Never Too Old to Vote - Anna E. Ralston

The whole idea that women should have the privilege to vote in the United States began back in the late 1840's with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, but the real push came later.  When the Civil War was over and former slaves received the right to vote, the women's desire for that right began to intensify. 
It was not a quick process, by any means. In Ohio, it was 1885 before the Ohio Suffrage Association was formed, and it was 1920 before Ohio was the fifth state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. 

In Defiance, one woman definitely took her privilege seriously.  From the Marckel Scrapbook, this clipped article is undated, but might be by assumption, October 31, 1920.  It tells the tale of Anna E. Ralston, her pioneer life and her intention to vote "the straight Republican ticket."  One will find some Defiance city history in the article, as well.

DEFIANCE WOMAN, CENTURY OLD EVE OF ELECTION DAY, 
WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WOMAN'S SUFFERAGE.



"Mrs. Anna E. Ralston, better known to Defiance folks as 'Grandma' Ralston, celebrates her hundredth birthday at her old homestead on 'Quality Hill,' North Defiance, the eve of election day, Monday, November first.  To wait a century before casting her first vote has not in the least dampened 'Grandma's' enthusiastic desire.  She will make the journey to the polls Tuesday, and, if she has her way, will be 'an early morning' voter.

When asked concerning politics, then centenarian's eye brightens and she at once becomes much interested. 'If God permits, I'll go sure, and vote the straight Republican ticket,' she always states when questioned.  'I do not care so much as far as myself is concerned about the honor of voting at this age, but it is for old 'Quality Hill' that I am desirous of going.  Then when that is done, I don't care how soon I must go,' she continues, telling that she will be willing to pass on and let someone else take her place.  However, she is in fair health in spite of her advanced age and, no doubt, will enjoy a much longer life.

From the newspaper

She is now living in the old homestead on Ralston Ave., which was named after the family.  At this place she has lived 71 years of her one hundred.  The last years of her long, happy life are being spent with her son, one of seven children, Lake E.

During the century of life she has spanned, great changes have come to this community.  She remembers when Ralston Ave. of which she is so proud, was but a path thru the uncleared woods.  Later she viewed the road as a corduroy, bordered by tossing fields of Indian maize.  Then still later, its other improvements, until now it is the leading artery to and from Defiance.  When she moved into her present home, she named the place, 'Quality Hill,' for it overlooked the beautiful Maumee River and canal about which nestled the budding frontier town.

When reflecting concerning those days, a far away, satisfied look brightens her eyes and she speaks of them as 'happy days.'  She says, 'We were all so happy.  There were only a few of us and we all knew each other.  We had house warmings and various social events when friendliness appealed to all.  Then we would take lanterns to church and we lived contentedly together.'

Mrs. Ralston has but few senile characteristics.  At times she is light hearted and given to wit.  While speaking of the changes that have come to Defiance, she said, 'I saw the first lights that were brought here, the first improved means of conveyance, then the churches, banks, etc.  Yes, I have even seen the Maumee river double itself' (referring laughingly to the change that resulted from the erection of the State Dam.) ' In those days the river was crossed by ferry at the foot of Clinton street.'

Moreover, altho she is delightfully enthusiastic about those days of happiness, she has said that she is satisfied to pass on now after achieving her hundredth year and be content that others enjoy the benefits that have come to this territory through improvement.

The aged woman accredits her hearty life at this advanced age to be due to her sturdy out-of-door life.  She was one of ten children, many of whom died of lung troubles.  She tells that she worked in the woods with her husband.  Interesting are the tales she relates of her first years in Defiance county.  Coming from the east, her husband desired to return for household goods, but feared to leave her alone with her children.  However, she urged him to go as she would be capable of caring for those left behind.  During her husband's absence, she would remain awake thruout the nights and keep a fire in order to scare the wolves away from her log cabin.

Her life was truly that of the sturdy American pioneer.  Until the last year, she has been able to get about the home quite well, but is now bed-ridden altho still vigorous.  Most of her faculties are well- preserved.

She was born in Stark county, O., November 1, 1820.  Her parents were from Frederick county, Maryland.  She married Joseph Ralston, a native of Dauphin county, Pa., June 22, 1839.  He had come there, with his parents in 1832.  In October, 1843, they concluded to come to Northwestern Ohio.  They went by canal boat from Massillon to Cleveland, with their first child, the late Dr. Wm. Henry Ralston, (and) after a somewhat stormy passage on Lake Erie, they arrived in Toledo, on the old steamer, Superior.  The trip from Toledo to Defiance was made on the canal boat, 'Red Lion' and ended October 10, 1843.

Here they met an acquaintance, the late Samuel P. Cameron, who induced them to settle in Washington township.  They occupied a log cabin on Mr. Cameron's land, now owned by Wm. H. Baker, in the north part of Ney.  The Ralstons bought 80 acres of the southwest corner of Tiffin township, on Mud creek and became the first settlers along that stream.  They cleared the land and prepared for cultivation.  As the season was very wet, their help had to be gathered for the fifth time before the work could be accomplished.  All the laborers were called from two to five mile distances.

They lived but a few years in Washington township before coming to the present homestead situation on Ralston Ave."

Ann E. Ralston died a few years later and was buried in Old Riverside Cemetery near the Ralston family monument.

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