PROFESSOR J. A. GUNSOLLEY, B. S.

Professor J. A. Gunsolley, principal of the commercial school of Graceland College, has been connected with that institution since its establishment and practically his entire life has been spent in educational work. His birth occurred in Delaware county, Iowa, on the 9^th of July, 1862, and he is a son of Noah M. and Mary E. (Tyrrell) Gunsolley. His paternal grandfather was a native of Germany and his maternal ancestors were English Puritans. His father was born in Ohio and his mother in Vermont, but they became residents of Illinois and later removed to Iowa, arriving here when this state was still largely a frontier district. In 1869 they took up their residence in Mills county, where the father became known as a successful agriculturist. Subsequently the family resided in Harrison and Shelby counties, Iowa, and eventually the parents took up their abode at Lamoni, where the father died in 1904. Four years later his widow passed away at Independence, Missouri, at the home of her son, J. F. Both parents were consistent members of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. To them were born seven sons and three daughters, those besides our subject being: George H., a farmer residing hear Defiance, Iowa, who is active in the work of the church; Elder Jacob L., a farmer of Mapleton, Kansas, who is also a minister in the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints; Elder James E., of Mondamin, Iowa, pastor of the local church; Jerome W., a priest of the church who is located at Kansas City, Missouri; J. F., an engineer of Independence, Missouri, who is an influential member of the church at that place; Victor, who is with the Herald Publishing Company and is also a local minister and priest; Jerusha, the wife of George Sayles, a resident of Lamoni and both members of the church; Alice O., the wife of E. W. Hill, of Aurelia, Iowa, who is station agent there, proprietor of the Hotel Lockin and also national secretary of the Order of Telegraphers; and Stella M., now Mrs. S. R. Wiley, of Arma, Kansas, and a consistent member of the church. Mr. Wiley is a successful contractor and builder.

Professor Gunsolley received his education in the public schools of Defiance, Iowa, in the Western Normal College of Shenandoah, Iowa, in the Highland Park College of Des Moines, where he took his post-graduate work, and in Kansas City, where he studied under Professor S. W. Tamblyn. In March, 1889, he came to Lamoni as superintendent of the public schools, which office he filled with ability for five years. For one year he taught in a business college of Salem, Massachusetts. When Graceland College was founded he became connected therewith and has ever since been identified with the school, being a member of the faculty the entire time, with the exception of two years. For three years he served as acting president, but his greatest interest is in the development of the commercial department of which he is principal. He understands thoroughly the demands of the business world and has so arranged the courses in his department that its graduates are well fitted for filling good positions. He is a thorough and efficient teacher himself and also has the faculty of directing and overseeing the work of others, which insures the excellence of the instruction in the various classes in the commercial school.

Mr. Gunsolley has been twice married, his first union being with Miss May Fisher, who passed away in 1893, leaving three children. Lucy is chief clerk at the State University of Iowa and is also senior in that institution, where she is preparing for the work of a teacher of languages. She was the delegate from her chapter of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority to the national convention at Berkeley, California. Harold M. is also a student at the State University of Iowa and is private secretary to the assistant dean of men. Marjorie is attending high school. His second wife was in her maidenhood Miss Mattie Wight Brown, and to their Union have been born two children, Cecil and Dorothy.

Mr. Gunsolley is a democrat in his political allegiance and has been a member of the local school board, taking great interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the public schools. He is a high priest of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day saints and for several years was pastor of the local branch. He is very active in various lines of church work but is especially interested in the young people’s organization known as Zion’s Religio-Literary Society and since 1895 has been president of the society. During the summers he devotes his time to the furtherance of the interests of that organization, of Graceland College and of the Sunday-school work of the church. He has gained quite a reputation as a lecturer and has spoken in a number of states. For many years he has been connected with the church board of publication as secretary and his services in that capacity have been of great value. Professor Gunsolley is also a director of the Decatur County Historical Society and believes firmly in the wisdom of preserving the records of the county and in stimulating the interest in local history. As a teacher and through his connection with the work of the church Professor Gunsolley has exerted a wide influence throughout the state of Iowa and that influence has invariably been on the side of right and justice.