CLASS OF 1902

James Easson, after a long period of ill health extending over nearly three years, succumbed to progressive paralysis at his home in Pittsburgh, Pa., on July 30. Easson had his hip broken in an accident in 1915. and never fully recovered from the effects. He attended the fifteenth reunion of his class at Hanover in June, 1917, and at that time appeared far from strong and well. He continued at his work until the summer of 1918. however, and then was compelled to give up He went under the care of the best doctors obtainable, and on their advice took apartments at Atlantic City, but continued to lose ground. A year ago he developed signs of paralysis, and decided to go back to his home in Pittsburgh. He became utterly helpless and for the past year had the services of trained nurses night and day continuously. He made a plucky fight to regain his health supported by the constant attention and encouragement of his wife, but in vain.

James Easson was born in Dunblane, Scotland, October 12, 1878, and came to this country with his parents, William and Ann (Dewar) Easson. He was living at Troy, N Y., when he entered college, and fitted at Troy Academy. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi.

His father had been an iron worker, and after leaving college Easson entered the steel business in Pittsburgh, mastering various branches of the business until he became assistant superintendent of the open hearth department of the Schoenberger Works of the American Steel and Wire Company. Previously he had been foreman in the plate and blooming mills, and assistant superintendent of the Donora Steel Works and the blast furnaces of the same company at Donora, Pa. In 1913 he was made general superintendent of the Standard Seamless Tube Company at Ambridge, Pa., where he remained until 1917 He then became general superintendent of the Baldt Works of the Penn Seaboard Steel Corporation at Wilmington, Del., his last position.

He was married June 6, 1914, to Louise M. daughter of Morgan Breckinridge McWilliams of Pittsburgh, who survives him. The funeral and interment were at his old home in Troy. Mrs. Easson will continue to live in the Pittsburgh home.