Mary Louise Isbell, Norwich Educator

Mary Louise Isbell

Norwich Educator

1868 - 1947

As district superintendent of school in a district comprising five Chenango County townships, Mary Louise Isbell, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], administered important public responsibilities.  She has devoted her entire career to education and has served in her present position since 1912.

 

Born in the town of Columbus, Chenango County, Miss Isbell is a daughter of Chanley and Lydia M. (Merrihew) Isbell.  Her father, a farmer, was born in Smyrna, this county, and died in May, 1900.  Her mother was also born in Smyrna and died in 1914.  Miss Isbell is a member of old American families and was admitted to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution through her descent from the Revolutionary soldier, Oliver Hartwell, Sr.

 

She received her preliminary education in the union schools of Sherburne and Smyrna and was graduated from Fredonia Normal after a four-year course.  Afterward she carried on special work at Syracuse University and Albany Teacher's College.  Meanwhile, her professional career was well under way.  Miss Isbell began teaching in Sherburne and has devoted herself to educational work without interruption since that time.  In 1912 she was chosen district superintendent of school sin the district comprising the towns of Bainbridge, Guilford and Norwich, to which two additional townships, Afton and Coventry, were added in 1936.  She has served continuously as district superintendent since she first assumed the post in 1912, and her successful record reflects her qualifications for her present duties.

 

Miss Isbell is a member of the National Education Association the New York State Teachers' Association, the New York State Association of District Superintendents, the Central Association of Superintendents, of which she is past president, and the Tri-=County Association of Superintendents, of which she is also past president.  She is a well-known figure in her profession throughout Central New York.

 

In addition to these connections, Miss Isbell is a member of John Harris Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, at Norwich, where she makes her home and a member of Norwich Baptist Church.

Central New York, An Inland Empire, Vol IV (Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., New York) p333

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Obituary

Binghamton Press, November 20, 1947

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Miss Mary Isbell, 79, died at her home in Brown Avenue here yesterday.  Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Breese Funeral Home, with the Rev. Harold Knight officiating.  Burial will be in the Sherburne Four Corners Cemetery.  Miss Isbell had taught in several of the Chenango County schools during her lifetime.  From 1911 to 1941 she was district superintendent for the Town of Norwich.  She is remembered also for her work in organizing of school and community fairs in the county, the forerunner of the 4-H Club here.  She was a charter member of the 4-H Club executive committees organized in 1920, and from 1920 to 1945 served on the Board of Directors of the Chenango County Farm and Home Bureau and 4-H Club Federation Board of Directors.  Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Frank Keller of Sherburne Four Corners; two nephews, Chanley Wilson of Guilford, and Alton Keller of Norwich, and a niece, Mrs. Helen Manley of Norwich.

 

Funeral

Norwich Sun, November 22, 1947

Services for Miss Mary L. Isbell, educator and prominent as a rural youth leader, were held Friday at 2 o'clock at the Breese Funeral Home.  Rev. Harold S. Knight, pastor of the First Baptist church of which Miss Isbell was a member, officiated at the largely attended services.  The services were attended by neighbors and other friends and many with whom Miss Isbell was associated in more than a quarter of a century of 4-H work in Chenango county.  Also attending the rites were delegations from the Norwich Teachers' Association and the district school superintendents of Chenango county.  Bearers included:  J. Frederic Benedict, Donald H. Burr, Harry L. Care, Glenn L. Wallace, L.S. Balcom, all of Norwich, and Albert Foster of Afton.  Burial was made in the family plot in the Sherburne West Hill cemetery with Reverend Knight conducting the prayer and committal.