LAPHAM, Percy Charles 1890-1955

LAPHAM, RANCHE, DYGERT

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 6/10/2011 at 09:20:27

Percy Charles Lapham 1890-1955

#1:

PERCY CHARLES LAPHAM, superintendent of schools at Charles City, has had a career as an educator that can be profitably studied, and was a member of a family whose influence has been an important element in the educational and religious life of Iowa for many years.

Mr. Lapham was born at Osage, Iowa, December 17, 1890, the son of Rev. Jay A. and Ella A. (Ranche) Lapham. He attended the Osage High School, also studied at the Central Academy and then at Pella, Iowa, Central College, and took his A. B. degree at Des Moines College, 1912. He had a Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago, earning this in 1916, and majoring in education.

While in college he played on the football team. His university expenses were defrayed chiefly from his earnings as a teacher. He was for one year superintendent of schools at Gilman, two years at Cumberland, Iowa, and after that went to Chicago for his Master's degree.

He was for eleven years superintendent of schools at New Hampton and in 1927 came to Charles City as school superintendent and has made a notable record during the three years. He taught in the Extension Summer Schools of the Iowa State Teachers College in Keokuk in 1924 and in Clinton in 1925.

At the time of the World war he was chairman of the four-minute men and chairman of the boys and girls war work organization at New Hampton. He has been a deacon and member of the board of trustees of the Baptist Church both at New Hampton and Charles City, and for many years taught a class in Sunday school.

He was a member of the Iowa State Teachers Association, the National Education Association, is president of the State High School Music Association and served as President of the Iowa High School Declamatory Association.

Mr. Lapham was a Royal Arch and Knight Templar Mason and Shriner, and for four years was a prelate of the Eudora Commandry at New Hampton, and was a Rotarian and a Republican. At New Hampton he was president of the Chamber of Commerce five years.

Mr. Lapham on June 16, 1916, married Miss Altha Dygert, who had been a teacher. Her father, Lewis Dyget, was a resident of Panora, Iowa. Mrs. Lapham graduated from the Guthrie County High School, took her B. A. degree at Des Moines College and for three years was a teacher at What Cheer. They had three children, Lewis Jay, born October 5, 1920, Lowell Winship, born March 20, 1922, and Margaret Ruth, born June 30, 1924.

Mr. Lapham passed away October 22, 1955, near Panara, Iowa and will be buried in the Osage City Cemetery. His wife and children survive him and one sister Joyce Lapham also survives.

Note: Story of his education and accomplishments etc. from: 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.
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#2:

Mitchell Co., Burial Permits: 1947-1971--

Percy Charles Lapham 64, died October 22, 1955 near Panora Iowa, of coronary occlusion, burial in Osage Cemetery.