U. R. COURTNEY.

U. R. COURTNEY is one of the successful educators in Allen county and throughout his entire business life he has devoted his attention to the work of the school-room. This profession ranks high among the callings to which men devote their energies. The student does not alone acquire a knowledge of the text-book placed in his hands, but develops the power of mental concentration which becomes an active factor in his later life and at the same time forms habits which color his future career. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the teachers should be people of sterling worth as well as of high mental qualifications, for the impress which they leave upon the minds and characters of their pupils is ineradicable. Very successful has Mr. Courtney been in his chosen calling and well he deserves representation in this volume.

A native of Indiana, he was born in Newton Stewart, on the 30th of July, 1867, and resided in that state until seven years of age when he removed with his parents to Illinois. There he resided for three years. He is the eldest son of Dr. Courtney of Leanna. In 1878 the father came to this state settling on a farm near Leanna, and the subject of this review completed his education in the public schools, and, at the age of nineteen, began teaching. He has since continuously followed that profession, with the exception of a period of one year when he was employed in the capacity of a book-keeper in a large hardware store owned by Mr. Bragg, of Humboldt. He has for some time been recognized as one of the most popular and capable teachers in the county, having been employed in many schools in this portion of the state. He has never failed to continue as a teacher in a given locality if he desired to remain there, for his services were ever commendable and received the support of the intelligent public. In 1892 he came to Savonburg where he engaged in teaching for four terms, after which he removed to Humboldt, as before stated. After a year, however, he went to Elsmore and was engaged in teaching in that locality for two years, spending one year in the city schools and one year in the Old Elsmore district school. In 1899 he returned to Savonburg where he now resides, being employed as principal of the schools in this place for the year 1899-1900. He also possesses musical talent of a superior order and has given considerable attention to the teaching of vocal music, having had charge of some very large classes.

On the 20th of April, 1890, Mr. Courtney was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Williams, who was born in England and in 1886 came to the United States with her parents, James and Elizabeth Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Courtney have had five children, namely: Maud, Reginald, Ruby, Marie and Roy, but the last named died in infancy.

Mr. Courtney gives his political support to the men and measures of the Republican party and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of Republican principles. He has given his entire time to his educational work, either as a teacher in the public schools, or as a teacher of vocal music and in both departments he is proficient, having ranked among the most successful teachers in this portion of the state.

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