The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-05
SUFF'ERINGs ENDED. j
Death Early To-day at Ames Of Dr.,
Beardshear.
WENT TO WAR WHEN "A MERE BOY
Touching Incident Of HIS College
Graduation--Hisl Career
- --t,, in Iowa.

EAmes. Iowa, Aug. 5. - DR.. William
n. Beardshear, president of the Iowa State
college at Ames, died early to-day as the
result of nervous prostration. with which
he was, overcome while attending the
meeting of the National Educational ass
sociation at Minneapolis a month ago. Dr..
Beardshear was president OF the assoeia-
tion. 4 -. II"
William M Beardshear, for twenty-one years
among the leaders in the educational work
Of this state, was born oct. 10, 1850, near
Dayton, Ohio, and commenced life on farm,
getting his early education IN the district
school. In 1864, when he was only IA years
OF age, but almost a man IN stature, he
enlisted in the army Of the Cumberland
When the war closed he entered Otterbein
university. .-...' '''','.t -. = s~-
One OF his old classmates, preaching at
Ames one Sunday morning., told the fol-
lowing story Of his graduation:
ut was graduation day at Otterbein and
the chapel whore the exercises were held
was filled with friends Of the university and
of the graduates. There was one special
prize given each year to the graduate whose
work and conduct in the university found
most favor in the sights of the faculty. The
president OF the university called UP Beard
shear, praised him and presented the prize
Scarcely raising MS eyes BeardBhear turned
and walked down from the platform, down
the aisle to where sat modestly dressed
widow, her eyes aglow with pride. He put
the prize in her lap, kissed her on the brow
and said: 1T is yours, dear mother; you
have won it rather than L. The widowed
mother had made many sacrifices that her son
might complete his college course"
After graduating from Ouerbein In 1876,
Beardshear devoted two years to post grad
"a NJ Val cfSrlw
losophy aud theology. =
Leaving Yale he engaged in ministerial
work In his native state; but this was not
destined to be his life work. for In 1881 be
accepted the presidency Of Western college,
Toledo, position which he held until 1889.
The great work at Western drew attention to
Breadshear and he was called to position
OF greater prominence when, in 1889, he
accepted the supefintendenoy OF the city
schools at Des Moines. The same thorough
ness, the same brilliancy before the pubic
and the same herculean labors which had
distinguished him at Western characterized
him at Des Moines and drew the attention OF
the board Of trustees of the college at Ames.
The college at Ames at this time was IN q
depIorable condition with scarcely 300 stu
dents. It's faculty was torn by dissensions
in which the students Joined and selfish poll
itics stihed the growth and work OF the
school. There were but two buildings OF
which a college might be proud, the main
building and the library, -:
Beardshear plunged into the work, of re-
organization and building up the college with
the strength of a Hercules and the zeal OF
Luther. He harmonzed the faculty and
unified its work. He entered actively into
every, detail of college work, seeing: every
thing, inspiring all, building up everywhere.
His executive ability, his scholarly attain
ments, his power as a man, were like q
rush of new life into the work and the growth
of the college. The students idolised him
Beardshear would have, liked ten years
more to complete his work. my life work
is at Ames,' he said ion one occasion, ANS
am only desirous Of building UP that In.
stitution and completing my work 50 that
may look back over it and be satisfied with
it," - -
President Bcardshear was we'll and widely
known to the teachers Of Iowa and the north
west. He was president OF the industria
department of the National Educational as
sociation, 1S92-sS president Of the Iowa stat'
Teachers association in 1894. and pfesiden
of the National Educational association ii
1901. He married Miss Josephine Nundhenk
and had two sons and three daughters.