Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1863-11-14
A Devoted Eauootor Conc.
by r.R SPENCER.

ork; also part-owuer Of the copyright, aud
ssociate author of the system. His history
hould, !, be familiar to the yonng, as
beacon light in directing their energies, and
cheering them onward with stern endeavor 10
.he great battle of life. l. 1.. .... Il
Ills father died of cholera, at Jefferson, o.,
q 1882, leaving JAMES then seven years ola,
Without means or home, to direct his own way
lmObg the shoals and quicksands of lire's peril.
'us voyage. He went to Eve in tho family of
Mr.. Ashbel Kellogg, in CluridOp, Geauga
county, Ohio, then eight years old and
here oCGunued to reside aud labor dir
sent..e,with the limited advantages of country
school, till the decease Of Mr. Kellogg in ls43.
Again thrown upon the world, and the neces-
sity of making selection looking to perma-
nent pursuit being apparent to him, be resolved
on acquiring, first, an education. But to aid
the ,CiH the means were minus To secure the
means, be decided TO master the art of writing
and through the profits Of teaching fulfill his
settled design. .p 4
Twenty years ago this autumn he took his
seat at q spare table, iu the Treasnrer's Office,
OF Ashtabula county, at Jefferson, and com
menced his labors under my instruction. Awk-
ward and undeveloped both in person and
intellect, to the careless observer he presented
no pledge of success; and 80 little had he been
accustomed to concentrate bis energies in any
scientific effort, that at the end of a months
most devoted toll he had scarcely made one
per cent. of chirographic advance. AT this
point in view of his probable failure and the
dissolution of all his bright dreams of the
future, and almost despairiug, he burst into
food Of tears, and wept like a child This vas
the eliminating point in his progressive and
finally bright history. ... Ia boom I..
1t taught me the intensity of his desire, and
gave evidence of his capacity to do, as he had
arrapged matters in the programme Of mind.
OF course was at once by his side to bid him
hope on and labor on, for he was safe. He did
hope on, aud labor on with an iron will and
devoted and singular fidelity to every hint
touching the six prominent features of the art,
and SO rapid was his advance from that dark
hour, that within three weeks thereafter be was
lecturing ably and instructing delighted classes
through the several schoorooms of the Re.
serve. .-.7
What lesson is here taught 10 the youth
of our country to perserere! To build their
o'ca fortune, and even fame, nor 10 be content
with such advantages alone as attach by cour-
tesy. ... ...
From this hour the tendency Of Mr. LUsK
was upward and onward to that enviable point
of public celebrity which he enjoyed at the
time of bis death. The education he coveted
be secured--,hough not perhaps to the extent
he had planned. ......,. ....
lie also prepared himself for the practice Of
medicine, and graduated at the Eclectic Medi-
cal College, in Cincinnati. But be had too
deeply identified himself with the interests of
education to be permitted by the public voice
to renounce the active labors OF the school
room. 70 his fidelity devotion, and enlight-
ened skill, the public schools of Massillon Buf.
falo, Cleveland, and New Y ork. with the many
nortnal schools and teachers Institutes so fortu-
nate as TO secure his tranforming services, will
long bear testimony. rtE
At'the blackboard and before classes he had
! no superior. lie taught with clearness and
| force which left an abiding impress. As q free
| off-hand scribe he was unexcelled and always
carried grace and symmetry into his hurried
correspondence. When he designed accuracy
! whether in business or ornam,ntal style, perfec
/
| ton acknowledged him ia close proximity
| When he turned his mind on education in l843
the best labor be could perform would not com
maud more than 1925 per annum. knowledge
science, reliability and industry placed a salar.
| of $500 at his command He seemed to Great
aud multiply talent by his sterling and tireles
endeavors to employ it. His tenacity of purpos
would have rendered him eminent in any occupa
tion to which he lent his energies. reso
lutions on his decease, passed October 3, 1868
by the Teachers Association of the City Q
Cleveland, cleurly shows the estimate in whic
Mr.. LusK was universally held: '.
/ Resof,ed That we respect esteem, and homo
the high example Of an earnest teacher an
Christian gentleman which he uniformly exhlt
tied before U.s. .t...
At the Inauguration of the two primitiy
links Of the great National Chain of Comme
cial Icges,-namey those Of Cleveland an
Bufalo-in "a and '55. Mr.. LUsK was assoc
ated with H. B. Bryant and II. d. Stratton, 9
co.partner and teacher, under the style {
Bryant, Lusk & StrattoD. Thousands Of ou
young men, and well-ordered counting-house
will bear honorable testimony to the qualil
and fidelity Of his instructions, while thu
lahoring.
With intellectual culture and expansion b
physical development became perfect and con
mandiDg---his address easy, manly and enga!
ing--aDd it may be truly said death numbe
Z among bis trophies another model man.
Since the first Of July last up to the twenty
: ninth of August have been houored much
!, the time with the companionship and counS
Of my old student, Mr.. LUsK, and four of n
l. :. r.. c.t,