Erdine Timberlake Stamm
(1901 - 1999)
Erdine Timberlake Stamm was born September 9, 1901 in Washington D.C. She was a direct descendent Of that proud and worthy Timberlake family of Virginians who received a land grant from the king of England and settled on the York River near Williamsburg in 1732. Driven by necessity after the Civil War, Erdine's father moved north and finally made a home for his family in the Nation’s Capitol. Here Erdine was born and grew up with her two sisters, Lillian and Frances. Erdine attended grade school (Powers), Central High School and graduated from Wilson Normal school In Washington D.C., She taught in the public grade school (H.D. Cooke) in Washington D.C. for several years, at the same time attending the George Washington University night school until she recieved a degree in Art Education from that University.
Being an unusually attractive and talented girl, Erdine had many suiters. She became attracted to Dr. Alfred J. Stamm at a Pres House picnic while attending the University of Wisconsin summer school in Madison Wisconsin in 1927. That Christmas they became engaged when Alfred visited the Timberlakes at their home in Washington D.C. They were married the following summer, August 16, 1928 in the Columbia Heights Christian Church in Washington D.C. with the immediate family and a few friends present. They went to Sweden on their honeymoon where Dr. Stamm had won a Rockefeller Foundation fellowship, and while he did research work in chemistry, she pursued her studies in Art. They traveled all over Europe that year, then returned to Madison, Wisconsin to make their home.
Erdine had four children, the first of which, Bobby, was born In 1930 and died at the age of six during an appendectomy operation. Virginia was born in 1933, Bonnie in 1937, and Alfred John in 1941. Erdine led a busy life giving lectures, teaching Sunday school in the First Congregational Church, and taking offices in various organizations. She belonged to the Madison Art Guild, the University League, the Forest Products League, the Shorewood Garden Club and League, the Civics Club and the West End Club. She and her family were members of the Congregational Church.
In 1955 Dr. and Mrs. Stamm with their three children Virginia, Bonnie and Alfred traveled to Melbourne Australia on a Fulbright Fellowship. Nine months were spent in Melbourne, where Dr. Stamm did research at the Forest Products Laboratory and gave lectures in all parts of Australia. Erdine kept house for her family in an apartment In St. Kilda. The family left Australia after nine months and traveled to Europe on the SS Otranto. Their journey to Australia was made on the SS Oransay, and the Lurline. After traveling through Europe and the Scandinavian countries, they returned to America on the SS Kungsholm.
The year after their return, Erdine taught hand crafts at the Cherochee Grade School in Madison. She also gave talks to various groups including television on her Australian trip, showing slides they had taken.
In 1959 Dr. and Mrs. Stamm with their son Alfred moved to Raleigh North Carolina where Dr. Stamm taught wood chemistry at North Carolina State University. In addition to being involved with university wives, she kept busy with the garden club, the book club and various bridge groups. She also continued with her painting. She and her family became members of the White Memorial Presbyterian Church. Until her death in August 1999, she resided at the Springmoor Retirement home.