Woman of the Century/Lepha Eliza Bailey

BAILEY, Mrs. Lepha Eliza, author and lecturer, born in Battle Creek, Mich., 21st January, LEPHA ELIZA BAILEY. 1845. Her maiden name was Dunton, Her father was of Scotch descent. Both parents were born and reared in Georgia, Vt., and their family connected of nine children, all born in Georgia, Vt. except Mrs. Bailey, the youngest From Vermont her parents removed, with their entire family, to Battle Creek in the fall of 1840. Michigan was at that time an unbroken wilderness. In early life Miss Dunton became a contributor to local papers. On 21st October, 1873, she was married to Lewis Bailey, of Rattle Creek. Four children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Bailey was a useful member of many local organizations, including the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Sovereigns of Industry, Independent Order of Good Templars, and Grangers, and was an other of each. When the red-ribbon movement became prominent Mrs. Bailey took an active interest in its development, and she dates her present work as a speaker from her local labor for the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and red-ribbon clubs. At that time Mrs. Bailey edited a department in "Our Age," published at Rattle Creek, this she continued for three years. In 1876-77 she wrote much for the "Grange Visitor," and gave talks upon the labor question before assemblies of Grangers, at that time flourishing in Michigan. In 1878 she was invited by the State amendment committee, to canvass her own county on the question of a prohibitory amendment submitted to the people. She gave two-hundred lectures, speaking in every city, village and school district. For two years previous Mrs. Bailey had been speaking occasionally upon the temperance question and woman suffrage, but her active public work began with the amendment campaign In her own State, since which time she has been constantly in field Service, having been actively engaged in every State where an amendment campaign has been inaugrated. In 1880 Mr., Bailey was invited to speak under the auspices of the National Prohibition Alliance. She responded, and worked in the Fast until that society disbanded, and finally merged with the Prohibition Party, under whose auspices she is at present employed.