Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890-1920
Biography of Anna (Davis) Bartles, 1865-1959
By Linda D. Wilson, Independent Historian
North Dakota suffragist Anna (Davis) Bartles was the daughter of Jefferson W. and Mercia Amanda (Fox) Davis. Anna was born circa 1865 in Ohio. In 1870 the family of six lived in Crestline, Crawford County, Ohio. Her father worked as a lawyer. Ten years later the family resided in Dinsmore, Shelby County, Ohio. By 1880 Anna had two more siblings. In 1893 she married Charles Bartles, who was working as an accountant in Chicago, Illinois, according to the 1900 federal census. By 1910 Charles Bartles was in the oil business in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Apparently, they had no children.
The first mention of Anna Bartles being involved in the women's suffrage movement occurred in October 1912. Bartles acted as one of the hostesses for the Votes for Women League when they entertained guest speaker Jane Addams, suffragist and cofounder of Hull House in Chicago. In January 1913 the Votes for Women League held silver teas to raise money to send a delegate to work with the legislators in Bismarck on a recent suffrage bill proposed by Senator H. A. Bronson. On January 25, 1913, Bartles hosted the first of a series of weekly silver teas. Alice Nelson Page, president of the Votes for Women, gave an encouraging report from her recent trip to the state legislature. Marguerite Curtis of Bristol, England, presented a talk entitled "Suffrage in England." Attendees were entertained with music and readings.
On February 1, 1913, Grand Forks Mayor M. F. Murphy and his wife hosted the second silver tea. Men and women were encouraged to attend. Among the Votes for Women officials were Alice Nelson Page, Dr. Mae Sanders, Mary MacCumber, and Mrs. Charles [Anna] Bartles. "Prominent men, including the senators who have introduced suffrage bills in the state legislature" discussed the importance of their bills and their views on women's suffrage.
On May 6, 1913, Bartles served on the nominating committee at the league's annual business meeting. Guest speakers included Reverend Francis M. McCoy of the First Methodist Church who gave an address entitled "The Unfolding of Enfranchisement" and Anna Kirk offered a short talk on "The Present Status of the Suffrage Movement in America and England." Based on extant records Anna Bartles was active in the suffrage movement from 1912 to 1913.
In addition to suffrage work, Anna Bartles involved herself in church functions through the Ladies' Guild of St. Paul's Church. In June 1917 she joined other patriotic women in Red Cross work during World War I. While living in Grand Forks, North Dakota, she and her husband belonged to the German Club, the Elks lodge, and were patrons of the Women's Civic League. Circa 1917 the couple began to spend the winter months in Los Angeles, California.
By 1931 the Bartles lived in Anaheim, Orange County, California. While living there, they and several other couples celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the formation of their friendship while living in Chicago. In February 1931 the Bartles boarded the Empress of Australia of the Canadian Pacific fleet for a four-month tour. Charles Bartles died on November 9, 1937, and Anna (Davis) Bartles died June 11, 1959. Both are buried in the Graceland Cemetery in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio.
Sources:
California, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1959, accessed on Ancestry.com on April 18. 2022.
Grand Forks (North Dakota) Herald, March 23, October 26 and 30, November 30, 1912; January 17, 18, 21, 24, 25, 28, February 1, March 29, April 7, and May 7, 1913; January 4, June 23, 1917; March 3, 1919.
Los Angeles (California) Times, October 3, 1924 and February 26, 1931.
Nebraska, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1904-1968, for Anna D. Bartles.
New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957, accessed on Ancestry.com on April 18, 2022.
St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S., City Directories, 1889-1891, Charles Bartles resided in St. Paul, Minnesota from 1890-1891, and worked as a superintendent for the Independent Oil Company.
U.S. Census, 1870, Crestline, Crawford County, Ohio.
U.S. Census, 1880, Dinsmore, Shelby County, Ohio.
U.S. Census, 1900, Chicago Ward 25, Cook County, Illinois.
U.S. Census, 1910, Grand Forks Ward 1, Grand Forks County, North Dakota.
U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, 1905 city directory for Battle Creek, Michigan; 1931 city directory for Orange County, California; 1933 city directory for Anaheim, California; and 1937 city directory for Anaheim, Orange County, California.
U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current, for Anna and Charles Bartles.