The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-04-06
WAS A CLERGYMAN And EDUCATOR
TAUGHT ANCIENT LANGUAGES and
LITERATURE AT WESTERN MARY
LAND COLLEGE-HAD CHARGE OF
ASCENSION CHURCH FOR 6 YEARS
GRADUATED At PRINCETON and
ENTERED The GENERAL THEOLOG-
ICAL SEMINARY, new YORK-COL'
LEGE PROFESSORS PALLBEARERS.

James w. Reese was born in the
town of Westminster, Carroll County,
Maryland, on October 3rd, 1888, the
son of Jacob Reese and Eleanor (Fish-
err 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 as banking, manufacturing and
industrial activities.
His earliest educational training
began under private tutorage; and
then followed by being sent to St.
Timothy's 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 A. B. in 1859
Princeton in 1862 comforting the
degree Of A. M. 1t may be noted here
that Western Maryland College hon
ored him with It's degree Phi. D. hon
oris causa in 1873. His course through
Princeton was exceptionally marked
for fine scholarship, especially in the
classics-Judge George Gray, Of Will
mington, Delaware, his class-mate,
now living, saying to the writer that
he was by far the best man in the
whole class and that no one approach
ed him in fine literary instincts" At
ter graduation at Princeton, he enter
ed the General Theological Seminary
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
New York, and in 1863, was ordained
i 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 to the Parish carried
little or no compensation. In 1870 he
accepted what proved to be his life's
work,-the professorship of Ancient
Languages and Literature in Western
Maryland College,-which position he
held for over forty years and until
totally disabled by intfrmities OF
health and age His success as an
educator was pronounced; he was
accounted among the highest in eff
cheney In the State-subordinate to
none in his special field OF work Dur
ing this period he delivered before the
Maryland State Teachers Association
and other similar learned bodies, nu-
merOus addresses of the rarest inter
est, dictiOn and scholarship. He al
so maintained through life an un-
broken allegiance and attachment as
member and officer of the Door tC
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 is now a grOWn-up
man, applying himself to architecture
IN Westminster, as a profession, after
due study and preparation in the
City of New York.
In the choice of a wife Dr. Reese
could not have been more fortunate
for besides possessing a comely and
graceful figure and 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-
periOr women and guides in the whole
town of Westminster-espec dis
tinguished for her matronly self-pos-
session and poise, and freedom from
sudden upsets and sympathetic eX-
plOsions.
On February Goth, 1910. the officers
and alumni Of Western Maryland Col
lege rendered to DR.. Reese at the Bel
Vedere Hotel Baltimore, Maryland,
banquet in his honor commemorative
the close Of forty years of continuous
service to that institution. Among
the distinguished men present from
all 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
ner Of honor, but his native town of
! Westminster signally participated in
it, and presented to him a silver cup
of rare workmanship procured from
Kirk & Sons Company, Of Baltimore,
Maryland.
Judge ]. A G. 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, SO abundant
ly tonight are deserved. A thing
seldom true You have heard me
speak of the exceptional growth Of
the college, to which you have given
your services for the past forty
years Did | not associate your
name with the growth, | would be
false to history. On your name, sir
the fame and scholarly rank of West
ern Maryland College has been most
widely borne, and solidly founded.
You have been a tower of strength
through all it's vicissitudes. AS Hop
kins may we'll take pride in her Gill
dersleeve; Yale in her Seymour; So
it is believed, Western Maryland Col
lege, though occupying less region
al field may also point with like
pride, to her Reese.
In these honors of tonight, from
College faculty, teaching-staff, trus-
tees and pupil, your own towns-peo-
pie desire to participate and share
and to make knc n by some open
sign, their esteer'e I'd affection for
..,tf \.>~