Amanda Lane Root
Amanda Lane Root (July 9, 1889 – October 21, 1918) was an American social reformer in the temperance movement, and a leader in Good Templar activities.
Root joined Fraternity Lodge of Gloucester, Massachusetts, May 22, 1862, at the institution of the Lodge, and joined the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, February 22, 1865. For over 50 years, Root gave her influence and energies for the principles of Good Templary and the cause of temperance.[1]
Early years and education
Amanda Lane, daughter of Samuel and Martha Lane, was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, July 9, 1889. She was educated in the public schools of her native town.[2]
Career
For several years, she worked as a book-keeper for her father, who was largely engaged in the fishing trade. In her public career, she rendered eminent service to the Universalist church and to the temperance cause.[2]
For many years a member of the Universalist church in Gloucester, she has ably represented that body in the local and State bodies, and the State in the General Convention. Identified with the Woman's Centenary Association from its organization in 1871, at which time she became its Recording Secretary, she was subsequently chosen Vice-President for Massachusetts, having oversight of the woman's work in that State, a position which she most acceptably filled till the pressure of other duties compelled her to resign.[2]
She is best known to the public at large in connection with her position and influence in the temperance reform. Gloucester, the headquarters of the salt-water fisheries, was, because of the peculiar character of the men who went on the fishing fleet, greatly demoralized at times by the excessive use of intoxicants. These special occasions are when the more than 5,000 fishermen are, at the close of the fishing season, thrown upon the place with plenty of money, and too often under the sway of evil passions. Her first public work as associated with others in the temperance cause, was in connection with a division of the Sons of Temperance, in which she occupied a prominent position, and was untiring in her efforts to secure the results at which it aimed.[2]
In 1862, when Good Templars, distinguished by its fundamental principle that woman is equally entitled with man to the labors and honors of temperance workers, began to establish its Lodges in Massachusetts, Root, seeing in such an organization an indication of justice and of wisdom, and an opportunity for the best results, united with several of her friends in seeking a charter for Fraternity Lodge, which was instituted in Gloucester in May, of that year. The second highest place in the organization was assigned to her, and at the close of the first term, her manifest abilities created the demand for her becoming the executive and highest officer in the Lodge. Subsequently her services were unanimously sought, and cheerfully rendered, in other positions of responsibility and trust. During her connection with the Lodge, and mainly by her devotion and fidelity to its work, it became the largest Lodge in the State, and was noted for its high rank in usefulness.[2]
In 1865, Root became a member of the Grand Lodge of the State, and such was her reputation in the Order that she was at once elected to one of the highest and most responsible positions in that body. In 1866 and again in 1874, she was a member of the committee to receive, in behalf of the Grand Lodge, the Right Worthy Grand Lodge, and was at each of these sessions a delegate to the supreme body of the Order. At the first of these sessions of the supreme body, she was chosen Right Worthy Grand Vice-Templar, receiving 49 of the 51 votes cast; and on the following year was unanimously re-elected. Her services were acceptably rendered on Committees on Constitutions and on the State of the Order, two of the most important committees of the Order. At the session of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge, in Bloomington, Illinois, she was again elected to the office of Right Worthy Grand Vice-Templar, and was chosen by the New England Representatives to speak for New England at the Public Reception Meeting. She was in attendance at many sessions of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge, a body composed of the leading temperance men and women of all sections of the world.[2]
In 1878, she was elected Grand Worthy Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, an office imposing arduous duty, and a difficult position to fill with the approval of such a large and mixed membership; but such was her fidelity, promptness, courtesy and great ability, that she was twice unanimously re-elected. Of her temperance work as a whole, and especially of her labors as a Good Templar, it is not too much to say that her eloquent appeals on the public platform, and her magnetic power in the Lodge-room have been more widely recognized, and brought her into greater prominence than has fallen to the lot of any other woman in New England. While she has avoided, so far as was consistent with her official duties, the notoriety of public life, her earnest speech and her whole-hearted devotion to the temperance cause made for her a reputation which brought constant invitations for her services in the public platform.[2]
Personal life
In 1876, she married Solomon F. Boot, then of Hinsdale, Massachusetts. They made their home in East Douglas, Massachusetts. She had two children.[2]
References
- Higbie 1917, p. 45.
- Hanson 1884, p. 214-.
Attribution
