Howard-Grant County IN Archives Biographies.....Barngrover, D. P. 1870 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 5, 2006, 11:41 pm

Author: Jackson Morrow

PROFESSOR D. P. BARNGROVER.

   The men most influential in promoting the advancement of society and in
giving character to the times in which they live are two classes, to-wit, the
men of study and the men of action. Whether we are more indebted for the
improvement of the age to the one class or the other is a question of honest
difference in opinion; neither class can be spared and both should be encouraged
to occupy their several spheres of labor and influence, zealously and without
mutual distrust. In the following paragraphs are briefly outlined the leading
facts and characteristics in the career of a gentleman who combines in his
makeup the elements of the scholar and the energy of the public-spirited man of
affairs. Devoted to the noble and humane work of teaching, he has made his
influence felt in the school life of the city of Kokomo and is not unknown to
the wider educational circles of the state, occupying as he does a prominent
place in his profession and standing high in the esteem of educators in other
than his own particular field of endeavor.

   Professor D. P. Barngrover, principal of the fifth ward school in the city of
Kokomo, is a native of Grant county, Indiana, and dates his birth from the year
1870, being the son of E. E. and Elizabeth Barngrover, the father born in Ohio,
the mother in Indiana. Professor Barngrover's family were among the early
pioneers of Grant county, settling in Sims township, where the country was
covered with dense forests, and entering land near the present site of Swayzee.
His grandfather, who purchased the land from the government, cleared and in due
time developed a fine farm, the original cabin on wrhich is still standing as a
memento of times and conditions forever past. E. E. Barngrover was quite a young
boy when his parents moved to this new home in the wilderness of Grant county,
and like the majority of lads of that period he grew up familiar with the scenes
of pioneer life and in close touch with the rugged duties and usages of a farm
on which the labor was strenuous and continuous and the discipline of which had
much to do in moulding his character and shaping his subsequent course of
conduct. When a young man he married Elizabeth Long, of Grant county, after
which he engaged in the pursuit of agriculture and followed the same with
success and financial profit until accumulating a competency of sufficient
magnitude to enable him to turn his farm over to other hands and move to
Swayzee, where he is now living in honorable retirement, filling at the present
time the office of justice of the peace in that municipality. Seven children
were born to E. E. and Elizabeth Barngrover.

   From his childhood Professor Barngrover manifested a studious disposition and
fondness for books, consequently his progress in the schools which he first
attended was rapid and altogether satisfactory. By diligent and persevering
application he completed the common school course, in which he was graduated in
the year 1890, and then he became a student of the Marion Normal College, where
he prosecuted his studies until sufficiently advanced to pass the required
examination and secure a license, after which he taught one term of school in
his native county. Actuated by a laudable desire to add to his scholastic
knowledge, he subsequently (1891) entered the Northern Indiana Normal University
at Valparaiso, which he attended until completing the commercial and teachers'
courses, during which period he also made substantial progress in the scientific
department and earned an honorable record as a diligent, critical and exemplar}-
student. After being graduated from the above institution he was elected
principal of the public schools of Swayzee, which position he held with credit
to himself and to the satisfaction of pupils, patrons and officials for a period
of two years, when he resigned to accept a higher and more responsible
principalship in the city of Kokomo, where during the two years ensuing he had
charge of the third ward school, in which his professional success soon brought
him to the favorable notice of those in authority and put him in line of
promotion. At the expiration of the time indicated he was transferred to the
larger and more important fifth ward building, of which he has since been
principal, having at this time thirteen assistants and so discharging his duties
as to win the highest encomiums of the superintendent and board, to say nothing
of his great popularity with the pupils and teachers under his charge and of the
general public.

   As a teacher Prof. Barngrover has met with merited success and in his
capacity of principal his record presents a series of successes and advancements
such as few attain. He pursues his chosen calling with all the interest of an
enthusiast, is thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the work and has a
proper conception of the dignity of the profession to which his life and
energies are so unselfishly devoted. A finished scholar, a polished gentleman
and possessing the traits of character necessary to insure success the services
thus far rendered and the laurels gained bespeak for him a wider and more
distinguished career of usefulness in years to come, should he see fit to
continue the noble calling which he has heretofore followed with such signal and
happy results. Unlike so many of his calling who become narrow and pedantic, the
professor is essentially a man of the times, broad and liberal in his views and
has the courage of his convictions on all the leading public questions and
issues upon which men and parties divide. He also keeps in touch with the trend
of modern thought along its various lines and being a man of scholarly and
refined taste his acquaintance with the literature of the world is both general
and profound; while his familiarity with the more practical affairs of the day
makes him feel at ease with all classes and conditions of people whom he meets.

   Prof. Barngrover has a comfortable and attractive home at No. 240 South Main
street, which is a favorite resort of those with tastes and tendencies similar
to his own and in which such a spirit of hospitality obtains that all who cross
its threshold are desirous of repeating the experience." The home is brightened
by the presence of an intelligent lady whose gracious presence and cordial
greetings add not a little to the welcome extended the visitor or guest, the
interest of the household being also heightened by the three children who with
their parents contribute a mutually agreeably and contented domestic circle.
Mrs. Barngrover was formerly Vernie Stamley, a native of Howard county, the
ceremony by which her name was changed to the one she now so honorably bears
having been solemnized in the year 1893. Genevra, the oldest child of Prof, and
Mrs. Barngrover, is an interesting young miss of ten years; Guy the second in
order of birth, is eight years of age, and the youngest, Verneta by name, has
reached her sixth year, all of them being pupils in the public schools and
making commendable progress in their respective grades.

   Prof. Barngrover, though deeply interested in the work to which his life is
being devoted, has not been unmindful of his duties as a citizen and to this end
takes an active part in municipal and other public matters and lends his
influence and support to all enterprises having* for their object the material
advancement of the city and the intellectual and moral good of the populace. A
reader and thinker he very naturally gives considerable thought to politics, his
studies and investigations along this line leading him to espouse the Republican
party, although he by no means is a partisan, nor seeker after the honor or
emoluments of office.

   Fraternally Prof. Barngrover holds membership with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen, and religiously subscribes to the Methodist
creed, belonging with his wife to the Marleand [sic] avenue church, in the work
of which both are actively and prominently interested. Personally Prof.
Barngrover is quite popular, possessing to a marked degree the characteristics
that win and retain warn friendships. By his kindness and courtesy he has won an
abiding place in the esteem of his fellow citizens and by his intelligence,
energy- and enterprising spirit has made his influence felt among his friends
and associates during his residence of twelve years in the city of Kokomo, and
as a result occupies no small place in the favor of the public.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA
BY
JACKSON MORROW, B. A.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. II
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

(circa 1909)


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