CHARLES I VINSONHALER

Holding prestige among the educators of northeastern Kansas, Charles I. Vinsonhaler has for eight years occupied the responsible position of principal of the high school at Highland, Kansas. Not all men of strong intellectuality who have enjoyed exceptional educational advantages would make efficient teachers. There are certain, peculiar elements demanded in those who have control of the intellectual development of the young and in these qualities the gentleman of whom we write is particularly blest: His course at the head of the Highland schools has given uniform satisfaction and won him high standing in the ranks of those who devote their energies to teaching.

A native of Missouri, Mr. Vinsonhaler was born in Nodaway county, near Graham, September 1, 1862, and is of German and Scotch-Irish lineage. The original American ancestors on the paternal side came to this country from Alsace, Germany, and gradually his descendants followed the tide of human emigration westward. The grandfather of our subject, Jacob Vinsonhaler, being a native of Ohio, D. M. Vinsonhaler, the father of the Professor, was also born in the Buckeye state, his birth occurring in the city of Chillicothe, in 1824. Reared to manhood in that state he became interested in agricultural interests and on attaining his majority he wedded Miss Mary J. Rea, who was born in New Castle, Lawrence county, Pennsvlvania, in 1833, a daughter of Robert Rea, who was of Scotch-Irish extraction. In 1860 Mr. Vinsonhaler removed with his family to Missouri and in 1880 he took up his residence in Hiawatha, Kansas, where he and his wife now make their home.

Professor Vinsonhaler spent the first eighteen years of his life on a farm in his native county and during that time pursued his education in the district schools. Desirous of further perfecting himself in his studies he then entered Highland University, where he remained for three years. In 1886 he began teaching in the country schools of Doniphan county and soon demonstrated his ability in the line of his chosen vocation. For the past eight years he has most efficiently and acceptably served as the principal of the Highland schools and under his direction the standard of education has been greatly raised in this place. He is a man of strong intellectuality, an excellent disciplinarian and has the faculty of imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he has acquired. With a just realization of the importance of education and feeling as did the philosopher who said, "Education is not a preparation for life; but a part of life," he has given close study to the best methods of instruction for the young and to laying the foundation for future success, both in character building and in business.

In August, 1898, Professor Vinsonhaler was united in marriage to Miss Alice Rankin, of Highland, a native of Doniphan county, her parents being Joseph and Sarah A. (Wilkinson) Rankin. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with Rosewood Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is the president of the Alumni Association of Highland University and is a man of genial nature, of uniform courtesy and of kindly spirit, qualities which render him popular in all classes of society.