The Biographical Dictionary of America/Baxter, Annie White

​BAXTER, Annie White, county clerk, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., March 2, 1864. Her education was commenced in Newark, Ohio, and completed in the High school at Carthage, Mo., where she was graduated in 1882, and in the autum of the same year became assistant clerk in the county clerk's office. Her efficient services were so well appreciated that in November, 1885, she was sworn and appointed a regular deputy clerk of the county court. She was married to Mr. C.W. Baxter of Carthage in 1888. and withdrew for a time into private life. In 1890 she was nominated by the Democrats for county clerk, the farmers of the county casting their votes for her regardless of party, and the miners at Joplin flocking to the polls singing "Little Annie Rooney" and voting for their favorite, and she was elected with a majority of 463 votes, being the first woman in the United States elected as county clerk. Her election was contested, but was confirmed by the courts, and she served the full term of four years.