USA > Illinois > Champaign County > A Standard history of Champaign County Illinois : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, civic and social development : a chronicle of the people, with family lineage and memoirs, Volume I > Part 26
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Dr. Gregory was a man of high ideals and broad sympathies, of great vigor and considerable oratorical ability, and his general plan of university organization has continued to the present day. Ilis personal influence upon the student body was marked. His vision of what a State University should be was far-reaching.
During the year following his election to the regency, and previous to the opening of the University, not only were the plans for the insti- tution pushed forward at the seat of the proposed university, but Dr. Gregory also traveled over the state, seeking to interest young men everywhere in securing a higher education. Many of the addresses which he made were delivered from the rear end of a farmer's wagon at a county fair. To many young men who afterwards came to the University and who have since been of great value to their state, the appeal eame from the lips of this college president on some such occa- sion.1
One of the first great tasks of Dr. Gregory was to prepare an out- line of the general aims of the new university, and a course of study. This he did, as chairman of a committee appointed by the board. The following departments and courses of study were suggested to be devel- oped as soon as practicable.
PROPOSED DEPARTMENTS AND COURSES
I. The Agricultural Department, embracing-
1. The course in Agriculture proper
2. The course in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening
1 Alumni Quarterly, Vol. IV. Makers of the University, by Henry Mahan Beardsley, '79, p. 5.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
II. The Polytechnic Department, embracing-
1. The course in Mechanical Science and Art
2. The course in Civil Engineering
3. The course in Mining and Metallurgy
4. The course in Architecture and Fine Arts
III. The Military Department, embracing-
1. The course in Military Engineering
2. The course in Tactics
IV. The Department of Chemistry and Natural Science
V. The Department of Trade and Commerce
VI. The Department of General Science and Literature, embrac- ing-
1. The course in Mathematics
2. The course in Natural History, Chemistry, etc.
3. The course in English Language and Literature
4. The course in Modern Language and Literature
5. The course in Ancient Language and Literature
6. The course in History and Social Science
7. The course in Philosophy, Intellectual and Moral 1
The report of this course of study committee caused considerable excitement among the people. The idea of teaching "English Litera- ture" and "Ancient and Modern Languages and Literatures" proved as the red flag to the infuriated bull of the story. The institution was denounced as no more than one of the "old colleges" and the question was derisively asked, "Why add, by a public grant of lands, to these old institutions, of which the people already have too many?" It is probably due to the warfare aroused by this course of study that only fifty-seven were enrolled at the opening of the University on March 11, 1868, and of these, forty-five were from Champaign County. Untrue and sensational tales were told and believed, greatly to the discredit of the new University. Many demanded that the classics should be excluded from the course of study; others that they should be tolerated, but not cherished. By some it was claimed that the students of belles- lettres would constitute an aristocratic class in that institution and that the students of agriculture and mechanic arts would be looked upon as inferiors. The dissatisfaction showed itself in newspaper articles and in public addresses. Dissensions took place in the board of trustees. Finally, in 1870, a convention of delegates from the several county agri- cultural societies met at Bloomington to consider the past, present and future condition of the Illinois Industrial University. Dr. Gregory attended this convention and delivered an address. He explained at
1 Rep. of Univ. of Ill., 1868, p. 50.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
length the act creating the University and the course of study, answered some reasonable questions, and as a result very much improved the existing feeling. They appointed a committee to visit and investigate the institution and report thereon. This committee's report served greatly to strengthen the University as, for instance: "We found 196 male students in attendance; . . . fourteen young ladies. . About fifty of the students present were in the agricultural and horti- cultural departments, fifty-four in mechanical and civil engineering, sixty-five in chemistry, fifteen in comparative anatomy, 138 in mathe- matics, twenty-three in military tactics, fifty in the commercial depart- ment, ninety-two in English, sixty-three in German, twenty-six in French and twenty in Latin; none in Greek. From this statement it appears that only one-tenth of the students are studying the classics at all; and inasmuch as each student pursues three studies, only one-thir- tieth of the working force of the institution is expended upon the ancient languages, whereas in an ordinary college, from half to two-thirds of the working force would be so expended.
"We were further assured by the acting regent that it is the full purpose of the faculty to fulfill all laws enacted for the government of the institution, and to meet the requirements of the industrial classes by making it, in the true sense of the word, an industrial school in con- tradistinction to the ordinary colleges and professional schools of the country." 1
The subjects actually taught at the opening of the University were algebra, geometry, natural philosophy, history, rhetoric and Latin, and the work was carried on in the brick building which was the donation of Champaign County. This building also served as a dormitory and came to be known as the Old Dormitory building.
Owing to the belief that it is the separation of the theoretical and practical which renders so much education mere "book learning," the board of trustees decided that a manual labor system should be thor- oughly tried, and all students not excused for physical disability were required to labor from one to three hours a day. The students went out in squads, under their military officers, and under the general super- vision of members of the faculty. The maximum compensation of such labor was 8 cents an hour. Many students worked voluntarily over hours, and received for such over-work 121/2 cents an hour. In a short time, however, labor was made wholly voluntary, except as it was a part of some course of study, as the shop practice in the course of mechanical science and art.
1 Rep. of Univ. of Ill., 1869, p. 62.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
STUDENT'S GOVERNMENT SYSTEM
In matters of discipline Dr. Gregory believed in treating the stu- dents as men, and in appealing to their manhood for the maintenance of good order. His love of freedom showed itself in the establishment of the Students' Government System, first tried in 1870. By permis- sion of the faculty, the general assembly of the students was organized, and a constitution adopted providing for the election of a president, vice-president, secretary and marshal. There was also a senate of twenty- one members, and a court consisting of a chief justice and two associate judges. Under this constitution, the senate enacted laws, which became valid only when approved by the regent of the University. All offenses against these laws were tried before the students' court, and punished by fines according to the claims of offense. Cases requiring the severer penalties of suspension or expulsion from the University were referred to the faculty, and students refusing to pay the fines imposed by the students' government were suspended from University privileges. For a time this system of government worked admirably, but later politics crept in and perverted justice, and the system was abandoned in 1883.
The faculty for the first term consisted of the regent, two instruc- tors, a head farmer and two non-resident lecturers. A decided contrast in numbers with our faculty of today! The two towns likewise pre- sented a very different appearance. Street pavements were not laid until some twenty years later; the buildings, for the most part, were of the cheaper grade of scantling frames; and the streets themselves were more often adorned by wood piles than by sidewalks. Stock of all kinds ran at large in both towns and in the country, so that all houses were securely fenced to keep out the predatory cows and hogs.
WOMEN FIRST ADMITTED
Women were not at first admitted to the University. In 1869 the question of their admission was raised, and after a lengthy discussion, upon the motion of Mr. John S. Johnson,1 it was settled in the affirma- tive in March, 1870. The story is told that a group of boys, much interested in the outcome of the discussion, listened to the deliberations of the trustees through a friendly stove-pipe hole, and when the vote was finally taken, and announced as favorable to the young women, an approving shout was heard from the gallant fellows above.2 Girls
1 Rep. of Univ. of Ill., 1870, p. 84.
2 Facts for Freshmen Concerning the Univ. of Ill., by T. A. Clarke, p. 7.
THE PRESENT WOMAN'S BUILDING
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
ever since have been thus kindly received, and their presence has come to be viewed as a matter of course. In the first year, twenty-two were registered; while during the year 1916-17, their attendance has increased to 1,641, out of the total number of 6,828, or nearly one-fifth of the whole enrollment of the University of Illinois. Thus their early kindly reception seems to have been appreciated.
In spite of the prominence of agriculture in the state and the important part which the farmers took in the industrial movement, the agricultural department languished. The proportion of agri- cultural students during the first decade was insignificant.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING FOUNDED
Meanwhile the engineering courses developed rapidly. Stillman W. Robinson, elected to the professorship of Mechanical Engineering in 1869, may be regarded as the real founder of the College of Engineer- ing. He appreciated the educational possibilities of shop work and made it a part of the engineering instruction. In January, 1870, a mechanical shop was fitted up with tools and machinery. Dr. Peabody, in speaking of it, says, "It is probable that tool or machine instruction was first given in America at the Worcester Free Institute, which was formally inaugurated in November, 1868, six months after the inau- guration of this University. I have not been able to find that Pro- fessor Robinson's practice shop had any other predecessor in this country." In the summer of 1871 the mechanical building and drill hall (burned on June 9, 1909) were erected and equipped for students' shop work in both wood and iron, and for military drill.
MAIN UNIVERSITY BUILDING COMPLETED
The Legislature, in its session the same year, authorized the con- struction of the main University building, according to the plans and estimates, laid before it, at a cost of $150,000. They appropriated $75,000, and provided that the $75,000 additional should be appropriated at the next meeting. Work on the building was commenced, but the Legislature failed to make the expected additional appropriation. A broad, white streak on the west wall remains the indelible record of the time when the work could go no further. It was deemed advisable to provide temporarily for the continuance of the work by the sale of the Champaign County bonds. This was done, and the work was resumed. Every effort was made that this money should be repaid by
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
the State, but such efforts were unavailing. The building was finished and dedicated December 10, 1873.1
The other of the larger buildings erected during this period was the Chemical Laboratory, which was authorized by the Legislature of 1877 and dedicated at the commencement in 1878. Its cost, when fitted and furnished, was $40,000. There were other smaller appropriations made during the period, which were used in the construction of a house and barn on the horticultural grounds, a gardener's house, a green- house, and a barn for the agricultural department.
A re-organization of the Board of Trustees occurred in 1873. The number of members was reduced from 31 to 11-The Governor and the President of the State Board of Agriculture, ex officio, and nine others, who were still appointed by the Governor.2 Beginning at this time also, the President of the Board was chosen by the members from among their own number for a term of one year. At the meeting held July 10, 1873, Emory Cobb was elected the new president. He gave much time and attention to the affairs of the University for more than a quarter of a century.
THE FOUR PIONEER COLLEGES
At the end of the first five years the organization of the Uni- versity consisted of four colleges-the College of Agriculture, of Engineering, of Natural Science, and of Literature and Science. These were subdivided as follows:
The College of Agriculture embraced the Schools of Agriculture and Horticulture.
The College of Engineering included the four Schools of Mechanical, Civil, and Mining Engineering and Architecture.
The College of Natural Science included the School of Chemistry and the School of Natural History.
The College of Literature and Arts and Science embraced the School of Modern Language and Literature and the School of Ancient Language and Literature.
Besides these, there were the Schools of Commercial Science, the School of Military Science, and a School of Domestic Economy. The instruction in the last named school began with the college year 1872- '73. The full course in the beginning embraced general literary work while in the second and third years lectures on topics of domestic
1 Rep. of Univ. of Ill. 1888, Hist. Address by Selim H. Peabody, p. 207.
2 Laws of the U. S. and State of Ill. Concerning the Univ. of Ill., p. 37.
1-17
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
economy took the place of the mathematical studies. This was the first School of Domestic Economy of high grade, and with a complete course, organized in the United States, if not the first in the world.
Admission requirements at first were very low in all departments; but fewer than half the students of the earlier years were able to meet them, and members of the faculty found themselves overloaded with elementary work to the detriment of higher instruction. In accord- ance with Dr. Gregory's views, the entrance requirements were gradu- ally advanced, and in 1875 a preparatory year was instituted which later developed into the Academy. Candidates in the preparatory classes had to be fifteen years of age and be able to pass satisfactory examinations in arithmetic, geography, English grammar, and United States history. Like other institutions of the Middle West, Illinois, after some experiments, adopted the "accredited school" system. The first school so accredited was the Princeton High School, and by 1880 the number had increased to twenty-two.1
In the early days of the institution, the elective system predom- inated. Although liberty had its risks, it was "not thought useful or right to attempt to urge every student, without regard to his capacity, tastes, or practical wants, to take entire some lengthened curriculum."? But gradually this system of complete freedom was modified, and students who desired to "graduate," were required to complete some one of the courses outlined in the catalog. The introduction of academic degrees at the commencement of 1878 strengthened this tendency. Distinct courses were then defined, to each of which a degree was given.
According to the original state law, the usual diplomas and degrees could not be given by the University. Certificates showing the studies pursued and the attainments in each were given instead. But this was a new dispensation which the great world was unwilling to accept. The graduates found their paper not current in the market. The name of the institution was persistently misinterpreted. The regent had to be at all times prepared to show that he was not only a trustee of the people but also their servant. It is a matter of record that when the earlier professors went to the State Teachers' Association and sought admission to the college section, it was denied them because an institu- tion that gave no degrees had no rightful claim to call itself a college.3
1 Rep. of the Univ. of Ill., 1880, p. 44.
2 Fourth Annual Circular, pp. 25-27.
3 Rep. of Univ. of Ill., 1888, Hist. Address by Selim H. Peabody, p. 207.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
AUTHORIZED TO GRANT DEGREES
In 1877 the alumni petitioned the Legislature to give the University authority to grant degrees. The authority was given, and a fee of $5.00 required for each diploma.1 Graduation with a certificate was still permitted to those who had obtained the requisite number of term credits, but not in subjects prescribed for any particular degree.
EARLIEST LITERARY SOCIETIES
The social life during this period, was, in the main, simple and democratic. A number of student organizations were formed, many of which are still in existence. The earliest literary societies were the Adelphic and Philomathean organized in March, 1869. Two years later the women of the University organized the Alethenai. In the same year (1871) the University band furnished its first music for commencement. The first student publication appeared in November, 1871, and was known as The Student and published monthly. The paper two years later changed its name to The Illini. The Young Men's Christian Association and the Agricultural Society date back to the same year. In 1874, there was organized an association for the advancement of telegraph, known as the Illinois Industrial University Telegraphic Association. Instruments on the line numbered twenty- five, and the central offices were open for practice all hours of the day.
PROFESSOR S. W. SHATTUCK
In the fall of 1868 Professor Samuel Walter Shattuck came to the University as Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Instructor in Military Tactics. Three years later, he became Professor of Mathe- matics and continued to serve the University in this department to Sept. 1, 1912. He also filled various other positions. He was Pro- fessor of Civil Engineering for the year 1869-70. He was Acting Pres- ident for six months in 1873, and served as the first Vice President from 1889 to 1894. He became the financial manager in 1873. A high sense of honor and true loyalty in service have been embodied in his career, and the University very appropriately showed its apprecia- tion of him by conferring upon him in June, 1912, the highest honor it can bestow, the degree of LL. D. He died Feb. 13, 1915.
1 Rep. of Univ. of Ill., 1878, p. 86.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
No sketch of the University would be complete without the mention of Edward Snyder, who was appointed at the same November meeting in 1868 as Professor Shattuck. His primary interest was in modern languages, but the exigencies of the time compelled him to teach a great variety of subjects as remote as bookkeeping and military tactics. He was a most sympathetic adviser and friend of the students. He continually gave or lent them money; and in 1890, three years after his retirement from active service, he gave to the University $12,000, to be loaned to needy students. He died in 1903.
Professor Nathan Clifford Ricker began his work as Instructor in Architecture in the University in March, 1873. He has twice acted as Dean of the College of Engineering. Many of the University build- ings have been constructed after plans drawn by him. Professor Ira Osborn Baker came to the University as Assistant in Civil Engineering and Physics in September, 1874, after having graduated the spring before. Thus two of the present faculty have been connected with the institution approximately forty years.
DR. GREGORY'S ADMINISTRATION
The period of Dr. Gregory's administration is not marked as one of great prosperity financially. The University was the owner of 480,000 acres of land scrip. The Board of Trustees proposed at first to locate 50,000 acres of its land scrip, and to sell the rest; but the pressure for funds was so great that it located but 25,000 acres, about 9,000 being in the state of Nebraska and 16,000 in the state of Minne- sota. The large amount of land scrip thrown upon the market by this and other land grant universities had greatly depreciated its value,1 and the 455,000 acres sold brought but $319,178.87, or seventy cents an acre.
As fast as the cash was received it was invested in such securities as the law demanded, and the rate of interest then current in the state, eight to teu per cent, yielded from $25,000 to $30,000 per annum and was utilized for the payment of current expenses of instruction. The money panic of 1873 did not seriously affect the finances of the Uni- versity until about 1877, when debtors began to refund their loans at lower rates of interest. In this way, the income of the University was largely diminished. During the year 1878 the expenditures were found to be $3,500 in excess of the income. No surplus funds were on hand
1 Ill. School Rep., 1887-88, p. CXLIII.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
and there was no prospect of increasing the interest on the endowment fund. Something had to be done. So it seemed best to reduce some- what the salaries of the teaching force. Dr. Gregory suggested that the reduction should begin with himself, not because his salary was the largest, but rather because he would prefer to see his own compensa- tion reduced 20 to 25 per cent than the already too meager salaries of his associates lessened. The reduction of $3,500 was made by taking small amounts from the various salaries and departments, and at the request of the regent, $400 from his own salary. Places which became vacant were left so. Certain departments were cut off-those of mining commerce, and domestic economy. The fees of students were raised. Economy in its most rigid form was practiced everywhere.
Meanwhile the internal condition of affairs became gloomy. The cordial agreement which had existed between the students and the regent and faculty became strained, and finally open rebellion occurred.
Under these discouraging circumstances Dr. Gregory submitted his resignation at the June commencement 1880 and it was immediately accepted by the Board. He spent the remainder of his life in Wash- ington, D. C., where he served on the commission of education, for a time, and from 1895-7 was acting president of Pennsylvania State College. He died in Washington October 19, 1898. On Sunday, the 23d of October of that year, a memorial convocation was held in the old University Chapel, and his body was laid to rest in ground just west of University Hall. In speaking of him, the alumni of the University, gathered in Chicago, expressed themselves as follows:
"Full of years and honor, like a shock of ripened corn in an abundant year, our beloved instructor and friend, Dr. John M. Gregory, the founder and first regent (president) of our Alma Mater, has been gathered to his fathers."1
Dr. Gregory served the University for thirteen long and hard years, at a time when wisdom, foresight, promptness, enthusiasm, and courage -all the characteristics of a competent leader-were in most urgent demand, and in none of these respects was he found wanting.
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. S. H. PEABODY
Upon his resignation the Board appointed Dr. Selim Hobart Pea- body, formerly Professor of Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Regent pro tempore. Dr. Peabody was born at Rockingham. Vermont,
1 Alumni Quarterly, Vol. IV, January, 1910, p. 11.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
August 20, 1829. He spent one year in the Public Latin School of Boston, but owing to his father's death, circumstances compelled him to leave school and help earn a livelihood for himself and others. After working five years he entered the University of Vermont at the age of nineteen and graduated in 1852. The next two years were spent, first as principal of the high school at Burlington, Vt., and then as teacher in the Collegiate Institute at Fairfax, Vt. In 1854 he became Professor of Mathematics and Physics in the Polytechnic College of Philadelphia. Three years later he accepted the position of Chief Clerk in the United States land office at Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1859 he took charge of the city school at Fond du Lac, and in 1862 he became superintendent of schools at Racine, Wis. Three years later he became an instructor in the City high school. On March 11, 1868-Inaugura- tion Day-he was offered the professorship of mechanical science and engineering in the Illinois Industrial University. This he declined, but in 1871 he went to the Massachusetts Agricultural College at Amherst as Professor of Physics and Civil Engineering, where he remained three years, and then returned to his old position in Chicago. In 1877 he received the degree of doctor of philosophy from the Uni- versity of Vermont. On the 10th of October, 1878, he accepted the appointment of Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Physics in Illi- nois Industrial University and served in this capacity until the close of March, 1880, when he resigned to accept the work of editor-in-chief of what later became the International Cyclopedia. On July 27th, of this year, he was reappointed to the same professorship and made regent pro tempore, assuming the new duties on August 15th. The following March, 1881, he was elected regent of the University and continued as such until he presented his resignation June 10, 1891.1
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