Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-11-27
PRES. VAN HISE
CALLED BY DEATH
UNIVERSITY HEAD PASSES AWAY
I'M MILWAUKEE HOSPITAL
AFTER OPERATION.
WAS NATIVE OF WISCONSIN
Born at Fulton, Rock County, Sixty.
one Years Ago-Known Throughout
the Nation as Great Educator and
Pubicist - Held Many Degrees.

Milwaukee - DR.. Charles r. Van
Hise, president of the University of
Wisconsin and one of the leading ed
Gators of the country, died at Mt.
Sinai hospital here.
DR.. Van Hise's death followed an
operation he underwent for a nasal
infection which had troubled him for
9 long time. Death was caused by
pneumococcis meningitis.
The influence of DR.. Van Hise in ed
vocational life was felt not only in
Wisconsin, but throughout the coun-
try. He was born in Fulton, Wis,
May %, 1857, and after completing
his common school education entered
the University of Wisconsin and was
graduated in 1879. He had been a
member of its faculty since.
In 1886, DR.. Van Hise was made
professor of minerology, and four
years later became professor of geol-
ogy. The degree of doctor of phiIos-
ophy was bestowed upon him by the
university in 1892. During his thirteen
years as head of the geological de-
partment, his reputation as a geologist
became worldwide. He was noted as
an authority on many scientifi ques-
ti0ns, and was frequently called upon
to make difficult surveys for this and
other governments. In 1903, he was
made president of the university.
Under DR.. Van Hise's progressive
leadership, the University of Wiscon-
sin earned the reputation of being the
most thorough institution of it's kind.
in many respects, in the country, His
presence was always felt in the legis.
lature, where he fought for every
measure aimed to develop and broaden
the facilities of the university. 1t was
largely due to his earnest effort that
large sums of money were from time
TO time appropriated to the institution.
During the present world war, DR..
Van Hise's influence as leader made
itself felt. He was called upon by
President Wilson to serve in an adj
visory capacity on many vital matters.
to which tasks he unreserVedly devo
ted his whole energy. With the out
break of the war the entire facilities
of the university was turned over tC
the government. His ability in con-
verting the institution into war
winning unit was so marvellous that
the University of Wisconsin came to
be referred to as "the West Point of
the middle vest
During the national campaign for
conservation, President Wilson called
upon DR.. Van Hise for assistance. The
head of the University Of Wisconsin
toured from state to state. 1t was he
who drove home to the people the
idea that they constituted "the second
line of defense"
DR.. Van Hise was farther hOnored
last spring when he was named one
of a party of American journalists
and educators to visit England, France
and the battlefronts. He returned
from Europe less than month ago.
While abroad he was honored by both
and acted as spokesman for the party
on a number of officious occasions.
The solution of reconstruction prob
lens occupied much of DR.. Van Hise's
time. He was one of the leading fig
Tree in the formation of and further
ance of the ideas of the League to
Enforce Peace. Upon his invitation
the league held a convention recently
In Madison. There he outlined before
the convention, which was attended
by former President Taft and other
notables, the principles promulgated
by the league to end warfare.
Aside from his many degrees from
the University of Wisconsin, DR.. Van
was awarded degrees by the Universe
ties of Chicago, Yale, Harvard, Wilt
ans and Dartmouth. He was presi-
dent of the board of commissioners
of the Wisconsin Geological and
Natural History survey, chairman OF
the state board of forestry and chair
man of the state conservation COM
mission. He was trustee of the Car
negie Foundation for Advancement of
Teaching and a member of the Ma
tional Academy of Sciences, Scientific
Society of Christiania, Royal Swedish
Academy of Science and other scien-
tific and educational organizations.
He served as president of the Wiscon-
sin Teachers association.
On Dec. %, 1881, DR.. Van Hise was
married to Miss Alice Bushnell Ring
of Evansville, Wis.
Dean E. A Brige, who has always
served as acting head of the univer-
sity, in the absence of the president,
will have temporary charge of the in
stitution.
DR.. Van Hise was a Republican in
| politics. He was often held to be, be
cause of his constant contact with
legislative matters, too ambitious, but
the tribute paid him by Gov. Philip
who had occasion to be in close touch
with him, disproves that belief.