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Principal Francis John Cheney (1891)

Dr. Francis John Cheney was the second principal of the Cortland State Normal School. He was hired in 1891 after Principal Hoose was dismissed and remained in the office until his 1912 death. Dr. Cheney grew up in Cattaraugus County, New York on a farm. Earning his Bachelor’s degree in 1872 from Genesee College and in 1889 his M.A. and Ph.D. from the School of American History at Syracuse University. He also studied law with an emphasis on education and was a member of the State Bar. Before coming to Cortland, he served as Chair of Mathematics at Northern New York Conference seminary in Antwerp; Principal of Dryden Union School; and State Inspector of Academics in New York.

Cheney established a strong reputation as the Normal School’s principal. He came to office in the aftermath of a controversy involving the previous principal and unified the school. Leading with a steady and firm hand, he put in place a strict code of behavior and morality including prohibition of dancing and consumption of alcohol. Cheney was deeply involved in the city of Cortland’s community.  He was a member and trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal Church; a Sunday School Teacher; a member of the Cortlandville Masonic Lodge where he served as Junior Warden; representative of the 6th Ward to the Cortland Board of health; founder of the Cortland Service Club; Director of the Cortland Automobile Club; and member of the Men’s Foundation. According to the Cortland Standards obitchuary, it was said after the Mayor asked him to be on the board of health “When he (Cheney) demurred a little at the idea of accepting this appointment in addition to his other numerous duties the mayor said to him that if a man like Dr. Cheney declined to serve on the municipals boards board how could it be expected that satisfactory city government could be secured, and the doctor’s reply was that he would accept and perform his duty as a citizen if such the mayor’s wish.”

Principal Cheney died of a heart attack in early March of 1912. His death was sudden at the age of 63, bringing heartbreak to the school and the city of Cortland. He was beloved by students, faculty and community members. In his obituary, the Cortland Standard reported, “While his success as a teacher and administrator was marked, his hold upon his faculty, students and fellow citizens was due to an even greater degree to his man likeable qualities. He was kind, true, frank, conscientious, considerate, sympathetic, friendly, upright, straightforward, thoroughly reliable, and had courage of his convictions.” The senior class of 1912 gave a memorial plaque in honor of the late president that hangs in the foyer of Old Main. Principal Cheney was a unifying figure who left a legacy of sound academic training at the school. In his honor, in 1962 the college renamed North Hall, Cheney Hall.

Sources: Ralston, Cortland Standard March 11, 1912