Around the Hill and A-Far-Away Off

Marcus or 'Mark' Fielding HArt was born in Preston, Idaho March 30, 1904 to Arthur William Hart and Ada Doney Lowe. The third of ten children, Mark grew up in a loving, hard working home. In his early years he excelled at spelling and poetry.After graduating from Preston Highschool in 1924, he went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Arts and Sciences (a double major degree in English and Instrumental Music) from Utah State University, June 1, 1935 and a Masters of Education (Major in Administravie Education witha minor in Philosophy of Education) at the University of Washington August 27, 1943.He taught English and Instrumental Music for 21 years in Utah, Idaho and Washington, and served two terms as Superintendent of Public Instruction for Franklin County Idaho Schools (1946-1950).Mark also served two terms in the Idaho State Legislature; (1963-1964 and 1969-1970) first term as a Representative from Franklin County; then as a Representative of Bear Lake, Caribou, and Franklin Counties.He became a member of Phi Delta Kappan in 1941 and contributed to state and national magazines, as well as local magazines and newspapers. His most famous work "New Diacritic Word Power Testers and Builders (1950) has sold over a million and a half copies throught the United States and several countries around the world.He played both the violin and piano and enjoyed singing. His marching bands won scores of prizes, including first place and sweepstakes prizes in the Portland Rose Festival Parade and special honors in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade.Mark married Clara Walburger of Lethbridge, Alberta Canada August 26, 1933. They had nine children. After Clara's death (April 21, 1978) he married Lois Daines Griffeth, December 27, 1979, who later passed away December 6,1992. Mark Hart passed away December 30, 1994 in his hometown of Preston Idaho.