Eastern Michigan University - Aurora Yearbook (Ypsilanti, MI)

Page 20 text:

Tln fllbemoriam N MARCH 6, 1901, occurred the death of J. M. B. Sill at the age of 70 years. During the whole history of the Normal School from its opening in 1853 until the time of his death, Mr. Sill has been a most earnest friend and supporter of the institution. Entering the school at the very beginning of its existence, he was one of the three who constituted the hrst graduating class in l854. In the first published list of teachers in the school his name appears as teacher of English grammar and elocution. For nine years he was professor of English language and literature and for seven years principal of the school. Besides his service in the Normal Mr. Sill's teaching Work consisted of one term in a district school, ten years at the head of the Detroit Female Seminary, and thirteen years as superintendent of the Detroit public schools. Thus for over forty years he Was actively engaged in some of the most responsible positions in Michigan's educational Work, and during that time he exerted a strong and healthful influence not only upon the lives of his pupils but upon the whole pedagogical life and thought of the state. The secret of Mr. Sill's success seemed to lie in a splendid enthusiasm, a great amount of tact, and a readiness for hard work, all based upon a natural aptitude for his work, strongly fortihed by the best preparation he could command, constantly reinforced through keeping abreast with what was best in educational thought. He was an excellent executive, carrying forward his plans in a quiet unostentatous way. He heralded his ideas With no blare of trumpet. He seldom told what he would do. The first personal pronoun had little place in his vocabulary. Yet he succeeded Where others would have failed. He knew how to place ideas before men so that they would adopt them believing them to be their own. He knew where to insist and Where to yield, and when to return to the attack and accomplish his purpose. 'With such qualities based upon the sterling integrity which Mr. Sill possessed, his life could not be other than a powerful influence for good. In this light he is gratefully remembered-a strong' moulding influence for good in the life and and character of the schools and the state.

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jfElClllIQ . Imatbenmtics llbbgsical Sciences Elmer A. Lyman, A. B., Edwin A. Strong, A. M., Principal and Professor of Mathematics. Professor of Physical Sciences. John C. Stone, A. M., Frederic R. Gorton, B. S., Assistant Professor of Mathematics. Assistant in Physical Sciences. Ada A. Norton, Ph. M., Enoch Harriman, Assistant in Mathematics. Assistant in Physical Sciences. T. Letitia Thompson, Ph. B., B. W. Peet, M. S., Instructor in Mathematics. Assistant in Chemistry. William H. Wentworth, Fred G. Snedicor, Instructor in Mathematics. A iiiqatllfal SCJCTICZS ssistant in Laboratory Will I-I. Sherzer, M. S.. William D. Cramer, Professor of Natural Sciences. Instructor in Natural Sciences. Jessie Phelps, M. S., George L. Davis, Assistant in Natural Sciences. ' ' .5SS1SiI3l1t lll Laboratory. Mary A. Goddard, B. S., Instructor in Botany. J. A. Ewing, Assistant in Laboratory