The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-17
A NEWsBoF PREsID EyE
Head or the University OF West Viruinia solo
Papers In the streets.


" 'NN
From n ncwsboy selling his papers on tho cor.
ners OF ChicaFo's crowded downtown streets to
the Presidency of u State university, all within
twenty years, is a rapid rise in the world. Yet
such IL the progress OF John Hall Raymond, who
last week was called from n professionally OF
sociology in the University OF Wisconsin TO tho
head OF the University OF West Virginia. More
oycr. he Is the youngest President of a unlvcr.
sity In tho United States.
Tho way in which Mr.. Raymond wrung sue.
eoss from adverse circumstance is an interest.
ing story OF perseverance,. He was only . years
old when his parents moved TO Chicago. His
education was mGagre. being acquired at uncer.
tain intervals in the E%nglcwood public schools.
In his carly teens he sold newspapers on adown-
town corner. The average boy OF progressive
tendencies would look with satisfaction toward
"A commercial career, but Raymond had little
thought OF such a life. At 15 he WAS editor OF
philuteiy.a paper devoted to the interests of the
postage stamp collector. This journal circulated
throughout the United States, and even found
its way TO foreign countries.
Meanwhile Raymond put In his spare time
learning stcnosraphy. He driftod to Pullman.
and when only 10 had risen from Office boy to a
position which brought him 81 900 q year.
There Is reason to believe that, IL he had chosen
to continue in the line OF work laid out for him
at Pullman. a few years would have brought
him to a position assuring largo means and
great responsibility. But against the advice Of
his friends he threw up his prospects and went
TO Evanston, where in two summers and one
winter he completed all tho work usually In
! cludcd in q four years preparatory course, and
| passed with case the entrance examinations to
the College of Liberal Arts. All this time he
was earning his living by stenoGraphy. In ad.
dition to paying his own expenses and carrying
on his studies he supported his mother. He
| entered college in 1889. remaining until the
| winter of 1890.
While Raymond was In his sophomore year he
made the acquaintance OF Bishop NJ. Thoburn.
Episcopai Church in India. The Bishop was
writing u book on life IN India. and was SO taken
wit, with the yoHrS mnn that ssc- ne enSs FED him him, for o.
India by way OF the Suez Cana .touchinR at differ
ent points in Europe, and at every stopping place
aymon made the most OF his opportunities for
study. Here he was enjoying opportunities for
travel seldom granted to men OF his ago who are
pointed task with s%uficient energy to satisfy
the call OF duty to any less clamorous conscience,
and yet be was carrying on all the work of his
out 10 Eain. u4feauircd but desired knowledge
In India Mr.. Raymond devoted himself to San
and Japan in The winter Of iss3{, and took the
examinations with his college classes. One term
q his senior year remained: but hts work was g
nnce at classes. The spring term he passed az
travelling secretary for George II. Pullman, re
turning to Evanston in time to receive his
diploma and to participate in the Kirk ora
torical contest. 1t 10 curious that in this con,
test he was defeated by the young woman who
atterward became his wife. Miss Settio Hunt OF
Aurora, Ill. Miss Hunt was one of the brightes
OF the young women whose names form q list Of
alumnN highly creGitable to Northwestern Uni
versity. Her engagement to Raymond begAr
during their college course. and they were mar
riei in 1898, just before he accepted his call Y
the University Of Wisconsin.
After graduation Mr.. Raymond's rise wa
rapid. The frst year he served MS secretary o
the Society for University Extension in Chicago
and the following year became professor OF 20
liticnl economy At Lawrence University. Apple
ton. Wis. A course OF lectures delivered by hin
the attention OF President Harper of the Uni
Raymond as secretary and lecturer in the elias
study work OF the university extension depart
ment OF the Chicago institution. His abilit
as an organizer was here brought into play
In ono year no raised the number Of classe
from ten TO nifty. and in three months increase
the membership from 200 to oyer ] 900. He re
ccived the degree OF doctor OF philosophy fror
the University of Chicago In 1888. Before tina
be had been called by President Charles Ken
DAN Adams to tho PROFESSIONALLY Of sociology i
the University OF Wisconsin. a position whic
be has since filed with rare aoceptability.
His next step es the President of tho Unive,
sity OF West Virginia will demonstrate wha
can be accomplished by a young man of pus
and ambition opposed by the stubborn fact c
poverty.