USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 2
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1
Fifty-eight of the business men of York and eighty-four of the teachers in charge of schools in York County in 1904 were old York College students.
The present board of trustees for 1920-1921 are:
Officers
N. A. Dean, president
Chas. Bissett, treasurer.
R. E. Townsend, secretary
York County
C. A. McCloud
N. A. Dean J. R. McCloud
L. S. Loomer Wm. A. Harrison Arthur Thompson
Nebraska Conference
Rev. W. F. Brink, Angus, Nebraska S. C. Caldwell, Swanton, Nebraska
J. W. Rollings, Dayton, Ohio
F. L. Pothast, Pickrell, Nebraska
George Barrett, Gibbon, Nebraska F. J. Hale. Omaha, Nebraska
Colorado
A. A. Nieman
W. HI. MeCormick, Berthoud, Colorado
R. W. Harlow, Pueblo, Colorado
Alumni Association
Paul Porter, A. B., Swanton, Nebraska Chas. 'Bowers, A. B., York, Nebraska Nebraska.
W. Il. Morton, A. B., Fairbury,
D
CONSERVATORY
GYMNASIUM
YORK COLLEGE, YORK
THE N'W 10 PUBLIC LIR AN
ASTOR, L' JA TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
Executive Committee
Hervin U. Roop, chairman
Charles Bissett, secretary C. A. McCloud N. A. Dean J. R. McCloud
L. S. Loomer Commodore Beaver Wm. Harrison A. W. Thompson
The college faculty serving in 1920-21 are:
Hervin U. Roop, Ph. D., Le. D., LL. D., president, logic and educational psychology.
M. O. Mclaughlin, A. M., D. D., vice president ; member of 66th Congress.
Charles E. Ashcraft, dean of the Liberal Arts College: A. B., Campbell College ; A. M., University of Chicago; B. D. Bonebrake Seminary ; one year post-graduate work at the University of Chicago; philosophy and English Bible (1913).
Charles Bissett, treasurer and registrar; Ph. B., San Joaquin Valley College; A. M., University of Kansas; B. D., Bonebrake Theological Seminary : graduate work, University of Chicago, one year; history and social science (1913).
Howard C. Feemster, A. B., Drury College; A. M., University of Nebraska; mathematics (1906).
J. Clifford Morgan, A. B., Campbell College : A. M., University of Kansas ; Latin and Greek (1914).
E. Ethel Clarke, A. B., A. M., University of Kansas; modern languages and English (1914).
William C. Noll, A. B., York College; A. M., University of Nebraska ; biology (1918).
Lewis Franklin John, college pastor (1915) ; A. B., Otterbein University ; B. D., Yale University : D. D., Otterbein University.
Georgiana Adams, A. B., A. M., University of Nebraska ; chemistry and physics (1919).
Daniel H. Verder, M. A., Harvard University ; English (1919).
Edity Cone, B. S., University of Nebraska : domestic science (1915).
Edith M. Callender, A. B., York College; academy English (1913).
Charles H. Amadon, dean of Hulitt Conservatory of Music; New England Con- servatory of Music; voice, violin and wind instruments (1914).
Eda M. Rankin, M. B., University of Nebraska ; piano (1912).
Gladys Pearson, assistant in piano.
Mrs. Elmira Graves Koon, Art Institute of Chicago; art (1916).
Ruth Chapin, director of Model School.
Emma Fye, dean of women.
Vincent V. Moore, business manager, School of Commerce; bookkeeping.
Iona Geiger, bookkeeping.
Ella Pederson, stenography and typewriting.
Mina Francis Porter, commercial English, arithmetic and spelling.
E. V. Deason, penmanship.
O. S. Gilmore, commercial law.
Harriet Holly, physical culture for women.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE FACULTY
The president is ex-officio member of all committees.
Classification-C. E. Ashcraft, Edith Callender.
Course of Study-C. E. Ashcraft, Chas. Bissett, H. C. Feemster.
Library-Chas. Bissett. E. Ethel Clarke, J. C. Morgan, D. H. Verder.
Student Organizations-II. C. Feemster, Wm. Noll. Edith Cone, Georgiana Adams.
Chapel Attractions-C. H. Amadon. Eda Rankin, Edith Callender.
Athletics-E. Ethel Clarke, Charles Bissett, Harriet Holly.
Publicity -- Edith Callender, E. Ethel Clarke, J. C. Morgan, Edith Cone, William Noll.
Dates-C. H. Amadon. C. E. Ashcraft. Chas. Bissett.
Lecture Course-C. E. Asheraft. C. H. Amadon, Chas. Bissett.
Debating and Oratory-D. II. Verder, E. E. Clarke.
Schedule-The faculty.
REV. WILLIAM E. SCHELL, A. M., D. D.
President of York College Since August 3, 1897
William E. Shell was born in Carroll County, Indiana. October 25, 1861. He is of German decent, related to some of the best families of the land and his kin are found in the United States Congress, among financiers, bishops and scholars of wide reputation.
His mother died when he was but a child. His father, a prominent Chicago business man, went down in the panic of 1873. This left the lad to face the world alone, long before he had reached his teens. With the true spirit of German inde- pendence he remained away from his relatives, leaning upon his own efforts for success. He taught school at the age of fifteen, was in the mercantile business in his early twenties, bending his energies, meanwhile, in the direction of a college course, which he completed in due time at Western College, Toledo, Iowa, in June, 1890, with the degree A. B. and with highest honors.
After graduation he served for three years as pastor of the U. B. Church, DuBois, Nebraska.
The next two years he was the York College pastor. Being an indefatigable worker, fully appreciating the various needs of the church and one upon whom God has set his seal of approval, his years in pastoral labor were fruitful in an unusual degree. many being added to the church year by year. But during these years so crowded with pastoral duties he still found time for study. and in June, 1893. he took the degree 1. M.
Then followed nearly three years of service as presiding elder of York district before he was called a second time to the presideney of York College, the first call being declined three years before.
Though a modest, unassuming man. President Schell is an excellent financier, prepossessing in appearance, an eloquent speaker, possessed of good judgment. keen insight, rare tact, and a faculty of bringing things to pass.
He has served the church as a member of two general conferences and as a
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
director of the board of missions. He has served a four years' term on the board of education, which has the supervision of all the colleges of the denomination.
He has been a member of the Nebraska College Association for several years and has served as secretary and as president of the same. He has been elected to membership in a number of national associations of scholars, and his name appears in several biographical cyclopedias, while in June. 1902, Lane University, LeCompton, Kan., honored him with the degree D. D.
His services have been repeatedly songht by other institutions, but at the earnest solicitation of his many friends he has continued in his present relation.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. Two Christian associations are maintained by the students. The Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. both have meetings every week in their own halls. Both are branches of the international Christian associations. The Christian associations help to develop and maintain the moral and religious life of the student body.
Various committees are at work. Bible and mission study classes are con- ducted, making the associations a most valuable auxiliary to the spiritual life of the college.
Student Volunteer Band. The Student Volunteer Band is composed of young men and young women who have pledged themselves to foreign missionary service and who are considering the great problems of world-wide missions.
Literary Societies. The college has four literary societies-the Amphietyon and Zetagathean for young men, and the Philomathean and Zetaethean for young women, each of which offers its privileges to students in any department. These societies have large and well furnished halls and direct their own affairs. They afford excellent means for social and literary culture under the most wholesome Christian influences.
College Periodicals. The Sandburr is a monthly college paper edited and published by the students ; its contents are interesting and helpful and it furnishes a live link between the college and the students of other days. The Sandburr will be mailed free of charge to each regularly enrolled student.
Bulletins are issued from time to time for instruction and inspiration of our constituents.
A neat pocket manual for free distribution, containing valuable information for new students, is published yearly by joint committees of the Y. M. and the Y. W. C. A.
Athletics. The athletic association of York College is composed of all the students. They eleet their own board for the control of the different sports. Two members of the faculty are elected to act with the board. Coaches are provided for all the sports. Football, baseball, track, tennis and basketball are encouraged. Our gymnasium is one of the best in the state, having regulation size floor, run- ning track, lockers and shower baths. The college backs the athletic association financially.
Oratory and Debate. An oratorical and debating association is maintained. Its affairs are managed by an executive committee of four members, consisting of three student members and the debating coach. It has charge of all inter-class
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
debates, inter-collegiate and oratorieal contests. College credit is given for work properly done in this department. In addition to the eredit given, the alumni offers a prize of twenty dollars to the one winning first place in the preliminary state oratorical contest. All students winning places on college teams will be given instruc- tion and training under the head of the expression department at the expense of the college. Some features of the present plan are new. and under the new system a lively interest in debate and oratory has developed.
Total Enrollment
College
78
Harmony 10
Academy
39
Art
38
Summer School
94
Duplicates
136
School of Commerce
168
Voice
23
Net enrollment
516
Piano
152
THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS IN 1920
There are three buildings on the campus, the Administration Building. Hulitt Conservatory and the Gymnasium.
The Administration Building is 88x99 feet. It is built of brick and is three stories high above the basement. It contains the chapel, recitation rooms, library, office, literary halls and laboratories.
Hulitt Conservatory is 36x80 feet and is modern throughout. It is built of brick with limestone trimmings and is three stories above the basement. The first story is used by the conservatory of music and the other two are used as a ladies' dormitory and will accommodate forty-two girls. The basement is well equipped for serving meals.
The Gymnasium is 40x80 feet. It is made of brick and is one of the best college gymnasiums in the state. It is modern in every way, having a hard maple floor of regulation size, a running track, lockers and shower baths.
The college has a commodious campus of eleven acres where all the out-of-door sports can be maintained. In addition to this the city of York grants the privilege of using the city park located just south of the college campus.
YORK COLLEGE NOW COMPRISES THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS
1. The College of Liberal Arts ( Standard).
2. The Academy (or Standard High School).
3. The School of Commerce ( the York Business College).
4. The School of Home Economics (cooking and sewing).
5. The School of Expression (elocution, public speaking).
6. The School of Music (voice, piano, violin, public school methods, pipe organ, wind instruments).
1. The School of Fine Arts.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
LABORATORIES AND LIBRARY
The college is provided with chemical. physical, biological and geologieal labora- tories. The chemical laboratories are well equipped with all the apparatus for general, inorganic and organic chemistry ; also qualitative and quantitative analysis. The laboratories are supplied with water, sinks, gas and other necessities. The physics laboratory is thoroughly equipped with all the necessary apparatus for teaching of physics in a first class way. The biological laboratory is well equipped with first class compound microscopes, microtome, camera, etc. The geological laboratory has a large number of fine specimens of fossils, rocks and minerals. A special room is fitted up for the geological work.
Library. The library has received a substantial gift of $10,000 from Andrew Carnegie. The interest, amounting to $500 a year, is spent in purchasing the best books for a working library. Our library ranks among the best in the state. It is of sufficient size now to offer a number of library courses. Daily papers and many of the best magazines are to be found on the reading tables of the library.
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
A majority of its students are from Christian homes. The college therefore seeks to furnish such religions training as will supplement and conserve the sacred influences of the home. It believes in heart culture as well as head culture and encourages every agency and activity that tends to promote Christian influence.
Every school day chapel exercises are held in the college chapel and all students are required to attend. Members of the faculty and occasionally students lead these exercises. Bible classes are conducted and credit given both in the college and academy. Mission study classes are conducted by the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. (. A. Study of comparative religions and non-Christian faiths is presented in the college.
All students are required to attend at least one religious service every Sunday in the church of their choice.
YORK'S SUPPORT
We want posterity to know of the interest York County takes in this institution, so allot the space to let the York Republican of August 26, 1920, tell that story :
The prologue in the final act of the drama. entitled "Raising the Endowment of York College." was given at the Y. M. C. A. rooms on Monday evening. On that occasion members of the county organization met with the trustees of the school for the purpose of launching the campaign in York County outside the city of York. The drive in the city was made last spring and netted $103,000 before the subscription takers folded up their subscription blanks and left the field. Now the county is to be invited to do its part.
The financial goal of the college has been fixed as follows: $150,000 for York County, $150,000 for the United Brethren denomination in Nebraska and Colorado, $200,000 from the denominational funds devoted to Christian education.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
These sums invested in securities are expected to raise the sum which is yearly needed to bridge over the financial gap between what the students pay in tuition and what the expenses of the institution are. With the endowment raised and the finances of the school established, improvements, both in the equipment and the work of the school, can be undertaken: without the endowment the school is headed for the financial rocks.
A number of progressive people from the county attended the meeting. A dinner was served at 7:00 o'clock. After that had been properly discussed and disposed of, C. A. McCloud, chairman of the board of trustees of the school, took charge of affairs and in a brief speech outlined the financial needs of the college.
The college is the property of the people of York County, declared Mr. McCloud, and they should for financial reasons, if for no other, come to its support. He declared that if another community were bidding for the school and there was a prospect of its being moved elsewhere, a sum of a half million dollars could be raised over night to retain it. Some of the same spirit should be showing itself when the school is in financial need to guarantee the stability of its finances so that the future work of the school can be laid out and protected. Mr. MeCloud declared that every acre of land in York County is enhanced in value by reason of the school being located here, and that if every acre has been increased one dollar- a conservative estimate-that inerease alone is suthicient to raise an endowment to provide the present and future financial needs of the school.
Other speakers, whose remarks brought out the value of the school to the com- munity and the duty devolving upon the citizens of York County to assist it with their gifts toward the endowment and also with their good will and interest, were A. W. Thompson, Dr. O. M. Moore and J. G. Alden.
Dr. H. U. Roop, president of the school, gave much interesting detail about the work of the school. They have two goals in view, a financial goal and student goal. Their financial goal is the one above detailed, creating a total endowment of a half million dollars. The student goal is twice the number of students enrolled last year.
Doctor Roop stated that two things are essential before the school can avail itself of aid from the, large educational funds established for the aid of colleges by the men of great finance interested in educational objects-there must be an endowment of not less than $100,000 and a student body of not less than 100. These conditions will soon be met and then the college can apply for aid from the foundations in establishing professorships, founding chairs and erecting new build- ings. He is sanguine the endowment hopes will be realized and the college put on its financial feet so that it can with this school year begin to stretch out for its waiting, beckoning future.
A very complete canvass of the county is to be made under direction of a captain and team for each township. Some work in the county has already been done with good report. The captains of the teams who will do the soliciting work in company with volunteers from the school and from York City are: Stewart, Herman Diers: Thayer, David Price; West Blue, A. E. Caldwell ; McFadden, Merl Harner ; Henderson, J. R. Mouer : Brown, P. H. Epp: Waco, R. F. Getty ; Morton. Win. Myers: Arborville, S. Ilarvey: Bradshaw, Dr. Geo. Morrison; Lock- ridge, R. L. Brill : Baker, B. S. Kuhn ; Leroy, Harvey Pickrel.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
THE YORK ACADEMY
In the fall of 1871 C. S. Harrison of Eastville, Ill., was asked by Geo. Harris, land commissioner of the B. & M. Railroad, to take charge of a colony to be located in York, Neb., with F. A. Bidwell, land agent. He first came to view the situation in September, 1871. There were then but six buildings and those on a very small scale, one being a sod house. At this time there was not a tree, shrub or flower on the whole townsite. It was simply a dry, dreary, monotonous prairie. The grass was short and the country had a parched and pinched appearance.
He told the commissioner that if he took charge of a colony he must have a nucleus around which to build it. So the commissioner asked him what he wanted. He told him that he wanted forty acres of land deeded to the Congregational Church for an academy and wanted it joining town on the west side. The forty aeres were received without the cost of a dollar and deeded to the Congregational Church when it was organized. Then circulars were put out calling attention to the "Mayflower Colony," with a New England academy attachment, and that began to draw the people till by such advertising about six hundred people came to York County. It brought in a better class of people than the other towns secured. This was due to the fact that church and school was the watchword instead of saloons and gambling dens.
The next thing to be done was to make the land available. So Mr. Harrison and Mr. Bidwell bonght lots on the west side of town and when other people came in they commeneed to settle near the academy land. G. P. Chessman came soon after and also built in that locality.
When an impetus was given in that direction, then it was thought best to sell thirty acres of the land and put up the building from 'the proceeds, retaining ten acres for the campus. To Mr. Chessman and Henry Seymour the community was largely indebted for the success of the enterprise. Sufficient land was sold to commence the building of a two story building 30x50 feet with an addition for entrance and bell tower. It was in the awful year of the grasshopper scourge, but the noble building went up like a great hope rising out of despair. For the times it was a large building. The lumber was hauled from Fairmont as there was no railroad in those days. As it was to be a Congregational school the advisability of opening it was brought before the Blue Valley Association, and a committee of three brought in a report against opening it, as it was too near Doane College. Sentiment has changed since then. Doane College realizes the need of academies as feeders. There are now four of these in the state sending students to Doane.
In the meantime, however, the building was not idle. For some time it was given to the public school, as it had rooms adapted for their work. Not long after its erection the M. E. Conference located their state college in York and the doors of the academy were cordially thrown open to them. In the meantime it was used as a Congregational church.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL COLLEGE OF NEBRASKA
This institution of learning, located in this city, owes its origin to the Nebraska Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which, at its session in the fall of 1879, established it under the name of the Nebraska Conference
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
Seminary. However, during the first three years of its existence the school developed so rapidly that the Annual Conference, at its session in 1873, found it necessary to raise the grade of the institution ; and it was accordingly incorporated as the Methodist Episcopal College of Nebraska, and opened as such in September, 1883.
The educational advantages offered here to the youth of our young state are certainly of a high grade. A full classical course of six years is preparing many of our young men for the learned professions. The philosophical course, requiring five years for its completion. pays special attention to the philosophies and physical sciences. The scientific course, also of five years, differs from the last principally in that it carries the student farther into the higher mathematics, pay- ing somewhat less attention to the study of languages : it is arranged with the design of qualifying the student, by a thorough drill and study in mathematics and physical science for scientific pursuits.
Other shorter courses are open to the student who does not wish to remain so long at college, yet desires to enter upon life's work with a better preparation than he can get at the high schools. Such is the literary course, requiring but three years of study. It embraces studies from various departments of art, science, history, philosophy and language. This is a very popular course.
There is also a normal course requiring three years' work, specially designed for those wishing to qualify themselves for the profession of teaching. It introduces those studies which are essential to the teacher in his special work, and gives promi- mence to those studies required under the laws of Nebraska for a first grade certificate.
The fact is also recognized that there is necessarily among us a class of young people who must fit themselves for business with the least possible delay, having no leisure for the acquirement of any knowledge, however useful and desirable except such knowledge as develops the indispensable qualifications of the business man. With special reference to such needs we have the business course, discarding all studies but those absolutely indispensable to the successful prosecution of business. In this course the student is taught bookkeeping, practical rapid business penmanship, commercial law, business forms, commercial arithmetic, rapid calcula- tion, etc.
As an appropriate introduction to any of these courses we have an English preparatory course of one year, covering the common English branches of study.
If for any special reason the student wishes to select studies from the various courses, he may do so under the advice and discretion of the faculty.
Diplomas are granted and appropriate degrees conferred upon the graduate in any of these courses.
The museum of this institution is a noteworthy feature. Fine collections have been added from time to time. Lately the Bower's cabinet, one of the finest col- lections in the West, representing the patient toil of a lifetime of an eminent scientist, has been purchased by the trustees and added to the museum.
Students have free access to the library, are furnished with apparatus to illustrate natural science, and with instruments for surveying, etc.
Great care and judgment have been exercised in the selection of the faculty for our college; the chairs of the various departments are filled with persons of
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
wide experience, broad culture, of acknowledged competency and literary standing. As at present constituted, the faculty in the literary department consists of the following :
Rev. E. Thompson, Ph. D., S. T. B., president and professor of ethics and psychology.
Ella A. Thompson, M. E. L., preceptress, professor of English language and history.
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