USA > Iowa > The Presbyterian Church in Iowa, 1837-1900; history > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
In March, 1856, a building committee was appointed to proceed to the erection of the college building. Thus the first Presbyterian College in Iowa was located in Hopkinton, Delaware County, in the northeastern section of the state, among a noble and sturdy class of Scotch Irish.
In June, 1856, the name of Bowen Collegiate Institute was adopted in honor of C. T. Bowen of Chicago, who was a liberal contributor to the building fund, and in the fol- lowing month the institution was incorporated.
20
HISTORY
In September, 1856, the members of the first Board of in an unfinished condition. In the meantime, H. A. Carter, Trustees were elected, and in October of the same year the Leroy Jackson, and James Kilpatrick contributed quite a sum of money from their private funds toward the com- pletion. Finally in the fall of 1858 the work of building was resumed. first articles of incorporation were recorded. According to these Articles of Incorporation the institution was entitled from the begining to all the rights and privileges of a col- lege. The names of the members of the first Board of Trustees were: Henry A. Carter, President; W. P. Cun- ningham, Secretary; Leroy Jackson, Treasurer; James Kil- patrick, H. R. Jackson, Asa C. Bowen, Edmund Davis, I. Littlefield, Christian Meyers, W. A. Roberts, William Robinson, William Holt, Jacob Dieffenderfer, William Morrison, J. B. Whittaker and Jerome Davis.
In the autumn of 1856, the foundation of the center of the Main Building was laid and the roof put on in 1857. This was a two story brick structure forty by sixty containing eight rooms built in the center of a four acre plot of ground donated by Mr. H. A. Carter. The campus is now ornamented with many beautiful maples and stately oaks and elms, mostly planted by the students in those early days. They, the men and women of today, whose children have been and are in college, on their return for a visit often point with delight to some special tree as a memento of those famous "tree planting days."
The people were conservative but determined. Times were hard. The people were poor; and for the lack of money great difficutly was experienced in finishing the work so well begun. For many months the building stood
A touching incident of these early days ought to be related: Mr. H. A. Carter, who always was a leader, and gave definiteness to the whole plan, had hauled brick to a lot adjoining the campus with which to erect a resi- dence for his own use. Mrs. Carter was rejoicing as the brick was being hauled for her new home to think that she was soon to leave her home built of logs and spend her last happy days in a home built of brick. The college building had reached the second story, and for lack of funds stood unfinished. Mr. and Mrs. Carter realized the situation, and they in self sacrifice and tears gave the brick intended for their new home. These briek finished the second story of the structure, and Mrs. Carter died in the old log house. An oil painting of this historic log house was painted from memory by Mrs. Jane N: Young of Minneapolis, a daughter, after she was seventy years of age, and presented to the college.
Finally, by means of a public entertainment and festival, sufficient money was raised to prepare the inside of the building for occupation; and on September 1, 1859, the first term of the Institute began "with about forty scholars". At last victory crowned the efforts of those noble men and women.
21
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Their hopes were realized. As the rural schools in those early days were inefficient and the high school of the present day was unknown the attendance at the institute from the beginning was very good, and increased rapidly. From the records we learn that during the first four terms 196 different students were enrolled. "The largest number of students in any single term before the Civil War was 120."
The control of the institution was tendered the Old School Presbyterian Synod of Iowa, north, in 1860, and that body the following year took a limited supervision. In 1863 two of the the principal stock-holders, H. A. Carter and Leroy Jackson, obtained a sheriff's deed for the prop- erty of the corporation, after the trustees concluded that they were unable to meet their obligations that were con- tracted in building. These two men presented the entire college property to the Synod. A deed was signed Feb- ruary 9, 1864, by Henry A. Carter and Mary Carter con- veying the same to the Synod with the condition that in case the property should not be used for educational pur- poses it was to revert to the town of Hopkinton. At the time the property was transferred to the Synod in 1864 the name was changed from Bowen Collegiate Institute to Lenox Collegiate Institute in honor of James Lenox of New York City, a liberal contributor to the en- dowment fund.
The first president of the institution was the Rev. Jerome Allen, Ph. D., of sacred memory, who occupied the
chair from 1859 to 1863, and for two years additional acted as financial agent and teacher of the Natural Sciences and English Literature. Dr. Allen was one of the foremost educators of his day. He became Dean of the Department of Pedagogy in the University of the City of New York and filled the place from 1889 to the time of his death in Brook- lyn, May 26, 1894.
Next came the soldier-President, the Rev. J. W. Mc- Kean, A. M., 1863-1864. One morning a recruiting officer attended chapel service, and after a strong and noble appeal by president Mc Kean for the young men to obey the call of President Lincoln to enlist in the army of the Uuion, he in- formed the students that a recruiting officer was present and all who wished to enlist should arise. All arose and en- listed but one, and he was too young. The Faculty and girl students were in tears, and President Mckean closed the tender scene by saying, "Well boys, if all of you are going, I am going, too." President Mckean resigned May 6, 1864, and entered the army as captain of a company in which all but two of the students enlisted. The work of the institute was suspended till the fall term. July 9, 1864, Captain McKean died in the army at Memphis, Tenn. A fine monument on the college campus commemorates his name, and the names of others who gave their lives for the preservation of the Union. This monument at a cost of over $1500, was dedicated November 17, 1865, which makes it the oldest monument in Iowa, and probably in the entire United States erected in honor of the soldiers of
22
HISTORY
the Civil War. "In all, ninety-two students of this school enlisted during the war, a larger proportion than from any other school in this state."
For a brief period, from July 8, 1864, to the close of the Fall term of the same year, the Rev. James D. Mason was President. During the remaining portion of that year till the Spring Term of 1866 Dr. Jerome Allen acted as President though the Rev. Mr. Mason did not formally resign till October 1865. Mr. Mason was a genial gentleman prominently identified with Presbyterianism in Iowa. He died in Davenport, Iowa, January 8, 1890, at the age of seventy-seven.
In September, 1866, the Rev. Samuel Hodge, D. D., who for one year had been professor of Languages, was chosen President. He filled the office with becoming dig- nity and increasing power till 1882.
December 5, 1870, a committe was appointed to take the necessary steps to incorporate as a college having the right to confer degrees, etc., but the articles of incorpora- tion were not filed for record till October 11, 1873. "As found stated in these the object of the corporation is to maintain an institution of learning for the education of both sexes; the grade of which is to be at least high enough to prepare the one for the Sophomore class in the best col- leges in the United States; and the other for the second year of the best Ladies' Seminary in the country. But the school may be raised to 'any higher grade whatever.' In accor- dance with this provision its grade has from time to time
been made higher. It shall always be 'under Christian in- fluence and control'. It shall have power 'to confer any and all college degrees, to grant diplomas and certificates. "In 1875, the original building was enlarged by a wing fifty-five by thirty feet. This additional room was made neces- sary by the increased attendance of students, the number for one term reaching 200. This convenient improve- ment in the size of the building is due, for the most part, to the liberality of the citizens of Hopkinton and vicinity."
Dr. Hodge died in West Union, Iowa, January 4, 1891.
In 1882, the Trustees departed from the prevailing custom and elected as president, a layman, in the person of James A. Ritchey, Ph. D. He was an experienced ed- ucator, and for six years labored with marked success. In 1883, the curriculum of the college was revised and greatly extended and provided for three regular courses of study as well as for many electives. Thus the institution was made equal to the best average college in the state. This year the Helen Finley bequest of $5,000 was made as an addition to the permanent funds. During this year also occured the death of Mr. H. A. Carter who was the first President of the Board of Trustees and a life-long friend and generous supporter of the college.
In 1884, the Articles of Incorporation were so amended as to change the name from Lenox Collegiate Institute to Lenox College.
23
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
In 1884, the quarter Centennial of the college was cel- ebrated. An unusually large number of people were present. The Old Students' Association organized in 1883, made its first public appearance, effected this general re- union, and contributed much to the social and literary in- terest of the occasion.
Dr. Ritchey now lives in Oil City, Pa.
During the summer of 18SS the Board of Trustees chose the Rev. Alexander G. Wilson, D. D., as President. He brought not only dignity but also capability acquired by a long training in professional and presidential positions in Parson's College and Lake Forest University. In 1889, the foundation of Clarke Hall, a girl's dormitory, was laid and in the fall of 1890 the building was ready for use. Clarke Hall was erected by the combined efforts of the Board of Trustees, former students and alumni. The largest share of the money used in the erection of the building was left by Charles Clarke, a former student who wished to do some- thing for the college where he had received his training. Dr. Wilson's distinguished gifts, his noble christian character, and executive powers combined to make him a model President, and it was a great loss when in 1894, he resigned to accept a professorship in the recently established Theo- logical Seminary in Omaha, where he remained until his death May 4, 1904.
In the Spring of 1894, the Rev. Hugh Robinson, A. M., a son of Lenox College and a brilliant preacher was chosen President. He remained for two years in that office.
During the presidency of Rev. Mr. Robinson considerable field work was done, and resulted in increased enrollment. At the Commencement of 1895, the friends who gathered on the campus to enjoy the exercises of the day contributed $2500 toward the erection of a new building to be used for the library, gymnasium and literary society halls. James McKean,M. D., 'SO, of Chenung Mai, Laos, a Presbyterian Foreign Missionary, has the honor of making the first gift, which was $100. Operations on the new building were suspended at the close of the summer of 1895. In the spring of 1896, the Rev. Mr. Robinson resigned to take charge of a church.
Next came Andrew G. Wilson, A. M., who was chosen President in the spring of 1896. He too is an alumnus, of '80, and in 1884 began to teach Natural Science in Lenox College. His wide scholarship and quiet yet forceful man- ner qualified him for the position he held till the spring of 1902. In 1897, though the times were hard the people of Hopkinton and vicinity loyally responded with $5,000 for permanent endowment. It was during President Wil- son's time that the new building used for library and gym- nasium was completed. Due to the generous gift of Judge F. B. Doolittle of Delhi, Iowa, the building was named Doolittle Memorial Hall in honor of his son, F. B. Doolittle, of sacred memory. In 1901, Mr. Wilson resigned but re- mained at his post of duty till the close of the winter term 1901-2.
24
HISTORY
In February 1902, Rev. Francis William Grossman, D. D. accepted the presidency. During his incumbency con- siderable progress was made in many directions. As to material improvements: a steam plant was installed in Clarke hall and another in the Main Building which has a capacity sufficient for four times the present necessity, new Christian Association Rooms were provided; the chapel, music rooms, stairways and halls, laboratories, literary soci- ety halls, and Clarke Hall have been completely remodeled at a cost of about $10,000; the library has had an addition of 2,300 new bound volumes, 350 volumes of standard mag- azines. A conditional offer of $25,000 from Mr. Andrew Carnegie toward a permanent endowment has been secured; several thousands of dollars of cash from generous men of means have been received by the treasurer, besides $5,000 cash from Dr. Finley's estate.
Notable progress in the curriculum has also been made. The courses have been revised and greatly extended, and
there has been a decided increase in the requirements both for admission and graduation.
Additions were made to the faculty, and the salaries of most of the professors increased-in one instance doubled. A higher standard of scholarship has been the result. In December, 1904, Lenox College was admitted to the College Section of the Iowa State Teachers' Association and the following year into the Presbyterian College Union of the Middle West. In recent years there has been a general for- ward movement in the institution that has been encourag- ing. The writer resigned July 1, 1906, to take effect August 31,1906.
The Rev. E. E. Reed, D. D., has been chosen Pres- ident. He will commence his work Septemper 1, 1906. F. W. GROSSMAN, President of Lenox College. See Picture Gallery pp. 73, 96.
Coe College, Cedar Rapids
Coe College is located in the beautiful city of Cedar Rapids. The city is an important railroad center, easily accessible from every direction. It has prosperous industries and large commercial interests. It is distinguished for its
churches, schools, libraries and benevolent institutions, and is an ideal location for a college.
Coe College furnishes a wonderful example of God's use of a small gift to accomplish great ends. In 1853 Rev. Wil-
25
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
liston Jones, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids, seeing the great need for the training of young men and women for the great mission field in the midst of which he was working, secured from Daniel Coe of Green County, New York, $1,500 to be used for educational purposes in the West. This money was entrusted to a Board of Trustees which had been organized two years previously. A tract of eighty acres of land adjacent to Cedar Rapids was pur- chased. As in process of time the village became a city, this land increased in value greatly. Today a small frac- tion of it, still held by the college as campus and building lots, is alone worth more than a hundred times the original gift.
For many years after the date of Daniel Coe's gift prom- inent citizens of Cedar Rapids watched the growth of this foundation with jealous care, giving their best efforts in thought, and time and money to the fostering of Christian education. Among these pioneers may be mentioned Judge Greene, Dr. Ely, and Thomas M. Sinclair, all of whom have passed away, leaving a rich heritage to their successors. Such men as Senator Allison, Secretary Wilson, Hon. S. L. Dows, Mr. J. C. Broeksmit, Captain J. S. Alexander, Mr. W. S. Cooper and others have rendered conspicuous services as Trustees.
It is interesting to note that several of the trustees who are now carrying the heat and burden of the day in connec- presidency in 1897 aad resigned in 1904. Dr. William
tion with Coe College, represent in various ways these pio- neer families. Mr. C. B. Soutter, President of the Board, entered upon his duties in September of 1905.
and Mr. Robert Sinclair, son of that high-souled Christian, T. M. Sinclair, actively represent that family, whose bene- factions and support have meant so much. Mr. George B. Douglas, Chairman of the Finance Committee, whose safe, yet broad-minded financial policy is much appreciated, repre- sents another pioneer family. Mr. J. S. Ely, Secretary of the Board; Mr. C. G. Greene, and Colonel W. G. Dows, have received the mantle of active service for the college from worthy fathers. Last, but by no means least, the Vice- President of the Board, Rev. Dr. E. R. Burkhalter, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids, repre- sents that line of Godly men who have ministered in the his- toric church, which is, in a sense, the mother of Coe College. He also may be taken as representative of that larger group of ministers whose labors have been given freely to the build- ing up of this Christian institution.
In 1881 Rev. Stephen Phelps, D.D., was called from his pastorate to organize a faculty and a course of study preparatory to the opening of a full college. In September of that year the college opened with a good attendance, and was successful from the start. Dr. Phelps and his faculty did good foundation work. He resigned in 1886, and was succeeded by Dr. Marshall, who was President until his death, in 1896. Dr. McCormick came to the Wilberforce Smith, the present incumbent in the office,
26
HISTORY
During this quarter of a century of college history there has been a gradual advance along all lines. A growing body of Alumni, an increasing constituency, friends of influence and financial means whose interest has been awakened, and growth in material equipment have been the controlling elements in this advance.
The college opened with a single building half the size of the present main college building. There are today upon the campus five buildings: The main college building, Williston Hall for young ladies, Marshall Hall for the acad- emy, an athletic field house, and a gymnasium.
The various departments are well equipped. There are thirteen departments, as follows: Economics and Sociol- ogy, Botany and Geology, Greek, History, Chemistry, Modern Language, Education, Latin, Philosophy and Psy- chology, Zoology, Mathematics and Physics, Bible, English. Music and Elocution are also provided for. The faculty numbers thirty-one, including thirteen professors, one emer- itus professor, four associate professors, and thirteen assist- ants and demonstrators. Laboratories for Chemistry, Bi- ology, Psychology and Physics are well equipped. The museum of Natural History is one of the best in the state, and is rapidly growing. Library facilities are supple- mented by the Masonic and public libraries of the city.
proached for membership in the associations and given an opportunity to engage in active Christian work.
Visiting Secretaries of the Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations and of missionary societies have spoken repeatedly for the exceptional nature of the spiritual life and influence of Coe. Two distinct lines char- acterize the Christian activity of the student body. First, an effort is made to reach by personal contact every non- Christian in the College; second, an effort is made to start every young man and young woman into active Christian service. How far these ends have been realized is shown somewhat by the following facts: During the twenty-five years of the existence of Coe as a college only about twenty- five students have been graduated who did not go out pro- fessing Christians. This present year Coe has more students who have given themselves to the work of the ministry and the mission field than any Presbyterian college of the United States, except one large university enrolling four times as many students as does Coe. The indications are that if theological students were deducted from the graduate courses Coe would stand first among Presbyterian colleges for white students in number of candidates for the ministry. It is a well-known fact that Iowa has been the only Synod of our Church that has turned an undiminished supply of young
The Christian spirit and the spiritual life of the institu- . men into the ministry. The character of these young men tion is probably its most distinguishing mark. In the shows that they are the ablest our ministry is receiving. yearly reorganization of college life each fall the Christian
There are a number of elements that go to make a col- Associations are given the field until every student is ap- lege. A strong college must contain all of them in proper
27
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
proportion. These elements may be classed in some such way as this: - Spirit and impetus of the institution, number and quality of the Faculty, number and quality of the stu- dent body, an able President and Board of Trustees, a large and loyal constituency, number and quality of buildings and equipment, endowment sufficient to give it a safe measure of support, and location.
In regard to the spirit and impetus of Coe, it is doubtful if any other college of the Presbyterian church has made such rapid, yet substantial advancement during the past seven or eight years. The impetus of growth given the institution largely by Dr. McCormick still controls the spirit of the col- lege. The wholesome, manly and sincere spirit of the stu- dent body is one of the things for which Coe has alway been proud. Everywhere about the institution there is a distinct spirit of progression. Coe has selected from the ablest young men and women of the state her student body. Coe's students have entered the largest universities of this coun- try, and have uniformly won high rank as students. Har- vard, Yale, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Pennsylvania, Prince- ton and Clark, all have Coe's representatives in their grad- uate courses.
Coe has drawn students this year from fourteen dif- ferent states and four foreign countries. An examination of the lists of students who give their place of residence as Cedar Rapids shows that nearly one-half of these are people of Iowa and other states, who have moved to Cedar Rapids because of the educational facilities of the college.
As to the number of members of its Faculty, Coe is offering a larger number of instructors in proportion to the number of students than almost any other college of our denomination. To estimate the value of this fact to the students who attend Coe would be impossible. Perhaps Coe's weakest point is the small number of the buildings upon her beautiful campus, but in this direction she is forg- ing rapidly forward. The construction of three buildings within the last five years and the early completion of a new Science Hall will place Coe nearer her true position in re- gard to buildings. Her productive endowment, while in- sufficient by many thousand dollars to maintain the institu- tion, is large enough to show that Coe's growth is safely assured. More than $200,000 have been added to the endow- ment fund of the institution within the last four years, an increase very largely made possible by the $25,000 gift of Mr. Ralph Voorhes, of New Jersey.
Coe's graduates are distributed over twenty-seven states of the Union and five foreign countries. Forty-two of her graduates have gone into the ministry, to the mission field, or other active Christian work. Forty-seven of them are teachers, and the remainder are scattered among various occupations and professions. Eight are in the foreign field.
Coe College looks forward hopefully to future growth and usefulness. She has proved her right to exist. She feels the impulse to expansion born of conscious worth to
28
HISTORY
the Church and State. Hampered at every step by lack of funds, she has yet displayed a vigor that could only come from devotion of her friends. Noble men have labored and
sacrificed in the spirit of the Master in order that this insti- tution might do the work that God has laid upon her. See Picture Gallery pp. 92-3.
Parson's College, Fairfield
Parsons College was founded by a Christian business man, Lewis B. Parsons, Sr. His life was a model of thrift and systematic beneficence. In his will, which he left at his death, Dec. 21, 1855, we may read the character and pur- pose of the man whose spirit has given tone to the insti- tution he founded. It may also prove serviceable as an ideal for Christian givers in this generation.
Mr. Parsons believed that good education, with "habits of industry, economy and liberality" were the best legacies of parents to their children. He, therefore, wrote in his will; "Having long been of the opinion that for useful- ness, prosperity and happiness of children, a good moral and intellectual, or business education, with moderate means, was far better than unlimited wealth, I herein dis- pose of my estate mainly to such benevolent objects and enterprises as I think will conduce to the greatest good."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.