History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume I, Part 53

Author:
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1162

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Every year the bond strengthens as the number increases. Organiza- tion is being perfected rapidly. The next decade will bring the fiftieth anni- versary and observation convinces the writer that the semi-centennial is a point of new departure for the alumni of a great and growing institution. Wooster men and women have better means now of knowing what the other Wooster- ites are doing. The admirable Alumni Round Table in the Wooster Quarter-

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ly is now supplemented by a regular bulletin, packed with information. Woos- ter's diploma means more each year. The children of the benign mother's first generation are coming to drink of the same fountain. The four mission- heroes, Ritchie, Pinkerton, Devor and Noyes, lie buried in China, Brazil and Africa ; but their souls "are marching on" in the recruits who annually say : "Here am I, send me." Wooster's alumni have given one professorship twenty-five thousand dollars and they know this is but a beginning.for an ever- enlarging body in ministering to the ever-growing demands of advanced Christian thinking and knowing and doing. Experience has proven that the high-grade students (taken by classes) do the high-grade work in life. A great mission is worth great preparation.

IX. HISTORY BY DEPARTMENTS.

I. First, attention may be given to those which have disappeared. And among these the first place is due to the medical department. Undoubtedly our institution owed its title of "university" to the expectation that a medical department would begin its functions at once and be followed by a department of law. The main building bore distinct traces of adaptation to the need of a medical department. But it was found expedient to accept an already estab- lished medical school, a "going concern" in Cleveland. It opened simultane- ously with the collegiate department. There were long struggles to maintain it by the self-denying and capable professors. Hospital facilities were lacking at times. For a while it became only a summer school. Reorganization was had and enlargement of facilities followed. Standard instruction was given. Four years were required for completing the course. Some of Cleveland's best surgeons were members of its faculty. A building for instruction be- came imperatively necessary. That was beyond the power of the university at the time. A change was acceded to and the medical department passed under the charter of the Ohio Wesleyan University. Just now in the inter- ests of each institution and of medical education in general, a union has been formed with the medical department of Western Reserve University, long known for unusually good facilities and high standards of admission. In bidding this department farewell in 1895, the following was published: "It has been impossible for the university, burdened with the beginnings of things. to occupy any other than an almost passive position toward the medical de- partment at Cleveland. What could be done without assuming any pecuniary responsibility was done in the hope that the enterprise might find such friends in its immediate surroundings, as would meet its needs. The rec-

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ord of the past twenty-six years has been an honorable one for the university and for the medical faculty, which has managed to sustain the entire expenses of the department and to maintain a high standard of efficiency."

A second department has been discontinued-the military. It opened under Lieutenant (now Captain) A. C. Sharpe in 1883. His commission to teach was renewed and he remained until 1888. Lieutenant Wilkinson suc- ceeded him for two years and the instruction ceased in 1890. On the whole, the experiment succeeded. The drill was an effective, mainly out-door, sup- plement to the gymnasium instruction. The carriage of men who underwent the exercises was strikingly improved. The result was good as to health, as to neatness, and as to the habit of immediate and simultaneous movement under orders. The university endeavored to administer the trust implied in the appointment of an officer conscientiously, and favorable reports, we under- stand, were made to the government by the officers of inspection.

The post-graduate department opened in the collegiate year of 1881-2. Doctor Taylor, its originator, was later its dean. Half a dozen courses of advanced work were laid down to be pursued in absentia, but with a view to constant and detailed examination of the studies and laboratory work. These courses were strengthened from time to time until they seemed to be full equivalents for the work demanded for similar degrees in the larger institu- tions. There were disadvantages, no doubt, connected with such a plan, but they were reduced to a minimum by great care in the selection of candidates for these advanced degrees, such previous preparation being insisted upon as made it reasonably certain that they could profitably pursue their studies with no further direction by the professor in charge than could be given by corre- spondence. The members enrolled grew beyond expectation and it was dem- onstrated that a large class exists which desires direction in advanced studies, but for which university-residence is impossible. Ministers, teachers, pro- fessors, with a few lawyers and physicians, entered the lists. But finally the burden grew too heavy for the smaller faculty of that day, and a sentiment hostile to all in absentia study developed in the college circles. During 1898-9 measures were taken to bring the work to a close. No new candidates were received and the last degrees were conferred in 1903.

2. The library of a college is increasingly esteemed as one of its most important departments. That that should not have even the endowment of a single professorship which underbuilds all the professorships is a scandal-to say nothing of the demand upon the general fund for appropriations to meet current expenses. It has not been for want of the right estimate of the library-function that Wooster is still minus a library endowment. Even when

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small, the library was diligently used. Housed in its plain shelves more "takings" were recorded than were found to exist in an institution with a sixty-thousand-dollar library building. The four stages of development in- clude the primal donation of C. S. Bragg ( American Book Company, Cincin- nati). That five thousand dollars attracted other library fragments. Better facilities came under the second administration with a librarian and the estab- lishment of a reading room. The third stage comes with the "wings" in the third administration. About 1892 there was a separate stack-room and a larger reading room furnished with suitable desks and the beginning of better cataloguing. Judge Welker's important gift of a complete set of Congres- sional Records was hailed with joy, as were the contributions from Dr. James Hoge's library. The contributions of the second president, Doctor Taylor, at various times, exceed in number and value the gifts of any other contributor, Mr. Bragg's excepted. It was most fitting that the uplifting gift of H. C. Frick should be the first bird of promise in the fourth administration. That building, planned by Nimmons ( Wooster '87), is the classic ornament of the whole campus. It contains all conceivable library conveniences in its com- pleted form (1906). As an initial surprise it amazed us-but as a complete book-palace it comforts and reassures us. We cannot long have such a cage without the birds it is built for. The appeal is now made in connection with the present strenuous effort for increased endowment by the president, to whose Midas-touch the building was the first response. It is a pleasure to echo that appeal here. Let the benevolent remember scripta manent. Books are the waymarks of civilization. I wish it were possible to tarry here for even brief characterization of the admirable and thoughtful addresses pro- nounced at the dedication, including the eloquent tribute of President Holden to the generous donor. Nor can I stay to trace the growth of the really valu- able library already within this handsome enclosure. Professor Notestein saved the old library by insisting upon its removal to the scarcely complete new building but a month or two before the destruction by fire of the old building. And he has been acknowledged generalissimo of the progress since. He founded the mission-alcove with the proceeds ( three hundred dollars) of a prize won by his brain and pen. He has pushed forward the Dewey system of cataloguing. He has presided over a number of purchases which have given us many a series of Poole-indexed publications rapidly becoming inac- cessible. Special obligations are due to Messrs. L. H. and Solon Severance, of Cleveland, whose tastes and travels have led them to be the largest (almost the only ) givers of large sums to the library-shelves. The whole faculty and the whole student-body join in thanking them. The accession-lists show over

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thirty-four thousand books as the total enrollment of these seried ranks of learning's infantry. Excluding duplicates and losses (as well as pamphlets). we have now about thirty thousand volumes. From October 1, 1908. to Sep- tember 30, 1909, net gain was one thousand three hundred forty-one volumes, besides six hundred eighty-seven pamphlets. Whoever says "library" in Wooster says Dr. T. K. Davis, the honored librarian emeritus. Much as Miss Bechtel deserves praise for accuracy and system and patience and ability to make the library useful to its maximum, and much as we must gladly acknowl- edge the valuable service of her assistants, the meed of esteem and admiration must not be withheld from him, whose efficient care ("respect property" e. g.) and perfect knowledge of the library's resources all along its growth have furnished just the aid required in the studies and general culture of the student-body. How earnestly he has endeavored to make the room a "temple of silence" that it might be a temple of thought also. What a brave fight he has made for the elusive intellectual as against the intrusive emotional! Many generations of students rise up to call him blessed.

3. A third specific work is that of the preparatory department. At the close of the first collegiate year order was taken by the board, through the executive committee and the faculty, for the organization of a sub-freshman class. This resulted in the whole department which entered upon its work with the opening of 1872-3 and was cordially approved at the close of that year by the board. The dangers of such an experiment were fully appreciated and wisely guarded against from the beginning and high standards were in- sisted upon which have brought their reward ever since. The Rev. J. A. I. Lowes, an experienced superintendent of schools, was the first principal. De- tails of subsequent history may be omitted, save to mention that some of our best professors did their first work in this department and thereby earned their promotion. Miss E. Pendleton, A. M., deserves the greatest esteem for having contributed to and conserved the best spirit of the department since 1889. Adjunct professor of English since 1901. An epoch arrived with the principalship of J. H. Dickason. In 1895 he became instructor and temporary principal. In 1896 he was made principal and adjunct professor of Latin and given a seat in the faculty. Progress in all directions has been constantly made. Demand arose as early as 1896-7 for a school of review and improved methods for the teachers of secondary schools. This has resulted in the pres- ent permanent arrangement for pedagogical instruction in this department. An earlier demand ( 1897) was perceived for a commercial department. After various experiments this, too, has found a safe and permanent lodgment in the academy with excellent appointments and a varied curriculum. As early as ten years ago a full four years' course was provided with such variations in

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the curriculum as make the department eminently serviceable, even for those who do not expect to pursue the higher education. The very first class under the new arrangement graduated twenty-five. It is believed that the courses now offered "present as valuable and compact groups of four years of study as can be selected." Experienced instructors only are employed. Credit is accepted from high schools. Reports are made three times a year to parents. "Helping hours" are provided for those who "show marked need of super- vision," and thus better habits of study are attained. The latest catalogue shows two hundred and eight, not counting those in the commercial course. The department's ideal is the first-class New England Academy. That ideal is elementary thoroughness and accuracy, as determining the student's future success. The equipment of the academy in Taylor Hall is believed to be superior to any similar department in connection with any college. . German is the only language from the first lesson in that tongue. The academy gradu- ates easily find employment as teachers. In the college-life the sophomore prizes, in the proportion of nineteen out of twenty-six students, have gone to those prepared in the academy. Senior honor-men and oratorical and debat- ing honors show the same results.

4. The summer school comes naturally next. Its beginnings are (rela- tively) ancient. The modest arrangement of 1876 was designed to give "students the opportunity to bring up studies in which they were deficient." Twenty students were enrolled. Fourteen of these are classified elsewhere in the catalogue and the summer school contingent, pure and simple, was just si.v. The purposes declared in catalogue of 1879 were more complex. ( 1) For teachers; (2) for those below entrance standard; (3) for those less pro- ficient in their classes; (4) for the winter-school teachers : (5) for conditioned collegians. The president, assisted by "a select corps of teachers," was put in charge. In 1883-4, Professor John Boyd took care of the school. Professor James Wallace followed in 1884-5 with emphasis on making up college de- ficiencies. Thus it went on with varying success and small numbers-Prof. John G. Black being mostly responsible for the management. In 1893-4 cata- logue, fifty-three enrollments are reported. In 1896 J. H. Dickason joined Professor Black and special work for teachers in preparation for examina- tions or positions was undertaken. That was the need to be met. It has proved a veritable foundation of sweet waters-a sort of artesian well. Lectures were provided in 1897 and aims more fully advertised. One hundred forty were in attendance. In 1898. two hundred were reported. The next year ( Dickason and Sauvain, principals) the number rose to two hundred eighty- three.

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In 1900 the special imprimatur of the board of trustees was put upon the growing enterprise "as an invaluable adjunct to the educational forces of the institution." Use of buildings was formally granted and an annual re- port to the board's winter-meeting suggested. By the betterment of each year's temporary faculty and vigorous use of all methods of making known the attractions of the place, the patronage was steadily increased until it reached and just passed the mark of a thousand enrollments for this year (1910). The university buildings are overtaxed and the city authorities allot a neighboring school house. The busiest of educational centres during the eight weeks is here. Reviews for examination, studies in methods, sciences (mental, social and natural), mathematics, history, languages, all are pursued with prompt vigor. Besides all the regular work there are chapel hours with ringing addresses, and "round-table" conferences, with the accompaniment of clicking type-writers and hammer-blows in the manual training and the ripple of musical fingers and the songs of choral singing and the competitive struggle of orators; to say nothing of the wit and wisdom of the high-class lecturers or the wild yells of the ball ground or the fearfully early excursions of the nature students, or the savory odors of the domestic-science department.

Much of the work is elementary, but some of it counts, according to strict regulations, on college credits and even for the Master's degree. The admir- able location, the well-adapted buildings, the co-operation of the university faculty, the enthusiasm of members, the impulse of practical values, the com- parison of experiences, the ample library and the very brevity of the flying weeks; all tend to make the summer school a scene of intense life and fruitful endeavor. Yet variety and recreation are so wisely intermingled with stimu- lus and exertion that the whole effect is refreshing rather than exhausting and cannot but tell powerfully on the general level of the teaching force of the state. It cannot be doubted that the marked success of Wooster's summer school has incited so many like enterprises that the good custom has now be- come well-nigh universal. A markedly successful feature is found in the helpful teachers' agency by the arrangements of which positions are secured, the salaries of which aggregate something beyond half a million! The genial Superintendent Dickason is known throughout the state and not only finds his way to institutes and other meetings of teachers, but sends them, through all avenues, a literature of penetrating freshness and homely wit and of convic- tions that are convincing.

5. The University of Wooster was early convinced of the dignity and value of music and art as instruments of culture and character. The way was found open for something of art work almost from the very beginning of

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the second administration ( 1873). Drawing for the preparatory department and some mechanical draughting for the collegiate were introduced. Special- ized work seems to have begun in the year 1875 under the intelligent care of Miss Louise Stoddard. Miss Josephine Ormond (now Mrs. Calder) took charge in 1884 and 1885, notably extending the course. Miss Emma Sonne- decker (now Mrs. Spencer) presided from 1892-'96, following Miss Nellie Coover. 1887-'91. Since the installation of Miss Claribel Durstine ( 1896) the scope of the instruction has been enlarged, additional facilities have been pro- vided in the new buildings, and the department has been recognized in college credits, and as furnishing electives when the literature of the subjects is com- bined with the practice of the various arts. It is increasingly useful and at- tractive.

The musical department was opened in 1882. Doctor Taylor saw his opportunity to engage in it Dr. Karl Merz, already a teacher, writer and editor of great reputation in Ohio and elsewhere in the United States. Karl Merz (the simple dignity of history most befits him ) was born in Germany and at first dedicated to the priesthood. At the age of about eighteen he broke away from that purpose and came to Philadelphia where he began at once his career as organist and teacher. At first violently Romanist in conviction (so much so as to tear out of a volume presented to him by his pupils the portrait and history of Luther), he finally became an equally earnest Protestant Chris- · tian. "When I had experienced," he said, "the lightning of the Gospel I understood the thunder of Luther." He would have devoted himself at once to the ministry but for the advice of his trusted friend, Dr. O. N. Stoddard. Both were then in Oxford, Ohio. It is significant of his integrity that when in 1871 the present writer, representing the Pennsylvania College for Women, sought to disengage him for a much more lucrative position, he refused be- cause of a pledge given to the proprietor of the female college in which he had charge of the department of music. At the golden moment when release had come, Wooster was fortunate enough and Doctor Taylor venturesome and wise enough to secure his services. The board would only approve the plan provided that "music should not be made a part of the regular course and that the instruction be self-sustaining." But, with Karl Merz at the oar success was certain. He was not only well and favorably known but a tireless worker and a man of many resources and much ingenuity in their employment. From the beginning the elevated views of this remarkable man were accepted and cherished with enthusiasm by his pupils, by the university circle and by the whole community. Frequent public expression was given to these views. Perhaps as satisfactory a quotation as any may be made from words of the

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present writer, published in 1895, and showing the permanency of the first im- pressions : "Music will not be taught merely as an ornamental accomplishment, but as part of a complete education. It has been placed upon an equality with other selective studies. The literary atmosphere of the university ought to stimulate the development of musical culture and should receive a certain warmth from its presence. The school of music is organized with a four-fold purpose : (I) To combine musical and literary studies as a broad basis for regular collegiate work. (2) to use the art of music as a means of intellectual. aesthetic and moral culture ; (3) to furnish instruction in all branches of music to special and general students ; (4) to educate teachers of music."

Karl Merz interested the public first by lectures on the Saturday after- noons, accompanied with performance by pupils. Then, as numbers grew, he yielded to persuasion and entered upon the series of oratorio concerts which has been continued to this day and which has resulted in distinct education and elevation of musical taste and feeling in our entire community. As early as 1888 there were two hundred and sixty names enrolled. One of the most interesting efforts was called "a musical trip around the world" in which, in successive afternoons, primitive music and national anthems and customs were illustrated and explained. One said of a certain Palestrina concert, given in a series upon epochs of musical development : "Only in Wooster could such a programme be heard." The degree of Doctor of Music was conferred, I think. in 1885. His salary was increased. He was made a member of the faculty and the hope was expressed "that he may not be disturbed in his position by any flattering offers but may continue at the head of our musical department which owes its advanced position and remarkable success so largely to his masterly management and rare devotion."

When he called my attention to a specially complimentary notice by the editor of a Philadelphia musical journal (The Etude,) he added sadly : "But this all comes too late. It is the swan's song." Strangely enough, it was but a few months thereafter that he was snatched away from us. Let me quote here the language of the minute I submitted to the board, in June. 1890- after his death on January 30th of that year. * We regard it alike our duty and privilege to put thus upon record for those who come after us, our vivid appreciation of the divine favor in having given Professor Merz to the university to leave the stamp of his elevating and refining and religious influence upon the important work to which he gave himself. He was a thor- ough artist, deeply learned in the literature of his art, a tireless worker, a brilliant editor, gentle and winning in his address. the truest of friends, the fondest of fathers, and a thoroughly devout and consistent Christian. It is

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our fervent prayer that the department may preserve forever the impression of his cultivated taste, his unwearied industry and his devout piety."

Dr. Henry Hubert Haas remained but one year and proved a contrast to his predecessor in several important respects. But he was an excellent teacher of the piano.

The University called home from his studies in Germany one of its own graduates, a favorite pupil of Karl Merz-D. F. Conrad ( class of '86). His work from 1891-3 was most eminently satisfactory. He was skillful, prompt and faithful. Further study lured him away again to Germany and he was succeeded by Mr. J. Byron Oliver, who continued in office until removed by death in January, 1905. Time enough has passed to disclose the many aspects of character and talent for which Director Oliver deserves to be held, as he is held, in affectionate remembrance among us. He grew

in the practice of his profession and in general culture.

He proved to be an excellent conductor of the oratorio chorus and brought out the old and the new successfully. He was permitted to install the small first organ and, after the fire, to direct the construction of the great instrument with which Mrs. Livingstone Taylor indowed the department and the chapel. The "Singers' Club" gained wide reputation under his care and the "White Robed Choir" was introduced. As it was with Karl Merz, so was it with Byron Oliver-nothing could be suffered to disturb the deep reverence each felt for everything which had to do with the "service of song in the house of the Lord." An elaborate minute was inscribed by the board of trustees upon its record and a memorial window bears testimony to the continued regard cherished for him. I quote a few words from the minute referred to : "He was equally beloved as a teacher and as a man. He possessed a charming personality with unaffected simplicity of manner, always gentle- manly in speech and conduct. Not a hard master * by mingled gentleness and persistency * he brought forward the least promising to some measure of creditable achievement.

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History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume I, Part 53

Author: Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1162

Author:
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1162