Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-19

rotary of the executive committee of the
United States on the Industrial exhibition
in London. 1851. and had charge of bust
ness relative to exhibits made by Ameri-
cans in this first great worlds fair.
Plans Y. M. C. A. Work.
In 1852 Mr. Rhees and two of his
friends planned the organization of a Y.
NJ. c. A. in this city. and through the
thusiastic and untring efforts of these
three young men the present association
resulted. The first meeting was held in
Mr. Rhees' room. He was the first secre-
tary of the association. then librarian, vice
president and in 1856 was unanimously
elected president.
In 1873 Mr.. Rhees was appointed chief
clerk of the Smithsonian Institution and
private secretary to Prof Joseph Henry,
which position he held until the latter's
death. in 1873. He had charge of the
financing. the editing and distribution Of
the Smithsonian publications. and the de-
tails of executive business.
He continued chief clerk under Prof.
Baird. and under a special act of Congress
and appointment by Chief Justice Waite
was acting secretary of the institution when
Prof. Baird was absent. Since 1880 he had
been in charge of the archives and dOcu-
ments of the institution.
For eight years Mr.. Rhees was a trustee
of public schools of the District of Column
bia. holding many important chairman
and an epitome of the laws of the District
relative to education.
AS teacher and superintendent of Sunday
schools of both church and mission he was
an earnest worker. thorough organizer and
liberal supporter. From 1856 to 1850 he was
actively engaged in Sunday school work In
the Baptist Church. Since 1866 he had been
identified with the Presbyterian Church. be-
ing a member of the Church of the Cow
enant since its organization.
Mr.. Rhees was always a decided temper
ance man. one of the founders of Metro
politan Division. Sons of Temperance the
first composed wholly of government
clerks The was grand worthy patriarch Of
the ORDER, and established Cadets of Tenn
perance'' and Bands of Hope" He was
an active member Of the Masonic fraternity.
master of Lebanon Lodge. member of the
Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia
and recorder of Washington Comma ndery,
knights Templar. for several years.
Member of Patriotic Body.
He was a charter member of the District
OF Columbia Society. Sons of the American
Revolution. its registrar for nine years and
vice president In 1900: charter member Of
the AnthropolCgical SOcietyof Washington, a
member of the District of Columbia Library
Association. the Columbia Historical So
cicty, the Pennsylvania Historical Society
and the National Geographic Society.
For many years Mr.. Rhees was a CORE
spondent on special topics for various news
papers. among them the New York Trib-
unc. Boston Waterman. New York Exam
liner. Philadelphia Masonic Mirror and local
papers.
In recent years Mr.. Rhees' health had not
permitted as active work as formerly. and
only last Monday he returned from a trim
TO the south which he took to regain his
strength.
His life was mainly devoted to the pro-
motion of religion. education and philan-
thropy. and through his true Christian char
acter and loving disposition no ones posi-
ton was so iowly that he had not helm and
sympathy from Mr.. Rhees.
His wife and son. Mr.. B. Rush Rhees
ana three daughters. Mrs. Joseph L. Burket
of Linden. Md: Mrs b. O. JoxIev os
Mount Airy. Philadelphia and Miss Flora
c. Rhees Of this city survive him