USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 51
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 51
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In the spring of 1857 trustees were appointed and a lot secured near the corner of College avenue and Sixth street. and $700 was pledged for a house of worship. The real work of building began under the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Day, who was appointed to Northfield in August, 1857. At that time the foundation was laid. But it was a time of financial depression. Everybody was poor and money was scarce, being held at from 12 to 15 per cent. Hun- dreds of settlers lost their farms and scores of business men failed. The Methodists of Northfield had a hard struggle with their church building enterprise, but it was completed and dedicated in May, 1859. In the dedicatory services the pastor was assisted by Rev. Benjamin Crary. D. D., president of Hamline University, who preached in the morning from Rev. 21 :3, and Rev. William McKinley, who preached in the afternoon from Hebrews 11:8-10. During the pastorate of Rev. Day a general religious interest pre- vailed throughout the whole circuit. Revival services were held at the different preaching places, and numbers joined the church.
During the three years following the pastorate of Rev. Day, the church was served by Revs. J. W. Stockdale, G. W. Richard- son, whose two sons are now actively engaged in church work. and J. W. Bennett, cach serving as pastor for one year. 1 1862 Rev. J. M. Rodgers was appointed to this church. He remained two years, being followed in 1864 by Rev. S. G. Sterrett, who re- mained three years, as long as the law of the church would permit. In 1867 Rev. J. W. Martin received this appointment and re- mained for three years. During this pastorate Northfield was
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organized as a station. Out of the old circuit of 1855 and 1856 six charges had been formed, namely, Northfield, Dundas, North- field circuit, Cannon City, Faribault and Cannon Falls. The total membership of these charges was 721. From 1870 to 1876 this church was served two years each by Revs. W. W. Rork, Noah Lathrop, whose son and family are a part of the present member- ship, and F. M. Gossard. During Rev. Gossard's pastorate the parsonage burned and a new one was erected on the present site. It was now becoming apparent that the church should have a more central location. In 1876 Rev. S. G. Gale became pastor and served a full term. Under his leadership the present church was built and the lower part finished. Rev. G. R. Hair took up the work in 1879, and remained two years, when he was appointed presiding elder of the Red Wing district. In 1881 Rev. Levi Gilbert was appointed, and as the congregation soon outgrew the lower rooms, the present auditorium was completed and furnished during his second year. The building was formally dedicated by Presiding Elder S. G. Smith, in January, 1883. In the fall of that year Rev. Gilbert was called to the pastorate of the Central Church in Duluth, and later became editor of the Western Chris- tian Advocate. Next came Rev. F. M. Rule. He was followed by Dr. A. C. Williams, who in 1888 was transferred to the Cali- fornia conference and was stationed at Los Angeles. Then came Rev. F. B. Cowgill, who organized the Epworth League.
In 1892 Rev. S. H. Dewart received this appointment and re- mained five years. In 1897 Rev. R. N. Avison was appointed. In the spring of 1900 he was appointed presiding elder of the Man- kato district to succeed Rev. Newhouse, who died suddenly. For the remainder of the year the pulpit was filled by the Rev. J. M. Brown. In the fall of 1900 was begun the longest pastorate in the history of Northfield Methodism, when Rev. F. A. Cone was appointed. He remained seven years. Under his direction the parsonage was remodeled and the membership increased to 500 souls.
In October, 1907, the present pastor, W. R. Keesey, was ap- pointed. Of this roll of pastors at least seven have held the office of district superintendent, and one has the distinction of being editor of an official church paper. Six of these men bear the honorary title of Doctor of Divinity. Each one has contributed his share to the success of Northfield Methodism. Among those of the older members of the church now deceased are Mrs. Lydia Alexander, Albert Berdan, Father Christian, William Knowlton, William Dunn, C. W. Gress and Dr. William Greaves. Of those who remain many deserve honorable mention, but space will per- mit only the names of a few: Mrs. Mary Bennett, Mrs. Mary A. Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. Silester Sherpy, Mrs. Ellen J. Nichols,
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
Mrs. William Dunn, Dr. and Mrs. D. J. Whiting, Mrs. C. W. Gress, Mr. D. S. Van Amburgh, Mrs. William Greaves and Mr. and Mrs. John C. Greaves.
The present officers of the church are: Pastor, W. R. Keesey; recording steward, C. W. Lyman ; district steward. E. S. Lyman ; church treasurer, E. H. Watson ; sunday-school superintendent, E. M. Richardson ; Epworth League president, Mae Haslip ; presi- dent Woman's Missionary Society, Mrs. D. D. Turner ; president Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, Mrs. D. J. Whiting ; presi- dent Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. C. A. Schleif ; Men's Club commit- tee : Dr. D. M. Strang, Dr. D. J. Whiting and D. F. Richardson ; superintendent of athletic work, Dr. D. M. Strang ; stewards: D. J. Whiting, D. F. Richardson, D. D. Turner, J. C. Davison. W. T. Reilly, E. H. Watson, C. W. Lyman, Jay Davison, E. S. Lyman, E. M. Richardson, A. T. Withers, D. M. Strang, James Hunter, John Sommers, W. T. Gill, John Clapham and Fred W. Howland : trustees : J. C. Greaves, C. H. Watson, J. M. Walden, W. H. Gaines, W. H. King. H. B. Hermsmeyer, F. L. Koester, C. A. Schleif and Charles Crary.
Rev. Wilbur R. Keesey, pastor of the First Methodist Church, of Northfield, was born in Philadelphia, Pa .. April 3, 1869. His parts were William H. Keesey and Josephine Ruth Keesey. Wil- bur R. was educated in the public schools of his native city. After graduating from these schools he learned the trade of marble and stone cutter, being apprenticed to his father, who was engaged in that business. In 1888 he entered Pennington Seminary, New Jersey, and there took up his studies for the ministry, graduating in 1891. His first pulpit was in Lima. Delaware county, Pa., where he remained about seven months. In September, 1891, he became pastor of the Methodist Church at Evota. Olmsted county, Minn., where he served one year. In November, 1891, he was united in marriage with Anna .A. Quail, of Philadelphia, and to this union have been born five sons, the oldest being sixteen years of age. Rev. Keesey was admitted to the Minnesota Annual Conference in September, 1892, and has served the following churches: Fillmore, Fillmore county, 1892-95; Marion, Olmsted county, 1895-98: Elmore, Faribault county, 1898-1903 ; Owatonna. Steele county, 1903-07: Northfield, Rice county, 1907 to the present time.
First Baptist Church of Northfield. The meeting held for the purpose of organizing this church was on July 27, 1856, and the following persons constituted the membership: Charles F. Whit- tier, Mrs. Margaret A. Whittier, Joseph Harris. Ransom V. Smith, George W. Smith, Hannah F. Stewart and Alvah Cole. September 25 of the same year the organization was completed with Elder T. R. Cressey as moderator. At a meeting in October
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the church was formally organized by the other churches of the same denomination already in existence within hailing distance. A third meeting was held November 23, when Elder Cressey was called as pastor, with a salary of $100.00, for one-fourth of his time for one year. Rev. J. F. Wilcox came in April, 1858, and suc- ceeded in building the church where it still stands. He remained as pastor until 1869, when he resigned, but continued to live in Northfield until his death in 1891. Rev. T. R. Peters came in 1869, was ordained May 24, 1870, of that year, and remained until fall, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. H. Walderman, who served a few months in 1871. He was followed by the Rev. S. S. Utter. During his pastorate in 1874-75 a parsonage was built at a cost of about $2,000. In 1874 the Minneapolis Baptist Associa- tion met here. In 1877 the Woman's Home and Foreign Mis- sionary Society was organized. In 1879 Rev. J. F. Wilkins be- came pastor and remained a few months, when he was succeeded by Rev. Jolin Rounds. He was followed by Rev. J. F. Wilcox as supply. In August, 1885, came Rev. Harold Kennedy, and during his pastorate in February, 1886, a revival was conducted by the Rev. H. W. Brown. Rev. Kennedy was followed by Rev. J. F. Hill. The Rev. Willis G. Clark, the present pastor, came in 1804.
The deacons of the church are James Jack, J. F. Wyman and Dr. I. H. Oreutt. The trustees are J. F. Wyman, D. H. Lord, I. H. Orcutt, Joseph Moses and Walter L. Lasby. The clerk is Mrs. C. T. Hallowell, and the superintendent of the Sunday-school Mrs. F. L. Thompson.
Rev. Willis G. Clark was born in Troy, Mich., son of F. B. and Ann (Waldron) Clark. He received his early education in the public schools of Livingston county and then attended the Kala- mazoo College. He received his theological training in the South- ern Baptist Theological Seminary at St. Louis, and was ordained in June, 1883, at Cheboygan, Mich. He served the Baptist church in that place for three years. Since then his successive pastorates have been at Charlevoix, Mich. ; Plymouth, Mich .: Greeley. Col. ; Holly, Mich., and Northfield, Minn. He was married September 11, 1884. to Alice Chandler, and to this union three children have been born. Mary Waldron is an assistant teacher of astronomy at Mt. Holyoke, Mass. : Malcolm W. and Francke F. are students at Carleton College.
St. Johannes First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congre- gation. Meetings were held in 1869 in the school house and in Thoreson's hall by Rev. N. A. Quamen at irregular intervals ; then at the German Methodist, and the Moravian church was leased at one time. This congregation has been closely connected with St. Olaf's School. The church was built in 1881 at a cost
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of about $3,000. In 1877 the question of temperance agitated this church, many meetings were held, and it was finally decided that those who habitually drink intoxicating beverages could not be admitted as church members. In 1876 the society joined the Synod.
St. Dominic Roman Catholic. About the first service in the interest of this church was in 1860, by Rev. Father Keller and Rev. Father Shene, and the other early priests were Rev. Father Ralph Hoose, Rev. James McGlone and Rev. John Pahein. The land was procured and building begun in 1866. Since the church was built it has received additions, and there is a parsonage ad- joining. Its location is on the west side.
All Saints' Episcopal Church. The first remembered service in this belief at Northfield was at the house of Harley D. White. on March 9, 1856, and in the evening there was another service and one infant was baptized. Services were occasionally held by Rev. R. J. Lloyd Breck, Rev. D. P. Sanford and others from Fari- bault. On November 1, 1858, the parish was organized, and there was service by Rev. Breck, Rev. S. W. Manney and students from the Divinity School at Faribault. Rev. Solomon Stevens Burleson officiated from January 3, 1864, until September, when he was ordained into the priesthood and became rector, and weekly service was afterwards held. On March 22, 1865, a lot was pur- chased of Samuel Wing and deeded to the Seabury Mission. The edifice was begun in May, 1866. The sum of $1,100 was raised. and the building was ready for service that winter. The con- secration took place on April 11. 1867. Right Rev. II. B. Whipple and Rev. Edward R. Welles were present. A communion service was presented. In October, 1868, means were raised to purchase a parsonage, which was done, and in November it was occupied. In 1869 the children of the Sunday-school began work to secure funds with which to procure a bell, and by September they had together $35.00. The citizens made up the balance, and on October 14 its peals rang out. Among the pastors of the church have been : Revs. T. S. Pycott, A. R. Graves, A. J. Yeater, J. Dud- ley Ferguson, George 1 .. Chase, E. S. Wilson, E. Jay Cook. A. B. Ilill, A. A. Joss, George H. Mueller, W. P. Ten Broeck, E. W. Couper, S. Mills Hayes and F. M. Garland.
The officers of the church are : Senior warden and clerk, II. L. Cruttenden ; junior warden and treasurer, S. Finkelson ; vestry- men, Cyril Archibald. J. F. Grover, R. S. Ranage, Julian Lawrence and Dr. Arthur Taylor.
Rev. F. M. Garland was born in Exeter, N. Y., August 18. 1864, and was educated there and at Haverhill. Mass. He then attended the University of the South at Sewanee, Tenn., taking both collegiate and theological courses and graduating in 1889
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with the degree of A. B. During this period in December, 1887, he was ordained a deacon. His first pastorate was at Manchester, N. H., where he served from 1890 to 1895, being ordained to the priesthood April 24, 1893. February 24, 1895, he started service as rector of the Holy Trinity church at Swanton, Vt., and served until in January, 1899. October 15, 1899, he took up mission work in Traverse and Stevens counties, and in January, 1902, became rector of the church of the Good Samaritan at Sauk Center. He came to Northfield September 8, 1907. Rev. Garland was married April 29, 1896, at Swanton, Vt., to Mary Emily Hogle, and to this union has been born one daughter, Grace Caroline, now a student at St. Mary's Hall, Faribault.
SOCIETIES AND CLUBS.
Northfield has local lodges of nearly all the leading fraternal and social organizations, as well as a number of literary clubs. Among those which might be mentioned are the Social Lodge, No. 48, A. F. & A. M .; Corinthian Chapter, No. 33, R. A. M .; Sheba Chapter, No. 73, O. E. S .; Northfield Lodge, No. 50, I. O. O. F .; Orient Encampment, No. 20, I. O. O. F .; White Rose Rebekah Lodge, No. 100, I. O. O. F .; Heywood Post, No. 38, G. A. R .; Haywood Corps, No. 42, W. R. C .; Northfield Lodge, No. 41, A. O. U. W. ; Northfield Homestead, No. 850, B. A. Y. ; North- field Hive, No. 32, L. O. T. M .; Social Lodge, No. 452, M. B. A .; Northfield Camp, No. 701, M. W. A., and the Royal Arcanum. The Federated Clubs are represented here by the Pioneer, Mon- day, Current Events, Town and Country, Literary Gleaners and Occidental clubs. The W. C. T. U. has a flourishing organization, and the colleges have a number of clubs and organizations. The usual church societies also flourish here. The Modern Brother- hood of America, it might be mentioned, has an excellent band, which furnishes music for the city on various occasions.
The early history of a few of the older organizations is here appended :
Lyceum Association. A prominent feature in early days was what is known under the above title, and occupied an important position, as the citizens wer so nearly shut out of the world that they had to depend upon their own genius for sources of amusement. This society took quite a wide range, and the best talent of the place was called into requisition. A gratifying feature was the commingling of elements which were denomina- tionally antagonistic, as all shades of belief joined hands in sus- taining the society. The early records are not visible, but the tradition is that it was called into being in 1858, and a building was constructed. Weekly meetings were held in the regular
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season, the fee for membership being $2 at first. but afterwards it was reduced one-half. The discussions which were held were characterized by ability, originality, and often blended with eccentricity, leaving them long to be remembered. As the ad- herents of the various forms of religious belief began to gather. each would get up social gatherings by themselves, and the de- nominational entertainments took the place of this association ; thus apathy necessarily resulted, and finally the meetings were discontinued. In 1878, the building and the library that had been accumulated was transferred to the city. The city afterward sold the building, which is still standing.
Social Lodge No. 48, A. F. & A. M., was instituted on Octo- ber 6, 1864, with the following first three officers: Charles Tay- lor, W. M .: D. W. Whitney, S. W. : Felix Collett. J. W.
Corinthian Chapter No. 33, R. A. M., was instituted on March 1. 1877. The charter members were: C. N. Daniels, C. E. Rogers, L. A. Fuller, J. D. Johnson, Peter W. Delaney, S. Raineri. H. J. Eldred. F. Collett, J. C. Haven.
Northfield Lodge No. 41, Ancient Order of United Workmen. The original members were: George A. Henry, E. Lockwood. George E. Bates, E. Il. Springer. W. J. Sibbeson, E. J. Clark. Mason Wheeler, D. J. Whitney, W. N. Olin and S. A. Morse.
Northfield Lodge No. 50, I. O. O. F. There was a lodge in- stituted here before the war, but which surrendered its charter. The present lodge was instituted on November 15, 1875. The charter members were: S. S. Dickinson, William II. Bennett, T. M. Gossard. Otis S. Taylor, John Lapp, Samuel W. Matteson. C. 11. Miller, Peter Filbert. Henry Ebel and W. O. Johnson. There are now sixty members.
Orient Encampment No. 20, I. O. O. F. The charter mem- bers of this body were: J. A. Lawrence. David Sibbeson. Sey- mour Finkleson, O. S. Taylor, John F. Hunter, William HI. Ben- nett, I. B. Hodgeson, Ross C. Phillips, Ira Summer, Charles H. Miller, S. Raineri, William Ebel and Henry Riddell.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of Northfield. was organized in January, 1878, and was made auxiliary to the state union in February. 1879. Mrs. James Strong was the first president and Mrs. Mary Skinner the first recording secretary. The charter members numbered eight and in five years the en- rollment had increased to thirty-two. In 1879 and in 1907, the local umion entertained the state convention. The membership in 1909 had increased to sixty-three. The honorary members number eleven, and the society has earnestly labored for the uplift of humanity. During the life of the organization, it has spent about $2,000 in the cause of temperance, and the work of this society has had much to do with the closing of the saloons
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in Northfield. The presidents of the local union have been : Mrs. James Strong, Mrs. J. A. Clifford, Mrs. P. B. Fisk, Mrs. W. S. Pattee, Mrs. William Lovering, Mrs. M. W. Skinner, Mrs. Wovel; Mrs. F. J. Wilcox, Mrs. E. C. Dow. Mrs. S. G. Helms, Mrs. P. A. Parsons. The recording secretaries have been : Mrs. Mary Skinner, Mrs. D. J. Whiting, Mrs. Martha Clary, Mrs. L. A. Baldwin, Mrs. Carrie Jackson, Mrs. P. A. Par- sons, Mrs. Elle Foster.
J. L. Heywood Post, No. 83, G. A. R. Following a preliminary meeting held on March 15, to discuss the matter of organizing a post of the Grand Army of the Republic, on March 28, 1884, a meeting was held in the City Hall, and the J. L. Heywood Post, No. 83, G. A. R., was organized, being mustered in by Capt. B. F. Cole, of Minneapolis. The following officers were elected and installed: Post commander, Daniel Goodhue, senior vice commander, J. C. Couper ; junior vice commander, D. F. Kelley ; officer of the day, John F. Wyman : quartermaster, D. H. Lord ; adjutant, C. P. Nichols ; officer of the guard, S. Rainerie ; chaplain, Rolland Weeks ; surgeon, Charles Scofield.
The charter members were: Daniel Goodhue, John C. Couper, Duren F. Kelley, Drew H. Lord, Charles P. Nichols, John F. Wyman, Charles Scofield, Rolland Weeks, Salvator Rainerie, Edward S. Bill, Silas Judd, B. F. Woodman, John Clifford, Frank Curren, Everett Spear, Peter Simon, Miles Church, James C. Davidson, Charles A. Drew, William H. Foster, Robert Dilley, John Ensign, George Gray, Jerome Johnson, W. N. Weaver, Zachary Bogue. Orange Austin, Samuel Gembell, John Boon, John Van Buskirk, S. W. Mattison, Alexander Robinson, Joseph E. Cook. E. Anthony, Myron Whittaker, John Fremouw, Henry Child, Henry M. Stanahan, Adam Smith, Webster Rhines, J. S. Nichols, Joseph Franz, C. H. Bullock. C. H. Watson, Elias Bal- lard, Charles H. Holt, Jacob Capella, Jasper N. Martin.
From the date of organization until 1909 the three leading offices have been held each year by the following named gentle- men, the three under each year being the commander, the adju- tant and the quartermaster, in the order named: 1884, D. Good- hue, C. P. Nichols, D. H. Lord : 1885. J. C. Couper, C. P. Nichols, D. H. Lord; 1886, D. F. Kelley, J. C. Couper, M. M. Clark ; 1887, B. F. Woodman, J. C. Couper. M. M. Clark; 1888, M. M. Clark, C. E. Wilcox, Everett Spear ; 1889, Frank Curren, M. M. Clark, J. C. Couper ; 1890, C. E. Wilcox, John Clifford, J. C. Couper; 1891, D. F. Kelley, B. F. Woodman, J. C. Couper ; 1892, Everett Spear, John Clifford, J. C. Couper ; 1893, D. Good- hue, C. P. Nichols, J. C. Couper : 1894, C. P. Nichols, John Clif- ford, J. C. Couper : 1895, John Clifford, D. F. Kelley, J. C. Davison ; 1896, J. C. Davison, Frank Curren, D. S. Van Am-
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burgh; 1897, J. F. Wyman, John Clifford, J. E. Crosby ; 1898. J. E. Wilson, J. C. Davison, J. E. Crosby : 1899, J. T. Murphy, J. C. Davison, J. E. Crosby : 1900, D. S. Van Amburgh, J. C. Davison, J. E. Crosby : 1901, Frank Curren, J. C. Davison, J. E. Crosby: 1902. A. A. Wescott. J. C. Davison. J. C. Couper : 1903, A. A. Wescott, J. C. Davison, J. C. Couper : 1904, J. C. Davison, D. F. Kelley. J. C. Couper : 1905, J. F. Wyman, D. F. Kelley, J. C. Couper : 1906, Gilbert Fish. J. C. Davison. J. C. Couper : 1907. J. C. Couper, J. C. Davison, J. M. Livingston : 1908. J. W. Tibbits, J. C. Davison, J. M. Livingston : 1909, E. S. Bill. J. C. Davison, J. M. Livingston ; 1910. Alvah M. Olen, J. C. Davison, J. M. Livingston.
There have been 180 members in all since the date of organi- zation. Fifty-four are members now (June 30. 1910). sixty-two have died, thirty-four have been transferred and thirty suspended or dropped.
CHAPTER XXV.
NORTHFIELD COLLEGES.
Story of Carleton College, Compiled by Horace E. Goodhue, with Biographical Sketches by Members of the Faculty-Story of St. Olaf, Compiled from Article by O. G. Felland-Growth of Two Notable Institutions.
Northfield, the home of Carleton and St. Olaf colleges, is an ideal college town, well laid out, highly cultured, and moral in atmosphere, beautiful of landscape, and easy of access.
A local history has aptly said: The city of Northfield, lying in the pleasant Cannon Valley, amidst rolling country, and sur- rounded by wooded hills, seems more like some New England city, the result of a century's slow growth and improvement, than a Western town, sprung up within the memory of men still living; still, Western push and energy are not lacking; the wide and well-kept streets, the beautiful parks and squares, the stores and business blocks, the neat and pleasant residence portion- these are the evidences of enterprise and thrift which have made Northfield one of the finest cities of its size in the Northwest. One notable characteristic that the citizens of Northfield possess is an active interest in education ; the presence of Carleton and St. Olaf colleges may have fostered this feeling, but the excel- lence of the public schools, which is well known throughout the state, is an evidence of this interest to be found in the heart of every citizen.
CARLETON COLLEGE.
Delavan L. Leonard, D. D., of Oberlin, Ohio, has written the history of Carleton College in a volume of four hundred pages, but in an article of six thousand words all must be briefly told and much omitted.
Deacon Charles M. Goodsell is called the founder of the col- lege, not because he alone established or endowed it, but because he, earlier than his associates, conceived the idea of it and later did more than any one else for its realization. Except for him, Carleton College would have been located neither when nor where it was. His purpose was the decisive force. As a trustee of Beloit College, he had seen the value of the Christian training in the formative period of civic life, and had consecrated a few thousand dollars to that purpose. After a careful study of con-
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ditions in several of the newer states, he chose Minnesota as the most promising field for his cherished enterprise. In 1858 he visited Minnesota and decided that Northfield was the best place for its location. The next year he removed with his family to Northfield, but the Civil War soon followed and his plans were delayed. The year 1862 brought the added horror of the Sioux massacre, in which four hundred citizens of Minnesota were murdered, eighteen counties depopulated, and thirty thousand people made homeless.
Three years later, with the return of peace, we find Deacon Goodsell presiding over the meeting of the Congregational state conference at Faribault. Influential brethren from different parts of the state, entirely ignorant of each other's purposes, came to this meeting with the conviction that the fit time had fully come for founding a Christian college in Minnesota. With great enthusiasm, the conference voted to establish the college. Other towns desired the institution, but Northfield's offer of $18,579 and twenty acres of land was accepted as the best in many respects. During these years of delay the membership of the Northfield church had increased from 40 to 130. The con- ference elected the first board of trustees and made it a self- perpetuating body. The trustees at once entered upon their duties, and the preparatory department was opened September 25, 1867, with one instructor and twenty-three students. Both numbers were doubled during the first term. The students were mostly from New England families, eager for larger opportuni- ties than their pioneer life had afforded.
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