Charles Rhodes Pomeroy Explained

Charles R. Pomeroy
Order:3rd
Office:President of the Kansas State Normal
Term Start:January 1, 1874
Term End:August 6, 1879
Predecessor:George W. Hoss
Successor:Rudolph B. Welch
Birth Name:Charles Rhodes Pomeroy
Birth Date:15 June 1830
Birth Place:Weybridge, Vermont
Death Place:Vashon, Washington
Resting Place:Vashon, Washington
Alma Mater:Wesleyan University (B.A.; M.A.)
Simpson Centenary College (D.D.)
Occupation:Educator

Charles Rhodes Pomeroy (June 15, 1830 – June 25, 1916) was an American educator most notable for serving as the Kansas State Normal School's (KSN) third president in Emporia, Kansas.[1]

Biography

Early life and education

Pomeroy was born in Weybridge, Addison County, Vermont on June 15, 1830.[2] In 1856 Pomeroy graduated from Wesleyan University with a bachelor's and master's of arts, and 1875, he graduated from Simpson Centenary College in Indianola, Iowa with a doctorate.[2]

Early career

In 1854, Pomeroy started his long career in education by teaching Greek at Fort Edward Institute in Fort Edward, New York. From 1855 to 1860, Pomeroy served as a principal at four different institutions: Union Village Academy for one year, Rochester High School for two years, and Genesee Wesleyan Seminary for one year.[3]

Kansas State Normal School presidency

The Kansas Board of Regents selected Pomeroy as the Kansas State Normal School's third president in October 1873. He would begin his tenure on January 1, 1874.[4] Because the economy was poor, Pomeroy was unable to pay the professors and staff and also had to work without salary; the board voted that bonds would be paid to teachers as a way of thanking them for their service during the school year on July 2, 1879.[4]

During Pomeroy's tenure, a tornado had hit in April 1878 and destroyed the main building on campus, which was followed by a fire that destroyed the two buildings at the school. On August 6, 1879, Pomeroy resigned as president.[5]

Later career

After serving four years as president of the Normal School in Emporia, Pomeroy became Callahan College's president for six years. From 1886 to 1899, Pomeroy served as the Dean and a professor at the University of Puget Sound in Washington (state).[6]

Personal life

On December 2, 1854, Pomeroy married Mary J. Meeker and had one child, Charles Harrington Pomeroy on March 28, 1863.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Charles Rhodes Pomeroy. emporia.edu.
  2. Web site: Alumni Record of Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut . google.com. 1883 .
  3. Web site: Catalogue of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity . google.com. Fraternity . Psi Upsilon . 1917 .
  4. Web site: Charles R. Pomeroy. emporia.edu. 2015-04-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20150715112545/http://www.emporia.edu/~findingaids/ESU001.003.html. 2015-07-15. dead.
  5. Web site: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans. google.com. 1912.
  6. Web site: Alumni Record . google.com. 1911 .