THOMAS - Mason B. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

New Woodstock NY March 11 – A telegram was received last week by Mr. EL Buell that his nephew, Prof Mason B. Thomas of Crawfordsville, Ind had died on Tuesday March 5th.  It appears that he had been ill for several weeks and medical men from Indianapolis and a special friend from NY had been called upon to do all they could to save a very valuable life. The day of his departure had come, however and he has gone to his well earned rest and well assured reward. Funeral services were held at Crawfordsville on Friday, March 8th.  Mason B. Thomas was born on West Woodstock Hill 45 years ago the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mansier Conable Thomas of honored memory.  He received his education at Cazenovia Seminary where he prepared for and entered Cornell University, graduating and taking a post graduate course in scientific subjects. He was called almost immediately to Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind where he had been professor of biology for over 20 years and for many years had served as Dean of the College Faculty.  He received his PhD from Cornell was the author of text books on biology, a manual of plant histology and in addition to his class room work gave many lectures on scientific subjects. Prof. Thomas was an indefatigable worker, intensely enthusiastic in his department and heart and soul interested in the progress of his students, both intellectually, materially and spiritually.  He became a Christian man during his seminary course at Cazenovia and the character thus brought into being increased in vigor until the end. It was his custom to place the photograph of anyone of his students who had made good progress or take a good place in a conspicuous position with others in his class room occasionally referring to these honor men as inspirations to others. His students have taken places of influence at Cornell and any student presenting his authorization has been accepted as qualified without examination.  He could have held positions in much larger institutions but he preferred to remain in the place of usefulness he had learned to fill in the small college where his personal influence on the students could be more largely available.  His life is an inspiration to the young men of our village, well worthy of close following.   Thus only is the pathway upward to be found and followed.  He married Miss Annie Davidson daughter of Judge Thomas Davidson of Crawfordsville who survives him.  He also leaves two uncles, Mason K. Blanchard of Syracuse and EL Buell of New Woodstock; a nephew, Howard Chapman of Oneida and his cousins, Mrs. Harriet Seymour; William Buell; Anna Belle Buell and Mrs. Gertrude Rose. – kbz

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 29 Aug 1891 p 1

Prof. JL Campbell and Judge AD Thomas have just returned from Washington DC where they attended the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The object of their going was to secure a man to fill the chair of biology in Wabash College.  As a result they have recommended to the executive committee which met on Tuesday the name of Mason B. Thomas of Itchica NY.  Prof. Thomas graduated from Cornell University in 1889 and now holds a fellowship there which is good for one year more. He has not taught to any great extent but is recommended most highly by all scientists who are acquainted with his work and especially by Prof. Gage of the chair of botany in Cornell.  His specialty in physiological botany or the study of growing plants and he is considered by those who know to be the most expert user of the microscope in the world. He is about 24 years old, unmarried and as far as the committee learned not a member of any church.  His father and his grandfather, however, were both Methodist preachers. The executive committee will offer Mr. Thomas the position and have great hopes that he will accept. The executive committee of Wabash College met Tuesday afternoon and formally extended a call to Mason B. Thomas of Ithica NY to accept the chair of biology in Wabash College. It is believed that he will accept and come on at once to take charge of the department. In addition to the facts concerning him given in Tuesday’s Journal it is learned that he had charge last year at Cornell a volunteer class in botany and that the work was carried on most successfully and enthusiastically.  Prof. Thomas is short of stature but rather heavy and somewhat of an athlete. He took a thorough course at Cornell and is a good talker both in and out of the classroom. He did not begin to to specialize until he had received a rounded education and so will be all the better prepared for his work here. Prof. Smith will have charge of the classes in geology this coming year and until some more satisfactory arrangement