Transcribed by Gina Reasoner - AUPQ38A@prodigy.com use BACK key to return to Index page HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF OHIO, By Henry Howe, LL.D., 1898 In the graveyard at Greenville lies the remains of ENOCH BERRY SEITZ, one of the greatest mathematicians of his time on the globe, and withal a man of singular modesty and amiability of character. He died in Missouri in 1883, aged thirty-seven, and was brought here for burial, because he had been a teacher here for a number of years, was endeared to the people, and this was the home of his wife. He was born near Lancaster, Fairfield county, the son of a farmer, and early displayed great aptness for mathematics. He graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1870. His friend, Prof. John S. Royer, wrote of him: "Having a special fondness for mathematics, he devoted his leisure hours to the broad fields and hidden beauties of its higher branches, delving deep into the mine of original investigation, and astonishing the world by the aptness with which he unfolded the beautiful and mysterious relations of numbers. Years ago he was a subscriber to the School-day Magazine, which had a mathematical department, edited by the great mathematician, Artemus Martin. He displayed great ingenuity and ability in solving difficult probability problems, and when asked what works he had on that difficult branch of mathematical science, Mr. Seitz, to the great astonishment of his friend, replied: 'I have no books on that subject, but what I know of it I learned by studying the problems and solutions in your magazine.' Here was the secret of his success. He first studied the principle -laid a sure foundation, upon which he afterward reared the magnificent edifice. He furnished over 500 model solutions to the School Visitor, which evinced those striking characteristics of his mathematical work -originality, accuracy, and beauty. Many readers have gathered inspiration and taste for the science by his labor of love in this behalf. He was also a regular contributor to the Analyst, the mathematical Visitor, and the Educational Times, of London, England. The latter has a department sustained by the greatest mathematicians in Europe and America. In this everything is found starlight, but our lamented friend represented a most brilliant star, standing upon the eminent plane side by side with Woolhouse, England's acknowledged mathematical champion, and in his especial branches -'Average' and 'Probabilities' -Prof. Seitz had no superior in the world." In 1880 he was elected a member of the London Mathematical Society, being the fifth American so honored. At the time of his decease he was Professor of Mathematics at the State Normal School, Kirkersville, Mo. He died young, but the work he accomplished remains, and endearing monument of fame and honor.