The Newtown bee., 1906-07-13
Rev Henry Upson. HIS LIFE WORK
 REVIEWED.. A Sturdy Ancestry. HIS FAMOUS SCHOOL AND ITS GOOD WORK.
\ Sturdy Ancestry.


 one: ''The only way to keep the wa ter out is to keep the whiskey in" " The chaplain hailed every passerby with, "Halt! Who goes there? Ad- vance, friend, and give the Counter sign:' and then imparted spirituous comfort,'
 Col Birge offered Chaplain Upson the colonelcy of a colored regiment. He would have had accepted it, but he had promised to take up the work with New Preston church.
 MT Upson's work in the Village church extended from September, 1863, to November, 1872. He then went on to the Hill and served t he church there for five years. MIR UPsoN's FIRST EXPERIENCE AS A
 TEACHER
 was while he was pastor of the New Preston church and had but small salary. Like many another country parSOn of the Olden time he began by giving instruction in the classics to some of the young people in his parish. By advice of President Porter of Yale College, who had ever been friendly to MT Upson, and off1ciated at the marriage of MT and Mrs Upson, and who was so we'll acquainted with the character of the country parson that he was confident he would discipline and instruct a wayward youth. J. Donald Cameron, once United States Senator from Pennsylvania, was induced to place a ward of his with MT UpsOn and the lad remained with this teacher four years The matter was complete surprise to MT UpSOn. The first inti. nation he had was the arrival at his home of MT Cameron, who inquired for the pastor. The latter was asked what his terms would annually be to take the boy, and being then a coun- try minister on moderate salary, MT Upson suggested what he thought was fair sum. MT Cameron would not and unconsciousneSs of merit, and said that the amount should be three times as large. Subsequently MT Cameron placed another ward, Si- mon B. Cameron, who remained eight years. These lads were joined in their studies by son of Rear Admiral Footc of Fort Donaldson fame, also by a son of Major General Birge of Nor wich. During these early years of the Seminary life some brilliant students from Japan were there. Worthy of especial mention is Shiro Akabane, who fitted for the Sheffield scientific school of Yale, and whose career since has been phenomenal. After leaving the scientific school he returned to Japan and taught a year in the uni versity of Tokio, then went as Secre- tary of Legation to Germany, thence to the State Department of the Mika- de's government and thence to repre- sent Japan at the coronation of the Czar, thence to the First Secretary ship of the Japanese Legation at Wash ington, D. 0. He spoke English, French and German fluently. Hon George A. Helme of Helmetta, N. J., one of New Jerseys most successful business men, was educated at this school.
 About this time another student, Richard s. Trumbull, arrived from Chili, South America, who also gradu- ated at the scientific school and tried Secretary of the Chiiian Legation at Washington. At about this period there was also from Cologne, Germany, student of exceptionally bright mind and geniality of disposition, in- troduceG by Hon Robbins Bat tell of Norfolk. He came simply to learn English. So students kept coming from near and from far, in most cases from families of promin- ence and wealth from all parts of the country. Dr T. L. Cuyler's son of Brooklyn was at the Seminary for a ferson, alias Rip Van Wrinkle, was connected with the school for two years. But while the number at any time was not more than 15 the list of students who have attended the semi- nary includes many from the States and from Porto Rico, Buenos AyreS. India, etc., besides those from the places mentioned above. It is doubt full whether any other school of it's size ever had such a large percentage of patronage from wealthy and distin- guished families.
 AMONG HIS ASSISTANT TEACHERS have been Dr Elbridge Pierce of Meri- den, B. J. Esselstyn of New York, E. Hamilton college, Clinton, A. s. Gal lup, now a successful teacher, John Beadle, E. w. Sellew, G. w. Airing ton and J. w. Hood of Boston, Mass. His decision to close the school, last fall, was due solely to his failing health and also to release Mrs Upson of care. It is probable the very desirable and attractive property will soon pass into other hands, as MT. .Upson has placed it on the market.
 MT UpSon's service to his town has been of public spirited nature. For a long term of years he has served on the school board and it is pleasant to note his last years are being coupled with efforts to secure better public school facilities for the people of the New Preston community. Mir Upson served one term in the Legislature of 1997-98. He was chairman of the con- mittee on education, and was valu- able member of that body.
 Since MT Upson laid down his call ing in the pastorate in 1878 he has kept up his active work in the pulpit, supplying for ministers disabled by ill., ness and has helped out pastorless churches when called on. He has given freely of his time in miniStering
 at funerals throughout the region and tance was called for, when his health
 permitted. He was delegate from the Litchfeld South consolation to the National council at a COngrega- | tiOnal church at Portland, Me. an hon.
 or to be sought after.
 ALL THE GREAT FUNCTIONS OF THH OLD SOLDIERS
 has had MT Upson's presence. On COnnecticut'S great field day MT Up-
 son was an aide on the chief marshall's
 staff. On Buckingham day in Hart ford MT Upson again served with cred
 it on the chief marshall's staff. On | the occasion of the notable encamp
 ment in Charter Oak Park MT Upsor
 served as chaplain on the staff of Col
 Berge, in command of the encamp
 ment. For years he has attended the
 great functions of the Army and Navy club at the Pequot house, New Lon don. Included in his G. A. R. honors