USA > Illinois > Ogle County > Mount Morris > Mount Morris: past and present, an illustrated history of the township and the village of Mount Morris, Ogle County, Illinois, in their various stages of development, together with a local biographical directory > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
A CAMPUS VIEW OF MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE WHEN THE BUDS ARE UNFOLDING.
99
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE.
and the contract was given to N. E. Buser. Ground was broken for the building in March, 1890, and the edifice was completed and ready for oc- cupancy at the beginning of the fall term of 1891. This building is the most massive structure in Mount Morris. It is a plain, substantial, brick- veneered building with 72 feet front and, including a spacious chapel, 122 feet long. The main part is three stories above the basement, and con- tains fifteen well-arranged rooms, most of which are of ample size. On the first floor are two large recitation rooms, separated from the com- modious chapel by folding-doors, which when opened permit the rooms to be used as annexes to the chapel, thereby greatly increasing its seating capacity. There also two smaller recitation rooms and a Bible library and reading-room on this floor. The library contains 600 good text-books and treatises upon the Bible and Bible subjects. The second floor contains the president's office, the bookstore and business manager's office, three recitations rooms, two of them, the Mathematics room and the Studio, being quite roomy: and the general library, con- taining in the neigh- borhood of 20,000 vol- umes. These books are arranged on all four sides of the room, from the floor to the ceiling. There is also a large rack filled with books. At one time this large COLLEGE HALL. library formed part Erected in 1890-1891 at a cost of $20.000. of the famous col- lection of books owned by Abram H. Cassel, of Harleysville, Pa., an old patriarch of the Brethren church, who spent almost his entire life in the acquisition of rare and valuable books. The library was purchased in 1881 by Messrs. Miller, Newcomer and Stein, for the sum of $6,000. The library room is also nicely fitted up for a reading-room, and is supplied with the best periodicals of the day. A view of a portion of the library is shown on the next page. On the third floor are two recitation rooms, the bell-ringer's apartment, and the elegantly-furnished halls of the Amphic- tyon and the Philorhetorian Literary Societies. These halls were furnish- ed by the societies at their own expense, and are the finest rooms in the building. Each is supplied with up-to-date opera chairs, arranged in semi-circular sections. The curtains, carpets, tables and chairs for the officers, and the papering and decorations of these halls are quite elabo- rate, and correspond with the importance of the work being carried on by the members of the societies. In the rear of the Philorhetorian and
100
MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT.
to one side of the Amphictyon hall is the Music room, which contains two first-class pianos. By throwing open the folding-doors, this room can be utilized as an annex by either one of the societies.
Before leaving the subject of the literary societies, it will be well to give something concerning the history of these important adjuncts of the college. Scores of men who have achieved fame in the various avenues of life derived their power of oratory from their early attempts at speaking and debating in these literary societies. The halls of our national Con- gress have often rung with the stirring oratory of men who attribute much of their success to the early training which they received from their society work. The history of both the societies extends further back than that of Mount Morris College, the Amphictyon being nearly as old as Rock River Seminary. It was organized in about the year 1846, and, with the exception of a number of short-lived organizations, was the only liter- ary society in the seminary until the winter of 1851-'52, when a division
A VIEW OF A PORTION OF THE GENERAL LIBRARY
occurred in the Amphictyon ranks, and the Philorhetorian Literary So- ciety was organized. It seems that there were many of the "Amphics" who resided in the country and no longer had any connection with the school, or took any interest in society except to attend on special occa- sions, to take prominent part in controlling elections, etc. The other members were students, who were active in literary work, many of them being young people of more than ordinary ability. Trouble naturally grew out of such a condition of affairs, and there was an attempt made to exclude those members who were no longer active. There were some tur- bulent scenes, and finally a part of the members drew off and formed an- other society, which they called the Philorhetorian. Since that time the two societies have been in existence, generally on an equality as to the re- spective merits of their members. Both are now in a flourishing condi- tion. The Amphictyon Society originally held its meetings in the historic
101
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE.
old chapel at the north end of the basement of the original "Old Sandstone." After the or- ganization of the Philorhetorian Society, sepa- rate rooms on the upper floor were assigned to the societies. When the building now known as "Old Sandstone" was completed, the societies occupied rooms on the fourth floor, the "Am- phics " at the east end and the "Philos" at the west end. The societies' present cozy quarters in College Hall surpass the previous ones in every particular, and engravings of them are shown on the next two pages.
In the year 1893, fortune again smiled upon the college to the extent that a new dormitory THE PRESIDENT IN HIS OFFICE. for the ladies was found to be a necessity, and the historic "Old Sandstone," which had been used for that purpose for so many years, was leveled to the ground and a larger and more modern structure erected. The new dormitory cost in the The greater part of the basement is tak- en up for the college dining-hall, a view of which appears on page 105. The cui- sine is situated in the rear of the din- ing- hall. With the exception of several parlors, the upper three stories are di- vided into rooms for
neighborhood of $10,- 000, and was erected by N. E. Buser, who also erected College Hall. The building is a fine three-story brick-veneered struc- ture, with a base- ment; its dimensions are 30x80 feet. It is situated several rods to the west of the old THE SUPPLY ROOM. seminary building. the accommodation of about seventy of the fair sex. The cozy character of the rooms makes Ladies' Hall a very desirable home for the lady stu- dents. An engraving of the building appears on page 104.
A year or so after the erection of the two new buildings, a number of changes in "Old Sandstone " No. 2 became necessary, there be- ing a demand for more rooms for young men. Consequently, the building was given a thor- ough overhauling. Every floor and partition was torn out: in fact, everything was changed except the walls. This building is a massive stone structure, 120 feet long and 40 feet wide. At the east end of the first floor is a chapel in which the daily chapel exercises are held for the benefit of the students. The west end is
THE BUSINESS MANAGER.
102
MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT.
occupied by the scientific department of the college, under the manage- ment of Prof. W. L. Eikenberry. In this department there are four rooms; viz., a chemical laboratory, a museum and library room, and two recitation rooms. The library contains about 300 volumes, treating on scientific sub- jects. The second floor is partly taken up by a spacious Commercial Hall, where Prof. Aaron L. Clair supervises the instruction of bookkeeping, commercial law, and the transaction of actual business. This department is always well filled. It also contains a technical library of 300 volumes. The remainder of the second floor and all of the third and fourth floors are arranged into about sixty rooms for the accommodation of the gentle- men students. This building, as well as College Hall and Ladies' Hall, is
BT
re
THE AMPHICTYON LITERARY SOCIETY'S HALL.
heated throughout by steam. During the sessions of school, in the evening when the studious inmates of "Old Sandstone" are busily en- gaged in preparing their lessons for the morrow, the scores of windows sending rays of glim mering light across the campus impress the observer very strongly of a bee-hive of industry. Surmounting College Hall and "Old Sandstone" are observatories, which, being a considerable height from the ground, furnish fine bird's-eye views of the surrounding country. An engraving of "Old Sandstone " appears on page 104.
Thus, improvement has followed improvement, until now the college possesses three buildings of which they may well be proud. The college at first was the property of individual stockholders, but Elder Miller, upon
10:
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE.
·his withdrawal from active connection with the school and a number of others donated their stock to the Brethren church. Since that time more stock has been turned over to the church, until only a few thousand dol- lars' worth yet remains in the hands of individuals. In the near future, it is though that the entire stock will become the property of the church; and, since this would the only one of the several Brethren colleges in that condition, it is only reasonable to believe that, like the Brethren Pub- lishing House, it will be carefully fostered, and its future be made even more prosperous than its past.
The Board of Trustees of Mount Morris College at present consists of seven members; viz., D. L. Miller, Joseph Amick, J. G. Royer, A. L. Clair,
THE PHILORHETORIAN LITERARY SOCIETY'S HALL.
G. E. Weaver, Ephraim Trostle, and - Elder D. L. Miller has been a member of the board since its organization. The following is a list of all the persons who have served as trustees in the past: D. L. Mil- ler, M. S. Newcomer, John W. Stein, Samuel C. Price, Daniel Vaniman, J. C. Lehman, S. S. Young, S. E. Yundt, J. G. Royer, S. Z. Sharp, Joseph Amick, E. S. Young, Galen B. Royer, Grant Mahan, C. W. Lehman, J. E. Miller, A. L. Clair, D. D. Culler, W. L. Eikenberry, G. E. Weaver, Ephraim Trostle.
During the twenty-one years in which the college has been conducted by the Brethren, many noble men and women have been sent forth into the world, fitted to pursue lives of usefulness. A list of the graduating
104
MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT.
classes of these eventful years discloses the names of many who have con-" ducted themselves with credit both to themselves and to their alma mater. The names of those graduating in literary courses alone is quite large and is as follows:
=
LADIES' HALL.
Erected in 1893 at a cost of about $10.000.
1881. - Harry C. Newcomer, Alfonzo G. Newcomer, E. D. . Peifer, A. W. Vani- man, Angie Yarger, S. H. Anrand, Fred. N. Rice.
1882. - Adaline Hohf Beery, J. H. Brubaker, J. T. Bru- baker, L. H. Eby, Flora Grant Mer- shon, Reba Kosier Newcomer, J. Carson Miller, Mary E. Mil- ler, C. W. Lehman, Isaac H. Miller.
1883. Jennie Fearer, Albert Gebhardt, John Heckman, A. L. Shute, Jennie Mackay, Anna L. Sharp Davis, E. S. Young, Grant Mahan, Albert Motschman, Mary J. Stees, Annie S. Miller, Kate Kepner, G. E. Dawson, G. N. Falkenstein.
1884 .- Effie Mackay, B. G. Davis, E. A. Orr, Marcellus Rohrbaugh, Elmer Sanford, Levi Benbow, S. L. Hang- er, Edward C. Page, Georgia Bixler Jenks.
1885. - James M. Neff, Cyrus Newcom- er, Allen P. Sword, W. B. Thompson. Jen- nie Tice Peifer.
1886. - James M. Neff, E. B. Hohf, G. L. Shoemaker, Abba Fager, Elva Newcom- er Cripe, M. Eliza Canode.
1887 .- J. K. Shel-
lenberger, Laura V. Ullom. J. P. Yoder.
"OLD SANDSTONE."
Erected in the early 50's: renovated in 1895.
1888. - C. E. Culp, Ida Royer Myers, Nettie Royer Brubaker, Lizzie Shaw Evans, Fannie Stephens, Chauncey Vaniman, C. M. Vaniman, Cyrus Walleck.
105
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE.
1889 .- Alice J. Boone, Charles Carpenter, Anna Gouckly Hohf, W. Lewis Eikenberry, Charles Lehman, Ed. Markley, T. M. Miller, Nettie Royer Brubaker, Salome Stoner Myers, Vinnie Stoner, Ida Shellenberger Oren, Wilbur B. Stover.
BOOKKEEPING DEPARTMENT.
1890. J. E. Miller, Minnie Windle Harn- ley, T. T. Myers, Tobias J. C. Diekhoff, Lillie Royer Fogerty, N. R. Baker, Frank Mertz,
Ivey D. Eversole, J. N. Brubaker, Will Mertz, O. Perry Hoover, Ida M. Wagner Hoff, E. J. Zern, Mary Emmert Stover, Will E. Carpenter, Daisy Kemp.
A VIEW OF THE DINING-HALL.
1891 .- Wilbur B. Stover, Ida M. Royer Myers, Salome A. Stoner Myers, J. Z. Gilbert, Ella Amick Eckerle, Dollie Stephens, Lou Ella Rep- logle, W. I. T. Hoover. Sarah Whitmore Harnley.
1892 .- Tobias J. C. Diekhoff, J. E. Miller, W. L. Eikenberry, O. P. Hoover, C. F. Ford, G.V. Goshorn, J. D. Clear, S. S. Young, E. N. Goshorn, Anna Eversole, W. P. Rodabaugh, W. I. Thomas, E. R. Yundt, M. S. Bolinger, J. H. ACTUAL BUSINESS DEPARTMENT. Harnley.
1893 .- G. W. Tanreuther, N. J. Brubaker, Bertha I. Miller, D. D. Culler, D. L. Forney, M. W. Emmert, S. C. Garber, M. Alice King Eby, N. J. Miller, Lydia E. Taylor, H. M. Barwick, Salome A. Stoner Myers.
106
MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT.
1894. E. R. Yundt, E. N. Goshorn, I. B. Hendrickson, J. S. Flory, E. C. Thomas, O. L. Shaw, A. M. Stine, L. A. Pollock, Charles Leckrone, O. R. Myers, Katherine Hershey Young, M. W. Emmert, Anna May Miller, H. M. Spickler.
1895 .- Maude Carpenter, S. M. Hoover, Josephine Royer, Della Snyder Lehner, Lizzie Grater.
1896 .- G. W. Furrey, J. W. Thomas, O. A. Fackler, L. H. Carpenter, S. A. Long, Viola Trostle Yundt.
THE LADIES' TENNIS COURT.
1897 .- J. B. Carpenter, Lucia McCosh, Lizzie Myers Emmert, Arthur M. Stine, Etta Moore Long, Della Myers Peifer, J. M. Myers, Mamie Yarger, Nettie Felthouse, C. H. Shock, S. A. Long.
1
1898 .- E. T. Keiser, Lulu Kable, J. C. Shaw, Etta Rowland, Harvey J. Kable, Dollie Kepner, H. B. Metzger, W. H. Weybright, Emma Horning, Thomas E. Newcomer, Blanche Lentz, J. D. Suter.
THE GENTLEMEN'S TENNIS COURT.
1899 .- Calvin McNelly, J. P. Wilson, Marie Strickfaden, Elmer Metz- ger, J. S. Flory, Cora Amick, Leslie Rees, W. S. Sanford, Myrtle Royer, O. G. Brubaker.
1900 .-- Frank B. Scott, B. L. Brayton, William Kohl, Edna Felker, Liz- zie Shirk, O. T. Sadler, Frank D. Miller, B. B. Baker, A. B. Keller, E. H. Price, C. K. Burkholder, Reuben Marshall, I. E. Finney.
Among these graduates, and also among the many students who at- tended the college, but never finished any prescribed course of study, can be found the names of many young men who have achieved fame in various avenues of life. Among them might be mentioned the following: Prof.
THE GRADUATING CLASS OF THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT FOR 1900.
109
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE.
Alfonzo G. Newcomer, Leland Stanford University: Capt. Harry C. New- comer, U. S. A .; Adaline Hohf Beery, poetess; J. H. Brubaker, architect, Indianapolis, Ind., and New York: Grant Mahan, associate editor of Gospel Messenger, Elgin, Ill .: Prof. Edward C. Page, State Normal School, DeKalb, Ill .: Prof. Cyrus Newcomer, Carthage College: Prof. To- bias J. C. Diekhoff, Uni- versity of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Prof. W. I. T. Hoov- er, president Lordsburg College; Prof. O. Perry Hoover, Juniata College, D. L. Forney and W. B. Stover, missionaries, India: ELOCUTION DRILL. Mary Emmert Stover, in charge of the orphanage .
mission of the Brethren church, India; Galen B. Royer, secretary of the General Missionary and Tract Committee, Elgin, Ill. Quite a number of the graduates returned to their alma mater as instructors after pursuing advanced work in leading universities. Among these are Prof. J. E. Mil- ler, now of the academic department of the Illinois State University at Urbana: Prof. D. D. Culler, now president of Smithville College, Ohio; Prof. S. L. Boothroyd, now engaged in a leading university of Idaho; Prof. E. N. Goshorn, now engaged in scientific farming in Indiana: and the ma- jority of the members of the present faculty; viz., Profs. A. L. Clair, O. R. Myers, G. W. Furrey, Josephine Royer, and Heber M. Hays. A number of the former professors have attained to high positions in prominent uni- versities. Among them might be mentioned J. W. Jenks, Cornell Univers- ity; W. S. Locy, Lake Forest University; Fernando Sanford, Leland Stan- ford University; F. W. Hanawalt, Wesleyan University, Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and M. R. Maltbie, Columbia University. To these names can be added that of A. W. Burnett, at the head of the pub- lishing house of Henry Holt & Co., New York.
The foregoing names are but a few of the vast number of those whose owners are PHYSICAL CULTURE EXERCISE. exerting a power- ful influence in various callings, and who obtained their preparation for their life's work at Mount Morris College.
The faculty of the college is each year carefully selected from among men of ability. As a consequence, the school maintains a high grade of
110
MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT.
work, which is readily recognized by the larger colleges and universities when students from Mount Morris apply for admission. The following names of the many instructors of the college, classified in their respective departments, will be of interest:
GREEK AND LATIN. J. W. Jenks. E. C. Hughes. Karl Belser. H. P. Moyer. James M. Neff. E. J. Shaw. E. A. Bechtel. D. W. Loucks. A. H. Haines, J. J. Schlicher. J. E. Mil- ler. Heber M. Hays.
ENGLISH .- A. W. Burnett. Mrs. Mattie Lear, - Bartholomew. Galen B. Royer. A. H. Harnley. Grant Mahan. D. D. Culler, O. R. Myers.
GERMAN .- A. E. Gephardt. Tobias Diekhoff. Grant Mahan. D. D. Culler. O. R. Myers.
MATHEMATICS .- L. P. Cravens. M. R. Maltbie. F. W. Hanawalt. S. L. Boothroyd, Theo. Lindquist. E. N. Goshorn. G. W. Furrey.
SCIENCE .- Fernando Sanford. W. S. Locy. E. A. Orr. L. Ralph Jones. G. N. Falken- stein. A. A. Kester. Mrs. Ella Buck Schlicher, N. J. Miller. W. L. Eikenberry.
ELOCUTION .- W. E. Lockhard. S. Z. Sharp, D. D. Thomas. Anna Richards. Mrs. A. Crossman Kester. Mrs. Alma Mikesell Trump. Parmelia Mahan. Josephine Royer.
SACRED HISTORY .- J. G. Royer. E. S. Young. Mrs. Salome Stoner Myers. Mrs. Flora E. Teague. J. F. Souders.
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE FACULTY OF 1893-'94.
MUSIC .- Mrs. Nellie McClure. J. H. Myers, M. P. Lichty, Miss Marguerite Bixler. Mrs. Susie MeCosh Sharer. Mrs. Cassie Beery Vandyke, Mrs. Ida Royer Myers. J. T. Miller, H. B. Metzger, Miss Sadie B. Miller. Mrs. Libbie Robertson. Miss Lucia MeCosh. ART .- Miss Siders, Mrs. Lillie Brayton Miller, G. E. Weaver, Miss Myrtle Royer.
COMMERCIAL .- M. G. Rohrbaugh. D. R. Young. J. B. Middleton. I. M. Walker, Miss Jennie Richie, Reuben Hufford. J. D. Suter, Mrs. Flora E. Teague, A. L. Clair.
The faculty for the last full school year, 1899-1900, excluding the as- sistants in the several departments, was as follows: J. G. Royer, presi- dent: D. D. Culler, Rhetoric, Literature and German: J. E. Miller, Greek and Latin: O. R. Myers, Psychology, Pedagogy and French: G. W. Furrey, Higher Mathematics, Astronomy and Political Economy; W. L. Eiken- berry, Science and Civil Government; A. L. Clair, principal Commercial department; G. E. Weaver, principal Art department; Mrs. Flora E. Teague, Phonography and Typewriting; Mrs. Libbie Robertson, director of
AARON L. CLAIR COMMERCIAL DEPT
O.R.MYERS MODERN LANGUAGES AND PSYCHOLOGY.
W.L. EIKENBERRY. SCIENCE
U.E.WEAVER PRINCIPAL ART DEPT.
J.G.ROYER PRESIDENT~
MRS. FLORA E. TEAUCE STENOGRAPHY
JOSEPHINE ROYER ELOCUTION
Heber M. Hays LATIN AND GREEK !
a.W. FORREY MATHEMATICS
LUCIA MEGOSH
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE FACULTY FOR 1900-'01.
113
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE.
Music; Miss Josephine Royer, Elocution and Physical Culture; A. W. Ross, Vocal Music. For the year 1900-1901 there are several changes. Prof. Heber M. Hays takes the place of J. E. Miller, who accepted a position in the State University at Urbana, and Miss Lucia MeCosh, a graduate of the Chicago Musical College, takes Prof. Robertson's place as director of Music. D. D. Culler withdrew from the faculty at the close of the school year, June, 1900, and is now president of Smithville College, Ohio. His place is being filled by Prof. O. R. Myers. J. F. Souders is a new in- structor in the Bible department: J. D. Suter is first assistant in the Com- mercial department: Myrtle Royer conducts the Painting department and is also assistant in Music: M. W. Emmert teaches Geography and U. S. History; and Wallace Fike is assistant in the Art department.
The engraving of the college faculty on page 111 is an excellent like- ness of the members of that august body. Short sketches of the lives of the respective professors will be interesting because of the many lessons afforded by the story of each one's perseverance in developing his or her God-given talents.
Prof. John G. Royer, M. A., president of the college, has had a long and notable career in educational lines. both in the public schools of the land and in college work ; and. with his prominent work as minister of the gospel in the Brethren church, he has become known over the entire Brotherhood. He was born April 22. 1838. at Hartleton. Union county. Pennsylvania. being the son of Jacob and Susan (Myers) Royer. His father was a farmer. but was also a minister of the Brethren church. preaching as op- portunities were afforded him. Prof. Royer gained his early education in the country schools of his native county, and later attended the academy at Mifflinburg, but com- pleted his literary course at Union Seminary. at New Berlin. Pa. In the meantime he did some teaching in country schools. entering upon the work when he was but sixteen years of age. At twenty he had completed his college education and he decided to pur- sue teaching as a life profession. From 1858 to 1863 he was engaged in teaching in the graded schools of his native state. Then. at the age of twenty-five, he went to Darke county, Ohio, and there continued teaching in graded schools eight years, being prin- cipal of the schools at Webster and Versailles the last six years. In 1871, he went to Burnettsville, White county, Indiana, and was principal of the high school at that place four consecutive years. He then accepted the superintendency of the high school at Monticello, Indiana. and held it with honor for eight years. While at this place the degree of Master of Arts was bestowed upon him. entirely unsolicited. From Monti- cello he came to Mount Morris and was assigned the chair of English Literature in the college. The year following his arrival he was elected to the presidency of the college, and has filled that position with much credit ever since, Pres. Royer is a strict disci- plinarian, and his advice and admonition. given in private and chapel talks, has been of untold value to the students. December 8, 1860, Prof. Royer was married to Miss Lizzie Reiff. of his native county, who was born November 30. 1838. To them have been born eight children, as follows: Galen B., born September 8. 1862, married Anna Miller, of Mount Morris: Susan, born July 10, 1865. married to Prof. E. S. Young; Mary, born June 16, 1867, and is living at home; Ida. born October 27. 1868, married to J. M. Myers; Nettie, born March 31, 1870, married J. A. Brubaker; Lillie, born November 18. 1872, married James Fogerty: Josephine, born October 9, 1875; Myrtle, born June 18, 1880. Josephine and Myrtle are teaching in the college. Prof. Royer was elected to the ministry in 1872, at Monticello. Indiana, and. along with his school work. he has al- ways taken an active part in church matters. In 1881, he was advanced to the elder- ship and has continued to act in that capacity ever since. He is now regarded as one of the most able ministers of the Brethren church in Illinois.
PROF. AARON L. CLAIR, business manager and treasurer of the college, and prin - cipal of the Commercial department, was born at Nora, Illinois. July 25, 1866, and is the
114
MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT.
son of Preston and Mary Clair. His early life was spent on his father's farm near Lena. Being a country boy, his educational opportunities were measured by the facilities af- forded by the district school near his home. In the fall of 1888 he entered Mount Morris College. By June. 1890. besides the literary work done. he had completed the Shorter Commercial and Pen Art courses. Within a year he was called to the position of prin- cipal instructor in Penmanship and assistant in the Business department of Maryville Seminary, Missouri. The year following he was promoted to the principalship of the Business department of the seminary. In the fall of 1892 he again entered Mount Morris College. During 1893-94. he served as an assistant in the Business college, and in September, 1894, he was promoted to the principalship. which he still fills. Prof. Clair is an instructor whom every one likes, because of his jovial nature and his very agreeable manner of conducting recitations and the work in the Commercial depart- ment. With rare tact and skill he directs the work in Commercial Hall, and the large attendance in this department is a testimonial to his ability as an instructor. Prof. Clair was married June 16. 1892. to Lizzie Albright, daughter of Jacob and Martha Albright, of Lena, Illinois. Three children have been born to them: viz .. Ada Belle, May 16. 1896; Alva Burdette, March 17. 1898, died December 30, 1899; and an infant daugh- ter. born September 12. 1900. In July. 1900, Prof. Clair was elected to the first degree of the ministry of the Brethren church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.