Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890–1920
Biography of Anna Wilds Strumquist, 1878-1950
By Jennifer Eltringham, librarian, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Activist; Writer; Politician
Anna Wilds was born in February 1878 in Ballard County, Kentucky to John Wilds, a lawyer, and his wife Mary. In 1896 she married her first husband, Ralph Hill in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Anna and Ralph had three children--Ralph (1896), John (1899), and Beatrice (1901)-- before Ralph's untimely death in an automobile incident in 1902 at the age of 29. Anna married Nils Strumquist, Jr. in 1904. Together they had one child, Mary, born in 1905.
Anna was primarily a literary woman, with her writing found in Albuquerque newspapers as early as 1908, when she published a poem in memory of a friend who had committed suicide. She also was a prolific writer, serving as editor for the Society section of the Albuquerque Evening Herald as well as the New Mexico Ruralist. She was published in many national magazines, including a travel piece for Motorcycle Illustrated in 1914. In addition to writing, Anna was also a supporter of the spoken word. She delivered many addresses to the clubs and organizations she was involved with, as well as judging and teaching oratory to high school students.
Applying these skills and talents to her political and social activism, Anna supported many causes. She was a member of the Santa Fe Suffrage League and continued her political work after New Mexico ratified the 19th Amendment in 1920. In 1920, she was appointed to the state Democratic Committee and in 1921 served on the county Democratic Committee. The same year, she was a delegate to the county convention and ran for school superintendent. She was also involved in the founding of the New Mexico Women Voters League in 1922.
Anna was also highly involved in other civic pursuits, especially with the Women's Christian Temperance Union, where she served as president for a number of years. She campaigned in favor of the 18th Amendment, and opposed drinking, gambling, and smoking. Anna was also a founder and fundraiser for the Frances E. Willard School for Girls as well as a supporter of the Christian Endeavor Society, the YWCA, and the local Women's Club.
Anna and Nils Strumquist lived in Albuquerque for the remainder of their lives. Nils passed away in 1948, followed shortly thereafter by Anna in 1950. They are both buried in Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, NM.
Sources:
Anna Douglas Wilds Strumquist (1878-1950), Find A Grave Memorial no. 16690433 (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 1 April 2019).
“Christian Endeavors Give Program at Camp.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 31 Aug. 1917. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1917-08-31/ed-1/seq-8/>
“Clubs.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 15 May 1921. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1921-05-15/ed-1/seq-16/>
“Democrat Crop of Candidates for 1922 Big.” The Clovis news. (Clovis, N.M.), 08 Dec. 1921. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn93061777/1921-12-08/ed-1/seq-2/>
“Democrats Announce Personnel for State Central Committee.” The Carlsbad current. (Carlsbad, N.M.), 10 Sept. 1920. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn93061428/1920-09-10/ed-1/seq-1/>
“Democrats Pick Delegates for County Meeting.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 16 Aug. 1921. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1921-08-16/ed-1/seq-8/>
“Gift of $2000 Made to France Willard School by Mrs. Luna.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 28 Sept. 1921. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1921-09-28/ed-1/seq-8/>
“Local Items.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 30 April 1921. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1921-04-30/ed-1/seq-5/>
“Many Flowers About Body of Mrs. Turner.” Albuquerque citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 23 Jan. 1908. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84020616/1908-01-23/ed-1/seq-4/>
“Preliminary Oratorical and Declamation Contests at the High School.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 14 Nov. 1920. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1920-11-14/ed-1/seq-15/>
“Santa Fe Bids for Frances E. Willard School for Girls.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 19 Oct. 1921. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1921-10-19/ed-1/seq-8/>
“Splendid Story in ‘Motorcycle' by Mrs. Strumquist.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 19 July 1914. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1914-07-19/ed-1/seq-5/>
“Suffragists Elect Officers.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 16 Dec. 1918. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1918-12-16/ed-1/seq-5/>
“Summer Scenes in the Sunshine State.” The evening herald. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 20 July 1918. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92070582/1918-07-20/ed-1/seq-9/>
“The New Mexico Ruralist.” Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.), 07 June 1918. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92070405/1918-06-07/ed-1/seq-4/>
"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCHB-PCM : 29 August 2017), Anna D Wilde in entry for John D Wilde, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 64, sheet 435A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0401; FHL microfilm 1,254,401.
"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MM21-LHT : accessed 1 April 2019), Ralph Hill, Precinct 26 Albuquerque City (part), Bernalillo, New Mexico Territory, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 18, sheet 9B, family 204, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,999.
"United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4VL-SZ7 : accessed 1 April 2019), Niles J Strumquist Jr., Albuquerque Ward 3, Bernalillo, New Mexico, United States; citing ED 18, sheet 8A, line 50, family 190, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1074; FHL microfilm 1,821,074.
“United War Work Campaign.” The evening herald. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 11 Nov. 1918. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92070582/1918-11-11/ed-1/seq-7/>
“Urge Adequate Laws to Halt Gaming, Vice.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 19 Dec. 1920. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1920-12-19/ed-1/seq-2/>
“Will Hold Meeting to Celebrate Arrival of Nation-Wide Dryness.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 12 Jan. 1920. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1920-01-12/ed-1/seq-4/>
“Women Voters League Hold Meeting; Adopt Constitution, Rules.” Albuquerque morning journal. (Albuquerque, N.M.), 26 April 1922. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1922-04-26/ed-1/seq-5/>