Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 137

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388

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In the order of their founding, these societles are:

The Adelphi, which was organized in the Spring of 1846 and chartered in May, 1847. About one thousand members have been connected with it since its organization. It owns the west wing of Alumni Hall. Until that was built, its meeting place was in the second story of the old "West Bricks." The society awards a prize of thirty-five dollars every year to the member who wins the Adelphi Debate, which takes place in the Spring term, between four contestants chosen by the society.

The Gnothautii, which was organized Novem- ber 1, 1849, by Adelphians, who felt aggrieved at the position taken by the parent society in the "Blanchard War." It also has a prize de- bating contest, known as the Colton Dehate, because General D. D. Colton gave the fund, the income from which has been used since 1877 for this prize. The society used to meet in the "East Bricks," but now owns the east wing of Alumni Hall, leasing the first story to the col- lege.

Both these societies are open to all male students of the academic department. Recently Mr. George A. Lawrence established two prizes for extempore debate, to be competed for hy two members from each society. The first con- test was held in 1896. Mr. E. A. Bancroft has also offered two prizes for oratory, the contest-

ants to be members of these societies, the first competitive exhibition being given in 1897.

The L. M. I., which was organized November 20, 1861. It seeks to afford the female students the same advantages that the two societies men- tioned above give the men. The meetings are held every Wednesday afternoon in the large, nicely furnished hali on the third floor of Whit- ing Hall, owned hy the society and fitted with a stage, where most enjoyable entertainments are frequently given.

The Zetetici (Seek to know) and E. O. D. (To be, not seem) are the young men's societies of the preparatory department. Zetetici was or- ganized in the Fall of 1865 and E. O. D. in December, 1873.

The Oneota, the young ladies' society of the academy, was organized in October, 1889. The name is an Indian word, meaning "the pursuit of fine arts." Meetings are held every Friday afternoon.

The Greek letter fraternities supply most of the social life for the college at the present time. As in other schools, in late years, their growth has been marvelous, and in numbers and influence, they are now far stronger than ever before. At present there are five chapters in the school.

Those to which men only are admitted are:

The Phi Delta Theta, Illinois Delta chapter, which was organized March 16, 1871; reor- ganized in 1880. The fraternity hall is on the third floor of the new Tunnicliff Building.

The Beta Theta Pi, Xi chapter, which was organized in 1855; reorganized as Alpha Xi chapter in 1888. A chapter house is rented on the corner of Cedar and South streets.

The Phi Gamma Delta, Gamma Deuteron chapter, which was organized in 1867; reor- ganized in December, 1885. Their hall is on the third floor of the building on the southeast corner of Main and Cherry streets.

The societies for ladies are:

The Phi Beta Phi, Illinois Delta chapter, which was organized March 7, 1884.

The only secret society for women students is the Delta Delta Delta, Epsilon chapter, which was established during the Fall term of 1888.

Besides the literary societies

and the fraternities, there are several organizations of a more or less miscellaneous character.

The Inter-State Oratorical Association dates from February 27, 1874, when, in response to an invitation from the students of the college, orators from six colleges in Illinois, Iowa, and

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KNOX COUNTY.

Wisconsin contested at Galesburg. From this small beginning, grew the present association, consisting of ten Intercollegiate Societies in as many different States, and representing nearly one hundred colleges. Out of twenty-six con- tests, Knox College has won five first and one second prize.

The Contest Association is made up of the members of the Adelphi and the Gnothautii. It elects an orator and delegates to the Illinois Inter-Collegiate Oratorical Society.

The Athletic Association has for its aim the promotion and perfection of physical culture.

The Memorabilia Society, which was formed in the Spring of 1890, seeks to preserve interesting data in connection with the college.

The chief societies of a religious character are as follows:

The Y. M. C. A., which was organized in 1884. It meets every Friday evening in Whiting Hall chapel. The Knox Volunteer Band, which is composed of those who have agreed to go as foreign missionaries.

The first college publication was "The Knoxiana." Its first issue appeared in August, 1850. It soon suspended, but was revived in May, 1851, by the "Knoxiana Publication Com- pany," and was prosperous for five years. In the Fall of 1856, the Gnothautii started a rival paper, "The Oak Leaf." But two papers could not be supported, and after one year's rivalry, they were discontinued. In 1860-61, Adelphi published a quarterly, the last effort at journal- ism in the college until 1878. In the Spring of that year the students, in mass meeting, de- cided to have a paper, and that same Autumn "The Knox Student" was started. It ran through 1880-81, when the "Knox Student Joint Stock Company" was organized. It held a meeting, September 15, 1881, in which such a storm arose that the "Coup d' Etat" was started, and immediately supplanted the old paper. It re- mained till June, 1898, the literary magazine of the college, and was published monthly by the "Coup d' Etat Joint Stock Company." The col- lege newspaper during that time was "The Knox Student," published weekly by the "Knox Student Joint Stock Company," founded in June, 1894, in order to supply fresher news than could appear in a monthly. But two papers were more than the college could support, so in June, 1898, the "Student" and "Coup d' Etat" were consolidated under the name of the former. "The Knox Student" now appears weekly and combines the literary and news features.

The college annuals have been "The Pan- theon," for 1869-70; the "Mischmasch," for 1870-71; and "The Gale," published first for 1887-88. For four years the fraternities pub- lished it. In 1891-92, a Knox Souvenir was prepared by two students. In 1893, no annual was published. In 1894, the Juniors, class of 1895, revived "The Gale," and in 1895, two Juniors published it. It now seems established as a Junior publication, after the fashion of most other colleges.

LOMBARD UNIVERSITY. By C. Ellwood Nash, D. D.

The motives which inspired the founding of Lombard University may be learned from the preamble and resolutions adopted, upon motion of the Rev. C. P. West, by the Spoon River Association of Universalists in session at Green- bush, Illinois, May 19, 1850:

"WHEREAS, The intellectual and moral im- provement of our youth is a subject of vital importance not only to our denomination but to the community at large; and

"WHEREAS, Most, if not all, of the literary institutions of the State, higher than common schools, established by law, have ever been and still are in the hands and under the control of our religious opponents; and

"WHEREAS, The sectarian influence of these is detrimental to the cause of free inquiry after religious truth, injurious to the spread of Uni- versalism, and sometimes ruinous to the peace and happiness of the students themselves; there- fore

"RESOLVED, That the Universalists of this State ought immediately to adopt measures for the establishment of a seminary of learning which shall be free from the above named ob- jections.

"RESOLVED, That said institution should be located in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois."

A genuine love of learning, combined with tenacious loyalty to religious conviction, breathes in these resolutions; for they resulted in the opening of the Illinois Liberal Institute in September, 1852, Rev. P. R. Kendall being the first Principal.

That there were room and demand for the new school was evidenced by the attendance which, starting with sixty pupils, rapidly in- creased, in 1856-7, to two hundred and forty-five. With this growth in number, the ambitions of the management grew also, and, in 1855, a new charter was obtained which created the Lom-

THE GYMNASIUM-LOMBARD UNIVERSITY. Erected 1897.

MAIN BUILDING-LOMBARD UNIVERSITY. Erected 1855.

LADIES' HALL-LOMBARD UNIVERSITY. Erected 1896.

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KNOX COUNTY.

bard University. The energy, the planning, the sacrifices that made this enterprise successful were great. In April, 1885, the original insti- tute building was burned. The school, without a home and scattered about in various rooms, continued to thrive and increase. The canvass for a permanent endowment, which was begun early in 1854 under the leadership of President Kendall, who was ably seconded by Rev. G. S. Weaver, was pushed on with greater zeal. The largest single contribution was made by Benja- min Lombard, who, prompted by a "mingling of civic and denominational pride, with an interest in educational matters directly inherited from his Mayflower ancestry," gave to this cause property the estimated value of which was $20,000. In his honor the university was named.

With a portion of the funds thus secured the brick structure, which has since been the domi- cile of the university, was erected. Mr. Kendall remained President nominally until June, 1857. although Professor J. V. N. Standish was Acting President from October, 1854, to June, 1857. He was succeeded in that office by Dr. Otis A. Skin- ner. On his resignation in 1859, Dr. J. P. Weston was elected to the Presidency. Dr. Weston's administration, which continued for thirteen years, was signalized by the raising of a per- manent fund of nearly $100,000, and by wise and scholarly plans which gave the institution a solid educational basis. After him, Professor William Livingston served as Provisional Presi- dent for three years; and in 1875, Dr. N. White was installed in the presidential office, which he filled with Christian dignity and a wealth of erudition for seventeen years. Upon his resigna- tion in 1892, he was put in charge of the Ryder Divinity School (which was established in 1881, as a department of the university, and named for Dr. William H. Ryder, of Chicago, whose will bequeathed about $46,000 to the institution, of which he had long been a leading trustee), and Dr. J. V. N. Standish was made President. He retired in 1895, and the present incumbent, Dr. C. Ellwood Nash, an alumnus of Lombard, was called to the chair. It should be said of Dr. Standish that, beginning his connection with the school in 1854, he served it with dis- tinguished credit for a period of forty-one years, in almost every capacity. Not less earnest has been the attachment to Lombard University of Dr. Isaac A. Parker, who entered the profes- sorial staff in 1858, and still continues to dis- charge his duties as head of the department of the classics, with unabated zeal and extraordi-

nary ability. The important services of Pro- fessor William Livingston, who, from 1855 to 1879, was one of the guiding spirits of the in- stitution, filling several different positions with efficiency, must not pass unmentioned. It may well be believed that the fortunes of the institu- tion have been nobly supported during the forty-seven years of its history, by a host of devoted friends, whom it would be most fitting to honor here by name. But they have their monument and memorial in the things actually achieved, and "their works do follow them."

As President Kendall's administration was chiefly distinguished by the strong impulse he gave the University; Dr. Watson's, by the rais- ing of nearly $100,000 for an endowment; and Dr. White's, by the founding of the Ryder Divin- ity School; so Dr. Standish began the raising of funds for a Woman's Building, and thus may be said to have opened the way for further im- provements. The amount secured by his canvass was nominally about $40,000, which has since been increased to about $51,000. With a por- tion of this fund has been erected a substantial and commodious Ladies' Hall, which was opened in September, 1896. The Association of Grad- uates undertook, in 1896, to build a Gymnasium, which was completed in September, 1897. From its beginning, the University has maintained a steady growth, if not a rapid one. Its property is now valued at about $250,000, of which $100,- 000 is the estimate for the campus and buildings, and the remainder is the Invested Fund. It was one of the first colleges in the country to open its doors to women on equal terms with men, and continues with unfaltering confidence its co- educational plan. It is a school of progressive ideas and methods, and aims to be thoroughly up-to-date in its dealing with the educational problem. Though the religious conditions, which seemed to make its establishment a necessity, have since been considerably modified, the need of sound scholarship has suffered no abatement, and Lombard University, true to its own ideals, is abler than ever and equally resolute to do its part in the common work of laying a foun- dation for the future by the generous enlight- enment of the rising generation.

GALESBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS. By F. D. Thomson.

For many years, the only public schools in Galesburg were those maintained by the dis- tricts. Elementary instruction was, for the most part, obtained at private Institutions and

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at Knox Academy. The school taught by Pro- fessor Losey and Miss Gay, at Log City, was the first of any kind. In November or December, 1838, the Academy was opened. It was a one- story building, and stood on the northeast cor- ner of Main and Cherry streets. A second story was soon added, and William Van Meter was employed by a few citizens, at their own ex- pense, to teach here. In 1839, C. S. Colton built a small school house on the northeast corner of the public square, with inclined aisles, after the fashion of modern audience rooms. It was soon moved to the north side of Ferris street, between Broad and Cherry streets. Eli Farnham was the first teacher. There were two terms, of six months each, in the school year. This was the first public school building, properly so called, and later a building owned by Matthew Cham- bers, at No. 1 Main street, on the northeast corner of Henderson, was devoted to the same purpose. The third building of this class was constructed of brick, and stood on Pine street, just south of Main. The fourth was situated on Brooks street, near the Monmouth road. The fifth was just north of the present Seventh Ward school site. This was soon replaced by a second building, erected on the same lot. The sixth was on the north side of Simmons street, a half block east of Hope Cemetery. The sev- enth stood on the corner of Kellogg and Losey streets. These were all the school houses, but there were eight districts, each with its separate Board of Directors. There was no co-operation, and the teaching was poor; so poor, in fact, that the hest people sent their children to the Academy or to private schools, the best patron- ized among the latter being that of Miss Kitty Watson. It stood in the middle of Block 12, and the building which it occupied may still be seen.

In 1855, George Churchill returned from Eu- rope, where he had studied the Prussian school system, which he greatly admired. Through the columns of the "Galesburg Democrat" he urged the importance of "graded union schools" for the eight hundred school children then in Gales- burg. Two years later, W. S. Baker, who en- joyed a wide reputation as a successful school organizer, was induced, in consideration of the payment of one hundred dollars, to aid in or- ganizing the public schools. Mr. Baker made his home with Dr. Churchill, who, in addition to this contribution to the cause, donated one-half of the hundred dollars paid him. But the plan was new and excited much opposition, even

among the trustees, some of whom feared that better public schools would ruin the Academy. But the champions of reform won, by force of argument, aided by persistence.

Late in 1858, the eight old districts were con- solidated into one, and George Churchill, A. B. Campbell and J. H. Knapp were elected di- rectors, and given power to grade the schools. For some time, they encountered no little oppo- sition in their efforts to introduce a uniform system of instruction. They rented from C. S. Colton a building on the west side of the public square, just north of Main street, and also secured the old postoffice building on Broad street and the square. Here was the first Gram- mar school; where instruction was given in the two highest grades of the five which were at first established. £ Pupils in the three lower grades attended the outlying schools. Mrs. G. A. Tryon, who had taught in graded schools in Ohio, was made the first Principal. She gave up one of the best private schools in the city in or- der to aid the Directors in their work. In January, 1860, Mrs. Tryon was forced, by illness, to resign, and was succeeded by J. H. Knapp during the remainder of the year. He was fol- lowed by R. B. Guild, who was Superintendent for two years. J. B. Roberts, appointed in September, 1862, remained till M. Andrews was appointed in September, 1875. He held the of- fice ten years, W. L. Steele, the present incum- bent, being appointed in September, 1885.

In 1858, at a citizens' meeting held in the First Congregational Church, a committee of fifteen, of which George Churchill was chair- man, was appointed to take some action looking toward the establishment of a free graded school system. They engaged Judge Lanphere and O. S. Pitcher to draft an act for the accomplish- ment of this end. It was passed by the Legis- lature, February 18, 1859, but not accepted by the city until 1861, when a Board of Education, composed of one member from each ward, was elected. Previous to that time, the three Di- rectors had had executive control.

It was during the superintendency of Mr. Guild that the present general system of man- agement was inaugurated, but the schools were slow in reaching their present state of develop- ment. The first Superintendent's report was made for the year ending June, 1865. There were then seven grades and a two-year High School course. (At present there are eight grades and a three-year High School course.) In this report is a strong plea for a Teachers'

Henry bandt

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KNOX COUNTY.

Training School, which followed just twenty- three years later, Miss Lillian Taylor being the instructor. Much good has been done, and more is hoped for, from this systematic training. At present, nearly all the teachers have received a collegiate training; and the exercise of the ut- most care in their selection has, more than anything else, improved the schools.

The greatest advance in educational methods has been made in the last ten years. In 1887, manual training was introduced into the curric- ulum, the shops being located in the basement of the Churchill School, and the director of in- struction being Earl Stilson. At present, Mr. G. H. Bridge is the director and the instruction is given in the basement of the High School building. Many of the pupils become skilled me- chanics. The study of music was introduced in 1888; of drawing, in 1891; and of vertical writing in 1896. Text-books have grown better from year to year; kindergarten methods have been adopted in all lines of work; and the teacher has become not the terror, but the friend of the pupil.

Prior to 1893, pupils in the five lower grades received instruction in the ward schools, while those in the three higher grades attended a central "Grammar School." At first this was necessary, in order to bind the separated dis- trict schools in one homogeneous system. There has been some disposition, however, to build small school houses in the outlying wards; and this has been fostered by owners of real estate in those sections of the city, who see in their erection the enhancement of the value of their property. In these small schools, there are not a sufficient number of pupils to permit each teacher to instruct in one grade only; two, or even three, being taught in a single room, to the manifest disadvantage of the pupils. On the other hand, the schools in the center of the city have become congested. The present plan is to build large ward schools, and in them pre- pare the pupils for the High School. Only the Hitchcock, the Weston, and the Bateman schools are large enough for this, the first having been enlarged in 1893, the second in 1895, and the third in 1899. From other wards, the pupils come to the Churchill school-the ward school for the First and Second wards-for the three highest grammar grades. The system of in- struction in the High School, since the com- pletion of the new building, has been depart- mental, each teacher devoting himself or her- self to a single branch. The result has been

more competent teaching and better progress by the pupils.

The earlier school houses have been described. The High School was first opened in 1861, In the "New Academy," where now is the Union Hotel. In 1865, all the buildings on the public square had to be vacated. Both the High and Grammar schools were then removed to the old Baptist Church, at the corner of Broad and Tompkins streets, for which (both site and building) the price paid was two thousand dol- lars.

In 1865, the Churchill School was begun, and finished in 1866, at a cost of sixty thousand dol- lars. It was called "Grammar School" until 1896, when the Board of Education changed the name in honor of the man who made graded schools in Galesburg an accomplished fact. It was also used as a High School until 1888, when the new High School building was completed at an out- lay of twenty-eight thousand dollars. In 1896, an addition was made costing twenty thousand dollars. Here each teacher has a recitation room, and there is a large study hall for the pupils. The Fourth Ward School, at the corner of Mulberry street and Allen avenue, was erect- ed in 1869. About 1882 it was partially burned, and in its rebuilding, was greatly improved, at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. In 1895, it was entirely remodeled with a view to per- mitting pupils to be prepared there for the High School. The Third Ward School was built in 1875, at the corner of Cherry and Selden streets; and in 1893, at an expenditure of some ten thon- sand dollars, an addition was made with the same end in view. The Sixth Ward School, at the corner of Clark and Losey streets, was erected in 1877, and in 1899, fifteen thousand dollars was spent in its enlargement, the object being the same. The Seventh Ward School, at the corner of Third and Seminary streets, was built in 1876, and the Fifth Ward School, which stands at the corner of Second and Academy streets, at about the same time. Owing to the growth of the Third and Fourth wards, Lincoln School was built, on the corner of North and Pearl streets, in 1890. All these buildings were two story and basement structures, of red brick with light stone trimmings. They had four rooms on each floor, with ample hallways, and cost from thirteen to sixteen thousand dollars each. In 1891, the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Ward schools were named, respec- tively: Hitchcock, for the gentleman of that name, who was Superintendent of the Chicago

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KNOX COUNTY.

Burlington and Quincy Railroad, and who was always much interested in public affairs; Wes- ton, for one of the early Lombard Presidents; Cooke, for M. D. Cooke, who for thirteen years was a member of the Board of Education; Bate- man, for Dr. Newton Bateman; and Douglas, in honor of the "Little Giant." There is a pri- mary school for the children of the First and the Second Ward-a small frame building be- tween the Churchill and High schools. All these school houses are heated by steam and have modern improvements in ventilating devices; while those recently erected have the best pos- sible system of lighting.

In the early sixties, there was a separate school for negroes established, at their own re- quest. They preferred their children not to at- tend with those of the whites, who were much younger and smaller than theirs in the same grades.

Funds for the support of the schools are de- rived from the State (from the proceeds of school lands) and from taxation. A comparison of the year just past (1897-8) and the year for which the first report was made (1864-5) fol- lows:

RECEIPTS.

1865.

1898.

State fund

1,498.98

$ 3,337.09

Tuition

68.95

270.00

Tax, interest, etc.

5,898.66

75,519.01

Total

$ 7,466.59

$79,126.10

EXPENDITURES.

1865.

1898.

Salaries

$ 6,965.50

$38,894.50

School grounds

2,000.00

600.00

Janitor, repairs, etc.

2,696.89

29,110.28

Total

$11,662.39

$68,604.78

Deficit

$ 4,195.80

Surplus

$10,521.32

ATTENDANCE.

1865.

1896.

1898.

Enrollment

878

2,896

3,396

Average attendance

790

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 137

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1388

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388