Our NCGS Library has a collection of school yearbooks including some early school publications. One such publication is The Lockport High School (L.H.S.) Crescent which was first published in May 1899.
Within that May 1899 publication was an article about Othniel Charles Marsh written by Mrs. M. A. B. Evans. Here is the transcription:
“ALUMNI.
Othniel Charles Marsh.
MRS. M. A. B. EVANS.
In the death of Professor Othniel Charles Marsh, on March 18, 1899, the world of science has lost one of its most distinguished men, and the University of Yale one of its most eminent instructors. Professor Marsh’s reputation as a paleontologist was world-wide. Degrees and medals were presented to him by many learned institutions in all parts of the globe. His career is of special interest to Lockport, because this was early home. Here he was born, October 29, 1831, and for several years he attended the old Union School, though we do not find his name in the list of graduates. But he is reported as “a close student, especially interested in geological research.” The lime-stone quarries west of Lockport, and the geological formations shown in the rock cuttings for the Erie Canal, were Professor Marsh’s first fields of research. Several old residents remember him, as, hammer in hand, he made those first collections of specimens which were afterwards to grow into the magnificent museum, that he has left to the University of Yale. He was able to carry out his scientific discoveries in a particularly fortunate manner, for his uncle, Mr. George Peabody, helped him in every way, and left him a large fund of money, a part of which was used in the construction of the Peabody Museum at Yale. Thus, with an ample private fortune, his life since his graduation at Yale in 1860 could be devoted to his favorite pursuit, and he could give as much or as little time to teaching as he chose. In 1866 he became Professor of Paleontology at Yale, having previously spent three years studying in Germany. Somewhat later in life he led into the Rocky Mountains and various western territories several scientific expeditions, which he fitted out at his own expense. His discoveries include a large number of specimens of fossil animals, some of which had not been known to exist in America, while some were entirely unknown to the scientific world. Among these may be mentioned the big Dinosauria, the fossil birds with teeth, and the little ancestors of the horse. These last named creatures have in place of the hoof, tiny toes, which evidently made them step quite differently from the horse of to-day. For many years Professor Marsh has been President of the National Academy of Sciences, and a number of books and treatises on his favorite subject of study will aid future generations of students, and keep in memory the life work of this truly remarkable man.”1
How fascinating to learn about this paleontologist that was born in Lockport! Here are some initial findings on Othniel Charles Marsh:
Othniel’s Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Othniel_Charles_Marsh
George Peabody (Othniel’s uncle): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Peabody
George Peabody (Peabody Award – NOT Othniel’s uncle): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Foster_Peabody
Othniel’s FamilySearch page: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LCZB-2R9
Othniel’s Find A Grave memorial page: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/4855/othniel-charles-marsh
I have reached out to our friends at the Niagara County Historian’s Office to see what information they might have on Othniel. More to follow!
Jeanette Sheliga is the Niagara County (NY) Genealogical Society’s (NCGS) Chairman of the Board, Vice President, and Program Chairperson. She is a member of many local and national organizations and holds leadership positions with the Niagara Falls Chapter of the DAR as the Chapter Registrar, the Western New York Genealogical Society (WNYGS) as a member of the Board of Directors, and the Virtual Genealogical Association (VGA) as the Corresponding Secretary. You can learn more about Jeanette on her website and her profile page for the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG).
