Prof. J. H. Orcutt

Most of the below was contributed by Ben Cooley of Woodburn, Oregon,
a grandson of Professor Orcutt

	Julius Hiram Orcutt, (b. 1845 Warren Co., NY) started his career in Clinton County, Iowa and moved his family several places in Iowa before coming to Odebolt. He was principal of the Odebolt school from 1884 to 1894. In 1901 he moved to Oregon, taking a position as President of The Central Oregon Normal School in Drain, Oregon. He left his family in Iowa for another year except for his son Albert who came on to Oregon and joined the staff at the Normal School. In about 1903 he moved to The Dalles, Oregon to a school there. He retired in 1906 and moved to Portland.
	1885 School Card Click photo for enlargement. This school card is dated June 26,1885 and measures 3.25" x 5.25". A list of the 1885 pupils listed can be seen by clicking on the photo.
	1887 Photo Click photo for enlargement. Photo scanned from the Odebolt Centennial book. This picture was taken when the first Arbor Day was observed at the Odebolt school in 1887. Back row, standing, left to right: Nettie Hoover, teacher; Jennie Burleigh, Stella Schuler, Nina Groman, teacher; Ada Down, Naomi Lesher, Abbie Bailey, teacher. Front row: Mattie Wagner, teacher; Edgar C. Corry, Alta Turner, Flora Cobb, Albert Miller, Mary Down, and Professor J. H. Orcutt. This includes members of the graduating class.
1882 Christmas Card Click photo for enlargement (Note from Ben Cooley) This card that was given to Albert N. Orcutt. A note on back says: "Albert N. Orcutt, Dec 25, 1882, From Papa." The card measures 2.5" X 4". Note anything strange about it? From family letters and a diary I have, I suspect that Grandpa Julius was a practical joker. I don't know if this was one of those jokes or some other reason.	The Orcutt Family Click photo for enlargement Left to right: Emma Justina (Wade) Orcutt; In back, Eva Jeanette Orcutt; sitting between her parents, Elsie Alberta Orcutt; standing, Ettie Estelle Orcutt; sitting, Julius Hiram Orcutt; far right, Albert Newton Orcutt
Click photo for enlargement J.H. Orcutt home in Odebolt. Picture taken 1957.	This house is believed to be the same house in 2004, located at 405 S. Maple in Odebolt.

Articles from Odebolt newspapers

ODEBOLT OBSERVER, VOL. 2. NO. 7. AUGUST 17, 1881
--J. H. Orcutt, of Clinton county, arrived yesterday morning on a visit to his brother, who lives three miles south east of town. Mr. Orcutt is a prominent teacher in Clinton county, and for the next year is principal of the Wheatland schools.

--Mr. J. H. Orcutt returned to his home in Clinton county last Thursday. He was delighted with Odebolt and the country about it, and thinks it not improbable that he will at a future time make his home here.

ODEBOLT REPORTER. VOL. VII. NO. 36. JULY 18, 1884
Prof. J. H. ORCUTT, of Wheatland, Iowa, is a guest of his brother, W. F. He will remain and attend the Teachers' Institute, which convenes next Monday.

ODEBOLT REPORTER. VOL. VII. NO. 38. AUGUST 1, 1884.
The unexpected resignation of Prof. Sprowls from the principalship of our public schools, took the board by surprise. Fortunately, however the board secured the services of J. H. Orcutt, of Clinton county, for that position. Knowing Mr. Orcutt as we have for several years, we feel to congratulate the board and the school upon their good fortune. As an instructor, in the full sense of term, Mr. O. has for years stood at the very head of his profession in Clinton county, and we have full confidence that under his management our public schools will be models of excellence and proficiency.

ODEBOLT REPORTER. VOL. VII. NO. 41. AUGUST 22, 1884.
Mr. Orcutt moved to Odebolt the first of the week. For the school room there is no better teacher than J. H. Orcutt.--Lyons Advertiser. [The early newspapers frequently quoted each other.]

THE ODEBOLT NEWS,VOLUME XIII, NUMBER 50, FEBRUARY 24, 1927
PROF. J. H. ORCUTT DEAD
     Many of our readers will remember Superintendent J. H. Orcutt, who was at the head of the Odebolt Public School in the eighties, holding that position for nine years.
     His daughter, Mrs. A. L. Mason of Early received word of his death, which occurred at his home in Oregon, on Wednesday, February 16 [1927]. Mr. Orcutt was eighty-two years of age.
      Most of his life was spent in educational work, more than forty years, and Sac county reaped the benefit of his work probably more and longer than any one other locality. He was greatly interested in the County Teachers Institute work.
     Before coming to Odebolt his profession called him to a number of towns throughout the state of Iowa, and after moving to Oregon he was appointed president of the State Normal, which position he held for some time.
     Burial was made at his home town by the side of his wife, who preceded him in death.

Professor J. H. Orcutt

Early Odebolt High School Principal

Articles from Odebolt newspapers