The Owosso times., 1900-08-03
RIDPATH is DEAD.
Eminent American Historian Passe.
Away I'm New York.

Eminent American Historian Passes
Away I'm New York.
New York, Aug. John Clark Rid
path, the eminent American historian,
who has been a patient in the Presby-
terlan hospital here since April 20 last.
Is dead. Death was due to compli-
cation of diseases. At the time of Mr..
Ridpath's death his wire and son were
at the bedside.
Mr.. Ridpath's illness dated from the
early part of last spring. He was
stricken with a very severe form of
throat trouble In April. and that was
followed by an attack Of kidney trou-
BILE. 1t was feared that he was dying
at that time, and his brother, Profes-
sor Ridpath Of Spokane, Wash, and
other relatives hastened to New York
to be at his bedside. Several times
subsequently Mr.. Ridpath had sinking
spells, but regained more or less
strength.
historian, was born In Putnam coun-
ty, Ind, in April, 1S41. There was not
at that time a wagon road within
three miles Of the log cabin In which
he was born. His parents were from
Christianburg, Va. His mother was a
descendant Of Samuel Matthews, one
Of the colonial governors of Virginia.
He was graduated from Asbury
(now Depauw) university In 1853, TAX
ing first honors. After serving as prin-
cipal of an academy at ThorntOwn,
Ind, and as superintendent Of public
schools at Lawrenceburg, he was
called, in 1869, to the chair Of English
literature at Depauw. His career as a
professor In the university was distin-
guished. He was transferred later
to the chair of history and political
philosophy. He became conspicuous
figure in the college world. He distin-
guished himself by his ability to think
clearly, speak fiuently and write mas
terfully.
In 1875 he published his first book,
an Academic History Of the United
States" 1t was an immediate success.
It still holds its place as text book in
many schools. In 1876 he published
his Popular History of the United
States" large octave volume, Of
which more than 100000 copies have
been sold. 1t has been published also
In German. He wrote the Life and
Work Of Garfield" of which $1,000
copies were sold. His Encyclopaedia Of
Universal History" was published in
1885 In four octave volumes. 1t is a
monument to the authors power Of
generalization and to the breadth and
accuracy Of his historical vision. More
than 10000 sets of this history have
been sold.
In 1885 he resigned his professorship
in Depauw, and the vice presidency Of
the university, in order that he might
devote his whole time to the profession
of authorship. In 1893 he published
his Life and Work of James G.
Blaine" in 1894 his most comprehen-
sive and philosophical work entitled
"Great Races of Mankind" in four vol
umes. He was engaged for ten years
in preparing the material and four years
In writing this work. In 1898 he pub
lished his Life and Times of Glad"
stone" and supplement to the His
tory of All Nations" for Webster's Die
tionary. He was for a time editor of
The Arena magazine Of Boston. His
monographs are numerous.
In 1896 he consented unwilling to
run for congress on the Democratic
ticket in his home district in Indiana.
Though he ran ahead Of his ticket he
was defeated by small majority. In
recent years he had been engaged In
the preparation of a complete and elab-
crate history Of the United States.