CLASS OF 1863

John Bradley Peaslee, Ph.D., died January 4 in the Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnation, Ohio. About a month before he was injured by a fall down the stairs at his home. He was recovering from his injuries when pneumonia developed, and he was taken to the hospital. Mr. Peaslee was born in Plaistow, N. H„ September 3, 1842. His parents were Reuben and Harriet Atwood (Willetts) Peaslee, his father having been for a time a member of the class of 1835 in Dartmouth. He prepared for college at Atkinson and Gilmanton Academies. After graduation he was for a year principal of a grammar school in Columbus, Ohio, and then went to Cincinnati to be first assistant in the Third District school. In 1867 he was appointed principal of the Fifth District school, having meanwhile studied law and been admitted to the bar. In 1869 he became principal of the Second District school, and in 1874 city superintendent of schools, a position he retained till 1887. For several years he served on the state board of examiners. He rendered distinguished service as superintendent, becoming especially known for the establishment of Arbor Day, which has spread from Cincinnati throughout the country. He was greatly interested in the study of German, and was one of the most active members of the German Literary Club of Cincinnati. Mr. Peaslee was for twenty years a trustee of the University of Cincinnati, and also a trustee of Miami University and of Woodward High School; a life member of the American Educational Association; director of the Ohio Humane Society, and held many other educational positions. In 1879 Ohio State University conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy. In 1888, Mr. Peaslee was elected as a Democrat clerk of courts of Hamilton county, and held the office six years. In 1895 he was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, and in 1900 for representative to Congress. After retiring from the clerkship he was for some years engaged in insurance business, but a year or more since retired from active business. He had held high positions in the Masonic order. April 25, 1878, he was married to Lou, daughter of Hon. Joseph F. Wright of Cincinnati, who died in 1894. They had no children.

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