Emma F. Bates

Emma F. Bates was an educator and politician from North Dakota. She served as the fifth North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1895 to 1896.

Biography Emma F. Bates was born in Chautauqua, New York. She was the only child of Charles and Juliette Bates. She attended school at Forestville, New York, taking courses in elocution and oratory. After graduation, she worked as a private tutor before entering Allegheny College. Overwork brought on an illness which prevented her from completing college.

Bates was involved in several organizations in North Dakota. She lectured for the Women's Christian Temperance Union. She continued to pursue reelection and ran as an independent. However, John G. Halland won the election. It would be another twenty years before another women was elected state superintendent again.

After leaving office, she moved to California and studied Japanese. She lived in Japan for a year or two before moving back to California. She resided near Oakdale and died in 1921.