My Genealogy Hound

DR. FRANCIS J. CHENEY, the scholarly president of the Cortland State Normal School, is a gentleman, who, in the comparatively short time that he has been a resident and citizen of the village, has proven himself a worthy conservator of the great interests of which the people are so proud. His portrait*, appearing on the opposite page, is the likeness of one who has done much to advance the cause of higher education in Cortland County.

This noted school was established in 1867, and was formally opened as a State Normal School, March 3, 1869. It was authorized in 1866 under the state laws, and James H. Hoose, Ph. D., was its first principal, with Henry S. Randall of Cortland president of the board of trustees. The school began with fifty-seven students in the normal department, eighteen in the academic, two hundred forty-one in the intermediate, and two hundred sixty-seven in the primary. During the summer vacation of 1869, the capacity of the school was enlarged, and its attendance the following fall grew to one hundred thirty-five in the normal department, and six hundred forty-seven in the training schools. At the close of the session of 1897, the school had so increased that the enrollment showed a total of 1,147 names, of which 581 were entered in the normal lists, 76 in the academic, 250 in the intermediate, and 240 in the primary. The attendance this year (1898) is greater thus far than last. During its history of more than a quarter of a century, the “Cortland Normal” has prepared and graduated over 1,300 teachers, who have as a class taken the highest standing wherever they have chosen to practice their profession.

The school now has on its staff of instructors nineteen thoroughly experienced and qualified teachers, many of whom have gained wide repute in their chosen line of pedagogic work. The Normal School buildings were erected on the site of the old Cortlandville Academy, near-by property being purchased when it became necessary to enlarge the facilities. The buildings occupy a fine and commanding position, and with their exquisitely laid out grounds make a point of interest for all visitors who sojourn for a time at Cortland. The main structure is of brick, three stories in height, and covers a length of 327 feet, with a width varying from 50 to 100 feet. It is heated by hot air and steam, lighted by gas, and is fitted with hot and cold water throughout. Its complete and well-ordered library comprises 7,000 volumes and over, all carefully selected with the needs of the school in view. The equipment is all that modern ingenuity and thought can devise. Chemical laboratories, complete in every detail; a physical laboratory fitted out without sparing cost; all sorts of apparatus for pursuing an intelligent study of the sciences, including a fine astronomical outfit; every description of kindergarten appliance; a superior gymnasium; in short, all that an appreciative state can furnish to further the training of its teachers is there found.

Since Dr. Cheney took charge, the building has again been enlarged, and many modern improvements added. The school has never done better work than at present, and the title “Cortland graduate” has more than ever become synonymous with the words “qualified and proficient teacher.”

Dr. Cheney is a native of Warren, Pa. He prepared for Syracuse University, where he was graduated with high honors in the class of 1872. He also took a post-graduate course at that institution, and was accorded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy on examination. He was elected principal of the Dryden Union School, where he remained for seven years. He then took charge of the schools at Kingston-on-the-Hudson, and there labored ten years. He left the position to become inspector of High School and Academic work under the Regents of the State of New York, a place he held until he was selected to become the head of the Cortland Normal School, succeeding Dr. J. H. Hoose, who acted as principal up to that time. Under Dr. Cheney’s able management, the attendance has nearly doubled, and the new building, referred to above, was put in shape, and has been in constant service ever since. Dr. Cheney was united in marriage with Lydia H. Smith, a native of Cattaraugus County. She was taken from her husband by death in 1896, at the age of forty- five years. In 1893, Dr. Cheney erected a fine home in Church Street, where he resides, surrounded by all that culture and refinement require.

The school system of the Empire State is admitted by all competent to judge to be far in advance of the systems of most of the other States of the Union. This condition of affairs is not only due to the extremely able gentlemen who control the schools, but it is also to the credit of those who actually toil in the schools as teachers. The Cortland Normal School has been, and is to-day, one of the most important factors in the state for keeping the ranks of the teaching army well filled with bright, alert, and well prepared men and women.

Dr. Cheney is more than keeping the work of his institution up to the standard. He is a gentleman, who is himself a finished instructor. In both the theory and practice of teaching he is a past master. He knows the quality of mind required, and is quick to detect and encourage real ability in those who entrust the direction of their talents to his care. Every phase of the experiences which his students will encounter is known to him, and he has the talent of impressing the embryo teachers with the importance of their calling, and instilling into their minds the true ethics of the profession. In the educational circles of the state and nation, Dr. Cheney is a potent factor. Full of originality and live ideas, he is yet as conservative as a man in his position should be. As a citizen, he is of the broad, liberal stamp, and a believer in every legitimate movement whose tendencies are toward the betterment of mankind.

*A portrait was included in the original printed volume.