Robert Labon Abernethy Biography
Robert Labon Abernethy, educator, was born in Lincoln county, N.C., April 3, 1822; son of Turner and Fannie (Wedner) Abernethy. His father was a farmer and his first ancestor in America was John Abernethy, a near kinsman of the eminent English surgeon. He was brought up on the farm and had no school privileges. He gained a knowledge of English grammar from a second-hand textbook, and taught children in the neighborhood, extending his teaching as he gained further knowledge from such books as he could obtain. He became a minister in the Methodist church in 1840, preaching in the South Carolina conference, 1840-’43. In 1850 John Rutherford founded Rutherford college in Burke county, N.C., and the young Methodist preacher was made its first president.
via History of Rutherford College, (Burke County) North Carolina United States of America.
