Horace Mann, 63, of Massachusetts, passed on August 02, 1859. Horace was born on May 04, 1796 in Franklin, Massachusetts where he began his studies as a young child. Mann strived to become as educated as he could be because he believed it would allow him to succeed later on in life. Although his family faced poverty and the hardships of his father, Thomas Mann, dying when Horace was only 13, his studies were to the uttermost importance. He attended school as often as he could, considering the needs of his mother Rebecca Stanley Mann, but our fellow Franklin Library kept him company when he looked for further knowledge. Our community also supported him, especially our fellow minister, Samuel Barrett, in the teaching of foregin languages like Greek and Latin.

With this Horace graduated Brown University as the valedictorian of the class of 1819. He continued his studies at Litchfield Law School where in 1832 he received his entry into the bar and opened up his own practice. In Dedham, Massachusetts Horace is a legal representative who later proves his value to government issued positions. Elected into the Massachusetts Senate, Horace began the State Board of Education where he promoted the implementation of school and proper training for its instructors. Here Horace highlighted his passion for public education and his belief in state funded schools. Not only was this an important problem that Horace was able to bring attention to, but it came as a personal connection to him. After having to strive as a young child for the bare minimum in school, he made it his mission to build a school equal for all.

Through all this, Horace also found time for his personal life when marrying Charlotte Messer in 1830. As he continued his advocacy for proper education as Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education, Horace granted our community the first state common school in the United States. Horace then remarried, after the unfortunate loss of his wife, to Mary T. Peabody in 1843. The happy couple were then blessed with 3 gracious sons. He continued to demonstrate his educational abilities when being elected into the House of Representatives in 1848. Afterwards, Horace gained the position as President of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

All friends, family, and community are invited to accompany us in Providence at the North Burial Ground for our service.