Rachel Ella (twin) Bailar (Work)

From “Work Family History”, vol. I (1969) & vol. II (1994), compiled by Von Gail Hamilton.

(written by their daughter, Ruth):

Ella Work was a baby in Forest County, PA, when John Bailar was already a man of 9 years, trudging with the other men alongside the covered wagon that carried his mother and the younger children from drought-ridden Kansas to Colorado. She was only 11 when John graduated from Leadville High School in the 1st class to graduate there.

Ella and her twin were very close; when 1 stayed home ill from school, the other stayed home, too. When Anna had her hair cut, after diphtheria, Ella also had her hair cut. When they were 17, they took the buggy and went out to apply as teachers. . . . They each taught 1 year of school. . . . In 1892, their brother Cree was asked to teach at Colorado. He invited the twins to come there to live with him and his bride, and to attend Teachers' College. They graduated 2 years later.

Ella was teaching in Glenwood Springs when she and John met, appropriately in church. John had been a Presbyterian Elder since he was 23. Ella taught in Denver the next year, but John continued his courtship under the sharp eye of the twin sister, and they were married 2 years later in Denver.

They very soon found that each had dreamed of attending the university, and when the 2nd term opened in January 1898, they were there. They had almost no money, but they both worked. Others of the 300 students worked their way, too, and kept house in rented rooms. Several of the group later became distinguished men and women in education, political life and industry. So it was a happy time. Learning was a lifelong joy to them both, as were the associations with students and faculty. They graduated with honors in 1901.

John later did graduate work and received a master's degree at the University of Colorado in 1905. John taught for 1 year at Cripple Creek High School, then 15 years at the Colorado School of Mines, and was 14 years a research chemist for the Great Western Sugar Company.

From 1903 until Ella's death, they lived in Golden, where they were loved and respected by faculty and students, and by the church they loved so well. They were lovers and intellectual companions. They set high standards for their children.

Ella died in 1933, and John spent the rest of his life waiting to join her. He died 13 years later, still active and busy, but ready.