USA > Iowa > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &t., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest etc > Part 59
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Rev. E. E. E. Bragdon, A. M., was elected to the Presidency. He, how- ever, declined the position, and Rev. R. W. Keeler, A. M., was elected, and became the President.
Cornell College opened with the following faculty : Rev. R. W. Keeler, A. M., President and Professor of Philosophy ; Rev. S. M. Fellows, A. M., Professor of Latin and Literature ; Rev. S. N. Fellows, A. M., Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science; Rev. D. H. Wheeler, Professor of Greek and Literature ; Miss E. E. Hale, Preceptress, and teacher of French ; Miss H. J. Cooke, Teacher of English, Drawing and Painting; Miss Alice M. Foulke, Teacher of Music; Miss E. O. Dumon, Preceptress of Primary De-
458
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
partment. The Agents of the College were Revs. G. B. Bowman and C. G. Trusdell; Steward, A. C. Lewis; Janitor, J. H. Long.
During 1857-8, there were 294 students. The college course at this time was classical. It will be seen that the number of students increased regularly from year to year, and was, in 1858-9, enlarged to 321, and to 373 in 1859-60. In the latter year, Rev. Samuel M. Fellows became Acting President, a posi- tion which he held until his death, in 1863, since which time the institution has been under the Presidency of Rev. William Fletcher King, D. D. Alonzo Collins, A. B., became Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science, in 1860. In that year, there were 407 students.
Then came the devastating war, which decreased the number of students for many years. Two hundred students threw down their books to grasp the musket in preservation of their beloved country. After peace had been restored, the College continued its work with additional vigor. For several years, the average age of its students was higher than the Normal State, as many of the boys who had been in the army returned to Mount Vernon to complete their education. Those formed an earnest class of students who have since established reputations of honor, and gained many stations of profit throughout the country.
The large number-from four to five hundred-of gentlemen students then boarded at various places in the vicinity, and, being scattered over the city at the different boarding houses, the desired order and uniformity of labor could not be secured. Consequently, in 1872, the Gentlemen's Boarding Hall, a brick edifice, 56x36 feet in size, and four stories in height, was erected, at a cost of about eight thousand dollars. Until about the present time, chapel exercises have been held in a room of the main College building fitted for that purpose. The necessity for a more commodious auditorium for that use, and for all public gatherings in connection with the institution, had been generally considered, and in 1875-6 active measures were taken for the construction of an edifice for those purposes, resulting in the present elegant and costly struct- ure. The Chapel building was begun in 1876, and is now under roof and nearly completed. The architect was Cass Chapman, of Chicago. It was estimated to cost about thirty thousand dollars ; but $41,000 have already been expended, and work is suspended for want of further means. The lower story is already completed and occupied.
The building is an artistic, stately cut-stone edifice, situated about one hundred feet west of the old Seminary building ; is 86x114 feet in size, front- ing to the northeast ; it has four gables something after the Gothic style, three of which, namely, the east, west and north, have large triple Gothic windows, the only ones in the main part above the basement. There are three towers, the main tower being square and 140 feet in height, surmounted by a railing eight feet square ; another tower is round from the ground up; and the third, square. The first story is devoted to a library, 31x46; museum, 25x46, lect- ure room, 41x60. The second floor is devoted entirely to the chapel which, having a floor 68x72, and a large gallery, will seat about 1,200 persons, and forms the most convenient and tasteful audience room connected with any insti- tution in the State. This building is exceedingly well planned and will not only be the pride of the College but of the State as well.
Sufficient aid will doubtless be secured by the friends of education to com- plete it at an early day.
As before stated, the institution was founded by and is under the manage- ment of the Methodist Episcopal Conferences of Iowa, directed by thirty Trust- ees chosen from those bodies.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The present officers of the Board are : E. G. Andrews, President ; S. A. Knapp, Vice President; H. H. Rood, Secretary ; H. A. Collin, Treasurer ; Executive Com- mittee, W. F. King, W. F. Johnston, H. A. Collin, S. A. Knapp, Robert Smyth ; Financial Agent, Rev. G. R. Manning ; Steward, Rev. C. M. Sessions.
The Faculty and Teachers in 1877-78 are : Rev. Wm. F. King, D. D., President, and Hamline Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy ; Alonzo Collin, M. A., Professor of the Natural Sciences ; Harriette J. Cooke, M. A., Preceptress, and Professor of History and German ; Rev. Hugh Boyd, M. A., Professor of the Greek and Latin Languages and Literature ; James E. Harlan, M. A., Alumni Professor of Mathematics ; Hamline H. Freer, B. S., Principal of Preparatory and Normal Departments ; Sylvester N. Williams, B. C. E., Professor of Civil Engineering and Librarian ; Isaac H. Bunn, M. A., Professor of Vocal Music ; John E. Myers, Second Lieut. U. S. A., Professor of Military Science and Tactics ; William H. Norton, B. A., Adjunct Professor of Latin and Greek Languages ; Mary Frye Stribling, Teacher of Instrumental Music ; *Eva A. Hutchins, Teacher of Drawing and Painting; Franc M. Martin, M. A., Teacher in Preparatory Department; Mary F. Burr, B. S., Teacher of French and Mathematics ; M. Beaumont Gray, Teacher of Instrumental Music ; Charles A. Pollock, Instructor in Bookkeeping; rW. F. Cramer, Instructor in Penmanship and Drawing ; Tyndale Palmer, Inst uctor in Elocution.
THE PRESENT.
From the first, both sexes have enjoyed equal advantages and have received the same degrees.
During the first years of the College, the old Classical Course of study held entire sway. In 1860, the Scientific Course was organized, and, in 1873, fur- ther facilities were added by inaugurating the Civil Engineering Course. By gradual progression, these courses have been brought to a high standard, and the character of the College has been much improved by increasing the amount. and exactness of the requirements for admission.
An extensive and thorough Preparatory Department is maintained in con- nection with the institution.
The Collegiate Course is of four, and the Preparatory Course of two, years.
A Normal Course is formed each year for the preparation of those students who expect to become teachers.
An army officer, who is a graduate of West Point and also of the Artillery School at Fortress Monroe, has been detailed by the Secretary of War to act as Professor of Military Science and Tactics in this institution. All the young men of the College, except such as are excused by the Faculty for special reasons, are organized into companies of infantry, known as " Cornell Cadets," and are required to drill as much as one hour each school day when the weather permits. Young men are expected to provide themselves with the prescribed uniform-a neat suit of gray.
The institution has always afforded excellent facilities for a thorough and symmetrical musical education. At the last meeting of the Board of Trustees, a Conservatory of Music was established in connection with the College. Prof. I. H. Bunn, who has long been connected with that department, will have charge of the vocal music, while Prof. W. C. Kidder, assisted by his wife, will have the department of instrumental music. Special attention will be given to preparing pupils for teaching, and in all respects it is intended to afford a first- class musical education.
* Deceased.
K
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
A practical business education in bookkeeping and penmanship is also afforded.
In the Laboratory, liberal provision has been made for those who wish to give particular attention to chemistry. The philosophical and chemical appa- ratus and engineering instruments are valuable and extensive.
The Museum contains a large and valuable collection, to illustrate the various departments of Natural History.
The department of Zoology embraces several hundred well-preserved speci- mens of mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes ; and also a large collection of land, fluvial and marine shells, including over five hundred species furnished by the Smithsonian Institution.
The department of Geology and Mineralogy is amply illustrated by over four thousand specimens of rocks, fossils, ores and crystals from various parts of the world, which have been obtained through exchange, purchase or gift.
Connected with the College Museum are :
1. The "Kendig Cabinet," which comprises the whole of the valuable collection of minerals, fossils, coins and birds of the Rev. A. B. Kendig.
2. The " Woodman Cabinet," which embraces one of the rarest and most valuable collection of corals, sponges, starfishes, crustacea, etc., in the country.
3. The "Warren Collection" of woods and grasses, which contain over five hundred varieties.
The General Library consists of over four thousand volumes, representing the various departments of Literature and Science, besides Cyclopedias and other books of reference, and is annually increased by appropriations and dona- tions.
The Normal Library is supplied with works on education, educational reports and reference books.
In connection with the Library is a well arranged Reading Room, contain- ing a choice selection of over one hundred newspapers, magazines and reviews.
The degree of Bachelor of Arts it conferred on those who complete the Classical Course ; that of Bachelor of Science on those who complete the Sci- entific Course, and that of Bachelor of Civil Engineering on those who com- plete the Civil Engineering Course.
Ladies are admitted to either Course, and, on completing the same, receive the corresponding degree. The degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science and of Civil Engineering are conferred respectively upon Bachelors of Arts, Bachelors of Science and Bachelors of Civil Engineering of three years' stand- ing, who, during that period, have sustained a good moral character and have pursued professional or scientific studies.
There were, during the present year, 390 students from thirteen different States.
The tuition for the preparatory department is $11.00 per term, and for the collegiate, $12.00, including "incidental fee."
The following scholarhips, endowed with $500 each, were founded for the purpose of educating young men preparing for the ministry. The beneficiaries are exempt from regular tuition and incidental fee :
The Robert Smyth Scholarship, endowed by Hon. Robert Smyth.
The Davis Scholarship, endowed by E. M. Davis.
The Beechly Scholarship, endowed by Jesse Beechly.
The West Scholarship, endowed by Wesley West.
The Harbron Scholarship, endowed by Elizabeth Harbron.
The two William Smyth Scholarships, endowed by Hon. Wm. Smyth.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The Peck Scholarship, endowed by Franklin K. Peck.
Following is a condensed report of the funds, made by Treasurer Henry A. Collins, to the Board of Trustees, June 1, 1878 :
The Treasurer has received during the year.
$19,892 05
And has disbursed.
19,642 73
Excess of receipts.
$ 249 32
The following is a summary of funds :
1877.
1878.
Permanent Endowment Fund.
$49,666 37
$45,893 29
Special Endowment Fund.
4,600 00
4,600 00
Alumni Fund.
12,086 36
12,336 36
Ladies' Chair of English Literature.
2,897 48
2,746 58
Cooley Chair of Civil Engineering ..
10,000 00
10,000 00
Aggregate.
$79,250 21
$75,576 23
Total Funds, June 1st, 1877.
$79,250 21
Total Funds, June 1st, 1878
75,576 23
Decrease of funds.
$ 3,673 98
Increase of liabilities
968 80
Total decrease
$ 4,642 78
SOCIETIES.
The Amphictyon, Adelphian, Philomathean, Æsthesian, Miltonian and Star are flourishing literary societies, that meet on Friday and Saturday evenings of each week. Most of them have growing libraries, and spacious and attractive halls ; the last two have been organized for the benefit of students in the Pre- paratory department.
Amphictyon Society .- This is the oldest society of Cornell College. It was organized in the old seminary chapel, on Friday evening, the 18th of Novem- ber, 1853. Its charter members were Profs. S. M. Fellows and D. H Wheeler, Messrs. A. R. Knott, J. T. Rice, C. A. Hawn and fifteen others. H. S. Church was the first President. The name of the society was taken from a society of that name at Mt. Morris, Ill. (Rock River Seminary). The literary exercises of the society at first consisted of discussions, limited .to two hours. In the Fall of 1857, essays, orations and declamations were made part of the pro- gramme. Select readings were introduced in 1867, and criticisms were added in the Spring of 1870. Over 500 different persons have been members of the society. The alumni of the society number fifty-nine-thirty-three Classical, twenty-four Scientific and one in Civil Engineering.
The Amphictyons had to put up with school desks and the Seminary chapel until the Fall of 1857, when they obtained a hall in the new College building. The hall was situated in the northeast corner of the third story, being forty feet long by twenty wide and sixteen high. The first meeting in the hall was held Dec. 11, 1857. At first, the hall was very poorly furnished ; a few hap-hazard, backless benches and a little old table, lit up with a tallow candle. The improvements in the hall commenced in 1860, led off by Rev. E. K. Young, and from time to time additions have been made up to the present. Now, the floor is furnished with Brussels carpeting and the walls are nicely papered. The windows are draped, and in the north end of the hall are two very fine book cases -- one each side of the window, while above the window is an arch on which is inscribed the name of the society and its motto, " Vestigia Nulla Retror- sum," and underneath this is a carved oak leaf-the badge of the society. The
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
walls are decorated withfine oil paintings ; and the busts of Franklin, Shakspeare, Washington Irving and many others adorn the room. The regular programmes are enlivened with vocal music, accompanied by a fine Burdette organ. The furniture of the hall is now valued at $1,525. There are 425 volumes in the library, valued at $850, making the entire property of the society worth $2,375. The first book purchased was the " American Debater," October 9, 1859. The society has had hard as well as prosperous times, but no time seemed so dark as in the Fall of 1862; all the members except three-J. S. Eberhart, T. L. Stephens and Ed. Collin-went to the war; but others soon joined and the society was prolonged.
In the Spring of 1878, a plan long cherished by the society was brought into action-the building of a Society Hall. A committee was appointed to take charge of the matter, grounds for the building were granted by the Trust- ees, and over $2,000 were raised. It is confidently expected, within the next five years, to have one of the finest society halls in the West.
The Adelphian Literary Society, of Cornell College, was organized May 1, 1858. R. Peet was chosen first President, and H. S. Church first Secretary. A few of the most prominent Alumni are : G. W. Bowman, Will Galloway, J. B. Albrook, L. E. Curtz, Wm. H. Norton and James G. Eberhart. The membership is confined to the College department, there being from twenty-five to thirty-five active members. The society is self-supporting, having no endow- ment and receiving no foreign aid. It has, from its own resources, collected together the nucleus of a select library, consisting of 1,600 volumes and valued at $2,500. This society gives, each term, a public entertainment in the College chapel. The literary exercises consist principally of orations, essays and reci- tations. It also aims to discuss the leading questions of the day, and to estab- lish correct opinions concerning them. The society has lately made a great improvement in its hall, and it now has one of the most spacious and attractive halls in the College, being furnished entirely new with carpets, pictures and general furniture to the amount of $3,000.
The Æsthesian Literary Society, composed of ladies, was organized in 1870. The charter members, believing that two societies were necessary in order to preserve harmony, and also believing that emulation would serve to make each stronger, formally withdrew from the Philomathean Society, of which they were members, and took the necessary steps for establishing a new society. Their first meeting was held in the Amphictyon Hall, Ophelia Matson acting as President. The next term, the society had but five members, but, though few in numbers, their courage was great and success attended their efforts. The society at the present time is in a prosperous condition, having each term from twenty to twenty-five members. Meetings are held each week on Saturday evening, when a programme consisting of orations, essays, debates, etc., is given. Once per term, the society gives a public entertainment in the College chapel. The regular meetings were formerly hield in the Amphictyon Hall, but in the Spring of '78 a spacious hall was granted them. Elegant and hand- some furniture will be added as the financial condition of the society will permit. The object of the society is to elevate the mind and develop the talents. The significance of the chosen name, Asthesian-" Lovers of the good and beautiful"-it is the aim of the members of the society to uphold.
" THE COLLEGIAN."
A monthly, published under the auspices of the Amphictyon and Æsthesian Societies of Cornell College. The first number was issued Oct. 1, 1869. The
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
first corps of editors were Will Galloway, J. B. Albrock, S. A. Marine, Willard Nowlin, Ella S. Rigby, Lou. McFreer, Ella A. Golder, Imogene Albright.
Prominent among the editors since, we find the names of S. J. Smith, A. E. Carhart, R. L. Rowe, C. A. Pollock, J. S. Day, Fred M. Abbott, Mary F. Burr, Kittie Mason and Marther Clinton.
The Adelphian and Philomathean Literary Societies were formerly con- nected with the paper, but in the Spring of 1877, they withdrew from the Col- legiate Association.
The printing has mostly been done at the office of S. H. Bauman, of the Mt. Vernon Hawk Eye, although for a short time it was published at the office of the Daily Observer, Cedar Rapids.
THE ALUMNI.
The Alumni properly begin with John Cavanaugh and Miss Mary Fellows, who graduated in 1858, but as the college charter had not been received, their names are not published among the list of graduates. The class tie was re- placed by the matrimonial, and they now reside in Iowa City, where Mr. Cavanaugh is in the law practice.
The first regular class, 1859, consisted of John A. B. Putnam, John G. Safley, Mary O. Chubbuck, Sarah Beebe and Lydia Miller. Mr. Putnam moved to Texas, and during the war became Captain in a rebel regiment. He is one of but two Cornell students only who ever bore arms against their coun- try. During the war, on learning that one of his prisoners was a " Cornell Boy " and an Amphictyon, he took him several miles from the camp, gave him a horse and started him for the Union lines. Besides the matrimonial ties here effected, the ties of school fellowship are stronger than almost any other human affiliation.
Miss Chubbuck married Rudolphus Peet, a former student, and died a year or two later-hers being the first death among the Alumni.
The class of 1860 were Thomas D. Hogg (whose name was changed to T. H. Dixon), Madge Oliver, O. J. Cowles and Minnie Matthews. The two couples as stated soon became united in marriage.
Of the later classes many have won for themselves lasting reputations and honored names, in the pulpit, at the bar, in the school room, in the household and among all the various avocations of life. An Alumni Association has been formed, and a chair, known as the Alumni Chair, endowed.
By liberal patronage the Institution has been able to send forth several thou- sand efficient workers into the different professions and vocations. The one hundred and seventy-three Alumni have achieved a success which is alike flat- tering to themselves and the College; and they have already contributed over $12,000 toward the endowment of their Professorship.
WESTERN COLLEGE.
The first steps taken toward the founding of an institution of learning by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, west of the Mississippi, were taken by the Iowa Annual Conference, assembled at Muscatine, in August, 1855. At an hour set apart to consider the educational interest, the question of immediate action toward the promotion of higher education was quite thoroughly discussed, and it was determined to build a college at an early day. A board of Trustees was elected, consisting of Rev. Solomon Weaver, of Vin- ton, President ; Rev. M. G. Miller, of Tipton, Secretary ; Rev. Joseph Miller,
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Rev. Daniel Runkle, of Lisbon, and Jonathan Neidig, of Muscatine, who " were required, as soon as possible, to select a site for the location of a college, in as convenient a place as possible for the whole church in Iowa." Rev. George Miller was elected Traveling Agent. Steps were also taken toward securing the co-operation of the Des Moines Annual Conference. " A resolu- tion was then offered and passed that the institution should be known by the name of the 'Western College' of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ." This name was suggested by the fact that, of the colleges of the United Brethren Church, it would be the farthest west. The Board of Trustees here created held its first session in Vinton, Benton County, Iowa, October 15, 1855.
Sessions were held at various points in the State in 1855 and the early part of 1856. during a part of which time propositions of financial aid were being presented by different localities with the design of securing in their midst the location of the college.
Col. W. H. Shuey, of Virginia, who had, in the early part of the same vear, settled in Johnson County, where Shueyville now stands, saw a notice in the Religious Telescope of this initiatory step toward building a college, and thinking that his locality might offer some inducements to the committee, wrote to Mr. Weaver, the Chairman, in reference to the matter, and he at once came on a trip of inspection, and the present site of Western College, then a bleak prairie, was examined one morning, before early breakfast, by Mr. Weaver and Col. Shuey, and they concluded it was the place for a college.
In a few days afterward, the Rev. D. Runkel, of Lisbon, Rev. M. G. Miller, of Tipton, and J. Neidig, of Muscatine, were also on the ground, and the result was that the people in the community were encouraged to offer a bonus of $7,000 in consideration of the location of the college in their midst. The Hon. Adam Perry, who has ever been a valuable friend to the institution, and who was the first resident of the town, assisted in raising this amount.
The following appears in the minutes of the third regular meeting, held at Sugar Creek, Cedar County, December 24, 1855: "Inasmuch as William H. Shuey has presented a proposition to this Board of a donation of $6,000, pro- vided the college be located in the neighborhood of Shueyville, near the south- west corner of Linn County, Iowa: Resolved, therefore, that we locate Western College near the southwest corner of Linn County." This bonus was in cash and lands. At this meeting, Joseph Miller having by letter resigned, W. H. Shuey was elected to fill the vacancy.
At the fourth meeting of the Trustees, held at Shueyville, Johnson County, February 11, 1856, the location was finally made where the College now stands, on lands conveyed to the College by Jacob Shuey, Adam Perry and W. A. Wherry. This tract of land lay out on the bleak prairie. At this meeting steps were taken toward the erection of the college buildings.
The lands, thus made the property of the college, were laid out as a town, which was named "Western." Near the center of the plat was located the college campus, containing about seventeen acres. Friends soon began to flock to the place and buy lots and build; and thus around the college a village grew up, which now contains about 250 inhabitants.
One of the leading designs in thus locating the college upon an unsettled prairie was, that by this means it might secure a strong local support through the friends who would, it was supposed, buy land and open farms for miles around it. In this its friends were disappointed. A foreign people (Bohemi- ans) soon began to purchase and settle upon these adjacent lands. and now com- prise a greater part of the neighboring population.
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