Fort Elmo Land

Oconee Enterprise
Friday, July 29, 1927
Page One

Supt. F.E. Land Died Monday

Atlanta, Ga. - Mr. Fort Elmo Elmo Land (sic), state school superintendent, died at Wesley Memorial hospital Monday afternoon, following an illness of six weeks resulting from an attack of ptomaine poisoning. Until Thursday of last week Mr. Land was believed to be improving slowly, but he suffered a relapse and his family has been at his bedside constantly since that time.

Mr. Land, formerly a resident of Macon, has been connected with the state school department for a number of years, being in charge of the rehabilitation department for some time. He was elected to succeed Dr. N.H. Ballard as school superintendent two years ago and was sworn in for his second two year term since he became ill. In Atlanta, Mr. Land resided at 852 Piedmont avenue, N. East.

Mr. Land made an unusually efficient record in civilian rehabilitation work of the state and federal departments of education and later became director of vocational education for the state departments. He was popular with members of the legislature, and aided the school department in carrying out its policies.

Born June 30, 1878, near Danville, in Twiggs county, Georgia, Mr. Land moved with his parents to Butts county when he was four years old. He attended the public schools of Butts county and when 16 years old moved to Abbeville, in Wilcox county.

He later attended Emory college, Oxford, Ga., being graduated in the class of 1901. While attending the college, Mr. Land taught school in the summer months in Wilcox, Dodge and Appling counties to help meet the expenses of his education.

On receiving his degree from Emory, Mr. Land was chosen as superintendent of the public schools of Cordele in 1903 and held that post until 1908. He also served as superintendent of schools in Sparks, Lyons and Dawson. Winning the esteem and confidence of the communities he served.

He was one of the first state school supervisors of Georgia, being appointed in 1911 to served in that capacity with M.L. Duggan and Miss Celeste Parrish. Mr. Land was named director of vocational education in Georgia in 1922 and was later made director of vocational rehabilitation for Georgia.

He was elected state superintendent of education July 1, 1925, and served faithfully and effectively in that position until his death.