History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 29

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 29

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"This is a brief and imperfect sketch of the general plan for the Institute, which the Trustees propose to adopt as soon as it shall be found practicable ; a plan replete with many and great advantages, and which presents a

198

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

reasonable and just claim to the patronage and support of an enlightened and Christian pub- lic."

AN OLD ADVERTISEMENT .*

April 27, 1833 .- Bedsteads. Of good quality, Constantly manufactured and for sale by stit- dents, At the High School

MARIETTA FEMALE SEMINARY. 1836 .-

"At nine in the morning, the school is opened with reading the Scriptures, and pray- er. succeeded by a Bible lesson. Here, some historical part of the Bible is taken ; simple questions are asked; interesting points freely discussed, and such inquiries answered, as the ladies propose. After a recess of ten minutes, the whole school is divided into three sections, for mathematical recitations. One in Play- fair's Euclid, one in Adams' Arithmetic, and one in Colburn's Mathematical Arithmetic.

"After another recess, twenty minutes are allotted to calisthenics, a course of exercise. promotive of physical health, and easy and graceful manners. The remaining time till noon is occupied by composition and spelling. "At the commencement of school in the af- ternoon, twenty minutes are spent in repeat- ing items of intelligence from periodicals, and in attention to such general things as require attention.

"All are then engaged in a grammatical exercise, which is followed by a recess.

"A part then study, while a larger part form a class in writing. After another re- cess. the school is again formed into three sec- tions, for recitations in Smith's Anatomy, Watts on the Mind, and Woodbridge's Geog- raphy. The daily accounts are then taken. stich as communications in school, tardiness. hours of study, out of school, &c.

( Note -- This advertisement evidently referred to the Manual Labor Department of the Marietta Collegiate Institute. In that day the Institute was sometimes called the High School.

"The school is closed with passages of Scripture, being repeated by the young ladies, I singing and prayer.

"The plans of the school are such as com- mend themselves to the good sense of the pu- pils, and usually secure their hearty co-opera- tion."

MARIETTA COLLEGE.

1838 .-

"The annual Commencement of this insti- tuition was held on Wednesday last. The de- gree of A. M. was conferred on the following young gentlemen : Abram Blakely of Wilks- ville, O., John T. Cotton of Marietta, O., Sam- utel Hall of Norwich, Mass., and Hubbard Lawrence, of Stanstead, Lower Canada.

"The exercises, which occupied the whole day, were very interesting to the_ numerous and attentive audience, and were conducted in i a way that gave, we presume, general satisfac- tion to all concerned. The graduates acquit- ted themselves not only with much honor, but : in a manner which reflects the highest credit on the Institution and the abilities of the Fac- ulty, as well as their own indefatigable exer- tions in the acquirement of a liberal educa- tion ; as did also the other young gentlemen who participated in the exercises on this occa- sion.

"The inauguration of the President of the Institution. Rev. Joel H. Lindslev, D. D., took place in the afternoon, previous to the confer- ring of degrees.

"As a place for acquiring a good education the advantages of location, salubrity of cli- mate, picturesque scenery, pleasantness and healthfulness of the place, and the moral and religious tones of its society, Marietta is cer- tainly second to no town west of the moun- tains.

"For the purpose of illustrating the truth of the assertion, that the location of this town is much more advantageous than many other places where public institutions are located, we remark that although we may reiterate that

( Note-One of the graduates here named-Dr. John T. Cotton-is still living. In 1900 he was present at the Commencement. )

199

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

which has been before stated, still it is a mat- ter of no inconsiderable importance and is worth a repetition-that Marietta is accessible by water in three directions, besides stage ac- commodations. We are induced further to remark, as a proof of our assertion of the pre- ferable facilities of this place, over many oth- ers, for the conveyance of young ladies and gentlemen, and their baggage, to and from our Seminaries of learning located here, that on the morning after the close of the session, fif- ty-four or five young ladies and gentlemen (principally young gentlemen ) embarked on board the steamer 'Roanoak,' downward bound."

MARIETTA COLLEGE.

July 20, 1839 .-

"The annual Commencement of this Insti- tution occurs on the last Wednesday ( the 3Ist inst. ) of the present month.

"On the evening of Tuesday preceding, there will be exercises in declamation, by mem- bers of the Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Classes, in the manner of prize speaking as practiced in several of the older Colleges of the country. It is believed that these exercises will excite no inconsiderable interest : and should they secure public favor here, as they have done elsewhere, they may probably be per- petuated, and prizes be annually awarded to the best speakers.

"In addition to the usual exercises of the graduating class, a Baccalaureate address will be delivered to the class, by the President.

"An Inaugural address will also be deliv- ered by Prof. I. W. Andrews, recently elected to the chair of Mathematics & Natural Philos- ophy.

"In the evening, an address before the So- ciety of Inquiry is expected from Pres. Mc- Guffey. of Cincinnati College."

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MARIETTA COLLEGE.

The New England people who settled Mar- jetta were strong believers in higher educa- tion. The presence in the town of a high-grade

Christian College is no accident, but the di- rect outgrowth of the efforts and sacrifices made by the settlers almost from the beginning to secure for their children the advantages of a classical training.

MUSKINGUM ACADEMY.

Two years after the close of the long In- dian war, which for four years had absorbed the resources and energies of the pioneers, measures were taken to establish a school of higher education. On April 29. 1797. a meet- ing of interested citizens decided upon the erec- tion of a building, and the same year the old Muskingum Academy was built, which stood on Front street, just north of the Congrega- tional Church. There, for more than a quar- ter of a century, the classics and other high school branches were taught. The first pre- ceptor of the Academy was David Putnam, a grandson of Gen. Israel Putnam and a grad- ulate of Vale College in 1793. Out of this Academy, as a lineal descendant, came, after a time, Marietta College, which is proud to acknowledge these deep-laid roots. Muskin- gum Academy was in continuous use under va- rious preceptors until 1832, when the building was sold and used as a dwelling until 1887.

COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

In the year 1830 there was established by Rev. Luther G. Bingham the "Institute of Education." It embraced four departments ; the two higher being known as the High School and the Ladies' Seminary. In April, 1831, Mansfield French became associated with Mr. Bingham as proprietor. In the spring of 1832, after the High School had been in op- eration about a year and half, at the instance of Messrs. Bingham and French an advisory board of trust was appointed, consisting of Ca- leb Emerson, James Whitney. Dr. S. P. Hil- dreth, Dr. John Cotton, Arius Nye. Weston Thomas and Douglas Putnam.

On November 22, 1832. a meeting was held at which steps were taken for the incor-

200

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

poration of the institution under the name of the "Marietta Collegiate Institute and West- ern Teachers' Seminary," and the charter was obtained December 17th. The Board of Trustees consisted of nine men : Dr. John Cotton, Douglas Putnam, John Mills, Luther G. Bingham, Caleb Emerson, Arius Nye, Jo- nas Moore, Anselm T. Nye, and John Craw- ford.

On the 16th of January the organization took place by the choice of John Cotton, M. D., president ; Douglas Putnam. secretary ; and John Mills, treasurer. At the same meeting a resolution was adopted asking Messrs. Bing- ham and French to state the terms on which they would transfer their Institute property to the Trustees. A few days later these terms were accepted, and the property was duly trans- ferred, though the former proprietors were re- quested to continue in charge until the close of the school year.

Before the institution was opened in the fall of 1833, four young men had been ap- pointed to the work of instruction, all mem- bers of the Theological Seminary at Andover. Two of these, Henry Smith and D. Howe Al- len, had been teachers in the High School at Marietta. The first of these was made profes- sor of languages; Mr. Allen, professor of mathematics; Milo P. Jewett, professor in the Teachers' Department; and Samuel Maxwell principal of the Preparatory Department. Mr. Smith was a graduate of Middlebury College ; Messrs. Allen and Jewett, of Dartmouth ; and Mr. Maxwell, of Amherst. When the Insti- tute was opened, October 16th, Messrs. Smith and Maxwell entered upon their work of in- struction, while the other two remained in New England, presenting the claims of education and religion in that region. The beginning of a new educational year was a change in two respects. Before, the place of instruction was the Library Hall on Front street ; now it was a large new building on the College Campus. Then it was one of a group of educational en- terprises under the direction of private own- ers : now it was a public institution, under the control of a chartered corporation.

THE NEW CHARTER.

The charter obtained in December, 1832, was defective in giving no power to confer de- grees, and in having a clause allowing the Leg- - islature to repeal it. In February, 1835, a new charter was granted by the State, giving the necessary power to confer degrees, and without the objectionable clause authorizing a repeal. The name was also changed from the Marietta Collegiate Institute and Western Teachers' Seminary to Marietta College.

In the spring of the same year, Rev. Joel H. Linsley, then pastor of the Park Street Church, Boston, Massachusetts, was elected to the presidency. Thus when the fall session of the institution was opened as Marietta Col- lege in 1835, the faculty consisted of five mem- bers: a president, who had charge of the de- partment of moral and intellectual philosophy ; a professor of the Greek and Latin languages; a professor of mathematics and natural philos- ophy ; a professor of rhetoric and political economy; and a principal of the Preparatory Department.

A CHRISTIAN COLLEGE.

The College was founded in the interests of religion as well as of education. From the first it was intended to be a Christian college. The trustees, in their first published statement, August, 1833, say: "The Board wish it to be distinctly understood that the essential doc- trines and duties of the Christian religion will be assiduously inculcated, but no sectarian pe- culiarities of belief will be taught." In their annual report, issued September, 1835, they say: "The honor of originating Marietta College is not claimed by the Board of Trust; its existence cannot properly be ascribed to them or to any combination of individuals, but to the leadings of Divine Providence." The trustees seem to have been influenced by con- siderations of duty from the beginning, and their earnest, unceasing and self-denying la- bors, with the remarkable generosity shown in their oft-repeated gifts, prove that they re- garded themselves as engaged in a work laid

MARIETTA COLLEGE BUILDINGS.

203

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

upon them by the Great Head of the Church.

This broad Christian attitude has been maintained ever since. The College is dis- tinctly non-sectarian; four different denomin- ations are represented in its Board of Trus- tees and four in its present faculty. On the other hand, the Christian ideal is held most firmly and endeavor is made to influence posi- tively young people who study here.

THE BUILDINGS.

The present Dormitory building was begun by Messrs. Bingham and French in 1832 and was completed by the trustees of the College Institute in 1833. Until 1850 it served all the purposes of the institution, and it has been in continuous service up to the present day. The original campus consisted of a strip 150 feet wide, running from Fourth to Fifth streets, a Little south of the center of the square. There were then three dwelling houses on the Fourth street side of the square, besides a brick mill on Putnam street. In the winter of 1834-35 the house of Billy Todd, near the corner of Putnam and Fourth, was purchased. It was used until 1870 as the president's house, and for students' rooms until 1874, when it was taken down. The lots south of the original college yard, with a brick dwelling house built in 1817. were purchased in 1836. The house was used by the Preparatory Department from 1870 until the erection of Andrews Hall, in 1891. Before that, this department had oc- cupied the brick mill building on Putnam street, which was taken down in 1869. Er- win Science Hall. begun in 1845. was first oc- cupied by the College in 1850. The Library or Alumni Memorial building was erected in 1870. and Andrews Hall, in 1891. All of these buildings were built almost exclusively with home funds. The first money raised at Marietta was to purchase the Institute prop- erty. What was obtained abroad was used for the support of the professors and other kindred purposes. The college property was further enlarged by the purchase of the athletic field in 1890, and of the Observatory and adjoining lots on Fifth street in 1892.

In the spring of 1882, William Chamber- lain Gurley, having given up business and re- turned to Marietta on account of ill-health, in- terested a number of gentlemen in the study of astronomy. A company was formed, and an ; observatory built the same year. This passed into the possession of the College in 1890, and was afterward removed to its present site. Mr. Gurley became the director in 1891, hokling the position until his death, in 1898.

THE COLLEGE LIBRARY

Dates from the beginning of the College it- self. The first catalogue issued in 1838 states that the Library "contains about 3.000 vol- umes embracing an extensive and choice se- lection of Philological works, procured by the Professor of Languages on his recent visit to Europe." That the trustees so early should devote so large a sum, $1,000, to the purchase of classical books is an indication at once of their broad conception of what the College should be and of their generous spirit. The money used for this first large purchase of books came from the estate of Samuel Stone. The growth of the Library has been steady since that time : in 1860 there were 17,000 vol- umes : in 1885, 33,000; today there are over 60,000, including some 7,000 in the two socie- ty libraries, making it the largest institutional library in Ohio, and excelled by only five west of the Alleghanies. The books have come from many sources-College purchases, gifts by many individuals, donations from the Unit- ed States government, this library being one of its designated depositories. Three collec- tions are worthy of special remark.

In 1850, Dr. Samuel P. Hildreth, a prom- inent physician of the city, in connection with his donation of fine museum collections gave several hundred scientific books to the Library. to which he and his son, Dr. George O. Hil- dreth, afterward made considerable additions, including a number of manuscript volumes of correspondence with scientific men in this coun- try and abroad, as well as letters pertaining to the early history of Ohio.

A second collection, the gift of a living

204

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY.

donor, who is still adding to it. consists of I .- 400 volumes in the realm chiefly of philosophy, psychology, science and literature, carefully se- lected and of great value.

A third collection is the magnificent gift recived in June, 1900, from Hon. Rodney Met- calf Stimson, who was librarian of the Col- lege from 1881 to 1892 and treasurer from 1881 to 1900. This collection of 19,000 vol- umes is especially rich in the history of the Northwest Territory, and in this field is ex- celled by only one collection in America. Other lines are represented in the collection, partic- ularly curiosa.

From the library of Dr. Asa D. Lord, for many years prominently connected with educa- tional work in the State, his widow gave to the College 1,000 volumes and 500 pamphlets, mostly of an educational character, including many rare journals and reports.

The manuscript materiais of the Library are numerous and of great value. They in- clude the records of the Ohio Company and many journals and letters, belonging to the pio- neer days. The most of these came from the estate of William R. Putnam, lineal descen- dant of Gen. Rufus Putnam.

During these years of progress, the Library has more than once outgrown its quarters ; and now again it is difficult to find a place for a new book, so crowded are the shelves.

The Museum has been the result of slow accretions from many sources, the most nota- ble single contributions being those of Dr. Samuel P. Hildreth and Dr. and Mrs. B. Frank Hart. It is now of great interest and value, although lacking sufficient space for proper display.

FINANCIAL HISTORY.

The College was founded by men who be- Hoved it was needed and who were ready to At their faith by their works. The first ef- fort to raise funds was made in 1833. when $8,000 was given in Marietta, half of the sum coming from the trustees, who assessed each other, Messrs. Mills, Moore and Bingham giv- ing $1,000 each. From that time onward,

friends in Marietta have given more than half of the total sums raised for the support of the College and for the erection of buildings. The College has been the pride of the city and has never been allowed to utterly fail in spite of many trying experiences. It would be impossi- ble to name even a majority of the host of giv- ers; a few are conspicuous by reason of the size of their gifts : Samuel Train of Medford, Massachusetts ; Thomas W. Williams of New London, Connecticut ; Truman Hillver of Co- lumbus: Cornelius B. Irwin of New Britain, Connecticut : Daniel B. Fayerweather of New York, together with Douglas Putnam, Col. W. R. Putnam and Col. John Mills of Marietta. Special mention should be made of the gift of Dr. Daniel K. Pearsons of Chicago, which, though not very large in itself, $25,000, was the incentive for raising nearly $125,000.00 for the College in 1899, putting the College out of debt and adding a most substantial sum to the endowment.

In this connection mention should be made of those who have, as trustees and officers, given time and thought, as well as money to the College, who in dark days and bright have held to high purposes and have carried the in- stitution to success. The service of Douglas Putnam, as secretary of the corporation from 1833 to 1894, is perhaps without a parallel in America.

The College was never in so good condi- tion financially as at present, although needing much more to provide adequately for its main- tenance and growth.

THE PRESIDENTS.

Dr. Linsley guided the affairs of the young College for II years. Much of his time was given to securing the funds for the endowment of the institution, but he made a lasting im- press upon College and community through his great power as a preacher. His successor Rev. Henry Smith, was one of the first pro- fessors, and was connected with the College for 22 years, serving as president from 1846 to 1855. after which he was for many years pro-

205

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

fessor in Lane Seminary. He was a man of the finest scholarship and of most commanding eloquence, with an unusual fidelity to obliga- tions and loyalty to convictions. The high ideals cherished by the founders is shown by their liberal policy in giving Professor Smith. after he had been here two years, a leave of absence for a year from July 1. 1835. for study abroad. The event has proved this act wise, for one of the fruits of that year was the issu- ing some years later by Professor Smith of an edition of "Curtius' Greek Lexicon." And the publication of that lexicon was the means of bringing to Marietta as a student Rodney M. Stimson, who has proved one of the most devoted officers and generous donors the Col- lege has had in all its history.

The third president was Rev. Israel Ward Andrews who, like President Smith, had been connected with the College from the begin- ning. He came to Marietta in 1838, and for a full half century gave his life and thought. his work and his sympathy, to the College. He served as president for 30 years. from 1855 to 1885. He was most careful and exact as a scholar, with high ideals to which he chung tenaciously. To him and to President Smith chiefly, although their colleagues share in it. is due the credit of holding the College un- flinchingly to high standards of scholarship in times when many another lowered its require- ments in weak concession ot a popular clamor. Dr. Andrews, being a man of strong personal- ity, left a deep impression upon the character of many generations of Marietta students. His historical address at the semi-centennial of the College is the basis for much of the present article.

President John Eaton came to the College from the post of United States Commissioner of Education, and served from 1885 to 1891. He was followed after a year by Rev. John W. Simpson, who led the College for four years, to 1896. Prof. Joseph H. Chamberlin. as dean, acceptably performed the duties of pres- ident until the election of Rev. Alfred T. Per- ry. in June, 1900, as the sixth president of the College.

THE IROTE -FANS.

It would be impossible to speak of all the worthy men who have in these 66 years com- posed the teaching force. Many of them have won national reputations through their work here and elsewhere. which brought honorary (legrees from the best colleges in the country, and many more have won the love and respect of their students for both character and schol- arship. Notable for length of service, as well as the quality of their work, are Professor Kendrick, with his 33 years, from 1840, as active, and 16 years longer as emeritus pro- fessor, to his death in 1889; Professor Rosset- er, with his 13 years, from 1869, is still re- membered with affection; Professor Beach served II years, from 1869. To these must be added, of the living. Prof. John L. Mills, 16 years, from 1865; and from the present faculty, Professor Biscoe, who has served now 27 years; Professor Andrews with his 22 years: Professor Chamberlin with 20 years ; and Professor Phillips with 17 years. These long professorships, which tie together the generations and preserve the continuity of col- lege ideals, are of inestimable value to any in- stitution. Others who have served a shorter time have been not less worthy of honor and have done their share in advancing the interests of the College by labor and sacrifices. The salaries paid have always been so meager as to make sacrifice, though gladly made, a matter of real necessity.

THE STUDENTS.

When the new charter was given the Col- lege in 1835. there were two classes organ- ized for work. One of these graduated in 1838, and since that time there has been an un- broken succession of classes. No year has failed to send out its new alumni at Com- mencement time. The total number of gra w. uates in the 64 classes, from 1838 to 190 ' 824, an average of about 13. The first class numbered four, and is the smallest class. There have been eight classes over 20. The class of 1898 numbered 28.

206

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

The graduates of a College make its rep- utation, and Marietta has reason to be proud of the record of her sons. Although there have been no Presidents of the United States among her alumni, there are two governors. William Irwin, Governor of California, 1875 to 1879, and A. B. White, '78, now Governor of West Virginia. Four have been members of Congress, and 10 members of State legisla- tures. Goshorn, '54, Director-General of the Centennial Exposition ; Loomis, '83, Minister to Venezuela; Dawes, '84, Comptroller of the Currency, are illustrations of high political advancement in other lines.

While in later years an increasing propor- tion of graduates here, as elsewhere, have gone into business, many of them to win distin- guished success, still the professions have claimed by far the larger part. Two hundred and seven have become ministers, 117 lawyers, 68 physicians, 104 teachers. We note among them 36 college professors, eight college pres- idents, among whom are Dr. Joseph H. Tut- tle, '41, president of Wabash for 30 years, 1862-1892, and William G. Ballantine, '68, president of Oberlin, 1891-96: George H. Howison, '52, professor of philosophy, Uni- versity of California ; E. B. Andrews, '42, Da- vid E. Beach, '59. professors in Marietta. Seven of our lawyers have reached the bench. Wilson, '46, in Oregon, and Follett, '53, in Ohio being judges of the State Supreme Court. Through her graduates the influence of Mar- ietta has gone out to the ends of the earth, more than 20 of them having been foreign missionaries, --- John F. Pogue, '42. 33 years in the Hawaiian Islands; Dr. John H. Shedd, '56, 33 years in Persia; and Dr. Charles A. Stanley, '58, 39 years in China, having served the longest. With these should be mentioned Dr. John P. Williamson, who served as mis- sionary to the Indians in the West for 41 years.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 29

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490