The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-04-06
PROF. REESE DIES.
WAS IA CLERGYMAN And EDUCATOR
TAUGHT ANCIENT LANGUAGES and
LITERATURE AT WESTERN NARY
LAND COLLEGE-HAD CHARGE OF
ASCENSION CHURCH FOR 6 YEARS
GRADUATED AIT PRINCETON and
ENTERED THE GENERAL THEOLOG-
ICAL SEMINARY, NEW YORK COL
LEGE PROFESSORS PALLBEARERS.

James WV. Reese was born in tho
town or Westminster, Carroll County,
Maryland, on October 3rd, 1888, the
son of Jacob Reese and Eleanor (Fish-
er) Reese. His fathers ancestors
came OF German stock; his mothers
of the Scotch-Irish. Both branches
stood high socially; and both were
equally prominent and active In all
the leading affairs OF the community,
such aE banking, manufacturing and
Industrial activities.
Hls earliest educational training
began under private tutorage; and
then followed by being sent to St.
TimothyS Hall, CatOnsville, Balti-
more County, Maryland. After leaving
st. Timothy's, he entered Princeton
College, as then called, now Prince
ton University, and was graduated
there with the degree of e. B. f. 1853
Princeton in 1862 conferring the
degree of IA. M. It may he noted here
that Western Maryland College hon
ored him with its degree Ph. -. hon
oris causa in 1873. His course through
Princeton was exceptionally marked
for fine scholarship, especially in the
classics-Judge George Gray, of VIII
mington, Delaware, his class-mate,
now living, saying to the writer that
IT, was by far 'the best man in the
whole class and that 60 one approach
ed him ln fine literary instincts" AG-
ter graduation at Princeton, he enter
ed the General Theological Seminary
of the Protestant Episcopal Church In
New York, and in 1863, was ordained
Deacon by Bishop Whittingham Of
Maryland; and under deacon's orders
took charge in 1864 OF the Ascension
Church at Westminster, which posi-
tion he held until 1870. This pro
tracted service 10 the Parish carried
little or NO compensation. In 1870 he
accepted what proved "a be- his life's
work, the professorship or Ancient
Languages and Literature in Western
Maryland COllege,-which position he
held for over forty years and until
totally disabled by inffrmitiea OF
health and age. His success as an
educator was pronounced; he was
accounted among the highest in afEi-
cheney An the $tate--aHhc to
none in his special field or work. Dur
ing this period he delivered before the
Maryland State Teachers Association,
and other similar learned bodies, nJl-
merous addresses of the rarest inter
est, diction and scholarship He al
20 maintained through life an un-
broken allegiance and attachment as
member and officer of the Door to
Virtue Lodge, Masonic Order of
Westminster.
On February 18th, 1868, DR. Reese
was married to Miss Mary Pauline
Perry, niece of Mrs. Catherine
Shellman, of Westminster, Maryland,
with whom she was then living. OF
this marriage one son was born, Paul
Reese, Esq, who IL now IA groWn-up
man, applying himself to architecture
IT'D Westminster, Is a profession, after
due study and preparation in the
City OF New York.
In the choice Of wife Dr. Reese
could not have been more fortunate
for besides possessing a comely and
graceful figure and a notably chiselled
head and face her qualities OF mind
and heart were in correspondence and
of the rarest order. Both were like
wise fortunate in making their home
with Mrs Shellman. For under the
drill OF trying experiences, after the
death Of her own husband Col. She'll
man, she became one of the most su-
pertor women and guides in the whole
town Of misunderstanding dis
for her matronly self-pos-
session and poise, and freedom from
sudden upsets and sympathetic ex-
ploSions.
o. February 26th, 1910, the officers
and alumni OF Western Maryland Col
lege rendered to DR.. Reese at the Bel
yedere Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland, a
banquet in his honor commemorating
the close of forty years of continuous
service to that institution. Among
the distinguished men present from
ali parts OF the State and elsewhere,
his distinguished class-mate and pub
licist before referred to, Judge George
Gray, was there and took the greatest
delight on the occasion, gleefully re-
calling Princeton memories with the
Doctor
Not only did the College and
Alumni take part in rendering din
1er OF honor, but his native town of
Westminster signally participated fri
II, and presented to him "a silver cup
of rare workmanship procured from
Kirk a Sons Company, OF Baltimore,
Judge J. a. O. Bond was selected to |
make the presentation offer at the
dinner and did so in the following
words:
And now, DR.. Reese, all the honors
which have come to you, 20 abundant
y tonight are deserved "a thing
seldom true You have heard me
speak of the exceptional growth cf
.he college, to which you have given
FOUR services for the past forty I
Tears. Did l not associate your
1ame with the growth, would be
alse to history. On your name, sir
he fame and scholarly rank Of West
I'm Maryland College has been most .
widely borne, and solidly founded N
You have been IA tower of strength NJ
through all it, vicissitudes. As Hop
tins may well take pride in her Gil "
lersleeve; Yale i'm her Seymour; 80
t is believed, Western Maryland Col
ege, though occupying a less region
j field, may also point with like
Dride, to her Reese.
In these hoIors OF tonight, from
College faculty, teaching-Rtaff, trus-
&C. and pupil, your own tOwns-peo-
lle desire to participate and share
nd to make known by some open
ign, their esteem and affection for I