New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-03
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
MOOR Apply OF EZRA CORNELL, Founder OF Cornell Ts
University A Final Tribute onio ~ '--'
York: A. &. Barnes q Co.


ask. in its preface that it may be regarded not so
,uncb as n life of his father study for such
life He states that it prepared originally for
orivate circulation. and that 1t is given to the pup
lie only at the urgent solicitation OF irends ana
mainly for the purpose of placing the facts winch
presents in form for safe preservation for future use
$ by other and ADLER pens" But the disclaimer rs
unnecessarily modest This flial tribute although
without literary pretenson, serves its purpose adj
mrably if the main object of biography be 10 eN-
hibt with clearness and directness what manner OF
man its subject essentially was For no one can
rise from q careful perusal of this book without
having formed Just and accurate estimate Oh 'ne
benefcent life of Ezra Cornell
The founder of Cornell University sprang from
rood old Puritan stock. Both his parents VINO were
of Quaker descent could trace their ancestral lines
hack 10 the original settlement at plymouth his
father was born in Massachusetts and ms mother
in Dutohess County, n. Y. The chapter devoted 10
sketch of the salient features of their modest MS
tory shows that they were strong and sterling char
acters Their lines did not fall in pleasant places
they knew the many trials ana prvatlons incident
10 n pioneer life. But they would seem TO nave met
their responsibilities with cheerful courage, gener-
ouslv TO have befrended the weak and trlendless,
and 10 have trained up their children at all points
with intelligent fidelity. Ezra himself first saw the
hight at Westchester Landing, Westminster county,
n Y, January IL, 1907 And although he VIII
always figure on the roll of our Commonwealth as
alphabetically self-made man, nevertheless ms
bioprapher indicates that he inherited some
notable aids to fortune His parents transmitted to
him an iron constitution for one thing unbendlng
integrity for another what may be called genius
for patient industry for third Like most OF those
whom Fate destnes for a great career, he had pas
sion for knowledge, which circumstances no matter
how nntoward could not battle As an evidence OF
the intense eanestness with which he embraced
every desperate chance of securing an education we
are told that at the age of sixteen with the sole
and of his brother who one year his Junior he
undertook the chopping and clearing of four acres
of heavy beech and maple woodland, ploughing and
olanting il to corn as the condition of being per-
,nitted to attend school during the winter term.
The task was successfully accomplished" 1t may
be noted here that the bent of Mr. Cornells mind
was nothing If not practical He never was
dreamer and if he ever saw visions " no account
of them has survived him. His favorite books were
not such as nourish the imagination or stimulate
the fancy. treatise on mechanics he devoured
with avidity; science in any Of Its phases had .lor
him an irresistible charm. But the years OF his
sohooling were few and fragmentary and at the age
Of eighteen he sailed forth from the parental roof
IN onest of business" lie found what lie
sought His first venture was at Syracuse, where
he remained two years getting out timber for ship
ment by canal to New-York City. Then he removed
10 Homer and gave year to making wool-cardlng
machinery. From Homer he passed to Ithaca, and
IN the last named place, with which his name Will
ALWAYS be Identified lie spent the first years of his
xonnp manhood from 1925 until 1S41. During that
period he engaged in variety of avocatlons. lie
was by turn a carpenter, builder, machinist,
milwrght an inventor. a civil engineer and the
GENERAL manager of large and important business in
terests In each of these fields of effort he achieved
n large measure of success. He was no JacK-otall-
trades But such was his native force and sagacity.
his aptitude his industry, that he mastered what
over he undertook The withdrawal of his en-
ployer from business in 1911 left Mr. Cornell with
nothing to do. 1t looked like a misfortune but 1T
gave him "a golden opportunity to improve his for
fumes. For by curious combination of clrcum-
stances" saws his biogTapher, he was thrown into
eontact with the men who were just then casting
abont with the infant telegraph in their keeping,
ouite at n loss TO know how to utilize the grand in
strumentality which was destined to revolutonlze
The social aud commercial customs OF the entire
civilized world" The six chapters that are devoted
10 detailing Ezra Cornelps part in the origin and de-
yelopment of the telegraph system of this country
Are among the most interesting in the volume. lie
had faith in the tremendous enterprise from the
first and showed his faith by unreserved devotion
toll with brain and hand and purse. His great
monument is indeed the University that bears his
name. but 1t will be impossible TO perpetuate the
story of the rise and progress of the telegraph in
America without at the same time keeping his mem
DRY green.
The age of fifty found Mr.. Cornell, as result OF
his extensive telegraph investments, in possession
OF an ample fortune. Then the man OF business
blossomed out as phlanthrOpist in the best sense
of that much abused word. First he established a
nublic library at Ithaca free for the use OF every
citizen of Tompkins, the county OF his adoption,
and afterward as his income increased and multi
plied he conceived and carried out the noble scheme
which added Cornell University TO the jewels OF the
State. More space, relatively speaking is devoted
10 the Library than TO the University. for the
reason as the Ex-Governor explains, that 1t is be-
ueyed that the Library the influence which in a
large measure prepared his fathers way for his sub
,eouent course. The sketch of both the Library
ond the University is full of interest. The aggre-
cate of Mr. COrnelPs gifts to the University is
niaeed al the magnificent sum Of three and half
million dollars Other chapters of the biography
treat of his public le the patriotic part he played
In the civil WAL his taste for agricultural pursuits,
the railroad and other great enterprises in addition
10 the telegraph, in which lie was engaged, his
family and domestic relations, and his personal
characteristics.
over the principal entrance OF the beautiful villa
which Ezra Cornell erecting when the last sum
mons reached him are carved the words, True and
Firm The biographer with signal prOpriety has
transferred theu to the head of his title page.
true and firm man stands revealed in every one of
these paces The book is a potent incentive to the
aims and deeds that make life worth living.