The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-05
Mr.. GUNNELS
APPOINTED
Named as Superintendent
of Education.
FILLS UNExPIRED TERM
Governor Selects Chief Clerk
to Succeed AbercrOmbie.
The New superintendent is q Native
Of Calhoun County and Has
Been in Educational Work
Several Years.
FILLS uNExPIRED TERM

| Governor Jelks yesterday announced tbs
| appointment of Hen. Harry C. Gunnels OF
| Calhoun County to be State Superintend-
| ent of Education to succeed Hon. John
w. Abercrombie, recently elected Presi-
dent Of the State University at Tuscaloo-
| sa. Mr.. Gunnels will take charge of the
educational department on July list. at
which time Mr.. Abercrombie will assume
active charge of his new duties at the
State University.
The appointment of Mr.. Gunnels, who
has been for four years Chief Clerk in
the State Educational Department. Is d.
rectly due to the earnest endorsement he
received from Mr.. Abercrombie. Soon
after the election of MIR. Abercrombie to
preside over the destiny of the State Uni-
versity. 1t is said the Superintendent of
Education urged upon the Governor the
appointment of Mr.. Gunnels as his sue
cessor.
The announcement of the appointment
of Mr.. Gunnels was made by the Govern
or yesterday afternoon by telephone from
Birmingham. The Governor called UP the
Executive office and directed his Private
Secretary, Hon. ]. X. Jackson, to make
the announcement and to say that Mr..
Gunnels had been appointed upon the
earnest solicitation of Mr.. Abercrombie.
The news of the appointment was taken
to MIR. Gunnels by Mr.. Jackson. He
found the Chief Clerk busy In his depart
ment and Mr.. Gunnels expressed great
surprise and pleasure when he learned
that he had been selected without solicit
tation to continue the work of Mr.. Aber-
crombie at the head of the Educational
Department of the State.
The newly-appointed Superintendent of
Education has been engaged in educa-
brn 40 ,,f 10
manhood. He is native of Calhoun
County and is "a years old. having been
born in Oxford. October LIST. 1868. He is
proud of the fact that he has been "A citi-
zen of Calhoun County all of his life.
Mr.. Gunnes first went to school at Ok
ford College and continued as student
of that institution until 1856 when he was
graduated. The President of Oxford Col
lege at that time was Prof. J;hn L. Dod-
son. who is now associated with Mr.. Gun
nels as a member of the State Board of
Examiners of Teachers. After his grad
uation by oxford College. Mr.. Gunnels
taught school a year as co-principal of
Ashland Institute with Mr.. Abercrombie.
In 1888 Mr.. Gunnels was elected to the
chair of Natural Sciences In the faculty of
Oxford College where he remained a year.
Then he went to Vanderbilt University.
Nashville Tenn, and took post gradu-
ate courses. He returned to Oxford Col
lege as Professor of Natural Sciences and
remained year. after which he went to
the University of Alabama and remained
a year. graduating frcm that institution
in 1890 with the degree of LII. b.
Mr.. Gunnels, in $780, began as a teacher
I'm the city schools of Admission, serving
as principal of one of the schools until
1897. when he was elected Superintendent
of the Annist On schools. He resigned
this important post in December. 1898. to
come to Montgomery as Chief Clerk I'm
the State Educational Department.
In the military and political life of the
State, Mr.. Gunnels has also been promi-
nent IIe was several years captain of
the Calhoun Rifles. stationed at Oxford.
He resigned the captaincy of this COM
pany to accept a commission as Inspector
General on the staff OF Brigadier-General
Louis v. Clark of Birmingham, with rank
of major. This military position Is now
held by Mr.. Gunnels.
In 1900 Mr.. Gunnels was elected a MEM
Der of the Lower House of the Alabama
Legislature to represent Calhoun County,
Notwithstanding he was busily engaged
with his duties at the State Capitol during
the campaign. He served with distinction
as member of the Legislature. and as
a member of the Committee ON Education.
school bill.
Mr.. Gunnells. in 1896 married Miss Ladie
&c SIS at Harmony Grove, Ga. They have
two bright little girls and live at 404 Madi- |
son Avenue.
The announcement of the appointment |
of Mr. Gunnels was received with great |
by officials and department |
clerks at the State Capitol, among whom |
Mr.. Gunnels is very popular. He was |
warmly. congratulated by his associates |
in the educational department and by the |
other officials in the building.
In response to an inquiry by a represent
tative of The Advertiser, Mr.. Gunnels said |
he could not give out any information |
changes that might be made |
In the department In fact. he declared |
he had not had time to think over the |
subject The Office of Chief Clerk is, of |
,Curse. to be filled, and there will I'M |
loubtedly be numerous applicants for the !
place which Is regarded as one of the |
best subordinate positions at the Capitol. |
Hon. John w. Abercrombie, who re- |
urned last night from Tuscaloosa, ex-
pressed himself as being delighted with |
he appointment of Mr.. Gunnels. He said /
dr. Gunnels and himself had been close
y associated in educational work sew
rial years. and he greatly valued the |
and ability of Mr.. Gunnels He
vas, he said. splendidly equipped for the
fice of Superintendent of Education, and
lie earnestly commended him to the
lierds of education in Alabama.
The resignation of DIR. w. s. Wyman,
s President of the State University be-
ONES effective July LIST. Mr.. Abercrombie
aid he would go to Tuscaloosa at that
ime and take charge of his new work
1t that time the Office of Superintendent
# Education will be transferred to Mr..
tunnels