Woman of the Century/Elia Goode Byington

2256468Woman of the Century — Elia Goode Byington

BYINGTON, Mrs. Elia Goode, journalist, born in Thomaston, Ga., 24th March, 1858. Mrs. Byington is president of the Woman's Press Club of Georgia, and, with her husband, Edward Telfair Byington, joint proprietor, editor and manager of the Columbus "Evening Ledger," a successful southern daily. The flourishing condition of the Woman's Press Club bears testimony to the deep interest and zeal of its presiding officer. She declares that the work is made easier by the sympathy and approval of her husband. Mrs. Byington is deeply interested in the intellectual and industrial progress of woman, and that her interest is practical, rather than theoretical, is evinced in the let that, with the exception of the carrier boys and four men for outdoor work, all of the employés of the "Ledger" office are women. A woman is employed as foreman, a woman artist makes the illustrations for the paper, a woman reads the proofs, a woman manipulates the type-writer, a woman is mailing clerk, and all the type is set by women, all of whom receive equal pay with men who are employed in similar capacities. Not content with the help extended to her sisters in her own profession, Mrs. Byington organized a Worker's Club as an aid to the many young girls who. while still burdened with the shrinking southern conservatism, have to go forth to battle with the world. Mrs. Byington comes of a distinguished Georgia family, being the ELLA GOODE BYINGTON. daughter of the late Col. Charles T. Goode, of Americus, and granddaughter of Gen. Eli Warren, of Perry. She is essentially a southern woman, having always lived in her native State, and having received her education in the Furlow Female College, in Americus. and in the Georgia Female College in Madison. She was married in 1877 and, becoming deeply interested in her husband’s journalistic labors, began to assist htm with her pen, and in that way cultivated a love for the work that has since brought her distinction. Her father was a man of brilliant attainments, while her mother is a perfect type of cultured Southern womanhood. From them Mrs. Byington inherits her intellectual gifts, which, together with her youth, persutial beauty and charm of manner, make her a favorite with her friends. She is a constant worker, spending many hours daily at her desk and often working late into the night, but, notwithstanding her numerous duties, she finds time to give to society. She is secretary and treasurer of the Art Club, the leadings social and literary organization of Columbus.