Hate to judge a book by its cover, but I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed hanging out with my great, great, great grandmother, Letitia Youmans.  She’s the one on the right on the cover of her autobiography, Campaign Echoes. I actually toasted her last night, rather her husband Arthur, my great, great, great grandfather for having the good sense not to have any children with her. You see, Letitia was also known as the Apostle of Temperance and one of the leading players in prohibition.   Here are a few words from the Canadian encyclopedia.

Letitia Creighton (Youmans) was born in a log cabin in Hamilton Township, Upper Canada. Raised in the Methodist Church, she became a school teacher and married widower Arthur Youmans. Her concerns about the evils of alcohol led to her involvement in the temperance movement, and Letitia Youmans became a prominent speaker and campaigner. She was the first president of the Dominion Women’s Christian Temperance Union

Youmans believed in temperance and prohibition. She called for individual discipline to fight the evils of alcohol and legislation to prohibit its sale. Visiting prison inmates, she declared them privileged to be in an environment free from accursed beverages.

Youmans excelled on the platform, where her long, turgid, but emotionally inspired speeches based on biblical themes were enthusiastically received.

When Arthur’s first wife, Sophia “the baby maker” Youmans passed away, he needed someone to help raise his eight children while he tended to the farm.  Letitia got the call and was quick to accept Arthur’s proposal ensuring that there would be an ironic branch on the Youmans family tree. So, in honor of repeal day, I say nice try grandma. Cheers.