CLASS OF 1863

Isaac Walker, late principal of Pembroke Academy, died instantly while walking on the street near his home in Pembroke, N. H., October 22. The cause of his death was heart disease. Mr. Walker, the son of James and Mary (Barker) Walkgr, was born September 26, 1842, in Fryeburg, Me., and fitted at Fryeburg Academy. He was a member of the famous company in the Seventh Rhode Island Cavalry, known as the College Cavaliers, and served with the company in the Shenandoah Valley from June to October, 1862. Immediately after graduation he became principal of Pembroke Academy, and continued in that position until two or three years since, except for the years 1868-73, when he had charge of the high school at Ware, Mass., and remained as teacher and financial agent till his death. His work is well characterized in a newspaper notice, from which we quote at length :

" For more than forty years, Pembroke Academy has been Professor Walker's constant care and solicitude. He has been more than its principal; he has been its conserver and upbuilder. But for his sole upholding and personal effort on its behalf, the institution would have long years ago joined the long procession of its contemporaries that have passed entirely out of existence. When he came to its head, the endowment fund of its founder of a few hundred dollars, left more than forty years before, had been scarcely increased. By the well-directed efforts of Professor Walker such fund has been slowly but steadily increased, until it now amounts to about $40,000. More than that, through his efforts the institution has been housed during the past four years in a substantial brick building, of ample dimensions, modern in design and construction, lacking in nothing—building and furnishings fully paid for. This attractive building stands as the most fitting monument to the faith and courage of one of the most unselfish men that ever lived. It was his cherished hope for many long years, and his great satisfaction since its completion. Its design and arrangement were of his own ideas.

" But although the academy was always his constant and first concern, he exceeded every other citizen in public spirit and neighborliness. Possessing a fine tenor voice, his services as a singer were always in demand and always to be had for the asking, in church, public entertainments of every nature, and funerals.

" Early in his life as a teacher, he took up the study of theology and was licensed to preach, and from to time he had preached many sermons in the local churches and in those of neighboring towns. Next to the school, he was most devoted to the church, and had been deacon for many years. During the last few months he had supplied at East Con" cord. He had also delivered several Memorial Day addresses, rendering such service at Manchester last May.

" His activities as a writer have been no less confined than as a speaker. For many years he was of the active editorial staff of the New England Journal of Education, and had prepared many historical papers. Recently he finished a history of the State Teachers' Association, involving much research, the records having been lost.

"In town affairs he had been a member of the school board and superintending school committee, library trustee, president of the Old Home Week Association and member of its committee on invitation since its origin."

He married Mary P. Smith of Monmouth, Me., Nov. 19, 1866. She survives him, with their three children.

Secretary, M. C. Lamprey, Concord, N. H.