Ypsilanti High School - Ypsi Dixit Yearbook (Ypsilanti, MI)

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Arba Seymour Van' Valkenburgh T, x ,-4

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DEDICATION . O Arba Seymour Van Vallcenlnurgh, a graduate of the Ypsilanti High School in ISBO and of the University of Michigan in I884, who has been practicing law in Kansas City since ISS5, ancl in V905 was appointed Unitecl States District Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, and who has become known thru his just political actions, this volume is respectfully declicatecl.

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.Arhrt Svrgmuur HttnlHrtlkrnl1u1'gh LTHO it has become almost habitual to dedicate ETA, the High School annual to some class, popular - instructor, or some graybearded alumnus, it seems very itting to break away from this custom and to honor some of the younger graduates who have already begun to acquire national reputations. From this body, and the High School prides itself that it is by no means a small body, perhaps the best. example of the successful young man is Arba S. Van Valkenburgh, United States District Attorney for Western Missouri. While the writer will not try to give a biography of his life in this short sketch, a few facts, however, may prove interesting to the reader. Mr. Van Valkenburgh was born August 22. 1862, at Syracuse, N. Y., and at the age of seven moved wit11 his parents to the State of Illinois, where they lived four years. From there they moved to Ypsilanti, where Mr. VanValkenburgh entered the High School, graduating in the classical course in 1880. Thruout his high school course he was deeply interested in all branches of school life, and especially in oratorical work. After his graduation he entered the University of Michigan, taking a degree in l884. The following year he went to Kansas City and entered the law ofiice of Dobson XDouglass, one of Kansas City's prominent firms in those days. Mr. Van Valkenburgh was admitted to the bar in 1888 and soon afterwards formed a law partnership with D- J- Haff' under the firm name of Haff 8: Van Valkenburgh. This association continued until 1898, when Mr. Van Valken- burgh was chosen assistant to United States Attorney William Warner. This ofhce he filled so creditably, that when Mr. Warner was elected to the United States Sen- ate, Mr. Van Valkenburg was appointed attorney by President Roosevelt. at the request of Senator Warner, his former chief. ' Mr. Van Valkenburgh is the youngest mall W11O 1125 ever held the position of United States Attorney, which is one of the most responsible offices in the gift ofthe President. The fact that in the W'est, youth and incom- petency are synonyms, greatly increases the honor which should be given to him. Perhaps the foundation of his success and popu- larity is, that he is a likable man. Altho very busy, he still finds time for other associations, such as music and art, being also very fond of all manner of athletic sports. He is a member of the Bar Association and a charter member of the University Club. The Ifmzsas Cify Inde- pevzdeui speaks of him thus: In this day of specialization when a doctor does just one thing, a lawyer just one thing, and men work i-