The Ordway new era., 1916-06-23
a public man; to devote his life to the
service rf his country

This determination cnme with q
thrill upon reading In mn English mag
nzine series Of articles on the British
parliament presenting In graphic Ian
gunge the dramatic scenes enacted In
the British legislature. He never for
got the picture. He hunted up every
thing In the library he could find bear
ing upon this subject and dev0ured 1t,
and from that day to this has never
wavered in his determination to play
an active part in the stirring scenes
on his country's political stage.
Mr.. Wilson began his preparation nt
once. He subordinated his regular col
lege work to the task of fitting him
self for public life.
lie devoted all his energy and every
faculty he possessed to the furnishing
of his mind to the end TINT he might
be an authority on government and the
history of government and be n leader
in the affairs of his country.
No man ever subjected himself to
stcrncr discipline or worked more
steadfastly toward fixed goal. He
first taught himself to write shorthand
in order that he might make rapid di-
gests of what he read and heard. He
| also practiced composition assduously.
and extempornneous speaking that he
might be skilled and ready in ofrhanI
| debate.
Graduated With Famous Class.
He graduated in the famous Prince
| ton class of 20. on whose roster were
many names destined to become more
or less famous. Among these was
| MahlOn G. Pitney. who later sat on the
| bench of the United States Supreme
| court.
When Mr.. Wilson left Princeton he
had come to the conclusion that the
most direct avenue into public life was
through the law. Accordingly, during
| the following year he entered the Uni
versity of Virginia, becoming versed in
| the rudiments of the law under the
teachings of DIR. John d. Minor
Almost at once he became n signifi-
cant figure at the Virginia university.
He won both the "Oratorcal" and
WRITING" prizes, and under the intlu-
ence of his ardent classmates of the
| South he took a more active interest
in college athletics than he had taken
at Princeton. although he was never
what might he called an enthusiast in
these matters.
After two years study at the Uni
versity of Virginia, Mr.. Wilson select
ed Atlanta as the field of initial prac-
tice at the bar. He Joined young
man named Renick, and the two went
to the Georgia capital and opened law
offices under the firm name of "Renick
& Wilson," Young Wilson soon dis
covered that he was sitting In at n
waiting game, and during the follow
ing year, 1888. he entered Johns Hop
kins university, studying history and
political economy under Herbert Il.
Adams and Richard Il. Ely.
Professor at Bryn Mawr.
His next field of activity was at
Bryn Mawr, the famous college, which
had just been opened. But as sort
of preparation for his Bryn Mawr pro-
fessOrship he journeyed to Savannah,
where he married Miss Ellen Louise
AxsOn, one of Savannahs fairest
daughters. She died at the White
House August 6, 1914. December s.
1915, Mr.. Wilson married Mt Washing
ton Mrs. Edith Boiling Calf of that
city.
The president has three daughters.
Miss Margaret Woodrow Wilson,
| Mrs. Frances BoweS Sayre and Mrs.
William Gibbs McAdOo.
Mr. Wilson remained at Bryn Mawr
three years teaching history and econ
omy. His work had won him an en-
viable reputation as college instruc-
tor, and his services We're next Sc
cured by Wesleyan university. at Mid
dletown. Conn. While at Wesleyan
university Doctor Wilson published
another book. 1.-THE State"
He again Joined his fortunes with
Princeton when in the fall OF 1890 he
took the chair of jurisprudence and
politics at that institution. He held
this chair at Princeton for twelve
years. writing during this period his
lean People,"
Made President Of Princeton.
In 1902 he was called to the presi-
dency of Princeton.
He was holding this Office when the
Democrats of New Jersey chose him
MS their candidate for the governor
ship. He accepted. and was elected
after n sharp campaign.
| Within six months arter assuming
the governorship he had induced the
legislature to pass series of laws Of
the most advanced type. such as the
primary election law. the corrupt
| practices act. the employers liability
act. public utilities act. n municipal
commission government law and
sterilization or anti-procrention act.
The Wilson's in America date about
n century back. when James Wilson.
grandfather of the president. came
over from Scotland and settled in
/ bn fp