Premature death of North Dakota politician s sister led to the creation of Planned Parenthood
In today s Did You Know That column, Curt Eriksmoen explains how U.S. Sen. William Purcell was connected to the start of organizations campaigning for better, safer and more reliable birth control that evolved into Planned Parenthood. Written By: Curt Eriksmoen | ×
William Purcell as photographed in 1910. Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons / Special to The Forum
Noted North Dakota newspaper editor Clement Lounsberry once wrote that William Purcell was recognized as the most able attorney in the state,” and “he is without a doubt, the best known attorney in North Dakota.” Usher Burdick profiled Purcell in his book Great Judges and Lawyers of Early North Dakota.