EZRA CORNELL.

CHAPTER I.

ANCESTRY.

Puritan Origin.-Friends or Quaker Ancestry.-Elijah Cornell born, 1771. His Father's early Death.-Apprenticed to Potter's Trade, 1791.-Eunice Barnard born, 1788.—Marriage, 1805.-Marriage Certificate.-Located in Westchester.-Loss of Vessel.-Removal to De Ruyter, 1807.-Friends' Meeting in Quaker Basin.-Return to Westchester, 1810.-Removal to New Jersey, 1817.-Close of War prostrates Business.-Return to De Ruyter, 1819.

THE opportunities afforded by Republican institutions, for the development and elevation of individual character, illustrate more, perhaps, than anything else, the wisdom of our forefathers, in establishing a government so aptly described by the martyred LINCOLN, as "of the people, by the people, for the people." In no other country is it possible for the youth of humble birth to achieve results which are constantly occurring in our history. Here we have numberless examples of men, born and reared in the deepest poverty

and obscurity, attaining the most eminent positions in public life. Dignitaries of the highest rank have in many instances ascended from the most humble and unpromising origin; while many of the greatest fortunes in the land, have been acquired by men, who began life with empty hands, and without the aid of friends or patrons. So, too, some of the most important and valuable inventions and discoveries, have been made by persons, springing from the most obscure walks of life. The learned professions furnish innumerable illustrations of like character, and it may be stated almost as a rule, that the grandest successes in the intellectual activities of our country, have been accomplished by those, who may truthfully be classed as self-made men, and have arisen, unsupported, by means of their own talents and efforts.

The career of the subject of this sketch, EZRA CORNELL, the founder of the CORNELL UNIVERSITY, presents a notable example of the achievement of unaided effort. The child of humble parentage, reared in a new country, beyond the reach of advanced educational facilities, with only such rudimentary training as the district school of a frontier region afforded, by the inherent force of his native talents, he successfully gained a great fortune, that, in the desire to elevate his fellow-man,

he devoted to the establishment of a noble educational institution, which, though only now in the second decade of its existence, has already attained a prominent position among the oldest and most celebrated universities of the country.

A complete history of the unceasing labors and indomitable energy, devoted to the acquisition of his fortune; of the obstacles encountered and surmounted; of the admirable foresight with which he planned, and the unwavering faith, by which he was sustained to final success, through a wilderness of difficulties and discouragements, would read almost like a romance; while the generosity and self-sacrifice with which he dedicated the fruits of success to the intellectual advancement of his race, afford a striking illustration of the real greatness of the man.

The ancestry of Mr. Cornell, both paternal and maternal, was of Puritan origin, descending from the original settlement at Plymouth, so celebrated in the early history of civilization, on the American continent. For many generations, they had been members of the religious denomination, or sect, of Friends, more commonly called Quakers, a class of people well-known for sturdy uprightness of character, and for their domestic virtues. With them, industry, sobriety and frugality were dominant characteristics, while they were espe

cially noted for benevolence, and charitable acts. Domestic in their ways of life, marriage was with them a holy tie, and the family circle was considered a sacred precinct, which should be exempt from indecorous or trifling invasion. In those days there was but little wealth in the country, and the possession of an independent competence was, indeed, rare. Labor was, therefore, the rule, and idleness the exception. Then as now, however, industry and economy were certain to bring their reward. While some misfortune might often bring want, real poverty was but little known, but if caused by unavoidable circumstances, it was not regarded as discreditable, and was always certain to find quick relief.

Mr. Cornell's father, ELIJAH CORNELL, was born in the town of Swansea, Bristol County, Mass., October 17, 1771, and was consequently four and a half years of age when the Declaration of Independence was promulgated by the Continental Congress. He was the son of Elijah Cornell, who was married, December 4, 1769, to Sarah, daughter of Benjamin and Mehetabel Miller. Both of Mr. Cornell's parents were descended from families, who had, for many generations, been reared in the near vicinity of his place of nativity. From his parentage, he inherited the modest and unpretending simplicity of character,

that so particularly distinguished the race of people from which he was descended. His father died while young Elijah was still in infancy, leaving his mother, with two young children dependent upon her, and with very slender means of support. She was afterward, August 11, 1777, married to Benjamin Chase, an estimable man in every sense of the term, who became, indeed, a father to the fatherless. Under his fostering care, Elijah and his elder brother, were brought up on an equal footing with a considerable family of children, the issue of the second marriage of their mother.

That they were fairly educated, considering the primitive times in which they lived, is attested by the fact that Elijah was frequently employed in teaching school, both before and after his marriage. Elijah, at the age of nineteen, was indentured by his mother to Asa Chase, of Somerset, Bristol County, Mass., to learn the potter's trade. The letters of indenture, which bear date January 28, 1791, are still extant and in the possession of his descendants. The mother of Ezra Cornell, Eunice, daughter of Captain Reuben Barnard and Phebe Coleman, was born at Nine Partners, Dutchess County, N. Y., May 11, 1788. Her father was formerly a sea captain, engaged in whale fishery from New Bedford,