32 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



live and expand in the universe, never growing old or weary, recognized and 

 recognizing other souls forever and ever. 



***Upou this stupendous problem of immortality, Mr. Porter spoke with his 

 usual modesty. Said he, " Wc should not make ourselves unhappy about this 

 matter, but be willing to accept what has been prepared for us. If it is best 

 for us to live Jigain, we shall do so. I go to try the future without fear. If 

 we do not wake again, it will be one long sleep, and we have no right to com- 

 plain." 



" 'During his long illness he never was heard to complain, and when he saw 

 that death was inevitable, made every preparation for it with great resigna- 

 tion. For those who, misusing the gifts and opportunities of life, die in the 

 midst of a round of follies and sins, we may well drop the bitter tear. But 

 for such as he, who, loyal to the right, strove each day to become more and 

 more like his ideal man, we should offer no vain tears, but proceed on our 

 journey, thankful for the bright example, and hoping and believing that 

 somewhere, at some time, we shall encounter again his radiant smile and 

 cheerful greeting. 0. H.' 



'' William K. Kedzie, of the class of 1870, died April 14th, 1880, and his 

 brother, Robert F. Kedzie, of the class of 1871, died Feb. 13th, 1883. These 

 are mentioned together, though they do not so occur in order of time, because 

 they so often come to our minds in the same thought. They may well be 

 regarded as true sons to our Alma Mater, and brilliant examples of what, 

 under the best conditions, she can produce. 



"The leading events of their short lives are somewhat strikingly similar, yet 

 iu character and disposition they in many respects quite widely differ. Both 

 were students of this college under nearly identical circumstances; both com- 

 pleted the course with the highest honors ; both were engaged after gradua- 

 tion as assistants in the chemical laboratory ; both pursued advanced courses 

 of study in their special lines at eastern institutions; both early received im- 

 portant professorships in agricultural colleges; both discharged arduous 

 duties excellently well; both were most enthusiastic in the study and promul- 

 gation of natural science; both were true Christian gentlemen of the highest 

 honor and noblest bearing, and both met with untimely and lamented deaths 

 at nearly the same age. 



"William K. Kedzie was appointed Professor of Chemistry in the Agricult- 

 ural College of Kansas in 1873. He brought to the irksome duties of this 

 new position all his characteristic zeal and energy. Yet amid his many tasks 

 he found time for valuable outside work. Among labors of this sort was a 

 practical work on the Agricultural Geology of Kansas, a work which has been 

 highly praised, and which gave him a reputation as a chemist and practical 

 scientist which many a man much older in the profession might well be proud 

 of. He visited Europe in 1875, and while there made careful study of Ger- 

 man chemical laboratories, with a view of adopting their best qualities into a 

 plan for a laboratory at the Kansas Agricultural College. Upon his return he 

 prepared and presented such a plan. It was adopted, and the building con- 

 structed under his direction. In 1878 he accepted the professorship of chem- 

 istry at Oberlin University, which position he held until his death. 



"A most interesting phase of his character was his untiring devotion to the 

 advancement of science. His first independent efforts in this line were exerted 

 here and for the benefit of this College. They were varied but always of 

 value and successfully accomplished. He was one of the founders and most 

 enthusiastic and eflBcient of the first members of the Natural History Society 



