Mount Union College - Unonian Yearbook (Alliance, OH)

Page 14 text:

. Q1 . , - Criliute to Qlflw. Qiamerfane qiiting QYIQYHB, Q. Q., E2-.. Q., RESIDENT TAMERLANE PLINY MARSH, D. D., LL. D., was born july 30, 1845, of New York State par- entage. He was the third son of Madison Marsh, who was a prominent physician and surgeon and enjoyed an extensive and lucrative practice. Dr. Marsh, the elder, was a frequent contributor to medical journals and was a member of the state senate from I844 to 1846. He was finely educated and possessed those qualities of mind and purpose which Htted him to bealeader among men. His mother had fine literary taste and was a frequent contributor to the magazines. The subject of this sketch was an invalid in his early life and for three years was compelled to use crutches. At times his life was despaired of, but finally a remarkable change came. His health was restored to him, it is believed, in answer to the prayers of his mother, and since that time he has enjoyed excellent health. He was always studious and had a thirst for knowledge which enabled him to advance rapidly in his classes, and at six- teen years of age, was fully prepared for entrance to Ann Arbor University. About this time his parents moved to Chicago and he was able to pursue a commercial course in Bryant 8a Stratton's Business College. Soon after this he secured a position as ship- ping-clerk in the United States Quarter-master's department at jefferson City, Mo. He was gradually promoted until he became chief clerk and cashier. He was stationed for some time at St, Louis, then at New York City, and during the latter part of the war, at Washington, having charge of five out of nine divisions of the Quarter-master Generals office, under the direction of Ass't. Quarter-master General Brown. Providence, however, had decided upon a different life from this for him, for at times he was troubled concerning his duty to the Christian ministry. In 1865, he resigned his position and went to Wesleyan Academy, spending one term preparatory to college work. In the autumn of this year he entered Wesleyan University, entering upon the Classical Course. He ealned his own way through college by working in government service, in teaching Latin in a private school and by preaching, and in reg- ular course received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He now entered a business house in Chicago as book-keeper, expecting to give his life to business pursuits, as the past had been so success- ful, but God's call to him became so clear that in 1870 he yielded and was licensed to preach by the Wabash Avenue M. E. church of Chicago. This year he was married to Harriet Maria Newhall of Lynn, Mass., a most excellent lady, with strength of character and cul- ture, who, for some time had been a teacher in Mansfield Semi- nary at Middletown, and she has been adevoted and worthy help- mate through all the years of his work. She is the sister of Rev. Dr. F. H. Newhall, at one time president elect of Ohio Wesleyan University. In October of 1870 he was admitted to the Rock River Con- ference, where he continued in service for eighteen years, filling some of the best pulpits in the conference, and building some churches which stand today as monuments of his business tact and leadership. He was for three years, teacher of the Normal class at Lake Bluff Assembly, and for two years wisely managed it as superintendent. He was eminently successful as a preacher and pastor. His sermons were carefully prepared and were always clear and logical. In expository sermonizing, he is said to have been a master. His style in delivery was conversational, but he was a clear thinker, always interesting his people, and under his preaching, churches rapidly increased in membership and the work of the church substantially flourished. In july 1888, he re- ceived the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Mount Union Col- lege, and shortly afterward was called to the presidency, being inaugurated November II, 1888. . His labors in this position have been untiring and almost un-

Page 13 text:

THOS. R. MORGAN, SR. ifjon. 22605. Morgan, ' ' T rzzsiee Deceased. Thomas Rees Morgan was born in Wales, March 31, 1834, and emigrated to the United States in 1865, locating at Pitts- ton, Pa. In 1871 he moved to Alliance, where he laid the foundation ofthe Morgan Engineering Co., of which he was the principal stockholder, and which is now proving its value not only to this city, but also to the National Government, which deems its worth so great that one of the strongest corn- panies has been sent to guard it during time of war. lt is this company which he organized, that constructs for the Govern- ment the disappearing gun carriage, a machine most valuable in modern warfare. Mr. Morgan, the subject of this sketch, was a very warm friend of Mt. Union College. He took an active in- terest in all its affairs, serving as a trustee for a number of years, till his death September 6th, 1897. Mr. Morgan was the chief contributor to the nne gymnasium erected by the college and namedin his honor. He was a personal friend of Presi- dent McKinley. The students individually found a fine friend in him, and his kindness to all who met him was very marked. In the death of Mr. Morgan the college lost one of its truest friends and most earnest supporters. Mr. Morgan was succeeded in the Board of Trustees by his son, Mr. Wm. Henry Morgan, who has also been elected Presi- dent of the Morgan Engineering Company.

Page 15 text:

itifiute to Qgeb. 'ciamerfane gating Miarsfi, 22. Q.,::Gonttnue2u, limited. He came to the institution at a time when so many things were needed that it was an impossibility to find one per- son who could furnish them. For ten years he has been with us as president, as financial agent, and as teacher, and I question if in all our land an educator can be found who has worked more heroically and contended with difficulties so valiantly, The re- sult of these years speak more eloquently than pen or pencil. The college curriculum has been strengthened, a college paperes- tablished, the Morgan Gymnasium has been built, the new church, of whose Building Committee he was chairman, has been com- pleted, the endowment greatly increased, and the Alumni chair established. He has a number of popular lectures which have been delivered at High School and Academy commencements, Teacher's Institutes, and on general occasions. He has put the best of his life into these ten years, and let him only criticise, who could do the better. But great as Dr. Marsh may be as preacher and president, in the class-room he was a true teacher. He always selected the latest and best text book and expected his pupils to know what the author stated. He used the lecture method of recitation, but at times he would give a familiar talk on the subject, going deeper than the author ever had gone, and it seemed, taking his pupil into his friendship and talking to him out of the abundance of his own learning and knowledge. He was keenly analytical, sifting everything to the bottom, yet kind and courteous in his classes, believing it was a kindness to teach the student to depend upon his own efforts. He never lost his identity. He was always President Marsh. He had a natural dignity that never deserted him, that caused us to honor the man and respect his position, and, as a man, he ex- erted a great influence over the students. He had a way of greet- ing the students that made them feel that he was their friend and interested in their welfare, and he leaves the institution with the best wishes, I believe, of every student that has attended during his administration, From 1892 to '93 he was vice president of the Methodist Col- lege Association, and by appointment of the bishops, represented the fifth general district in the University Senate. In I8Q3, Alle- gheny College worthily bestowed upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. His work for us is finished. Its worth can not be measured in time, and not until in eternity, when impressions and inspirations received shall be weighed, can we know its true value. To whatever place he now may be called to go, we say Godspeed. And as we go divided pathways now, Perhaps no more to meet until the end g We weave this chaplet for thy worthy brow, That other hearts may know, and call thee Friend. Our much-loved Friend, nine years have sped And left their snows upon thy head, Thy work has been of arduous kind, Exhausting strength of hand and mind. No one e'er knows the burdens borne, Nor feels the prick of the censor's thorn, As known and felt by those who bear, Besides their own, another's share. . Thou hast for us our burdens borne, From off our path, the briers torn, In thy true life, thy Christ hast shown And led us to make Him our own. As when at eve, and end of toil, The sun plants in blue heaven's soil A thousand flowery starlets bright To shine when he is far from sight, So thou hast sown in memory's field A thousand seeds of truth to yield, When thou art gone, a harvest rare, And shed their blessings everywhere.