Terrell in Kaufman County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
S. M. N. Marrs
In 1893, Terrell's school board chose Marrs as superintendent. In 1897, the board was involved in a political fight with the city aldermen and mayor. During two years of turmoil, Marrs was fired and re-hired, and he resigned to work at the Department of Education in Austin for a year. He returned as Terrell superintendent in 1899. After his first wife died in 1904, Marrs cared for their four children and, in 1909, wed Ina Cadell. In addition to school and family responsibilities, he was an active citizen, playing a role in building Terrell's Carnegie library and also in changing the local government utilizing a city commission model. He also served as president of the Texas State Teachers Association and on the State Board of Examiners.
In 1918, Marrs left to become State Supervisor of High Schools. He worked under State Superintendent Annie Webb Blanton, becoming Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1921. He became State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1922. In that job, he initiated compulsory school attendance and worked for better rural schools, stronger high school funding and higher certification standards. Marrs died in 1932 and was buried in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, He was honored at the 1954 Texas State Fair as one of 100 heroes of Texas education. His contributions to Terrell, and to the state, remain significant.
Erected 2004 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14636.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is January 2, 1862.
Location. 32° 44.639′ N, 96° 16.545′ W. Marker is in Terrell, Texas, in Kaufman County. Marker is at the intersection of North Catherine Street and East Alamo Street, on the right when traveling north on North Catherine Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 North Catherine Street, Terrell TX 75160, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Terrell Elementary School (within shouting distance of this marker); St. John Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Christian Church of Terrell (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Church of the Good Shepherd (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rockwall and Brin Church of Christ (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dr. L. E. Griffith Homeplace (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carnegie Public Library (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Terrell.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Also on these grounds
Also see . . . Starlin Marion Newberry Marrs. (Submitted on September 1, 2016.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2016, by Rheba Bybee of Seagoville, Texas. This page has been viewed 583 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 31, 2016, by Rheba Bybee of Seagoville, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.