Hybridizer Mary "Mollie" Stahlman (Mrs. Edward C.); (1870-1938)

Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Born Mary Geddes, the daughter of Maj. James and Nancy 'Nannie' (Smith) Geddes, her family moved from her native Bowling Green, Kentucky to Nashville, Tennessee before 1880. A Scottish immigrant, her father was educated at the University of Glasgow and later emigrated to America. In 1851 he was surveyor for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, and in charge of building the rail line between those two cities.

In 1891 Mary wed Edward C. Stahlman, eldest son of Maj. Edward B. Stahlman who was a vice-president of the L&N Railway and publisher of the Nashville Banner newspaper. She was an iris hybridizer and worked in collaboration with fellow Nashville hybridizer Thomas A. Washington, who raised the results of her breeding program which included her 1936 U.S. Dykes Medal Winner, the plicata 'Mary Geddes'.

Her younger sister, Isabella MacGregor Geddes, married Samuel Gaines Douglas and continued the family affiliation with iris hybridizing to the next generation through their son, long-time AIS Bulletin editor Geddes Douglas.

Registrations/Introductions:

Tall Bearded: 'Admiral Byrd', 'Corazon', 'Hasse Oobea', 'Ishpanee', 'Jean Lafitte', 'Lily Pons', 'Lord Darnley', 'Mary Geddes', 'Mary Stuart', 'Maya', 'Mellow Moon', 'Pied Piper', 'Willow O' The Wisp'.

-- BobPries - 2012-05-18