Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28

SIDNEY HARPER MARSH, A. NJ, ID. D.
oldest son, and last but one survivor of the
family of tho late President James Marsh,
fifth President OF tho University Ot Yer
mont,-was born August 29.h, 1925, in
| Virginia, where his father, then President
| of llampden-Sidney College of that State,
was at that time residing lie came to
Burlington in infancy. and here grew to
manhood lie graduated at the University
OF Vermont in 1876, among his classmates
being Judge Jameson, Of Chicago. Judge
| Nelson, of Massachusetts,, and Hon. Ii. U.
Houghton, of Cambridge. Mass After
graduating he taught for year o. two in
| Virginia, when his attention was directed
towards Oregon, then just organized as
Territory. He went thither under the en-
couragement and aid OF the American Educa-
tlon Society, to become principal OF Iualitin
Academy little outpost of letters on the
borders OF great wilderness. The plans
OF its founders widened, and a college
| Cd at the same spot. Forest Grove, with
which the academy was connected aS
| fitting school. OF this joint Institution
Mr. Marsh, having in the meantime been
ordained a. a Congregational clergyman,
was made president, and to it he devoted
the rest ofa lifetime Of earnest and untiring
efJrt. Ii was organized on his plans.
The funds to sustain it were chiefly raised
| b,,I l.. b,l h., a taN
! journeys to the Atlantic States, labJring
| even in times OF financial depression to in-
| terest men of lIberality and means in the
struggling enterprise, in whose future he
had absolute confidence, with faith and
devotion nothing short Of heroic. lie lived.
not to witness the full realization Ot his
| hopes, but to see that that realiZ uIOn was
at hand-to soe tho institution well OrsaI-
ized, established IN tho confidence of tine
community, with Il recognized place lmOng
the higher institutions Of the State, and
with means and prospects warranting the
ample extension OF its buildings and means
of instruction. lie worked Tor it to the last.
making journey to Portland. Oregon, on
business for it, bat ten days before h1 died,
and he gave to it almost his list thouEhts
and breath.
Some two years ago Mr.. Mar,h's strength
began to lail, under the approaches oi the
disease, consumption, which Removed both
his parents. Last Fall he went to California,
intending to spond the Winter there for his
health but the progress OF the destroyer
was not stayed and he returLe ed home to die
lie bore the final struggles under wcarine-s
and pain. with Christian endurance,
spending bis last conscious breath in words
of l1ye and Christian counsel to his wife
and children.
Mr.. Marsh married Miss Lizzie Haskell. Of
Ohio, who for eighteen years has been to
him one of the most devoted and helpful Of
wives, and who survives him. with five
children, three girls and two boys. His
funeral took place February 5tb. at the
church in Forest Grove, with suitable
services of affection and respect partici-
patcd in by his associates and the students
of the University and the community but,
in accordance wiki his expressed desire
''wlthout parade .or eulogistic palaycrihg.
One wh1 knew him. and was with hun to
the last, says Of him. in a private letter :
His Christianity was saving religion, il
there be such. lie could say with all
feryor' Il kno0 that my Redeemer liyeth.'
His filth came from down deep in his heart,
and wa founded ON the experience
ul his life-indeed wsS part Cf his
lille, rs real to him a. his
own life. Iii, theology and doetrinal be
lefs we're systematic and complete lut
no cold reasoning, however logical, made
his belief plain to him, but the warmth |
and certainty which comes from the inner
springs of bfc, gave his doctrines power, and |
whoever came within their influence fclt
the force OF their truth. do not |
know what measures will be adopted to ill |
his place. bat it is certain that his plans
and views as embodied in the institution |
will be carried out without material |
change" 10 this estimate OF President |
Marsns character, having known and |
loved him from boyhood, We give fullest |
assent. In his death, true soul and |
earnest worker, has passed away.