Representative women of New England/Hannah J. Bailey
HANNAH J. BAILEY, of Winthrop Centre, Me., National Superintendent, W. C. T. U., Department of Peace and International Arbitration, was born in Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, July 5, 1839, being the daughter of David and Letitia (Clark) Johnston and the first of a family of eight children. Her father was a minister in the Society of Friends, and her mother one of the most devoted and loving Christian women who ever helped to make a home. Her maternal ancestry has been traced back to Samuel Clark, of whom the compiler of a brief genealogy issued (second edition) in 1897 says: "I find that the probabilities are very strong that Samuel Clark, Sr., came from England in 1630, the year in which Governor Winthrop, the Rev. Richard Denton, Thomas Wicks, and over a thousand others first sailed to America. With the last two named he was closely associated at Stamford, Conn."
During her childhood the subject of this sketch attentled the district schools of Cornwall, until her parents removed to Plattekill, in Ulster County, New York, about seventeen miles from her birthplace. There she became an eager student in another district school, to which she had to walk a mile each day. Afterward she was sent to a Friends' boarding-school in her native State. Here, as well as by her own independent efforts, by much reading and in other ways, she acquired a good practical education, but never ceased to regret her parents' limited circumstances, which rendered it impossible for her to pursue a college course. For nine years after returning home she taught school. She then became the wife of Moses Bailey, a well-known oil-cloth manufacturer, of Winthrop Centre, Me.
After Mr. Bailey's ileath, which occurred in 1882, when their only child was a boy of twelve, Mrs. Bailey showed rare executive ability in conducting his extensive business affairs. This she tlid for nine years.
Being a birthright member of the Society of Friends, always strong in its peace principles, Mrs. Bailey is admirably adapted to interest others in the work of her Department of Peace and International Arbitration. The work accomplished has been mainly of an educational character. Peace bands have been formed among children, clergymen invited to preach in the interest of the cause, and petitions have been circulated. To this work Mrs. Bailey was appointed in 1887 by the National Union and in 1888 by the Wodd's Woman's Christian Temperance Union. As a result of her persistent efforts and those of her co-workers, the Peace and International Arbitration Department of the W. C. T. U. has been organized in twenty-eight States and in the District of Columbia. It is now organized in fourteen cf)untries, and there are also many lands in which effectual work is being done unofficially. The W. C. T. U. Peace Department has taken part in all the World's Peace Congresses held since its organization. Among its publications are two official papers, one for adults and one for children, and two books called "Voices of Peace" and "Gleanings on the Subject of Peace and Arbitration." The department, in connection with other peace societies of the world, observes the third Sunday of December each year as Peace Sunday. Able lecturers are busy, going about a great deal of the time educating public opinion in the interests of this important work.
Mrs. Bailey has travelled extensively in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the United States. In helping to advance other reforms, also, Mrs. Bailey has been active. Together with two or three other prominent ladies of her State, she has been trying for years to obtain a reformatory prison for women in Maine. The outlook toward good results of their untiring efforts now seems encouraging.
Mrs. Bailey became president of the Maine Equal Suffrage Association in 1891, and held the position for six years. She was one of the judges in the Department of Liberal Arts at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893, having been appointed by the Board of Lady Managers. At Washington in. 1895 she was elected treasurer of the National Council of Women for three years. Similar positions she has held for many years at a time in the work of her church. Three times she has received appointment from the governor of her State to represent Maine on the National Board of Charities and Correction.
For many years Mrs. Bailey has been in the habit of aiding, both financially and by letters of encouragement and counsel, young people of limited means who have shown themselves desirous of obtaining a good education in order to take part in the work and reforms of the world. As her proteges pay her back the money loaned them, she passes it on to other ambitious young persons of her acquaintance, and thus the beautiful work continues. At her home, "Sunnyslope," Mrs. Bailey practises the doctrine which she advocates so enthusiastically—the "brotherhood of all mankind under the white banner of peace"—and welcomes guests from every land. Mrs. Bailey puts her horses, carriages, and boats at the command of her visitors, while each morning usually finds her for several hours at her desk, with her faithful secretary sitting near, receiving and sending out letters and other manuscripts to promote the interests of the cause she loves.
Mrs. Bailey's home is delightfully situated in a town containing five large lakes and fine mountain scenery. The church of her choice stands on a slight eminence on the south. On her beautiful grounds gravel walks are laid out among choice flowers and plants, with a fountain throwing up sparkling spray. A greenhouse joined to the dwelling supplies flowers all the year around for the pulpit of the church and for the comfort and cheer of "shut-in" friends and neighbors. Mrs. Bailey's friends often remonstrate with her against the strenuous life she lives, fearing that her strength may not be equal to so much effort, but she smiles as she replies, "I must be among those who wear out, not those who rust out.' There are few, if any, of the philanthropists of the world who more enjoy their work than does the subject of this sketch. Truly does she live " not to be ministered unto, but to minister"
"For the cause that needs assistance.
For the wrongs that need resistance,
For the future in the distance,
And the fiood that she cm dc."