Lowell Technological Institute - Pickout Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

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i S ' -Ikmmm. M f 2 cv : ' ■■ m ' i ' 7 , . ' Pn Si L4fc IN «Sfe ' WM ' : r . illlta iit K E msm B 3S5?fW fr g» F- ' L, .9 ;Jfe a3k $M J 7?Z±m ' 1 i 1 TT«.3| !;:%%m!f. • ■ gJaKM M i; ' ; ' B f 1 1 MM c fc iCt! r y- ' ... . ' .!. r . ' Hpr-f- ' x • ' , fames; tC. mitf) 1837-1926 Born in Lowell, Mass., January 28, 1837. Educated in the public schools of Lowell. Graduated from the National L T niversity Law School of Washington, D. C. Practiced law in Washington and later in Matoon, 111. Served four years in the Army of the Tennessee during the Civil War, rising from the rank of private to that of Adjutant of the 54th Illinois infantry. Following the war became one of the Division Chiefs of the Treasury Department at Washington and made extensive studies of the postal systems of European countries. Returned to Lowell to become the Secretary of the Board of Trade and during that time became interested in the organization of textile schools. Conceived the idea of organizing the Lowell Textile School about 1893 and petitioned the legislature for its incorporation in the year 1895. Became the Clerk of the Board of Trustees of The Lowell Textile School and continued in that office until 1919. Died at his home in Lowell on January 18, 1926. Such, in outline, is the career of the man whose life has recently come to a close. What a variety of activities and what a range of interests are here indicated! What opportunities for the employment of the training of the lawyer, the warrior, the organizer and the educator, have come to this man of varied tasks and many years! What can we learn from this? This is the lesson which we should learn from his life. We should learn to welcome every opportunity for extending our fund of information and developing our talents, regardless of the direction in which we may seem to be travelling at the time. For no man knows what will be the requirements of the future, and what bits of knowledge may be of most worth. 23

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fames! W. g mitf) Sitting alone in his armchair, Strength quickly ebbing away; Memories of youth and devotions, Ardors of dear bygone days. Thoughts of the school by the river, Dreams, then his thoughts fade away From the earth and the things that surround it Into Life ' s eternal day. Passed from this life to another, Gone from the paths he once trod; From the arms of his dear faithful loved ones Into the arms of his God. Written by W. M. Campbell, ' 29

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THE PICKOUT 1926 The home of this man, pictured at the head of this sketch, was one of Lowell ' s older dwellings, built at a time when construction was designed to be substantial rather than showy. It is located on upper Middlesex Street, not far from the point where the old Middlesex Canal entered the Merrimack River. At the time it was built this portion of the city promised to become commercially important, but the advent of the railroad put a check on such plans. A visit to this home was always an inspiration to all whose privilege it was to call this man friend. You who are now members of the student body will have no difficulty in recognizing the picture of the tree which stands on the bank of the river across the road from the present buildings. At the time these buildings were being erected and the roadway laid out, James T. , as he was affectionately called, noticed that this was an unusual tree and sent some of its leaves and twigs to experts at the Arnold Arboretum in Eoston. Examination showed it to be a specimen of the Hack- berry tree, a family really belonging to the tropics and all but unknown in this climate. Thus he saved to our school and to all tree lovers a rare specimen of which we should take more notice. No sooner had this man seen his visions begin to take shape in substantial brick and stone, than he commenced making their surroundings more attractive and beautiful. Recognizing the possibilities that lay in a field flanked on one side by Southwick Hall and Kitson Hall, and on the other by a row of trees of unusual beauty, this man of enthusiasm undertook to surround the grounds with a fence both substantial and tasteful; and to do it in such a way as to make it a bond between each graduating class and its Alma Mater. Think of this, you men of ' 26, as you construct that portion of the campus fence which it is your privilege to erect. Always devising, always organizing, was this man of many plans. Do you know that to him you owe the satisfaction of the open field fronting Southwick Hall, some day to be made still more beautiful? You owe to him the shrubbery that borders our present campus. You owe to his genius the plans for a gymnasium building at the back of our present campus and separating it from the lower level at the rear. On some day, there will be our athletic field, while our present campus becomes the field of beauty that it deserves to be made. It is in a very literal sense that he was given the title of Father of the Lowell Textile School, for he not only was its founder, but throughout the remainder of his life it was to him as a child to be trained and guided towards the highest ideals. You owe it to him to carry on and to carry on in enthusiasm and with strength. Build thee more stately mansions, my soul, As the swift seasons roll! Leave thy low-vaulted past! Let each new temple, nobler than the last Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast, Till thou at length art free; Leaving thine outgrown shell by life ' s unresting sea! 2i