Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II, Part 49

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 1314

USA > Mississippi > Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II > Part 49

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The Centenary college originated at a convention of the members of the Mississippi con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal church held at Jackson on the 7th of August, 1839. It was there determined to commemorate the centennial year of Methodism by raising a chari- table fund, of which seven-tenths should be devoted to the establishment of a college to be located as near the center of the conference as practicable. The Rev. C. K. Marshall was appointed canvassing agent by the December conference, and a committee on location was appointed. In a few months subscriptions, in the shape of the purchase of scholarships, to the amount of $76,000 had been raised, in addition to some donations of lands. Much of this subscription was, however, never paid. In 1841 the college was located at Brandon Springs, in Rankin county. An extensive and valuable property, originally designed for a watering place, was purchased at $30,000, on favorable terms as to payments, and was con- sidered a great bargain. The first session opened in 1841. Dr. Thomas C. Thornton was president and professor of moral science and sacred literature; Dr. James B. C. Thornton, M. D., was professor of natural sciences; N. W. Magruder was professor of ancient lan- guages, and James B. Dodd was professor of mathematics. There was a preparatory depart- ment, of which the Rev. E. S. Robertson, A. M., was principal, and Mr. Robert D. Howe, assistant. The college opened well, the attendance of pupils being sixty in the first month. In 1842 a school of medicine was established, and placed under the charge of Dr. James Thornton, and a law school projected. In the fall of that year the college opened with one hundred and seventy-five students in attendance. In 1843 a charter was granted to the col- lege. In 1844 a great deal of discontent arose in regard to the management of the college, both as to tuition and finances. This spirit became so intense as to cause the resignation of Dr. Thornton. The Rev. David O. Shattuck, of Carroll county, was then elected president pro tem., and the institution was reorganized so far as to establish an exclusively English and classical school, and to place the preparatory classes under the direct charge of the respect- ive professors. This allayed the discontent, and the session of 1844-5 opened well; but the trustees still determined that the location at Brandon Springs was a mistake. The sur- rounding country was poor and the population was sparse. The result of it all was that in 1845 the institution was moved to Jackson, La., where it now is.

The Rocky Spring academy, located at Rocky Spring, in Claiborne county, was opened

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on the 1st of January, 1839, under the direction of Mr. Holmes, a graduate of Miami uni- versity.

The Summerville academy, a female school of high grade, was established at Summer- ville, in Noxubee county, in 1839; Mrs. Vaughn, principal.

The Middleton Female academy seems to have been an appendage of the Judson ins- titute after its removal to Middleton. In 1840 Dr. E. J. White was principal, assisted by his wife and a Miss Bustead. In 1843 Mr. B. Holt, of Vicksburg, became its president. There was a chemical and philosophical apparatus, and in 1846 Colonel Holt added a supe- rior astronomical apparatus. Shortly after this, however, the school became extinct.

The People's academy was also located at Middleton. In fact, this now almost forgotten village, about two miles west of the present Winona, was, at this time, quite an educational center. It was a prominent candidate for the location of the university. This was the Presbyterian school. In 1841 it was under the charge of the Rev. Elijah Graves, assisted by his wife and daughter. In 1842, the female department was under a Mrs. Thompson; Mrs. Graves, music teacher. In 1843 Mr. Reuben Nason leased this academy, and seems to have converted it into a male school exclusively. He was still in charge in 1845-6. A sec- tarian controversy, it is said, destroyed the usefulness of both these schools.

The Almucha academy, in (probably) Lauderdale county; the Thickwoods academy, of Amite county; the Rienzi academy, of Tishomingo county, and the Constantine Male and Female academy, of Noxubee county, were incorporated in 1840.

The Grenada Male and Female academy, located at Grenada, in Yalobusha county (now in Grenada county), was incorporated February 15, 1839. It was preceded by certain classical schools, still traceable; by a Mrs. S. M. Orrel, in 1835; succeeded by Prof. G. D. Mitchell, from Tennessee, in 1836. Rev. Joseph E. Douglass, of the Methodist church, taught in 1837; followed, in 1839, by R. J. Mendum, from La Grange college, Ala. In 1838 a Mr. William Duncan had opened a female seminary of some pretensions. The academy seems not to have been organized until 1841; then with distinct establishments for the dif- ferent sexes - even distinct boards of trustees. The earlier schools were displaced by it. Professor Mitchell, assisted by Mr. Edward Hughes, Jr., took charge of the male branch. Professor Mitchell retired in 1842, leaving Mr. Hughes in charge. In 1844 Mr. G. B. Clark became principal; followed, in the same year, by Mr. John P. Povall; and in 1845 by Mr. A. L. Lewis, a graduate of the University of Georgia, under whom the school was removed to the building theretofore occupied by the female department. Mr. Lewis was followed, after one year, by Mr. John M. Sample, a graduate of the North Carolina university; and after him, the institution seems to have become extinct. The female department, in 1841, was put under the charge of Mr. Edward Hughes, Sr., and his wife, and the property formerly occu- pied by the Douglass school purchased for it. In 1842 Mrs. H. B. J. Eager, wife of the Bap- tist minister, took charge, but shortly afterward gave it up, when the academy was displaced apparently by a school conducted by the Rev. Joseph A. Ranney, assisted by Miss Catherine Sawyer, a lady of a high order of qualifications. In December, 1845, there was an effort to shake the trustees of the academy out of their Rip Van Winkle nap, and a Miss Harriet Washburn (afterward Mrs. Stratton) was employed to conduct it. The advertisement was prefaced by the editorial query, "Who knows when it will rain again ?" and that was the last appearance.

The Coffeeville Male and Female academy, at Coffeeville, in Yalobusha county, was incorporated in 1839; placed under Mr. Hughes, Sr., and his wife. They were followed in 1841 by Miss E. Lyman (afterward Mrs. Smith) in the female school. There is only the

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most meager general information about these schools. They seem to have been well kept. The building was destroyed by fire about 1850.

The Macon academy, located at Macon, in Noxubee county, was incorporated in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin were the first teachers; afterward Mr. James Wallace and wife were placed in charge. There were eighty-five students at the first term. The building was a two-story framed structure. By the same statute were also incorporated the Mt. Pleasant academy, which had been at work since March, 1838, under Rev. Mr. Archibald, and the Shuqualak academy, in the same county.

The De Kalb academy, located at De Kalb, in Kemper county, was incorporated in 1839. There was a good two-story school building.

The North Mississippi college, located at College Hill, Lafayette county, was incor- porated in 1840. A quarter section of land was donated for a site, and buildings regarded as of temporary character erected. Opened for reception of students in January, 1840. Rev. S. Hurd was president, Rev. D. L. Russell, vice president, and J. B. Clausel, professor of mathematics; P. A. Yancey, tutor. Full collegiate courses were offered in Latin, Greek, mathematics, chemistry, astronomy, engineering, mental and moral philosophy, etc. A bureau of correspondence was projected for the introduction into the state of desirable teachers for other institutions. This school continued to flourish for several years. It made some repu- tation and drew students from adjoining counties. The University of Mississippi was opened in 1848, only six miles away, and overshadowed it, however; the Civil war destroyed it. Its property is still used as the site of a public school. At one time it was under the charge of Professor Jeffreys, a man of considerable scholarship.

Rose Hill seminary was opened in Natchez in 1841, by Miss E. Marcilly. French was the language of the family, and the students were required to use it both in their recitations and in their recreations. The school seems to have been a favorite with the Natchez people. The course of instruction, besides the lower studies, embraced algebra, astronomy, natural philosophy, chemistry, history, chronology, mythology, logic, ethics, French, Italian, Spanish, music, dancing, drawing, plain and ornamental needlework. The school was still flourishing in the year 1851.

The Natchez institute (Brown's), a seminary for young ladies, was established near Natchez, in 1841, by Thomas Brown, Jr., formerly president of Fayette academy. General Quitman, ex-Governor Brandon, Hon. Edward Turner and other distinguished Mississip- pians were referred to as its patrons. After a period it was suspended by the removal of Mr. Brown from Natchez, but in March, 1847, he returned for the purpose of reopening the institute. The Natchez Free Trader, noticing this fact, says that his former teaching was successful.

Ford's seminary for girls was opened in Natchez in November, 1841. The usual higher English branches were taught, also the Latin, French and Italian languages, music, draw- ing, painting and perspective.

Montrose academy, at Montrose, in Jasper county, was founded in 1841, by Rev. John N. Waddel, its proprietor. James Denison and Henry Sturgis were assistants. Property, eighty acres of wild land and a $1,000 building. No apparatus; a small library. From such meager outfit Mr. Waddel built up a school whose reputation survives to this day. No degrees were conferred. Students were thoroughly prepared for the junior class in college. They came from the adjoining counties, and the annual examinations drew visitors from so far as Jackson. The largest patronage was about seventy-five per annum. Mr. Waddel was elected professor of ancient and modern languages at the university in 1848, and the acad- emy was then abandoned.

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The Carrollville Literary institution, of Tishomingo county, was established in January, 1841, with Rev. M. B. Feemster the first principal.

The Jackson Female seminary was opened in January, 1841, by Miss Silphina M. Ros- coe, from Nashville, Tenn. It was developed into quite a considerable school. In 1842 the services of Prof. A. S. Villeplait (a native of Paris, and late professor of modern languages at the university at Nashville) and his wife were secured. In 1845 this academy was sus- pended, and Miss Roscoe took charge of the Woodville Female academy.

The Oakland Male and Female academy, of Yalobusha county, was incorporated in 1841, but did not commence work until January, 1843. At this time the Rev. Marcus C. Hender- son was principal of the female department, and James Moore president of the trustees. This institution, with varying fortunes has continued up to this day.

The Wahalak Male academy, of Kemper county; the Commerce academy, of Tunica county, and the Williamsburg Male and Female academy, of Covington county, were also incorporated in 1841.

The Whitesville academy, of Wilkinson county, was established in 1841. It was a six- teenth section school, of high grade, fund about $3,200 at ten per cent interest. D. L. Phares was first president of the trustees. It was ably managed for about ten years by Messrs. Morell, W. McPhaul and others, only one teacher being employed at a time. In 1847 there were forty-two pupils. The free pupils were taught an average of thirty-three weeks each; the pay pupils much more. Became extinct about 1850.

The Newton Female institute, also at Whitesville, and also.drawing aid from the sixteenth section fund (township one, range one west), was organized at his own expense, in 1842, by Dr. D. L. Phares. Supplied with a fine apparatus, a library of over two thousand volumes and all other appliances. There was a full collegiate curriculum. A celebrated school of great merit and influence. Dr. Phares, at various times, was assisted by his wife, Miss Irene Mer- rill, Misses M. E. and Sarah Swan, Mrs. Lavinia D. Wright (of New York city), Miss Laura Stebbins, Dr. and Mrs. Slosson, Miss Mary J. Putnam (a relative of old Israel's) the Misses and Hattie Dailey, Miss Fay, Miss Rachel Harris, Miss M. L. Phares, Prof. Alexander Ellett (a man of gigantic mind, versed in many sciences, and several modern languages), L. Berg and C. Brackenhoff. The number of pupils in attendance rose to about seventy-five per annum. Quite a large number of the pupils became teachers. After the war, the property having been much depredated upon, and the health of Mrs. Phares failing, the institute ceased to be in 1865.

The University of Mississippi owes its origin to the acts of congress of March 3, 1815, and February 20, 1819, by which thirty-six sections of public land were conveyed to the state in trust for the support of a seminary of learning. The lands were located in 1823; for a few years the policy was adopted of renting them on short leases; but this was abandoned in 1833, and the lands sold at public auction, bringing in notes running one, two and three years with ten per cent. interest, the sum of $277,332.52. Of this, the sum of $129,300, including interest, was invested in stock of the Planters' bank, and thereby lost when that institution broke, about 1840. About $90,000 was collected and used by the state -- about its ordi- nary expenses. The remainder was never collected. No steps were taken to establish the seminary until 1840, when a committee was appointed to visit seven designated towns and make report to the next legislature as to the best site. In January, 1841, on the reception of the report, the location was made at Oxford by a majority of one vote over Mississippi City. The citizens of Lafayette county had already donated conditionally a beautiful section of land adjacent to the town for the site. Still the university was not incorporated until the

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24th of February, 1844. The first meeting of trustees was on the 15th of January, 1845, but nothing substantial could be accomplished for want of funds. In January, 1846, how- ever, the legislature appropriated $50,000, and with that money the buildings were immedi- ately undertaken. This work progressed during 1846, 1847, and a part of 1848. In Janu- ary, 1848, an income was provided by the act of the 25th of February which made an appro- priation slightly variable, but which amounted to about $11,000 per annum. In July the first faculty was organized. George Frederick Holmes, an Englishman by birth, and then a professor at William and Mary college, Virginia, was made president, and assigned to give instruction in mental and moral philosophy, logic, belles lettres, political economy, and inter- national law. Albert Taylor Bledsoe, a native of Kentucky and a graduate of West Point, was elected a professor of mathematics and astronomy; John Millington, M. D., an English- man and a professor in William and Mary college, was elected to the chair of natural philo- sophy and chemistry, and John N. Waddel, D. D., was elected professor of ancient and modern languages. On the 6th of November the first session began. Thomas E. Bugg, of Chickasaw county, was the first student enrolled. The total attendance was eighty. At the close of the first term President Holmes returned to Virginia, and Professor Bledsoe acted ad interim. In July, 1849, Rev. Augustus B. Longstreet, D. D., was chosen president, and the foundation of the library was laid by a donation of books from the Hon. Jacob Thomp- son. In March, 1850, the legislature directed an agricultural and geological survey of the state to be made under the direction of the university, and to that end established the chair of agricultural and geological sciences, with an assistant, and added $3,000 per annum to the college revenues. This work was prosecuted until the year 1874, when it was completed. The first graduating class was that of 1851, with fifteen members, and in this year a chair of modern languages was established. In 1854 the law school was established, and William F. Stearns, Esq., of Holly Springs, was elected professor, continuing in office until the war. The first class embraced seven members. In 1856 the legislature appropriated the sum of $100,000 to the aid of the university, payable in five annual installments. An additional dormitory, a new steward's hall, the observatory, and the magnetic laboratory were then erected, and large additions were made to the apparatus and collections, including the Markoe collection of minerals and the Budd cabinet of shells. The faculty was increased by the election of four tutors. In July President Longstreet resigned and was succeeded by Prof. Frederick A. P. Barnard, LL.D., who had in 1854 followed Bledsoe as professor of mathe- matics and astronomy.

In 1858, chairs of English and mathematics were established. In 1859 the title of president was changed for that of chancellor. In 1860 the law school had so enlarged that a second professorship was established and Hon. James F. Trotter elected. When the Civil war broke out many of the students formed a military company called the University grays, and joined the Confederate army as a company in the Eleventh Mississippi regiment. The exercises of the institution were suspended. In July 1865 measures were taken to reopen. Dr. Waddel was elected chancellor; Dr. John J. Wheat, professor of Greek; Dr. Alexandre J. Quinche, professor of Latin; Gen. Claudius W. Sears, professor of mathematics, and Gen. Francis A. Shoup (in October) professor of physics, astronomy and civil engineering, and Dr. Stanford G. Burney, professor of English. Dr. Eugene W. Hilgard, state geologist, was requested to discharge, provisionally, the duties of professor of chemistry, geology and min- eralogy. College opened in October, and the attendance for the year was one hundred and ninety three. In June, 1866, Hon. Lucius Q. C. Lamar was elected professor of ethics and metaphysics, while Dr. Hilgard was also made a professor. It was determined to reestablish

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the law school, and Hon. H. F. Simrall was elected professor, Mr. Lamar being requested to discharge the duties provisionally. In 1867 Judge Simrall having failed to accept, Professor Lamar was transferred to the chair of law. The ethics and metaphysics were assigned to Professor Shoup, who was relieved of a portion of the work heretofore done by him by the election of Dr. Landon C. Garland as professor of experimental philosophy and astronomy. In 1870 there was a reorganization of the university, a result of the reconstruction acts of con- gress. None of the professors were removed. Mr. Lamar, however, resigned. He was fol- lowed by Hon. Henry Craft, Jordan M. Phipps, assistant. There was a general remodeling of the scheme of work in the literary department, and arrangements were made for thirteen professorships, of which, however, only eleven were actually filled. By the revised code of 1871 the charter was altered in some respects, the most material of which was the substitu- tion of a general annual appropriation of $50,000 for all previous arrangements. This year, also, Mr. Craft resigned, and Thomas Walton, Esq., was elected professor of law. Also two- fifths of the income from the agricultural land-scrip fund, amounting to about $7,600 per annum, was assigned to the university, and a department of agriculture established, Professor Hilgard being made professor of agricultural chemistry and the special geology and agri- culture of the state. Dr. M. W. Phillips was made adjunct professor of agriculture and superintendent of the farm. This enterprise was never very successful. The means for the establishment were never provided by the state. In 1875 the appropriation for the support of the university was reduced to $35,000, and in 1876 to $21,000, whereupon the agricultural department was abandoned. In July, 1874, Dr. Waddel resigned the chancellorship, and was succeeded by Gen. A. P. Stewart. In 1877 Edward Mayes, Esq., was elected law pro- fessor. In 1877, also, Dr. Cowles M. Vaiden, a member of the board of trustees, began to send large numbers of poor but deserving boys to the university; the plan being to lend them the money needed, on their personal notes. At one time there were one hundred of those beneficiaries, but when he died the practice ceased. In 1879 Col. Felix Labauve, of De Soto county, died and left by his will a residuary legacy in trust, that the net income should be devoted to the education of poor orphan boys of that county at the university. This fund now amounts to about $20,000, paying about $1,500 per annum, and on it five beneficiaries attend the university each year. In 1882, the doors of the institution were opened to females, and from that time there has been an attendance of girls every year. They have done exceedingly well. Girls have graduated in five classes, and in two instances made the highest records of the class: Miss Sallie Vick Hill, of Macon, in 1885, and Miss Mattie J. Smythe, of Leake county, in 1888. The largest attendance for one year was twenty three. No modified curriculum is provided for them, but they take exactly the courses prescribed for all students. There are now (1890-1) four female candidates for the post-graduate degree of master of arts. In July, 1886, the chancellor resigned. Professor Mayes was chosen chairman of the faculty, and the chancellorship abolished; but in 1889 the office was restored and Professor Mayes made chancellor. At the same time the scheme of education was revised, and the work of the institution divided into schools, of which nine- teen, each being independent of the others, were established: Latin, Greek, French, Ger- man, English, belles lettres, mathematics, physics, astronomy, history, political economy, mental and moral philosophy, logic, botany, zoology, mineralogy, geology, theoretical chem- istry and practical chemistry. The courses in several of the schools were made more exten- sive, especially in mathematics, French and German. The school of belles lettres was entirely a new introduction. In 1890 four fellowships were established, designed to encour- age graduates to pursue higher work, and thus to qualify themselves for life as scientists or

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professors. One such fellowship had been previously established. The five are now in chemistry, natural history, physics and astronomy, mathematics and English. Elocution was at this time added as a twentieth school, and is, as it has been for several years, under the charge of Miss Sallie McGehee Isom. Since its establishment four thousand three hundred and thirty-three students have attended the university, of which four hundred and six have been law students. Of these, six hundred and sixty-seven have taken baccalaureate degrees, two hundred and sixty-five the degree of bachelor of laws, and twenty-three that of master of arts. The average attendance in the literary department has been two hundred and three, while that in the law school has been twenty-two.

The Vicksburg Female institute was established under the Rev. A. B. Lawrence, some time editor of the New Orleans Observer, and his wife, in February, 1842. In 1844 it was conducted in that extensive building formerly known as the Vicksburg hotel, and William H. Vick was president of the trustees.

The Friendship Male academy of Panola county was established in 1842, under the charge of Joseph Y. Boyd, a graduate of Miami university, incorporated in 1844, Mr. Boyd being still principal.

The Kosciusko Male and Female academy, in Attala county, was at work in 1842, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Emmons principals. They were followed, in 1843, by a Mrs. Mc- Cary.

The Raleigh academy, of Smith county, was incorporated in 1843.

The Port Gibson Female college, in Claiborne county, was founded in September, 1843. Mr. John Harvie was in charge, assisted by his wife and four other teachers. The grounds and buildings were worth about $15,000, and there was an extensive apparatus. In 1854 it was incorporated as the Port Gibson Collegiate academy. In 1859 the Rev. Benjamin Jones was president, and again in 1871. In 1869 it was taken into the connection of the Metho- dist Church South. The Rev. John A. B. Jones was president from 1875 to 1881. He was followed by the Rev. Thomas C. Bradford from 1882 to 1887. In 1888 the Rev. Edwin H. Mounger was made president, and is so still. The turmoil of the late Civil war did not inter- rupt the work of this college, and consequently it can claim the longest nninterrupted career of any female school in the state. The attendance has ranged from sixty to one hundred and twenty-five, and to date it has graduated sixty-fonr young ladies.

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II, Part 49

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Number of Pages: 1314

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 1314