Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-17
JOHN r. FREEMAN

Brashear's shop for institutions al
over the world. for both Astronomical
and physical research. e#
Such has been the progress of as
Economical spectroscopy since the Bra
shear works turned out the first spec
troscope fer Professor Keller, for use
with the great telescope of the Lick
observatory, that it seems a new
science, and remarkable discoveries
in celestial physics are coming to us
every day Putting the matter grossly
the Keller spectroscope was thougnt
to be over heavy, as IL weighed a.
pounds. The Porter spectroscope,
made for the Allegheny Observatory
weighs nearly nine tons, with its
counterpoises, etc. F
Helps Employees, Too I
Mr.. Brashear early became inter.
ested in educational work, beginning
among his fellow workmen in the roll
ing mill. He has given over five
hundred lectures to working mems
organizations, indeed, to all classes OF
citizens interested In the beauties OF
science. He has personally known
most Of the eminent men I'm science
OF the last 40 years, has served as act.
ing chancellor Of the University OF
Pittsburg, as acting director of the
Allegheny Observatory, and has been
a member of the board of trustees OF
the Carnegie Institute since its begin.
ming, and also of the Carnegie Tech.
meal Schools, the University OF Pitts
burg. and Is chairman Of the observa.
tory committee, as well as Of several
other Institutions OF an educational
character.
Gears Many Honors
Mr. Brashear. was selected an hon.
orary member of this society in 1908.
He is also an honorary member and
past president Of the Engineers SO,
ciety of Western Pennsylvania and OF
the Royal Astronomical Society OF
Canada, an active member Of the
Royal Astronomical Society Of Great
Britain, the British Astronomical So
.ofe.y, the Societe AstronomiqHe de
France, the Societe Astronomiquo de
esgique, the American Philosophical
Society, the American Astronomical
".
the Advancement Of Science. the
academy OF Science and Art, and
others,
lie received the gold medal Of the
Franklin institute In 1910; the degree
or Lid. from Washington and JEFF
ferson. and Wooster universities, the
degree of ID. SC. from Princeton and
the University OF Pittsburg. and that
Of Doctor of Engineering from Stevens
Institute OF Technology
Sketch CT JOHN r. Freeman's Life
When the American Society or Me-
chanieal Engineers elected John r.
Freeman president il showed apprecia.
ton to his breadth of experience and
requirements.
His early professional experience
was mainly that Of civil engineer
in its more restricted sense. subse-
quently, his business ability placed
him at the head OF important insur-
anee corporations, and now he re-
ceiyes recognition Of his standing as
a mechanical engineer by being Sc
lected as president of the national so
ciety.
He was born on July 27. 1855, in
West Bridgeport, Maine, and is q
lineal descendant of Samuel Freeman,
who came over with Governor Win
throp's party and settled at Water
town. Mass, in 1880
Mr.. Freeman took the full course
IN civil engineering at the Massachu.
sets Institute Of Technology, where
he easily mastered his engineering
studies, and was graduated in 1876.
After his graduation he entered the Of
flee Of the Essex Company and soon
rose to the position. OF principal as.
sistant engineer.
He entered then upon a wide and
successful career
After 10 years experience in Lawr-
ance, Mass, he decided to open an
office in Boston. for general practise
N hydraulic engineering and mill
work, but before he had an opportun-
sty to do so be received an offer OF
a position as Inspector and hydraulic
engineer for the Factory Mutual Fire
insurance Companies Of Boston He
accepted this position for a year only.
with the view that the wide ac-
quaintance with mill men and mill
architecture which it would promote
would be of more value than the ex-
perience in strictly engineering lines.
After he had occupied the position
Tor short time he appreciated what
could be done in fire protection en-
cheering with a well organized force.
and was called upon to reorganize the
inspection service, uf which he was