Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-02-09
DIED AT HIS WORK.
DR.. Tanner, President OF the H.
Iinois College.
AN EMMETT EDUCATOR AT REST

The Career of Man Who Found Place
at the Top-Left an Orphan At Years
of Age He Ends Ills Life rs Presid emit of
of His Alma Mater-Suceessfmi rs stu
dent and Professor He Succumbs 60 the
Work that Success Exacted. u
JACKSONVILLE, Ills, Feb Or Edward
A. Tanner, who for ten years so ably flied
the presidential chair at Illinois COLLEGE,
| died at his home at 7:45 yesterday morning
| after lingering Illness, the result OF
| complication of diseases His death. which
will be mourned by many here and else
where occas!oned no surprise to the people
OF this city, rs it had been for some time
foreshadowed. The fact is that mis- death
was the result Of Il nervous disorC y
brought On by ouerwork lie was greatly
distinguished for his learning and e!o-
queuce, while his executive ability was ~
| markably demonstrated by his mIaa-'-
ment Of the affairs of the Institution VITA
which he was connected
OF sturdy New England Stoci
The sturdy old New England stock pro-
duced Edward Allan Tanner HI, parents.
Joseph 4 and Ora ). Tanner. clne TO
Illinois over three score wears ago. ard
were among the first settlers OF Naverlv
Ill. Deacon Tanner had the First Cuu.sr,--
gational church Of Waverly organized at
his house, and during hi, useful life was
one of the main supports Of it. The late
president was born Nov. 20, 1881. be:n- the
first child born in Waverly He was left
an orphan a the tender age OF sin He
worked on farm till he arrived At the age
of thirteen
Strikes out for Himself.
He left his native town and came to
Jacksonville. the seat Of his future labors
and even at that early day noted for its ed
vocational advantages II had the oldest
college in the state and possessed the best
of public schools The aspirin, Young
student was fortunate enough to gain
place to work for his board while pursu-
ing his studies. Here he spent the time of
preparation and the four years of the col
lege COURSE. The orphan boy now seemed
10 have fortune in his favor, for success
attended all his efforts in college.
Took Second EOnors at College.
He became known throughout the col
lege Is one OF the strongest men. Digii-
fled and reserved, he obtained the reputa-
ton Of being cultured and polished man.
At this time also he was noticed for his
gifts as a speaker and writer. Graduating
in 1851 in 4 class which for ability, has
never been surpassed in Illinois COLLEGE
he took second honocs. After graduation
he taught for year on what i known ts
Mud Prairie, near Franklin.
Called to His Alma Natar.
After teaching at Waverly, in 1861 he
went to the chair Of Latin in Oregon uni
versity, Forest Grove Ore. but before
leaving married Miss Marian l.. Brown.
He met with great success in Oregon. and
stayed there four years. In 1855 he was
recalled to the professorship Of Latin at
his alma mater, For sixteen years he held
this position with marked success. lie
was pulpit oratos Of brilliant power and
from 1882 he held the office OF chaplain for
the Central hospital for the insane.
Reached the College Presidency.
During the year Of lSsl-S2 he undertook
the task of lifting the college from its
financial straits and met with unexpected
success. 1t naturally followed that whom
the presidenC.- OF the college fell vacant IN
1SS2 that Professor Tanner should be elect
ed to fill The place The wisdom of she
trustees in 20 doing was amply cXcmpl-
fed. Three sens and three daughters were
the result Of his marriage. all bat one
still living,