The Elizabeth Fry Guild was a group that met through the Leesburg Friends Church in Leesburg, Ohio. Meetings for this particular guild seemed to be rotated between various members’ homes.
While we don’t have an exact account of all the activities of this specific guild, the Elizabeth Fry Guilds were groups of women, often within Quaker communities, who were committed to making a positive difference in the world, inspired by the example of Elizabeth Fry.
One of the known benefactors of this local guild was the Highland County Child Welfare Board and its Christmas Fund.
Verified Active Years
- 1938 – 1950
These verified years were determined through articles or posts of the following newspapers:
- Chillicothe Gazette (Chillicothe, Ohio)
- Greenfield Daily Times (Greenfield, Ohio)
- Press Gazette (Hillsboro, Ohio)
Known Members
- Bowers, Bessie Alma (Elliott) (1918-1967)
- Campbell, Almeda (McPherson) (1878-1947)
- Clickner, Della Mae (Lynch) (1891-1977)
- Cork, Ethel (Mace) (1878-1973)
- Davis, Mae (McCoy) (1882-1949)
- Gleadall, Laveria (Snodgrass) (1878-1966)
- Holaday, Lilly M. (1875-1966)
- Larkin, Eleanor Jessie (Haydock) (1903-2002)
- Patterson, Elva (McCoy) (1890-1943)
- Rains, Ethel (McPherson) (1884-1943)
- Washburn, Carrie Lucille (Easter) (1895-1970) ***
***denotes was a former president of the guild.
Mentions of the Elizabeth Fry Guild through Newspapers
Tuesday, February 22, 1938
Mrs. Bert Harr entertained the members of the Elizabeth Fry Guild at her home on Tuesday afternoon. Miss Lois Nell Slaughter, Miss Wanda Bacon, Mrs. Elva Patterson and Mrs. Roy Schrake were her assistants.
Mrs. Grimsley presided. Miss Bacon gave a short sketch of George Washington and Miss Slaughter told about her visit to Mt. Vernon. A dessert course in keeping with the season served to 30 guests.
[Chillicothe Gazette (Chillicothe, Ohio), Mon, Feb 28, 1938, Page 5]
Friday, January 10, 1941
Members and guests of the Elizabeth Fry Guild of the Friends Church enjoyed a meeting at the home of Mrs. Walter Pushee, Friday afternoon. After the business meeting a short program was given: piano solo, Mrs. C. L. Barrett; reading, “Winter Gardening”, Mrs. Ida Fernow; poem, “The Happiness Flower”, Mrs. Walter Cherry.
A feature of the social hour was miscellaneous shower for Mrs. Joann Cherry Michael, a recent bride. After Mrs. Michael opened her gifts, a salad course was served.
Those present were Mrs. Michael, Mrs Harold Michael, Sr., Mrs Frank Milner, Mrs. Dean Corwin, Norta Cosand, Almeda Campbell, Ethel Rains, Minnie Gleadall, Vera Gleadall, Sara Esther Rains, Nora Salisbury, Ella Cook, Michel York, Helen Grimsley, Dorothy, Nelle Grimsley, Dora Cork, Maggie Huff, Clara Slaughter, Cora Sexton, Mattie Davis, Ida Fernow, Nellie Barrett, Lilly Holladay, Elinor Larkin, Mabel Ellis, Mae Huff, Jennie Ladd, Olive Marie Wright, Bessie Dodds, Ruby Hicks, Wilma Pierce, Delores Forge, Mary Lou Van Pelt, Barbara Ellis and Helen Engle.
[Greenfield Daily Times (Greenfield, Ohio), Wed, Jan 15, 1941, Page 4]
Friday, October 10, 1941
The Elizabeth Fry Guild of the Friends Church of Leesburg, assembled at the home of Mrs. Willard Larkin, near Centerfield, Friday afternoon for their regular session. Assisting hostesses were Mrs. Almeda Campbell, Mrs. Mae Davis, Mrs. Madalen Ellis and Mrs. Dora West. Thirty-six members and guests were present. Mrs. Dennis Cork, Mrs. Paul Bowers, Mrs. Richard Theobold, and Mrs. Verne Rees were guests. The hostesses served delicious refreshments during the social hour.
[The Press Gazette (Hillsboro, Ohio), Fri, Oct 17, 1941, Page 4]
Friday, September 10, 1943
Mrs. Paul Bowers was hostess to the Elizabeth Fry Guild Friday afternoon, Sept. 10, 1943. The meeting opened by singing “Blest Be The Tie That Binds”. Devotions were conducted by Mrs. Margaret Pushee. The business session was in charge of the president, Mrs. Carrie Washburn. A note of regret was expressed at the passing of two of our good members since the last meeting, Mrs. Ethel Rains and Mrs. Elva Patterson. There were 21 members and 6 guests present. Two interesting contests were conducted by Mrs. Della Clickner. Mrs. James Lucas gave two lovely cornet solos, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Elanor Larkin. A social hour was enjoyed during which time the hostess and her assistants, Mrs. Marie Wright, Mrs. Lois Trainor, Miss Jennie Ladd and Mrs. Della Clickner served delicious refreshments of homemade ice cream, cake and coffee.
[The Press Gazette (Hillsboro, Ohio), Fri, Sep 17, 1943, Page 9]
Tuesday, November 28, 1944
The Lions Club are going to serve a turkey supper at the Friends Church Nov. 28. Tickets are priced at $1.00. The supper will be served by the Elizabeth Fry Guild of the church.
[The Press Gazette (Hillsboro, Ohio), Fri, Nov 24, 1944, Page 8]
Tuesday, January 4, 1949
The Elizabeth Fry Guild of Friends Church in Leesburg was mentioned as one of the organizations contributing to the Highland County Child Welfare Board’s Christmas Fund from the prior year (1948).
[The Press Gazette (Hillsboro, Ohio), Tue, Jan 4, 1949, Page 5]
Saturday, February 18, 1950
The Elizabeth Fry Guild of the Leesburg Friends Church, met Feb. 18, at the home of Mrs. C. L. Barrett, with Mrs. Dennis Cork, Mrs. Frank Gleadall and Miss Lilly Holaday, co-hostesses.
[The Press Gazette (Hillsboro, Ohio), Fri, Mar 3, 1950, Page 5]
