This page is a part of the Tompkins Co., NYGenWeb Site. Not for commercial use. All Rights Reserved.

Fox Holden

Principal High School, 1875-1880

Fox HOLDEN, the first principal of the Ithaca High School, was born in North Lansing. Like many of the successful men of this vicinity he prepared for college at the old Ithaca Academy and was one of Miss Thompson's pupils. He graduate from the Academy in 1868, and received the degree of A.B. at Cornell in 1872.

The following year Mr. HOLDEN was principal of the Trumansburg Academy and then accepted the principalship of the Addison Union School. In 1875, when Mr. FOSTER organized the present system of public schools in Ithaca, Mr. HOLDEN was made principal of the High School and held the position for five years. Of his work at this time he writes, "It was my fortune to enter upon the work of principal of Ithaca High School at the organization of the present school system, and to take the old Academy with its loose organization and work out a high school organization."

Teaching, however, exhausted him nervously. Because of impaired health he resigned in 1880 and entered the Albany Law School, graduating in 1881. Instead of practicing law he held the position of superintendent of the Plattsburgh schools from 1882 to 1890, when he became Principal of the Plattsburgh State Normal School. In 1892 he left that position for the superintendence of the Olean City Schools. This position he still holds.

Mr. HOLDEN's associates and pupils remember him not only as a teacher, but also as a genial and kindly friend.

You are our visitor since November 14, 1998.
Thanks for stopping by!

© Copyright by Janet M. Nash and Johnna Armstrong
for the contributors of the material on these pages.
All Rights Reserved.