Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 26

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Ohio > Summit County > Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens > Part 26

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When the college started, its entire re- sources were only about $10,000, contributed mostly in small sums, by numerous donors. Its sole dependence for the means of support and growth was the liberality and devotion of the friends of religion and learning in the new settlements, and in the older States from which the people here had come.

The college received no aid at any time from the government, either State or na- tional, in any form, except a partial release from taxation. With the exception of $13.000 received in the years 1845 to 1848, from "The Society for the Promotion of Collegiate and Theological Education at the West." its funds all came from private individuals interested in the advance of "religion, morality and knowledge." The largest single donation ever received is $10.000. The whole number of single donations is nearly five thousand, and the total amount of donations, up to

1876, is $387,040. Much of this was con- tributed for current expenses, when the col- lege income was insufficient. The estimated value of property and endowment before the removal to Cleveland was $300,000.

The first president of the college was Rev. Charles Backus Storrs. He became president in 1830, at the age of thirty-six. He died September 15, 1833. Rev. George Edmund Pierce, D. D., succeeded to the presidency in 1834, and retired from that office in 1855. "Under his administration the college took its place for thoroughness and completeness among the best in the land. He gathered about him a wise and able faculty. He enlarged and beautified the grounds, erected an observatory and three college build- ings, and gathered a valuable apparatus for instruction." Rev. Henry Lawrence Hitch- cock, D. D., became president in 1855, re- signed in 1871, but remained as professor in the college until his death, which occurred July 6, 1873. "He removed all the encum- brances of the college, and added to its perma- nent fund more than $175,000." On the re- tirement of Dr. Hitchcock in 1871, the va- cancy was filled by the promotion of Rev. Carroll Cutler, D. D. The college was re- moved to Cleveland in 1882. Dr. Cutler re- signed the presidency in 1886.

A system of manual labor in connection with the college was advocated by the founders as early as 1823. In 1829, the trustees pro- vided a farm, a cooper shop, carpenter shop. wagon shop, and cabinet shop. and estab- lished a system of labor. The whole scheme was unpopular with the students and proved a failure. Some lingering remnants of the enterprise remained until 1852.

Under an amendment of the charter, a medical department was established in Cleve- land, in 1844. Twelve hundred and fifty-five students in this department received the de- gree of Doctor of Medicine prior to 1876.

A theological department was a part of the original plan of the founders. and a com- plete course of theological instruction was given from 1831 to 1852. It was suspended

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on account of financial embarrassment, and not resumed. One hundred and one theo- logical students pursued their professional studies here.

From 1838 onward, facilities were provided for post-graduate work on the part of any graduate desiring to pursue special studies in any of the departments included in the col- lege course. The number availing them- selves of these opportunities was never large.

A preparatory department was connected with the college from the first. This was designed to be only temporary, but it was found necessary to maintain it. After the college was removed to Cleveland, the pre- paratory department was maintained at Hud- son for several years, under the name of The Western Reserve Academy.

Western Reserve College was for a time a co-educational institution. In his inaugural address in 1872, President Cutler announced that the doors of the college were open to women as well as men. Thereafter, a num- ber of young women attended the regular college classes, both before and after the re- moval to Cleveland. At the annual com- mencement in 1888, the trustees formally decided against co-education ; and "the girls were unceremoniously turned out." Provi- sion was made for them, however, in a sep- arate department, known as the Woman's College. The number of students in attend- ance was never large, the number in all de- partments, including preparatory, rarely ex- ceeding 120. The highest number in the college department in any one year was 78, in 1869. The first graduating class (1830) contained four young men. The largest num- ber of graduates from the college in any one year was eighteen, in 1872. These statistics apply only to the period prior to the removal to Cleveland.

TWINSBURGH INSTITUTE.

Rev. Samuel Bissel, founder and proprie- tor of Twinsburgh Institute, was graduated at Yale College in 1823. He studied theol-

ogy, and in 1825 was licensed in Connecticut to preach the gospel. In the spring of 1828. he came to Twinsburgh to take charge of the Presbyterian Church, to which he had been called. In the autumn of that year, he fitted up with seats a rude log house, which had been built for a shoe shop, and invited all youth of suitable age to attend school, those able and willing being expected to pay tui- tion at the rate of two dollars per quarter. About forty young people responded, and the little room was packed. In 1831, a house was built for the two-fold purpose of a church on Sabbath and a school on week days. In 1837, Mr. Bissell erected a house 20 by 35 feet, in which he held school forty weeks in the year, divided into three regular terms. Additions were made from time to time to this building and to the dwelling hard by, a two-story building used for a tavern was purchased, and two other buildings three stories high were erected. The number of stu- dents increased to 300, with at least fifty boarders, requiring seven teachers to give in- structions in the classics, mathematics, Ger- man, French and music, besides all the usual branches of an English education. No char- ter was ever obtained, no appropriations of public money were ever received. Board and tuition were low at best, and many students attended who paid little or nothing. None were turned away for want of means. In the course of time, receipts fell short of ex- penditures. A debt of $6,000 accumulated. A portion of the buildings were sold to pay the indebtedness, leaving a balance in hand of only $300.

These embarrassments, the general im- provement of the public schools, and the breaking out of the Civil War, conspired to- gether to reduce the attendance and diminish the income.

In 1866, Mr. Bissell, at the age of seventy, found himself without means and with very scanty income, but with indomitable will and tenacity of purpose. He resolved to erect a new stone building. two stories high, 77 feet

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by 33. He borrowed $1,500 and received some aid from former pupils and other friends. Mr. Bissell did most of the work with his own hands, save cutting and laying the stone and the plastering. Without any previous knowledge of carpentry, he framed and erected a self-supporting roof; he made and put up doors, ceiling and casing; he laid floors and built stairways. The work

went on slowly, but in the course of time it was sufficiently advanced to provide for 100 students. Mr. Bissell's own estimate was that not less than 6,000 students received in- struction in Twinburgh Institute, among them more than 200 Indian youth, from sev- eral different tribes, east and west. This re- markable man died in 1895, at the age of ninety-eight.

CHAPTER XII

HISTORY OF BUCHTEL COLLEGE

BY REV. ANDREW WILLSON, D. D.

For many years the need of an institution of learning had been recognized by the pro- gressive ministers and laymen of the Univer- salist Church. During 1865, and the early months of 1866, Ohio was canvassed for Lom- bard University at Galesburg, Ill., and the Buckeye State contributed $20,000 toward an endowment of $100,000. That canvass in- tensified the desire for a school in Ohio under the management of the Universalist denomi- nation.

At the Ohio convention, held at Mt. Gilead, in June, 1867, as chairman of the Committee on Education, Rev. Andrew Willson prepared and presented a report urging the establish- ment of an academy for both sexes. The re- port was unanimously adopted. The Com- mittee on Education, of which Mr. Willson was again chairman, was instructed to prepare a plan for a state school and report the same at the next annual convention to be held in Dayton in June of 1868. After corresponding with the leading ministers and prominent lay- men in the state, Mr. Willson prepared and presented a somewhat elaborate plan and made $50,000 the minimum sum to be pledged be- fore the beginning of the work. Mr. Will- son rather surprised the convention by stat- ing that no place could secure the school for less than $10,000. He was finally assured that Kent would give that amount.

The report was unanimously adopted. Dur- ing that year several towns seriously consid- ered the question of obtaining the school. The principal competitors were Kent, Mt. Gilead and Oxford.

By June, 1869, when the Ohio convention met at McConnellsville, the thought of a col- lege had found favor with many of the most interested. The trustees, Revs. Andrew Will- son, H. L. Canfield, J. S. Cantwell, J. W. Henly and O. F. Haymaker, and the Commit- tee on Education, Revs. B. F. Eaton and E. L. Rexford, were intsructed "to proceed to .es- tablish a denominational school in the state, whenever a suitable location may be secured and requisite funds pledged."

In November, 1869, at a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and Committee on Edu- cation held at Springboro. Rev. H. F. Miller, then financial secretary of Smithson College, Indiana, was invited to become general finan- cial secretary of the Board and Committee. He accepted the office and began work the first of the following January.

At this time Kent and Mt. Gilead were earnest competitors for the college. The lat- ter place was centrally located, but not finan- cially as strong as Kent. Against the latter there was a strong prejudice on account of its reputation of unhealthfulness. When Mr. Willson found that Kent, where he was then pastor, was not likely to win, he threw his in- fluence in favor of Akron. He was the first to call the attention of the citizens of this city to the proposed institution, and urge the importance and advantages to the place in which it might be located.

In September of 1867 the Western Reserve Association of Universalists was held in Ak- ron. A special car conveyed the Kent peo- ple, and Brimfield, Windsor and other places

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sent large delegations. The enthusiasm of that meeting quickened much interest and touched John R. Buchtel. Although he had made his will, when he clearly saw the op- portunity of founding a college, he was not slow in grasping its meaning and its impor- tance to the cause of education.

However, to him the opportunity did not fully a appear until early in 1870. Mr. Willson and Mr. Miller had investigated the condition in Akron, interviewed prominent citizens, in- cluding Mr. Buchtel, without satisfactory re- sults. They did not succeed in arousing suffi- cient interest to justify large expectations of locating the college in that city. After visit- ing several places and investigating their of- fers, Mr. Miller decided in favor of Mt. Gilead, a centrally located town in Morrow County. January 9, 1870, Rev. H. L. Can- field preached in Akron and on the evening of that day several friends met at the residence of Avery Spicer and earnestly discussed the question of the location of the college. All present felt that Akron was the place. The next day Mr. Canfield wrote the financial sec- retary to again visit Akron before finally de- ciding the question of location. Mr. Miller replied that he had already called a meeting of the trustees of the convention and its Edu- cational Committee to meet at Columbus to decide the important question. The meeting was held but no decision was reached. A com- mittee was appointed to accompany Mr. Mil- ler to Akron and reinvestigate the situation. Rev. Geo. Messenger, an old friend of Mr. Buchtel's, gave his strong influence and the committee was satisfied that Akron was the right place for the institution. This was of- fered the city on the condition that the sum of $60.000 should be pledged. The offer was promptly accepted, Mr. Buchtel pledging $6,000 for a building fund and $25,000 as an endowment when the college should be estab- lished.

As the records were burned when the col- lege building was destroyed, it is impossible to recall the names of all of the original sub- scribers. On the list were the following: J. H. Pendleton, Ferd Schumacher. Avery

Spicer, Geo. Steese, S. M. Burnham, J. T. Trowbridge, M. W. Henry, E. P. Green, Geo. T. Perkins, Geo. W. Crouse, N. D. Tibbals, A. C. Voris, J. Park Alexander, Geo. Cogg- shell, Talmon Beardsley, Lewis Miller, L. V. Bierce, J. Sumner, Wm. Buchtel, Dr. Childs, Jerry Long, W. B. Doyle, Brewster Bros., M. J. Atwood, Frank Adams, James Christy, John Christy, John Burton, John Wolf, Thos. Willey, C. Howe, Richard Howe, J. B. Lane, S. A. Lane, M. T. Cutter, J. B. Woods, Chas. Bonstead, John Seiberling.

Having decided in favor of Akron, the next important question was where to erect the building. The trustees of the Ohio conven- tion, accompanied by citizens of the city, spent some time visiting different sections and con- sidering offers from various parties. The re- sult was the selection of the old cemetery grounds. The decision has never been re- gretted.

On the 31st day of May, 1870, the Board of Trustees and Committee on Education met at the Court House in Akron at 10 a. m. Trustees present : Rev. J. S. Cantwell, H. L. Canfield, J. W. Henley and Andrew Willson and Mr. O. F. Haymaker; Committee on Edu- cation, Revs. B. F. Eaton and E. L. Rexford. Rev. H. F. Miller, financial secretary, stated that the citizens of Summit County had com- plied with the terms of the Trustees and Com- mittee on Education. On motion of Rev. B. F. Eaton, it was unanimously voted to locate the college in Akron and to authorize Rev. H. F. Miller, W. Spaulding, Geo. Messenger, Henry Blandy, J. R. Buchtel, Hon. N. D. Tibbals, E. P. Green. Col. George T. Perkins, James Lantz and George Steese, together with the Trustees and Committee on Education to act as corporators.

By what name shall the college be known ? This was a deeply interesting and important question and was earnestly discussed by the Trustees and Committee on Education. Some favored naming it Murray Centennial Col- lege, others Buchtel Universalist College. Mr. Buchtel was invited to attend the meeting and express his opinion. Honestly and frankly he said "name it what you like. The college

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is yours, not mine. It shall have my hearty support. If prospered, I expect to give it one hundred thousand dollars." Then it was unanimously voted to name the child of the Ohio Universalist convention Buchtel College, in honor of the man who financially most loy- ally aided it in its infancy.

All necessary legal measures were taken, the corporation adopted articles of association, also a seal; elected a board of trustees, became a "Body Corporate" and then delivered all the property into the hands of the trustees. This board then organized by electing Hon. John R. Buchtel, president; Hon. Sanford M. Burnham, secretary, and Hon. George W. Crouse, treasurer. The services of Rev. H. F. Miller as financial secretary were secured, to date from January 1, 1870.

During the first week in June the Ohio Universalist Convention was held at Kent. The attendance was unusually large. In this centennial year of the Universalist Church in America, the college occupied a prominent place in the thoughts of all delegates and vis- itors. The action of the Trustees and the Committee on Education was earnestly in- dorsed amid great enthusiasm. The follow- ing resolutions were unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That this convention joyfully rec- ognize the success of the friends of Universal- ism in their efforts to establish a denomina- tional institution of learning in this State; that we appreciate the magnificent gift of our friend and brother, Hon. John R. Buchtel, of Akron, for this object and pledge to him our cordial co-operation to make the enter- prise so generously aided a complete suc- cess.

Resolved, that, having confidence in the man, in his honor, rectitude, integrity, in his disinterestedness in this friendly gift, in the positive manly virtues of his life and the ex- ample which his history affords to the strug- gling youths of our country, we gratefully recognize the wisdom which gives the institu- tion his name, and that will hereafter enable us to rank Buchtel College among the proud- est monuments of our centennial year.

Under the able management of Rev. H. F.

Miller, efficiently aided by Revs. J. S. Cant- well, editor of the Star in the West, Andrew Willson, H. L. Canfield, B. F. Eaton, R. T. Polk and many others, the canvass for funds was successfully pushed. The people had a mind to give, and preparations for erecting a suitable building were speedily commenced. T. W. Silloway, of Boston, was employed as architect and in due time Noah Carter, of Akron, was engaged to superintend the work of the building.

On the 4th of July, 1871, was laid the cor- ner stone bearing the inscription, "Centenary of Universalism in America, 1870." In the presence of a great multitude, Horace Greeley gave an address on "Human Conceptions of God as They Affect the Moral Education of Our Race." In the evening a reception in honor of Mr. Greeley was held at the home of Hon. John R. Buchtel.

The trustees of the college appointed a com- mittee, of which Hon. Henry Blandy was a member, to select a president for the institu- tion. As Mr. Blandy had business engage- ments in New England, he was instructed to confer with leading scholars in the denomina- tion and if possible report the name of some well-qualified man for that responsible posi- tion. On his return he reported that Rev. S. H. McCollester, D. D., had been highly rec- ommended and that he would visit Akron in March of 1872. The promised visit was made and resulted in the engagement of Dr. McCol- lester, who moved to Akron the first of June of that year.

By this time the chapel was nearly finished and in it was held the Ohio Universalist Con- vention. This was a memorable session for the college. There were present delegates from nearly all the churches in the State and great interest was manifested in the new insti- tution. Early in the year Rev. H. F. Miller resigned his position as financial secretary and retired the first of April. Rev. D. C. Tom- linson was then employed to fill the vacancy, and, under his leadership, assisted by Rev. J. S. Cantwell and others, about $17,000 was pledged for the college. Subscriptions varied in amount from $1,000 to $1.50 by a little

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girl. Lillie Snell, of Dayton. The cost of fur- nishing each room was estimated at $60, and the person or church paying that sum had the privilege of naming the room. Pledges for furnishing nearly all the rooms were made be- fore the close of the convention. To furnish a room in the name of Rev. I. D. William- son, D. D., one of the ablest and most exten- sively known of the pioneer ministers, a hat collection was successfully taken.

On the building and furnishings between $160,000 and $200,000 had been expended. The following description was given in the first catalog issued. "The college building is two hundred and forty feet long, fifty-four feet wide and five stories high. Its style of architecture combines the Doric, Gothic and Norman. It is a grand structure of symmetri- cal and harmonious proportions. Its rooms for lectures, apparatus, cabinets, music and stu- dents, including the dining room and gymna- sium, are light, airy and amply furnished with modern and most improved conven- ience. The building is warmed by steam, steam, lighted by gas and supplied by water. The site of the college is high, affording from its observatory one of the most extensive and delightful prospects in Ohio." Under the su- pervision of Julius Sumner the spacious grounds had been laid out artistically and re- ceived the admiration of all visitors.

There was great rejoicing when, on the 11th day of September, 1872, the college doors were open for students. On the first day ninety were enrolled. The next day the number reached 127, and during the year a total of 217. The faculty consisted of Rev. S. H. Mc- Collester, D. D., president; N. White, A. M., professor of ancient languages; S. F. Peck- ham, professor of natural sciences; Miss H. F. Spaulding, professor of English literature; Carl F. Kolbe, professor of modern languages ; Alfred Welsh, A. B., professor of mathe- matics; H. D. Person, professor in normal department.

The Akron Beacon said: "A more auspi- cious beginning or a better augury of the com- mencement of a grand and prosperous career

was not expected even by the most sanguine of the friends."

The college was dedicated September 20, 1872. On this memorable occasion President McCollester was assisted by home talent and by Rev. Paul Kendell of Lombard University ; Rev. J. E. Forrester, D. D., of Chicago ; Rev. L. J. Fletcher, of New York, who represented the Universalist General Convention, and by Mrs. Caroline A. Soule, author of the Dedica- tion hymn. The architect, T. W. Silloway, made a brief address and delivered the keys to the trustee. On behalf of the trustees, Hon. Henry Blandy expressed satisfaction with the work and accepted the keys. The congrega- tion then sang the following Dedication hymn, written by Mrs. Caroline A. Soule :

DEDICATION HYMN.

A hundred years of our story Had garnered their heavy sheaves, Harvests of valor and glory, As brilliant as Autumn leaves! And tenderly then the reapers Of this golden, precious graln,

Chanted the dirge of the sleepers In a soft and solemn straln.

The dirge was only for sleepers, As its music died away, There rose from the voice of reapers The song of an op'ning day. Like martyrs crowding the altar, All pledging themselves anew

In work of love ne'er to falter Which their hands may find to do.

And now we review the story, As we gather in our sheaves! Harvests of valor and glory, And crown them with laurel leaves!

Father Almighty! we pray Thee To bless this work of our hands,

And may it shed unceasingly Bright radiance o'er all lands!

Where error bindeth its fetters, Where sloth holdeth prey in chain. May soldiers of science and letters Their triumph and honors gain! From North and South we will call them The sons of our sainted sires;

From East and West we will draw them To kindle these sacred fires!

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As the years shall tell their story, And reapers harvest the grain, In the flush of each year's glory Our loved will meet here again! Blessing Founder of this College, Praising our Father above

For his bestowals of knowledge, And treasures of Infinite Love!

Rev. S. H. McCollester, D. D., was then in- stalled president. Hon. John R. Buchtel, president of the Board of Trustees, conduct- ing the service. Hon. Henry Blandy then presented the keys to President McCollester who gave his inaugural address on "The Edu- cational Demand of the Nation."

On the first Sunday after the college was opened, Rev. James H. Herron, of the Erie M. E. Conference, preached in the chapel, and from that time regular Sunday services were held by Dr. McCollester, or substitutes. To him belongs the credit of the organization of the Universalist Church that was intended to furnish a religious home for all who desired a denominational place of worship. He also or- ganized the educational work and placed it upon a solid foundation .. Day and night he labored for the success of the institution and gave generously of his means for its support.

For some time the attendance was encour- aging. Money was generously contributed and the institution seemed on the highway to great prosperity, when a dark cloud settled over the financial affairs of our country and threatened many enterprises with speedy de- struction. This cloud is known as the panic of 1873. Its full force was not felt by the college until a year or so later. It was this trying ordeal that tested the loyalty of the professed friends. It was then demonstrated that John R. Buchtel was truly reliable.

In the spring of 1875 Rev. D. C. Tomlin- son resigned the office of financial secretary. Soon the Executive Committee sought the services of Rev. Andrew Willson, then pastor of the churches at. Kent and Brimfield. After being persistently urged, in the following De- cember Mr. Willson accepted the responsible position, which he held till June, 1878. Dur- ing this period the college passed through its most trying financial experience. Only John

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 26

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868 Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1150