Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-06-25
.oe,cuLTuRAL COLLEGE HEAD.
Chalmers, Pm. D., L.. D., Of
@IoIn nm, Elected by Board Of Re.
49, c,,~oeed Or. Heston.

ri n.
s.nts to Succeed Or. Heston.
r,a state board of regents Of educa
nave elected James Chalmers, Phi
III. d.. of Elgin, ILL.,, president OF
10 s,ate agricultural college at Brook
- succeed John w. Heston.
Ia 3, Chalmers has attained to emil
40 both in this country and In Eu.
80 as an educator and as clergy.
an He is Of Scotch descent and
80 10 horn in Canada In 1859, being a
,.Istiye Of the great DR.. Thomas Chal.
mars who left an impress upon Edin,
surgb greater than that Of any other
man except John Knox. Though of
canadian birth, his early life was
glargely passed in Michigan. where he
,ook an active part in educational
rork He is an author and editor of
numerous standard works in literature
and education, among which are edi-
iions of the English classics. He took
The degrees OF A. B. and Phi. ID. at
Eureka college, Illinois, passed to the
degree of M. A. with honors at ST. An
drews university, Scotland-the Ok
ford of that country-and received the
honorary degree of Ii. d. from West
ern Michigan college. Wheaton col
Iege of Illinois has since conferred
mon him the degree OF ID. ID.
Since receiving his doctors degree
IN 1889, DR.. Chalmers has for the most
part been engaged in educational work,
though at present he is pastor of the
First Congregational church of Elgin,
Ill.,, which enjoys the distinction of be-
Ing the largest Congregational church
IN point of membership in the United
States outside o. Brooklyn.
His Record at st. Andrews.
For FIVE years Dr.. Chalmers was al
the head Of the department of English
literature at the Ohio state university
ct Columbus. While at this institution
be became personally acquainted with
President Mckinley, with whom he
established close relations Of personal
friendship and esteem. For three
years he was president of the Wiscon-
sin state normal school at Pla.tyille.
He was also for two years fellow OF the
University of st. Andrews, Scotland,
an honor never before conferred upon
an American by any British univer-
sity. His record for scholarship at the
University of st. Andrews has been
equaled but twice in the history of
that venerable institution, now about
sos years old.
DR.. Chalmers has been four times
abroad for study, and his wife also was
educated in the best universities of
this country and Europe. 1t is said
the doctor Is fond of golf, a circum-
stance easily traceable to his Scotch
Irish parentage. He is rated as man
Of exceptionally good executive abil-
ty, having the happy faculty and good
sense OF accomplishing a great deal
without any blowing of trumpets.
When DR.. Chalmers went abroad
With his family in the spring of 1897
he left an educational position paying
$1,000 a year, and on returning two
Tears later, no educational field pre-
'enting itself, he accepted the pastor
tie of little church in Toledo, Ohio,
It salary OF $500. From small be-
inninss this church under his charge
crew to be the largest in that city.
The same phenomenal success has fol-
owed him in his work at Elgin, where
ne membership has more than dou-
led since he assumed charge, now
numbering upwards Of 1000 members.
Teaching His Choice.
Though eminently successful as
Minister. DR.. Chalmers has not been
preacher from choice, his ambition |
ather leading him into educational /
York. Even In the pulpit he is a
eacher rather than preacher, and to
is natural tact in keeping all his
ubordinates working together harmo-
iously, his success both as teacher
I'd a preacher is largely due, His
aiary at Elgin is $4,000 year, and 1t
lay be thought singular that he would /
I've up such place for a position at
he head Of an educational institution
aging only $4,000 year. True, 1t
III be a sacrifice financially, but Dr.
halmers is a man who does not est
ate life and it's work wholly by the
ollar-and-cent standard; besides, a
'liege or university presidency has
zen the ambition of his life, and there
re he does not feel that he Is making
sacrifice In this instance.
AS indicating somewhat the estima'
on ield for DIR. Chalmers by the Edin-
irg institution, the following YER
ltim copy of the communication noti-
Ing him Of honors conferred Is
ven:
University of st. Andrews, March
!, 189s.-Dear Sir: I beg to inform
II that the senatus academicus OF
lis university has unanimously re-
lived to confer upon you the post ana
LIE Of research fellow in English
erature and philosophy. This honor
IS very rarely been conferred upon
y one by the four universities OF
'otland. The honor Is as rare as II
high. I beg to congratulate you on
Inc - receive