George Ness Falkenstein' (July 16, 1859 – August 17, 1949)[1] was a former president of Elizabethtown College.
George Ness Falkenstein | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 16, 1859 |
| Died | August 17, 1949 (aged 90) Pennsylvania |
| Occupation(s) | Educator and minister, Church of the Brethren |
| Known for | Helping to found Elizabethtown College, and serving as its president (1901-1902) |
| Spouse | Eva (Shellenberger) Falkenstein |
| Parent(s) | David Falkenstein and Mary Ness Falkenstein |
| Academic background | |
| Education | York County Academy, Brethren Normal School (Juniata College), and Oberlin College |
Formative years
editBorn in York County, Pennsylvania on July 16, 1859, George Ness Falkenstein was a son of David Falkenstein and Mary (Ness) Falkenstein. Following his father's death in 1866, George Falkenstein took a job with a local grain mill to help support his mother and siblings. The money he earned there also enabled him to pursue a formal education via attendance at the York County Academy, the Brethren Normal School (known today as Juniata College), and Oberlin College.[2][3]
Academic career
editFollowing his graduation from Oberlin, Falkenstein relocated west in order to accept teaching positions in Kansas and Illinois. He also supported himself as a wheat farmer and harvester. He subsequently returned east, married Eva Shellenberger, and launched a business venture with her in Kansas. When it failed, he returned to teaching; however, his job-security was compromised when a blizzard forced the closure of the school in 1888; a tornado then damaged his family's home later that same year. Briefly employed as a member of the science faculty at Mount Morris College, he packed up his family and moved east again in 1893 in order to accept a position as a minister with the Church of the Brethren in Germantown, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1900. As the new century dawned, he then became involved in the planning of a new academic institution - Elizabethtown College, and moved his family west to become a staff member and then, in 1901 and 1902, the college's president.[4][5]
Death and interment
editFalkenstein died in Pennsylvania on August 17, 1949, and was interred at Bupps Union Cemetery in Seven Valleys, York County.
References
edit- ^ "Elizabethtown College - Page Not Found". www.etown.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help) - ^ Ferree, Emmett. "George Ness Falkenstein." Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania: Elizabethtown College (FYS HD Landmarks & Legends: Learning Local History, Professor Benowitz, December 1, 2017.
- ^ Pennsylvania State Death Certificate Number 70112. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, August 17, 1849.
- ^ Ferree, "George Ness Falkenstein," Elizabethtown College.
- ^ "Elizabethtown College - Page Not Found". www.etown.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)