Newspaper Editor. Professor of politics. President of several colleges. Retired as editor in chief of the NY Times in 1938.
John Huston Finley- Born at Grand Ridge, IL, October 19, 1863. He graduated from Knox College in 1887. Hon. Ph D., LL. D., Johns Hopkins. President of Knox College, 1892-1899, Editor of Harper’s Weekly. 1899. Editor of McClure’s Magazine since 1899. Professor of Politics, Princeton University, 1900. President of College of the City of New York, 1903.
Contributor: Ward Clemence White (47177094)
DR. JOHN FINLEY, RETIRED EDITOR, DIES IN NEW YORK
Headed Two Colleges During Lifetime
New York, March 7 (AP) - Dr. John H. Finley. educator and editor emeritus of the New York Times, died in his sleep early today. Dr. Finley, who was 76 years old, recently underwent an operation, but his rugged physique apparently brought about a quick recovery. He returned to his home at 1 Lexington avenue about three weeks ago. It was there he died.
Dr. Finley, a native of Grand Ridge, Ill., was a former New York state commissioner of education and at one time was president of the College of the City of New York, as well as of Knox college, at Galesburg, III. He was the fifth college president in his family.
His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were farmers. He acquired his liking for journalism at Knox and earned most of his way by setting type in a Galesburg newspaper plant. In 1891 he was elected president of Knox and directed the college for seven years. He left Knox to take an editorial job with the S. S. McClure company in New York and edited Harper's Weekly. After a year he went to Princeton as first occupant of a new chair in politics. He taught there until 1903, when he was elected president of City college. Ten years later Dr. Finley was chosen state education commissioner. He held the post until Jan. 1, 1921, when he joined the editorial staff of the New York Times, of which he became editor in chief in 1937.
- Chicago Tribune, Friday, March 8, 1940, page 22
Contributor: RES (49915077)
From the 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County, Munsell Publishing Company.
JOHN HUSTON FINLEY was born at Grand Ridge, LaSalle County, IL, October 19, 1863. He is the son of James Gibson and Lydia Maynard (McCombs) Finley, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. His father, when a young man, came West and purchased a tract of land, then an unbroken prairie, for a farm. He then returned to Pennsylvania and brought his family to his new home in LaSalle County. He was a man of intelligence and influence and was prominent in the community in which he lived. In church affairs, he took a great interest, and for the common weal, he labored faithfully. The mother of John H. was a remarkable woman. In her domestic relations and in his social functions, she never failed to do her duty.
The history of the ancestry of the Finley family is brief. They are of Scotch-Irish descent. By persecutions, they were driven out of Scotland at an early day and settled in Ireland. They emigrated to this county about the year 1750. A member of one of the branches of the family became President of Princeton College. Another was the first minister to cross the Allegheny Mountains, settling in Western Pennsylvania. From this latter branch, descended Dr. John H. Finley.
Dr. Finley acquired the rudiments of his education in the district school of his native town. He received also private instruction from the teacher and the village minister. He attended the High School at Ottawa for fourteen months and graduated in 1881. He then engaged in teaching for the Winter of 1881-2, and worked on the farm the following Summer. In the Fall of 1882, he matriculated in Knox College remaining there six months. He then worked on the farm and taught school for the following Winter. In the Spring of 1884, he returned to Knox College and graduated with high honors in 1887. In the Autumn of this year, he entered John Hopkins University and took a post-graduate course, remaining until February, 1889.
Since leaving college, Dr. Finley has had a most remarkable career. Places of honor and preferment have been open to him without his seeking. After leaving college, he was a compositor, for a short time, in the printing office of Colville Brothers, Galesburg IL. In 1892, he was unanimously elected President of Knox College, his Alma Mater, and her increased patronage under his administration is a reliable witness of his success. In a large measure he was the life and spirit of the college during his Presidency. His work was not in the class-room, but in the field, lecturing, raising money, and securing students. He had the confidence of all, and whatever the undertaking, his hands were upheld by pupil, teacher, and the general public. Knox College owes him a debt of gratitude for enlarging her reputation among sister colleges. His own reputation spread likewise, and during his term of service here, he was offered several important positions in other colleges. He resigned the presidency of the college in 1899, and is now engaged in editorial work with McClure and the Harpers, New York City.
As a scholar, Dr. Finley stands in the front rank. He has been a thorough student of the best masters in literature, and is well versed in the writings of to-day. As a man, he is kind, gentle, and affable, and exhibits marks of sincerity in every word and act. He is a stranger to the finical graces of the schools, the studied ornament of speech, and the hollow verbiage of the charlatan. His marked characteristics are force and decision of character, accompanied with prudence and discretion. His manner is commanding, yet urbane; his actions are politic, yet frank; and his opinions are reserved, yet free. He is a warm supporter of education, religion, and good morals. His sympathies are inspiring; his charities, free from ostentation; and his friendship lasting. His social qualities, honest heart, and benevolent disposition give him a power that few men of his age possess. His life has been upright; his dealings just; and his has ever been regarded as a most worthy citizen.
In his religious connection, Dr. Finley is a Presbyterian. In political faith, he is a republican. He was married June 23, 1892, to Martha Fow Boyden, daughter of Hon. A. W. Boyden, a banker at Sheffield IL. Mr. Boyden has been a member of the Legislature, and was one of the one hundred and three that elected John A. Logan to the United States Senate.
Dr. and Mrs. Finley are the parents of two children: Ellen Boyden, born March 10, 1894; and Margaret Boyden, born April, 1897.
Contributor: Scott Hopping (49660653)
John Huston Finley- Born at Grand Ridge, IL, October 19, 1863. He graduated from Knox College in 1887. Hon. Ph D., LL. D., Johns Hopkins. President of Knox College, 1892-1899, Editor of Harper’s Weekly. 1899. Editor of McClure’s Magazine since 1899. Professor of Politics, Princeton University, 1900. President of College of the City of New York, 1903.
Contributor: Ward Clemence White (47177094)
DR. JOHN FINLEY, RETIRED EDITOR, DIES IN NEW YORK
Headed Two Colleges During Lifetime
New York, March 7 (AP) - Dr. John H. Finley. educator and editor emeritus of the New York Times, died in his sleep early today. Dr. Finley, who was 76 years old, recently underwent an operation, but his rugged physique apparently brought about a quick recovery. He returned to his home at 1 Lexington avenue about three weeks ago. It was there he died.
Dr. Finley, a native of Grand Ridge, Ill., was a former New York state commissioner of education and at one time was president of the College of the City of New York, as well as of Knox college, at Galesburg, III. He was the fifth college president in his family.
His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were farmers. He acquired his liking for journalism at Knox and earned most of his way by setting type in a Galesburg newspaper plant. In 1891 he was elected president of Knox and directed the college for seven years. He left Knox to take an editorial job with the S. S. McClure company in New York and edited Harper's Weekly. After a year he went to Princeton as first occupant of a new chair in politics. He taught there until 1903, when he was elected president of City college. Ten years later Dr. Finley was chosen state education commissioner. He held the post until Jan. 1, 1921, when he joined the editorial staff of the New York Times, of which he became editor in chief in 1937.
- Chicago Tribune, Friday, March 8, 1940, page 22
Contributor: RES (49915077)
From the 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County, Munsell Publishing Company.
JOHN HUSTON FINLEY was born at Grand Ridge, LaSalle County, IL, October 19, 1863. He is the son of James Gibson and Lydia Maynard (McCombs) Finley, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. His father, when a young man, came West and purchased a tract of land, then an unbroken prairie, for a farm. He then returned to Pennsylvania and brought his family to his new home in LaSalle County. He was a man of intelligence and influence and was prominent in the community in which he lived. In church affairs, he took a great interest, and for the common weal, he labored faithfully. The mother of John H. was a remarkable woman. In her domestic relations and in his social functions, she never failed to do her duty.
The history of the ancestry of the Finley family is brief. They are of Scotch-Irish descent. By persecutions, they were driven out of Scotland at an early day and settled in Ireland. They emigrated to this county about the year 1750. A member of one of the branches of the family became President of Princeton College. Another was the first minister to cross the Allegheny Mountains, settling in Western Pennsylvania. From this latter branch, descended Dr. John H. Finley.
Dr. Finley acquired the rudiments of his education in the district school of his native town. He received also private instruction from the teacher and the village minister. He attended the High School at Ottawa for fourteen months and graduated in 1881. He then engaged in teaching for the Winter of 1881-2, and worked on the farm the following Summer. In the Fall of 1882, he matriculated in Knox College remaining there six months. He then worked on the farm and taught school for the following Winter. In the Spring of 1884, he returned to Knox College and graduated with high honors in 1887. In the Autumn of this year, he entered John Hopkins University and took a post-graduate course, remaining until February, 1889.
Since leaving college, Dr. Finley has had a most remarkable career. Places of honor and preferment have been open to him without his seeking. After leaving college, he was a compositor, for a short time, in the printing office of Colville Brothers, Galesburg IL. In 1892, he was unanimously elected President of Knox College, his Alma Mater, and her increased patronage under his administration is a reliable witness of his success. In a large measure he was the life and spirit of the college during his Presidency. His work was not in the class-room, but in the field, lecturing, raising money, and securing students. He had the confidence of all, and whatever the undertaking, his hands were upheld by pupil, teacher, and the general public. Knox College owes him a debt of gratitude for enlarging her reputation among sister colleges. His own reputation spread likewise, and during his term of service here, he was offered several important positions in other colleges. He resigned the presidency of the college in 1899, and is now engaged in editorial work with McClure and the Harpers, New York City.
As a scholar, Dr. Finley stands in the front rank. He has been a thorough student of the best masters in literature, and is well versed in the writings of to-day. As a man, he is kind, gentle, and affable, and exhibits marks of sincerity in every word and act. He is a stranger to the finical graces of the schools, the studied ornament of speech, and the hollow verbiage of the charlatan. His marked characteristics are force and decision of character, accompanied with prudence and discretion. His manner is commanding, yet urbane; his actions are politic, yet frank; and his opinions are reserved, yet free. He is a warm supporter of education, religion, and good morals. His sympathies are inspiring; his charities, free from ostentation; and his friendship lasting. His social qualities, honest heart, and benevolent disposition give him a power that few men of his age possess. His life has been upright; his dealings just; and his has ever been regarded as a most worthy citizen.
In his religious connection, Dr. Finley is a Presbyterian. In political faith, he is a republican. He was married June 23, 1892, to Martha Fow Boyden, daughter of Hon. A. W. Boyden, a banker at Sheffield IL. Mr. Boyden has been a member of the Legislature, and was one of the one hundred and three that elected John A. Logan to the United States Senate.
Dr. and Mrs. Finley are the parents of two children: Ellen Boyden, born March 10, 1894; and Margaret Boyden, born April, 1897.
Contributor: Scott Hopping (49660653)
Newspaper Editor. Professor of politics. President of several colleges. Retired as editor in chief of the NY Times in 1938.
John Huston Finley- Born at Grand Ridge, IL, October 19, 1863. He graduated from Knox College in 1887. Hon. Ph D., LL. D., Johns Hopkins. President of Knox College, 1892-1899, Editor of Harper’s Weekly. 1899. Editor of McClure’s Magazine since 1899. Professor of Politics, Princeton University, 1900. President of College of the City of New York, 1903.
Contributor: Ward Clemence White (47177094)
DR. JOHN FINLEY, RETIRED EDITOR, DIES IN NEW YORK
Headed Two Colleges During Lifetime
New York, March 7 (AP) - Dr. John H. Finley. educator and editor emeritus of the New York Times, died in his sleep early today. Dr. Finley, who was 76 years old, recently underwent an operation, but his rugged physique apparently brought about a quick recovery. He returned to his home at 1 Lexington avenue about three weeks ago. It was there he died.
Dr. Finley, a native of Grand Ridge, Ill., was a former New York state commissioner of education and at one time was president of the College of the City of New York, as well as of Knox college, at Galesburg, III. He was the fifth college president in his family.
His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were farmers. He acquired his liking for journalism at Knox and earned most of his way by setting type in a Galesburg newspaper plant. In 1891 he was elected president of Knox and directed the college for seven years. He left Knox to take an editorial job with the S. S. McClure company in New York and edited Harper's Weekly. After a year he went to Princeton as first occupant of a new chair in politics. He taught there until 1903, when he was elected president of City college. Ten years later Dr. Finley was chosen state education commissioner. He held the post until Jan. 1, 1921, when he joined the editorial staff of the New York Times, of which he became editor in chief in 1937.
- Chicago Tribune, Friday, March 8, 1940, page 22
Contributor: RES (49915077)
From the 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County, Munsell Publishing Company.
JOHN HUSTON FINLEY was born at Grand Ridge, LaSalle County, IL, October 19, 1863. He is the son of James Gibson and Lydia Maynard (McCombs) Finley, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. His father, when a young man, came West and purchased a tract of land, then an unbroken prairie, for a farm. He then returned to Pennsylvania and brought his family to his new home in LaSalle County. He was a man of intelligence and influence and was prominent in the community in which he lived. In church affairs, he took a great interest, and for the common weal, he labored faithfully. The mother of John H. was a remarkable woman. In her domestic relations and in his social functions, she never failed to do her duty.
The history of the ancestry of the Finley family is brief. They are of Scotch-Irish descent. By persecutions, they were driven out of Scotland at an early day and settled in Ireland. They emigrated to this county about the year 1750. A member of one of the branches of the family became President of Princeton College. Another was the first minister to cross the Allegheny Mountains, settling in Western Pennsylvania. From this latter branch, descended Dr. John H. Finley.
Dr. Finley acquired the rudiments of his education in the district school of his native town. He received also private instruction from the teacher and the village minister. He attended the High School at Ottawa for fourteen months and graduated in 1881. He then engaged in teaching for the Winter of 1881-2, and worked on the farm the following Summer. In the Fall of 1882, he matriculated in Knox College remaining there six months. He then worked on the farm and taught school for the following Winter. In the Spring of 1884, he returned to Knox College and graduated with high honors in 1887. In the Autumn of this year, he entered John Hopkins University and took a post-graduate course, remaining until February, 1889.
Since leaving college, Dr. Finley has had a most remarkable career. Places of honor and preferment have been open to him without his seeking. After leaving college, he was a compositor, for a short time, in the printing office of Colville Brothers, Galesburg IL. In 1892, he was unanimously elected President of Knox College, his Alma Mater, and her increased patronage under his administration is a reliable witness of his success. In a large measure he was the life and spirit of the college during his Presidency. His work was not in the class-room, but in the field, lecturing, raising money, and securing students. He had the confidence of all, and whatever the undertaking, his hands were upheld by pupil, teacher, and the general public. Knox College owes him a debt of gratitude for enlarging her reputation among sister colleges. His own reputation spread likewise, and during his term of service here, he was offered several important positions in other colleges. He resigned the presidency of the college in 1899, and is now engaged in editorial work with McClure and the Harpers, New York City.
As a scholar, Dr. Finley stands in the front rank. He has been a thorough student of the best masters in literature, and is well versed in the writings of to-day. As a man, he is kind, gentle, and affable, and exhibits marks of sincerity in every word and act. He is a stranger to the finical graces of the schools, the studied ornament of speech, and the hollow verbiage of the charlatan. His marked characteristics are force and decision of character, accompanied with prudence and discretion. His manner is commanding, yet urbane; his actions are politic, yet frank; and his opinions are reserved, yet free. He is a warm supporter of education, religion, and good morals. His sympathies are inspiring; his charities, free from ostentation; and his friendship lasting. His social qualities, honest heart, and benevolent disposition give him a power that few men of his age possess. His life has been upright; his dealings just; and his has ever been regarded as a most worthy citizen.
In his religious connection, Dr. Finley is a Presbyterian. In political faith, he is a republican. He was married June 23, 1892, to Martha Fow Boyden, daughter of Hon. A. W. Boyden, a banker at Sheffield IL. Mr. Boyden has been a member of the Legislature, and was one of the one hundred and three that elected John A. Logan to the United States Senate.
Dr. and Mrs. Finley are the parents of two children: Ellen Boyden, born March 10, 1894; and Margaret Boyden, born April, 1897.
Contributor: Scott Hopping (49660653)
John Huston Finley- Born at Grand Ridge, IL, October 19, 1863. He graduated from Knox College in 1887. Hon. Ph D., LL. D., Johns Hopkins. President of Knox College, 1892-1899, Editor of Harper’s Weekly. 1899. Editor of McClure’s Magazine since 1899. Professor of Politics, Princeton University, 1900. President of College of the City of New York, 1903.
Contributor: Ward Clemence White (47177094)
DR. JOHN FINLEY, RETIRED EDITOR, DIES IN NEW YORK
Headed Two Colleges During Lifetime
New York, March 7 (AP) - Dr. John H. Finley. educator and editor emeritus of the New York Times, died in his sleep early today. Dr. Finley, who was 76 years old, recently underwent an operation, but his rugged physique apparently brought about a quick recovery. He returned to his home at 1 Lexington avenue about three weeks ago. It was there he died.
Dr. Finley, a native of Grand Ridge, Ill., was a former New York state commissioner of education and at one time was president of the College of the City of New York, as well as of Knox college, at Galesburg, III. He was the fifth college president in his family.
His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were farmers. He acquired his liking for journalism at Knox and earned most of his way by setting type in a Galesburg newspaper plant. In 1891 he was elected president of Knox and directed the college for seven years. He left Knox to take an editorial job with the S. S. McClure company in New York and edited Harper's Weekly. After a year he went to Princeton as first occupant of a new chair in politics. He taught there until 1903, when he was elected president of City college. Ten years later Dr. Finley was chosen state education commissioner. He held the post until Jan. 1, 1921, when he joined the editorial staff of the New York Times, of which he became editor in chief in 1937.
- Chicago Tribune, Friday, March 8, 1940, page 22
Contributor: RES (49915077)
From the 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County, Munsell Publishing Company.
JOHN HUSTON FINLEY was born at Grand Ridge, LaSalle County, IL, October 19, 1863. He is the son of James Gibson and Lydia Maynard (McCombs) Finley, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. His father, when a young man, came West and purchased a tract of land, then an unbroken prairie, for a farm. He then returned to Pennsylvania and brought his family to his new home in LaSalle County. He was a man of intelligence and influence and was prominent in the community in which he lived. In church affairs, he took a great interest, and for the common weal, he labored faithfully. The mother of John H. was a remarkable woman. In her domestic relations and in his social functions, she never failed to do her duty.
The history of the ancestry of the Finley family is brief. They are of Scotch-Irish descent. By persecutions, they were driven out of Scotland at an early day and settled in Ireland. They emigrated to this county about the year 1750. A member of one of the branches of the family became President of Princeton College. Another was the first minister to cross the Allegheny Mountains, settling in Western Pennsylvania. From this latter branch, descended Dr. John H. Finley.
Dr. Finley acquired the rudiments of his education in the district school of his native town. He received also private instruction from the teacher and the village minister. He attended the High School at Ottawa for fourteen months and graduated in 1881. He then engaged in teaching for the Winter of 1881-2, and worked on the farm the following Summer. In the Fall of 1882, he matriculated in Knox College remaining there six months. He then worked on the farm and taught school for the following Winter. In the Spring of 1884, he returned to Knox College and graduated with high honors in 1887. In the Autumn of this year, he entered John Hopkins University and took a post-graduate course, remaining until February, 1889.
Since leaving college, Dr. Finley has had a most remarkable career. Places of honor and preferment have been open to him without his seeking. After leaving college, he was a compositor, for a short time, in the printing office of Colville Brothers, Galesburg IL. In 1892, he was unanimously elected President of Knox College, his Alma Mater, and her increased patronage under his administration is a reliable witness of his success. In a large measure he was the life and spirit of the college during his Presidency. His work was not in the class-room, but in the field, lecturing, raising money, and securing students. He had the confidence of all, and whatever the undertaking, his hands were upheld by pupil, teacher, and the general public. Knox College owes him a debt of gratitude for enlarging her reputation among sister colleges. His own reputation spread likewise, and during his term of service here, he was offered several important positions in other colleges. He resigned the presidency of the college in 1899, and is now engaged in editorial work with McClure and the Harpers, New York City.
As a scholar, Dr. Finley stands in the front rank. He has been a thorough student of the best masters in literature, and is well versed in the writings of to-day. As a man, he is kind, gentle, and affable, and exhibits marks of sincerity in every word and act. He is a stranger to the finical graces of the schools, the studied ornament of speech, and the hollow verbiage of the charlatan. His marked characteristics are force and decision of character, accompanied with prudence and discretion. His manner is commanding, yet urbane; his actions are politic, yet frank; and his opinions are reserved, yet free. He is a warm supporter of education, religion, and good morals. His sympathies are inspiring; his charities, free from ostentation; and his friendship lasting. His social qualities, honest heart, and benevolent disposition give him a power that few men of his age possess. His life has been upright; his dealings just; and his has ever been regarded as a most worthy citizen.
In his religious connection, Dr. Finley is a Presbyterian. In political faith, he is a republican. He was married June 23, 1892, to Martha Fow Boyden, daughter of Hon. A. W. Boyden, a banker at Sheffield IL. Mr. Boyden has been a member of the Legislature, and was one of the one hundred and three that elected John A. Logan to the United States Senate.
Dr. and Mrs. Finley are the parents of two children: Ellen Boyden, born March 10, 1894; and Margaret Boyden, born April, 1897.
Contributor: Scott Hopping (49660653)
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