USA > Ohio > The biographical annals of Ohio, 1904-1905. A handbook of the government and institutions of the state of Ohio Vol. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 30
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The University is situated within the corporate limits of the city of Columbus, two miles north of the Union depo.", and about three miles from the State Capitol. The University grounds consist of three hundred and forty-five acres, bounded east and west by High Street, and the Olentangy river, respectively. The western portion, about 235 acres, is devoted to agricultural and horticultural purposes, and is under the management of the College of Agriculture and Domestic Science. The eastern portion is occupied by the principal University buildings, campus, athletic and drill grounds, a park-like meadow, and a few acres of primitive forest.
The grounds are laid out with care, ornamented with trees, shrubs and flower beds; and are so managed as to illustrate the instruction in Botany, Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape Gardening and Floriculture.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
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Ohio State University.
The University has eighteen buildings devoted to instruction, one Boiler House, one Power House, two Dormitories, six residences, and some farm buildings. These buildings represent an investment for con- struction of about eight hundred thousand dollars. The equipment and apparatus amount to about one hundred and seventy thousand dol- lars. The land now occupied as a site with the farm is valued at one million five hundred thousand dollars.
The Ohio State University is divided into six colleges, as follows :
(I.) The College of Agriculture and Domestic Science consists ' of those departments represented in the course leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Bachelor of Science in Horticul- ture and Forestry, and Bachelor of Science in Domestic Economy, and in the Course in Dairying.
(2.) The College of Arts, Philosophy and Science consists of those departments represented in the courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Philosophy, and Bachelor of Science; and in the Courses Preparatory to Law and to Journalism.
(3.) The College of Engineering consists of those departments represented in the courses leading to the degrees of Civil Engineer, En- gineer of Mines, Engineer of Mines and Ceramics, Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer in Electrical Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or in Metallurgy ; in the Course in Architecture, in the Short Course in Clay-Working and Ceramics, and in the Short Course in Mining.
(4.) The College of Law consists of those departments represented in the course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
.
(5.) The College of Pharmacy consists of those departments repre- sented in the courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, and in the Short Course in Pharmacy.
(6.) The College of Veterinary Medicine consists of those depart- ments represented in the course leading to the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, and to a certificate of Veterinary Surgeon.
Each college is under the direction of its own Faculty, which has power to act in all matters pertaining to the work of students in that col- lege. .
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890
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
Ohio State University.
BOARD TRUSTEES, 1900-1901.
Name.
Residence.
Term Expires.
Paul Jones
Columbus
May, 1905.
Oscar T. Corson.
Columbus
May, 1906.
John T. Mack.
Chillicothe
May, 1907.
David M. Massie
Sandusky.
May, 1908.
Myron T. Herrick.
Cleveland.
May, 1909.
George K. Nash.
Columbus.
May, 1909.
Guy W. Mallon.
Cincinnati
May, 1910.
J. McLain Smith
Dayton.
May, 1911.
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD.
Paul Jones J. McLain Smith Alexis Cope Louis Kiesewetter
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.
Executive.
Farm.
Finance.
J. McLain Smith Paul Jones Guy W. Mallon
J. McLain Smith
D. M. Massie
Oscar T. Corson
Guy W. Mallon
John T. Mack
Paul Jones
FACULTY AND COURSES OF STUDY.
Paul Jones
Oscar T. Corson
John T. Mack
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EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, 1902-1903.
William Oxley Thompson. President.
Alexis Cope. Secretary Board of Trustees and Bursar. W. C. McCracken. Chief Engineer.
Katherine H. Duncan Executive Clerk.
Edith D. Cockins . Registrar. Accountant.
Carl E. Steeb
THE OHIO UNIVERSITY.
T HE history of the Ohio University antedates that of the State of Ohio nearly two decades. The ordinance providing for its existence and support was passed by Congress, acting under the "Articles of Confederation," July 13, 1787, in the city of New York. The leading spirit in the movement was Manasseh Cutler, a native of Connecticut, and a graduate of Yale of the class of 1765. In accordance with the spirit of his time he proposed to endow an institu- tion for higher education with a grant of land. As there was a super- abundance of land, and as the country was pretty sure to fill up rapidly, such an endowment was supposed to be the most stable and almost sure to increase greatly in value: The history of many land grants .for educa- tion shows, however, that while the expectation of increase in value has realized, the increase rarely accrued to the pecuniary advantage of the beneficiary. To this general statement the Ohio University forms no ex- ception.
Among the ordinances enacted for the Northwest Territory, there was one providing that "no more than two complete townships should be given perpetually for the purpose of a University, to be laid off by the purchaser or purchasers as near the center as may be (so that the same shall be of good land), to be applied to the intended object by the Legis- lature of the State." In 1795 the lands to be devoted to the support of the University were located. The townships were numbers eight and nine in the fourteenth range, now Athens and Alexander in Athens county. The first families removed to them in 1797, and settled near the present site of the town of Athens, the seat of the University. Two years later the Territorial Legislature appointed three commissioners "to lay off in the most suitable place within the township, a town plat, which should contain a square for the college; also, lots suitable for house-lots and gardens for a president, professors, tutors, etc., bordering on, or en- circled by spacious commons, and such a number of town lots adjoining the said commons and out-lots as they think will be for the advantage of the University."
In the same year Dr. Cutler sent his draft of an act of incorporation for the University. In this draft he said among other things, "Forty or fifty thousand dollars cannot be too high, as it must be applied to one of the most useful and important purposes to society and government." Passing over some intermediate legislation, we find that the General Assembly of the new State that had just been admitted to the Union, passed, in 1804, an act of which Section I gave to the institution its
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio University.
present name, the Ohio University, and defined its object to be "the in- struction of youth in all the various branches of liberal arts and sciences, the promotion of good education, virtue, religion, and morality, and the conferring of all the degrees and literary honors granted in similar in- stitutions."
Section 2 provided for the corporate existence of a Board of Trus- tees. Section 2 also provided "for the subdivision of college lands into tracts of not less than eighty acres nor more than one hundred and forty acres; the valuation of them by three disinterested and judicious free- . holders as in their original and unimproved state, and the leasing of the same for the term of ninety years, renewable forever, on a yearly rent of six per centum of the amount of the valuation so made by the said freeholders ; and the land so leased shall be subject to a revaluation at the expiration of thirty-five years, and to another revaluation at the expira- tion of sixty years, from the commencement of the term of each lease, which revaluation shall be conducted and made on the principles of the first, and the lessee shall pay a yearly rent of six per centum on the amount of the valuation so to be made; and forever thereafter at a yearly · rent equal to and not exceeding six per centum of the amount of a valua- tion, to be made as aforesaid at the expiration of the term of ninety years aforesaid. * * * Provided, always, That the corporation shall have power to demand a further yearly rent on the said lands and tenements, not exceeding the amount of tax imposed on property of like description by the State."
The first building was erected on the northeast side of the present campus and known as the "Academy." It was of wood and has long since been torn down. The first building for collegiate purposes proper was put up in 1817. This is therefore the oldest structure of the kind in the entire Northwest, if not west of the Alleghenies. It is three stories high above the basement, and though somewhat remodeled twenty years ago, is substantially the original building and is still in use. Twenty years later two additional buildings, also of brick, were put up.
In 1881, what was for a time known as the "Chapel Building" was erected and subsequently removed to its present site to make room for Ewing Hall, one of the largest of the University buildings. The Normal College Building is located about sixty-five feet from the west side of University Terrace and faces the east. Among other things held in mind in planning this building were its fitness for the work to be done in it. its sanitary and hygienic conditions, its fire-resisting quality, its safety in construction, and its architectural design showing art, culture, and re- finement. The main or central portion of the building was completed at a cost of $46,913.17, the contract price-there being no extras.
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893
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio University.
The new Library Building, now in course of construction, will be ready for occupancy January 1, 1905. The contract price is $32,311.17. Ample means for furnishing the building, when completed, are avail- able.
Though the University was chartered in 1804 no instruction was given until 1809. In June, 1808, the Board laid out a course of instruc- tion which embraced "the English, Latin and Greek languages, mathemat- ics, rhetoric, logic, geography, natural and moral philosophy." One year later when the school was formally opened but three students presented themselves. This is not surprising when we consider the sparseness of population and the poverty of the newcomers on the soil of Ohio. It secmed a paradoxical scheme to establish a university before preparatory schools had been provided, yet this has been the history of education from the remotest times-the higher has always preceded the lower, though the latter did not always appear.
For some years the university had but one instructor, the Rev. Jacob Lindley, a graduate of Princeton. In 1812 Artemas Sawyer, a graduate of Harvard, was added as a second teaclier, and six years later a third was added.
The first graduate was Thomas Ewing, who was probably the first person to receive a college diploma in all Western America. This docu- ment was dated 1815. The distinguished subsequent career of Mr. Ewing is well known. It is identified not only with the history of Ohio but with that of the nation.
Enrollment statistics for the last six years are shown in the figures given herewith :
Years.
Males.
Females.
Totals.
1899
224
166
390
1900
231
210
441
1901
214
191
405
1902
223
186
419
1903
306
245
551
1904
433
400
33
The increase in student attendance at the Summer School has been very marked. It may be seen from the following statistical statement :
Years.
Enrollment.
1899
61
1900
65
1901
102
1902
238
1903
423
289
894
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio University.
The revenues of the university were at first very small, but they would in time have increased to a respectable sum as the two township, above named contain nearly fifty thousand acres. Unfortunately the legislature interfered to prevent the revaluation of its lands, notwithistand- ing the decision's of the various courts, so that the income from the rem duplicate is and will remain at less than thirty-five hundred dollars per annum. This legislative Act of 1843 dealt the University a blow from which it has never fully recovered. The loss of revenue it caused may be estimated by the following statement :
According to the decennial appraisement of 1900, the value of the land was, exclusive of improvements and inclusive of roadbeds of rail- roads, $1,356,615.00. Six percent of this amount would give an annual income of $81,376.90.
Toward the close of the seventies the legislature began to make annual appropriations for the support of the university, and in 1896 en- acted the so-called "Sleeper Bill," which gives it an annual revenue of over thirty-five thousand dollars.
At the regular session of the General Assembly of Ohio held in 1902 H. B. No. 369-Mr. Seese-became a law. Its provisions place upon the authorities of the Ohio University, at Athens, and the Miami Uni- versity, at Oxford, the duty of organizing "at their respective institu- tions a normal school which shall be co-ordinate with existing courses of instruction and shall be maintained in such a state of efficiency as to provide theoretical and practical training for all students desiring to pre- pare themselves for the work of teaching."
The act further provides for a levy upon the grand list of the taxable property of the State of one-thirtieth of one mill upon each dollar of the valuation of such taxable property. This levy produces an annual in . come of $65,000, which is divided between the Ohio University and the Miami University in the ratio of seven to five.
Acting in conformity with statutory provisions, the board of trustees of Ohio University, on March 25, 1902, declared by resolution its pur- pose to establish and maintain "The Normal College of Ohio University" and to provide the necessary teaching force, buildings and equipment therefor at the earliest practicable date.
With the opening of the fall term of the university, September 9. 1902, the State Normal College began its existence, with a corps of capable instructors, tentative courses of study and an encouraging student attendance. Since the date of opening not less than 1,000 persons have received some kind of instruction in the college. Surely the wisdom of the establishment of such an agency for the better training of persons for effective service in the public schools is in rapid process of vindication.
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895
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio University.
Though the college has been giving instruction from 1809 under the charge successively of Rev. Jacob Lindley and Rev. James Irvine, its first president, as he is usually designated, was not elected until 1824, when Robert G. Wilson, a native of North Carolina, and a graduate of Dickinson College, was chosen to fill the position. His successor was the well known Dr. William H. McGuffey. For a few years, dating from 1845, owing to financial embarrassments, the institution was closed, but in 1848 it was re-opened under the presidency of Dr. Alfred Ryors. Dating from 1852, Dr. Solomon Howard was president for twenty years, and was succeeded by Dr. W. H. Scott. From 1883 to 1901, Dr. Charles W. Super was at the head of the institution with the exception of two years, 1896-1898, when the position was held by Dr. Isaac Crook. The term of the present incumbent began July 18, 1901.
PRESIDENTS OF OHIO UNIVERSITY.
Name.
Date of Service.
Rev. Jacob Lindley, A.M. . 1808-1822
Rev. James Irvine. A.M. .1822-1824
Rev. Robert G. Wilson, D.D. .1824-1839
Rev. Wm. H. McGuffey, D.D., LL.D.
. 1839-1843
Rev. Alfred Ryors, D.D., LL. D.
1843-1852
Rev. Solomon Howard, D.D., LL.D.
1852-1872
Rev. William H. Scott. A.M., LL.D. 1872-1883
Charles W. Super, Ph.D., LL.D. 1883-1896
Rev. Isaac Crook, D.D., LL. D.
1896-1898
Charles W. Super, Ph.D., LL.D.
1898-1901
Alston Ellis, Ph.D., LL.D.
1901-
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
When
Hon. George W. Boyce, Cincinnati
1875
Hon. V. C. Lowry, Logan
1885
L. M. Jewett, Esq., Athens
R. E. Hamblin, Toledo 1887
1890
C. C. Davidson, A. M., Alliance.
1891
Prof. A. Leue, Ph. D., Cincinnati. 1891
Hon. Lucien J. Fenton, Winchester 1892
J. E. Benson, Cleveland
1892
J. M. Welch, Esq., Athens
1895
J. P. Wood, Esq., Athens
1896
F. C. Whiley, Lancaster
1896
Albert Douglas, Esq., Chillicothe
1897
Hon. H. W. Coultrap, McArthur
1897
Thomas Blackstone, M. D., Circleville 1898
Israel M. Foster, Esq., Athens 1900
T. R. Biddle, M. D .. Athens 1900
Henry O'Bleness. Athens
J. B. Foraker, Jr., Cincinnati 1903
Governor Myron T. Herrick Ex-Officio
President Alston Ellis
Ex-Officio
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD.
Alston Ellis
. President
A. J. Frame Treasurer
.L. M. Jewett, Esq. Secretary and Auditor
Appointed.
E. J. Jones. Esq., Athens.
1893
1901
in
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MIAMI UNIVERSITY.
G REAT institutions grow. They are not born in a day. It is a part and a privilege of an American to feel a pride in America's historic foundations and institutions. In the document under which the great northwest territory was settled, we read: "Re- ligion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall for- ever be encouraged." This sentence is the foundation of the educational policy of the states formed out of this territory. The John Cleves Symmes purchase in southwestern Ohio, like the other grants made under this ordinance, laid permanently the foundation. for higher education. Out of this land grant grew Miami University. The trust was given to the State of Ohio and accepted in 1803, and by means of legislative action buildings were erected and the school opened in 1816 as a preparatory school, and in 1824, as a college. The first class was graduated in 1826. Under the stimulus of the land grant, the spirit of the ordinance of 1787, the co-operation of the state and the rapid settlement of Miami county, the college flourished and soon became the most renowned west of the Alleghenies. The early settlers believing in the value of college educa- tion sent their sons there. These young men later became the men of affairs and took an active interest in every form of public life. During the war of the rebellion, Miami's graduates, almost to a man, were found enlisted or engaged in some form of public service. Many of these men are still hard at work, so that it has been said that Miami has more prominent men among her alumni than any other western college. A strong American sentiment permeates the every vein of the Miami student or graduate. Miami has been pre-eminently in her history, a college of public spirit. The student catches the spirit of patriotic devotion to the public welfare as a duty, and the graduate feels that he owes something to his country. College spirit has always been identical with a high idea `of citizenship. ,
Associated with this patriotic ideal, is the conviction that leaders should be men of scholarship and sound character. The management has never faltered in that belief that a college faculty should be men of unquestionable character and highest ability. The college education shows itself in a patriotic citizenship, genuine manliness, sound scholar- ship and liberal culture. Under this ideal more than a thousand men have been graduated, and many times that number have pursued their courses in part.
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897
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
Miami University.
Miami University is owned and operated by the State of Ohio, and in recent years favorable legislative action has given the institution more vigorous life than ever before. One of the new buildings is the gift of the late Senator Brice, and bears his name. Another bears the name of Hon. John W. Herron, of Cincinnati, whose long and able services to the University have only been equalled by his generosity.
The chapel in the east wing of the main building has recently been enlarged and improved, and, in memory of Robert H. Bishop, Jr., for many years Professor of Latin in the University, named "Bishop Chapel."
The library occupies a part of the second floor of the main building, and consists of some 20,000 volumes, among which many rare old editions may be found.
By the Seese Law, passed by the Legislature of Ohio in March, 1202, two State Normal Schools were established, one of these at Miami Uni- versity. The law provides for its maintenance by a special tax levy on the grand list of the taxable property of the state.
In September, 1902, the Normal School was opened, and a large number of students enrolled.
Provision is being made for the erection of a dormitory for the ac- commodation of the young women.
· In June, 1902, the Rev. Guy Potter Benton was unanimously elected president, and inaugurated September, 1902.
The location is as healthful as can be found, and comprises fifty- seven acres of the most beautiful campus to be found in the west.
Miami has never been a large institution when measured by her numbers, nor has she ever aspired to be such, but she has been great when measured by her men.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
Name.
Office.
Hon. John W. Herron, LL. D. Anna J. Bishop G. A. McSurely
President. Secretary. Treasurer.
57-B. A.
.
.
898
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
Miami University.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
Name. -
Appointed.
Term Expires.
Hon. Nelson W. Evans, Portsmouth.
1896.
1905
John M. Withrow, M. D., Cincinnati ..
1896.
1905
Theophilus R. Kumler, Esq., Oxford.
1896.
1905
Hon. Elam Fisher, Eaton.
1896.
1905
Horace A. Irvin, Esq., Dayton.
1896.
.1905
Hon. Wm. S. Giffen, Hamilton
1896.
.1905
Hon. John W. Herron, LL. D., Cincinnati.
1896.
.1905
Mr. Oakey V. Parrish. Hamilton
1900
1905
Walter S. Thomas, Esq., Troy.
1900
1905
Hon. Samuel F. Hunt, LL. D., Glendale.
1899
1908
Clark B. Montgomery, Esq., Cincinnati.
1899
.1908
Mr. James R. Patterson, Oxford.
1899
.1908
David R. Silver, M. D., Sidney.
1899
1908
Rev. Daniel H. Evans. D. D., Youngstown
1899
.1908
Francis M. Coppock, Esq., Cincinnati.
1899
. 1908
Alex C. Sands, Jr., Cincinnati.
1899
.1908
Henry C. Taylor, Esq. Columbus
1899
1908
Mr. George R. Eastman, Dayton.
1900
1908
James E. Morey, Esq., Hamilton
1893
1911
Nelson Sayler, Esq., Cincinnati.
1893
.1911
Rev. David R. Moore, D. D., South Salem
1893
1911
John N. VanDeman, Esq., Dayton
1893
1911
Walter L. Tobey, Esq., Hamilton.
1895
1911
Rev. George H. Fullerton, D. D., Springfield.
1900
1911
Lyle S. Evans, Esq., Chillicothe ...
1902
1911
William F. Eltzroth Esq., Lebanon.
1902
1911
Substitute-Rev. Elihu Simpson, D.D., Bellefontaine ..
1903
1911
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
T. R. Kumler,
Oxford-
J. E. Morey Hamilton
J. R. Patterson Oxford
W. L. Tobey
Hamilton
O. V. Parrish
Hamilton
.
THE WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY.
T HE Wilberforce University, located in Greene County, near Xenia, Ohio, cannot be considered one of the state educational institu- tions, except that it has been receiving state assistance in es- tablishing and maintaining an industrial department since 1887. The University is for colored youth, and affords an opportunity for ex- tending industrial training to colored youth, such as is not found in other institutions in the state.
The following brief history of this institution is a matter of historical value :
On September 28, 1853, the Cincinnati Conference of the M. E. Church selected a committee which recommended "the establishment of a literary institution of high order for the education of colored people gen- erally ;" and in May, 1856, "Tawawa Springs," a beautiful summer resort in Greene county, Ohio, was purchased, and Wilberforce University was organized. By concurrent action, the M. E. and A. M. E. Conferences of Ohio entered into co-operation for the success of the University. It was incorporated August 30, 1856, and a board of twenty-four trustees selected, including Governor Salmon P. Chase, President R. S. Rust, Ash- land Keith, of the colored Baptist denomination, and D. A. Payne; and the broad principle adopted that there shall never be any distinction among the trustees, faculty or students, on account of race, color or creed.
The University began its work in October, 1856, under Rev. M. P. Gaddis, as principal. He was succeeded by Professor James K. Parker, and he by Dr. Richard S. Rust, the first president. During the first epoch, which terminated with the Civil War, the number of students, largely the children of Southern planters, varied from seventy to one hundred. Commendable progress was made in literary culture. The War closed the school, and the M. E. Church withdrew from the field.
On March 10, 1863, D. A. Payne purchased the property for $10,000, and associated with himself James A. Shorter and Professor John G. · Mitchell, in the re-organizing of the University. It is the oldest college for negroes in this country. Congress in 1870 appropriated $25,000; Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase bequeathed $10,000; the Charles Avery estate added $10,000, and the American Unitarian Association gave for lectures $6,000 to the University.
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