Ilion High School - Class of 1879

Source pdf file is here Utica NY Observer 1929 - 5175 on fultonhistory.com

Ilion Academy Class of '79 Honored on Fiftieth Anniversary

Seven Members of 1879 Class Meet

Academy Graduates of Former Days Discuss Old Times and Decide School Pranks Have Changed Little in 50 Years --- Greeted at Commencement Exercises of School

Ilion - The class of 1879 of Ilion Academy, now known as Ilion High School, celebrated its 50th anniversary yesterday at a reunion with all of its seven members present.

Fifty years ago, the class graduated from the Academy on Morgan Street, now the site of the Municipal Building, the 6th class to graduate from that institution. They returned yesterday to honor their alma mater and to remember on the school of their youth.

The seven members are: George R. Russell, Ilion, class president; Mrs. Maude Cutler Brockway, Richfield Springs, valedictorian, and class poet; Russell E. Shepherd, Jerome, Idaho, salutatorian; Mrs. Flora Buck Bennett, Utica, historian; Mrs. Anna Johnson Hines, Norway; the Rev. Emory J. Getman, Florida City, Fla., and Mrs. Flora Whitney Russell, Ilion.

At 3 o'clock, the class met at the home of Mr. Russell, Third Street, where the afternoon was spent in a social time it was brought out that the pupils of 50 years ago were up to as many pranks as those of the present day. At 6 o'clock a dinner was served at St. Augustine's parish house.

In the evening, the class attended the graduation exercises at the Capitol Theater. At the close of the senior class day program, Supt. E. P. Watkins extended greetings to the class.

Mr. Russell, as chairman 50 years ago, was allowed to continue in office over the day's event and arranged the program. An interesting souvenir of the reunion was a copy of the program of the graduation exercise of 1879.

Members of the early classes now living are: Class of 1873, the first graduating class, Mrs. Elizabeth Hoefler Draper, Pasadena, Calif; Misses Ella M. and Harriet Russell, Ilion class of 1873, Mrs. Margaret Hotaling Scriber, Ilion; Mrs. Hattie Finlayson Lathrop.

Class of 1876, Mrs. Clara Ausman Christie, Ilion; William Parker Lewis, Brooklyn; Mrs. Ida Eaton Bugbee, Ilion and Mrs. Clara Vincent Kemble, Utica; class of 1878, Mrs. Marion Irlam Hakes, Ilion; Miss Mary J. Hunt, Frankfort; Miss Carrie Richardson and Dr. Jennie M. Richardson of Ilion.

There were no graduates in 1873 or 1877.

Here are the members of the class of '79 at Ilion Academy, now Ilion High School, all back 50 years after their graduation. In the front row, left to right, are: Mrs. George J. Brockway, Richfield Springs; Mrs. Walter J. Bennett, Utica, Mrs. Alfred L. Hines, Newport; Mrs. Fred M. Russell, Ilion; back row, R. E. Shepherd, Jerome, Idaho; George R. Russell, Ilion; and the Rev. Emory J. Getman, Florida City, Fla.