USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 56
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Grace Reformed Church is one of the latest, as it is one of the most import- ant, additions to the churches of the city. The corner-stone of the building was placed June 24, 1883, the sermon being delivered by Rev. J. H. Good. Rev. H. H. W. Hilshman is the first and present minister of this church. The following officers were elected in May, 1885: Edward Swander and Edward
Andre; deacons, Joseph W. Burnside and Dennis Holtz. The building, which stands on the northeast corner of Perry and Jefferson Streets, is of red brick, with heavy stone facings, and is of modern English in style of architecture. The stained glass windows are very fine pieces of workmanship.
The First English Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in the sum- ner of 1844, by Rev. J. Livengood, with David Rickenbaugh, Samuel Rule, Jacob Bowser, John Bowser, John Secrist, George Ritzman, Simon Snyder, M. Rosenberg, and their wives.
The first house of worship built by this organization was a plain frame structure, 30x40, and one story in height. The building was commenced in the summer of 1844, and dedicated by Rev. J. Crouse, D. D., May 25, 1845, un- der the name of "Luther Chapel." After having been occupied for twenty years, the old frame church was moved away, and the present brick edifice erected in its place. This was solemnly devoted to the service of God in May, 1866, and given the name: "The First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Tiffin, Ohio." The dedicatory sermon was preached, and the principal financial effort for the liquidation of its indebtedness conducted also by Rev. J. Crouse, D. D. The church was reorganized under the State law, December 25, 1866, with Rev. William W. Criby presiding, and L. Wisler, clerk; John
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Zeigler, Abram Horsberger and George Snyder, trustees, and Conrad Yingst, clerk. The preachers since organization have been J. Livengood, Thomas Hill, Isaac Cutler, W. W. Crilley, J. W. Goodlin, J. F. Reinmund, D. D., Jacob Stick, D. D., J. Crouse, D. D., and Rev. Samuel Schwarm, the present pastor. In March, 1885, Dr. Crouse retired, having served almost forty-three years in the ministry of his church. He began his labors in Crawford County in 1842. During that time he has preached in Galion, Leesville, Plymouth (seven years), Sulphur Springs, DeKalb, Bucyrus (eight years), Tiffin (eight years and two months), and many other points. He was also connected with Wittenberg College for seven years as financial secretary.
The Open Door Sunday-School Society, instituted some years ago, holds Sunday services in the city hall. H. G. Day is superintendent of this religious association, and H. J. B. Ford, secretary.
The Universalist Church claims a small membership here, but is without organization. This form of Christian worship was introduced into Tiffin, March 15, 1839. by A. A. Davis, who held "Universalian" services at the court house.
The Mormon Church. - The number of natives or settlers of this county who became members of the church of Latter Day Saints is uncertain. Oliver Cowdery, a lawyer of Tiffin, who settled here over forty years ago with his family, was one of the better minds in the church. In 1847 he joined Jesse Strang's monarchical colony of Mormons, moved from Wisconsin in 1847, and died in Missouri in 1848.
Other bodies of Christians, including the Spiritualists, exist here without organization; while, in connection with the churches, a number of missionary and aid societies are in being.
The Hebrew Society is well represented at Tiffin, but there is no synagogue here. The more important holy days of the Jews are, however, observed.
SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse erected at Seneca county seat was that old landmark which stood at the northwest corner of Market and Monroe Streets, on land donated by Josiah Hedges in 1828. This was a brick structure completed in 1832. Benjamin Crockett was the first teacher in this building. George Donaldson, Jacob Plane (who was appointed postmaster in 1829) and Richard Sneath were the school trustees in 1828. The schoolhouse of 1832 continued in use twelve years. In 1844 the pioneer schoolhouse gave place to a more pretentious building on the north side of Market Street, near Monroe, in which four teachers were employed. William Lang, Rev. Mr. Collins and Mrs. Gibbs were the principals. In 1847 Harrison Noble was appointed teacher, and dur- ing the following three years no less than a dozen different persons presided over the classes in those four old rooms, which constituted the Tiffin schools.
In October, 1850, the first board of education was elected. The successful candidates were W. H. Gibson, William Lang. William D. Searles, A. C. Bald- win, W. H. Keilholtz and George Knupp. The first board of examiners was appointed in November, 1850, namely: J. H. Pittinger, R. G. Pennington and R. R. Bement.
The school board elections since 1876 have resulted in the choice of the fol- lowing named citizens: 1876-Warren P. Noble. 1877-Dr. E. B. Hubbard and O. C. Zeller. 1878 -- N. L. Brewer, Judge J. F. Bunn, Henry Brohl, E. B. Hubbard, W. P. Noble, school board; B. B. Hall, superintendent of schools; B. F. Myers, assistant superintendent. 1879-William Lang, J. F. Bunn, W. P. Noble, Henry Brohl, E. B. Hubbard, Charles O. Knepper, school board ;.
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Prof. B. B. Hall, superintendent of the public schools; Prof. B. F. Myers, assistant superintendent. In 1880 and 1881 the board remained unchanged, but Prof. J. W. Knott, superintendent of the public schools, was elected vice Hall, and Prof. B. F. Myers, assistant superintendent, was continued as assistant. The board of 1882 and 1883 comprised the same members as that of the three preceding years. In 1884- Dr. J. A. Norton, W. P. Noble, Sylvester J. Kintz, Lewis Seewald, J. M. Hershberger and Charles O. Knepper formed the board, with Prof. Knott and Prof. B. F. Myers holding their positions. The election of 1885 resulted in the re-election of Kintz and Knepper over the Republican candidates, Gibbon and Baldwin, the vote standing 1,065 and 1,095 against 702 and 670, respectively.
In 1850 the board of education adopted a school system very far above that in vogue previously, and employed a corps of eight teachers, viz .: William Fitzgerald, - Thomas J. Cronise, Samuel Nolan, Mrs. Sarah Sands, Miss E. Augsperger, Miss Eliza Cronise, Miss C. Coffin and Miss Andrew. The high- est salary paid was $24 per month, but the regular salary was $15. Rev. R. R. Bement was the first superintendent, serving for $2 per month. The next superintendent, S. S. Rickley, was more fortunate, as he received $33.33 per month, for the year ending May, 1852. During this year the Union School- house was erected, near St. Mary's Church, at a cost of $6,000. It was not, however, until 1859 that the high school building was opened, although a high school classy graduated the previous year. In 1871 two large school buildings were added to Tiffin, one in 1878, and one in 1883.
Tiffin High School Alumni Association was organized May 20, 1881. The graduates from 1863 to 1885 numbered 167, of whom 132 were ladies. In the following record the address of all graduates, other than residents of Tif- fin, is given:
Class of 1863 .- Mrs. Theo. Whitney, nee Beilharz, Northeast, Penn. ; Mrs. Nora Tomb, nee Benham; * Delia Bowe, Anna Gibson, Mrs. Retta Lucas, nee McLain, Marion, Ohio; Mattie W. Shawhan, 1024 McGee Street, Kansas City, Mo .; * Jennie Smith, Mrs. Maggie Dunscome, nee Weirick, Aspin, Col. ; Dallas P. Dildine, Payne, Ohio; Omar Wilson.
Class of 1864 .- Mrs. Maggie Lloyd, nee Gardner, Defiance, Ohio: Mrs. Emma Yingling, nee Tomb; * Mrs. Emma Hill, nee Vicroy, Elmer White, De- fiance, Ohio.
Class of 1865. -* Ella Davis, Mrs. Isa B. Frost, nee Dildine; Mrs. Addie Jones, nee Gallup; Mrs. Mary Wheeler, nee Kinnaman, Lima, Ohio; * Mrs. Hattie Kagy, nee Weirick.
Class of 1866. - Mrs. Elvira Yockey, nee Beilharz, Xenia, Ohio; Frank Dildine, Fort Wayne, Ind .; Charles J. M. Sullivan, Louis Ulrich.
Class of 1867 .- Mrs. Bertha Pomeroy, nee Bowe; Mrs. Libbie Davies, nee Bowersox, Clyde, Ohio; * Mrs. Laura Bunn, nee Groff; Mrs. Eva Fowler, nee Gross, Lafayette, Ind .; Mrs. Anna Shields, nee Lamberson; Mrs. Eva Bald- win, nee Phillips, Plum Creek, Neb .; Mrs. Mattie Saurber, nee McLain, York, Penn. ; Mrs. Julia Hays, nee McAllister, Knoxville, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Zartman. George W. Tomb, Virginia City, Nev.
Class of 1868 .- Mrs. Ella Webb, nee Corbin, St. Louis, Mo .; Mrs. Leora Conn, nee Flenner, Virginia City, Nev .; Mrs. Sarah Meacham, nee Gallup, Carrington, Dak .; * Mrs. Augusta Fleu, nee Snyder; Dr. William H. Baldwin, Sacramento, Cal.
+Class of 1858 .- Anna Augsperger, Toledo, Ohio; Amelia Benham, Mrs. Anna Lawton, nee Cooper, Ashland Avenue and Batavia Street, Toledo, Ohio; Mary M. Ebbert; Mrs. Mary Hall, nee Stoner, Tiffin, Ohio; Lizzie Stoner, Tiffin, Ohio.
*Deceased.
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Class of 1969 .- Mary Gallup, Carrington, Dak .; Mrs. Mary E. Groff, nee Noble; Ella Harriott, *Tirzah McCormack, Mrs. Idella Ranshaw, nee Reeme, Chicago, Ill.
Class of 1870 .-- Mrs. Mary Myers, nee Childs; Mrs. Philla Knapp, nee Snyder; Mrs. Emma Sweadner, nee Travis, Fredonia, Kas. ; Ella Webb, Carey, Ohio; Harry Buskirk; Irvin Graves. Sandusky, Ohio; William H. Knight.
Class of 1871 .- Mrs. Anna Bodenstein, nee Boos, Grand Rapids, Mich .; Mrs. Lola Van Tyne, nee Hovey, Sandusky, Ohio; Mrs. Mattie Reed, nee Mc- Allister; Mrs. Allie B. Searles, nee Nyman; Mrs. Emma O. Hale, nee Ogle, Xenia, Ohio; Mrs. Laura Barnhart, nee Schinness; Aurilla Sohn, Mrs. Medora J. C. Gaines, nee Sprague, Melmore, Ohio; Dr. R. B. Benham, Brownsville, Tex .; Edgar J. Gross, Louisville, Ky. ; Charles W. Hedges, Galveston, Tex.
Class of 1873 .- Mrs. Minnie B. Cunningham, nee Holt; Mrs. Rachel Ne- ligh, nee Martin; Flora V. Poorman, Arthur A. Cunningham, Edward S. Eb- bert, Covington, Ky .; George M. Huss, Western Springs, Ill.
Class of 1874 .- Mrs. Katie Gilkerson, nee Bibb, Sandusky, Ohio; Mrs. Kate Acre, nee Boyer, Greenville, Penn .; Mrs. Ida Lynch, nee Nyman; Mrs. Cora B. Bradley, nee Pew; Minnie Smith, Mrs. Mary E. Lepper, nee Williams, Attica, Ohio; Mrs. Celia I. Shaw, nee Williams, Republic, Ohio; Amos W. Knight, Attica. Ohio; John A. Spielman.
Class of 1876. -* Lizzie R. Kefanver, Jessie L. Poorman, Amelia D. Sauer, Roland M. Barbour, Socorro, N. M .; Warren E. Brinkerhoff, Detroit, Mich.
Class of 1878 .- Laura V. Freyman, Mattie Gibson, Winfield, Kas .; Mary A. Hartman. Minnie L. Jones, Emma C. Merkelbach, Laura Stricker.
Class of 1879 .- Clara A. Barnes, Mrs. Florence M. Livezey, nee Barnes, Denver, Col .; Mrs. Belle M. Myers, nee Byrne; Amanda C. Clouser, Mrs. Jen- nie Horn, nee Fishbaugh. Shenandoah. Iowa: Mrs. Lettie Wilcoxson, nee Wilson; Dr. H. L. Wenner.
Class of 1880 .- Gertrude H. Adams, Eva E. Bacher, *Lisetta C. Berger, Julia Brewer, Amelia A. Byrne, Fannie C. McLain, Corinne Spayth. Josie L. Spiers, Frank W. Wenner, Bellaire, Ohio.
Class of 1881. - Mrs. Ella E. Kerstetter, nee Frank, Louisville, Ohio; Mrs. Nora Neligh, nee Keller; Lillian M. Kreader. Mrs. Rosa P. Kiessling, nee Lemp; Susie Martin, Mrs. Emma O. Krammes, nee Ruess, Denver, Ind .; Ma- bel Spayth, G. Edward Boos, Jackson, Mich .; William H. Dore, Willis E. White.
Class of 1882 .- Georgia A. Clarke, Jessie D. Keller, Fostoria, Ohio; Jennie Martin, Esther Mosier, Carrie A. Myers. Lucy Seinsoth, Carrie V. Steninger, Pauline Stricker.
Class of 1883. - Jessie Burkhalter, Mrs. Julia Boyer, nee Cain, Chicago, Ill. ; Hattie Crooks. Ella S. Emmick, Mary E. Good, Jennie E. Martin, Annie McCauley, Alberta J. Metz, Mattie I. Newson, Theresa Pittenger, Josie E. Ward, Addie O. Wiseman, Theodore Brohl, Elmer E. Hershberger, Albert L. Norton, Annapolis, Md. ; Frederick L. Wenner.
Class of 1884 .- Clara L. Dresbach, Mrs. Mary Shedenhelm, nee Frederici, Watson Station, Ohio: Emma Huss, Cora A. Lemp, Jennie Nighswander, Clara E. Shawhan, Lottie C. Stricker, Ella Weiss, Henry Adelsperger, Theo- dore W. Day, James Hershberger, James S. Keppel.
Class of 1885. Ella Crooks, Lillian M. Grendon, Lizzie M. Keller, Cora J. Lease, Olive L. Lysle. Emma A. Short, Morristown, Minn. ; Emma M. Sneckenberger, Maggie M. Spayth, Maud T. Stanley, Mary B. Tomb, Jennie Weiss, Willis Bacon.
*Deceased.
Laurence Cougar
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CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
Profs. inott and Myers are honorary members of the association. The present officers are Dr. H. L. Wenner, president; E. E. Hershberger, Amelia D. Sauer and Mabel Spayth, vice-presidents; Mrs. A. A. Cunningham, treas- urer; Mary L. Hartman, corresponding secretary; F. L. Wenner, recording secretary.
The teachers of the public schools of Tiffin, in August, 1885, are named as follows: J. W. Knott, superintendent; B. F. Myers, assistant superintendent and principal of the Second District Schools; Miss S. R. Platt, Mrs. M. E. Zartman, Kate Sughro, Hallie Levitt, Josie Spiers, Eva Bacher, Mollie Good, Theresa Pittinger, Clara Shawhan, Carrie Mvers, Fannie McLain, Lissette Herbig and Emma Merkelbach, teachers in First District; Leonora Mitchell, Mary Hartman, Corinne Spayth, Josie Ward, Mary F. Van Pelt, Ida R. Smith and Lucy Seinsoth, teachers in Second District; Celesta Stoner, Clara Barnes, Mattie Newson and Jessie Poorman, teachers in Third District; Flora Poorman, Amelia Sauer and Mabel Spayth, teachers in Fourth District, and Laura Freyman, teacher in Fifth District.
The statistics of the schools of Tiffin for the year ending August 31, 1884, are as follows: Local tax, $15,998.08; State tax, $4,479; irreducible school fund, $4,035; balance from 1883, $12,079.48; amount realized from sale of school bonds, $18,000; from fines, licenses, etc., $3,734.08; total revenue, $54,330.99; amount paid teachers, $13,319; managing and superintending, $1,350; cost of grounds and buildings, $12,270.92; fuel and sundries, $6,602.47; total expenditure, $33,542; balance to credit of year 1885, $20,788.60. Five school buildings-value of property, $90,000, including schoolhouse of 1883-84 erected at a cost of $20,000; number of teachers, 32; average salary, $63 and $38; number of pupils, 1,347-653 boys and 694 girls-of whom 96 are en- rolled in high school classes; rate of local school tax, 6} mills. The school enu- meration made by Alber Beilharz in September, 1885, credits the city proper with 1,304 male and 1,357 female children, and the first and fourth sub-districts with 109 male and 83 female children, or a total of 1,413 males and 1,440 females, with two colored males and four colored females; 2,859 youth between six and twenty-one years of age, an increase of 47 over the enumeration of 1884. The number of unmarried youth between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one years is 819, an increase of 50 over the number recorded in 1884.
The Catholic Schools were established by Rev. Father Molon. P. H. Ryan succeeded John Crowley in charge of the school. This John Crowley was truly as great a Latin scholar as he was a whisky drinker. He could speak Latin the day long, keep from strong drink for a term, but when he would drink he was a terrible character, sacrificing everything to satisfy this awful craving. In 1855 or 1856 Warren P. Noble remarked jokingly to Crowley that he would help him in securing the nomination for mayor. Crowley looked at him steadily and said; "Quid, quid, id est, timeo Denaos et dona ferentes." He left Tiffin prior to the war, but of his whereabouts nothing is known. Mr. Ryan had charge of this school until the winter of 1853-54. At this time school was held in the vestibule of the old St. Mary's Church. Cornelius Hennessy took charge of the school in 1854, and was succeeded in 1855 by a daughter of John Britt. During her term the old church, in which school continued to be held, was burned to the ground (1856). That same year, Mr. Ryan, as a trustee, purchased the old frame Union School building of the Second Ward, which stood where the present St. Mary's Schood now is, moved it eastward, and placed it on the north side of Miami Street, two lots south of Franklin Street, in Fort Ball. There were two male teachers employed in this building prior to the coming of the sisters, and the sisters continued school in that same
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building east of Franklin Street, until 1884. In 1856 the Union School erected a brick schoolhouse where the old Union School stood, and in this teaching was carried on until 1884, when the sisters. who purchased the build- ing and grounds for $5,000, opened it in 1884 as St. Mary's School.
The Ursuline Convent, Schools and College. - The convent was founded at Tiffin in 1863, by members of the order from Cleveland, Ohio, at the request of the congregations of the parishes of St. Mary and St. Joseph, who sub- scribed about $3,000, and purchased the lot on which the present convent now stands. This society. as now established at Tiffin, was reorganized under State law, September 7, 1864, with Sister of St. Joseph, Sister of the Sacred Heart and Sister St. Maxime, trustees, holding the offices of superior, treasurer and secretary respectively. From the beginning of the convent the sisters have conducted the academy and have also attended the common schools of St. Mary's and St Joseph's Parishes. May 29, 1878, the college of the Ursulines was incorporated, the articles being signed by the following named sisters: Cath- erine Leahy, Louisa Brickner, Mary Hanley, Ella Johnson and Mary Bormuth, trustees. This act granted to the faculty the power of conferring degrees and all the powers of a collegiate institution. The studies are divided into three classes, primary, preparatory and senior; the last named being a three years' course of elocution, composition, rhetoric, foreign history, botany, higher arithmetic, Bourdon's algebra, geometry, ancient history, literature, philoso- phy, Bible history, trigonometry, astronomy, chemistry, geology, logic, essays and public recitations. The Latin, French and German languages are optional branches. Classes in book-keeping are formed for such pupils of the higher grade as wish to make it a study. Besides these studies, music in its various branches, drawing, art painting (Lustra, China silk and velvet) in oil and water colors, are taught to great perfection; also waxwork, embroidery, fancy work, plain sewing, cooking, mending, darning, knitting and all kinds of domestic accomplishments. The editor of the Fremont Messenger speaking of the college. says: "Not the least commendable feature of this academy is the attention that is given to those graceful accomplishments which throw a charm over domestic life and tend toward elevating society. Readings and lectures on etiquette are given weekly. Simplicity of manner and dress is encouraged, and economy enforced. Particular attention is paid to the necessary parts of the study of physiology and the laws of health. Perfect uniformity is observed in retiring, rising, study, proceeding to the different exercises. Difference in religion is no obstacle to the admission of pupils; those of all denominations are received and no influence is in any way exerted over the conscientious opinion of non-Catholics, but in the reception of pupils good reference is required. Special attention is given to young ladies wishing to qualify themselves as teachers. A library of choice standard works is free of access to the pupils."
The plans for the new convent building are made and the grounds pur- chased. The grounds lie on the face of the terrace of the Sandusky, on the southwestern limits of the city, one of the most beautiful locations in all northern Ohio. The buildings are to be in keeping with the location and the high objects for which they are destined.
The schools of the Franciscan sisters are carried on in connection with the Citizens' Hospital and the Orphan Asylum, on the south side of the city. There are no less than 115 orphans cared for and educated in this true home of Chris- tian charity. The Orphanage dates back to 1868, as told in its history; while the coming of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis dates to June 4, 1878. The number of the community is fifty-four. Of them twenty-four sis- ters are principally occupied in the schools.
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Miscellaneous Schools. - In the early days of Tiffin it was the rule to bring a few children together in one of the houses and impart to them the rudiments of an education. In 1832 this system gave place to the very common school education, which was continued almost to 1850, when the board of education was established and the school took a first place among city institutions.
A music school was opened at Tiffin by J. A. Schickell November 6, 1840. Since that year the teaching of music has become a part and parcel of a first- class education, and the citizens leave nothing undone to foster the music teachers' enterprise.
Tiffin Select Ladies School was opened by Mrs. L. M. Lathrop in Febru- ary, 1844. This was the pioneer of the select schools of Tiffin. The system, however, has been overshadowed by the advantages which the city schools and denominational colleges offer.
The Seneca County Academy claimed seventy-five pupils in the winter of 1846, and may be classed as the beginning of "higher education" in Seneca County. The history of this academy is given in that of Scipio Township.
The Gossman classes are presided over by George Gossman, A. M., whose experience of over twenty years in the study and teaching of English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Latin and Hebrew, fit him to preside over special classes.
The newspaper press of the city is well conducted and supported, and all literary and scholastic enterprises are fostered with a liberal hand.
HEIDELBERG COLLEGE.
The beginning of the establishment of this college at Tiffin dates back to November 4, 1850, when Benjamin S. Schneck, D. D., president and professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy; J. H. Good, A. M., professor of Mathemat- ics, and Reuben Good, A. M., rector of the preparatory school, opened a collegiate session in three rented rooms of the building once known as Commercial Row, with seven students present. The actual beginning antedates the beginning of the college. An address signed by W. P. Noble, H. Shaull and R. B. Bement asking the co-operation of the people in establishing a grammar school at Tiffin was issued September 13, 1850. William Lang, William H. Gibson, A. C. Baldwin, Wilson Yourtee, Barkdull Souder, - St. John, - Lee and others were among the originators of this movement. The history prepared in 1884 by the college authorities, gives the following facts:
" Early in the year 1850 a special meeting of the Synod of Ohio was held at Tarlton, Ohio, to provide for the establishment of a college for the Reformed Church in the West. Proposals from the citizens of Tarlton were accepted, and the name of Tarlton College given to the proposed new institution. At the regular meeting of the synod in Navarre, Ohio, September 26, 1850, it was decided to change the location of the new college to Tiffin, Ohio, in view of inducements offered by the citizens of this city (a donation of $11,000). Here, in rooms rented in Commercial Row, the college was formally opened: November 18, 1850, with seven students in attendance. The number of stu- dents increased during the year so that the catalogue for 1850-51 had an enrollment of 149 names. The smallest number in attendance in any year was 105. This was in 1860. The highest number was 227, in the year 1868.
" The name Heidelberg was given because of its historic significance, when the synod in Navarre decided upon the location of the college at Tiffin. It was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly of Ohio, February 13, 1851, under the name of Heidelberg College. * * * The first faculty consisted of Revs. E. V. Gerhart, J. H. Good, S. S. Rickley, R.
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Good and Mrs. A. M. Lee. As President Gerhart and Prof. Rickley were engaged in other duties, the work of instruction at first mainly devolved upon Revs. R. and J. H. Good and Mrs. Lee. The advocacy of the principle of co-education was shown by the appointment of a lady principal at the founda- tion of the college. The theological seminary has been intimately connected with the college from the beginning. * * *
* The literary societies of the college have been important factors in promoting intellectual growth and ability in debate and public speaking. The Excelsior Society was organized in 1851, and the Heidelberg Society in 1859. On the lists of honor- ary membership in these societies are the names of nearly 1,000 of the leading literary men of the day, and two-thirds of as many active members who have since proven their efficient training in filling varied important and responsible positions.
" The presidents of the college have been Rev. E. V. Gerhart, 1850-55; Rev. Moses Kieffer, 1855-63; Rev. George W. Aughinbaugh, 1863-64; Rev. George W. Williard, from 1866 to the present time.
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