Prof. Charles Henry Cogshall, principal of the Turner street school at Grand Rapids, Mich., was born in Centralia, Ill., February 2, 1866, son of Seymour C. and Martha J. (Tomlinson) Cogshall. His father was a native of Oakdale county, Mich., and his mother was a native of Tennessee. From early childhood Charles Henry Cogshall has been dependent upon his own personal exertions for what possesses, hence, his respectable education has been gathered, in the midst of toil and care, by dint of untiring, industrious application. He came to Michigan, May 16, 1876, with his parents, and resided at Sand Lake, Kent county, was permitted to supplement the primary education he had received in the public schools at Centralia and Mount Vernon, Ill., by a year’s attendance at the school in Sand Lake, after which he went to Sparta, in the same county, where he entered the grammar department of the high school, later graduated, after filling out the full course of study in 1887. He then began teaching in the Casnovia, following up with schools at Big Springs and Labarge, teaching at the last-named place for three years, and then entered the normal school at Ypsilanti, and in three years was awarded the full four-year, or life certificate. After leaving Ypsilanti he was elected principal of the public school at Zeeland, Mich., where he met with most flattering success, remained for three years, and did some noble educational work by regrading the school and putting it in first-class condition. In 1898 Prof. Cogshall left his charge in Zeeland to assume the duties of his present position in Grand Rapids, it having been discovered that his abilities were worthy of a wider scope for their exercise, in consequence of which not-at-all wonderful discovery, but, on the contrary, a too-palpable fact he was recommended and endorsed by the best educators of the state and the entire board of school directors of Zeeland as the proper man for the position. The sequel has shown the wisdom embodied in this recommendation and endorsement. It may be here remarked, incidentally, that Prof. Cogshall, while a teacher in the district schools of Kent county, was secretary of the Kent County Teachers’ association, and during the entire time passed at Zeeland was president of the Teachers’ association of Ottawa county. He was granted the bachelor of science degree in 1898, from Chicago university. The marriage, of Prof. Cogshall, which completed his earthly felicity, took place June 30, 1898, at Grand Rapids, Miss Lucy A. Stow, daughter of Alfred W. and Clara A. Stow, and niece of ex-mayor L.C. Stow, being the accomplished and happy bride.