Clinton Howard Oman, superintendent of the Garnett schools, is a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, where he was born, March 19, 1868. His parents were Levi and Ann (Morgan) Oman, the former a native of Hancock county, Ohio, where he was born, April 28, 1839, a son of Isaac and Mary Oman, the former a native of Pennsylvania and a son of a German who, while serving his term of enlistment in the German army, refused to black the officer's boots as a part of his military duties and escaped to a port, where he secured passage in a ship bound for America. His coming was prior to the Revolutionary war, in which he fought for American independence for seven years with that portion of the patriot army known as the Pennsylvania Line. The Omans have participated in all of our wars since the American Revolution. When Levi Oman was three years old his father died, and his mother then removed to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He was apprenticed early in life to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he responded to Lincoln's first call for troops by enlisting as a private in Company G, Second Ohio infantry, to serve three months. The regiment was organized at Columbus, Ohio, April 18, 1861, and left for Washington on April 19, whence it had been ordered for the defense of that city. The regiment was detained several days en route and was mustered into service on April 29, 1861, at Lancaster, Pa., and arrived in Washington early in May. Levi Oman first saw service in the famous battle of Bull Run, on July 21, 1861, and was mustered out of service with his regiment, on July 31, 1861. He returned home and in September, 1861, reënlisted for three years' service in Company E, Forty-third Ohio infantry. In February, 1862, he accompanied his regiment to the Mississippi district and in March was under fire at New Madrid, Mo., and aided in its capture. He took part in the battle of Corinth, Miss., where in a few minutes' fighting, the Forty-third Ohio saved the day, but lost about one-fourth of its number in killed and wounded. He took part in the campaign against Vicksburg and was with Sherman in his Atlanta campaign and fought at Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, and the battle of Atlanta. He then accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea and through the Carolinas and took part in the grand review at Washington, after the close of the war, being mustered out on July 13, 1865. On May 16, 1865, he was commissioned as first lieutenant. Although participating in many hard fought battles he never was wounded, and returned to his home, where he resumed his trade. On March 26, 1866, he was married to Ann Morgan, daughter of Samuel and Electa Morgan, the former of Welsh descent and a native of Virginia, while the latter was of English descent and a native of New York. To that union were born five children: Clinton H., Edwin C., Mamie E., Milton A. and Anna L., who died in infancy, while the others are all living in Kansas (1912). On Dec. 12, 1878, Ann Oman, the mother, died and Levi Oman married Augusta Krueger, a native of Germany, on Jan. 24, 1884. To them were born the following children: Grace R., Iva D., and Carl L. Levi Oman came to Kansas in 1871 and located on a farm five miles southeast of Garnett, where he resided until his death, on March 6, 1909. He was a lifelong Republican, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Clinton H. Oman was but three years old when he accompanied his parents to Anderson county, Kansas, therefore, he was reared and educated in that county. He took a course at the Kansas Normal College, at Fort Scott, from which he was graduated in 1896. He taught two terms in the district schools, however, and had been principal of the Welda schools one year, and of the Kincaid schools three years, all prior to his graduation. After graduating he took up special work in the University of Kansas and in 1897 he accepted the position of principal of the Garnett High School, which position he held five years, after which he was promoted to the superintendency and has held that position for the past ten years.

On Aug. 30, 1899, he was united in marriage with Miss Leah B. Hedges, daughter of Henry and Jennie (Butler) Hedges, both natives of Adams county, Illinois, but who came to Kansas in 1882. Mrs. Oman was born in Missouri, on Nov. 4, 1869, but was educated in the Garnett schools. She later attended the State Normal School at Emporia, and taught school for about ten years, the last seven of which she had charge of the primary department in the Gannett schools. Prof. and Mrs. Oman take an active part in the church, social and literary life of Garnett, as both are members of the Christian church, and of the Kansas State Teachers' Association, and of the Anderson County Teachers' Association. He is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Masonic order, while Mrs. Oman is an active member and worker in the Women's Social Science Club of Garnett.