Lyman Beecher Kellogg

Lyman Beecher Kellogg (September 28, 1841 – October 8, 1918) was the first president, as well as the first teacher, of Kansas State Normal (KSN), now known as Emporia State University, in Emporia, Kansas, United States. After serving as KSN's president, Kellogg went on to become an attorney, state representative and senator, and the Kansas Attorney General.

Biography

Early life Kellogg was born to Hiram Kellogg and Delia Rose Beecher. Soon after his birth, his family moved to Bloomington, Illinois, where he attended the State Normal University, graduating in June 1865. In January 1865, Kellogg was appointed as Kansas State Normal's first president.

Kansas State Normal presidency After being named president of the newly established normal school in Kansas, Kellogg's first class, which consisted of only 18 students, opened with the "Lord's Prayer" on February 15, 1865. Because funding, facilities, and teaching materials were limited, Kellogg was the sole teacher, besides being the president. In August 1865, he added Henry Brace Norton, who graduated from Illinois Normal University, as a faculty member.

Personal life While at Kansas State Normal, Kellogg married Abigail "Abbie" Homer, with whom he had two children, Vernon Lyman and Fred Homer. After moving to Arkansas City in 1871, Abbie became ill and died of tuberculosis in 1873. Five years later, Kellogg married Mary Virginia Mitchell, mostly known as Jennie Mitchell Kellogg, with whom he had three children, Charles Mitchell (1879), Mary Virginia (1883), and Joseph Mitchell (1885). Jennie was Deputy Kansas Attorney General under Kellogg.