Iowa Heritage Digital Collections
State Library of Iowa

Ada North

Title

Ada North

Description

As one of the first women to work in the State House, Ada North began as a a clerk in the Iowa Capitol building. After serving a year a vacancy occurred in the office of State Librarian, Governor Merrill then appointed Mrs. North as State Librarian. She was one of the first women to hold a State office in the United States. Up to that time but little attention had been given to building up a creditable State Library. Mrs. North prosecuted the work of her new position with zeal and enthusiasm, realizing that a woman was on trial for competency in the administration of the duties of a State office. She was retained in the office by reappointments for nearly eight years. In 1879, she was appointed librarian of the State University at Iowa City where she served for thirteen years. She died at her home in Des Moines, on the 9th of January, 1899.

Creator

Unknown

Publisher

State Library of Iowa

Date

1882

File Name

north1882