Bethany College - Bethanian Yearbook (Bethany, WV)

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W. 1f3. Modern WH. WOOLERY was born in the hill country of northern Kentucky, on October 26th, 1S50. His father taught him the alphabet from the capital letters at the heads of chapters of the New Testament. At the age of five he was put in the public school under a most competent teacher, Gideon Calvin. The structure of his future education was substantial, because it was founded on the bedrock — a thorough training in the common branches. Although reared on a farm, yet his work was not congenial to his nature, for often when sent to the field to plow he would open up his conceale d books and become so absorbed in them that he usually forgot to plow. For two 3 ' ears he attended a select school in an adjoining district, where he made considerable progress in rhetoric, algebra, latin and public speaking in the weekly polemic. He entered Kentucky University at the age of 22, attended two years, then entered Bethany College, attended three years and was graduated in the Ministerial Course in 1876. Immediately upon graduation he accepted a call to the Church at Pompey, New York, the home of some of New York ' s most illustrious statesmen. He removed in 18 78 to Hopedale, Ohio, a college town, where he preached with great satisfaction to intelligent audiences. In 1S79 he was called to the Church at Somerset, Pennsylvania, the home of Jeremiah Black and other distinguished men. His studies were pursued with more ardor after graduation than before. And now, on account of his growing popularity both as a speaker and scholar, the Chair of Latin was tendered him by his Alma Mater in 1882. Two years later, in the absence of President Pendleton, he was elected Chairman of the Faculty; and in 1S87, after five years successful teaching, he was chosen President of Bethany College, to succeed Dr. Pendleton. He filled all these positions of honor with becoming dignity and distinction. During the two years of his Presidency the number of students was greatly increased. He died of typhoid fever, in July 1889, before the sun of his life had risen to its meridian splendor. 1 !