1905 History of Crawford County Kansas

Harry E. Hornaday, who at the time of his death was incumbent of the office of county superintendent of education of Crawford county, was one of the best known educators in this section of the state, and had been engaged in the work for about fifteen years, most of it in connection with the schools of Crawford county. He was accordingly well fitted for the multifarious and responsible duties of his last office, and it is a matter of satisfaction to the citizens that the schools took many steps forward during the two years of his incumbency, both in system of work and grading and in general efficiency.

Mr. Hornaday was born on a farm in Bartholomew county, Indiana, October 28, 1867, being a son of Chris Hornaday, later a prosperous farmer of Kansas. There are four other children in the family, one brother and three sisters. Mr. Hornaday was brought to Kansas when he was five years old, and was reared on a farm near Cherokee. He attended the country schools until he was twenty-one, and then began teaching. He depended on his own efforts for his advancement, and his progress was by the sure method of step by step. After teaching for a few terms he attended the Kansas Normal College at Fort Scott for ten weeks, and later graduated from the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois, where he was offered a position here as tutor, and on account of ill health declined. He learned telegraphy and followed that occupation for about two years. He taught school in nearly every part of Crawford county, and was principal of the Hepler schools for two years, and for the same period at Monmouth. He was elected to the office of county superintendent of public instruction in the fall Of 1902. Since his death the office of county superintendent has been most capably filled by his wife.

Mr. Hornaday was married in May, 1890, to Miss Leila Watt, and they have a family of three boys, one aged ten, one seven, and the youngest two years old. The eldest, J. Rhea, is in the sixth grade; Ralph C., is in the fourth grade, and John L., is the youngest.