Knox College - Gale Yearbook (Galesburg, IL)

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of a pupil's earnest desire to learn, that pupil was always sure of his sympathy and help at all times. The lesson of reverence was never omitted in his teaching. While he taught us Natural Sciences, the Maker was never forgotten in his works, This Jubilee in the Professor's honor is the most natural thing in the world It had to happen, because the sons and daughters of Knox must have some outlet for the tender and grateful feelings they have for dear Professor Hurd MARGAIULT Co1.vIi.r.r: NICCORNACK. After mentioning the fact that Professor Hurd had been a teacher at Knox for fifty years, Dr. Standish speaks as follows: Fifty years of earnest toil with the mind of , youth! Fifty years of untiring energy and labor in erecting the temple to manhood and womanhood! Fifty years in developing the latent powers of the human soul! How full of interest, how full of thought, the rerlection! NVhat joys, what hopes. what ambitions were inspired during the recital of the daily lessons! How many can look back and say, the inspiration and impulse of my life deeds and life work were given, when receiving instructions from the teacher of fifty years experience! How many can say, then was opened to me my pathway of life ! Truly, iifty years, as a teacher and Profes- sor, is a holy sacrifice on the altar of devotion. lt is almost impossible, in any department of labor, lo accomplish a greater life-work. As a teacher in the class room, Professor Hurd stands pre-eminent. He has but few equals. He is clear and logical in thought and expression, and has l a most incisive way of imparting instruction. His lessons are always well learned, and he never med- dles with subjects that are hazy in mind or not well understood. He ispositive and commanding, and no student can fail to see the lucidness of his teaching and illus- .-VI' l llf'l'X'-FIVE YEARS OF AGE. trations. As a man and citizen, he has never made himself popular by his sociahility. ln the broad sense, he is not social, and yet, when thoroughly acquainted, he is one of the most social of men. l-Ie is especially known for his decision of charac- ter, purity of motives, and fair-mindedness in his relation with his fellow-men. He despises all shams and detests all sycophancy and demagogism. ln a word, he is acknowledged as a man of ability, of sound learning, and as one who always acts with prudence and discretion. Professor Hurd has always shown a commendable interest in the prosperity and welfare of this city. At the commencement of the legal existence of the Young Men's Library Association in January, 1860, he was elected its president. After holding that office for a year, he became its librarian and served in that capacity until April, 1867, when the continued existence of the Association had become assured and it was possible to pay the librarian a small salary. Du. J. VAN Ness S'r,xNnIsu.

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'I'he circumstances attending the beginning of his career as a teacher would have claurlterl any less resolute spirit. His eagerness to learn, his fiery zeal which could overcome any and all obstacles in the way of intellectual progress, has been characteristic of the Professor's whole life. Having prepared for college at St. Lawrence Academy, in flgdensburg, N. Y., he entered his alma mater, Middlebury College, Vermont, in 18-16, graduating with high honors four years later. Immed- iately the Vermont Literary and Scientific Institution offered him the position of principal ofthe institution, and for one year he held that position. 'Phe next year came what has proved to be the call to his life's work, and he came to Knox. Having served three years as Tutor and Lecturer of Natural Sciences, his work proved so valuable and satisfactory that he was given the Professorship of Chem- istry and Natural Science. Before beginning this work he went to Harvard and took special work under Professors Horsford and Louis Agassiz. Besides all the regular work of his chair, Professor Hurd for seventeen years taught all the Latin in the Classical department of the College. Half of the pay he received for his work in Latin was devoted to building up a museum for Knox. 'l'hose best fitted to judge declare that Knox has great reason to be proud of her museum both in itself and because it is a wonderful monument to the self-sacrifice and zeal of Professor Hurd. From 1872 to 1875 Professor Hurd was acting Presi- dent of the College and showed good executive ability in conducting the institution through those trying years. In 1897 he was transferred to the Chair of Latin in the College . But it is not in the cold facts and dates we have mentioned that we find the real biography of Professor Hurd. He himself has been writing it for the last fifty years in the hearts and minds of the students of Knox. 'llhink what it means to spend a whole half-century in urging young people onward toward what is highest and best in intellectual attainment. And all this time he has been the very embodiment of energy, steadfastness of purpose, and devotion to duty. Small wonder, then, that in the eyes of the sons and daughters of Knox his hoary head is a veritable crown of glory. It is a great thing to be able to impart know- ledge as Professor Hurd has done all his life. Some are very wise themselves, but unable to impart that wisdom to others or to make others love knowledge. Some, knowing comparatively little, are able to im- part it in an attractive way. But rarely are learning and unsurpassed ability to teach combined as we find them in Professor Hurd. 'l'o us, who can look back to the years spent under his instruction, it seems that while this teaching ability was due partly to his own energetic personality, and the vim with which the subject matter was presented, yet it was largely due to the absolute thoroughness of his own preparation for each and all of his varied classes. He knew so much about everything and was so in earnest about it that no one but a willful trifler could escape without a fair understanding of the subject in hand. He did not expect us to be wonders of learning, indeed he showed us our ignorance very .rr worm-v wus mf ,um clearly and sharply many times, but if he felt sure

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1851 1901 Z 37Je STUDENTS of KNOX CCLLEGE x' to in' ALBERT HURD A student of nature and nature's mysteries an educator and scientist of rare worth and of whom any institution might well feel proud, a man of the highest character and purest motives. is the tribute of :t grateful student to a worthily honored teacher. SAMUEL E LEARD, M. S., M D., Class of '89. The grand old bluff of the Knox River. ' .IoHN H. F1NLEv. lt is better to be nobly remembered than nobly born. Bassm IvlAcx.,w JOHNSTON. A half century of work in one college is a great record. The affection and esteem of the many you have helped by your noble life, a greater. Congratula- tions and best wishes from one of your oldest pupils. JULIA E. MU1-'roN Fexius. Class of '56. Many of the lessons you so faithfully taught from the text book have gone from memory, but some were unconsciously taught by your life, that will ever re- main associated with your name:- be honest, he thorough. be pure. be true, be reverent, be faithful, be courageous. May you long he spared to teach life's deepest, most important lessons to the young minds of the coming years. SAMUEL l.. UNGER. Past recollections rouse my dormant muse And make me speak in verse, though I refuseg For 'tis presumption thus to mix my rhyme With the congratulations of this happy time. But proud I am to be among the throng That, in this period half a century long, Have had the honor to be taught by youg To pass your vigorous tests and yet get through. EDXVARD FRANKLIN Ron, Class of '88. . Vffith many pleasant memories of my association with a reformed dys- PePUC- ' Gao.. A. LANVRENCII, one of the Lambs ' of '75, Albert Hurd rleserves to rank amon f the reatest teachers of the nineteenth . . . S . S . . . . . century. His influence has Deen an enduring inspiriation to my intellectuarhfe. C. W. LEFFINowEl.I., Class of '62. 1. as a member of your first Preparatory class, do most heartily congratulate you on the faithful performance of your duties as Professor of Knox College during this half century. F. W. HENRY, Class of 's7. Freely gave he unto me choicest gifts of mind and heart, Fill he bound me to himself with strong ties that none can part. J. B. BROWN, Class of '86. ' I-congratulate you on your uncommon experience of completing fifty years of service in one field of activity. I cannot be wholly unappreclative of your feelings for had the privilege of being a member of the Faculty of Knox College with you during forty-three of those years, and I often had the wish, an illusive dream it WRS, that in a kindred field of labor l might be permitted to round out the half century in your company. The results of your work, as manifested in the lives of your former pupils, are found in every part of this broad union, and in many foreign lands. MILTON LEMMON CoMs'rocK.