USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II > Part 50
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"The original courthouse was built of hewn logs, two stories high, the logs of which were in use in the house of N. A. Robinson, back of the brick block 55, at a late day. The brick block was the corner building occupied by Ram- eys Clothing Parlors, and a barber shop, and the courthouse stood just east of these, the old
lock of which is among the historical collection of relics. in the present courthouse. The original jail was built of hewn logs of three thicknesses, two horizontal, and one perpendicu- lar. That house was later torn down by Taylor Sammons in 1868, and the logs used in making the log crossiugs and sidewalks of the town." When Main Street was torn up during 1910 for paving, some of these old logs were run into by the plow and found to be perfectly sound, not- withstanding their ninety years of service.
"The first county clerk's office was built of logs, in the rear of the Methodist Church ou George Brown's lot, south of the old courthouse. The building now used by Henry Cress as a pool- room, was then the Methodist Church except that the front has been extended several feet, so that the elerk's office was then just east of that building on property now owned by William Miller, and in easy access to the courthouse which stood only a few rods north of it.
"The log building now used as a calaboose though built in an early day, 1827 or 1828, is not one of the first buildings in Hillsboro." In speaking thus, Mr. Rountree probably refers to the log building that stood where William H. Miller's garden now is, which was used at various times as a residence, a wagon shop, and a calaboose. "The first schoolhouse built in Hillsboro, with all its primitive greatness, was situated on the brow of the hill, then in Roun- tree's pasture, south of the swamp, and east of the brick house, later occupied by Taylor Sam- mons." What Mr. Rountree called the swamp, was about the spring that "Grannie" Nusman had dug out with her hands, where the water- works now stand. The brick house that Taylor Sammons lived in was the house now occupied by Jesse Brown. Hence the schoolhouse stood just east of that house and just on top of the ridge. This first schoolhouse must not be con- fused with the one built later, and located about where Mrs. Phillips now lives. That was a two- room house and somewhat more modern in its construction.
Mr. Rountree continues: "Its greatness has long since departed, and not a log remains to tell its whereabouts, and few remain in Hillsboro that were educated within its classic walls. Even the hazel thicket where was procured the rods with which to maintain order, has disappeared. No more hazel switches, no more sassafras to chew, no nuts to crack, these only exist in mem- ory. The Presbyterian brick church recently
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
torn down to give place to the present one, was built at a later day, probably about 1831, and was the first church structure in Hillsboro."
Speaking further of the old schoolhouse Mr. Rountree says: "It was a sort of town hall for all purposes of assemblage, including re- ligious worship. Its construction, like that of all similar edifices of that day, was of the sim- plest kind. It was built of logs, not hewn, but scalped, the cracks chinked, and daubed with mud, its chimney occupied nearly one whole side, so as to take in ten or twelve foot wood. The fireplace was daubed with clay, as was also the jambs and back. There was no ceiling over- head, and the roof was made of clapboards, kept o11, not with nails, but with weight poles. It had puncheon floor, and clapboard door, and, what was rare in that day, it had two glass windows, to make which nearly the whole of a log on each side was cut away. Its benches were of round logs split, made smooth with an axe, and legs on the bark side. Its furniture was of the simplest kind, consisting of a few shelves for hats, bonnets and books, with perhaps a few pegs for other purposes. Situated as it was on the hill above the spring (south) in Rountree's pasture, it was on high ground and convenient for water and was surrounded by forest and hazel thickets for the protection of horses as . well as switches for the unruly." This house was, perhaps, the most useful one in town. Its teachers were men and women of education and culture, some of whom became considerably eminent. Major Campbell of Carlyle taught there; Major John H. Rountree now a prom- inent politician and legislator of Wisconsin, taught there; James Bradford who was a use- ful man and held many prominent offices in Bond County, taught there; and among others who taught there may be mentioned John Hayes, Mr. Stronger, Alex. Bouie, W. L. Jenkins, Frank Dickson and others. There were educated in part the Cresses, the Rutledges. the Blockburg- ers. the Seymours, the Boones, the Rountrees, the Grubbs, and others. There Tow Rutledge had a royal battle with Jared Seymour, his teacher, in which, with many sobs, Tom declared to Sey- mour, 'If you will quit I will.' There in part was educated Rev. J. P. Nall, Rev. W. S. Pren- tice. both Methodist presiding elders, also Rev. James Harkey and Rev. Sidney Harkey, of the Lutheran church. all useful men as well as good preachers. There also in part was educated Gen. Tillson of Quincy, whose exploits during the
Civil War rendered him distinguished. There Bishop Ames preached his first sermon; there also preached Bishop Morris, of the M. E. Church ; also J. T. Mitchell, James Mitchell, Peter Cartwright, Newton Cloud, Charles Holliday, John Drew, Samuel Thompson, Father Barnes, . Jesse Hale, Barton Randle, and others of the Methodist Church preached there. In that house was organized the nucleus of the Presbyterian, the Methodist and the Lutheran churches. Thomas Spillman the first regular pastor of the Presbyterian Church preached there. Daniel Scherer, who organized the Lutheran Church also preached there. Our temperance societies were organized there, and our debating societies were organized and conducted there, and other enterprises too numerous to mention, all had their origin in that old log structure.
EARLY BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL MEN.
As before mentioned John Tillson was the first merchant, and the second was John Pren- tice, who opened his store in 1825. He came from St. Clair County to Hillsboro and lived in "Granny" Wright's cabin. Another early mer- chant was Charles Holmes who came here in 1832 or 1833. Joseph Miller operated a tan yard. Jacob Wilson was one of the earliest shoemakers, and used to go from family to family all over the county. making shoes for each member as was the custom of those days. John Slater, and Deacon Alexander Scott were also shoemakers. Nathan and Burton Harmon and a Mr. Hutchinson were among the early black- smiths. W. A. Morrison and Kimball Prince were the next. Fred Hillsabeck was another of the early blacksmiths for these mechanics were in great demand. Wesley Seymour was the second wagon maker. John Nusman being the first. as before stated. John Meisenheimer combined wagon making with carpenter work. John Dickerson, David Eddy, Ira Boone, and Hudson Berry were the first brickmakers of Hillsboro. William Brewer turned a lathe, and manufactured furniture. and did all kinds of woodwork. Thomas Sturtevant, Alfred Durant, E. B. Hubbell and James Blackman were also cabinetmakers. David B. Jackson started an ox-tread mill. which was later enlarged into the first steam-mill of the place by John Tillson. and here he ground flour and sawed lumber until the plant was burned in 1840.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
HILLSBORO OFFICIALS.
As above stated the incorporation of Hills- boro dates from 1850, having been governed by trustees prior to that time. We now give the names of a few of those who have served Hills- boro in the several town and city offices. Presi- dents : Thomas Phillips, 1855; Jacob White- lead, 1856-1860; Joseph T. Eccles, 1857; David B. Jackson, 1858-1859; Jacob Whitehead, 1800; David McEwan, 1861; Amos L. Clotfelter, 1862; Prodice Boutwell, 1863; Robert H. Stew- art, 1864; Austin Whitten, 1865; John M. Keith, 1866; Thomas D. Washburn, 1867; Frank H. Gilmore, 1868; and Burrell Phillips, 1869. Mayors: John T. Maddox, 1869, 1885, 1886; Fred Noterman, 1870, 1872; Paul Walter, 1871; A. M. Brown, 1873; A. M. M. Rountree, 1874; Edward S. Burns, 1875; John F. Glenn, 1876; M. M. Walsh, 1877, 1883, 1884; William Conklin, 1878; George H. Blackwelder, 1879; Charles B. Rhoads, 1880 ; Benjamin E. Johnson, 1881, 1882; Samuel M. McLain, 1887, 1888; William A. How- ett, 1889, 1890; Charles A. Ramsey, 1891, 1892; James M. Truitt, 1893 ; Samuel H. McLain, 1895, 1896; Duncan Best, 1897, 1898 ; Larkin G. Tyler, 1899, 1900; Henry N. Randle, 1901, 1902; George A. Clotfelter, 1903, 1904 ; Rice Miller, 1905, 1906, 1908; E. B. Truitt, 1909, 1910, 1911; H. C. Lathem, 1912, 1913, 1914 ; and H. S. Butler, 1915, 1916.
Those who have served the city as clerks, have been as follows : John Kitchell, 1855, 1856, 1857; William K. Jackson, 1858, 1859, 1861, 1862, 1863; S. M. Grubbs, 1860; A. H. H. Rountree, 1864; Frank M. Lyford, 1865, 1866; Isaac S. Blackwelder, 1867 ; Edward S. Burns, 1868, 1869 ; C. M. Wool, 1870; H. C. McWilliams, 1871, 1872; George H. Blackwelder, 1873, 1874; John M. Cress. 1875; Francis Marshall, 1876; Frank A. Stubblefield, 1877; A. Y. Brown, 1878, 1880; Cyrus H. Gilmore, 1879; George C. Bryce, 1881, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1SSS, 1889, 1890; Simon Kahn, 1SS2, 1883, 1884; Frank Winchester, 1891, 1911; Guy C. Longwell, 1911, 1912; Foster McDavid, 1912, 1913 ; Jesse R. Brown, 1913, 1914 ; and Or- vil M. Hampton, 1914, 1917.
The following have served Hillsboro as alder- men : Solomon Harkey, 1855; Robert W. Davis, 1855; Benjamin Sammons, 1855; James Black- man, 1856; William H. Brewer. 1856, 1862, 1865 ; Thomas Standring, 1856; Edward R. White, 1856, 1857; Thomas D. Washburn, 1857; John W. Edwards, 1857; Garrett V. Brockman, 1857 ;
Amos L. Clotfelter, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1863, 1865; Wooten Harris, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1863; Ira Milliard, 1858, 1859, 1861; David Erven, 1858, 1859. 1860, 1862; John T. Anderson, 1860; John O. Barnett, 1861; Edward S. Burns, 1861, 1862, 1864, 1866 ; E. B. Hubbel, 1862, 1864; A. Tobias, 1863; William Conklin, 1863; William R. Trues- dale, 1864; A. H. Shimer, 1864; A. H. Brown, 1865; W. C. Miller, 1865, John O. Barnett, 1866; Fred Noterman, 1866, 1870; Louis Wagner, 1866 ; James R. Glenn, 1867, 1869, 1870; M. L. More- house, 1867, 1870, 1871; Alexander A. Cress, 1867, 1878, 1879. 1881, 1882; Newton G. Brown, 1867; John L. Marshall, 1868; Daniel C. Lingo- felter, 1868, 1869, 1870; Michael Rutledge, 1868 ; August H. Mey, 18GS, 1869, 1870, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885; Paul Walter, 1869, 1878; James T. Blackburn, 1869, 1870: A. N. Kingsbury, 1869, 1872; F. Weigand, 1869; Charles B. Rheads, 1869; Bernard Walls, 1860, 1873, 1874; John F. Eagan, 1870, 1871; John F. Glenn, 1876, 1892, 1803; William Rich- art, 1870; William Tiffin, 1870, 1871; Joseph Rolston, 1871, 1872; Enoch J. File, 1871; George W. Potter, 1871, 1872, 1873 ; G. M. Grubbs, 1871; E. J. C. Alexander, 1871, 1872; John C. Gun- ning, 1872; George B. King, 1872; James M. Truitt, 1872, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1882; Frank Frarer, 1872, 1873, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1880, 1881, 1889, 1890; M. C. McWilliams, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876; Charles Zurmuehlen, 1873; John T. Mad- dox, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877; Robert H. Mann, 1873, 1874, 1875; James A. Brown, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1SS7; Burrell Phillips, 1874, 1875, 1882; Cyrus Gilmore, 1874 ; John Crane, 1874, 1875; John W. Clotfelter, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1879, 1880; Harden W. Nelson, 1876, 1877, 1878; Charles L. Bottrell, 1877, 1878; William M. Hayes, 1878, 1879; James C. Taylor, 1878, 1881; John M. Cress, 1879, 1880; C. D. Murdock, 1879, 1880; H. H. Keithley, 1879, 1880 ; Benjamin Wilton, 1880, 1881; Charles A. Ram- sey, 1880, 1SS1 ; Joseph Helston, 1881; C. V. Sey- mour, 1881; W. L. Blackburn, 1882, 1883; Warren Neff, 1882, 1883, 1889, 1890; Walter S. Sharp. 1883, 1884; Amos H. Clotfelter, 1883, 1884; John R. Challacombe, 1883. 1884; Henry Holderead, 1884, 1SS5; Louis Wolters, 1885, 1886. 1887, 1SSS, 1889, 1890; Charles T. Tobin, 1885. 1886. 1888, 1SS9; Edward F. Leak, 1SS5. 1886; R. E. Handshie, 1886, 1887 ; Richard Rowe, 1886, 1887; Thomas B. Brown, 1SS7, 1SS8; Charles H. Witherspoon, 1887, 1888; William Vawter, 1SSS, 1889, 1890, 1891; Edward Hillis,
BURBANK SCHOOL, HILLSBORO
SOUTH SCHOOL, HILLSBORO
HIGH SCHOOL, HILLSBORO
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
1SSS; James B. Barringer, 1SS9; Edward C. Newton, 1890, 1891; George T. Seward, 1890, 1891; Larkin G. Tyler, 1891, 1892; Leonard Lud- wig. 1891, 1892; Robert Wilson, 1891, 1892; N. J. Blockburger, 1892; John F. Glenn, 1892; J. F. Pollard, 1893; Henry Scherer, 1893; Charles O. Brown, 1893; George W. Potter, 1893; J. F. ' Glenn. 1893; M. J. Blockburger, 1893; William Vawters, 1894; F. F. Herguth, 1894; William Kortkamp. 1894; T. A. Paden, 1894, in place of Scherer, resigned; Joseph Pollard, 1894; James F. Brown, 1894; Henry Scherer, 1894; K. R. Hart. 1895; T. A. Paden, 1895; L. D. Osborn, 1895: E. F. Leak, 1895; William Vawters, 1895; F. F. Herguth, 1895; L. G. Tyler, 1896; L. H. Mey. 1896; John Green, 1896; T. A. Paden, 1S96; K. R. Hart. 1896; L. D. Osborn, 1896; William H. Hayes, 1897; E. R. Black, 1897 ; George A. Clotfelter, 1897 ; L. G. Tyler, 1897 ; John Green, 1897; L. H. Mey, 1897; Walter Sharp, 189S ; Leonard Ludwig, 1SOS; John T. Maddox, 1898; E. R. Black. 189S; George A. Clotfelter, 189S ; William H. Hayes, 189S; Jesse H. Barrett, 1899 ; Henry Pipe. 1899: James A. Short, 1899; Leon- ard Ludwig, 1899; Walter Sharp, 1899; John T. Maddox, 1899; W. Hayes, 1900; William B. Stoakey, 1900; W. S. Sharp, 1900; T. A. Paden, 1900: L. H. Mey, 1900; Henry Pope, 1900; J. S. Canady, 1901; A. H. Clotfelter, 1901 ; G. H. Clot- felter, 1001; H. R. Crawfors, 1901; F. C. Hoss- man, 1901; L. H. Mey, 1901; W. S. Sharp, 1901; W. S. Sharp, 1902; John Thompson, 1912; P. H. Winans, 1902; H. R. Crawford, 1902; G. A. Clot- ยท felter, 1902; A. H. Clotfelter, 1902; Leslie N. Smith. 1903; M. L. Robertson, 1903; P. P. Wil- liams 1903; W. S. Sharp, 1903; John Thompson, 1903; P. H. Winans, 1903: W. S. Sharp, 1904; John Thompson, 1004; P. H. Winans, 1904; M. L. Robertson, 1904; P. P. Williams, 1904; Z. V. Kimball. 1905; George Dunn, 1905; W. W. Dav- enport, 1905: W. S. Sharp, 1905; P. H. Winans, 1905: John Thompson, 1905; L. J. Ware, 1906; A. D. Brooks, 1906; Charles F. McHenry, 1906; George Dunn. 1906: W. W. Davenport, 1906; M. S. Jones, 1906; M. S. Jones, 1907 ; George Dunn, 1907 ; Jolin Fletcher, 1907; L. J. Ware, 1907 ; A. D. Brooks. 1907; Charles F. McHenry, 1907 ; L. J. Ware. 190S; A. D. Brooks, 190S; J. F. Wil- liams, 1908; M. S. Jones, 190S; John Fletcher, 190S; George Dunn, 190S; Edward Williams, 1909: Turner Hefley, 1909; Harrison Easley, 1909: L. J. Ware. 1909; John Fletcher, 1909; George Dunn. 1909; L. J. Ware, 1910 : F. C. Hoss- man. 1910; C. W. Miller, 1910; J. H. Williams,
1910; David C. Archibald, 1910; Turner Hefley, 1910; Harrison Easley, 1910; Edward Williams, 1910.
After the adoption of the commission form of government the following have served as com- missioners : Edward J. Miller, Charles C. Bax- ter. Frank McLean, Edward T. McDavid, in 1911; H. S. Hargrave, in 1912, in place of E. J. Miller, resigned ; F. F. Karnes, Fred E. Thomp- son, H. C. Cox, and Charles Weber, in 1915.
The following attorneys have filled the office of city attorney since 1872: C. W. Bliss, 1872; C. W. Bliss, 1873; Amos Miller, 1875; C. W. Bliss. 1876; H. P. Rountree, 1S78; James M. Truitt, 1SS0; C. W. Bliss, 1SS2; George R. Cooper, 1SS3; George Pepperdine, 18S5; George R. Cooper, 1SS7 ; James E. Colvin, 1889; James E. Colvin, 1891; Harry Phillips, 1893; J. M. Baker, 1895; Harry H. Willoughby, 1897 ; Harry H. Willoughby, 1899; Rice Miller, 1901; Edward A. Cress, 1903: George R. Cooper, 1905; Frank MI. Ramey, 1907; Frank M. Ramey, 1909; and J. M. Baker, 1911. The commission form of government went into force in 1911, since which time J. M. Baker has filled the office.
The following have served Hillsboro as police magistrate : Jacob Beck, 1867; John M. Keith, 1869 and 1877 ; William T. Coale, 1873 and 1885 ; Marion C. McWilliams, 1SS1; Fred A. Randle, 1SS9 ; A. A. Cress, 1893 and 1897 ; Richard Rowe, 1901, 1905 and 1909; and Abner Moore, 1911 and 1915.
HILLSBORO POST OFFICE AND POSTMASTERS.
Prior to 1892 the post office was spelled Hills- borough, and about that time the post office de- partment at Washington passed an order to the effect that post offices should in all cases be spelled the same as the name of the town or city in which they are located is spelled. Taylor Sammons was the postmaster at that time, and he, after examining the county records to find out how the city name was spelled in the articles of incorporation, reported that it was spelled Hillsboro, and so reported to the department, and the order was then made that the post office officials should comply with the order, which had been promulgated, and since that date the office is legally Hillsboro, instead of Hillsborough. The following have served as postmasters of Hills- boro: John Tillson, Jr., December 30, 1823; J. M. Holmes, March 1. 1836; Hiram Rountree, March 15. 1838; W. I. Jenkins, May 25, 1839;
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Hiram Rountree, January 9, 1840; F. H. Here- ford, January 25, 1841; C. B. Blockburger, September 14, 1844; Oliver Coudy, October 4, 1845; Benjamin Sammons, April 28, 1847; William K. Jackson, September 27, 1847; J. T. Eccles, February 2, 1853; T. J. Rutledge, July 14, 1853; T. P. Hoxsey, January 16, 1855; A. H. H. Rountree, Jannary S, 1856; J. H. Rolston, January 13, 1857; J. C. Mears, April 9, 1861; William Z. Manchester, January 6, 1865; E. T. Bangs, February 23, 1873 ; T. B. Brown, January 17, 1881; J. V. Coale, July 22, 1884 ; E. S. Burns, August 12, 1886; E. T. Sammons, September 9, 1890; J. E. Y. Rice, August 29, 1894 ; C. H. Rols- ton, October 27, 1896; B. F. Boyd, June 23, 1897; J. F. M. Greene, May 27, 1902; C. F. McHenry February 25, 1916.
THE HILLSBORO LYCEUM.
In September, 1837, certain citizens of Hills- boro incorporated an educational institution which they namcd Hillsboro or Montgomery Connty Lyceum. I find the name not always the same. The incorporation laws of that day were not such as we have today when the state con- trols all corporations, as they seem to have only incorporated in the county seat of Montgomery County. The objects of this incorporation were such as was general in snch organizations of that as well as this day, such as having debates and discussions of public topics, and it seems that this organization went much further than was customary, as it was under its auspices that many of the notable men of the day were se- cured to make public addresses in Hillsboro. A code of by-laws was adopted and made a part of the incorporation papers, and for several years it was an important factor in maintaining the high standard of the educational and intel- lectnal interests of the community. The follow- ing were the officers of the institution during its first year : David B. Jackson, president; Josiah Fish, Esq., vice president ; F. M. Hereford, Esq., secretary ; Edward Wyman, librarian.
CEMETERIES.
Hillsboro in common with all other towns, maintains its places for the repose of the dead. These are cared for with scrupulous and exact- ing interest. The Oak Grove Cemetery is the larger one. and is kept in splendid condition. Its location is good and its beauty appealing. Its
entrance is ornamented with a beautiful and graceful monument erected to the memory of the brave soldiers who gave their lives in de- fense of the country in the Civil War. The Rountree Cemetery is quite an old one, though not large, and contains the remains of a number of the oldest settlers of the city. The Catholics also maintain a cemetery for the reception of their dead. Perhaps no enterprise that the Hills- boro citizens ever embarked in ever was acconi- plished with as universal satisfaction to those interested as the building of the Hillsboro mausolenm in 1913. The proposition was made by Dudley Grant Hays and George Hoffman of Chicago. After due deliberation the citizens of Hillsboro raised the necessary money, to build, equip and endow, a 300 crypt mansolenm. The plans were worked out for the most substantial, artistic and enduring one that was possible to make, the plans were all carried out to the letter, and the mausoleum is a credit to the Oak Grove Cemetery to which it is annexed, and the pride of those who have elected to provide a resting place for their bodies after life's activ- ities have been accomplished.
THE HILLSBORO ACADEMY AND COLLEGE.
Very early in the history of Hillsboro, the academy was built and started on a broad and liberal fonndation. Being the only institution of its kind for a long distance, it was patronized by students from all sections of the west and south, some even from as far south as Louisiana. Upon its rolls were names which have since become famous in local and state history. Gov. Zadek Casey educated his children here, one of whom was a senator in our state legislature. Prominent families in the state at that time, such as General Alexander of Paris, General Kitchell of Paris, General Thornton of Shelby- ville, Harry Wilton, and others from time to time moved here to educate their families. The history of the Hillsboro Academy is an interest- ing one. Most of the facts concerning its found- ing, equipment and teachers have been taken directly from the records, although much has been gained from newspaper accounts, chief of which being a series of "Early Reminiscences" written by Judge Hiram Rountree.
In 1835 the people of Hillsboro united their purses and built what was then esteemed a most magnificent building. The architect was Dr. Shurtleff, later the founder of Shurtleff College
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
of Upper Alton. The building was called the Hillsboro Academy, and its stock was bought by public-spirited men of Hillsboro, the most prominent of whom was John Tillson, who not only gave the land and the largest amount to- wards its erection, but also guaranteed the teachers their full pay and presented the school with a fine set of philosophical apparatus, piano and other equipment. Among the other stock- holders are found the names of John S. Hay- ward. Hiram Rountree, Thomas Sturtevant, William Witherspoon, John M. Holmes, Lloyd Morton, Charles Holmes, Lucius Kingman, Israel Seward, Rev. Daniel Scherer, Rev. T. A. Spilman, M. L. Cushman, John Watson and Abner Hope. Mr. Tillson brought from the east the first super- intendent. Isaac Wetherell, and his wife for asso- ciate in the female department, Prof. Edward Wyman, associate in the male department and Miss Elizabeth F. Hadley, teacher of instru- mental music. With these instructors the academy opened the first Wednesday in Novem- ber, 1837, and continued until 1839, when Mr. Wetherell and wife returned east; and Marshall Conant and wife with Edward Wyman and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Wyman, and Miss Beulah P. Tufts, as associates, took charge of the school. In 1840 there were added to the corps of teach- ers, Miss Harriet Comstock, Mrs. Susan T. Grant and John P. Sartle. In 1841 Edward Wyman became principal with Mrs. Wyman, Miss Mar- garet S. Spring, Miss Beulah P. Tufts, Miss Jem- ima Dickson, and Miss Mary P. Wyman as asso- ciates. In 1842 Miss Martha J. Powell took the place of Miss Tufts. while Azel S. Lyman. Jere- miah D. Low and Miss Eunice Clark were added. In 1843-4 Ephriam Miller with the associates William Weer, Jr., Miss Mary Dustin and Miss Eunice Clark had charge of the school. In 1845 James W. Sunderland was principal, with his wife, Mr. F. Eugene Baldwin and Miss Mary Davis as associates.
In 1846, while A. A. Trimper was principal, the trustees of the Hillsboro Academy sent in a petition to the senate asking consent to transfer their charter to the "Literary and Theological Institute of the Lutheran Church of the Far West." The petition was written by John S. Hayward. secretary of the board of trustees. The petition was granted in 1847, the name of the academy was changed to Lutheran College, generally known as the Hillsboro College. This college, while essentially a Lutheran institution, was in some respects a popular Hillsboro enter-
prise, and had the support of the citizens of the community, without regard to denominational lines. At one time Dr. Springer, Dr. Trimper and others circulated a subscription to partly endow the college. The plan was to raise by subscription to scholarships the sum of $10,000. . The interest was to be used in running the in- stitution, paying its instructors, etc. One sub- scribing $125.00 would be given a scholar- ship good for twelve years. One subscribing for $200.00 received a scholarship good for twenty-five years, while one subscribing for $400.00 received a perpetual scholarship. The fund was raised and quite a number of young people received the tuitional part of their educa- tion from these scholarships. They were trans- ferable and frequently poor young men were allowed to use them without charge by the owners, as an act of philanthropy. With the sur- render of the charter, and the failure of the college in Springfield, these scholarships became worthless.
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