George Soule (educator) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George Soule
Born	(1834-05-14)May 14, 1834 Barrington, New York
Died	January 26, 1926(1926-01-26) (aged 91) New Orleans, Louisiana
Occupation	Educator, writer, military officer
Spouse(s)	Mary Jane Reynolds ​ ​ (m. 1860; died 1918)​
Children	9
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George Soule (born May 14, 1834 – died January 26, 1926) was an important person from Louisiana. He was a writer, a teacher, and a soldier. Soule is most famous for starting Soule Business College in New Orleans. He opened this school around the time of the American Civil War. He led the college for more than sixty years.

George Soule's Early Life and Education

George Soule was born in Barrington, New York. His father died when George was only three years old. Later, his mother married William H. Babcock. In 1842, his family moved to DeKalb County, Illinois.

George lived on a farm there until he was fourteen. He then went to Sycamore Academy in Sycamore, Illinois. He finished school in 1853. Soon after, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. There, he began to study medicine. He took classes at the McDowell Medical College for two years. He also studied law and business at the Jones Business College. He graduated from Jones Business College in 1856.

Starting His Own College

In November 1856, Soule moved to New Orleans. He opened his own school, the Soule Commercial College and Literary Institute. He worked at this college for the rest of his life. The school only closed for a few years during the American Civil War.

Soule's Military Service

During the American Civil War, George Soule joined the Confederate States Army. This was in 1862. He became a captain in Company A of the Crescent Regiment of Louisiana Volunteers. This group was led by Colonel Marshall J. Smith.

Soule served with the Army of the Tennessee. He also served with the Trans-Mississippi Department. On April 7, 1862, he was wounded and captured. This happened on the second day of the Battle of Shiloh. He was sent to a prison on Johnson's Island in Lake Erie. He was later exchanged on September 17, 1862.

After Being Captured

The Crescent Regiment was first formed for ninety days. It was reorganized in the fall of 1862. Soule became a major in the reorganized regiment.

Later, Lieutenant Colonel G. P. McPheeters died. This happened at Labadieville on October 27, 1862. Soule then became a lieutenant colonel. He fought in many battles with his regiment. These included battles on the Bayou Teche and at Berwick Bay. He also fought in the Battle of Fort Bisland.

In November 1863, his regiment joined with others. They formed the consolidated Crescent Regiment. Soule was then given temporary duty at a post. General E. Kirby Smith later made him chief of the Labor Bureau District of Western Louisiana. He served there until June 9, 1865. On that day, he was released from service.

George Soule's Educational Career

After the war, Soule returned to New Orleans. He found his school property destroyed or taken. But he worked hard to rebuild the school. By 1910, over 23,000 students had studied there. By 1922, Soule College had taught more than 40,000 students.

Soule himself taught many classes. He taught subjects like mathematics, philosophy, and logic. People said he was "well known to every young man in New Orleans." He was also known to teachers across the country. On June 5, 1918, Tulane University gave Soule an honorary degree. This was a special award for his achievements.

Soule's Books and Writings

While working at Soule College, George Soule wrote many school books. One important book was Soulé's Philosophic Practical Mathematics. It had its seventh edition published in 1919. He also wrote Analytic and Philosophic Commercial and Exchange Calculator in 1872.

Other books included Contractions in Numbers (1873) and Intermediate Philosophic Arithmetic (1921). His book New Science and Practice of Accounts had its tenth edition in 1919. He also wrote Gems of Business Problems (1885), Manual of Auditing (1892), and Partnership Settlements (1893). His math book was praised for using reasoning instead of just rules.

Memberships and Recognition

Soule was a member of many groups. These included the National Educational Association. He was also part of the Chartered Accountants of New Orleans. He belonged to the Institute of Accounts of New York. Other groups were the National Geographic Society and the Shakespeare Club.

For some time, he was president of the Business Educators' Association of America. He was also active in the Carnival Association. In 1887, he was chosen as the king of the carnival.

Personal Life and Death

On September 6, 1860, Soule married Mary Jane Reynolds. She was from Summit, Mississippi. They had nine children together. Six of their children lived to be adults. Soule's wife died in 1918.

George Soule died eight years later. He passed away in his home in New Orleans. He was 91 years old. When he died, people noted that Soule College was likely the oldest school of its kind in the South.