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Show THE REV. DR. R. G. Mc-NIECE, Mc-NIECE, for many 3'ears a resident of Salt Lake, who died yesterday. PIONEER MUSTER OF M 15 DEI The Rev. Dr. McNiece Passes Away After Illness of Several Months. The I?ov. Dr. "Robert Gibson McNiece, for thirty-six years a resident of Salt Lake and prominent in religious and educational work in Utah, died yester-da3" yester-da3" afternoon at his home at 1136 Blaino avenue. Tho llov. Dr. McNiece had been in failing- health for moro than two years, but the direct cauBO of his death was acuto bronchitis. Thouffh prominent in almost overy movomont that had for its object the betterment of conditions throughout tho state, Dr. McNiece was probaibly best known for his work in establishing Westminster college here. Few clergymen clergy-men of any denomination had more friends among men of every- creed, and of no creed than had Dr. McNiece. His death will bo widely mourned. The work of Dr. MeNieco in Utah attracted at-tracted wide attention throughout tho United States. His success in tho face of obstacles that frequently seemed insurmountable in-surmountable won for him tho praise of leading men and women throughout the country, especially of those prominent in tho Presbyterian church, of which Dr. McNiece has so long been a pastor. Began Life on Farm. Dr. McNiece was born January 10, 1839, on a farm near Topham, Vt. As a small boy he worked on a farm and studied nights. At 16 he went to Ohio, where he taught school, and by working work-ing on a farm added a little to the modest mod-est salary ho received as an educator. Ho also attended school in Ohio. When he was 20 years old he returned re-turned to Vermont and after a short timo at his old home went to Newberry, Conn., whero he was graduated from the Newberry academy. Afterward he attended at-tended Dartmouth colloge at Hanover, N. H., receiving his bachelor's degreo in 1867 and his master's degreo in 1869. For three years ho was principal of tho high school at Fort Wayne, Ind. Thon he and former Congressman Alexander Alex-ander of Now York bought the Fort Wayno Gazette. Later Mr. McNiece bought out Mr. Alexander's interest. In 1874 Mr. McNiece decided to act on tho impulse ho had long felt to enter tho ministry. Ho went to the Princeton Prince-ton Theological Beminary, and in 1877 was graduated and ordained a Presbyterian Presby-terian clergyman. He declined a call to the Memorial Presbyterian church of Philadelphia and came to Salt Lake as pastor of tho First Presbyterian church, thon located at Second South and Second Sec-ond East streets. Was Widely Beloved. For twenty years Mr. McNiece was pastor of tiie church and endeared himself him-self to thousands of persons In Salt Lake and throughout tho state. 111b eloquent sormons, his manly and upright character charac-ter and his fearlessness, combined with his kindly and tendor nature, made him a great power for good in the community and his Influence will long live with the memory of his sterling character. "VVhon Dr. McNiece came here the attendance at tlie church was small and the work of tho church was carried on with the greatest difficulty. At the time ho resigned re-signed the pastorate of the church In 1397 the regular membership of tho church was 350. Mr. McNiece was succeeded suc-ceeded as pastor of the church by the Rev. Dr. W. M. Paden. In 3804 Dr. McNiece conceived the Idea of establishing a Presbyterian college in Salt Lake to continue the work of the Collegiate Institute, tho preparatory school which had been established In 1S75. He Interested Sheldon Jackson In the proposal, with the result that Mr. Jackson gave ?50,000 to the project. With this sum as a nucleus. Westminster Westmin-ster college was founded In 1S97 In tho Collegiate Institute 'building, with Mr. McNiece as dean, in which capacity he continued for twelve years. College Site Donated. Col. W. M. Ferry, In 1002, donated tho site on which the college buildings now stand. Two buildings were ereoted and the college now owns property valued val-ued at 5175,000. Since his retirement as dean, Dr. McNiece was president and later secretary of the college board. Dr. McNiece also served for a number of years as moderator of Die Utah synod and served as a member of the missionary mission-ary board, traveling throughout the state almost yearly. Since retiring from active work in connection with Westminster college, Dr. McNiece served as temporary pastor of the Third Presbyterian, church of this city for eighteen months, and as temporary tem-porary pastor of the Brigham City Pres-'bytorian Pres-'bytorian church for a year, returning from his Brigham City charge only last month. Dr. MeNieco was married In Galnsburg, 111.. In 1S81, to Sarah .J. Irwin. He. Is survived sur-vived by his widow and two sons, Trwln and JRonwIclc S. McNiece. both of this city. The arrangements for the funeral have not yet been made. |