Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-27
COMMENCEMENT WE Elk.

death. His law practice was large, DuV
mostly confined to the counties of Washing
ton and Orange He delighted in jury
trials, and particularly in the cross-exam-
ination of witnesses. He took great inter
est in the Vermont Bar association, from
the time of its organization and was for one
wear its president An excellent sketch of
MIR Heath has been prepared by Ashton
r. Willard, esq. of Boston, who was ut one
time his partner. This was in part read
before the Vermont Bar association last
October, and will soon be published in full.
1t gives in minute detail the events of his
busy life, and depicts with admirable lidel-
ity, all the chief traits of his vigorous, indie
pendent and withal, somewhat singular
character.
John J. Wheeler, who died at East Sagi-
nav, Mich, on the 18th of January, was
son of Horace and Caroline Wheeler, and
was born Mt st. Johns, Canada November
g. 1929. In 1851 he was graduated from
the University, his family having moved to
Burlington during his childhood. After
his graduation he attended Harvard Law
school, and pursued legal studies in Chi
cago and Detroit. In 1897 he began the
practice of law at East Saginaw, which
was henceforth to be his home. In 1893 he
was married to Miss Sarah 4. Gay. The
time when he went to the younger of the
PNANA
ton of the place as city, aud he was
closely identified with it in its subsequent
growth to its present rank as third, per
haps. of the cities of Michigan Mr..
Wheeler was thoroughly devoted to his
profession. which he adorned, and in which
he won distinction. His professional sue
cess was in the long run greatly promoted
by his absolute integrity. The imprea-
sion which he made upon the
higher tribunals and his prcfes
sional and moral worth may be learned
from language regarding him, which Judge
Cooley used as long ago as 1877. Il have
known John j. Wheeler a great many
years" said this discriminating iurist,
land regard him as one of the truest men
and one of the clearest- headed lawyers that
come before tine supreme Court. y lie was
deeply interested in education and in var
ious ways contributed to the prosperity of
schools in his community. For eight years
he was a member of the Michigan State
Board of Correction and Charities. In this
capacity he remedied various evils and
secured valuable legislation relating to
prisons and prison discipline and other
matters of which the board to which he be
longed takes cognizance.
Elnathan L. iIigbee, a son of Lewis and
Sarah Higbee was born at st. George, VT,
on the 91th of March, 1880, Somewhat later
find the family living in burlington
where he was fitted for college. He de
cined appointment to the Military
academy at West Point and entered the
University of Vermont from which he was
graduated i'll lc49. Not long after his
graduation he went to Emmitt5burg, Nd,
where he tutor in the family of Elder
Joshua Motter, whose daughter he married.
Later he was instructor in mathematics in a
hi0b school at | PA He Ctulial
theology at the seminary of the Reformed
church in Mercersburg, Pa. From 1894 to
1854 he preached successfully at Lancaster,
Pa, Bethel, Vt, Emmttsburg, Md, Titlin,
O., and Pittsburg, Pa At 1inin he was
professor of languages in a college there.
From 1864 to 1867 he was professor of
church history and eXegesis in the theologi-
cal seminary at Mercersburg In the latter
year upon the removal of the seminary to
Lancaster he resigned his professorship and
accepted the presidency of Mercersburg col
lege. He was at the head of this institution
until 1851. when lie was appointed suporin-
tendent of public instruction for the State
of Pennsylvania. This Office he held to the
time of his death, when he was serving upon
his third term. The degree of doctor OF
divinity was given him by Franklin and
Marshall college in 1860 when he was &
theological professor and the doctorate OF
laws was conferred upon him by the samt
institution in 1881 His death was sudden.
On the evening of December 10, 1889, after
delivering two addresses before the teacher!
institute for Junata county, he awaited hi
train AT Mitlintown. At the station was
lad with whom he began to converse askinl
him if he was attending school. The boy
replied that he was not that he was learn
ing trade. The doctor encouraged him Il
peIs we're, and added "a man without
trade amounts to very little in this world. ,
lie then sat down on truck and was hum
ming tune when he was struck with
paralysis which deprived him of speech anC
which three days later resulted in his death
Dr. Higbee a man of great and varieC
powers, and of active and generous sympa
tnies. Tho vigor of his personality was re
cognized in his college days when he auspi
ciousy eXcelled in athletic sports. Hi
pupils everywhere caught inspiration iron
his instruction and influence, His sermon
were logical scholarly, brilliant and philo
sophie. As superintendent of public instruc
ton he made profound impression upo
the great Keystone State, although he wa
so unassumng that it has been well said O
him that ''he never found out that he wa
State superintendent THE teachers c
the State and his associates in the grea
work OF education. runs the official pro
clamation of Governor Beaver, flowed hiI
with a iiiial devotion, and the commo!
wealth trusted him as a pure noble tru
and honest man" He was the author
some eloquent hymns, for his nature Wa
poetic and a few of his contributions
sacred song are not unlikely to prove endu
ing memorials of his name.
Erastus D. Culver was son of Rev
Phineas Culver preacher of the Bapt
denomination. He was born March !,
1903, the place of his birth being Chan
plain, n y. He was graduated from Il
University in 1895, and after the requisi
course Of legal study was admitted to 81
bar and entered upon the practice of la
Fort Ann, y. y, While there he was ma
ried to Miss Caroline Blinn. In 1896
moved to Greenwich, N y, and in Il
course of the next few years he served tv
terms in the New York Legislature II
presidential campaign of 1910 in which h
participated as a stump speaker gave hi
great popularity. In 1874 he elect,