History of Benton County, Oregon, Part 55

Author: David D. Fagan
Publication date: 1885
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Oregon > Benton County > History of Benton County, Oregon > Part 55

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The college was located the same year on its present site and a town laid out which was christened Philomath-" lover of learning." The work of collecting funds and erecting a building was pushed as rapidly as possible and the college was open for reception of students in October, 1867 with Joseph Hannon, President, and E. Wood- ward, now of Corvallis, Assistant. Mr. Woodward continued as assistant the next year but Prof. Hannon was succeeded by Prof. E. P. Henderson as President. He in turn was succeeded the next year by James Chambers, with Jackson Gallaher as assistant. In 1880 Rev. J. A. Biddle was elected President, which position he held two years with E. C. Wyatt, A. Brown, Mrs. J. A. Biddle and Miss Cordialia Edwards acting as Assistants. J. Selwood was elected President in 1872 with Miss Irena Smith, Assistant. In 1873, Rev. R. E. Williams was elected President, and served in that capacity three years, and Henry Sheak, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences which position he held eleven years. During President Williams' administration Miss M. F. Lawrence, L. C. Crow, Mrs. L. D. Williams and Miss Elva Breyman served as Assis- tants in different capacities.

Rev. W. S. Walker was elected President in 1876 and filled the position eight years. His Assistants besides Professor Sheak were Miss Lawrence, Miss Lucinda Edwards, Mrs. Flora Walker, Mrs. C. L. Merriman, Miss Lois Fletcher, Miss Alice Wilcox, Miss Laura Farrow, George Bethers, J. H. Edwards and Jas. R. Parker who served at diff- erent times in the various auxiliary departments. The present faculty consists of seven professors and teachers. G. M. Miller, A. M., President and Professor of Ancient Languages, Mental and Moral Sciences ; J. M. Rankin, A. B., Professor of Mathe-

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matics and Natural Sciences ; Addie Dickman Miller, M. S., Superintendent of Ladies' Department and Teacher of German ; Elnora E. Dickman, Principal of English Pre- paratory Department; Henry Sheak, M. S., Principal of Business Institute; F. P. Jones, Director of Music Department, and Ella Jones, Assistant in Music Depart- ment.

The college Building is a substantial brick structure situated in a beautiful cam- pus containing about ten acres well ornamented by maple and fir trees. It is centrally located and connected by walks with all parts of the town. In the northwest corner of the campus is a neat residence for the President of the College, and in the western part is a well arranged, commodious boarding hall, with capacity for the accommodation of between forty and fifty students. Both of these buildings are the property of the Col- lege. One half mile west, on Mary's River, connected with the town by side walk, is a beautiful park well fitted up for pleasure grounds, which is a resort for students and a place for holding picnics, commencement exercises and other out door meetings. This is also the property of the College.

The apparatus of the College, including a telescope adapted to astronomical obser- vations, is sufficient to illustrate the principal scientific phenomena. The cabinet affords a good idea of the natural history and mineralogy of the Pacific coast, and the library contains a fair number of valuable works, literary, historical and scientific.

The courses of study are Classical, Scientific, Normal, Preparatory, Commercial, Music and Art.

The Classical and Scientific courses are such as are prescribed by the first-class colleges of the west. The student is not compelled to take the entire course of the ancient languages, but is allowed to substitute German or French for a limited number of Greek or Latin texts.

The Normal course is such as is prescribed by most Normal Schools, differing from the Classical and Scientific chiefly in omitting the Greek and Latin-hence being shorter-and including studies and lectures on Didactics. This course fits the student for teaching and gives those who have no disposition to study the Ancient classics a good English scientific education. The usual degrees are conferred upon those com- pleting the Classical or Scientific course and a diploma awarded those completing the Normal course. The Preparatory course fits the student for the more advanced courses or gives him a thorough knowledge of the branches usually taught in the common schools.

There are two Literary Societies in connection with the College, the Philomathic for ladies and gentlemen and the Atheneum for ladies only.

The tution in collegiate classes per term of three months is $9. In preparatory classes, $5. Book-keeping per term, $10. Instrumental music per term of twenty- four lessons, $10. Vocal music per term of twenty-four lessons, $2.

Boarding in private families is $3.00 per week, at College Boarding Hall $2.25 per week. The present year thus far has been the most successful in the history of the college. The enrollment in all departments this (fall term) is about one hundred, more than twice the number usually enrolled in the fall term. The college has had an average enrollment of about one hundred students annually, has sent out about twenty alumni, several of whom are holding prominent positions in the State, is in a fair con-

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A. G. Walling, Lith. Portland, Or.

OAK GROVE. FARM RESIDENCE OF WM. WYATT, 1 Mile North of Philomath. 2,000 Acres.

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dition financially, is but little in debt, has endowment fund of over $10,000 and a good investment in real estate and the indications are that it has entered upon a new era of prosperity.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS .- As is the case throughout Oregon, the community of Benton county has been, and is now fully alive to the value of the common school as a factor in its prosperity. So soon as settlements were formed the need of education for the children that had accompanied their parents across the plains and participated in the hardships attendant thereto became prominent and especial inducements were offered to any young man who would undertake the tuition of the young. For this object subscriptions were freely given and as early as 1848, schools were by no means uncom- mon. The little town of Marysville had hers, while in the building known as Fuller's school house, the official machinery of Benton county was set a-going. As time went on and the necessity grew greater it was met by a public spirit that increased in a like ratio, which has now developed into sixty school districts, with school-houses, even in the remote settlements, that have cost one thousand dollars and upwards.

We have unfortunately been unable to get any actual statistics in this department before the year 1866, on the sixth of November of which year a public school was opened in the upper district of Corvallis by Miss Aurora Watt; while, February 16, 1867, a select school was opened in the southern portion of that city by Lieut. William J. Shipley.

From the annual report of the Benton county public schools for the year ending March 31, 1967, we find that the number of legal voters, as shown by district reports, was seven hundred and twenty-one; persons over four and under twenty years of age, one thousand five hundred and twenty-seven ; males, seven hundred and eighty-three ; females seven hundred and forty-four ; average number of months during which school was taught, five; average attendance in each district, twenty-nine; number of districts reported, twenty-four; new districts established during the year, three; whole number of districts in the county, thirty; male teachers employed, twenty; female, ten; average salary per month of male teachers, forty-one dollars; of female teachers, thirty-one dollars ; while, new school-houses were built in Districts Nos. 4, 9, 19 and 28, this last being the South Corvallis school, which cost one thousand three hundred and ninety- four dollars. The North Corvallis school-house was also built in 1867 at a cost of eight hundred and fifty dollars.

The Superintendent of schools in his annual report for the year 1867-68 states the number of legal voters to be eight hundred and sixteen ; males over four and under twenty years of age, eight hundred and sixty-seven; females, seven hundred and sixty- seven; number of quarters in which school was taught, fifty; number of scholars in average attendance, six hundred and forty-three; school-houses built, one in 1853, two in 1854, two in 1855, three in 1856, three in 1858, one in 1860, one in 1862, one in 1863, one in 1865, one in 1866, seven in 1867; number of districts reporting, twenty- eight, not reporting, two; male teachers employed during the year, thirty-four, and females, five.

From the foregoing it will be gathered that no fewer than twenty-three public school-houses were erected in fourteen years a fact which fully demonstrates the interest taken in the cause of education.

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"Independent School House." These words are painted over the door of a neat little frame building, about nine miles southwest of Corvallis. The plot of ground upon which it stands-about two or three acres-is surrounded by a substantial fence and about one-half of it thickly set out in maples. The location is excellent, high and dry, and a county road passes its front. It is surrounded by an intelligent, enterpris- ing and hospitable community, and for fine farms, grand scenery, excellence of water and evidences of thrift and prosperity, is not excelled by any portion of country that it has been our fortune to visit. There in the early part of 1867, Rev. C. H. Wallace commenced to preach to only two or three families. There was no church organization at the time, but a large attendance under the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination soon was the rule, but which since has considerably diminished.

In March, 1869, the number of school districts in the county had increased to thirty-five, of which only twenty-eight had reported. In these the persons between the ages of four and twenty years numbered one thousand seven hundred and fifty-three, there being of these eight hundred and twenty-one males, and nine hundred and thir- ty-two females.

From the school statistics of the county for the year ending March 7, 1870, we find that the whole number of school districts was but thirty-four; of these twenty-nine kept school at least during three months of the year. In these there were eight hun- dred legal voters; nine hundred and ten males and eight hundred and thirty-eight female scholars, while the number of persons between the ages of four and twenty years of age was one thousand seven hundred and forty-eight. School was taught during forty-six quarters, making an average of five months to each district; the average number of scholars in attendance being six hundred and six, or twenty-two for each district. The number of High schools at this time was three.

For the year ending April, 1873, Superintendent of Schools, A. R. Brown, reports the number of legal voters in the several districts to be nine hundred and fifty-eight ; persons over four and under twenty years of age, two thousand and forty- four ; number of male scholars, one thousand and forty-three ; females, one thousand and one. School was taught for fifty-two and one-half quarters, the average number of scholars in attendance being seven hundred and five and five-eighths, while the value of the school-houses (including Philomath College) was twenty thousand three hundred and fifty-nine dollars.

Sufficient has been said to show the steady increase of the attendance in the public schools of Benton county, and such would hardly have been were it not that extreme care has been taken to provide the best instuctors and an able Superintendent, whose wise administration has over and over again called him to fill the arduous duties of the position. At the present time no county in Oregon has greater reason to be proud of her scholastic institutions than Benton.

About the beginning of the year 1833, four Flat-head Indians, who had traveled on foot all the way from Oregon, reached Fort Clark, at St. Louis, Missouri, and giving an account of the object of their journey, said that a trader, who had been present at some of their religious ceremonies, had told them of a better way than their of worship- ping the Great Spirit ; that the white people away toward the rising sun were in possession of the true method, and also of a book from which this had been derived;

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and that desirous of learning the better way, and of obtaining this book, they had made their long and perilous journey.

The fact that such a delegation had come from such a quarter, at such risk and through such hardships, was immediately published broadcast and made the ground of stirring appeals in favor of a mission at once to these savages " feeling after God." In response to these petitions, Rev. Jason Lee volunteered his services as missionary, and was immediately appointed. Daniel Lee was afterwards associated with him, and these two in company with a Captain Wyeth, who was to conduct them and others across the plains, left St. Louis, April 10, 1834, for their unknown journey. They arrived at Vancouver in the following September and in October (fifty years ago) located the old mission a few miles below what is now Salem, the capital of Oregon.

This was the origin of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this State. In May, 1837, these missionaries were reinforced by the arrival of Dr. E. White, Mr. A. Beers, and their wives, Misses Ann M. Pitman, Susan Downing and Elvira Johnson, and Mr. W. H. Wilson, as assistants, and in September following by the arrival of Rev. D. Leslie and family, Rev. H. K. W. Perkins and Miss Margaret Smith.

In March, 1838, Mr. Lee returned to the East, and, at his urgent request, an addi- tional supply of laborers was sent from New York in October, 1839, and arrived in Oregon the next May. The names of those composing this reinforcement, who were. permanently connected with the mission, were Revs. A. F. Waller, G. Hines, J. L. Parrish, L. H. Judson, James Olley, Dr. J. S. Babcock, Messrs. George Abernethy, H. Campbell, H. B. Brewer, W. Raymond, and their families ; Misses C. A. Clark, Elmira Phelps, and Orpha Lancton.

About the time of Mr. Lee's return to the East, a new station was established at The Dalles. Immediately after the arrival of this reinforcement, a conference was held in Vancouver. At this time a mission to the Umpqua Valley was projected, and, in the following autumn, Jason Lee and G. Hines, accompanied by Dr. White, made a tour to that place. The mission, however, was not established. In 1841, another meeting of the missionaries was held at the old mission premises below Salem. Early in 1842, the first steps were taken, which resulted at a later day in founding Willam- ette University. The first subscription towards the building, amounting to more than four thousand dollars, is still in existence. The original building, situated about four miles from Salem, was sold before occupied and the seat of the institution was removed to Salem by the purchase from the Missionary Society of the building now known as the Old Institute. In 1842 and 1843 the annual meetings of the missionaries were held in Salem. In the latter year Jason Lee left for the East. He was superceded before his return, by Rev. George Gary, who arrived in May, 1844, and immediately called a conference in Salem of all connected with the mission. His chief object was to close its secular business. To do this, he was invested by the Eastern Board with almost unlimited powers. Having accomplished this design, he returned to the East in 1846 and was succeeded by William Roberts, who, accompanied by J. H. Wilbur, arrived in 1847.

In 1848 tho general conference authorized the organization of the Oregon and California Conference. This was carried into effect the year following. The first session was held in the chapel of the Oregon Institute and began September 15, 1849.

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The following names appear on the roll of members : W. Roberts, D. Leslie, A. F. Waller, I. Owen, Wm. Taylor, J. H. Wilbur and J. L. Parrish. The returns showed a membership of three hundred and forty-eight in full connection and fifty-six on trial. The second session was held in Oregon City. F. S. Hoyt, E. Bannister, S. D. Simonds and N. Doane had been transferred to the conference during the year. The statistics report three hundred and ninety-three members in full connection and seventy-six on probation in Oregon. The third session was held in Salem. During the year C. S. Kingsley, L. T. Woodward and J. W. Miller had been transferred for the Oregon work. The membership had increased to four hundred and seventy-five in full con- nection, and one hundred and seventy on probation. The fourth session was held in Portland, beginning September 2, 1852. T. H. Pearne, I. Dillon and P. G. Buchanan had been transferred during the year. This year the first steps were taken toward the establishment of a conference paper. The charges reported five hundred and fifty- eight members in full connection and two hundred and fourteen on trial. This was the last session of the Oregon and California Mission Conference.

The Oregon Annual Conference was organized the year following and held its first session in Salem, beginning March the seventeenth, under the presidency of Bishop Ames. It contained a membership of seven hundred and seventy-three in full con- nection and two hundred and twenty-four on trial.

There has been a steady increase of membership each year, with a single excep- tion, since the organization of the conference. This was in 1863, when a decrease of seventeen members and ninety-seven probationers was reported.

The church never gave greater evidence of vitality than at present. In addition to the increase in membership it is multiplying its churches and improving their appearance, founding schools, and filling them with students, raising men within its own borders for the ministry instead of depending on a foreign supply, in short taking that careful oversight -of every religious interest which gives proof of a vigilant and vigorous Christian organization.

As a matter of general and historical interest, it may be well to record in this place the fact that Rev. A. F. Waller, died at Salem, December 26, 1872, in the sixty- sixth year of his age. The name of " Father " Waller was a household word through- out the State, and everybody loved and respected him. He acted a prominent and im- portant part in the formation of the Territorial Government, as a faithful, zealous and untiring minister of the Prince of Peace and was full of good words and works ; while, nearly a year later, December 8, 1873, his co-laborer, Rev. Gustavus Hines, died in the same city, after a lingering illness of two years.

Let us now introduce to the reader a brief account of the different church establish- ments within the confines of Benton county.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- The first society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Benton county was organized at a school-house, (built by Methodists princi- pally) on the Donation Claim of A. Fuller, about five miles north of where Marysville (now Corvallis) was afterwards built, by Rev. John McKenney; Rev. William Roberts being Presiding Elder, and Revs. A. F. Waller and Father Helms, traveling preach- ers. Brother Samuel Starr and William F. Dixon being appointed class leaders. These transactions took place in the year 1847 when thirty persons united with the

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church. In the fall of 1849 the "class " changed its place of meeting to the house of John Stewart, about one mile northeast from the town, but in 1850, they built a log school-house in Marysville on Lot No. 7., Block, No. 1, Dixon's Addition, where meetings were held until 1855, when a commodious edifice was raised on Lot No .6, Block No. 4., Dixon's Addition, where the meetings have continued to be held up to the present time.

The first Quarterly Conference for Corvallis Circuit convened in the Church, November 29, 1850, Rev. A. F. Waller, in the chair ; Rev. L. Case, Preacher in charge; Rev. William Kennedy, Presiding Elder. At this time Abratha Newton, John Stewart and William Teal were elected Stewards; William F. Dixon, Class leader; Rev. L. C. Phillips, Local preacher and Bible agent ; William Teal, District steward ; N. Z. Miller, E. Liggett and William B. Carter were added to the Board of Stewards ; W. B. Carter, Recording Steward. The next Quarterly meeting was held at Gingle's school-house, ten miles to the north of Corvallis, March 7, 1857, Rev. A. F. Waller, Presiding Elder, when another " class " was organized.

In 1854 a Sabbath school was organized in Corvallis by J. W. Williams, H. F. Williams and Alexander Bennett which still continues its usefulness. A list of pastors of the church in rotation from 1857 to 1885. inclusive : Revs. N. Doane, D. E. Blain, J. O. Raynor, William S. Lewis, George M. Berry, G. Hines, I. D. Driver, N. Clark, J. James, E. A. Judkins, R. C. Smith, W. T. Chapman, J. Wesley Miller, J. W. Van - cleve, J. W. York, G. W. Day, C. A. Judkins, L. A. Banks, H. Patterson, G. W. Bennett, W. T. Chapman, S. A. Starr, F. Elliott, G. W. Bennett, D. W. Nichols, Skipworth.

In the year 1848 a "class" was organized at the residence of John Luce, at the Belknap Settlement, in the southern portion of Benton county, by Rev. John Kennedy, which was followed, in 1850, by the erection of a school-house that received the name "Ebenezer" and in which, soon after its completion, the first Annual Conference for Oregon was held under the presidency of Bishop Simpson with Revs. T. H. Pearne, Joseph L. Parrish, and other officiating ministers.

In September, 1848, Rev. Leander Balou held a Camp Meeting on the Donation Claim of Mr. Motley, about three miles and a half to the north of town. In 1850 a "class" was organized at A. Newton's (now Liberty) school-house. Rev. Isaac Miller, being preacher in charge; that at Gingle's school-house being called into existence, March 7, 1857; while, at an early date "classes " were brought to fruition in King's Valley, Matzger's mills, and Monroe.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH .- The first society of Baptists of Benton county was organized in the year 1848 about five miles north of Corvallis by Rev. Dr. Hill. In 1853, Hon. J. C. Avery donated to it Lots Nos. 1 and 2, in Block No. 16, upon which was built-for those times-a commodious edifice, but during the winter of 1855, a heavy fall of snow caused its fall, and the society failing to rebuild, the lots reverted to the original owner, these, however being purchased shortly afterwards by a "Free Thinker." Very little was heard of the society until December 30, 1876, when it re-organized by Rev. J. A. Hunsaker who took charge for one year, preaching semi- monthly. The next pastor to take charge for a short time was J. T. Taylor, after which the church was without a pastor until 1879, when Rev. F. B. Davidson took

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charge with seventeen members, the meetings being held in the chapel of The State Agricultural College. A lot having been purchased on Fourth street, the foundation of a building was laid, but the society failing to meet, it disappeared in less than a year, since when it has not shown any signs of activity.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- The foundation of this church in Benton county dates back to September 26, 1853, when three members, viz: John Grubbs, S. K. Brown and Mrs. E. Belle Hanna formed themselves into a congregation and placed themselves under the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Hanna, at Marysville, now Corvallis. The congre- gation now meets in a neat edifice, with a tall, graceful spire, on Fourth street. The names of the clergymen who have occupied the pulpit since its inauguration are Revs. J. A. Hanna, Dr. Geary, H. R. Avery, A. Simpson, W. Monteith, R. Wiley, D. K. Nesbit, L. G. Downing, I. F. Knowles, H. P. Dunning.

There is an affiliated church at Oak Ridge, eight miles to the southwest of Cor- vallis with a good membership. The Sabbath schools of both churches are well attended. In the course of its thirty-one years of life, the Presbyterian church in Benton county has passed many vicissitudes, while that at the county seat is even now without a regular pastor.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH .- This congregation meets for worship in the chapel of the State Agricultural College. The church was organized a short time prior to 1859, Rev. James Kelsay, being minister. About the year 1860, Rev. O. Fisher came to Corvallis and remained in charge of the church for four years or there- abouts. During his ministry there was a great revival of religion, the influence of which was felt far and near. The church membership varied from fifty to seventy-five and congregations were crowded and attentive. A series of ministers followed Mr. Fisher, amongst them being Revs. Messrs. Sears, Stall, Short and White. The present clergyman is the Rev. Professor Joseph Emory who conducts the services with great success and acceptance to the congregation, which fully maintains its numbers.

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History of Benton County, Oregon, Part 55

Author: David D. Fagan Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: David D. Fagan
Publication date: 1885
Publisher:
Number of Pages: