1885*
"Civil Engineering" the monthly publication of the American Society of Civil Engineers contains in its August issue an intensely interesting autobiographical sketch by our classmate, Dr. Otis Ellis Hovey who has the high distinction of having been elected an honorary member of that Society. He prepared it at the request of the Society to be one of a series written by some of the oldest and best known members of the engineering profession for the purpose of interesting and inspiring the younger members. The secretary wishes that space permitted the full publication of this autobiography, for it merits it but he feels that he must limit himself to a few excerpts.
Otis begins his autobiography quite appropriately as follows: "How did I happen to become an engineer? The tendency was born in me." He then traces at some length his natural engineering bent, beginning with the age of eight years down through his College and Thayer School courses and his later extensive engineering and bridge building experiences, including his long service and official connection with the American Bridge Co., which made him a resident at various times of the large industrial and engineering centers of this country and included several extended business trips abroad. His widely recognized engineering experience in large and intricate bridge construction and repairs led to his publishing some years ago, an exhaustive treatise on the subject under the title of "Movable Bridges"; the summarization which he makes, of his lifelong career, he admirably sets forth as follows: "After having followed the profession of engineering for more than fifty years, one is tempted to look back and try to assess the satisfactions of such a career.—A successful engineer must possess and develop a high type of character. He must be meticulously honest with himself and with others. He must be obedient to the laws of nature so far as he can grasp them. He must be logical, thorough, industrious, inventive, practical, firm in well-grounded opinions, yet tolerant of the view of others and able to associate comfortably with them. At the same time, he must see visions and dream dreams. Given the right temperament, abilities, and training, it is difficult to choose a more attractive profession. New problems challenge solution, and monotony is almost unknown. There is keen satisfaction in seeing visions realized. One's daily occupation reacts favorably on the development of character and personality, and he has a wonderful time as long as he is able to think and work. The engineer feels that he has at least done a little to advance civilization and the enjoyment of life by his friends and the public in general. As a career, and a culture, it seems to me that the engineering profession leads all others."
I am also glad to quote the following comment of the editor of "Civil Engineering" upon this autobiography, for it is so comprehensive and to the point—" 'From Farm Boy to Honorary Member" this story might be captioned. What a father could not have himself, he coveted for his son. And what is even more important, he gave the boy those qualities of heart and mind to attain the goal. Times change; many of the hardships of yesterday seem now almost legendary. But the lessons of the past, as evidenced by Dr. Hovey's reminiscences, are inspiring still."
Not only his classmates but all who have the pleasure of knowing Otis would be glad of the opportunity of reading this autobiography, which is so true and modest, as is its author himself.
The secretary is glad to report that Mrs. Hovey, who was stricken at their summer home in Hartford, Vt. last June, shortly after Commencement, has been making good improvement and has recently been able to be up and around the house and out in the garden. Their doctor says she will be able to return to their New York home about the first of October. Her courage is excellent and she sent word to the secretary that she was looking forward with much anticipation to attending our fifty-fifth graduation anniversary reunion next June. We shall all be glad to give them both a most cordial welcome.
Charlie Floyd and his wife have spent much time this summer at Shadow Lake in Derry, N. H., where they have enjoyed themselves with frequent automobile trips through southern New Hampshire and the adjacent ocean beaches.
Sam Hudson recently turned over to the secretary the original records of the meetings of "Kappa Sigma Epsilon," one of the old literary freshman societies of our College, which came into his possession when the last meeting of the society was disbanded and the furniture and effects were auctioned off to the highest bidder; these records cover the meetings held beginning with February 1869 to October 26, 1882 and are "embalmed" upon 357 pages and furnish an interesting mirror of one phase of the undergraduate literary life of the College during the period covered, frequent mention being made of the names of the great and near great who were then flourishing. With Sam's approval the secretary will later present these records to the College to be preserved as a souvenir of that era.
It appears from the Chelsea, Mass. Evening Record of August 18, 1939 that our classmate, Al Briggs, has been elected acting librarian of the Chelsea Library. The news item states that the librarian, Miss Esther C. Johnson, after eighteen years service in that position tendered her resignation to take effect on August 19, 1939. The Board of Trustees accepted her resignation and Briggs, who was Chairman of the Board, resigned his chairmanship, after which an immediate reorganization was made and the Board elected "Al" as acting librarian. He has long been a resident of Chelsea and has been active in the affairs of the city, having held numerous important municipal offices.
The secretary is disappointed that he has heard nothing from our classmate, Lorrain Weeks, and his comments upon the New York World's Fair, of which some write-up by Lorrain would be very interesting, seasoned with his welcome wit and humor.
The secretary is also sorry not to be able to report with reference to Warren Adams exhibition of bookbinding at the San Francisco Exposition, to which he was invited to contribute.
The secretary further regrets that he can give no direct report from "Life" Philbrick but such information as he has received, he is glad to say is favorable.
Henry Austin and his wife report that they are slowly recovering from the joyful effects of their, double, fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration and are planning, as usual, to return for the winter to St. Petersburg, Florida, that far-famed city of sunshine, where our classmate, Arthur Whitcomb, expects to join them. We assume that Henry and his wife are arranging to take in the New York World's Fair on their way South.—How care free and fortunate they are to have two homes in these perilous times, when most of us are anxious to know whether we can getHitler or whether he will get us.
The secretary and Mrs. Bayley have had a very pleasant though very "dry" summer at their Beverly home, where as usual their daughter, her husband and their four children have been with them more or less of the time. The secretary is at present planning to accompany them on their way home to Pittsburgh as far as New York, where they will see the sights of the "Fair" together.
Secretary, Kimball Bldg., 18 Tremont St., Boston
