USA > Pennsylvania > Crawford County > Our country and its people. A historical and memorial record of Crawford County, Pennsylvania. > Part 27
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In 1847, Rev. John Barker, D. D., was called to the presidential chair. He was a native of East Riding of Yorkshire, England, but came with his parents to this country when three years of age, and was educated at Geneva College, N. Y. From 1840 to 1845 he was vice-president of Allegheny College, and professor of natural philosophy and chemistry, from which position he went to be professor in the Transylvania University at Lexing- ton. Ky., but returned at the end of two years to the presidency of the col- lege upon the retirement of Dr. Clark. He was a man of strong mind, of varied, almost unbounded knowledge, and, what was of the last importance
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to him as a teacher, his knowledge was all pigeon-holed, and everything filed under its proper head, all ready to be pulled out as occasion required. Uninterrupted prosperity attended the entire course of his management of the college. The second building was completed in 1852. The following table shows the number of yearly graduates: 1847, 10; 1848, 9; 1849, 10; 1850, 10: 1851, 13; 1852, 22: 1853, 17; 1854, 10: 1855, 21; 1856, 18; 1857, 22; 1858, 25; 1859, 17; 1860, 22. His useful work was brought to a sudden termination by death, while in the midst of his labors-for he passed the evening in examining the papers of his class-and soon after retiring was stricken with apoplexy and in a few hours after quietly breathed his last.
He was succeeded by Rev. George Loomis, D. D., a native of New York State, born in 1817; graduated at Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Conn .; was principal of the seminary at Lima, N. Y .; chaplain to the post of Canton, China, and president of the Female College, Wilmington, Del., before coming to Meadville. His presidency occurred, in some respects, at an unfortunate period, the fires of civil war at its opening being just then beginning to be lighted, and the attendance in colleges for the next half- dozen years greatly disturbed thereby; but it was in many respects success- ful and highly beneficial to the college. The number of graduates were as follows: 1861, 17: 1862, 19: 1863, 14; 1864. 11: 1865. 7: 1866, HI: 1867, 8; 1868, 14: 1869, 21; 1870, 15: 1871, 20; 1872, 9: 1873, 15; 1874, 15; 1875, 10. During his term the endowment fund of the college was largely increased, much of his time having been given to the labor of soliciting. By the annual report published by the superintendent of public instruction, it is shown that in 1863 this fund was increased $25,500; in 1864, $3,500; in 1865, $85,000; in 1866, $50,000; in 1867, $25,000; in 1870, $40,000, an aggregate of $229,000, more than a quarter of a million-a sum which would have set President Alden to talking in all the ancient languages at once- and, added to the $60,000 reported by President Clark, would give $289,000. But this sum must have been subject to considerable shrinkage, as the amount reported by Dr. Hannett in his history of the college, published in 1876, it is set down as Erie Conference, $85,000, and Pittsburg, $75,000, an aggregate of $160,000. The campus was much enlarged upon the south, extending towards town, and a third building, Culver Hall, with the grounds reaching from North Maine Street to Highland Avenue, was acquired. The reports also show that during Dr. Loomis' administration the value of ap-
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paratus which, in 1863, is set down at $1,000, and which I presume includes the entire cabinet of natural history, was increased in 1865 to $15,000; in 1869 to $18,000, and in 1875 to $65.000. This collection embraces, in addi- tion to all the ordinary philosophical and chemical apparatus, several costly 'and comparatively rare pieces, the Prescott cabinet of 2,400 shells, the Halde- man cabinet of 550 minerals and 2,000 shells, the Alger cabinet of 5,000 rare mineral specimens, which is said to have cost the collector $35,000, and is in many respects unique; the cabinet of Ward casts in lithology and paleontol- ogy, the Smithsonian collection from Panama, Vancouver's Island, and the West Indies; the Currier entomological cabinet of 3,000 specimens, and a growing collection of specimens gathered by the Scientific Club, together with a museum of art history, embracing engravings and photographs in architecture, sculpture, painting, copies of celebrated statuary, a portion presented by the Royal Museum of Berlin. Had not certain reverses over- taken the plans of Dr. Loomis they would have resulted in princely munifi- cence. As it is, the resources and material indispensable to a successful col- lege were greatly enlarged during his administration.
After the withdrawal of Dr. Loomis the management devolved upon the vice-president, Dr. Hamnett.
In July, 1875, Rev. Lucius H. Bugbee, D. D., of Cincinnati, who had been chosen in the February previous, was inaugurated president. The re- sults of his labors and those of his associates have been felt. The buildings were thoroughly repaired and renovated, three rooms 20x40 feet, with fur- naces, water, gas, and all the material for performing chemical analyses, have been furnished in the basement of Bently Hall. A chapel, which is a credit to the institution, has been fitted and hung with portraits of the presidents, the beginning of a complete overhauling and rejuvenation of the library was begun, and two able and efficient agents were placed in the field soliciting funds for the increase of the endowment.
The number of graduates during Dr. Bugbee's presidency was: 1876, 14; 1877, 12: 1878, 12; 1879, 16; 1880, 15: 1881, 21; 1882, 26. During Dr. Bugbee's administration females were admitted to the regular college classes on the same conditions as males. This necessitated a suitable build- ing for a home for them. Through the resolute and energetic exertions of President Bugbee, Hulings' Hall, a four-storied building of brick, was erected, 80x100 feet, on the line of the original building. It was provided with
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dormitories and conveniences for cooking and caring for a hundred pupils. It was largely paid for by one man-Marcus J. Hulings, of Oil City. Dr Bugbee was a native of Gowanda, New York. He was educated at Am- herst College, where he graduated in 1854. He had been president of the Northwestern Female College, at Evanston, Ill., and subsequently president of the Female College at Cincinnati. In June, 1882, on account of failing health, he resigned and in 1883 he died. For a year the duties of president devolved upon the vice-president. Dr. Hamnett.
The Rev. David H. Wheeler, D. D., LL. D., was elected president in April, 1883. and was inaugurated on the 27th of June following. He was born in Ithaca. New York, in 1829. His life has been devoted to education and authorship. He taught Latin in the Rock River Seminary, served two years as superintendent of schools in Carroll County, Illinois; five years as professor of Greek in the Cornell College, Iowa, and eight years as professor of English literature in Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois. Between his services at Cornell College and that at Evanston, he filled the office of United States consul at Geneva, where he pursued historical and linguistic studies. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by Cor- nell College and that of LL. D. by the Northwestern University. During his administration the following have been the numbers of graduates: 1883, 32; 1884. 24: 1885, 25; 1886. 30: 1887. 21: 1888. 33. For the year 1888-9 Wilbur G. Williams, D. D., was placed in the presidential chair and the graduates of that year were 33. At the close of the year Dr. Wheeler was reinstated as president and the graduates were: 1890, 42: 1891, 29: 1892, 29: 1893, 35. At the close of 1893 Dr. Wheeler resigned and gave his atten- tion exclusively to literary pursuits and to authorship. During his admin- istration, Wilcox Hall, devoted to chemistry and the natural sciences, was secured.
At the opening of the academic year of 1893-4 the Rev. William H. Crawford, D. D., was called to the presidency of the college. He was an eminent scholar, a graduate of the Northwestern University at Evanston. had had experience as an educator, and was especially distinguished by his oratorical gifts. The graduates during his services thus far have been: 1894, 24: 1895, 23: 1896, 32: 1897. 35: 1898, 32. In addition to his services in the executive management of the college and the instruction in his department, he has secured the erection of a gymnasium which, in addi-
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tion to its special uses, is provided with a number of rooms for the general purposes of the college. He has also devoted much time and tireless energy in canvassing for an endowment and has been successful in securing $100,000.
AAllegheny College has a record of over eighty years, written in much tribulation, and in the face of many discouragements, but with much in that history to encourage to faithful effort. Alden labored when the stumps had not been cleared away from where now are the fine streets and the proud residences of the inhabitants of Meadville. Rutter and Clark came at a period when the pecuniary resources were most difficult to command, and the needs were most pinching. Barker was at the helm when the demands of a scholar and a great teacher were most pressing. Loomis had the depress- ing influence of war time; but his hand in securing funds and in placing price- less collections in natural sciences and the fine arts will perpetuate his name as long as Allegheny College shall exist. Bugbee and Wheeler and Craw- ford were called when eminent scholarship was needed to cement and make strong the mighty column which a century has been far spent in building.
In connection with the subject of the origin of education in the county, I gave the provisions of law by which Meadville Academy was founded and subsequent legislation by which its operation was effected. In 1825 the building and grounds at the corner of Chestnut and Liberty Streets were sold to Mr. Arthur Cullum and the property on Second Street, now known as the High School, was acquired, and the building now standing thereon was erected in 1826. For a quarter of a century some portion of the building was used for primary English instruction and for some part of the time this was the only grade of instruction, though a teacher of the ancient languages taught at times for such compensation as he could command from the tuition of his pupils. Trustees were regularly elected; but they did lit- tle more than keep up their organization and take charge of the invested fund, of which there was a small one. John Reynolds and David Derickson were among its classical teachers, as were Messrs. Leffingwell, Donnelly, Pike, Rodgers, and the Misses Benedict.
In Dr. Burrowes' report of 1836, Meadville Academy is set down as having a building worth $4,000 and invested funds to the amount of $1.781.14, all the other items which would show its condition, if it had any status, are left blank. Under the head of donations there are reported as having been given by the State $1,000 to the academy and $1,000 to the
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Meadville Female Seminary. Under the head of remarks it says of Mead- ville Academy: "The course of instruction not specified. The improve- ments are a brick building, 24x48 feet, two stories high, valued as above. The pecuniary affairs are managed by six trustees. Prospects not good." In the following year no report whatever was made, from which we may infer that it was at a low ebb.
In the year 1852 the building was repaired, an addition providing for stairway outside of the main building was made, and a well-organized acad- emy under the principalship of Mr. Thomas F. Thickstun and Samuel P. Bates, was opened. In the course of the following year modern furniture was inserted, of which it had never had any other than long benches and desks; a library of 500 well selected volumes was procured, several hin- dred dollars' worth of new philosophical apparatus was purchased of the Wightmans, of Boston, and improvement of the grounds made. By refer- ence to the annual catalogue we find that the number of instructors, includ- ing the principals, was eight. besides assistant pupils: number of students in the classical department, 39; English department, 289; annual aggre- gate, 522; males, 168; females, 128. Average age, males, 18 years; females, 17. Proportion of pupils outside of Meadville, three-fourths. In the fol- lowing year the number of males was 184: females, 198; total, 382. Annual aggregate for the four terms, 668. Increase over last year, 28; number in teachers' course, 217. There were three courses of study, a teachers' course covering three years, commencing with algebra, physiology and French or Latin, the latter being continued through the course-a ladies' course of three years varying but little from the teachers' course, and a classical course of two years just covering the ground for entrance to college. Courses of lectures were delivered on the theory and practice of teaching, ón natural philosophy, experimental; on Roman history, on chemistry, and on Grecian and Roman mythology. In 1857 S. P. Bates was elected county superintendent of schools and in the following year Mr. Thickstun was suc- ceeded in the principalship by Mr. A. D. Cotton, assisted by Mr. J. W. Wither- spoon. During all this time from 1852 the teachers were paid entirely by tuition of pupils.
From a historical note prefixed to the rules and regulations of the Board of Control of the Public Schools, published in 1862, prepared by Joshua Douglas, Esq., then secretary, it appears that the Board was or-
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ganized on the 21st of May, 1861, and among the first labors of the Board was the preparation of a plan for the establishment of a high school. Ac- cordingly, on the 9th of September, it was unanimously resolved to estab- lish such a school and to keep it open at least nine months in each year. This school went into operation on the 21st of October, 1861, with fifty scholars, under the instruction of Professor A. D. Cotton. This took the place of the academy, and not long thereafter the entire property and in- vested funds was, by provision of law, transferred to the Board for public school purposes and the academy ceased to exist.
The Meadville Theological School was founded in 1844. It is pro- vided in the act of incorporation that no doctrinal test shall ever be made a condition of enjoying any of the opportunities of instruction in the school, except a belief in the divine origin of Christianity. At one time five dif- ferent denominations were represented among its students, though the school was founded mainly by the Unitarians with some co-operation with members of the Christian denomination. The brick building erected for the Cumberland Church, opposite the northwest corner of the first Presby- terian lot, was used for chapel, library and class-rooms until 1853, when the commodious building, known as Divinity Hall, erected upon a site on the eastern hill, as Allegheny College was upon the northern hill, and command- ing a full view of the city and a wide stretch of varied landscape to the west, was occupied. The grounds, four acres in extent, were contributed by Rev. Frederic Huidekoper and the building was erected at an expense of $16,000. It contains a neat chapel, with dormitories for students and apartments for the family of steward and for boarding. In 1893 a commodious library building was erected, with ample compartments for books, and light and airy rooms, provided with consulting tables, for the accommodation of visitants who do not wish to take the books from the building.
During the early years of the school it was supported by an annual con- tribution from three churches in the city of New York of $1,000, $500 an- nually from the American Unitarian Association, the proceeds of a fair held in Boston, and sundry smaller subscriptions. In 1851, as a result of the strenuous exertions of the friends of the school, an endowment of $50,000 was raised and advantageously invested. This sum has been more than doubled since by legacies, donations, profits of fortunate investments, and savings from income. The unproductive assets-as the building, profes-
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sors' residences, library-are estimated at $32,000, and the productive assets at about $108,000, making a total of $140,000. About three-fifths of this amount came from New York, New England, and Unitarian friends elsewhere, one-fifth from the accumulated results of good investments, and the remaining fifth from the family of the late H. J. Huidekoper, to which the school is largely indebted in the founding, and in the judicious manage- ment of its funds and of its affairs.
The Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, D. D., was the first president and to his popularity as a speaker and practical methods of instruction for all grades of students, is largely due the measure of success attained during its early years. He was succeeded in the presidency in 1856 by Rev. Oliver Stearns, D. D., and he in turn, in 1864, by Rev. A. A. Livermore, D. D. The Rev. Frederick Huidekoper, as professor of ecclesiastical history of the first three centuries, for many years gave his services gratuitously to the school. The present Board of Instruction are Professor George L. Cary, L. H. D., who succeeded Dr. Livermore in 1890, literature and theology of the New Testament; Henry H. Barber, homiletics and the philosophy of religion; Francis A. Christie, A. B., church history, and associate professor of the literature and theology of the New Testament; Mrs. George R. Freeman, Hebrew, literature of the Old Testament, and history of religion; Nich- olas P. Gilman, sociology and ethics.
The first class graduated in 1846-3 members; 1847, 3; 1848, 9; 1849, 5; 1850, 8; 1851, 7; 1852, 5: 1853, 7: 1854, 11 ; 1855, 3; 1856, 5; 1857, 0; 1858, 10: 1859, 5; 1860, 6; 1861, 8; 1862, 7; 1863, 5; 1864, 4: 1805, 5; 1866, 3; 1867, 4: 1868, 7; 1869, 5; 1870, 2; 1871, 3; 1872, 3: 1873, 5; 1874, 3; 1875, 5; 1876, 0: 1877 3: 1878, 4; 1879, 1; 1880, 4; 1881, 4; 1882, 2; 1883, 2; 1884, 1; 1885, 7: 1886, 4; 1887, 1 ; 1888, 2; 1889, 6; 1890, 9; 1891, 2; 1892, 3; 1893, 6; 1894, 9: 1895, 12; 1896, 9: 1897, 9: 1898, 4; total, 251. It will be understood that these received full diplomas. Others in various degrees received certifi- cates of study, making the entire number of different students from its origin, 570.
In addition to their legitimate duties to the school the trustees hold in trust a fund of $23,000, bequeathed by the late Joshua Brooks, (I) to aid Western ministers whose salaries are inadequate to their support; (2) to im- prove the libraries of ministers by a loan or gift of books; (3) to aid libraries
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which may be formed by associations of Western ministers; (4) to aid parishes in forming or increasing permanent ministerial libraries. In the execution of this trust about 40,000 volumes of standard works have been distributed.
In 1867 was organized the Literary Union, an association of gentle- men united for the purpose of delivering a course of lectures during the winter season for the elevation of the public taste, and the diffusion of in- formation among the people. The only meetings held were those for se- lecting and designating those of its members who should be the speakers. The lectures were delivered in the court-room, which was usually packed to its utmost capacity and were free to all. Perhaps this last consideration was the one which induced the fine attendance, on the principle of the man who advocated a free salvation, having been a member of the church thirty odd years and never having cost him a cent. These lectures were, for the most part, of a high order. Drs. Stebbins and Barker were then in their prime, and there was a generous rivalry in this intellectual arena, and many of the members of a subsequent club were members of that and ably served on these annual occasions. These lectures were continued until 1860.
In the fall of 1857 a vigorous effort was made to start a public library and reading room in Meadville. A meeting was held at the court house, at which William Reynolds acted as chairman and R. Lyle White, secretary, and spirited addresses were made by Dr. Livermore, Mr. Zachos, Dr. Rey- nolds, Dr. Loomis, Dr. Marks, Professor Marvin, Mr. Delamater, Mr. Douglas, Mr. Richmond, Mr. Shippen and Mr. Coffin. The principal point of difference seemed to be whether the library should be free, or a fee should be charged for its use. A committee of organization was appointed, con- sisting of Mr. Reynolds, chairman; Messrs. Delamater, Comfort, Robbins, Magaw, White, Winslow, Richmond, Shippen, and Livermore. The first meeting of this committee was held on the 7th of November. 1867, at the office of Mr. Delamater, and subsequent meetings were held November 12, November 13, November 19, January 2, 1868, and January 8, at which plans were discussed, a constitution adopted and committees appointed to solicit funds. It was named the Meadville Atheneum. Upon the payment of $10 a person became a member of the association and for every $Io paid was to have one vote. The subscriptions were made payable when $10,000 were
18
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subscribed. In the meantime Mr. Joseph Shippen delivered a public ad- dress upon the subject, which was published. The first sentence of that address was: "The establishment of a public library in this city has long been talked of, and earnestly wished for," and the last sentence: "Let the trumpet sound-forward." But the difficulty of raising the desired funds caused the enterprise to fail, and on leaving town Mr. Winslow, the secre- tary, in handing over the record book and constitution to Mr. Richmond, closed his note with these words: "Trusting that it is not dead, but only sleepeth, I am, etc."
In the winter of 1867-8 our fellow-townsman, Dr. E. H. Dewey, attend- ed medical lectures at Detroit, where he had the advantage of a public library, and on his return, feeling the need of a like institution here, called together a number of his friends at the insurance office of L. F. Margach to consider the matter of starting one. An adjourned meeting was held in the room of King Solomon's Lodge in the Bett's Block, over which Dr. Dewey presided. at which a constitution and by-laws were adopted and an organization was per- fected. The plan was simple. Each member was to furnish annually one book and pay one dollar. Shelving was put up in the office of Mr. Margach, which was had rent free, and he served as librarian without pay. Three or four hundred volumes were quickly gathered. and with the money paid new books were bought. From this office it was removed to the Porter Build- ing, where a librarian waited upon the patrons twice in the week. From this it was taken to the Richmond Block in 1872, where it was domiciled in the Derickson Block. It was opened from 2 to 9 p. m. daily except Sun- days, a reading room well supplied with papers, magazines and reviews was added, the books were classified and catalogued and the catalogue published in a neat bound form. The membership fees have never reached $200 a year. while the expense annually is over $700. The deficit was supplied for sev- eral years by an organization of ladies and gentlemen known as the Library Sociable, by the efforts of two ladies, who, by personal solicitation, raised over $1,200, in the afternoons of three days, through courses of lectures and by the voluntary contributions of friends. In 1879, realizing the necessity of a permanent abiding place for the library, a movement was made towards ac- quiring a suitable property. General Henry S. Huidekoper, who owned the lot on the corner of Park Avenue and Centre Street, on which was the building
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originally erected for a public hall and markets, offered to sell the property for $8,500, and to make a donation towards its purchase of $1,000. This offer was accepted, a charter was secured, and the necessary funds for the purchase and improvement of the building were raised, amounting to $14,362.70. A nominal fee of $I per annum was charged for the privilege of taking books till the current year, when it was made free.
CHAPTER III.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF MEADVILLE.
1 N all departments of human enterprise the outward expression will in time come to conform to the inward life or appreciation. In that state, or society, where wealth is not more lavished upon social luxury than upon those institutions which have for their aim the elevation of the people morally , and intellectually, we may safely look for a commonwealth in which all truly wise parents will gladly place their children. To a stranger in her midst who is weighing these serious considerations, Meadville may, without boasting, say: "Look at my churches and my schools." Shall we essay to honor the men who year after year have helped, by wise counsel and wiser action, to uprear these structures devoted to learning and religion? Lo! their works praise them. Tower and spire, and firm foundation stone are mute but eloquent eulogists.
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