Arthur M. Hitch
Encyclopedia
Arthur M. Hitch was the Superintendent
of Kemper Military School
in Boonville, Missouri
from 1928 to 1948.
Hitch was born in Cuba, Missouri
in 1875. He attended the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy
in Rolla, Missouri
, then earned an A.B. from the University of Missouri
in 1897. Hitch arrived at Kemper Military School
in 1899 as an instructor of Latin
, English
, German
, and Elocution
. By 1907, he had been promoted to principal. He married Bertha Johnston, daughter of School Superintendent Colonel Thomas A. Johnston
, in 1908. In 1928, Colonel Johnston announced that he was retiring after 48 years as superintendent, and selected Colonel Hitch, his son-in-law, to lead the school. Hitch ably guided the school through the severe financial crisis of the Great Depression
, when enrollment plummeted, and into World War II
, during which the school operated year-round with over 500 students. During his superintendency, the new stadium and football fields were constructed in 1937, the Academic Hall was built in 1939, and the Science Hall was added in 1941. Colonel A. M. Hitch retired in 1948 and died eight years later, in February of 1956.
Superintendent (education)
In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
of Kemper Military School
Kemper Military School
Kemper Military School & College was a private military school located in Boonville, Missouri. Kemper filed for bankruptcy and closed in 2002. The school's motto was "Nunquam Non Paratus" .-Early years under Frederick T. Kemper:...
in Boonville, Missouri
Boonville, Missouri
This page is about the city in Missouri. For other communities of the same name, see Boonville Boonville is a city in Cooper County, Missouri, USA. The population was 8,202 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cooper County. The city was the site of a skirmish early in the American Civil...
from 1928 to 1948.
Hitch was born in Cuba, Missouri
Cuba, Missouri
Cuba is a city in Crawford County, Missouri, United States, and it is known as "Route 66 Mural City,"in recognition of Viva Cuba's . The population was 3,230 at the 2000 census.Cuba was once visited by Harry Truman during a tour of U.S. Route 66...
in 1875. He attended the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Missouri University of Science and Technology is an institution of higher learning located in Rolla, Missouri, United States, and part of the University of Missouri System...
in Rolla, Missouri
Rolla, Missouri
Rolla is a city in Phelps County, Missouri, United States, midway between the larger cities of St. Louis and Springfield along I-44. The population in the 2010 United States Census was 19,559.It is the county seat of Phelps County...
, then earned an A.B. from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in 1897. Hitch arrived at Kemper Military School
Kemper Military School
Kemper Military School & College was a private military school located in Boonville, Missouri. Kemper filed for bankruptcy and closed in 2002. The school's motto was "Nunquam Non Paratus" .-Early years under Frederick T. Kemper:...
in 1899 as an instructor of Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, English
English studies
English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
, German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, and Elocution
Elocution
Elocution is the study of formal speaking in pronunciation, grammar, style, and tone.-History:In Western classical rhetoric, elocution was one of the five core disciplines of pronunciation, which was the art of delivering speeches. Orators were trained not only on proper diction, but on the proper...
. By 1907, he had been promoted to principal. He married Bertha Johnston, daughter of School Superintendent Colonel Thomas A. Johnston
Thomas A. Johnston
Thomas A. Johnston , was the President of the Kemper Family School and Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri from 1881 to 1928. He was known as the "Builder of Kemper"....
, in 1908. In 1928, Colonel Johnston announced that he was retiring after 48 years as superintendent, and selected Colonel Hitch, his son-in-law, to lead the school. Hitch ably guided the school through the severe financial crisis of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, when enrollment plummeted, and into World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, during which the school operated year-round with over 500 students. During his superintendency, the new stadium and football fields were constructed in 1937, the Academic Hall was built in 1939, and the Science Hall was added in 1941. Colonel A. M. Hitch retired in 1948 and died eight years later, in February of 1956.