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^RE-UNION* 
 
 OP THE 
 
 CLASS OF SIXTY -III, 
 
 HAMILTON COLLEGE, 
 
 TWENTY YEAES AFTER GRADUATION. 
 
 UTICA, N. Y. 
 
 T. J. GRIFFITHS, PRINTER, 131 GENESEE ST. 
 1889. 
 

 /[ T will be remembered that Bnrdick's report covered 
 ^J five years, instead of three. Owing to the slight 
 changes made in the positions of the class, and to the very 
 meagre replies received, the account of the decennial re- 
 union was not published. Some of the statements then 
 given, and a few of the letters, are incorporated herein. 
 There were at that meeting but six members present, 
 viz : North, Burdick, Cleveland, Macauley, Payson and 
 Downing. These gathered under a tree in the Clinton 
 Park, and " renewed old associations " as thoroughly 
 as their limited number allowed. 
 
 B\ TRANSFER. 
 
 JUN 3 1910 
 
Utica, N. Y., May 20, 1889. 
 My dear Class-mate : 
 
 A Ke-union of the Class of 1869, Hamilton College, to 
 commemorate the Twentieth Anniversary of its graduation, 
 will be held under the Class-tree, on the Campus, June 26, 
 at 2.30 p. M. 
 
 Can you be present ? The old boys would like an account 
 of your stewardship for the past ten years. Please send it 
 to me, with a cabinet photograph of yourself, for the Re- 
 union. A new '69 album will be placed in Memorial Hall, 
 and it is greatly desired that it be complete. 
 An early reply requested, 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 Wm. L. Downing, Class Secretary, 
 Box 186, Utica, N. Y. 
 
 The above circular letter was sent to eacli member of 
 the class of 1869, excepting Allen, wbose address could 
 not be ascertained. The meeting thus calledVas beld in 
 the room of the Board of Trustees, in the Library Hall, 
 June 26, 1889. The original intention of holding it un- 
 der the Class-tree was abandoned, as the sky was heavy 
 with clouds, which earlier in the day dripped unceas- 
 ingly, and in the late afternoon sent down frequent 
 showers. Foote and Griggs arrived the previous dayj 
 and together wandered over the Campus, wondering 
 whether they had come " clear from Brooklyn to have a 
 re-union all by themselves." - They came upon the tree 
 the boys of '69 had planted twenty years ago, with 
 "'H/iZv "ABXov *AdrjV7jg'' cut in the heavy boulder at its 
 foot. They were astonished at the change. Tall, sym- 
 metrical, with wide spreading branches, it was able to 
 receive within its shade not only those who dedicated 
 it on that bright June afternoon in '69, but also their 
 wives and, children, should they assemble there on the 
 morrow. 
 
 Foote jotted down several points for his next Sun- 
 day's sermon, on the subject of change, and hired a 
 small boy to climb the tree and cut away a few dead 
 
twigs and brandies that here and there disfigured it. 
 Upon reaching the village they met Lillibridge. He 
 was easily recognized — he had his hat on. He came 
 from Detroit, where he had left his clients to settle their 
 own quarrels. He bore the same dignified appearance 
 as of old, and at the class-meeting found the same dif- 
 ficulty in comfortably arranging himself that he had 
 when Tutor McLean in the old Freshman recitation 
 room told him that " when the laws of nature conflicted 
 with arbitrary laws, the latter must always give way." 
 
 The trains the following day brought to Clinton, Bur- 
 dick from his successful work at Cornell, Ecob with his 
 Alumni poem from the "wickeder and more wicked" 
 city of Albany, Fowler from his briefs and clients at 
 Syracuse, Bagg from the steam-engine manufactory at 
 Watertown, Barrows from his Presbyterian flock at 
 Oswego, Payson from the Binghamton High School, 
 Beecher from his church at Otisco, Bissell from the coal 
 and railroad business in New York city, Searle from his 
 legal interests in Utica, and the Secretary from the 
 Academy of the same city. 
 
 They met at three o'clock. Foote soon discovered 
 new points for his first sermon as a D. D. He and Lil- 
 libridge were unable to recognize the Secretary ; Searle 
 failed to see in a large, finely developed, rotund figure, 
 one of the heroes of our first rustication supper ; Pay- 
 son could not tell whom our valedictorian's photograph 
 represented, nor that Kneeland's picture belonged to a 
 member of '69 ; Griggs thought he saw Chrysler in 
 Hull's [photograph, and utterly failed to discover any 
 traces of the original in that of John Conley ; Barrows 
 and Bagg were sorely puzzled as to the identity of 
 Griggs ; Beecher warmly greeted the Secretary as Fowl- 
 er ; and when Searle facetiously introduced Gouge, of 
 '70, as Schlager, Beecher astounded him with the assu- 
 rance that he "had not changed more than some of the. 
 
other boys." Gouge at once beat a hasty retreat, and 
 in behalf of his own class rej ected this distinction. 
 
 The new faces of the old boys, as they appeared in 
 the album, were closely scanned. Every one noticed the 
 marvelous increase of intelligence, as indicated by the 
 broad expanse of forehead, which in several cases 
 seemed to be unlimited. It was discovered, too, that 
 time had been busy not only with the magnolia and the 
 personnel of '69, it was seen throughout the Campus, on 
 the hillside, in the college buildings, and in the Faculty. 
 But two Professors who aided in the work of preparing 
 '69 for its later battles, remain — Dr. North and Dr. Pe- 
 ters. South College and North have been remodeled 
 and improved, with halls running in strange ways, and 
 now bear unfamiliar titles. Old Middle has fallen into 
 inocuous desuetude. With the exception of a single 
 corner occupied by a " Department recitation room," 
 the structure is abandoned to ghosts and the " sea- 
 gulls " that, back in the sixties, haunted Burdick's bed- 
 room, and rendered life at night a burden and a tribu- 
 lation. It needs only a few English ivies, and a little 
 assistance from Lawrence in removing windows, to make 
 it a veritable Blarney Castle. On the hillside, a row of 
 beautiful Queen Anne buildings, occupied by smooth- 
 faced boys, suggest the club, with its exclusive narrow- 
 ing influence, rather than the practical development 
 acquired by the generous, broadening force of free, un- 
 restrained college association. 
 
 An hour quickly passed in calling up the scenes and 
 remembrances of coUege days, when the following let- 
 ters were read : 
 
 OFFICE OF 
 
 STATE HOMCEOPATHIC ASYLU3iI 
 
 FOR THE INSANE. 
 Dk. Selden H. Talcott, Mel. Supt. 
 
 MiDDLETowN, Orange Co., N. Y. 
 Your kind invitation to be present at the 20th anniversary 
 of old " '69's " graduation is received. Alas ! I cannot attend. 
 On the 24th of June, I expect to wield the gavel at Lalre 
 
Minnetonka, Minnesota, as President of the American Insti- 
 tute of Homoeopatliy — the oldest national medical organiza- 
 tion in this country. The annual session of the Institute 
 will continue from June 24th to June 28th, and thus I am 
 positively excluded from all opportunity of being with you 
 on the 26th. "Business first, and pleasure afterward," has 
 been my motto since leaving college. As .you know, that 
 rule was reversed by me while in college. I had lots of fun 
 while at "old Hamilton," and do not regret that such was 
 the case. Since graduating, I have been a toiler, and most 
 abundantly prospered and honored. 
 
 During the past twelve years it has been my privilege and 
 duty to act as medical superintendent of the State Asylum 
 at Middletown. We have now 572 victims of misplaced con- 
 fidence in charge, and the number is, unfortunately, rapidly 
 increasing. I have been President of County, State, and 
 National Medical Associations ; have lectured on medical 
 topics in Philadelphia, Boston and New York ; am now Pro- 
 fessor of Mental and Nervous Diseases in the Homoeopathic 
 Medical College of New York city. I have written fourteen 
 annual reports of the various institutions under my care. 
 Was formerly Medical Superintendent of the New York City 
 Inebriate Asylum ; was Medical Director of the New York 
 City Soldiers' Home ; and was Chief of Staff at the Homoeo- 
 pathic Hospital on Ward's Island, New York, before coming 
 here I have written and published about a dozen pamph- 
 lets on various medical topics, some of which have been 
 copied in the journals of Great Britain. Have been abroad 
 twice, and visited in Europe about thirty of the most famous 
 asylums there to be found. 
 
 The work of caring for the unfortunate insane is a pecu- 
 liar and delicate work, requiring the utmost tact, good judg- 
 ment and care. It is a work to which I never dreamed of 
 being called ; yet I can honestly say, it is a work into which 
 I have thrown my best powers and my whole heart. That I 
 have been successful thus far in the trying duties imposed 
 upon me, is a constant surprise to myself. I can only state, 
 without boasting, that I have worked earnestly and steadily, 
 and have always put my faith in the strength and goodness 
 of that kind Providence which has sustained and inspired me. 
 
 If I have made a record of numerous small events, it is 
 because I have no large ones to chronicle. My efforts have 
 been steadily directed toward the accomplishment of good 
 work in a medical way, and I have allowed myself to be di- 
 verted to other work but very little, believing that success in 
 life can only be attained by constantly pegging away at one 
 thing. In politics, I have merely made a few speeches for 
 
Grant. In theology, I have been elected to an eldership in 
 the Presbyterian church. While living in Waterville, I had 
 charge of a very interesting class in Sunday school, composed 
 entirely of — girls ! It was a delightful task, and I greatly 
 regretted to give it up. 
 
 Domestically, my lot has been a happy one. Although an 
 unsuccessful competitor for the class cup, and in fact having 
 no heir apparent, I am yet, in my matrimonial relations, re- 
 markably blessed. My wife and I never quarrel, mutual for- 
 bearance being our creed and custom. As my wife is a good 
 deal smaller than I am, the forbearance system works well. 
 
 With warmest affection and most cordial greeting to all 
 class-mates of '69, 
 
 I am faithfully yours, 
 
 Selden H. Talcott. 
 
 ToPEKA, Kansas, May 23, 1879. 
 Yours was received a short time ago, while I was in Ithaca. 
 I cannot say that I feel very proud of my success for the past 
 ten years. Have held fair positions generally, and have been 
 at work pretty steady ; but every road that I have been on 
 in that time has gone into bankruptcy while I was on it, and 
 ended in " sin and sorrow" generally. Was First Assistant 
 on the N. Y. B. & M. till the winter of 73 and '74, when that 
 road went up. Next held the same place on the Corning 
 and Sodus Bay, and that went like " a lamb to the slaughter" 
 in the summer of 1875. During the fall and winter of 1875-6 
 I was on the Pennsylvania and Erie, and Utica, Ithaca and 
 Elmira Kailroads, with no special adventures. Went in the 
 spring of 1876 on the Fon du Lac, Amboy & Peoria R. R., 
 in Wisconsin. It "busted" in the fall without paying its lia- 
 bilities. Next was with a firm of contractors, Jas. Mclntyre 
 & Co., getting up plans and specifications for bridges and 
 other work, and attending lettings. Succeeded in building 
 a large dam and lock at Eau Clause, Wis., and a bridge across 
 the Mississippi at Sauk Rapids, Minn. 
 
 Was in 1877 Chief Engineer of the Covington, Columbus 
 & Black Hills R. R. It started off very well, but ended the 
 
 . A year there broke me, and I resigned. Was in 
 
 1878 bridging a while, and in the latter part of the season 
 on a Government Survey of the Yellowstone River, " Sitting 
 Bull's old barber's shop." Was in Ithaca last winter, and 
 am now going to work for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa 
 Fe, which road I guess is all right. Have succeeded in get- 
 ting a sight of experience, and getting back to where 
 I fiirst started as to money matters, which is O. O. just grade. 
 
6 
 
 1 guess tMs is about as full a statement as I can give. 
 Have heard nothing from anyone except Draper for some 
 time. Truly yours, 
 
 K. P. Ceandall. 
 
 The letter sent to Crandall in May was answered as 
 
 follows ; 
 
 Ithaca, N. Y., May 28, 1889. 
 
 Your circular letter of May 20, to K. P. Crandall, has been 
 received. As he was due in Tome, ChUi, about the middle of 
 this month, it will be difficult for him to meet with you June 
 26th. Think he has a negative in town, and if I can get a 
 print, will send. It is not a recent one, but it is the best 
 that I can do for you. Respectfully yours, 
 
 C. L. Crandall. 
 
 Crandall has continued his work as civil engineer, and 
 his journey to Chili is in connection with his profession. 
 Burdick reports these duties to have taken our valedic- 
 torian, at different times during the past ten years, to 
 nearly every part of the globe. 
 
 Blue Rapids, Kas., May 10, 1879. 
 
 Yours of the 20th is just received, and I hardly know 
 what to do with your demand for an autobiography. Ed. 
 Wickson made a similar demand several years ago. I failed 
 to come to time then, and he drew on his vivid imagination, 
 and wrote one for me. 
 
 I wouldn't so much dislike such a personal task if I had 
 anything of any special interest or importance to write. If 
 I had been married, I would write the boys about my wife 
 and children ; but the good sense of the women of my ac- 
 quaintance leaves me still in the state of single blessedness, 
 and I am consequently deprived of this interesting branch of 
 a personal history; nor has there occurred any thrilling ad- 
 venture or h£iir-breadth escape that I could possibly weave 
 into any truthful history of my nine years' sojourn in Kan- 
 sas, by which to relieve the dry recital of a list of common- 
 place facts. But barren as the subject is, I will respond to 
 your demand. In fact, I am willing to perform almost any 
 service if it will bring me in return information of the other 
 members of '69, which I am always anxious to get. 
 
 Very soon after Commencement, 1869, I began to study 
 law with Hon. Seth Wakeman, of Batavia, N. Y. I had re- 
 mained there only about four months when a sudden and se- 
 
9 
 
 rious attack of the *' Western fever" unfitted me for careful 
 study, and rendered the life of a law-student in an Eastern 
 law office dull, monotonous and unendurable to me. I re- 
 solved to take Horace Greeley's advice — " Go West ; grow 
 with the country," and engaged in the enterprise of organ- 
 izing a colony of one hundred members to build a town in 
 Kansas. In November, 1869, the preliminary meeting to 
 talk over the colony enterprise was called in " Starr Hall,'* 
 LeRoy, N. T. There were present fifteen or twenty gentle- 
 men, to whom this matter had been talked — five of whom, 
 including myself, signed the colony contract, agreeing to go 
 to Kansas together, locate a town at some point to be select- 
 ed, and there make our permanent settlement. I was chosen 
 Secretary. We had enough members for a complete organi- 
 zation. By March 1, 1870, the quota of one hundred mem- 
 bers was filled, the location had been made at the junction of 
 the Little Blue and Big Blue rivers, in Marshall Co., Kansas, 
 and the town had been staked out and christened " Blue 
 Rapids." I arrived on the ground on the 15th of March, 
 1870, and have resided here since that time. 
 
 I write this much of this colony enterprise because it is 
 the work of greater importance and of greater public good 
 than any other in which I have been engaged, and because 
 my connection with it has been a position of greater respon- 
 sibility, requiring the exercise of grit, nerve and persever- 
 ance to a greater degree than any other position I have been 
 called to occupy. 
 
 The '' Genesee Colony," when it was organized in " Starr 
 Hall," LeRoy, N. Y., with only five members, was the sub- 
 ject of some ridicule and sport, because of the lack of pro- 
 portion between its small size and its high hopes and broad 
 plans. But the result, thus far, io the very much admired 
 little city of Blue Rapids. 
 
 I continued to study law after coming to Kansas, spending 
 a few months in a law office in Atchison in the fall of 1871, 
 and after that studying at home, as the surroundings of a 
 new Kansas town would permit ; and my business has been 
 that usual to a law and real estate office. 
 
 Up to 1874 I had taken very little active part or interest 
 in politics, except in a local way. Served as Township Clerk, 
 Township Trustee, &c., wherever it was thought I could best 
 advance the interests of the town we were all working to 
 benefit. 
 
 In Novemher, 1874, I was elected to the lower house of 
 the Legislature for the term of one year ; and in November, 
 1876, I was elected to the State Senate for the term of four 
 2 
 
10 
 
 years, commencing January 1st, 1877, and ending January 
 1st, 1881. 
 
 Until very recently I have expected to attend this anniver- 
 sary of our class, but find that I must forego that great 
 pleasure. To look into each other's faces again, and renew 
 the happy class-friendships that are scarcely dulled by the 
 lapse of time, to meet the old Professors v^ho may still be 
 there, to whose patient drill we owe so much ; to climb up 
 and down the "Hill," over the walk we helped to build, to 
 stroll about the Campus, and admire its trim, pure beauty, 
 and to see the boys of the present classes, who are as free 
 from care and as happily ignorant of the trials of active life 
 as we once were, will indeed be a delightful recreation. It 
 would be especially so to this Kansas jayhawker, who has 
 never visited the old stamping ground. Although I cannot 
 be with you, be assured that each and every member of the 
 class has my heartiest wish for the largest possible measure 
 of happiness and success. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 C. J. Brown. 
 
 In 1880, Brown was appointed Clerk of the Supreme 
 Court of Kansas. Griggs mentions him as still holding 
 this position. 
 
 Stillwater, N. Y. 
 
 Yours relative to the class reunion came duly. I am very 
 sorry that I cannot be present at the time, had rather count- 
 ed on being there. But I am in the midst of packing, get- 
 ting ready to move, and we shall not be settled enough (in 
 our new home) for me to think of being absent. I am sorry 
 that it cannot be otherwise. 
 
 As regards my " exploits" 1 do not know as I have any- 
 thing to relate of special interest. Since the last reunion I 
 have been quietly at work here as the pastor of the First 
 Stillwater Presbyterian Church. I have, however, just ac- 
 cepted the call of the Congregational Church of Blandford, 
 Mass,, and by the time of the reunion will probably be there. 
 My family has not changed, except in age, during the ten 
 years' interval. We are four — wife, two daughters and my- 
 self. 
 
 Remember me to the old boys, and tell them how much I 
 would like to stand with them around the old tree. It must 
 be a good sized one by this time. I shake hands with you 
 through the distance. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 J. M. Chrysler. 
 
11 
 
 As soon as Chrysler's name was mentioned Foote 
 startled us all by suddenly saying, " Do you know, boys, 
 I met Chrysler at the General Assembly some time ago, 
 and he weighs two hundred and seventy pounds. Why, 
 Bissell, he weighs more than you do." A spirited dis- 
 cussion between the two followed as to which one was 
 the heavier, but the class generally thought Eush had 
 the advantage, as he claimed Foote had not been weighed 
 " since that new D. D. had fallen on his shoulders." 
 
 CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, 
 E. R. Patson, Principal. 
 
 BiNGHAMTON, N. Y. 
 
 You may count on my being at the reunion. 
 
 I have spent my time in teaching and studying since 
 graduation. Was located for about three months at Charl- 
 ton, Saratoga Co. Spent two and one-half years at Homer, 
 Cortland Co., as teacher of mathematics. Was for one year 
 Principal of Evans Academy, Peterboro, N. Y. Taught in 
 Utica Academy three and one-half years. Visited the old 
 country in the summer of 1875. Resigned position in Utica 
 in March, 1877, and went abroad to study. Lived in Leipsic 
 and Berhn about three years. Principal of Binghamton 
 Central High School since fall of 1879. Made trip to Europe 
 in summer of 1887. Married Lillian Corbin of Oxford, New 
 York, in 1882. Yours very truly, 
 
 E. R. Patson, 
 
 SCHUYLKILL & LEHIGH VALLEY 
 
 RAILROAD CO., 
 Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
 
 New York City. 
 I have been absent from the city for some time, out on the 
 line of the Schuylkill & Lehigh Valley Railroad, which we 
 are building, and have neglected answering your favor of 
 the 20th ultimo. It is my intention to be present at the re- 
 union of our class on the 26th inst. For the past ten years 
 I have been in the coal and railroad business and have suc- 
 ceeded fairly well. Trusting that we will have a large repre- 
 sentation ^and a good time, I am Sincerely yours, 
 
 R. W. BiSSELL. 
 
 Bissell brought with him the air of thrift and generous 
 living that characterizes the successful New Yorker, and 
 
12 
 
 his genial presence kept tlie meeting aglow from its 
 opening to its close. He lias recently suffered a great 
 sorrow in the death of his eldest daughter, a young lady 
 of nearly eighteen. 
 
 EoME, N. Y. 
 
 After a lapse of years I was glad to hear again from a 
 member of old '69, if only in a circular way. I can give you 
 and my classmates an " account of my stewardship " in a very 
 few words, as my wanderings and changes have not been 
 many. I traveled about and prospected until '73, when I 
 formed a copartnership with John H. Wilson, of '68, in the 
 bock, stationery, wall paper and fancy goods business. In 
 this work I have continued ever since. Was married in '85 
 and have a little girl two and one-half years old, which I am 
 sorry to say is more than some of my classmates can boast 
 of. Came very near getting left myself, so I know how to 
 sympathize with them in a measure. Enclosed please find a 
 cabinet photo, as you requested. 
 
 Yours in '69, " D'Linton W. Greenfield. 
 
 It was an easy thing to discover the original of the 
 photograph that was found enclosed. Time seems to 
 have dealt very leniently with Greenfield and to have 
 drawn but few lines in the genial face the boys of '69 
 remember. 
 
 MACHINE A EORIEE EEMINGTON. 
 
 Papiers a Lettres et Fournltures de toutes 
 sortes pour la Machine. 
 
 New York, Boston, Philadelphia, "Wash- 
 ington, Chicago, Paris, Bruxelles, Lon- 
 don, Manchester, Liverpool. 
 
 Wtckoff, Seamans & Benedict. 
 
 Paris, 21 Rue Caumartin. 
 
 Your circular letter of the 20th ultimo reaches me here 
 to-day. 
 
 I am starting for the South and have only time to ac- 
 knowledge your favor, and to express my profound regret 
 that absence from the country will prevent my presence at 
 the reunion of the Class of '69 on the 26th proximo. Please 
 give my kind remembrances to the boys as far as you may 
 have opportunity, and tell them how much I would like to 
 be with them and take them again by the hand. 
 
 My history for the past ten years would perhaps be unin- 
 
13 
 
 teres ting, even if I had time to write it ; and indeed, I could 
 scarcely say more than is conveyed by the Commercial Re- 
 ports of the Dunn and Bradstreet agencies, and the adver- 
 tisements of the Remington type writer. As this would be 
 talking shop, nobody would care to hear it ; and this portion 
 of my letter would be better suppressed. 
 
 When I get home I will send you one of my photographs. 
 "With sincere regards to all the boys, 
 
 Yours sincerely, H. H. Benedict. 
 
 In great haste. 
 
 From the authorities abovQ quoted it is learned that 
 Benedict is a member of the prosperous firm of Wyckoff, 
 Seaman &, Benedict, engaged in the manufacture of the 
 Remington type writer, with offices in all of the princi- 
 pal cities of the world. His home is at Ilion, N. Y., 
 where the greater part of the time since graduation has 
 been passed. He has had many anxieties and, in the 
 loss of his three children, deep grief. 
 
 Pastor's Study, 
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAi^ CHURCH. 
 73 W. Bridge, cor 5tli St. 
 
 Oswego, N. Y. 
 
 Was delighted at hearing from you the other day ; but 
 was not at all pleased by being so forcibly reminded of the 
 fact that I am growing old. 
 
 Our twentieth anniversary ! Phew ! Don't believe it. 
 you must have had some other Rip Van Winkle in mind 
 when you addressed that letter to me. But come to add up 
 the different sections of my " checkered career " I am afraid 
 you are right ; for, " honest injun," it took me some time to 
 straighten out the chronology of said interim, since there 
 were several years I could not account for. But thus runs 
 the record : '69 to '76, practiced law in New York city ; '75, 
 Sept. 16, married Mary B. Richardson in New York city; 
 '76-'80, anninon— sick; '81-'83, Auburn Theological Sem- 
 inary j '83-86, settled at Jamestown, N. Y., First Presby- 
 t'erion Church ; '86-date, settled at Oswego, N. Y., First 
 Presbyterian Church. Am the ancestor of one son, born 
 December 1st, 1880, Sterling by name. 
 
 I hope to be on hand at reunion. 
 
 Fraternally thine, C. D. Babrows. 
 
u 
 
 523 WlLLOUGHBY AvE., ) 
 
 Brooklyn, N. Y. ) 
 
 Yours of recent date is duly received. 
 
 Yes, I am intending to come to commencement, not having 
 been at one since my graduation. I hope that many of the 
 old boys will be there. You ask for an account of my stew- 
 ardship for ten years. 
 
 In a vvord, I have been at work in the Throop Avenue 
 Presbyterian Church, where I have been for fifteen and a 
 half years. This is my first and only charge. It was a little 
 church of about a hundred members, at that time worship- 
 ing in a small frame edifice. The edifice has been enlarged 
 twice since to accommodate the congregation, and the church 
 are now about to arise and build a substantial brick edifice 
 to accommodate about a thousand people. The church 
 numbers nearly 900 members and has over 2,000 Sunday 
 school scholars under its care. There have been received 
 into the church during the fifteen and a half years 860 on 
 confession of faith and 540 by letter, or a total of 1,400. 
 One colony has been organized into a church which now 
 numbers about 150 members, with a Sunday school of about 
 600 scholars. 
 
 I have been three times laid up with inflammatory rheu- 
 matism during the ten years past, consuming thirteen 
 months of time, but conveying to me many valuable lessons 
 in practical theology. My health is now good and I weigh 
 200 pounds. 
 
 I am happy in my work, and happy in the thought of re- 
 turning to '• Old Hamilton " and meeting the faces of the 
 dear old boys which I have not seen in twenty years. I 
 hope there will be a large number of them present. I will 
 see that the cabinet photo reaches you. 
 
 Trusting nothing will prevent my being with you on the 
 26th prox., and that the occasion may be full of joy and 
 comfort to us all, I am Yours sincerely, 
 
 Lewis R. Foote. 
 
 LAW OFFICE OF 
 
 WILLARD M. LTijLIBEIDGE. 
 26 MofiEat Building. 
 
 Detroit, Mich. 
 Your letter of the 20th inst. gives me pleasure. I am glad 
 the old boys are to get together. I will try and be with 
 you. I have two important cases to be tried soon, but I 
 think they will both be disposed of before that time. I en- 
 close you my photograph. 
 
 And now what shall I say ? I have nothing startling or 
 
surprisingly brilliant to reveal. Since the publication issued 
 at the end of the fifth year my course has been steadily held 
 and my practice has grown until I now have all the work 
 that I can do, and frequently more than I like, to do. I have 
 sought in my profession not so much a temporary popularity 
 as a substantial and permanent clientage. 
 
 For two years after graduating I was Superintendent of 
 Schools at Plattsburgh, N. Y.; afterward studied law at St. 
 Louis, Mo., and in Detroit, Michigan, and have since prac- 
 ticed law in the latter city. I am also interested in real 
 estate and in several business enterprises, and am something 
 of a business man as well as a lawyer. I have been a mem- 
 ber of the Board of Education o'f Detroit several terms, and 
 am now a member of that Board. I was married December 
 5th, 1882, to Miss Katherine Hegeman of New York city, 
 and have one daughter. 
 
 I am sorry that I cannot make my report more entertain- 
 ing, but you know the first duty of the historian is to be 
 truthful. 
 
 I appreciate your kindness in performing the labor of Class 
 Secretary. It is an arduous task and, perhaps, a thankless 
 one. With many good wishes, 
 
 Yours very truly, Willakd M. Lillibbidge. 
 
 WYOMING ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, 
 
 ARTS AND LETTERS. 
 Pres't, Ex-Gov. John W. Hoyt, M. D., LL. D., Laramie. 
 Curator of Museum, Prof. J. D. Conley, A. M., Ph. D., Laramie. 
 Departments — Natural Science, Social and Political Sciences, Arts. 
 Letters, History. 
 
 Laeamie, "Wyoming Ter. 
 
 Your very welcome letter received at last. What a nice 
 long ride it has had for two cents. It was miscarried in 
 Illinois. This is no slur on your penmanship, for it was 
 carried to the place directed, Collinsville, and sent from there 
 to Carlinville (my former address); thence here, Wyoming 
 Territory. I am Professor of Chemistry and Geology in the 
 University of Wyoming. 
 
 Two years ago an opportunity presented itself for me to 
 come up in the world. I siezed old Opportunity, and am 
 now in one of the highest institutions on the face of the 
 earth — 7,132 feet above the level of the sea. Boys, you think 
 you are high up to-day as you look from College Hill into 
 the beautiful village below. You are^ relatively speaking, 
 and besides you are in one of the most beautiful spots in the 
 country. 
 
 How I would like to come down from my Kocky Mountain 
 
16 
 
 home and shake hands with you, and take part in calling up 
 scenes of 20 years ago. I wonder how many of us will be 
 left when another 20 years rolls away. As I look upon my 
 picture which I am about to send you I wonder whether 
 Sprague, of '70, has as much hair as T have. If Talcott, or 
 Brown, or Deck North are there, ask them what they think 
 about it. 
 
 Boys, I feel no older than when we bade adieu to Old 
 Hamilton, but there are a few gray hairs starting on my 
 temples. I have one consolation : there will never be many 
 on the top of my head, where the wool ought to grow. The 
 only account of my stewardship for the past 10 years not 
 given above, and worthy of mention, are : First, In 1885 I 
 painted some geological charts and had them copyrighted. 
 Last year the Trustees of Blackburn University bestowed 
 upon me the degree Ph. D. I have a pretty home here in 
 Laramie, a beautiful town of 7,000, called the Gem City of 
 the Eocky Mountains. If any of my dear classmates should 
 pass through here, it would give me great pleasure to enter- 
 tain you. I am going to Yellowstone Park next month; 
 hope I will make as fine a collection as I did in my trip 
 through the Territory last year. Good-bye, boys. God 
 bless you all. Bespectfully, 
 
 J. D. CONLEY. 
 
 TiTUSVILLE, Pa. 
 
 Your gentle reminder came to hand the other day and 
 awakened many delightful memories. Twenty years ! ! ! 
 Yes, I am getting old ! My good wife says so, at least, as 
 she points to a bald spot on my cranium, and even iDsinuates 
 that the tell-tale salt of grey has been sprinkled by time over 
 my locks. Then there are three boys and two girls who 
 recognize my paternity. How this last statement must put 
 to shame you unlucky bachelors. Not only has the good 
 Lord given me a helpmeet indeed and five healthy, active 
 children, but my whole ministry has been on the " sunny 
 side " of life. Few of the shades and shadows have as yet 
 crossed my pathway. My previous pastorates have been 
 typical ones, and my present field of work is full of encour- 
 agement and stimulus, as well as hearty appreciation and 
 affection. The items may be sun^med up briefly, since grad- 
 uation : 
 
 One year, Principal of Southold Academy ; three years, 
 Auburn Theological Seminary ; nine years, pastor First 
 Presbyterian Church of Waterloo, N. Y.; five and one-half 
 years, pastor First Presbyterian Church of Fredonia, N. Y.; 
 
17 
 
 one and one-half years, pastor First Presbyterian Chi^*ch of 
 Titusville, Pa. — 20 years. 
 
 I have worked hard all these years, and have hardly known 
 sickness. This I attribute partly to regular, systematic 
 habits and much exercise. Vacations I have always insisted 
 upon and taken, not merely as a right, but as a duty to my- 
 self and my people. These vacations have not been seasons 
 of idleness, but have been spent in travel from Canada to 
 Alaska, from Washington to Santa Fe, as well as a trip 
 through seven European countries. 
 
 While I think of these blessings which have come to me, I 
 remember the classmates whose names are starred and mourn 
 theu* early death. Others I have not heard from for years, 
 but hope that tney will " speak for themselves " at this time, 
 and let us know how twenty years have treated them. 
 Please remember me heartily to all who are at the reunion, 
 as I regret very much that special engagements will keep me 
 at home. I enclose the only photo. I have of recent date. 
 Sincerely yours, M. D. Kneeland. 
 
 Kneeland now writes Doctor at both ends of his name. 
 The D. D. came from the college two or three years ago ; 
 the M. D. was a family legacy. 
 
 JOHN C. FOWLER, 
 
 ATTOENEY AT LAW, 
 
 Room 10, Weiting Block, 1 
 
 Sykacuse, N. Y. 
 
 Have been somewhat undecided as to whether I should be 
 able to obey the summons to the Class of '69 to meet under 
 the class tree on the 26th. I think now, however, I shall do 
 so provided I can find the tree. As I am not much of a 
 woodsman I tnist the enclosed photograph may aid you in 
 finding me in case I should gather under the wrong tree. 
 
 As to my stewardship for the past ten years, I might 
 say that it has been a continuation of the same sub- 
 ject, seeing that justice was duly administered in this city, 
 occasionally indexing and supplementing the Revised Stat- 
 utes of the State, and now and then for a moderate compen- 
 sation assisting those desirous of immortalizing themselves 
 in the compilation of works on law. 
 
 ' My family, according to the latest census, consists of one 
 wife, two sons and one daughter. The youngest son has 
 just put on pants and requires much of my personal atten- 
 tion, but I am in hopes he may be induced to let me off for 
 the 26th. Yours very truly, J. C. Fowler. 
 
 3 
 
18 
 
 GEO. Ei DRAPER, 
 
 ATTOBNEY. 
 
 Sidney, Iowa. 
 
 When I received notice of the reunion of the Class' 69 1 fully 
 determined to be present. I assure you that my inability to 
 do so is a very great disappointment. However, I find that 
 to be away from business at that time would endanger in- 
 terests that I must not neglect. Hence I send greeting to 
 you and the boys of '69 and express the hope that on that 
 day, when old college days are in review, the absence of 
 " Drape " will not be entirely unnoticed. 
 
 Your letter recalled the old roll, " Downing, Draper, Ecob," 
 and ever since, like some old refrain, I hear the call as we 
 did twenty years ago — '' Downing, Draper, Ecob." College 
 days have been much in mind since then, and incidents long 
 forgotten come trooping in until, at least in feeling, I am 
 again quite familiar with the boys. I presume no member 
 of the class has been, since graduation, more isolated than I 
 have. Occasionally I have read something of the boys and 
 their success, but do not now recollect taking one of them 
 by the hand since 1870. I am now anxious to know of them 
 and hope some friend will send me an account of the reunion. 
 
 Of myself I have nothing to write which would be of in- 
 terest to the boys. My life has been entirely uneventful. 
 In common, I presume, with most of the class I have found 
 no easy way to success. Every advance has been gained by 
 hard hand to hand contest. I have brought no honor to the 
 class, and hope no disgrace. In fact, I can sum the whole 
 matter by saying that my life has been practically the dupli- 
 cate of that of any hard working, attentive country lawyer. 
 Not much poetry about it and not much to satisfy ambition 
 for place or honor. However, in this modest way I am con- 
 tent to serve. I was married at Sidney Oct. 23d, 1873. 
 Name of fortunate lady, Ada B. Loose. Kesult, Otto E. 
 Draper, born Oct. 2d, 1874. 
 
 Now, with kindly regard for each of the Class of '69, I am 
 Your friend and classmate, Geo. E. Draper. 
 
 Owing to the Harrisonian system of reforming (?) the 
 mail lately inaugurated, Draper's photograph was not 
 received until after the Re-union. It had been " missent.'* 
 Those who have seen it easily recognize the old familiar 
 features. His duties as a " hard working country law- 
 yer " have failed to obliterate them, greatly to the satis- 
 faction of his classmates. 
 
19 
 
 CORNELL UNIVERSITY, 
 
 SCHOOL OP LAW. 
 
 Ithaca, N. Y. 
 
 I have been so busy of late that I have delayed writing to 
 you longer than I intended to do. 
 
 The facts connected with my life since the publication of 
 the five years book are as follows : I continued a member 
 of the law firm of " Beardsley, Cookinham & Burdick" until 
 1879, when the firm was changed to " Beardsley, Burdick & 
 Beardsley." In March, 1882, I was elected Mayor of Utica 
 on a citizens' ticket. In September of the same year I was 
 chosen to the Law Professorship in Hamilton College, which 
 had recently become vacai^t by the resignation of Dr. Evans. 
 I continued to reside in Utica until April, 1883, when I gave 
 up the active practice of the law, and moved to Clinton. 
 Early in 1887 I was appointed one of the Professors in the 
 Cornell University School of Law, which opened in the fall 
 of 1887. My family consists of my wife, four children and 
 myself. Oar present home is on 8outh Avenue, University 
 Campus, Ithaca, N. Y., which is always open to members 
 of '69. Yours sincerely, 
 
 F. M. BUKDICK. 
 
 Otisco, N. Y. 
 
 In answer to yours of some time ago, I shall endeavor to 
 be under the Class-tree the 26th, and furnish a photo for the 
 album. 
 
 As to the "ten years' stewardship," it has been too un- 
 eventful to make it worth while to say much about it. The 
 last four years of it has been spent here, and the remainder 
 in country charges, none of them larger than this (90 mem- 
 bers), in the ministry of the gospel. The exception is be- 
 tween July of 1882 and '83, when I was so borne down with 
 invalidism that I did practically nothing. My work in the 
 ministry has always been more or less hindered by poor 
 health, yet I hope I have been able to accomplish something 
 for the Master. Fraternally, 
 
 Jno. E. Beechee. 
 
 Aekpobt, N. Y. 
 I am very sorry I cannot respond to your notification of the 
 Class Re-union by my personal presence. I have long hoped 
 I might help celebrate this anniversary, but I do not see as I 
 can. I shall think of the group under the Class-tree, how- 
 ever, and of the similar group which met there 20 years ago, 
 and of some — only a few — who could not if they would never 
 so willingly, meet with the rest now, because they have 
 
20 
 
 passed to the other shore. I would be glad to meet all the 
 class who remain, and again wish them God speed. I send 
 them that wish, however, from here with all my heart, and 
 will look forward hopefully to the next re-union. 
 
 As to my stewardship, the account is quickly rendered : 
 *79 was mostly occupied in recovering from a serious illness. 
 In the spring of '80 I took charge of a Congregational 
 church in Ellsworth, Ct., and remained there till the spring 
 of '85, when I came to the Presbyterian church here, where 
 I have since continued as pastor. The years have not been 
 remarkably eventful, but quiet and quite ordinary, like those 
 that roll over ten thousand other people. Therefore little is 
 to be said of them. 
 
 With undiminished regard for yourself and all the boys, 
 
 I am, yours truly, 
 
 Ekwin C. Hull. 
 
 WATERTOWN STEAM ENGINE CO., 
 Manufacturers of 
 
 StATIONAEY & POETABLE StEAM EnGINBS, 
 
 CiBCuiiAE Saw Mills, &c. 
 G. A. Sherman, Pres't. 
 
 S. F. Bagg, Sec'y. 
 
 Watebtown, N. Y. 
 
 Yours of the 20th inst. at hand. It would require a vivid 
 imagination to stretch my story beyond a very brief compass. 
 
 Two years teaching school. One year as salesman in a 
 machinery house in New York city. Four years ('71 to '76) 
 Secretary of the Utica Steam Engine Co. at Utica. Found 
 myself out of business in '76, and read law for want of a bet- 
 ter occupation. Joined the Hamilton Colle.sfe Law Class, 
 and was admitted to the bar in April, 1887. Meantime came 
 to Watertown, N. Y., and became Secretary and Treasurer of 
 the Watertown Steam Engine Co. Married M. Louise 
 Young, of Brooklyn, Sept. 3, 1875. 
 
 I confidently expect to reach Clinton in time for our class 
 re-union. I enclose the photo, however, to answer to roll- 
 call for me should I fail to appear. Sincerely, 
 
 S. F. Bagg. 
 
 OFFICE OF U. S. ATTORNEY, 
 
 DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 
 
 Washington, D. C, May 24, 1879. 
 
 My short story of the first ten years following 1869 is as 
 follows : 
 
 Graduated in 1869. Met in July Kate E. Morgan in 
 Glens Falls, N. Y. We were married in March, 1872, by 
 
21 
 
 Prof. Upson, Have three children ; Helen, six years old ; 
 Henry, four years old ; Carl, nearly two years old. Com- 
 menced studying law in '69, and commenced practicing in 
 the same year. Jn 1870 was appointed Assistant U. S. At- 
 torney for Virginia, and in 1872 was appointed U. S. Attor- 
 ney for Virginia. Was a Virginia member of the Philadel- 
 phia Convention that nominated Gen. Grant ; and for four 
 years was the Virginia member of the National Republican 
 Committee. In 1874 moved to Washington to live, and in 
 1875 was appointed Assistant U. S. Attorney for this Dis- 
 trict, and have held that position for nearly four years. 
 Have been near Clinton several times, but it has always been 
 thereabouts, instead of there. Yours in '69. 
 
 H. H. Wells, Jr. 
 
 From Dr. Upson information was received that Wells 
 has continued in Washington the practice of the pro- 
 fession he acquired so readily. In April last Mrs. Wells 
 died, leaving two daughters and three sons. The heart- 
 felt sympathy and condolence of the class is extended to 
 the husband, with his motherless children. 
 
 San Francisco, Cal., May 18, 1879. 
 
 Your letter is received. I am glad you will take up the 
 ''record," and trust you may get quick replies from all '69ers. 
 
 In April, 1875, I was married to the most beautiful and 
 accomplished young lady in the world, Edna Newell Har- 
 mon, at Washington, Alameda Co., California. Returning 
 from California, I resumed my place on the Utica Herald. 
 In November, 1875, accepting an offer from the publishers of 
 the PacifiG Mural jPress, my wife and I recrossed the conti- 
 nent. Since Dec, 1875, I have edited the Mural JPress. We 
 have two fine girls, one born in 1876, and another in 1878. 
 We are now living at Berkeley, Alameda County, California, 
 where we have just enclosed ourselves in a new cottage, from 
 the front windows of which we look across the bay of San 
 Francisco, directly through the Golden Gate, upon the Pa- 
 cific ocean. Here we expect to abide, for we are prosperous 
 and happy, and to our home any wandering '69er will always 
 be welcomed. 
 
 Advise me how much money you want for expense of pub- 
 lication, &c., and I will remit my assessment. 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 Edward J. Wickson. 
 
22 
 
 This letter of Wickson was written ten years ago. 
 As no reply came to tlie last circular letter, it is quite 
 possible lie may have been discouraged by the omission 
 to publish a report of the decennial re-union, and so is 
 not now especially anxious that the Secretary receive 
 quick replies from all " '69ers." The reason for that 
 omission is given elsewhere. From G. E. Dunham, '75, 
 information, is received that Wickson has lately pub- 
 lished a book, the title-page of which indicates his influ- 
 ence on the western slope. It is as follows : " Cahfornia 
 Fruits, and how to Grow them. By E. J. Wickson, Ed- 
 itor of the Pacific Rural Press^ Secretary of State Cali- 
 fornia Horticultural Society, President California State 
 Floral Society, Secretary California State Microscopical 
 Society, etc. He has added four to the family, he re- 
 ported in '79. 
 
 CmcAGo, EL, Board of Trade. 
 I expect to be with you at the re-union. 
 Yours very hastily, 
 
 Otis B. Glover. 
 
 It was a source of great disappointment to those who 
 were present that neither Glover nor Pope were able to 
 come on. The following extract from a letter of Pro- 
 fessor Boot indicates the nature of their work at Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 MA-THEMATIGAL DEPARTMENT, 
 
 HAMILTON COLLEGE. 
 
 Clinton, N. Y. 
 Glover and Pope expected to be here at Commencement, 
 up to a day or so before the starting time. Glover, indeed, 
 was turned aside only at the last moment. They are both in 
 Chicago. Glover cares for his aged father and the house- 
 hold of his sister, widow of George C. Campbell, class of '52. 
 In addition to his own business as a member of the Board of 
 Trade, he is occupied m caring for his father's property, 
 and the estate of his sister and her children. Pope is in the 
 grain commission and brokerage business — "F. C. Pope & 
 Co." Married, and has children. I failed to see him when 
 
23 
 
 I was last in Chicago. He is prospering. I regret very 
 much that the two Chicago members were not able to be at 
 your class meeting. 
 
 Truly yours, 
 
 Oren Root. 
 
 482 Ashland Avenue,) 
 St. Paul, Minn, j 
 
 I shall not be able to be present with the boys this year. 
 1 had looked forward to this re-union, thinking I might at- 
 tend, but a certain event, which was of some interest to me, 
 necessitated my journey to the-East in the early spring, and 
 I cannot expect to get away from my duties for another JEast- 
 ern trip so soon. Literally speaking, "I have married a 
 wife, and cannot come." I should be very glad to cross 
 palms with my class-mates once more at the old camping 
 ground, after this long period of separation. It would be a 
 real pleasure to talk over the experiences of our twenty years 
 of history; but I must content myself with regret, and a few 
 words about myself, as requested in your letter. 
 
 You ask for my photograph, which I send herewith. As 
 this picture was taktn but a few months ago, and is regard- 
 ed by my friends as being a good likeness, the boys will per- 
 haps conclude that I am not quite a Methuselah yet in ap- 
 pearance. I really do not think that the twenty years have 
 used me very hard, as the saying is. Of course I am older 
 than when we smoked our pipes at the Commons, near the 
 Clinton church, and held our last class meeting on the Wed- 
 nesday before graduation ; but I don't think I feel much old- 
 er than I did then. And while the intervening years have not 
 passed without some mixture of sorrow and disappointment, 
 yet I can honestly tell my friends of the ever glorious class 
 of 1869, that I bear my forty odd years of life with much of 
 strength and vigor, and that I am in splendid health and 
 spirits. 
 
 You ask for " an account of my stewardship" during the 
 last ten years. To tell the truth, they have been compara- 
 tively uneventful, and require but few words in their narra- 
 tion. 
 
 At the end of the first ten years of my life after gradua- 
 ,tion, I was a resident of the far-famed and much-abused city 
 of Cairo, Illinois, where I held a fairly good position as Au- 
 ditor of the Cairo and Vincennes Railroad. My life there 
 terminated about the beginning of December, 1881. The 
 road was absorbed into the Wabash system, and I found my- 
 self floundering, so to speak, high and dry on the banks of 
 
24 
 
 the Ohio river, my occupation gone, and I waiting for some- 
 thing to "turn up." It may interest my friends to know 
 that some years after, when a new management came into 
 power, that I had an opportunity to return to Cairo, and re- 
 sume my old position, with considerable additional mileage. 
 It did not seem best, however, for me to accept the offer. 
 
 I had in mind, after a visit among my relatives at the East, 
 to go to Galveston, Texas, where I had a prospect of a posi- 
 tion, in charge of the construction accounts of a Southern 
 railroad. The prospective salary was a good one, and I 
 stood a good chance to have charge of the accounts of the 
 Company when the road was under operation. Had it not 
 been for a severe domestic affliction, perhaps I would have fol- 
 lowed that plan. An opportunity, however, offered itself, 
 about a month from the time I left Cairo, to connect myself 
 with the Northern Pacific R. B. Co., having my headquarters 
 at New York. The opening seemed a favorable one, aad was 
 accepted without much hesitation ; and for about seven years 
 and a half I have been in that employ, at various places. 
 Shortly after I had commenced with that Company, I was 
 sent out to the Pacific coast to adjust the accounts of the 
 Company there, which had become considerably mixed. Al- 
 though my labors there were severe, yet I recall this visit 
 with much pleasure. It gave me opportunity for sight-see- 
 ing not often enjoyed. I returned to New York in the fall 
 of 1882. In the summer of 1884 the department with which 
 I was connected was transferred to St. Paul ; and since that 
 time I have made my home at this place. My position with 
 the Company, while not an official one, is one of some re- 
 sponsibility, and has much to commend it ; but if any of my 
 class-mates want any advice as to whether they had better 
 have their sons go into the railroad business, my advice 
 would be to keep them out of the accounting department by 
 all means. After an experience of nearly twenty years, I can 
 speak from some knowledge on the subject. The tendency 
 of a life in a railroad office is to take the grit and spirit out 
 of a man. He loses his independence, and almost his iden- 
 tity. His life is a weary, dreary round of repetitions. He 
 has, generally speaking, but little swing or reach, witii small 
 salary, and but faint hope of promotion. 
 
 In March of this year I took the step of which I have al- 
 ready spoken ; and though long delayed, I have reason to be 
 grateful at having taken it at all. My tardiness in marriage 
 may, perhaps, make me appreciate its blessiogs and advan- 
 tages all the more. Certainly nothing would induce me to 
 return to the old way in which I persevered so many years. 
 The new life has started out with much of hope and joy and 
 
25 
 
 promise in it ; and the bachelor of long standing is at last 
 absorbed into the happy Benedict. 
 
 Financially speaking, I am in comfortable circumstances, 
 but nothing more. Speaking after the manner of railroad 
 men, were my liabilities all paid, there would probably be a 
 small surplus, but nothing at all overwhelming. However, I 
 feel fairly independent, and hope, with prudence and care, to 
 keep a little ahead for the proverbial " rainy day." 
 
 I send greeting and best wishes to all my class-mates. 
 Should any of them get my way, it would give me great 
 pleasure to welcome them to my home. 
 
 I shall be glad to learn about the Re-union of our class, 
 which I hope may be well attended, and be greatly enjoyed. 
 Very truly, your friend and class-mate, 
 
 Thomas W. Fitch. 
 
 Fitch's photograph was viewed with special interest. 
 It apparently represented a young man of about twenty- 
 five, extremely good-looking, and who was fully satis- 
 fied with present and future prospects. It is quite pos- 
 sible that the coming event had not yet begun to cast 
 its shadow. 
 
 Toledo, O., 2901 Collingwood Ave. 
 
 Yours of the 20th inst. was a pleasant surprise. I cannot 
 realize that twenty years have gone since graduation. In 
 1874 I removed to Toledo, Ohio. In 1878 I bought the part- 
 nership interest of the firm of which I was the junior mem- 
 ber, and my brothers and myself continued the business of 
 wholesale teas and syrups. Out at the house, wife and two 
 daughters make me happily realize the fact that " There's no 
 place like home." 
 
 During the past ten years I became known to many here 
 as "The Electric Light Man," being Manager of the Com- 
 pany when the streets were ' first illuminated by electricity — 
 a light which diminished police court crimes fifteen per cent. 
 I considered a good light to " let shine." Love to the boys. 
 
 Yours truly, Wm. P. Heston. 
 
 OFFICE OF 
 
 WILLIAM H. WHITING, 
 
 COUNSELLOR AT LAW, 
 
 No. 236 Powers Block. 
 
 KOCHESTER, N. Y. 
 
 The story you ask for, so far as I am concerned, is very 
 uneventful. 
 4 
 
26 
 
 In September, 1869, after graduating, I entered the Junior 
 Class of Auburn Theological Seminary, where I remained 
 until the following January, when I accepted the position of 
 Principal of the Schools of the Western House of Refuge at 
 Rochester, N. Y. In this position I remained until August, 
 1876, when I resigned that position. I then entered the Law 
 Department of Hamilton College and graduated in the Class 
 of 1877, being admitted to practice in all the courts of the 
 State on April 30, 1877. Shortly after I made a business 
 engagement with the law firm of J. & Q. Van Voorhis of 
 Rochester. I am now practicing by myself, and always find 
 plenty of work on my desk, although I have had no causas 
 celebres. In January, 1874, I took unto myself a wife, by 
 name Carrie V. Andrews, a graduate of the Rochester Free 
 Academy, classical course, class of 1871, and a teacher in the 
 public schools of Rochester. My health has been uniformly 
 good with the exception of a severe attack of typhoid fever 
 in the fall of 1874. 
 
 That, I think, is very nearly the whole of my story with 
 the exception of a few honors and distinctions I may have 
 achieved in one portion of my life, which, however, would be 
 of no general interest to the class. 
 
 I have had no cabinet photographs taken since I left Col- 
 lege, but will have some taken in a short time and will send 
 you one for the '69 album. Yours, &c., 
 
 W. H. Whiting. 
 
 LAW OmCES OF 
 
 RUFUS T. GEIGGS, 
 No. 237 Broadway, 
 
 0pp. Post Office, Ascend 
 by the elevator. 
 
 New York City. 
 Your letter was duly received. 
 
 My business since the last report was published has been 
 a continuation of the work in which I was then employed. 
 I reside with my wife and two children at 65 Eighth avenue, 
 Brooklyn. I fully expect to be present at the reunion. 
 
 Very truly yours, Rufus T. Griggs. 
 
 Griggs brought with him to the Re-union photographs 
 of his interesting family. It is a question whether any 
 member of '69 is greeted by more kindly and brighter 
 faces than welcome him home after the strife and tur- 
 moil of the day closes. 
 
27 
 
 LAW OFFICES OF 
 
 CHARLES H. SEARLE, 
 
 Rowlands Building. 
 
 Utica, N. Y. 
 
 You want me to write out for the boys what has happened 
 to me in twenty years. 
 
 I wish it were feasible for all of us to get together at the 
 reunion. By simply showing ourselves a part of the account 
 would be easily rendered — a part that cannot otherwise be 
 given. To be back in '89 was not a hard thing to promise 
 when we parted in '69. We were sure we should earn a hol- 
 iday by that time ; and we believed we would be proud to 
 keep our appointment and bring our honors with us. 
 
 But we wander far from college in twenty years. You and 
 I know this, though we live in Utica, almost in sight of 
 Alma Mater. It is not strange that the call to come back 
 should be heard faintly, if at all, by those who are a thousand 
 miles or more away. I shall be glad if all hear and heed it 
 enough to write. 
 
 Well, as I want to learn what has happened to others, I 
 will willingly tell the little that has happened to me. 
 
 I studied law as I intended, and was admitted to the bar 
 in 1870. In January, 1873, I came to Utica and formed a 
 partnership with ex-District Attorney Ball, '57, which con- 
 tinued until his death two years later. Since that time I 
 have been alone with the exception of one year. I have gen- 
 erally had all the work I wanted, and have at times done my 
 best with it. Lawyers do not get rich as a rule, and my case 
 is not an exception. 
 
 I have been in politics considerably as a volunteer ; but 
 only once, and then only briefly, on my own account. I was 
 nominated for Mayor of Utica by the citizens and Eepub- 
 licans in 1888 ; but there were enough others to easily beat 
 me. 
 
 I was married in 1876. In 1879 my wife died, leaving me 
 a little boy sixteen months old. I was again married in 
 1885. My family now consists of my wife, a son eleven years 
 old, a daughter three and a half and a baby. I live at 13 
 Kemble street ; and if the pilgrim feet of any of my class- 
 mates, on the way to the old home on the Hill, will halt at 
 my door, it will open in cordial welcome. 
 
 Give my affectionate greeting to every sixty-niner. 
 
 Sincerely, Chas. H. Searle. 
 
 Albany, N. Y. 
 Ten years as like each other as ten beans ; what can I say 
 for them ? '72 saw me go into the sermoniacal mill ; '89 sees 
 the mill still grinding. I keep no lists of sermons, parish 
 
28 
 
 calls, weddings and funerals, so all I can say is I have been 
 at it. I have made very little impression upon the world and 
 I can return the compliment, the world has made very little 
 upon me. My heart is still " fresh " and my head — to the 
 casual observer — still brown. 
 
 In my experience learning and unlearning have kept up a 
 steady race. At date I should say they were about neck and 
 neck. However, I am confident I shall not land in Carlyle's 
 " everlasting no." It is doubtless something gained to have 
 discovered that the " nature of things " is positive. 
 
 In September of '77 I was married. This is my ample and 
 humble confession to my classmates who knew me in '69 as 
 president of a society whose cabala bore the sign HoX^fiioc 
 TvvaiKcJv. 
 
 I have been abroad, but returned to my native land a 
 Tankeeier man than I went away. I am ready for " ^o " on 
 the third decade. Yours respectfully, 
 
 J. H. EcoB. 
 
 In 1881 Ecob removed from Augusta, Me., to Albany, 
 where he succeeded the Rev. Dr. Upson in the pastorate 
 of the Second Presbyterian Church. In his work there 
 he has achieved a large measure of success. The col- 
 lege conferred upon him the degree of D. D. in the early 
 eighties. He delivered the poem before the Hamilton 
 Alumni at the 77th commencement, the evening follow- 
 ing the class meeting. In addition to the confession so 
 freely made in his letter, the Secretary states on the best 
 of authority that three bright daughters and Robert 
 Gilbert Ecob have entered his pleasant home at Albany. 
 It occasioned very deep regret to his classmates, but to 
 none of them more than to Ecob himself, that he was 
 detained from the meeting by most urgent business and 
 that a family wedding called him from Clinton as soon 
 as his alumni poem had been pronounced. 
 
 National A.ssociation 
 
 — OF — 
 
 WOOL MANUFACTUEERS. 
 
 Office, 70 Kilby Street. 
 
 Boston, Mass. 
 I find to my exceeding sorrow that I cannot be with the 
 old men who were boys together in '69, at the 20th reunion 
 next Wednesday. Neither can I at present comply with your 
 
29 
 
 request for a photograph for the album. I beg you to re- 
 serve a place for me therein, between McCauley and Pope; 
 and as soon as I get an opportunity I will send you a picture 
 that will paralyze them both when it cumes to the question 
 of the comparative retention of relative good looks. I am 
 not sure that that is expressed in the true Hamiltonian style ; 
 but what I mean to say is, that I have grown old and gray 
 since I last met with you. To the truth of this assertion I 
 call Brother Ecob to witness. I will not annoy him, however, 
 by adding that I began to age as soon as I rashly attempted 
 to counteract his influence by editing a daily newspaper in 
 the wicked city of Albany, where he still preaches. Ecob was 
 too much for me. The city grjew wickeder and more wicked j 
 and after three years of hopeless struggle I shook the dust 
 thereof from my feet, and came hither, vowing that, though 
 my three children and amiable wife should be starving, never 
 would I attempt to edit a daily newspaper again. That will 
 seem to you an ignoble ending of twenty years of hard work 
 in journalism, but that is how I feel, all the same. While I 
 do not call them wasted years, and while I have never yet 
 heard the bark of the wolf at my door, I yet beg to add, as 
 the sum of my experience, that if I had devoted the same 
 amount of time and labor to my own advancement, in those 
 years, that I have given to the public which regards the 
 newspaper editor as its abject slave, I should to-day be other- 
 wise^engaged than in trying to pull wool over the eyes of the 
 misguided wretches (of whom McCauley used to be one) who 
 don't know that a protective tariff is the grandest blessing 
 that a divine Providence has permitted to be invented for 
 the glory of this nation. Last March I was elected Secretary 
 of the National Association of Wool Manufacturers ; and in 
 editing its Bulletin, which comes out quarterly (when the 
 editor feels like it), I find a delightful change from hustling 
 together a new: paper three hundred and sixty-five times a 
 year, not counting supplements. I bring to my new duties 
 lots of experience in everything but the matters to which I 
 expect my life will hereafter be devoted. My one regret is, 
 that it takes me out of the bent and biggest of States, in 
 which I had hoped to always live and die. My consolation 
 is, that my home is hereafter to be in the Hub of the Uni- 
 verse, — the city of American culture, so called, of whose 
 amazing lack of culture I have had conclusive evidence, in 
 •the fact that everybody who asks me where I graduated, 
 upon being told, replies, " And where is Hamilton College, 
 and who else ever graduated there?" Thereupon I look 
 each one steadily in the face and reply, " It is the Alma Mater 
 of SELDEN HAINES TALCOTT, the leading homoeopathic 
 
30 
 
 physician of the universe." Not to have heard of him is to 
 argue oneself unknown ; and so I have them on the hip. 
 
 But I weary you. I long to shake you all by the hand 
 again. I hope that not many of the familiar faces will be 
 absent. One I fear will, my dear friend Wickson, of whom 
 I cannot think without moralizing on the strange ways in 
 which this world is ordained to us. Fifteen years ago, Wick- 
 son and I were working at the same desk together, appa- 
 rently for life, and sleeping in the same bed. Now he lives 
 on the shores of the Pacific, while I leside where I can 
 easily, without moving in my tracks, should the emergency 
 arise, sweep back the waves of the old Atlantic. We are the 
 two most widely separated members of '69. Yet we will al- 
 ways be joined by a peculiar bond, as will all of us, each to 
 the other. 
 
 Cordially yours in old Sixty-nine, 
 
 S. N. D. North. 
 
 No information whatever has been received from Allen 
 since graduation by any member of the class so far as 
 can be learned. 
 
 The terra incognita surrounding Schlager still contin- 
 ues as impenetrable as at the time Burdick sent out the 
 first report of the class. 
 
 No communication has been received from Lucky. 
 Bachman, '71, reports him practicing law in Knoxville, 
 Tenn., but repeated requests have failed to bring an 
 answer. He is married and has one child. 
 
 Griggs sends the following relative to Anderson : 
 
 " Anderson remained at North Woburn until the first of 
 last August, when he went to Koberts College at Constanti- 
 nople, where you will remember he went immediately after 
 graduation. I have not heard from him directly during the 
 year. I know that he was always much liked at North Wo- 
 burn, and that he has a very responsible position in Boberts 
 College." 
 
 McCauley still remains the practical agriculturist of 
 the class. According to report he is successfully man- 
 aging an extensive nursery — fruit, shrubs, vines, at Stan- 
 ley, Ontario Co. Two or three winters since Professor 
 
31 
 
 Upson met him in a railway car on his way to Albany. 
 He describes him as changed but little in appearance 
 and retaining the royal good nature his friends enjoyed 
 so much during college days. 
 
 As for the Secretary himself, he has during these years 
 continued in the occupation represented in the prepara- 
 tion of this report, that is, looking over " compositions,'' 
 adding thereto and taking therefrom. The last college 
 triennial catalogue, published in '85, reveals to him the 
 names of fifty-seven boys who had found their way to 
 the dear old college from his class room. To a certain 
 extent he has lived over again his own happy life on the 
 Hill in their experience there. The long vacations and 
 relaxations incidental to school work have enabled him 
 with all the other members of the class in a measure to 
 prepare for the coming of North's " wolf at the door " 
 and Fitch's proverbial " rainy day." A trip through 
 Europe in '87 with W. J. Woods, of '75, and other op- 
 portunities for travel in our own country have served to 
 brighten the years as they have gone by. 
 
Iri # QCerrieriarri. 
 
 For five years after graduatian our class ranks re- 
 mained " Full as when we gathered under the trees on 
 class-day, smoked the last pipe, sang the last song, 
 breathed each to every other a ' Good-bye and God bless 
 you ' and parted." Then Wetmore was called. Seven 
 years later the summons came for King, and in three 
 more Cleveland had followed, all three cut down in the 
 strength of their early manhood by the same relentless 
 disease, consumption. Two years passed by and Jerome 
 lay dead with his three beautiful children in the chilly 
 waters of an eastern lake. Within the same twelve- 
 month Cheeseman, too, heard the Master's greeting. 
 Henceforth, dear classmates, the vacancies they have 
 left can only be filled by us with memories which will 
 grow more and more sacred with each revolving year. 
 
 CHAELES AUGUSTUS WETMORE. 
 
 Charles Augustus Wetmore was born in Norwich, N. T., 
 November 8, 1843. He entered college with health seriously 
 injured by service in the army of the Union. In September, 
 1869, he entered the Auburn Theological Seminary. Finding 
 that he was disabled for preaching by a serious asthmatic 
 affection, he became a teacher. In March, 1871, he accepted 
 a call to the charge of the academy at Leicester, Mass. Here 
 he labored for three years, and in spite of his broken health 
 he won for himself the highest respect as a thorough teacher, 
 a scholar of refined tastes and large culture, a high-minded 
 and useful citizen. Neither bodily weakness nor severe suf- 
 fering could quench the ardor of his nature, his hopefulness 
 and high resolves. He kept himself in full sympathy with 
 every sincere endeavor to enlarge the field of human attain- 
 ment. He was no mere routine teacher, following a well- 
 beaten track, and content with exercises performed mechan- 
 ically. He sought to awaken in his pupils' minds an interest 
 in their studies akin to his own, that it might be in them a 
 self-moving force, and insure their successful attainments. 
 So he studied them, while they studied their books ; studied 
 
33 
 
 their dispositions, tastes and mental qualities, and their 
 moral characters and aims not less. He watched them care- 
 fully and patiently, to discover, if he might, the secret spring 
 which should open mind and heart, unlock their faculties, and 
 show them the fountains of knowledge and honorable excel- 
 lence. He was not discouraged though the soil proved hard 
 and unyielding at first, and seldom failed to see the good 
 result of his methods. The manner of his death was in strict 
 accordance with the whole course of his life. Death came to 
 him while still hopeful, still forming plans of work for him- 
 self, and aspiring to do good and great things in the earthly 
 life which he believed was yet in store for him, with reno- 
 vated powers. He had fought his persistent and painful 
 disease — complicated with other maladies — through long 
 months and years of pain, had never surrendered, never de- 
 spaired. His last day on earth was a hopeful and happy one. 
 Suddenly the supreme moment came to him, and, as by a shot 
 on the field of battle, he fell, a brave and constant soldier to 
 the last, at Jefferson, N. H., July 6, 1874. Mr. Wetmore 
 married Sarah A. Pollard, of Seneca Falls, March 21, 1871, 
 and was the father of Edith May Wetmore, born May 16, 1872. 
 
 GEOKGE EUGENE KING. 
 
 It is a sad duty to announce the death of George Eugene 
 King, ^t. 37, which took place June 14, 1881, at his resi- 
 dence in Kavenna, O. Mr. King was born at Ravenna Dec. 
 3, 1844, the son of Frederick F. and Orpha King, and had 
 passed the meridian of his 37th year. He was endowed with 
 an exceedingly bright and vigorous mind and early devel- 
 oped studious inclinations and application. He was a gradu- 
 ate of the Ravenna High School, class of 1863. He then 
 spent two years at Western Reserve College and two years 
 at Hamilton College, where he graduated in 1869. Return- 
 ing to Ravenna, he entered the law office of Messrs. Hart & 
 Reed, and May 10, 1871, was admitted to the bar. During 
 the period of his legal studies he was also principal of the 
 Union School and was esteemed as one of the most valuable 
 teachers ever occupying the position. August 16, 1871, he 
 married Eliza H. Root. Immediately after this event he re- 
 moved to Fairfield, N. Y., and remained one year as a teacher 
 in the Seminary there, a portion of the time as principal. 
 Toward the close of 1872 he fixed his residence in Brooklyn 
 and opened an office at 201 Broadway, New York city, con- 
 tinuing in practice there until his return to Ravenna, in 
 March, 1881. It was a heroic undertaking for a young man 
 without means or influential friends to venture into the great 
 6 
 
34 
 
 city, but lie made it a success, and he was intrusted with im- 
 portant business. It is said that in his practice whenever he 
 arose to address the court he was greeted with the close at- 
 tention of the Judge, so thoroughly had he impressed his 
 legal brethren with his solid, practical qualities and clear 
 knowledge of the law. In the early part of his residence at 
 Brooklyn after passing the day in his office in New York he 
 taught a night school, thus adding to his then slender in- 
 come. He united with a Presbyterian church in Brooklyn, 
 and in the Sunday school took charge of a clasb composed of 
 forty young business men. At the beginning of 1881 his 
 health had so far failed that he deemed a residence in that 
 climate no longer prudent, so he returned to Ravenna about 
 AprU 1st, purchased a small farm and formed a law partner- 
 ship with C. A. Reed, intending for a few years to enjoy the 
 freedom of rural life with a business association which would 
 keep him from fading out of the profession which he loved. 
 But his malady had progressed farther than was realized. 
 After being established in his new home he was but a few 
 times on the street, and swiftly, indeed, the end hastened. 
 A wife and two young children, the eldest six, the youngest 
 four years of age, are left to lament their great loss 
 
 FREDERIC ERASTUS CLEVELAND. 
 
 Frederic Erastus Cleveland was born in the village of Mad- 
 ison, Madison Co., New York, July 1, 1847. His preparation 
 for College was made at the Waterville Academy, from which 
 institution he entered Hamilton, ;September, 1865. His life- 
 work was chosen even before he commenced his College 
 course, and during this period he kept it steadily in view. 
 The month following his graduation he went to New York 
 city, where he commenced the study of law with the firm of 
 Pinckney & Campbell, 78 Nassau St. He was admitted to 
 the bar in April, 1870, and soon after became a member of 
 the law firm of Pritchard, Smith & Cleveland, 49 Wall St. 
 This partnership was a successful one. The untiring indus- 
 try and honorable dealings of Mr. Cleveland brought him 
 into many important legal cases, and in them all he never 
 forgot that he was a Christian gentleman. He desired 
 success in the profession he loved so well ; but he sought 
 only that which was free from stain, that which was 
 above reproach. He united with the LaFayette Avenue 
 Presbyterian church in Brooklyn. In this sphere of his life 
 he found great pleasure, and in many ways especially en- 
 deared himself to the young people of the congregation. For 
 
35 
 
 one year he was President of the Young People's Associa- 
 tion of that church, but was obliged to decline a re-election 
 on account of failing health and pressing business cares. He 
 was interested in politics, serving as a member of the Re- 
 publican General Committee, and was nominated for the As- 
 sembly, but was unable to accept the nomination proffered. 
 On October 6th, 1875, he was married to Catherine Sexton 
 Aldrich, of Palmyra, N. Y. Two children blessed this union, 
 Charles Aldrich and Catherine. Those of us who were pres- 
 ent at the Decennial Re-union in 1879, recall with pleasure 
 his appearance then. His bright face, boyish almost in its 
 freshness and beauty, gave no warning that the terrible en- 
 emy before whom Wetmore had fallen, and with whom King 
 had already entered upon a hopeless struggle, would soon 
 darken his own life. His quaint humor continually enlivened 
 the little circle that gathered there, and his buoyant spirit 
 seemed shadowed only by the thought that so few of the old 
 boys of '69 had come back. The contest that came soon af- 
 ter with his disease — consumption — was fought bravely, 
 manfully. He desired life— life to complete in his chosen 
 profession the work he had begun so well — life to cherish 
 and foster the young wife and beautiful children with whom 
 his own existence was so closely entwined — life to bring 
 forth the fruits of integrity, faithfulness, righteousness. 
 When, however, the truth dawned upon him that this was to 
 be denied him, he suffered on with rare gentleness and pa- 
 tience until his Master called. After a severe hemorrhage, 
 the end came peacefully to him on April 2, 1884, in the little 
 town of La Junta, Colorado, whither he had gone in his 
 fruitless search for strength. He was buried in the ceme- 
 tery at Palmyra, N. Y. 
 
 THEODORE CHARLES JEROME. 
 
 Theodore Charles Jerome was the second son of the late 
 Rev. Charles Jerome, '39, and a grandson of L-a Jerome, of 
 Pompey, an alumnus of the Old Hamilton Oneida Academy. 
 He was born in Oxford, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1850. He prepared 
 for college at the Rural High School in Clinton, while Rev. 
 Dr. B. W. Dwight, '35, was its principal. He was two years 
 a student of theology in Lane Seminary, and was graduated 
 from Andover Seminary in 1872. He was ordained for the 
 Congregational ministry, July 2, 1872. The New Bedford 
 Standard gives the fullest account thus far received of the 
 di'owning of Mr. Jerome and three of his children, May 
 28, 1886, 
 
 *' Further particulars of the Wolfboro calamity state that 
 
36 
 
 Q|i Friday Kev. T. C. Jerome, pastor of the Congregational 
 church in that village, in company with his two sons, Paul, 
 aged 11, and Bernard, aged 8, and his daughter Kate, aged 
 9, and Theodore Davis, aged 19, went out on the lake for 
 fishing and pleasure, expecting to return about 3 o'clock in 
 the afternoon. Not making their appearance at the stated 
 time, the family became somewhat alarmed. A small steam- 
 er arrived at 4 o'clock and reported seeing a boat bottom side 
 up, drifting in the vicinity of Kenniston's Island. Parties 
 immediately went in search, and late in the evening the 
 bodies were found lying on the bottom of the lake in about 
 eight feet of water, and forty feet from shore. Indications 
 lead to the belief that in an effort to disengage a hook which 
 had caught at the bottom, the boat, which was a small, cranky 
 affair, upset, and all were thrown out." 
 
 On Sunday, May 30, funeral services were conducted in the 
 Congregational church in Wolfboro, N. H., by Eev. Mr. Nor- 
 cross, of North Conway. Appropriate remarks were made 
 by Kev. Messrs. Thompson, of Wakefield, and Hunton and 
 Chapman, of Wolfboro. The bodies of Mr. Jerome, the 
 three children, and that of young . Davis, were brought into 
 the church. The floral tributes were beauntiful. Upwards of 
 1,000 persons viewed the remains. 
 
 On Monday the bodies of Mr. Jerome and his three chil- 
 dren were removed to the residence of Mrs. Catherine B. 
 Seabury, in New Bedford, Mass., where the last funeral ser- 
 vices were held on Wednesday, June 1. His three brothers 
 and sister were present, viz : William R. Jerome, '68, of Phil- 
 adelphia, Pa., John L. Jerome, '73, of Denver, Col., Frank 
 Jerome and Miss Irene Jerome. Rev. T. C. Jerome leaves a 
 widow, daughter of the late Joseph Swan, of Medford, and 
 two children, aged 4 and 2 years. He was 36 years of age, 
 and was installed pastor of the Pacific Congregational 
 Church in New Bedford, 1872, and left for a Western pas- 
 torate in 1873. He was stationed at Patchogue, N. Y., in 
 1878, and preached there until 1881, when he settled at Man- 
 istee, Mich., where he remained until October, 1882, when 
 he was installed pastor of the Congregational church at Gor- 
 ham. Me. He was transferred to Wolfboro in June, 1885. 
 His church was crowded with people listening to a temper- 
 ance lecture by a Western lady when the news of the disas- 
 ter was made known. Six ladies fainted, and terrible ex- 
 citement prevailed. Mr. Jerome was a very able minister. At 
 the Strafford conference of Congregational Churches at Great 
 Falls, on the 25th ult., he read a very interesting paper enti- 
 tled, " What is the Bible view of worldly lives ?" His sister, 
 Irepe Jerome, is well known as an artist and authoress. 
 
37 
 
 EUGENE OHEESEMAN. 
 
 Rev. Eugene Cheeseman died at Webster, N. Y., July 27, 
 1886, after a brief illness, aged 45 years. He was born in 
 New Hudson, March 11, 1843, and prepared for college at 
 Springville Academy. He was admitted to the Class of 1868, 
 in September, 1864, but immediately enlisted as a private in 
 the 90th Regiment, N. Y. S. Vols. He was mustered out of 
 service at Washington, D. C, July 3d, 1865, and re-entered 
 college in the Class of 1869. In 1869 Mr. Cheeseman was 
 appointed principal of the Coxsackie Academy, and in 1870 
 was appointed principal of the Marion Collegiate Institute. 
 He held this position for two years. In 1872 he entered the 
 Junior Class of Rochester Theological Seminary, and in 1873 
 the Middle Class of Auburn Theological Seminary. He was 
 ?icensed to preach by the Lyons Presbytery, April 14, 1874. 
 In December, 1869, he was married to Miss M. Eliza Holt, of 
 Webster. At the time of his death Mr. Cheeseman was pas- 
 tor-elect of the Presbyterian Church at Skaneateles. He be- 
 gan his work there the first of last November, and was to 
 have been installed this fall. His brief ministry of a little 
 less than eleven years, has been very active and fruitful. He 
 was ordained after graduating from Auburn Theological Sem- 
 inary in the Class of '75, by the Presbytery of Otsego, at 
 Sidney Plains, where he labored most successfully for two 
 years. He was called to Fowlerville in 1878, and here his 
 church soon experienced a most wonderful and gracious re- 
 vival, resulting in large additions to the church. But in this 
 field the faithful pastor overworked, and was never as well 
 afterward, though he was not at any time obliged to give up 
 the ministry entirely. At Rose Valley, and Mount Pleasant, 
 Mich., where he afterwards ministered, his labors were sig- 
 nally blessed. After supplying the pulpit of the Presbyterian 
 Church at Shortville for several months, he was called to 
 Skaneateles. This church had been for a long time without 
 a pastor, and they were greatly rejoiced in having found a 
 man so capable, kind, and earnest. Mr. Cheeseman preached 
 with unusual energy and unction to his people both morning 
 and evening of July 4th. On July 11th he arranged to ex- 
 change with one of the pastors in Syracuse. But Saturday 
 morning he was too ill to go, and the exchange was aban- 
 doned. He never preached again. Though he rallied and 
 was able to go on his vacation to the home of his wife's 
 parents at Webster, he continued to grow worse until death 
 ended his sufferings and his labors on July 27th. Mr. Cheese- 
 man leaves a wife and one daughter and a large circle of be- 
 reaved relatives and friends. He was truly beloved by all 
 
38 
 
 who knew him. He was gentle and winning in manner, 
 friendly with all, and a workman that needeth not to be 
 ashamed. As a preacher he was earnest, plain, evangelical. 
 He believed and preached the good old Gospel, and won 
 thereby men to Christ, and strengthened the brethren. He 
 was buried at Webster, N. Y., on Thursday afternoon, July 
 29fch, from the beautiful country home of his wife's parents. 
 The services were conducted by his warm personal friend, 
 the Kev. William A. Rice, pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian 
 Church of Syracuse, assisted by the pastors of the Methodist, 
 Episcopal, and Baptist churches of Skaneateles. He was 
 tenderly carried to his grave by his faithful and devoted 
 Session. 
 
 After the reading of the communications given above 
 a few subjects of a more practical nature were intro- 
 duced. 
 
 The appearance of the album holding the class photo- 
 graphs taken at gradua^tion, which was brought into the 
 meeting, showed that the general public had taken great 
 interest in '69 since leaving the Hill. It was very badly 
 worn. A resolution was passed providing for a new one 
 to accompany that containing " The Class of '69, Twenty 
 Years after Graduation." A tax of $2.00 upon each 
 member was voted to defray the expenses of publishing 
 this report and for other expenses incurred. Bissell, 
 with the promptness and discretion which characterize 
 the New York financier, at once proceeded to make col- 
 lections from those who were present, gravely remarking 
 that he had " found out it was never well to let a cred- 
 itor get out of sight." 
 
 The next Ee-union was discussed, it being decided to 
 hold it in 1899 and to provide for a longer meeting and, 
 also, a collation. Members of the class then residing in 
 Central New York were appointed a committee to make 
 necessary arrangements. No inducement will be needed 
 to call together on that occasion the boys who were pres- 
 ent this year. The memory of this last meeting will 
 bring them, every one. While others may be farther 
 
89 
 
 distant, let ns all make the effort to greet one another 
 again then as the lengthening shadows begin to tell us 
 that the night is not far away. 
 
 The new class album now possesses photographs of 
 Talcott, Bagg, Conley, Lillibridge, Griggs, Greenfield 
 Heston, Fitch, Payson, Beecher, Draper, Ecob, Down- 
 ing, Fowler, Cleveland, Jerome, Crandall, Kneeland, 
 Cheeseman, Brown, Hull, Chrysler, North, Burdick, 
 Barrows, Foote, Bissell, Whiting. It will be placed in 
 Library Hall, and hereafter for members of '69 will form 
 one of the most interesting features of a visit to Old 
 Hamilton. Will not every other classmate who may 
 read these lines send on his contribution to make the 
 book complete? 
 
 Although no arrangements had been made for a ban- 
 quet, the most of those who were present at the meeting 
 in Library Hall met again by chance in the dining room 
 of the Willard House at supper time. A table was at 
 once appropriated by the Class of 1869. An extempore 
 symposium followed. While the menu was not as ex- 
 tensive as that which was provided soon after President 
 Fisher's Junior party, or the little episode to which 
 Conley so modestly refers, it was nevertheless thoroughly 
 enjoyed in spite of Fowler and Griggs' foreboding pre- 
 diction of its effect upon the digestive abilities of the 
 class. 
 
 In the preparation of this report it has seemed most 
 satisfactory and useful to give the letters entire as re- 
 ceived. They thus assume a personality and interest 
 which would otherwise be utterly lost. While the av- 
 erage American citizen may hesitate to impart directly 
 personal information, no charge of lack of modesty will 
 ever be entered against any classmate whose words are 
 presented here. They are for Hamilton's '69. As such 
 they are certain to find a ready and responsive welcome. 
 
 Wm. L. Downing, 
 
 For the Class. 
 
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