USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 53
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 53
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Prof. Huntington's incidental contributions to the college as librarian chairman of the catalogue committee, secretary of the faculty, college reporter and writer of official missives, his similar offices in Northfield on library and school boards, his services by pen and voice, in the churches and in countless benevolent enter- prises in the Northwest, his ministrations at weddings and funerals, and his personal influence in developing noble character have made him a large part of the story of the state.
He has had also, the gift of friendship, and claims as his most valued title that of the "Student's Friend."
Lyman B. Sperry, 1875-1883, received the degree of M. D. from the University of Michigan in 1867, and A. M. from Oberlin College in 1884. He held the professorship of physical science in Ripon College for five years and came to Carleton as professor of geology, zoology and physiology in 1875. He combined text- book study and the lecture system. From his medical practice and extended observation he brought much that was new and interesting to his classes. He has many friends, is easily approachable, and as house physician was often consulted by students, both men and women. After eight years he resigned to enter the lecture field and has traveled widely in many lands. His books on physiological subjects are the best of their kind.
Arthur H. Pearson, 1880-1900. Mr. Pearson came to his pro- fessorship with an unusually broad preparation and made good use of it all. After four years in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology he took his college course at Amherst, graduating in 1877. This was followed by a theological course of three years,
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and later by a year at Cambridge and Oxford, England. For ten years he was professor of chemistry, physics and mineralogy and then for ten years he held the professorship of philosophy and Biblical literature. In teaching he was direct, stimulating and incisive. In the teaching of Biblical literature he made an abiding impression upon many minds, inclining them to enter upon the most advanced forms of Christian service. With impaired health he resigned in December, 1900.
Department of Latin, 1876-1904. Three women of superior character and culture, and possessing exceptional teaching and executive ability, occupied the department of Latin from 1876 to 1904. Their terms of service were nine, eighteen and thirteen years respectively, those of the second and third overlapping in part. They not only taught all the preparatory and college Latin with scholarly ability, but performed administrative service of great value, and by their personal qualities and their devotion to the highest interests of both the students and the college, impressed themselves permanently upon Carleton life.
Miss Alice L. Armsby was a graduate of Oberlin College. from which she also received the degree of A. M. She came to Carleton, as teacher of Latin, in 1876, when the college depart- ment was but two years old and had graduated but four students. She brought with her, along with her intellectual equipment, that fine temper of mind and heart, known as the "Oberlin spirit," destined to have so large a place in shaping the character of the institution. For nine years she taught all the Latin of both the preparatory and the college courses, resigning at the end of that time to become the wife of Rev. A. H. Pearson, then professor of chemistry and physics in the college.
Miss Louisa Holman Richardson succeeded Miss Armsby, as teacher of Latin, in 1885. She was a graduate of Boston Univer- sity, of the class of 1883, received her A. M. degree in 1887, and her Ph. D. in 1891. After two years as professor of Greek and Latin in Lasall Seminary, she began her work as a teacher in Carleton in 1885, and was made full professor in 1888. With the exception of a year's leave of absence for special study at Newn- ham College. Cambridge, England, she gave Carleton a contin- nous and most efficient service of eighteen years. During a year's leave of absence of the dean of women, Miss Richardson was acting dean, and at all times she was an important auxiliary in the government of the college. She resigned in 1903 to become dean of women in Ohio Wesleyan University.
Miss Lucia E. Danforth was a graduate of Carleton, of the class of 1888, receiving successively the degrees of A. B., B. L. and A. M. For two years after her graduation she was precep- tress of the Collegiate Institute of Salt Lake City, Utah. In
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1891 she came to Carleton as preceptress of the academy, and teacher of Latin, positions which she filled with marked ability for thirteen years, with the exception of one year's leave of absence for study at Somerville College, Oxford, England. During Miss Richardson's absence, 1890-91, and during the year succeeding her resignation, Miss Danforth taught the college Latin. She resigned in 1904.
But no mere enumeration of dates and facts can convey an adequate idea of the service rendered to Carleton College by these three women. It was not simply what they did, but what they were, that made them a living force in the life of the institu- tion and left their impress permanently upon its history.
Lucius W. Chaney served from 1882 to 1908.
Charles H. Cooper, 1883-1898. Every small college with limited endowment has frequently to face the trying experience of losing from its faculty a professor counted among its brightest and best. A really valuable man for a small college is a desirable asset for a large one. This experience came to Carleton in the year 1898. It was with keen regret that the college learned that Prof. Charles H. Cooper was called to the presidency of the Mankato Normal School. While at that time his tastes were- as often expressed-for literary rather than executive work, the largeness of the Mankato field appealed strongly to a young, vigorous and progressive man, and Carleton lost an able and popular teacher. Prof. Cooper's popularity was based on his peculiar fitness for his work. He was in a marked degree an inspiring teacher, fair and just and illuminating : history became a live subject under his touch and students were made to think for themselves. A young lawyer of Minneapolis recently remarked, in speaking of Prof. Cooper's ability as a teacher, that although when he came as a student to Carleton, he had a passing grade in a certain historical study, he availed himself of the privilege of taking it again under Prof. Cooper.
The faculty found in Prof. Cooper a delightful co-laborer, always ready to do his full share of the work, also he was an exceedingly pleasant man to work with, an item of no mean importance as faculties go. The work he did as librarian was of incalculable benefit to the college, among other things putting into use the Dewey catalogue system. He lived up to the priv- ilege of a conscientious librarian in directing much of the young people's reading. Best of all, he was a versatile, all-round helpful man. When he left his class room he did not feel that his whole duty to God and man was accomplished.
He not only gave of his best to the college, but he was a power in town, and in the church, always standing for the highest and best; giving himself freely in all sorts of service for the
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betterment of the community. He held many important positions in town and church. Mr. Cooper came to Carleton in 1883, made full professor in 1884, and for fifteen years served the college most faithfully and efficiently.
Dartmouth was his alma mater and he was a tutor there in 1882, having graduated and taken the degree of A. B. in 1877. From 1878 to 1879 he was principal of the Abbott school, Wash- ington, D. C., which brings us back to the beginning of his career as an educator. At this carly period his career was full of promise, which has been fully realized as the years have passed, and now as president of the Mankato Normal another chapter is being written which, when finished, will be found to be along the same lines of faithfulness and effectiveness, and President Charles Hermann Cooper will be counted among the first educators of Minnesota.
Caroline E. Linnell, 1886-1904. Miss Linnell was graduated from the Boston School of Oratory in 1882. After a few years of teaching she took advanced courses at her alma mater. She came to Carleton as an instructor in expression and elocution, and continued her work with steadily increasing ability until her resignation in 1904. Nearly all of our winning orators began their study with her in the academy and continued it in the college.
Wilmot V. Metcalf, Ph. D., 1891-1903. Dr. Metcalf's coming to Carleton College in 1891 marked an era in the department of chemistry and physics. After graduating from Oberlin College in 1883 he took two years of theological study and for two years was professor of natural science in Whitman College at Walla Walla, Wash. He then went to Johns Hopkins University for three years, where he specialized in chemistry under the great chemist and teacher, Ira Remsen, and received his doctorate in 1890. To these scholarly attainments was added a quiet but forceful personality and great enthusiam in the work of his department. The laboratory equipment was systematized and enlarged until in essentials it was fairly complete. Ile was exacting, first of himself and then of his students. He did not extend his department by offering many courses, but insisted that the foundations in a few courses should be laid with the utmost thoroughness. The key note of his teaching was "Know the truth at any cost." He esteemed the development of the power of research greatly superior to all of the beneficent applications of science. While teaching he attempted no research work, but kept abreast of the time by extended reading. But in the year 1895-96 he went on leave of absence to the University of Würtz- burg, Germany, for study where Prof. Roentgen was doing his classical work on the x-rays.
The secret of his influence lay in the deep personal interest
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which he had in every one of his students. He had a remark- able power of getting hold of students so as to arouse their interest and kindle his own enthusiasm in them for his high ideals, both in science and in life. He had decided that he could develop strong Christian character in others more effectively as a teacher of science than as a clergyman. Some thought him extreme in the pursuit of his ideals, but to many of his students he is their highest type of manhood.
With the change of administration in 1903, after twelve years of most efficient service, he resigned and went to the University of Leipzig for two years under the great physical chemist, Ostwold.
Frederick E. Stratton, Ph. D., 1892-1906. Dr. Stratton, a graduate of Williams College, after twenty years of successful teaching east and west, came from the principalship of the high school at Dubuque, Iowa, to that of the academy of Carleton College in 1892, when in the reorganization of departments the lines were more distinctly drawn between college and academy. He maintained most intimate and helpful relations with his pupils. He was a member of the school board of the city and taught most acceptably the collegiate classes in pedagogy. He took an active interest in all matters pertaining to his church and city. At the discontinuance of the academy he was elected dean of Fargo College and its professor of Greek.
Harlan W. Page, 1885-1910. The "Alumni Magazine" says : Mr. Page's life up to 1885 seems to have been
a
fitting preparation for the varied responsibilities of his
recent position. Holding an important financial position in the Union army during the last years of the Civil War and being on duty at Washington during the closing months, he naturally acquired a large view of national affairs. As a leading banker and legislator in southern Minnesota he received the knowledge and experience in the details of large affairs which fitted him for the position of financial secretary and treasurer of Carleton College. His loans for the college have been from $100,000 to $200,000 a year. He has passed upon all abstracts of title without loss to the college and has been superintendent of grounds and buildings, making repairs and improvements and superintending the construction of new buildings.
A college graduate, he has been able to view situations from the student's point of view. For forty years a trustee, and a trustee still, he is well informed as to the needs of the college. Never impulsive but always judicial, faculty, students, trades- men, donors and borrowers have alike found him always the same, considerate, exact and just. The Carnegie foundation ranks his services as equal to those of the college professor.
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Miss Anna T. Lincoln. Miss Anna T. Lincoln spent her early life in Hallowell, Me., where she received a good English education. Her father, a prominent citizen there, moved to Minnesota in 1857, where they led a pioneer life for seven years. Miss Lincoln taught school in Olmsted county and her father was probate judge. At his death the family returned to Maine. where Miss Lincoln acquired a business experience. She became matron of the classical institute in Hallowell, and from that position she came in 1879 to Carleton College, where she was matron in the ladies' hall for four years, making the most of very poor and unattractive quarters for the young women of Carleton until the new building, Gridley Hall. was ready for occupancy. She had a large part in planning the commodious and comfort- able home of which she was superintendent until 1909, when she retired to live in her own home. only a short distance from the college campus. Her duties had increased with the years and with the increasing number of students until she had charge not only of Gridley Hall and its dining room with one hundred and seventy-five boarders, but also of the three cottages where many of the girls room. She was assisted in this work and responsi- bility by her sister, Miss Emma L. Lincoln, whose home for many years has been with Miss Lincoln. Few women in such a position have had such a strong and helpful influence over the students as Miss Lincoln has had. Always interested in their moral and religious welfare, their college enterprises and their sports, she was frequently seen on the athletic field, and the ball team was always sure of an enthusiastic supporter in Miss Lincoln. The cause of athletics, as well as many another good cause in Carleton, has often been substantially helped and encour- aged by her. Elected to honorary membership in one of the literary societies she came into still closer touch with that group of young women.
She planned and executed so wisely and methodically that she was able to furnish good board to the students at a remark- ably low price, while her management of the dining room gave it such order and refinement as are seldom found in a boarding house.
In spite of the many burdens of her office she planned time for more outside work than many women can do. Ilers are among the most interesting parts in her literary club. The City Improve- ment Association has found in her a most effective worker. When the old settlers want a bright and entertaining paper for their annual meeting they call on Miss Lincoln. She took a large part of the college course by visiting the classes and follow- ing the courses of study there outlined. She added to her store of knowledge and experience by three trips to Europe as well
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as extensive trips both east and west in our own land. All these things in addition to her unusual natural gifts helped to make her a delightful hostess and social leader.
Appreciated by the trustees of the college for her executive ability and prompt decisions, by the faculty and students for her sincerity, generosity and loyal friendship, Miss Lincoln has played a very important role in the life of Carleton, and the college owes her for her thirty years of service a great debt which money can never pay.
Music Department. The college has maintained a music department from the first, poorly housed and inadequately equipped, but doing good work under the efficient leadership of Alice M. Heald, George Bagmall, William M. Gray, and others. It is expected that better conditions will be enjoyed at an early day.
It remains to briefly recount the leading events of the two later administrations.
Pres. William H. Sallmon, 1903-1908. The second year of this administration brought a most notable increase to the equip- ment of the college. It was the gift of an endowed science hall, by William H. Laird, president of the board of trustees, an antici- pated gift of $50,000 for the building, which bears his name, and $50,000 to be at interest for its permanent maintenance. As often happens, the total outlay exceeded the early estimate.
During this period the collegiate enrollments steadily increased, while the total enrollment, owing to the discontinu- ance of the academy, remained about stationary.
Desirable changes were also made in matters of internal administration. One of considerable importance was the devoting of one evening a month to the consideration of the greater educational questions of the day. Carefully prepared reports were presented, and after mature deliberation permanent policies were adopted. In this way the faculty decided from time to time to recommend to the trustees the dropping of the academy, the adoption of the semester plan, group electives and faculty furloughs every seventh year on half pay.
But the decisive event of this administration was the dispersal of the college faculty. It was foreshadowed in the opening address to the faculty and students, and was so pressed that in less than six years only two of the former academic faculties remained.
Changes were expected, and in view of the long terms of service some were sure to come soon, but the changes made were so many and so radical that the intense opposition was awakened on the part of a large majority of the alumni and the friends of
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the college who demanded a change of administration and at length secured it.
Pres. Donald J. Cowling, Ph. D., 1909. In his first year of service Dr. Cowling has won the enthusiastic support of the entire college constituency. The collegiate enrollment is larger than ever before, and two important additions have been made to the college plant. The Sayles-Hill gymnasium for men, the gift of Prof. and Mrs. Fred B. Hill, 63 by 173 feet, of red sand- mold brick, with Bedford stone trimmings and marble columns. containing a swimming pool 20 by 75 feet, with a depth of 4 to 9 feet. a gymnasium proper 60 by 125 feet with a locker room 40 by 50 feet, two basket ball courts, hand ball and indoor base ball court, and offices for student organizations. The second floor has a recreation room 20 by 45 feet, a trophy room, a reading room. and a padded running track of twenty-one laps to the mile. all finished and furnished at a cost of about $64,000. The other addition is a central heating and lighting plant, secured at a cost of about $48,000, which is expected to lessen the cost of fuel and janitor's service, and the danger from fire.
Summary of Alumni. Educators-In state institutions, 12: in colleges and universities, 30; in academies, 9; in normal schools, 4: superintendents. 26; high school principals and teachers, 138; in graded schools, 11 ; total 230. Graduate students, 20; clergymen and theological students, 38; missionaries, 19; law- yers and law students, 38; physicians and medical students, 30: librarians, 7 ; in research work, 2; Y. M. and Y. W. C. A. secre- taries, 7; in business, 55; editors, 4; in government positions, 4; miscellaneous occupations, 48; women at home, 52; married women, 126: deceased. 30; total, 710. Names repeated. 8; total alumni, 702. The class of 1910, 47; total of alumni, 749. Non- graduate students, collegiate and academic. 6,000.
ST. OLAF COLLEGE.
St. Olaf College had its beginning with Rev. B. J. Muus, who came from Norway in November, 1859, and took charge of the Holden congregation in Goodhue county, in the center of what had, even at that early date, become a thickly populated Nor- wegian settlement. Besides serving his home congregation, Rev Muus organized many other congregations in Wisconsin and Minnesota, having at one time as many as twenty-eight regular stations which he visited twice a year.
In September. 1866, Rev. N. A. Quammen came to the Chris- tiana settlement in Dakota county, and relieved Rev. Muus of part of his work. Rev. Muus at that time was a member of the Norwegian Synod, and when Luther College was established in
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Decorah, Iowa, he and his congregations bore a large share of the burden.
The desire of Rev. Muus for the education of the children in his care led to his opening a school in his parsonage in Holden, in the middle of September, 1869. He engaged Thorsten Jesme as teacher, and an academic course was planned in which Latin was taught. This school was abandoned on account of the illness of the pupils.
In June, 1874, Rev. Muus presented to the annual meeting of the Norwegian Synod, which was held at his home church, a thesis which embodied his principles of education, and which was the ground work of St. Olaf's School, afterward founded. At this meeting an offer was made by members of the congregation at Red Wing to present a piece of land and buildings valued at $10,000 if the synod would locate a normal school there. This did not meet the approval of Rev. Muus, and he suggested to the Rev. N. A. Quammen, of the Christiana settlement, and to Harold Thoreson, a prominent citizen of Northfield, that Northfield would be a suitable place for the schol. Accordingly, the next day, Mr. Thoreson offered to donate a fifteen-acre lot with build- ings on it, worth about $2,000, if an academy should be erected on it under the control of the synod. The synod, in a resolution, expressed a desire that such an academy be erected. But a vigorous campaign among the clergy and influential Lutherans, terminating with a meeting in Northfield in the fall of 1874, only revealed the fact that support must be sought elsewhere. The citizens of Northfield then took the matter in hand and a meeting was held at Lockwood's Hall, October 1, 1874, and a committee appointed to determine what material aid the citizens of North- field would give toward the establishment of a Norwegian academy in that city. At a meeting held at Wheaton's Hall, October 15, it was reported that $5,400 had been raised. Among the gentlemen prominent at these two meetings were: A. O. Whipple, Harold Thoreson, O. A. Mead, E. Hobbs, A. H. Bjor- aker, C. A. Wheaton, G. M. Phillips, J. T. Ames, W. H. Mitchel, Charles Taylor, Hiram Scriver, and F. A. Noble.
November 6, 1874, a meeting of a few faithful Lutherans was held at Northfield, and articles of incorporation of St. Olaf's School drawn up and accepted. The first officers were : President, B. J. Muus ; secretary, Harold Thoreson ; trustees, O. K. Finseth, K. P. Hougen and Osmund Osmundson. The institution was originally called St. Olaf's School, but in 1889 was amended to St. Olaf College.
On the same day that the school was started a call was sent to Rev. Thorbjorn N. Mohn, of St. Paul, asking him to become principal. His salary was originally $650 a year.
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Preparations were now made for the opening of the school at an early date. The first necessity was to find accommoda- tions. On December 17, 1874, the trustees purchased the old public school property, consisting of four lots and two school houses, on the present site of the Congregational Church. It is interesting to note that when these buildings were removed. the material was used in the construction of the present ladies' hall at the college. The school was opened January 8, 1875, with appropriate ceremonies, amid a blustering snow storm. The original enrollment of thirty-six soon increased to fifty. L. S. Reque soon came to assist Rev. Mohn, and classes were arranged in the common branches and in religion, in both English and Norwegian. At the opening of the second year. A. K. Teisberg took the place of L. S. Reque as assistant. Several studies were added to the school course.
In 1875, Rev. Muus received an efficient assistant in Rev. M. O. Bockman, who worked with him for a few years, and was then placed in charge of the congregations of Moland and Gol. In the meantime the trustees had been looking for a suitable permanent location, which was finally selected in 1875 by Harold Thoreson and Prof. L. S. Reque. Mr. Thoreson began nego- tiating with a Mr. Cutler, the owner, and soon the board pur- chased twenty acres, and ten acres lying west of the twenty, for $1.250. This was the nucleus of the present extensive college grounds on Manitou heights.
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