York, and was
educated at the Oxford Academy, now the oldest incorporated academy in
this state, having in June last celebrated its centennial. Born and
reared in an eminently high spiritual and intellectual atmosphere, she
was well qualified for the positions which she filled so acceptably. She
was preceptress in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, New York,
associate principal of the Seneca Collegiate Institute, also of the
Binghamton Academy, and was afterward preceptress of Oxford Academy
until her marriage with Rev. F. G. Hibbard, D.D., of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Hibbard was elected president of the State Woman's Christian
Temperance Union at Poughkeepsie in 1879, which office she filled for
three years, serving most faithfully and laying down the work only
because of the press of home duties. These years were years of peace and
harmony, and in giving of self to the cause she was also receiving a
blessedness in return. It was during these busy years that she organized
temperance work among the Indians on the reservation in Western New
York. She has many gifts and graces, and has kept even pace with her
husband (who is the author of several theological works of standing
authority) in both literary and spiritual attainments, and "her gifts
make room for her." She has been obliged to lay aside all public work
and devote herself to caring for her husband, whose ill health demands
most of her time, but she still gives her sympathies and her prayers to
and for the Woman's Christian Temperance Union--the workers and the
work.

[Illustration: MRS. MARIA HYDE HIBBARD.]

CHAPTER III.

ORGANIZATION.

"In union there is strength"

At the first annual meeting, held at Ilion, a committee on organization
of state was appointed, consisting of Mrs. Dr. Kenyon, of Buffalo; Mrs.
Dr. Clary, of Auburn; Mrs. O'Donnell, of Lowville; Mrs. Truair and Miss
Noble, of Syracuse. This committee formed plans, and organizers were
appointed. Miss Elizabeth Greenwood, of Brooklyn, was the first one who
reported work done.

At this time those who did organizing work were called state agents.
Miss Greenwood, in her first report, suggested the change from state
agent to state organizer, which suggestion was acted upon and the name
changed.

For the first few years organization was effected by congressional
districts, but later on this was changed to organization by counties,
and has remained so up to the presen