The Importance of Voting: Ellen Martin (1847-1916)

Ellen Martin, a name not often heard, is a remarkable figure in the history of women’s rights. Ellen is recognized as the first woman to vote in the state of Illinois before women had the legal right to vote by almost 30 years.

Born in 1847 in New York, Ellen became the first female law student in Chautauqua County. In 1871, she pursued the study of law and clerked for the office of Cook and Lockwood. She furthered her legal education at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1875, and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in January of 1876. Together with her colleague Mary F. Perry, she established the law firm of Perry and Martin, with offices located at 143 LaSalle Street in Chicago.

Card listing Ellen Martin as an Attorney Admitted to the Bar, 1876. State of Illinois office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court.

The business card for Ellen Martin's Chicago law practice, Perry & Martin Attorneys and Counselors at Law.

Ellen and Mary lived in Lombard on West Maple Street and commuted daily to their Chicago office. Despite their legal training and qualifications, women lawyers at the time faced significant restrictions. They could work in law offices or bring lawsuits, but they were not allowed to argue cases in court due to their status as non-voters—they were not recognized as “lawyers” without the rights of an “ELECTOR.”

University of Michagan Law Class, Photograph, 1875, University of Michigan.

The Woman’s Suffrage Movement

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The Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois) · 31 May 1880, Mon · Page 12

At the national level, Ellen Martin, along with her colleague Mary Perry, hosted delegates of the first regular session of the Woman’s National Suffrage Association (WNSA) Convention in Chicago in 1880 at their law office, Perry and Martin, Attorneys and Counselors at Law. The WNSA was instrumental in coordinating the national suffrage movement, bringing together local and state groups from across the United States to fight for women's voting rights.

Casting the Vote

CHicago Daily News, April 15, 1891.

On April 6, 1891, Ellen boldly stepped into the polling place in Lombard, determined to cast her vote. With her heavy law book under one arm and a gripsack in the other Ellen entered the polling place—a corner of the local general store—where the ballot box was guarded by election judges T.H. Vance, Ed Reber, and Fred Marquardt.

The election judges were taken aback by this unexpected challenge. Reports indicate that Marquardt experienced a spasm, Reber leaned against the wall in disbelief, and Vance fell backward into a flour barrel!

Ellen pointed out that the Town Charter did not specify “male” voters; rather, Section 4 stated that “ALL CITIZENS” above the age of 21 years shall be entitled to vote at any corporation election.” The women asserted their right to vote, claiming it was guaranteed under the law.

Following Ellen's lead, 14 of Lombard’s most prominent women also cast their votes. Out of the 14 women, only three would see the 19th Amendment be passed into law.
A lengthy debate ensued, and eventually, two of the three judges, Vance and Reber, allowed the votes to stand.

Marquardt, however, contacted County Judge George W. Brown from Wheaton, to contest the woman’s votes. Because of how Lombard The outcome of this confrontation confirmed that the women had indeed “held the fort” against the established norms of the time.
Just three months later, in July 1891, a law allowing Illinois women to vote in school elections was enacted. This was a significant step toward the eventual passage of a law on July 1, 1913, which granted all Illinois women of legal age the right to vote for all statutory offices.

Alton Evening Telegraph (Alton, Illinois) · 4 Aug 1893, Fri · Page 4

Following the Vote

Ellen Martin continued to be an active advocate for women’s suffrage at both the local and national levels. In April 1892, she was elected Chairman of the Women Voters of Lombard. Later that year, her views on women’s right to vote in school elections were featured in the Sunday Inter Ocean in November. In August 1893, Martin demonstrated her leadership by convening the Congress of Women Lawyers in Chicago and delivering the opening remarks.

Ellen was a member of the Chicago Woman’s Club, which founded the Chicago Political Equality League in 1894 with the goal of achieving full political equality for women. At its inaugural meeting in November 1894, where Susan B. Anthony was present, Martin was elected to the first Board of Directors. By May 1898, she served as the Corresponding Secretary of the Chicago Political Equality League.

The Equity Club Annual Report, 1888.
Ellen Martin is mentioned in the report specifically a letter that she wrote: Ellen Martin's letter addresses deeply ingrained misconceptions about women's physical and emotional health, attributing many of these issues to historical mistreatment of women’s bodies and their roles in society. She calls for women to openly discuss these problems, rather than suffering in silence, and emphasizes the importance of understanding the dignity of womanhood. Martin argues that until these issues are addressed, even the right to vote will have limited value for women, as true progress requires both societal and personal recognition of women's worth and strength.

The Inter Ocean, Sun, Nov 28, 1897 ·Page 29

In June 1895, Martin was described as an acknowledged authority on the law regarding legal discussions in the Woman’s Club and was also known to be an ardent suffragist. She contributed excellent articles to law journals and frequently acted as council for the Woman’s Club where matters requiring legal expertise were under discussion. Active in the Chicago Political Equality League, Martin presented papers and made speeches relative to the club’s activities and the issues of the naturalization of citizens. In 1897, Martin was recognized as the woman who had practiced law the longest in Chicago; at which time she would have been practicing for twenty-one years.

The Later Years

Martin Burial Site and Headstone, Lake View Cemetary, Jamestown, New York, 2020.

Ellen continued to be a passionate advocate for women's rights and maintained correspondence with figures like Jane Addams. She remained active in the legal field, authored numerous newspaper articles, and stayed engaged with the Women's Equity Club. Ellen also kept strong ties to her hometown of Jamestown, New York, and later in life, she returned there, where she lived out her final years and was laid to rest alongside her family.

Celebrating Ellen Martin

In 2008, the Village of Lombard designated April 6 as “Ellen Martin Day.” In 2020, the Lombard Historical Society, in collaboration with the Pomeroy Foundation and the Historic Preservation Commission, dedicated one of only five historic markers in Illinois to honor Ellen Martin and the 14 women who voted. That same year, we also launched our documentary “All Citizens”, produced by Tim Frakes Productions.