USA > Illinois > Knox County > History of Knox county, Illinois > Part 52
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PRESIDENTS OF THE COLLEGE.
Rev. Hiram Huntington Kellogg. 1839-45 Rev. Wm. Stanton Curtis, D. D.,. 1863-68
Rev. Jonathan Blanchard. 1845-57 Rev. Jno. Putnam Gulliver, D.D., 1868-72
Rev. Harvey Curtis, D. D.,. 1858-63 Hon. Newton Bateman, LL. D., .. 1875
PROFESSORS MORAL PHILOSOPHY AND RHETORIC.
Rev. Geo. W. Gale, A. M., 1843-57 .Rev. Bradford Y. Averill, A. M.,
Rev. John W. Bailey, A. M. 1858-63 (acting). 1864-65
Rev. Willis Judson Beecher, A.M. 1865-69
LOGIC-RHETORIC AND ENGLISH LITERATURE.
John W. Burgess, A. M., .. 1869-73 Leander H. Potter, A. M.,(acting) 1876
ANCIENT LANGUAGES.
Rev. G. W. Gale, (acting). 1840-42 Rev. Elisha James (acting). .. . .
1872-73
James Grant, A. M.,. 1842-69 Rev. F. W. Loba (acting). 1873-75
Rev.Lewellyn Pratt, A. M.,(Latin) 1869-71 Albert Hurd, A. M.,(Latin, acting) 1872
Rev. Henry M. Tylor, A. M., Rev. Thomas R. Willard, A. M.,
(Greek and German). 1869-72 (Greek and German). 1875
MATHEMATICS.
Nehemiah H. Losey, A. M.,. 1841-63 Milton L. Comstock, A. M., ..... 1861 Henry E. Hitchcock, A. M.,. 1850-73
CHEMISTRY AND NATURAL SCIENCE.
Albert Hurd, A. M.,. 1854
MODERN LANGUAGES.
Erastus S. Wilcox, A, M., ...... 1855-63
*The Western Educational Society bestowed upon the institution nearly $6,000, between the years 1846 and 1855. In 1855, Hon. Chas. Phelps, of Cincinnati, Ohio, gave the college eighteen quarter sections of land, from the sale of which upwards of $25,000 have been added to the funds. In 1875, about $25,000 were subscribed by citizens of Galesburg, for the purpose of increasing the endowment of the college. There still remain unsold, 250 city lots, valued at a hundred dollars each, and 205 acres of land, worth one hundred dollars an acre; and the college buildings occupy a park of seventeen acres.
H.W. Smith, N.Y .
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Prof. Geo. Churchill has been Principal of the Preparatory Depart- ment since 1855, and Mrs. Amelia F. Bangs of the Ladies' Depart- ment since 1873.
A few remarks on the foregoing list must suffice. To the usual duties devolving upon the President have been added those of Pro- fessor of Mental Science, and in some instances of Moral Science, Esthetics, or International Law. Dr. Bateman is Professor of Men- tal and Moral Philosophy. After the resignation of Prof. Grant, who served the college with distinguished ability twenty-seven years, tlie duties of the Professorship were divided, and one of the present needs of the college is the endowment of the Latin Professorship. Prof: Losey had charge of the Mathematics from the very beginning, and received his appointment as Professor upon the organization of col- lege classes in the fall of 1841. He was in advance of his time in methods of teaching; and, notwithstanding his arduous labors as Sec- retary and Treasurer of the Board and Surveyor of the colony, carried his department to a high point of excellence. The Chemical Depart- ment was in charge of Prof. Losey till 1851, when Prof. A. Hurd became lecturer, receiving his appointment as Professor in 1854. This gives a very inadequate view of the four hundred and seventy years of teaching with which the institution has been favored .*
Two hundred and thirty-four have graduated from the college, of whom twenty-eight were from the Scientific course. Sixty of these have become ministers of the gospel, preaching about eight hundred years, in twenty-eight different states and countries. Seven have been foreign missionaries, ministering about forty-five years. About thirty, who have been members of college without graduating, have become ministers. Forty of the graduates have become lawyers, fif- teen physicians, and twenty-five teachers. Thirty-three are dead. Two hundred and thirty-eight have graduated from the Ladies' Semi- nary, of whom five have become foreign missionaries. Twenty-three are dead.
Knox College is a cluster of institutions under one head. The college proper, classical course, is modeled on the plan of the best American colleges. The study of Latin, Greek and mathematics is specially pursued as the best preparation for the learned professions and the practical employments of life. With these, the natural sci- ences, modern languages, the various studies of philosophy, rhetoric,
*From 1842 to 1878 inclusive, during which period annual catalogues 'have been published, the largest attendance during a year was 431, in 1855; the smallest 165, in 1863; the average, 301; number of students for the year ending June 27, 1878, 332.
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logic, and general history and literature, are united. The scientific conrse is substantially the same, with the omission of Greek, and part of the Latin, and the Ladies' Seminary course differs from the scien- tific mainly in omitting the higher mathematics. Young women are admitted to all these departments, and all the classes are under the supervision of the college faculty.
The academy comprises two departments, English and Classical. The former gives a full course of English studies, and affords special advantages to students who intend to become teachers. The latter is a preparatory department, devoted to the thorough preparation of stu- dents for the college and young ladies' seminary. The course of study for students intending to enter the classical course in the col- lege, extends through three years; that for young ladies intending to take the four years' seminary course, extends through one year. More than three-fourths of the graduates from the classical course received their preparation in the academy.
The following quotations, taken from Dr. Bateman's last report to the trustees, will indicate the present condition of the college. After speaking of the entire harmony existing in all departments of the institution, and the signs of prosperity as shown by an increase of numbers, notwithstanding the severe monetary pressure, he says: " The income from all sources for the college fiscal year ending June 1, 1878, was $18,545.81; the expenditures for all purposes during the same year were $18,443.09, leaving a little balance of $102.72 on the credit side of the account. This result has been reached by the closest economy and the most watchful vigilance on the part of those of us who have had the supervision of the financial affairs of the col- lege." " The amount of tuition received for the year ending June 1, 1878, was $6,218.30, against $5,683.69 for the previous year, an increase of $529.61." "The total of our permanent interest- bearing funds at this time is $110,622.34, against $107,379.16 a year ago. These funds are invested at ten per cent. per annum, and, as we believe, are well secured." After detailing the wants of the institu- tion and proposing plans for increasing the funds, the President says: "I am quite sure that under wise and prudent management there is a grand future for Knox College. All the present elements are auspicious."
Knox College is not denominational, but it is religious and evan- gelical. The morning worship occupies half an hour each day, and seems to be not a mere perfunctory service. Daily prayer-meetings have long been maintained, and the Society of Religious Inquiry is flourishing. There are many other things worthy of mention which,
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if all were told, would be most complete assurance that the Christian men who founded Knox College performed a grand and noble work.
CHERRY GROVE SEMINARY. .
Cherry Grove Seminary was opened November 1, 1841, under the charge of Rev. Cyrus Haynes, a minister of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church. For a period of eight years this school was under his management, and attained a high degree of prosperity, which it maintained in after years, having had during its history some of the best of educators at its head. In the year 1866 there was located at Lincoln, Illinois, a college under the care and patronage of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, in consequence of which it was thought best to discontinue the seminary. This school was in successful operation for a period of 25 years, and in its early history was the only school of high grade, except Knox College, in this section of the country. Its patronage extended over a considerable part of Illinois, and it often had students from Wisconsin and Iowa.
LOMBARD UNIVERSITY.
" Lombard University is the outgrowth of the liberal thought and sentiment of a few noble men and women who were deeply imbued with the Puritan principle, 'freedom to worship God.' By thein, 'soul liberty' was esteemed as the chiefest blessing. Hence they sought to establish an institution of learning where all, under the strictest surveillance of moral discipline, could enjoy the greatest religious freedom and worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience."
At the residence of Amos Pierce, Greenbush, Warren county, the first meeting was held, and initiatory steps were taken towards establishing a denominational high school or academy. Mr. Pierce was chosen chairman of the meeting. It was resolved to invite Rev. C. P. West to put the matter in form and present it to the next meet- ing of the Spoon River Association. On the 19th of May, 1850, the council of the Spoon River Association convened at Greenbush, and the following preamble and resolutions, introduced by Mr. West, were presented and adopted:
" Whereas, the intellectual and moral improvement of our youth is a subject of vital importance, not only to our denomination but also to the community at large; and whereas, most, if not all, the literary institutions of this State, higher than common schools, established by law, ever have been and still are in the hands and under the control of our religious opponents; and whereas, the sectarian influences of
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
these institutions are detrimental to the cause of free inquiry after religions truth, injurious to the spread of Universalism, and some- times ruinous to the peace and happiness of the students themselves; therefore,
" 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 objections.
" Resolved, That said institution should be located in Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois."
Time rolled on, and the little tree then planted grew and flourished. The constant aim of its founders was to establish a thoroughly Chris- tian institution. There were many difficulties to be surmounted. At this time there were only two or three Universalist families in Gales-' burg; but soon an army of friends, whose faith knew no darkness, proffered their aid, and Lombard University stands to-day a monu- ment to their liberality.
In October, 1850, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the above resolutions, a joint-stock company was organized. The shares were twenty-five dollars each. A sufficient amount was raised to erect and furnish a building suitable for school purposes, whichi was completed in the fall of 1852, and the institution, under the name of " Illinois Liberal Institute," was then opened. A meeting of stock- holders was held at Galesburg October 24, and fifteen trustees were elected, together with a Clerk and Treasurer. A President of the Board was also elected, and a Building Committee. Subsequently the Board decided to erect a building of brick, three stories high, sixty feet long by forty feet wide, at an expense of about six thousand dollars.
The act of incorporation was approved February 15, 1851, and the Board of Trustees elected at the October meeting re-organized under it. In 1853 the charter wa's amended by the addition of a clause giv- ing power to confer degrees for collegiate honors. In 1852 P. Ray- mond Kendall was elected the first Principal of the institution. He entered upon the discharge of his duties in the autumn of that year. The institution began to grow in favor and patronage, and its friends cherished high hopes and great expectations of its ultimate success. The tree was now rooted in prairie soil, and it needed only the fos- tering care of liberal hearts.
In the year 1854 J. V. N. Standish became Acting President of the institution, Prof. Kendall, who had been elected to the Presidency after the revision of the charter giving to the " Illinois Liberal Insti- tute " college powers, being the nominal President. Prof. Standish
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LOMBARD UNIVERSITY, GALESBURG.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
was the Acting President until the fall of 1857. During these years the institution grew into quite large proportions. Its patronage was liberal, more than its friends anticipated. In 1854-5 the number of students was 233; in 1856-7 the number was 245; and it is to be remarked that this prosperity attended the institution under the most adverse circumstances. The "Institute " building was burned in April, 1855. No suitable place in the city could be procured for school purposes. The institution was left as a stranger in a strange land. There was no place or spot it could call home. Rooms in different parts of the city were procured for recitations, and the school, without a vacation, went on. These rooms were unsuitable for class- rooms; but the students and patrons loved the institution, and made sacrifices for it. Those who were connected with the " Illinois Liberal Institute " during these years will not. forget the days of hardship and trial.
Early in 1854 a scheme was concocted by Prof. Kendall and others for the purpose of partially endowing the institution. A system of scholarships was devised, by the sale of which a fund of about $60,- 000 was subscribed. The following was the plan adopted: Scholar- ships were divided into three classes,-$50, $100, $200. The amount paid entitled the buyer to double the amount of tuition at the " Insti- tute." This fund was secured through the indomitable energy and perseverance of, Prof. Kendall, assisted by such men as Rev. J. H. Chapin, Rev. W. S. Ballou, Rev. C. P. West and others. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin were canvassed, and liberal men re- sponded liberally to the needs of the institution. It was at this time that Benjamin Lombard, who thien resided at Henry, gave $20,000. · In 1855, in honor of him, the name of the institution was changed to " Lombard University." During the year 1856 the present college building was erected, at a cost of $40,000, though not wholly com- pleted until several years afterwards. It was occupied for school purposes for the first time late in the autumn of 1856.
Rev. Otis A. Skinner, D. D., formerly pastor of the Warren Street Churchi, Boston, was elected to the Presidency of the institution in the fall of 1857.
In 1859 Dr. Skinner was succeeded by the Rev. J. P. Weston, D. D., for many years Principal of the "Westbrook Seminary," Maine. He held the Presidency of the institution for thirteen years, resigning in 1872 to accept the position of Principal of Dean Academy of · Massachusetts.
In 1872 Prof. William Livingston was elected Acting President, which office he held for three years. He had filled the chair of Natu-
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
ral Science from late in the fall of 1855 to June, 1872. During this interval there were no marked changes, nothing particularly new inaugurated.
Late in the autumn of 1875 Rev. Nehemiah White, the present incumbent, succeeded to the Presidency. Formerly he held a pro- fessorship in St. Lawrence University, New York, and latterly was professor of ancient languages in Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio. President White brings with him large experience as an educator. He is both a good scliolar and thorough teacher. Although circum- stances have been somewhat adverse since he has been connected witlı the University. yet it is to be hoped that his administration may be a successful one, and that his arduous labors may secure a rich reward.
From September, 1854, to June, 1878, the number of students con- nected with the institution was 4,669; and it is safe to say that more than 5,000 students have enjoyed its advantages since its doors were first thrown open to the public in September, 1852. Of this number there have been 148 gradnates; the degree of Bachelor of Arts has been conferred on 63; the degree of Bachelor of Science on 48; the degree of Laureate of Arts on 37. Besides these, there have been 31 honorary degrees conferred. The degree of Doctor of Divinity has been conferred upon 11; the degree of Master of Arts upon 19; the degree of Doctor of Philosophy upon 1.
The following constitute the Board of Trustees for 1878: L. C. Conger, John Edwards, Sidney Pulsifer, H. Buck, A. Harrington, Rev. Andrew Pingree, Rev. Sumner Ellis, Hon. T. J. Hale, Hon. A. Knowles, J. S. McConnell, E. H. Conger, A. Webster, D. Sanborn, B. Lombard, Jr., Rev. John Hughes, J. C. Hunt, B. Lombard, Rev. W. H. Ryder, Mrs. E. G. Hall, Hon. A. M. Brown. The officers of the Board are, Rev. William H. Ryder President, Hon. T. Judson Hale Secretary, David Sanborn Treasurer.
The following at present constitute the Faculty: Rev. Nehemiah White, President and Hall Professor of Intellectual and Moral Phil- osophy; John V. N. Standish, Professor of Mathematics and Astron- omy; Isaac A. Parker, Williamson Professor of Greek Language and Literature, and Teacher of Latin; Miss Mary J. Claycomb, Teacher of French and Assistant Principal of Preparatory Department; Theodore C. Stevens, Teacher of German and Principal of Preparatory Depart- ment; Miss Mary E. Hoyle, Teacher of Instrumental Music.
The college grounds, fourteen acres in extent, are ornamented with trees and slirubs of various kinds. The University building is of brick, three stories high. 80 feet long, 66 feet wide, and lias excellent rooms for libraries, apparatus, lectures and recitations. The invested
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ABINGDON COLLEGE.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
funds of the University, together with other property, amount to about $175,000. The college library contains nearly 5,000 volumes, besides a large number of pamphlets and magazines. The cabinet is large and contains many valuable specimens. The apparatus is sufficiently extensive for class illustration.
The Academic year is divided into three terms, the first beginning usually on the first Monday in September, and continuing sixteen weeks; the second beginning immediately after the holidays, and con- tinning thirteen weeks; the third beginning one week after the close of the second, and continuing eleven weeks. The annual commence- ment is on the third Wednesday in June.
It is the purpose of Lombard University to afford to students of either sex equal opportunities for thorough courses of instruction; and the studies pursued have been arranged, first, to provide a full collegiate course of four years, such as is usually pursued in the best colleges and universities in this country; secondly, to accommodate those to whose circumstances it may be especially adapted, with a scientific course of the same length, and so arranged as to combine with practical knowledge intellectual culture and discipline; thirdly, to provide a literary course of four years for those who do not desire to pursue the regular classical or scientific course; fourthly, to afford a thorough preparation for each of the collegiate courses; fiftlily, to meet tlie wants of those who are unable to pursue one of the regular courses of the institution.
ABINGDON COLLEGE.
In 1853 P. H. Murphy opened an academy in a plain wooden building in Abingdon, and conducted it with untiring zeal and marked success until 1855. By this time his extensive canvassing, lecturing and preaching among the people had infused into them much of his own zeal and wishes to such an extent that they were ready to give
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the academy the rank of a college and erect the necessary building. The decision was made, and a plain three-story brick building was erected, in which the college work was inaugurated in 1855. Mr. Murphy was elected the first President. He was a very amiable and genial companion, and bore himself as one of nature's noblemen. He combined with the highest sense of lionor and rectitude great child- like simplicity and tenderness. His remarkable command of language and mellow, musical voice rendered him a very acceptable and popular preacher and lecturer, while his learning, for a young man, was am- ple to sustain his reputation. Unfortunately for him and for the cause to which lie had devoted his life, his enthusiastic, earnest spirit struggled in a frail tenement, and at length consumption began to tear it down. He continued to fill the position of President until April 19, 1860, when on account of failing health he resigned. He died the following August.
A charter was obtained for the college in February, 1855, and it went into full operation the next college year.
The original incorporators were William Maxwell, P. H. Murphy, J. C. Reynolds, John Miller, George Price, S. H. Ritchey, J. E. Gaston, Whitfield Button, J. C. Latimer, J. E. Martin, Jesse Perdue, J. W. Butler, J. P. Roach, L. S. Wallace, J. M. Dodge, Marvin Baker, S. T. Shelton, James Starke, W. H. Franklin, W. H. Nance, J. A. Maxwell, Thos. Moulton and M. P. King.
The Faculty under President Murphy's administration was com- posed, at various times, of the following teachers: P. H. Murphy, Presi- dent and Professor of Sacred History, Evidences of Christianity and Butler's Analogy; J. C. Reynolds, J. W. Butler, J. P. Roach, A. B. Murphy, Sarah J. Smith, George C. Mendel, Sarah H. Mendel, A. J. Thomson, Win. Griffin, J. B. Sheitlin, Miss E. J. Shryock. On the 28th day of Jan., 1861, J. W. Butler was elected to fill the place vacated by the death of P. H. Murphy. Mr. Butler was comparatively young and inexperienced as a presiding officer; the college was greatly em- barrassed by a heavy debt hanging over it, while the whole country was agitated by that terrible excitement that immediately preceded the late civil war. Under these circumstances the Board of Trustees deemed it advisable to secure, if possible, a man of greater age and experience to fill the Presidency of the college. Hence on August 2, 1861, J. W. Butler having resigned, Silas E. Shepherd was elected to fill the place. Mr. Shepherd, on being notified, declined the call. Thereupon J. W. Butler was again elected to fill the Presidency. His term of service expired in June, 1874. During this time a large and
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commodious addition, or what would be regarded from. the stand point of the architect as the main building, was erected. The material is of the most enduring kind and the accommodations are ample for the reception of 500 students. The names of those who were mem- bers of the Faculty during hii's administration were: J. W. Butler, President, Professor of Sacred History and Natural and Physical Science; A. J. Thomson, Wm. Griffin, G. N. Freeman, H. A. Coffeen, J. B. Sheitlin, Frederick Christianer, I. Durham, A. Linn, H. C. Thomson, Annie Whitman, S. P. Lncy, Bettie Davis, Vesper Willis, Miss Mary J. Harris, Miss Maggie Thomson, Mrs. Lizzie Linn, Flor- ence G. Johnson, A. P. Aten, Emma. Veach, Mrs. Louise J. Clark. President Butler's successor was Orval Perkey, elected June 16, 1874. He resigned March 23, 1876. During his administration the follow- ing are the names of members of the Faculty : Orval Perkey, Presi- dent, Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy and Belles Let- tres; A. J. Thomson, D. C. Barber, Marion Ingels, J. Heller, De Witt S. Harris, Mrs. Libbie F. Ingels, Mrs. Lizzie Linn, Miss Mary Bridge- ford. President Perkey was succeeded by Clark Braden, who was elected June 1, 1876. He served for one year, during which time the Faculty consisted of the following persons: Clark Braden, President, Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy and Lecturer on Evidences of Christianity and Biblical Literature ;: A. J. Thomson, D. C. Barber, Marion Ingels, DeWitt Harris, Mrs. Libbie F. Ingels, R. L. Davis, Mrs. Lizzie Linn and Miss Anna Burhaus.
President Braden was succeeded by the present incumbent, F. M. Bruner, who was elected July 24, 1877. The present Faculty con- sists of the following teachers:
F. M. Bruner, President and Professor of Biblical History and Exegesis; N. Dunshee, Professor of Mathematics; O. P. Hay, Pro- fessor of Natural Sciences; H. L. Bruner, Assistant Teacher of Math- . ematics; Miss Josie Dunshee, Assistant Teacher of Belles Lettres and Ancient Languages; Miss Emma Dunshee, Assistant Teacher of Ancient and Modern History and Mathematics; Miss Anna Burlians, Teacher of Instrumental Music.
The President, Mr. Bruner, has enjoyed many rare advantages to fit him for his position. After graduating at one of the best western colleges he spent nearly three years in Germany, France and England, where he studied the languages, ancient and modern, and also pursned special courses in Theology, Philosophy, and the Natural Sciences. He was six years President of Oskaloosa College, and gave that institution a prominence and an organization that
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