Morris, Esther Hobart, 1814-1902

Esther Morris, a key figure in Wyoming's suffrage movement, was born in Tioga County, N.Y. In 1841, Esther Morris married Artemus Slack; they had one son. Widowed in 1845, Morris moved to Peru, Ill., where she married John Morris. In 1869 the family moved to the gold rush camp of South Pass City in the Wyoming Territory. There, Morris helped to influence legislator William H. Bright to introduce a woman suffrage bill, which passed on December 10, 1869, and was signed into law shortly thereafter. In 1870, Morris was appointed justice of the peace in South Pass City, becoming the first woman to hold that office. For further information, see Notable American Women, 1607-1950 (1971).

Esther Morris, a key figure in Wyoming's woman suffrage movement, was born in Tioga County, New York. In 1841, EM married Artemus Slack; they had one son. Widowed in 1845, EM moved to Peru, Illinois, where she married John Morris. In 1869 the family moved to the gold rush camp of South Pass City in the Wyoming Territory. There, EM helped to influence legislator William H. Bright to introduce a woman suffrage bill, which passed on December 10, 1869, and was signed into law shortly thereafter.

In 1870, EM was appointed justice of the peace in South Pass City, becoming the first woman to hold that office. The following year, she left office and moved to Laramie. EM left Wyoming in 1873 and spent some time in New York State. By 1890, she had returned to Wyoming. She lived in Cheyenne until her death at the age of 87.

For further information, see Notable American Women, 1607-1950 (Cambridge, Mass., 1971), which includes a list of additional sources.