Report of the trigintennial meeting with a biographical and statistical record online

yet his countenance would invariably bear its familiar pleasant smile. He remembered the old



245



College days with delight, and would often inquire of me concerning the welfare of one and
another of the Class.

He was a man of more than ordinary ability and attractiveness. During his College
course he won the respect and friendship of his classmates, who will hear of his death with
sadness, and will continue to hold him in affectionate remembrance. (C. S. E., in Triennial
Record.)

COLLEGE SOCIETIES^ HONORS, RANK.

Linonia, "Sigma Eps," Phi Theta Psi, Psi Upsilon.



246





HORATIO SEYMOUR.

Horatio Seymour, son of John Forman Seymour (Yale, 1835) and Frances Antill (Tap-
pan) Seymour, was born at Utica, N. Y., January 8th, 1844.

He fitted for College under George C. Sawyer at the Utica Academy, New York, and
entered the Class of '66 in the Fall of '62. He was in this class Freshman and Sophomore
years, and joined the Class of '67 first term Junior year.

His father's name was John Forman Seymour. He graduated from Yale College with
Class of 1835. He studied Law at Litchfield, Conn., and was admitted to the Bar at Utica,
N. Y., where he practiced Law until 1862. when he became State Agent for the care of the sick
and wounded .soldiers of the State of New York. He held this position until December, 1864,
when he resigned and resumed the practice of his profession.

His mother's name was Frances Antill Tappan, of New Haven, Conn. She married his
father in 1839.



247



His father's family were of English extraction, having come to Connecticut as early as

1637-

His great-grandfather was Moses Seymour, Major in the Revolutionary Army. His
grandfather, Henry Seymour, moved to New York State from Connecticut early in this cen-
tury. He was a Canal Commissioner of the original Erie Canal, and built the Eastern sec-
tion. His wife, our classmate's grandmother, Mary Ledyard Forman, was a daughter of
Lieut. Col. Jonathan Forman, of New Jersey, who served throughout the Revolutionary War.
Our classmate's mother's (Frances Antill Tappan) father was Arthur Tappan, son of Ben-
jamin Tappan, of Northampton, Mass., and of Sarah Holmes, his wife. Arthur Tappan mar-
ried Frances Antill, daughter of Lieut. Col. Edward Antill and Charlotte Riverin. Edward
Antill was Lieutenant Colonel in Hazen's Regiment, or "Congress' Own." He was educated
at King's (afterwards Columbia) College, and practiced law at New York City and Quebec,
Canada.

After his graduation he studied Law for a few months in his father's office at Utica, N.
Y., when on account of failure in health from close confinement to office work he became en-
gaged in Civil Engineering. He resided in New York State, Pennsylvania and various places
until 1877. when he was elected State Engineer and Surveyor of the State of New York. He
was elected to the same office two years later, residing in Albany, N. Y., between 1877 and
1881. In 1882 he moved to Marquette, Mich., where he has since resided as Managing Direc-
tor of the Michigan Land and Iron Company (Limited).

He married Abigail Johnson at Utica, N. Y., October 12th, 1880.

CHILDREN.

Mary Ledyard, born September loth, 1881, Madison, Wis.

Horatio, Jr., born July 14th. 1883, Marquette, Mich.

Mary Ledyard is now at Mrs. Piatt's School, Utica, N. Y.

Horatio is now at the School of Horace D. Taft, Esq., Watertown, Conn.

COLLEGE SOCIETIES^ HONORS, RANK.

Linonia. Delta Kappa, Psi Upsilon, and Skull and Bones. First Colloquy.



248





GEORGE PRESTON SHELDON.

George Preston Sheldon, son of Charles and Janet (Reid) Sheldon, was born January
17th, 1847, in New York City.

He fitted for College (Yale) under R. M. Wright at Castleton, Vt., and entered the Class
of '67 in the .Summer of 1863.

After graduation studied Law, entering the office of Sewell & Pierce. Was admitted as
a partner of that firm on the ist of July, 1872. Was Assistant Corporation Counsel of the
City of Brooklyn for about four years. Practiced Law in New York City till 1888. In 1881
ne removed from Brooklyn to Westchester County, New York. In January, 1888, accepted
position of Vice-President of the Phoenix Fire Insurance Com.pany, of New York City, and
on April 15th of the same year was elected President of the company, which position he now
holds.



249



He married twice. His first wife was Frances A. Pendleton, of Ann Arbor, Mich.,
whom he married July 2nd, 1872. She died September 23rd, 1885, at Greenwich, Conn.

CHILDREN.

Hatty Haskell, born April 14th, 1873, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Geo. P., born November 19th, 1876, Brooklyn, N. Y.

His second wife was Carolyn J. Pendleton, whom he married May 21st, 1890.

CHILDREN.

Carolyn, born May 20th, 1891, Greenwich, Conn.

COLLEGE SOCIETIES^ HONORS^ RANK.

Linonia, Gamma Nu, Alpha Delta Phi and Scroll and Key. High Oration. Spoonman.



250





HENRY CLAY SHELDON.

Henry Clay Sheldon, son of Ira and Fannie Maria (Bingham) Sheldon, was born at
Martin^burgh, N. Y., March 12th, 1845.

He fitted for College (Yale) under Wm. Robt. Adams at the Lowville Academy. Low-
ville, N. Y., and entered the Class of '67 on January 7lh, 1864.

Entered the Class second term Freshman. After graduating spent the first year at
Franklin, N. Y., teaching. Attended the Theological School in Boston three years, 1868-71.
Preached the following year at St. Johnsbury, Vt., and the next two years at Brunswick, Me.
Spent fifteen months in Europe, mainly in Germany, studying Church History. Then taught
in the Boston University, chiefly in the Theological School. Was appointed to the Chair of
Historical Theology in the Boston University School of Theology in 1875. In 1886 he pub
Hshed a work, entitled "The History of Christian Doctrine," in two volumes, which was pub-
lished by Harper & Bros.



251



In addition to his present Professorship in the above mentioned school he has superin-
tended the post-graduate work in the so-called School of All Sciences, being Acting Dean of
that school.

Received the degree of D. D. from Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis., in 1887. In
1894 he published a work on Church History in five volumes: (a) "The Early Church," in one
volume; (fr) "Mediaeval," in one volume; (c) "Modern," in three volumes.

In the Fall of 1895 he was appointed to the Chair of Systematic Theology, which position
he now holds.

He married Louise ]\IcLellan. of Brunswick, Me., September i6th, 1875.

CHILDREN.

Herbert Prescott, born November 4th, 1877, Newton, Mass.

Ernest McLellan, born July lOth, 1880, Newton, Mass.

Herbert P. is in the College of Liberal Arts. Boston University, the Class of '99.

Ernest McLellan is in the Newton High School.

COLLEGE SOCIETIES, HONORS, RANK.

Brothers, 2nd prize English Composition third term Sophomore. Townsend. Phi Beta
Kappa, Philosophical, third in Class.



252





*JOHN WILLIAM SHOWALTER.

*JoHN William Shovvalter, son of Benoni Freeman and Margaret Rachel (Whipps)
Showalter, was born in Minerva, Mason County, Ky., February 8th, 1844, and died December
loth, 1898, at Chicago, 111., of bronchial pneumonia and jaundice, resulting from a slight cold.

He fitted for College (Yale) under Wm. W. Richeson at Maysville Seminary, Kentucky,
having been educated in the public and private schools of Mason County, and entered the Class
of '67 first term Junior year.

He was of German and Scotch-Irish descent. His father and grandfather were tillera of
the soil, and his ancestors on this side of the house were from Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
On his mother's side his ancestors were among the pioneer settlers in Kentucky, coming from
Maryland and Virginia. The Civil War, which broke out just as he was passing out of boy-
hood, gave him many vivid memories marked by the peculiar relation in which he .stood to the
combating parties ; he had relatives who fought for and against the Stars and Stripes. After



253



graduation he studied Law at his home in Minerva, Ky., residing there for several years. In
i86g he went to Chicago, 111., where he continued the study and practice of his profession.
He first entered the office of Moore & Canfield, and in 187 1 was admitted to practice in Illinois.
Later he joined the firm of Abbott & Oliver, which, on the death of Mr. Abbott in 1890, was
known by the name of Oliver & Showalter. A close friendship sprang up between the two,
and he took up his residence with the family of his partner.

He had all along attended to the general practice of the law, though making something of
a specialty of corporation law. In politics he adhered to the general principles of the Demo-
cratic party, but never was an active seeker for office.

On the 2Sth of February, 1895, President Cleveland appointed him Judge of the Seventh
Judicial Circuit, embracing the States of Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, an appointment
which was a surprise to his friends and himself, as it was made without any solicitation on his
part, through the friendship of Secretaries Morton and Gresham, backed by 'his fine legal
reputation in Chicago. His recommendation for this position came from the most influential
judges and lawyers, he being considered one of the best known and ablest practitioners at the
Bar. The only time he essayed political preferment was in 1894, when he ran as the Demo-
cratic candidate for Judge of the Superior Court, but was defeated by Judge Gary.

His death was very sudden and came as a great blow to the Chicago Bar, by whom he was
greatly beloved. Three weeks before his death he contracted a slight cold while sitting on
the bench in his chambers, but, though warned to take care of himself, he thought little of it.
His associate Judges, Jenkins and Wood, had gone to their homes in Milwaukee and In
dianapolis several days before, suffering from slight colds.

Resolutions of sorrow and regret were passed at a meeting of the Judges of the Federal,
State and County Courts held at the Lincoln Club, and addresses of eulogy were made by
Judges Freeman, Burke and Elliott. Members of the Chicago Bar, the Patent Lawyers'
Association and Illinois Club were selected to act as pall-bearers, the remains being taken to
Georgetown, Ky., after a simple service at his late residence.

While in College he gave promise of his future success. After a close and spirited con-
test for Class Orator, he was elected by a small majority. His oration on presentation day
was one of the finest productions our Class ever listened to.

Our friend never married. He was devotedly attached to his mother, whom he wor-
shiped. She survives him.

COLLEGE SOCIETIES, HONORS, RANK.

Alpha Delta Phi, Spade and Grave, Honorary Wolf's Head 1895 ; 2nd prize Junior Prize
Debate, ist prize Senior Prize Debate. Class Orator.



254




i


^




T •


P^^^H^^H^H^^^^


's^ .'•^^



*FRANK LEWIS SKEELS.

*Frank Lewis Skeels, son of Nelson Dickinson and Lucy Ann (Lewis) Skeels, was born
at Coldwater, Mich., January 8th, 1846.

He fitted for College (Yale) under Simon T. Frost at the Hudson River Institute, and
entered the Class of '67 in the Summer of 1863.

His ancestors on his father's side came from New York State, and those on his mother's
side from Connecticut.

After graduation he read Law for a time in Coldwater, Mich., his home, with Messrs.
Loveridge & Shipman. He then attended the Law School at the University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, where he graduated, and was admitted to the Bar in 1869. He then formed a part-
nership with Mr. Chas. D. Wright for several years, and was Prosecuting Attorney of the city
for two terms in 1877-78.



25s



His death occurred from malarial fever in i8qi. He stood in the highest ranks, both as a
lawyer and a citizen.

He was married to Ella Van Valkenburgh, December 22nd, 1869, at Coldwater, Mich.

CHILDREN.

Nelson Dickinson, born November 23rd. 1872, Coldwater, Mich. ; died March 15th, 1892.
Coldwater, Mich.

Annie Van Valkenburgh, born Maj^ 23rd, 1876, Coldwater, Mich. ; died January 5th, 1895,
Coldwater, Mich.

Mary L., born August 24th, 1879, Coldwater, Mich.

Nelson and Annie attended the High School at Coldwater. Both left a few months pre-
vious to their sickness and death.

Mary L. (called Dixie) was an attendant of the High School till January, 1897. She and
her mother are the only members of the familj- now liviog.

COILEGE SOCIETIES, HONORS, RANK.

Brothers, Delta Kappa, Alpha Delta Phi and Spade and Grave. First Colloquy.



256



\\5 n



•a



..XXV-EKSITY



4\!i'





FREDERICK ISAAC SMALL.

Frederick Isaac Small, son of Isaac and Susan Cady (Knapp) Small, was born at
Herkimer, N. Y., October 17th, 1847.

He fitted for College (Yale) under Dr. Benjamin VV. Dwight, at Clinton, N. Y., and
entered the Class of '67 in the Summer of 1863.

His paternal grandfather, Jacob Small, was the son of Jacob Small (Schmal), who, com-
ing from Hesse Darmstadt, settled in the Mohawk Valley prior to the Revoiution. His
paternal grandmother was Hannah Potter, who was the daughter of Wm. Potter, of the
Rhode Island family of that name.

On his mother's side her grandfather, Philip Knapp, was the son of parents who came
from Holland to this country early in the Eighteenth Century. Her grandmother was
Didemma Cady, whose mother was a Beebe, her mother being a Palmer, of the Connecticut
family of that name.



257



After graduation he studied Law in New York, and then removed to his home in Little
Falls, where he has pursued the practice of his profession ever since.

COLLEGE SOCIETIES, HONORS, RANK

Brothers, "Sigma Eps," and D. K. E.



258





BENJAMIN SMITH.

Benjamin Smith, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Smith, was born at Solebury, Bucks
County, Pa., August ist, 1840.

He fitted for College (Yale) at Williston Seminary. Easthampton, Mass., under Josiah
Clark, and entered the Class of "66 in the Summer of 1862. He was with that Class only a
few weeks. He entered the Class of 'd"] first term Freshman year.

Jonathan Smith, his father, was not a College man; occupation — Farmer.

Both his father and mother descended from Robert Smith, who came to this country
about 1700. Nothing known of ancestry prior to above named date. On his father's side his
great-grandfather was the eldest son of .said Robert Smith, his next younger brother, his
great-great-grandfather on his mother's side. There was but one deed between William Penn
and Robert Smith for the homestead property, which continued in the family five generations
down to about the year i86q. Members of this family attained in their day some notoriety.



259



Timothy Smith, son of Robert, was elected Sheriff of Bucks County six successive terms
Robert and Joseph Smith, grandsons of Robert Smith, made the first plow ever made with an
iron mould board. Joseph was the first in the County to burn successfully Anthracite Coal.

Since graduating Benjamin has been Principal of the Seminary at Doylestown, Pa., teach-
ing with remarkably good success. In June, 1877, he went to New York City, where he ob-
tained a position as Principal in the "Friends' Seminary," corner of Sixteenth Street and
Rutherford Place. He left New York City in July, 1886, and in the Fall of that year he re-
moved to Swarthmore, Pa., where he accepted the position of Professor in Rhetoric in
Sw^arthmore College in 1886, and remained there until 1892, chiefly as teacher of English, Men-
tal Philosophy and Logic, with title of Principal of the Preparatory Department, and the last
four years and a half as Vice-President of the College.

Resigning in 1892, the next year and a half was largely spent in Chicago as Secretary of
the Friends' Religious Congress. Since then he has devoted much of his time to teaching,
and at present is Principal of Plymouth Meeting Friends' School, near Philadelphia, Pa. The
only change in his family is the marriage of his daughter two years smce and the advent of .1
granddaughter.

He married Sarah E. Simpson, of Highton, Pa., October 3rd, 1867.

CHILDREN.

Fannj' B.. born ^lay 2nd, 1870, Doylestown, Pa.

\Vm. Clarence, born April 30th, 1872, Doylestown, Pa.

Herbert T.. born April 19th, 1874, Doylestown, Pa.

Fanny B. graduated from Swarthmore College in the Class of '90. She married Frank S.
Herr. March 26th, 1895, at Newtown, Pa.

His two sons, Clarence and Herbert, attended Swarthmore College for a time. The
former is bookkeeper (assistant) in the firm of Garrett Buchanan & Co., Philadelphia (paper).
The latter is in the wholesale shipping department of Strawbridge & Clothier.

COLLEGE SOCIETIES, HONORS, RANK.

Brothers, Gamma Nu, Phi Beta Kappa, Dissertation.



260





JAMES MAGOFFIN SPENCER.



James Magoffin Spencer, son of Rev. Ichabod Smith (Union College, 1822) and Hannah
(Magoffin) Spencer, was born at Brooklyn. New York, April 9th, 1839.

He fitted for College (Yale) at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., under Dr. S. H. Tay-
lor, and entered the Class of '67 in the Summer of 1863.

His father was a clergyman, and was settled over the Second Presbyterian Church of
Brooklyn, N. Y.. for tw.enty-two years. He published two volumes of a work called "A
Pastor's Sketches," which were so popular that they ran through more than twenty editions,
being translated into several European languages and at least one Asiatic. His grandfather,
four times removed, was one of the original settlers of Suffield, Conn. Thomas Spencer was
the second son of Sir Thomas Spencer, of Womleighton, Northamptonshire, England, where
in the parish church are the tombs of his ancestors for centuries — one was a Crusader, John
Spencer — and where the tower of the family castle still stands (the rest was battered down by

261



the Roundheads in Cromwell's time). From it can be perceived the turrets of the abode of
the present head of the family, Earl Spencer, at one time Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and
known as possessing the finest private library in England. The genealogy runs uninterruptedly
back to a Baron Hugh De Spencer, who came over with William the Conqueror. The family
in this country has not fallen below its record. The men have been mostly judges, clergymen,
physicians, lawyers and members of the Legislatures. A great-uncle was Governor of Ver-
mont; a cousin, John C. Spencer, Secretary of War in i8[2. On the maternal side his mother
was Hannah, daughter of John Magoffin, an Irish gentleman, educated in Queen's College,
Dublin. He married Katherine Cole, daughter of James Cole, Lieutenant Governor of the
Province of New Jersey under King George III. His mother (Hannah Hess by name) was
the first white child born in New Jersey.

He received the degree of LL. B. from the Union University at Albany, N. Y., in i860.

For six years after graduation was Professor in the National Deaf and Dumb College at
Washington, D. C. In 1874 he sailed for Europe and settled in Munich, Bavaria. His ad-
dress was "Bayerische Vereinsbank."

Was married July 28th, 1878, to Mary Fisk, of Boston.

His life is one of leisure, diversified by extensive travel and study. He has traveled in
Austria. Italy, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway.

COLLEGE SOCIETIES, HONORS, RAKK.

Brothers, "Sigma Eps," D. K. E. and Skull and Bones; 2nd prize for Solution Mathe-
matical Problems Junior and Senior years, 3rd prize Declamation third term Sophomore. High
Oration, Phi Beta Kappa.



262





ERNEST GORDON STEDMAN.



Ernest Gordon Stedman, son of Griffin A. Stedman and Mary Ap Owen (Shields) Sted-
man, was born at Hartford, Conn., October 30th, 1845.

He fitted for College (Yale) under Saml. M. Capron at Hartford, Conn., and entered
the Class of '67 in the Summer of 1863.

Upon graduation he entered Columbia Law School in October. 1867, and graduated in
May, 1869. He then entered the law firm of Brown, Hall & Vanderpoel as a clerk, where he
remained for several years. On November ist, 1877, he formed a law partnership with Messrs.
Hascall and Stetson, under the firm name of Hascall, Stetson & Stedman. He continued with
this firm until the death of Mr. Hascall, June 30th. 1879. when the firm was dissolved. He then
practiced law on his own account until November, 1885. In November, 1885, he formed a law
partnership with Charles E. Souther (Harvard, '65), under the firm name of Souther &

263



Stedman. In 1893 he formed a partnership with Mr. Larkin, a Princeton graduate, his former
partnership being dissolved. His address is No. 7 Nassau street, New York City.
He married Nina M. Marcy, of New York City, June 15th, 1884.

COLLEGE SOCIETIES^ HONORS^ RANK.

Linonia, "Sigma Eps," Phi Theta Psi, and Psi Upsilon.



264




♦WILLIAM LEWIS STEVENSON.



♦William Lewis Stevenson, son of John Stephenson, was born at Pittsburg, Pa., Decem-
ber loth, 1843. He died July, 1879.

He fitted for College (Yale) under Rev. James Patterson, D. D., at Westminster Col-
legiate Institute, New Wilmington, Pa., and entered the Class of '67 in the Fall of 1863.

Since graduation he studied Theology in Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny City,
Pa. Was offered the Assistant Professorship of Hebrew at the Western Theological
Seminary, but declined it. The following from his brother is all that could be learned in regard
to him :

'"My brother, after leaving Yale, completed his study for the ministry at Danville, Ky.,
and the Western Theological Seminary, in Allegheny City; was licensed as a minister in the
Presbyterian Church and died from sunstroke July, 1879. Yours, etc.,

"A. K. Stevenson."

26s



COLLEGE SOCIETIES, HONORS, RANK.

Linonia, Delta Kappa, Phi Theta Psi and Psi Upsilon. Dissertation.



266





♦EBENEZER FOWLER STODDARD.



*Ebenezer Fowler Stoddard, son of Col. Henry and Susan C. (Williams) Stoddard, was
born at Dayton, Ohio, July i6th, 1845.

He fitted for College (Yale) under J. W. Hall at the Dayton Central High School, and
entered the Class of '67 in the Fall of 1863. Died suddenly at Dayton, Ohio, May 31st, 1887.

After graduation was engaged for five years in the manufacture of linseed oil, varnish and
paints at Dayton, Ohio ; two years he spent m the manufacture of brass goods, and then was
engaged until the time of his death in the manufacture of agricultural implements.

To every man of the Class of '67 his death was a personal loss. As a classmate he will
ever be remembered. His presence was singularly attractive, his character was pure, his dis-
position gentle, his manner winning. He gave the world assurance of a man. He fulfilled the
promise of his youth. The following note appeared in the "Dayton Journal." We who re-
member him so well read this tribute to a noble life with mingled feelings of joy and sadness:

267



" The universal expression of sorrow throughout the city which followed the announce-
ment of E. Fowler Stoddard's death was the highest tribute that could be paid to the memory
of a singularly pure, upright and noble character. It was felt on all sides that the community
had sustained an immeasurable loss, and those who were not favored with the pleasure of
intimate association with him, appreciated none the less the sterling qualities of manhood that
made him a valuable citizen, a beloved friend and a model parent and husband. From his
early boyhood he was distinguished for his buoyancy of spirits, and his generous and untiring
energy in all his undertakings. In his mature years these characteristics were intensified,
and in all his business, social and church relationships he retained his youthful ardor and gave
the whole measure of his powers to the performance of his duties. Everything that claimed
his attention felt his quickening impulse.

" He was the son of Henry and Susan Stoddard, and was born on the i6th of July, 1845,
in a house which occupied the site of the home he lived in nearly the whole of his life. After
completing the city school course he entered Yale College and was graduated in 1867. The
same devoted attachment of friends that marked his later years existed in his College life,
and he was one of those princes of good fellows whom his mates delighted to honor with the
coveted emblem of good fellowship, the traditional wooden spoon. In 1868 he engaged with
his brother, John W. Stoddard, in the manufacture of linseed oil. In 1872 he was appointed
Superintendent of the Dayton Steam Gauge Company, where he continued until 1875, when
the Stoddard Rake Manufacturing firm was organized, and he became a leading member, and
was Vice-President and Superintendent of the company at the time of his death. Here he
showed fine business ability, and was given the esteem and confidence of the large force of
workmen employed to an unusual degree. His straightforward, manly qualities were every-