The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1891-06-11
D. 3. PURlNTON, II. D. !.
Musician Poet Author Sue
cessful Teacher and Profess
College President.
4 SKETCH Of OUR HoNoRED ALuMNUs

4 SKETCH Of OUR HoNORED ALUMNUs.
In no one of her Alumni does the i
West Virginia University take great
er pride than in the man whose name
appears at the head Of this column.
This il eminently proper, for there
is no one of her sons whose career
has reflected greater honor upon his
Alma Mater.
DR.. Purinton is the son Of Rev. !.
NJ. Purinton, D. d., q native Of Mas
sachusetts and . descendent Of John
Alden. He was born Feb. l5, 1850,
in Preston county, Virginia, and,
therefore, may be said tosbe q native
West Virginian. Having for a time.
attended Pennsylvania schools, he.
taught there for . few years, meeting
with remarkable success for one so
young. Coming, then, to the West
Virginia University he enrolled
among her students and at once en-
tered npon a career TO which the
history of but few institutions can
present a parallel.
AS q student, We have never had
his superior. With a remarkable
memory, strong reasoning powers,
quick perceptive faculties, and untir-.
ing industry, he derived every posi-
BILE advantage from his college course.
Graduating at the age Of % in the
class Of 1873, he came forth; q strong,
alert, well7balaneed man ready and
willing to- battle with the world. HI
Fortunately, his merits received
proper recognition at the hands Of
the University authorities, and the
next year after graduation found
him holding a tutorship in the Pre-
paratory Department. So satisfac-
tory and thorough was his work
i that he was afterwards elected Pro
lessor Of Logic, which position was
filled in an eminently.. satisfactory
manner for five years. Again, bis
Efaithful work and successful teach.
ing secured promotion and, for the
I four years subsequent to 1880, he
gained new laurels in the chair 81
Mathematics. 'a@4. .ts#
From March, 1881sto June 1882
after the resignation Of President
Thompson and previous to the cleo
ton Of President Wilson-Dr. Pur.
inton was the Vice-President and
acting President of the University
Seldom has it occurred that man
has been called to preside over the
destinies Of his Alma Mater within
eight years after graduation. The
prosperity Of the University during
this period, when the attendance
reached the highest point yet at.
tanned, was the best possible tribute
the State could pay to her young
college president His genial man,
ners and executive ability made his
administration a marked success.
About 1884, he was elected to the
g chair of etaphysics, holding this
position together with that of Vice.
President, during the remainder 81
I his connection with the University
In this position his best work was
accomplished. OF its high charac.
ter no one need speak, here within
the shadow of his Alma Mater. I
In 1887, Denison University con,
ferred upon him the title Of Ii. d,
During the year 1889 80 he resign.
ed his chair and accepted the presi-
sdency of Denison University, Gran
vile, Ohio, to which position he had
been unanimously elected. He had
grown from boyhood to mature man
hood within the walls of our Uni
gversity, and it was with many regrets
that the faculty, students and people
Of Morgantown saw him depart.
July 5, 1876, D. B. Purinton and
Miss Florence A. Lyon, daughter of
Prof F. s. Lyon, were married. OF
their four children, three are still
living. Prof and Mrs Purinton
were always pleasant and sociable in
their home, and their elegant re-
ceptions will never be forgotten by
those who we're fortunate enough rs
attend them. The writer remembers
well the mingled pleasure and sad
ness Of the last reception given BY
them TO the classes in Metaphysics
a feature Of the eveningwas the pre-.
sentation TO the host and hostess of