Northumberland-Lancaster-Berks County PA Archives Biographies.....Harpel, William F. unknown - living in 1899
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 8, 2005, 4:07 pm

Author: Biographical Publishing Co.

WILLIAM F. HARPEL, superintendent of the public schools of Shamokin,
Northumberland County, Pa., was the youngest son of Rev. Mark and Martha Ann
(Morgan) Harpel, and was born near Freemansburg, Northumberland County, Pa. He
was reared and educated in the public schools of Lancaster County and Reading,
Pa., and subsequently at the State Normal School at Millersville.

  Our subject first entered the field as an active educator when quite young,
teaching the public school in Elizabeth township, Lancaster County, one year,
then receiving the appointment of principal of the second grammar school of
Shamokin; in 1877 he was appointed principal of the first grammar school;
September 2, 1880, was promoted to the responsible position of superintendent of
the local schools to fill the unexpired term of Prof. F. M. Bates, resigned,
which position he has since occupied. Although he was but twenty-four years old
at that time, his remarkable success in the school-room had already attracted
the attention of the directors, hence his successive re-appointments, serving
eighteen years in this capacity, during which time his educational methods have
placed the local educational system on a par with that of any other town of its
size in the country. His career in the educational interests of Shamokin is a
conspicuous example of a high position won by a man of learning and energy.

  Supt. Harpel stands among the leaders in the ranks of education, which place
has been universally accorded him by reason of success achieved by -him in the
local public schools. He is a diligent worker and has earned the reputation of
being one of Pennsylvania's most progressive educators; is an active member of
the National Teachers' Association, the Pennsylvania State Teachers'
Association, the National Superintendents' Association, the City
Superintendents' Association of Pennsylvania, the American Academy of Political
and Social Sciences, and is also a state councilor of the American Institute of
Civics.

  One of the priceless possessions of Supt. Harpel is that happy faculty of
giving to others, in a clear manner, that knowledge and information with which
his own mind is so richly stored. This endowment, or Nature's gift, if you so
choose to call it, is the most desirable factor in the make-up of a successful
educator; many of our earnest and painstaking teachers fail because of this lack
of ability to explain. "They know, and know well, but cannot tell what they
know." Supt. Harpel possesses personal enthusiasm in a marked degree, and the
able papers prepared and read by him at educational assemblages invariably
attract widespread attention. He has personally visited and studied the systems
of education pursued in most of the leading cities of our country and frequently
spends his vacation in attending summer institutes or Chautauqua lectures. Being
progressive in every respect, he is not slow to adopt new and advanced ideas,
which is amply demonstrated by the high standing of the schools which he manages.

  Traveling is Supt. Harpel's favorite recreation, and he has already visited
nearly every state and territory in the Union, as well as most of the British
provinces to the north of us. In 1882 he made an extensive trip to the Old World
and toured Ireland, Scotland, England, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland
and France, and spent the summer of 1888 in touring through our most northern
possession, Alaska.

  On July 2, 1896, Supt. Harpel chose for his bride. Elizabeth May Stedman, a
charming and cultured lady. She is a daughter of James A. Stedman and is a
native of New-York State. Despite his arduous school duties our subject takes an
active interest in church work, and is at present a deacon of Trinity
Evangelical Lutheran congregation, and was superintendent of its Sunday School
for a number of years. He is a tried and valued adviser in the councils of the
Republican party. Socially he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and
affiliates with Shamokin Lodge No. 255, F. &A. M.; Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, R.
A. M.; Shamokin Commandery, No. 70, K. T.; Caldwell Consistory, S. P. R. S., 32d
Degree, of Bloomsburg, and Rajah Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Reading, Pa.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
  
  Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District
  Published by 
  Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)


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