History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 31

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457

USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan > Part 31

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From these statistics, which evince an extraordinary interest in the library, it will be justly inferred that the additions made from year to year by the Regents are altogether inadequate to the de- mands made upon it. The library has indeed been selected with unusual care. But there is a pressing necessity that it be speedily increased. Perhaps no other want of the University is so impera- tive; certainly no other one appeals more invitingly to private munificence.

Besides the general library, which is open for the use of all the departments, the professional schools have libraries of a more spe- cific and technical nature. The Law Library contains about 3,500 volumes and is open to students about 10 hours daily. That of the Medical Department contains about 1,500 volumes, besides the files of 22 medical journals. The Literary Societies connected with the Department of Literature, Science, and the Arts- two in num- ber-have collected libraries of about 3,000 volumes. The Christian Association has also a library of well selected works numbering about 1,000 volumes.

In the aggregate, the number of volumes accessible to students in the various libraries of the University is about 36,000.

As early as 1837, the Board of Trustees of the University ap- pointed a committee to consider and report upon the best methods of procuring a library and a cabinet of natural history. In the following year the committee reported, and advised the Board that the Baron Lederer collection of minerals, consisting of about 2,600 very choice specimens, could be procured for $4,000. The Board

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appropriated the money, and the purchase was made. This collec- tion was the beginning of the present general Museum.

In the course of the same year provision was made by the Legis- lature for depositing in the University the specimens that might be collected by the State Geologist and his assistants. The survey of the State had been entrusted to the very efficient superintendence of Dr. Houghton; and this eminent gentleman with the assistance of Dr. Sager as zoologist and Dr. Wright as botanist, brought to the University a collection of unusual value. The specimens thus accumulated furnished at once excellent means of studying the geology, mineralogy, zoology and botany of the State. The cabinet was transferred to the University as a permanent possession by act of the Legislature in 1846.

The collections in the various branches of natural history thus early begun have steadily increased until the present time. Subse- quent surveys in the State by Prof. Winchell and others have greatly enriched the collection in every department. The museum is also greatly indebted to the enterprise and generosity of alumni and other friends of the University and of science. The most impor- tant of these additions was made in 1879, when the whole of the collection made by Professor Steere in the course of his five years' explorations in South America, Formosa and the East Indies became the property of the University. This rich collection consists of about 25,000 insects, 1,500 shells and 8,000 birds, besides other repre- sentatives, amounting in all to about 10,000 entries. Numerous purchases have also been made by the Board of Regents.

It will be impossible in this connection to trace the growth of this important portion of the material outfit of the University. It will perhaps be sufficient to indicate in the briefest outline possible the present condition of the Museum.

The geological collection embraces a complete series of lithologi- cal and palæontological specimens, brought together by the different surveys of the State. Of the fossils in this collection more than a hundred have become types of original descriptions. To this series the White collection added 1,018 entries and 6,000 specimens; and the Rominger collection about 2,500 entries and 6,000 specimens, the latter being exceedingly interesting and valuable as illustrative of the Mesozoic formations of Central Europe. The Smithsonian Institution has also placed in this department of the museum an interesting collection of specimens of foreign and domestic stones as well as a collection illustrating the fossils of the Upper Missouri' General Custer has presented an interesting collection of fossils from the Yellow stone valley. In addition to the legitimate pro- ducts of the surveys, four cases of specimens illustrating the met- alliferous regions of the Upper Peninsula were placed in the museum by Prof. Winchell. The entire cabinet for the use of students of geology and mineralogy contains about 14,000 entries and 41,000 specimens.

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The zoological collection is somewhat more extensive than the geological. It contains a complete set of the birds which visit Michigan; a nearly complete set of the mammals of the State; and also a nearly complete set of the reptiles found east of the Rocky Mountains. There are also in the collection 2,000 species of mol- lusca, embracing all the land and fresh-water forms of the Northern and Western States. The Trowbridge collection, made on the Pacific coast, added to the museum 1,856 entries; and the Smith- sonian deposit contributed 535 entries of fresh-water and marine shells from the same region, besides about 200 birds from the Arctic zone. The Ames collection of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera consists of about 5,000 specimens; and the cabinet for the special illustra- tion of comparative anatomy, of not less than 250 species with 1,000 specimens. But the most important contribution ever made to this branch of the Museum consists of that collected by Dr. J. B. Steere in South America and the islands of the East Indies as above indicated. The zoological collection as a whole contains about 23,250 entries and somewhat more than 110,000 specimens.

The botanical collection embraces not only specimens of all the plants of the State, numbering about 1,175 species and 15,000 entries, but also numerous collections from other parts of the world. The Houghton herbarium contains 28 folio cases, and about 1,800 species of labeled plants brought together from various portions of the country. The Sager herbarium, of 1,200 species and 12,000 specimens, was collected partly in the Western States, but chiefly in New England. The Ames herbarium consists of no less than 7,000 specimens and 10,500 duplicates; and the Adams Jewett col- lection embraces 2,500 species and about 5,000 specimens. Profes- sor Harrington has added to the museum 2,000 species; Captain Dall, an interesting collection of Alaskan plants, Professor Reinsch, 250 species of mosses, from Central Europe; Mr. Horace Averill, 408 species of algæ; Mr. J. G. Lemmon, 460 species of California plants and 60,000 specimens; Mr. S. S. Garrigues, about 3,000 specimens of plants from Germany. Professor Steere's collection adds to the museum some 2,500 specimens of South American and East Indian ferns. The entire collection for the illustration of the science of Botany embraces about 10,000 species, 20,000 entries and 70,000 specimens.

The Geological, Zoological, and Botanical cabinets together are estimated to contain about 60,000 entries and 255,000 specimens.

The Cabinet of Archaeology and Relics contains various articles of domestic and warlike use among the aboriginal inhabitants of North and South America, and among the Islanders of the South Pacific. This embraces a large collection of pottery and other articles illustrative of the habits of the Ancient Peruvians, as well as specimens of clothing, art, military weapons, etc., of the Ama- zonian Indians, the modern Peruvians, the Alaskans, the Formosans, the Chinese, and the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands. To this collection, largely made by Professor Steere, have been added

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sundry relics from the islands of the Pacific by the Smithsonian Institution. The Department of Agriculture at Washington has also contributed a collection of textile fabrics and various substi- tutes for cotton.

The Cabinet of History and Fine Arts was begun in 1855. The first purchases for this department of the Museum were made in Europe by Professor Frieze, acting under a special commission of the Board of Regents. The articles procured at that time were chiefly plaster casts of antique statues, engravings and photographs illustrating the various departments of Grecian and Roman art. In 1862, Professor A. D. White received a similar commission from the Board. This resulted in the purchase of numerous arti- cles for the collection, the most important of which were in bronze. About the same time, an association in Ann Arbor bought and presented to the University a marble copy of the Nydia by Mr. Randolph Rogers. The Museum at present comprises a gallery of casts, in full size and in reduction, of the most valuable antique statues and busts; a gallery of somewhat more than 200 reductions and models, in terra cotta, of statues, portrait busts, and other materials in the principal European museums; a gallery of engrav- ings and photographic views, executed in Italy and Greece, illus- trating the architectural and sculptural remains of Rome, Pompeii, Paestum, Athens, and Corinth; the Horace White collection of about 900 portrait medallions illustrative of medieval and modern history; about 450 casts from antique gems; a collection of copies in plaster, marble and bronze, of several of the most important works of Michael Angelo, Canova, Thorwaldsen, and Randolph Rogers; and, finally, a collection of engraved copies of many of the great masterpieces of modern painting, beginning with the age prior to Raphael. The catalogue of the Cabinet of History and Fine Arts contains about 1,985 numbers.

Connected with the University there is also an important Museum of Anatomy and Materia Medica. The valuable collec- tion made by Professor Ford in the course of many years of scien- tific labor, has become the property of the University. It is made up of materials for the direct purpose of the most successful teach- ing of the science of medicine, especially of those branches of it which pertain to the study of anatomy and physiology.

This portion of the Museum embraces a collection of bones designed to illustrate healthy as well as diseased conditions, also the various changes from infancy to old age. It contains numerous skulls, teeth and other preparations by which the structure and the various stages of both temporary and permanent teeth are illus- trated. The arterial preparations embrace complete and partial dissections, exhibiting the arrangement of vessels in health and in disease. Models in wax, papier maché and plaster illustrate the various parts of the body in a normal as well as an abnormal con- dition. There is also a valuable collection, prepared by Professor Sager, illustrating the comparative craniology, neurology and

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embryology of the Vertebrata. The collection of monstrosities, both single and double, is unusually full and valuable. The mate- rials illustrative of Materia Medica consist of a very complete set of crude organic medicinal substances, embracing between 500 and 600 specimens. These were imported from Paris, are put up in glass jars of uniform appearance, and are arranged according to their order in natural history. Besides these, the collection contains about 1,000 other specimens of mineral and vegetable substances and preparations, arranged in groups for the convenience of the student. In addition to the Medical Museum proper, which con- tains in the aggregate several thousand specimens, the department is abundantly supplied with plates, photographs, models, prepara- tions, and apparatus for the purpose of illustrating the various studies of the medical course.

One of the most prosperous portions of the University has been the Chemical Laboratory. This important part of the educational facilities here afforded has grown up in response to the active and increasing demands of the students for instruction in applied chem- istry. Under the superintendence of Professor Douglas, who was Di- rector of the Laboratory from its beginning until 1877, it grew from a very humble commencement to be one of the largest and most per- fectly equipped in the United States. The building was begun in 1855. It was enlarged in 1861, in 1867 and again in 1873. But even these extensive additions were not enough to supply the de- mand. An additional story to the entire building was erected in 1880, and it is believed that its facilities for the study of chemistry are not now exceeded by those of any laboratory in the world.

A very important adjunct of the University, and one which has reflected especial honor upon it, is the Astronomical Observatory. President Tappan, in his inaugural address, delivered December 21, 1852, showed how advantageously private muniticence might supplement the endowment of the University; and expressed the hope that friends might be found who would be willing to erect an astronomical observatory. On the evening of the same day, the Hon. H. N. Walker, of Detroit, called upon the President and ex- pressed a wish to do something for the University in accordance with the suggestions of the address. Dr. Tappan entered into a discussion of the matter with great interest, and the interview re- sulted in an appointment to meet the friends of the enterprise a few days later at the Michigan Exchange in Detroit.

At the meeting held in accordance with this appointment, on the 29th of December, President Tappan unfolded his project, and with most encouraging results. Seven thousand dollars were subscribed on the spot, to be paid within a year, on condition that $10,000 be raised. The whole was to be expended under the direction of the President, for the erection and furnishing of a building, to be known as the Detroit Observatory, to be forever connected with the University. The plan at first proposed contemplated simply a tele- scope, with a building sufficient for its accommodation; but the

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unexpected liberality with which the project had been received induced Dr. Tappan to enlarge his purpose so as to embrace noth- ing less than the erection and equipment of a complete astronomi- cal observatory. Mr. Walker and other friends of the enterprise encouraged the President to proceed upon this basis. Accordingly in the February following Dr. Tappan, in company with Mr. Walker, visited New York, and soon afterward made a contract with Mr. Henry Fitz to furnish an achromatic refracting tele- scope. The instrument was to be mounted in Ann Arbor on or before the first day of June, 1854, and was to be in size second only to the great refractors at Cambridge, Mass., and at Pulkowa, in Russia. The price to be paid was $6,150.

It seemed exceedingly desirable that the other equipments of the Observatory should be correspondingly extensive. But the amount already subscribed would not allow of so liberal and ex- tensive a plan. The generosity ot Mr. Walker, however, encouraged the President to go forward. As the latter was on the point of visiting Europe, the former placed in his hands the means to purchase a meridian circle of the largest and most expensive kind.

In Europe, President Tappan, after visiting the principal observ- atories in England, France and Italy, reached Berlin, where he became acquainted with the distinguished astronomer, Encke, and his assistant, Dr. Brünnow. In accordance with the recommenda- tions of these gentlemen, he employed Messrs. Pistor and Martins, of Berlin, to construct the meridian circle, and Mr. Tiede to con- struct an astronomical clock. The instruments were made under the direction of Messrs. Encke and Brunnow, and to the entire satisfac- tion of the astronomers.

While these instruments were in process of construction, the Regents purchased about five acres of ground on an eminence com- manding an unobstructed view of the horizon in every direction, at'a distance of about half a mile from the University grounds. On this eminence was constructed the Observatory, in accordance with plans and specifications furnished by Prof. Bull, of New York.

As the buildings and instruments were approaching completion, it remained to procure the services of an astronomer competent to undertake the direction of the Observatory. The neglect which the science of astronomy had suffered in America seemed to render it necessary to look abroad for some one fitted to undertake this duty. Dr. Brunnow, who had so earnestly and disinterestedly exerted him- self in supervising the construction of the instruments, appeared to the President to be the best person for the position. This selection received the cordial and unanimous approval of the friends of the enterprise, and accordingly Dr. Brünnow, was unanimously elected Director of the Observatory and Professor of Astronomy. He ac- cepted the position, and, arriving at Ann Arbor in July, entered at once upon the labors of his office.

In due time the building was completed for the reception of the instruments. The equatorial telescope was mounted upon a central

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pier, which has a foundation 15 feet below the surface and arises in the form of a truncated cone about 40 feet above. The instru- ment is covered by a hemispherical revolving dome 23 feet in diameter, with an opening 18 inches wide extending from the horizon to the zenith. The east wing of the building was devoted to the meridian circle and its accompanying instruments. The refracting telescope has a clear aperture of 12g inches, and a focal length of 17 feet 8 inches. It is supplied with a complete outfit of eye-pieces, micrometers and shades. The observer is also furnished with a chronograph, with Bond's new isodynamic escapement for recording observations by the electro-magnetic method. On the completion of the Observatory it was regarded as one of the most perfectly equipped in the country.

A further subscription to liquidate the debt incurred in its con- struction was raised in Detroit; and again, in 1865, about $5,000 were contributed by the citizens of Detroit and Ann Arbor to erect a dwelling-house for the use of the Observer.

It is a satisfaction to be able to record that the generosity of the donors of the Observatory has been exceedingly fruitful of scientific results. Under the efficient direction of Dr. Brunnow, the Observ- atory immediately took very high rank in the scientific world. In addition to the work of giving instruction to University students, the Director was able to carry on numerous scientific researches, which received the most gratifying recognition. Dr. Brünnow pub- lished an important work on Spherical Astronomy, besides the Tables of Flora and the Tables of Victoria, in addition to very nu- merous articles in the scientific journals of Europe and America. It is perhaps not important to give the title of the papers published, but during the first two years of the active operations of the Ob- servatory the number of these was no less than twenty-six.

In 1858, Mr. James C. Watson, the first pupil of Dr. Brunnow in the University, and a graduate of the class of 1857, was appointed Assistant Observer, and in 1859, Professor of Astronomy. "On the permanent retirement of Professor Brunnow in 1863, Mr. Watson, on the recommendation of many of the first astronomers of the country, was chosen his successor, as Director of the Observatory as well as Professor of Astronomy. This position he continued to fill until 1879, when he tendered his resignation, to accept of the Directorship of the Washburn Observatory at the University of Wisconsin.

During Prof. Watson's Directorship of 16 years, although he was only 25 years of age at the time of his appointment, the list of dis- coveries and contributions made by him form a record which would give permanent fame to any observatory.

The generous contributors to the fund for the building and equip- ment of the Detroit Observatory may well be proud of its record; for under the able directorship of Dr. Brunnow and Dr. Watson it has taken position among the first in the world.

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We here bring our sketch of the University of Michigan to a close. Its history has not been unvarying or monotonous. We have seen something of difficulties and triumphs; but, in conclud- ing our narrative, it is a satisfaction to reflect, that if the former show that a State university is no less subject to perils than are institutions resting upon other foundations, the latter afford abun- dant demonstration that these perils may be overcome. The history of the University of Michigan goes far to prove, if indeed it does not prove conclusively, that higher education, no less than the education afforded by the common schools, may be safely and satisfactorily conducted by the people of an intelligent State.

In addition to the foregoing, by Prof. Adams, a short description of some of the main buildings, as they now stand, will not be out of place. A list of the graduates from Washtenaw county is also appended.

In securing the location of the University for Ann Arbor, its history would not be complete without reference to the men who donated the ground on which the buildings are located. They were William R. Thompson, William S. Maynard, Charles Thayer, E. W. Morgan, each of whom gave one-fifth, and Augustus Garrett and Daniel B. Brown, one tenth each. The entire donation was 40 acres.

UNIVERSITY HALL.

University Hall is located on the west side of the College Cam- pus, and the entire expense of the buildings was $100,000, and is the architectural designing of E. S. Jennison, of Chicago, Illinois, a former graduate of the University of Michigan. The wood work of the same was under the supervision of Adolph Martin, of Chica- go, Illinois. The dimensions of the hall, as furnished by the Sec- retary of the University, Henry D. Bennett, are as follows: It is 133 by 140 feet, and is about 70 feet high from the base to the frieze, with an elegantly proportioned dome 140 feet high, sur- mounted by a beautiful statue of " Rogers' Michigan." The audi- torium is 80 by 130 feet, and is capable of seating comfortably 3,000 persons. The chapel, which is located on the first floor, has a seating capacity for 600. On the same floor there is also a lecture room, with seatings for 400. The steward's room is located in the southwest corner of the building, on the same floor, and connected with which is the massive fire- proof vault for the protection of the archives of the University. Adjoining this is located the chancellor's room. East of the trans- verse hall is the ladies' waiting room, opposite is situated the faculty room; and on the same floor are two large lect- ure or recitation rooms. Directly above, in the second, third and fourth stories, are located, in each, three commodious class or reci- tation rooms. The building is heated by John Davis & Co.'s (Chi- cago, Illinois) steam-heating Apparatus, is ventilated with great care, and the whole is most splendidly fitted up with gas. The two

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wings to this massive and elegant building are each 40 by 110 feet, and four stories high. The north wing was formerly used for the museum. The south wing is principally for recitation rooms, liter- ary societies, and Students' Christian Association.

LAW DEPARTMENT BUILDING.

This is situated on the northwest corner of the College Campus, and is, for its general appearance, a very strong and massive build- ing, three stories high. It has on the first floor a general library of over 20,000 volumes, which is accessible to students and citizens every day, Sundays excepted. There are also on the same floor the offices of the President, Dean of the Law Faculty, and a moot- court room. On the second floor are located the Law Library, and a large lecture room; also the Law Professor's room. The third floor is occupied by the Webster and Jeffersonian Societies, together with the regular moot-court room.

LABORATORY OF CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY.

This building is unostentatious in its appearance, yet is quite large, being one story and a half high, built of brick, and arranged with a view to the greatest possible convenience for those pursuing chemistry and pharmacy, and is beyond doubt the most extensive and thoroughly equipped laboratory in the United States, if not on the continent. The building is healthfully ventilated by steam power, is warmed by steam, and supplied with gas and water.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT BUILDING.

This large and spacious building has two amphitheaters, each capable of seating over 400 students. It is composed of two large buildings, forming a "T," the principal or main structure nearly or quite square, four-stories high, while the old or original building is long and narrow, and three-stories high; but the two making together a very fine and noble appearance.

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History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 31

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 1457

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457