NORMAL SCHOOLS LONG TIME HEAD FOUND LIFELESS

FRANCIS J. CHENEY

CORTLAND. March 11 — Funeral services for Dr. Francis J. Cheney, principal of Cortland Normal School, will be held at his late home in Church St. at 2:30 p. m. Tuesday. The Rev. C. M. Eddy, pastor of the First Methodist Church, will have charge. Friends may view the body from 11 a. m. to 1 p. m. that day. The body will be temporarily placed in a vault at Cortland Rural Cemetery. Dr. Chaney dropped dead from heart trouble while changing a tire in his garage about 5 p. m. Saturday.

-Syracuse Journal, 11 Mar 1912

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Francis J. CHENEY was born near Warren, Pa., in June, 1848, third son of John and Sarah Ann CHENEY. In 1856 he came with his parents to Yorkshire.

Here he worked on the farm until he was twenty years old, attending the district school winter and summer as far as the farm work would permit. He early manifested a wish to go to college, and in this he was encouraged by his parents. By attending a neighboring academy at Arcade, N.Y., during the fall term, teaching a district school in the winter, and working on the farm through the spring and summer, he finally obtained a part of the necessary means and preparation for college, and entered Syracuse University in 1868, while it was yet Genesee College, graduating in 1872. After graduation he

was professor of mathematics in the Northern New York Conference Seminary, Antwerp, N.Y., for two terms.

In March, 1873, he was elected principal of Dryden Union School, Dryden, Tompkins county, N.Y. Here he remained seven years, resigning his position in June, 1880. He had studied law, was admitted to practice, and intended, at this time, to enter upon the profession of law, when he received a letter from a member of the Board of Education of Kingston Free Academy, Kingston, N.Y., asking him to consider the proposition of becoming its principal. The result of the correspondence is that he became principal of this school at a salary of $2,000.

In 1882 he was asked to take a professorship in Syracuse University, but the Kingston Board of Education held out such inducements to retain him as to influence him to stay. In 1888 he was elected superintendent of schools in Olean, N.Y. Again the Board of Education at Kingston so strongly desired him to remain that he declined this attractive position. In June, 1889, he received the degree of Ph.D. from Syracuse University, on examination. In 1890 he was unanimously elected inspector of high schools and academies of New York by the Regents of the University of the State of New York. This position he accepted, and entered upon his duties in September of the same year.

He held this important office one year, when he was appointed principal of the State Normal and Training School, Cortland, N.Y. Having been confirmed as principal by the State superintendent of public instruction he resigned the office of inspector to accept this desirable and useful position, which he still holds, finding in it an agreeable field of activity and usefulness. In July, 1873, he married Lydia H., daughter of Buel G. SMITH, of Delevan, N.Y. Not a little of his success is due to the well directed helpfulness of his intelligent and clear headed wife. But 45 years of age, in perfect health, it would seem that many years of usefulness are still before him.

-contributed by 47305175 (#47305175)

b. in Warren, Penn., June 5, 1848, m. Lydia Henrietta, daughter of Buel G. and Lucy (Thornton) Smith, July 30, 1873. His wife died March 21, 1896. He lived on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, working in the summer and attending school in the winter. In this way he prepared for college in Arcade Academy, and entered Genesee College, now Syracuse University in 1868, graduating therefrom at the head of his class in 1872. Immediately after graduation he entered upon the profession of teaching, which he has followed ever since. In the fall and winter of 1872-73 he had the chair of mathematics in Ives Seminary, Antwerp, N. Y. In March, 1873 he was elected principal of the Dryden Union School, where he remained until June, 1880, when he resigned to accept the principalship of the Kingston-on-Hudson Free Academy. He retained this position until June, 1890. Under his supervision, the Academy was entirely reorganized and strengthened in its courses of study, with a consequent increase in numbers. While here, he was offered a professorship in Syracuse University, Syracuse, N. Y., and the superintendency of the City Schools of Olean, N. Y., both of which offers he declined at the earnest solicitation of the Kingston Board of Education to remain in their employ. In 1890 he was appointed Inspector of High Schools and Academies of the State of New York by the Regents of the University of the Empire State. He held this office one year, and then resigned to accept the principalship of the State Normal and Training School, Cortland, N. Y. This position he still holds. Since he became principal, the school has nearly doubled in size, a new building has been erected, and the old building completely renovated and supplied with apparatus. While in Dryden he studied law in connection with his school duties, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1880. In 1885 he travelled in Europe, visiting England and Scotland, and several countries on the continent. In 1888, Syracuse University conferred upon him the degree of Ph. D. on examination. In 1890-91 he was president of the Associated Academic Principals of the State of New York. He is a member of the State Teachers' Association, and the National Educational Association. He is often called upon to address Educational and other organizations. He was a member of the General Conference of 1896 of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being sent as a lay delegate from the Central New York Conference.

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source: https://www.seekingmyroots.com/members/files/G001508.pdf

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Dr. Francis John Cheney was the second principal of the Cortland State Normal School. He was hired in 1891 after Principal Hoose was dismissed and remained in the office until his 1912 death. Dr. Cheney grew up in Cattaraugus County, New York on a farm. Earning his Bachelor's degree in 1872 from Genesee College and in 1889 his M.A. and Ph.D. from the School of American History at Syracuse University. He also studied law with an emphasis on education and was a member of the State Bar. Before coming to Cortland, he served as Chair of Mathematics at Northern New York Conference seminary in Antwerp; Principal of Dryden Union School; and State Inspector of Academics in New York.

Cheney established a strong reputation as the Normal School's principal. He came to office in the aftermath of a controversy involving the previous principal and unified the school. Leading with a steady and firm hand, he put in place a strict code of behavior and morality including prohibition of dancing and consumption of alcohol. Cheney was deeply involved in the city of Cortland's community. He was a member and trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal Church; a Sunday School Teacher; a member of the Cortlandville Masonic Lodge where he served as Junior Warden; representative of the 6th Ward to the Cortland Board of health; founder of the Cortland Service Club; Director of the Cortland Automobile Club; and member of the Men's Foundation. According to the Cortland Standards obituary, it was said after the Mayor asked him to be on the board of health "When he (Cheney) demurred a little at the idea of accepting this appointment in addition to his other numerous duties the mayor said to him that if a man like Dr. Cheney declined to serve on the municipals boards board how could it be expected that satisfactory city government could be secured, and the doctor's reply was that he would accept and perform his duty as a citizen if such the mayor's wish."

Principal Cheney died of a heart attack in early March of 1912. His death was sudden at the age of 63, bringing heartbreak to the school and the city of Cortland. He was beloved by students, faculty and community members. In his obituary, the Cortland Standard reported, "While his success as a teacher and administrator was marked, his hold upon his faculty, students and fellow citizens was due to an even greater degree to his man likeable qualities. He was kind, true, frank, conscientious, considerate, sympathetic, friendly, upright, straightforward, thoroughly reliable, and had courage of his convictions." The senior class of 1912 gave a memorial plaque in honor of the late president that hangs in the foyer of Old Main. Principal Cheney was a unifying figure who left a legacy of sound academic training at the school. In his honor, in 1962 the college renamed North Hall, Cheney Hall.

Sources: Ralston, Cortland Standard March 11, 1912

Contributor: 47305175 (47305175)