Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890–1920
Biography of Sara (also Sarah) P. Anthoine, 1887-1965
By Amy Neises, web editor
Sara P. Anthoine lived from 1887 to 1965. She was born in Maine and married Edward S. Anthoine, a lawyer. They had one son, Robert Anthoine, who was born in June of 1921, in Portland, Maine.
The 1920 census lists Edward and Sara as boarders in a Portland household with no children. Edward was listed as a lawyer, with no occupation given for Sara. By 1930 the couple resided in their own rented house and Sara was listed as a social worker. Their son, Robert, was now eight years old and the household included an Irish maid. In 1940 Edward was not recorded in the family household, but Sara was listed as a married head of household, working as a secretary in government employ. Her son Robert, now 18, was listed as attending college. Sara was said to have attended college for four years.
In 1917, Sara (along with Lucy Hobart Day and Helen N. Bates) compiled a newspaper article about the history of woman suffrage from 1854 through 1915. Published in the Daily Eastern Argus, the article detailed prominent figures, core legislative actions, and other key events that advanced the suffrage cause in Maine.
The History of Woman Suffrage, vol. 6, also notes that Sara Anthoine conducted suffrage schools in Maine in 1917 to help prepare women to exercise the right to vote.
Edward Anthoine died in 1942. Sarah lived in Portland the remainder of her living, passing away in 1965.
Sources:
Sarah Anthoine's tombstone (spelled as Sara): https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117016141/sara-pinkham-anthoine
Robert Anthoine's tombstone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/142776660/robert-anthoinef
Edward Anthoine's tombstone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51729247/edward-s.-anthoine
1920 census https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFZD-LC1
1930 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XM8G-RVJ
1940 census https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMMH-D8Z
Lucy Hobart Day, Miss Helen N. Bates, and Mrs. Sarah P. Anthoine, “Historical Sketch of the Maine Woman Suffrage Association,” Daily Eastern Argus, June 26, 1917, pages 13-14. Found in the Mrs. William E. Wing, Scrapbooks, League of Women Voters Papers, box #1 out of 2 boxes, housed at the Maine State Museum.
Ida Husted Harper, et al., eds, The History of Woman Suffrage, vol. 6 (1922) [LINK]