Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-04-25

DEATH OF PRESIDENT WHEELER.
The Rev John Wheeler, d d., late Presi-
dent of the University of Vermont, died at
his residence in this town, at o'clock yester-
day morning. April 10th. He had been an
invalid for some years, though confined who'll
ly 20 his house but for a short time, HIS last
days in admirable keeping with his life, were
marked by the exhibition Of rare Christian
virtues, by a lively interest in all questions
affecting the welfare Of his fellow men, and a
calm Christian hope.
DR.. Wheeler was born at Grafton, VT.
March II 1898, and was graduated at Dart
mouth in 1916, the youngest member of bis
class. Immediately after leaving college, he
entered upon his theological studies at An
dover Mass, in the same class with President
Smith, who succeeded him in the University,
President Wayland Of Brown, Professors Tor
rey, Haddock and Ripley, Rev DR.. King
Missionary TO Greece, and a number more
who afterwards became distinguished men
Some two years after leaving the Seminary,
he accepted call to the Congregational
Church at Windsor. in this State, where his
able and successful labors as pastor and
preacher, are still held in grateful remem-
brance. He had been settled but about three
years when he was elected President of the
University OF Vermont in 1924. He was not
at this time willing to leave the people Of his
charge. Nine years later on the resignation
of President Marsh, DR.. Wheeler was again
called to preside over the institution. This
second call with the opportunity of assooiat-
ing with his early college friends, President
Marsh, and Prof Torrey, in building up an
institution of learning in accordance with a
long cherished plan, was accepted and DR..
Wheeler removed to Burlington. From that
time forward till the health of his family in
1913, led him to resign his charge. all his en-
ergies were devoted to the welfare of the coll
lege. lie raised up friends for it he secur-
ed large and generous subscription in its be-
half and carried it through seasons of great
trial and perplexity and what is perhaps OF
sill greater moment, he maintained its stand
ard Of scholarship and general spirit. No
man set iuster estimate upon the value and
necessity of higher institutions of learning, to
the welfare and permanent prosperity of the
State
Though in later years his attention was
given more Immediately to other interests af-
feeting the we'll being of the community, for
he could not but be public man, as a member
of he corporation and liberal donor, he new
er faile6 in his lively attachment to the insti-
tuition to which he had given his best days
A few years since he gave it five hundred dol
lars to be fund for the purchase of works
in English literature, and only the past week
he showed his interest in the Improvement
now in progress in the college buildings by
sending check for one hundred dollars to
be expended for iron bedsteads for the use o
students, and followed that the next day by
deed of piece OF land worth some fifteen
hundred dollars, the interest of which should
be devoted TO the purchase of works in Ma
tural History.
In the death of DR. Wheeler, the University
and the cause of good learning and religion
has lost one Of its most reliable friends anc
patrons, the community one of its mos valu
able members, ana the State a citizen Of com
prehensiye aud conservative views zone i
could not well spare