Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-08-05
PROF. JOHN q. nNuTn DEAD.
Principal of shepherd College Passes
Away at Morgantown.

Principal of Shepherd College PASSES
Away at Morgantown.
Prof. John GottIieb Knutti, principal OF
Shepherd College.State Normal School at
Shepherdstown, died from typhoid fever
at Morgantown, w. Va, last Saturday
morning about II O'Clock. The news OF
his death was received withigreat sorrow
in Shepherdstown, for although if was
known that his illness was very serious,
his friends here hoped that he would be
able to resist the disease. Prof. Knuth
left Shepherdstown with his family on
June 10th, and after attending the sessions
of the State Educational Association at
Clarksburg, proceeded to Morgantown,
where it he purposed to attend lectures
at the State University. He had been
there only about a week when he became
i'll, and his physicians soon diagnosed
the attack as case of typhoid fever. he
had been considerably rim down before
he left Shepherdstown, and his friends
were alarmed, because they realized that
he was in no condition to resist severe
spell of this insidious disease.
He was taken sick on the 3Oth OF June,
and the attack seemed to be severe one
from the start. At one time he appeared to
be improving, but a reinfection set in and
the fresh attack was too much for his fall
ing strength. With him when he died
was his devoted wife and two little boys,
his brother, Fred ]. Knutti, and Miss Ed
ma Sprung.
Prof. Knutti, who was 81 years OF age,
was native of Niedfluh, in Switzerland,
where he was born in 1871. When he
was eight years old his family, in company
with number of other Swiss families,
emigrated to America, where they estab-
lished colony in Randolph county, W.
Va, the great mountains OF the Alleghen-
les reminding them of their own native
land. After attending the common
schools of the neighborhood Prof. Knutti
entered the academy at st. George, Tuck
er county, and after finishing the course
there he taught for several years in RAN
dolph county. He then went to the West
Virginia University at Morgantown, en-
tering as a preparatory student. At
ter six years of conscientious work
here he graduated from this institution
with the A. B. degree in 1897. He then
taught for three years in the Fairmont
Normal School, also taking work in the
summer school of the University. In 1000
he entered Leland Stanford University
| in California, and after two years OF hard
study graduated from that institution with
his A. M. degree.
Prof. Knutti came to Shepherdstown in
| 1903 as teacher of modern languages in
| Shepherd College, and after one years
work was made principal of this institu-
ton, holding the position until his death.
He gave all his time and energy to his
school, for he had determined TO make
| the cause of education his life work and
| had no other object than the success OF
| the institution and the advancement OF the
cause he represented. Under his ad-
ministration many Improvements were
added to Shepherd College, the faculty
was enlarged, and there was a consider
able increase in the number OF the STU
dents. He devoted himself entirely to
the interests of the institution, and was
faithful in the discharge of every duty.
The management of the college and his
work as an instructor was severe tax
upon his strength, and the end of the last
term found him tired and worn out by his
exacting duties. In this condition the
fever found him an easy prey, for his
powers of resistance were at a low ebb.
Mr.. Knutti was married on the 10th Of
August, 1899, to Miss Georgia Eleanor
Eddy, of Bula, Monongalia county. She
survives him, with two young sons,
Ralph Eddy and Frank Russell. Other
survivors are his aged mother, Mrs.
Katharine Knutti, of Alpena, w. Va, and
the following brothers and sisters: Jacob
and Emil, of Alpena; Fred j., of New,
York; Mrs. Mary Kaech, of Aipena;
Mrs. J. w. Loughrie, Of Rowlesburg; and
Mrs. A. J. Cunningham, of Buckhannon.
Prof. Knutti was man Of high charac-
ter and exalted ideals. His personal lite
was exemplary and in all things above
reproach. AS the head of Shepherd COL
lege he conducted himself with dignity.
He was conservative in judgment and
fearless in carrying out the policy that he
thought best for the school. He always
had the respect OF the students and of the
people of our community, who admired
him because of his unselfishness, his un-
questioned integrity, his devotion to duty
and his interest in the highest welfare Of
our community. He was Christian gen.
tleman, cultured educator, a good citi-
zen, high-minded man in every respect,
and his death is loss to the school, our
community and the State.
Prof. Knutti was known throughout
West Virginia as one OF our foremost ed
ucators, and he had the respect of all the
school people of the State. He was a
stanch defender Of the normal school sys-
tenn, and a few years ago, when there
was an agitation against the normals, he
was one of the ablest and most aggressive
workers in their behalf. His death is re-
garded as great loss to the cause of ed
ucation, and his hundreds OF personal
friends will sincerely mourn his passing.
One of Mr. Knutti'S ancestors was a
field marshal under the great Emperor
Napoleon, and from him he probably in
herited a love for military work. AT the
University he was member Of the cadet