Henry R. Pattengill, who lived from 1852 to 1918, served as Michigan superintendent of public instruction from 1893 to 1897 and helped shape Michigan's education system as a textbook author, orator, and editor of Moderator-Topics, a journal for educators. He championed rural district libraries, free textbooks, compulsory attendance, and teacher certification. He began his career as superintendent of St. Louis schools and later Ithaca schools, and his experiences in rural Michigan education led him to advocate for its improvement during his tenure. Running as a Progressive, he lost his bid for governor in 1914. In 1924, his former pupils and admirers donated 510 stones from around the world to construct a memorial to their beloved teacher, colleague, and friend.