.
Collection Overview
Title: Lilly Family Papers, 1780-1991
Extent: 12.12 Cubic Feet
Date Acquired: 09/22/1978. More info below under Accruals.
Subjects: Boonesboro (Ky.), Honor Societies., Kentucky--History--Civil War, 1861-1865., Kentucky--Politics and government--1865-1950., Kentucky--Politics and government., Kentucky--Social life and customs--19th century., Kentucky--Social life and customs--20th century., Madison County (Ky.), Madison County (Ky.)--History--19th century., Madison County (Ky.)--History., Madison County (Ky.)--Social life and customs--19th century., Madison County (Ky.)--Social life and customs--20th century., Madison County (Ky.)--Surveys., Madison Female Institute, Politics, Practical, Railroad companies--United States., Richmond (Ky.)--History--Pictorial works., World's Columbian Exposition (1893 : Chicago, Ill.), World War, 1914-1918., World War, 1939-1945.
Languages: English, Spanish;Castilian
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Lilly Family Papers contain correspondence, photographs, legal material, publications, scrapbooks, memorabilia, and genealogical information. Much of the material in this collection deals with the many organizations with which the Lillys were involved, such as Democratic clubs, Daughters of the American Revolution, or the Gas Consumers' League. In addition to materials involving organizations, there is also an abundance of legal documents which attest to Grant Lilly's service as a lawyer and judge. There are many publications which highlight the interests and involvements of the family, including Austin Lilly. Since the original collection was submitted by Austin Lilly herself, there are aspects of the papers which highlight Austin's life and career, especially her involvement with the University of Kentucky and the Lexington Opera House.
Collection Historical Note
Grant E. Lilly was born in Estill County on February 27, 1865. He was the son of Colonel Henry Clay Lilly, a circuit judge of the Irvine district and a colonel in the 14th Kentucky Calvary, United States Army, during the Civil War, and Catherine Tracy, a member of a pioneer Pennsylvania family whose descendents moved to Kentucky.
Mr. Lilly received his early education in the private school in Madison County at College Hill and Dr. Elliot's School for Boys at Kirksville. He attended Central University in Richmond and was a honor graduate of the University of Michigan Law School in 1889. Upon completion of his studies at Ann Arbor, he returned to Irvine where he served as county attorney of Estill County. He had also taught school before receiving his law training. Like his father, Lilly became active in the Republican Party, but around 1900 switched his allegiance to the Democratic Party.
Anna Dudley McGinn Lilly was born February 27, 1872, in Maysville, Kentucky, the daughter of the Reverend John Bolivar McGinn and Mary Elizabeth Sheppard McGinn. She spent her early life in Versailles, where her father was minister of the Christian church.
On October 19, 1883, Grant E. Lilly and Anna D. McGinn were married in Versailles. They had one daughter, Austin Page Lilly; a son, John Marion Lilly; and a younger son, Grant Lilly, Jr., who died at the age of 12 in 1916. After marrying, the Lillys lived in Richmond where they were involved in numerous civic projects and organizations. Lilly was one of the leaders, along with Dr. Hugh McClellan, Col. C. E. Woods, and Col. N. B. Deatherage, in a local option fight prior to prohibition. Lilly as a member of the Prandennial Club, a charter member of the first Chamber of Commerce organized in Richmond, as well as one of the sponsors of the Richmond Chautauqua. He also was a member of the American Bar Association, the Kentucky Bar Association, and one of the organizers of the Madison Bar Association.
He was owner and editor of three newspapers, the Madisonian, which he founded, the Richmond Climax, and the Kentucky Register which later were merged into the Richmond Daily Register. The Kentucky Register was purchased by Lilly for his wife who was its editor.
In 1918 the Lillys moved to Lexington. Lilly was elected president of the Gas Consumers League which worked for the taxpayers in an effort to reduce the price of natural gas. Lilly ran for mayor of Lexington in 1927 and lost.
Anna Lilly was very interested in Central Kentucky politics and civic affairs. She became affiliated with the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1912 as a member of the Boonesborough Chapter, later transferring her membership to the Lexington Chapter, of which she subsequently became regent. Mrs. Lilly was regent of the Kentucky DAR from 1923 to 1926. In 1928, she spearheaded a drive to have the state legislature approve a bill designating "My Old Kentucky Home" as the official state song. The first rendition of Stepen Foster's composition was sung on Sunday, April 15, 1928, at the Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The occasion was the dedication of the Kentucky bell in the memorial chapel there. The bell in the carillion at Valley Forge was purcased with $1000 raised by Mrs. Lilly and a committee of the DAR. She was an honorary life regent of both the state and Lexington DAR.
With the advent of women's suffrage in 1920, Mrs. Lilly organized the first Woodrow Wilson Club and in 1932 she founded the Roosevelt Democratic Club of Richmond. Twice she was county associate chairman for the Fayette Club of Kentucky. She actively supportive Alben Barkley's several successful senatorial campaigns.
Mrs. Lilly was four times president of the Richmond Women's Club; a member of the Women's Club of Central Kentucky; a charter member of the Madison County Historical Society, the Lexington McDowell Music Club and the Bradford Club of Lexington; and held membership in the Huguenot Society of South Carolina, the Colonial Dames of Kentucky and the state and state and national officers' club of the DAR. She was organizing president of the Kentucky branch of the Huguenot Society of the Founders of the Manakin Towne and of the Paul Revere chapter of the Children of the American Revolution.
During Lexington's sesqui-centennial celebration, Mrs. Lilly was chairman of the Hall of Fame, which featured an outstanding collection of historical items. She was instrumental in the naming of Henry Clay High School and served on the board of the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation when it began work on making Ashland a state shrine.
She was a member of the board of direcotrs of the Pioneer National Monument Association which acquired the Blue Lick battlefield and other historic spots in Kentucky. She eaded the Madison County Liberty Loan and War Savings stamp drive in World War I and served as co-chaiman of many Madison Red Cross campaigns. She worked with the NRA in the 1930s and was a honorary member of the VFW during World War II.
Grant Lilly died January 5, 1940, and Anna D. Lilly died July 30, 1948. Both are buried at the Richmond cemetery. Austin Lilly died September 18, 1991, in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives
Accruals:
1978 - 049, 1979 - 027, 1979 - 035, 1981 - 018, 1982 - 035, 1982 - 021, 1986 - 024, 1986 - 030, 1987 - 024, 1987 - 017, 1988 - 018, 1988 - 032, 1987 - 004
Acquisition Source:
Lilly, Austin P.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Correspondence Series],
[
Series 2: Financial Series],
[
Series 3: Genealogy Series],
[
Series 4: Legal Series],
[
Series 5: Memorabilia Series],
[
Series 6: Newspaper Clipping Series],
[
Series 7: Photograph Series],
[
Series 8: Publication Series],
[
Series 9: Scrapbook Series],
[Series 10: Speech Series],
[
Series 11: Subject Series],
[
Series 12: Oversized],
[
All]
- Series 10: Speech Series
- Box 21
- Folder 6: Masonic Address, June 24, 1899
- Address to the Masons on the history of Masonry
- Folder 7: "Kentucky's Greatest Need", 27-Jun-11
- Endorsement of James B. McCreary for Governor of Kentucky
- Folder 8: "The Central Andes", Mar-14
- Speech given at a Daughters of the American Revolution Meeting
- Folder 9: "True Nobility", May-14
- Graduation speech of Austin Lilly
- Folder 10: "Greetings to the Class of 1914", May-14
- Madison Female Institute
- Folder 11: "A True Story", 10-Aug-14
- A poem written and delivered by Anna Lilly about the busy life of women
- Folder 12: Report of the State Federation, 10-Oct-15
- Folder 13: "Palestine of Today", 1-May-16
- Speech given at a Daughters of the American Revolution Meeting
- Folder 14: "Our Hours", 9-Jun-16
- Toast given at E.K.S.N. banquet
- Folder 15: The Call for Efficiency in the Rural School, May 8, 1920 - May 11, 1920
- Folder 16: Greetings, 15-Oct-24
- War Mothers Luncheon
- Folder 17: "Greetings to the Disabled Veterans of the World War", 10-Jun-27
- Folder 18: Dedication of General Marquis Calmes Chapter and Guests, 14-Jun-27
- Folder 19: Celebration of the Battle of the Blue Licks, 19-Aug-27
- Folder 20: "Lilly for Mayor", 1927'
- Campaign Speech
- Folder 21: Thanks to Lilly Supporters, 1927'
- Folder 22: Verses, 1927 - 1929
- Daughters of the American Revolution Speech Notes
- Folder 23: State Regent's Report, Apr-28
- N.S.D.A.R. 37th Congress Speech
- Folder 24: Report to the D.A.R., 14-Aug-28
- Folder 25: Daughters of the American Revolution, 14-Aug-28
- Report to the 32nd State Conference
- Folder 26: Washington Luncheon, 22-Feb-29
- Folder 27: Report of the State Regent, Apr-29
- Daughters of the American Revolution
- Folder 28: Report of the State Regent of Kentucky, 1929
- N.S.D.A.R. 38th Congress Speech
- Folder 29: Nomination, 26-Mar-30
- Nomination of Anna D. Lilly as Vice President of N.S.D.A.R
- Folder 30: Kentucky Democratic Party, 25-Oct-30
- Campaign Speech on behalf of the Kentucky Democratic Party
- Box 22
- Barcode: 31234013924582
- Folder 1: Women's Club Banquet, 9-Jan-31
- Response to Address of Welcome of the Business and Professional Women
- Folder 2: Greetings, 11-Feb-32
- Daughters of the American Revolution Boonesborough Banquet
- Folder 3: Report of the Women's Christian Missionary Society, 1932'
- Folder 4: Daughters of the American Revolution, 13-Oct-33
- Greetings at Fort Estill Monument
- Folder 5: State Officers' Meeting, 20-Oct-33
- Versailles, Kentucky
- Folder 6: Report to the Women's Club, 10-Nov-33
- Folder 7: National Industrial Recovery Act, 1933
- Partial Speech
- Folder 8: Remarks at D.A.R. Luncheon, 03 Feb 1934
- Folder 9: Daughters of the American Revolution, 14 Mar 1934
- Partial Speech, 38th State Conference
- Folder 10: Daughters of the American Revolution, 01 Mar 1934
- Response to Address of Welcome at 38th State Conference
- Folder 11: Women's Club Meeting, 08 Nov 1934
- Remarks
- Folder 12: Missionary Society, 28 Jan 1935
- "Mrs. Susan Duncan"
- Folder 13: Rebecca Bryan - The Wife of Daniel Boone", 11 Mar 1935
- Folder 14: Introduction, 17 Jul 1935
- Introduction of Frederick A. Wallis, Kentucky Gubernational Candidate
- Folder 15: Report of Honorary State Regent, 11 Mar 1936
- 41st D.A.R. State Conference
- Folder 16: Missionary Banquet, 25 Mar 1936
- "Group No. 1"
- Folder 17: Introduction, 31 Oct 1936
- Introduction of Samuel M. Wilson
- Folder 18: Daughters of the American Revolution, 25 Mar 1937
- D.A.R. State Convention, "Greetings from Huguenot Society"
- Folder 19: Daughters of the American Revolution, 25 Mar 1937
- D.A.R. State Convention, "Greetings as Honorary State Regent"
- Folder 20: "A Costly Howling Farce", 29 Mar 1938
- Folder 21: Testimonial Dinner, 03 Jul 1938
- Presentation of Gavel to Governor Chandler
- Folder 22: Eulogy of Grant E. Lilly, 31 Jan 1940
- Folder 23: Sewing Center, 23 Apr 1940
- Folder 24: Defense Savings Bonds, 1941
- Folder 25: State Officers' Meeting, 3/8/1943
- "A Toast to Our Boys"
- Folder 26: Tribute to Judge Innes B. Ross, 8/19/1944
- Folder 27: "Our House", 5-Oct-44
- Missionary Circle
- Folder 28: Cuba, Dec-50
- Radio Talk Regarding Visit of Cuban Teachers to the United States in 1900
- Folder 29: "Cuban Government Entertains American Teachers", 1951'
- Folder 30: Daughters of the American Revolution, Undated
- American War Mothers
- Folder 31: Americanization of Immigrants, Undated
- Folder 32: Banquet for Mrs. Brosseau, Undated
- Daughters of the American Revolution Meeting
- Folder 33: Chamber of Commerce Banquet, Undated
- Folder 34: Richmond Women's Club, Undated
- "Clean Up, Plant Up Week"
- Folder 35: Congratulations to the Democratic Party, Undated
- Folder 36: "The Constitution Makes the County a Unit", Undated
- Folder 37: Daughters of the American Revolution, Undated
- Partial Speech
- Folder 38: Daughters of the American Revolution, Undated
- Partial Speech
- Folder 39: Daughters of the American Revolution, Undated
- Partial Speech
- Folder 40: Flag Day, Undated
- Folder 41: Flag Day, Undated
- Partial Speech
- Folder 42: "Great Personalities of Kentucky", Undated
- Folder 43: "India", Undated
- Folder 44: Introduction, Undated
- Introduction of Mrs. James C. Layne, State Chairman of Road Beautification in Kentucky
- Folder 45: Introduction, Undated
- Introduction of Samuel Arch, President of the Board of County Commissioners
- Folder 46: "James Lane Allen", Undated
- Folder 47: Missionary Banquet, Undated
- Folder 48: Organization of Roosevelt Democratic Club, Undated
- Folder 49: Presentation of Gavels, President Donovan's Tenth Anniversary, Undated
- Folder 50: Railroads in Estill County, Undated
- Folder 51: Report of the Women's Club of Richmond, Undated
- Folder 52: United Daughters of the Confederacy, Undated
- "Resolutions Passed on the Death of Former President Woodrow Wilson"
- Folder 53: Safety Campaign, Undated
- Folder 54: Songwriter, Undated
- Partial Speech
- Folder 55: Temperance, Undated
- Partial Speech
- Folder 56: Daughters of the American Revolution, Undated
- "A Tribute to Our Founders"
- Folder 57: Tribute to the President of the Women's Club, Undated
- Folder 58: Washington Bicentennial Banquet, Undated
- Folder 59: Washington Bicentennial Banquet, Undated
- Folder 60: "Washington's Prayer for the Nation", Undated
- Folder 61: Women and Voting, Undated
- Folder 62: Richmond Women's Club, 1894 - 1942
- Contains multiple speeches: Husband and Wife, War Savings Commission, and Exchange Program
- Folder 63: "A Plea for Constitutional Government", 23-Sep-21
- Folder 64: "'Lest We Forget", 6-Sep-22
- Folder 65: Speeches and List of Speeches, Undated
- Part 1 of 2
- Folder 66: Speeches and List of Speeches, Undated
- Part 2 of 2
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Correspondence Series],
[
Series 2: Financial Series],
[
Series 3: Genealogy Series],
[
Series 4: Legal Series],
[
Series 5: Memorabilia Series],
[
Series 6: Newspaper Clipping Series],
[
Series 7: Photograph Series],
[
Series 8: Publication Series],
[
Series 9: Scrapbook Series],
[Series 10: Speech Series],
[
Series 11: Subject Series],
[
Series 12: Oversized],
[
All]
