USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 52
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
While the trusteeship of Jacob Frick was comparatively brief, it was marked by deep interest and by generous and efficient aid in the financial dif-
516
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
ficulties then encountered. The board laments his loss (he died November 17, 1901) : "His simplictiy of manner, the honesty and integrity of his character, his manifest helpfulness and kindness to others stamped him a man of high Christian character."
In June, 1898, the board of trustees, in accepting from J. H. Kauke the gift of the property now known as the conservatory, passed resolutions of heartfelt recognition of his "unselfish service" of many years in "advancing the work to which he has given so much of his time, his strength, his means and his prayers." He died suddenly on Sabbath morning, March 20. 1904. At its next meeting this minute was entered upon the record of the board, expressing its deep sense of the "loss which the institution has sustained." He was the oldest member of our board and the sole survivor ( save one) of the original incorporators. "Pre-eminent among the men whose labors and liberality secured the location of the synodical college in this city, he gave to it an untiring devotion and for thirty-eight years sacrificed time, money and strength to its upbuilding, maintenance and enlargement. He had
passed the 'dead line' of fifty years when the University was founded, but for more than a third of a century he gave his unfailing and exuberant vitality to the care and nursing of the institution he loved. Day after day, usually before attending to his own business, he was on the hill, attending to the needs of professors and students with indefatigable zeal and patience.
"And this was true not alone of one season but of all seasons. Summer and winter, day and night, he wrought and planned, meeting perplexities and bridging difficulties, unceasingly careful in the economical use of the University's funds and giving, especially in later years, a large part of his time gratuitously to the care of the building and grounds.
"His interests in both teachers and scholars was unfailing. He was . deeply interested in the struggles of the students while here and followed them in after years with sympathetic watchfulness, rejoicing in their suc- cess and grieving over their failures and defects. His own life-battle, with his disadvantages and straitened circumstances in early life to the comfort and affluence of later years, fitted him to be a true friend and coun- sellor of those who in poverty were seeking to gain an education. After eighty-six years of busy and fruitful labors he entered into rest."
It would be hard to find in any community a more remarkable history than the life-course of Captain Kauke. Some pains should be taken to pre- sent it to this community as a priceless inheritance. an asset of more than economic value, a perpetual stimulus to the nobler triumphs of character over
517
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
circumstance and a brilliant tribute to native intellect and to its power, under stimulus of high morality and a deep religious faith, to assimilate the most valuable results of culture without submission to its tedious processes.
Two years later (June, 1906) the board traces carefully the life history of the Rev. John C. Holliday, D.D., always useful and widely known-a trustee from 1888 to 1906. He died suddenly while pastor at Norwood, Ohio, on the 14th of February of the latter year. Absent in seventeen years but from one meeting of the board and then far away in Palestine, he was a model of punctuality. He had been the Prohibition candidate for governor in 1897 and received the largest vote (7,558) ever given to a similar candidate. He was especially useful to the whole church ( Presbyterian) in our state by the well-ordered scheme of home missions which he devised. "Fidelity, con- scientiousness and efficiency characterized all his relations to the University." Dr. Holliday's solid acquirements, sustained convictions, and ready sympa- thies conspired to make him a man of mark in any line of duty for Christ and fellow men. The board expresses its "profound sense of the greatness of its bereavement."
At the same meeting ( June, 1906) the death of Harry True (of Marion), which had occurred since the February meeting of that year, was recorded. He was a "trustee by lineage. His father, Dr. H. A. True, was one of the original incorporators." Despite large business interests he was a faithful member of the Board. He was "too genuine a man to herald his worth, but when put to the test he revealed his equipment and splendid char- acter." He had unusual literary taste, and was "a manly man, an upright citizen, a generous helper of a worthy cause, a friend worth having, always a gentleman and a devout and consistent Christian."
Among the earlier trustees were two whose tenure of office was not long but their interest was deep and permanent. Of these, William D. Johnson ( 1873-5) endowed the chair of mathematics and astronomy in the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars. This gift was one of the most encouraging evidences of future success during the days of the early struggles. The board marks "the exemplary spirit and devoted piety" of the generous trustee and records its gratitude to God for the bequest in his will. It deserves to be entered here that Mrs. Johnson, when the railroad bonds in which the endow- ment was transferred were repudiated by the county which authorized them, paid the interest ($1,500) for many years until finally by legal process the county was compelled to make good the principal. It is hard to see how the institution could just then have gone forward without this singular act of generosity.
518
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
The trusteeship of the Rev. Dr. R. B. Moore was also brief (1871-74). but he held a life-interest in the university's work and welfare. After other donations, he gave, in 1904, ten thousand dollars as a foundation for a pro- fessorship of astronomy and as a memorial to his life-long friend, Professor Kirkwood. But a few months before his death in May, 1906, he "gave utter- ance to the hope that the university would always remain true to the tradi- tions and ideals of its founders."
Brief mention, at least, should be made of many of these worthy men, who have served in the capacity of trustees during these forty years. The whole number is one hundred and forty-three. Of these, sixty-eight have died. The list includes men of mark in all the professions. Naturally the clergy were called upon first and seventy-six of the whole number have been in the ministry. Teachers, lawyers, business men and now and then a physi- cian, make up the remainder. In the existing board, as by the catalogue of 1909-10, there appear twenty-five names (omitting the president, who is a member ex officio). Of these, only six are clergymen (with a seventh who is an honorary trustee), four are lawyers, one is an editor, one is an educator, and the remainder are business men. It would be but just to remember that the Rev. Dr. W. W. Colmery, one of the original board, is credited with having aided William D. Johnson to decide in favor of endowing his professor- ship. He also sent donations from his own slender resources when kept by increasing infirmity from attendance upon the meetings of the board. His tenure lasted from 1866 to 1895. As much might be said for Hugh Bell's long and faithful service from 1871 to 1898; for the short service of that estimable Christian lawyer of Cadiz, Josiah Estep (1885-'88). Dr. B. K. Ormond, once resident in our city, maintained an effective interest from 1893-1904. Dr. E. L. Raffensperger (of Marion) proposed the name which the institution now bears, at the close of a long committee discussion. He was instrumental in the proposed location at West Liberty. His term identi- fied him with the period of inception ( 1866-70). The widely known attorney at law, William Rush Taggart (now of New York, then of Salem, Ohio), was a member of the board and an efficient aid from 1877 to 1889. J. G. Peebles came a long way from Portsmouth and at an advanced age for the years be- tween 1883 and 1897. He gave freely of his own means and appropriated to the use of the university a bequest of two thousand dollars, the disposal of which had been left to his judgment by his sister, Mrs. Hamilton. Dr. George C. Heckman ( 1855-88), the Rev. Dr. David A. Wallace ( 1880-83), the Rev. Dr. Thomas A. McCurdy (1876-85), Dr. Willis Lord ( 1877-9), Dr. David A. Tappan ( 1897-9), Dr. J. B. Helwig ( 1894-98) and Dr. George P. Hays
519
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
(1887-8) were all college presidents and gave the values of their varied ex- periences to the counsels of the governing body. Dr. Abram D. Hawn of Delaware (1874-79) still survives to maintain a loyal interest in Wooster; Dr. A. B. Marshall ( 1890 to '94), then of East Liverpool and now in transitu to the presidency of the theological seminary at Omaha, should be coupled with Dr. William McKibbin ( 1894-1902), now president of Lane Theological Seminary, in appreciative remembrances. The Hon. A. E. Jones, recently commissioner of education in Ohio and long superintendent at Massillon, gave us good counsel from 1893 to 1901. Judge William McSurely, since busied in important cases in Chicago, gave most efficient help during reconstruction after the fire ( 1901-4) having secured a most welcome donation of five thou- sand dollars from the authorities of the Pennsylvania Leased Lines. Myron Wick (of Youngstown), elected in 1901, generously aided in the rebuilding and then in completing the great effort to reach the five-hundred-thousand dol- lar point in 1908, on reaching which so much was conditioned. He resigned last year and this year has been called to higher service in the better land. Alva Agee, now of Pennsylvania State College, was with us heart and soul from 1905-8 during his residence in our city. Samuel J. McMahon (Cambridge banker ) was generously efficient from 1888-1903. Taken all in all, this list of one hundred and forty-three trustees helps to prove that the synodical col- lege has proved to be solidly imbedded in the best heart and mind of our church in this state. Wooster has been able to command those who were able to serve her interests intelligently as well as faithfully.
During the third administration (June, 1893) the proper steps were ordered for enlarging the number of the trustees by synod-election from nom- inations by the "alumni at the annual meeting of the Central Alumni Associa- tion." This action was carried out, involving the passing of a general law by the General Assembly of Ohio. It has proven a wise and satisfactory step. A number of those most interested and useful in the board have been added by this expedient ; and this result will be cumulative in the future.
There have been five presidents of the board. Dr. John Robinson ( 1866- 1888) ; Dr. Charles S. Pomeroy ( 1888-1894) : Dr. A. A. E. Taylor ( 1895- 1902) ; Dr. Samuel S. Palmer ( 1902-5) and Louis H. Severance, the present incumbent. Lucas Flattery was the first secretary, in office from 1866 to 1878. Dr. T. K. Davis succeeded in a service of thirty years from 1878 to 1908. Since then Jesse McClellan has held the office, as he has held that of treasurer from 1885, succeeding his father, John McClellan, whose tenure of that important office lasted from 1866 to 1885.
520
WAYNE COUNTY, QHIO.
Among the fiscal secretaries mention must be made of Dr. George P. Hays' pioneering and organizing in 1868 and 1869, without which the raising of the two hundred fifty thousand dollars endowment deemed indispensable for setting the university in motion could not have been realized, and of Dr. T. K. Davis' continuous and successful employment in this capacity from 1871 to 1875. The Rev. Robert M. Donaldson gave up choice pastorates for this difficult work from 1895 to 1898. Since 1904 the burden has rested upon those experienced workmen in this vineyard (in which there are grapes enough but not easily accessible), the Rev. Charles R. Compton, Ph. D., and the Rev. Samuel W. Douglas. One who knows something of their task heartily wishes them the faith and patience which alone can perpetually (to use a borrowed expression) "renew the solicitor's nerve."
It is due the faithfulness and efficiency of Dr. T. K. Davis, connected with the university in one capacity or another from April 1. 1867-thus reaching forty-three years and constituting a longer nexus than now exists with any other person living-to give place to an extract from his letter to the board when resigning the secretaryship in 1908: "The institution was founded on the Rock of Ages, by men of profound convictions in this central and influen- tial state, at a time when the older and wealthier colleges of the country seemed to be losing their grip on the Christian faith. Merely as an additional college to the many in Ohio it was not needed. But as a college connected with and controlled by the Presbyterian church it was greatly needed. The Presbyterian church in Ohio was suffering and losing ground for want of a college of its own. I believed that it was needed by our country and the world as a college that would stand for Christ and the Bible as long as the Presbyterian church in Ohio would be faithful to her Lord and Master. My work as secretary has kept me in touch all these years with the internal life and work of the university and it has been a great joy to me that the trustees and faculty have never wavered from the position taken by the board of trustees at the first meeting in December, 1866." [See the resolutions quoted elsewhere in this sketch. ]
The most important section of the board of trustees is and always has been the executive committee. It is something of an equalizing consideration to remember that if our city receives some special advantages from the university it must always contribute the management through this committee-in close connection with the president as a member ex officio-of many most important concerns of the university-life. Questions of policy as well as of detail come before it for decision. Some are committed directly to it by the board, and others are urgent because the meetings of the board are infrequent. There
521
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
must be management of the investments also by a sub-committee (on finance ). There is constant demand for time and judgment and sympathetic study of various situations on the part of the executive committee. Right nobly have our best citizens responded to these demands during these more than forty years. I may not dare to specialize beyond mentioning the extraordinary devotion of John H. Kauke-for so many years the chairman-and the con- tinuous and indispensable services of the Rev. Dr. O. A. Hills since 1885. Every crisis through which the university has passed has called for renewed devotion and activity on the part of this committee.
Closely connected with the general work of the trustees, there has ex- isted since 1892 an advisory board of women. The number was to be equal to that of the trustees and their names were to be reported to the synod for confirmation. It was a roving commission under which this advisory board was organized ; but its main design was always as clear as it was important. It was meant to bring together representative women from each presbytery who with womanly tact and intuition would find ways to increase the efficiency of the institution in all matters pertaining to the young women who came into residence in the university. In 1896 "the board, recognizing the zeal with which the advisory board have given themselves to the work of fostering the university, would suggest to them that they have a sub-committee who shall regularly visit the institution and report from time to time to the faculty or board what, in their judgment, would promote the efficiency of the university especially in the matter of securing to our young lady students accommodations and surroundings that will approximate their life in the university to that of a Christian home." The thanks of the board for continued aid along the lines in which so much has been done to increase the attractiveness of the institution to the mothers and daughters of our constituency, have been fre- quently expressed. As early as June, 1880, Doctor Taylor had suggested a "Woman's Association to aid in promoting the higher education of young women in the university." The usefulness of the advisory board is constant- ly increasing and their suggestions receive most respectful attention from the trustees. It was in connection with this organization that the efficient work of Mrs. Dr. J. H. W. Stuckenberg was done in forming Wooster leagues in several Ohio cities. These organizations quickened interest in certain circles to the point of valuable co-operation.
Closely connected with the foregoing items must be mentioned the honor- roll of those who through the financial pilgrimage of the forty years past have been signal helpers. There heads the list, of course, the fine face and figure of Ephraim Quinby, Jr., whose gift of the campus undoubtedly secured the lo-
522
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
cation of the university at Wooster, and who gave, also, later a professorship. The pastor Reed gave encouragement and prevailing prayer. Capt. John H. Kauke gave liberal donations at the beginning, a full professorship later, paid for the transfer of the conservatory property, and always an inexhaustible store of personal concern and superintendence. The Johnson professorship was a gleam of hope for the larger endowments so much needed. David Robison, Jr., gave means and time as a member of the original board of trustees and is now its sole survivor. Mr. Purdy, of Mansfield, and John Black, of Zanes- ville, added some of the larger sums of the early days. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Mercer endowed the Biblical chair. Mrs. Mary Myers was one of the few who could add five thousand dollars to the original subscriptions for endow- ment. Early and middle and late, Dr. J. H. Pratt came to the institution's help. C. S. Bragg, of Cincinnati, planted the first library as a centre of intellectual stimulus with a gift of five thousand dollars. In the middle period there came to us William Thaw's repeated gifts, including the two thousand five hundred dollars which made certain the Hoge professorship of morals and sociology. And Mrs. William Thaw founded a memorial scholarship to that noble Christian gentleman (her father), Josiah Copley. Then came, from the same beneficent hand, the five thousand dollars and more, which realized that finely-conceived plan-the homes for the children of missionaries. Benjamin S. Brown, of Columbus, gladdened all hearts by a perpetual scholar- ship (one thousand dollars) and a professorship (twenty-five thousand dol- lars). Selah Chamberlain's ten-thousand-dollar bequest carried us over the construction exigencies of 1891-2, and literally gave us "wings." Henry Flagler, of New York, gave one thousand dollars. That veteran of Christian service, John Peebles, of Portsmouth, helped the work for himself and for his sister, Mrs. Hamilton. Judge J. W. Robinson's bequest of ten thousand dol- lars, with Dr. Pratt's five thousand dollar gift, prepared the way for the large things which were to come.
And what an honor-roll is that of the past eleven years! H. C. Frick's library building was not only a promise of spring, but the "one swallow" which, contrary to the proverb, seemed enough to "make a summer." Then came Mrs. Davidson and the Memorial Chapel with Mrs. Livingstone Taylor's five thousand dollar organ in it, and the five times greater, later gift in the stress of the effort for the five hundred thousand dollars ending with March 31, 1908. And how these larger givers have multiplied since the fiery ordeal! Here begin the astonishing gifts of Andrew Carnegie ; of the Rockefeller Gen- eral Education Board; and of the ever-generous patron-saint (shall I say) of the institution, Louis H. Severance. Along with these how wonderfully
523
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
sprang up from willing hearts and open hands the large gifts of John Con- verse (of Philadelphia), of Dr. R. B. Moore; of Mrs. Darwin James and other "elect ladies" of New York; of Mrs. Samuel Mather (of Cleveland), of Miss Denny and Miss Spring and Mrs. Curry, of Pittsburgh : of Solon Sever- ance, who took such effective pity on the condition of a library magnificently housed but helpless to fill its own shelves. There have kept coming from very many sources the scholarships (of one thousand dollars each) for pay- ment of tuition for the children of missionaries. There have also been entered some large contributions on the annuity plan, which will prove no doubt, to be the forerunners of yet more numerous arrangements of this character-a plan so satisfactory to the annuitant and so certain ultimately to enrich the treasury of the university.
All these things are recorded (and it is but a partial enumeration) that faith and hope may be animated by experience. In the crisis of rebuilding how plainly it was proven in some of the larger gifts, already recounted, and in the prompt and generous response of the city of Wooster through James Mullin's gift of five thousand dollars, with Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Frick's one thousand dollars and the similar sum from Walter Mullins and from Mr. and Mrs. John McSweeney, besides the self-denying smaller gifts from every- where, that the high purpose of Wooster's founders would never lack friends and helpers. So it has been and so it will always be. True to her noble mission, help and deliverance will arise in every exigency. Patient waiting and working are the only conditions of prosperity for an institution devoted to the aims for which Wooster was founded.
VIII. THE ALUMNI.
Here is a most winning theme and one full of interest. Only the rigid- ities of time and space could compel a brief treatment.
The number for the forty years compares strikingly well with the out- put of institutions which have ampler state foundations or are created by hitherto unprecedented private endowments. It is much beyond the record of any ecclesiastical college known to the writer. The grand total gives us col- legiate alumni up to May, 1910, 1402. All departments carry the figure to 1705. The report to synod ( October, 1909), is willing to test all college life by "the service it renders to the world through its alumni." AA table is printed showing that of the 1393 graduates of the collegiate department. 378 ( 27.13 per cent) have gone into religious work : 376 (26.99 per cent) into collegiate and secondary teaching ; 142 (10.19 per cent) into law : 91 (6.53 per cent)
524
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
into medicine and 236 ( 16.94 per cent ) into business. Wooster has furnished II college presidents and 54 college professors, of whom 44 are men and 10 are women-a contribution of 67 members to the faculties of institutions of full collegiate or university standing. "The quality of the scholarship product of Wooster is indicated by three facts ; first the large and growing demand for Wooster alumni as college professors and for important positions in normal schools, academies and high schools: second, the books of scholarly merit written by Wooster men; third, the large number who pursue graduate courses in the large universities and the many fellowships and scholarships which they win in competitive theses or by their high grade of work during their first graduate year." Abundant details exist to make good these claims. Ten fellowships were won during 1903-4. Four of a then recent class took fellowships at Yale, Columbia, Chicago, and Wisconsin. A "Roll of Honor" has been voted for those who do such things.
The distribution of the alumni shows the Wooster preparation for a life- work is not limited to any environment. Out in the West, there are 24 in California, 20 in Colorado, 10 in North Dakota, in Oregon, 13; in Kansas, 28: in Washington, 22. Coming Eastward, we find 62 in Illinois, 477 in Ohio, 125 in Pennsylvania. In Massachusetts there are 10; New York, 58. Going to the far East, there are 15 in India and 30 in China. Again we must regret the necessity of omitting most of the names of those referred to. Mere mention can be made of such men as Professor Hyslop, in moral and mental science ; Joseph Collins, in mathematics; William Henderson, in chemistry ; Professor Culler (Miami), in physics; Dr. Edgar Work, in authorship; W. W. White, in the great Bible school of New York, and J. C. White, at the head of the laymen's missionary movement, and Professor Kingery (Wabash), with his editions of Latin texts, and many distinguished missionaries ; and ex-Gov- ernor Morrison and Professor Chadock of Pennsylvania University, and Pro- fessor Wallace Notestein (history) and ex-President James Wallace, whose heroic devotion saved Macalester College ; and of such women as Mrs. Ella Alexander Boole. Mrs. Mary Mills, Mrs. Hanna Cox and the Misses Popper. These names, taken almost at random, give evidence of real vitality in Woos- ter's work.
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.