Albion College - Albionian Yearbook (Albion, MI)

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1 If 1 'v- fm sg PROF. SAMUEL DAVIS BARR -,g..

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1 . F, ..... J 1 1 N2 9 ? :go C S. N QQ? fa No- :S .g..g..g..g.5fqff j C1-IAS. M. Picluw, Editor-in-Chief. HAROLD M. BEM., Business Manager. -if-Mlssociate CEbitors: Mabel Marian Hanlon, Fannie Louise Spurlin William Gibson Gill, James Eugene Barry, 4 Herbert Oliver Wicl1'ig .47-

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CI Uoble Qife. uv FRANK MARION COTTRELL. Modesty, thou art a jewel fit to adorn the diadem of a.kiugp thou art a badge of truest courage: thou art the mark of conscious greatness: thou art the fittest adornment of a useful life AMUEL DAVIS BARR is a man whose long and useful life is crowned with modesty. No student of Albion College who knew him can ever forget the unassuming sweetness and power of his life. The old, old story, yet ever new, of struggle against poverty and victory over circumstance, was repeated in the life of brofessor Barr. He was born on a farm at Gouverneur, St. Lawrence County, New York, July 7, 1826g and he early learned what real work means. Farm life is never easy and seventy years ago the drudgery was much greater than at the present time. Yet the work that was required of him laid the foundation for the hale and rugged old age that is now his' crowning glory. His aptitude for mathematics, and his pedagogical instincts were developed at an early age. When but a youth of eighteen he began to teach in a district school, and boarded 'round. In 1851 he entered Williams College as Junior, and graduated in 1853, His ability asa teacher and his skill as a mathematician gained for him, before his graduation, the election to the chair of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, a chair which he held for three years, and then resigned to study Law. In 1858, at the age of thirty-two, he was admitted to the bar, and he practiced in this profession for seven years. Professor Barr was a good lawyer, but he was needed in another field. In .1865 he was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction, for the State of New York. While in this office, he accomplished a work in the educational system of the state that will stand as a monument to his genius and integrity as long as integrity and genius are considered worthy of remembrance. He re-mapped and re-mimbei-Cd all the school districts in the state, defining the boundaries of each district so closely that the fraud and thievery which had been so prevalent in the loose system that had formerly prevailed, were rendered impossible. From 1868 to 1882, Professor Barr held positions in various educational institutions. For two years he was Principal of the Penn Yan Academy, at Penn Yan, New Yorkg for two years he was Professor of Mathematics in the Military Institute at Rochesterg and for seven years he was Principal of the West High School in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1882 he was elected Professor of Mathematics in Albion College, a chair which, for fifteen years, he filled with distinction to himself, and with credit to the College. As an educator Professor Barr stood in the foremost rank. 'His executive and administrative ability was severely tested during his official career in the department of Public Instruction in New York. In the matter of school legislation, that state owes verv much of her present prosperous condition, to his wise and untiring efforts. Several times he has been honored with unsolicited teifdei-S of positions. At the request of President Mark Hopkins, he was elected to the chair of Mathematics in Williams College, his alma mater. Several times he has been elected to Professorships which he did not seek, but for which there were many other applicants. Professor Barr genuine. He won the love of his students by an unaffected interest in their welfare, which went bevond the narrow limits of the class-room, and followed them wherever they went. Many an alumnus of Old Albion treasures letters which Professor Barr has written him, congratulating him on some success, or comforting him in some sorrow. A man of deep pietv and strong faith, he could speak familiarly, yet reverently of the Son of God as One with whom he walked and talked day by day. 'As a Christian, his life was positive, and his infiuence strong among us. For the fifteen years that he was in our midst he toiled for the building of noble character and holy life. Two years ago he resigned the chair which he had filled so acceptably, and retired to private life, removing from Albion to Cleveland, where he now lives in the enjoyment of a superb old age, strong and virile as the old age of a good man should be. The Junior Class delight to do him honor, for we recognize in him the consummation of high ideal, of noble purpose, and most unselfish service. To his seventy-three years may many- more be addedg and may his life be multiplied in the hundreds of lives that have felt the inspiration of absolute truth and honor that his life has given. .. ,9-