Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-20
A TEMPTING OFFER
Rev. H. B. GrOse May Accept a
College Presidency
TO SUCCEED PROF. OLSON.
'.fhe South Dakota College, Needing
an Able Head,
CHOOSES A PTTTSBUkG PASTOR

Rev. Howard B. Grose, pastor Of
the Fourth Avenue Baptist Church, Of thii
city, has received q call to the Presidency
Of the State University Of South Dakota,
The call was extended on last Thursday by the
trustees Of the Northwestern Institution, but
as Mr. Grose was absent from thecity he did
not receive it until Wednesday.
The position is an important one, and the
Dakota University is said TO be the best institu.
tion of the kind west of Minnesota. and as Mr..
Grose was an old acquaintance Of the last
President Olson who met his death in the
Minneapolis IRE a few days ago. he is likely to
acceptit
A VIGOROUS COLLEGE.
President Olson took charge OF the university
three years ago. when it was nothing more than
an ordinary academy. By his own work he
raised to the ranks Of the best educational insti
tutions of the nation receiving the approval of
the people and the support of the State funds.
Last year 4T5 students were enrolled and good
work was done.
Mr.. Grose was an intimate friend of Presi-
dent Olson for 20 years. He was acquainted
with the manner in which the latter conducted
the affairs of the college, and, having been
called to ll the vacancy, he feels certain re-
sponsibility resting upon him to take up the
work Of hisfriend and carry it on to greater
achievements.
NOTICE GIVEN.
Mr.. Grose notified his congregation of the
call at the service held on Wednesday evening,
and stated that he would announce next Sun
day whether he would accept or not. A tele-
gram from St. Paul, Mlnn., last night, stated
that in an interview Prof. E. NJ. Allen, Of the
university said the board had an assurance
which practically justified the belief that Mr..
Grose would accept The latter was seen at
his home in Oakland last night by DISPATCH
reporter, and. in answer to questions he said:
HE WILL ACCEPT THE HONOR.
"1 have not made up my mind fully as yet
but can see no reason why you may not say
that the chances for my accepting the position
are favorable. look upon the matter as q
duty, and feel that ought 60 accept"
''Win the position be more remunerative than
your present one?" was asked.
II don't know. l am not considering that
matter. If accept it will be because feel an
interest in the work my old friend has done
and want to see the institution continue to
grow and prosper"
IF you should accept when would you leave
for the WestP''
81 cannot say. Ny second year here will be
completed in March"
HE'S ONE OF THE CRAFT.
By the elevation of Mr. H. Grose to the Pres.
dency of State university another ex-news-
paper reporter will be placed in prominent
position. Mr.. Grose graduated in 1876 from the
university at Rochester. He became the New
York correspondent of the Chicago Tribune A
few years later he left the employ Of the Trib-
dze and became one of the editors Of the New
York B1amfTleT, Baptist Church paper. In
1883 he entered the ministry, taking charge of
congregation at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He after
ward accepted a call from church at Yonkers,
where be remained until about tAo years ago,
when he came to Pittsburg.
HIGHLY ESTEEMED LOCALLY.
Mr.. Grose has many warm friends, not only
in his own congregation, but throughout the
city, who will congratulate him and wish him
well in his new field of labor
When seen last night he spoke very feel
iDgly Of the late President Olson. He
is just home from Vermillion, OAK
where he conducted the memorial services
held by the university. He also conducted the
funeral services in Minneapolis. He said he
had not consulted the trustees of the university
in Nermillion in regard TO them after. He had
no intimation that a call was to be extended to
him until ne arrived home and found a rele-
gram awaiting him. He was taken by surprise.
he has made no reply to the Dakota people
and viii not until he has decided definitely
what he viii do, and also notified his congrega-
riou.
Should Mr.. Grose accept the call, which in all
probability he Will, it is likely he will remove to
the West in time to take charge of the univer-
sity at the opening Of the spring term.