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| Edward Payson Heald |
Receiving Vault (Behind Main Mausoleum)
Section 15 Tier 2
Edward Payson Heald was one of ten children born to Abel
Heald and Mary A. Sterns on February 5th in Lovell, Maine. Heald spent his
youth in Maine where he took advantage of the educational opportunities
afforded him, eventually becoming an instructor at the Portland Business
College in Portland, Maine. Although young, Edward was highly regarded among
both the faculty and students. Eventually he decided to leave his native state
of Maine and travel to the West Coast. In 1863, at the age of twenty, he
traveled to San Francisco, California.
Upon his arrival to California, Heald set to work
establishing Heald Business College in San Francisco, the first institution of its kind in the western part of
the United States. Edward’s ability as a teacher and executive helped Heald
Business College soon become a leader in the
educational and business activities of the west.
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| The original Heald College and a contemporary school in Concord, CA |
Edward Heald was an educational pioneer in many ways, especially
when it came to women’s education. Heald Business College was one of the first
schools that afforded women the
opportunity to gain practical business training and played a major role
in paving the way for women to enter into the business world. Also, as the
industries of the world changed, Heald Business College changed along with
them, introducing the study of the various branches of engineering, mining and
even automotive repair to the course catalog. Heald College’s mission was, and
continues to be, to prepare students for successful careers by providing them
with career education that focuses on practical, hands-on learning.
Heald College has persevered since 1863, weathering two major
earthquakes and two World Wars, always remaining true to its original mission.
As the needs of the workplace have changed, the Heald College curriculum has
evolved from business courses to include technology, healthcare and legal
degrees.
In addition to the establishment of the college that bears
his name, Heald was also heavily
involved in many philanthropic and benevolent organizations and lent his
influence and co- operation in support of efforts promoting the general good of
the community. He was also involved in agriculture throughout the state
including the operation of a large raisin vineyard near Fresno and a fine stock
farm in Napa County, where he made a specialty of breeding high- grade
roadsters, trotters and carriage horses. He also served as president of the
Pacific Coast Trotting Horse Breeders' Association.
Edward Heald passed away in 1925 and is still regarded as a
pioneer of education in the state of California. Heald College continues today
with twelve campuses throughout California, Oregon and Hawaii and celebrated its 150th
anniversary this year.
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