Montgomery-Hale County AlArchives Biographies.....Beverly, John William ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 September 16, 2008, 1:54 am Author: Clement Richardson, Editor JOHN WILLIAM BEVERLY. BEFORE SLAVERY was abolished there was born in Hale County, Alabama, not far from Greensboro, a baby boy who was destined to play a large part in the educational advancement of the colored race of Alabama. That babe was John William Beverly. Nature endowed him with a bright mind which was largely developed through the agency of the Lincoln Normal College, then located at Greensboro, where he received his education. After reaching that period of life when he must decide upon a calling he chose the profession of teaching and his first work in the school room after his graduation was at a school near Demopolis, Alabama. Here he served during the years 1886 and 1887. From 1887 to 1890 he taught in the Lincoln Normal College and from there he went to Brown University, Providence, R. I. He returned to Alabama in 1894 and became the Assistant Principal of the State Normal School. This school was established as Lincoln Normal University at Marion, Perry County, by act of the Alabama Legislature in 1873. It was moved to Montgomery in 1889 and the name changed to its present title. When Professor William B. Patterson, a white man, who for forty years had presided over the school and contributed much to its development, died in the year 1915, Prof. Beverly was called to take his place and since that time he has devoted his time, energy and talents to its welfare. Under his leadership the school has not only maintained the high standard to which his predecessor had brought it but>has advanced beyond it. Having a good foundation to build upon he has proved himself a master builder. While his main thought is concentrated upon the school room his interest in the welfare of his people does not end there. His vision carries him beyond the domain of the college and he finds opportunities to serve his people on the outside through the medium of his pen. He possesses exceptional talent as a writer and it has served him well in the preparation of pamphlets for distribution among those who are denied educational advantages. In this way many who are denied privileges are kept in touch with the educational progress of the day and are influenced to make sacrifice in the interest of the education of the children. He is the editor of "Practical Ethics for Children" and "Guide to the English Oration." His writings have taken a broad range but possibly the work which has brought him into greater prominence as a writer is his History of Alabama. This work has been adopted by the State Board as a supplementary study of Alabama History, Proffessor Beverly is a man of deep thought and considers well his plans before executing them. He is a farmer and owns and cultivates farms in Elmore and Montgomery Counties. He has studied closely the advanced theories of farming and has watched their practical test and has adopted those which appealed to his judgment. In this way he has brought his farming operations to a higher standard of success. He owns his home which is located at 105 Tatum Street, Montgomery, the refined elegance of which is the reflection of the refined taste of the occupant. Associated with Professor Beverly in the operation of the State Normal Institute are a corps of teachers, gifted in their particular branches and who render valuable assistance to the Principle in promoting the welfare of the college. Through the splendid system of operation put into effect by the Principle and forcibly carried out by the faculty, the pupils are thoroughly equipped to fill their places in life in their chosen fields of endeavor. The faculty of the State Normal College is as follows: J. W. Beverly, Principal; Annie W. Doak, Secretary; Mary L. Strong. Literature; Rev. E. E. Scott, History; Miss Mary F. Monroe. Mathematics; J. L. Kilpatrick, Science; Venus H. Lewis, Supervisor Study room ; Albert H. Beverly, English; Christine L. Graves, English; Rosa L. Shaw, Drawing; Gertrude L. Watkins, Domestic Science; Josie Murray, Domestic Art; E. M. Lewis, Carpentry; Annie L. Brown, Music; Bertha L. Smith, Supervisor of Model School and Pedagogics; H. S. Murphy, Agriculture; Camille Hightower, Sewing and Physical Culture; Minnie J. Lewis, first grade; Josie Govan, second grade; Bertha West, third grade; Merillo T. Garner, fourth grade; Dora D. Beverly, fifth grade; Bessie L. Nelms, sixth grade; Mary F. Terrell, seventh grade; M. J. Moore, eighth grade. Additional Comments: Extracted from: The National Cyclopedia of The Colored Race Editor-in-Chief CLEMENT RICHARDSON President of Lincoln Institute Jefferson City, Mo. ASSOCIATE EDITORS Dr. C. V. ROMAN, Nashville, Tenn. Professor of Meharry Medical College. W. T. B. WILLIAMS, Hampton Institute, Va. Field Agent of the Jeannes and Slater Funds. H. M. MINTON, M. D., Philadelphia, Pa. Board of Directors Mercy Hospital. SILAS X. FLOYD, Augusta, Ga. Principal of City Schools. DR. R. E. JONES, New Orleans, La. Editor of South Western Christian Advocate. DR. A. F. OWENS, Selma, Ala. Dean of Theological Dept. Selma university. FRED MOORE, New York City. Editor New York Age. ADVISORY BOARD EMMETT J. SCOTT, Chairman, Secretary of Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee Institute, Ala. N. B. YOUNG, Tallahassee, Fla. President of A. and M. College. DR. J. W. E. BOWEN, Atlanta, Ga. Dean of Gammon Theological Seminary. J. R. E. LEE, Kansas City, Mo. Principal of Lincoln High School. J. S. CLARK, Baton Route, La. President of Southern University. DR. M. W. DOGAN, Marshall, Texas. President of Wiley University. Volume One NATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, Inc. PUBLISHERS MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 1919 COPYRIGHT 1919 NATIONAL PUBLISHING CO., Inc. MONTGOMERY, ALA. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/montgomery/photos/bios/beverly59nbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/montgomery/bios/beverly59nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/alfiles/ File size: 6.4 Kb