Biographical Database of Black Women Suffragists

Biography of Elizabeth (Mrs. N.T.) Fisher, 1876-?

By Jessica Rusnica, Elise Schuler, Allie Jones, students, University of Michigan-Dearborn

Mrs. N.T. Fisher, also known as Mrs. Nelson T. Fisher or by her maiden name Elizabeth French, was born in Illinois, ca. 1876. Elizabeth French married Nelson T. Fisher, June 27, 1900 in Kane, Illinois (Marriage license).

According to the 1920 Census (U.S. NARA), her family included her husband Nelson T. Fisher, her son Harold, and her daughter Grace, in Seattle, King County, Washington. Nelson, born in Kentucky, also Black, worked as a machinist. The couple owned their home, free of a mortgage. Elizabeth was employed as a stenographer. In the 1930 census, Elizabeth is listed as the head of her household and son Harold, now 26, lives with her and a boarder. Nelson does not reside in the household, but Elizabeth is still recorded as married. Elizabeth is said to be a typist and her son is the self-employed proprietor of an auto business.

Mrs. Fisher and her family were active members in Mt. Zion Baptist church in Seattle. This was Seattle's first African American Church and grew to be the largest congregation in Washington State (History). Elizabeth Fisher's values complemented the church's mission of helping fellow African Americans gain the help and support they needed within the community. She held the Secretary position in the church's Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society (Cayton's Weekly). Not only was her work within the church noteworthy, but she also spoke on behalf of the American Red Cross at local events (Miss James Recital). Mrs. Fisher clearly was an advocate for women's rights, she was a leader and role model and even served on a primary election board in 1920 (Purely Personal). One of her highest accomplishments included that she was the first colored woman in the Northwest to become a public notary (Town Topics).

Sources:

1910 United States Census (Family Search), Denver Ward 8, Denver, Colorado; sheet 18B, line 89, household 325; the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. [This was a semi-unreadable film.]

1920 United States Census (Family Search), Seattle, King County, Washington; sheet 7A, line 37, household 167; the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. [This was a semi-unreadable film.]

1930 United States Census (Family Search), Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington; sheet 14B, line 92, household 431; U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. [This was a semi-unreadable film.]

Cayton's Weekly 22 May 1910. Newspapers.com

“History.” Mount Zion Baptist Church, accessible online at http://mountzion.net/history/.

License of Marriage Adult, Nelson T. Fisher to Elizabeth French, 27 June 1900, Illinois State Board of Health. Copy in possession of Family Search.

Marriage Affidavit, Nelson T. Fisher to Elizabeth French, 19 June 1900, Kane County, Illinois. County Clerk Office, Aurora, Illinois. Copy in possession of Family Search.

Marriage License, Nelson T. Fisher to Elizabeth French, 27 June 1900, Kane County, Illinois. County Clerk Office, Aurora, Illinois. Copy in possession of Family Search.

“Miss James Recital.” Cayton's Weekly 15 December 1917: 4. Newspapers.com.

“Purely Personal,” Cayton's Weekly 21 February 1920: 3. Newspapers.com.

“Town Topics,” Cayton's Weekly 22 June 1918: 2. Newspapers.com.

 

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