The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1921-02-24
Death of Prof. Matthew
Sc0by McCurdy

A son of whom st. Johnsburv has
reason to be proud passed on from
life on Wednesday, February 1G, at
his home in Andover, Mass. His
death was caused by injuries re-
ceived ten days before when he was
run down bv an unknown automo-
bilist, tragic ending to an eminent
ly sane, helpful and successful car
Ger.
Matthew Scoby, younger son of
Matthew l.. and Esther Gregory Nc
Curdy, was born at Dunbarton, N.
H., in l849. When young lad his
parents came to 81. Johnsbury East
village ever afterward their home.
lie was endowed with a happy COM
bination of traits. From the Scotch
Irish ancestry on the fathers side
came a keen mind and a genial humor
while from the mother, a defendant
of the Connecticut Puritan family of
Talcott, he inherited scholarly tastes
and most Loveablc disposition.
He won a good education by his
own efforts graduating from ST.
Johnsbury Academy and later form
Dartmouth College, class of 1873,
with the degree of A. +. and A. NJ,
and honors in mathematics. He went
the same year as instructor in math-
metics to Phillips Andover Academy
and was soon promoted to full charge
of that department, a position he f.
led with dignity and honor until his
death When he had completed %
years of service, the Phillips Andover
boys placed his portrait in the Col
lege chapel At forty years he wish
ed to resign, but the world war broke
out soon after and he decided to
stand by the school, which could i'll
afford to spare him at that time In
a letter written Jan. 27, he said, 81
am hoping to keep on two years more
and round out so years here, then
shall resign and | hope end my days
in peace"
Prof. McCurdy wrote extensively
on mathematical questions and pub
lished one text book 'EXcrcises in
Algebra" but his most enduring
achievement is the affection and es-
TEEN of the hundreds Of Phillips An
dover graduates who came under his
influence.
After settling at Andover he mar
ried Ida, the accomplished daughter
of Hon. Calvin Morrill, of East St.
Johnsbury. Three sons were born to
them, who with Mrs. McCurdy, sur
Vive him. They are Robert, a librar-
ian by profession and connected with
the publishing house of Doubleday,
pano mud % NJ Cordo, C;+v NJ
DR., Sydney, head surgeon in charge
of the accident and welfare work of
a manufacturing plant at Youngs
town, Ohio, employing 10000 men.
DR., McCurdy was overseas for two
years with the 18th infantry of the
First Division and received The Croix
de GuclTe The third son, Allen is
the head of an Indian school in Ne
vada, under the U. S. Indian Bureau.
He salso survived by an older broth
er, George Gregory McCurdy Of Ber-
kelley, California, sister, Mrs. Az
thur L. Wilder of Springfield, Mass,
and little grand daughter, Lydia,
daughter of DR.. Sydney McCuIdy.
In 1894, Prof and Mrs. McCurdy
built a handsome colonial house on
Bartlett street, Andover, where a
gracious hospitality was extended,
and which Phillips Academy boys
all over the county have cause to
as home.
They travelled during vacations,
going to Europe twice and across the
continent, but best of all they enjoy
ed TIE peace and quiet of the East
Village where for many years they
spent six weeks in summer among
their kindred and friends. On Satur-
lay, Feb. 10, many sad hearts in the
DID village were with those who gath
cred in the College Chapel at Phil .
fps Academy to pay the last honors
10 this good and genial man. The
was laid to rest in the college Gene
cry near the boys he had so faith
'ulley served.
"We now stand at the head Of the
ine," he said, on hearing of the death
If his last surviving aunt. Worthy
lead! Who will fill his place?