The Washington herald., 1911-04-03
WILSON REUNION
HALTED BY DEATH
Continued from Page One.

started practice. For two years prior
to 1858 Mr.. Wilson conducted private
school in addition to his studies.
After practicing law here for about a
year, Mr.. Wilson entered the govern
ment service. accepting q position in the
Treasury Department, retaining it until
1869, when he was appointed superin-
tendent of schools in Washington. Dur
ing his term here. which expired in 1885,
Mr. Wilson revised the system of schools
III this city to the plan in force now. He
changed the old system Of four branches
into one body, governed by the school
board. He also classified the schools,
arranging the present grade system. In
Gustrial drawing in the schools was in
augurated by him and normal schools
were established. Mr.. Wilson provided
military training for the Industrial Home
School, also introducing manual training
and domestic science.
Mr.. Wilson received special recognition
from the President of the French repub-
lie for an exhibition OF work of the
District schools.
Since his retirement from the school
board Mr.. Wilson has actively interested
himself in affairs pertaining to educa-
Uon. and has watched the development
by him. He has been honored by all
with a knowledge of the great work done
in fathering the school system.
Named for Wilson.
In partial recognition of his services,
the new normal school. in process of
erection at Eleventh and Harvard streets.
was to be named for the aged educator.
The school board wished Mr. Wilson to
receive recognition during his life, and
not have the building named merely as Il
tribute to his memory. Fortunately. he
lived to hear of the plan. although it was
expected that he would be present at the
dedication.
For many years Mr.. Wilson was presi-
dent of the board of trustees of Garfield
Hospital. He was also on the board of
trustees of the Reform School
Rev. DR.. Wallace Radcliffe. pastor of
the New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church. in commenting on the death,
said: Il learned of Mr. Wilson's death
with great regret. lie was an earnest
Christian, and interested himself in all
matters pertaining to the welfare of the
church. as we'll as of educational mat
ters. He was a trustee of this church
until forced to resign. owing to his in
firmities, and had endeared himself to
a
His work in the public schools cannot be
to know the new normal school is to be
named after him in partial recognition of
his services"
THE news OF the death WAS a great
sorrow TO me-" said A T. Stuart, super
intendent of schools. In my experience
in the public schools | have been asso-
ciated with Mr. Wilson. and was super
s.-s.. 1.
HIS work has never been properly appre-
ciated. The present efficiency of the
school system shows in full the work
planned and executed by him. Flowers
were to be presented to Mr.. Wilson yes
terday from the older teachers in the
city of whom l am one, as a token of the
regard in which he was held
Rendered Great Service.
H B. +. Macfarland said: "Mr Wilson
rendered great service to the District of
Columbia as superintendent OF schools.
and 1t is a great pity he did not live TO
take part in the dedication of the new
normal school which is to bear his name.
His interest in normal schools made II
especially appropriate that it should bear
his name. His death comes at the end
of a long and honorable career. which
he met like ripe shock of wheat, ready
for the garner"
Capt. James F.. Oyster. president of the
board of education, said Mr.. Wilson was
one of the most successful superinten-
dents the Washington schools had ever
had
His death win be much regretted by
every one he said. "One recognition
OF his service is the fact that he was
the only living man after whom a school
was to be named"
While Mr.. Wilson was not known to
me personally. l regret very much the
news of his untimely death. His work as
one of the foremost educators of his time
is. of course. known to me. along with his
work in other branches of life said
Harry o. Hine, secretary of the school
board.
Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey said last
night: Realizing Mr.. Wilson's value to
the educational world, it is with great re-
gret that hear of his death. 1t is most
unfortunate he should have been taken
away on the eve of his birthday, when he
was to be honored by his associates in
educational circles"
Z. II. Daniel said: MY first recollection
of Mr.. Wilson was in the first grade,
when he was superintendent 1 grew to
admire him for his work in the schools,
and since learned to admire him as a
man. His death means great loss to
the community"
Mr.. Wilson is survived by three daugh-
tiers, Miss Clara Wilson. Miss Annie Will
son, and Mrs. Eleanor Wilson. and two
grandchildren, daughters of Mrs. Wilson;
William Lyme and Mary Wilson.
Funeral services will be held Wednes-
day, probably from the New York Ave
rue Church, Rev. DR.. Radcliffe officiat-
ing. Interment will be in Oak Hill Gem
etery, where Mr.. Wilson will be buried
beside his wife who died five years ago.