This page is in Memorium of Seward Smith Travis.
It is a “living” Memorium, meaning that you are encouraged to please send in photographs, remembrances, and other media (audio, video, documents, etc.,) to help remember and honor Mr. Travis.
The portrait (right) was taken in 1926.
***Clicking on most images will enlarge them to full-screen***
Seward Travis was a well-known and highly regarded educator before his long tenure with Sayville schools.
He was born in Watervliet, Albany County, New York on December 3, 1875.
His father was Gould J Travis, a Baptist clergyman, and his mother was Ella L Ford.
His family moved to Iowa Falls, Iowa, He was four years old. The next year, 1885, the family is in Nebraska, per the state census.
As some point in 1892 or prior, Seward was living with Daniel and Emma Sutfin in Howard.
His father died in Eugene, Oregon in 1893.
Seward married Nancy Culbertson in 1899. She was a college classmate at Geneseo, NY.
In 1900 Seward and Nancy are living in Harmony, New York.
Seward’s mother died in Oregon in 1907.
Sweard taught school in Buffalo, New York, then became a school principal in a school in Panama, New York.
He was then the Greenport principal for 14 years, before coming to Sayville.
In this 1911 newspaper clipping (right), he is Chairman of the Academic Principals Association of New York State.
At some time in 1912, he is Vice President of the Academic Principals Association of New York State.
At the end of 1912, Seward Travis elected President of the Academic Principals Association of New York State.
December 11, 1929
Seward S. Travis advocates on the value of school athletics programs;
“School athletics is the best weapon to fight juvenile crime’.
Seward Smith Travis in the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.
February 7, 1923
Seward Travis is chosen as the new Director of the State School of Applied Agriculture. This appointment is in addition to his current duties in Sayville.
High School Basketball enthusiasts will find Seward Travis’s 1929 positive involvement in restoring New York State scholastic Basketball tournaments and removing the bizarre, “Rogers Rule”.
October 9, 1925
A leader in… (need short commentary)
1926
Seward Travis advocated for and was very involved in the plans for Sayville’s new High School, which was completed and dedicated in 1926.
June, 1927
Seward S. Travis with his Sayville High Class of 1927. Old “88” is in the background.
November 9, 1928
Seward S. Travis was appointed Superintendent of Schools. (need short commentary)
Seward Travis retired in 1932.
In 1937, at the age of sixty-one, Seward suffered a series of paralytic strokes and died on January 16, 1937.
