Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-09-20
DEATH OF REV. M. G. sTEBBINS.
From the Springfield Republican.

from the Spr1nRnelu hcpuDncan.
Rev. Milan Cyrus Stebbins, for many
years principal of the high school in this
city, and afterward of the collegiate in
stitute which he established, died yester-
day morning at Cornwall, Vt, where he
was settled over the Congregational
church. There are many to whom the
news of this death will bring deep sor-
row, and none will feel the loss more
than those who were under the tuition
of this admirable instructor. As teach
er he was thorough. systematic and en-
ergetic, and those under his care who
wished to study found him most helpful
and stimulating. He impressed on his
pupils the need of close application for
its own sake, and that the discipline of
study was even better than the know
ledge obtained. BY this method he left
an indelible impression on his pupils
and so was a potent force for good. He
was moreover a studious man always.
loving study for its own sake. and even
during the last months of his life his
deepest trial was that he could not fol-
low his accustomed pursuits. Two years
ago Mr.. Stebbns met with a serious
accident by being thrown from his car
riagc, and it Is supposed sustained at
that time an injury to his heart which
resulted in the later fatal complication.
The first attack came when Mr.. Stebbins
was visiting his brother, DR.. George ;.
Stebbins, in this city in May, and he was
confined to his bed for some 10 days.
lie, however, returned to his pastoral
work at Cornwall with his usual energy
and doubtless OvertaXed his strength,
for the second attack occurred in June,
and he was unable to leave his room
after that time. The funeral will be
held at Cornwall tomorrow, and the
burial will also be there.
Mr.. Stebbins was born at CRANKY 81
years ago, his father being Dea. Cyrus
Stebbins, and his mother was before
marriage Miss Mary Harris of Brattle
boro, Vt. Mr.. Stebbins was the third
child of family OF II children. His
childhood was spent in his native town,
where his love for study was early de-
veloped; and with his characteristic
zeal he began to fit himself for college.
This was in addition to the usual labors
of country boy. He afterwards enter
ed Williston seminary. and then passed
70 Amherst college, where he distinguish
ed himself by carrying off the salutatory
| in 1851. During his college course Mr..
Stebbins helped earn his way by teach
ing in the winter. After his graduation
he taught school at Hopkins and Nashua,
n. H. He was also principal of the
high school at Clinton for two years
from 1862. Then he was called to the
prncipalship of the Lancaster academy,
position which he held for six years or
more. Meanwhile Mr.. Stebbins had
studied theology and been ordained, so
after leaving his position at Lancaster he
was settled for four years over the Con-
gregationa church at GrOton Junction.
! In 1860 Mr.. Stebbins was called to be
principal of the high school in this city,
and he held that position till 1874, when
he established the Springfield collegiate
institute: during its first year this school
had quarters in the Institution for saw
ings building, but it was afterward re-
moved to the old court house, which was
made over to suit the purposes of the
school. During Mr.. Stebbns's life here
he identified himself with the interests
of the city and was ar ardent temperance
man. Under his direction the collegiate
institute was developed into prosper
Gus school, drawing many scholars from
out of town. Four years ago Mr.. Steb-
bins was called to the pastorate of the
Congregational church at Cornwall. VI
There he was foremost in establishing
lIle eTuOIl dlltN tollSItSdl Club'
patterned after the club in this valley,
and he was secretary of the organization
from its foundation. Mr.. Stebbins rem
dered valuable assistance to the late
Ethan 5. Chaplin in revising the work,
Gravity the determining force" for he
was at home in the natural sciences as
in the classics. This illustrates the thor
oughness of his teaching equipment and
the breadth of his scholarship. He was
also an intelligent and critical student of
current events, interested in public affairs
and an advocate of good politics. By the
desire of Mr.. Chapin's family he had
massed much data for the preparation of
a memorial volume of the author, but
his sickness cut this work short.
Mr.. Stebbins married Miss Sophia Pitts
of Taunton and by this marriage there
were FIVE daughters. Those living are
Misses Annie and Grace, who are al
home, and Mrs. Joseph Wesson and Mrs
William Taylor of this city. Miss Fan
ME died two years ago. Besides DR.
Stebbins of this city there are two broth
ers living, Clinton w. Stebbins of CRANKY
and Charles a. Stebbins of Camden, y
j. The sisters are Mrs. Eli Smith of this
city, Miss Jane f. Stebbins and Mrs
Sidney Moody of CRANKY and Mrs. John
knous of Hartford.