W.A. GREESON DIES IN FLORIDA
WILLIAM A. GREESON, formerly of Grand Rapids and superintendent of city schools here for several years, died early Wednesday morning at his home at Lake Worth, Fla., where he had spent the latter years of his life. He would have been 90 years old Jan. 3.
The body will arrive here Sunday morning and will be taken to the Metcalf mortuary.
Born near the village of Alto, Ind., he began his schooling in the county schools at Howard county, Ind., and attended Howard college at Kokomo and Lebanon Normal school at Lebanon, O. He was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1879 with A.B. and A.M. degrees and then became principal of Flint high school, a position he held until 1881.
From that date until 1885 Mr. Greeson taught Latin and Greek in the Grand Rapids high schools and for the following 14 years was principal of Central high.
Leaving Grand Rapids in 1896, he became dean of the faculty and professor of mathematics at Lewis Institute in Chicago and remained at that post until 1906.
Professor Greeson was called back to Grand Rapids in 1906 to assume the superintendency of schools and remained until 1924, during which period the populations of the city grew approximately 50 per cent, with a corresponding increase in the schools enrollments. Following his retirement as superintendent of schools, the post of teacher at Junior college was offered and he accepted, remaining there for many years.
Professor Greeson always maintained his balance by keeping contact with nature, and for many summers spent part of his vacation with friends, camping in the lake and stream wilderness of Canada. He was an ardent fisherman.
Surviving are a stepson, EDWARD L. WITHEY of Grand Rapids, and a niece, MISS FLORA WOOD, who made her home with him.
THE GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., 26 Nov. 1942, Pg. 5, Col. 1, Art. 2
*****
WILLIAM A. GREESON. - It is the judgment of his co-laborers in the work of public education at Grand Rapids that William A. Greeson is entitled to be numbered among the men who have founded and fostered the best principles of the present excellent school system of the city. Originally coming to Grand Rapids in 1881, much of his earlier training was secured here, and, when he returned to the city after a protracted stay at Chicago, had attained mature manhood and ripe experience, and was admirably fitted to take a conspicuous part in fostering the common school system, and to throw himself, body and soul, into the work of establishing special institutions for the education of the wards of the city and state. It can be said of him in the retrospect of his career at Grand Rapids, that the superintendent of public schools has impressed himself upon the life and institutions of the city in a manner alike creditable to himself and productive of lasting benefit to the community. WILLIAM A. GREESON was born Jan. 30, 1853, at Alto, Howard county, Indiana, a son of DAVID and MARY (HODGES) GREESON, natives of North Carolina. His parents, who are both deceased, passed the greater part of their lives on their Indiana farm, and there their son was reared amid agricultural surroundings. He was six years old when he began to attend the district schools of Howard county, going about three months during each winter term, and that part of his education was practically finished by the time he was fourteen years old. He next attended the public schools of Kokomo, following which he pursued a course of two years at Howard College, and after he had taught school for a time entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, for further preparation for his chosen vocation of educator. After a short period, however, Mr. Greeson left the Ohio institution and resumed his studies at the Indiana University, remaining one term, and then, at Ann Arbor, during one year, took special studies in high school work. Upon his graduation from the high school in June, 1875, he entered the University of Michigan, in the arts department, where he made an especially brilliant record, in three and one-half years completing the regular five-year course and being graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. After one and one-half years as principal of the Flint High School, in 1881 Mr. Greeson came to Grand Rapids and in June, 1885, became principal of the high school here. In that earlier period of the city's school system he was executive head of the high school for eleven years, but in 1896 went to Chicago to become dean of Lewis Institute and professor of mathematics. Returning to Grand Rapids in 1906, he took charge of the entire city school system, and has continued to act in that capacity to the present time. One can readily imagine the weight of responsibility and the engrossing attention to detail which the management of the public schools of a great and growing city entail upon one who has a conscientious desire to make them practically efficient for the proper training of the youth in knowledge and morality. Having early recognized the unfortunate situation of the mentally defective children in Grand Rapids, Mr. Greeson set about to remedy the conditions with the result that the city has separate schools for those pupils under specially trained teachers. And those children are not subjected to the annoyance which was their lot under the former system; and the result of this forward movement is seen in the great mental improvement of these children. And in the matter of children who have failed to advance with the years, he has developed the plan of having special teachers for them. This plan obtains in all schools where this class of pupils are found in sufficient numbers to form classes. These are two of the many really important features that Mr. Greeson has introduced into the school system of Grand Rapids and they tend to show that education for all children to the full extent of their capacity is the desideratum. Mr. Greeson is a Republican, and his religious connection is with the Congregational church. His office is situated in the City Hall. Mr. Greeson was married, Jan. 3, 1892, to MRS. EMMA LYON WITHEY, widow of EDWARD WITHEY and daughter of T. HAWLEY LYON, who was at one time proprietor of the leading hotel of Grand Rapids. Mrs. Greeson died, Feb. 7, 1893. By her first marriage she had two children: MARIAN, who is the wife of C. N. ADAMS, of Cleveland, Ohio, and EDWARD L., who is connected with the Michigan Trust Company at Grand Rapids.
GRAND RAPIDS AND KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN (Vol. II) by Ernest B. Fisher (Editor), Robert O. Law Company, Chicago, 1918, Pgs. 138-139 (Biographical Sketch of WILLIAM A. GREESON with PHOTO)
************************~ooOoo~************************
PROF. GREESON has been granted a temporary leave of absence in which to go on his wedding trip to the Bermudas. He is to be married Jan. 7 to MRS. EMMA WITHEY.
GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Dec. 25, 1891, Pg. 5, Col. 1, Item 17 (Brief Paragraphs)
*****
NEW SUPERINTENDENT AND HIS HOMECOMING
SKETCH OF THE MAN WHO WILL DIRECT DESTINIES OF CITY SCHOOLS.
"The home-coming of Mr. Greeson." A real poem could be written on this subject, even to the extent of borrowing the lines which chronicled the home coming of the remains of John Howard Payne. You remember that poem commences:
"The banishment was overlong, but it will soon be past.
The man who wrote home's sweetest song, is coming home at last."
Because the friends of W.A. Greeson, the new superintendent of schools in this city, can only account his return to homesickness. For 10 years he was principal of the Central High school before being called to the position of dean of the Lewis Institute of Chicago. After 10 more years in that capacity, he returns to take up the arduous duties of superintendent of the schools of this city.
These same friends cannot understand why a man should give up a position of such importance with a salary of $3,000 a year and the certainty of a pension of $1,700 at the end of a certain period, to become superintendent in this city at a salary of $3,500 and no pension in sight.
GLAD TO BE HERE AGAIN.
But it is very evident that Grand Rapids has won the life long affections of both Mr. and Mrs., Greeson. It is said that they looked upon their residence in Chicago in the light of an exile from their friends and companions, and that the pangs of homesickness so preyed upon their spirits that they could no longer bear the separation.
At any rate, they are manifestly glad to be back in Grand Rapids. You can tell by a glance at the new superintendent that he is bubbling over with happiness, and that he feels like a boy again back in the haunts of his childhood. Because of this great love for Grand Rapids, the city schools could have no better guardian of their welfare.
What will be the new superintendent's watchword? Just a casual glance into his eyes will suggest the word "thoroughness." He does not look like a "quitter," neither does he impress one as being "ultra" in his educational views. It would be safe to prophecy that, while he welcomes all the so-called innovations in educational methods which look toward a more thorough preparation of the pupils for their life work, that still he will by no means allow the fundamentals to be neglected. Just as like as not, he will want the "three R's--readin', ritin, and rithmetic"--well grounded before any frills are added.
In fact, he rather intimated that he did not believe in rushing wildly into new educational pastures.
RIGHT IDEA OF SPELLING REFORM.
"Are you going to teach the Rooseveltian spelling?" he was asked point-blank.
There was just the slightest suspicion of a shrug of the shoulders, before he answered:
"I should like to follow Roosevelt on general principles," he said. "But you know that pupils must learn the old spelling, don't you, in order to make use of the literature already printed? Well, after they have learned to spell by the old method, I am perfectly willing they should learn all the new spelling they want. But I expect they will be pretty busy with the old during school hours."
That is about the right way to size up the situation, isn't it? It allows all the personal latitude possible, but it shows that the old spelling is a positive necessity, and that pupils will be kept quite busy learning the old familiar words in the dogeared spelling books.
CHAMPION OF LIBERAL EDUCATION.
"Aren't you going to try something new and startling in the educational line?" was the next leading question fired at the new superintendent in a three-minute interview.
"There is nothing new under the sun, is there?" was his noncommittal answer. "Is the kindergarten a fad today? Is manual training an experiment or a necessity in giving pupils a thorough education? Haven't these both passed the experimental stage and demonstrated their importance in school curriculums?"
These questions were given in the inflection which expresses a decided conviction, instead of a doubt, so there is no question but that Superintendent Greeson is to champion what Milton defined as a liberal education:
"I grant that a generous education which fits a man to perform justly and magnanimously all the duties of life, both of peace and war."
POSSESSED OF TIRELESS ENERGY.
It is easier to preach than to practice, but Superintendent Greeson looks like the man who is going to be so busy practicing that he won't have time for much preaching. He will not be spending much time lolling in a swivel chair with a look of supernatural wisdom on his face. Instead, he possesses the sort of tireless energy which will probably keep everybody else on the move, too.
This week there are all sorts of problems to solve. Increased accommodations must be secured in some localities. There are committee meetings galore, and tomorrow morning there will be a grand rally of all the teachers in the city to meet the new superintendent and discuss general plans for the opening day.
FIRST MEETING OF TEACHERS.
This first general teachers' meeting is the great feature of the new year. The teachers are all bubbling over with enthusiasm and so glad to see each other again. They are also gowned in their most becoming frocks, for this is the time when they get their most lasting impression of all the new teachers.
They will also be on the qui vive to see the new superintendent. Just about the whole success of the year's work depends upon the first impression they get of the new chief; and he, in turn, will be just as busy sizing up the calibre of the teaching corps before him.
But it looks very much as though Superintendent Greeson, when weighed in the balances, will not be found wanting.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Sun., Sept. 2, 1906, Pg. 4, Cols. 2-3
*****
HOW I EARNED MY FIRST DOLLAR
"I was brought up on a farm, so I didn't have much chance to earn money." said W.A. Greeson, superintendent of the Grand Rapids schools, reminiscently, as he thought of that first dollar earned.
"My father had a farm of 500 acres and, as with all country lads, I had to do my share of the work. We had four or five hired men and eight teams of horses working most of the time, but nevertheless there was plenty for me to do. There wasn't much chance for me to spend money, so I didn't want it so much as city boys do.
"One day, when I was 12 years old, however, I thought I saw a chance to earn something. In those days there used to be portable sawmills, which would be moved from one farm to another to saw lumber for the farmers. One of these came to our farm, and I immediately asked for a job.
"I was given one at once. My part of the work was to stand in a deep pit which had been dug directly under the saw to catch the sawdust as it fell from the logs.
"I shoveled all one day in that pit with the sawdust falling all over me, trying to keep from being buried. At night I quit and was given a dollar, my first, for my labors."
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jun. 1, 1916, Pg. 6, Cols. 6-7, Art. 1 (How I Earned My First Dollar)
*****
GREESON URGES RETENTION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL FUND
TELLS WOMEN OF REPUBLICAN CLUB DIVISIION THAT ITS DEATH WOULD BRING ILLITERACY.
Declaring that by doing away with the primary school fund, Michigan would be converted into a “veritable wilderness of illiteracy and ignorance,” W.A. Greeson, superintendent of schools, urged that the contemplated movement should be quashed when he spoke at a luncheon meeting yesterday noon of the women’s division, Lincoln Republican club. The meeting was held in the parish house of St. Mark’s pro-cathedral.
“I understand that a movement to revoke the constitutional amendment providing for the primary school fund is gaining way,” he said. “Supporters of that movement soon hope to submit their issue to the people. I believe the movement is ill-advised, and should it be successful Michigan’s school system would be plunged into chaos.
“By the provisions of this amendment, which has now been in effect 20 years, telephone and telegraph companies, railroads, and express companies are taxed, and the proceeds from this tax makes a fund amounting to approximately $11 for every pupil in the state. This fund is of great help in financing the schools of the state. In fact, without it a large number of Michigan’s schools would be unable to exist.
“Grand Rapids, too, would be hard hit. Each year the city receives about $140,000, which goes far in the financing of our school system. This financial help is what has developed the Grand Rapids school system from an indifferent one to a very excellent one. Without it, we probably would be unable to maintain what schools we have now.
“The primary school fund amendment was, of course, a compromise measure designed to meet the inadequacy of the old primary fund law. It has functioned successfully for 20 years though, and I see no good reason for destroying it.”
Mr. Greeson also dwelt on the provisions of the proposed Towner-Sterling bill. This bill would make a $100,000,000 appropriation to promote equalization of educational opportunities, to aid in training teachers, to educate emigrants, help Americanization, increase physical education, and increase other educational facilities.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jan. 25, 1923, Pg. 3, Cols. 2-3 (Greeson Urges Retention of Primary School Fund)
*****
GREESON AT 70 LEAVES FOR MONTH IN CANADIAN WILDS
WILLIAM A. GREESON, superintendent of schools, leaves tonight for a month's vacation in the Canadian wilds. Ever since 1885 the veteran school master has spent his vacations with Dr. C.B. Reed, of Chicago, canoeing on one of the nameless rivers in Ontario which empties into Lake Superior.
"Never have we seen any signs of human habitation," said Mr. Greeson yesterday. "We have never seen a human being, white man or Indian, other than those in our own party. I doubt very much whether any but ourselves have ever explored this territory," Mr. Greeson is 70 years old.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Tues., July 24, 1923, Pg. 3, Col. 4, Art. 3
WILLIAM A. GREESON, formerly of Grand Rapids and superintendent of city schools here for several years, died early Wednesday morning at his home at Lake Worth, Fla., where he had spent the latter years of his life. He would have been 90 years old Jan. 3.
The body will arrive here Sunday morning and will be taken to the Metcalf mortuary.
Born near the village of Alto, Ind., he began his schooling in the county schools at Howard county, Ind., and attended Howard college at Kokomo and Lebanon Normal school at Lebanon, O. He was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1879 with A.B. and A.M. degrees and then became principal of Flint high school, a position he held until 1881.
From that date until 1885 Mr. Greeson taught Latin and Greek in the Grand Rapids high schools and for the following 14 years was principal of Central high.
Leaving Grand Rapids in 1896, he became dean of the faculty and professor of mathematics at Lewis Institute in Chicago and remained at that post until 1906.
Professor Greeson was called back to Grand Rapids in 1906 to assume the superintendency of schools and remained until 1924, during which period the populations of the city grew approximately 50 per cent, with a corresponding increase in the schools enrollments. Following his retirement as superintendent of schools, the post of teacher at Junior college was offered and he accepted, remaining there for many years.
Professor Greeson always maintained his balance by keeping contact with nature, and for many summers spent part of his vacation with friends, camping in the lake and stream wilderness of Canada. He was an ardent fisherman.
Surviving are a stepson, EDWARD L. WITHEY of Grand Rapids, and a niece, MISS FLORA WOOD, who made her home with him.
THE GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., 26 Nov. 1942, Pg. 5, Col. 1, Art. 2
*****
WILLIAM A. GREESON. - It is the judgment of his co-laborers in the work of public education at Grand Rapids that William A. Greeson is entitled to be numbered among the men who have founded and fostered the best principles of the present excellent school system of the city. Originally coming to Grand Rapids in 1881, much of his earlier training was secured here, and, when he returned to the city after a protracted stay at Chicago, had attained mature manhood and ripe experience, and was admirably fitted to take a conspicuous part in fostering the common school system, and to throw himself, body and soul, into the work of establishing special institutions for the education of the wards of the city and state. It can be said of him in the retrospect of his career at Grand Rapids, that the superintendent of public schools has impressed himself upon the life and institutions of the city in a manner alike creditable to himself and productive of lasting benefit to the community. WILLIAM A. GREESON was born Jan. 30, 1853, at Alto, Howard county, Indiana, a son of DAVID and MARY (HODGES) GREESON, natives of North Carolina. His parents, who are both deceased, passed the greater part of their lives on their Indiana farm, and there their son was reared amid agricultural surroundings. He was six years old when he began to attend the district schools of Howard county, going about three months during each winter term, and that part of his education was practically finished by the time he was fourteen years old. He next attended the public schools of Kokomo, following which he pursued a course of two years at Howard College, and after he had taught school for a time entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, for further preparation for his chosen vocation of educator. After a short period, however, Mr. Greeson left the Ohio institution and resumed his studies at the Indiana University, remaining one term, and then, at Ann Arbor, during one year, took special studies in high school work. Upon his graduation from the high school in June, 1875, he entered the University of Michigan, in the arts department, where he made an especially brilliant record, in three and one-half years completing the regular five-year course and being graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. After one and one-half years as principal of the Flint High School, in 1881 Mr. Greeson came to Grand Rapids and in June, 1885, became principal of the high school here. In that earlier period of the city's school system he was executive head of the high school for eleven years, but in 1896 went to Chicago to become dean of Lewis Institute and professor of mathematics. Returning to Grand Rapids in 1906, he took charge of the entire city school system, and has continued to act in that capacity to the present time. One can readily imagine the weight of responsibility and the engrossing attention to detail which the management of the public schools of a great and growing city entail upon one who has a conscientious desire to make them practically efficient for the proper training of the youth in knowledge and morality. Having early recognized the unfortunate situation of the mentally defective children in Grand Rapids, Mr. Greeson set about to remedy the conditions with the result that the city has separate schools for those pupils under specially trained teachers. And those children are not subjected to the annoyance which was their lot under the former system; and the result of this forward movement is seen in the great mental improvement of these children. And in the matter of children who have failed to advance with the years, he has developed the plan of having special teachers for them. This plan obtains in all schools where this class of pupils are found in sufficient numbers to form classes. These are two of the many really important features that Mr. Greeson has introduced into the school system of Grand Rapids and they tend to show that education for all children to the full extent of their capacity is the desideratum. Mr. Greeson is a Republican, and his religious connection is with the Congregational church. His office is situated in the City Hall. Mr. Greeson was married, Jan. 3, 1892, to MRS. EMMA LYON WITHEY, widow of EDWARD WITHEY and daughter of T. HAWLEY LYON, who was at one time proprietor of the leading hotel of Grand Rapids. Mrs. Greeson died, Feb. 7, 1893. By her first marriage she had two children: MARIAN, who is the wife of C. N. ADAMS, of Cleveland, Ohio, and EDWARD L., who is connected with the Michigan Trust Company at Grand Rapids.
GRAND RAPIDS AND KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN (Vol. II) by Ernest B. Fisher (Editor), Robert O. Law Company, Chicago, 1918, Pgs. 138-139 (Biographical Sketch of WILLIAM A. GREESON with PHOTO)
************************~ooOoo~************************
PROF. GREESON has been granted a temporary leave of absence in which to go on his wedding trip to the Bermudas. He is to be married Jan. 7 to MRS. EMMA WITHEY.
GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Dec. 25, 1891, Pg. 5, Col. 1, Item 17 (Brief Paragraphs)
*****
NEW SUPERINTENDENT AND HIS HOMECOMING
SKETCH OF THE MAN WHO WILL DIRECT DESTINIES OF CITY SCHOOLS.
"The home-coming of Mr. Greeson." A real poem could be written on this subject, even to the extent of borrowing the lines which chronicled the home coming of the remains of John Howard Payne. You remember that poem commences:
"The banishment was overlong, but it will soon be past.
The man who wrote home's sweetest song, is coming home at last."
Because the friends of W.A. Greeson, the new superintendent of schools in this city, can only account his return to homesickness. For 10 years he was principal of the Central High school before being called to the position of dean of the Lewis Institute of Chicago. After 10 more years in that capacity, he returns to take up the arduous duties of superintendent of the schools of this city.
These same friends cannot understand why a man should give up a position of such importance with a salary of $3,000 a year and the certainty of a pension of $1,700 at the end of a certain period, to become superintendent in this city at a salary of $3,500 and no pension in sight.
GLAD TO BE HERE AGAIN.
But it is very evident that Grand Rapids has won the life long affections of both Mr. and Mrs., Greeson. It is said that they looked upon their residence in Chicago in the light of an exile from their friends and companions, and that the pangs of homesickness so preyed upon their spirits that they could no longer bear the separation.
At any rate, they are manifestly glad to be back in Grand Rapids. You can tell by a glance at the new superintendent that he is bubbling over with happiness, and that he feels like a boy again back in the haunts of his childhood. Because of this great love for Grand Rapids, the city schools could have no better guardian of their welfare.
What will be the new superintendent's watchword? Just a casual glance into his eyes will suggest the word "thoroughness." He does not look like a "quitter," neither does he impress one as being "ultra" in his educational views. It would be safe to prophecy that, while he welcomes all the so-called innovations in educational methods which look toward a more thorough preparation of the pupils for their life work, that still he will by no means allow the fundamentals to be neglected. Just as like as not, he will want the "three R's--readin', ritin, and rithmetic"--well grounded before any frills are added.
In fact, he rather intimated that he did not believe in rushing wildly into new educational pastures.
RIGHT IDEA OF SPELLING REFORM.
"Are you going to teach the Rooseveltian spelling?" he was asked point-blank.
There was just the slightest suspicion of a shrug of the shoulders, before he answered:
"I should like to follow Roosevelt on general principles," he said. "But you know that pupils must learn the old spelling, don't you, in order to make use of the literature already printed? Well, after they have learned to spell by the old method, I am perfectly willing they should learn all the new spelling they want. But I expect they will be pretty busy with the old during school hours."
That is about the right way to size up the situation, isn't it? It allows all the personal latitude possible, but it shows that the old spelling is a positive necessity, and that pupils will be kept quite busy learning the old familiar words in the dogeared spelling books.
CHAMPION OF LIBERAL EDUCATION.
"Aren't you going to try something new and startling in the educational line?" was the next leading question fired at the new superintendent in a three-minute interview.
"There is nothing new under the sun, is there?" was his noncommittal answer. "Is the kindergarten a fad today? Is manual training an experiment or a necessity in giving pupils a thorough education? Haven't these both passed the experimental stage and demonstrated their importance in school curriculums?"
These questions were given in the inflection which expresses a decided conviction, instead of a doubt, so there is no question but that Superintendent Greeson is to champion what Milton defined as a liberal education:
"I grant that a generous education which fits a man to perform justly and magnanimously all the duties of life, both of peace and war."
POSSESSED OF TIRELESS ENERGY.
It is easier to preach than to practice, but Superintendent Greeson looks like the man who is going to be so busy practicing that he won't have time for much preaching. He will not be spending much time lolling in a swivel chair with a look of supernatural wisdom on his face. Instead, he possesses the sort of tireless energy which will probably keep everybody else on the move, too.
This week there are all sorts of problems to solve. Increased accommodations must be secured in some localities. There are committee meetings galore, and tomorrow morning there will be a grand rally of all the teachers in the city to meet the new superintendent and discuss general plans for the opening day.
FIRST MEETING OF TEACHERS.
This first general teachers' meeting is the great feature of the new year. The teachers are all bubbling over with enthusiasm and so glad to see each other again. They are also gowned in their most becoming frocks, for this is the time when they get their most lasting impression of all the new teachers.
They will also be on the qui vive to see the new superintendent. Just about the whole success of the year's work depends upon the first impression they get of the new chief; and he, in turn, will be just as busy sizing up the calibre of the teaching corps before him.
But it looks very much as though Superintendent Greeson, when weighed in the balances, will not be found wanting.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Sun., Sept. 2, 1906, Pg. 4, Cols. 2-3
*****
HOW I EARNED MY FIRST DOLLAR
"I was brought up on a farm, so I didn't have much chance to earn money." said W.A. Greeson, superintendent of the Grand Rapids schools, reminiscently, as he thought of that first dollar earned.
"My father had a farm of 500 acres and, as with all country lads, I had to do my share of the work. We had four or five hired men and eight teams of horses working most of the time, but nevertheless there was plenty for me to do. There wasn't much chance for me to spend money, so I didn't want it so much as city boys do.
"One day, when I was 12 years old, however, I thought I saw a chance to earn something. In those days there used to be portable sawmills, which would be moved from one farm to another to saw lumber for the farmers. One of these came to our farm, and I immediately asked for a job.
"I was given one at once. My part of the work was to stand in a deep pit which had been dug directly under the saw to catch the sawdust as it fell from the logs.
"I shoveled all one day in that pit with the sawdust falling all over me, trying to keep from being buried. At night I quit and was given a dollar, my first, for my labors."
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jun. 1, 1916, Pg. 6, Cols. 6-7, Art. 1 (How I Earned My First Dollar)
*****
GREESON URGES RETENTION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL FUND
TELLS WOMEN OF REPUBLICAN CLUB DIVISIION THAT ITS DEATH WOULD BRING ILLITERACY.
Declaring that by doing away with the primary school fund, Michigan would be converted into a “veritable wilderness of illiteracy and ignorance,” W.A. Greeson, superintendent of schools, urged that the contemplated movement should be quashed when he spoke at a luncheon meeting yesterday noon of the women’s division, Lincoln Republican club. The meeting was held in the parish house of St. Mark’s pro-cathedral.
“I understand that a movement to revoke the constitutional amendment providing for the primary school fund is gaining way,” he said. “Supporters of that movement soon hope to submit their issue to the people. I believe the movement is ill-advised, and should it be successful Michigan’s school system would be plunged into chaos.
“By the provisions of this amendment, which has now been in effect 20 years, telephone and telegraph companies, railroads, and express companies are taxed, and the proceeds from this tax makes a fund amounting to approximately $11 for every pupil in the state. This fund is of great help in financing the schools of the state. In fact, without it a large number of Michigan’s schools would be unable to exist.
“Grand Rapids, too, would be hard hit. Each year the city receives about $140,000, which goes far in the financing of our school system. This financial help is what has developed the Grand Rapids school system from an indifferent one to a very excellent one. Without it, we probably would be unable to maintain what schools we have now.
“The primary school fund amendment was, of course, a compromise measure designed to meet the inadequacy of the old primary fund law. It has functioned successfully for 20 years though, and I see no good reason for destroying it.”
Mr. Greeson also dwelt on the provisions of the proposed Towner-Sterling bill. This bill would make a $100,000,000 appropriation to promote equalization of educational opportunities, to aid in training teachers, to educate emigrants, help Americanization, increase physical education, and increase other educational facilities.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jan. 25, 1923, Pg. 3, Cols. 2-3 (Greeson Urges Retention of Primary School Fund)
*****
GREESON AT 70 LEAVES FOR MONTH IN CANADIAN WILDS
WILLIAM A. GREESON, superintendent of schools, leaves tonight for a month's vacation in the Canadian wilds. Ever since 1885 the veteran school master has spent his vacations with Dr. C.B. Reed, of Chicago, canoeing on one of the nameless rivers in Ontario which empties into Lake Superior.
"Never have we seen any signs of human habitation," said Mr. Greeson yesterday. "We have never seen a human being, white man or Indian, other than those in our own party. I doubt very much whether any but ourselves have ever explored this territory," Mr. Greeson is 70 years old.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Tues., July 24, 1923, Pg. 3, Col. 4, Art. 3
W.A. GREESON DIES IN FLORIDA
WILLIAM A. GREESON, formerly of Grand Rapids and superintendent of city schools here for several years, died early Wednesday morning at his home at Lake Worth, Fla., where he had spent the latter years of his life. He would have been 90 years old Jan. 3.
The body will arrive here Sunday morning and will be taken to the Metcalf mortuary.
Born near the village of Alto, Ind., he began his schooling in the county schools at Howard county, Ind., and attended Howard college at Kokomo and Lebanon Normal school at Lebanon, O. He was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1879 with A.B. and A.M. degrees and then became principal of Flint high school, a position he held until 1881.
From that date until 1885 Mr. Greeson taught Latin and Greek in the Grand Rapids high schools and for the following 14 years was principal of Central high.
Leaving Grand Rapids in 1896, he became dean of the faculty and professor of mathematics at Lewis Institute in Chicago and remained at that post until 1906.
Professor Greeson was called back to Grand Rapids in 1906 to assume the superintendency of schools and remained until 1924, during which period the populations of the city grew approximately 50 per cent, with a corresponding increase in the schools enrollments. Following his retirement as superintendent of schools, the post of teacher at Junior college was offered and he accepted, remaining there for many years.
Professor Greeson always maintained his balance by keeping contact with nature, and for many summers spent part of his vacation with friends, camping in the lake and stream wilderness of Canada. He was an ardent fisherman.
Surviving are a stepson, EDWARD L. WITHEY of Grand Rapids, and a niece, MISS FLORA WOOD, who made her home with him.
THE GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., 26 Nov. 1942, Pg. 5, Col. 1, Art. 2
*****
WILLIAM A. GREESON. - It is the judgment of his co-laborers in the work of public education at Grand Rapids that William A. Greeson is entitled to be numbered among the men who have founded and fostered the best principles of the present excellent school system of the city. Originally coming to Grand Rapids in 1881, much of his earlier training was secured here, and, when he returned to the city after a protracted stay at Chicago, had attained mature manhood and ripe experience, and was admirably fitted to take a conspicuous part in fostering the common school system, and to throw himself, body and soul, into the work of establishing special institutions for the education of the wards of the city and state. It can be said of him in the retrospect of his career at Grand Rapids, that the superintendent of public schools has impressed himself upon the life and institutions of the city in a manner alike creditable to himself and productive of lasting benefit to the community. WILLIAM A. GREESON was born Jan. 30, 1853, at Alto, Howard county, Indiana, a son of DAVID and MARY (HODGES) GREESON, natives of North Carolina. His parents, who are both deceased, passed the greater part of their lives on their Indiana farm, and there their son was reared amid agricultural surroundings. He was six years old when he began to attend the district schools of Howard county, going about three months during each winter term, and that part of his education was practically finished by the time he was fourteen years old. He next attended the public schools of Kokomo, following which he pursued a course of two years at Howard College, and after he had taught school for a time entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, for further preparation for his chosen vocation of educator. After a short period, however, Mr. Greeson left the Ohio institution and resumed his studies at the Indiana University, remaining one term, and then, at Ann Arbor, during one year, took special studies in high school work. Upon his graduation from the high school in June, 1875, he entered the University of Michigan, in the arts department, where he made an especially brilliant record, in three and one-half years completing the regular five-year course and being graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. After one and one-half years as principal of the Flint High School, in 1881 Mr. Greeson came to Grand Rapids and in June, 1885, became principal of the high school here. In that earlier period of the city's school system he was executive head of the high school for eleven years, but in 1896 went to Chicago to become dean of Lewis Institute and professor of mathematics. Returning to Grand Rapids in 1906, he took charge of the entire city school system, and has continued to act in that capacity to the present time. One can readily imagine the weight of responsibility and the engrossing attention to detail which the management of the public schools of a great and growing city entail upon one who has a conscientious desire to make them practically efficient for the proper training of the youth in knowledge and morality. Having early recognized the unfortunate situation of the mentally defective children in Grand Rapids, Mr. Greeson set about to remedy the conditions with the result that the city has separate schools for those pupils under specially trained teachers. And those children are not subjected to the annoyance which was their lot under the former system; and the result of this forward movement is seen in the great mental improvement of these children. And in the matter of children who have failed to advance with the years, he has developed the plan of having special teachers for them. This plan obtains in all schools where this class of pupils are found in sufficient numbers to form classes. These are two of the many really important features that Mr. Greeson has introduced into the school system of Grand Rapids and they tend to show that education for all children to the full extent of their capacity is the desideratum. Mr. Greeson is a Republican, and his religious connection is with the Congregational church. His office is situated in the City Hall. Mr. Greeson was married, Jan. 3, 1892, to MRS. EMMA LYON WITHEY, widow of EDWARD WITHEY and daughter of T. HAWLEY LYON, who was at one time proprietor of the leading hotel of Grand Rapids. Mrs. Greeson died, Feb. 7, 1893. By her first marriage she had two children: MARIAN, who is the wife of C. N. ADAMS, of Cleveland, Ohio, and EDWARD L., who is connected with the Michigan Trust Company at Grand Rapids.
GRAND RAPIDS AND KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN (Vol. II) by Ernest B. Fisher (Editor), Robert O. Law Company, Chicago, 1918, Pgs. 138-139 (Biographical Sketch of WILLIAM A. GREESON with PHOTO)
************************~ooOoo~************************
PROF. GREESON has been granted a temporary leave of absence in which to go on his wedding trip to the Bermudas. He is to be married Jan. 7 to MRS. EMMA WITHEY.
GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Dec. 25, 1891, Pg. 5, Col. 1, Item 17 (Brief Paragraphs)
*****
NEW SUPERINTENDENT AND HIS HOMECOMING
SKETCH OF THE MAN WHO WILL DIRECT DESTINIES OF CITY SCHOOLS.
"The home-coming of Mr. Greeson." A real poem could be written on this subject, even to the extent of borrowing the lines which chronicled the home coming of the remains of John Howard Payne. You remember that poem commences:
"The banishment was overlong, but it will soon be past.
The man who wrote home's sweetest song, is coming home at last."
Because the friends of W.A. Greeson, the new superintendent of schools in this city, can only account his return to homesickness. For 10 years he was principal of the Central High school before being called to the position of dean of the Lewis Institute of Chicago. After 10 more years in that capacity, he returns to take up the arduous duties of superintendent of the schools of this city.
These same friends cannot understand why a man should give up a position of such importance with a salary of $3,000 a year and the certainty of a pension of $1,700 at the end of a certain period, to become superintendent in this city at a salary of $3,500 and no pension in sight.
GLAD TO BE HERE AGAIN.
But it is very evident that Grand Rapids has won the life long affections of both Mr. and Mrs., Greeson. It is said that they looked upon their residence in Chicago in the light of an exile from their friends and companions, and that the pangs of homesickness so preyed upon their spirits that they could no longer bear the separation.
At any rate, they are manifestly glad to be back in Grand Rapids. You can tell by a glance at the new superintendent that he is bubbling over with happiness, and that he feels like a boy again back in the haunts of his childhood. Because of this great love for Grand Rapids, the city schools could have no better guardian of their welfare.
What will be the new superintendent's watchword? Just a casual glance into his eyes will suggest the word "thoroughness." He does not look like a "quitter," neither does he impress one as being "ultra" in his educational views. It would be safe to prophecy that, while he welcomes all the so-called innovations in educational methods which look toward a more thorough preparation of the pupils for their life work, that still he will by no means allow the fundamentals to be neglected. Just as like as not, he will want the "three R's--readin', ritin, and rithmetic"--well grounded before any frills are added.
In fact, he rather intimated that he did not believe in rushing wildly into new educational pastures.
RIGHT IDEA OF SPELLING REFORM.
"Are you going to teach the Rooseveltian spelling?" he was asked point-blank.
There was just the slightest suspicion of a shrug of the shoulders, before he answered:
"I should like to follow Roosevelt on general principles," he said. "But you know that pupils must learn the old spelling, don't you, in order to make use of the literature already printed? Well, after they have learned to spell by the old method, I am perfectly willing they should learn all the new spelling they want. But I expect they will be pretty busy with the old during school hours."
That is about the right way to size up the situation, isn't it? It allows all the personal latitude possible, but it shows that the old spelling is a positive necessity, and that pupils will be kept quite busy learning the old familiar words in the dogeared spelling books.
CHAMPION OF LIBERAL EDUCATION.
"Aren't you going to try something new and startling in the educational line?" was the next leading question fired at the new superintendent in a three-minute interview.
"There is nothing new under the sun, is there?" was his noncommittal answer. "Is the kindergarten a fad today? Is manual training an experiment or a necessity in giving pupils a thorough education? Haven't these both passed the experimental stage and demonstrated their importance in school curriculums?"
These questions were given in the inflection which expresses a decided conviction, instead of a doubt, so there is no question but that Superintendent Greeson is to champion what Milton defined as a liberal education:
"I grant that a generous education which fits a man to perform justly and magnanimously all the duties of life, both of peace and war."
POSSESSED OF TIRELESS ENERGY.
It is easier to preach than to practice, but Superintendent Greeson looks like the man who is going to be so busy practicing that he won't have time for much preaching. He will not be spending much time lolling in a swivel chair with a look of supernatural wisdom on his face. Instead, he possesses the sort of tireless energy which will probably keep everybody else on the move, too.
This week there are all sorts of problems to solve. Increased accommodations must be secured in some localities. There are committee meetings galore, and tomorrow morning there will be a grand rally of all the teachers in the city to meet the new superintendent and discuss general plans for the opening day.
FIRST MEETING OF TEACHERS.
This first general teachers' meeting is the great feature of the new year. The teachers are all bubbling over with enthusiasm and so glad to see each other again. They are also gowned in their most becoming frocks, for this is the time when they get their most lasting impression of all the new teachers.
They will also be on the qui vive to see the new superintendent. Just about the whole success of the year's work depends upon the first impression they get of the new chief; and he, in turn, will be just as busy sizing up the calibre of the teaching corps before him.
But it looks very much as though Superintendent Greeson, when weighed in the balances, will not be found wanting.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Sun., Sept. 2, 1906, Pg. 4, Cols. 2-3
*****
HOW I EARNED MY FIRST DOLLAR
"I was brought up on a farm, so I didn't have much chance to earn money." said W.A. Greeson, superintendent of the Grand Rapids schools, reminiscently, as he thought of that first dollar earned.
"My father had a farm of 500 acres and, as with all country lads, I had to do my share of the work. We had four or five hired men and eight teams of horses working most of the time, but nevertheless there was plenty for me to do. There wasn't much chance for me to spend money, so I didn't want it so much as city boys do.
"One day, when I was 12 years old, however, I thought I saw a chance to earn something. In those days there used to be portable sawmills, which would be moved from one farm to another to saw lumber for the farmers. One of these came to our farm, and I immediately asked for a job.
"I was given one at once. My part of the work was to stand in a deep pit which had been dug directly under the saw to catch the sawdust as it fell from the logs.
"I shoveled all one day in that pit with the sawdust falling all over me, trying to keep from being buried. At night I quit and was given a dollar, my first, for my labors."
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jun. 1, 1916, Pg. 6, Cols. 6-7, Art. 1 (How I Earned My First Dollar)
*****
GREESON URGES RETENTION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL FUND
TELLS WOMEN OF REPUBLICAN CLUB DIVISIION THAT ITS DEATH WOULD BRING ILLITERACY.
Declaring that by doing away with the primary school fund, Michigan would be converted into a “veritable wilderness of illiteracy and ignorance,” W.A. Greeson, superintendent of schools, urged that the contemplated movement should be quashed when he spoke at a luncheon meeting yesterday noon of the women’s division, Lincoln Republican club. The meeting was held in the parish house of St. Mark’s pro-cathedral.
“I understand that a movement to revoke the constitutional amendment providing for the primary school fund is gaining way,” he said. “Supporters of that movement soon hope to submit their issue to the people. I believe the movement is ill-advised, and should it be successful Michigan’s school system would be plunged into chaos.
“By the provisions of this amendment, which has now been in effect 20 years, telephone and telegraph companies, railroads, and express companies are taxed, and the proceeds from this tax makes a fund amounting to approximately $11 for every pupil in the state. This fund is of great help in financing the schools of the state. In fact, without it a large number of Michigan’s schools would be unable to exist.
“Grand Rapids, too, would be hard hit. Each year the city receives about $140,000, which goes far in the financing of our school system. This financial help is what has developed the Grand Rapids school system from an indifferent one to a very excellent one. Without it, we probably would be unable to maintain what schools we have now.
“The primary school fund amendment was, of course, a compromise measure designed to meet the inadequacy of the old primary fund law. It has functioned successfully for 20 years though, and I see no good reason for destroying it.”
Mr. Greeson also dwelt on the provisions of the proposed Towner-Sterling bill. This bill would make a $100,000,000 appropriation to promote equalization of educational opportunities, to aid in training teachers, to educate emigrants, help Americanization, increase physical education, and increase other educational facilities.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jan. 25, 1923, Pg. 3, Cols. 2-3 (Greeson Urges Retention of Primary School Fund)
*****
GREESON AT 70 LEAVES FOR MONTH IN CANADIAN WILDS
WILLIAM A. GREESON, superintendent of schools, leaves tonight for a month's vacation in the Canadian wilds. Ever since 1885 the veteran school master has spent his vacations with Dr. C.B. Reed, of Chicago, canoeing on one of the nameless rivers in Ontario which empties into Lake Superior.
"Never have we seen any signs of human habitation," said Mr. Greeson yesterday. "We have never seen a human being, white man or Indian, other than those in our own party. I doubt very much whether any but ourselves have ever explored this territory," Mr. Greeson is 70 years old.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Tues., July 24, 1923, Pg. 3, Col. 4, Art. 3
WILLIAM A. GREESON, formerly of Grand Rapids and superintendent of city schools here for several years, died early Wednesday morning at his home at Lake Worth, Fla., where he had spent the latter years of his life. He would have been 90 years old Jan. 3.
The body will arrive here Sunday morning and will be taken to the Metcalf mortuary.
Born near the village of Alto, Ind., he began his schooling in the county schools at Howard county, Ind., and attended Howard college at Kokomo and Lebanon Normal school at Lebanon, O. He was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1879 with A.B. and A.M. degrees and then became principal of Flint high school, a position he held until 1881.
From that date until 1885 Mr. Greeson taught Latin and Greek in the Grand Rapids high schools and for the following 14 years was principal of Central high.
Leaving Grand Rapids in 1896, he became dean of the faculty and professor of mathematics at Lewis Institute in Chicago and remained at that post until 1906.
Professor Greeson was called back to Grand Rapids in 1906 to assume the superintendency of schools and remained until 1924, during which period the populations of the city grew approximately 50 per cent, with a corresponding increase in the schools enrollments. Following his retirement as superintendent of schools, the post of teacher at Junior college was offered and he accepted, remaining there for many years.
Professor Greeson always maintained his balance by keeping contact with nature, and for many summers spent part of his vacation with friends, camping in the lake and stream wilderness of Canada. He was an ardent fisherman.
Surviving are a stepson, EDWARD L. WITHEY of Grand Rapids, and a niece, MISS FLORA WOOD, who made her home with him.
THE GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., 26 Nov. 1942, Pg. 5, Col. 1, Art. 2
*****
WILLIAM A. GREESON. - It is the judgment of his co-laborers in the work of public education at Grand Rapids that William A. Greeson is entitled to be numbered among the men who have founded and fostered the best principles of the present excellent school system of the city. Originally coming to Grand Rapids in 1881, much of his earlier training was secured here, and, when he returned to the city after a protracted stay at Chicago, had attained mature manhood and ripe experience, and was admirably fitted to take a conspicuous part in fostering the common school system, and to throw himself, body and soul, into the work of establishing special institutions for the education of the wards of the city and state. It can be said of him in the retrospect of his career at Grand Rapids, that the superintendent of public schools has impressed himself upon the life and institutions of the city in a manner alike creditable to himself and productive of lasting benefit to the community. WILLIAM A. GREESON was born Jan. 30, 1853, at Alto, Howard county, Indiana, a son of DAVID and MARY (HODGES) GREESON, natives of North Carolina. His parents, who are both deceased, passed the greater part of their lives on their Indiana farm, and there their son was reared amid agricultural surroundings. He was six years old when he began to attend the district schools of Howard county, going about three months during each winter term, and that part of his education was practically finished by the time he was fourteen years old. He next attended the public schools of Kokomo, following which he pursued a course of two years at Howard College, and after he had taught school for a time entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, for further preparation for his chosen vocation of educator. After a short period, however, Mr. Greeson left the Ohio institution and resumed his studies at the Indiana University, remaining one term, and then, at Ann Arbor, during one year, took special studies in high school work. Upon his graduation from the high school in June, 1875, he entered the University of Michigan, in the arts department, where he made an especially brilliant record, in three and one-half years completing the regular five-year course and being graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. After one and one-half years as principal of the Flint High School, in 1881 Mr. Greeson came to Grand Rapids and in June, 1885, became principal of the high school here. In that earlier period of the city's school system he was executive head of the high school for eleven years, but in 1896 went to Chicago to become dean of Lewis Institute and professor of mathematics. Returning to Grand Rapids in 1906, he took charge of the entire city school system, and has continued to act in that capacity to the present time. One can readily imagine the weight of responsibility and the engrossing attention to detail which the management of the public schools of a great and growing city entail upon one who has a conscientious desire to make them practically efficient for the proper training of the youth in knowledge and morality. Having early recognized the unfortunate situation of the mentally defective children in Grand Rapids, Mr. Greeson set about to remedy the conditions with the result that the city has separate schools for those pupils under specially trained teachers. And those children are not subjected to the annoyance which was their lot under the former system; and the result of this forward movement is seen in the great mental improvement of these children. And in the matter of children who have failed to advance with the years, he has developed the plan of having special teachers for them. This plan obtains in all schools where this class of pupils are found in sufficient numbers to form classes. These are two of the many really important features that Mr. Greeson has introduced into the school system of Grand Rapids and they tend to show that education for all children to the full extent of their capacity is the desideratum. Mr. Greeson is a Republican, and his religious connection is with the Congregational church. His office is situated in the City Hall. Mr. Greeson was married, Jan. 3, 1892, to MRS. EMMA LYON WITHEY, widow of EDWARD WITHEY and daughter of T. HAWLEY LYON, who was at one time proprietor of the leading hotel of Grand Rapids. Mrs. Greeson died, Feb. 7, 1893. By her first marriage she had two children: MARIAN, who is the wife of C. N. ADAMS, of Cleveland, Ohio, and EDWARD L., who is connected with the Michigan Trust Company at Grand Rapids.
GRAND RAPIDS AND KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN (Vol. II) by Ernest B. Fisher (Editor), Robert O. Law Company, Chicago, 1918, Pgs. 138-139 (Biographical Sketch of WILLIAM A. GREESON with PHOTO)
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PROF. GREESON has been granted a temporary leave of absence in which to go on his wedding trip to the Bermudas. He is to be married Jan. 7 to MRS. EMMA WITHEY.
GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Dec. 25, 1891, Pg. 5, Col. 1, Item 17 (Brief Paragraphs)
*****
NEW SUPERINTENDENT AND HIS HOMECOMING
SKETCH OF THE MAN WHO WILL DIRECT DESTINIES OF CITY SCHOOLS.
"The home-coming of Mr. Greeson." A real poem could be written on this subject, even to the extent of borrowing the lines which chronicled the home coming of the remains of John Howard Payne. You remember that poem commences:
"The banishment was overlong, but it will soon be past.
The man who wrote home's sweetest song, is coming home at last."
Because the friends of W.A. Greeson, the new superintendent of schools in this city, can only account his return to homesickness. For 10 years he was principal of the Central High school before being called to the position of dean of the Lewis Institute of Chicago. After 10 more years in that capacity, he returns to take up the arduous duties of superintendent of the schools of this city.
These same friends cannot understand why a man should give up a position of such importance with a salary of $3,000 a year and the certainty of a pension of $1,700 at the end of a certain period, to become superintendent in this city at a salary of $3,500 and no pension in sight.
GLAD TO BE HERE AGAIN.
But it is very evident that Grand Rapids has won the life long affections of both Mr. and Mrs., Greeson. It is said that they looked upon their residence in Chicago in the light of an exile from their friends and companions, and that the pangs of homesickness so preyed upon their spirits that they could no longer bear the separation.
At any rate, they are manifestly glad to be back in Grand Rapids. You can tell by a glance at the new superintendent that he is bubbling over with happiness, and that he feels like a boy again back in the haunts of his childhood. Because of this great love for Grand Rapids, the city schools could have no better guardian of their welfare.
What will be the new superintendent's watchword? Just a casual glance into his eyes will suggest the word "thoroughness." He does not look like a "quitter," neither does he impress one as being "ultra" in his educational views. It would be safe to prophecy that, while he welcomes all the so-called innovations in educational methods which look toward a more thorough preparation of the pupils for their life work, that still he will by no means allow the fundamentals to be neglected. Just as like as not, he will want the "three R's--readin', ritin, and rithmetic"--well grounded before any frills are added.
In fact, he rather intimated that he did not believe in rushing wildly into new educational pastures.
RIGHT IDEA OF SPELLING REFORM.
"Are you going to teach the Rooseveltian spelling?" he was asked point-blank.
There was just the slightest suspicion of a shrug of the shoulders, before he answered:
"I should like to follow Roosevelt on general principles," he said. "But you know that pupils must learn the old spelling, don't you, in order to make use of the literature already printed? Well, after they have learned to spell by the old method, I am perfectly willing they should learn all the new spelling they want. But I expect they will be pretty busy with the old during school hours."
That is about the right way to size up the situation, isn't it? It allows all the personal latitude possible, but it shows that the old spelling is a positive necessity, and that pupils will be kept quite busy learning the old familiar words in the dogeared spelling books.
CHAMPION OF LIBERAL EDUCATION.
"Aren't you going to try something new and startling in the educational line?" was the next leading question fired at the new superintendent in a three-minute interview.
"There is nothing new under the sun, is there?" was his noncommittal answer. "Is the kindergarten a fad today? Is manual training an experiment or a necessity in giving pupils a thorough education? Haven't these both passed the experimental stage and demonstrated their importance in school curriculums?"
These questions were given in the inflection which expresses a decided conviction, instead of a doubt, so there is no question but that Superintendent Greeson is to champion what Milton defined as a liberal education:
"I grant that a generous education which fits a man to perform justly and magnanimously all the duties of life, both of peace and war."
POSSESSED OF TIRELESS ENERGY.
It is easier to preach than to practice, but Superintendent Greeson looks like the man who is going to be so busy practicing that he won't have time for much preaching. He will not be spending much time lolling in a swivel chair with a look of supernatural wisdom on his face. Instead, he possesses the sort of tireless energy which will probably keep everybody else on the move, too.
This week there are all sorts of problems to solve. Increased accommodations must be secured in some localities. There are committee meetings galore, and tomorrow morning there will be a grand rally of all the teachers in the city to meet the new superintendent and discuss general plans for the opening day.
FIRST MEETING OF TEACHERS.
This first general teachers' meeting is the great feature of the new year. The teachers are all bubbling over with enthusiasm and so glad to see each other again. They are also gowned in their most becoming frocks, for this is the time when they get their most lasting impression of all the new teachers.
They will also be on the qui vive to see the new superintendent. Just about the whole success of the year's work depends upon the first impression they get of the new chief; and he, in turn, will be just as busy sizing up the calibre of the teaching corps before him.
But it looks very much as though Superintendent Greeson, when weighed in the balances, will not be found wanting.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Sun., Sept. 2, 1906, Pg. 4, Cols. 2-3
*****
HOW I EARNED MY FIRST DOLLAR
"I was brought up on a farm, so I didn't have much chance to earn money." said W.A. Greeson, superintendent of the Grand Rapids schools, reminiscently, as he thought of that first dollar earned.
"My father had a farm of 500 acres and, as with all country lads, I had to do my share of the work. We had four or five hired men and eight teams of horses working most of the time, but nevertheless there was plenty for me to do. There wasn't much chance for me to spend money, so I didn't want it so much as city boys do.
"One day, when I was 12 years old, however, I thought I saw a chance to earn something. In those days there used to be portable sawmills, which would be moved from one farm to another to saw lumber for the farmers. One of these came to our farm, and I immediately asked for a job.
"I was given one at once. My part of the work was to stand in a deep pit which had been dug directly under the saw to catch the sawdust as it fell from the logs.
"I shoveled all one day in that pit with the sawdust falling all over me, trying to keep from being buried. At night I quit and was given a dollar, my first, for my labors."
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jun. 1, 1916, Pg. 6, Cols. 6-7, Art. 1 (How I Earned My First Dollar)
*****
GREESON URGES RETENTION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL FUND
TELLS WOMEN OF REPUBLICAN CLUB DIVISIION THAT ITS DEATH WOULD BRING ILLITERACY.
Declaring that by doing away with the primary school fund, Michigan would be converted into a “veritable wilderness of illiteracy and ignorance,” W.A. Greeson, superintendent of schools, urged that the contemplated movement should be quashed when he spoke at a luncheon meeting yesterday noon of the women’s division, Lincoln Republican club. The meeting was held in the parish house of St. Mark’s pro-cathedral.
“I understand that a movement to revoke the constitutional amendment providing for the primary school fund is gaining way,” he said. “Supporters of that movement soon hope to submit their issue to the people. I believe the movement is ill-advised, and should it be successful Michigan’s school system would be plunged into chaos.
“By the provisions of this amendment, which has now been in effect 20 years, telephone and telegraph companies, railroads, and express companies are taxed, and the proceeds from this tax makes a fund amounting to approximately $11 for every pupil in the state. This fund is of great help in financing the schools of the state. In fact, without it a large number of Michigan’s schools would be unable to exist.
“Grand Rapids, too, would be hard hit. Each year the city receives about $140,000, which goes far in the financing of our school system. This financial help is what has developed the Grand Rapids school system from an indifferent one to a very excellent one. Without it, we probably would be unable to maintain what schools we have now.
“The primary school fund amendment was, of course, a compromise measure designed to meet the inadequacy of the old primary fund law. It has functioned successfully for 20 years though, and I see no good reason for destroying it.”
Mr. Greeson also dwelt on the provisions of the proposed Towner-Sterling bill. This bill would make a $100,000,000 appropriation to promote equalization of educational opportunities, to aid in training teachers, to educate emigrants, help Americanization, increase physical education, and increase other educational facilities.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jan. 25, 1923, Pg. 3, Cols. 2-3 (Greeson Urges Retention of Primary School Fund)
*****
GREESON AT 70 LEAVES FOR MONTH IN CANADIAN WILDS
WILLIAM A. GREESON, superintendent of schools, leaves tonight for a month's vacation in the Canadian wilds. Ever since 1885 the veteran school master has spent his vacations with Dr. C.B. Reed, of Chicago, canoeing on one of the nameless rivers in Ontario which empties into Lake Superior.
"Never have we seen any signs of human habitation," said Mr. Greeson yesterday. "We have never seen a human being, white man or Indian, other than those in our own party. I doubt very much whether any but ourselves have ever explored this territory," Mr. Greeson is 70 years old.
GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Tues., July 24, 1923, Pg. 3, Col. 4, Art. 3
