Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-06

He was born near GAINESVILLE. Ohio. in June
1852, of distinguished ancestry, his family
on both sides having been identified with
the progress of the country from earliest
colonial times. He was educated at Wes-
leyan University, graduating with honor in
1874, and was admitted to the bar in 1879
In 1879 he came to Washington and accept
ed a position on the staff of DR.. G. Brown
GoOde the director of the National Mu-
scum. During the international fisheries
exposition in London in 1888 he served as
secretary and disbursing officer of the
American commission, and has since been
identified with other expositions, including
those of New Orleans, Cincinnati, Louis
vile, Minneapolis, the worlds fair and the
Atlanta cotton state exposition.
He was married in 1856 to the daughter
of Matthew G. Emery, who was the last
mayor of Washington, and in the following
year took up his residence in Emery place,
BrightWOod. and promptly identified him.
self with every movement looking to the
Improvement of that desirable suburb. He
is now, as he has been for several years,
the president of the Brightwood Avenue
Citizens Association, and the successful ac-
complishment of so many enterprises bene-
fetal to the section has been largely due
to his keen judgment and commanding in
fuence. He is the author OF many govern
ment reports of high standard, and, be-
sides. has written History Of the United
States Life Saving Service" The Settle
ment of the Great Northwest" Samuel s.
Cox and the Postal Service" biographies Of
DR.. G. Brown Goode and Matthew G. EN-
cry and The American Ancestry of Samuel
S. Cox"
His latest work, THE life Of Samuel
Sullivan Cox" who his uncle has re-
ceived universal praise, and is now in its
third edition. Mr.. Cox is a prominent
member of the Society of the Sons of the
American Revolution, and identified with
several literary and scientific organizations.
Secretary Van WyckIe.
The secretary, Mr.. William P Van
Wyckle. is another of Washington's enter
prising young business men who has at
tanned deservedly high place by reason Of
his own endeavors and an unremitting at
tention to the affairs intrusted to him. He
was born at Lyons, Wayne county, New
York. and after receiving an education
at the Palmyra clerical school and the
Troy Academy. entered In a humble
pacity the Brooklyn factory of Freeborn G.
Smith. manufacturer of the Bradbury
pianos. This was In 1876.
His fidelity and comprehension Of the
smallest details attracted Mr.. Smiths at
tention, and the young mans rise was
rapid. He was transferred from Brooklyn
to New York, and in 1879 was sent to this
city and placed in charge Of the branch
house here. which then occupied the build
ing next to The Evening Star office recent
ly demolished with the latter to make room
for the new building. Mr.. Van Wyckles
enterprise and his keen appreciation of the
benefits Of judicious advertising made the
business grow to such large proportions
that a new building was erected at No. 1929
pennsylvania avenue, where he is now
located. He is as popular he Is keen and
progressive and Is active in behalf of the
interests of his adopted city. He is chair
man of the committee on membership of
the boal of trade, through which the mem
bership has been increased 125 in the past
Six months.
Treasurer DabsOn.
The treasurer, Mr.. ]. w. Babson, is a ma
tive or Maine, being born at Brooksville
hancock county. and still owns the old
Babson homestead, where he spends some
time each year. He came to Washington in
1861, as private secretary to Vice President
HANNIBAL Hamlln, and in 1866 received an
appointment in the pension office chief of
the finance division and deputy commits
sioner of pensions. This position he re-
signed in 1867, and came into the patent
office. where he has since remained. Since
1913 he mas conducted the publication of the
Official Gazette, and since 1880 has also
been chief of the division of issue.
Mr.. Babson has always lived on Capitol
Hill and is thoroughly identified with that
section. He was one of the organizers of
the East Washington Citizens Associa-
ton twenty eight years ago and has been
one of its most valuable members ever
since, having served five terms presi-
dent from 1893 to 1898, when he voluntar-
lily retired.
Mr.. Babson possesses keen foresight and
discriminating judgment, and like most
men from his section of the country is
full of good ideas and the energy to carry
them out.