Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-09

the mound upon winch MS carlllon
stands.
Urged Retirement as Asset.
In the we'll regulated life of every
man there should be three distinct
periods, Mr.. Box declared on retiring
as editor of the Ladies' Home Journal
after 80 years in that position. He
himself adhered to this plan of living:
First, the period of education.
Second, the period of achievement.
Third, the period of retirement as q
community asset.
His parents, forced by financial re-
verses to exc out meager living IN
Brooklyn, N. Y, young Box was unable
to attend the public schools after he
was Is years old. He became an ONCE
studious application at night he man.
aged to At himself for the editorship
of the Brooklyn Magazine, task which
he assumed at the age of l9. His period
of education came to close much
sooner than in the case Of the average
college man of today.
Began Second Period Early.
Boks period of achievement dated
the editorship of the Ladies Home
Journal when he was rs.
In 1894 he published ''The Young
Man in Business" and The Young
Man and the Church." followed by
"Successward" in 1895 and why I Be-
lieve in Poverty in 1915"
On September ~, 1919, when he re-
tired as editor of the Ladies' Home
Journal after accommodating fortune,
began the third period of his life, osten-
sibly the period Of retirement, but, as
matter Of fact. a time filled to the
brim with activities encompaSsing many
lines of benevolent endeavor.
Retire from work while young enough
to enjoy life. Become a civic asset to
the community" had been Bok's advice
TO many q successful business man. A
mere enumeration of some OF his
philanthropic works would convince one
Of the benefits derived from self-appli-
cation of the advice.
Offered Peace Prize.
Foremost among the distinguished
public services rendered by him was his
donation of the peace prize of 500, 900
to any American who could advance
the best practical plan by which the
United States may cooperate with
other nations to attain and preserve
world peace"
Another outstanding effort Of the
period of retirement was the publish
ing of THE Americanization of Edward
Box" an autobiography written half
century after his start to success as an
immigrant boy from The Netherlands.
The book. widely read. was acclaimed
by university authorities the leading
autobiography of his generation.
Other Rnk accomplishments were
these:
Created the Philadelphia award Of
$4,000 to be given each year to the
person who performed a single act CAL
culated to promote the best interests Of
Philadelphia.
Made possible the Philadelphia Forum.
benefit to teachers and civilians Of
limited means, providing an extensive
list Of lectures, concerts and entertain
mentS at nominal sum.
Made the Academy OF Music the civic
center Of Philadelphia.
For fve years he was the unknown
donor who paid $250,000 in deficits
sustained by the Philadelphia Orches-
ira.
created eight annual awards. consist
ing of a gold medal and $500, to pro-
mote better newspaper and periodical
advertising in the United States and
Canada.
Rewarded Public Service.
Established the Philadelphia citizens
award, whereby each year the three po-
licemen, the three Fairmont Park
guards and the three firemen who per-
form the most meritorious acts of pub
lie service, receive 81 900 each.
Promoted the Dutch branch OF The
Netherland- American Foundation for
the advancement of further relations In
art and industry between Holland and
the United States.
Box was born in Den Helder, Holland,
October 9, 1863. His t-grandfather
was admiral of the Dutch navy, his
grandfather, William Box, chief justice
of the Supreme Court, and his father,
William j. H. Box, one of the ministers
of the court of William III.
His father left Holland because Of a
reversal Of fortune and, with his family,
settled in Brooklyn in 1859.
At the age of Is Box started the
compilation of list Of autographs OF
famous men from all parts OF the world:
In q comparatively short time he had
increased the number of autographs to
10000, and had gained considerable
publicity for his efforts.
Another early business venture was
the establishment of the Box Syndicate
Press. Henry Ward Beecher, Bok's close
friend lent his aid to the project, which
". further helped along by the ac-
ru.3ition of several of the leading New
York news writer's
After selling the Brooklyn Magazine
Box became associated with Charles
Scribner's Sons as house advertising
manager.
In 1895 he married Miss Mary Louise
Curtis daughter Of CYRUS H. X. Curtis.
head of the Curtis Publishing Co. Two
sons, Curtis and Cary, were born to Mr..
and Mrs. Box.