Dr. Bonner Frizzell

Bonner Frizzell was born in the Pine Grove Community near Athens in 1882, the son of William Asachel and Frances Missouri (Knight) Frizzell. He attended Bruce Academy in Athens and Tyler Commercial College, began teaching algebra and geometry at age eighteen, then entered Texas Christian University in Waco and graduated in 1909 with both B.A. and M.A. degrees. He later attended the Pulitzer School of Journalism at Columbia University from 1910 to 1911. After teaching for a few years at Texas A&M University, he became principal of Rusk Grade School in Palestine in 1913, the same year he married Jennie Elizabeth Keller. In 1919 he was named Superintendent and Business Manager of Palestine Schools, a position he held for the next 31 years. He completed doctoral studies at the University of Texas during the summers of 1925 and 1926, and took part in many civic endeavors, serving as president of the Palestine Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Y.M.C.A., while also remaining a life member of the Texas State Teachers Association and serving as its vice president in 1925. After his retirement in 1951, Palestine High School students praised his knowledge, sportsmanship, fair play, kindness, sympathy, and friendship. He remained a tireless promoter of public education until his death in 1968.

Palestine, Texas · United States