The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-04-29
Norrp EpuoAroR NEAD.
Rev. IL. G. Northrop Passes Away mt His
Home In Clinton,

morning at the home of his ~on-in-law
in Clinton. Mr.. Northrop mad been Ill
for several weeks and hia death re-
suited from heart failure. He began
his life work as a Congreg .tional cler-
gyman, and lived for a time in Massa-
chusetts, where he was active in educa-
tional matters. About thirty years ago
he became a secretary of til Connect
cut board of education, AMI, with the
aid of Governors English Ind Jewell,
died effective work in reforming by
legislation and otherwise the public
school system of this state, which,
partly under the influence ~ the state
school fund, had fallen to ), low con-
dition. He served fifteen years as head
of the board of education. He took
also an active part i'll the building up
| Of village improvement societies, lectur-
ing on the subject in this state and in
other parts Of the country, and was the
father of the movement il, southern
New England. After retire nent from
office he interested himself in the re-
IuTU Ol Lie OtpctllSSC lIluCI4 !llly Luiloy
and on subsequent visit to Japan his
| work was recognized officially in that
| country.
1t was through Mr.. No11 PROPS in
| fluence that the late Daniel Hand of
| Guilford was induced to make the gift
| of a million and a quarter dollars to
| the American Missionary association
| for the education of the southern freed
men, Mr.. Hand had intended to leave
| a large amount to Hampton Institute,
but on receiving a large surl from his
southern partner, changed tis plan at
Mr.. Northrop's suggestion, and made
| the greater gift.
| He was widely known as the Father
of Village Improvement Societies" and
the originator OF "Arbor Day in
! Schools A detailed sketch of his life
and work is as follows: He was born
! in Kent, Litchfield county, Conn, July
| 49, 1911. Early fred with a. desire to
initiate his grandfather, Al los Nor
throp, who was graduated frt n Yale in
| 1862, after some opposition On his ia
| theirs part, he began his preparation
for Yale at Ellington (Co,anecticuD
| school and was graduated from college
in 1S41, and four years later from the
Yale Theological seminary. For ten
years he was pastor of the ttongrega-
tional church at Saxonvin9, Mass
From 1857 to the close of 1858 he was
agent of the Massachusetts, board of
education, and in January, 1857 he en-
tered upon his duties as secretary Of
the board of education of Connecticut,
and continued in that position until
January 1, 1888.
He was one of the board Of visitors
| at West Point Military Academy in
| 1854, and delivered the comm ancement
| Grafton there in 1864. He was president
| of the American Institute of Instruc-
| ton, 1876; of the National Association
! of School Superintendents 1865; and of
| the National Educational association,
| 1878. In 1872 Williams college honored
| him with the degree of LII. d.
I The same year he was invited by the
| Japanese embassy to go to Japan for
the purpose of inaugurating system of
| public education in that empire, but de-
| clined, thinking that he could do bet
| ter service for Japan by remaining
here. His successful efforts in procur-
| ing the return of the famous S3himon-
| oseki indemnity proved the wisdom of
this decision.
DR.. Northrop's connection with Japan
forms an episode honorable alike to
both parties. Speaking of his visit to
Japan in 1895, the New York Evangelist
says:
1T will be remembered that DR..
Northrop acted as guardian of rhe first
Japanese girls who came to br trained
in American schools, and hi recent
| visit to these matronS of the new Japan
has been a discovery of the fa.-reach-
ing influence of that beginning of a So
ciaI reformation of which only yet 9TH
err years will show. From thu begin
ming Of his service to Japan in securing
the indemnity from the United States
DR.. Northrop has been recognized as
national benefactor, and he has happily
| fulfilled his office by constant ard kind
ly regard for her interests, evil and
religious"
In recognition of his unselfsh and
unsparing efforts in her behalf he jap
anese government presented h IN with
a handsome set of china, and on the
occasion Of his visit received him as
the guest of the nation. July 8, 1871
the sum of thirteen hundred, dollars
was presented to him by the fri ends OF
education to defrayi The expenses of a
trip to Europe.
Again in 1877 he wished Euro re Off
cially to examine the schools of for
estry and forest plantations and the in
dustrial schools of Europe, and report
thereon for the benefit of the schools
and people of Connecticut, AM espe-
cially to encourage the reclamation OF
waste lands by the propagation OF
trees For years he gave particular
attention to the sanitary and a. sthetic
Improvement of towns and homes, Wis
iting over forty states and territories
and aiding in organizing hundreds OF
village improvement societies. His eff
forts in this direction will perhal most
entitle him to be held in CRATE Jul re.
membrance by his countrymen
He found time in his busy life tt
write number of valuable and timely
books and pamphlets. He lfcturec
widely over the country on the iyceun
platform in normal schools, acad emies
colleges and educational conve 1tions
including a course of twelve le ctures
before the Lowell Institute of l3ostor
..r----.
'DEnTEH0