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 61
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From the very first, there was but one sentiment among the founders of the institution upon this point. It was taken as a matter of course that their daughters as well as their sons needed, and should have, the benefits of higher education. If precedents were wanted, they had them in the action of the older colleges of the United Brethren Church. The history of the college proves their action wise and just. At no time have its managers had the least disposi- tion to change its policy in this regard. The whole of this matter may be stated by simply remarking that the experience of Western College in co-education is of the same satisfactory character as that of hundreds of institutions in our country, and that its testimony in its favor is equally hearty and pronounced.
MANUAL LABOR.
While the founders of the College were thoroughly awake to the importance of securing to their church facilities for the education of its young people, they seem to have been beset with the idea prevalent among uneducated people in their time, that a college training disposed persons, more or less, to become haughty and indolent.
To counteract this supposed tendency, and at the same time afford students healthful exercise and a means of defraying a part of their expenses, it was determined to have a Manual Labor Department connected with the college. The system embraced agriculture only, nothing being done in the mechanic arts.
The following is found in the minutes of the first meeting of the Trustees : " It was agreed upon that said college should be conducted under the manual labor system."
Further-" Resolved: That we locate no less than 240 acres, for the College buildings, town and farm." In taking this action, the Trustees were following the explicit instructions of the conference which appointed them.
The early records at our command make it very clear that, as a department of the College, this was considered second to none. In the catalogue of the college of its first full year, closing June 10, 1858, published in the Western College Advocate, the following appears :
"Manual Labor Department .- All students are required to perform more or less labor, for which they are remunerated. By the opening of the next session, the Professor in Agriculture will be prepared to furnish a large amount of labor to students, by which means they can pay at least one-half of their current expenses." In the Western College Advocate, of which, at this time, President Weaver was senior editor, this department was very earnestly sup- ported. An editorial in the June number, 1857, urges that : "It promotes health, and last, but not least, prevents caste." The following is from an ex- tract from an article in the "Editor's Table" of the issue of February, 1858 : " We want it understood by all, that the life of Western College as much depends upon the success of the Manual Labor Department, as any and all
473
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
other departments of the school. It was founded as a manual labor college, and the funds secured for the building-up of said institution, have been given with that express understanding; and now, should the managers of the school in any way neglect to give prominence to this department, they would prove recreant to their trust."
A "College Farm," located about a mile from the College building, was put in operation at an early day. Financially it was a moderate success, but seems not to have sustained the position at first assigned it, "of equal importance with other departments in the school." It was run in connection with the Col- lege for five years, when it was rented and subsequently sold at a very low fig- ure, and the "manual labor system " abandoned.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE.
-
From what has been said respecting the origin of the institution it will be seen that it was started as an agency for furthering the interests of religion. Its founders were among the most pious and zealous men of the church, and they entered upon their work in the name of Christ and with faith in God. The religious element was early a prominent feature in the school, and has been all along its history. To make it a nursery of vital Christianity, and a center from which shall go forth young men and women possessing the highest develop- ment of the heart as well as of the head is. if possible, more zealously sought for now than at any time in the past. The skepticism and deistical tendency of the age has deepened the conviction in the minds of those having the man- agement of the institution, that higher education, no less than other, to be a blessing, must be sanctified.
Moral and religious training is considered of the first importance. Students are required to attend religious services in the College chapel every Sabbath morning with the United Brethren congregation, or if the church preferences of the student render it desirable on his part, he is at perfect liberty to worship with some other congregation. Singing, reading of the Scriptures and prayer are held every morning in the chapel-Saturday and Sabbath excepted-which all are required to attend. The students are urged to attend Sabbath school and prayer meetings. During each term special religious services are held by the minister of the congregation, assisted by the professors, chiefly for the ben- efit of the students. These special efforts always result in good, and are fre- quently reasons of great spiritual power. It is the aim to throw around the students, continually, the most wholesome moral and religious influences. Besides these direct religious agencies, the moral atmosphere of the community is comparatively pure. The town is free from saloons and places of sinful, viti- ating amusements. Almost all who spend some years at the institution leave its halls earnest Christians.
TERRITORY CO-OPERATING.
The conferences now co-operating are: In Iowa, the Iowa, East Des Moines and West Des Moines; in Minnesota, the Minnesota; in Illinois, the Rock River. These contain a membership of 9,000. It will at once be seen that Western College is the educational center of the church in the Northwest. This territory is as choice as it is extensive. The church is becoming more and more interested in the college, and is giving it a continually increasing support. The college also has many valuable friends and supporters outside the church.
474
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
FINANCES.
The plan generally adopted for raising funds to meet the various wants of the institution has been the employment of agents, who operate in such dis- tricts of the conferences co-operating as the Board of Trustees directs. Its financial difficulties have been not unlike those of most institutions in their infancy. These have, by no means, been rendered lighter by its having taken its rise in the pioneer period of the State. During the early part of its history the aim of its managers seems to have been simply to reduce the debt-which was incurred chiefly at its founding-and to meet current expenses. The rais- ing of a permanent endowment fund received attention first during the annual session of the Board in 1866. In the minutes of this session is found a motion by Rev. W. W. Richardson, "that we endow a Professorship in this school." This motion was disposed of "after some discussion," by passing an amend- ment that "we endow a professorship when our debts are paid and way clear."
As years passed, and the cost of instruction was not being met nor the general condition of the finances improved, it became evident that new measures must be inaugurated by which to meet expenses and place the institution upon a sound financial basis. Hence, in the session of 1870, it was resolved to endow two chairs. It was determined, also, to sell perpetual scholarships at $250 each. In connection with efforts to secure means to meet contingent expenses and liquidate debts, the agents have been working up these funds, until a fair start has been made.
The total amount now secured, including scholarships, is $30,000. Only a part of this is funded. This is but the beginning of what is expected, erelong, to be a respectable endowment.
BUILDINGS.
The buildings are three in number-all brick. The main building is 36x62 feet and three stories in height. The lower story contains four recitation rooms and rooms for laboratory and library. The second story is the chapel. The third story-formerly wholly comprised of dormitories-is now occupied by the two halls of the gentlemen's societies, a recitation room and cabinet room.
Neidig Hall is 30x40 feet and two stories in height. It was named from Jonathan Neidig, of Western, who contributed liberally toward its erection. It was erected in 1858. It was designed to accommodate gentlemen boarding themselves, and was occupied by gentlemen until 1875, when it was partially refitted and set apart for the use of ladies boarding themselves.
Lane Hall is three stories in height, besides basement, and 35x62 feet. It was named from Mr. Ira Lane, of Illinois, a liberal donor to the college. It is the boarding hall for ladies. The basement contains a cellar, pantry, kitchen, dining-room and laundry. The first story contains Steward's rooms, music and reception rooms and hall of the ladies' society. The second and third stories are used as dormitories. The foundation of this building was laid in 1860, but a want of funds delayed its completion. Its wall, at various times raised higher, stood unfinished and without a roof until the Fall of 1864. In the Summer of 1865, the building was partially finished, and in the Fall of the same year it was occupied and opened for boarders. It was finally completed by finishing the upper story in 1874.
7. Mo Clelland EDITOR OF"CEDAR RAPIDS TIMES"
477
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
A NEW CHAPEL.
Active measures are now being taken for the erection of a costly and elegant chapel building, to be located at the south end of the main college building, extending a few feet further west. It will be a brick structure, 50x90 feet in size, the first story to be used as a lecture room and for other purposes, while the whole of the second story will be devoted to the chapel. It will have an open timber ceiling, and will seat 715 persons, as planned by the architect, E. Grow Aurand, of Ossian, Iowa. It will be connected with the main building, which will be thoroughly remodeled and increased to four stories, and a tower, about 120 feet in height, will form the junction of the two buildings. It is expected that it will be completed within three years, at a cost of about $30,000.
LITERARY SOCIETIES.
There are connected with the college three literary societies-two for gentle- men, one for ladies. The following statistics are as nearly accurate as any that can be obtained. The Young Men's Institute can find no records made prior to November, 1868. The number of members from that time to 1876 is 192, which figures are given below :
Membership.
GENTLEMEN.
Founded.
Volumes in Library.
Initiation.
Annual.
Present.
Total.
Young Men's Institute.
1857
263
$1 00
35
192
11
Philophronean.
1869
275
1 00
25
145
19
LADIES.
Calliopean
1859
125
1 00
25
176
15
The Philadelphian Society flourished in the early days of the institution. It dissolved as early as the former part of the year 1860. During the college year of 1863-4, the Nestorian was formed. Its career was short. From the Irving Institute, of later origin than either of the last named, the Philophro- nean sprung. The instability of most of the gentlemen's societies, organized during the early years, is doubtless partly to be ascribed to the fact that, before the year 1870, they had no society halls. The ladies fitted up a hall in 1869. The regular literary societies are the only societies connected with the College. By rule, all secret societies are prohibited.
LIBRARY AND CABINET.
The college library contains over 800 volumes. This interest is being gradually worked up, and will eventually become a prominent feature of the institution. The literary societies have libraries, to which their members have free access.
CABINET.
Valuable additions have been made to the cabinet, among which is a complete shell cabinet, containing over 500 species and more than 2,600 individuals ; also over forty specimens of coral. These two collections are a gift of the class of 1877. Additions have also been made to the geological and mineral depart- ments.
EXPENSES TO STUDENTS.
The tuition, in all the departments, is $7.00 per term; the incidental fee per term is $1.50, making a total admittance fee of $8.50 per term. Boarding at the hall or at private residences is had for from $2.75 to $3.00. The sum
L
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
total of expenses incurred in attending this institution is small, compared with that of many like institutions. Many students reduce their expenses by board- ing themselves and by manual labor.
FACULTY.
The present Faculty is as follows : Rev. E. B. Kephart, A. M., President and Professor of Mental and Moral Science; Rev. Lewis Bookwalter, A. M., Professor of Ancient Languages and Literature; Byron O. White, Ph. B., Professor of Natural Science and History ; Anna E. Shuey, M. A., Principal of Ladies' Department ; Rev. James W. Robertson, Tutor ; Eli Ridenour, Teacher of Penmanship; J. W. Robertson, Teacher of Phonography ; E. P. Miller, Teacher of Bookkeeping ; J. Baumgardner, Teacher of German ; Mrs. S. J. Kephart, Teacher of Drawing and Painting ; Mrs. Jane Bowman, Teacher of Instrumental Music ; W. S. Varner, Teacher of Vocal Music.
The officers of the Faculty are : Rev. E. B. Kephart, President ; Anna E. Shuey, Secretary ; Byron O. White, Librarian.
The officers of the Board of Trustees are : Rev. E. B. Kephart, President ; Rev. W. I. Beatty, Secretary.
Executive Committee : Rev. E. B. Kephart, President; Rev. L Book- walter, Secretary ; H. A. Dilling, Samuel Dice, Ransom Davis, T. Halverson ; Wm. J. Ham, General Financial Agent and Treasurer ; Dennis Gray, Solicit- ing Agent ; J. G. Brown, Steward.
RESUME.
There were, during the year ending June 26, 1878, 182 students, of whom 68 were ladies.
All students are under the careful government of the Faculty.
The college year is divided into three terms of thirteen weeks each. The Summer vacation continues ten weeks.
Public examinations of all classes are held at the close of each term. These examinations are considered important, and students absenting themselves from an examination are required to pass a full examination at the commencement of the succeeding term for class standing. Grading is done by the scale of 0 to 10. Any student having a standard in any study below 6 is not advanced from that study until it has been successfully repeated.
Like every institution of learning, Western College has, at different periods, enjoyed different degrees of prosperity, and varied in its rank as a college. While the men connected with it may justly be considered among the prime causes of these variations, surrounding circumstances, for which no one was responsible, and various complicated causes have conduced to determine the status of the institution.
But it is not so much to its past and present as to its promises for the future that the friends of Western College look with pleasure. True, it has done a noble work. It has furnished a number of teachers, professors and principals for the schools of the Church in the West and Northwest. Through the min- istry, it is adding new life and bringing greater success to the general work of the Church. A number of its students are rising to distinction in the various secular professions, and filling public positions of profit and honor.
We are by no means to measure its work solely by the number of graduates it has sent out. Scores of young men and women, whom circumstances permitted to spend but from one to three years within its halls, have gone forth to do them- selves honor and bless the world.
479
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
But the institution is only in its infancy-its work thus far initiatory. We confidently look for that more stable character, that higher excellence and widening influence which may be expected to attend the firm development and increased strength of maturer years. It has entered our nation's second century with strong promise of less trial and greater success than was experi- enced in the closing decade of the first. The aim shall be to qualify the insti- tution to act a yet nobler part in the elevation of men.
This sketch has been compiled chiefly from a brief history of the College prepared in 1876 by Prof. Lewis Bookwalter, A. M.
THE COE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.
The Cedar Rapids Collegiate Institute was incorporated in 1853. On the third Monday in July, 1853, the first officers were elected for a term of three years.
The character of the Institute, set forth in the articles of incorporation, was declared to be " a college and seminary of learning," located at the city of Cedar Rapids, with stock limited to $100,000, in shares of $25 each. The teachers must be of the class which professes evangelical piety, and the exer- cises of the school conducted in accordance with religious ideas. In considera- tion of the donation of $6,000, and a pledge of five scholarships for the first five years, and of ten thereafter, the Iowa City Presbytery had the right to nominate all teachers of the Institute, subject to the action of the Board of Directors of the College. The first Board consisted of George Greene, Presi- dent ; S. C. Bever, Treasurer; David Blakely, Secretary ; Williston Jones, John F. Ely, W. W. Smith, S. D. Carpenter, A. Daniels, Isaac Cook, W. Greene, J. L. Shearer and Aaron Van Dorn.
At the July meeting of the Board of that year, a proposition was read from Daniel Coe, of Durham, Greene Co., N. Y., offering a conditional donation of $1,500. Mr. Coe proposed to devote $500 to the purchase of a tract of land near Cedar Rapids and the improvement of the same, as the site of the College buildings, and $1,000 to the purchase of a farm tract contiguous to the same, to the end that students who were unable to pay their way without labor might therein find a suitable opportunity to earn money for board and tuition. Mr. Coe suggested the propriety of admitting females as well as males to the privi- leges of the College.
The proposition was accepted by the Board, and by July 28, 1853, the requisite stock had been subscribed to enable them to carry out Mr. Coe's plan.
In September, 1853, the first term of the institution was begun, with David Blakely as Principal.
Steps were taken to secure a site for permanent buildings ; but pending their erection, the Presbyterian Church was used as a school room.
In January, 1855, D. B. Nash was chosen teacher. The school did not prove a financial success, and it was resolved to relinquish all rights, real and personal, to the Iowa City Presbytery.
In 1857, the Board rejected the proposition of the Iowa City Presbytery, relative to a transfer of the property, and concluded to carry on the work as originally proposed. The history of the College for the few years immediately succeeding 1857 is such as follows the organization of almost every institution of this kind. Various propositions for pecuniary aid were made, and an effort put forth to secure the removal of the College to Vinton, Benton County. The plan did not prosper.
480
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
In 1870, the Board resolved to re-convey the property of the College to Daniel Coe, in accordance with the terms of his proposition.
In 1866, the " Parsons Seminary" was instituted at a meeting in Cedar Rapids presided over by John Weare. Rev. G. E. W. Leonard was chosen Financial Agent. The Seminary was incorporated with George Greene, John F. Ely, E. L. Mansfield, S. C. Bever, John Weare, W. W. Walker, N. B. Brown, W. S. Cooper, James Knox, E. E. Loach, I. N. Isham, W. W. Maltby, A. C. Churchill, E. A. Wheeler and E. W. Leonard, Trustees. The articles were filed December 3, 1866. The temporary officers chosen were : Rev. James Knox, President; George Greene, Vice President ; J. F. Ely, Secretary ; S. C. Bever, Treasurer.
At the regular meeting, this list was changed to the following: George Greene, President ; James Knox, Vice President ; John F. Ely, Secretary, and W. W. Walker, Treasurer.
E Correspondence was opened with Mr. Coe, and also with the representatives of Mr. Parsons, of St. Louis, who had made a provision in his will, donating certain amounts of lands to the Synod of Iowa, for educational purposes.
Measures were adopted to invest the Board with the property formerly owned by the Cedar Rapids Collegiate Institute. Mr. Coe re-donated a hand- some sum to the educational interests of Cedar Rapids, under the supervision of the Parsons Seminary Company ; and the Board resolved to name the first endowed professorship after that benevolent gentleman.
Various means were resorted to for the purpose of securing aid for the sem- inary. The ladies of the city took an active interest in the work, arranging and carrying out entertainments.
In May, 1867, a contract was made with William Richmond for the erection of a school edifice on the "Boulevard road," a continuation of Iowa avenue, where a tract of eighty acres was owned by the company. The tract was platted in the Fall of '67, and designated " Coe's Addition to Cedar Rapids."
In April, 1868, Rev. H. H. Kellogg was appointed Financial Agent of the company ; and in October of that year, R. P. Kingman succeeded to that office.
The building was completed in the Fall of 1868, and the property then owned by the Seminary was valued at $40,000, on which there was about $7,000 incumbrance, with collectible paper of about $2,000, to act as partial offset.
The next two years were somewhat unsatisfactory, in a financial sense, and in March, 1870, a meeting of the Board was held to consider the propriety of suspending the institution.
In July of that year, the Parsons Seminary expressed a willingness to trans- fer its property rights to the " Parsons College," an institution proposed by the representatives of the gentlemen referred to before, and then under the super- vision of the Northern Synod of Iowa. This plan was not carried out.
In April, 1875, the name of the seminary was changed to that of the "Coe Collegiate Institute," and the institution passed under the direction of the Cedar Rapids Presbytery.
The list of signers to the Articles of Incorporation is : George Greene, Jas. " Knox, S. C. Bever, Isaac Cook, T. McRae, D. W. C. Rowley, W. S. Cooper, John F. Ely, E. L. Mansfield, E. E. Leach, N. B. Brown, George Douglas, T. M. Sinclair, W. W. Walker, John Weare.
The institution is now in a prosperous condition, having won its way to the confidence of the people by the indefatigable efforts of its leading spirits. The
481
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
present officers are : George Greene, President; Rev. E. R. Burkhalter, Vice President ; D. W. C. Rowley, Secretary ; J. C. Brocksmidt, Treasurer. Prof. Robert Conditt is in charge of the college.
LINN COUNTY HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.
This society embraces the homoeopathic fraternity of Linn County. The society holds semi-annual meetings in Cedar Rapids. No one is admitted to membership without due examination by the censors. The officers are: L. S. Davis, of Center Point, President ; P. Moor, of Cedar Rapids, Vice President ; G. E. Coggswell, of Cedar Rapids, Secretary; Mrs. C. Hickox, of Cedar Rapids, Treasurer ; Drs. Moor, Peck and Hindman, Censors.
IOWA UNION MEDICAL SOCIETY.
This society was first organized as the Linn County Medical Society, but was changed as above in 1874. It now embraces the profession in Linn, Ben- ton, Jones, Cedar and Johnson Counties. The officers are: J. Doran, Presi- dent; George W. Holmes, First Vice President ; W. W. Skinner, Second Vice President ; George R. Skinner, Secretary ; G. L. Carhart, Treasurer. The Board of Censors is M. Meredith, H. Ristine and J. S. Love.
The society meets semi-annually, in June and December, in Cedar Rapids.
HOG CULTURE.
The raising of hogs in this county is so important an industry as to be worthy of a special chapter. It has already been shown that Linn County is destined to become one of the leading dairy regions of the West, and that, too, at no very distant day. The dairy cannot be worked to its full capacity of profit without the extensive growing of hogs. The latter follow as a natural sequence. It is estimated that five hogs should be raised for every cow milked, but the question of proportion the farmers must decide for themselves. In any event, swine must enter largely into the calculations of those who figure on suc- cessful dairying.
It is an established fact that the best breeds of swine are the choicest for marketing. Long-headed, thin-flanked porkers are easy to get, but poor to sell. The old maxim of "the best is the cheapest" is fully illustrated in this department of stock growing. The care of fine strains is necessarily greater than of coarse varieties, but it is labor well bestowed. The yield in pounds is more, the price in the market is higher, and the satisfaction to the producer is infinitely beyond that of the common animal.
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