J. Ellen Foster (1840-1910)

HORTON, FOSTER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/25/2012 at 10:15:05

The Dewitt Observer, DeWitt, Iowa, Dec. 24, 1876

Iowa's First Lady Lawyer

Our lady lawyer-Our Clinton county lady lawyer is winning golden opinions wherever she goes. The Dubuque Herald of the 21st says:
Mrs. J. Ellen Foster was admitted to the practice of law in the Supreme Court of Iowa yesterday-the first honor of the kind accorded to a lady in the state. Mrs. Foster, we believe, acquired her legal education in the office of her husband, Elijah, who is also a member of the Clinton County, Iowa bar, and both are partners in the firm of Foster & Bice, of that city.
The lady's debut upon the stage was a creditable one, she appearing as counsel for the defendant in the case of Jacob Oswald versus Walter I. Hayes. It was the opinion of the judges and attorneys in court yesterday that the Judge's case would be well taken care of. Certainly the gentle attorney presented her argument in a clear, concise, and able manner, showing herself mistress of the situation in all its legal bearings and making a very favorable impression in the court room. She is quite prepossessing in appearance, both in feature form and dress. The fair lawyer wore a rich black silk, without ornamentation or furbelows, overskirt or anything else on the demi train, which was gracefully caught up en panier, and thus the dreary plainess was relieved. A plain black silk hat, enlivened with some bright flowers, a velvet sacque, with a trimming of guipure lace, and a pink silk neck-tie completed the lady's costume. Her manner upon the platform was dignified, easy and lady like, and so far as all we have mentioned, the effects were rather pleasing and the Dubuque bar is disposed to take quite kindly to lawyers of the female persuasion.