In the early 20th century, most American teachers were single women. But as Washington State left the decision to hire married women up to the districts, some married couples served as teachers together. Among them was Edwin Twitmyer, a principal and later state high school inspector, and his wife Alice.
Early Washington State Educator Edwin Twitmyer
Edwin was born in Zion, Pennsylvania on May 7, 1854 to Emanuel and Rosanna Gephart Twitmyer. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster in 1887, earning both a bachelor and a master degree at the same time. Edwin taught in Pennsylvania before coming west to Seattle in 1890 to serve as principal of the T.T. Minor school. He also taught algebra and “natural philosophy” or physics.
Active in organizations for teachers, Edwin belonged to the Puget Sound Schoolmasters Association. He served on the legislative committee of the Washington Educational Association and was the Association’s president for several years.
After two years at Minor, Edwin became principal of Broadway High School when it opened its doors as the first dedicated high school building in Seattle. It was there he met fellow teacher Alice Miller. They married in South Greenfield, New York on August 23, 1900 on Alice’s return from the Paris Exposition.
Early Washington State Educator Alice Miller Twitmyer
Alice taught German and Latin at Broadway High School. Born November 29, 1859 to Orville and Emerette Foot Miller in Ballston Spa, New York, she graduated from Wellesley College. Alice taught in her hometown before coming to Seattle in 1890 at Broadway. “Miss Miller’s Latin and German work has been entirely satisfactory,” explained Seattle Post-Intelligencer on June 26, 1893. Alice showed herself to be no pushover. In 1892 she protested to the school board against the reduction of assistant female teachers’ salaries, arguing that they did the same work as men and should be paid the same.
Educating in Bellingham
Though the Twitmyers had no children, Seattle would not allow both to continue working. Edwin remained principal while Alice helped organize educational work at the YWCA, teaching German. In 1904 Edwin was hired as principal at North Bellingham High School, now Whatcom High School, in Bellingham.
Alice could return to teaching, working as a Latin instructor at the school before resigning in 1909. She was active in the local clubs, including the P.L.F., Saturday Afternoon Bridge Club and YWCA Travel Club. She and Edwin even went on a three-month tour of Europe in 1910.
State High School Inspector in Olympia
In 1911, Edwin was offered the position of State High School Inspector by Superintendent of Public Instruction H.B. Dewey. The job was created by the last legislature to accredit public and private high schools in the state.
The Twitmyers moved to Seattle but Edwin maintained a headquarters in Olympia. Alice worked as a substitute teacher at Broadway High School, sometimes coming to Olympia to help grade teacher examination papers. Edwin spent much of his time on the road. He was usually accompanied by county and local superintendents but also by assistants.
Each year, Edwin visited hundreds of schools across the state, from large city schools to small rural schools with only a handful of students. He also spoke at meetings of teachers and officials, such as the 1920 Thurston County Teachers’ Institute. In 1922 he inspected 211 schools and academies and gave 172 speeches.
As part of his job he compiled official reports for the Superintendent of Public Instruction. These reports tracked the massive changes that were occurring in the education system during the time, from the creation of “junior high schools” to the expansion of school libraries. By the late 1920s, high school attendance became the norm rather than ending school in eighth grade.
The Twitmyers in Olympia
The Twitmyers moved to Olympia in 1920, settling in the Capitol Apartments. Having to quit the Seattle Public Library Board, Alice quickly became active in the woman’s club scene in Olympia. She helped lead the Capitol Hill Circle of the United Churches. Active with the American Association of University Women, Alice hosted meetings, gave talks, belonged to their Drama Department and Creative Reading study group and performed in short plays. She often hosted meetings and gave book and play reviews at Chapter Y of the P.E.O., serving on scholarship memorial committees and as treasurer and chaplain. In 1928 she helped the group hand out pins to graduating honors students at Olympia High School.
Alice was particularly active with the Woman’s Club of Olympia. Elected as president in 1928, she also served as corresponding secretary and on the program committee. Alice organized teas and reviewed books. She frequently represented the club at state federation meetings.
Alice taught history at Olympia High School during the 1920-1921 school year. She returned for the 1923-1924 school year to teach algebra and English.
Ediwn and Alice Twitmyer Retirement
In 1927 Edwin’s old college awarded him an honorary doctorate for his decades of educational service. After weathering a cost-cutting purge of employees by incoming Superintendent N.D. Shoalwater, Edwin retired in late 1930. He died on October 15, 1931 in Olympia, after a two-year battle with cancer.
Alice moved to San Diego to live with her sisters. She passed away in Seattle on February 13, 1949. Both Alice and Edwin were dedicated educators and kept up with former students. When Edwin died he was commended by many but the best praise came from his former students. “He was a wonderfully fine man,” wrote Mrs. Donovan “He could always speak a kind word for anybody.” The same kindness could be said of Alice too.
