Dana M. King, though not a graduate of Hudson Falls, was chosen due to his myriad contributions to both the students of the district and also to the community. He came to Hudson Falls as the principal of the high school and in a short time was named superintendent of the school district. A visionary with tremendous foresight, he is responsible for the acquisition of the land now occupied by the High School, the Middle School, the Primary School, the Intermediate School and the Transportation and Maintenance offices.
In the January 1964 issue of Central Topics, it was indicated that the physical achievements were not enough to measure this man. He was described as “forward-looking” and innovative resulting in respect for the Hudson Falls Central School District throughout the state. The author of the article further states that, “The imprint he has made in the school is not in the buildings but in the devotion, the earnestness and the painstaking attention to duty that he himself has always manifested and which he has inculcated in his staff.” Interviews with those who knew him bring forth accolades for his accomplishments and his character. He made decisions based on what was right rather than the politics of the situation.
Graduating from Chesborough Seminary (a high school) near Rochester, N.Y. in 1917, he went on to Greenville College where he earned a BS degree in chemistry and mathematics. He also earned a Master‘s Degree from Cornell University in 1921. Upon the completion of his degree, he married Lepha Priestley whom he met in high school and the marriage lasted for 59 years, until Mrs. King’s death. Together, they raised one daughter, Mrs. Virginia King Turner, now of Burgess, Virginia.
The legacy of Mr. King is difficult to produce in this short space but suffice it to say that this most deserving man has been “adopted” by the Hudson Falls community. The LaRue-King Scholarship, given annually to a deserving senior at graduation, keeps his spirit alive in the youth of our community.