The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1891-06-08
I. NJ. TURNER L. p.
The Career Of the West Vir-
pinia University Honored
president Briefly Told.
His Early Years, College Course,
Political Career, and Sue
cessful Management Of
the University

vast yiroinian and his father came
i clarksburg from old Virginia in
1as1 u The latter was 4 man Of well
trained intellect and strong charac-;
~ ma Was influential il both his
comfy and state, representing his
diStrict ID the Virginia Senate, from
1859 to 1866.
His mother having died 70 1o44'
the yonng boy was cared for by hls
rra1dfather,C Col. Marsh, and bis ear
II DAYS were pleasantly passed upon
liz latter's beautiful farm, IN the ING
healthful;active country life Ct those
early days commenced the develop
ment Of the strong, sturdy elements
Of character and mind which have '
marked his whole subsequent career.
Ii ID the school and college days
Of i man which most often decide
what he.will BE-. During this period
habits are formed and traits Of char
acter developed which determine
the destiny Of the individual. In the
life we are considering, the studious
disposition and patient application
ofthe boy, making his college career
pleasant and browning it with sue
cess and honor, were but prophetic
of what the man would sbe.
Some Of his earlier years were pass
ed in attending school in Culpeper
county, Virginia. Afterwards, ne
came to Morgantown and, On thelsite
of.our University, attended the ia
nous old Monongalia Academy,
which, under the management Of that
cultured educator, Rev. .. +. Moore,
was attracting students from many
states Having goneEto Princeton in
1865. be graduated with honor in
1868. being Observation-Disclosures Of his
class. The horough his work
and bis high standing AZ j student are
saaiciently evidenced 81 the fact
that, after a years rest and recuper-
alton, he was recalled to his Alma
Mater and offered a tutorship in
Greek This he accepted and held
for four years.
returning in 1873 to his native
State, he devoted his attention to
law and politics. His ability. prac-
tical way of5yiewing questions, and
undoubted integrity brought him
into prominence and, as is always
the case with men5of clear intellects
and strong convictions, made for
him both admiring friends and bitter
enemies. His career in the State
Senate, to which he was elected in
1876, was most honorable, his views.
and speeches always having great
weight with the thinking men Of
that body. In 1880, he retired from
the active practice Of his profession
to his Harrison county farm, where
his time was fully occupied in super-
intending the estate and in the con
genial employment Of studying lpolit-
ical and economic questions.
From this happy and quiet life he
was summoned in June, 1885 b. BE-
ing unanimously elected BY the
Board Of Regents President of the
West Virginia University. This
election was an entire surprise, no
effort having been made toward Sc
curing The position.
The last six years of his
life, II az head Of West vireinia's
leading educational institution, are
! part 0ffhe history OF the State,
familiar TO most Of her citizens; and
[ to this period but 4 brief reference
lis necessary.
It took q man Of courage to face
the situation which confronted him
X IL e 1880 *. 8 i.84 dI \
upon his advent. Political hate and
partisan bitterness had, blindly,
almost destroyed the University's
prestige, influence and attendance.
Eminently fitted BY his college
training and after life and studies
for the position, President Turner
entered upon his new duties with 4
zeal and earnestness which augured
success. AT institutes, at social
gatherings, and on the platform he
met the people Of West Virginia.
His strong. practical, sensible
speeches and addresses, and the con
fidence inspired BY acquaintance
Withthe character Of the new resi-
dent have been largely instrumental
I'll changing the attitude Of our
people towards the University and
in the consequent doubling Of the
atfnndanna TTn0ll the students than.
selves The beneficial effects Of bis
efficient management became quickly