Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-05-07
C. c. PUR|NCT0N.
One Of Names Best
Known Educators Dead.
Stricken Week Ago With Pneu-
monia While at Dover.
Principal Of Pennington Normal
School.-.Aged About so.

Monsoon. Me, May 6-George C. Pur-
lngton, one of the best known educa-
tors in Maine ard past grand COM
mander of the Grand Commandery of
Maine, Krignts Templar, died today
after a weeks illness with pneumonia
with which he was stricken while at
tending meeting of the Piscataouis
Teachers Association at Dover. At his
bedside We're his wife, also his son,
George Purngton of Cambridge, Mass,
who arrived an hour before his death
at noon. He was principal of the State
Normal scnool at Pennington and a
prominent member OF the Maine Music
Festival. His age was about CO.
Prof George Colby Purington was
born III Embden, Me. July q, 1S4S,
the son of Elisha and Della Frances
(Colhy) burlington. He was educated
IN the schools of his native town and
graduated at BOwdoin in 1873, receiv-
ing the degree of A. M. three years
later, il. 1881. During his life in college
Mr.. burlington was known as a very in
tuential ard progressive member OF his
class, one of the strong men of the col
lege. graduating at the age of 80 years,
his mature years giving him promi-
nent position in every respect.
During his life in college and pre-
VlouS to his entrance to college he had
been teacher of many town anu coun-
ty schools. AS early as 1866 when at
the age of IL he became a teacher in
district school: in 1S70-T an assistant
in Yarmouth Academy, going thence to
Hebron Academy in 1872 where he con-
tinued two years. From 1876 to 1873
he vas the principal of the Topsham
High school, the latter being during his
term in college, Prof. Purington pur-
suing his duties as a teacher and his
studies at college at the same time
On his graduation from college, he
be became principal of the Brunswick
High school, which he taught for two
years with much success, leaving here
to become principal of the Edward
Little High school in Auburn, where
he taught from 1881 to 1883 inclusive;
he was then appointed superintendent
of the State Normal school at Farm
ingtOn, where he remained to the time
of his death.
Bowdoin College, and always was deep
ly interested in the college and one
of its most cordial and influential
friends. He was president of the
Maine Christian Civic League, a mem
Der of the National Education Asso-
citation and of the Maine Pedagogical
Society He was a past grand COM
nIander of the Grand Commandery of
TIE Knights Templar of Maine and
was member of the Maine Con-
siStory of the Scottish Rite. He was
married on Nov. 26. 1873, at Hebron,
Me, to Sarah Cummings Bailey. He
was the author Of the history of the
Class of 1878. published in 1888; author
of the history of the Pennington Nor
nal school. published in 1889. He was
fine public speaker, had prepos-
sessipg manner; a personal dignity and
power: was accounted one OF the best
teachers in New England, and his
death Kill be great loss to the
State.
Personally Prof. Purngton was gent
al. kindly, social. He had warm
place in his heart for all his students:
had the faculty of remembering them
Wherever he might meet them in after
influence of the school out into the
walks of life and making it an in
fluence for good He was a staunch
temperance man, a friend of the
church, an active CongregatiOnalist,
Republican in politics, and was a posi-
tive force in every undertaking.