OBIT: Jacob M. BERKEY, 1949, Berlin, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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JACOB M. BERKEY

  Jacob M. Berkey, 93, former superintendent of Somerset County Schools and well 
known educator of western Pennsylvania, died at his home in Berlin, Friday, Dec. 
9 at 6 a.m.  Up until the time of his death he enjoyed remarkable health for one 
of his years.  On Thursday evening before his passing he enjoyed a walk from 
Main Street to his home on Broadway.
  He was born in Quemahoning Township June 18, 1856, the son of William and 
Caroline (Maurer) Berkey.  He lived on his father's farm until he was 18 years 
of age.  At the age of 17 he began his career as a teacher and gradually rose to 
high positions in his chosen profession.
  He attended Millersville and Indiana State Normal Schools, and was graduated 
from the latter 72 years ago, his class being the third to be graduated from the 
college.  Later he took post graduate work and received his Master of Arts 
degree from Gettysburg College.
  After teaching in Somerset and Westmoreland Counties, he was elected principal 
of the Berlin schools.  After serving in that position four years, he was 
elected County Superintendent of Schools, which position he held from 1887 to 
1896, having 250 teachers under his supervision.
  Under his administration the school directors formed a county association and 
a course of study applicable to all county schools was set up.  He prepared a 
Teachers Manual and Guide Book to aid teachers, which was circulated throughout 
the state.
  In 1896 he became superintendent of the Johnstown schools; which position he 
held until 1905, when he went to Pittsburgh to become director of extension 
education there.
  He was a special instructor at the University of Pittsburgh, preparing 
teachers for classes of immigrants and newly naturalized citizens.
  He was president of the Academy of Science and Arts in the University School 
of Education for four years and chairman of the board for examining teachers' 
certificates in Pittsburgh.  He retired in 1926.
  Mr. Berkey lectured at commencements and county institutes and wrote newspaper 
articles and poetry.
  In his early life in Berlin he was superintendent of the Lutheran Sunday 
School.  He was the oldest member of the I.O.O.F. lodge in Berlin.  He was an 
honorary member of the Somerset Rotary Club.
  Mr. Berkey was married to Martha Lane, who preceded him in death five years 
ago.  A son Paul and a daughter Lorene also preceded him in death.
  He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Florence Nance and Miss Hilda Berkey, 
both of Berlin; and also by a sister, Mrs. Idella C. Ott of Cleveland, O.  Four 
grandchildren and several great-grandchildren also survive.
  Mr. Berkey's body lay in state at the Lane homestead in Berlin until Monday 
noon, when it was moved to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where services were held 
at 2 o'clock with the Rev. Dr. I. Hess Wagner of Somerset and the Rev. Robert S. 
Nagle officiating.  Interment was made in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the 
direction of Johnson and Son.

Meyersdale Republican, December 15, 1949