Larimer County, History of Colorado, BIOS: WILKINS, Emma T. (published 1918) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 October 24, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 304, 306 photo p. 305 EMMA T. WILKINS. Colorado was one of the first states to recognize woman's political and legal equality with man and many important offices in the state have been filled by women who have most creditably discharged their duties. As county superintendent of schools of Larimer county Emma T. Wilkins is making a most excellent record, doing much to stimulate the development of the schools and advance the high standards of education endorsed by the public. A native of Grenloch, New Jersey, she was born March 12, 1876, a daughter of Thomas J. and Martha (Scott) Wilkins, who were also natives of that state. She was born in the same house as her father, who became a farmer and truckman of New Jersey, where he carried on business until 1878 and then removed to the west for the benefit of his health. He located near Timnath, Colorado, where he purchased land which he improved, and later added to his holdings and engaged in the cattle business. He was very successful as a farmer, but ill health always proved a bar to his progress along business lines. He died September 9, 1900, after a long illness, and is survived by his widow, who yet makes her home in Fort Collins. The daughter, Miss Emma T. Wilkins, was reared and educated at Timnath. After completing the first two years of high school work in a private school in Timnath she continued her education in the Fort Collins high school and later entered the Colorado State Teachers College at Greeley, where she was graduated with the class of 1898. She then took up the profession of teaching, which she followed tor three years in the rural schools of Larimer county and for one year in the high school at Windsor, Weld county. She after-ward devoted six years to public school teaching in Fort Collins, from the first to the sixth grade, there remaining until elected to her present position as county superintendent of schools of Larimer county. She was chosen to this office in November, 1912, and has been reelected at each succeeding biennial term or on three different occasions, thus receiving the public endorsement of her excellent service as head of the school system of the county. She has also been a member of the state board of examiners, which meets in Denver four times annually for the purpose of examining applicants for state teachers' certificates and institute licenses. She was called to this office in 1912 and is also on the state examining board which examines all applicants for graduation at the State Normal School at Gunnison, Colorado, and the State Teachers College at Greeley. In December, 1915, the state board of education presented her with the Colorado certificate for eminent service and she indeed ranks among the most prominent public school educators of the state, holding to the highest ideals and continually promoting her efficiency through broad reading and study. Miss Wilkins is a member of the Empire Grange and also the Cache la Poudre Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She likewise has membership in the Woman's Club of Fort Collins and she has devoted considerable time during the past year to the young ladies' auxiliary of the Woman's Club. Her political endorsement is given to the democratic party and her religions faith is that of the Presbyterian church. She resides with her mother at No. 300 South Meldrum street, while her office is in the courthouse at Fort Collins. She keeps in close touch with all of the schools of the county and her practical ideas and methods have been a strong force in their development and progress.