History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 101

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875

USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time > Part 101

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dred and forty acres lying west of Sherman Avenue and north of Dempster Street were bought of James Carncy by Andrew J. Brown, and, in connection with the University purchase, laid out into lots and blocks. The whole was recorded as one plat, with sev- minor purchases, in July, 1854. The Billings and Snyder farms were afterwards bought by the trustees of the Northwestern University and added to the original town, which now included, substantially, the territory bounded by Dempster Street on the south ; and a line which would be the continuation of Florence Street to Church, east to Maple Street, north to Emerson, east to Sherman, north to the northern limits of the University grounds and east to the lake.

THE NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

The purpose of the founders of the Northwestern University, declared at their first meeting held May 31, 1850, in the office of Grant Goodrich, was to estab- lish an institution devoted to the interests of Christian learning, and under the patronage and government of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There were present at that meeting Rev. Z. Hall, pastor of the Indiana- street chapel, who opened the proceedings with prayer ; Rev. Richard Haney, pastor of Clark-street church, Rev. R. H. Blanchard, of the Canal-street church, Dr. John Evans, Grant Goodrich, Orrington Lunt, Audrew J. Brown, J. K. Botsford and Henry W. Clark. Dr. Evans and Messrs. Goodrich and Brown were appointed a committee to procure a charter for the Northwestern University. The charter was ob- taiued, and was approved by Governor French, Jannary 28, 1851. By its provisions Richard Haney, Philo Judson, S. P. Keyes and A. E. Phelps. for the Rock River conference ; Henry Summers, Elihu Springer, David Brooks, and Elmore Yocum for the Wisconsin conference; H. W. Reed, I. I. Stewart, D. N. Smith, a id George H. Teas for the Iowa conference, and such persous ns shall be appointed, by these conferences, to succeed them ; such members as shoukl be appointed by the Michigan, the North Iudiana, and the Illinois annual conferences; Grant Goodrich, Andrew J. Brown John Evans, Orrington Lunt, J. K Botsford, Joseph Kettlestrings, George F. Foster, Eli Reynolds, John M. Arnold, Absoloui Funk, E. B. Kingsley. of Chicago, and such persons, citizens of Chicago or vicinity, as should be appointed by the Board of Trus- tees hereby constituted to succeed them-were incor- porated as the "Trustees of the Northwestern Uni- versity," whose term of office was four years, and who were endowed with the usual powers. The annual conferences were authorized to appoint two visitors from each conference to attend the examination of students, and enjoy all the privileges of the trustees, except the right to vote. June 14, 1851, the trustees organized and resolved to open a preparatory, or high school, in Chicago, and for this purpose they bought of l'. F. W. Peck, the southwest quarter of the block upon which the Grand l'acific Hotel now stands, for

$8,000, a few of the members becoming personally responsible for the same. This property is still owned by the University. In September, 1852, the first financial report of the University shows the receipts up to that time to have been $1,193.01; expenditures $1,183.08, leaving a balance of $9.93 in the treasury. Rev. P. Judson was appointed agent of the University October 1, 1852, and the institution commenced its career of financial success and educational life. Rev. Dr. Clark T. Hinman was elected the first president of the faculty June 23, 1853. In the meantime the

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trustees had decided to establish a school of a higher grade than that first proposed, and concluded that it was best to buy a site near the city, where they could locate the University proper and sell lots to endow the same This decision was also strengthened by the inspiration infused into the enterprise by the President elect, who was a man of broad mind and culture. The trustees therefore visited several places along the lake shore, and finding it difficult to agree upon any local- ity as a proper village and University site, had nearly given up the project and were abont to make final arrangements to locate in what is now the village of Jefferson, wheu by a fortunate circumstance the pres- ent beantiful grounds at Evanston were selected. Or- rington Lant, who, from the first, had been very much in favor of a lake-shore site, was not satisfied to yield that point, and at last his search was rewarded by what seemed to him the almost Providential discovery of a most desirable locality. He induced the committee to accompany him to the spot, which they immediately and unanimously fixed upon as, above all others, the one best suited to their purpose. This site, which was then selected was owned by Dr. John H. Foster, of Chicago, and consisted of three liundred and seventy- nine acres of land. The price paid was $25,000 -$1,000 cash and note for $24,000, payable. in ten years, and seenred by the indorsement of a por- tion of the trustees. At that time there was no rail- road, but surveys were being made. The transfer was completed August 13, 1853. During the fall and winter the agent, Rev. Philo Judson, was employed to lay out the land into lots and grade the streets. Large sales of lots were made the next season, which, with scholar- ships sold, amounting to about $50,000, subscriptions of abont $25,000 and the Chicago lot, laid the fonuda. tion of a large endowment fund for the University. Af- terward the Billings and Snyder farms were purchased. A faculty was also elected, consisting of Abel Stevens, W. D. Godman and H. S. Noyes. The former, how- ever, declined to serve. During the year the regular classical and scientific courses were established, and arrangements were made for schools of Applied Science and Law.

Just previous to the opening of the University, sev- eral amendments were made to the original charter, by a legislative act, approved February 14, 1855. The most important one was that which enacted that no liquor should be sold within four miles of its walls, except for medicinal, mechanical and sacramental pur- poses, until the General Assembly should see fit to repeal the section. This amendment, still in force, has done much to maintain the reputation of the vil- lage for morality and sobriety, which it now enjoys in a marked degree. At the same time it was declared that all the property of the University should be ex- empt from taxation. Upon this point, in 1873, com- menced a bitter fight, between the State and the man- agement of the Northwestern University. After hav- ing twice appealed their cause to the Supreme Court of the State, without success, a writ of error was taken to the Supreme Court of the United States, the decis- ion of the lower conrt was reversed and the property of the University was hekl to be exempt from taxation. The University was formally opened November, 1855. Dr. Hinman, to whose forethought, zeal and ability is largely due the broad basis upon which the University was made to rest, died during the year be- fore its opening. His successor, Rev. Dr. Randolph S. Foster, now Bishop, was electedl June 5, 1856. As president of the faculty, he held the chair of professor

of moral philosophy and logic. The remaining men- bers were Rev. Abel Stevens, A. M., professor of rhet- oric and English literature; Henry S. Noyes, A. M., professor of mathematics; Rev. W. D. Godman, pro- fessor of Greek ; Daniel Bonbright, A. M., professor of Latin, called into service in 1858. Literary, scientific and celectic courses, of four years each, were escal> lished. The " Hiuman Literary Society " was organized during the year, and took charge of the library of the lamented Dr. Hiuman. In the meantime a small wouden structure had been completed and occupied by the University. The building is still standing, having been removed from its original site, and, with an ad. dition, is now ocenpied by the Preparatory Department of the University.

The officers of the board of trustees for 1856 were: John Evans, M D., president; Grant Goodrich, vice- president ; Rev. P. Judson, secretary and financial agent; Orrington Lant, treasurer. In 1857 Robert Kennicott commenced the collection of the splendid museum, now located in the fourth story of Univer- sity Hall, and, as the curator, his name was added to the faculty. The specimens in cach department were labeled under the auspices of the Smithsonian Insti- tution, and the museum at once assumed its place in the front rank of such institutions in the West. J. V. Z. Bhey, M. D., professor of natural sciences, was also added to the faculty. The first freshman c'azs organized in November, 1855, consisting of ten young men. Of these, five graduated in 1859; being Thomas E. Annis, Samnel 1. Eastman, Winchester E. Clifford, Henry M. Kidder and Elhanon J. Scarle. At this time (1859) the number of students entered in all four classes of the University was about thirty, and its net assets, consisting of real estate in Evanston and Chicago, buildings and furnishings, real estate con- tracts bills receivable, etc., amounted to $319,868.27. Up to that time it had received and disbursed $185,648.70 in money. The University felt itself in a safe condition to establish itself in a permanent and substantial structure and cast aside, as outgrown, the modest wooden building which it then occupied. Ac- cordingly the board of trustees issued a c renlar for the year 1858-59, announcing to the public their future financial policy. The following extract is germane to the subject :

" The board determining it most important to pre- serve a sufficient endowment for the future wants of the institution have determined that no part of the property now held shall be appropriated to any other purpose excepting so much of $50,000 as may remain after the payment of present indebtedness, and as may be needed to defray the expenses of the institution for two years, and that remainder ought to be used for the purpose of making permanent buildings for the institution, provided a sntliciency of money cannot be otherwise secured in due time

" For the better securement of this object the board has adopted it as a permanent policy, that one-fourth of all the lands now held by the University in the town plat of Evanston and all held in Chicago shall be re- served from sale to be leased, and the remainder only be sold, that it may be converted into productive real estate to be a part of the permanent fund

" The wisdom of the above arrangement cannot be doubted. A permanent and sufficient endowment is indispensable to the greatest success of any institution of learning of elevated rank; this therefore must be secured. The present property of the institution, thought not small, is too small to admit of division.

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To convert any amount of it into buildings, thus di- minishing the endowment, would be seriously to embar- rass its future operations and cripple its usefulness. Admonished by the sad fate of other institutions, though in great want of suitable buildings, we have determined that no part of this, or but a few thousand, can be invested in brick and mortar "

In 1860, Henry S. Noyes, A. M., professor of math- ematies, became acting president of the University. holding the office for six years thereafter. Until the election of Dr. Erastus O. Haven to the position, and to the chair of Evans professor of intellectual and moral philosophy, there was a vacancy in the presi- dency. Dr. Haven assumed the duties of his office June 23, 1869. During the previous year an impor- tant addition had been made to the educational facil- ities of the University. Instruction in eloention had been given with success during previous years, but in

Law, which since 1859 had been connected with the latter institution, became a department of the former.

At the annual meeting of the board of trustees in June, 1873, was also created the College of Technology, or School of Applied Sciences, the students in which were given the use of the now extensive museum, drawing room and laboratories, to practically pursue their scientific studies and investigations Photog- raphy and telegraphy wore also taught in both theory and practice. Because of economical consideration this department of the University was discontinued.

Oliver Marey, LL. D., became acting president in 1876 and continued to serve until 1881, when Rev. Dr. Joseph Cummings, the present incumbent, went into office.

PREPARATORY SCHOOL .- By the action of the board of trustees in 1859, a preparatory department of the University was established, under the charge of a

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY HALL.

1868 Prof. Robert H. Cummock, one of the most tal- entel teachers of this branch of education in the country, became a member of the faculty and added his strength and skill to its already widening influence. In 1869, the Chicago Medical College, which had been organized for ten years, became a department of the Northwestern I'niversity, and the elegant stone build- ing known as University Hall was also opened for the use of students. It was during this year also that the University eluisses were opened for the admission of women. This movement seemed but a preliminary step to the absorption of the Evanston College for Taulies. In June, 1873. the College became a depart- ment of the Northwestern University, which at once nasmed full proprietorship and control, and elected five women to its board of trustees, one to its executive com- mittee and one to its faculty. In October, 1822, Dr. Charles II. Fowler had been elected president of the faculty, and in June, 1873, by agreement between the trustees appointed by the Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, the Union College of

principal and one assistant. The first year about fifty students were in attendance. In 1868 this number hnd increased to 132, so that two assistants were re- «mired, and in 1883 the attendance had increased to 245, and the corps of teachers to one principal and seven assistants. Rev. Herbert F. Fisk has had charge of this department for ten years.

PRESENT STATUS OF THE UNIVERSITY .- Evanston, the sent of the Northwestern University, is eleven miles from Chicago, on the Milwaukee Division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. It is a village of about five thousand inhabitants, who are noted through- ont the country for their morality and culture. Within its limits all the leading Christian denominations are represented, and the great evil of intemperance is barred out of the University by the prohibitory amend- ment to its charter, which is still in force. The grounds consist of abont thirty acres of land on the shores of Lake Michigan, shaded by a native grove- beautiful by nature and beautified by art. The main building, called University Hall, cost $110,000; it is an

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imposing structure of stone, fonr stories in height, and labeled by Dr. I. A. Lapham, besides the Dr. and is used only for a chapel, library, museum and recitation rooms. It needs no description, as the engraving here produced speaks for itself.

The College of Liberal Arts extends its privileges to young ladies on substantially the same terms as to young men. For recitations the lady students, accord- ing to their advancement, meet with the regular classes at University Hall, or at the Preparatory building. Except where they reside with private families in the village, their home is in tho Women's College build- ing. an elegant brick structure. The immediate over- sight of the college is committed to the lady dean, aided by assistants, while the general domestic man- agement is under the charge of the matron. The College is about five miuntes' walk from the University and contains a chapel and other public rooms for special services. For young ladies who cannot meet the expenses of the Woman's ('ollege, provision is made at the College Cottage, a convenient and well furnished home. Intimately connected with the Woman's College is the Conservatory of Music, presided over by Oren E. Locke and seven assistants. Instruction is given in instrumental or vocal musie, and there is a special course for performers on orchestral instruments.

The connection of the Garrett Biblical Institute with the University will be shown hereafter, and a full history of this noble institution of Christian learn- ing will also be given. Heek Hall, a massive and beautiful structure, is the home of students pursuing their theological studies, and is an ornament to Evanston.

Histories of the Chicago College of Medicine and the Chicago College of Law will also be found here- after.

LIBRARY, SOCIETIES, MUSEUM, ETC .- Previous to 1870 the general library consisted of about four thon- sand volumes, well selected, and almost entirely in English. During that year was added the Greenleaf Library, a collection of twenty thousand volumes, in- cluding pamphlets, which constituted the private library of Dr. John Schultze, of the Ministry of Public In- struction, in Prussia. The collection was peculiarly rich in philology, philosophy, art and education. It was purchased and presented to the University by Luther L. Greenleaf, of Evanston. The Orrington Lunt Library fund, the proceeds of the sale of lands presented to the University by the gentleman whose name it bears, yields quite an income. The University library proper contains abont twenty-five thousand volumes, besides eight thousand unbound pamphlets. It consists of two sections, the general library and the Greenleaf Library. The former, numbering about ten thousand volumes, is designed to supply books appropriate to the several departments of study in the University, and also to furnish students reading and reference. There is a reading-room, in connection with the library, supplied with a good collection of reviews and other periodicals.

There are three literary societics in the Academie De- partment and three in the Preparatory. Of the former there are the " Hinman " and the " Adelphic" for young men and the " Ossoli " for young ladies. In the Preparatory School are the "Eugensia " for young ladies and the " Philomathean" and "Enplironian' for young men.

The University museum is arranged in the fourth story of University Hall, and contains an herbarium, the basis of which is the Kennicott collection of plants from the Red River of the North, determined

Vassey collection of Rocky Mountain plants and mosses, and various collections from Utah, Montana, Brazil, etc .; a zoological collection, including the " Ward whale " and the "Hanser elephant," and fine geological and ethnological collections.

In addition to the abundant means furnished by the University for intellectual culture, there is a large and well appointed gymnasium, under the care of a competent director, and in which pupils of both sexes are faithfully instructed. No pains is spared to guard the physical health of all the pupils, Saralı H. Brayton, M. D., being the resident physician of the Woman's College.

This great University for the advancement of Chris- tian education has become a mighty power in the Northwest. Its membership roll, showing an atten- dance, in all its departments of nearly one thousand students is considerable of a contrast to that of 1855, when ten young men constituted its strength. To realize its remarkable growth it would be well also to compare its early financial condition ($9.93 in the treasury) with ita present status-its indebteduess nearly provided for and possessing property worth $1,500,000. Another comparison, which is interesting, is that made by placing the " faculty " of 1855 beside the powerful array of the officers of the institution and government of the Northwestern University for 1882-83:

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PREPARATORY BUILDING.

Rev. Joseph Cummings, D.D., LL. D., president, and Evans professor of moral and intellectual philosophy; Daniel Boubright, LL. D., professor of the Latin language and literature; Rev. Francis D. Hemenway, D. D., (Garrett Biblical Institute), professor of Hebrew and Biblical literature; Nathan Smith Davis, M. D., LL. D., corner State and Randolph streets, dean of the College of Medicino, and professor of principles and practice of medicine and clinical medicine; Ed- mund Andrews, A. M., M. D., LL. D., 6 East Sixteenth Street, professor of clinical surgery ; Hosmer Allen Johnson, A. M., M. D., 4 East Sixteenth Street, emeritus professor of principles and practice of medi- cine and clinical medicine ; Ralph N. Isham, M. D., 47 Clark Street, professor of principles and practice of surgery ; John Hamilcar Hollister, M. D., 70 Mon-

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roe Street. professor of clinical medicine; Hon, Heury Booth, LL. D., dean of the College of Law, and pro- fessor of the law of real estate and common law pleadings ; Oliver Marcy, LI .. D., professor of natural history, and curator of museum; James Stewart Jewell, A. M., M. D., 70 East Mouroe Street, professor of nervous and mental diseases; Hon. Harvey B. Hurd, professor of common and statute law; Rev. Miner Raymond, D.D.,(Garrett Biblical lustitute), professor of systematic theology ; Edward O. F. Roller,, A.M., M.D., 2330 Indiana Avenue, professor of obstetrics; Julius Field Kellogg, A. M., Noyes professor of mathematics, and registrar of University faculty ; Samuel J.Joues, A. M., M. D., 120 State Street, professor of ophthalmology and otology ; Henry Smith Carhart, A. M., professor of physics and chemistry; Rev. William X. Niude, S. T. D., (president Garrett Biblical Institute) ; Cornelia Miller, professor of practical theology ; Rov. Herbert F. Fisk, A. M., professor, and principal of the Preparatory Department; Marcus P. Hatfield, A. M., M. D., 3446 Wabash Avenue, professor of diseases of children; Robert McLean Cumnock, A. M., professor of rhetoric and elocution ; Lester Curtis, A. M., M. D., 1558 Wabash Avenne, secretary of medical faculty, and professor of histology ; Hon. Marshall D. Ewell, LL. D., professor of common law ; Jane M. Bancroft, Ph. M., dean of Woman's College, and professor of the French language and literature; Oren Edwin Locke, A. M., librarian ; Hon. William W. Farwell, professor director of Conservatory of Music; Horace Gray Lnnt, of equity jurisprudence, and equity pleadings; Cath- arine Beal, B. P., director of Art Department ; Henry Gradle, M. D., 81 Clark Street, professor of physiology ; Robert Baird, A. M., professor of the Greek language and literature; Rev. Charles William Pearson, A. M., professor of English literature and history, and secre- tary of University faonlty ; Rev. Henry B. Ridgaway, D. D., (Garrett Biblical Institute), professor of historical theology ; E. C. Dudley, A. M., M. D., 170 State Street, professor of gynecology ; John E. Owens, M. D., 1806 Michigan Avenue, professor of surgical anatomy and operations in surgery : Oscar C. Do Wolf, A. M., M. D., McVicker's Building, professor of State medicine and public hygiene ; John H. Long, Sc. D., Chicago Medi- cal College, professor of general and medical chemis- try ; Walter Hay, M. D., EL. D., 1921 Wabash Avenue, professor of materia medica and general therapeutics ; Frederick C. Schaefer, M. D., 630 West Lake Street, professor of descriptive anatomy : Christian Fenger, M. D., 120 West Indiana Street, professor of general pathology and pathological anatomy, and lecturer on special surgery ; I. N. Danforth, A. M., M. D., 319 West Adams Street, professor of clinical medicine; Charles F. Bradley, B. D., adjunct professor of exe- getical theology ; Sarah H. Brayton, M. D., resident physician at the Woman's College; Ella S. Prindle, Ph. M., instructor in mathematics ; George H. Hors- well, A. M., B. 1)., instructor in Latin; Ezra N. Cur. rier, instructor in book-keeping and penmanship; James Gill, instructor in vocal culture, singing, and the Italian language; Joseph Singer, instructor on the violin and viola : W. Warren Graves, instructor on the piano and organ : Peter C. Lntkin, instructor on the piano and organ ; C. Montgomery Hutchins, instructor on the cornet, clarionet and band instruments; Rev. Joseph L. Morse, A. M., instructor in Greek and his- tory; Rev. Bartholamcw Lampert, A. B., instructor in German : A. G. Paine, M. D., 3919 Cottage Grove Avenue, lecturer on dermatology ; F. S. Johnson, A. M., M. D., 4 Sixteenth Street, demonstrator of his-

tology ; Frank Billings, M. D., Cook County Hospital, demonstrator of anatomy ; E. Wyllys Andrews, A. M., M. D., 65 Randolph Street, assistant to the professor of clinical surgery ; Moses S. Cross, A. B., B. D., in- structor in Greek ; Frank Warren Merrell, A. B., B. D., instructor in physics and zoology ; Emma P. Meserve, A. B., instructor in English ; Catharine A. Merriman, matron in Woman's College.

Hon. John Evans, M. D., president of the board of trustees, has held the office continuously since the founding of the institution in 1855. During the war he was appointed Governor of Colorado, and has been a resident of that State ever since, although continuing to be one of the most liberal patrons of the University and an ardent admirer of the beautiful village to which he gave his name. Mr. Lunt is acting presi- deut, and has been for many years. Dr. Evans is ex- teusively interested in railroad enterprises, and is a business man of great and unsullied reputation.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 101

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas Number of Pages: 875

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875