Gail Horton Calmerton

Wheeler's graded readers, a first reader by Gail Calmerton and William H. Wheeler

Gail Horton Calmerton (November 2, 1861 – February 5, 1950) was an educator and a charter member of the National Council of Primary Education.

Early life

Gail Horton Calmerton was born on November 2, 1861, in Wisconsin, the daughter of E. Rudolph and M. Rougene Calmerton.[1]

Calmerton was a graduate of State Normal school in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and University of Chicago.[2]

Career

Gail Calmerton was interested in all civic and educational matters.[1]

Calmerton was a former Supervisor of Primary Education in the Public Schools of Fort Wayne, Indiana, before moving to California.[1][3] The first primary supervisor was Annie Klingensmith, hired in 1899, a graduate of State Normal School in Indiana, PA, and Oswego Normal School in New York. Calmerton replaced Klingensmith in 1905, when Klingensmith resigned to accept a similar position in Paterson, New Jersey, and Calmerton served in that position until 1923.[2][4]

Calmerton wrote educational articles, children's stories and verse. She was the coauthor, together with William Henry Wheeler (1854-1936),[5] of "Wheeler Graded Readers" and author: "Practical Projects, Plays and Games" (book for teachers).[1]

For many years Calmerton was institute instructor and lecturer in theory and practice of primary work.[1]

Calmerton was a member of: University Women's Club, American Pen Women, National Council of Primary Education (charter member).[1]

Personal life

Gail Calmerton was a resident of California since 1923 and lived at 2344 Fort Stockton Drive, San Diego, California.[1]

Calmerton died on February 5, 1950, and is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), Section: Col. of Patience, Iris Terr, Map #: 1, Lot: 0, Space: 21356, Property: Niche.[6]

Legacy

Gail Calmerton was the donor of "The Gail Calmerton Teachers' and Juvenile Library" (2,000 volumes), Fort Wayne, Indiana:[1] the library board received a check for $1,000 to be used to create a trust fund to purchase children's books.[7]

In 1952 the Regents of University of California, Berkeley, established The Gail H. Calmerton Scholarships, two scholarships of $1,200 each open to worthy and needy students in any department of the University, using the funds presented by Calmerton.[8]

References

1. Binheim, Max; Elvin, Charles A (1928). Women of the West; a series of biographical sketches of living eminent women in the eleven western states of the United States of America. p. 30. Retrieved 8 August 2017. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
2. Journal of the Midwest History of Education Society, Volumi 21-22. University of Northern Iowa College of Education. 1994. p. 129. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
3. Addresses and Proceedings - National Education Association of the United States. National Education Association of the United States. 1920. p. 19. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
4. Slocum, <Charles Elihu; Robertson, Robert Stoddard (1905). History of the Maumee River Basin from the Earliest Account to Its Organization Into Counties, Volume 2. Bowen & Slocum. p. 239. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
5. Gail, Calmerton; Wheeler, William Henry (1901). Wheeler's graded readers : a first reader / by Gail Calmerton and William H. Wheeler. W.H. Wheeler & Company. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
6. "Last Name: Calmerton First Name: Gail Middle Name: Horton Years: d. 1950 Memorial Park: Glendale". Forest Lawn. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
7. Library Occurrent, Volume 13. Indiana State Library. 1941. p. 56. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
8. Register - University of California, Volume 1. University of California Press. 1952. p. 46. Retrieved 8 August 2017.