USA > Ohio > Ohio's progressive sons; a history of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth > Part 27
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they renewed their plea, and this time they were successful. The "Erie Literary Society," with full college powers, was organized. A building was erected at Burton, and, in 1805, an academy was opened. During the early years of this academy the Presbyteries of Grand River and Portage had organized an educational society for the purpose of educating young men for the ministry. Subsequently they made proposals to the Erie Literary Society to establish a theological department, but after a brief trial it was believed that Burton was not a suitable location in which to develop educational plans, and a request for a change of loca- tion was made. This request was not granted by reasons of property limitations, and in 1824 the managers of the educational fund withdrew and began their efforts for a new loca- tion. In this movement the Presbytery of Hudson became also interested, and the outcome
ADELBERT COLLEGE, WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY CLEVELAND, OHIO
was that twelve men, representing the three Presbyteries, became a Board of Trustees. They held their first meeting on the 15th of February, 1825, drew up a charter and were incor- porated as Western Reserve College on the 7th of February, 1826. The little village of Hudson was selected as the location, and the corner-stone of the first building was laid in the following April. The building was finished in 1827, when the preparatory department was opened. The organization was that of a close corporation. The trustees had full power to elect their own successors, and no restrictions whatever were made in respect to manner of election, qualifications of members, term of service, religious creed or residence. The control of the State was limited to amending the charter, with the provision that no fund or property of the college should ever by law be appropriated to any other purpose. The original trustees were either ministers or members of the Presbyterian and Congregational
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Churches, then co-operating under what was known as the "Plan of Union." At that time there was no such thing known as a denominational college or State university. The trustees followed the New England model of organizing a college under Christian auspices, and the objects of the founders were "to educate pious young men as pastors for our destitute churches," "to preserve the present literary and religious character of the State and redeem it from future decline," and "to prepare competent men to fill the cabinet, the bench, the bar and the pulpit." The charter provided that the plan should include instruction in the lib- eral arts and sciences, and at the discretion of the trustees additional departments should be organized for the study of any or all the liberal professions. The early founders were men who had been educated in New England -- chiefly at Yale-and were guided in their work by their own education. In 1828 Rev. Charles Backus Storrs was appointed professor of Christian Theology, and became President in 1830. The theological department was continued until 1852. In 1876 discussion became earnest with reference to removal to Cleveland. The com- parative advantages and disadvantages of the two locations were freely discussed in all quarters, and President Carroll Cutler became strongly in favor of removal. In 1880 the late Amasa Stone offered the sum of five hundred thousand dollars in case of removal, and the change of name to that of "Adelbert College of Western Reserve University," the loca- tion to be upon a suitable campus to be provided by the citizens of Cleveland. The trustees decided to accept the proposition of Mr. Stone, and in September, 1882, Adelbert College, so named in memory of Mr. Stone's only son, drowned while a student at Yale, was opened in Cleveland. The property at Hudson is now used as Western Reserve Academy. Since the removal the magnificent gift of Mr. Stone has been supplemented by many others.
The Medical College, another department of the Western Reserve University, was organized in 1843 under the name of Cleveland Medical College. On the following Febru- ary the charter of the Western Reserve University was so amended as to allow the establish- ment of the medical department in Cleveland. For a long time the relation was nominal, but in 1884 the medical school became an organic part of the university. It now ranks as one of the highest grade in the country.
The College for Women of the Western Reserve University was the outgrowth of the following resolution, adopted by the trustees of the university on the 7th of December, 1887:
"Whereas, The trustees of the univer- sity are strongly impressed with the neces- sity of providing for young women facili- ties for higher education equal to those now furnished to young men, and the abandon- ment of co-education by Adelbert College makes this especially an opportune time for establishing here a college for women which shall offer advantages equal to those afforded by similar institutions of the first grade elsewhere; and
"Whereas, The President has received encouragement that, both as to instruction and funds, for the preliminary work, inter- ested friends are ready to come to the front and generously assume responsibilities if there be hope of success in so laudable an undertaking ;
CLARK HALL COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY CLEVELAND, OHIO
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"Resolved that the President be requested to take such steps as shall seem to him expe- dient to establish such a college for young women, to be known for the present as the Cleve- land College for Young Women, with the express understanding, however, that none of the funds of any existing department of the university shall be applied to its establishment or support."
For a number of years co-education had become a fact through popular demand, and the consent of the President of the institution. In September, 1888, the college opened in rented quarters, and for the first three years depended almost exclusively on the services of the fac- ulty of Adelbert College, gratuitously offered as a contribution to the establishment of the new movement. The college now has a separate faculty ; has received a number of gifts; is provided with adequate buildings in a beautiful location, and has become one of the import- ant factors for the education of women in Ohio. The degrees are granted by the university of which the College for Women forms an integral part.
The law department of the Western Reserve University began its existence in 1892 in rented quarters, and in 1893 in recognition of an endowment provided by Mrs. Backus, of Cleveland, and in honor of her husband, the name was changed to the Franklin T. Backus Law School of Western Reserve University. Since 1900 the rule is in force that candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Laws, granted by the university are required to have sufficient education to enter college.
The Dental College of the university is an integral part of the institution, under full and direct control of the trustees. The work in the college is associated with the Medical Col- lege in as much as the students in dentistry are given instructions in several branches of medicine. The course covers four years, and the requirements for admission and gradua- tion are those established by the National Association of Dental Faculties. The Graduate School, organized in 1892 by the co-operation of the two faculties of Adelbert College and the College for Women, is open to both sexes, and aims to furnish to graduates of any col- lege of good standing opportunity to pursue graduate work looking especially to the Mas- ter's degree in Arts and the Doctorate in Philosophy.
Oberlin College
located at Oberlin, Lorain County, was founded in 1833. Its existence is due to the efforts of Rev. John J. Shipherd, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Elyria, and his friend, Philo P. Stewart, a returned missionary, whose health had failed while working among the Choctaws in Mississippi. Their plan was to secure a large tract of land on which a Christian community could be realized. A Christian school was to be the center, and by a solemn covenant the people were to pledge themselves to the spread of the kingdom of God. This covenant enforced plain living and a community of interests, while preserving the rights of private property. The school was expected to train teachers, Christian citizens and a ministry for the destitute fields of the great Mississippi Valley.
The name of Oberlin was selected in view of the devoted labors of a German pastor, Johann Friedrich Oberlin, whose life had been spent in redeeming an ignorant and degraded population in his parish in Eastern France. In 1832 a journey to the East was undertaken by Mr. Shipherd in the interest of the enterprise A gift of five hundred acres for a manual training school was secured from Messrs. Street and Hughes, of New Haven, Connecticut, and an arrangement to buy five thousand acres at one dollar and a half an acre, which was to be sold to the colonists at an advance of one dollar an acre, thus providing a fund of five thousand dollars for the school. The Oberlin covenant was drawn and served the purpose of limiting the settlers to a desired class of people. Later it fell into disuse. Mr. Shipherd
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continued his efforts by soliciting for colonists, for money and for students. When he returned to Ohio in September, of the same year, he had secured a number of fami- lies, students, teachers and a fund of nearly fifteen thousand dollars. Meantime Philo P. Stewart had been giving general oversight to the enterprise in Ohio. Peter P. Pease, the first settler and a member of the first Board of Trustees, had gone to the present site, cleared away the forest and made preparation for the coming of the colonists and the erec- tion of a building for the school. This was in the heart of the forest. However great the undertaking was, the school was opened December 3, 1833, at which time there were eleven families in the center of the woods, and forty-four students-twenty-nine young men and fifteen young women-at the school.
In February, 1834, the Legislature chartered the Oberlin Collegiate Institute, and in 1850 the name was changed to Oberlin College. The first circular was issued in March, 1834. This circular and the charter set forth clearly the conceptions of the men of those days as to the mission of the "Institute," and in a large measure the spirit of Oberlin has remained to this day. "The grand objects of the Oberlin Institute are to give the most useful education at the least expense of health, of time and money, and to extend the benefit of such education to both sexes and to all classes of the community, as far as its means will allow. Its system embraces thorough instruction in every department, from the infant school up through a collegiate and theological course. While care will be taken not to lower the standard of intellectual culture, no pains will be spared to combine with it the best physical and moral education. Prominent objects of this seminary are the thorough qualification of Christian teachers, both for the pulpit and for schools; and the elevation of female character, by bring- ing within the reach of the misjudged and neglected sex all the instructive privileges which have hitherto unreasonably distinguished the leading sex from theirs." This declaration of principles definitely committed Oberlin to co-education.
The admission of colored students was another feature that brought Oberlin into discus - sion. At the outset Mr. Shipherd stood for it on the broad ground of humanity that moved him to found the college; on the ground that the education of the negro was essential to his progress ; and on the ground that Christian people, and especially a Christian school, could not deny the colored man an opportunity. There was some feeling in his day, as his correspondence will show, but the cause triumphed. In the days of the slavery agitation Oberlin was brought prominently into the discussion. It brought trouble, made some ene- mies and some friends. Oberlin was on the right side, and the right prevailed. In the end the reward came, and the country now honors the college for the position. The colored students have not been a large factor, and in the future will probably be fewer in number. The position of Oberlin has been approved, and the colored student is now recognized in ail the Northern schools. In addition to this, there are ample provisions for his higher educa- tion in nearly every State.
Oberlin College has been widely influencial in the mission field abroad and at home. In this the college has realized the hopes of the founders. The college has been free from any interference by church, State or outside factions; the management has been true to the ideals of the college; and the friends are coming to the support with increasing endow- ments. A Conservatory of Music, organized in 1865, is in connection with the college.
Marietta College
Two years after the organization of Oberlin College, Marietta College, located at Mari- etta, Washington County, was founded by a number of men of New England birth and edu- cation. Consequently, the college itself is of the New England pattern. From the beginning
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town and college were closely linked. The desire for higher education in Marietta dates back to 1797, when a meeting of citizens was held, and it was decided to erect a building for the purpose of higher education. In this building Muskingum Academy was conducted until 1832. In the first period of its existence the house was used for worship until the Congregational Church was erected in 1808. In the year 1830 the "Insti- tute of Education" was established by Rev. Luther G. Bingham, who, in the following year, was associated with Mr. Mansfield French. On the 8th of September, 1832, the fol- lowing notice was printed in the "American Friend": "It is the intention of all con- cerned to take early measures to make the Marietta Collegiate Institute an entirely public institution, so as to perpetuate its advantages on a permanent basis." On the 22d of November, of the same year, a public meeting was held, in which steps were taken to incor- porate "The Marietta Collegiate Institute and Western Teachers' Seminary." The charter was obtained on the 17th of December following, and on the 16th of January, 1834, the organization was completed by the election of a President and a Secretary.
Negotiations were then begun which resulted in the transfer of the property of Bing- ham and French to the board just organized, and steps were taken to secure additional teach- ers. In September, 1833, Henry Smith, D. Howe Allen, Milo P. Jewett and Samuel Max- well appeared as a corps of teachers for the new enterprise. This was the beginning of a chartered institution in the interest of public education. The charter conferred no pow- ers to grant degrees, and was subject to repeal by the Legislature. In February, 1835, amendments were secured providing against repeal, granting power to confer degrees and changing the name to Marietta College. Thus the college was legally and formally begun. All the men interested in organizing the college were also interested in the other schools, so that it may be truthfully said that the lineage of Marietta goes back through them to 1797. The organization is that of a close corporation, with full power to perpetuate itself and carry forward its work in harmony with the ideals of its founders. The purposes and aims of the college are clearly set forth in the early published statements as follows: "The board wish it to be distinctly understood that the essential doctrines and duties of the Christian religion will be assiduously inculcated, but no sectarian peculiarities of belief will be taught." The college retained its character until 1897, when it became co-educational. Marietta College has never been large in numbers, its progress has been substantial and steady. Its work has always been characterized by thoroughness and strict adherence to the college idea. In recent years some expansion of the course of study has been made. The library of Marietta College is large, containing more than sixty thousand volumes. It is probably the best library in Ohio from the historical point of view, as many volumes are of great historical value.
Lake Erie College and Seminary
The aim of the Lake Erie College and Seminary, located in the pretty little city of Paines- ville, Lake County, Ohio, is to furnish separate education for women of a grade equal to that offered in standard colleges. The history of the college dates back to 1847, when Wil- loughby Female Seminary was founded. Lake Erie Female Seminary became the successor to Willoughby Female Seminary, and Lake Erie Female Seminary was succeeded, in 1898, by the above named institution. From 1847 until 1856, Willoughby Female Seminary was conducted at Willoughby on the plan of Mt. Holyoke Seminary, as suggested by Miss Mary Lyon, who had founded Mt. Holyoke in 1837. The success of her movement drew to it the attention of people in the West interested in the education of young women. These seminaries were without endowment, and by introducing the plan of self-help in the form of domestic service were able to give the education then thought desirable for young women
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at moderate expense and under satisfactory government and discipline. Willoughby Semi- nary was under the direction of Mt. Holyoke graduates and prospered greatly during its life. Unfortunately its buildings were destroyed by fire in 1856. At this juncture the plans for cnlargment, previously discussed, were taken up anew, and the question of location be- came involved. After full discussion, the trustees decided to locate at Painesville upon a slightly different basis. Accordingly the Lake Erie Seminary was incorporated in 1856 and located at Painesville, where the trustees had secured fourteen acres of ground one-half mile west of the town. A building one hundred and eighty feet by sixty feet, four stories high, was erected, and the school opened on the residence plan. The main features of the seminary were taken from the Mt. Holyoke plan, which, in Miss Lyon's words, embrace the following features : "Buildings for the accommodation of the school and boarders, together with furniture and all things necessary for the outfit, to be furnished by voluntary contri- butions, and placed, free from encumbrance, in the hands of trustees, who should be men of enlarged views and Christian benevolence." "Teachers to be secured possessing so much of a missionary spirit that they would labor faithfully and cheerfully, receiving only a moderate salary compared with what they would command in other situations." "Style of living neat, but plain and simple." "Domestic work of the family to be per- formed by members of the school." "Board and tuition to be placed at cost, or as low as may be, and still cover the common expenses of the family, instruction, etc." "The whole plan to be conducted on the principles of our missionary operations ; no surplus income to go to the teachers, to the domestic superintendents, or to any other person, but all to be cast into the treasury for the still further reduction of expenses the ensuing year."
In the course of years the educational studies were enlarged, and in 1898 the seminary changed its name to correspond to the work then offered. It now became a college to grant the usual collegiate degrees. A Conservatory of Music is connected with the semi- nary.
Antioch College
Antioch College, located at Yellow Springs, Greene County, was founded in 1852. It owes its origin to an action taken by the Christian denomination in a convention at Marion, New York, on the 2d of October, 1850. At first it was intended to locate the college in New York, but the outcome of the canvass for funds showed the Ohio agents to be far in the lead, and, accordingly, the location was finally made at Yellow Springs, whose citizens had pledged to the new college twenty acres of land and thirty thousand dollars in money. The land was donated by William Mills, who also paid twenty thousand dollars of the pledge. On the 14th of May, 1852, the new college was incorporated. It was the intention of the founders to establish a college of high rank, open to both sexes. Immediately after the incorporation the authorities proceeded to the erection of the main building, two dor- mitories and a President's residence. Horace Mann was elected the first President of the institution. During the first years of the existence the young college had to struggle with financial embarassments, and on the 19th of April, 1859, the property was sold for debt. A re-organization followed, and the property was transferred to the new corporation, "Antioch College, of Yellow Springs, Greene County, Ohio."
A plan of co-operation was then devised between the Christian denomination and the Unitarian denomination. This did not entirely relieve the situation. Debates and strifes ensued. Through the re-organization the college was made free of debt, and by charter pro- vision must remain so. The college is possessed of some funds, and maintains a creditable curriculum although the number of students does not equal that of earlier days.
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Antioch College has always advocated three notable features: Freedom from sectarian- ism, co-education and lack of anything of the nature of prizes, honors, etc., which could arouse rivalry among students.
The Western College for Women
The Western College for Women, located at the beautiful little university town of Oxford, Butler County, began its history as the Western Female Seminary and continued under the original plan until 1894, when the name was changed, the work of a college grade being offered. A few years later the name was again changed to the Western College for Women. The college owes its existence chiefly to a body of what was then New School
LIBRARY BUILDING, WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY CLEVELAND, OHIO
Presbyterians. The principles of Mt. Holyoke were adopted, and in later years the college has been conducted in harmony with the practices prevailing at Mt. Holyoke and Wellesley. The object was set forth in the charters to give a liberal education at a moderate cost, and under distinctly Christian influences.
The patronage has been chiefly from the Presbyterian Church until in recent years when the roll has included a considerable percentage from other denominations. The college has a campus of sixty acres, two buildings, and a third one in process of construction. The resources approximate a quarter of a million of dollars.
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The National Normal University
Though the National Normal University, located at Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, was founded in 1855, several previous attempts had been made to establish an institution of higher learning in that city. In the summer of 1855 a summer institute was held for threc weeks in the buildings of the Miami University, at Oxford. During this session an organi- zation was effected under the name of the "Southwestern State Normal School Associa- tion."
The object was to maintain a school until State aid could be secured. The first trustees were A. J. Rickoff of Cincinnati, Charles Rogers of Dayton, and E. C. Ellis of Georgetown. They selected Lebanon as the location, and the trustees of Lebanon Academy turned over their property to them with an agreement to furnish eighty pupils for five years to assist in maintaining the school. Alfred Holbrook was elected principal. The school under his man- agement opened on the 24th of November, 1855, with ninety-five pupils. At the end of the first year the management retired and the school passed into the control of Mr. Holbrook. The sec- ond year saw an enrollment of two hundred and fifty-seven. As the school grew the curri- culum was enlarged, and in 1870 the students were enrolled from so wide a territory that the name was changed to the National Normal School. In 1883 the National Normal Uni- versity was established. During the life of Prof. Holbrook the school was continued as a private enterprise so far as the financial features were involved. After he retired from the school the management was somewhat disorganized, and the future stability of the school was threatened. In May, 1893, with a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars divided into twelve hundred shares of twenty-five dollars each, the National Normal University Company was incorporated. Under this company the National Normal University is operated by a board of six managers, and, in form, remains a proprietary school. The organization com- prises colleges of business, teachers, science, liberal arts, law, oratory, music, english and classics.
Case School of Applied Science
The Case School of Applied Science, located at Cleveland, was founded in 1880. It owes its existence to the liberality of the late Leonard Case. In a deed of trust executed on the 24th of February, 1877, Mr. Case gave the following directions to the trustees: "To cause to be formed and to be regularly incorporated under the laws of Ohio an institution of learning to be called Case School of Applied Science and located in said city of Cleve- land, in which shall be taught, by competent professors and teachers, mathematics, physics, engineering-mechanical and civil-chemistry, economic geology, mining and metallurgy, natural history, drawing and modern languages, and such other kindred branches of learn- ing as the trustees of said institution may deem advisable. And, without intending to make it a condition or limitation of this conveyance, or any binding restrictions upon the power of such trustees, the said grantor does hereby recommend to them to hold said property with - out alienation, and apply the rents, issues and profits thereof to the uses and purposes above, and that the expenditures of such institutions be not permitted to exceed the annual income derived from said property." On the 6th of January, 1880, after the death of Mr. Case, steps were taken to incorporate and articles filed. Instruction began in 1881, in the Case homestead and continued until 1885, when the transfer was made to the new building for occupancy. Subsequently several new laboratories were erected. The school is one of the best of its class in the United States. It confers the usual scientific and tech- nical degrees.
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