Carthage Women in History

Emma Knell
1878 – 1963

1897: Graduated Carthage High School & Graduated National School of Embalming.

1898: Became 3rd licensed female embalmer in Missouri and joined family mortuary business.

1901: Assisted father in establishment & running of Knell Fair.

1903: 1st Female director of Missouri Funeral Directors Association.

1910: Organized Muskogee OK Fair.

1911–1926: Became General Manager of Knell Fair. (later called Southwest Missouri Fair and Ozark District Fair)

1924: Elected to Missouri House of Representatives. First Republican woman elected.

1925–28, 1931–32: Served as Missouri Representative; sponsor of numerous bills including the bill establishing the Missouri Highway Patrol.

1928–33: First woman traveling salesperson for a major casket company.

1932: First woman elected to local school board in SW Missouri.

1943: Became President of Knell Mortuary.

Also active in the Methodist Church, Pipe Organ Society of First Baptist
Church, DAR, PEO, Eastern Star, Pythian Sisters, Rebekahs, Madison
Township Comm. Club, Sunshine Society, lifelong member of Business
& Prof. Women Club, and Charter Carthage Park Board Member (during period of establishment of Municipal Park across from the Powers Museum).

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