Iowa State University - Bomb Yearbook (Ames, IA)

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COLLEGE DAYS OF PROFESSOR EDGAR W. STANTON. In the spring of 1870, among others who entered the Iowa State College, or the Iowa State Agricultural College as it was then known, was Mr. Edgar W. Stanton of Waymart, Pennsylvania. He was then a youth still in his ' teens. The school had then been running for a year or more and certain groups of friendships had been formed among the old students, but it soon became evident that a place must be made for the new comer whose preparation was such that he easily entered the most advanced class in the institution. So among the students his genial nature and evident ability and worth of character soon won him for him a large place. Natural predilection and environment led him to choose the mechanical course. There were but two courses in the institution, the mechanical and agricultural. In his classes, especially in mathematics, as may be judged from his later life work, he became proficient. A natural inclination combined with application and energy of character made him eminently successful, and so successful that when upon his graduation the college was in need of additional teaching force, he was chosen tutor in mathematics. Mr. Stanton was one of the leading society men. I mean by that literary society men, — of course I do not mean to disparage his relations to society in general. He, along with the writer and some dozen or more young men, withdrew; from the old Philoma- thean Society which was composed of both young men and women, and organized the Crescent Society for men only. Since that time, however, I understand this society has fallen from grace and become mixed. Mr. S— was one of the keen debaters of that day, but his special forte was oratory and declamation. Under the tutelage of a fellow classman, Mr. T. L. Thompson, he developed into one of the most effective speakers of the society. The change from the mixed to the Crescent Society had a marked effect upon him, for he had rarely ventured to open his mouth in the former, — indeed he always manifested a marked diffidence in the presence of the ladies. It was with difficulty that the writer could persuade him to go down to the evening receptions, when for an hour before supper the young men and women were permitted, under proper supervision to — 7 —

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ment arising from the Government Land Grant, and it may be truly said that to his fidelity, unusual business capacity and intimate knowledge of the aims of the college, the institution is more largely indebted for its remarkable development and general prosperity than to any man now living. Business concerns have noted his ability and offered pecuniary inducements to persuade him to take presidencies. Societies of Mathematics and Political Economy have sought him but he has been far too busy to care for these honors. It is the college that holds his first interest. Few members of this Junior Class have had the privilege of studying Mathematics under his eflficient leadership, but those who have been so privileged say that he is a thorough, patient and successful instructor. But all have been permitted to see and know this man, a man of sterling qualities, sympathetic nature, undying loyalty to the college for which he has given and is giving his life service. 6 —

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promenade around in the old chapel and out upon the terrace in front of the old Main. But soon this diffidence wore off, at least he got bravely over his shyness and became one of the most popular young men on these occasions. However, he first came to his own in society work when the Crescent organization was effected and the old Society Hall in the old Main echoed to the rolling sentences of convincing eloquence when he and John Stevens and J. K. Macomber and Millikan Stalker crossed words on great questions of the day. It will be interesting to many, I :im sure, and perhaps an encour- agement to some, to know that our hero worked his way through college. He did chores for Prof. Jones, who lived at that time in the house now occupied by Prof. Stanton. He roomed in the little south attjc room, in the third story of the present building and went to the big Farm House barn to do the chores and milk the cow, and carried the milk across the campus to the professor ' s house. There was one thing, however, the young man could never learn to do : he was always a poor driver and it was usually the terror of the young ladies ' lives to go riding with him behind Old Boney, as the old horse was called for short — Bonaparte was his real name — who was somewhat willful and had the habit of doing about as he pleased. This fact, however, became but an evidence of the hold Mr. Stanton had upon some persons at least, for it was observed that he never lacked company, the pleasure was such that there were those who would gladly risk the peril for the privilege of the ride. Prof. Jones was very solicitous for the welfare of the young student as may be judged from the following: It was the custom of the good professor to use student help, both in the house and in out-door chores; so besides Mr. Stanton he had two student girls to help with the housework. Upon establishing a certain couple of young ladies in these duties, a rather amusing incident occurred. Knowing the popularity and attractiveness of the young ladies, and doubtless knowing also the susceptibility of our hero, after the professor had given the specific instructions as to their various duties, he suddenly changed his demeanor and said somewhat sternly and impressively: Young ladies, remember I have Mr. Stanton also with me, no fooling. Of course, this injunction had its effect, and proper decorum was observed. In those days he was always prominent in athletics. Of course, the amusements were somewhat different from those of the present. — 8 —