Death Of Dr. Winchell

Dr. Alexander Winchell died at his home on North University avenue at nine o'clock yesterday morning. A great scholar has passed from earth, a master mind is gone. Here in Ann Arbor where so many years of his life were spent, Dr. Winchell will be greatly missed. But all over the scientific world, his continued investigations in the realms of science will be missed. His works live after him and without doubt it may be said that in his death America lost her greatest geologist of to-day. Dr. Winchell was born Dec. 31, 1824, at North East, Duchesscounty, N. Y. The first member of the Winchell family in America was Robert Winchell, who settled in Massachusetts in 1634, but moved to Connecticut in 1635. In his early life the Doctor showed great aptitude for mathematics. He went to Stockbridge Academy two years preparing for a future study of medicine. At 16 he began teaching, but it was not till two years later that he decided to make this his life work. After attending Amenia Seminary, in his native county, for two years, he entered Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., where in 1847 he graduated, completing the course in three years. After graduating, he taught natural science at Amenia Seminary for some time; then went to Newbern, Alabama, as principal of an academy. In a short time, however, the doctor was elected president of a female seminary at Eutaw, Alabama, and in 1853, president of the Masonic University at Selma. While here in the South he did much original work in the sciences. This school at Selma was closed on account of the yellow fever, perhaps a fortúnate thing for the U. of M.; for in this year he was elected to the chair of "Physics and Civil Engineering" in our own University, during the oresidency of Dr. Tappan. This makes Dr. Winchell's appointment the oldest of any member of the 'aculty, though he has not been in continuous service since. This position he held till 1855, when he was made professor of Geology, Zoology and Botany, which he held till 1873. In 1859 he was president of the Michigan Teacher's Association, and in the same year was made State Geologist by Gov. Wisner. In this capacity he did much to lócate and develop the mineral wealth of the state. This position he held again in 1869, and the next year was director of the Geological Survey of Minnesota. Yielding to the many inducements offered, he resigned his position in the U. of M. and accepted the Chancellorship of Syracuse University, in 1873, but finding the financial condition poor he resigned and became professor of Geology there, remaining until 1878. He became a lecturer upon Geology at Vanderbilt University in 1876, dividing his time between the two colleges. But because he taught the existence of the race before the time of Adam, his chair at the latter institution was abolished. His connection with the U. of M. began again the next year, when he was elected to the chair he has so ably filled until death closed his work. In 1867 Dr. Winchell received the degree of LL.D. from his alma mater. His labors have done much to develope geology. The acuteness of his observation, the zeal with which he worked and a powerful mind have enabled him to develope facts already partly established in the geology of the earth's crust. But his great merits lay in his extraordinary powers of theorising. Those who have heard him discuss only the elements of geology have not heard him at his best. When it came to discussing the origin of the world and of the universe he showed his master mind. His theory of world formation is beeoming more popular every day, if not already the theory generally accepted by scientists. In mountain making, also, and the tides, his theories most perfectly account for the facts. He has done much to reconcile science and religión, especially as regards evolution. He makes evolution a principie of development and not at all a prime cause. His lectures are very interesting, many of their passages rising to a high pitch of quence. His words come forth in an even rythmical flow. This, together with his fine appearance, will be long remembered by those who have heard him. The Doctor leaves a series of lectures on evolution unfinished. The attendance at those already given shows his popularity at Ann Arbor. He has been a member of nearly all the scientific sociéties of this country, and many in Europe. Some of the many works written by Dr. Winchell are : Report of Geological Survey of Mich., 1861; Grand Traverse Región, '66; Genealogy of the Winchell Family in America, '69; Geological Charts of Michigan and New York, '70; Sketches of Creation, '70; Geology of the Stars, '70; The Doctrine of Evolution, '74; Lay Theology, 76; Reconciliation of Science and Religión, '77; Preadamites, '80; Sparks from a Geologist's Hammer, '81. World Life, '83; Geological Excuasions, '84; Geological Studies, '86; and over 200 scientific papers and pamphlets. He has also described 300 new species and genera, mostly fossil. Some of these books have met more enthusiastic receptions than any scientific jooks heretofore published. As a writer, his style is very attractive. While using many long words they are chosen with admirable taste. His works have contributed more to make the University famous than those of any other man. Dr. Winchell leaves a wife and two daughters, Mrs. Dr. Sylvester, of Germany, and Mrs. Ida Bell Winchell, of Minneapolis. The funeral services will be held at three o'clock, Sunday afternoon, in the M. E. church.