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Biographical Sketch of Ada Hollinger Sperry

(Originally published: Emmitsburg Chronicle)

For outstanding business leadership and community interest without prejudice, goes the Chronicle Award of Merit this week to Mrs. Ada Hollinger Sperry.

Progressively active in business and alert as though she were many years younger, Mrs. Sperry reveals only that she was blessed with birth. She is a strong advocate of accepting life for its wonderful advantages and that; one’s age is, no barrier to progress and accomplishment. To this conclusion she has proved her point by owning and managing one of the town’s most thriving, businesses.

Mrs. Sperry spent her earlier schooling in Washington County, Maryland. She specialized in science, English and mathematics at Goucher College in Baltimore and came to Emmitsburg in 1900. In 1912 she married Ralph S. Sperry at Calaria, Iowa.

Having faith in the industrial development of the town the couple opened an automotive service here and from a humble beginning developed one of the finest garages in the community. She actively influenced the business progression and eventually, in 1927, established a Ford new car and truck agency here. The business flourished and is today unexcelled in both service and, supply.

Mrs. Sperry has two nephews, one of them being John J. Hollinger, well known locally. The nephew and his son, John S., were actively associated in the garage and auto agency.

Since her husband’s demise in 1952, Mrs. Sperry has conducted the establishment in exemplary business fashion. She is a member of the Soroptomist Club International a member of the Republican Central Committee of this district and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. She advocates progress for Emmitsburg and believes the district should be extended with the town limits of Emmitsburg being expanded to a reasonable distance to include many residents not included in the corporation limits.

Mrs. Sperry was extremely active in keeping the senior high school here during World War II when it appeared for a time that the school would be a victim of consolidation proceedings.

Emmitsburg’s leading business woman is a firm believer in religious freedom and goes to the church of her choice, regularly believes in women being active in business and politics and that they should be properly rained to be helpful in any ca­pacity suitable for their participation. She also believes that youth should be educated and given a chance to succeed, and that in doing so, less crime would be imposed on our communities. She also believes that inactivity and the lack of opportunity is youth’s greatest handicap. In Mrs. Ada H. Sperry we find strength of character, spirit and he kind of courage that our forefathers possessed in the development of our country. To her we extend, congratulations for a Job well done!

If you knew Mrs. Sperry, and would like to see her remembered in the next History of Emmitsburg, Please send us any stories or antidotes about them to us at: history@emmitsburg.net

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