Slaughter, Linda Warfel

In  the Dakota Territory Linda Slaughter was elected Burleigh County superintendent of schools, serving from 1878 through 1882. She had previously served in this position as an appointed officer. Slaughter was born in Ohio, educated at Oberlin College, and in her early adulthood had organized schools and churches for formerly enslaved people. She began writing poetry in this period. In 1870 she married army surgeon Dr. Benjamin Slaughter and moved with him to the Dakota Territory. They had three daughters. In Dakota she opened a Sunday school and school. In 1873 she was appointed Burleigh County superintendent of schools. She was also postmistress. In 1878 through 1882 she served as the elected Burleigh County superintendent of schools, generally a two year term. At various times in her adult years Slaughter was associated with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the National Woman's Suffrage Association, and the People's Party. Her attitude toward U. S. - Native American policy requires clarification.