Friday, June 15, 1934

NOTE: Ruth did not write in her diary today.

Annie White Baxter (1864-1944)

Born in Pennsylvania, she moved with her parents to southwest Missouri, residing in both Carthage and Joplin. Her father was the operator of a Carthage furniture factory with a better than average income. Thus Annie was accustomed to the good life, a gracious home and the admiration of her fellow students. At Carthage High School, where she graduated in 1882, she was said to be the most outspoken, most aggressive and most commanding person in her class.

Following graduation, she obtained employment at the Jasper County Courthouse and eventually became the chief deputy county clerk. In 1888, she married Charlie Baxter, a dry goods clerk at the R.H. Rose Department Store. In 1890, although no woman yet could vote in Missouri, she was elected county clerk. This was the first time a woman had been elected county clerk in the United States. In that office, she was among the county officials involved in planning and overseeing construction of the present courthouse, which was completed in 1895.