USA > Illinois > Knox County > History of Knox county, Illinois > Part 53
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IHISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
attracted to it as large a number of students as similar schools usually receive in the West. He now proposes to do the same thing for Abingdon College. Professor Dunshee is a ripe scholar. For many years he taught in Hiram College, for six years in Oskaloosa College, and is at home in the Mathematics or Classics as well as the modern languages. Professor O. P. Hay is a young man, active and enter- prising. Already his descriptions of western plants and some hitherto unknown insects have found their way into the scientific journals. He has had several years' experience in college work and recently spent one year in Yale.
The ladies employed as teachers are graduates from a thorough classical course, having completed the Mathematics and Languages as required in our best colleges, and for two years studied French and German, also for a considerable time Hebrew. Miss Burhaus is an accomplished lady and musician. With such a beginning for a Fac- ulty it would seem almost unreasonable to think of failure. There need be no doubt concerning the thoroughness of the work that these teachers will do.
The period from June, 1875, to June, 1877, may be called the dark day in the history of the college. It became involved in a quarrel which had its origin in the church, and these intervening years were spent in what seems to have been a needless struggle for the control of the college. The dawn of hope appeared in a compromise, in which the parties to the troubles agreed to unite in supporting the college. It was upon this compromise that President Bruner was elected as ac- ceptable to botlı parties. But the college was by this time without students and its funds in a situation to be almost unavailable, and besides, and perhaps worst of all, public confidence had been de- stroyed and sympathy for the institution turned away. But even now a change is setting in and there is no good reason why the school should not again prosper. It has buildings worth about $45,000, with every facility for a good school.
The courses of Instruction arranged by the present Faculty are as follows:
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY ..
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION.
ACADEMIC COURSE.
Middle Preparatory.
FIRST TERM.
English Grammar. Geography. Arithmetic. Spelling and Defining.
SECOND TERM.
English Grammar. United States History. Higher Arithmetic. Spelling and Defining.
THIRD TERM.
Higher Arithmetic. History of England. Physiology. Composition and Rhetoric.
Junior Preparatory.
FIRST TERM.
Latin Grammar and Reader. Natural Philosophy. Composition and Rhetoric. Elementary Algebra. History of Germany.
SECOND TERM.
Latin Grammar and Reader. Elementary Algebra. Chemistry. Greek Introductory. History of Germany.
THIRD TERM.
Latin-Cæsar, and Prose Composition. Higher Algebra. Composition and Rhetoric. Greek Introductory, and Prose Composi- tion. Hart's "In the School-Room."
Senior Preparatory.
FIRST TERM.
Latin-Cicero, and Prose Composition. Higher Algebra (Completed).
Greek-Xenophon's Anabasis, and Prose Composition. History and Progress of Education.
SECOND TERM.
Latin-Sallust, and Prose Composition. Geometry.
Greek-Xenophon's Cyropedia, and Prose Composition. Mental Philosophy.
THIRD TERM.
Latin-Virgil. Geometry. (Completed.) Botany.
Greek-Memorabilia. Mental Philosophy. (Completed.)
In addition to these daily studies, the students of this department will have the benefit of all the lectures before the school, and will be required to prepare weekly rhetorical exercises. Every morning the Bible will be read, and this will be accompanied with a lecture upon some portion of it.
CLASSICAL COURSE.
Freshman Class.
FIRST TERM.
Latin-Æneid; Prose Composition.
Greek-Prose Composition ; Selections. Mathematics-Plain Trigonometry. English Literature-General History ; Ancient Geography.
SECOND TERM.
Latin-Virgil's Eclogues and Georgics ; Prose Composition.
Greek-Prose Composition; Herodotus' History.
Mathematics-Spherical Trigonometry. English Literature-General History.
THIRD TERM.
Latin-Cicero's De Senectute et Ami- citia; Prose Composition.
Greek -- Prose Composition ; Homer's Ulysses.
Mathematics-Surveying. English Literature-General History
Sophomore Class.
FIRST TERM.
Latin-Livy's History ; Antiquities; FRENCH.
Greek -- Homer's Iliad; Antiquities; GERMAN.
Mathematics-Conic Sections. English Literature-English Literature.
SECOND TERM.
Latin-Horace's Odes; Prose Compo- sition ; FRENCH.
Greek -- Plato's Apology and Crito; Prose' Composition ; GERMAN. Mathematics-Analytical Geometry. English Literature-March's Philol- ogy ; Craik's Shakespeare.
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. HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
THIRD ERM.
Latin-Horace's Satires and Epistles ; FRENCH. Greek-Thucydides' History ; GERMAN. Mathematics-Calculus.
Natural Science-Botany.
Junior Class. FIRST TERM.
: Latin-Tacitus' Germania et Agricola ; FRENCH.
Greek-Demosthenes' De Corona ; GERMAN. Mathematics-Calculus.
Natural Science -- Chemistry.
SECOND TERM.
Latin-Christian Latin ; FRENCH.
Greek-Christian Greek; GERMAN. Natural Science-Physics.
English Literature-Logic; The U. S. Constitution.
THIRD TERM.
Latin-Christian Latin; FRENCH. Greek-Christian Greek; GERMAN. Mathematics-Astronomy. Natural Science-Physics; Physiology.
Senior Class.
FIRST TERM.
Greek-New Testament.
English Literature --- Mental Philoso- phy (Porter).
Natural Science --- Zoology ; Physiology.
Theses upon subjects assigned by the Faculty.
SECOND TERM.
Greek-New Testament.
English Literature --- Moral Science; Esthetics.
Natural Science-Mineralogy.
Theses upon subjects assigned by the Faculty.
THIRD TERM.
English Literature-Butler's Analogy ; Political Economy; Evidences of Chris- tianity ; International Law; Rhetoric. Natural Science -- Geology.
Theses upon subjects selected by the students.
THE BIBLE DEPARTMENT.
Junior Class.
FIRST TERM.
Exegetical Lectures-Matthew. Hermeneutics.
Biblical Archæology (Jahn's); and Geography of Palestine.
Evidences - Stowe's. History of the - Books of the Bible.
SECOND TERM.
Exegetical Lectures-continued,
Bible History-Old Testament. Archæology-completed. Evidences-completed.
THIRD TERM.
Exegetical Lectures-Romans.
Biblical History completed-New Tes- tament.
Remedial Scheme.
Homiletics. (Shedd.)
Middle Class.
FIRST TERM.
Exegetical Lecture - Hebrews and James.
Hebrew, Old Testament. Church History. (Kurtz.)
Homiletics. (Composition and Read- ing.)
SECOND TERM.
Hebrew, Old Testament. Church History. (Kurtz.)
General History and Ancient Geogra- phy. Christian Greek and Latin.
THIRD TERM.
Hebrew, Old Testament.
General History-continued.
Christian Greek and Latin. Theses-assigned by Faculty.
Senior Class.
FIRST TERM.
The Septuagint. The New Testament in Greek. Horne's Introduction.
Theses-assigned by Faculty.
SECOND TERM ..
History of Doctrines. (Shedd.) History of Philosophy. The New Testament in Greek.
Prophecy-Old and New Testament.
THIRD TERM.
Mental Philosophy. History of Doctrines. (Shedd.) Moral Science. Prophecy-completed.
This department is open to both sexes, and proposes to prepare its students to meet the demands of the age for a bolder defence of the foundations of the Chris- tian religion, and for the satisfaction of demands of the church for a better and purer life.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
HEDDING COLLEGE, ABINGDON.
That coming events often cast their shadows before is truthfully illustrated in the history of this institution. Many years before any plan was consummated, the idea of a college to be located on its pres- ent site originated in the far-seeing and almost prophetic mind of that excellent and much esteemed inan, Abraham D. Swartz, who came to the vicinity of Abingdon during the year 1829, and built a cabin near where the city cemetery now is. His companion being lonely and almost disheartened, he took her out to walk one day, and as they came upon the ground where the building now stands, he asked her to look around; but only a widely extended and rolling prairie could be seen except in the direction of their cabin. He then said to her, " Mother, we will live to see a village here, and where we stand a college will be built." Hedding College at that moment, we suppose, had its inception, although twenty-five years rolled by before plans for its organization were matured.
Rev. Wm. Clark says: " Returning from Quincy, June 26, 1836, I stopped for the night at the house of the proprietor of Abingdon, Mr. Abraham D. Swartz, then living near where is now the city cem- etery. On the following morning he wished me to go with him and look at his town site. After traveling for some time we at length arrived on the lovely rise where Hedding now stands. He stopped, took off his hat, and said with emphasis, ' Here is my college site. I
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
do not expect to live to see it, but I have an impression that some day there will be a college built here.'" About the same year language of similar import was used by this far-seeing man to Dennis Clark, County Judge, then a boy plowing corn on or near the present site of this college. This noble Christian man, who could thus read the wants of the generation yet to be as the county developed, had so im- pressed his wishes upon the minds of his children that after his death they labored to have his desires carried out. In the division of prop- erty the present site of the college fell to his daughter Sarah E. Swartz, who afterwards married Thomas R. Wilson.
They gave the five acres of ground and $500 to carry out the plan of building an institution. Oregon P. and Benjamin C., sons of A. D. Swartz, were also among the most liberal donors.
Hedding Collegiate Seminary was opened by its first Principal Nov. 19, 1855. The first and second years the classes recited in the old M. E. Church, Rev. N. C. Lewis, A. M., Principal, and Elizabeth Patrick, Assistant. School year closed July 3, 1856. The second year, with the same Principal, assisted by Matthew Andrews (now Superintendent of Schools of the city of Galesburg) and Elizabeth Patrick, opened Aug. 25, 1856, and closed July 2, 1857.
The Seminary was erected in 1856 by voluntary subscriptions. In September, 1857, the Peoria Conference held its annual session in its chapel. The institution from its opening has been under the care of the Peoria (now Central Illinois) Conference. Sept. 16, 1857, the school opened in the new building with Rev. N. C. Lewis, A. M., Principal, and Chas. C. Griffith, A. B., and Nancy Simonds as teach- ers. Mr. Griffith was a good scholar, especially as a linguist, a pleas- ing man in his appearance, and pious, and much was expected from him; but after teaching about one week he was taken ill, and after two or three weeks' sickness died.
Matthew Andrews, of the Sophomore class at Evanston, taught one term; tlien Mr. Black, a graduate of Abingdon College, until E. D. Chipman from Philadelphia was secured. Miss Emeline S. Fillmore, a lady of eminent ability, taught the spring term. Whole number of students this year, 183; the previous year, 135.
Feb. 9, 1857, a charter was granted by an act of the Legislature which changed the name from Hedding Collegiate Seminary to Hed- ding Seminary and Central Illinois Female College. By said act the following were named as the Board of Trustees. There were two classes, each class to be divided into three sections and hold office re- spectively; one, two, and three years. The local trustees were: Oregon P. Swartz, Wm. Stewart, Richard H. Russell, Philip M.
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HEDDING COLLEGE, ABINGDON.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Shoop, Jesse B. Quimby, Kent M. Chesney, Benj. C. Swartz, M. L. Brown and Franklin P. Foster. The second class were, Rev. J. W. Flowers, Rev. John Borland, Rev. Wm. Hunter, Rev. Richard Haney, Rev. Nathaniel C. Lewis, Rev. Justus Soule, Rev. S. G. J. Worthing- ton, Rev. John P. Brooks, and Rev. Henderson Ritchie.
Oregon P. Swartz was President of the Board, and probably held that office more years than any other man. At the close of the Aca- demic year of 1857-8 Rev. N. C. Lewis, the first Principal, resigned on account of his health.
In August, 1858, J. T. Dickinson, A. M., was called from New York to take charge of the institution. He held his position for nine years. During this period there were times when dark clouds, finan- cially speaking, rested over Hedding; but these were all dispersed by the generosity of friends, in the time of Rev. F. M. Chaffee's very efficient agency, and the building was fitted up with many conven- iences. This was during the civil war, and Hedding is proud of the record made by those who went forth from her halls to defend the country's flag. There were times when nearly all the male students of suitable age were in the field of strife.
In 1866, which was the Centennial of American Methodism, an effort was made to secure an endowment for the Seminary. About $11,000 was taken, mostly in subscriptions, but a large portion of this, with the consent of the donors, was diverted to a fund for the new building. July 3, 1867, the first class graduated in the regular Sem- inary course. July, 1867, Prof. Dickinson retired from the institu- tion, leaving it in a healthful and flourishing condition. In 1867 Prof. M. C. Springer, A. M., who had been Prof. of Ancient Lan- guages for two years, was elected Acting Principal, and in 1868 Prin- cipal. Assisted by an able corps of teachers, he remained in charge till June, 1872.
In March, 1869, by a special act of the Legislature, the name was changed to Hedding Seminary and Female College; also the founda- tion, in part, for a new main building and wing was laid, but it being considered both insecure and too large, building thereon was aban- doned, until work on the present new building was begun. In the summer of 1872 Rev. J. G. Evans, A. M., was elected President, and remained in charge until June, 1878. President Evans, a man of great energy of character, served the institution with untiring devo- tion and a fair degree of success.
In the summer of 1873 the present main building was commenced. It was sufficiently completed for occupancy in 1874 and entirely fin- ished in the winter of 1876-7. Cost of buildings and grounds, some
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
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$45,000. Much credit is due Philip M. Shoop as general superinten- dent. of construction. When he consented to leave his business in charge of others and take the general oversight of the work, it seemed to give new life to the project and bring to its aid substantial friends. Daniel D. Shoop and Abner Vichey, as builders, are deserving special. praise. The first building, erected in 1856, was a brick structure 70 by 40 and two stories high. The lower story had a north and south en- trance, with a commodious hall, on each side of which were three reci_ tation rooms. The upper story contained the chapel. Over the northern portion of the building is the belfry. This. with the ad- dition of some ten feet constitutes the wing of the present college building. The upper story of this wing is now the college chapel. The lower story is now devoted to a reading and library room, janitor room, suite of rooms for the President and a ladies' reception room.
- The main building was commenced in 1873. It is a substantial brick structure, 71 by 70 feet and three stories above the basement. Main entrances on the east and south. Basement contains three rooms. There is a main hall on the first floor, the south entrance of main building connecting directly with hall of wing. On the east side of this hall are the President's office, Treasurer's office, hall to east en- trance, reception room and music room. On the west side are three recitation rooms and stairway leading to second floor and the chapel. Second floor, east of the hall are the recitation room of the Prof. of Natural Science, laboratory and museum, also a small music room; west of hall, three recitation rooms. The institution has a small supply of apparatus and quite a good cabinet. The third floor has four rooms on the west side, both of which were tastefully finished and elegantly furnished by the members of the societies. These societies admit bothi sexes, and are in a very flourishing condition.
The Oliniana was first organized in May, 1856. It bore at first the name Adelphi, which was soon changed to the one it now has in honor of the lamented Dr. Olin. The Lincolnian was formed during Lincoln's administration and named in honor of him. In the early history of the institution the ladies had two organizations of their own, the Sigourneian, in honor of Mrs. Sigourney, and the Zetale- thean. As early as March, 1863, we find a joint exhibition given by these societies. The programme is an interesting one. These prospered in their time, but were afterward merged into the present societies. Each of these societies has a respectable library.
June 22, 1875, the Board of Trustees decided to organize under the general law of the State. In August a charter was granted and the institution changed to Hedding College. The college is under the
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
control of a Board of Regency or Trustees, composed of twelve minis- ters and twelve laymen. It is divided into three classes, each class to retire in succession, holding office for three years. The following persons were elected the first Board under the present charter: Min- isters-W. H. Hunter, C. C. Knowlton, C. Springer, H. Ritchie, B. E. Kaufman, G. M. Irwin, W. C. Knapp, M. C. Bowlin, A. K. Tullis, A. R. Morgan, H. C. King, P. A. Cool; laymen-J. W. Spencer, New- ton Barr, Peter Godfrey, Joseph Amey, W. F. Archer, P. M. Shoop, J. L. Knowlton, G. W. Brown, C. W. Moore, Harry Weaver, W. J. Mccutchen, J. W. Fate. H. Ritchie was President and G. M. Irwin was Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
In July, 1878, Rev. George W. Peck, Ph. B., a graduate of Syra- cuse University, New York, was called to the Presidency of Hedding College. Under the new administration the college is rapidly advanc- ing in grade and usefulness, by elevating the standard of mental and moral culture. President Peck is a man of fine education, sound judgment and great energy, and is universally successful with students and people. The members of the Faculty are:
Rev. George W. Peck, Ph. B., President, Professor of Mental and Moral Science; J. T. Dickinson, A. M., Vice President, Professor of Mathematics; Rev. W. C. Knapp, A. M., Professor of Natural Sci- ence; Rev. George W. Waughop, A. M., Professor of Ancient Lan- guages; Miss Katie B. Ross, B. S., Professor of English Literature and Instructor in Elocution; Miss Loriette Duffield, A. B., Professor of Modern Languages; Miss Leonora Burr, L. A., Professor of Vocal and Instrumental Music; R. T. Neill, M. Acc'ts, Professor in Com- mercial Department; R. A. Brown, Teacher of Vocal Music.
The college building as it now stands furnishes ample room for 500 students. There are three courses of study-the Scientific, of four years; the Latin Classical, of five; and the Classical, of six. The expense of either course, including tuition and incidentals, is only thirty-six dol- lars per annum.
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL.
An historical sketch of St. Mary's School would be imperfect with- out an account of another institution of learning which previously oc- cupied the same ground as does St. Mary's School at present.
In February, 1859, the State Legislature chartered Ewing Female University, of Knoxville. This institution was named in honor of an old resident of that city. A building, as shown in the engraving and at present the western portion of the structure now occupied, was erected in 1858, and for several years, or until 1867, it was conducted 32
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
in the interests of education under the name of Ewing Female Univer- sity. Mistress Dyer and Miss Antoinette Proseus were Principals of the schools during these years. The following was the Faculty for 1865: Miss Antoinette Proseus. Principal; Miss M. Hester, Miss Gabriella Taylor, Miss S. M. Gray, and Miss S. A. Hill, teachers. Trustees at the same time: Cephas Arms, President; Henry Arms, Mr. Bliss, Z. Beatty, John W. Carns, Z. Cooley, A. M. Craig, John Eads, G. M. Ewing, C. Holland, J. Knox, H. M. Keightley, A. Light- ner,'A. W. Martin, E. Marsh, Thomas Muir, W. Y. Miller, C. Run- kle, M. Smith, P. H. Sanford, S. G. Simpson, .T. S. Vaill, W. H
ST. MARY'S COLLEGE.
Whitton. Number of Scholars in 1865-Collegiate Department, 22; Preparatory Department, 68; Art Department, 15; Total, 105.
Ewing University failed to meet with the success that an institu- tion of its pronounced intention deserved, and accordingly in 1869 it was closed and has never re-opened. The stockholders, realizing the importance of having a school where their daughters and other young ladies of the West might receive all the advantages afforded by the best of schools, tendered the institution to the Protestant Episcopal Church of Illinois. The proffered building was accepted, and imme- diately preparations were made for opening the school under a new and different management. Dr. C. W. Leffingwell was called to the Rectorship of the new institution, which was christened " St. Mary's School." After making some needed changes and improvements in the building, St. Mary's School was opened April 12, 1868.
Beginning with but three boarding pupils and a few day scholars, without prestige or influence, and without attractive buildings and needful appliances, the school has won its way to the confidence of a large circle of patrons and friends, and to a high standing among the educational institutions of the West. The number of pupils had so
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
increased that the present year they numbered 99, only 24 of whom resided in Knoxville; and instead of a corps of four teachers, there are now employed 12, including the officers. The school prospered so well that within four years it outgrew its accommodations, and received from the Hon. James Knox a gift of $11,000, for enlargement of the building. Accordingly, in 1872 an addition was erected doubling the capacity of the room. In addition to this, $25,000 has been ex- pended in the improvement of the property. The building and outfit are now valued at $75,000, Another extension is required to complete the architectural plan and to provide for the increase of pupils. For this purpose Mr. Knox has bequeathed $10,000 on the
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EWING FEMALE UNIVERSITY.
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condition that an equal sum be raised by the friends of the school. It is expected that this will be done, and| that the building will soon be completed The school building is situated on a beautiful four- acre lot, on the corner of Douglas and Market streets, Knoxville. The grounds are richly set with[flowers, shrubbery, fruit and shade trees. The size of the building is 110 feet front and the greatest depth is 75 feet. It is of a modern style of architecture, light, showy, convenient, and is four stories and basement in height, includ- ing the story in the Mansard, roof. Over the main entrance is a belfry, surmounted by a cross which is 100 feet from the ground.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY:
The accompanying engraving is a fine representation of the exterior of the structure. The house is divided into 50 rooms, all of which are large, well ventilated, amply lighted and finely furnished. On the first floor they are frescoed, and finished in ash and walnut. They are warmed by hot-air furnaces and steam radiators. All con- veniences for school and family are under one roof. The private rooms are so arranged that each girl inay have a sleeping apartment to herself. Each group of three or four alcoves has a private parlor adjoining. The annual cost of running the school is $20,000, and as there is no endowment fund, that amount is raised from scholar- ships, etc.
Many of the rooms are elaborately furnished. Among those more particularly noticeable are the Rector's studio (which alone cost $1,200 to fit up), the reception parlor, the art studio, library and study hall. These are adorned with many rare works of art, among the principal of which are, a copy of Murillo's Madonna and child, from the Pitti Palace, Florence, Italy (this copy is the size of the original, and is encased in a richly carved Florentine frame); a copy of Correggio's Betrothal of St. Catherine, from Naples; a portrait of Honorable James Knox, copied from Healy; copies of Fra Angelico on gold; pen drawing of Washington by Dr. Leffingwell, and a copy of Raphael's St. Cecilia, now on the way from Bologna, Italy. Other rare works of art also grace the walls,-almost all of which were pro- cured by Dr. Leffingwell while in Europe.
In statuary are also some works of interest. Among them are original statues in Carrara marble, by Larkin G. Mead, Florence, Italy; and numerous statuettes in alabaster and lava, copies from old masters.
There is a library of 1,500 volumes, of which many are the finest and costliest works. Among them is a complete set of Audubon's " Birds and Quadrupeds of America." These were presented by Hon. James Knox, and some elegant volumes of photograplis of Euro- pean scenes collected by the Rector.
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