Elizabeth Preston was born Indiana, the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Elam S. Preston.  Elizabeth received her education at DePauw University, Taylor University, and the University of Minnesota.  In 1880, the family moved to Tower City, North Dakota, and Miss Preston taught at Sanborn and Page, North Dakota.  Miss Preston became interested in the prohibition issue and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and was active in the adoption of prohibition by North Dakota in 1889.  In 1893, Elizabeth became president of the North Dakota Woman's Christian Temperance Union, a post she held until her retirement in 1932.