The Biographical Dictionary of America/Abernethy, Arthur Talmage

ABERNETHY, Arthur Talmage, educator, was born in Rutherford college, N.C., Oct. 10, 1872; son of the Rev. Robert Labon and Mary Ann (Hayes) Abernethy. He learned telegraphy when nine years old, and worked in various offices in the United States and Mexico until he was prepared for college at the Chafman school. He was graduated at Rutherford college, A.M. in 1889. He was professor of Latin in the college, 1887-90, having passed his A.B. examination in 1887, but was refused the degree on account of his youth. He took a post-graduate course in Latin and Greek in Johns Hopkins university as an honorary Hopkins scholar, 1890-91, and received the degree of A.M., from Trinity college, N.C., in 1891. He returned to Rutherford college as professor of Latin and Greek in 1891; edited the Telegrapher, 1895-97; was biographical writer on the Philadelphia Record, 1897-99: and was a newspaper correspondent during three years' travels in all parts of the United States. He became known as a humorist, and was given the name of '"the New Bill Nye" by Edgar Wilson Nye, who was his friend and adviser. He published "Bertie and Clara" (1896); and "Mechanics and Practice of Electric Telegraph" (1891).