wheeler

"...between 1910 and 1915..." - the enlarged image itself is nicely specific with the roman numerals :)

As [Rob or Sheila] says, the caption on the stone reads "Corner * Stone - Laid June Seventh MDCCCCXI" and the writing on the picture confirms this date. So, the picture was taken on June 7th, 1911 and documents a ceremony laying a cornerstone for a new building, possibly Kent Hall. The cap and gowned man on the left is Columbia University president, Nicholas Murray Butler who is credited with growing the school's reputation and size. He later received a Nobel Peace Prize (1931) for promoting international peace. He was also an advisor to U.S. presidents and as Republican tried and failed to run for president. The other gowned man is Dean James Rignal Wheeler (1859-1918), a professor of archeology. In this same year, Joseph Pulitzer died leaving $1,000,000 to Columbia to build the School of Journalism.

Dean James Rignall Wheeler (1859-1918) was professor of archaeology and Greek art at Columbia from 1895 until his death, from pneumonia, in 1918.

Another Bain/LOC photo, taken on Columbia's cornerstone day (which also was commencement day): www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2162711607/

All: Thanks for the more complete information on the persons here--and for the date on the negative. We'll add these to the record next time we update.

The former Virginia Conway Wheeler. See The Day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 31 July 1915, image 20. chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045487/1915-07-31/ed-... which mentions that she, the daughter of Mrs. John Emory Wheeler will be married in late Fall to Captain Joseph H. Earl. It looks like the same photo.

www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8370161 gives the last name a final "e", as in Earle. It names her husband as Joseph Haynsworth Earle, who was the son of a former U.S. Senator from South Carolina of the same name.

Thanks all; we will update the record.

Son of the famous Confederate General in the American Civil War, who also was a General of U. S. troops in the Spanish American War of 1898. Old Joe also served several terms as a U. S. Congressman from Alabama, after the Civil War. From the Wikipedia biography of Joseph Wheeler, Sr.: Joseph Jr. The first son, Joe Jr. was born in 1872. He attended West Point and graduated in 1895. He joined the Army and was stationed at the Washington Barracks D.C.. After training at the Artillery School at Ft. Monroe in Virginia. Joe Jr. then was a Mathematics instructor at West Point before the Spanish-American War broke out. At the start of the War Joe Jr. was made an aide on his father's staff and sailed for Cuba on June 1898. The following year he was made a Major of the 34th infantry, US volunteers and left in September 1899 for the Philippines. He served in many different areas after this, finally retiring in February 1927. He died 6 August 1938.