honor in his own country. While in the warmth of rhetorical expression it may have been said that there was no broad mind in the college from Hinman to Haven (a statement clearly in error in the omission of President Foster as well as Professor Noyes), and while even the benignant Haven discussed the work of Noyes in words* that Professor Wheeler said "made his blood boil," it still remains that the warmest friends of Professor Noyes were those of his own day and neighborhood. It may beand such a consummation is devoutly to be wished—that he will become known more and more fully and widely to all the friends of the University, and will secure that greater meed of honor that is due him; but in the end this favorable judgment can differ but little from the regard and respect paid to him while living by his friends and neighbors. Time has only made greener the memory of Professor Noyes. Many, if summoned, would repeat the words of one of his students: "My relation to him while in Evanston and my memory of him since, I count among my special blessings." The University could perform no higher function for society than the appointment of such men to its chairs; no alumnus could carry from the institution a more salutary influence than the spirit of this man who has entered *Memorial address. "the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again. In minds made better by their presence; live In pulses stirred to generosity, In deeds of daring rectitude, in scorn Of miserable aims that end with self, In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, And with their mild persistence urge men's minds to vaster issues." DAVID HILTON WHEELER ACTING PRESIDENT, 1868-9 THE EDITOR Probably Northwestern has never had the service of a more gifted mind than that of David Hilton Wheeler. Dr. Wheeler came to the University in the full maturity of his faculties. He had already distinguished himself as teacher, foreign consul, and journalist. Dr. Wheeler was born in 1829. After the completion of his studies at the Rock River Seminary at Mt. Morris he became instructor in Iowa Conference Seminary, now Cornell College, at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. In 1855-6 he was editor of a paper in Carroll County, Illinois, and served as County School Commissioner. He returned to Cornell in 1857, remaining there four years. The fall of 1860 found him campaigning for Lincoln in Iowa. His service was rewarded by appointment as consul to Genoa. While still abroad the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 brought him appointment as correspondent from Italy for the New York and Chicago Tribunes. "He was among the first to contribute elaborate letters and articles upon European affairs for American newspapers." He remained in this work but a short time. After seven years of residence abroad, he wrote to Professor Noyes that he “wanted his boys to be Americans" and would gladly come to Northwestern and take the English department. In 1866 he was elected Professor of English Literature and History in the University. Dr. Wheeler's ability was quickly recognized by the college faculty. Professor Noyes had laid down the acting-presidency of the University, but no president was yet elected. In 1868 Dr. Wheeler was chosen "Chairman of the Faculty," and so became virtually acting president of the University. Himself broad and scholarly, the University under his influence gained in breadth and scholarliness. Study, reflection and observation gave him acquaintance with books as well as with men. He carried into the classroom enthusiasm for the subjects he taught. The vigor and freshness of his thought were engaging. Lectures were usually the form of his instructions; he relied upon the papers of the students for evidence of their assimilation of the subject matter of the course. To the interested student Dr. Wheeler was most helpful and inspiring. His pen was facile, his speech crisp and persuasive. He was a man of 'rare and varied ability,'* "an example of power without arrogance, of wisdom without presumption." Though deeply spiritual, he was undemonstrative in the practice of his religious faith. Professor Wheeler associated himself in 1872 with President Haven in the editorial management of the Lakeside Monthly Magazine. Perhaps the most signal event in the history of the University in the single year of Dr. Wheeler's administration was the completion of University Hall. The election of President Haven gave Dr. Wheeler release from administrative functions. He applied himself to the duties of his professorship, serving the University for eight years. In 1875 he resigned to accept the editorial chair of "The Methodist." His talents and experience called him later to the presidency of Allegheny College, where his service is remembered with the deepest appreciation. *See the resolutions of the faculty, October 3, 1876. |