Emma Smith DeVoe

Emma Smith DeVoe was on born August 22, 1848 in Roseville, Illinois, where she received her early education. She became an accomplished musician and later joined the musical staff at Eureka College.

An ardent worker for women's rights since girlhood, she was a nationally recognized organizer, leader, and lecturer for the National American Woman Suffrage Association. In 1905 she moved to Washington and became the President of the Washington Equal Suffrage Association. She was successful in winning the vote for women in 1910, making Washington the fifth state to grant women suffrage.

Following this success, Emma went on to found the National Council of Women Voters (the for-runner of today's League of Women Voters). After the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920, Emma remained active in politics by writing a weekly column "The Viewpoint of a Republican Woman" for the Tacoma News Tribune. She also was selected as the first Elector on the Harding ticket. She was encouraged to run for Lieutenant Governor of the state of Washington, but declined, preferring to retire to her beautiful country home. She died on September 3, 1927 at the age of 79. In October 2000, Emma was added to the National Women's Hall of Fame in honor of her amazing achievements in the fight for women's suffrage.

John "Henry" DeVoe was born on September 8, 1846 in Wayne County, New York. At the age of fourteen he joined the Union Army as a drummer. Wounded during the Civil War, he recuperated in an army hospital where he developed a deep appreciation for the dedication of the nurses who nursed him back to health. Henry worked as a lawyer, business man, police magistrate, and as an official for the railroad. Throughout his marriage to Emma he supported her dedication to the suffrage cause and her role in the movement. Henry died on December 25, 1928 at the age of 82.

Emma and Henry married on January 30, 1880 and soon after moved to Huron, South Dakota, where Henry opened a shoe store. The DeVoes had a very important house guest during the time they lived in South Dakota — Miss Susan B. Anthony. During her stay with the DeVoes, Anthony enlisted Emma's help in the South Dakota campaign and discovered Emma's talent for speaking and organizing.

Henry and Emma returned to Illinois in the 1890's settling in Harvey, where Henry worked as an attorney and a police magistrate. In 1905 the DeVoes packed their belongings and moved again, this time westward to Washington. Henry went to work for the railroad, and Emma began her successful fight to gain the ballot for the women of Washington State and the entire U.S.