Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-04-24
JAMES d. SKINNER.
tn of the well-known Civil Engineer.

Death of the Well-knOwn Civil Engineer.
Mr.. James D. Skinner, civil engineer,
died at an early hour yesterday morning
after a brief illness. Few men were more
generally known in this community than
he; few men as little understood. He
was the son of Rev. Dr. T. III. Skinner, of
New York, one of the most eminent di-
vines of this country, his mother being a
Davenport. He was graduated with high
honors at Yale College, and developing
an aptitude for civil engineering he quail
fed himself for what was to be o life
work by thorough course of study. At
tracted to the west by its promise Of a
great future, he settled in st. Paul in 1858
and engaged in his chosen calling with
eminent success, assisting in the survey
of a large territory adjacent to this
city and in the plating of town sites
anear and afar. When the st. Paul g.
Pacific railroad company was organized,
he was entrusted with the construction of
the first div ision from Minneapolis west
ward, and performed the work with sig
nal ability. When this work was COM
pleted, he took position in the Office of
the United States engineer of this de-
partment, and for years, under Col. Far
quhar and Maj. Allen, was entrusted
with the superintendent of some of the
principal river work, including the max
ing of plans for the reservoirs on the St.
CroiX and Mississippi rivers. In the
meantime, he had been conducting a
considerable amount of work in the way
of hydraulic engineering, and his opin-
ions and conclusions were universally
JoI &c hn soha
sideration. About year ago, failing
health compelled a cessation from active
work, and since that time he
has been practically without
occupation, though his opinions have
been frequently sought by those who had
learned to estimate them at their true
value. Though on the verge of the grave
for months past his 1ndomitable will kept
him up, and it was not till about ten days
ago that he surrendered and took to his
bed. He died at the age of so.
Mr.. Skinner was man of fine educa-
ton and large reading, and was besides a
connoisseur in music and the fine arts.
He was familiar with both ancient and
modern literature, and having a wonder
fully retentive memory could quote page
after page from the master poets,
dramatists, novelists and historians. he
was companionable with but few, but to
those few his conversation was highly
esteemed. Though he had his faults, the
shroud that now covers his mortal re-
mains will screen them from the censure
of the public. The remains, in charge OF
Major J. P. Pond, will be taken East fol
interment, leaving by the sos P. M. train
this evening.
O6ituary--James ID. Skinner, Esq.
To the Editor of the Globe.
The old settlers of st. Paul, and all who
were acquainted with the late James D.
Skinner, must hear with deep regret OF
his sudden and unt1mely death. Like
most old Minnesotians, Mr.. Skinner was
peculiar man. Endowed by nature
with an extremely capacious, subtitle and
acute intellect, liberal education in
early youth and long course OF subse-
quent application, study and research, &C
companied with much practical expert
ence and observation, had in many re-
spects made him, in varied scientific and
artistic learning, knowledge of languages
and literary accomplishments, al
most phenomenal. His curiosity
and taste had led him to
explore and investigate almost every
field of knowledge and art, and to pc
ruse the entire catalogue of ancient and
modern literature, and his great and ex-
act memory enabled him easily to retain,
in ready store for convenient use, very
much of all he had read or acquired.
Everybody, who knew him intimately,
will recall how readily and copiously his
sprightly intellect and nimble thought,
for the purpose of illustrating or enf0rc-
ing the views or opinions he advanced or
urged, he could draw upon this vast res
ervoir of mental requirements. The
opinions and criticisms of such mind
upon science, art or literature, or even
upon current events, of the times, must
always command attention, and Of
ten control the opinions and
sentiments of his associates
and int1mates upon these subjects. Such
we know to have been the impress of the
intellectual characteristics of our lament
ed friend Indeed, it Is one of the many
sad reflections forced upon us by this mel
ancholly event, that the light of such a
mind, and the attractive splendor of such
requirements shall so soon expire and be
extinguished in dusty death, and to dumb
forgetfulness prey forever
But our lamented friends claims for
recognition and our sorrows for his I'M
timely loss are not limited alone to intel
lectual superiority or requirements. To
those who knew him best he was one of
the most interesting and fascinating of
companions and associates. He had the
rare quality of winning and entertaining
all who came within the charmed circle
of his intimate acquaintance. 1t was to
these only, however, that the full mag
netism of his social qualities were ever
fully displayed; for without any great
violation of a true analysis of his charac-
ter, it may be properly said that,
'sHe was scholar, and ripe and good one;
Exceeding wise, fair spoken and persuading;
Lofty and sour to them that loved him not;
But to those men that sought him, sweet as
summer"
He is gone now, and the places that
knew him shall know him no more for
ever. After life's fitful fever it is hoped
he sleeps we'll; but oh, what sad COM
mentary on the vanity and nothingness
of life is the dark and fatal extinction of
such light? How disconsolate it is to
reflect that all this toll and
strife and struggle for earthly gain,
knowledge or achievement, which
could only be justifable if its aim was i'm
mortality, is all to end in that inevitable
hour of dark eclipse by the shadow of