Capt. John H. Margerum, 1830-1904

At the time of the Civil War, Princeton was the “most southern city” in the North. No U.S. flag flew at the University or Seminary. However, Capt. John H. Margerum did a very difficult and dangerous feat by climbing to the top of Nassau Hall and raised the U.S. flag on top – the wind at the time, blew so hard that the rod on the vane was bent to the North and remained that way for the duration of the war. The students cheered and gave him a pair of pistols for his brave efforts.