USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Princeton > Trigentennial record : together with a journal of the reunion week, vital statistics, necrology, directory, and appendices, 1882 > Part 4
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J. E. MAXWELL
THOMAS PEEBLES
GEORGE PECK PIERSON
In my third year at the U. of M. I studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar, but President Northrop, who has ever been a friend, had a resolution passed by the Board of Regents commending my work and asking me to continue with them for two years more. I treasure this resolution very much, although I claim I can now estimate philosophy at its true worth. Following the profession of the law I have finally come into the service of some closely allied corporations which have fairly large interests in various parts of the far West, both in real estate and in mineral lands. My work has been in the line of drawing contracts and supervising bond issues and has been of too closely technical a nature to be of gen- eral interest.
As to family matters, I married in my Irish luck the best woman in America and the only fault I find in my two sons is that neither obliged me by entering Princeton and there redeeming the good name I might have had if I had only trained less with Marshall and Ralston and more with Harry Terhune.
They are both in business for themselves and have the promise of being successful fellows. One is now twenty-five the other, twenty-two.
I could take up your whole book in telling how much I enjoyed our Reunion.
PIERSON, GEORGE P.
For almost twenty years I have been living in the Hokkaido, the Northern Island of the Japanese Empire. The Island is as big as New York State and of the same climate, but the popula- tion only about one million and a half. Our effort has been to get the Gospel to the several hundred thousand of the farmers, fishermen, miners and townfolk that constitute our share of the field. This means some publication, extensive tract distribution, local preaching, and touring over the north- ern half of the Island where are situated several outstations. Besides the preparation of several tracts some years ago I was enabled to compile brief annotations on the New Testament which were published with the text. This work I revised later
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on the publication of a new edition. I have reason to be grateful that it has proved useful. Mrs. Pierson and I have hitherto lived in the three principal cities of the Hokkaido- Otaru, Sapporo and Asahigawa. Besides our wider work our object has been in each of these places to help the local preach- ing-place until it reached the stature of a self-supporting, self- propagating church. We feel that when this stage is reached our efforts should be transferred to less developed fields. The Japanese ministry have long been quite competent to conduct their own church affairs. The work of an evangelistic mis- sionary lies beyond the border of the well established churches -such missionaries belong in the pioneer zone. In our last and present place of residence, Asahigawa we have about 10,000 soldiers, also quite a few of the Ainu people, the abo- rigines of the Island. These two classes of people together with the student class have called for special kinds of effort. The need for mission work in Japan continues. It is less evangel- ized than India ; at any rate less than one per cent of the popula- tion are Christian. We are all facing about from city work to the great nation in the rural districts. There's where most nations live; and these districts are practically untouched in Japan. If we missionaries with the chastened faith, the disci- pline and experience of twenty years could cancel the calendar and go back to Asia thirty years old instead of fifty, we could ask no greater honor. But even from a thirty years' Reunion, one looks out on the privilege of having a further share in the evangelization of Asia as honor of the supremest sort. So please accept this as my answer to your question number one i.e. to preach the Gospel to Asia is my "civic, official, ecclesias- tical honor, title to publication, travels, amusements, family statistics, etc." I want no other honor and don't deserve that.
As to question number two, "what did Princeton do for you and what are you doing for Princeton?" The more I think of it the more I find it impossible to weigh and measure all that Princeton-and I include the Seminary-did for me. It opened up life and the whole universe to me; even the things it was hard for me to learn I am thankful I was made to study. One by-product was the discipline in analysis ; and another was help
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in getting at the essential and knowing what not to learn. "What have I done for Princeton?" Not so much in the way of sending her men and means, not so much doing as undoing in her behalf what she did for me, unreeling what she wound up. Princeton may not have furnished us with electricity but she made us I trust, well ordered storage-batteries, to retain and to discharge the spirit and the life.
POTTER, THEODORE
No great changes have occurred in my life and work since the last Record. I continue practicing and teaching medicine in Indianapolis. I am professor of clinical medicine in the medi- cal department of Indiana University. I have been president of the Indianapolis Medical Society, member and secretary (by appointment of the Governor) of the Indiana State Tuberculo- sis Commission, and am vice-president and chairman of the local executive committee of the State Tuberculosis Associa- tion, the Indiana branch of the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis.
During my summer vacation travels, I have visited the interesting new regions of northern and western Canada and the Pacific northwest. At Seattle in 1909 I spent a pleasant evening with Will Scudder and his family.
I have written from time to time, articles for local medical and literary societies, and while carrying on a somewhat suc- cessful work of purely professional kind have joined in trying to advance the things which make for intellectual culture and social betterment. I am comfortable, busy and happy, and I shall never forget the great Reunion of 1912.
RAFFERTY, OGDEN
Since my retirement from the Army in 1910 I have been living very quietly here in California. Give my best regards to the boys of '82 and should Princeton beat Yale on June 8th, borrow a dollar from John Larkin or Harry Terhune and send me a telegram.
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RALSTON, JOHN J.
At the time of our Reunion in 1907 I was a health seeker,- having been troubled with asthma. In the spring of 1909 I came to the State of Iowa to find out what effect a change of climate would have on my health. My asthma soon left me, and I have had little or no trouble from it ever since. I soon took up again my former work, and accepted a pastorate in this town of Coin in the south-western part of the State.
With my family I have been very pleasantly located ever since coming here. I enjoy my work very much.
Last year I spent my vacation with friends in Pennsylvania. This year my vacation was spent in New Mexico.
All honor to our Classmate, President Hibben. I am al- ways glad to hear of the success of any '82 man.
RANKIN, EDWARD S.
For my life up to 1907 see previous Class Records, and for the past five years there is little to add.
My position is the same as at that time, engineer of the Department of Sewers & Drainage, City of Newark, N. J., which position I have held since 1903, and in a subordinate capacity since 1887.
My family also remains the same, viz .: wife and four chil- dren.
Honors, civic, official, or ecclesiastical do not seem to have come my way. Professionally, I am a member of the Ameri- can Society of Civil Engineers and of the American Society of Municipal Improvements. Of the latter society I have been treasurer for the past three years.
My publications have been confined chiefly to annual re- ports and occasional papers on sewerage questions for the engineering press, and proceedings of the last named society.
If I should attempt to answer your two questions, I fear the answer to the first would be too long for the space allowed, and to the second too short to be of any value to the Class, or any satisfaction to myself.
REIBER, AARON E.
No report.
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WARD C. PEABODY
EDWARD S. RANKIN
OGDEN RAFFERTY
ROOT, FRANCIS F.
One cannot get blood from a turnip, and it is not easy to write an interesting biographic sketch of a man who does nothing and to whom nothing ever happens. However, these facts to the contrary notwithstanding, my life is a happy one. I am interested in church work, and keep a friendly eye on one or two crippled and impecunious neighbors. More than this, I can read from the Book of Books, which is printed in great primer type.
Princeton has done a good deal for me. She has helped to make me at home with people of culture and refinement, and has given me a fair knowledge of the structure and meaning of the English language. For Princeton I have done nothing but sing her praises in an undertone and send her one or two students.
In conclusion, let me express the hope that none of the boys pass lives less happy than mine.
ROWE, Ross B.
My autobiography since last Reunion contains nothing start- ling. I am engaged in general medical practice at Reading, Penn. I am a member of St. Joseph's Hospital Staff in the capacity of chief of the Medical Wards and a member of the Board of Managers of one of the local charitable institutions. This practically covers everything outside of the family circle. The latter includes my wife and daughter.
RUTHERFURD, LIVINGSTON
Was graduated from the Albany Law School, Union Uni- versity, in 1892 and was admitted to practice the same year.
Wrote, "Family Records and Events," De Vinne Press 1894. Also, "The Trial of John Peter Zenger for Uttering a Libel against Government," Dodd, Mead & Co., 1904.
Is interested in farming in Sussex County, New Jersey. Unmarried.
SCUDDER, LEWIS R.
I have nothing special to report. I have written no book,
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I have achieved no notoriety, I have received no honors. Have been around the world twice on my two furloughs. Have stuck to my missionary work for nearly twenty-four years. Have treated many thousands of patients through my hospital, and have had some share in building up a Christian church in India which is constantly growing stronger and more self- reliant. Perhaps my best achievement is five sons and one daughter. Two of my sons are now in Princeton. The others will follow. This is about all that I have been able to do for Princeton. It is hard for me to single out any special thing that Princeton did for me. But of the ten years spent in university and professional study the four spent in dear old Princeton have had their full share in fitting me for the work I have been doing.
Residence in India has prevented my attending our class re- unions. My furloughs have unfortunately not coincided with our reunions. But I do enjoy going over the records of our Class and I look forward to receiving our Trigentennial Rec- ord. I will try to have a copy of my latest photograph sent to you. In case it fails I will say that my shadow has not grown less except when you compare it with my brother's. I am proud of the great honor that has come to Hibben and join our whole Class in congratulating him. May he live long to preside over the destiny of our dear old Alma Mater.
Heartiest greetings to our dear old Class of '82.
SCUDDER, WILLIAM W.
At present I am superintendant of the Washington Congre- gational Conference. The conference is composed of over two hundred churches, covering the entire state, which has an area larger than New England. Northern Idaho, with a score more of churches and such work as Congregationalists are do- ing in Alaska, are also placed under my care, making a very large territory to cover, but one intensely interesting in its rapid development. From one half to two thirds of my time is spent in travel.
None of us will be in danger of overestimating what Prince- ton did for us. Probably the strongest and most influential
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Ross B. ROWE
LIVINGSTON RUTHERFURD
forces,-next to the home circle,-in shaping my life and ideals I found there.
Life on the Pacific Coast has had one drawback-that of distance from classmates and from Old Nassau. This has prevented my being able to attend reunions, or to send my boys to Princeton. For the same reason I have been of no material help to the University, and can do little except to keep a warm heart for all the boys, the place, and the old associations.
SHAW, WILLIAM, McD.
No report. Had intended to be present at the Reunion, but was prevented from doing so by illness.
SIMONS, EDWIN S.
I still continue in the manufacture of silverware, with fac- tory in Philadelphia, and office in New York. My home for the past ten years has been in Elizabeth, N. J. My son Donald graduated in 1911, Princeton, and is now taking a post-graduate course in electrical engineering, Princeton. My son Jack is in the class of 1913. I visit Princeton about twice every month. Will live in New York City for next two win- ters, at least, at 144 East 56th St. Business and mail address, 13 Maiden Lane, New York.
SUMMERILL, JOSEPH J.
No report. Attended the Reunion.
SUTPHEN, W. G. VAN TASSEL
There is but little for me to add to my report in the last Record. I remain with Harper and Brothers as one of their literary advisers, and my spare time is now given to dramatic composition. I have just finished a four act play in collabora- tion with a professional adviser, and we hope to place it some- where in the near future. Play writing interests me much more than the composing of novels and short stories, but until lately certain circumstances have stood in the way of that
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ambition. Possibly the opportunity has now come, and any- way I am doing what I have always wanted to do.
Princeton gave to me a deep appreciation of the ideal in life. I try to liquidate the debt by influencing as many boys as I can to go to Nassau Hall, in the hope that they may be touched by the same ancient spirit ; and, in their turn, may pass the torch along.
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Golf and music remain my chosen avocations-I can't con- ceive of any better ones.
TERHUNE, HENRY S.
My time since graduating has been spent practicing law at Long Branch, N. J., with a few side diversions, such as being city solicitor for Long Branch, Sea Bright and Matawan for several years; going to the State Senate, and being advanced from there to the chairmanship of the Monmouth County Democratic Executive Committee. At present I am president of the Farmers' & Merchants' National Bank of Matawan, vice-president of the First National Bank of Long Branch, president of the Monmouth Gravel Company, vice-president of the New York and Long Branch Steamboat Company, and an ardent worker in the Democratic party for the election of Woodrow Wilson. All of the above are going concerns, in- cluding the Democratic party, Wilson's election being con- ceded by all adults outside of the various retreats for weak minded people.
My home is in Matawan, and, in connection therewith is a 48 H.P. Pierce Arrow car, and a new McCray refrigerator purchased this year. I certainly would like to give to the Class of '82 individually or collectively, a demonstration of the in- ternal workings of this refrigerator. Its contents will take the knobs off your liver, and make you feel thoroughly satis- fied with the native products of Monmouth County, to wit : cod-fish, beach plums and Jersey lightning.
VAN STONE, SAMUEL B.
I have been engaged in educational work since I left Prince- ton. In 1907 I felt much need of a rest, and spent the summer
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EDWIN S. SIMONS
WILLIAM W. SCUDDER
W. G. VANTASSEL SUTPHEN
in Old England and Wales. I returned in the fall to my home at Newton, New Jersey where I rested for two years. In December 1908 I married Miss Annie Evans of Lewisburg, Pa.
Two years ago I took charge of the college preparatory department in the Newton Academy, a private boarding school for boys, and one of the best schools in the country. My favorite amusements are music and flower gardening.
WADDELL, ROBERT S.
The circular letter, together with a chaser from John Larkin, asking for history for the Record has been forwarded to me at Dresden.
I am at the age when I have ceased to make history-except ancient history-and that is not interesting to the average reader. The data sent you five years ago is just as appro- priate now as then. I have not changed except that my hair is grayer and my waist line larger. Perhaps I should say that I look middle-aged and feel the part. I have not practised law for the past three years-most of which time I have been in Europe. I also might add that my step-daughter has made me a grandfather of a few months' standing. This fact has caused me to feel that there should be some kind of a prize, or compensation, for those of us who crawl under the wire in this class-especially when you consider how we were handi- capped in the start by such progressives as the Scudder brothers. I was sorry to miss the Reunion. I know you all had a good time with so many distinguished judges, congress- men, and honest men, as the Class of '82 has produced. I met our beloved and honored president, John Hibben, in Munich this summer, resting after his arduous duties of persuading the Trustees that he was the only one to steer our Alma Mater through the rocks and shoals of the future. It was a great pleasure to him that the Class had returned in such numbers to help inaugurate him and incidentally to win the 1901 prize cup. He confided this to me while we both were enjoying that peculiar art which has helped to make both Munich and Mil- waukee famous. In my wanderings among the effete courts of Europe, I had the pleasure, a few weeks ago, of seeing
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Charley Denby. He is now holding down the job of consul- general for Uncle Sam at Vienna. He looks fat and pros- perous, notwithstanding his arduous duties of running an automobile and receiving Americans who find their way into that gay capital. As I have said, I have been in Europe for the greater part of the past three years, but I feel as if my wanderlust was gradually oozing out, and I hope in the near future to be in New York. I have no photograph to send you, as I can't find anyone willing to assume the risk of the undertaking.
WARFIELD, ETHELBERT D.
The thirtieth anniversary finds me at the close of one and twenty years of service as president of Lafayette College. In these years the college has enjoyed its fair share of the pros- perity which all American colleges have experienced. My work has been congenial, its rewards greater than my deserts, and I sincerely say: laus Deo! I am happy in an unbroken family circle of three girls and four boys. My eldest boy, after graduating at Lafayette with the highest honors, is now in the graduate school at Princeton and has been elected to a fellow- ship in geology for next year. My eldest daughter is ready for college. The tail-ender, aged five, keeps us all young.
There is not room to tell all that Princeton did for me. I gave her my love and she gave me my ideals. I suppose few have loved and revered Dr. McCosh as I did, and he pro- foundly influenced my career. I have hoped that in some measure my work at Lafayette might not be unworthy a disciple of his. I have sent my eldest son to breathe the same air. I think Lafayette is among the first in her contributions to Princeton's graduate school. First and last I have sent a great many boys to Princeton. I have also called to the facul- ties of Miami and Lafayette a fine lot of Princeton men.
I am often in Princeton, my official relations to the Semi- nary taking me there. I love to walk the old paths, to mark the ever growing buildings, to sit in the chapel and see the boys of a new age come thronging in, to think myself back into the days when '82 were all gathered there. I never go to the
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SAMUEL B. VANSTONE
ETHELBERT D. WARFIELD
HENRY H. WELLES, JR.
ball games. My interest there is with Lafayette, perhaps. Perhaps the sights and sounds are too many and too new. At any rate the Princeton I love and delight in is in a lower key. With Hibben at the helm all of us will renew our allegiance with a fresh zest and do what we can to make the next twenty years the golden age.
WELLES, HENRY H., JR.
Why, certainly I can reproduce that autobiographical manu- script, which you lost on the elevated railway; you have my sympathy, for it recalls to me, if you will pardon an old man's reminiscences, the most trying situation which I faced while in Princeton. On one of the base ball tours, I lost my 'Varsity treasurer's account book and I had to stand up in college meeting and state the fact that I could not render a balanced account of my stewardship ; so you see I have a fellow feeling for you.
I reckon that the following data will link me up with the 25th Reunion Record. With my wife and three children, I spent some four months on the other side, principally in Great Britain, during the summer and early fall of 1908. Upon my return home, I entered the partnership of Thomas Welles, the senior partner of which had been long actively identified with Wyoming Valley real estate. We are developers of suburban and summer community properties. My avocations have been quasi or semi ecclestiastical or philanthropic. I acted as chair- man of the Wyoming Valley Missionary Conference, and of the Men and Religion Forward Movement; I am president of the Wilkes-Barre Y. M. C. A., and one of the Board of Managers of the Luzerne County Industrial School for Boys.
Regarding your two questions concerning Princeton, I can't well condense into a sentence or two the statement of what Princeton has done for me. But its a whole lot! As to what I have done for her, I might say that ever since gradu- ation, I have used my best endeavors to influence boys to seek her scholastic shades. I was the first secretary of the Prince- ton Alumni Association of Northeastern Penna. and held the post for many years. I am now president of this association.
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WESTERVELT, GEORGE
I have done-and failed to do-so many many and various fool things since graduation which I have forgotten, and so many others which I would like to forget, that any connected account of my doings could not be given in the limited space allotted. I have plied various trades, from cow-boy, deputy sheriff, life insurance agent, &c., to prosecuting attorney. I practiced law for about fourteen years, but have since re- formed, and am now engaged in the innocuous business of real estate.
I have been married a little over eleven years, and have one daughter (Helen), who attended the last Reunion with Mrs. Westervelt and me, and the great sorrow of whose young life is now that she is not a boy and therefore cannot go to Prince- ton. It is hard to say whether she or I enjoyed the Reunion more, but it will always be one of the brightest spots in my memory.
WHITE, MOSES J.
No report.
WILLIAMS, FREDERICK R.
No report. Is engaged in the practice of law in Bel-Air, Maryland.
WITHINGTON, CHANDLER
I graduated from Princeton College, June 1882, with the degree of Civil Engineer. I have been in the employ of the the City of New York since September, 1882, to date, holding the following positions :
September, 1882, to January, 1886, transit-man, (Dept. of Parks) ; January, 1886, to October, 1889, transit-man, (Dept. of Finance) ; October, 1889, to March, 1898, asst. engineer, (Dept. of Finance) ; March, 1898, to February, 1906, prin. asst. engineer, (Dept. of Finance) ; March, 1906, to date, chief engineer, (Dept. of Finance). Married, 1903.
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GEORGE WESTERVELT
T. KENSETT WHEELER
WOODS, DAVID W.
My autobiography since the last Reunion is quickly given. I continued to be the minister of the Gettysburg Church until last year, resigning because of poor health. Since then I've been living in the country about four miles from Gettysburg. I'm sorry I could not attend the Reunion but hope to be on hand in 1917.
WILLS, WILLIAM H.
Since the issue of the Vigentennial Record one member has been added to our family-a daughter-Annabell, born Aug. 8, 1904. We now have five children, one boy and four girls. As to business, I am still engaged in the inspection of iron and steel. During the last three or four years I have been con- nected with Uncle Sam's Navy as an assistant inspector of hull material in the Bureau of Construction and Repair. The Pittsburgh office of this bureau is at the Homestead works of the Carnegie Steel Co. Of course I am in favor of a liberal naval program that will maintain our navy at a high standard of efficiency. I think that Congress at its last session should have authorized the building of three battleships instead of but one. I have not written any books, nor have I had po- litical honors thrust upon me. Have just been moving along in an unobtrusive sort of way.
WHEELER, THOMAS K.
"The Trigentennial is over" indeed and I expect never again to reach such a summit of privilege, and honor, and pleasure as I enjoyed during those hours at Thomson Hall !
To be numbered among the men of '82-men of achieve- ment, of aspiration and reflection, noble, modest men-means a comradship of most exalted character. That almost answers question I.
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