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Page 10 text:
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JOHN WILLIAM PROVINE, Ph. D. by Pres. W. T. Lowrey. IS splendid specimen of strong, scholarly, efficient manhood, was born in Calhoun County, Mississippi, on the 1 9th day of June, in the year of 1 866. His father. Col. R. N. Provine, was one of the bravest and truest of the gallant Confederate soldiers who sacrificed much and risked every- thing during the dark days of the Civil War. Col. Provine is now one of the most successful and prosperous farmers in the South, and the sturdy subject of this sketch enjoyed the unspeakable advantage of being reared on the farm by a father who believed in industry, system and honor from the depth of his soul. With the best blood in his veins, excellent native ability and the best of home training, how could he fail to develop into a man worthy of the name. He did not fail. He secured his early education in the neighborhood schools near his home, and then entered the State University at Oxford. After completing his regular course there he was appointed Fellow in the department of Chemistry, where he worked two years and completed his Master’s Degree. Later, with Chemistry as his Major he spent two years in one of the great German Universities, where he secured the degree of Doctor ot Upon his return to America, he was elected Professor of Natural Sciences m Mississippi College. So vigorous, progressive and efficient did this young professor prove himself to be, that upon the resignation of President Venable, one year later, he was elected Chairman of the Faculty until a President could be secured In two years he so thoroughly won his way to the front that he was made President of the College. Atter one year of service as President, Dr. Provine saw that the financial and executive work of his office was forcing him to sacrifice his specialty as a Chemist, so he resigned the Presidency in order that he might devote his time more thoroughly to his work as the head of the Science department of the College. At the end of his first year’s connection with Mississippi College, he had the great good fortune to lead Miss Mary Sproles, of Jackson, Mississippi, to the marriage alter. This cultured and womanly daughter of the great Dr. H. F. Sproles, has been a true help-meet to her progressive and prominent husband. As President of Mississippi College, Dr. Provine attained enviable success. In addition to excellent service in other lines, he handled the finances of the institution ad- mirably and made very decided improvements on the buildings and campus. For these thirteen years since his resignation as President, he has been vigorously pushing his work as the head of our Science department. . If you will come to the College any year, seek out a score of the best students in the institution, and ask each one to name the three strongest and most effective teachers in the faculty, not one of them, I am sure, will fail to mention Dr. Provine among the three; in fact, you need not be surprised if a large majority of them name him first. Wherever Mississippi College graduates go they are proud to tell that they took their Chemistry under Dr. Provine, and they find everywhere that he is recognized as one of the leading teachers of Chemistry in the South. We would not swap him for anybody. Dr. Provine loves the soil. He also knows the soil and how to handle it. He owns an excellent farm within a half mile of the College, and finds his recreation in work. Watch him as he rides his splendid saddle mare out from the barn before sunrise in the 8
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Page 11 text:
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morning. She knows which way to go, and bears him swiftly toward the farm; but he is back in time for his work. In the afternoon, when his school hours are over, you will see that splendid animal bearing her purposeful master in the same direction again. I doubt if there is a finer farmer in Hinds County than Dr. Provine. This feature of his life is an example and a blessing to the boys, as well as to the entire community. As a citizen. Dr. Provine is note-worthy. I do not hesitate to say that from the standpoint of progressive citizenship he has been worth more to the town of Clinton than any other one man since the war. He believes in law and order, but that is not all. He believes in public improvements and conveniences. To him Clinton owes her electric lights and water works; to him, more than any other man, she owes the great improve- ments that have come to her streets and side-walks, and to him more than to any other citizen, we owe our new depot and the improved surroundings of our railroad station. Any community might be proud of such a citizen as Dr. Provine. He cwns his own home and it is probably the nicest and most conveniently arranged home in the town. He sets his neighbors a good example in all that pertains to community pride. As a Christian, Dr. Provine is one of the leaders of the community. He is one of the most faithful and progressive Deacons in our Baptist Church. He is also the ac- curate and efficient treasurer of the Church. He is Superintendent of the Sunday School and takes great pride in this noble work. You will find few such Sunday-school Superin- tendents in Mississippi. He is energetic in Christian work, exemplary in conduct, and humble in prayer. From the above description of my admirable friend, neighbor and co-worker, you could not possibly have gotten the idea that he is goody-goody. Far from it. He is good. That is, he is efficient in the accomplishment of things that ought to be done. Temper? Yes, sir; he has it. Spirit? Yes, if that is different, he has that. He is courageous, vigorous, virile; and his impulses are like the throbbing of a steam engine. As I have lived near neighbor to him for these thirteen years and known him in all sorts of relations, he has often reminded me of a strong man riding a fiery steed. With form erect and hands upon the reins clearing his distances with precision and speed, he would never allow weakness to once enter the mind of the observer. Weakness is about the last thing you would think of when you consider Dr. Provine. Of course, occasionally, in his intensity, he forgets and relaxes his hold on the reins, and then — look out ! But you may always be sure that it will not be long until the strong hand will be in control again, and the strong steed will be held down to perfect control. School boys will nick-name any man if they like him. In view of Dr. Provine’s physical build and his fluent use of the German language, the boys have dubbed him “Dutchy.” This name, as used by the boys, bespeaks admiration and affection on their part, and jolly good-humor on his part. Dr. Provine is a constantly growing man. He was an able man and a Christian when he came to Mississippi College, but during these seventeen years he has grown wonderfully in self-control, knowledge, wisdom and Grace. He is still in his prime, and while he is a great man now, he will grow greater with the years. Such a man does not stand still. He moves on and up. CM “Dutchy,” here’s to your health and happiness; may your large store of know- ledge grow larger from year to year; may your splendid wisdom grow more and more trustworthy; may your skilled hand become more skillful; may your prosperity increase; may long years be added to your life, and may your entire pathway be “as the shining light that shineth more and more until the perfect day.” 9
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