Heidelberg University - Aurora Yearbook (Tiffin, OH)

Page 12 text:

we 'SA 3 1 X ,tgyrw I ,f5?l+, gl-M Rev. E. V, Gerhart, D. D. Rev. J. A. Peters, D. D. S. S. Ricklvy, ESQ. Rev. Geo. W. Williard, D. D. Rev. Moses Kieffer, D. D. Rev. Geo. W. Aughinbaugh, D. D. HEIDELBERG PRESIDENTS.

Page 11 text:

Ii. V. Gcrhart. S. S. Rickly. J. II. Good. Reuben Good. Mrs. A. M. Lee. KFORTRAIT COULD NOT EE SECURED., ORGANIZERS AND FHIST FACULTY.

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HE present generation of students in looking over the early records of Heidelberg will find few men more fre- quently mentioned t h a n Henry Leonard, the financial agent, or The Fisherman. He render- ed invaluable service to the college during the years 1856-'88. He was born February 14, 1812 in Basil, Ohio, and died December , 7, 1889. His parents were natives . of Switzerland. He was consecra- ted to God in baptism in infancy and was received into full mem- bership of the Reformed Church in early youth. His early education was obtained in the schools of his native village, and though the ad- vantages of secular education were not those of to-day, he made good use of the privileges afforded and laid the foundation of a well-train- ed and liberally stored mind. Nature had endowed him with more than ordinary capacity. With a mind acute, penetrating and invent- ive he made rapid progress in all his undertakings. In early manhood he engaged in mercan- tile pursuits in Basil, and soon acquired a competence. But he became deeply inter- ested in the educational work of the church and in 1856 accepted the agency of the college tendered him by the Synod of Ohio. It required a severe struggle to give up his bright business prospects and undertake the hardships and self-denial of the agency. But with the conviction that the call came from God, he devoted all his energies to the work and erected a monument more enduring than marble. He traveled over IO8,000 miles in the interest of Heidelberg, engaged in securing subscriptions, collecting interest on notes, and inducing students to enter the institu- tion. He was well informed on the educa- tional and theological questions of the day and quite competent to defend his views. Of an agreeable disposition he was a great HENRY LEONARD. The Fisherman. favorite with the people and known to every one in the Reformed Church of Ohio. Abundant in plans and resources, he suc- ceeded in collecting a considerable sum of money and in awakening a deep interest in Heidelberg. He was convinced that the institution has a great mission to fulnll and for the realization of this ideal he spent the best years of his life. A numerous concourse of people attended his funeral in Basil, among them a large number of ministers. Appropriate memorial services were also held in Heidelberg Chapel. His name and memory are deeply cher- ished by the older students and friends of the University. DR. A. S. ZERBE.