USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of genealogy and biography of the state of Pennsylvania with a compendium of history. A record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume I > Part 18
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State Normal School for the First District of Pennsylvania. Ten acres of land were purchased, whereon the first school building was erected. and the first session opened in 1871. with about one hundred and thirty pupils. under the principalship of Professor Ezekiel II. Cook. In 1878 Dr. G. M. Philips came to the principalship, in which he has con- tinued to the present time.
The school is now one of the largest and most prominent normal schools in the whole country. Its attendance in the normal department reaches more than eight hundred students, and, with the addition of the model school, is considerably more than a thousand.
The original main building, erected in 1870-71. has grown to three or four times its original capacity, and. in addition, a gymnasium, reci- tation hall, model school building and library have been erected near by. while a principal's house and an infirmary for the care of the sick have also been added. It is generally admitted that they are the finest State Normal School buildings in the United States, and probably in the world. The original ten acres have grown to almost fifty acres, the largest addi- tion being Wayne Field, which includes the grounds of the Chester County Agricultural Society, adjoining the original school grounds on the west. This was bought and improved at a cost of more than thirty thousand dollars, making it one of the most complete school athletic grounds and play fields to be found anywhere. . In enclosed skating park covers two acres. The whole property has cost nearly six hundred thousand dollars and is thoroughly equipped for the best school work. The school's faculty has grown until it numbers thirty-three members, and is widely known for its scholarship and efficiency. The school has had more than ten thousand students and about sixteen hundred graduates. The great majority of these have been teachers, and most of them are still teaching, but others are filling important positions as statesmen, law-
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yers, physicians, clergymen, etc. Three of the other State Normal Schools of Pennsylvania have drawn their principals from the faculty of the West Chester State Normal School. Many of its graduates and former students are college professors and county or borough superin- tendents.
According to the census of 1900, the value of public school property in Pennsylvania was $50,000,000, and the expense of maintaining the schools was $22,813.395. The total number of schools was 29,046. with an average of 847.445 pupils in attendance.
THE HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.
From an early day, Pennsylvania has fostered an abundance of academical institutions, but these are so numerous and so distinctively local that they must be passed over in this narrative. It is to be said, however, that they have deeply colored the intellectual life of the com- monwealth, and have in no inconsiderable degree made possible the higher institutions of learning. These latter, from small beginnings, have come to a place of commanding importance, and those of first rank have made notable advancement in the past quarter of a century. More than thirty in number, these colleges have, with few exceptions, made a most encouraging growth in faculty numbers and character, in the scope of instruction, in laboratory and library methods, and in the value of apparatus and other facilities for instruction. As evidences, it may be mentioned that, within the period under consideration, the University of Pennsylvania has become a rival of Yale and Harvard in that it has come to be one of the largest educational institutions in the land, its attendance, courses of study, endowment and faculty placing it among the half dozen most important universities of the United States. An almost corresponding advancement is witnessed in various colleges-
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Washington and Jefferson, Lafayette, the State College, Lehigh U'ni- versity, the Western University of Pennsylvania, and others. For these results something is due to the protection afforded by the legislature. which in recent years has discouraged the founding of institutions upon insubstantiality, thus giving an added dignity to such as are worthy of support. Conducive to these ends was the Act of 1895. for the incorporation of institutions of learning, with power to confer degrees in art, science, philosophy, literature, medicine, law and theology. For the supervision and regulation of such institutions the act created a board styled the College and University Council consisting of twelve members, viz: The Governor. the Attorney General. the Superintendent of Public Instruction-these er oficio: three persons selected from among the presiding officers of nudenominational colleges or universities in the commonwealth, and three persons holding official relationship to the common schools of the state. To this board is committed the duty of considering the applications for the founding of new colleges, and without its approval none such can be established. This legislation grew out of abuses which need not be here particularized.
No history of the higher education in the state can be written with- out taking into account the famous "Log College" of the Rev. William Tennent. built by his own hands, in the Forks of the Neshaminy, in Bucks county, in 1726. This was a log building about twenty feet long, and scarcely as wide, and was intended to be "a school of liberal learning and divinity." Mr. Tennent's great purpose was to prepare young men for the ministry of the Presbyterian church, and he ac- complished an excellent work, sending out many who became dis- tingnished in the pulpit and school room, not only in Pennsylvania, but in other states. The primitive school was visited by Rev. George White- Geld, in 1739. when the great preacher addressed "about three thousand
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people gathered together in the meeting-house yard: the place wherein the young men study is, in contempt, called a college." as he remarks in his diary.
The University of Pennsylvania had its primary origin in a char- itable school for which. as also for the religious meetings of the Rev. George Whitefieldl. citizens of Philadelphia erected a building in 1740. In 1749 this property came into the possession of an association which grew out of a pamphlet issued by Benjamin Franklin, entitled "Pro- posals Relative to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania." The academy and charitable school which resulted proved so successful that two years later it was chartered by Thomas and Richard Penn, then the proprietaries, as the Academy and Charitable School in the Province of Pennsylvania. Under Rev. William Smith the institution grew to collegiate dimensions, and (June 16. 1755) the proprietaries changed its title to the College. Academy and Charitable School of Philadelphia. The College and Academy were closely related, the same teachers serving in each. There were three college classes-freshmen. junior and senior -and the course was one of three years. May 17. 1757. at the first commencement, the graduates were Paul Jackson. Jacob Duche. Francis Hopkinson. Samuel Magaw, Hugh Williamson, James Latta and James Morgan, who received the bachelor's degree. The eminence afterward attained by these young men added materially to the future influence and fame of the incipient college. In 1762 students had come from other colonies, and it was necessary to erect another buikling. In 1763 the students numbered nearly four hundred.
The first provost. Dr. William Smith, was a man of remarkable abilities and unconquerable enthusiasm. Imprisoned by the legislature on account of his activity in political affairs, he received his classes in the jail. Having been released after an appeal to the crown, he was
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received in England with distinguished honor, and received his divinity degree from the University of Oxford. Later, he visited England to procure an endowment for the college, and his mission was gratifyingly successful. Later, a declaration of liberal and unsectarian principles on the part of the college authorities was resented by the legislature. which abrogated the rights and properties of the institution, conferring them upon a new body, the trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. The old college maintained its organization and continued its schools. but lost its property, while the new university organized its faculties in arts and medicine. The two institutions each struggled on, and both with indifferent success. In 1791 the rivalry was ended by the union of the two schools, each contributing one-half the members of a new board which was incorporated under the title of the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. The faculties were taken, as nearly as could be, equally from their predecessors, but Dr. Smith was set aside on a pension, and Dr. John Ewing was elected provost. In 1800 the University bought spacious buildings and grounds at a cost of about $40.000. In 1810 the college course was extended to four years, and the sophomore class was created : in 18;2 a Scientific School was opened t embracing courses in architecture, science and technology, mechanical. electrical and civil engineering. chemistry, chemical engineering and teachers courses), endowed by John H. Towne: in 1881 the Wharton School of Finance and Economy was founded by Joseph Wharton, and in 1884 Dr. Horace Jayne created the Department of Biology. These schools necessitated the grouping of all together as a college, governed by an academic council, and under a single dean. In 1892 General Isaac J. Wistar erected a splendid buikling for the Wistar and Horner museums, of which his ancestor. Professor Caspar Wistar, was the founder. Another important feature of the university is the Museum
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of Archaeology and Paleontology. with its collections of priceless value. embracing the entire field of Assyrian, Egyptian and American antiq- uities. In 1895-96 an expedition from this department discovered the ancient city of Nippur, which is believed to antedate Babylon by thousands of years. The excellent university library of 200.000 volumes. with as many more unbound volumes and pamphlets, had its beginning in gifts by King Louis XVI of France, by the first provost of the in- stitution, and by friends both home and abroad. The Law and Medical departments are written of upon other pages of this work.
The real property of the University of Pennsylvania amounts int value to upwards of three and a half million dollars, and the productive funds nearly approach the same sum. The latest accessible statistics gave the number of instructors at 268. and of students at 2.475.
The Western University of Pennsylvania. at Pittsburg. is notable as being with one exception ( the University of Nashville, Tennessee ). the oldest institution of learning in the United States, west of the .\p- palachian mountain ranges. It was incorporated February 28. 1787; through the effort of Hon. Hugh Henry Brackenridge. The first buikdl- ing site was a gift from the Penn family of Philadelphia. In the same year the legislature made a donation of five thousand acres of land for endowment purposes. The first Principal of the Academy was George Welch. Among his successors was the Rev. Joseph Stockton ( 1810- 1819), and who is best known as the author of the "Western Calcu- lator" and the "Western Spelling Book." two of the earliest school books printed west of the mountains, and which in their day vied in popularity with the "New England Primer." In 1819 the Legislature passed an act incorporating the Western University of Pennsylvania, and authorizing its trustees to take in charge the property of the Pitts- burg Academy and to exercise the functions of a university. The act
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also granted forty acres of land, but this gift was held as invalid by the Supreme Court, and the Legislature made good its benevolent intentions by an appropriation of $2.400 annually for five years. The first Faculty under the University organization was: Rev. Robert Bruce. Principal. Professor of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Mathematics, etc .: Res. John Black. Professor Ancient Languages and Classical Literature; Rev. Elisha P. Swift. Professor of Moral Science and General Evidences of Christianity: Joseph MeElroy, Professor of Rhetoric and Belles Let- tres : Rev. Charles B. Maguire. Professor of Modern Languages and I'niversal Grammar. At the first commencement, in 1823. were gradu- ated Thomas Guthrie, Alexander Logan and Sammel Ferguson, all of whom became eminent clergymen.
In 1830 was built a new college edifice upon the site of the old academy at the corner of Third street and Cherry alley. This was then the largest and finest edifice in the city, and was occupied until its de- struction during the great fire of 1845, which almost obliterated the Pittsburg of that day. Rev. Robert Bruce. D. D., was Principal from 1819 to 1835, and from 1836 to 1843. the Rev. Golbert Morgan serving during his one year intermission. In 1843 Rev. Heman Dyer. D. D .. came to the headship of the institution. In 1846 another building was erected on Duquesne Way. This was burned down in 1849, and in- struction was suspended until 1855. when a new building at the corner of Ross and Diamon streets was occupied. In 1850 Rev. John F. Me- Laren, D. D., became Principal, and he beld the position until 1858. when he resigned, and was succeeded by George Woods, LL. D., who was the first to figure as President, a designation which was changed to that of Chancellor by an act of Assembly. It was during the admin- istration of President Woods ( 1858-1880), that the Western University made its most marked development. In 1801 an earnest appeal was
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made to the people of Pittsburg, and among the first to respond was William Than, who contributed $300.000 toward the endowment of a chair of natural science. this being the beginning of a long series of his benefactions, without which the institution could not have arrived at its present dignity and importance. In 1865 the property and equipment of Allegheny Observatory were transferred to the university. Subse- quently. Samuel P. Langley was made Professor of Astronomy, and his labors, made effective through the warm sympathy and generous aid of Mr. Thaw, led to a series of brilliant astronomical discoveries which shed lustre upon the institution and its accomplished head. In 1891 Professor Langley resigned to become the Secretary of the Smith- sonian Institute at Washington City.
Following the resignation of Dr. Woods in 1880, Rev. Henry M. MacCracken was called to the Chancellorship. During his administration the university property was soll. and rented buildings were occupied until the erection of the new edifices on Observatory ilill. This last work was accomplished under the Chancellorship of Dr. Milton B. Goff. who did not. however, live to witness the occupation of the new halls of learning. In 1801 Rev. W. J. Holland. D. D., became Chancellor. and his service continued until 1900. . At the time of his accession to office the institution comprised only the Collegiate Department and the Observatory, and only seventy-five students attended. The Collegiate and Engineering Departments were separated, and additional instructors were appointed to the last named. In 1802 the Western Pennsylvania Medical College became the Medical Department of the University. and in 1895 the Law Department was founded. In the same year the Western Pennsylvania School of Mines and Mining Engineering was established as a department of the University, with the aid of a grant of $50,000 by the Legislature and a like amount contributed by indi-
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viduals. At the same time the university was opened to the admission of women. In 1890 the Pittsburg College of Pharmacy was united with the institution, and a department of Dental Surgery was established. In 1900 was laid the cornerstone of the new Observatory, which was com- pleted the following year. This has become second in its appointments to no other in the country, and has been aptly styled by one of the most eminent of living astronomers as "the cradle of the new astronomy." Here was invented the bolometer, an exquisitely sensitive instrument for determining the temperature of the sun, moon and stars: here some of the most eminent astronomers of the age carried on their industrious investigations-Professor Langley, in his researches with reference to the photosphere of the sum, and Professor Keeler in his demonstration that the rings of Saturn are composed of a swarm of meteorites revolving about the planet: here was inaugurated the standard time system for railway use, and, in a kindred school in the same institution. Professor George F. Barker, with crude equipments, generated in the laboratory the first incandescent electric light in Pennsylvania. The body of litera- ture which represents the labors of the Professors and Ahunni of the University is considerable, and graduates of the institution are to be found occupying high places in scientific. professional and industrial circles throughout the country.
The property of the University -- real estate, equipments and cu- dowments-amounts in value to about one million dollars. The annual attendance of students in the various schools is about one thousand.
Lafayette College, at Easton, was the outcome of a movement on the part of the citizens of that place, at a meeting on December 27. 1824. but eight years were to elapse before their plans were carried to coll- summation. Difficulty was experienced in finding a suitable head for the proposed institution. He was at last found in the person of Rev.
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George Jnukin, a man of extraordinary powers, not only of mind, but of heart and soul, one who had long been interested in educational work. especially devoted to aiding poor boys to educational means, and who was at this time conducting a manual labor school at Germantown. Chosen to the presidency of what was to be known as Lafayette Col- lege, and of which he is justly regarded as the founder, he gave himself unstintingly to the arduous task of reconciling many different views as to the scope and purpose of the proposed school, of establishing its educational policy, and of securing the necessary means at a time when money was scarce and public benefactors were pitifully few. Chartered on March 9. 1826, the first college class was not assembled until May 9 1832, in temporary rooms. There were forty-three students present at the opening, and this number was increased to sixty-seven during the year. The first annual report set forth that the College "is a moral and religions, a literary and scientific, an agricultural and mechanical institution." No religious sect was to be favored, and the privileges of the institution were to be accorded to all. "without distinction of religious party," and these conditions govern to the present day.
Dr. Junkin battled with the difficulties which were inevitable, with unsurpassable devotion, courage and sagacity. In 1841 he resigned to become President of Miami University, from which he returned three years later, and, after again serving as President for seven years, was called to the presidency of Washington ( now Washington and Lee) Col- lege. Virginia. It having become obvious that local support was insuf- ficient for the maintenance of the College, in 1850 it was placed under the care of the Presbyterian church. The Civil war period brought the school to desperate straits, and there was such a depletion of students and means that the trustees seriously considered the advisability of closing the school. This untoward climax was only avoided by the
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generosity of the Professors, who volunteered to serve without regular salary. The men who thus maintained the College during its darkest dans were among its most distinguished ornaments- Professors James 11. Coffin. Francis A. March. James R. Eckard and Lyman Coleman. Rev. William C. Cattell, then pastor of the Second Presbyterian church at Harrisburg, became president, and during his long term of twenty years, which ended with his resignation. he performed services of mon- ummental usefulness. In rapid succession. building after building arose. the extraordinary beauty of the site was developed, and an able faculty was organized. Among the generous friends whom he called to his aid was Ario Pardee, of Hazleton, who realized the dreams of the College founders in a splendidiy equipped Scientific Department. Under the administration of President Cattell the original builling was en- larged by the addition of two wings, with Pardee Hall, the Jenks Lab- oratory, the Observatory. the Gymnasium and six dormitory buildings : the Blair. Chamberlain, Hollenback. Adamson and Markle Professor- ships were endowed; and such men as Drs. Traill Green. Francis . I. March. Thomas (. Porter, James H. Coffin, Lyman Coleman. Charles Elliott. A. A. Bloombergh. R. B. Youngman. J. W. Moore, J. J. Hardy. W. B. Owen. Edward Hart and J. M. Silliman, were either retained in its service or brought into its service. President Cattell found Lafayette College a small and weak institution, and be built it up to its present high estate as one of the most useful and progressive colleges in the country.
In 1883 was called to the presidency Rev. James 11. Mason Knox. who was succeeded in 1891 by the present incumbent. Ethelbert D. Warfield. I.L. D., then President of Miami University. In the period which has followed his installation, the College has made substantial growth in all departments. The material additions have been two
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beautiful dormitories-Faverweather Hall and Knox Hall; the Van- Wickle Memoria! Library, and the Gayley Laboratory of Chemistry and Metallurgy. Three new homes for Professors were also erected. and the (in all) thirty-three buildings were fitted with all necessary modern conveniences. The value of grounds and buildings is estimated at one and a quarter million dollars. The courses of study have been greatly enlarged and now comprise the following: Classical, Latin and General Scientific. Civil. Electrical and Mining Engineering and Chemical. Special preparatory instruction is afforded to those who expect to enter upon a course of medical study. The Faculty numbers upwards of thirty, and the annual student roll contains about four hun- dred names. It is to be added- that, withont encroaching at all upon its instructional work, much attention is given to physical training. under the charge of two regular physicians, one having charge of the gymnasium, and the other of out-door sports. The great success of Lafayette teams in all departments of athletics has doubtless been due to the wise oversight exercised by these competent and successful directors.
Lehigh University. at South Bethlehem, chartered in 1866. is the product of the munificent liberality and public spirit of Hon. Asa Packer, of Mauch Chunk, a man of large affairs, who. himself without a college training, was desirous of affording to the youth of his region oppor- tunities such as had been denied to him. Accordingly, in 1865. he set aside for the establishment of the proposed institution fifty-six acres of land in South Bethlehem, and a sum of $500.000-a gift. it is believed. the largest ever given for such a purpose up to that time. In addition. Charles Brodhead, of Bethlehem, made a further gift of seven acres adjacent to the Packer property. September 1. 1866. two classes of students numbering forty assembled under the presidency of Professor
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Henry Copper. 1.1. D. a West Point graduate, and afterwards a teacher there and at the University of Pennsylvania, and who had seen service m the Mexican war. The lectures and recitations were held in Christ- mas Hall, an old Moravian church building on the University grounds. until the erection of the first University building. In 1868 an Astronom- ical Observatory was provided by Robert 11. Sayre: this was suitably equipped and here Professor Doolittle, afterwards of the University of Pennsylvania, made the observations which brought him widespread fame. In 1876, Rev. John McDowell Leavitt, D. D., succeeded Pro- fessor Coppee, resigned. In 1875 Judge Packer added fifty-two acres to the University tract, increasing it to one hundred and fifteen acres. and also erected a fine library building at a cost of $100.000. This proved to be his last personal undertaking in connection with the insti- intion, his death occurring May 10. 1879. after a life of highest devo- tion to the advancement of learning. Lehigh University owing its exist- ence entirely to his efforts. By the provisions of his will he left a per- manent endowment of $1.500,000 for general maintenance, and added $400,000 to his previous gift of $100,000 for library purposes, thereby increasing that special endowment to a half million dollars, and increas- ing the total of his university benefactions (land included ) to the gigantic sim of three millions of dollars.
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