Holt County, Missouri Genealogy Trails

Biographies

Professor W. S. Dearmont is president of the State Normal School of Cape Girardeau and is widely recognized as one of the able and eminent educators of the state. He believes, with President Eliot of Harvard, that "What is needed is education that will continue through life," and as head of the normal school he has endeavored to give to the students a training that will serve as a foundation for continuous advancement. Professor Dearmont was born September 22, 1859, in Clarke county, Virginia, his parents being Peter and Mary (Bell) Dearmont, also natives of the Old Dominion, in which state the father followed the occupation of farming.

W. S. Dearmont had the advantage of instruction in a private school of Virginia until twelve years of age, at which time his parents left their old home and removed with their family to Holt county, Missouri, where he attended the public schools until he reached the age of twenty years. In 1880 he became a student in the University of Missouri, where he won the educational and Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of 1885. In 1889 his alma mater conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree and in 1910 the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred upon him by Westminster College of Missouri.

After completing his university course Professor Dearmont returned to Holt county and entered upon the work of teaching, in which he has since engaged. He taught school for eight months in Mound City and then became superintendent of schools in Kirkwood, Missouri, which position he occupied" for six years. In 1899 he was elected president of the State Normal School at Cape Girardeau and still continues in that capacity, a most capable and successful educator who has maintained high standards of instruction and scholarship in that institution.

On the 3ist of May, 1890, Professor Dearmont was united in marriage in Mound City, Missouri, to Miss Julia Lee McKee, and they have become parents of three sons: Russell, who is a graduate of the University of Missouri, and is now practicing law in Cape Girardeau; Julian Scott, who is a teacher in the high school of Cape Girardeau; and Nelson Strother, who is a student in the State Normal School.

Professor Dearmont is a democrat in his political faith and his religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church. In fraternal circles he is well known as a member of the Knights of Pythias and he belongs also to the Cape Girardeau Commercial Club, which indicates his interest in the public welfare and his practical efforts for the adoption of the high ideals which he entertains in regard to citizenship. His attention, however, is naturally concentrated chiefly upon hi* profession and since 1888 he has been a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association and is also a member of the National Educational Association and in both is active. [Missouri the Center State: The Center State, 1821-1915 - Submitted by Janice- 2009]