John Orville Newton (April 5, 1864 – December 29, 1958) was a school principal and state representative in Maine.[1] [2] Newton served as the principal of Kents Hill School for 24 years. He was succeeded by Thomas Wess Watkins.[3]
John Orville Newton was born on April 5, 1864, in Andover, Maine, the son of John Dustin and Eunice Catherine Newton.[4] He attended Kents Hill School when it was known as Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Women's College, graduating in 1888.[4] He later graduated from Wesleyan University in 1893 and from Harvard University Summer School in 1902.[4] [5] While as Wesleyan, Newton was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon.[6]
Upon his graduation from Wesleyan, he returned to Kent's Hill School, working in the science department.[1] He would work at Kent's Hill for 46 years, serving for 24 years as principal of the school.[1]
Newton was elected to two separate terms in the Maine House of Representatives. A Republican, Newton was elected to the House in 1935 and in 1937, serving as a member from Readfield.[7] Upon his retirement from Kent's Hill School in 1940, Newton served as chairman of the Old Age Assistance Program and as a consultant for the Commissioner of Health and Welfare.[1] Additionally in 1940, Newton was appointed to complete the term of Kennebec County Sheriff when the previous sheriff died.
In 1894, Newton married Addie Ola Denning from Poland in Oxford.[4] Newton and Denning had three children: Max, Roland and Robert.[4] Denning died in 1903.[4] Two years following her death, Newton married Adah Louise Munroe of Auburn.[4] [8]
According to State Legislature files, Newton died on December 29, 1958.[7] Other sources suggest Newton died in 1957.[1]