b. March 30, 1786 and d. January 2, 1839

Harvard, 1808

American inventor; studied law; inventor of a process by which starch is made from the potato. He was burned to death in his factory.

The plowman whistles blithely as he goes
And turns upon the world no coward face,
In joy he reaps that which in hope he sows,
Nor bows his head to aught but Heaven’s grace.

The craftsman, too, rejoices in the thing
To fashion which his cunning hand was taught;
Of want he feels nor fears the bitter sting,
In manhood’s strenght his destiny is wrought.

—The Incapable: Hamilton Schuyler

Remember now and always that life is no idle
dream, but a solemn reality, based upon eternity,
and encompassed by eternity. Find out your task;
stand to it; the night cometh when no man can work.

1521—Spaniards discovered the potato in Peru.

1565—Potatoes are said to have been brought to England from Santa Fe, New Mexico, by Sir John Hawkins. (1596-Also by Sir Francis Drake.)

1707—Samuel Newton and others obtained patents for obtaining starch from potatoes.

Only $ 35.00

b. March 30, 1810 and d. September 14, 1883

American civil engineer. He assisted Mr. W. Strickland in the contruction of the United States Mint and other Philadelphia buildings, and was engineer of several railroads. In 1844-1849 he was associated with George M. Totten in the construction of the Canal del Dique, connecting the Magdalena River with the Bay of Carthagena, and again with him in 1850 when he made the surveys for the Panama Railroad. He examined and reported on the Harbor of Montreal in 1858, and arranged a system of docks for that city. After 1864 he retired from the practice of his profession, although continuing his consulting work, and acted as an expert on questions of engineering. His works include “Civil Engineer’s Pocket-book” (1872).

They died, devoted, but undying;
The very gale their names seemed sighing;
The waters murmured of their name;
The woods were peopled with their fame;
The silent pillar, lone and gray,
Claimed kindred with their silent clay;
Their spirits wrapped the dusty mountain,
Their memory sparkled o’er the fountain;
The meanest rill, the mightiest river,
Rolled mingled with their fame forever.

—Byron

1855—Railway between Panama and Colon completed.