From collection Candidates
Caroline Grote was nominated for the office of State Superintendent of Instruction of Illinois at the Democratic convention in 1906. She was the first woman in Illinois to be nominated for a state-wide office by a major party. Grote had served as the County Superintendent of Schools for Pike County, Illinois from 1898-1906. Grote ran again for the office of State Superintendent in 1914, in the Democratic primary. She did not win that race either. Grote eventually became dean of women at Western Illinois University, and received her doctorate at age 69. She also wrote on educational issues.