Class of 1883
Warren A. Bennett, who resides at 19 School St., Gloucester, Mass., continues as one of the supervisors in the highway department of the city, although he was 77 years old December 6 last.
This information is received from Mrs. Bennett, who writes that "it would be useless to look for any word from Warren, because I cannot remember when he lastwrote anything to anybody, although Ithink he is still interested in his old classmates."
Notwithstanding Warren was never literary- or correspondence-minded, his wife adds:—"Although he has passed the agelimit in the highway department and couldbe pensioned, he has been allowed twoyears more because he wanted to work andseemed to be in good health."
Their only child, a son, must have inherited literary inclination and taste, on the other hand, from his mother, from the fact that for three years he was at the head of his class of about six hundred in Harvard University.
Warren still retains an interest in sports, being especially a baseball fan, and is reported to take in the games whenever possible either by personal attendance thereat or by radio.
Mrs. Bennett, although not in the best of health, continues to act as treasurer of Washington Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. She graduated from high school the same year that Warren graduated from Dartmouth.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennett celebrated the 50th anniversary of their marriage, June 23 last, when they were generously remembered by their many friends with an abundance of flowers and a large number of appropriate and valuable gifts.
Rev. Edward F. Wheeler is living in retirement at Knife Lake, Mora, Minn. In correspondence with him I have an interesting letter which I will give verbatim, to wit:—
"I cannot remember my impertinence to Sam Robertson, but often think of Niles' mending my torn coat, of my instructing Prof. Lord that the proper translation of mehercule should be 'by Jove,' and of my oration at the cremation of mathematics ceremonies, which won me applause from literary-minded seniors when I shouted: 'But now divest your flowing orbs of lachrymal profusion.'
"Soon after reaching 70 (Rev. Wheeler was born at Grafton, Vt., Jan. 20, 1862) I retired from the ministry, and have no proof that the world suffered any serious setback thereby, while I am thankful to be no longer responsible for urging the best portion of the community to lead decent lives.
"Mrs. Wheeler and I enjoy a good home with pretty view, plenty of friends, very little cash, but great wealth in health, happiness, and anticipation. Our daughter, Elizabeth Shelstad, lives at DeWitt, lowa. Her husband, M. J. Shelstad, is owner and publisher of the DeWitt Observer, founded during Lincoln's administration. Our son, Joseph E. Wheeler, is manager of the large branch of the National City Bank of New York at Caracas, Venezuela, with wife and three daughters.
"The class of '83 ought to be very grateful to you for using so much time and patience in collecting and distributing so many facts, cheerful and sad, concerning the widely scattered members of the class.
"I wish you were president of the United States with cabinet composed of Dartmouth '83."
Secretary, Hartford, Vt.
