The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-04-20
SONS OF BoWDoIN,
Who in Various Fields have Won
Honor and RenoWn.
Bangor Commercial.

Bangor Commercial.
No college in America, in, proportion to Its
numbers, has given to the world more men
who have made themselves famous in every
department of science, literature or politics
than the one that was planted nearly one
hundred years ago upon the barren coast of
the ''District of Maine founded by the de-
scendants of the Massachusetts Puritans. It
took its name from James Bowdoin, then
Governor of Massachusetts. 1t began its
career with small revenue and still small
er attendance. During Its nrSt year IL moved
with slow but steady pace. In lozO lts
classes began to increase, and IN 1Szl there
entered class that furnished for American
literature two of the brightest names, and
through them made itself known and hon
ored, not only in America, but even In Eu-
rope. The names of Henry w. LongfelloW
and Nathaniel Hawthorne are too well
known to need comment here. No other in
stit ution can point to men so pre-eminently
first in the fields of labor in which they en-
gagged. In the class of "a was franklin
Pierce who, after serving his State ana ma
ton in almost every capacity, was called 70
the Presidency in 1852 BE is one OF the
brilliant men whom Bowdoin has given to
New Hampshire.
John Bell, 30, in his day was one of the
most prominent and successful statesmen,
not only in his native State, but also in the
nation. He was member Of the Senate In
the thirty-fourth Congress, and while there
he was distinguished for his candOr, honesty
and patriotism which won for him the sup
port of his friends and the admiration Of his
political opponents.
John P. Hale, '27, after serving his State
in almost every branch of her civil govern
ment, was successfully elected to the House
of Representatives and the National Senates
In debate, he was feared by all on account
of his sarcasm and wit Some of his sayings
still linger around the college campus.
Beyond doubt, the most brilliant man that
ever went forth Bowdoin halls was Sergeant
S. Prentiss, &c. He entered college at an
early age, graduating with the highest hon.
ors. He settled in Mississippi. Committed
to the bar, he soon became one of the fore
most advocates in the land. Elected to Con-
gress while yet a young man, he made one OF
the most brilliant speeches ever delivered in
the halls of the capital. His contemporaries,
whether his political friends or opponents,
bear testimony to his wonderful power as an
orator. His voice was heard in every State
of the then constituted union, but increasing
labor broke down his health and caused his
death at the early age of thirty-eight.
Another brilliant member of this class was
Samuel S. Boyd. He chose law as a profess
sion, and settled as did Prentiss, in Missis-
sippi: The arena of politics had no charm
for him, and all his honors were those OF for
ensic skill. He was noted as great consti-
tutional lawyer, and more than once he met
his friend and classmate, Prentiss, in con-
tests at the bar
Alpheus Felch, '27, who has won name
as a successful lawyer in Michigan, having
settled at Ann ATbor, rose rapidly in his
profession until he became an acknowledged
leader. He had served in the State in many
positions OF honor and trust-in both
branches of the Legislature, as Governor,
and lastly in the United States Senate. In
these he has discharged his duties we'll and
faithfully.
Daniel r. Goodwin, 'S2, is another distin-
guished man. In his class he neld the first
place, and after graduation for a time held
the professorship then vacated by Longfel-
low. Then he was elected to the presidency
of Trinity College, which position he held
with dignity and honor for many years.
In the class of '33, was VIM; Il. Allen, who
for many years was president of Girard Col
lege, doing much in his Christian manner for
that benighted Institution. In the record of
the class of '35 is found the name of Peleg M.
Chandler, so well known as lawyer OF emil
nence and authority, and Henry T. Cheever,
we'll known as missionary among the South
Sea and Sandwich Islands. Heis also known
as a prolific writer on the customs of sea-far-
ing people. He has written some blogra-
phies. John G. Talbot, '39, Is name famil--
lar to Maine Democrats, and he Is too well
known to need an introduction to Maine
readers of any political faith.
Alonzo Garcelon, '36, and Frederick Robie,
Al, have both held the Office of Governor of
Maine, and Robie still sits in the gubernato-
inent figure in the affairs of Massachusetts in
the stormy days of the war. AS governor in
1860, he did much to strengthen the cause Of
the Union by his iron will and 'unfiinching
integrity.
Oliver o. Howard, so, was for his gallant
conduct on many hard fought fields breveted
Major Gen. of the United States Army. At
the close of the war, he was appointed COM
missioner of the Freedman's Bureau, and was
| subsequently elected president of Harvard
university, which office he held for four
years.
Joshua L. Chamberlain graduated in '52,
and three years later became a tutor in the
college. AT the close of the year he was
made Professor of Rhetoric and 0ratory.
Soon the clouds of war began to darken the
Southern skies, and leaving his retreat of
learning he offered himself as volunteer.
His record for the next four years was that
of fearless soldier and sagacious COM
mander. Since the close of the war he has
been Governor of Maine four years and pres
ident of his Alma Mater from 1871 to 1884.
L. B. Reed M. c., from the first district,
w. w. Thomas, late United States Minister
to Sweden, and Joseph w. Lysander, were
members of the same class, graduating In
1860.
These are a few of the many names that
are written on BOWdOin's honor roll. They
are found in the realms of fiction and of po-
etry, at the bar and on the bench. They are
heard in the halls of Congress and read of in
deeds of valor on tented fields. Everywhere
and in everything they have held place of
honor, and have left behind a name to which
their Alma Mater can proudly point.