Lillian M. Mitchner

Lillian M. Mitchner (, Early; 1862/64-1954) was an American social reformer associated with the temperance and suffrage movements. She served as President of the Kansas State Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) for 28 years (emeritus from 1938), and Superintendent of the Kansas Industrial School for Girls.

Early life and education Lillian (nickname, "Lillie") May Early was born at Adel, Iowa, April 10, 1862/64. Joseph Carr Early (1834–1900) and Mary Ann (née, Talboys) (b. 1843). Lillian had three sisters: Mary, Mattie, and Elizabeth. As leader of the Kansas WCTU, she was a recognized power in legislative work, and rendered important service to the cause of temperance and to the State generally. She was well known as a forceful lecturer, and addressed temperance meetings throughout the western and southern States,

Mitchner was a scientific writer, and editor of Our Messenger, the official organ of the Kansas Union. She was the author of several leaflets on suffrage, and of a suffrage and legislative drill. Mitchner was a leader in the movement which secured equal suffrage from the Kansas Legislature. She resigned in 1919 subsequent to an investigation into the management of the school occurred after two students tried to escape after an unsuccessful attempt to burn one of the buildings.

Death Lillian Mitchner died August 15, 1954, at the Methodist home at Topeka, Kansas, with burial at Newton, Kansas.