Logan County, Illinois - Chapter 24: Lincoln College, 1911

Lincoln University, as it was formerly known, now the Lincoln College of The James Millikin University, has always been the pride of the people of Logan County. From its classic halls, hundreds of students, men and women, have gone forth into the active arena of life to occupy positions of influence and trust. It has developed the very best types of manhood and womanhood, its standard has ever been high and its beneficent influence has been felt, not only in the community in which it is located, but throughout the length and breadth of the nation, wherever its graduates have made their homes.

Lincoln University was organized by the synods of Indiana, Illinois and lowa, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. As early as the winter of 1862, the idea of the location of a college in this section of Illinois was advanced and advocated by prominent ministers of the church. The Indiana Synod, led by Rev. James Ritchey and Rev. Elam McCord, took the initiative and the Synods of Illinois and Iowa fell promptly into line. In the fall of 1863, a commission of five members, one from each Synod, was appointed, with instructions to organize a joint commission, with a view to founding and locating a church college. The commission was as follows: Indiana Synod, Rev. John G. White; Sangamon Synod, Rev. David Jolly; Central Illinois Synod, Rev. J. B. Logan; Illinois Synod, Rev. J. H. Nickell; Iowa Synod, Rev. W. F. Baird. This commission met at Virginia, Ill., in January, 1864. Propositions were received at this meeting from Cherry Grove, Virginia and Mt. Zion, in Illinois, and Newburg, in Indiana, with a view of having the proposed college located at these various points, but the commission adjourned without taking any action upon a location, and no further meetings were held.

In 1864, the respective Synods appointed a new college commission, as follows: Central Illinois Synod, Rev. J. C. Smith; Sangamon Synod, Rev. S. Richards; Illinois Synod, Rev. J. H. Hughey; Indiana Synod, Rev. James Ritchey; Iowa Synod, Rev. J. R. Lowrance. This commission met at Alton, October 29, 1864, but adjourned, without transacting any business, to meet at Mt. Zion, IIl., Nov. 29. About this time, A. C. Boyd, whose father was a prominent minister of the

Central Illinois Synod, had moved from Donnelson, IIl., to Lincoln, and had opened up a dry goods store, near where the Commercial Hotel now stands. He was quite familiar with the church movement to lo- | cate a college in Illinois and suggested to J. S. Metcalf, then postmaster, Rev. James White, the local C. P. pastor, and other prominent citizens, the advisability of starting a movement to secure the proposed college for Lincoln. As a result, an informal meeting of citizens was held at Mr. Boyd's store. Among those present were George H. Campbell, R. B. Latham, Rev. James White, A. Mayfield, George W. Edgar, J. S. Metcalf, John Houser, J. F. D. Elliott, John Wyatt, Colby Knapp, W. P. Randolph, William McGalliard, James Coddington, B. H. Brainerd and others. Rev. James White and A. C. Boyd addressed the meeting, giving an outline of the progress of the synodical movement to locate a church college in Illinois. Resolutions were adopted and committees were appointed to begin soliciting at once for a cash bonus. The sum of $27,000 was soon pledged and, by the time the synodical commission met at Mt. Zion, Lincoln's proposition was in tangible shape. Rev. James White was sent across the country to Decatur and thence to Mt. Zion, to present the matter to the commission. Lincoln's proposition was in writing, dated Oct. 18, 1864, and was signed by George H. Campbell, Robert B. Latham and James White as committee.

"The young and flourishing town of Lincoln," said the communication, "as well as the young and prosperous county of Logan, having as yet no institution of a high grade, would hail with joy and pride the location of your college at this place, and would take a lively interest, as well as a commendable pride, in fostering and endowing the institution and the college would, perhaps, meet with less opposition and competition here than at any other point."" The communication was accompanied by a subscription list pledging the sum of $25,000, in the event the college was located at or near Lincoln, said money to be applied to the erection of college buildings. This amount was afterwards increased to over $30,000. The proposition also offered the beautiful site, where the college now stands, free of cost, the same containing about ten acres, and being donated by Messrs. Latham, Wyatt and Gillett. Considering the fact that Lincoln was then a town of only about 3,000 inhabitants, that money was then not so easily secured as now, that $25,000 was, at that time, considered a handsome fortune, that the Civil war was just drawing to a close and progress and industry at a standstill, and that the people had been contributing of their substance in aid of the war, the raising of such a sum by private subscription, at that time, for educational purposes, was quite remarkable. The names of those who assisted in this movement are legion. All classes of citizens responded most generously, and the list of those who contributed included the business and professional roll of the town.

The Synodical Commission met pursuant to adjournment at Mt. Zion, November 29, 1864. Rev. J. C. Smith was elected chairman and Rev. S. Richards clerk, In addition to Lincoln's proposition, Newburg, Indiana, offered $15,000, a promise of $10,000 more, including De Lany Academy and its appurtenances; Mt. Zion, Ill., offered a seminary building and grounds, valued at $11,000, and a prosperous school in operation; Cherry Grove offered buildings and grounds, valued at $14,600, and also a school in operation. A vote for preference resulted in Mt. Zion receiving two votes, Lincoln one, Cherry Grove one and Newburg one; a second ballot gave Mt. Zion two, Lincoln two and Cherry Grove one. The commission then adjourned to meet at Lincoln, December 2, at which meeting the vote stood Lincoln three and Mt. Zion two, after which, a final unanimous vote settled the choice for Lincoln.

The commission then issued an address to the church, in the Synods of Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, asking for an endowment fund of $50,- ooo. In this address it said: "For beauty of location and facility of access, as well as for enterprise and prosperity, the town of Lincoln, all things considered, cannot be excelled." The name of the institution was decided upon as "Lincoln University," not in honor of the town, but in honor of Abraham Lincoln, the name being suggested by Rev. J. H. Hughey and heartily seconded in an enthusiastic address by Judge Campbell.

The next move was to secure a charter. The charter secured is one of the most valuable assets of Lincoln College. -It has been stated by educational experts that no other college in the United States possesses so valuable a franchise. Its value lies in its comprehensiveness, its absence of limitations and its general liberality of provisions. The charter is included in "An Act to Incorporate Lincoln University," passed by the Twenty-fourth General Assembly of Illinois, and approved February 6, 1865. The preamble sets forth that, "Whereas, it is represented to the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, that the Indiana Synod, of the State of Indiana, the Iowa Synod, of the State of Iowa, the Central Illinois Synod, the Illinois Synod and the Sangamon Synod of the State of Illinois, of the church known and styled as "The Cumberland Presbyterian Church of the United States,' desire to locate, found and endow, at Lincoln, in the County of Logan, and State of Illinois, an institution of learning, to be known and called Lincoln University, for the promotion of general and professional education and theological instruction, therefore, Be it enacted, etc."

The first board of trustees are named in the charter as follows: "Rev. Elim McCord, of the State of Indiana, and Robert B. Latham, and John Howser, of the State of Illinois, persons chosen by the Indiana Synod of the State of Indiana; Rev. David Lowry, of the State of

Iowa, George W. Edgar and James F. D. Elliott, of the State of Illinois, persons chosen by the Iowa Synod, of the State of Iowa; Rev. James B. Logan, Abner C. Boyd and James Coddington, of the State of Illinois, persons chosen by the Central Illinois Synod; Rev. J. M. Miller, Rev. Joseph E. Roach and John Wyatt, of the State of Illinois, persons chosen by the Illinois Synod; George H. Campbell, John S. Metcalf and Abram Mayfield, of the State of Illinois, persons chosen by the Sangamon Synod, of the State of Illinois," and these persons and their successors in office are declared to be "a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of 'The Trustees of Lincoln University' and by that name and style to remain and have perpetual succession." George H. Campbell was declared in the charter to be temporary president of the board.

The first meeting of the board was held February 27, 186s, in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Lincoln. George H. Campbell was elected President; Robert B. Latham, Vice President; William McGalliard, Secretary; and Colby Knapp, Treasurer. The board was in session for an entire week, rules for the government of the school were adopted, provisions made for the sale of scholarships and arrangements made for canvassing for funds, for building and endowment. Twofifths of the amount raised by sale of certain scholarships was applied to the building fund, netting about $13,000. This added to the $30,000 subscribed made $43,000, which was substantially the amount put into the building and its equipment. Ground was first broken for the new building, February 12, 1865, on the anniversary of President Lincoln's birth, The architect was George W. Gale. The Chicago & Alton Railway hauled the stone used in the building from Joliet without any transportation charge. The building was erected under the supervision of Abram Mayfield, Chairman of the Building Committee, who devoted six months of his time for that purpose, refusing any remuneration of any kind for his services. The corner stone was laid September 14, 1865, with appropriate ceremonies. The following was the program of the day: Invocation by Rev. M. Wood, of the M. E. Church of Lincoln; address by Samuel C. Parks, introducing the speaker of the day; address by Richard J. Oglesby, Governor of Illinois; address by George H. Campbell, President of the Board of Trustees, concluding with a deposit of the articles selected, to be placed in the corner stone ; laying of the corner stone; address by Rev. James Ritchey, in behalf of the University; Benediction by Rev. Elim McCord, of Indiana. The exercises began at 11 o'clock a. m.

The first faculty selected was as follows: President and Professor of Mental Philosophy and Belles-Lettres, Rev, A. Freeman, D. D., Principal of De Lany Seminary, Newburg, Ind.; Vice President and Professor of Mathematics, Rev. A. J. McGlumphy, A. M., Principal of Mt.

Zion Academy; Professor of Natural Sciences, Joseph F. Latimer, A. B., of Cherry Grove Seminary; Professor of Ancient Languages, Samuel Richards; Teacher of Piano, Miss Nannie Walters; Teacher of Guitar, Miss Helen Brewster; Matron of Female Department, Mrs. Mary Evans Miller. The University formally opened its doors to students on the first Monday in November, 1866, with nearly a hundred students. The building was but partially finished and the accommodations meagre, but the prospects were encouraging and enthusiasm was high. Thomas A. Bone, now a resident of Decatur, was the first student enrolled. ;

The curricula embraced a two years' preparatory course and a four years' college course for males. Females were offered a four years' course, including the preparatory course of one year. In 1868, the Board adopted a series of laws for the government of the student body, comprising forty-four articles, which in this day would seem quite drastic. Among the acts positively prohibited, were the keeping company of male students with female students, except by faculty permission; letter writing between sexes; male and female students boarding at the same place; advocacy of skeptical principles; keeping deadly weapons; speaking at public exhibitions any passage not previously approved by the faculty; attending evening meetings of any kind, except church services, without permission; encroachment of male or female students or government of the University a subject of ridicule or amusement, etc. The first annual commencement was held June 7 to 12, 1867. The first class graduated was the class of 1868 and was composed of James A. Hudson, Cornelius Hatfield, A. J. Wallace and Miss Serena Clay. The foundation for a library was begun in 1867. The Athenian and Amasagacian Literary Societies for male students only were organized in 1866 and the first inter-society contest occurred December 19, 1867. The Amicitian Society for female students was organized September 26, 1867, and the Neatrophean Society in 1870. The Alumni Society was organized June 18, 1868.

In 1901, a very substantial change occurred in the organization of Lincoln University, by which it became co-related with the Decatur College and Industrial School, of Decatur, IIl., as part of The James Millikin University, and the name of Lincoln University was changed to Lincoln College of The James Millikin University. James Millikin, a wealthy and benevolent citizen of Decatur, Ill., desired to found a college and industrial school at that city, and donated for that purpose a large sum of money and a valuable tract of land. He also desired that the said institution should be conducted under the auspices of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Under an act passed by the Legislature, April 23, 1901, allowing corporations, not for pecuniary profit, organized under special charters, to change their corporate names, enlarge or change the object of their formation and increase the number of their trustees, the Board of Trustees of Lincoln University, April 30th, 1901, changed the corporate name of "The Board of Trustees of Lincoln University" to that of "The James Millikin University," with two branches, the one at Lincoln, to be known as "Lincoln College," and the one at Decatur, as "Decatur College and Industrial School," the two to be known as "The James Millikin University." The new arrangement provided for one general board for the University, limited to fifteen, five of whom are to be residents of Logan County, five of Macon County and five residents of neither county. This general board selects two local boards of managers, one for the Lincoln College and one for the Decatur College. These local boards are to consist of nine members each, seven members of the Lincoln Board to be residents of Logan County and seven members of the Decatur Board to be residents of Macon County. By this arrangement and other provisions, since that time agreed upon and adopted, each local board has absolute control and management of the respective school for which it was selected. The Board of Trustees of Lincoln College thus has complete management, supervision and control of Lincoln College, its endowment, affairs, funds, properties, curriculum, government and faculty. The endowment funds of the two colleges are kept separate and distinct. There is a president, selected for the general University, but his position is simply honorary and advisory and absolute "home rule" is guaranteed to each distinct college.

Under this arrangement, the Decatur branch of the University secures the benefits of the liberal provisions of the original charter of Lincoln University. As an advantage accruing to Lincoln College, was a gift of James Millikin to Lincoln College, at the time of the creation of the co-relation, of $50,000. This gift was conditioned upon the raising of $25,000, by the citizens of Lincoln and vicinity, for the erection of a new building upon the grounds of Lincoln College. The friends of the college immediately set to work to raise this sum. A ready response was the result. Rev. R. M. Tinnon, Geo. I. Harry, Capt. D. H. Harts, and many others gave much time to the solicitation of funds, and in due time, the $25,000 was raised and the $50,000 Millikin bequest conditioned thereupon, was duly turned over to the endowment fund of Lincoln College.

The corner stone of the new building was informally laid by the Board of Trustees, January 11, 1902. The contract was let to Walker & Hall, contractors, of Danville, Ill., for $20,194. J. M. Deal, of Lincoln, Ill., was the supervising architect. The building was completed about March, 1903. The dedication of the new building occurred June 9, 1903, during commencement week. The dedicatory address was de- livered by Rev. W. J. Darby, D. D., of Evansville, Ind., President of the Board of Trustees of the James Millikin University. Short addresses Were also made by John T. Foster, on behalf of the Lincoln College Board of Managers, Judge L. C. Schwerdtfeger for the citizens of Lincoin Dr J. L. Goodknight for the faculty, I. R. Mills for the Decatur College Board of Managers, President A. E. Turner, of Waynesburg College, on behalf of sister colleges, Rev. A. H. Stevens, of Chicago, for the undergraduates, and Miss Maud Maddox for the student body. President A. R., Taylor, of James Millikin University, read a historical sketch of Lincoln University, to which sketch the author of this history, is largely indebted for many facts incorporated in this account of Lincoln College. A dedicatory poem was read by A. J. Wallace, of Decatur, IIl., and invocation was offered by Rev. T. B. McAmis, of Lincoln, Illinois.

Nearly 400 young men and women have graduated from Lincoln College during its history. The largest graduating class was that of 1894, nineteen members. Among the graduates there are Over 40 ministers of the gospel, over 40 lawyers, two college presidents, 18 college or high school professors, 23 teachers and superintendents of public schools, seven authors and editors, twelve physicians, five foreign missionaries, five have been members of legislatures, several are judges of circuit and other courts, and scores of others fil] positions of trust and honor. In the neighborhood of 5,000 students have at one time or other walked the_halls of Lincoln College.

The school buildings are commodious and well equipped, are located in a beautiful campus of eleven acres and afford laboratories, gymnasium, with all modern conveniences, a library of 4,000 volumes, a reading room with the latest periodicals and magazines, offices, assembly hall and reception rooms. Its curriculum includes classical, scientific, philosophical, domestic science, normal and Preparatory courses, drawing and painting and a department of domestic science, with instructions in cooking, sewing, home economics and sanitation. It has an endowment of about $100,000, with several pending bequests, in the neighborhood of $50,- 000. Although under the supervision of the Presbyterian Church, it is not sectarian and welcomes to its halls students of all denominations. It has an orchestra of thirty pieces, now under the direction of Prof. Merry. "Athletics receives constant encouragement and its basket ball team of this year conducted a season of successive triumphs. Y. M. Co Acad: YW..C. A organizations are maintained by the students and a college monthly publication, The Lincolnian, is conducted by the matriculates of the college.

The following constitute the present Synodical Board of Trustees of The James Millikin University and the Board of Managers of Lincoln College: Board of Trustees of The James Millikin University ; Lawrence B. Stringer, A. C. Boyd, E. G. King, W. H. Evans and H. B. Starkey, of Lincoln, Illinois; J. C. Fisher, W. H. Penhallegon, W. C. Outen, A. H. Mills, of Decatur, Ill.; George B. Spitler, of Mt. Zion, IIl., C. L. Conkling, of Springfield, Ill; W. J. Darby and J. E. Williamson of Evansville, Ind.; R. L. Van Nice of Waukon, Ia., and F. E. Bell, of Mattoon, Ill. Board of Managers of Lincoln College: Edward Burton, Lawrence B. Stringer, C. E. Gullett, Morris Emmerson, H. E, Starkey, J. E. Miller; Otis A. Smith, J. H. Boyd, L. T. Rhoads.