|
Louise King was born March 22, 1910, near Sidell, IL, the daughter of Squire and Frona (Miller) Burroughs. Clifford King was born June 30, 1912, near Chrisman, IL, the son of Ora E. and Floy Patchett King. Both Louise and Clifford graduated from Sidell High School. Louise received her bachelor’s degree in 1931, form Northwestern University, Evanston, graduating with highest distinction and receiving the Phi Beta Kappa Scholastic Achievement Award. After graduation Clifford then attended DePauw University in Indiana and Eastern Illinois University. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1938 and his Master’s Degree in 1940, both from the University of Illinois. Later, both Louise and Clifford did further graduate work at the University of Wisconsin Madison and the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. The couple was married on August 25, 1936 in Wheaton, IL, and in 1948, they had a son, Terry.
Clifford started teaching at a 1-room school in Edgar County, IL, with all eight grades, and later taught seventh grade in Sidell. Louise started teaching in the Atwood-Hammond and Sidell, IL school systems before coming to Sherrard in 1938. She taught English, Latin, and Vocal Music at Sherrard High School before retiring in 1973. After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree, Clifford came to Sherrard as a History and English teacher, plus dramatics coach, at the high school. In 1942, he became high school principal and later in 1949, he formed the first unit school district in Mercer and Rock Island Counties, the Sherrard Community Unit #200, and became its first Superintendent of Schools, a position held until his retirement in 1973. During his tenure he passed seven bond issues, never losing and election. He was in charge of two additions to Sherrard High School and the building of Coyne Center, Matherville, and Sherrard Grade Schools.
Both Louise and Clifford were life members of the National Education Association, members of the Illinois Education Association, life members of the Illinois Retired Teacher Association, and life member of the American Association of Retired Persons. Louise and Clifford were active members of the Preemption Methodist Church, where Clifford served as trustee, treasurer, and chairman of the church council. They also enjoyed working for the Salvation Army and distributed surplus government commodities in Sherrard for many years.
Louise loved reading, classical music, theater and the arts, flowers, birds, and traveling. Clifford loved children reading, traveling, fishing, yard work, raising flowers, fruits, and vegetables, and sports. The couple traveled to every state in the United States except Alaska, visited Canada many times, Europe three times, and the South Pacific once.
|
