Notable people · Religious Leader · Reformer
Purley Baker
Purley Albert Baker was born in Liberty Township, Jackson County. A Methodist minister, he led the national Anti-Saloon League from 1903 to 1924, the main organization behind national Prohibition.
At a glance
- Born
- 1858-04-10
- Died
- 1924-03-30
- Education
- Local school, Xenia, OH
- Known as
- Religious Leader, Reformer
- Organizations
- Anti-Saloon League
Life story
Purley Baker was born in 1858 in Liberty Township, Jackson County. He went to school in Xenia and read law in Circleville. At 17 he joined the Methodist church at a revival in Williamsport, and at 25 became a minister.
He married Lillie I. Greene in 1884 and served as superintendent of the Ohio Anti-Saloon League before heading the national league in 1903. In 1908 he created its Industrial Relations Department.
Under his leadership the league ran large publicity and fundraising campaigns against the alcohol industry that led to national Prohibition. He resigned for health reasons in March 1924 and died at home in Westerville three weeks later.
Timeline
- 1858-04-10: Born (Liberty Township, OH) source
- 1875: Converts to Methodism at a revival (Williamsport, OH) source
- 1884-08-27: Marries Lillie I. Greene (Washington Court House, OH) source
- 1903: Becomes head of the national Anti-Saloon League source
- 1908: Creates the Industrial Relations Department source
- 1924-03-08: Announces resignation (Westerville, OH) source
- 1924-03-30: Dies (Westerville, OH) source
What Purley is known for
- General superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League of America, 1903-1924
- Created the League's Industrial Relations Department, 1908
- Led the campaign for national Prohibition
Family
- wife: Lillie I. Greene
Ohio places
Where Purley Baker was born, lived, worked and is remembered, with the ZIP code, town and county pages for each.
- Born: Liberty Township, Jackson County ZIP 45640 · Liberty Township · Jackson County
- Died: Westerville, Franklin County ZIP 43081 · Westerville · Franklin County
Myths and corrections
- Disputed: Prohibition is a divisive topic; the league and Baker were praised by supporters and criticized by opponents.
Further reading
Sources
Confidence. Medium: the main facts were confirmed, but some details (often an address or ZIP code) were not.
- Wikipedia: Purley Baker birth, schooling, ministry, league leadership, death