Elva Shartel Ferguson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
April 6, 1869
Elva Shartel Ferguson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| First Lady of Oklahoma | |
| In office November 30, 1901 – January 5, 1906 | |
| Governor | Thompson Benton Ferguson |
| Preceded by | Mary Cleaver Grimes |
| Succeeded by | Matilda Evans Frantz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Elva Shartel April 6, 1869 |
| Died | December 18, 1947 (aged 78) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Thompson Benton Ferguson
(m. 1885–1921) |
| Children | 5, including Walter Ferguson |
| Relatives | John Wilford Shartel (brother) |
Elva Shartel Ferguson (April 6, 1869 – December 18, 1947) was an American newspaper editor who served as the First Lady of Oklahoma Territory between 1901 and 1906 during the tenure of her husband Thompson Benton Ferguson.
Raised the daughter of a newspaper editor in Sedan, Kansas, Ferguson married Thompson Benton Ferguson. The couple moved to Oklahoma Territory and participated in multiple land runs before founding the Watonga Republican. When her husband was appointed governor in 1901, she served as the First Lady of Oklahoma Territory until he left office in 1906. After her husband's death in 1921, she continued to be active in Republican Party politics and manage the Watonga Republican. Her writing served as the basis for Edna Ferber's novel Cimarron (1930) and she served as a technical advisor on the 1931 film of the same name.
Elva Shartel Ferguson was born Elva Shartel to David E. Shartel and Mary Jane Wiley in Novelty, Missouri, on April 6, 1869, and raised in Sedan, Kansas.[1] Her father was the local newspaper editor until his death in 1890.[2] In 1885, she married Thompson Benton Ferguson and the couple participated in three land runs:[1] 1889,[2] 1892, and 1893.[3] In 1892, she established the Watonga Republican alongside Thompson Benton Ferguson. Elva worked as a writer and helped sell subscriptions.[1]