Charles Ernest Chadsey

Charles Ernest Chadsey (October 15, 1870 – April 9, 1930) was an American educator and school administrator. He served as superintendent of city schools in Chicago, Detroit, Denver, and Durango.

Early life Chadsey was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, to Frankin and Marie (Barnum) Chadsey. In his obituary, his hometown paper, the Nebraska Daily News-Press, described him as having been, "one of the best known as brilliant young men of his era".

Chadsey was a member of the National Educational Association and its Educational Council where he served as president of the Department of Superintendence in 1911 and 1912.

During his tenure in Detroit, his methods attracted national interest.

Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools In 1919, after the death of superintendent of Chicago Public Schools John Shoop, Chadsey was appointed superintendent. He left his post as superintendent of schools for Detroit to assume the role of Chicago's superintendent in March. The Chicago Board of Education had hired Chadsey with an unprecedented $18,000 annual salary. This very large salary attracted significant public discussion. Supporters of Chadsey brought about quo warranto proceedings seeking to compel his reinstatement by the Board of Education. On November 9, 1919, Circuit Court of Cook County Judge Kickham Scanlan ordered Mortenson removed and Chadsey reinstated with his authority as superintendent.

Later career After leaving Chicago Public Schools, he taught at the University of Chicago. He ended his career at the University of Illinois College of Education in Urbana-Champaign, where he served as dean until his death at the age of 59.

Personal life and death Chadsey married Callie Worth Price of Durango in 1897. They had one son, Charles Prince Chadsey. On April 9, 1930, at the age of 59, Chadsey died in Urbana, Illinois of a heart attack which came following two days of illness. He was survived by both his wife and son.

Works Chadsey, Charles E. The Struggle Between President Johnson and Congress Over Reconstruction (1897) Chadsey, Charles E. America in the making: From Wilderness to World Power (1928)