1896.] PUTNAM — MEMORIAL OF SYLVENUS A. ELLIS. 235 



He was born at Tyrone, Steuben County, N. Y., October 28, 

 1829. He went to school and shared the adventures and mishaps 

 common to the boys until he commenced teaching in Nunda at the 

 age of nineteen. For four years he taught at the Nunda Academy, 

 and during this time prej)ared himself for college. He entered the 

 University of Rochester in 1852, and graduated in 1855, with the 

 degree of Bachelor of Arts. Many times he has related the interest- 

 ing events in those early years of the University, when it was located 

 on Buffalo Street, now West Main. He seems to have been actively 

 interested in out-of-door sports, which probably helped to preserve 

 the vitality that enabled him, though of poor health in later years, to 

 attain an age of 66 years, and be active almost to the end. In college 

 he was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, and was elected 

 to the honorary Phi Beta Kappa Society. 



Mr. Ellis engaged in several business enterprises, among which 

 was that of bookseller, in the firm of Adams & Ellis, at 40 Buffalo 

 Street, where now stands the Elwood Block. In 1869 he was made 

 Superintendent of Rochester Public Schools, which position he held 

 until 1876. He then became a teacher in the Western New York 

 Institute for Deaf Mutes, where he remained until 1882. Again 

 chosen Superintendent of Schools, he held the position for ten years, 

 1882 to 1893. 



In 1884 he received from the Regents of the University of the 

 State of New York the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. : 



From this brief description it will be seen that the work of Dr. 

 Ellis was chiefly as an educator. He had a broad conception of the 

 true education. His interest in science was stimulated by the educa- 

 tional work for the young in which he was engaged. He was one of 

 the original members of this Academy, having joined the parent 

 society, the old Microscopical Society, at its third meeting, March 

 10, 1879. He was President of this Academy in 1888. He devoted 

 much time to the work of the Microscopical Section, and became an 

 enthusiast in Entomology. He was much interested in the crusade 

 by the school children against the enemy of our shade trees, the 

 tussock moth. 



His connection with educational work through many years has 

 left its imprint on the character of thousands of Rochester's men and 

 women, the impression of a firm, gentle, pure nature which upheld 

 and exemplified the highest ideals of true manhood. 



