Melville J. Salter

Melville Judson Salter ( born June 20, 1834 in Sardinia, Erie County, New York, † March 12, 1896 in Pawnee, Kansas ) was an American politician. Between 1875 and 1877 he was Deputy Governor of the State of Kansas.

Career

Melville Salter was the son of a farmer's family. In 1852 he went to California, where he was looking for gold. After a few years he moved to Michigan, where he lived until 1871. Then he acquired in Neosho County, Kansas country. Soon he was a respected citizen in his new home. He became president of the Settlers' Protective Association, which defended the interests of the settlers against claims of the railway and the Indians. Politically, he was a member of the Republican Party.

1874 Salter was elected to the side of Thomas A. Osborn for Lieutenant Governor of Kansas. This post he held for a re-election of 11 January 1875 to his resignation on 19 July 1877. Yet he was assistant to the governor. Since January 1877, he served under the new Governor George T. Anthony. Salter's resignation was after his appointment as Registrar of the Cadastral Agency. This office he held until 1884. He died on 12 March 1896 in the present-day ghost town Pawnee. Since 1856 he was married to Sarah Hinkle, with whom he had three sons. His daughter Susanna (1860-1961) was the first woman in the United States ever elected mayor of a municipality. She was in the years 1887 and 1888 Town Hall boss in Argonia.