Hadley, Hiram, 1833-1922

Founder of New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts and the college's first president. Throughout his lifetime he worked as a teacher, a traveling schoolbook salesman, a wholesale and retail book dealer, the principal of one private academy, and the proprietor of two others.

From the description of Hiram Hadley papers, 1849-1963 (bulk 1849-1922). (New Mexico State University). WorldCat record id: 45864188

Hiram Hadley was born on a farm near Wilmington, Ohio, on March 17, 1883. He attended the Friends Boarding School in Richmond, Indiana then went to Haverford College in Pennsylvania, acquiring an excellent education for his time. Hadley taught for two years in Carthage, Indiana. He returned to Richmond where he married and accepted the position of principal at the Friends Academy at Whitewater Meeting House.

In Richmond, Hadley also began Hadley's Normal Academy. After this venture he initiated a series of teachers' institutes in Nebraska and promoted similar innovations in other states. In 1871, Hadley published the textbook Lessons in Language about teaching English. He moved to Indianapolis in 1880 and opened Hadley's Classical Academy. By the mid 1880s, Hadley was considered a pioneer in educational development.

Hadley moved to the Southwest in 1887 to be near his eldest child, Walter, who was in poor health. He arrived in Las Cruces, New Mexico when the city had approximately 2,000 residents and no public school system. Hadley worked at promoting schools, lecturing in public halls and churches. He joined a group which was promoting local schools. Among the other members were Judge John R. McFie, Colonel William L. Rynerson, George R. Bowman, Samuel Steel, Numa Reymond, and Mrs. Sarah Casad. This group made plans to launch Las Cruces College in April 1888, with Hiram Hadley chosen as the new president.

Las Cruces College open on September 17, 1888 and had 64 students enrolled by mid-year. Hadley acted as president and instructor. In February 1889, New Mexico Governor Edmund G. Ross signed the Rodey Act which established the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts as the state's agricultural college and experiment station located in Las Cruces. Hadley spent a great deal of time trying to raise money and to acquire land for the new college.

Hadley served as president of the New Mexico College of Agriculture until March 12, 1894 when the Board of Regents elected a new president. Hadley remained active in New Mexico education being appointed to Vice President of the University of New Mexico in July 1894. He was at this post for three years and then returned to the NMCA & MA as Professor of History and Philosophy. Hadley served as Territorial Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1905-1907 and as a regent of the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts from 1907-1913. He died on December 3, 1922 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was buried in Las Cruces, New Mexico on December 7, 1922.

From the guide to the Hiram Hadley Papers, 1849-1959 (bulk 1849-1922), (Archives and Special Collections, New Mexico State University Library)