1896
Your secretary is happy to present a brief story of Stephen Chase and his family.
The Chase family has lived in Hanover for over 125 years. Frederick Chase, Steve's father, graduated in iB6O. He studied law and taught Municipal Law in the Chandler School 1883-1887. He was Treasurer of the College 1875-1890 and Judge of Probate from 1876 until his death in 1890.
Steve was an all-round track man; the two hurdle events and the broad jump were his favorite contests, but he also entered interclass competitions as a sprinter. He was the mainstay of the athletic team during his College career.
On September 15, 1894, running as a member of the New York Athletic Club, he established a new world's record of 15 3/5 seconds in the 120-yard high hurdles. A year later, September 22, in a race against Godfrey Shaw, England's star hurdler, he not only won but established a new world's record of 15 2/5 seconds. Another great hurdler, Earl J. Thompson '20, in his senior year established a new record of 14 2/5 seconds.
Perhaps Chase and Thompson may be classed as Dartmouth's outstanding athletes.
Steve's first job after graduation was Athletic Director at Knox College, Galesburg, 111. But business was his interest and in 1897 he became owner and manager of a waterpower mill in Passumpsic, Vt., manufacturing leather board for shoe heels. This plant burned in 1904 and was rebuilt, the first reinforced concrete building in Vermont. This plant was largely destroyed in the New England flood of 1927.
Steve returned to Hanover in 1907, bought and operated the New Hampshire Experiment Station Farm, supplying milk to the Hanover Inn and the Dartmouth Dining Hall from a herd of registered Jersey cattle. This herd won many blue ribbons, including championships in New England shows.
In 1915 he moved to Charles City County, Va., where he operated a portion of the old plantation of Shirley.
Two years later the war effort called him and we find him in Washington in the Food Administration, Statistical Division, heading the meat and live stock section. After the war ended he was requested to write an account of the meat situation during the war. This was published by the Food Administration.
In May 1919 he joined the faculty of McDonogh School in Maryland to manage the school farm. This school was established by the McDonogh Foundation for the education of orphan boys of Baltimore, "to teach the dignity of honest labor." About 125 boys, carefully selected, attended classes in the morning and worked on the farm in the afternoon.
Steve and his family moved to Dunedin, Fla.. in December 1922. He bought a citrus grove and has added to it until he now has 4000 trees, producing some 15,000 boxes of oranges and grapefruit yearly.
As would be expected, he has interested himself in outside activities. He served one term on the Dunedin Commission. He is now President of the Pinellas Growers Association - a cooperative fertilizer association. During the years he has built 15 houses in the county and has also done considerable road construction.
Steve's avocation has been, and is, the raising of gladiolus. For the last 15 years he has been outstandingly successful in hybridizing these beautiful flowers to produce new varieties. He has named and introduced some 20 new glads which have won many prizes and a Grand Championship.
The Chase family: Stephen married Helen Watts of Peacham, Vt., in 1902. She was a graduate of Mt. Hoiyoke College, class of 1901. She died in 1945, Three children were born of this union.
Stephen Jr., born 1904 Dartmouth '25. He is now Production Manager in the Champion Fiber and Paper Company plant in Houston, Tex. There is one son, Stephen U., Princeton '54.
Frederick, born 1907 Dartmouth '30. He is associated with his father at Dunedin. He is also engaged in real estate and in income tax work. There are two sons, Frederick Jr., Dartmouth '53 and John G., Rice '56.
Mary F., born 1910, Smith College '31. She is now Mrs. Maxey N. Morrison, living in Swarthmore, Pa. There are three children, Hugh, William and Helen.
In 1949 Steve married Helen C. Ross, Wellesley 'si, of St. Johnsbury, Vt. The members of '96, reuning in June 1951, were delighted to meet her and to welcome her into the '96 group. Helen had taught biology and brought a scientific interest to the gladiolus activities.
Steve and Helen spend five months at their summer home in Danville, Vt., where they test their gladiolus seedlings before introducing those that prove worthy. The other seven months they live at their home in Dunedin, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Steve has written a Hymn to Dartmouth. It is printed in this issue of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE. Your secretary thinks this deserves to become one of the Great Dartmouth Songs.
1896 Fund Contributors
20 Gifts (Participation Index 118) Total Gifts $1,771.65 (334% of Objective) HARRY D. LAKEMAN, Class Agent
Chase, Stephen Coffin, Nelson P.1 Cox, Isaac J. Cox, Louis S. Cummings, Alvah C.2 Dimick, Charles P. Duffy, Walter F. Edgerley, Josiah W.3 Eldred, Byron E. Fletcher, Robert H.4 Foster, Nathaniel L. Ham, Thomas C. Hapgood, Herbert J.5 Hoyt, Moses H.6 Hoyt, Moses H.7 Jaquith, Charles A. Johnson, Edward J.8 Lake, George E. Lakeman, Harry D. Laycock, Craven9 Laycock, Craven10 Stark, Henry H.11 Weston, Charles A.12 Whitcomb, William F.13 MEMORIAL GIFTS FROM: 1 Mrs. Coffin.2 Mrs. Cummings.3 Mrs. Edgerley.4 Sister, Miss Mary A.Fletcher.5 Son, Charles T. Hapgood.6 Mrs. Hoyt.7 Son, John B. Hoyt.8 Son, Edward R. Johnson.9 Mrs Laycock.10 Income from CravenFund.11 Louis S. Cox '96.12 Income from CharlesA. Weston Fund.13 Mrs. Whitcomb.
STEVE CHASE '96, as an all-round track man, is shown in college; and as he looked at his 55th Reunion in Hanover, June 1951.
STEVE CHASE '96, as an all-round track man, is shown in college; and as he looked at his 55th Reunion in Hanover, June 1951.
Secretary 159 Park Ave., Arlington, Mass. Treasurer, 21 Forest Rd., Cape Elizabeth, Me.
