Theodore Fossieck

Biographical Note:

Dr. Theodore Fossieck was born in Granite City, IL, where he attended the Community High School. He received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Shurtleff College in Alton, IL, in 1936. He was granted a Master of Arts degree in education from Washington University, St. Louis, MO, in 1941; a second master of arts degree in 1947; and a doctorate in education in 1949 from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Dr. Fossieck joined the faculty of the New York State College for Teachers at Albany in 1947 as Director of Guidance for the campus school and Assistant Professor of Education in guidance. The following year, he became Principal of the Milne School and remained in that position until retiring as Professor of Education (Emeritus) from the State University of New York at Albany in 1972.

Professional activities included membership in the New York State Association of Secondary School Principals, for which he was Chairman of District #16 and also Chairman of the Association's College-High School Relations Committee in the 1950s. A member of the National Association of Laboratory School Principals for 20 years, he served on its Board of Directors and as Chairman of its Constitution Committee. He was a member of the National Society for the Study of Education, the National Education Association, and the New York State Teachers Association. Since its inception in 1949, he was a member of the Jenkins Memorial Scholarship Committee of the New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers.

After his retirement, Dr. Fossieck continued an active association with the University. He served as Coordinator of the School of Education Retirees at [what is now called] the University at Albany. In 1994, the Alumni Association named him its Citizen of the University, and prior to that, he became a member of the University's Heritage Circle and President's Club. In 1994, the University further honored him by naming the former library of the Milne School as the Theodore H. Fossieck Milne Alumni Room. Dr. Fossieck established an annual scholarship to the University at Albany for a student who is a descendant of a Milne School graduate or faculty member.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in Military Intelligence in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1938, he retired as a full Colonel in 1968 and remained active in the Reserve Officers Association and the Retired Officers Association. His active duty in W.W. II included service as Post Public Relations and Intelligence Officer at Fort Custer, MI, from 1941 to 1943 and as Assistant A.C. of S., G-2 and Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment Commander for the XV Corps in the United States and Europe from 1943 to 1945, during which time he received the Bronze Star and four battle stars. Returning to the Reserves in 1945 as a Lt. Colonel, Dr. Fossieck was active in the Reserves in Albany until 1968, when he received the Army Commendation Medal on his transfer to the Inactive Reserve. His assignments included staff positions with the U.S.A.R. School in Schenectady and the 1189th Logistical Command in Albany, which he commanded at the time of his retirement, as well as staff and faculty positions in the 1st United States Army Area Intelligence School. His military education included the Counter Intelligence Corps Schools in Chicago, IL, and Fort Holabird, MD; 1st Military Government School at Fort Gordon, GA; and the command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

Dr. Fossieck's interest in Colonial America led him to the New York State Archives, where he had been indexing its Revolutionary War Manuscripts collection. In addition to being a member of several local historical associations, he served on the Boards of the Friends of Schuyler Mansion and the Albany County Historical Association; was a member of the Albany Institute of History and Art, the New York State Historical Association, and the National Society for Historic Preservation; was a founding member of the Mohawk-Hudson Community Foundation; and was associated with the Capital City Rescue Mission, the Torch Club of Albany, and the Second Milers Club of Delmar. Dr. Fossieck established the Janice Dorr Fossieck and Theodore H. Fossieck endowment to provide annual lecture and library materials in the field of American Colonial History.

Dr. Fossieck passed away on October 19, 1996.

Scope and Content Note:

The majority of the items in the collection relate to Dr. Fossieck’s findings on the American Revolution in New York State. The most notable information concerns the detailed records relating to American and British troop counts, movements, and locations during the various military actions in New York State. The papers also highlight certain instances of soldiers killed or wounded in battle and from what cause. 

Many of the files in the collection are notes that Dr. Fossieck compiled in 1992 on Dr. Richard Shuckburg. Dr. Shuckburg was a surgeon for Captain Horatio Gates’ Independent Company, a surgeon in His Majesty’s 17^th Regiment of Foot, and secretary to the head of Indian Affairs, Sir William Johnson. Importantly, Dr. Richard Shuckburg is also one of the potential lyricists for the famed American song “Yankee Doodle.” In his collection of writings, Dr. Fossieck highlights Fort Crailo of Rensselaer, NY, as being the spot where Dr. Richard Shuckburg wrote the famed lyrics to the song. Dr. Fossieck notes that Dr. Shuckburg wrote the lyrics to the song in an attempt to poke fun at the untrained Americans. Dr. Shuckburg and his regiment would adopt the song as a marching tune.

Part of the collection also contains family papers, primarily relating to the Hurt family. These papers show the Hurt family tree, extended family, and the locations where they lived. This information dates back to the late 18^th century and goes until the early to mid-20^th century. 

Of special note in the collection is a singular three-dollar bill listed. The bill is listed as being from November 29, 1775. The bill is issued by the United States as official Continental Currency. 

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