The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-30

birds and trees began. While yet 4
boy Urampins the woods about Wayne
county he learned 10 know the birds
and animals which he has never for
gotten. Many time in his classes
he will relate personal experience
when a boy that illustrates his theories
about nature. Some of his fondest
-ecollect;ons are of his boyhood days
on his fathers farm. This is one OF
the valuable parts of his courses in
biology. where the students get the
benefit Of his keen personal observa-
tons.
At Friends Academy.
| DR.. Dennis was born Apr! s. 1Si9.
His education was confined when Il
boy to the meagre district schools, He
attended Spiceland academy the
| Friends Academy in Indiana one term
Later he attended Earlham and grad
mated in 1878 with one OF the memo-a-
| Bile classes. William y. Trueblood,
professor of English at Earlham and
William ". Birdsall, former superin
!
delphia were members OF the same
class.
After his graduation from E,arlham
| he became governor OF the college and
| held that position until 1875. when he
became a teacher of science at the
Richmond High School. This place he
filled until 1879, when he became pres
ident OF Wilmington college, Viii
mington. Ohio. In 1861 his health was
| failing and he retired from the pres
idency.
He removed to this city and lived
here in retirement for about a year
when ne became principal of Bloom
indale academy in the western part of
the state.
II was in the year 1884 that his act
i've connection with Earlham college.
as a professor, began. He was instruc-
tor in science at first and then drop
ped the departments of geology, ply.
sizes and chemistry. He still has
charge Of the department of biology
Pounds One Department.
He is the founder of the depart
ments of zoology and biology at Earl
ham, and it is now one of the biggest
departments at the college. Hardly
a student graduates from the institu-
ton that has not taken course un-
der DR.. Dennis.
The years 1SS9-1S9O he was granted
Il leave of absence and attended the
universities of Bonn, Gottingen and
Ednburg in Europe. He was accom-
ia I,-N Il ~,
some time travelling in Germany and
Italy.
Since becoming a professor at Earl
ham he has been actively engaged in
the science work of Indiana. He is a
charter member Of the Indiana Acad-
envy of Science and served the acad-
envy as president for several years.
| DIR. Dennis is also fellow of the AM
erican Association for advancement
of science and member of the AM
erican ornithological union.
David w. Dennis. A. B.. A. M, Phi. D.
Prof Dennis has three degrees.
The degrees of bachelor of arts and
master Of arts We're given him by his
alma mater in 1873 and 1879, respect
lively. In 1884 Syracuse university
gave him the honorary degree of doc.
tor Of philosophy.
Professor Dennis is one of the most
popular professors at Earlham. Last
year when the present senior class is
sued the "Sargasso" the book was
dedicated to him. His chapel talks
too. are of the most interesting given
at the daily exercises at the college
He talks on all subjects from a dis.
cussion Of the ideas of poems to the
mechanism of the aeroplane.
Watched Wrishts.
When Wilbur and Orvile Wright
the world famous aviators. were man.
ufacturing bicycles in Dayton Dr.
Dennis became interested in their
work. Since then he has been watch
ing their experiments in science and
has been especially interested in the
development of the aeroplane. When
DR.. and Mrs. Dennis We're married he
became personally acquainted with
them. Mrs. Dennis being a cousin of
the Wright boys. Since then he has
enjoyed the confidence of the famous
aviators and during their test flights
at Washington last summer he was
admitted to the private grounds. This
privilege was accorded to but few
government officials. Here he was
able to secure some excellent photo
graphs of the aercplane. In his labor,
atory at Earlham he has one of the
parts of the famous machine which
was given him by the former Rich.
mOnd men.
His Sor Prominent Man.
DIR. Dennis has one son who is one
of the greatest constitutional and in.
ternational lawyers in the country
He is now assistant solicitor in the
department. of state at Washington
under Secretary Knox. He has been
honored by Presidents Roosevelt and
| Taft with important government mis-,
sions. He is also a graduate of Earl
ham. hut completed his course at Har.
ward ,7rivarS;ty