Principals

Listed in Order of Service

1875-1891, James Harvey French, B.A., L.L.D.

1891-1897, John David Sweeney, B.S., M.S.

1897-1900, George Michael Ford, A.B., L.L.B.

1900-1901, Elmer Forrest Goodwin, A.B., A.M.

1901-1906, Arthur S. Thorn, A.B.

1906-1907, Francis Isabelle Davenport, B.S.

1907-1913, Charles L. Bemis, B.S., M.Pd.

Biographies

Linda Hill Mann provided biographies for each of the Concord State Normal School principals. Each biography is attached to the principal's photograph in the Gallery.

Background

Professor James F. Holroyd, who served on the CSNS faculty under each of these principals, wrote the following in June, 1910:

Captain James Harvey French, first principal of Concord Normal, was educated at Georgetown College, D. C., and was also a graduate of Virginia University. He was a gallant captain in the Confederate army, but after the battle of Manassas was compelled to leave the army on account of failing health. He was a man of splendid physique, scholarly attainments, tender, and sympathetic. Those students, who came under his care and instruction, love and revere his memory. For seventeen years he was Principal and a handsome monument to his memory stands upon the campus.

Mr. John D. Sweeney, who for six years had been first assistant, succeeded Capt. French in 1891. He is a graduate of West Virginia University. Under his management the school increased rapidly in numbers and efficiency. He traveled extensively and had large gains over former enrollments.  Prof. Sweeney was succeeded in 1897 by Prof. George M. Ford, also a graduate of West Virginia University.  Prof. Ford having splendid executive ability and a very laudable ambition for a successful administration of affairs immediately set to work to excel. The work and routine of the school were organized on a new basis, the Literary societies were combined; that is, the girls and boys attended and conducted the same societies which had formerly been separate as to sex. These societies have since been a very great addition to the life of the school. After three years of strenuous and successful work Mr. Ford resigned and was succeeded by Mr. Goodwin who remained only one year, faithfully executing all the duties devolving on him in that short time.

Arthur S. Thorn succeeded Mr. Goodwin. Mr. Thorn is a graduate of Emory and Henry College, Virginia. For five years he was in control accomplishing much good. The “Model School” was organized under his administration, and being very successful, became an essential feature of the Normal School. Miss Isabel Davenport of New York was appointed Principal to succeed Mr. Thorn.  She is a fine instructor, an excellent disciplinarian, and did much to perfect the “Model School” system. She remained one year.

Mr. C. L. Bemis of Ionia, Michigan, is the present incumbent. He is a man of experience in the best methods of school work, having been in charge of City Schools for sixteen years. He has installed a good laboratory in the department of chemistry, and has that department in fine working order, indeed, he has given a new impetus to all departments, and being seconded by a Faculty equal to any in the State, and the largest enrollment in the history of the school, there are no fears of his ultimate success.

The old building burned on the morning of November 22, 1910. See Early History in this chapter.

Source:  Concord State Normal School Catalogue, 1912 – 1913, pp. 9 – 10.