History of Black Rock, (Cayuga County) New York United States of America

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John Mahelm Berry Sill, educator, was born at Black Rock, N.Y., Nov. 23, 1831; son of Joseph and Electa (Berry) Sill; grandson of Giles and Lucy (Gould) Sill and of Col. John M. Berry, and a descendant of John Sill, who came from England and sorted in Cambridge, Mass., in 1637. He was graduated from the Michigan State Normal school, 1854, remaining there as professor of English language and literature, 1854?63. He was married, March 22, 1854, to Sally, daughter of Abram Lovett and Clarissa Gregg (Holly) Beaumont, of Jonesville, Mich. He was superintendent of the public schools of Detroit, 1863?65 and 1875?86; principal of the Detroit Female seminary, 1865?75; principal of the Michigan State Normal school, 1886?1893; president of the Michigan State Teachers' association, 1861?62, and regent of the University of Michigan, 1876?70, he received the honorary degree of A.M. from the University of Michigan, 1870, and the degree of Master of Pedagogics from the Michigan State Normal college, 1892. In 1890 he was admitted to the diaconate of the Protestant Episcopal church. He was consul-general and U.S. minister resident at Seoul, Korea, under President Cleveland. 1894?97. He is the author of: Synthesis of the English Sentence (1857), and Practical Lessons in English (1880). He died in Detroit, Mich., April 6, 1901.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Black Rock, (Cayuga County) New York

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