History of Du Page County, Illinois (Historical, Biographical), Part 29

Author: Blanchard, Rufus, 1821-1904
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & co.
Number of Pages: 544

USA > Illinois > DuPage County > History of Du Page County, Illinois (Historical, Biographical) > Part 29

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Notwithstanding the fact that the college

opened its doors to the public during the dark and lowering days of the first years of the war of the rebellion, when public thought and interest was intent upon the question of the safety of the greater institution-our united country; when thousands of young men, the flower of the land, went forth to the tented camp and the battle-field-notwith standing these discouraging circumstances, the institution had an auspicious beginning. At the end of the first year, the Indiana and Iowa Conferences added their support to the undertaking. There was a fair attendance of students during the first year, with an in- crease from abroad from term to term. The institution received its regular collegiate chater in 1865. With the growth of the number of regular college classes, the num ber of instructors was increased. The first class of graduates went out in 1866, since which time the college has annually sent out from her halls a greater or less number of graduates into the active arena of practical life.

In 1864, the name of the institution was changed to Northwestern College. While public interest in the school was widening and manifesting itself in an increase of pat- ronage from a distance, it soon became ap- parent that certain circumstances essential to the permanent growth of the college had not been practically anticipated when Plainfield was chosen for its location. The building soon proved insufficient for the purposes of the school. Moreover, the fact that Plain- field was " off the road," eight miles distant from the nearest railroad station, was found to be increasingly prejudicial as the stage coach as a traveling conveyance became more and more unpopular. This naturally led to the agitation of the question of removal to some location more easily accessible. While the citizens of Plainfield, as might be ex-

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pected, strenuously opposed the proposition, facts and circumstances seemed, from year to year, to strengthen the warrant to adopt such a measure. Various places held out induce- ments to the Trustees to be chosen as a new location. Among these, Naperville, awake to the fact that Northwestern College would prove a valuable acquisition, proposed to give $25.000 toward the erection of the buildings, provided that town were chosen. In the spring of 1870, nine years after the college was opened at Plainfield, after a long and animated debate, first on the question of making the ohange, and second as to the pref- erence between proposed places, the Board of Trustees decided on a removal to Naperville.

The fall term of 1870 was opened in the new building. The citizens of Naperville manifested a fair appreciation of their newly acquired privileges. The facilities of the school were, in many particulars, consider- ably enlarged, and Northwestern College en- tered upon a new career of growth and pros- perity. The history of its development will best appear in the following reference to its various interests.

Endowment. - From the opening of the school, scholarships of various prices and of different periods of validity were sold, with a view to the establishment of an endowment fund. By the addition of direct donations, this fund increased from year to year with varying degrees of rapidity, so that at the present time (1882), it has reached the sum of $90,000.

Faculty .- When the school was opened, the faculty consisted of five teachers, viz., Profs. J. E. Rhodes, John E. Miller, S. W. Marston, Mrs. Emily Huntington Miller and Miss C. M. Harlacher. Rev. A. A. Smith, A. M., was elected President of the college in 1861, but did not assume the position until the fall of 1862. At the same time, H. C.

Smith, A. M., was appointed Professor of Music. In 1863, Rev. F. W. Heidner, A. M., was elected to the Professorship of the German Language and Literature. In 1864, upon the resignation of Prof. J. E. Miller, Rev. John H. Leas, A. M., was made Profes- sor of Ancient Languages. In 1868, upon the resignation of Prof. J. E. Rhodes, H. H. Rassweiler, A. M., was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science. In 1869, Prof. J. H. Leas having resigned, H. C. Smith, A. M., was made Professor of An- cient Languages and Literature, and was suc- ceeded in the Department ot Instrumental Music by Miss Emma M. Corbin. Upon the removal of the college to Naperville in 1870, the faculty was materially increased by the appointment of Rev. A. Huelster, A. M., as Professor of Greek (Prof. Smith remaining in charge of the Latin); C. F. Rassweiler, A. M., as Tutor; Miss Nancy J. Cunningham as Preceptress and Teacher of Drawing; Rev. J. G. Cross, A. M., Principal of Commercial Department; and Miss Minnie P. Cody as Teacher of Instrumental Music. In 1871, J. L. Rockey was added as assistant teacher in the Commercial Department. In 1875, C. F. Rassweiler was promoted as Adjunct Pro- fessor of Mathematics. In 1876, G. W. Sind- linger, A. M., was appointed Assistant Teacher of Greek, and, three years later, he succeeded Prof. A. Huelster as Professor of that department. In 1878, Miss Cunning- ham resigned as Preceptress, and was suc- ceeded by Miss Lizzie E. Baker, who served one year, after which Mrs. N. J. Knicker- backer, nee Cunningham, was re-appointed Preceptress and Professor of History and English Literature. In 1879, Prof. Cross, of the Commercial Department, was succeed- ed by F. W. Streets. In 1881, the Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science resigned the first-named department, and C. F. Rass-

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weiler was made Professor of Mathematics. In 1877, Miss Minnie P. Cody was succeeded by Miss Rose M. Cody as Teacher of Instru- mental Music, and in 1878, Prof. H. C. Smith was placed in charge of this department.

At the present date, the faculty of North- western College is constituted as follows:

Rev. A. A. Smith, A. M., President, Pro- fessor of Mental and Moral Science.

Rev. F. W. Heidner, A. M., B. D., Profes- sor of the German Language and Literature.

H. C. Smith, A. M., Professor of the Latin Language and Literature.

H. H. Rassweiler, A. M., Professor of Nat- ural Science.

C. F. Rassweiler, A. M., Professor of Math- ematics.

G. W. Sindlinger, A. M., Professor of the Greek Language and Literature.

Mrs. N. J. Knickerbacker, Preceptress, Professor of History and English Literature.

H. F. Kletzing, A. M., Assistant Teacher of Mathematics.

J. L. Nichols, A. M., Teacher of Commer- cial Studies and Penmanship.

H. C. Smith, Professor of Music.

Mrs. Jennie E. Nauman, Assistant Teacher of Piano and Organ.

Miss Sadie Schutt, Teacher of Painting and Drawing.

Students .- The attendance of students from the beginning has been encouraging. Notwithstanding the fact that, during the history of the institution to this time, the country has passed through at least two seri- ous financial crises, and while others more local and temporary circumstances have affected the attendance of students at the higher schools generally, the annual enroll- ment at Northwestern College has not been remarkably fluctuating. The attendance during the last collegiate year (1881-82) was about three hundred.

Graduates. - The graduates of the college, now precisely 100 in number, are distributed over the whole country. These, with the hundreds who did not fully complete a course of study, represent most of the professional and industrial pursuits of life. As a class, they are successful men and women, who, by their integrity and industry, are reciprocat- ing the honor bestowed on them by their Alma Mater.

Departments and Courses of Study .- Be- sides the regular collegiate or literary de- partment, the college maintains a commercial, a German, a music and an art department. To meet all demands in different lines of study, there are nine courses of study pro- vided, viz., classical, Latin scientific, Greek scientific, English scientific, pure German, English German, commercial, music and art.

Patronage .- At first the patronage of the college was limited to the territory of the Illinois and Wisconsin Conferences. Now the Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio. Michigan, New York, Canada, South Indiana, Des Moines and Kansas-cleven conferences, are pledged to its support, and are represented in the Board of Trustees. In the attendance of students, all these territorial divisions, be sides other States, are annually represented

Auxiliary Features .- As indicating the general activity and practical spirit which pervades the institution, mention may be made of various organizations maintained un- der the auspices of the faculty, but conducted chiefly by the students. Among these are four literary societies, for practice in public speaking, debate and general parliamentary procedure; a scientific association, for tlie maintenance of a lively interest in the pur- suit of scientific knowledge, building up the college museum and providing occasional lectures; two religious societies, the Young Men's Christian Association and the Young

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Ladies' Christian Association, holding regu- lar meetings for conference and prayer, fur- nishing a reading room, and exerting a salu- tary religious influence over the whole school.

Union Biblical Institute. - In the year 1875, a theological school, under the name of Union Biblical Institute, was opened in connection with the college. Rev. R. Yeakel, formerly one of the Bishops of the church, is Princi- pal. This school provides a course of study suitable for those who contemplate entering the profession of the Christian ministry.

Church .- In 1870, a new congregation or society, consisting of teachers, students and citizens, was organized. Their Sabbath serv- ices and Sabbath school have, from the begin- ning, been held in the chapel of the college. The Sabbath school of this congregation is one of the largest and most interesting in the whole denomination. The pastor is appoint- ed annually by the Illinois Conference. The pastors up to this time have been Rev. E. E. Condo, Rev. W. W. Shuler, Rev. H. Messner, Rev. W. H. Bucks and Rev. C. Schmucker.

Object and Outlook .- The object of the col- lege is to provide for the young men and women who are intrusted to its care and in- struction the advantages of a thorough, lib- eral education. under such moral and relig- ious influences as to associate in its culture a high degree of mental and moral develop- ment, and the inculcation of such principles and habits of thought as will best fit the student not only for extensive usefulness in life, but to meet successfully life's inevitable vicissitudes, whether of prosperity or adversity. The prospects for the future of the institution are bright. With an increasing sentiment in its favor among the people of the church under whose immediate patronage it exists, and a growing appreciation on the part of the gen- eral public, Northwestern College is destined to take a prominent place among the educa-

tional institutions of the West .- H. H RASS- WEILER.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

This, with one exception, is the oldest Congregational Church organized in the State. The first organization of this character was the church at Mendon, formed in February, 1833, and, on the 13th day of July follow- ing, "By a request of a number of persons at Du Page to be organized into a Church of Christ, the Rev. Jonathan Porter and Rev. N. C. Clark, missionaries for this county, and Rev. C. W. Babbitt, of Tazewell County, met, and, after prayer and some appropriate re- marks, proceeded to examine the credentials of applicants." So reads the old record of the first Congregational Church, but one, in Illinois.

On this examination. the following men- bers were received: Israel P. Blodgett, Avice Blodgett, Robert Strong. Caroline W. Strong, Constant Abbott, Isaac Clark, Clarissa A. Clark, Leister Peet, Henry H. Goodrich, Eliza S. Goodrich, Samuel Goodrich, Lydia Goodrich, Pomeroy Goodrich, Lucy M. Good- rich.

With these sixteen persons as members, the organization was completed, and Isaac Clark, Pomeroy Goodrich and Leister Peet were chosen the Elders of the church. The form of organization was at first Presbyterian, but soon after, it was, by a unanimous vote, changed to the Congregational, and the title of Deacon substituted for that of Elder.

The record of the acts of these Christian pioneers is exceedingly interesting. Their earliest recorded resolutions provide for the thorough distribution of tracts; the visitation by the pastor and some member of the church of all accessible families; and the imperative necessity of attending all the stated meetings of the church. It being declared the duty of the Moderator to note all absentees and call

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for satisfactory explanation at the first meet- ing which they attended after the delin- quency.

These resolutions well exhibit the deter- mined spirit of loyalty to their principles which distinguished these early Christians, who thus "builded better than they knew." The spark they lighted has become a flame, burning brightly to-day upon the altar they erected so many years ago. They built the first steeple upon these prairies, and, from year to year, have not only increased their membership, but have sent out to many later organizations members who have carried the same spirit. It may well be styled the parent church of this whole region. Rev. N. C. Clark. one of the organizers, was the first pastor. The meetings were for some time held in his house, and afterward, sometimes in the " schoolhouse near Samuel Goodrich's," in the "schoolhouse in Naperville," and in the houses or barns of different members.

The first money raised for the support of the Gospel is spoken of in the minutes of a meeting held early in 1834, when it was voted to raise $100 for that purpose. At this time, and for some years afterward, the church was materially aided by the American Home Mis- sionary Society.

Mr. Clark served as pastor until July, 1836, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. Strong, who remained about a year. After his de- parture, Rev. Jeremiah Porter was regularly installed as pastor, and served in that capac- ity until July, 1840.

On November 5, 1841, at a church meeting, it was resolved "that the church deem it ex- pedient and proper to revive the ancient cus- tom of annual thanksgivings; and that we will observe a day of thanksgiving and praise during the present autumn, which is here- after to be appointed." No record is made of services held, but in the following year, 1842,

on December 2, it was resolved "that, as a church, we observe Thursday, the 8th of De- cember inst., as a day of thanksgiving, and this community be invited to unite with us in the public exercises of the day. This was probably the first public celebration of this custom in the county.

From 1840 to 1845, Rev. O. Lyman, Rev J. H. Prentiss and Rev. E. W. Champlain successively served as pastors. Rev. J. H. Prentiss, was installed on the 12th of July, 1842.

On January 28, 1843, it was resolved " That the style of this church hereafter be ' The First Congregational Church of Naper- ville,' " ' " and later, in 1845, amongst some changes made with a view of according more fully with the statute in regard to church or- ganization, the name of the society was de- clared to be "The First Congregational Church and Society of Naperville," by which name it is known to-day.

In September, Josiah Strong, John J. Fra- zier, Pomeroy Goodrich, George Blackman and Hiram Branch were elected Trustees.

As early as 1838, a resolution was adopted to build a house of worship, and a committee appointed to select a location. Naperville was chosen as the place to build the church, and the building used by the society at pres- ent was erected in 1846, and, on the 27th day of January, 1847, dedicated to the worship and service of Almighty God. The land was donated by Capt. Morris Sleight, on condi- tion that no part of it ever be used as a bury- ing-ground, and that upon the contemplated house of worship a cupola for a bell be erected.

For eleven years the pulpit was filled by Rev. Hope Brown, who was installed Novem- ber 11, 1845, and resigned his pastorate in October, 1856.

Since that time, the following ministers have successively served the people as pastors:

Millard Scott

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Rev. E. Barber, 1856-59; Rev. C. P. Felch. 1859-64; Rev. E. I. Alden, 1864-66; Rev. J. C. Beekman, 1866-68; Rev. J. W. Cunning- ham, 1868-74; Rev. C. F. Reed, 1874-76; Rev. J. W. Hartshorn, 1876-78 ; and the Rev. J. H. Dixon, from 1879, and who is still, at the present date, pastor.

From the beginning of the organization to the present time, the society has had, alto- gether, 346 members. The present actual membership of the church is ninety-nine members.

The present Deacons of the church are Pomeroy Goodrich, one of the original six- teen members; E. R. Loomis, H. W. Knick- erbacker and C. H. Goodrich. There has been a Sabbath school connected with the church from a very early day. The present Superintendent, H. H. Cody, has filled that position for twenty-two years, having first been elected April 7. 1860. The Sabbath school services are held directly after the Sab- bath morning services, and are attended by abont one hundred persons. The school is supplied with a fine library, comprising sev- eral hundred volumes. Mr. Eli Ditzler, the Librarian, has served in that capacity for about ten years. There are held two regular Sabbath services, and, during the week, two praver meetings-the young people's meeting on Tuesday evening, and the regular church meeting on Wednesday evening. For fifty years, this beacon light has shed its rays over this people. Its power has been felt not alone within the limits of Du Page County. There are churches in Western States that owe much to its early influences. In North- ern Dakota, in Southern Texas, in Western wilds and in Eastern cities, are influences working which can be traced directly to this church. Yes, farther than this have its teachings been carried, for in far-off Japan the " old, old story " has been told to many

an eager listener by one who grew up within the shadow of its walls, and sat, Sabbath after Sabbath, in its pews, drinking in the blessed truths which she has since carried across the waters to the joy and salvation of many precious souls.

No one can estimate the extent of the work which has been done, but the results which can be plainly seen are enough to encourage its present supporters to put forth the most earnest efforts in the future. -- A. B. CODY.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Episcopalians in this village have a very beautiful house for public worship, which has attracted the attention of the brethren of surrounding parishes as being a model in beauty and style. They likewise have a rectory on an adjoining lot, built in a style corresponding with the church. The lots on which these buildings stand are or- namented with shrubs and trees, imparting to the exterior a pleasing effect, to which the interior of the church, in style, completeness and furniture, fully corresponds.

Every organized church or society has a history, but every one has not instituted con- tinued and preserved records from which the historian can write it. Not so with this church. Its rectors aud officers have, from time to time, furnished material from which the following sketch is taken. The first serv- ice of the Episcopal Church held in this vil- lage was by the Rev. Andrew H. Cornish, missionary of Joliette, November 16, 1838. In the years 1839, 1840 and 1841, Mr. Cor- nish officiated at irregular intervals. The Right Rev. Philander Chase, D. D., first Bishop of Illinois, made his first visitation and officiated in public service May 27, 1839. Previous to this and for several subsequent years, there being no organization sufficient to hold church people together, they sought

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fellowship and worshiped with those de- nominations having houses of worship till June 4, 1850, when a parochial association was organized by some thirty persons asso- ciating themselves together by the name and title of the Parish of St. John's Church, Na- perville. In accordance with the purpose of this association, July 22, 1850, a parish or- ganization was accomplished. At this meet- ing, the Rev. Daniel Brown, rector of St. John's Church, Lockport, in this diocese, presided, and Mr. James D. Wright was chosen Secretary. Messrs. S. P. Sherwood and Charles Earl were elected Wardens, and Messrs. James F. Wight, Charles J. Sellen and Delcar Sleight, chosen Vestrymen. This organization may be considered a kind of starting point, though it effected very little in the establishment of a living church; it acted as an incentive to more frequent serv- ices than would have been held had it not been made. Meantime, worship was still held with other denominations up to the year 1858, except occasionally, when some neigh- boring rector or the Bishop of the diocese visited this place and held service.

In the year 1858, some church ladies of this village feeling deeply the deprivation of the mode of worship to which they had been accustomed in their beloved church, visited Aurora and solicited Rev. V. Spalding, officiat- ing rector there, to give the friends of the church in this village service at stated times. Mr. Spalding consented, and continued to do so until he left Aurora, and here it should not be omitted that the ladies in this church, from its first organization, have been most zealous and efficient workers. Without their aid, the church and rectory could not have been built, at least so soon, and the church could not have prospered at it has. For this reason, one of the rectors who has had charge of this parish, remarked that the church

ought to have been named St. Mary's Church, instead of St. John's Church, of Naperville.

During the year 1858, the Rev. T. N. Mor- rison, of Aurora, officiated occasionally. During the years 1861 and 1862, Rev. Messrs. Wilkinson and Gilbert, of Joliet, were en- gaged to hold service at stated times.

The Rev. S. T. Allen, of Aurora, held serv ice once every Sunday, from 1861 to 1865, in houses of worship belonging to other denomi - nations or in Mr. Sleight's hall. Mr. Allen may be said to be the first rector of St. John's Church, of Naperville, and during his rectorship the church had prospered to such an extent as to be troublesome to those de- nominations which had generously granted to churchmen the privilege of holding service in the churches belonging to the denominations, consequently they began to estimate the cost of building a church of their own.

In 1864, Mr. Sleight presented to the church the lot for the church building, and, June 1, of the same year, the corner-stone was laid by the Right Rev. H. J. Whitehouse, Bishop of the diocese of Illinois.

January 1, 1865, the church was open for the first service, the Rev. Mr. Allen officiat- ing, and, April 24, of the same year, the church was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Whitehouse, assisted by the Revs. S. J. Allen, Clinton Lock, of Chicago, and C. A. Gilbert, of Joliet. Mr. Allen closed his labor here by resignation. He was highly esteemed and beloved by the members of the parish, and zealously aided and encouraged them in the building of the church, and he possessed the business talent necessary to insure suc- cess. The consecration service was the last service in which he participated in this vil- lage, and the members of the parish parted with him with sincere regret.

June 14, 1865, an invitation was extended to the Rev. J. H. Knowles to take charge of

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the parish, which he accepted. Under his charge, the church continued to prosper. April 17, 1867, Mrs. D. Sleight presented to the church a deed of the lot adjoining, on which to erect a rectory. June 23, Mr. Knowles tendered his resignation, which was accepted with regret.

November 17, 1867, Rev. J. T. Chambers received a call to the rectorship, which he accepted, and held his first service on the twenty-second Sunday after Trinity. During his rectorship, the rectory was built, and oc- cupied by the rector August 29. 1870. May 31, 1872, Mr. Chambers resigned. He was a hard worker in the vineyard and a good man.

August 14, Rev. James Cornell was called to the roctorship. and served as rector one year and seven months, when he resigned. Mr. Cornell was succeeded by the Rev. Wal- ter F. Lloyd, who commenced his duties as rector May 3. 1874, and resigned May 20, 1875.

July 1, 1876, Rev. William Allen Fisk, having accepted of a call, entered upon his duties as rector, it being the third Sunday after Trinity. During his rectorship, the church was enlarged so as to nearly double its seating capacity. Work was commenced on the enlargement of the church in June, 1878. It was finished and re-opened with solemn service by the Bishop of the diocese, on the 26th of November, 1878. Mr. Fisk resigned on the 1st of November, 1880, and was succeeded by the present rector, lev. Martin V. Averill, who accepted of a call and officiated the first time July 31, 1881.

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History of Du Page County, Illinois (Historical, Biographical), Part 29

Author: Blanchard, Rufus, 1821-1904 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & co. Number of Pages: 544

Author: Blanchard, Rufus, 1821-1904
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & co.
Number of Pages: 544