sagacity of mind and sanctity of life, and one who was destined to exert a strong influence upon the life and character of the young student. In 1861 he graduated in the Scientific Course, representing his class as valedictorian on Commencement Day. Continuing at Adrian another year, he took the Classical degree.

A tour abroad, in Germany, France, and England, broadened his views and gave permanence and finish to the studies he had already mastered. During 1863 he was associated with the corps of instructors of Adrian College as assistant in mathematics. A call was given him, in 1866, to the Chair of Mathematics in Marshall College, Henry, Ill.; but it was declined, as he still hesitated to make teaching his life work.

For a period of six years (1867-73) he was employed as a mechanical engineer and draughtsman; but in 1874 the die was cast for pedagogical work, and he accepted the principalship of the Fairview schools, Pa. In 1878 came an unsolicited call to superintend the schools of Union City, and during the years 1880-92 he acted as principal of the Mansfield State Normal School. It was during these years that he made the enviable reputation that goes with indomitable courage and unflagging zeal. When he began his labors at Mansfield, the outlook was certainly discouraging and unfriendly. The school was deficient in buildings, furniture, and all the paraphernalia necessary successfully to conduct work by modern methods. As a result the attendance was far below the average, and the support from patrons feeble and lukewarm. Today the Normal School of Mansfield is the most flourishing in the state, and takes rank with any of its class in the country, thanks to Dr. Thomas, who successfully lobbied appropriation after appropriation through the legislature at Harrisburg, by means of which he erected magnificent buildings for the school and thoroughly equipped it with the most modern appliances for all branches of study.

The honorary degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by Lafayette (Pa.) College in 1884, and the degree of Ph. D. by Heidelburg (O.) University in 1888.

During the summer of 1893 he was called to the Presidency of Adrian College, the trustees of this institution feeling deeply that, in the condition of the school at that time, a man of Dr. Thomas' energy and sagacity would be its surest guaranty to advancement and success. He was loath to accept, having other and brighter prospects in view, but loyalty to Alma Mater finally prevailed. It is barest justice to say that, during the short time he has been presiding at Adrian, the outlook has wonderfully improved. Dr. Thomas saw at once that the college needed more buildings and greater facilities for carrying on the best work by the most modern methods. The result is evidenced in a large, three-storied building, Metcalf Hall, named after the principal donor, Mr. David Metcalf of Adrian, an honored trustee of the college and a merchant of sterling business worth in the city.

Always busy, always on the move, Dr. Thomas does not stop when one improvement is completed. Scarcely has one venture been put through and proven before he leaves it for something new. The college has been fitted out with a spick and span steam plant, most effective and economical in its working. With Dr. Thomas at the head, Adrian College is rapidly advancing to the front and keeping pace is rapidly advancing to the front and keeping pace in modern improvements with in modern improvements with that high standard of scholastic excellence with which it has always been credited.

ADRIAN COLLEGE.

This college, located at Adrian, the county seat of Lenawee County, was organized under the auspices of the Wesleyan Methodist connection March 22, 1859, in accordance with the provisions of an act passed by the Legislature entitled: "An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Institutions of Learning." It is one of the recognized institutions of the Methodist Protestant church, having been transferred Feb. 28, 1868, in due and legal form by the trustees then in possession, to a new Board of Trustees, nominated by and representing a corporation known as the "Collegiate Association of the Methodist Protestant Church." This body, in taking possession of the college and its appurtenances, assumed all the financial liabilities of the insti

tution, which at that time amounted to more than $30,000, and entered into obligations to endow it in a sum of not less than $100,000. From a recent report adopted by the trustees, the value of the property of the institution, including endowment, grounds, buildings, etc., is estimated at $225,000.

The college buildings number five: North Hall, the Cabinet Building, Chapel, South Hall, and Metcalf Hall. The last named was built in the summer of 1895. These buildings are located on a plot of twenty acres on the western edge of the city, easy of access from the two depots by means of street railway and commanding a beautiful view of the city and surrounding country.

Metcalf Hall contains in its basement a steam plant which heats the entire college. Its first floor is devoted to a dining hall and kitchen pronounced by competent judges one of the best college culinary departments in the country. The second floor contains thirteen rooms used by the Music Department. About eighty pupils register in this department each year. The third floor constitutes the ladies gymnasium, and an athletic field has been made back of the building at an expense of a thousand dollars, said to be the finest in the State.

At present four schools are included under the management of Adrian College: The College of Literature and Arts, the School of Music, the School of Theology, and the Preparatory School. These associated schools are under the control of a board of thirty trustees, twenty-four of whom are elected by the General Conference of the Methodist Church, and six by the Alumni Association.

The course of study at Adrian, as can be shown by the catalog, is and always has been of the highest grade, and will compare favorably with a like course in any other institution in the country. Its music department especially, including piano, pipe organ, violin, composition, and voice, is constantly enlarging and takes rank with the best in the State. The college corps of instructors numbers fourteen. The degrees, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Philosophy, Bachelor of Letters, Bachelor of Divinity, and Bachelor of Music, are conferred upon pupils completing appropriate courses of study. A teacher's course is provided in connection with the college, and certificates are granted those fulfilling its requirements. A thorough system of preparatory work is also taught, leading up to the Freshman year and covering the advanced work of the common schools.

The college has a finely equipped reading room, containing 5,000 volumes and the leading periodicals and newspapers. Three Literary Societies meet weekly, each having its own library.

Religious services are held in the Chapel every morning. The Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. are permanent factors in college life and meet regularly every week. The policy of the authorities has ever been to avoid police surveillance and put students upon their honor as regards their behavior, and the system works admirably. Few cases of discipline occur.

It is the intention of the present administration to remodel and modernize the chapel, giving greater and more comfortable seating facilities and improving the acoustic properties of the hall; also to erect a new library building in the near future.

Adrian College reverts with pride to the fact that nine of its fourteen instructors are active members of its Alumni Association. Its graduates are numerous, and many of them have attained to honorable and eminent positions in life.

LEWIS RANSOM FISKE, A. B., D. D., LL.D.

PRESIDENT OF ALBION COLLEGE.

The Fiske family came from England to America in 1637, and settled at W Essex County, Mass., the father of Lewis Fiske living first in New Hampsh in New York, where this son was born Dec. 24, 1825, in Penfield, Monro In 1835 his father came with his family to Michigan, and at the age o the subject of this sketch entered the University at Ann Arbor, gr from in 1850 with the degree of A. B. In early life, eager for s formed a plan to take a college course with the profession of law