Justus K. Jillson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1stSouth Carolina Superintendent of Education | |
| In office July 6, 1868 – December 14, 1876 | |
| Governor | Robert Kingston Scott Franklin J. Moses, Jr. Daniel Henry Chamberlain |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Hugh Smith Thompson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1839 (1839) |
| Died | 1881 (aged 41–42) |
| Cause of death | Suicide |
| Political party | Republican |
Justus Kendall Jillson (1839–1881) was an American educator and politician. He served asSouth Carolina Superintendent of Education from 1868 to 1876 and in theSouth Carolina Senate from 1868 to 1871. He was a Republican.
Jilson was born inGardner, Massachusetts, in 1839, to parents Mary and Sylvester Jillson. His brothers were Henry and Leander. Jillson married Ellen Gates in 1858.[1][2] He moved from Massachusetts to South Carolina in 1866 to teach for theFreedmen's Bureau.[3] He served four terms from 1868 until 1876 asSouth Carolina Superintendent of Education, head of theSouth Carolina Department of Education,[4] and was the first to hold the title.[5] He reportedly struggled with corruption in state government.[6] Jillson was a member of theSouth Carolina Senate from 1868 to 1871,[7] and chaired the education committee.[8] During his political career, Jilson was affiliated with theRepublican Party.[9][10]
He issued the first Annual Report of the State Superintendent of Education of the State of South Carolina to the Governor of South Carolina and state legislature.[11] His efforts at integration included a deaf school. Its leaders resigned instead of accepting African American deaf students.[12]
Jillson moved toSpringfield, Massachusetts, in 1876 and died by suicide in 1881.[1][2]
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