A Narrative History of The People of Iowa with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC. by EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M. Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa Volume IV THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Chicago and New York 1931 GEORGE H. SAWYER. Monuments are frequently erected to soldiers and other men who are dramatic figures for more or less brief periods of time in communities or states. Perhaps the only reason why a monument should not be erected to a man who for forty consecutive years has labored faithfully and efficiently as a school worker in one community is that neither marble nor bronze would be an appropriate symbol for the dignity of the work and the manifold influence for good flowing out of such a service. Probably such a record is without precedence in Iowa or in any other state for that matter. George H. Sawyer in 1890 began his teaching career in the grammar grades of the schools at Osage. During 1893-94 he was principal of the high school and in 1898-99 was connected with the Cedar Valley Seminary at Osage. In 1899 he again became principal of the high school, and since 1901 has been superintendent of schools, and for thirty years the supervision and direction of the local school system have reflected in their growth and development the character and ideals of this modest Iowa school man. He became superintendent as successor to George Chandler, who had been in charge of the local schools for sixteen years, and these two men have guided the destiny of local education for forty-five years, practically since Osage had a system of schools worthy of the name. Mr. Sawyer has lived all his life in practically one section of Iowa, having been born at Mitchell in Mitchell County, December 7, 1871, and probably no other man has left a deeper impress of his personality and work. His parents were Edwin L. and Julia A. (Hoyt) Sawyer. His father was a native of New York State and as a young man moved to Columbus, Wisconsin, attending school there and at Milwaukee, and he too was a teacher in his early life. After coming to Mitchell County, Iowa, he settled on a farm and took a prominent part in local politics and affairs, being a staunch Republican and serving as county recorder, carried on a real estate business and was an official member of the Baptist Church and greatly interested in Sunday School work. He was a Royal Arch Mason. Edwin L. Sawyer lived to be eighty-three years of age, passing away in 1927. His wife, Julia Hoyt, was born in Wisconsin, but they were married in Mitchell, Iowa. Both were of English ancestry. Mrs. Julia Sawyer passed away in 1878. Of the three sons George H. is the only survivor, one of them having died in infancy and the other in his third year. George H. Sawyer grew up at Osage, attending grade and high schools there, later spending two years as a student in the Cedar Valley Seminary, and in 1899 was graduated Bachelor of Science from the University of Chicago, where he majored in history. On the same evening of the day he graduated from the Osage High School he signed a contract to teach the eighth grade in the Osage schools. While with the seminary he taught history and mathematics. The Osage schools both materially and in curriculum have been completely rebuilt since Mr. Sawyer became superintendent. The progressive character of his administration is also illustrated in the fact that for many years the Osage High has been a member of the North Central Association of Secondary Schools. At different times the Osage schools have won state championships in athletics, in declamatory, musical and debating contests. Mr. Sawyer married, April 4, 1900, Miss Nora Vaughan, who had been a primary teacher in the Osage schools. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Vaughan, live at Hudson, Blackhawk County, Iowa. Mrs. Sawyer took a degree at the Iowa Teachers College at Cedar Falls. Their daughter, Ruth, will graduate with the class of 1933 from Osage High School. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer are active members of the Baptist Church and for years he was superintendent of the Sunday School and now teaches an adult class. He is a past Master Mason, a past commander of the Knights Templar, a past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias, is the 1930-31 president of the Lions Club and was the past president of the local Izaak Walton League and was a delegate to the national convention of the League in Chicago in 1927. He is a Republican. Mr. Sawyer has long been prominent in educational organizations, having been twice president of the Northeastern Iowa Teachers Association, vice president of the state association, and a member of the National Education Association. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa History Project _http://iagenweb.org/history/_ (http://iagenweb.org/history/) Scott County, Iowa _http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm_ (http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm) **************Great Deals on Dell 15" Laptops - Starting at $479 (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220635228x1201407499/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fad.doub leclick.net%2Fclk%3B213153654%3B34689672%3Bo)