Central High School - Blackhawk Yearbook (Davenport, IA)

Page 14 text:

George Edward Marshall married Miss ElTic Hutchinson of Keokuk, Iowa, on December 30, 1912. His marriage terminated a courtship of some years, and we need but say that their life together was a delightful companionship. Mr. Marshall was active in high school work of the state in general. He was a member of the Board of Control of the Iowa High School Athletic Association on its organization in 1904. He served two years as president of the Board immediately after its founding. Later he again became president and served almost continuously in that capacity. Mr. Marshall was also prominent in the National High School Athletic Association and was president of this organization at the time of his death. He also served as president of the State Teachers' Association and the Southeastern Division of the Iowa State Teachers’ Association. He was always interested in institutional work, but his main object was undoubtedly a good high school. By far the most remarkable fact concerning the career of George Edward Marshall as an educator is that he has been and still is the educational ideal of thousands who knew him. He will live among us as a mighty force.

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GEORGE EDWARD MARSHALL 1862 - I 932 (dJkC MAN has had a more far reaching influence upon the minds of youth in Iowa than George Edward Marshall since his entrance into educational work in the year 1882. From that time the name of Mr. Marshall rapidly gathered fame and respect as the scope of his work broadened. No recession, no lack of ambition has cluttered the path of this man who took upon his shoulders the burden of improving educational methods and preparing future citizens to discharge the duties which would inevitably be theirs. Those who knew him hx)ked to him for significant, uplifting work; and they were not disappointed, for they found there a sure and constant vitality, unbending in spite of the pressure upon it and constant until the call from the Great Master. Those exacting virtues which we ask of our ideals were not missing in him. We find them in every phase of his work. George Edward Marshall was born December 23, 1862, in Watertown, New York. During his boyhtxxl, his parents, John and Ida Spaulding Marshall, moved to Chicago. In this metropolis Mr. Marshall spent the greater part of his boyhood. He was graduated from the South Division High School. He entered Syracuse University, but, after completing one year, he transferred to Columbia University where he re- ceivcd his degree. At college he took up the usual course of studies offered by those institutions, namely, the liberal arts. Almost immediately his merit brought him a position as high school teacher in Keokuk, Iowa. After serving a short time as a teacher, Mr. Marshall became principal at the age of twenty-one. While in Keokuk, he also held the chair of chemistry in the Keokuk Medical College. This institution ceased to function early in the twen- tieth century. In 1900 George Edward Marshall became head of the Central High School in Sioux City, Iowa. While there, a certain character-revealing incident occurred which it is worth while to relate. J. N. “Ding” Darling, now a famous cartoonist, roomed with Mr. Marshall. “Ding,” knowing his own weakness, begged Mr. Marshall to take care of his money so that he would not spend too much. Mr. Marshall did so willingly and displayed while handling another's money a great integrity, a sense of which he has passed on to many of Iowa's youth since that time. After seven years' service at Sioux City, Mr. Mashall came to Davenport to suc- ceed Mr. Frank L. Smart as principal of Davenport High Schexfl. From 1907 to 1932 he served in this his selected career. Mr. Marshall was a superior school man, having a versatility of knowledge which made him adept in any class into which he might step. At one time a teacher in Latin and chemistry, he understtxxl the problems of the teacher and had a realization of the work of high school students. Personal touch with students was one of his particular aims, and for the sincere student he had a character- istic pat on the head or some cheerful word of encouragement. His leadership was undisputed.

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MEMORIAL ADDRESS By Dean Philbrook of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral with Introduction by Lester E. Keller High School Auditorium, December 9, 1932 Wc arc assembled as a school, students and faculty, with our superintendent and members of the Board of Education to pay respect and reverence ;o the memory of our departed leader and teacher. It is fitting that wc thus pause a .id lay aside our daily tasks for such a purpose. If wc could project our memories and imaginations back over the twenty' five years of leadership of Mr. Marshall in the Davenport High School and could sec the hundreds of men and women from everywhere and in every walk of life who were members of one of the many classes that have been graduated under his direction, we would see them pause as we do now to pay reverence to his memory. Our loss is great. His reward is greater. It is multiplied in our lives and in the lives of countless others who came in contact with his personality and whose characters were made better under his influence. But our attempts to express our feelings arc but vain efforts. It is well, therefore, that wc turn to one of our friends, and one who knew Mr. Marshall well, to direct our thoughts in this hour. Such a friend is Dean Philbrook! We have gathered in this assembly to pay corporate affection and respect to the memory of George Edward Marshall, whose personality and labors have so tremendous' ly moulded and influenced this great institution through so long a period of years. It would be folly for me to attempt to eulogize that life to you who knew him so well and were so intimately associated with him in the activities of this school. Such a life as his is its own eulogy, and I am content to leave locked in the tender memories of each, the experiences that have been yours because of your association with him. In his modesty and lack of sclf'sceking he would desire no encomiums of praise from the lips of men, and we arc content to leave the “well done” to the God Who secs things as they arc. It is not amiss, however, upon this occasion, to point out how that life of teaching has crystallized certain great principles. We can sec these truths because they were made incarnate in him. As he taught in his life, he would not think it amiss if wc reviewed these truths upon the occasion of his death. The first thing that he would have us remember is that every life must have an aim. All through the many years that he has guided this great school he has been try' ing to emphasize that primary truth. He knew well that in life it is only too possible to “aim at nothing and hit it.” Not only by precept did he teach this principle, but chiefly by example. Those that were close to him have told me that his one aim in life was to be the principal of a good high school. The great organization that he has built here, the splendid spirit that it bears and the high standard that it sets testify completely to the attainment of that ambition. As his every effort was bent to the fub filment of his life's aim, shall wc not in his memory determine again to direct every intelligent effort of ours to real accomplishment? V