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Draft:John G. Crabbe

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John G. Crabbe
3rd President of University of Northern Colorado
In office
September 1, 1916 – January 13, 1924
Preceded byZachariah Xenophon Snyder
Succeeded byGeorge Willard Frasier
3rd President of Eastern Kentucky University
In office
April 9, 1910 – September 1, 1916
Preceded byMary Creegan Roark
Succeeded byThomas J. Coates
17th Kentucky Superintendent of Public Instruction
In office
January 6, 1908 – April 2, 1910
Preceded byJames H. Fuqua
Succeeded byEllsworth Regenstein
Personal details
Born(1865-11-29)November 29, 1865
Mount Sterling, Ohio
DiedJanuary 13, 1924(1924-01-13) (aged 58)
Greeley, Colorado
Resting placeLine Grove Cemetary, Greeley, Colorado
Political partyRepublican
EducationOhio Wesleyan University (AB) (MA)
Ohio University (Pd.M)

John Grant Crabbe (November 29, 1865 – January 13, 1924) was an American educator and politician who was elected as the 17th Kentucky Superintendent of Public Instruction before being chosen as the third president of Eastern Kentucky State Normal School (now Eastern Kentucky University). He served in this role for eight years before being chosen as the fourth president of the State Normal School of Colorado (now University of Northern Colorado).[1]

Early life and education

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John Grant Crabbe was born on November 29, 1865, in Mount Sterling, Ohio. He was educated locally in Madison County, and was a member of Mount Sterling High School's first graduating class in 1883.[2] Following graduation, he began his career in education teaching in Pickaway County.[3] Crabbe went on to attend Ohio Wesleyan University where he would earn an Artium Baccalaureus in 1889, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and a Master of Arts in 1892.[4] In 1897, Crabbe continued his education and earned a Master of Pedagogy from Ohio University.[4][5]

In January 1889, Crabbe would leave for Flint, Michigan, to be a professor of Greek and Latin as well as the musical director of Flint Normal College.

Throughout his life, Crabbe was awarded four honorary degrees. He received two Doctor of Laws, the first being from Berea College in 1909 and the other from Kentucky University (now University of Kentucky) in 1911. He also received two Doctor of Pedagogy degrees, the first being in 1909 from Miami University and the other from Ohio Wesleyan in 1918.[6]

Educational leadership

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Superintendent of Ashland City Schools

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During his brief tenure at Flint Normal College, Crabbe became the head of the Greek and Latin department until his move to Ashland, Kentucky in 1892.[7][8] The next year he was selected as the next superintendent of Ashland City Schools, a role he would serve in for the next 18 years.[9]

During his tenure at Ashland, Crabbe was commended as one of the most effective educators in the commonwealth. He emphasized the importance of professional development and enacted a hiring policy which required potential teachers to have at least one year of practical experience.

In 1895, he initiated the construction of a new school to contain both a junior high and high school located in central park. Completed in 1898, the structure was initially named Central High School before being rededicated as Ashland High School and finally as the John Grant Crabbe School. The structure was demolished in 1958, and Crabbe Elementary was built on the site.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

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Young John G. Crabbe, circa 1910
  • Nominated during the 1907 Republican Party of Kentucky Convention by county vote against J. C. Stapp following failed oral and standing votes[10]
  • Sworn into office on the morning of January 6, 1908.[11]
  • 2nd republican elected, one of five republicans to serve in the position total
  • Campaigned as non-political[12]
  • Oversaw transition from trustee system to county district system
  • Oversaw vast educational reforms "Sullivan Law - HB 141"[13]
  • Began whirlwind campaigns w/ public speakers in order to draw interest in public education

Presidency of Eastern Kentucky State Normal School

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  • Assumed office on April 9, 1910[7][14]
  • Resigned September 1, 1916[5][15]

Presidency of the State Normal School of Colorado

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  • Selected for presidency on June 9, 1916, by the board of trustees and announced to the public the next morning.[16]
  • Assumed office on September 1, 1916[5]

Personal Life

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He married Jennie Florence Graff, a fellow graduate of Ohio Wesleyan and resident of Delaware, Ohio, on January 29, 1889. They had no children, and remained together until John's death in 1924.

Crabbe was active in freemasonry, and was a member of the Shriners, Scottish Rite, and Knight's Templar. He also composed numerous musical works.

Death and legacy

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John Grant Crabbe Library, Eastern Kentucky University
  • John Grant Crabbe Library - Eastern Kentucky University
  • John Grant Crabbe School - Ashland, Kentucky (Demolished 1958)
  • Crabbe Elementary School - Ashland, Kentucky
  • Crabbe Hall - University of Northern Colorado

References

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  1. ^ Ellis, Bill (2005). A History of Eastern Kentucky University: The School of Opportunity. University of Kentucky Press. pp. 21–28.
  2. ^ "Neighborhood". The Circleville Democrat and Watchman. June 15, 1883. p. 2. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  3. ^ "Local Brevities". The Circleville Democrat and Watchman. June 29, 1883. p. 3. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Stone, Wilbur Fisk, ed. (1918). History of Colorado. Vol. II. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. pp. 340–342.
  5. ^ a b c "The Death of President Crabbe" (PDF). Alumni Courier. Vol. IV. pp. 6–9. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "President Crabbe". The American School. II (1): 175. January 1916 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ a b "Eastern Kentucky State Normal School". The Richmond Climax. September 14, 1910. p. 10. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  8. ^ Johnson, E. Polk (1912). A History of Kentucky and Kentuckians. Vol. II. Lewis Publishing Company. p. 643.
  9. ^ Crabbe, John Grant (July 23, 1908). "Negro Schools Discussed by Crabbe in Bulletin". Hopkinsville Kentuckian. p. 11.
  10. ^ "Have Acted - Republicans in State Convention Adopt Platform and Nominate Candidates". Mt. Sterling Advocate. June 26, 1907. p. 15.
  11. ^ "Kentucky Now Republican - All Departments Transferred to the Enemy". Hopkinsville Kentuckian. January 9, 1908. p. 1.
  12. ^ "Democrats Named - Professor Crabbe has Non-Partisan Board". The Paducah Evening Sun. December 27, 1907. p. 13.
  13. ^ "New School Law Explained". Hopkinsville Kentuckian. July 4, 1908. p. 1.
  14. ^ "The Jeffersonian, April 21, 1910". The Jeffersonian. April 21, 1910. p. 2.
  15. ^ Engle, Fred (2012-09-04). "EKU library named for a former president, John Grant Crabbe". Richmond Register. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
  16. ^ "Prof. John G. Crabbe Selected as Head of Teachers College". The Greely Daily News and The Greely Republican. June 10, 1916. p. 1.