Miscellaneous, Mary Hamlin Kniskern elected School Commissioner

Mrs. Mary L. Kniskern

Re-Elected School Commissioner of the Eastern District

(about 1896)

Mrs. Mary L. Kniskern, of Deposit [Delaware Co., NY], who was re-elected school commissioner of the eastern district on the Republican ticket last week Tuesday, is a woman of much ability and a more competent person to fill the office of school commissioner in that district would be hard to find. She is thoroughly in love with her duties and has done what she could to promote sound education, to encourage teachers to do more serious thinking and earnest work, looking to the end that they may inspire their pupils with a desire to become useful, noble-minded citizens.  Her characteristics, in fact, are untiring zeal and energy.  Mrs. Kniskern is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Hamlin, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  She was born in North Sanford where the early years of her life were spent on a farm.  Her education was acquired in the district schools of the town of Sanford and the Afton Academy.  For several years prior to her marriage, she taught very successfully in the district schools of this county and by this acquired a personal knowledge of the schools which are now under her supervision.  For a year after her marriage she continued to teach and then retired to home life, owing to her husband's failing health for three years previous to his death, which occurred October 17, 1894.  She had assumed many of his business cares but had entertained no thought of public life.  At this time Mr. Kniskern was serving the county as school commissioner in connection with his other affairs, and being thus associated with him she had learned much of the nature of the work.  One month after Mr. Kniskern's death Judge Taylor L. Arms appointed her school commissioner and in November, 1895, she was elected to serve out the remaining year of her husband's unexpired term.  She has filled the office in a manner creditable to herself and to the satisfaction of all.  Mrs. Kniskern is a devoted Christian, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is highly respected and greatly beloved by all who know her.

 

Mary L. (Hamlin) Kniskern