OBITUARIES

William McDowell Halsey, Sr.

submitted by Anne Halsey Hurst

Oswego Daily Times, Tuesday Evening, July 11, 1916 (Oswego, NY)

William McDowell Halsey, father of Dr. W. McD. Halsey, Jr., of 65 West Bridge Street, died this morning, July 11, at the Oswego Hospital at the end of an illness lasting twenty years. Mr. Halsey was born in Ithaca, N.Y. in 1850, and was a distinguished classical scholar and educator. Graduating from Princeton with high honors in 1871 he was retained there in the faculty for two years as instructor in Latin, leaving to go into secondary school work. For years he was headmaster of the Halsey Collegiate School in New York City, - a large and successful private school, where he prepared for college many boys who have attained notable careers.

Mr. Halsey was the originator of the modern system of beginning the study of the classics, and in recognition of his contribution to educational methods Princeton University conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 1877 on the publication of his "Beginner's Latin."

Prior to his long illness Mr. Halsey made his home in Mount Vernon, N.Y., where he was one of the founders and for years a ruling elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He was also formerly a member of the American Philological Society and the New York Historical Society as well as conspicuous in civic work in his home community, and secretary of the class of '71 of Princeton.

Mr. Halsey's wife, who was Miss Louise Woodruff of Ithaca, N.Y. died in 1900, and he is survived by three children, Dr. Halsey of Oswego, Miss Katherine T. Halsey of Bronxville, N.Y. and Charles W. Halsey, vice president of Rogers Peet Company of New York City.

The funeral services and interment will be private, and will be held on Thursday at Ithaca, N.Y. at the residence of his sister, Miss Jean L. Halsey.

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