SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 97 



discouraged. His keen sense of humor many times enlivened 

 sessions of the board which under the serious conditions would 

 otherwise have been very somber. 



Henry Chamberlain, of Three Oaks, twice served the state 

 for a term of six years on this board. He was an example of 

 old-time gentility, courteous in manners, a student of educational 

 methods, a practical politician of a most excellent type, and a 

 broad-minded and determined man. He was always a fine 

 member to work with whether in committee of the whole or upon 

 a special mission. He was a keen observer of men, and during 

 his term of service perhaps had more to do with the selection of 

 members to go upon the teaching force than any other member 

 in the history of the Board of Agriculture. Wherever Mr. 

 Chamberlain went he was a partisan for agricultural education, 

 and he never considered it out of place to talk about the Michigan 

 Agricultural College. The institution was on his heart as well 

 as on his mind. 



Cyrus G. Luce, of Coldwater, was rather a caustic critic of 

 the College previous to receiving his appointment upon the 

 board. He soon became convinced, however, of the great value 

 the institution could subserve in the state, and because of his 

 leadership in the Grange and in legislative halls he became a 

 power for good in the development of the institution. And when 

 he came into the gubernatorial chair, he, of all the governors, 

 was the most regular in his attendance as an ex-officio member 

 of the board. 



Ira H. Butterfield, of Lapeer, came upon the board after 

 having had a wide experience in the management of the State 

 Fair Association and in filling a position of trust under the United 

 States government. Having had journalistic experience also, 

 his services were of peculiar value to the College in that he gave 

 voice to its methods; and because he was a master of details, 

 he was always ready with a wealth of information to meet almost 

 any possible contingency in the movement of the College to 



