1909

"It's Hanover for Mine in Fifty-nine" Stay Alive, '09ers, and Be with us for our Golden Anniversary Next June 12, 13, and 14

These are days of Capital Gifts campaign and, for '09, the approach of our 50th reunion and the publication of our Golden Anniversary book which should be in the mails this month. All of them are important to the college and to our class.

Speaking of Golden Year books and fund raising, my West Coast correspondent, Guy Richard Carpenter '10, whom I maintain on a modest honorarium, has dug up some dope about the Reverend Richard Cogswell, class of 1811, who wrote the first semi-centennial class history for distribution at their reunion in 1881.

"Milling around in ancient history the other day," Carp writes, "I picked up something of a story on Dr. Cogswell, nicknamed 'Pickwick' by the students, being a professor at Dartmouth by title, but, in reality, a fund raiser. He constitutes a swell story, but to me it is somewhat of a comedy which should be told, perhaps, by some heavy thinker such as the late Ralph Theller. The class of 1911, which will be celebrating its 50th reunion two years hence, might well dedicate its book to Cogswell."

As a fund raiser, Carp explains, it was Cogswell who won the support of the great Samuel Appleton when Dartmouth's finances were in critical condition during the period 1841-1845. Twice Appleton's gifts revived an ailing college.

"Pickwick," according to Carp's research, "was a finished fund raiser. He was hipped on genealogy, history of New England families, family inter-marriages, or what have you. If he couldn't get a dollar contribution, he besought old books, pamphlets, old newspapers - any such contribution for his proposed museum library. In two years he collected 1,100 volumes, more than 4,000 pamphlets, and large files of valuable newspapers. Like someone from Aurora I might mention, he may have been a screwball, but he sure was a go-getter."

'09's Bequest Chairman

The glorious class of '09 has never started a Memorial Fund. It's been a struggle to get dough for the Alumni Fund and Capital Gifts. The lads seem to be loath to dip into their inside pockets for the green stuff that makes the mare go. Work has been done on Capital Gifts. How the boys have reacted to this, I don't know. The highest contribution that has come to my attention is for $3,000. The widow of a deceased member of the class has paid up his three-year pledge.

As Bequest Fund chairman, Mike Farley has been buttonholing classmates to get them to remember the old college in their wills. No high pressure stuff. Mike's too good a salesman for that, but he's been boring in and, I imagine, is making progress.

The question was asked about bow-legged guys, "What manner of men are these, who ..." - no doubt you sophisticated gents know the rest of the quotation. So it's asked, "What manner of man is Leon Baker Farley commonly called Mike?" He is not bowlegged. In college, where he remained for three years, he was known as a smooth dresser and a suave individual. He joined Theta Delt, was chosen for the Turtle junior society, and Casque & Gauntlet senior society. He was one of the Commencement ushers.

In post-college days, Mike engaged in the leather business until World War I when he served as a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps. After the war, he returned to the leather business until 1921 when he entered the advertising field, serving in managerial capacities until his retirement a couple of years ago.

Mike could aptly be described as a seasoned bachelor of 38 when he was married to Virginia Parker in 1921. They have two daughters: Betty, Mrs. Stanton K. Gleason, who graced Aurora with her presence for a year or so before she and her hubby moved east; and Nancy, Mrs. Rodney P. McPhie.

When Mike approaches you on the bequest program, men, treat him with consideration and listen carefully to his plea.

A Beautiful Friendship

'Twas springtime in 1906 when the accompanying photo of Kenneth Edward Root (Nut(s) to you) and Clifford Austin Blake (Call Me Curly) was taken. The boys had discovered an affinity in their natures that grew into a firm friendship, destined to last through their college course and the years that followed. They both became members of the Sphinx senior society. As they sit on the cold, hard stones in the Bema, they appear to be reflecting on the idiosyncracies of life. Maybe their pants were too tight. Note that they wore them short with culls turned up, probably to show gracefully turned ankles. Look carefully, and you can see Nut's Deke pin on his bosom just over his heart. (I remember, when we were initiated we were told never to let our frat pins leave our person. One guy used to carry his in his mouth when he took a bath.) Curly's Tri Kap pin doesn't show, but pipe the Windsor tie effect.

These lads were reared in different environments. Curly was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. and came to college via Phillips Exeter and Mercersburg Academies. Nut was born in Chicago and prepped at the University High School. In business, their paths diverged. For many years Curly was associated with the Travelers Insurance Company as a branch manager and later, until his retirement a couple of years ago, in the real estate business. Although he was nurtured in Hanover's rigorous winter climate, he has reached the point where he abhors snow and cold weather. He and his little woman, Sarah, flee to Florida in the winter, usually St. Petersburg, whence Curly sends notes to his northern friends, deploring the fact that they have to shovel snow and face the icy blasts of Old Man Winter.

After leaving college, Nut chose the mail order business as a means of livelihood. He was with Montgomery Ward for 22 years, the last ten of which he was general manager. In 1932 he joined Sears Roebuck as a general merchandise executive, remaining there until 1948 when he was automatically retired at the age of 60. Since then, he has been a merchandising consultant.

Yep, Nut got married in 1918 to Ruth Taylor. This was about the time he was relieved of his duties as a Major, Q. M. C. in World War I. All these 41 years she has served him as a charming helpmeet, pampering his every whim as a good wife should. They have no children.

Gordon Weinz, '09's masterful head agent, is seeking a full quota of Capital Gift donations, in hopes of raising the class's participation percentage to a higher level than last year. Do your stuff, men. Make your gifts large or small, according to the condition of your exchequer.

Always remember, too, to follow the lead of our noble 50-year reunion chairman, Al Newton, with this dedicated slogan: "It's Hanover for Mine in Fifty-nine."

Class Notes Editor, 141 Pioneer Trail, Aurora, Ohio

Class Agent, 21 Walden St., Newtonville 60, Mass.