Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-11-26
RUFfNER, M0TEO
EDUCATOR, IS DEAD
Scientist and Educator Wac Founoer
Of virgina's Public School SIS
Reimbursement at Lexington.

ten-lntermen at Lexington.
RICHMOND. VA. Nov &-Dr. VIII
liam Henry Ruffner. founder virtual!
OF the public school system in Nlr
ginia and first superintendent OF pub
| lie instruction in the state, died yes
terday afternoon in the home OF bis
son-in-law, DR.. X. F. Campbell, III
Asheville. N c.. of old age.
The funeral and burial will take
place in Lexington, Va, Friday AFTER
noon.
DIR. Ruffner was born in Lexington
February II. 1924. He was son OF
Henry Runncr. d. d.. ~. D.. anu
Mrs. Sarah Montgomery Ruffner. who
emigrated from Switzerland in 1732
going first to Pennsylvania and com
ing to Virginia in 1879.
Father Educator and Writer.
His father was, in addition to being
distinguished educator. a widely
known writer and was author Of the
celebrated Ruffner pamphlet.
DR.. Ruffner's father was president
OF Washington College (now Wash
ington and Lee University, where
the son was graduated in 1912. Dur
ing IS43-45 he managed his father $
salt making business in kanawha
equity. w. Va.
william Henry Ruffner took spe
cial courses in physiology. politlca!
economy and geology at Washington
College and the University Of Virgl'
mia, and was prepared for the minis
try at the Union Theological Semi
nary and at Princeton Theological
Seminary.
During lS49-51 he was chaplain at
the University of Virginia. and dur
ing 1873 pastor OF Seventh Presby'
terrain church, Philadelphia. In 1853
his health broke down and he resort
ed to farm life. never resuming MS
work as a minister.
Superintendent Of Instruction.
In 1870 DR.. Ruffner was elected
first superintendent of public instruc'
ton of Virginia. He Immediately
devised a public school system so sat
isfactory that he was required to pre-
pare a school bill for consideration
and such a bill was passed by the
general assembly in July. 1870.
DIR, Ruffner devoted himself to or
eanizing the schools, using the Ed
vocational Journal" Of which he was
editor. as the Official organ OF the
system.
Graded schools and teachers insti'
tu,es were established, and a scheme
prepared by DR.. Ruffner for the grad
ing Of country schools was commend
ed by the department OF education al
Washington.
The plan which he drafted for the
organization Of the projected agricnl
tural and mechanical college al
Biacksburg was developed into the
present virginia Polytechnic 1nsti'
lutte. He twice declined the presi'
ttency Of a college, but when super
seeded on account Of a political change
he accepted a geological reconnois
sance OF five hundred miles Tor
railroad across three states. ne
spent many years as geologfst IN the
employment Of corporations and indi
vidua!s.
orosoixsd Normal School.
In 1854 he organized the State re
male Normal School, Of Farmviile. OF
which institution he was elected
president. Having equipped the scnool
for efficient work. he resigned In 1891
to give his whole time to making geo
logical examinations and preparing
reports on mineral properties.
Every important move In the cause
OF education that was made In Virg''
MIA after 1870 was INSPIRED by VI
RufYner. to chose far-seeing WISDOM
the state is indebted for her system
Of public schools.
Dr. RuRner made many contriou'
lions to magazines IN scfentihc, 20
cial and educational subjects. was on
she editorial staR Of a number OF
journals. and WAS the author o.
"Schoo, Reports Of Virginia. HIS
tory Of Washington College and otn'
er publications. ....
He was married in September. 1850
to Miss Harriet A. Gray, dausn'er
II Robert Gray, Of Rockingham coun'
~, Va.