California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 PROF. ELMER EDWARD OGDEN. One of the grandest contributions of the United States toward the elevation of the intellectual and moral status of the entire world is the great system of public instruction, which was developed less than a century ago by a few liberal-minded, clear-sighted men, whose efforts in this line were rewarded by the establishment of our free public schools, supported by general taxation. That these schools may be carried on with the greatest possible benefit to the present generation of boys and girls, care is taken to secure competent teach- ers only in every department of education. Noteworthy among the instructors thus employed in our own state is Prof. Elmer Edward Ogden, principal of the grammar schools of Merced, a man of scholarly attainments, and of good executive ability. A son of H. T. Ogden. he was born, December 7, 1867. in Iowa county, Iowa, of English ancestors. His grandfather. Robert Ogden, a native of Harrison county, Ohio, became a pioneer farmer of Dubuque county, Iowa. Born in Harrison county, Ohio, H. T. Ogden was taken by his parents to Dubuque county. Iowa, when a child, and was there reared and educated. Enlisting in Company A, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, he took part in several of the engagements of the Civil war, and at the siege of Vicksburg was severely wounded. After being detained at the hospital several months, he was honorably discharged from the service on account of physical disability. Re- turning to Iowa, he continued in his former occupation as a stock-raiser, and was also identi- fied with the management of public affairs for some time as county supervisor. Migrating with his family to California in 1883, he located in Merced county, and for nearly ten years was employed in grain raising, having near Snelling, a ranch of eight hundred acres. Removing to San Joaquin county in 1892, he took up land near Lodi, where he has since been successfully engaged as an orchardist. Professor Ogden is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Free and Accepted Masons, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Augusta Smith, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of John Smith, who emigrated from Bavaria to Dubuque county, Iowa, going from there to Tama county, Iowa, where he was en- gaged in general farming until his death. Five children were born of their union, namely : Prof. A. L., principal of the Acampo schools, in San Joaquin county; Elmer E., the subject of this record ; V. L., a teacher in San Joaquin county ; Mrs. Florence Adams, of Acampo, and E. L., a resident of Merced county. Coming with the family to Merced county in 1883, Elmer Edward Ogden assisted his father in improving a large ranch, and was also engaged to some extent in freighting, making long and hard trips into the mountains. On attaining his majority, he put into execution the plans that he had previously formed for advancing his education, entering the Stockton Business College, and subsequently taking a normal course. After obtaining his diploma, he taught in the district schools of Merced county two years, following which he studied for a year at the San Joaquin College, in Woodbridge. The ensuing few years. Prof. Ogden taught in the eastern part of Mer- ced county, and then went to Volta, that county where he was principal of schools for two years. In 1902 he was elected principal of the Merced grammar schools, a position that he has since filled with credit to himself and to the eminent satisfaction of the pupils, teachers, patrons and trustees. In Plainsberg, Merced county. Prof. Ogden married Alice Wilson, a native of this county. and into their pleasant household three children have been born, namely : Marguerite, Thelma and Irene. The professor is a Democrat in his political affiliations, and is a member and ex-chair- man of the county board of education, to which he was elected in January, 1899.