Warren Newton Dusenberry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Warren Newton Dusenberry
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| Principal of Brigham Young Academy (later Brigham Young University) |
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| In office August 1876 – January 1892 |
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| Succeeded by | Karl G. Maeser |
| Mayor of Provo, Utah | |
| In office 1892-1893 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | November 1, 1836 White Haven, Pennsylvania |
| Died | March 31, 1915 (aged 78) |
Warren Newton Dusenberry (born November 1, 1836 – died March 31, 1915) was an important person in education. He was the very first principal of Brigham Young Academy when it started in 1876. Before this, he had already started three other schools in Provo, Utah. Dusenberry was a temporary principal at Brigham Young Academy. Later, Karl G. Maeser took over his role. Warren Dusenberry also served as a judge in Utah County and was the mayor of Provo.
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Warren Dusenberry's Early Life
Warren Dusenberry was born in White Haven, Pennsylvania. In 1840, his family moved to Pike County, Illinois. This area was close to where many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints lived. In 1846, his mother joined the church, but his father did not. Because of this, his family stayed in Illinois when many church members moved to Utah.
In 1860, the Dusenberry family started their journey west. They stopped in Provo, Utah Territory to visit their uncle. After their visit, they continued to Los Angeles, California. They lived there for six months. Then, they moved to northern California, near Sacramento. In California, Warren studied at Vacaville College. This was a high school run by Methodists. In 1862, Warren moved to Provo with his mother, brother Wilson, and two sisters. His father and another brother stayed in California.
Teaching at First Ward School
After moving to Provo, Dusenberry started teaching. He taught at a school called the "First Ward School." It was in the basement of a church building. Warren saw that the school needed supplies. He went to Salt Lake City and spent $50 of his own money. He bought materials for the school.
The school grew very quickly. Church leaders, who managed the school, moved it to a larger, two-story house. The school kept moving to bigger places because Warren was a popular teacher. At one point, he was teaching 62 students by himself. Even with challenges and money problems, Dusenberry loved teaching. The school became very popular. Eventually, Warren decided to open his own school.
Starting the Dusenberry School
In 1863, Warren Dusenberry opened his own school. It was also called Provo High School, but it was actually an elementary school. He rented "Cluff Hall" for the school. This building had enough space for students and for plays. This fit Warren's teaching style.
Warren made the desks for the school himself. When it opened, 83 students enrolled. Warren and his brother Wilson were the only staff members. They did everything, including teaching and cleaning. Warren taught the older students, and Wilson taught the younger ones. They encouraged fun activities. Students could join debates, play ball, act in plays, and learn instruments. Warren even taught the accordion. The brothers lived at the school. They slept on the floor at first.
By spring 1864, the Dusenberry School was very popular. It could hold 103 students. But 120 students wanted to join that semester, so some had to be turned away. The Dusenberry brothers loved acting. They helped acting become popular among young people in Provo. Many people said the brothers helped bring education and culture to the community.
In spring 1865, schools in Provo faced money problems. The Dusenberry School also struggled. Warren was the head of the county board of education. He tried to make teachers and school supplies better. But there was not enough money. Sometimes, tuition was paid with goods or services instead of money. This made it hard for the Dusenberrys to pay rent. The rent price almost tripled. To earn more money, Warren farmed in the summers. He also served on a jury and helped with other community tasks.
In 1867, the Dusenberry brothers opened a general store. They also helped at the Provo Post Office. They even took over the Provo telegraph office. Warren also became the county tax assessor and a school examiner. After facing many money problems, the Dusenberry School closed in spring 1865. It did not reopen for four years.
The Second Dusenberry School
In 1869, the Dusenberry brothers opened a second school. They worked with a new friend, James E. Daniels. This school was in the Kinsey Building on Center Street in Provo. They faced similar problems as before. They did not have enough room for all the students. But this time, they could use empty rooms in the Lewis Hall next door. The Dusenberry School helped create a strong education system in Provo. It helped Provo become an important learning center in Utah.
Timpanogos Branch of the University of Deseret
The University of Deseret started in 1850. Like schools in Provo, it had money problems. It was closed from 1853 to 1868. When it reopened in March 1869, the second Dusenberry School was doing very well. It became the first branch of the university, called the Timpanogos Branch.
From 1870 to 1875, Dusenberry was the principal of this branch. It was also called Timpanogos University. But he could not be a full-time principal for much of this time. In 1871, Dusenberry went to New York. He helped people move to the United States. When he came back, he focused more on community duties and law. The Timpanogos Branch closed in April 1875 because of more money problems.
Brigham Young Academy
In April 1875, Brigham Young, George Q. Cannon, and Warren Dusenberry planned a new school. It would be called Brigham Young Academy. The land from the old Timpanogos Branch would be used for this new school. In November of that year, a group of leaders was formed. Warren Dusenberry was chosen as the first principal of Brigham Young Academy. He was principal for only a few months. Then he left to go to law school.
In 1892, Dusenberry was elected mayor of Provo. He won against Reed Smoot.
Religious Beliefs
Both Warren and Wilson Dusenberry decided to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was even though their father told them to stay away from the church. They were baptized on July 25, 1864. The next day, they were confirmed as members. By 1867, both Warren and Wilson became members of the Quorum of the Seventy. On April 7, 1867, Dusenberry went on a mission to the Southern States. He served as a missionary for one year. Then he was sent to Boston to help church members prepare to move west.
