USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > College Hill > Historical sketch of Farmers' College > Part 6
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Professors :- James H. Bacon, Dr. Robert H. Bishop, Daniel Molony, Hon. Jos. G. Wilson, Rev. Lorenzo Cary, J. S. Whitwell.
Directors :- Hon. Justice John McLean, Gen. E. M. Gregory, Rev. S. J. Browne, George Luckey, Wm. A. Bagley, Wm. Watson.
Agents :- Rev. Andrew Benton, Eli Taylor, Francis J. Wheelock.
Benefactors :- Hon. William Cary, Charles Mc- Micken, A. H. Ernst.
The Revival Faculty of 1873-74, as it may be so characterized, stood as follows :
Rev. J. S. Lowe, President, Salary, $2,000 00
E. E. Holt, Mathematics, . 800 00
Mrs. J. S. Lowe, Prep. Dept .. 66
600 00
(Succeeded by Miss R. S. Amidon).
Miss Louise Doisy, French,
150 00
Miss Elizabeth Caldwell, Drawing, (Raised to $400 00).
66
200 00
Mrs. S. W. Kumler, Music,
200 00
Robert Kidd, Elocution,
66
100 00
Dr. John A. Warder, Agriculture, 66
100 00
$4,150 00
In 1875 the Faculty stood the same, except Prof. M. E. Caldwell took the place of Prof. Holt, resigned.
There was no record of any commencement this year, nor indeed in 1876, and graduation was not resumed until in 1877.
On March 27th, 1874. Theophilus Wilson, who had been elected a director January 18th, 1873, was elected
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FARMERS' COLLEGE.
treasurer of the corporation, and he continued in that office faithfully discharging its duties until June 16th, 1891. He was a true, earnest, and active friend of the College in many ways. The Endowment Fund turned over to him by his predecessor amounted to $67,040.03. The income from this fund was then reported to be $3,916, and from the students $500, in all $4,416.00.
The Board proceeded to add to the course the Departments of French and Literature, Drawing, Elo- cution, and Music, and supplied teachers for these posi- tions. They resumed the issuing of catalogues in this year, the first since 1865, and announced in it that, --- "Ladies and gentlemen are admitted to all classes of the entire course on the same conditions." The same Faculty was re-elected for 1875, their salaries aggregat- ing $4,150.00. For some years the "girls" and "boys" in attendance were about equal in number, the total being in 1875-82; in 1876-66; 1877-54, and in 1878 -83.
On January 28th, 1876, the Board passed the fol - lowing resolution :
"Resolved, That Messrs. Simpson, Wright, and Wil- son be a committee to make up as far as possible a list of all valid scholarships outstanding, and also a list of any scholarships in existence which have not been paid for, or which for any reason are invalid in the hands of the present holders or upon the books of the College ; also to consider the propriety and expediency of taking steps to secure the cancellation of old scholarships and the making of a new issue of certificates under circun- stances to promote the best interests of the Institution ; also to present suggestions calculated to promote in any form the welfare of the College, whether calling for State Legislation or otherwise."
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
This resolution called for important imformation and action, but it does not appear that the committee ever reported. At least the record is silent on the subject. Such a list would be valuable now. On January 30th, 1876, Mr. T. Wilson, who went to Batavia as a special committee to inquire into the business of the College in the hands of its attorney, reported in part, that no collections had been made, and we find "the feeling against the agents of the College is very unfriendly, and the stockholders complain of the waste of the En- dowment Fund by early College managers."
On February 25th, 1876, the death of late Director James C. C. Holenshade was reported, and suitable ac- tion taken. He was an earnest and efficient member.
The scholarship owners held their triennial meeting on April 10th, 1876. They elected a new Board of Di- rectors, making only a few changes in the old. There were 135 votes polled,-the "Regulars" receiving 107, the others 28. The officers of the last Board were re- elected. There were but few changes in the Faculty, among them John M. Wilson taking the place of Dr. Warder as Cary Professor, and George W. Burns Pro- fessor of Mathematics. Their salaries aggregating $4,650.00. It would appear from the Treasurer's state- ment following, that the income at this time was too small to bear the burden of expense imposed upon it. This revival period especially demanded a rigid system of economy.
July 21st, 1876, the Treasurer reported :
Permanent income, . $4,100 00 Engagements, . 4,900 00
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FARMERS' COLLEGE.
XV. RESUMPTION OF GRADUATION. - REUNION OF ALUMNI-ENTHUSIASTIC MOVEMENT FOR REVIVAL.
President Lowe Resigned and Rev. John B. Smith took his place.
In 1877, President Lowe resigned, and the Rev. John B. Smith succeeded him. And on Commencement Day, June 7th, 1877, the conferring of degrees was resumed on a class of 3-the first graduation since 1865. There was a large attendance, and it seemed like the old times came again. The occasion was especially marked by a reunion of the alumni and former students of Farmers' College. Most of the old classes, even those of 1847 and 1848, were represented. They had caught the spirit of the revival of their Alma Mater, and were in full sym- pathy with the movement. They rallied to witness the graduation of its first class since its suspension twelve years before, and to extend words of congratulation and encouragement to the Trustees and Faculty. It seemed indeed like the beginning of a new era in the history of the College. They reorganized the Society of Alumni, and amended their constitution so as to admit to mem- bership members of any College class up to 1865, and under this rule quite a number were then admitted.
In August, 1877, the Board elected Miss Abby A. Judson, of Plymouth, Mass., Principal of the Prepara- tory Department in place of Miss Amidon, resigned, and Mrs. Mary Jane Pyle Professor of Botany, Geology, and Natural Science.
On May 3d, 1878, the Board resolved that the elec- tion of the Faculty shall be "for no specified time, but indefinite," and the Faculty as it then stood was re- elected.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
Commencement was held on June 4th, 1878, and dur- ing the ceremonies of graduation of a class of four the Society of Alumni occupied the platform, and many of the members contributed their eloquence, wit, and good cheer to the occasion. The scene was quite a repetition of that of the year before, and inspired renewed hope for the College.
On August 30th, 1878, at the request of President Smith, Robert H. Bishop, LL. D., was unanimously elected Professor of Ancient Languages in the College, at a salary of $50.00 per month. He accepted. During this year a club-house was started for boarding students, and was put in charge of Miss Judson and successfully conducted.
The triennial meeting of the Scholarship holders was held April 14th, 1879, and a Board of Directors elected, 83 votes being cast. Included were two of the old Alumni, E. S. Young, of the class of 1847, and A. B. Huston, of the class of 1848.
The Treasurer's report showed the Endowment Fund then bearing interest to be $63,032.63.
E. S. Young declined to serve as director and John M. Newton was elected in his place. The Board met immediately and organized by the election of Lowe Emerson, President; John W. Caldwell, Secretary, and heophilus Wilson, Treasurer.
On May 30th, 1879, John Mickleborough was elected President, but declined to accept.
June 4th, 1879, was Commencement Day, and a class of five received degrees.
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FARMERS' COLLEGE.
XVI. ELECTION OF PROF. P. V. N. MYERS IN INTEREST OF THE REVIVAL.
Hopeful Prospect-Settlement with Cary Heirs of Their Claims in Farm Lands-Change of Name Mooted.
On July 19th, 1879, the Board elected Philip Van Ness Myers, President, at a salary of $1,500 per annum, and apartments for his family. He accepted. This election was felt to be in the interest of the revival, and would result to the permanent benefit of the College.
In securing Professor Myers as President the Board was fortunate in securing one of the most accomplished scholars and historians, and splendidly equipped for the position. He remained at the head of the Institution during the remainder of its existence under its original name, and indeed many years afterwards. His aim was to conduct it up to his ideal of a first-class college. The co-educational feature continued.
The number of students in attendance in 1879 was 79. The College seemed to have a hopeful prospect under the guidance of President Myers.
About this time a change in the College name began to be mooted, and indeed a suggestion of that kind had been made before. A letter was received by President Myers from W. C. Gray, Editor of the Interior, dated December 8th, 1879, asking him "on his behalf to sug- gest to the Directors of Farmers' College a name, which will obviate all objections and at the same time maintain the historical continuity, and appeal to the Alumni of both Miami University of the older classes, and they also of Farmers' College. Call this Institution Bishop College in honor of the oldest educator the West ever had, and the name which gave both to Miami University
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
and to Farmers' College their greatest eras of prosperity and fame." These were the ringing words of Dr. Gray, and they found an echo in many an old student. This letter was read to the Board and placed on file, but no further action was taken upon it.
However the Board began to make inquiry as to what steps were necesary to effect a change of the name.
There was no graduating class in 1880. On May 3d, President Myers was re-elected ; and the Endowment Fund reported to amount to $63,032.63. (Included 22.50 acres under lease.)
In 1880, the heirs of Wm. Cary, deceased, com- menced suit against the Farmers' College in the Court of Common Pleas (No. 48,877) to recover $5,000.00, amount of the interest claimed by them in the lands of the farm held by the College. This claim was contested, but the matter was referred by the Board to the Law Committee (Huston and Walden) to effect a fair ad- justment and settlement of the same with the said heirs if possible. This was accomplished amicably and sat- isfactorily to all parties concerned. Final decree entered in the cause, February 9th, 1881.
On February 25th, 1881, A. B. Huston, of the law committee reported that a final compromise and settle- ment had been effected with Gen. S. F. Cary on behalf of the heirs of William Cary, deceased, of their said claim, and the terms thereof,-which the Board received and adopted,-10 yeas, I nay.
In consideration of $3,500.00 paid to said heirs they perfected the title in fee to said lands in the College, and thereby relieved the College of the necessity of maintain- ing an Agricultural Professorship, which before it was bound to maintain "as a living reality and not as a
DR. P. V. N. MYERS.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
sham." This settlement was fully approved by Judge Hoadly, the attorney of the College, for reasons stated in a letter which is spread on the record. The College then held an unincumbered title, and could transfer the lands in fee simple.
April 29th, 1881, the Treasurer reported the Endow- ment Fund to be $60,061.48.
President Myers reported an average of 60 pupils and satisfactory progress.
At the commencement, June 15th, 1881, degrees were conferred on a class of six.
On September 24th, 1881, Mr. Coy moved to change the name of the College to "Garfield College."
The motion was referred to a Special Committee con- sisting of Coy, Huston, and President Myers.
On October 28th, 1881, the committee last named re- ported the statutory requirements for changing the name. Nothing further was done by that committee.
On April 10th, 1882, the scholarship owners held their regular triennial meeting and elected by a unani- mous vote 15 directors, making but little change in the then existing Board. And the new Board organized with the same officers as before. The Faculty was re- appointed. The question was agitated of securing the surrender and cancellation of the outstanding Certificates of Scholarship, and placing the Institution upon a reg- ular endowment basis.
The Commencement was held June 15th, 1882, and degrees were conferred on the four members of the senior class.
The number of students was named in the catalogue of 1881-82 as 63.
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FARMERS' COLLEGE.
XVII. CHANGE OF NAME-EXIT "FARMERS' " COLLEGE.
Last Financial Report Prior to the Change.
September 29th, 1882, on motion of Mr. Simpson, a committee of three was appointed to recommend a new name for Farmers' College, which consisted of President Myers, Coy, and Simpson.
On October 13th, 1882, this committee reported re- commending for the new name, "The Southern Ohio College." On motion of Mr. Caldwell this report was referred to the law committee (Huston, Brown, and Wright), to report as to the power of the Board in this matter.
On March 30th, 1883, A. B. Huston, on behalf of the Law Committee, reported, recommending the refer- ence of the question of change of name of the College to the owners of Scholarships at their annual meeting, to be held on April 9th, 1883. Due notice was given and the meeting was held, only 14 being present. A. B. Huston was chosen chairman and John W. Caldwell secretary. The following resolution was offered, to-wit:
"Resolved, That the Board of Directors be and they are hereby directed to make application to the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County for the change of the name of this Institution according to the law in such case made and provided."
The following was the vote :
Yeas .- Simpson, Emerson, Davey, Coy, Blanchard, Upson, Emis-7.
Nays .- DeSerisy, Huston, Wilson, Caldwell, S. F. Cary, Sayre, Frank Strong -- 7.
The resolution was declared lost.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
The Treasurer presented his report, which showed :
Total principal of Endowment Fund invested, . $58,699 69 Cash invested, . 469 65
$59,169 25
Expenses for year, $5,747 58 Receipts for year, . 5,195 71
Deficit made up by premium on sale of bond, . $551 87
This is the last financial report noted prior to the change of name.
June 5th, 1883, President Myers reported the number of pupils to be 74.
June 14th, 1883, Commencement Day. The gradu- ating class of five received degrees.
November 30th, 1883. President Myers reported 213 volumes received in trust from the Philomathean Society by the College.
Board meeting. December 28th, 1883. The following proceedings were had :
"The committee heretofore appointed, consisting of Messrs. Emerson, Simpson, and Myers, reported by Mr. Myers, recommended reorganization under a new name, and the exchange of certificates of scholarships of the old for modified and limited certificates of scholar- ships of the new organization, with a view to a change from the certificate plan to the permanent endowment plan."
The report was on motion received, approved, and adopted ; and was afterwards referred back to the com- mittee for the purpose of securing, by the committee, the advice of legal counsel for perfecting the details of 1 the plan, or to report further action at the next meet- ing of the Board.
.
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FARMERS' COLLEGE.
Petitions to the Board of Directors numerously signed by Scholarship holders and alumni of the College were read by Mr. Simpson, on the part of the committee, and on motion were received and approved, requesting a call of the owners of Scholarships, "for the purpose of changing the present name of the Institution to that of Belmont, or such other name as may be deemed fit- ting."
The petitions were ordered to be filed, and the Board ordered the call of a meeting of the owners of scholarships, on legal notice by advertisement four suc- cessive weeeks, on January 31st, 1884, at 3 o'clock P. M., at the College, to consider the change of name of the Institution to Belmont or other suitable name; the reorganization of the Institution, and the exchange of Certificates of Scholarships of the old organization, for those of the new organization limited, and for any action as may be deemed best for the interests of the Institution. There was strenuous opposition to the pro- posed change on the part of some members of the Board.
On January 31st, 1884, the meeting of Scholarship owners was held pursuant to said call. (The record does not give a list of those present, nor the number ).
Mr. Emerson was called to the Chair, and Mr. Cald- well was chosen Secretary.
Mr. Robert Simpson reported the following reso- lution, to-wit :
"Resolved. That it is expedient and desirable that the name of Farmers' College should be changed to Belmont College, and we hereby request the Trustees or Directors to take proper legal steps to secure the change of name from 'The Farmers' College' to 'The Belmont College' (See Revised Statutes of Ohio, Secs. 5855-6-7) ;"
Which resolution was put to vote and adopted.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
He also presented the following resolutions, to-wit :
"Resolved, That the future growth and usefulness of Farmers' College require that the Institution be trans- ferred from its present Scholarship basis to an ordinary endowment foundation.
"Resolved, That we hereby request the Directors to have drawn and circulated for signatures such papers as when signed by all holders of perpetual scholarships, or by such proportion of said holders as may be legally requisite, shall effect the change proposed.
"Resolved, That said instrument of reorganization should provide, first, for the voluntary surrender of the outstanding certificates of perpetual scholarship, and the issue of new scholarships for two years in their stead, which shall be void after ten years from date of issue ; second, for the election of future Trustees by the Alumni of the College; third, for the charge of a tuition fee of not less than $10.00 per term to non-holders of scholar- ships."
Which resolutions were put to vote and adopted.
The meeting then adjourned sine die.
At the close of the said meeting of Scholarship- owners, the Board met, and "on motion approved and adopted the resolutions adopted by the meeting of Scholarship-owners," and then adjourned.
The last meeting of the Board of Directors of Far- mers' College, under that name, was held on February 6th, 1884, at the office of Robert Simpson, as appears on their record of proceedings, when they passed a resolu- tion allowing a student to shorten the course leading to a degree, and prescribing the conditions. They also granted to the Committee on change of name, etc., fur- ther time, to report at next meeting of the Board. There were present : T. Wilson, Jos. F. Wright, John
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FARMERS' COLLEGE.
W. Caldwell, A. B. Huston, L. Emerson, E. W. Cov, and President Myers, of the Faculty.
The necessary legal proceedings having been insti- tuted in the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, Ohio, No. 70,053, by Reuben Tyler, Esq., At- torney, whose services had been engaged for that pur- pose, and a decree of the Court obtained, and entered of record on the 4th day of April, 1884, a meeting of the Board was called and was held on the 19th of April, 1884, and designated as the "Board of Directors of Belmont College." The Committee on change of name (Emerson, Simpson, and Myers) reported their action, in substance as above set forth, and submitted a certi- fied copy of the decree, which was entered in full on the journal.
This decree was certified by the Clerk as having been made on the 4th day of April, 1884, and was as follows :
"Court of Common Pleas, Hamilton County, Ohio.
Term of January, A. D. 1884.
70,053 Farmers' College, Exparte. Decree changing name.
"This day this cause came on to be heard upon the petition of the Trustees, the exhibits and proofs, and was submitted to the Court. And it appearing that due no- tice of the object and prayer of the petition had been given as requested by Law, and that there is good cause for the change of name as prayed for in said petition ;
"It is, therefore, now ordered and decreed by the Court, that the prayer of the said petition be granted : that the name of said corporation be changed from 'Farmers' College' to 'Belmont College,' and that the name of said corporation shall be hereafter known and designated as 'Belmont College.'"
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
It is further ordered that a copy of this Decree be published once in the daily Commercial-Gazette, of Cincinnati.
The following resolution was unanimously passed, to-wit :
"Resolved, That the Board of Directors of Farmers' College do hereby adopt the name 'Belmont College,' which the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County has ordered of date April 4th, 1884, shall be the name by which the College shall be known hereafter in the Records kept by the Secretary, on the Books of the Treasurer, and all other officers, and by the students of the College."
This was followed by a report of the committee on reorganization of the Colleges and change of perpetual scholarships for limited scholarships, based on the reso- lutions adopted at the meeting of owners of perpetual scholarships on January 31st, 1884, hereinbefore given, proposing a plan of carrying out said resolutions. The report was adopted, but it is quite long, and is omitted from insertion here on that account. The substantial features of it would embrace a copy of said resolutions, and the following :
"Whereas, We regard the future growth and useful- ness of said Institution to be of far more importance than our individual claims, and believe it is desirable to carry out the plan set forth in said resolutions, and that the holders of perpetual scholarships in said Insti- tution will unite in carrying out said plan :
"Therefore, We, the undersigned holders of perpetual scholarships in said Institution, do hereby consent and agree as follows: That all certificates of perpetual scholarships owned and held by us shall be surrendered and canceled, and we will accept in lieu thereof certifi- cates of scholarships for two years, which shall be void
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FARMERS' COLLEGE.
after ten years from their date of issue,-provided, that not less than ten dollars per term shall be charged as tuition to non-holders of scholarships for five years hereafter.
"That the Trustees of said Institution shall be here- after chosen by the Alumni of the College, and that the present Trustees shall serve until their successors shall be chosen by the Alumni, as follows:" (Here follow the details of the plan of selecting the Trustees).
"But inasmuch as it would be unfair and inequitable that the foregoing agreement should be binding upon us, unless the aforesaid plan of reorganization of the Col- lege shall be carried out, it is hereby expressly under- stood that the above agreement is not to be obligatory upon us who sign the same, unless it shall be ascertained and agreed by the affirmative vote of or a majority of them, that the signers hereof represent such a majority of the holders of perpetual scholarships as will fairly justify the carrying out of the plan here- inbefore set forth in regard to said College. If any any one of said persons should fail to act, for any reason, the Trustees may elect another person to act in his place ; and when said persons shall so agree, then they notify the Trustees of the College of their conclusion, and thereupon notice of the Trustees to us, we agree to surrender our scholarships, and to be bound by all the terms of the foregoing agreement.
"On motion, the plan of reorganization, as above, was placed in the hands of Messrs. Myers, Simpson. Wilder, Wilson, and Caldwell, a committee, instructed to proceed, without delay, to procure signatures of owners of scholarships." In testimony whereof, etc.
What this committee accomplished in the way of obtaining signatures does not appear in the record of any subsequent proceedings covered by this history. There is nothing to indicate that the agreement was signed by a majority of the perpetual scholarship owners, or by what number. Indeed, it seems to be an
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
unsolvable problem how many of these certificates of perpetual scholarships are now in existence, or even, how many were ever issued. They run up to 300 or more.
The Board of Directors began to hold its meetings and take necessary action under the name of Belmont College, its first meeting being on April 19th, 1884.
At this point it had been the purpose of the Com- mittee to conclude this Historical Sketch, treating the practical part of the work as ended, except in an ad- junctive way. But the Association, at its meeting in 1905, instructed the committee to extend the sketch so as to cover briefly the "Belmont" period, as explained in the prefatory announcement. This the committee has undertaken to do. Prior thereto we had indulged in drawing some reflections upon the change of the old College name, and now may be pardoned for submitting them here as touching a tender phase of the "College spirit" of the "Old Boys," and not intending to dis- parage in the least the younger memories of those who came later under the new name.
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