Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Magill, Edward H., A.M.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Solebury Township


   EDWARD H. MAGILL, A. M. president of Swarthmore college, 
was born in Solebury township, Bucks county, September 24, 
1825.  He is a son of Jonathan P. and (Mary Watson) Magill, 
the former also a native of this township, and the latter of 
Falls township, and a daughter of David and Rachel Watson, 
whose ancestors came from England with William Penn.  
Jonathan P. Magill was engaged in farming during his active 
life.  Both he and his wife were consistent members of the 
Society of Friends, and were of strong anti-slavery 
proclivities, and were leaders in that movement, their home 
having been one of the stations of the celebrated 
under-ground railroad, where many hunted fugitives found 
help and safety.  They had seven children, viz.:  Sarah T. 
(deceased), Edward H., Watson P., Rebecca (deceased), 
Catherine M. (Mrs. Henry C. Phillips), Rachel M. (Mrs. John 
S. Williams), and Matilda R. (Mrs. Charles S. Atkinson).   
The early life of Edward H. was spent at the home of his 
parents until his 14th year.  He then became a pupil of the 
Friends' school at Westtown, Chester county, for two years, 
after which he was engaged in teaching until his 25th years. 
Entering the Freshman class of Yale college in 1850, he 
remained one year, and in 1851 became a student of Brown 
University, Providence, R. I., from which he received in 
1852 the degree of A. B., and that of A. M. in 1855.  In 
1852 he became principal of the classical department of the 
Providence High school, acting as such until 1859, when he 
was appointed sub-master of the Boston Latin school.  During 
his sub-mastership he published a French grammar, and a 
series of French readers, that have been widely used in the 
schools and colleges of this country.  In 1867, having 
resigned his position in the Latin school, he devoted a year 
to foreign travel.  In 1869 he was made principal of the 
preparatory school of Swarthmore college, and two years 
later became president of the college, which office he still 
holds.  In 1852 he was married to Sarah W., daughter of 
Seneca Beans, of Lower Makefield township, Bucks county.  
The children born to this union were:  Helen, Eudora, 
Beatrice, Gertrude B., Francis G. (deceased), and Marian.  
Under the presidency of Mr. Magill, Swarthmore college has 
enjoyed a high degree of prosperity.  His career as an 
educator has been attended by signal success.  His own 
accurate scholarship has led him to require the same 
accuracy and thoroughness in his students.  With this trait 
of his character is combined unwearied patience, with a 
seriousness and earnestness which have won for him the 
confidence of those under his instruction.