The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-31
beloved TEACHER
IS DEAD, AGED So
PROFESSOR BENNETT PuRYEAR
WAS FOR THIRTY YEARS OF
RICHMOND COLLEGE.
END COMES AT HOME.
ONCE HELD POSITION DISCHARGE
ING DUTIES OF PRESIDENT OF
COLLEGE-LONG INTEREST
ING CAREER,
r.
END COMES AT HOME

The funeral of Prof Bennett Pur-
year, thirty years mem Der of the
Richmond college faculty, who died
yesterday morning at his home In
Madison county, will take place this
afternoon at 3:15 O'Clock at Grove
Avenue Baptist church. with DR.. W.
g. James, the pastor officiating In
terment will be in Hollywood ceme-
terry. The following will be the pail
3 bearers:
Active-W. A. Harris Conway
Sands. Hill Montague, Foster witt,
d. II. Rucker and G. r, Winston
Honorary--John Goddin, T. c. Will
iiams, John g. Purcell, Lieutenant
Governor Eilyson. Prof G. II. Win
! ston. r. E. Gaines, DIR. George Nc
4 Daniel, DR. c, II, Ryland. DIR. r w.
Boatwright, Judge George Christian.
Captain John Lamb, DR.. r. r.. Black
well, of Randolph Macon; Dr.. r. II.
Pitt. DIR. James Nelson, Dr. George
r. Steele.
Was Eighty-Eight Years Old.
Prof Puryear was born in Neck
lenburg county Va, July %. 1926,
and as boy attended an old field
school, walking miles to learn his let
tiers. AS n lad OF seventeen he en-
tered Randolph Macon college, grad
Mating four years later--in 1SAT--
with the highest honors of his class
During his entire college career nc
conducted himself in a manner that
won the admiration of his teachers
and the good will Of the entire stu
dent body, who loved him as
brother.
Leaving Randolph Macon. he az
cepted d position which was rendered
him In Monroe college, Alabama as
professor Of natural science After
teaching in Alabama for about two
z years he returned to Virginia. and
entered the University of Virginia A.
q graduate student, paving special at
tention to courses in science. Dur
ing the summer Of 1880 he was APP
pointed as tutor In Richmond college,
and the following year was elected
to the chair of natural sciences,
he remained in this position until
In 1852. when he resigned TO accept
a position at Randolph Macon college
as professor of chemistry and ph!los-
ophy.
In 1866 Richmond college again
called him to accept his former ppsl-
ton there. and when the Office Of
president Was done away with at
Richmond college he was elected by
the faculty as chairman ~ that inSti-
tuition. with practically the same du-
ties as were before performed bv me
president. Richmond college al fhts
time felt the need ef an additional
member of the faculty and the chair
Of science was divided into two parts.
chemistry and science the chair If
chemistry being assigned TO him.
Was Great Teacher.
Those who were students At the
time that this iilustrious man taught
at Richmond college realized tho
greatness OF the man when he fliled
any chair which was vacant through
sickness or other cause with the same
ability 10 handle his subject he IL
mathematics or Greek. as he displayed
In his class of chemistry
As lecturer. his style was clear
and pointed. aud often enlivened nv
sailies OF genial humor which on
deared him TO those whom he taught.
He was very much Interested in farm
6 ing, and II was during the time that
he was a professor At Richmond col
lege that he was elected as president
IF the Tuckahoe club. Il local organ
! ixation made UP OF farmers around
Richmond interested tn the science If
farming
Among the many subjects on which
he wrote was a paper on The Public
school in Its Relation 10 the Negro"
which attracted very wide attention.
His articles were everywhere talked
OF and called forth many able re-
pies his WFltlhss uTaef tfte non
de-piume OF Civis attracted such at
tenticn that George Down college. of
Kentucky. and Howard college, Of
Alabama, both conferred upon him
degree OF LII u. He is described by
those who knew him as u Christian
gentleman and n scholar.
He resigned his professarship Al
5 Richmond college In Sa4 and moved
to 4 farm. which he bought In Mad
ison county. where he had since lived
He was eminently successful as 4
farmer. proving In n practical way
the successful use OF science In farm
ing