PUTNAM MEMOIR OF CHARLES EDWIN PUTNAM. 9 



literary and scientific projects which he had in mind, and intended to 

 devote the later years of his life to elaborating these and publishing 

 the results of his labors. All of this material, representing the work 

 of the "leisure hours" of the mature years of his life, was lost in the 

 destruction of his home by fire six weeks prior to his death. The loss 

 of this work preyed heavily upon him, as he felt that he must begin all 

 over again, which at his time of life was most disheartening. And yet, 

 characteristically, he took a cheerful view of the situation, and imme- 

 diately commenced to plan for the fiiture. For in this work was where 

 his heart lay, and though a life of intense activity in doing more than 

 his share in conducting the practical business of the world had pre- 

 vented him from making a permanent contribution to the literature of 

 his time, yet his mind always recurred to this cherished object of his 

 ambition, and it was his hope that he might live to accomplish it. 



Mr. Putnam took an active interest in all public educational and 

 literary work. He served for five years as a member of the Board of 

 Education of Davenport, introducing reforms into the methods of in- 

 struction and management of the public schools, and retained through 

 life a deep interest in all matters pertaining to their welfare, as well as 

 to the general cause of education in all of its phases. He served as a 

 trustee of the Davenport Library Association, and was an active sup- 

 porter of and contributor to its work. In earlier years, long before 

 the days of "University Extension," he was instrumental in bringing 

 many eminent lecturers to Davenport. He was a trustee of the First 

 Presbyterian Church for a long term of years, and, although his views 

 of religion were not bounded by any creed or sect, he was a constant 

 attendant at its service. 



During his first years at Davenport he belonged to various social 

 and literary organizations, among others being the organizer in 1857, 

 and President during its existence, of the Davenport Literary Society, 

 which was one of the earliest associations of the kind in the West and 

 had an important influence upon the growing Western town. He was 

 also one of the founders and first President of the " Flxcelsior Society," 

 composed of former residents of New York. He delivered many ad- 

 dresses before these and other kindred associations. He took no part 

 in the practical work of politics. It had no attractions for him, and 

 he never held a political office, though throughout his life he kept fully 

 abreast of all passing political problems. Before the war he was a 

 whig, during its continuance a unionist, and after its close a democrat 

 with very independent proclivities, always voting for the best man 



[Frog. p. A. N. S., Vol. VII. 1 2 [ September 15, 1897.] 



