Grey, Gertrude M. lodger F W 31 single MA NH NH
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[see more photographs and details on this family]
Children of Amos G. & Zatae L. (Longsdorff) Straw:
1. Enid Constance Straw, b. 13 May 1900 Manchester NH, d. 6 Oct 1981 in Brunswick ME; graduated from Wellesley College in 1921 and m. 1937 to Dean Chamberlin. He b abt 1904 in NH
2. Zatae Gale Straw, b. 16 Nov 1906 NH; d. 1929 shortly after graduating from Brown University
3. Wayne C. Straw, adopted, b. abt 1907-8 in NH; d. 1930, drowned.
4. David Straw, adopted, b. 5 Feb 1923 NH, d. 25 Dec 1978; res. Manchester NH
5. Gertrude Grey, foster daughter, b. abt 1899 in MA

*************STRAW FAMILY GENEALOGY***********

Lawrence Straw
William Straw (c1658-1712) & 2nd wife, Margaret —

Samuel Straw, son of William & Margaret (?) Straw, b. 13 Aug 1692, Salisbury MA; d. Oct 1773 at South Hampton, Rockingham Co NH; He  m. at Amesbury MA to Elizabeth Dimond, dau of Israel & Abigail (Prowse) Dimond. She b. 1697 in Amesbury MA and d. 1773 at South Hampton, Rockingham Co NH.
Children of Samuel & Elizabeth (Dimond) Straw:
1. Elizabeth Straw, b 19 Apr 1719 Amesbury MA
2. Hannah Straw, b. 30 Apr 1721 in Salisbury MA; d. 1809 in Weare NH
3. Miriam Straw, b. 17 Apr 1723, d. 14 Sep 1735 both in Salisbury MA
4. Jonathan Straw, b. 28 Jan 1725 S. Hampton NH; d. 24 Jan 1791 Hopkinton NH; m. Mary Carr; had issue
5. Abia Straw, b. 9 Nov 1728 Salisbury MA, d. before 1809
6. Ezekiel Straw, b. 15 Jan 1730/31 Salisbury MA [great-grandfather of Governor Ezekiel Straw of New Hampshire – see article about him]
7. +Jacob Straw, b. 21 May 1734 in S. Hampton, Rockingham Co NH, d. 5 Nov 1807 Hopkinton, Merrimack Co NH; m. Lydia Ordway; had issue; one of the early proprietors of Hopkinton NH
8. Israel Straw, b. 23 June 1735 Salisbury MA: d. 3 Apr 1800 Weare NH; m. Abiah Nelson
9. Samuel Straw, b. 29 May 1738 S. Hampton NH; d. aft. 1809; m. Ruth Flanders

Jacob Straw, son of Samuel & Elizabeth (Dimond) Straw was b. 21 May 1733 in Salisbury MA and d. 5 Nov 1807 in Hopkinton, Merrimack Co NH; he removed to Hopkinton NH in very early times, being one of the Masonian grantees in 1750, owning one lot in the township. He was a carpenter and joiner, and bought a lot and built a house. He afterwards sold and removed to Sugar Hill in Weare NH, where he purchased 200 acres there. He sold that land and purchased 300 acres in Hopkinton. He married abt 1760 to Lydia Ordway, dau of Joseph & Mehitable (Burbank) Ordway. She was b. 4 Aug 1740 in Rumford (now Concord) NH and d. 17 Sep 1820 in Hopkinton NH). They had twelve children–six sons and six daughters.
Children of Jacob & Lydia (Ordway) Straw:
1. +Samuel Straw, b. 4 Apr 1761 Hopkinton NH
2. Hannah Straw, b. 28 Sep 1762 Weare NH; m. Reuben Colby
3. Lydia Straw, b. 19 June 1765 Weare NH
4. Jacob Straw Jr., b. 20 Feb 1767 Weare NH; m. Abigail Young
5. Levi Straw, b. 12 Oct 1768 Weare NH; m. Miriam Jones
6. Joseph Straw, b. 12 Feb 1772 Weare NH; m. Elizabeth “Betsy” Gardner
7. Dorothy Straw, b. 5 Sep 1773 Hopkinton NH; m. David Cilley
8. Molly Straw, b. 2 Apr 1775 Hopkinton NH
9. Ezekial Straw, b. 7 Nov 1777 Hopkinton NH; m. Abigail Gilpatrick
10. Betty Straw, b. 22 Apr 1779 Hopkinton NH; m. Jeremiah Flanders
11. William Straw, b. 15 May 1781 Hopkinton NH, d. 12 March 1870, 88 yrs 10 months;
buried Stumpfield Cemetery, Hopkinton NH; m1) Lucretia Flagg Page; m2nd) Joanna Goodhue

Samuel Straw, son of Jacob & Lydia (Ordway) Straw, was b. 4 Apr 1761 in Hopkinton, Merrimack Co NH and d. 6 Aug 1844 in Hopkinton NH. He m. 17 Nov 1797 in S. Hampton NH to Mary Miranda Flanders. She b. abt 1763 in Hopkinton NH
Children of Samuel & Mary Miranda (Flanders) Straw:
1. Sally Straw, b. 30 June 1786 Hopkinton NH
2. Samuel Straw, b. 26 June 1788 Hopkinton NH
3. Lydia Straw, b. 2 March 1790 Hopkinton NH
4. Daniel Straw, b. 1792 Hopkinton NH
5. Jacob Straw, b. 3 May 1795 Hopkinton NH
6. Timothy Straw, b. 15 Sep 1797 Hopkinton NH
7. Molley Straw, b. 11 March 1800 Hopkinton NH
8. Nancy Straw, b. 13 Nov 1803 Hopkinton NH

Daniel Straw, son of Samuel & Mary Miranda (Flanders) Straw, was b. 15 Apr 1792 in Hopkinton NH, and d. 14 Aug 1874 in Manchester NH. He married 22 Aug 1819 to Lydia Ann Felch, dau of Curtis & Sally (Evans) Felch. She b. 2 Dec 1795, and d. 23 Dec 1879 in Hooksett NH. He removed to Manchester NH where he ran a retail grocery business with his brother Monroe J. Later he went into the jewelry business.
Children of Daniel & Lydia A. (Felch) Straw:
1. James Monroe Straw, b. abt 1820, died young
2. +Daniel Felch Straw, b. 21 July 1823 Hopkinton NH, died young
3. James Monroe “Monroe J.” Straw 2nd, b. abt 1824; Served during the civil War in Co. A, 12th NH Infantry as a private; enlisted 14 Aug 1862; died of wounds at Cold Harbor VA
4. Samuel Straw, b. abt 1825, died young

Daniel Felch Straw, son of Daniel & Lydia Ann (Felch) Straw, b. 21 July 1823 in Hopkinton NH, and d. 14 Apr 1896; he married Lucretia Ann Kenney.  She b. abt 1830 in NH. A jeweler and watchmaker, resided Manchester NH. He was a partner in 1869 with James C. Lovejoy in Manchester NH (as Lovejoy & Straw) at 202 Elm Street. In 1877 he was still Straw & Lovejoy watches and jewelry at 892 Elm Street, while he lived on Union Street, corner of Pearl Street.  He was also a partner with Thomas Tewksbury as Straw & Tewksbury.  Lived at 627 Union Street in 1890-93.
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U.S. Census > 1870 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Hillsborough > Manchester
Straw, Daniel F. 47 M W Jeweler 15,000/2500 NH [b abt 1823 NH]
Straw, Lucretia 40 F W Keeping House NH
Straw, Angie 14 F W NH
Straw, Amos K. 6 M W NH
Straw, Lydia 74 F W  — NH
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U.S. Census > 1880 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Hillsborough > Manchester > District 126
Straw, Daniel F. W M 54 Watch Maker NH NH NH
Straw, Lucretia A. W F 51 Wife keeping House NH NH NH
Straw, Amos G. W M 16 son at school NH NH NH
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Children of Daniel F. & Lucretia Ann (Kenney) Straw:
1. Angie Straw, b abt 1856 NH
2. +Amos Gale Straw, b. 9 Feb 1864 Manchester NH; He died in 1926 after a long illness. He married Zatae Leola Longsdorff [SEE her genealogy above for more information]
 
Some Sources:
1. Who’s Who in New England
2. A History of the Kagy Relationship in America, by Franklin Keagy
3. HeritageQuest books online (various)
4. Saint Steven Evangelica Lutheran Church, New Kingston, Silver Spring Township, Cumberland Co PA by Frederick Sheely Weiser
5. United States Census, 1790-1930
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