The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-30
OBITUARY Y.
JOHN LIE coNrE. MD.

Professor John lie Conte, MD, President OF the
University OF California, died al his residence in
Berkeley last night, aged Y years. On his
fathers side he was descended from French
HugueuOt family, who near the close OF the
seventeenth century emigrated from ROueu,
France, 10 New Rochelle, New York. Through
his mother lie descended from the New England
Pufltaus who planted In 1893 The Dorchester
colony IN South Carolina portion OF whom sub
sequeuty III 1852 established the midway set
Element in Liberty County, Georgia. His grand.
father pui chRsed land ana established himself IN
That locality PRIOR 10 lie outbreak OF the Ameti-
can Revolution. His father Lewis lie COute was
graduated II ON Columbia College in The civ OF
New York, IN 1899 and soon after ramOved to
Georgia, and took charge OF the aforementioned
estate. There he had the opportunity OF cult
yatug his taste for nearly all branches Of natural
science, including botany ZOOLOGY, Chemistry,
john LIE Conte, the second son OF Lewis, was
born IN Liberty County, Georgia, on the 4th of
tory classical education at private school, I'M
der the tuition OF the Hon. A. Ii. Stephens, lie en-
tered, in 1885, Franklin College, University
OF Georgia aud was grad with nigh bonors
IN August 1888. He Immediately entered The
study oil medicine, aud In lS4l received the de.
gree OF MD. from the College Of Physicians
ana Surgeons In the city OF New York He
married the same year and, in 1912, established
himself as practitioner of medcin. In Sayan-
nah, ga. In August, 1916, he was elected 10 the
chair OF Natural Philosophy aud Chemistry IN
Franklin College, his alma mater. This posi-
ton lie resigned in 1855 to become
Lecturer on Chemistry Ia the Col
leee OF Physicians aud Surgeons in The
city OF New York. In the spring OF 1856
at the conclusion OF his course Of lectures IN
New York, he accepted a call TO the South
Carolina College at Columbia, where he had be
unanimously elected 10 fill tile chair. then first
created, OF Natural ana Aecbanical Philoso-
ply. This office lie held uutl 1866, when the
South Caroliua College was reOrganlZed and
transformed into the University OF South Caro-
Ina. Under the new organization he was
unanimously elected 10 the chair OF Natural
and Mechan ical Philosophy and Astronomy.
This position he held until his removal TO Cail,
nrtriR In lhnr hn al qfAH
TO fill the chair Of Physics and Industrial
Mechanics, in the University Of California, then
10 The incipiency of its organization. Being the
first officer elected by the Board Of Regents, he
was summoned 10 California early IN 1869 10
assist In the organization OF the new University.
He arrived with his family about the first OF
April, 1869. In Juue, 1869. he was appointed
Acting President OF The University, drew up its
first Prospectus, including Synopsis of The
Course Of Instruction, and In September, 1863
initiated The exercises Of the University at Oak
land win about forty students. lie continued
10 act as President until me election OF Presi-
dent Durant, in August. 1870. Ater the reSg-
nation OF President Gilman, In March, 1875, he
was again appointed Acting President, and on
the first OF June, 1876, was elected full PIesi-
dent
His early contributions to science, from 1912
u 1896 were IN tile medical DEPARTMENT. after
1886 they chiefly related TO the physical sell
ences. Among his more Important papers re-
laGing to medical topics are; ION Mechanism
of Vomiting (lS42); Extraordinary Effects OF
a Stroke Of Lightning" QS44i Experiments
Illustrating the Seat OF VOhnon In the Alligator,
With STRUCTURES on The Reflex Theory QS45);
observations Oh GeOphaey" QS45); Statistical
Researches on Cancer" Q846l; Tile Philosophy
of Medicine" an address QS49)
Among his principal contributions to physical
| science may be enumerated: Q) Observations
| on the Emulation OF Ice from the Stems OF Vege-
| tables, and the Protrusion of Icy Columns Il ON
Earth $3.50; (2) " Observations on tile FreeZ-
| Ing Of Vegt tables, and tile Causes Which Enable
Plants 10 Endure the Action OF Extreme Cold"
| (1S5Di ~ Influence Of the Study Of the Phys.
cal sciences on the Imaginative Faculties" an
address GSb71. IA - HPspArchHs tlapad
| Influence OF Solar Light on the Process OF Com
bustiOn" 1S57); (5) :" On the Influence OF Musi-
cal Sounds on the Flame or a Jet Of Coal Gas 3"
| 1858; (6) " On The Optical Phenomena Pre-
sented by the Silver Spring in Marion County,
| Florida" lS60); a ION the Adequacy of La
places Explanation 10 Account for tie DiscreD-
aney Between the Computed and the Observed
Velocity OF Sound in Air and Ga-es" US64); 49,
" Lightning Velocity OF MeteOric Stones Reach
ing Tie Surface of the Earth" QS71); (9) Vital
| Statistics, Illustrated by tie Laws OF Mortality
from Cancer" QS72); QO) Heat Generated by
Meteoric Stones in IraveTsiug the AtmOsuhere'
| Q872); I'D The Nebular Hypothesis" lee
ture QS73).
de likewise contributed articles on Physical
Geography" on The Mechanical Agencies Of
Heal" on he q" Physics OF Meteor olOgy," on the
Stellar Universe" and subsequent works,
which being more in The nature Of reviews than
original contributions 10 scientific knowledge,
need not be especially noticed. De was mem
Der of the American Philosophical Society OF
Philadelphia a corresponding member OF the
Academy OF Natural ScltnceS, Philadelphia, OF
the New York Academy OF Sciences and other
organizations. He has recently filled the cnair
Of Professor Of Physics connected with The Uni
Versiiy oil California.