Pulaski County ArArchives Biographies.....Rightsell, Jacob R. 
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Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

JACOB R. RIGHTSELL.
    Abraham Lincoln said, "There is something better than making a living—making
a life," and a modern philosopher has given the estimate of man's work in the
world in the following: "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes
to the world through us is the measure of our success." Judged by this standard
Professor Jacob R. Rightsell was a most successful man. Little Rock enjoyed the
benefit of his services as superintendent of her public school system for a
quarter of a century and he was ranked with the most eminent educators of the
southwest. He did not regard education merely as the imparting of knowledge to
others, but rather as a means for the development of individual power and
ability in preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. His entire
work, therefore, was directed with that end in view and there are many who
acknowledge their indebtedness to him for the stimulus which he gave them while
they were students under his care.

    Professor Rightsell was a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred
on a farm near Mattoon, Coles county, December 15, 1846. His youthful
experiences were those of the farm bred boy and he learned from nature many a
valuable lesson as he performed his part in cultivating the fields and caring
for the crops. He early manifested the desire for educational advancement and
utilized every opportunity that would enable him to promote his knowledge. When
quite young he took up the profession of teaching in the common schools and was
but twenty-three years old when he came to Arkansas. In 1869 he established his
home in Little Rock and was continuously a resident of the capital city until
his death, save for the period of six years from 1874 until 1880 when he held a
position in the congressional library in the city of Washington. Throughout the
time of his connection with Little Rock he was identified with the public school
system and made most valuable contribution to its improvement and development.
In January, 1870, he was elected principal of the Peabody school and in
December, 1872, he was advanced to the position of superintendent of the public
schools of the city, in which capacity he continued to serve until he passed on
to find solution in a broader sphere of existence for the mysteries which lay
beyond mortal ken. No better characterization of his life and work can be given
than by quoting from the Arkansas Democrat, which at the time of his demise
wrote of him as follows: "Probably there are more of the successful men of the
state who were educated under his superintendency than under that of any other
teacher in the state, and for that reason his death will be felt as a very
general personal loss. He was prominent in educational work, and besides
contributing much to the growth and development of the Little Rock school
system, which was his pride, he was interested in state and national affairs. He
represented Arkansas in the National Educational Association several years as
vice president and also as state manager. He was also one of the originators of
the Arkansas State Teachers' Association, being first its secretary and later
its president. He was a trustee of the Arkansas School for the Blind for more
than a decade, under the former management of the school, and at one time was
president of the board. During his incumbency of this office the present
buildings were erected. He was also a member of the American Geographical
Society." The editorial which appeared in the Arkansas Democrat of the same
date, October 11, 1905, reads with but slight change in phraseology, as follows:
"Professor Jacob R. Rightsell, for thirty years superintendent of public schools
in this city, who had indeed given his life to the advancement of the school
interests of Little Rock and of the state, died at his residence in this city at
six o'clock yesterday afternoon, after an illness extending over a period of
several months. His death was not unexpected to a host of friends who had felt
an eirnest solicitude concerning his physical condition during the past few
months. It was remarkable, indeed, that this battle for life and health should
have lasted so long under the adverse conditions that attended his last illness.
It was the strong will power that had characterized his life that sustained him
in his last efforts. Though his physical system was in a wretched state, his
mind retained strength and his eye was as bright a few hours before his death as
in the days of his prime. He went to his last reward fearlessly and with the
consciousness of having rounded out a long and useful career. There was much for
him to live for and those who loved him most were anxious to stay the hand of
death. He wanted to live for them, but an all-wise Providence had decreed
otherwise. He had fought a good fight and had kept the faith. If the good men in
this life shall plead for recognition iu the life to come, then Professor J. R.
Rightsell will have ample representation at the seat of judgment. Much of his
life had been devoted to efforts in behalf of others. In his death the state
loses one of its ablest and most prominent educators; indeed, he stood in the
foremost ranks of advanced thinkers in the entire southwest. Little Rock has
lost a true friend and the school patrons and thousands of young people will
feel that they have sustained a personal loss. There will be sorrow in many a
home when it is known that this good man is no more."

    In young manhood Professor Rightsell was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E.
Wilshire, a daughter of the late William W. Wilshire. She, too, was born in
Illinois and died November 7, 1903. They are survived by two sons: Richard W.
and William W., both of whom have taken prominent places in the business circles
of Little Rock. The latter is now a director of the State National Bank, in
charge of its real estate department, while the elder son, Richard W., is
mentioned at length on another page of this work. Both Professor Rightsell and
his wife were members of the Episcopal church, loyal to its teachings and
generous in its support. It was his Christian belief that caused Mr. Rightsell
to put forth the greatest possible efforts in service for his fellow-men. He
died on the 10th of September, 1905, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, and
many there were who bore testimony to the value of his life and work. A
contemporary writer said of him, "There is no need for conjecture or uncertainty
in determining as to the value and success of the life work of the late
Professor Jacob R. Rightsell, who was one of the foremost factors and most
practical philanthropists of Arkansas and he realized in the most significant
sense that the true success is not that gained through personal preeminence or
personal aggrandizement, but rather that which lies in the eternal verities of
human sympathy and helpfulness. His was not the great worldly success, in the
accepted application of the term, hut he left a greater heritage of noble
thoughts and noble deeds. He was a man of broad intellectuality and viewed life
and its responsibilities in their right proportions. He was not given to
half-views and rash inferences. The leap from the particular to the general is
ever tempting to the thoughtless but not to this man of strength, judgment and
lofty motives." A most interesting estimate of the character and worth of
Professor Rightsell was given by one of his oldest and most intimate friends,
Major Robert H. Parham, county school examiner, who said, "Professor Rightsell
was a capable, judicious and efficient superintendent. His intercourse with the
teachers was always characterized by a great deal of kindness and consideration.
He displayed great wisdom in dealing with all questions arising between patrons
and teachers. One of his chief policies in dealing with the teachers was to
permit them the full use of the individual qualities without hampering them with
formal rules. No superintendent was ever more loved by a whole corps of teachers
than was Professor Rightsell. During his long administration his whole heart was
devoted to the welfare of the school system of the city, and the schools had
grown from a few poor buildings to a magnificent series of buildings, some among
the best in the country. The corps of teachers had grown from twenty-five to
eighty-one, and the enrollment had more than doubled. He was progressive in his
methods and ever ready to adopt anything that would tend to increase the
efficiency of the schools." The city of Little Rock has perpetuated his memory
by naming one of its modern school buildings after him.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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