His interest in education.
Nowhere outside the circle of his immediate family and church will the death of this honored servant of God be more lamented and occasion a deeper sense of loss than at
Hampden-Sidney.
He was born at this place during the presidency of his grandfather and while his father was a professor in the college, in a building still standing and in use. He was graduated here with the highest honors of his class, along with such men as
Hon. W. C. Carrington,
Colonel Charles S. Carrington,
Judge F. D. Irving, and
Rev. W. T. Richardson, D. D. When still a young man he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees—an office the duties of which he punctually and regularly filled throughout life, being seldom absent, and often presiding over the deliberations of the board.
He was twice called to the presidency of the college, a position which he did not see his way clear to accept.
He never seemed to be in finer spirits or to enjoy himself more than during our annual commencements, using every power in public and in the social circle to lend eclat to the occasion and promote the enjoyment of others.
He was a conspicuous figure at the last commencement and made one of the finest brief addresses of his life to the graduating class immediately after they had received their diplomas.
So accustomed were the people of Prince Edward to hear him, and such delight did they take in listening
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to his charming utterances, that for years, no matter what other speakers were present, they were wholly dissatisfied with the exercises unless his voice had been heard.
The common feeling was expressed some years ago, when he was not present, by a lady who had ridden twenty miles to see and hear him, as she had been accustomed to do, and has regularly done since, when she said: ‘This is no commencement at all.
Dr. Hoge is not here.’
