Hannibal H. Loring, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Hannibal H. Loring
PROF. HANNIBAL H. LORING.
The pursuits of life are as varied as are the tastes and capacities of men, and it is an interesting and useful study to observe the degree of their assimilation. Among the prominent educators of Porter County, Indiana, is Prof. Loring, the popular and efficient Superintendent of Schools of Porter County. His is an old Colonial family of Scotch-Irish origin, and in tracing the genealogy we find that the first members to come to this country were three brothers, who settled in Massachusetts about the middle of the seventeenth century. Samuel Loring, grandfather of our subject, moved from Kentucky to Darke County, Ohio, between 1808 and 1812, and was among the first settlers of Greenville, that county. About 1828 he moved to St. Joseph County, Indiana, and there passed the closing scenes of his life. His son, John Loring, father of our subject, was born in the Blue Grass regions of Kentucky about 1804, and when about four years of age was taken by his parents to Ohio. Although the pioneer schools of that day afforded poor advantages for an education, he secured a better schooling than the ordinary, and when he became a man engaged in agricultural pursuits. He selected his wife in the person of Miss Elizabeth Wiley, of Indiana, a sister of the famous Christian minister, Thomas Wiley. Her parents were residing in Union City at the time of her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Loring were born the following children: William, Hudson J., Thomas, Martha and Cynthia. The father of these children moved to Indiana at an early day, and after the death of his wife he married Miss Nancy Kane, who bore him seven children: David J., Jennie, Mary, Charles J., Huldah, Samuel C., and Hannibal H. Mr. Loring became fairly well off and was highly esteemed by all acquainted with him. His death occurred at Monterey, Indiana, when sixty-eight years of age. Mrs. Loring was a woman of excellent traits of character, assisted largely in the education of her children, and kept them in the public schools until they began teaching and gained a desire for an education. The sons all became professional men, three of them physicians. Mrs. Loring is still living, and no woman is more beloved and respected by her children. Prof. Hannibal H. Loring, our subject, is a product of Indiana soil, born in Grant County, December 23, 1862. He attended the district school and worked on the farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he became a teacher in Marshall County, Indiana, teaching three terms, all in the winter season. In 1882 he became a resident of Porter County, and entered the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, graduating from the teachers' course one year later. He then taught school in this county, and for two years was principal of the graded school at Porter, Indiana. After this he was principal of the graded school at Hebron, this county, having three assistants. Here he was especially successful, and graded the school, establishing the high school. This school has improved and developed in every way, and is one of the most successful high schools in the county. Until 1889 Mr. Loring remained in this school, and during this time he studied at the Normal at Valparaiso with the exception of the last two years. In June, 1889, he was elected Superintendent of the Schools of Porter County for two years, and has since been twice re-elected, thus showing his popularity. He has given general satisfaction to the people of the county, and his methods are highly approved. He has directed especial attention to the grading of district schools with excellent success, so much so that ninety per cent of the schools in the county are now graded. He has also raised the standard of education in the county and the requirements and qualifications of teachers, gauging the ability of the teacher as he finds it. Prof. Loring has introduced into the county "The Indiana Teachers' Reading Circle," which has raised the standard of education and developed a higher and improved method of teaching. In 1891 Prof. Loring was examined by the State Board of Education, and received a life State license to teach in any school in the State. He has under his charge 98 school districts, 112 teachers, and makes it his business to keep them under close inspection. He is an efficient and popular official and a thorough educator in every sense of the term. On the 23d of August, 1892, he married Miss Emily Brummitt, daughter of William and Mary (Lucas) Brummitt, both of whom are of English origin. The Professor and wife have one daughter, Mildred. Fraternally, Prof. Loring is a Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, and has filled the office of Worshipful Master. In politics he is a staunch Republican. The Professor is a gentleman of rare culture and attainments, and discharges his duties with highly commendable zeal and ability.
Source: Goodspeed Brothers. 1894. Pictorial and Biographical Record of La Porte, Porter, Lake and Starke Counties, Indiana. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Brothers. 569 p.
Page(s) in Source: 156-158
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook