The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1891-06-10
JOHN riley THOMPSON, p. D.

Second President OF West Va. University
ARrilliant Orator Successfll Preach
er Youngest College President Of
his Day Points Of Interest Cleaned
from his Life. 81
John Riley I Thompson, the second
president Of the University, was born
at Carrollton, Ohio, March 18th,
1867. His early education was &C.
squired in the public schools Of bis
native town supplemented IN no
small degree by biz apprentice
ship to the printers trade. He re-
ceiyed his collegiate education at
Mount Union College where he grad
uated with the degree of A. B. in
1871. His college life was disting-
uished more for literary andsoratori-
cd work, perhaps, than any thing
else, He was d natural orator.
While VET at college be was ad-
mitted to the Methodist Episcopal
Conference, first in the Pittsburg Dis
trict, but was soon transferred to
West Virginia and stationed at one
.ofthe most important churches in
the conference Chaplane Street,
Wheeling. AT that time he was not
yet twenty-five years fage. Not,
withstanding his youth he was one
of the ablest and certainly the most
popular minister in the city. At the
end Of the pastoral term he was
stationed At Morgantown, the seat Of
the University.
It is said that this congregation
from its refinement and intelligence
is one Of great Importance and de.
mands for its spiritual guide man
. Of no mean ability. Here it was
that the young pastor found a flock
peculiarly suited to his rare quail.
ties Of head and heart.
IA He had not been in his new charge
q year when the Board Of Regents o.
the University profered to him the
Presidency. For nearly two years
the institution had been without 9
president, The school was declin
ing; the attendance had decreased
from one hundred and sixty-six tc
ninety three. t$@fat ss~@t r.
When President Thompson assum,
ed the duties of the responsible pos
iti0n he was but twenty-five years
of age-the Youngest college presi
dent in America. '%
He was elected in January 1877
and entered upon; active duties in
the 4 following March. His first
work was to restore the vitality OF
the University and bring it again
into popplarzfayor. This he accom-
plished almost single handed AND
alone, sl1.I ,r..s.., /. :
/ He travelled over the, state attend;
ing every kind of gathering; preach
ing, lecturing, talking and visiting.
The increase Of attendance from SO
to 1856 in two years shows his sue
cess. r.. E;....
y AS an educator he was very suc-
cessful. History, English and
American Literature and Christian
Theism we're his favorite classes.
He awakened an interest in the
classes that he taught which touch
ed even the dullest student. He
seemed to take a personal interest in
every boy in school, from Senior to
"Prep." He visited the Literary
Societies freq uently, enteringinto the
discussions with as much enthusi.
asm as when at his alma mater.
The fash Of his irresistible elo-
quence often cleaned from the
chapel stage while the thunder bolts
of his wrath made the erring quake
with fear. He was respected and
beloved BY both students and citi.
zens and when he resigned he was
banquetted by thelatter and present.
with a beautiful gold watch by the
former =
/ He was small in stature, with "a
ven black hair and mustache, a
bright eye and regular features, "
Never. very strong in bodys his
duties as President proved too much
for his physical strength and, after
serving four years he resigned his
Office, returned again to the minis
try and was stationed in Jersey
City. In two years hewas installed
Pastor 81 Grace Church. Brooklin,
4 Il. T., thence to Washington Square
/ Church, New York City. His
health having failed, his congrega.
ton voted him leave of absence
and he travelled in Europe one year.
He ID now pastor Of q church in
Meriden Connecticut.
q =!