John G. McMynn

John Gibson McMynn (July 9, 1824  June 5, 1900) was an American educator and school system administrator. He was the 7th Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction, the first president of the Wisconsin Teachers Association, and the founder of the public school system of Racine, Wisconsin. He also served as a Union Army officer during the American Civil War.

John G. McMynn
7th Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin
In office
October 1, 1864  January 6, 1868
GovernorJames T. Lewis
Lucius Fairchild
Preceded byJosiah Little Pickard
Succeeded byAlexander J. Craig
Personal details
Born
John Gibson McMynn

(1824-07-09)July 9, 1824
Palatine Bridge, New York
DiedJune 5, 1900(1900-06-05) (aged 75)
Madison, Wisconsin
Resting placeMound Cemetery
Racine, Wisconsin
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
  • Ella W. Wiley
    (m. 1852; died 1858)
  • Marion Frances Clarke
    (m. 18601900)
Children
  • John Clarke McMynn
  • (b. 1869; died 1921)
  • Robert N. McMynn
  • (b. 1871; died 1925)
  • Helen (Williams)
  • (b. 1874; died 1902)
Alma materWilliams College
Occupationeducator, politician
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Volunteers
Union Army
Years of service18611863
RankColonel, USV
Commands10th Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Biography

Born in Palatine Bridge, New York, McMynn graduated from Williams College in 1848. In 1848, he moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he started a school. In 1853, he moved to Racine, Wisconsin,[1] to set up the public school system. In 1861, he moved to Winona, Minnesota, to help set up the first normal school in Minnesota now Winona State University. However, when the American Civil War started he went back to Wisconsin and joined the 10th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. He was commissioned Major in the regiment and later was promoted to Colonel. He resigned in June 1863 and returned to Wisconsin.[1] He served as Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin from 1864 to 1868.[2] McMynn helped set up the Wisconsin Teachers Association and was its first president,[1] and he served as regent for the University of Wisconsin.[1] He also worked for Jerome Case.[3][4]

McMynn died at his home in Madison on June 5, 1900.[2]

Shortly after his death, McMynn School was established in Racine and named for him. The school building later housed Walden III Middle and High School. The school was demolished in 1975 and replaced by an apartment building named McMynn Tower.[5]

References

  1. "McMynn Loses UWR Tenants, Adds Vocational to Its History". The Racine Journal-Times. November 26, 1964. p. 40. Retrieved February 10, 2015 via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. "Deaths of a Day: John G. McMynn". The Saint Paul Globe. June 6, 1900. p. 5. Retrieved June 22, 2015 via Newspapers.com. open access
  3. "McMynn, John Gibson 1824 - 1900". Wisconsin Historical Society. 8 August 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  4. 'Delta Upsilon Decennial Catalogue 1903,' Delta Upsilon Fraternity: 1902, pg. 123
  5. "Postcards | Racine History".
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