Frances C. Axtell

In 1912 Frances C. Axtell, running as a Republican, was elected to the Washington state house of representatives, serving until 1915. She represented Bellingham, Whatcom county (District 54). In her committee work, and bills sponsored, Axtell focused upon minimum wage legislation, public safety issues, and worker's rights. In 1914 she ran unsuccessfully as the Progressive party candidate for state senate from the 42nd district. In 1916 she ran unsuccessfully, as a Democrat, for the U. S. House of Representatives from District 2. In 1922, running again as a Republican, she lost her bid for the nomination for U. S. Senate. In 1926 she was again unsuccessful as the Democratic candidate for the U. S. House of Representatives (District 2). Axtell was born in Illinois. In 1889 she graduated from DePauw University. She married physician William Axtell, and with him had two daughters. President Woodrow Wilson appointed Axtell to the U.S. Employees Compensation Commission in 1917 in Washington, D.C. She served on the Commission until 1921, and was its vice-chair. In 1924 Axtell was acting chair of the Washington State LaFollette-Wheeler campaign.