New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-08-05
DEA1H or 4 GEoGRAPHER.


sKErCH Oh THE LATE JESSE oLNEY OF STRAIT
FORD, CONN.
Tie death Of the Hon. jesse Olney at STRAIT
ford Conn., on the 3Oth OF July last although 1t Is most
deepy felt where he best known, will be recognized
throughout that state great public loss lie was
born IN Union, TOnand County, on the l2th
a. October l7gs. He evnced IN cary chHu-
hood remarkable aptitude for scholastic
,,arsuts. and before he was l6 years old was fine
,lasa scholar and adept ia the Science OF GeOgra-
pby to which he devoted large part OF his hie He
was teacher in the Hartford High school for twelve
wears where he was honored and loved While thus oc-
cupcd De felt and more the lncOmpeteness Oh tue
OIL pan Of teaching Geography, which made the center
a. the system the initial point, and blended
MAT science with Astronomy in way most bewidering
20 the student Mr.. Oineys mind was essentially prac-
tesi He reversed the old method, and taught the
learner 70 begin with the place IN which he lived, and
thence % advance until no had occupied the entire Held
10 De- tlayersod In THIS way that which was before alb
sract became localized and made real TO the stu
dents comprehension. Ths plan met with marked
suceess. Olncy's Geography and Atlas were published
IN lsls and at once became STANDARD works. Sue
eo.sve editions were rapidly exhausted until the sale
reached millions OF copies.
Nj Oncy devoted he best part Of his life to the cause
e. popular education. He ten times elected mem
the LEGISLATURE Of Connecticut, and had more TO
do than any other member IN celebrating the system Of
common schools IN tla, State. To perfect himself
~ bus 'oyonte studies he visited Europe in 1885
and again In ls3s. In 1881 he brought out his
National Preccptor" which of the
best reading books that ever appeared in the United
states Is philosophical plan and orderly arrangement
eItuui,ersal popularity and followed 10y full
series o. readers history and other works OF value. He
had before THE 1854 removed from Hartford to South
ron and g. ia be again removed 10 StratiOrd where
be- resided until Dr., DEATH il 1867 Is he elected Con
tror of Public Accounts the state, and discharged
The duties n the Office with ability and fidelity.
IN person NJ. Olncy was "a noticeable man." with
features expressive Of Cteat energy and thOughtiuness
d.. individuality was very bold and salient He
independent man. who thought and acted from cOnyic
tons with stale regard TO the opinion Of the world. He
was very uncompfomisiue, ard not easily assaied or
wrought upon oxccp; through the medium Of his sens
bIites His industry was so untiuug that lie
something 20 lI- STOCK Of ideas. Ills mind acted 50
healfhIu. y that lts most strenuous application was
W.. remi.tally clear and direct. His memory was
almost as lufaile record, ana IL renamed unlln-
paired 10 tho last. Unlike other Old men, he Kept up
with tie literature OF the DAY. lie READ new poems,
f.'Dres philosophers. and ethical reatlses, and thus
lsuf flluI fresh ana vigorous by constant cOnmui-
- vim he best thinkers OF the age He used say
then f.t oi being young lie nad all MS ne
lf,u au UUl0mprOmlsns Democrat As soon as ne
b. pronounced himself for Horace Greeley,
without weuns 10 G Con Gav VII" iafore he T %a:
sfTad with OH. last Illness hTeakfasted at O'Clock,
inflrailg 10 20 90 New-IOrk with FREUD on purpose
4. meet aI Gre, les at tie Lincoln Club Room, but was
ed Co remain at home ON account OF the violence
AZ tlr rain. Mr. O.ueys private character was slhEu
Larry pure. lie Was an exemplary husoaun iatner ana
friend. i. -lc,a qualities we're Eehla ana EliaS 4l.s
fllrs made iu universally DelOred, and for these lie
viii be- l04g and "a. cIlOnately remembered