USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 56
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From the year 1849 to 1856 the college had received some five thousand dollars as the proceeds of various subscriptions, but the amount had not sufficed to keep the institution clear of debt. At a meeting of the board of trustees held in December, 1865, an additional five thousand dollars was sub- scribed by the members of the board of trustees, "to pay off the entire indebt- edness of the university." The following summary of the financial condition of the university and its educational work is taken from the report of Milo G. Williams to the general convention of the New Church, in the year 1865:
"The university domain consists of twenty-seven acres of land, the value of which is fifty-five hundred dollars. The cost of the buildings already erected on the ground is ten thousand four hundred and forty-five dollars; the furniture in the boarding house and college building, eleven thousand one hundred and fifty-three dollars. The value of the property belonging to the university is over thirty thousand dollars and the institution is free from debt. There have been three hundred and forty-seven students of all grades connected with the university, two hundred and thirty males and one hundred and seventeen females. Of these, thirty-three have been engaged in teaching : and of the males who were old enough, sixty-four have been in the service of our country since the commencement of the rebellion."
In April. 1869, the board of trustees decided to nominate a competent person as president, who should reside in Urbana and give his personal atten- tion to the interests of the university. The result of this action was the unan- imous election in 1870, of Rev. Frank Sewell, as president of the university.
At a meeting of the board of trustees in June, 1871, a resolution was adopted closing the primary school and suspending the privilege to girls to attend the college until a suitable building could be provided for them. This year marked the reopening of the college proper.
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It was an occasion of great rejoicing for the trustees, faculty and stu- dents of Urbana University, when the announcement was published, July 22, 1878, that fifty thousand dollars had been added to the endowment fund. Now the college began a new era. In September, 1878, the girls' school was opened, a suitable building having been proided by remodeling the old frame house of worship. Doctor Moses served as the director of the school for several years, as also did Rev. O. L. Barler. Mrs. A. P. McNemar was principal for two years, and was succeeded by Ira B. Burt, who served in this capacity for several years. The names of Adelaide Smith, Janet Gilcrist and Alice Werner appear on the records as teachers in the school.
At the annual meeting of the board of trustees, June 30, 1886, Professor Sewell tendered his resignation as president of the university, after an admin- istration of sixteen years. He was succeeded by Dr. Thomas F. Moses, who remained at the head of the institution until 1895, when he was succeeded by Rev. John Whitehead. Reverend Whitehead served until 1899. John H. Williams became the head of the college under the name of principal and continued in this capacity until 1905. He was followed by Rev. L. P. Mercer, who served one year, and during whose administration the endowment fund was increased to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. From 1906 to 1907 Rev. Russell Eaton was the head of the university, holding the title of chairman of the faculty. From 1907 to 1917 the man in charge of the school system was designated as the head master of Urbana University Schools. From 1907 to 1908, Rev. Frank Gustafson was the head master; 1908 to 1912, Paul H. Seymour; 1912 to 1917, Rev. Russell Eaton. For the school year 1917-18, Dr. Carroll H. May, has general supervision of the Academy and Junior College with the title of principal.
The members of the faculty for the school year, 1917-18 are: Carroll H. May, Ph. D. (Harvard), Latin and Greek; Rev. Louis A. Dole, A. M. (Yale), history, economics and philosophy ; Rev. Warren Goddard, B. S. (Rhode Island State College), physics, chemistry and religious instruction ; Hugh S. Fullerton, A. M. (Princeton), English and Spanish; A. F. Willis- ton, M. S. (Brown), mathematics and biology : Luella S. Goode, A. M. (Ohio State), French and German: Jane L. Carter, matron of boys' dormitory : Alice C. Sturges, preceptress and matron of girls' dormitory.
THE HISTORY OF CURRY INSTITUTE.
Almost a score and ten years ago an institution was begun in Ohio which has borne fruit in the dissemination and imparting of the blessings
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of culture and industrial efficiency to the colored people, for the Curry Institute, as it is known to-day, dates its existence from January, 1889. Only twenty-six years had elapsed since the great Emancipator had issued his epoch-making proclamation, when E. W. B. Curry, that devoted man whose heart has ever been close to the betterment of his people, rented a little shed, which was twelve by fourteen feet, in Delaware, Ohio. There he started the school under the name of "The Place of Knowledge for Old and Young."
In these lowly quarters the school was conducted for one year; how- ever, in the second year it was carried on in the dining room of the Curry home. This deserving undertaking seemed to demand larger quarters, hence in the fall of 1890 Highwarder Hall was secured and there the school was carried on for three years amid great hardships. The faith of the founder in the high and altruistic worth of his undertaking sustained the institution through all of its struggles in those dark years. In fact one season when the rent alone was one hundred dollars, aside from fuel and running expenses, the enrollment on the average was only two students. Nothing daunted by the dark outlook, improvements in the course were carried on: and in 1890 industrial classes were opened under the charge of Mother Curry and Mrs. Abe Wilson. Sewing classes were given for the girls who came on Saturday afternoons, with tuition free.
Imbued with the spirit of the wonderful mission of the school, its begin- ner, in the fact of grave financial difficulties, further extended the facilities of the school in the fall of 1804. At that time a brick dwelling was rented and the school was opened for day and night sessions. The first student to enroll from out of the city was Elias Thomas, of Cincinnati.
SCHOOL GAINS REPUTATION.
These years of hardship and privation soon began to receive their reward, for soon the school had gained a reputation and the question of a permanent location had to be settled. Students were coming from five states of the Union and from Canada. It was evident that at last the colored people were convinced that in this school was the opportunity for them to better them- selves industrially, spiritually and culturally. At last, Mr. Curry and his devoted helpers had convinced the world that such a school had a mission to perform in the uplifting of humanity. Accordingly several places were vis- ited in view of location. The citizens of Mechanicsburg offered very flatter- ing inducements which were finally accepted. In September, 1895, the school
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was moved to that place and opened there in the fall, with an enrollment of nineteen pupils and three teachers, the latter being W. N. Kinney, W. A. Kelley and E. W. B. Curry. Looking forward to a permanent organization, the promoters of the school selected a board of visitors, composed of Peter Colwell, Thomas Martin, Reverend Merritt, I. Morgan, John Moxley, F. Stewart and E. W. B. Curry. It can scarcely be imagined how elated were the sponsors of the school when it was found the first year at Mechanicsburg was a most successful one.
For reasons best known to those intimately connected with the school, it was moved to Urbana. The change was made during the third week in September, 1897. School was begun immediately in the Douglas property on Reynolds and Kenton streets, where the enrollment for the first term was two students, and the average attendance for the first year, six. As it was before, the need of larger and better quarters soon became urgent. Luckily, the city school board was erecting a building in the northern part of town for high school purposes, and upon its completion the building on Water and Reynolds streets was left vacant. This building, by the way, had been util- ized several years before as a colored school. This was the opportunity for the school to occupy a regular school plant. Accordingly, Professor Curry rented the building and moved the school to that place in January, 1898. In April, 1898, the property was purchased. Even though the school at this time had only four students, yet so rapid was the growth of the institution that in three years the building was crowded. This necessitated the con- struction of more rooms. Accordingly, seven apartments were added to meet the demand.
DREAMS BEING REALIZED.
At last Professor Curry could begin to see that his dreams of the past for the success of the school were being realized. In the next four years the growth of the institution was remarkable, and on April 28, 1906, it applied to the state for a charter of incorporation. The signers of this appli- cation were W. W. Wilson, D. S. Perry, E. E. Cheney, Edwin Hagenbuch and E. W. B. Curry. Afterward the incorporators met and formed the fol- lowing organization: W. W. Wilson, president : D. S. Perry, vice-president : E. E. Cheney, secretary; Edwin Hagenbuch, treasurer. The trustees con- sisted of the incorporators, and in addition George W. Hayes, of Cincin- nati, and W. B. Conrad, of Richmond, Indiana. The present board of direc- tors consists of W. W. Wilson, chairman; Harold W. Houston, treasurer;
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Edward W. Holding, secretary; E. W. B. Curry, president of the institute ; George W. Hayes and W. B. Conrad.
The normal and the institute provide for courses in the following upon the application of a class unit : English, literary, normal, Bible school, com- mercial, music, manual training, blacksmithing, shoemaking, cement pouring, agriculture, domestic science, dressmaking, millinery and printing. The equipment is excellent and modern. Central Hall, which is a handsome brick building, has three stories including the basement, and contains fourteen rooms. More than this, the institution owns a farm of about twenty acres on the Springfield road adjoining town. A glimpse into the future reveals to us a more magnificent, a grander and more complete Curry Institute on this site, which is known as Institute Heights.
What infinite satisfaction it must be to Professor Curry thus to see how wonderfully and completely his dreams of the past have been realized. It is not the aim of the institute to move along now "in the even tenor of its way" after it has achieved its present reputation and renown, but it aspires to greater and more lofty heights of service to humanity. It is its intention to become a northern Tuskegee. Its aim is to teach the student to become industrious, useful and self-reliant. It is its purpose to demonstrate the value of the negro to the country and to humanity. through a process of Christian, industrial, moral and industrial education. A survey of the roll of its grad- uates will show that these are not empty words. During the history of the school, more than two thousand students have been helped. These have come from all parts of the United States and from Canada. A large number have completed the courses and these with many others have been and are doing excellent service for humanity. It is undoubtedly to the credit of Curry Normal and Industrial Institute that up to this date not one of its grad- uates has been brought into court for a violation of criminal statutes, or has had to serve a term in prison.
PROF. E. W. B. CURRY.
Most fitting is it in this connection to give a sketch of the life of the man who by his constancy to purpose, his belief in the right, his intense desire to render a service for his people and for humanity, has made this institution what it is, Prof. E. W. B. Curry.
Among the most useful citizens of Champaign county, Professor Curry stands in the first rank. He is a member of the negro race and was born of parents who knew the cruelties of slavery. He was born in Delaware, Ohio,
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in March, 1871. When he was a boy of eleven years, he became a member of the Baptist church, of which his father was pastor. He received his edu- cation in the Delaware high school, Michael College and Ohio Wesleyan University. Undoubtedly it was during this formative period when he became imbued with the spirit of his mission to his people. Aside from the regular course in the university he was a student of law, reading under Hon. F. M. Marriot and Judge Wickham. Upon completing a course in theology, he was set apart for the ministry. In connection with his educational work, he has been pastor of some of the most progressive colored churches in the state, such as the Zion Baptist Church, of Dayton, and the Second Baptist Church, of Urbana. His- services are given to any church regardless of denomination, and this has given him the opportunity to speak to congrega- tions of all branches interested in the colored people.
Professor Curry is the founder and President of the Curry Normal and Industrial Institute of Urbana, Ohio. Through his tireless endeavor for his people, he has become one of the best known men of his race throughout the United States and Canada. Every hour of his busy life is given to his people in some good cause for their advancement. He enjoys the reputation of being one of the most scholarly and eloquent orators of either race in America today. For twenty years he has been upon the speakers' list of the Anti- Saloon League, and has shared the honor of the platform with the greatest statesmen of his time. As an evangelist, he is styled the "Billy Sunday" of the colored people. Professor Curry was the national executive of the Good Samaritans, one of the leading colored secret societies of the country, for tight years. He is included in that coterie of brilliant and eminent men who compose the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Only a few of his race have been honored with membership to that body. In literary work, he has given to the world two books: "Story of the Curry Institute" and "Selected Addresses." His contributions to magazines for both races have been in great demand. He is now working on "A History of the Negro in America." He is the editor and published of The Informer, a monthly periodical established by him in 1896 and which has today a wide circulation throughout the United States. The Baptist state convention of Ohio, repre- senting over thirty thousand negro churchmen, was promoted by Professor Curry and held its first meeting at the Curry Institute, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, in 1896.
Professor Curry was married to Emma Stewart, of Ross county, Ohio, in 1896. Mrs. Curry is a very amiable woman, and she assumes a very active
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part in the work of the religious, educational and social uplift of her people. She is a real companion to her brilliant and talented husband, and is deeply interested in his mission. Six children have been born into this family, of whom only three are living.
For many years back the name of Curry has been, and for all the years to come will be, associated with those of Frederick Douglas and Booker T. Washington, as God-sent leaders of the emancipated race. With these emi- nent negroes he has seen that the salvation of the colored race lies in their becoming industrially more efficient. He has unselfishly dedicated himself to the preaching of this gospel to them. The citizens of Urbana, regardless of race,„are proud of this man and of the rich contribution he is making to the redemption of his people.
CHAPTER XXV.
LITERARY CLUBS AND THINGS THESPIAN.
People are naturally gregarious and the people of Urbana are no excep- tion to the rule. The trend of modern society is distinctly towards co-opera- tion and co-ordination of interests in every line of activity, whether it be along industrial, religious, educational or social lines. We are so interde- pendent now that a correlation of interests is necessary. In the early days of the county's history the man of the family built his own house, made his own furniture and tools, was frequently his own dentist, physician and law- yer, and was in a large measure dependent upon no one-that is, on no one but his wife. The wife spun the yarn and wove the materials for the cloth- ing of the family and performed a thousand and one other duties that are now in charge of others. To a remarkable degree each family was a unit to itself, making its own houses, furniture, and clothing and providing its own food.
Things are far different in 1917, a hundred years later. The farmer has everything manufactured for him and his wife can buy everything need- ful for her household. No more will linsey-woolsey, tow-linen and jeans, dyed with walnut hulls, suffice. Even the gentle art of bread-making is fast becoming a lost art. Along with the change in the method of living has gone the splendid old-fashioned isolation which surrounded the pioneer home. The quilting parties of our grandmothers and the log-rollings of our grandfathers have been replaced by social and fraternal organizations which bear little resemblance to their predecessors. The husking-bees and singing schools of the young people have been replaced by the corn-shredder and the phonograph. Club life such as that of the women of today was unknown. Such a thing as a group of women meeting every week to discuss Browning. Holmes or Shakespeare was unthinkable by our grandmothers, nor did they foregather and spend the afternoon in playing cards.
Such an organization as a woman's club was non-existent in Urbana twenty-five years ago. Even as yet Urbana is not obsessed by the super- fluity of clubs which vex some communities. This does not mean, however, that the Urbanians are not abreast of the times in matters of civic improve- ment and education, and general culture, for a glance at conditions will prove
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that they are wideawake. In fact the people are, as it were, one great club whose sole object is ever to hold near their hearts the betterment of the com- munity. Formerly there were five clubs in Champaign county: The Wom- an's Literary Club, the Holmes Literary Club and the St. Cecelia Reading Circle, all of Urbana; the Woman's Tourist Club, of Mechanicsburg; and the Olla Podrida Literary Club of Woodstock. Of these the Woman's Tour- ist Club and the Olla Podrida Literary Club are the only ones now active. A most laudable work has been and is being carried on by the existing clubs. So has it been with the clubs not now extant. The members of the current clubs do not busy themselves entirely with mulling over literary masterpieces of the past; but, like good versatile Americans, they keep their eyes open for opportunities here and there to awaken the public conscience to a needed change in the life of the community.
THINGS THESPIAN.
Closely connected with the foregoing aesthetic phase of the social life of the community, has been its activity in dramatics; and in this Urbana has sufficient basis for claiming distinction. If old Thespis could be transported to Urbana from the Elysian Fields, the perusal of the names of the galaxy of his followers whom Urbana has produced would undoubtedly quicken his ethereal pulses; for many more than a score of Urbana folk have chosen to become his disciples. It is impossible, however, to ascertain just why Urban- ians have had this stageward bent.
For years and years dramatic societies have flourished in Urbana. Along with these, of course, has come the opportunity for many young people to test their immunity from stage fright in amateur theatricals. From such a beginning many have gone forth and have convinced the American public that they really have talents worth while. There have been comedians who have made two smiles flourish where a frown formerly grew: vocalists who have delighted vast critical audiences; composers whose works are known from coast to coast : acrobats, tumblers and clowns.
Moreover this attitude of Urbana has been evinced in the provisions made for their entertainment ; for, in all, the city has had five opera houses. Again, Urbanians have considered themselves worthy of the best artists they could procure.
To be sure, the moving picture shows have made serious inroads upon the legitimate stage in Urbana, but the future of the dramatic instinct of its people seems to be secure, for the love of things Thespian still lingers here.
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THE WOMAN'S LITERARY CLUB.
The Woman's Literary Club of Urbana was organized in 1893 for the purpose of promoting the interest of its members in music, literature, art and civic affairs. The original members of the club consisted of the following : Mrs. Frank Houston, Mrs. C. T. Jamieson, Mrs. Henry Houston, Mrs. James Anderson, Mrs. John Anderson, Mrs. Lee Todd, Mrs. H. M. Hub- bell, Mrs. William Foster, Mrs. C. D. Slifer, Mrs. J. C. McCracken, Mrs. M. H. Crane, Eudora Baldwin, Mrs. W. M. Rock, Mrs. W. B. Griswold, Mrs. J. R. Downer, Mrs. J. M. Russell, Mrs. T. T. Brand, Mrs. J. B. Hitt, Mrs. J. M. Colwell, Mrs. Samuel Warnock, Mrs. J. M. Lewis, Mrs. William A. Cool, Mrs. George Eichelberger, Mrs. J. M. Lewis, Mrs. William A. Cool, Mrs. Edwin Hagenbuch, Mrs. F. S. Ross, Mrs. Emma Weaver, Mrs. William Conrey, Mrs. R. C. Horr, Mrs. E. Thayer, Fanny Stadler, Julia Humphreys, May Humphreys, Clifford Warnock and Nellie Kenaga. The associate mem- bers at the time of organization included the following: Mrs. C. F. Colwell, Mrs. Emma Eichelberger, Mrs. George Humphreys, Mrs. Joseph Fisher and Louise Leedom.
The original officers of the club were as follows: Flora Ayres, presi- dent : Mrs. Jennie Bassett, vice-president; Minnie Deuel, secretary ; Fanny Stadler, treasurer. The presidents of the club from the time of organization until 1917 are as follows: Flora Alta Ayres, 1893-95; Lena M. Cool, 1895- .97 : Minnie S. Deuel, 1897-99; Eva A. Williams, 1899-1901 : Mary N. Rock, 1901-03; Mary Allen Keyser, 1903-05; Caroline McM. Conyers, 1905-06; Mary B. Wilson, 1906-08; Lulie W. O'Brine, 1908-10; Mary Allen Keyser, 1910-12; Effie M. Crane, 1912-14: Marietta S. Wilson, 1914-16; Eva Eglin Given, 1916-17.
The active membership for 1917 consists of the following: Mrs. L. C. Barlow, Florence Barlow, Lillian Barnett, Cloud Blake, Mrs. Olive Blose, Mrs. J. F. Brand, Mrs. H. B. Conyers, Mrs. W. L. Clark, Mrs. Effie Crane, Minnie Deuel, Mrs. E. M. Earsom, Mrs. Elizabeth Fuller, Mrs. W. S. Given, Mrs. W. B. Griswold, Mrs. C. E. Gaumer, Mrs. Frances Hefflebower, Mrs. R. C. Horr, Mrs. Nancy Houston, Mrs. Sarah Houston, Mrs. II. M. Hub- bell, Mrs. C. E. Inskeep, Mrs. C. F. Johnson, Mrs. Isaac Johnson, Mrs. I. N. Keyser, Mrs. W. J. Knight, Mrs. David H. Moore, Margaret Moore, Mrs. H. S. Morgan, Ellen McDonald, Lilley Nutt, Bess Nutt, Mrs. David O'Brine. Mrs. W. M. Rock. Mrs. Lydia Ross, Mrs. Max Ross, Agnes Sayre, Ruth Sloan, Mrs. Fred Saumenig, Mrs. C. M. Wanzer, Mrs. J. H. Williams, Mrs.
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W. W. Wilson, Mrs. W. R. Wilson, Mrs. Frank Wilson, and Mrs. Frank Zimmer. The associate members consist of the following: Mrs. Ida Humphreys, Mrs. H, K. Humes, Mrs. J. C. Kenaga, Marie Kenaga, Mrs. Sarah J. Knight, Mrs. W. E. Marsh, Mrs. Nannie Mosgrove, Mrs. Joseph Murphy, Mrs. Smith M. Pence, Mrs. James M. Russell, Mrs. Sherman Thompson and Mrs. A. F. Vance.
The club has been very active in all kinds of civic work and has done a great deal toward the improvement of Urbana with respect to a cleaner city, inciting public interest with respect to city improvements, such as a sewer system and better lighting facilities, also baby-welfare work and registration.
The officers who have charge of the direction of the club's interests for the current year, and who are striving with an earnest zeal to carry out the club's motto, "Stand by Your Work and Be Wise," are the following: Eva Eglin Given, president ; Elizabeth Fuller, vice-president ; Muriel Hatton Moore, recording secretary; Ruth Sloan, corresponding secretary ; Lillian Barnett, · treasurer; Mary Allen Keyser, critic; Cornelia Barlow, librarian.
THE WOMAN'S TOURIST CLUB, MECHANICSBURG.
The Woman's Tourist Club was organized at Mechanicsburg in Septem- ber, 1894, and federated in November of that year. What are known as the first-year members included the following: Mrs. Estella Alley. Mrs. Laura Burnham, Mrs. Mattie Burnham, Mrs. Clara Baxter, Mrs. Elnora Clark, Mrs. Anna Dotson. Mrs. Juliet Hunt, Mrs. Della Kimball, Mrs. Mollie Kennedy, Mrs. Fanny Mitchell, Mrs. Mary Murray, Mrs. Eliza Morgan, Mrs. . Eunice Martin, Mrs. Kate Mulford, Mrs. Anna Nincehelser, Mrs. Amanda Shepherd, Mrs. Jane Wing, Mrs. Lizzie Williams, Mrs. Alice Bronson Weed, Mrs. Josephine Ward, Willa Alexander, Ida Bunker, Inez Buffington, Lizzie J. Disman, Addie Hyde, Margery Huddleson, Mary Kid- der, Florence Little, Alice May Morgan, Hattie Mickle. Elizabeth Newcomb, Amelia Owen, May Wing, and Fannie Williams. The membership of the club was first limited to twenty-five active members and ten social members ; but the limit has been raised until at present it is fifty and fifteen, respectively.
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