From collection Candidates
Emma B. Bates was born in New York State and educated in the East. She worked as a teacher. In 1890, after moving to North Dakota, she ran unsuccessfully for county superintendent of schools in Sargent County. In 1894 Bates received the Republican Party nomination for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. She defeated Democratic-Independent Party incumbent Laura Eisenhuth and served as superintendent in 1895-1896. Bates wanted, but did not receive, her party's nomination for the position in 1896 and ran unsuccessfully as an independent, losing to a man. Her organizational work included suffrage, temperance, and the National Education Association. Bates moved to California, studied Japanese, and then lived for a year in that country. She died in California in 1921.
