Francis Floyd Herr, a former Superintendent of Schools in Medicine Lodge,
     lived in Barber County as a child, attending grade and high school in 
     Medicine Lodge.
       His parents were Allen E. Herr and Laura Melvina (Taylor) Herr. His
     grandparents were also Barber countians. Hs paternal grandparents were
     Abraham Reider Herr and Elizabeth Shenk. His maternal grandparents were
     George Taylor and Susan Frances (King) Taylor. He had an older brother,
     Ethan Allen, and two older sisters, Susan Grace and Mabel May.
       Floyd was married on July 1, 1928, to Eather G. Jones from Riley county,
     Kansas. They had two daughters, Eleanor Anne, born December 30, 1932, and
     Margaret Joyce, born August 16, 1938.
       Floyd's mother died of tuberculosis when he was 1 1/2 years old, and his
     father movedd the family from Woods county, Oklahoma, to Barber County. 
     Floyd made his home with Grandma and Grandpa Taylor, seven miles southeast
     of Medicine Lodge, but later moved to town. When Grandma Taylor became ill
     and went to live with her daughter, Grace McGuire, in Oklahoma, Floyed went
     out to the ranch with his father and the other children.
       The older children left for Kansas State, and Floyd and his father batched.
     If there was nothing else to eat, there would be cheese, crackers, maybe a
     can of salmon and some bread.
       There was always a Kansas City Star, a Reader's Digest, or a book to read.
     Floyd rode a horse, Old Ronnie, to school and back at night if need be.
       Floyd was graduated from high school i May, 1921. His father became ill,
     so Floyd spent the next year at home doing farm work and taking care of 
     cattle. He attended Kansas State and was graduated in 1926 with a BS in
     Agriculture. From 1931-33 he attended summer school at Columbia University,
     New York, receiving the MA degree in Educational Administratoin. He attended
     summer sessions at Denver University in 1939 and Colorado State in 1941.
       Floyd taught in Johnson, High School 1926-27 and vocational agriculture
     in Argonia High School from 1927-30. He was Superintendent of Schools at
     Argonia 1930-35.
       From 1935 to 1943 Floyd was Superintendent of Schools at Medicine Lodge.
     He belonged to the Masons, Lions Club, and was a faithful member of the
     Methodist Church. He loved athletics and helped to bring about improvements
     of the high school football field. The field was lighted and sodded while
     he was there. Noon-hour activites were organized for students who broght
     lunch.
       In 1943 the Herrs moved to Topeka, where Floyd werved as Secretary to the
     State Board of Education. In 1945 he was named Director of the Division of
     Accreditation and Teacher Certification. Floyd retired in 1971 as Assistant
     Commissioner of Education, Director of Accreditation, Teacher Certification,
     and Adult Education.
       Floyd was active in national educational organizations, served as president
     of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and
     Certification, and received several national and state recognition awards.
       Three Kansas colleges honored him: Ottawa University, 1951. Honorary 
     Doctorate in Education; Southwestern College, 1968, Recognition Award;
     Emporia State Teachers College, 1972, Master Teacher Award.
                 
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 226 
     Submitted by: Esther Jones Herr