The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-04-18
PROF. r. F. HUMlSTON.

We gave last week the rumor
which had reached US of the death
of Prof. r. F.. Humiston. We
were not without hope that the ru-
NOR would prove to be mistaken
one, but it has been verified, caus-
ing sadness among the many Of our
older residents who were acquaint-
ed with him and the service. he
rendered to this community.
RANSOM FRANKLIN, HuM1sToN
was born at Great Darlington,
Berkshire county, Massachusetts,
July Sd, 1922. The family moved
to Hudson, Portage county, Ohio,
in May 1833. Mr. Humiston was
educated at the Western Reserve
College. He became a Teacher,
and, while yet quite young, took
high rank among the educators Of
Ohio. For several years he was
Superintendent of. the Schools of
Cuyahoga Falls, an important man.
ufacturing town of northern Ohio.
From thence he went to Cleveland,
where an attempt had been made to
establish a college under the direc-
ton of an ex-president of Oberlin,
but which had not been successful,
owing to some stubborn peculiari-
ties of the said ex-president. He
purchased the buildings on "Uni-
versity Heights" then a sparsely
settled suburb of Cleveland, and
established classical school, cal
led the Cleveland Institute. He
there introduced a new feature,
which has since been copied into
many of the colleges of the coun-
try, namely, a military training for
its students. Prof. Humiston's
school was successful and popular.
He was not only wise manager, a
good disciplinarian, and popular
educator, but also a public spirited
and enterprising citizen. Around
this school there grew up an edu-
Gated and refined community. In
1867 he sold his school property,
and in 1868 made a tour of Europe,
Asia and Africa, at least so far as
to visit Palestine and Egypt, spond-
ing two years in his journeying,
thus adding the polish of travel to
his previous scholarly attainments.
Returning home, and being pos
sessed Of handsome competency,
and made sanguine and hopeful by
his previous successes, he conceiv-
ed project for founding a colony
somewhere in the great west which
should, SO far as he could make it
SO, be center of educating and
moral influence. After visiting
various localities he selected this
county for making realities out of
his mental projects.
To give an account of his work
here would be to write a history of
the Worthington colony so long as
he was identified with it. We have
not at our command either the ma
terial or the space for even an out
line of his work. To founding a
prosperous community he gave the
best devotion of cultivated mind
and an energetic character. He
spared neither his purse nor his
strength. He was abundant in la
bors. He was kind, attentive to
the immigrant, whatever his finan-
cial condition, and watchful of the
interests of the growing colony.
Amid the extraordinary trials of
tho grasshopper period he was
among the most undaunted, hope
full and helpful. So far as the colo
ny was successful it was largely due
to his generous, wise and vigorous
endeavors. The misfortunes of the
colony were such as no human
skill could foresee or prevent. For
all the good he did, and for the
larger good he meant to do for it,
this settlement owes him a need of
hearty praise and an enduring mon
ument, to ftly perpetuate his ex-
cellent memory.
Concerning Prof. Humiston's
later occupations and the circum-
stances attending his illness and
death we have no information. He
was man of fine appearance and
commanding presence. Had he
chosen to enter into politics, or
other public employment he could
have won enviable distinction. As
it ia his record is cnch no 4o on4;+1o
him to the affectionate remem-
brance of all who knew his worth.
HOW's THIS!
We offer One Hundred Dollars Re-
ward for any case of Catarrh that can
not be cured by taking Halls Catarrh
Cure.
F. J. CHENEY & CO., Props.
Toledo, 0. We, the undersigned, have