Libbie C. Riley Baer

Libbie Riley Baer (November 18, 1849 – February 27, 1929) was an American poet. She was the author of In the Land of Fancy and other works.[1]

Libbie Caroline Riley Baer
"A woman of the century"
Born	Elizabeth ("Libbie") Caroline Riley November 18, 1849 Bethel, Ohio, U.S.
Died	February 27, 1929(1929-02-27) (aged 79)
Resting place	Riverside Cemetery, Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.
Occupation	poet
Language	English
Nationality	American
Notable works	In the Land of Fancy
Spouse	John Mason Baer ( m. 1867)
Children	John Miller Baer
Signature

Early years

Elizabeth ("Libbie") Caroline Riley was born near Bethel, Ohio, November 18, 1849. Her ancestors on the paternal side were the two families Riley and Swing. From the original family of the former descended the poet and humorist, James Whitcomb Riley, and from the latter, the philosopher and preacher, Prof. David Swing, of Chicago. On the maternal side, Baer was a descendant of the Blairs, an old family of Southern Ohio. It is not surprising, therefore, that through early associations, combined with a natural taste and aptitude for literary work, her abilities for poetry was shown during childhood. Her first poem, written when she was scarcely ten years of age, was a spontaneous and remarkable production for one so young.[2]

Career

Libbie Baer

Upon the organization of the Woman's Relief Corps, as allied with the Grand Army of the Republic, Baer took an important part in the benevolent work of that order, and held various responsible positions connected with it, devoting much time and energy to the cause. Though always proficient in poetical composition, she really began her literary career about 1883.[3] Many of her poems published in various journals were inspired by the spirit of patriotism. Devotion to friends and to the cause of humanity, and warm sympathy for every deserving cause that needs assistance, were reflected in her poems. Her verse flowed smoothly, with an easy rhythm and unstudied grace, which seemed to indicate a spontaneous origin.[4]

Personal life

On November 14, 1867, she married Capt. John Mason Baer.[5] She went with him to Appleton, Wisconsin.[3] Their son, John Miller Baer, served as a U.S. Representative from North Dakota.[6] She died February 27, 1929,[7] and was buried at Riverside Cemetery, in Appleton.

References

1. Herringshaw 1914, p. 47.
2. Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 41.
3. Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 42.
4. Moulton 1890, p. 313.
5. Williams 2008, p. 1043.
6. Matson 1921, p. 82.
7. Coyle 1962, p. 27.

Attribution

• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herringshaw, Thomas William (1914). Herringshaw's American blue-book of biography; prominent Americans of ... An accurate biographical record of prominent citizens in all walks of life ... (Public domain ed.). American Publishers' Association.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Matson, Francis G. (1921). Official Congressional Directory (Public domain ed.).CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Moulton, Charles Wells (1890). The Magazine of Poetry. 2 (Public domain ed.). Charles Wells Moulton.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Willard, Frances Elizabeth; Livermore, Mary Ashton Rice (1893). A Woman of the Century: Fourteen Hundred-seventy Biographical Sketches Accompanied by Portraits of Leading American Women in All Walks of Life (Public domain ed.). Moulton. p. 41.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

Bibliography

• Coyle, William (1962). Ohio Authors and Their Books: Biographical Data and Selective Bibliographies for Ohio Authors, Native and Resident, 1796-1950. World Publishing Company.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Williams, Russell Ambrose (2008). The Kickapoo Quintet: The Children of Russell and Alice Williams. Gateway Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

External links

• Works by or about Libbie C. Riley Baer at Internet Archive