Orange Howard Cessna (1852-1932)

CESSNA, MATHEWS

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:14

Orange Howard Cessna was born near Kenton, Ohio, July 31, 1852, and died in Ames, Iowa, October 22, 1932. Burial was in the College Cemetery at the northeast edge of the Campus. His parents were Jonathan Wilson and Elizabeth Jane (Mathews) Cessna. The family removed in 1850 to Nevada, Iowa, making the trip in a covered wagon. The father took up a homestead near Nevada. The son attended public school in Nevada and in 1868 enrolled iu the first class of the newly organized Iowa Agricultural College at Ames. During vacations he taught school and during school months milked cows to get money to pay his way. In 1872 received his B. S. degree with the first class graduated from the college. From 1872 to 1874 he served as deputy treasurer of Story County, and later was a bookkeeper in Baldwin & Maxwell's store in Iowa Center. In 1878 be entered Garrett Biblical Institute, Evanston, Illinois, from which he received the B. D. degree in 1885, and D. D. in 1900. He was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1885, and between that year and 1900 had pastorates in Nunda, Belvidere, Elgin, Dixon and Chicago, Illinois. From 1900 to 1921 he was professor of history and psychology in Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechiinic Arts, and was professor of psychology from 1921 for some years later. He became chaplain of the college, serving until 1929, but remaining there in close touch with the institution until his death. Thus for over thirty years he was in intimate relations with the students, exercising among them a most helpful and wholesome influence.

Citation: "Orange Howard Cessna." The Annals of Iowa 18 (1933), 559-559.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.17077/0003-4827.5632