W

ILLIAM SOULE STICKNEY, son of William and Jeannie K. Stickney, was born at the residence of his grandfather, Amos Kendall, in the "old house" at Kendall Green, District of Columbia, October 24, 1852.

This property, with the farm, was subsequently purchased by the Government for the use of the Deaf and Dumb Institution.

On his father's side he was a descendant of William Stickney, who emigrated to Massachusetts in 1636 from the town of Stickney on the eastern coast of England.

His progenitor on his mother's side came from the town of Kendall, -derived from Kent's dale,-a city of considerable importance in England.

His middle name was the maiden name of his grandmother Stickney.

The second and only other child of his parents was born in 1854 and died at the age of six months.

The day of Will's birth was the day on which America's greatest statesman died. This coincidence was sometimes pleasantly referred to as a favorable omen that the mantle of the great Daniel Webster would fall on his shoulders.

Birth.

Ancestors.

Obedience to parents.

Conscientiousness.

Though he was an only child, and the pride of his parents, they were never so indulgent as to permit him to grow up without seeking to instil into his young mind and heart those principles of obedience, and respect for their wishes, which they considered essential to a true and manly character.

From early childhood it was his mother's habit to pray daily with and for him, he following with a prayer of his own. This practice was continued until he left home for school, and we believe was blessed to his good.

Two or three times only did his mother have occasion to use the rod, and in each instance the punishment was occasioned by disobedience. The last time resort was had to this method of discipline was when Will was four or five years of age. The incident illustrates the conscientiousness of the boyalways a conspicuous trait in his character. Bringing to his mother a little switch, he said, in answer to her question of surprise: "What shall mamma do with the switch?" "Mamma must whip Willie. Mamma said I must not eat cherries, and I have been eating them." His mother said, Yes, she

was very sorry, but she would have to whip him. After the light punishment, which the little fellow received without a tear, he desired her to kneel down and ask God to forgive him, which she did. Then he followed in a sweet, childish prayer of his own, asking his Heavenly Father's forgiveness, after which he threw his little arms about his mother's neck and sought her forgiveness, promising ever after obedience to all her wishes.

The promise was faithfully kept, and the sweet spirit of the child was never lost in the after life of the youth and the man.

Another of his noble characteristics which endeared him to all who were acquainted with his young life and which was a part of his nature was the moral courage to stand up for the right. This trait exhibited itself when he was a child of about nine years.

The family were accustomed to ride to Washington, a distance of about two miles, to attend church. Often, when returning home, Will would leave the carriage and walk, sometimes by fleetness of foot reaching his father's house first. One Sabbath, as the carriage approached the gate leading to Ken

Prayer for forgive

ness.

Moral courage.