Washington

BROWNSCOMBE, Fred J.

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 131-132

Fred J. BROWNSCOMBE, educator, Montpelier [Washington County, Vermont], was 
born 16 June 1868 in Guelph, Ontario [Canada], son of John Randall and 
Elizabeth (HONOR) BROWNSCOMBE; on father's side, genealogy recorded to about 
1500 A. D. Since the time of Queen Elizabeth there has always been an 
officer in either army or navy (British) from this family. Jennie 
BROWNSCOMBE (see Who's Who in America), well known painter. On mother's 
side, HONOR, family records to about 1450; family French Protestants, came to 
Ireland in time of Cromwell, settled in Queens County, Ireland.

Fred J. BROWNSCOMBE graduated from Petrolia (Canada) High School at the age 
of fifteen, and later from Teachers Training School, Sarnia, and Normal 
School, Ottawa; received his B. A. degree from Ohio, and spent a year in 
graduate study at Columbia. Was principal of schools in Ontario, Canada, six 
years; superintendent in Aspen [Pitkin County], Colorado, nine years, and 
superintendent of the Montpelier schools for past seven years. Has traveled 
extensively in Canada, Europe, Africa, and Mexico, and the West Indies; his 
hunting and prospecting trips in the Rocky Mountains have furnished material 
for addresses and stories; has been active in literary work; is well known as 
a writer for educational magazines, and is the author of several educational 
books; has written many plays, musical comedies and operettas for the high 
school, class and patriotic songs; is a contributor of verse and story to 
various magazines under a nom de plume.

Outside business, is chiefly interested in boys; has carried on settlement 
work in New York and conducted boys clubs in various places; in Montpelier 
had "the Boys of Vermont" and other boys clubs, the boy choir of Bethany 
Church, M. C. A. [Y. M. C. A.?] camping trips for boys, and the widely known 
bugle, fife and drum corps of the Montpelier schools. Independent 
Republican. Presbyterian, interested in various church activities. Mason, 
member of the Knights Templar and Shrine; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; 
Knights of Pythias; Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; Country Club, Apollo 
Club, and The Club (literary) of Montpelier. Has been president of various 
educational associations; secretary for two years of Vermont State Teachers 
Association; over twenty years member of National Educational Association of 
School Superintendents, the Play Ground Association of America, and other 
educational bodies.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly