Woman of the Century/Alice Baggett

ALICE BAGGETT. BAGGETT, Mrs. Alice, educator, born in Soccapatoy, Coosa county, Ala., 184-. Her maiden name was Alice Phillips. On her mother's side she is descended from the Scotch families of Campbell, McNeill, Wade, and Hampton, of Virginia. On her father's side her ancestors were the Dowds and Phillipses, of North Carolina. Her father, James D. Phillips, was a Whig who clung to the Union and the Constitution, doing all that lay in his power to avert the Civil War. Alice, just out of school, was full of the secessionist spirit, but a strong advocate of peace. Her early desire to enter the profession of teacher was opposed by her parents, but she resolved to follow her inclination, when, at the close of the Civil War, her family shared in the general desolation that lay upon the South. She became a teacher and for several years made successful use of her varied attainments. In 1868 she was married to A. J. Baggett, continuing her school work after marriage. In a few years her husband became an invalid and Mrs. Baggett then showed her mettle. She cared for her family of three children and assisted her brothers and sisters to get their education. Her husband died in 1875. Since that time she has served mainly as principal of high schools in Alabama. She has done much work for the orphans of Freemasons, to which order her husband had belonged. Wherever she has worked, she has organized, systematized and revolutionized educational matters. She now resides in St. Augustine, Fla., where her work is highly successful. Her family consists of one surviving daughter.