E. R. Minchew
Encyclopedia
Elmer Reid Minchew, usually known as E. R. Minchew (January 26, 1908–July 1, 2001), was a prominent Louisiana
educator whose career spanned the forty-six years from 1929 to 1975.
Taylor in Bienville Parish
to Elmer Minchew (1879–1971), a railroad employee, and the former Sallie Reid (1881–1975). Elmer and Sallie Minchew are interred at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery near Gibsland
in Bienville Parish. Minchew graduated from Castor High School in Castor
in Bienville Parish, where in 1925, he was the senior class president. In 1929, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts
degree from Baptist
-affiliated Louisiana College
in Pineville
, where he was president of the junior and senior classes and the state collegiate champion in oratory
and debate.
Minchew subsequently received his Master of Arts
and Ph.D.
in 1938 and 1955, respectively, from Louisiana State University
in Baton Rouge
. He began his teaching career as assistant principal and coach from 1929 to 1930 at Bienville High School in Bienville
, Louisiana, followed by two years in the same capacities at Lisbon High School in Claiborne Parish
.
, Castor High School, as principal, coach, and debate sponsor, a position that he held until 1964, except for three years of service in the United States Army Air Corps
during World War II
. Among Minchew's top debate students was DeWitt Talmage Methvin, Jr. (1924–2005), a 1940 Castor graduate who later became an attorney in his native Alexandria
, Louisiana. Methvin's mother, Myrtis Lucille Gregory Methvin, was the mayor
of Castor from 1933 to 1945, one of the first women mayors in Louisiana. A Methvin grandson describes Castor as "one of the most progressive schools in Bienville Parish. Dr. E. R. Minchew was the principal there from 1932 to 1964, and he was well respected. Castor High School had one of the best debate teams in the state at the time."Another Castor student during Minchew's tenure as principal was Enoch T. Nix
, later a banker from Bossier City
and a 30-year member of the Louisiana State Board of Education and its replacement body, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Nix died six months after Minchew's passing.
In 1938, Methvin published a short article entitled "Integrated Teaching in the Secondary School" in the Quarterly Journal of Speech.
The Castor High School Class of 1958, along with several other class years, is listed on a genealogy website, along with the faculty members at that time.
, under president F. Jay Taylor
, also a native of Bienville Parish. He remained in that role for eleven years until his final retirement, effective August 31, 1975.
Minchew was a past president of the Louisiana Teachers Association and attended national conventions before the organization was desegregated and became the Louisiana Association of Educators. By that time, he had already joined the Louisiana Tech faculty. Minchew was also a past president of Louisana Retired Teachers Association, president of the Bienville Teacher's Association, and in 1972 the president of the Louisiana Tech Faculty Senate. Minchew was a worthy grand master of the Masonic lodge
and director of education for the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. Minchew was a deacon at the First Baptist Church in downtown Ruston
, the home of Louisiana Tech and the seat of Lincoln Parish
.
As a speech professor, Minchew was known to require students to pronounce "Louisiana" as LOU ZHE ANA, the common reference in the northern part of the state, rather than LA WEE ZEE ANA, a pronunciation more common in the south. Either is considered correct. An unidentified student of Minchew's writes: "If the broadcasters in Louisiana had from the beginning of time taken Dr. Minchew's correct prounciation of the word . . . we wouldn't have the national media saying that the name has too many syllables . . . . I have done commercial production and voice work throughout our state and other states and always use Dr. Minchew's pronunciation---never had it thrown back at me for a re-do."
in far southwestern Colorado
, previously of Lordsburg
in southern New Mexico
, and Michael Bert Minchew, I (born 1938), and his wife, the former Norma Jean Ellis (born 1939), of Richardson
, Texas
, formerly of Plano
. Mary Hooper was formerly married to Howard Merrill Goodwyn (born 1940) of Arlington
, Texas. Minchew had a sister, Lois M. Perritt (1919–2011), a 1936 graduate of Castor High School, and her husband, Quentin Floyd Perritt (1918–2004) of Jena
in La Salle Parish
, later from Baton Rouge, a nephew, Ronald Perritt of Baton Rouge, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Minchew died at his home in Ruston at the age of ninety-three. Services were held on July 3, 2001, at First Baptist Church in Ruston. He is interred beside his wife at Springhill Cemetery in Ringgold
in Bienville Parish.
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
educator whose career spanned the forty-six years from 1929 to 1975.
Background
Minchew was born in ruralRural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
Taylor in Bienville Parish
Bienville Parish, Louisiana
Bienville Parish is a parish located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Arcadia and as of the 2000 census, the population is 15,752....
to Elmer Minchew (1879–1971), a railroad employee, and the former Sallie Reid (1881–1975). Elmer and Sallie Minchew are interred at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery near Gibsland
Gibsland, Louisiana
Gibsland is a town in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, United States. Conveniently near Interstate 20 and less than an hour from both Shreveport and Monroe, Louisiana, Gibsland offers small town living with access to urban amenities...
in Bienville Parish. Minchew graduated from Castor High School in Castor
Castor, Louisiana
Castor is a village in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 209 at the 2000 census. It was established in 1900. The name "Castor" refers to the genus Castoridae beaver....
in Bienville Parish, where in 1925, he was the senior class president. In 1929, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
-affiliated Louisiana College
Louisiana College
Louisiana College is a private institution of higher education located in Pineville, Louisiana, affiliated with the Louisiana Baptist Convention, serving a student body of approximately 1,300 students. The college operates on a semester system, with two shorter summer terms...
in Pineville
Pineville, Louisiana
Pineville is a city in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is adjacent to the city of Alexandria, and is part of that city's Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,829 at the 2000 census....
, where he was president of the junior and senior classes and the state collegiate champion in oratory
Oratory
Oratory is a type of public speaking.Oratory may also refer to:* Oratory , a power metal band* Oratory , a place of worship* a religious order such as** Oratory of Saint Philip Neri ** Oratory of Jesus...
and debate.
Minchew subsequently received his Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
and Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in 1938 and 1955, respectively, from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. He began his teaching career as assistant principal and coach from 1929 to 1930 at Bienville High School in Bienville
Bienville, Louisiana
Bienville is a village in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 262 at the 2000 census.There are seven cemeteries located near the village....
, Louisiana, followed by two years in the same capacities at Lisbon High School in Claiborne Parish
Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
Claiborne Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Homer and as of 2000, the population is 16,851.-History:The parish is named for the first Louisiana governor, William C. C. Claiborne....
.
Castor High School
In 1932, Minchew returned to his alma materAlma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, Castor High School, as principal, coach, and debate sponsor, a position that he held until 1964, except for three years of service in the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Among Minchew's top debate students was DeWitt Talmage Methvin, Jr. (1924–2005), a 1940 Castor graduate who later became an attorney in his native Alexandria
Alexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
, Louisiana. Methvin's mother, Myrtis Lucille Gregory Methvin, was the mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Castor from 1933 to 1945, one of the first women mayors in Louisiana. A Methvin grandson describes Castor as "one of the most progressive schools in Bienville Parish. Dr. E. R. Minchew was the principal there from 1932 to 1964, and he was well respected. Castor High School had one of the best debate teams in the state at the time."Another Castor student during Minchew's tenure as principal was Enoch T. Nix
Enoch T. Nix
Enoch Talton Nix was a banker and civic figure from Bossier City, Louisiana, who served for thirty years on the elected Louisiana State Board of Education and its successor organization established under the Louisiana State Constitution of 1974, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary...
, later a banker from Bossier City
Bossier City, Louisiana
Bossier City is a city in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, United States.As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of 61,315. Bossier City is closely tied to its larger sister city Shreveport, located on the western bank of the Red River. The Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan area is the...
and a 30-year member of the Louisiana State Board of Education and its replacement body, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Nix died six months after Minchew's passing.
In 1938, Methvin published a short article entitled "Integrated Teaching in the Secondary School" in the Quarterly Journal of Speech.
The Castor High School Class of 1958, along with several other class years, is listed on a genealogy website, along with the faculty members at that time.
Louisiana Tech professor
After his tenure in Castor, Minchew became professor and chairman of the speech department at Louisiana Tech UniversityLouisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University, often referred to as Louisiana Tech, LA Tech, or Tech, is a coeducational public research university located in Ruston, Louisiana. Louisiana Tech is designated as a Tier 1 school in the national universities category by the 2012 U.S. News & World Report college rankings...
, under president F. Jay Taylor
F. Jay Taylor
Foster Jay Taylor, known as F. Jay Taylor , was a historian who served from 1962 to 1987 as the president of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston in Lincoln Parish in north Louisiana...
, also a native of Bienville Parish. He remained in that role for eleven years until his final retirement, effective August 31, 1975.
Minchew was a past president of the Louisiana Teachers Association and attended national conventions before the organization was desegregated and became the Louisiana Association of Educators. By that time, he had already joined the Louisiana Tech faculty. Minchew was also a past president of Louisana Retired Teachers Association, president of the Bienville Teacher's Association, and in 1972 the president of the Louisiana Tech Faculty Senate. Minchew was a worthy grand master of the Masonic lodge
Masonic Lodge
This article is about the Masonic term for a membership group. For buildings named Masonic Lodge, see Masonic Lodge A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry...
and director of education for the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. Minchew was a deacon at the First Baptist Church in downtown Ruston
Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston is a city in and the parish seat of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,546 at the 2000 census. Ruston is near the eastern border of the Ark-La-Tex and is the home of Louisiana Tech University. Its economy caters to its college population...
, the home of Louisiana Tech and the seat of Lincoln Parish
Lincoln Parish, Louisiana
Lincoln Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Ruston. In 2004, its population was estimated to be 42,382...
.
As a speech professor, Minchew was known to require students to pronounce "Louisiana" as LOU ZHE ANA, the common reference in the northern part of the state, rather than LA WEE ZEE ANA, a pronunciation more common in the south. Either is considered correct. An unidentified student of Minchew's writes: "If the broadcasters in Louisiana had from the beginning of time taken Dr. Minchew's correct prounciation of the word . . . we wouldn't have the national media saying that the name has too many syllables . . . . I have done commercial production and voice work throughout our state and other states and always use Dr. Minchew's pronunciation---never had it thrown back at me for a re-do."
Family and death
On June 5, 1934, Minchew married the former Gladys Crawford (April 2, 1913–December 15, 1987), who was an elementary schoolteacher at Castor. The couple had two children, Mary Lynn Hooper (born 1944) and husband Robert Lee Hooper (born 1939), of MancosMancos, Colorado
The town of Mancos is a Statutory Town located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,119 at the 2000 census.The town of Mancos is located in southwestern Colorado, near the Four Corners, at the base of Mesa Verde National Park, and holds the trademark for "Gateway to...
in far southwestern Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, previously of Lordsburg
Lordsburg, New Mexico
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,379 people, 1,220 households, and 854 families residing in the city. The population density was 403.1 people per square mile . There were 1,414 housing units at an average density of 168.7 per square mile...
in southern New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and Michael Bert Minchew, I (born 1938), and his wife, the former Norma Jean Ellis (born 1939), of Richardson
Richardson, Texas
Richardson is a city in Dallas and Collin Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 99,223. In 2011 the population was estimated to be 107,684. Richardson is an affluent inner suburb of Dallas and home of the Telecom Corridor with a high...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, formerly of Plano
Plano, Texas
Plano is a city in the state of Texas, located mostly within Collin County. The city's population was 259,841 at the 2010 census, making it the ninth-largest city in Texas and the 71st most populous city in the United States. Plano is located within the metropolitan area commonly referred to as...
. Mary Hooper was formerly married to Howard Merrill Goodwyn (born 1940) of Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
, Texas. Minchew had a sister, Lois M. Perritt (1919–2011), a 1936 graduate of Castor High School, and her husband, Quentin Floyd Perritt (1918–2004) of Jena
Jena, Louisiana
Jena is a town in and the parish seat of La Salle Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,971 at the 2000 census.In September 2006, Jena became the focus of national news stories in the United States for a racial controversy involving its school system and a group of students known...
in La Salle Parish
La Salle Parish, Louisiana
La Salle Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of 2000, the population was 14,282. The parish seat is Jena.-Geography:The parish has a total area of , of which is land and is water....
, later from Baton Rouge, a nephew, Ronald Perritt of Baton Rouge, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Minchew died at his home in Ruston at the age of ninety-three. Services were held on July 3, 2001, at First Baptist Church in Ruston. He is interred beside his wife at Springhill Cemetery in Ringgold
Ringgold, Louisiana
Ringgold is a town in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,660 at the 2000 census. Ringgold is named for United States Army Major Samuel Ringgold, the hero of the battle of Palo Alto near Brownsville, Texas, in the Mexican-American War. Ringgold, the son of a U.S...
in Bienville Parish.