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Prominent Men

Prominent Men image
Parent Issue
Day
24
Month
September
Year
1891
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Few of the smaller cities of the United States can boast of so large a list of distinguished men, both dead and living, as can Ann Arbor. University, during the fifty-four years of its existence, has enjoyed the services of many eminent professors whose achievements have won the admiration of the whole oivilized world. But it is not the University men alone who have made the name of Ann Arbor illustrious. Statesmen and financiers, as well as professors, have called this city their home. In this article we shall not attempt to relate the history of those who are dead and gone, but shall restrict our observation, to four of the most distinguished men still living. Alllius I lll. For many years the citizens of Ann Arbor have seen the kindly face of this distinguished citizen. They have revered him not only for his great achievements as a statesman, but also for his lofty traits as a man. On many occasions they have delighted to honor him, and their honors have ever been received with modest appreciation. Alpheus Felch was bom in Limerick, York county, Maine, September 2S, 1804 He was an only son. At an early age he was left an orphan and was placed in ohsrge of his grandfather, whobestowed upon him a parent's care. He graduated fromPhillips Exeter academyandentered Bowdoin college, of whioh institution he became an alumnus in 1827. He was admitted to the bar three years later, at Bangor, Me. For some time he practiced law in his native state, but in 1833 he found his way to Michigan. For ten years he resided in Monroe. He removed to Ann Arbor in 1843. Mr. Felch was a member of the state legislatura from 1835 to 1837, and in the following year he was appointed state bank commissioner. At that time 'Sviklcatv banking was at its height Frauds were frequently committed and the currency was in a very unsatisfactory condition. This state of afFairs was largely due to an unwise banking law, which Mr. Feloh strenuously opposed while he was a member of the legislature. In 1839, thanks to the commissioner's efforts,'the obnoxious measure was repealed. In 1842 he was appointed auditor general, but was soon called from that position to that of associate justice of the supreme court. One year later he was appointed United States senator to filia vacancy. In 1845. however, the Democratie party insisted upon nominating him for governor. He was elected and served two years, The legislature then made him United States senator for the full term ending 1853. His able services in Washington were such as to give him more than a national reputation. At the end of his senatorial term, Mr. Felch was appointed one of the commis6ioners to adjust the Spanish and Mexican land claims in California. He was soon elected chairman of the board. The success of the negotiations proved that the president had made a wise appointment. The ex-senator returned to Ann Arbor in 185G and devoted his attention to the practice of law. He was subsequently nominated by his party for governor, but, iis the Democrats were then in a minority, he. failed of election in every case. His legal attainments caused the University, to select him as a professor of law. He served in that capacity during the early days and again from 1879 to 1883. During the past eight years he has liveil in quiet retirement with his daughter, Mrs E. Il.Cole. Kx-Governor Felch has alw.ays borne a spotless reputation. No one has ever doubted hls integrity. His ideáis have been the loftiest. He has ever been enthusiastic in the promotion of every measure which he has had reason to believe would conduce to the advancement and elevation of society. Only a few weeks aso he said to The Register: " I believe that no nation ever had so diflicult a Problem to deal with as human slavery. There were the clear dictates of conience on one side and vested property rights on the other. I thank God that we have settled the question forever." Thomas M. Coolpy. About two weeks ago, the unwelcome "ews was fiashed all over the United States, that Judge Thomas M. Cooley "ad been obliged, on account of ill health, to resign tho important position f chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission. The news was made all "ie more unwelcome by the general fear ftat, with the retirement of Judge Xiley, the commission would be serioosb' crippled. The life of Thomas M. Cooley has "Sín an e ven tf ui one. He was bom in Atticn, x. y., January 6, 1824. His 'ather ws a farmer, who, by dint of emomy, succeeded in giving him a t' academie education. In 18-12 mas left the farm and went to Paloyra, x. y., where he commenced the of law. He removed to Adrián, , the following year, and was adp'ted to the bar in 184G. He was for 0 ears a partner of Judge C. A. Stacey, in Tecumseh, but in 1848 he returned to Adrián. During his residence in that city there was scaroely an important snit in which he was not interested. In 1857 Mr. Cooley was asked by the legislature to compile the statutes of the state. So well did he manage this work that he was, in the following year, appointed reporter of the supreme court decisions. While holding th"is position he published eight volumes of reports. The University of Michigan, in 1859, decided to organizo a law department. Three men - Thomas M. Cooley, James V. Campbell and Charles I. Walker were chosen as the flrst professors. The success of this great school is due almost entirely to the efforts of these three men. In some capacity or other, Judge Cooley has been connected with the University ever since. In 1864 this great jurist was elected justice of the supreme court over Alpheus Felch, who was the Democratie candidato. He was re-elected in 18G9, and again in 1877. Since 1885 he has held no judicial position in Michigan. Within the next two years the Interstate Commerce law was discussed and finally passed. Judge Cooley was appointed one of the five commissioners, and so great was the estimation in vyhich he was held that the board immediately elected him chairman. Upon the death of Chief Justice Waite, it was thought by many that President Cleveland would select Judge Cooley for the vacancy, but political considerations prevailed, and the appointment went to M. W. Fuller. The contributions of Thomas M. Cooley to the literature of law and political science have won for him a reputation as the ablest constitutional lawyer in the United States. His " Constitutional Limitations," " Law of Taxation," " Torts," and edition of " Blackstone's Commentaries " are known throughout the entire civilized world. For several years Judge Cooley has not been in the best of health, and the recent death of a beloved wife has proved a serio us blow. It is to be hoped that complete rest and retirementfrom active life will have a beneficial effect. James 1!. .Vitjíi II. It is by no means an easy task to manage a great educational institution. That James B. Angelí has been wonderfully successful during the twenty years that he has been president of the University of Michigan admits of no question. During his term woinen have been ndmitted on equal terms with men, the course of study has been.greatly extended, and the attendance has more than doubled. This result can be attributed largely to the principies and ideas which President Angelí has succeeded in carrying out. Unlike many great educators, Mr. Angell has been not only a great scholar, but a man of affairs as well. A glance at his life will bring this fact out clearly. He was born in i-cituate, Rhode Island, January 7, 1829. After gaining an academie education be entered Brown University, and graduated from that institution in 1845. He taught for several years, and was called, in 1851, to the chair of modern languages and literature at his tilmo mater. Shortly before the outbreak of the war he resigned the professorship in order to becomethe editor of the Providence Journal. His writings during that troublous period made the paper famous. In 1886 he was elected president of the University of Vermont, and continued to serve in that capacity until 1871, when he linked his fortunes to those of the University of Michigan. Dr. Angell's success in managing this institution is due largely to his knowledge of human nature. He governs alike with tact and tirmness. He is easily approached, and sets even the greenest freshman completely at ease. His influence in behalf of religión is pronounced, but not dogmatic. íío one who has ever listened to one of his baccalaureate addresses could fail to be deeply impressed. As a diplomatist Dr. Angoll has won considerable distinction . President Hayes appointed him, in 1879, minister plenipotentiary to China for the purpose of securing a revisión of the Burlingame treaty. This he did within sixty days after his introduction to the Chinese court. In 18S8 he was appointed member of the commission which undertook to settle the tisheries dispute betvvoen the United States and Canada. Gif ted with an easy, flowing, yet precise style, Dr. Angelí has become a muoh-sought contributor to magazines and reviews. His articles on subjects connected with international law are especially noteworthy. Mnrk W. HarrlMtftoii. "When it beeame necessary for the secretary of agrieulture, a few months ago, to select a new chief for the weather bureau, his attention was early directed to Mark W. Harrington, of the University of Michigan. Inquines were soon addressed to various scientiflc men, ali of which were favorable to the professor. A nuniber of Michigan men interested themselves in his behalf, and as a result the appointment of Prof. Harrington was soon decided upon. It has met with approval among all classes of people. Mark AValrod Harrington was born in 1848 on a farm near Sycamore, Illinois. Through his father he is a descendant from the earliest settlers in Xew England. The celebrated judge, Theophilus Harrington, was a meinber of the family. Through his motherhe is a descendant from the Dutch of New York state, her family name being Walradt. He received his early education at Evanston, anti in 1868 graduated from the University of Michigan, at the age of 19. For two years he was instructor of biological science. In 1870 he went to Alaska as astronomical aid in the United States Coast Survey. which was conducted by W. II. Dell. He returned to the University in 1872, and four years later went to Leipsic for an extended course of study. So great was his proficiency that, at the end of a few months, he was appointed professor of mathematica and astronomy in the school of the Chinese Foreign oflice at Peking. He was compelled, however, after one year's woik, to return to America on account of his health. In 1879 Mr. Harrington was called to the chair of astronomy, made vacant by the death of the fatnous Professor AVatson. This position he has held continuously until the present time. Prof. Harrington's achievements as a scientist are well known. He it was who in 1884 founded the American Meteorological Journal, now printed at the Register office. It is needless to say thnt this monthly has eonferred great honor upon the editor and has done much to iurther the study of astronomy. The professor is a life member of the j Linnean Society, of London, England, and a fellow of the Koyal Meteorological Society. He has traveled I sively and is well versed, not only in astronomy and meteorology, but in other sciences and the languages. He has always been a prolific writer. He was married in 1874 and has one i living child. Both Mr. and Mrs. j rington have been highly esteemed in society circles. Mrs. Barrington has devoted much attention to astronoinical studies and has given her husband much valuable assistance in many ways.

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Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Register