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NEALOGY 7.101 .8FC
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00863 2488
GENEALOGY 977.101 H18FC
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historicalsketch00hust
FARMERS' COLLEGE-1847.
COLLÈGE
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF
ärmers College
By A. B. HUSTON,
Class of 1847-48,
Chairman of Publication Committee.
PUBLISHED BY THE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION OF FARMERS' COLLEGE.
1590922
Report and Preface.
In the summer of 1902, inspired by love and loyalty for the once famous school of their boyhood days- Farmers' College-some of the old students,-among whom should be especially named John H. McMackin, C. C. Archer, E. N. Wild, A. S. Ludlow, Wm. Durham, Wm. Ferris, and R. H. Langdale,-inaugurated the movement for a reunion of the Old Boys at the College Building. They fixed upon September 6th as the time, and issued the following Call and Program for the same :-
First Reunion of the Old Students of Farmers' College at the College, College Hill, Saturday, Septem- ber 6th, 1902.
I P. M .- Will meet in the Chapel.
Invocation, - - BISHOP J. M. WALDEN. Reception Address, - JOHN E. BRUCE, Mayor. Response, - MURAT HALSTEAD.
1.30-Organization of an Association.
2.00-A Stroll will be taken about the Hill.
3.00-Assemble at the Dining Room of the College (now the OHIO MILITARY INSTITUTE), where a Lunch will be served, after which there will be short addresses by some of the Old Boys.
Come and meet old acquaintances. Come and re- vive the memories of your college days. Come and help
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6
REPORT AND PREFACE.
make the occasion a pleasant one, long to be remembered for its " Feast of Reason and Flow of Soul."
WM. DURHAM, C. C. ARCHER, JOHN H. MCMAKIN, Committee of Arrangements.
The Call brought together some three score promi- nent citizens of the gray-haired type, who made the occasion a most enjoyable and memorable one. A per- manent organization was perfected under the name of "The Students' Association of Farmers' College," and the following officers were elected :
President, - A. B. HUSTON.
First Vice-President, - Rev. R. S. HAGEMAN.
Second “
- Dr. W. L. DAVIS.
Secretary, -
R. H. LANGDALE.
Treasurer, - JOHN H. MCMAKIN.
A Committee, consisting of E. N. Wild, William Ferris, and William Durham, was appointed and in- structed "to prepare a Historical Sketch of Farmers' College from its organization to its close, with such col- lateral facts as it might see proper to give." A. B. Hus- ton was added to the Committee and made chairman.
With this brief statement of its origin and purpose, the Committee begs leave to report to the Association that it has discharged its agreeable but arduous duty to the best of its ability. It involved a great deal of re- search and labor to gather the requisite data, which is mainly based on the official records and documents of the corporation, and may be accepted as authentic. The Committee, construing the words "close of the Institution" to mean the time when the name of Farm- ers' College was dropped out of official existence in 1884,
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REPORT AND PREFACE.
largely confined its treatment to that period. But at the Reunion in 1905, when the Sketch was practically completed on that line, the Association decided to have the Sketch extended so as to embrace briefly the history of the school from the time its name was changed to " Belmont College " in 1884, down to its merger into the " Ohio Military Institute " in 1890,-the corporation re- maining the same,-and especially noting the list of graduates during the "Belmont " period, and so in- structed the Committee. This necessarily involved ad- ditional labor and responsibility.
The Committee apologizes for the length of this Sketch, but this grew materially from the financial prob- lem involved in the College scheme. As this problem developed, the failure of the scheme became inevitable. The desirable element of completeness in such a history seemed to demand a certain amount of detail, perhaps only justified by the local character of the subject.
Respectfully submitted and fraternally dedicated to the former students of " Farmers' College" and " Bel- mont College."
By the Committee,
A. B. HUSTON, Chairman. E. N. WILD, WILLIAM FERRIS, WILLIAM DURHAM.
F. G. CARY'S RESIDENCE-FIRST SCHOOL, 1833. Afterwards the residence of Pres. Mattoon
CONTENTS
PAGE
I. Cary's Academy, - 19
II. Creation of "Farmers' College"-The Charter-Stock Company-1846-Origi- nal Promoters and Directors-Dedication 22
III. Opening of the College-The Faculty- Freeman G. Cary, President-His Plan 31
IV. Elective Methods of Study-Liberal Education for the Masses, 38
V. Plan for Permanent Endowment-Lim- ited and Perpetual Scholarships, -
40
VI. Conversion of Stock into Scholarships- Three Classes-Ownership in the Per- petual Reorganization, - VII. "Excelsior " and "Brick Row" alias " Rat Row"-Suggestion of an Experi- mental Farın, -
44
VIII. Farm Department Established-Mr. Cary, Superintendent, - - - 51
48
IX. College on High Tide of Prosperity- 1852-1856-Hon. Isaac J. Allen Suc- ceeded Mr. Cary as President-McMick- en's Donation of $10,000 .- Death of
11
12
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Dr. Bishop-Serious Loss-Laboratory -Highest Number of Students in 1856, 330-Resignation of Dr. Allen, - 56
X. Financial Problem Serious-Mr. Cary
£ Surrenders Head of Farm Department- Report of Committee on Financial Con- dition-College Absorbing the Capital in Expenses-Rev. Charles H. Mattoon elected President, -
XI. On the Decline-Effects of "Civil War" -Proposal to Sell or Lease Lands- Schedule of Property-Cost-Dr. Mat- toon Resigned-Prof. Jacob Tuckerman succeeded him, -
70
XII. Suspension of College Course at end of the War-1865-Critical Period-Fac- ulty reduced to Three, - 86
75
XIII. Sale of the "Model Farm"-In 1866 Rev. Charles D. Curtis became President
89
XIV. Liquidation or Perpetuity-A Vital Question-Struggle of Factions-Re- vival in 1873-Co-Education Introduced -Prof. J. S. Lowe elected President- Mr. Cary favored Liquidation-His Great Disappointment, -
- 93
XV. Resumption of Graduation in 1877- Reunion of Alumni-Enthusiastic Movement for Revival-Rev. John B. Smith took place of Prof. Lowe Resigned 99
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CONTENTS.
PAGE
XVI. In 1879 in place of Pres. Smith, election of Prof. P. V. N. Myers, in Interest of the Revival-Prospect more Hopeful- Settlement with Cary Heirs of their Claims in Farm Lands-Change of Name Mooted, IOI
XVII. Change of Name in Fact -Last Financial Report prior to the Change-Exit " Farmers' " College, - - IO5
XVIII. Some Reflections on the Change-The Sequel Disappointing, II2
XIX. " Belmont College," its Struggles and Final Merger into the O. M. I. - - II4
XX. Some Reminiscences, - I26
XXI. Biographical Sketches-The Cary Fam- ily-Dr. Bishop-Dr. Myers, . I3I
XXII. Appendix :
I. Presidents, - I57
2. Professors and Teachers, - I57
3. Principals of Preparatory De- partment, - 160
4. Alumni and Alumnæ - - 161
5. Roll of Honor, - - - 6. Old Students of Farmers' Col- lege Living, - -
I68
- 169
59-FNG
FREEMAN G. CARY
ILLUSTRATIONS.
FARMERS' COLLEGE, Frontispiece
CARY'S FIRST SCHOOL, - 9
(Now Dr. P. T. Kilgour's Residence. )
FREEMAN G. CARY, 15
CARY'S ACADEMY, - 2 I
PORTRAIT OF DR. R. H. BISHOP, - 33
PART OF "EXCELSIOR," - 47
PORTRAIT OF DR. I. J. ALLEN, 57
DR. R. H. BISHOP'S COTTAGE, - 61
DR. BISHOP'S BURIAL MOUND, 63
POLYTECHNIC HALL, 65
PORTRAIT OF P. V. N. MYERS,
103
JUDGE A. B. HUSTON, 127
GEN. S. F. CARY,
137
MURAT HALSTEAD, - I49
BISHOP JOHN M. WALDEN, - 151
BELMONT COLLEGE AND OHIO MILITARY INSTITUTE, I54
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FARMERS' COLLEGE.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
Farmers' College was incorporated by a special act of the Legislature of Ohio passed February 23rd, 1846, by the name of the "Farmers' College of Hamilton County." It had its origin in what was called "Pleasant Hill Academy," but better known as "Cary's Academy." The College was so essentially the outgrowth of the Academy that a brief notice of the latter is a proper in- troduction to a sketch of the former.
I. THE ACADEMY.
Freeman G. Cary was the founder of the Academy in 1833. He graduated at Miami University in 1832, and in the following spring he began his remarkable career as a teacher by opening a high school for boys in his own residence on Pleasant Hill, with four pupils. This residence, a frame structure, is now the home of Dr. P. T. Kilgour, and is well preserved. His modest school grew rapidly in public favor, and soon re- quiring larger accommodations, he erected a small two-story brick building near the center of the spacious triangular lot of 3.45 acres at the junction of the Ham- ilton Pike (then called the "Huston Road") and the Colerain Road (now Belmont Avenue), some six miles
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
north of Cincinnati. This very soon proved inadequate to meet the demand for admission. So Mr. Cary added a larger and for that time quite imposing brick struc- ture, even if the "boys" did call it the "Pork House." The whole contained fourteen rooms, and with some additional frame buildings for dormitories constituted "Pleasant Hill Academy."
It was but a bound from the humble school-room in his own house to the capacious and formidable Academy. For over twelve years Mr. Cary conducted this school as his own private enterprise, and its success was in- deed phenomenal. The first year closed with 28 pupils, the second with 40, the third with 58, and so on, steadily increasing to an annual average of about 120. During the existence of the Academy nearly 1,200 young men, gathered from the whole West and South, but chiefly from Ohio, secured the benefits of the liberal education furnished there, many of them well advanced in the classics and higher mathematics. In the later period of the Academy Mr. Cary had drawn to his aid an able corps of instructors, including Professor James H. Bacon, teacher of Ancient Languages, and John Silsby, teacher of Mathematics and Physical Science, to which in the last year were added those two eminent educators, Dr. Robert H. Bishop, then late President of Miami University, and Rev. John W. Scott, late a pro- fessor in that University. It was with sincere pleasure and gratitude the students of that period recurred to the superior advantages they enjoyed under these teachers. Even from this brief statement it can be readily un- derstood how, with such a large and growing patronage, and with such an able and efficient head, supported by such a strong faculty, Cary's Academy acquired a wide reputation, and came to be regarded as the best Academy in the West.
.
CARY'S ACADEMY-1836.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
It was especially equipped for greater possibilities. It was like a spring that had overflowed its barriers and needed a wider channel. It became the real source and foundation of Farmers' College.
It found a merited destiny through its merger into the larger enterprise. Freeman G. Cary was the moving spirit in both. This great and successful work had en- listed his whole fervid nature and exhaustless energy. He had $10,000 invested in the building and apparatus. And yet he found in the year 1845 the increased facil- ities inadequate.
II. CREATION OF FARMERS' COLLEGE.
The Charter- Stock Company-Original Promoters and Directors.
It was then the dream of Mr. Cary's life began to take form and he conceived the project of a College. He consulted some of his leading friends and patrons, and they approved the movement and promised as- sistance. At first they determined to enlarge the accom- modations and render the institution more permanent and public. They got together and, after full discussion and deliberation, resolved to raise by subscription in shares of $30.00 each a sufficient sum to purchase an eligible site and construct a suitable building, the sub- scribers to the capital stock to be entitled to interest, payable in tuition. Professor John W. Scott voluntarily undertook to procure subscriptions, and in a very short time his efforts were so successful as to justify the calling of a meeting of the subscribers, the purpose announced being the erection of "a building for an institution of learning especially suited to the wants of the agricultural and business community." Thus it appears that the idea of an education that would reach
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FARMERS' COLLEGE.
the masses and best fit them for the ordinary pursuits of life, was the prominent motive in the very inception of the undertaking. We find in the catalogue of the Academy for 1841 Mr. Cary's statement that, "The great and leading object had in view from the commencement of this Institution has been ultimately to give an ex- tensive and thorough course of scientific instruction." The meeting was held on the 22d of August, 1845, at the Chapel of the Academy, and a large number of citizens were in attendance. It was duly organized by the election of Nathaniel S. Schooley, of Springdale, as Chairman, and Charles Cheney, of Mt. Pleasant, as Secretary. Professor Scott stated its object and the success already met with in the way of subscriptions, which then amounted to 100 shares. It was thereupon resolved to organize the Company by the election by ballot of a board of fifteen directors, who should have the general charge of the erection of the building and the management of the fiscal concerns of the Company. The directors chosen were so representative of the original promoters of the College that it is deemed fit- ting to insert their names in this record, to-wit:
I. John W. Caldwell, Carthage.
2. Edgar M. Gregory,
3. Samuel F. Cary, -
4. Nathaniel S. Schooley,
5. Timothy Kirby, -
6. T. B. Weatherby,
7. Charles Cheney, -
8. Edward R. Glenn,
9. Paul C. Huston, -
IO. John Matson,
11. Edward Hunt,
12. J. Ely,
13. Giles Richards,
14. Taylor Webster,
15. Jacob Dennis,
Cincinnati. Pleasant Hill.
- Springdale. Millcreek Township.
Millcreek Township. Mt. Healthy.
Springfield Township. Colerain Township.
- Miami Township. Elizabethtown1.
- Cheviot. Butler County.
- Hamilton.
Dearborn County, Ind.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
It was further resolved that the building to be erected be denominated the "Farmers' Collegiate Hall, of Ham- ilton County," that the work be pushed forward with all possible dispatch, and that they make application to the Legislature of the State at its next session for an Act of Incorporation, "in accordance with the general ob- jects and plan of the Association." Prof. Scott was appointed permanent agent of the Company to solicit stock subscriptions.
The further appeal to the public was promptly re- sponded to, and over 400 persons, mostly farmers and mechanics, were contributors in Hamilton and adjoining counties. Encouraged at the prospect and feeling as- sured of a Charter, the Board determined to proceed at once to secure a site, purchase the ground, and make contracts for the building. The site selected by the Committee (Messrs. Richards, Huston, and Ely) ap- pointed for the purpose, and approved by the Board, was four acres of ground nearly west of the Academy lot across the road, perhaps the most commanding, beautiful, and suitable location on the Hill, which even then was noted for its superb position, beauty of scenery; and salubrious air. This was on September 26, 1845. Two acres were obtained from William Cary (the father of F. G. and S. F.), one by donation, and two adjoin- ing from F. G. Cary, and paid for in stock of the Com- pany. Subsequently there were added I 97-100 acres on the South side purchased from F. G. Cary, and I I-2 acres on the North side purchased from S. F. Cary, making in all 7 42-100 acres as comprising the College lot, which is intact at this time.
The Legislature was duly memorialized for a Charter, with form submitted through S. F. Cary, appointed for the purpose, and on the 23d day of February, 1846, it
25
FARMERS' COLLEGE.
passed an Act incorporating the "Farmers' College of Hamilton County," as recorded in Volume 44 O. L. 163.
This Act has so important a bearing upon the sub- sequent history of the College, it is deemed proper to insert it here in full, to-wit :
"AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE FARMERS' COLLEGE OF HAMILTON COUNTY.
"SECTION I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that Charles Cheney, Edgar M. Gregory, Nathaniel S. Schooley, J. W. Caldwell, Tay- lor Webster, Paul C. Huston, Jacob Dennis, Timothy Kirby, T. B. Weatherby, Edward R. Glenn, John Matson, Edward Hunt, J. Ely, Giles Richards, and Samuel F. Cary and their associates and successors, be and they are hereby constituted and made a body politic and cor- porate, with perpetual succession, by the name of the Farmers' College of Hamilton County, and by that name may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded within all the Courts of law and equity, may have a common seal, and are hereby vested with all the powers and privileges necessary to carry into effect the object of said asso- ciation, to manage the affairs of which the persons named in this section are hereby authorized until other directors shall be elected and qualified.
"SECTION 2. The stock of said Company shall be divided into shares of Thirty dollars each, each share to entitle the owner thereof to one vote.
"SECTION 3. The stockholders of said association shall meet at Pleasant Hill Academy, on the second Monday of April, 1846, and tri-ennially thereafter, and elect by ballot fifteen of their number trustees, who shall con- stitute a board of directors for said association; said directors shall have power to fill all vacancies that may occur in said board, and shall hold their office until their successors shall be elected and qualified. It shall be lawful at all elections for the stockholders to vote by proxy duly authorized in writing ; said stockholders shall
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
also meet annually, on the second Monday in April, for the transaction of business.
"SECTION 4. The said directors shall have power to appoint a Treasurer, Secretary, and such other officers, agents, and superintendents as they may deem neces- sary ; may make all contracts, manage and superintend the affairs of the association, and adopt such by-laws as they may deem necessary for the government of said association, not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the United States and of the State of Ohio.
"SECTION 5. The objects of this association shall be to direct and cultivate the minds of the students in a thorough and scientific course of studies, particularly adapted to agricultural pursuits.
"SECTION 6. Said corporation shall be permitted to hold real estate not exceeding ten acres for College pur- poses, together with such other property as may be nec- essary for the objects mentioned in the fifth section of this Act, not exceeding in the whole forty thousand dollars.
"SECTION 7. The said corporation is made subject to the provisions of so much of the Act entitled 'An Act to regulate incorporated literary societies,' passed March 7, 1839, as are now in force, except so far as changed by this Act.
"SECTION 8. The capital stock of said Company shall be transferable by assignment on the books of the Com- pany.
"SECTION 9. The Board of Trustees of said associa- tion, with the approbation of the instructor, shall have power to establish a course of studies, and they may grant certificates or diplomas, under their corporate seal, to such students as they may deem worthy of such honor.
"ELIAS F. DRAKE, Speaker of the House of Representatives. "SEABURY FORD, Speaker of the Senate.
"February 23, 1846.“
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FARMERS' COLLEGE.
The Act took effect from the date of its passage. The incorporation was named the Farmers' College, partly because the patrons and purchasers of the stock were mostly farmers, and partly because the course of study adopted by Mr. Cary was especially adapted to those who wished to qualify themselves for industrial and scientific pursuits. It will be observed that the persons designated as Trustees in said Act were the same chosen as Directors in the preliminary organi- zation.
It was arranged to have the corner-stone of the Col- lege edifice laid on the 13th of April, 1846, and Rev. Dr. Robert H. Bishop was invited to deliver an address on that occasion. That eventful day soon came, and agree- ably to the Charter, the stockholders met at Cary's Academy and organized by selecting E. M. Gregory as Chairman and Charles Cheney as Secretary. Quoting from the record of the Board:
"A large audience was in attendance, and by invita- tion previously given the venerable Doctor Bishop then delivered an able and interesting address, and was fol- lowed by the Rev. Doctor Scott in some pertinent and interesting remarks, showing the origin, object, and gen- eral plan of our enterprise.
"The meeting then adjourned to the site of the con- templated new edifice, when the corner-stone was laid by the Rev. Doctor Bishop in an appropriate and striking manner."
His dedication, so characteristic of the man,-solemn, comprehensive, and impressive, was as follows:
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, the One and the only Living and true Jehovah, I deposit this corner-stone. And in behalf of the stockholders, and of the community at large. I dedicate this structure and all its appurtenances to Lit-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
erature and Science, for the promotion of the best in- terests of the human family in the development of mind, in the investigation of the infinite varieties of the nat- ural productions of the land, and the water, and the atmosphere belonging to this globe, which is given as the residence and patrimony of man in his present state. Nor is it in the least derogatory to the true dignity of man to acknowledge, as we here unitedly do, that, though he is lord of the lower world, he is entirely dependent at all times and on all occasions on the great Sovereign of the Universe for all his powers, and for all his en- joyments, and for all his hopes and prospects.
"And let all the people present, with uplifted hands, say 'Amen and Amen', and in so doing pledge them- selves to be guardians and patrons of the Farmers' Col- lege of Hamilton County, Ohio, so long as it shall be worthy of public patronage."
To which the audience responded with a hearty "Amen." The scene to the multitude assembled was novel and inspiring, and all felt the seriousness and im- portance of the occasion.
Both of the distinguished speakers enforced by clear and convincing arguments the dignity of labor, and the importance of a more general distribution of education in the community of a practical character, and by Insti- tutions such as this was designed to be,-"to raise up another and better, because a more educated and in- telligent kind of agriculturists, mechanics, and business men, than the present or any former generation."
These addresses had a marked influence in impressing public sentiment favorably toward the new College. Of the many copies printed we have been able to find but one, which belongs to Miss Jessie Cary. They are as pertinent now as when delivered, and deserve permanent preservation. After the feast that followed the public ceremonies, the stockholders returned to the Academy
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FARMERS' COLLEGE.
and completed the organization of the corporation by the election by ballot of a Board of Directors as follows :
J. W. Caldwell, Charles Cheney, T. B. Weatherby, Giles Richards, E. M. Gregory, S. F. Cary, John McMakin, Jos. Longworth, Edward Hunt, Timothy Kirby, Paul C. Huston, A. Foster, John Matson, James Huston, and Jacob Dennis. (54 votes cast.)
The Act of Incorporation was then read to the stock- holders and they voted to accept the same, and ordered 1,000 copies of the addresses of Doctors Bishop and Scott to be printed for distribution.
The new Board acted with promptness, and on April 18th organized by electing E. M. Gregory, President ; Charles Cheney, Secretary, and S. F. Cary, Treasurer, and appointed the important committees and proceeded at once to the responsible work at hand. It devolved on this Board to execute the wishes of the stockholders, and the record of their proceedings shows that they devoted their best energies towards raising the necessary funds ; they observed economical business methods in the erec- tion of the building, as illustrated by their paying the superintendent $1.50 per day, but only for the time actu- ally engaged in the work, and "the walls went up because the people had a mind to the work." Indeed, these were the men who were most actively and prominently identi- fied with the executive labors and official management in the early years of the institution. They were selected without reference to political or religious bias, and solely as representatives of the best interests of the stockholders and their important enterprise. And we believe this may be truthfully affirmed of that governing body throughout the history of Farmers' College.
On June Ist, 1846, the Board adopted a code of by- laws, one of which limited the capital stock to $15,000,
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
with the right reserved in the majority of the stockholders to increase the same, and another asserted the control of the buildings and property of the Association by the Directors with power to lease.
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