USA > Indiana > Indiana Methodism : being an account of the introduction, progress, and present position of Methodism in the State; and also a history of the literary institutions under the care of the church, with sketches of the principle Methodist educators in the state . . > Part 21
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Professor Larrabee was a remarkably kind-hearted and generous man. He was a ripe scholar, and "apt to teach." Few men equaled him in the duties of the recitation-room. His memory will remain fragrant while any of his pupils live. Hon. R. W. Thompson said of him, in his sketches of the "Fallen Heroes of Meth- odism :" "Larrabee had a mind well stored with classic literature, and, though not eloquent in the popular sense, was not deficient in those high qualities of mind with- out which oratory can not exist. His style was easy and graceful, showing at once the extent of his erudi- tion. While his mind had a mathematical tendency, yet much that he said and wrote bore the impress of a re- fined fancy, and left the most lasting and valuable im- pressions."
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REV. B. F. TEFFT, D. D.
DR. TEFFT graduated at the Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1836. He taught in the Maine Wesleyan Seminary four years; from whence he was called to the Principalship of the Providence Con- ference Academy, where he remained but one year, when he entered the pastoral work, and was stationed in the city of Boston, Dr. Tefft came to Indiana in 1843, having been elected Professor of Greek Language and Literature in Indiana Asbury University; which position he filled for three years, when he entered upon the editor- ship of the Ladies' Repository, at Cincinnati, which posi- tion he occupied for six years. He was then elected to the Presidency of Genesee College, New York. His next official position was that of United States Consul to Stockholm and Sweden, and then United States Minister to the same country ; and for several years Dr. Tefft has spent most of his time in Europe. Although he re- mained but a few years in Indiana, yet he made an abiding impression in favor of sound and sanctified learning, and deserves a prominent place among the Methodist educators of the State. His scholarship was thorough, and his abilities, whether as a teacher, writer, lecturer, or preacher, were of a high order. He had the rare faculty of inspiring young men with a love for learning ; and many who now occupy prominent positions in different parts of the world, owe much of their suc- cess in life to the inspiration and instruction which they received from Dr. Tefft.
REV. THOMAS H. LYNCH, D. D.
THE name of Thomas H. Lynch, D. D., occupies a worthy place among educators in the Church, he having
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devoted several of the best years of his life to the work of teaching, and given his means and personal influence, through a series of years, to the development and sus- taining of our institutions of learning. Mr. Lynch is a native of Ohio. He was born in Waynesville, Warren County, Ohio, January 23, 1808. His parents emi- grated from South Carolina to Ohio in the year 1805. They left the South because of their inveterate hostility to the institution of slavery. His father died when the subject of this notice was only six years of age. His mother was a woman of refined culture, and deeply pious. She gave to her children a Christian education ; all of whom made a profession of religion, and became Church members in early life. It was the wish of his mother, and also of his guardian, that Thomas should be educated with a view to the profession of law as the business of his life. At the age of fifteen years, in ad- dition to the usual elementary branches of education, he had accomplished the studies of algebra, trigonometry, and surveying. In March, 1825, he engaged to teach school for one year in the neighborhood of the Hon. Jeremiah Morrow, then Governor of Ohio. His compen- sation for teaching was at the rate of six dollars per scholar for the whole year. One-half of this sum was to be paid in cash, the rest in country produce. The most of his pay, however, was received in wheat, for which thirty-seven and a half cents a bushel was allowed. The wheat was sold to Governor Morrow for thirty-one and a fourth cents a bushel. Turning wheat into cash at this rate was thought, by the friends of the young school- teacher, to be a very fine financial operation. With the means thus raised, young Mr. Lynch started to col- lege. He entered the Miami University as a student in May, 1826. While a student at the University he was
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employed by Dr. Bishop, the President, to teach a class of Indians, just from the wilds of Arkansas. In the mean time, yielding to the convictions that had followed him from early years, Mr. Lynch had united with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, under the ministry of the late Rev. Arthur W. Elliott, then in the vigor of his man- hood, and in the power of his evangelical labors. This was on the 13th day of November, 1825. He remained in the University until September, 1827, when, having received. an invitation from the trustees of Augusta Col- lege; Kentucky, through the Rev. Dr. Martin Ruter, its President, he entered that institution in the dual capacity of student and tutor. He pursued a full Col- legiate Course of four years, classical and scientific, and graduated August 4, 1831. He received for his services as tutor two hundred dollars per year-a sum sufficient, at that time, to pay all his needed expenses. Augusta College was at this time the only successful Methodist College in the United States. Her students came from every section of the Union. Indiana sent many of her promising sons there to be educated, among whom was John W. Locke, now of the Indiana Asbury University. Among her graduates we may name Dr. Howard, Presi- dent of the Ohio University, and Dr. R. S. Foster, of the Drew Theological Seminary, and Dr. Dandy, of Chicago. At the time of which we now write, the Faculty of Au- gusta College consisted of Rev. Martin Ruter, D. D., President; Rev. J. P. Durbin, Professor of Ancient Lan- guages ; Rev. J. S. Tomlinson, Professor of Mathematics; F. A. W. Davis, M. D., Professor of Chemistry and Nat- ural Science; Rev. Arnold Treusdale, Principal of the Grammar School, and Thomas H. Lynch as Tutor. The College enjoyed great prosperity for many years. In the fierce contest between the North and the South upon
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the subject of slavery, this noble institution fell a vic- tim between the fires of the adverse parties. The Legis- lature of Kentucky, in a fit of prejudice and passion, repealed its charter, and deprived it of its privileges. Thus this once prosperous and ardently cherished seat of learning lives only in history, and in the fond remem- brance of its friends, its patrons, and of its widely scattered alumni.
After leaving college, Mr. Lynch studied law in the office of the late Hon. John Woods, of Hamilton, Ohio, a lawyer of eminent ability and large practice, and for sev- eral years an active member of Congress from his dis- trict. Mr. Lynch was admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Ohio, in December, 1832, and was soon after commissioned by Governor Lucas as Attorney for the State, which office he held for two years. While engaged in his chosen profession, he sought to quiet his convictions of duty in regard to the ministry by preach- ing on Sabbath-days. The effort was a vain one. He felt, "Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel of Christ!" Sickness came upon him; death seemed to stand at his door. He covenanted with God to spare his life, and he would " preach the unsearchable riches of Christ." God / heard his prayer, and brought him up as from the gates of death. He closed up his law business, and offered himself to the Ohio Conference. Just at this time, Mr. Lynch was unexpectedly elected again as a member of the Faculty of Augusta College, where he labored in teaching and preaching until September, 1842, when he became a member of the Kentucky Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was appointed to Transylvania University, in the Department of Ancient Languages. He held this position until 1846, when the Church South was fully organized. The University then
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passed from the control of the Methodist Episcopal Church to that of the Church South. It finally fell, as did Augusta College, a victim to the ravages of the slav- ery question. Rev. H. B. Bascom, D. D., was its Pres- ident. He was the master-spirit of the Southern move- ment. He wrote in defense of slavery. He was chosen a bishop of the Church South. Here let the curtain drop; a sad chapter follows; let it not be written by human hands.
Under the advice of Bishops Morris and Hamline, Mr. Lynch remained in the Kentucky Conference (South) until the Summer of 1849, when, through the kindness of brethren of the Indiana Conference, he was invited to allow his name to be submitted to that body for recogni- tion as a member among them. He had been opposed to the separation of the Southern Conference from the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his position was well known. Mr. Lynch often speaks of the pleasure it af- fords him to make kind mention of those who manifested an interest in his behalf at this time. He received let- ters from Rev. E. R. Ames, Rev. F. C. Holliday, Rev. S. T. Gillett, Rev. J. C. Smith, and Rev. L. W. Berry, most cordially inviting him to come to Indiana. The in- vitation was accepted. At the session of 1849, held at Rising Sun, Mr. Lynch was recognized, by a unanimous vote, as a member of the Indiana Conference, and he was appointed by Bishop Janes to St. John's, Madison. In 1850, he was elected President of the Indiana Female College which institution he conducted for several years, with marked success. He has been an active member of the South-eastern Indiana Conference from its organiza- tion. He has served seven years as presiding elder, and ten years in the pastorate as station preacher ; and at the time of this writing is enjoying a prosperous and
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happy year as pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, Indianapolis. Nearly forty-six years ago, while but a youth, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. During almost the whole of this time he has been employed in the public and active service of the Church, in some department of its varied interests.
REV. JOHN WHEELER, D. D.
MR. WHEELER was one of the first graduates of Indi- ana Asbury University, having graduated in 1840. He was some time professor in the University, and was called from there to the Presidency of Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio, and from there to the Presidency of the Iowa State University. Dr. Wheeler is an efficient teacher, and an able and prudent executive officer as a college president.
REV. THOMAS A. GOODWIN, A. M.
MR. GOODWIN graduated at Asbury University in 1840. He entered the ministry in Indiana Conference, and was an efficient minister for several years; but there being a great demand for teachers, Mr. Goodwin located, to take charge of an academy. He spent several years in teaching. Has been known extensively as the editor of the Brookville American and Indiana American. He has been a liberal contributor to the periodical literature of the Church, and is a model of industry and effective- ness as a local preacher.
REV. PHILANDER WILEY, A. M.
MR. WILEY was a graduate of Indiana Asbury Uni- versity, of the class of 1843. He has been for some years Professor of Greek in the University, and has a high reputation for ripeness in scholarship, especially in
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the Greek language and literature, and of skill and thor- oughness in teaching.
DR. BENSON.
REV. HENRY C. BENSON graduated with honor in Indi- ana Asbury University, in 1842; was received into In- diana Conference at the ensuing session, and appointed to Mooresville Circuit, where he labored about half the year. In the Spring of 1843, transferred to Arkansas, to serve the Indian missions then appended to that Confer- ence ; joined William H. Goode at Fort Coffee, as princi- pal teacher of the male department of the academy then just established among the Choctaws; labored success- fully in that department, and also preached, as occasion would permit, among the Indians; assisted in the forma- tion of the Indian Mission Conference, and acted as one of the secretaries at its first session; remained there until the Southern separation in 1845, when, with W. H. Goode, he transferred back to North Indiana Conference, and re-entered the pastoral work; had established a rep- utation which led to tempting inducements to remain in the South, but declined, from an unwillingness to come under the jurisdiction of the newly formed Southern Church ; subsequently published an interesting volume, entitled, " Life among the Choctaw Indians."
After passing several years of successful pastoral labor in some of the prominent stations of the Confer- ence, he was elected to the Chair of Greek Language and Literature in Asbury University, which he filled with acceptability for several successive years.
About 1851, he was transferred to California Confer- ence, where he labored in the pastorate, presiding elder- ship, and other ministerial relations, till 1864, when he was elected to the editorship of the Pacific Christian
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Advocate, and became a member of the Oregon Conference. In 1868, he was changed by election to the editorial chair of the California Christian Advocate, the duties of which he is now (1871) fulfilling at San Francisco. He is again a member of the California Conference, with a pleasant family residence at Santa Clara. He was a member of the General Conferences of 1864 and 1868; in the latter, was chairman of the Committee on Bound- aries. He received the degree of D. D. from his Alma Mater in 1864. His life-record thus far has known no failure. Faithful, competent, energetic, in every relation still vigorous and active, he gives promise of extended years of usefulness to the Church.
REV. WILLIAM M. DAILY, D. D.
WHILE serving as stationed preacher in Bloomington, Mr. Daily graduated in the College Course to the degree of A. B., in the Indiana State University, in 1836. In 1839, while stationed in St. Louis, Missouri, he received the degree of A. M. from three different colleges; to wit, Indiana University, Augusta College, Kentucky, and M'Kendree College, Illinois; and, in the Fall of 1849, was elected Professor of Elocution in St. Charles Col- lege, Missouri. He returned to Indiana, and resumed the work of the ministry in Madison, in 1840.
While traveling Bloomington District as presiding elder, in 1851, he received the degree of Doctor of Di- vinity from his Alma Mater, his old preceptor, Rev. Phi- lander Wiley, D. D., of the Protestant Episcopal Church, being President.
In 1853, he was elected President of Indiana Univer- sity, to succeed his old preceptor, who had died. Dr. Daily entered on his duties as President and Professor of Mental and Moral Science and Belles-Lettres, in the
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Fall of 1853. During Dr. Daily's Presidency, the old University building burned down, and the present new and beautiful buildings were erected. The endowment fund was lost by an adverse decision in the courts, and through his influence the whole amount was refunded by the State, and the institution again placed on a substan- tial basis.
In 1856, he received the degree of LL. D. from the University of Louisville, conferred by the Law Depart- ment, which was presided over by the ablest and best law scholars in the country. During Dr. Daily's Presi- dency of Indiana University, the institution came up from eighty students to over four hundred; and prior to his resignation he graduated the largest classes of any college in the state at that time. In 1859, he resigned the Presidency of the University, and retired to his home in Madison. At the breaking out of the Rebell- ion, he gave the whole of his influence to the support of the Government. At the close of the War he went South ; and now (1871) is identified with the missionary work of the Church in that long-neglected land, and among a long-oppressed race. He is presiding elder in Louisiana Conference, with head-quarters at New Orleans.
GEORGE W. HOSS, A. M.
PROFESSOR Hoss graduated at Indiana Asbury Uni- versity in 1850. His parents were comparatively poor, and he struggled hard to procure an education. He was a native of Ohio, but came to Indiana in 1836, and helped to open up a farm till the Fall of 1845, when he entered Asbury University as a student. Having to earn means for his own support, he was out of college two terms, and for three years he taught two hours each day in Mrs. Larrabee's Female Seminary, in addition to
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keeping up his college studies. Immediately on his graduation he was elected Principal of the Muncie Acad- emy, at Muncie, in Delaware County, where he remained two years. In 1852, he was chosen Teacher of Mathe- matics in the Indiana Female College, in Indianapolis, under the Presidency of Rev. Thos. H. Lynch. In 1853, he was chosen First Literary Teacher in the Institute for the Blind, in Indianapolis. In 1855, he was elected President of Indiana Female College. He held this position one year, when he was elected Professor of Mathematics in the North-western Christian University, at Indianapolis. As the institution was under the con- trol of another religious denomination, his election was a compliment to his scholarship and his popularity as a teacher. He continued in that position until March, 1865, when he resigned; having been, in the Fall of 1864, elected Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Indiana. On tendering his resignation, the students expressed their friendship and their appreci- ation of his services by presenting him a silver tea- service worth seventy-five dollars.
Mr. Hoss served with efficiency, and, in 1866, was re-elected. He was urged by many of the teachers and friends of education throughout the state to be a can- didate for a third term; but he had determined, and had so declared, that he would not allow his name to be used in connection with the office for a third term. During his superintendency, he procured the passage of an ex- tended bill of amendments to the School Law, among which was provision for establishing an excellent system of teachers' institutes, and providing for local taxation in towns and cities-versus a Supreme Court decision- thus supplementing the State revenue, and keeping the schools in the towns open ten months in the year. He
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drafted the bill providing for the establishment of a State Normal School, and secured its passage through the Legislature with but slight modification. Mr. Hoss also secured the passage of a Fund Bill, requiring county auditors to examine all school-fund records in their office, and report to the Superintendent of Public In- struction-in which reports he and they should settle. By this means he secured what had never been at- tempted, a reliable fund basis for over $3,000,000, held by counties in settlement, and gained for the State $24,500, which, as per former reports, had been lost.
In 1868, Professor Hoss was unanimously elected to the Chair of English Literature and Practice of Teach- ing in the State University; and, being urged by the Faculty and trustees of the University to enter imme- diately upon the duties of his professorship, he yielded to their persuasions, and resigned the Superintendency of Public Instruction, in October, 1869. His term of office would have expired on the 15th of the ensuing March.
In 1862, Professor Hoss became the principal owner and publisher of the Indiana School Journal. When he took the School Journal it was embarrassed with debt, and had but three hundred and fifty subscribers. He soon ran up the subscription list to eighteen hundred.
During 1862-63, while Professor Hoss was teaching in the North-western Christian University, he also acted as Superintendent of the City Schools in Indianapolis, giving his afternoons to the public schools, and teaching in the University in the forenoon.
Professor Hoss held a large number of teachers' in- stitutes in different parts of the state. He has con- tributed largely, with his pen and tongue, to sound learn- ing and Christian morality. He is an earnest advocate
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of total abstinence from intoxicating drinks, and has written an excellent tract on " Temperance in the Public Schools." Professor Hoss's record as an educator is one of which the State and the Church are alike proud. He is a remarkably industrious man, and is as ardently devoted to the interest of Sabbath-schools as to the cause of general education.
BENJAMIN T. HOYT, A. M.
PROFESSOR HOYT was a native of New England. He graduated at the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut. After teaching for some time in the East, he came to Indiana in 1852, and for a few years had charge of an academy in Lawrenceburg, when he accepted the Presidency of the Indiana Female College in Indian- apolis, which position he resigned to accept a professor- ship in Indiana Asbury University, where he remained until the time of his death, in 1866. Professor Hoyt was a superior educator; and whether in charge of a seminary, or in a professor's chair, he performed his du- ties thoroughly and efficiently. He was an active Sab- bath-school worker, and a valuable Christian citizen. His educational career was a useful one, and his death, in the vigor of his manhood, and in the midst of his labors, was a source of deep regret among the Christian educa- tors of the State.
PROFESSOR JOSEPH TINGLEY, PH. D.
PROFESSOR TINGLEY was born in Cadiz, Ohio, March 3, 1822, and received the most of his education in Alle- ghany College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania; but through the influence of Dr. Simpson, who was his cousin, and was then President of Asbury University, Mr. Tingley was induced to graduate at Asbury University, in 1846.
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Two years after his graduation, Mr. Tingley was elected to the Chair of Natural Sciences, which he has filled un- til the present (1871). In 1860, he was elected Vice- President of the Faculty. In 1865, he received license to preach. Professor Tingley is an enthusiast in the de- partment of Natural Science. He is "apt to teach," and has a readiness of illustration, and a mechanical genius that fits him admirably for his chosen position. Pro- fessor Tingley deservedly ranks high among literary men in the department of Natural Science. Thoroughness is a marked characteristic of all that he does ; and, as a re- cognition of his attainments, the University in which he has been so long an efficient professor, conferred upon him, in 1871, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The many students that have recited to Professor Tingley, carry with them a grateful remembrance of his personal kindness, as well as of his professional ability.
PROFESSOR S. A. LATTIMORE.
MR. LATTIMORE graduated at Asbury University in 1850. He was elected Professor of Greek Language and Literature in Asbury University in 1852. In 1861, he was elected Professor of Natural Sciences in Genesee College, New York, where he served for several years, and is now (1871) Professor of Chemistry in Rochester University. Professor Lattimore is noted for thorough- ness and breadth of scholarship. He is a gentleman of cultivated manners and pleasant address. Quiet and un- ostentatious in his social bearing, he is recognized as an able professor and an influential promoter of true science. In the nine years he taught in Asbury University, he shared the confidence and esteem of the Faculty and the students, and gave promise of future eminence as a scholar and teacher.
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REV. DANIEL CURRY, D. D.
DR. CURRY was personally identified with educational interests in Indiana from 1854 to 1857, having accepted the Presidency of Indiana Asbury University in 1854, and continued in the discharge of its duties until 1857, when he resigned and returned to New York.
Dr. Curry graduated at the Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, August, 1837. Immediately after his graduation, he took charge, as Principal, of the Troy Conference Academy, at West Poultney, Vermont, which position he filled until 1839, when he resigned, and accepted a professorship in the Georgia Female Col- lege, at Macon in that state, where he remained until 1846, when he resigned and went North. In 1841, Dr. Curry entered the itinerant ministry, and has for many years ranked high as an able and instructive divine. Dr. Curry had associated with him as professors, while at Greencastle, Dr. Nadal and Dr. Bragdon, both of them eminent as scholars and divines. Perhaps no college in the land had an abler Faculty than Indiana Asbury Uni- versity, while Dr. Curry was at its head ; but owing to a variety of causes, the administration of the college be- came involved and embarrassed, and Dr. Curry tendered his resignation. As a man of intellectual force, Dr. Curry has few superiors. He is an able and perspicuous writer. He tries to control men more by mere intellec- tion than is found practicable. The reason that is clear to his mind is not always equally clear to all other minds ; and men are largely governed by other influences than mere reason. Dr. Curry is a man of a warm and generous heart, and whose friendship is prized by a host of admiring friends. Dr. Bragdon was a graduate of Wes- leyan University, and Dr. Nadal, of Dickinson College.
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