Los Angeles County
Biographies
PROF.
MELVILLE DOZIER
Standing before the brilliant background of a
full half century of devoted service in the field of education, the figure of
Prof. Melville Dozier, of Los Angeles, is one which commands the sincere
respect and admiration of everyone who knew him or contacted with him wherever
his inspired work was accomplished or his influence felt. Professor Dozier is
now living in retirement, well-merited by his many years of labor in the cause
of education; years in which he made a definite impress on the development of
schools and teaching, and during which he achieved a record which is
imperishable.
Professor Dozier is a native of
Georgetown, South Carolina, and his birth occurred there on May 22, 1846. His
parents were Anthony and Mary Catherine (Cuttino)
Dozier. In the academic department of Furman University in Greenville, South
Carolina, he studied from 1859 to 1861 in the preparatory department, when the
school closed on account of the opening of the war. In January, 1862, he
entered the State Military Academy, remaining from 1862 until 1864, in which
latter year the entire student body enlisted in the Confederate Army. Professor
Dozier and his companions were attached to General Jenkins’ brigade during the
remainder of the war. After having been mustered out of the service, Professor
Dozier resumed his studies at Furman University and in 1867 received his
diploma from this institution. Educational work appealed to him strongly; in
fact, had been his goal for a long time previously, and with this object in
mind he came westward to the state of California in 1868. He began his teaching
in the Suisun valley and Vallejo, Solano county and, with the exception of two
years, 1870-71, in Nevada, he taught there until 1874, in which year he was
made principal of the high school in Santa Rosa. For ten years he discharged
the responsible duties of this office, then in 1884 came to Los Angeles. From
1884 until 1906, he held the chair of professor of mathematics at the State
Normal School in this city, and also, during the major portion of this period,
was vice principal of the school. During the interval between 1906 and 1910,
Professor Dozier temporarily abandoned educational work, and was made auditor
of the Los Angeles aqueduct department. However, educational affiliation was
still to be a part of his life, for he was also a member of the local board of
education during this time. In 1910, he stepped back into active participation
in his former work and became assistant superintendent of the Los Angeles
public schools. His record in this position is an outstanding chapter in the
history of the Los Angeles schools, and his name will always be inscribed with
those of other men and women who had intimate and important parts in the
building of the great system at present in vogue in this metropolis. Professor
Dozier had a wealth of experience and years of intensive study as equipment for
his performance of duty in office, and he acquitted himself most commendably.
He cooperated thoroughly with the teachers and other officials of the schools,
and as a consequence had their cooperation as well, with extraordinary success
as the natural result. In 1921, Professor Dozier made the decision to retire to
private life. For over fifty years, he had given of his energy and his time,
and he deserved a relaxation from the hard labors which he had consistently
performed. His departure from office was a source of deep regret to the whole
city, for his efforts had been of far-reaching benefits and his place was hard
to fill in the school organization.
Not alone was Professor Dozier a
power in education. He was a civic leader of distinction. His career has been
typical of the successful American citizen, guided by high ambition and
inspired energy and actuated by the best ideals and impulses. He belonged to
the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and other associations of civic character.
In his collegiate days, he was initiated into the Chi Psi fraternity, and in
line with his work he was a member of the National Education Association and
various other organizations of this character. He belonged to the Southern California
Academy of Science and has been a member of the Southern California Historical
Society for years. He has always belonged to the Baptist Church, and for
thirty-five years was a deacon.
In the year 1874, Professor Dozier
was married to Miss Elizabeth Wilds Edwards, of Greenville, South Carolina.
Mrs. Dozier died on December 27,1918, after they had been married forty-five
years, which were years of perfect devotion and companionship. There were three
children born to them: Melville, Jr., a civil engineer of Los Angeles;
Elizabeth and Marion both died young.
One of Professor Dozier’s favorite
recreations during the years has been travel, seeing new places and meeting new
people, from all of which he gained much through his keen observation and deep
understanding of humanity. The topographical beauties of the country, such as
Arizona and the Grand Canyon, the Hawaiian Islands and Honolulu with their
romantic atmosphere, Alaska, with its interesting history and many other spots
appealed to him and he found great diversion in seeing them. A visit to the
scene of his boyhood days back in South Carolina was a momentous event, when,
after sixty-one years, he again trod the familiar paths. On this occasion he
had the pleasure of addressing the graduating class in the same assembly hall
at Furman University where he had received his own sheepskin. Professor Dozier
is, at this writing, eighty-eight years of age. Providence has bequeathed to
him many more years than to most of those who come upon earth, but in the
conduct of his duties, his association with his fellowmen, his conception of
right living, and in every phase of his career he has fully justified this
beneficence.
Transcribed By:
Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: California
of the South Vol. V, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages
156-158, Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES
BIOGRAPHIES