Jennie Phelps Purvis facts for kids

Jennie Phelps Purvis (born Phelps; pen name, Hagar; February 23, 1831 – November 16, 1924) was an American writer. She was also a suffragist, meaning she worked for women's right to vote. Jennie was also a temperance reformer, someone who worked to reduce alcohol use. She was an important early settler in California.

Jennie was well-known in writing groups when she was younger. She was friends with famous writers like Bret Harte, Mark Twain, and Joaquin Miller. For many years, she was a leading member of the California state society that supported women's voting rights.

Early Life and Education

Hanna Jane Phelps was born in Addison, New York, on February 23, 1831. People called her "Jennie." She received her education in her hometown.

A Career in Writing

In 1863, Jennie traveled to California through Panama. For many years, she lived in Oakland and San Francisco. She was a very talented writer. In San Francisco, she started working for newspapers.

She wrote for several important newspapers of her time. These included The Daily Alta California, the San Francisco Evening Bulletin, The San Francisco Call, San Francisco Examiner, and the San Francisco Chronicle. For years, she wrote under the pen name "Hagar." Her articles appeared in papers on the West Coast and in the Eastern parts of the country.

Her writing helped her meet many famous people. She became friends with Bret Harte, Mark Twain, and Joaquin Miller. She also knew Mrs. Joaquin Miller (Minnie Myrtle Miller) and other well-known figures.

Fighting for Women's Rights

From the age of 14, Jennie Purvis was a strong supporter of women's right to vote. She worked closely with important leaders like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She also worked with the Rev. Olympia Brown.

In the 1860s, Jennie and four other women met in San Francisco. They formed the first statewide women's voting rights group. Jennie was chosen as the secretary of this important association.

In 1910, California voted to give women the right to vote. Stanislaus County was a leader in this effort. Jennie was in charge of the voting rights campaigns in Stanislaus and Merced counties. She worked so hard distributing information that they ran out of supplies!

Working for Temperance

Jennie Purvis was also a key figure in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.). This group worked to reduce alcohol use. She was the second vice-president of the California State W.C.T.U.

She also led efforts against harmful substances. She helped pass a law in 1891 that stopped the sale of tobacco to boys under 16. Two years later, she worked to pass another law. This one would have stopped the sale of cigarettes to boys under 21. However, Governor James Budd did not approve this law.

In 1891, Jennie was a representative at a big W.C.T.U. meeting in Boston. This meeting was special because it combined a worldwide W.C.T.U. convention with a national one. It was the first time a world W.C.T.U. meeting was held in the United States. Jennie also wrote many articles for the Ensign. This was the California state newspaper for the W.C.T.U.

Jennie also planned to write a book about women's voting rights. The famous newspaper editor Horace Greeley liked her idea very much. He even wrote to a friend asking them to help Jennie find a publisher for her book.

Personal Life

In 1876, Jennie married Richard Benjamin Purvis in Stockton, California. Richard was born in 1844. He became a very popular sheriff of Stanislaus County. He was elected in 1884 and served until he passed away in 1906.

Jennie Purvis was a member of the First Christian Church in Modesto, California. She also belonged to the Modesto Women's Improvement Club. She was an officer in two groups, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. These activities helped her learn more about California's history. She was very keen on saving stories and records from the past.

Jennie Phelps Purvis passed away at her home in Modesto on November 16, 1924. She had lived there for 24 years. She was buried at the Masonic Cemetery, which is now called Acacia Memorial Park.