St. Clair County, Illinois - Chapter 8 (1 of 2 so headed), 1928

Chapter 8

"*7'oHN Wesley Merrill was born at H 1 Chester, New Hampshire, May g, 1808. His father, Rev. Joseph Merrill was a Methodist circuit rider and named his oldest son after the founder of Methodism. This son grew up on various New England circuits, but in spite of this secured a good education. The father was a trustee of the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut and was wiUing to sacrifice that his sons might be college graduates. John W. graduated from Wesleyan m i8j4 and from the theological seminary in 1837. He then decided to take a trip in the west as a means of recuperation of his health. His brother Annis had been for a year Professor of Ancient Language at McKendree, and he thought it would be interesting to visit his brother and this new seat of learning in the wilderness of the west. Mr. Merrill himself describes his journey to Lebanon in a very interesting manner, in a communication to an educational convention held at McKendree in 1868. We quote from it as follows:

"In September 1837 my ten years' continuous course of study at the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Bowdoin College in Maine, Wesleyan University in Connecticut, and Andover Theological Seminary in Massachusetts, had closed and left me in such a state of health as to require immediate change.

"In three weeks after my graduation I concluded to visit my brother in the west. It was a long, slow journey. We glided down the winding Connecticut River, into Long Island Sound, under the silvery light of the moon; then darted by rail from New York to Philadelphia, then slowly clambered over the Alleghenies to the Ohio River. We had an eighteen day voyage down the Ohio and up the Mississippi on a steam boat which was bringing home several western Congressmen and twenty Sioux Indians, all of whom were objects of deep interest to me. A new world reposed between the Alleghenies and the Rockies and now my wondering eyes beheld it. I spent the Sabbath at St. Louis and on Monday afternoon took the stage for Lebanon. My travelling companion on the way was a Jew - and where is not the wandering Jew? At my request he sang a solemn song in Hebrew from the Psalms. It touched my heart, and I longed that the

"We had come late to the little village of Lebanon. It was a dark night and my first view was sufficiently draped, and my first impressions sufficiently obscure. I was soon invited to the hospitable roof of Mr. Nathan Horner where he and his estimable lady made me both welcome and happy. On the next day, with out taking time to examine the village or its surroundings, as Professor Merrill had delayed in New England to bring his family to Lebanon, and as the college session had already begun, I immediately went to the college and took charge of my brother's classes, intending so to do until his arrival two weeks later. On Wednesday, urged to preach in the college chapel, I did so. On Saturday, riding out to Shiloh, I was induced by Rev. J. S. Barger to preach on the Sabbath forenoon. In the evening returning, I entered my room at Mr. Horner's, whence I came out only after about five weeks of suffering with the bilious fever. I shall never forget those weeks of prostration and pain; nor the kind attention of that true mother in Israel, Mrs. Horner, and of her children. The students daily brought me a pitcher of cold water from the college well, to cool my burning lips, and watched at my bedside in the solitary night. My calamity was their opportunity to bind my grateful heart to the family, the students, and the stranger land to which I had wandered. The second time I learned to walk; and as soon as possible, sitting down to rest by the wayside three or four times, both to and from the college, I taught my brother's classes, intending to go south in two or three weeks. But two or three months slipped by and the Trustees came together one day (January 1, 1838) and elected me a professor and president of the college. I soon braided in with the golden cords already there, and we prevailed in the work before us. About fifty students were then in both departments of the college. I need not say with what interest and devotion I entered upon my work. I had the fond vision of a Harvard on the banks of the Mississippi unrolled before my thoughts. True the college edifice looked dingy enough with its two little wings, its tinkling bell, and its three or four log cabins joined on in the rear, where most of the students, from abroad, boarded.

lodged, and studied. It stood indeed in thickets where the sly panther could scarcely find his way, save in front and on the east. ****** So the thickets must give way and spare an open campus. On one set day a clique of villagers and notable trustees, the fifty students, and the faculty, headed by the president, with chains and levers, axes and hoes, crowbars and grubbers, hatchets and brush-scythes, and other like panoply, entered the college premises, not as the crafty Ulysses in Calypso's isle cut timbers for his hidden craft, but as some bold phalanx in a contest. Dido's Tyrians were not a busier crowd. And ere the sun set, some cutting down the trees, others cutting with scythes the undergrowth, while these pried and dug up the stumps, and those bore away the wood and rubbish, an open space was cleared on the crown of the college grounds. The glee and shouts and antics then would provoke a smile on features braver than Cyrus' bravest generals. The sun that night went down with joy and evening wept less copious tears. The forest yielded to the classic axe. The noble hickories and oaks were left for monuments and shade.

"Here let me advert to the literary labors of the college m the four years of my connection with it. The work was assigned to the professors and the best methods of study, recitations and reviews, used in the older colleges were adopted. A kind but strict discipline was preserved. Examinations at the ends of the terms and the years, were instituted, and these usually continued one week each. Exhibitions of original productions, accompanied the examinations at the close of the terms and at the anniversaries. General harmony pre- \^ailed. There were few cases of discipline and those requiring dismission were extremely rare. Study, cheerfulness, and good order were characteristics of the college. At sunrise and near sunset, for four years, I met the students in the chapel for religious services. There were often seasons of spiritual refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The scriptures were read, a hymn was sung and prayer offered. God was pleased to visit the institution with several revivals of religion, and many students as well as others shared in its blessings. Learning and religion mated well together. It happened to me not only to do the work assigned by the trustees, but where there seemed a want, there I applied my strength. It thus occurred that the first class to graduate read most of their college Greek with me. They read all of the first volume of the "Majora" and most of the second, besides they read the Medea and twelve books of Homer's Iliad. Few classes in the older colleges read more Greek than this. It was found that the powers of our college charter were too narrow, and as it seemed desirable to introduce professorships in Sacred Literature, Ecclesiastical History, and Theology, as well as chairs in the other professions, it was suggested by me, that that end could be secured in a new charter, and it was agreed by the trustees to ask of the Legislature power to estabHsh "professorships in all the learned professions," and this power was generously and amply granted. When we had obtained the new charter, the senior class read with me one exercise in the gospels a week exegetically. Our students studied so diligently and the examinations were so satisfactory, that on the graduation of this class the college had taken a high literary rank in the state, and the number of our students was about one hundred and twenty-two during the year. This graduation occurred in August 1 84 1. About one year before this time I had been unanimously elected as professor of Sacred Literature in the Biblical Institute, then in its organic incipiency at Newbury, Vermont, which after a sojourn of twenty years at Concord, New Hampshire, finally settled down in the bosom of Boston. As for years this object had been almost as dear to my heart as life itself, I decided to accept jt, ***** * Thus closed my brief, laborious, and interesting connection with McKendree College."

After teaching in the Theological School until 1868 Dr. Merrill became a pastor for a few years and retired from active service in 187J. However his long life of usefulness was by no means finished. His earthly career finally closed at the end of the nineteenth century when he was ninety-two years old. In 1896 Dr. M. H. Chamberlin, then president of Mc- Kendree, had a long correspondence with him. Dr. Merrill referred to the great satisfaction he had had in the water from the college well, when he lay sick at the home of Nathan Horner. Accordingly Dr. Chamberlin bottled up several gallons of water from the old well and shipped them to him by express. He was greatly delighted and claimed that he could recognize the unmistakable flavor of the water from the old well which is fifty feet deep and was dug in 1835-

The aged theologian then wrote a poem entitled "The College Well" which was set to music by the Oliver Ditson Company of Boston and copies were furnished the McKendree Glee Club, who sang it frequently in their public concerts. Dr. Chamberlin hoped that it would become a popular college song among the students, but the tune did not prove to be well adapted to the uses of the non-professional singer, so today it is well-nigh forgotten.

Judge William Brown

Judge William Brown was the other member of the faculty that carried the first McKendree class through to graduation. We have less information about him than any of the others. But all that we do know about him is to his credit. He was a lawyer in Jacksonville, Illinois, before he came to the college. His field of instruction was Economics and Political Science. He was a member of the committee appointed to visit the Legislature in the effort to secure a new charter at the beginning of the year 1839. His two able addresses delivered in the Hall of Representatives to the first Legislature that convened in Springfield, seemed to have won the attention and approval of all who heard them. The members of the Legislature were so favorably impressed that they appropriated funds to have them printed for free distribution throughout the state. It is likely that he, more than any other member of the committee was responsible for the success of their mission to the Legislature. He also served as field agent for the college in one of the attempts to endow it with scholarships. His later years were spent in law practice at Jacksonville.

In the first few years of the history of McKendree, the school did not claim to be more than a seminary. Higher education existed only in its plan, not in its practice. The first students were all of elementary grade and there was no college graduate in its faculty until the Merrills and Sunderland came. The most of the students had far outstripped their parents if they finished a preparatory course ready for college entrance. So it is not strange that no class went so far as to complete a college course until 1841. At that time these men, fresh from a New England college themselves, doubtless held the same high standards in their work which they had seen maintained in the eastern institution. This first class carrying off their diplomas thirteen years after the institution was founded deserve all the distinction they will receive if we devote a chapter to them. However, the degrees conferred on the August day in 1841 were not the very first degrees the institution had bestowed. The corporation first exercised the powers granted to it by its state charter to confer degrees, by bestowing upon the Rev. Peter Akers, former president of the college, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. This was done on the thirteenth day of August, 1839. On the same day the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon the Rev. Professor William M. Dailey, of St. Charles College in Missouri.

A clause in the charter provided that any person presenting himself for examination upon the entire course of study, if he could satisfactorily pass in all the subjects might receive the Bachelor's Degree without having attended as a resident student. In 1840 Rev. William D. R. Trotter presented himself as an applicant for a degree under the above rule. President Merrill, as chairman of the examining committee, reported to the Board that Mr. Trotter had successfully passed the required examinations and that he was recommended by the faculty for the degree of Bachelor of Arts. It was granted. So that the very first degree McKendree granted was the Doctor's degree to Peter Akers, the first Master's degree to Professor Dailey, and the first Bachelor's degree to Mr. Trotter, who was a son-in-law of Peter Cartwright and a Methodist circuit rider. But the first Bachelor's degrees earned in the usual way were those granted to the seven young men who constituted the class of 1841. They all received Bachelor of Arts degrees, as the Bachelor of Science was not conferred until some years later. That first commencement day was on the eighteenth of August and President Merrill describes it as follows:

"The members of the graduating class were Richard F. Cunningham, Henry H. Horner, Jeremiah Johnson, William T. Lucky, Johnson Pierson, Eli Robinson, and William Weer. Their examinations had been passed with credit. Their orations had been prepared, and in a grove hard by the college premises, over the road nearly in front of the college grounds, a stage had been erected, and here the exhibitions of the three lower classes had passed off well. The commencement day had arrived, a large crowd had assembled, the trustees and visitors were on the stage with the faculty, the senior class, one by one had made their addresses, the diplomas were distributed and the degrees conferred. Now the first class in McKendree College had been admitted to the grade of Bachelor of Arts; and this I think was the first class admitted to that degree in a Methodist college north of Kentucky and west of Pennsylvania."

Some one, who did not sign his name, but probably a member of the faculty, wrote an account of the commencement for the Western Christian Advocate. A copy of it was found among the ancient records and we reproduce it here.

This was a proud day for McKendree College. A day ominous of good to the cause of education, religion, and humanity in Illinois. One that I trust will be long remembered by the multitudes who assembled on that occasion to witness the novel spectacle, the literary festival of crowning a class of young men with university honors. The young but promising institution of learning, located in this place, has just graduated its first class. A stage was erected and other suitable preparations made in a delightful grove adjoining the college; the chapel being too small to accommodate the large audience anticipated; and at the appointed hour a vast assemblage gathered from the neighboring regions presented itself to witness the interesting exercises. There youth and beauty, age and wisdom, wealth and fashion, talent and learning - for we have all these even in the far west - united to grace the occasion. We mean no disrespect to our transmountain friends, but here was an audience with as much taste and intelligence as is usually met with east of the mountains. The literary exercises were of the highest order and it was remarked by several who had attended the commencement occasions at several of our eastern colleges, that they would suffer nothing from a comparison with those of our most distinguished institutions. The following was the order of exercises. It would be invidious to single out cases where all were characterized for excellence, but we shall be excusable for saying a word of the valedictory. It was an effort which was peculiarly happy and impressive. The youthful orator, Jeremiah G. Johnson, seemed to breathe the sentiment of a warm and grateful heart, in words that carried with them a sweetness and pathos so genuine that most of the audience were melted to tears. The effect of this performance was good, and I doubt not but all went away deeply impressed with the worth of our young college, and firmly resolved that it should not longer languish for lack of countenance and support.

"The next session of the institution will open on the second Wednesday in October, and with better prospects, it is believed, from the present auspices, than any previous one. The trustees, the conference, and the community seem determined to sustain this college, and if the zeal in its behalf that was manifested at the late annual meeting of the joint Board of Trustees and visitors, is not suffered to wane, we may safely predict that in a very short time after the opening of the next session, the prospects will be really better than ever before. The resignation of the late worthy president, Rev. John W. Merrill, caused some regret among the friends, yet it is believed that his place has been supplied by one in every respect competent to the station."

Richard Frisbie Cunningham

RICHARD FRISBIE CUNNINGHAM Richard Frisbie Cunningham was born June 21, 1826, at Abingdon, Maryland. While yet a small child he came with his parents to Illinois and settled in Lebanon. On October 17, 1836, when he was only ten years of age he was enrolled in the preparatory department of McKendree College. A few years after he finished at McKendree, he enrolled in the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1850. He took up the practice of his profession in his home town where he spent the remainder of his long and useful life. He was a capable and successful physician.

About the time he began his medical practice he was married at Brighton, Illinois, to Miss Mary E. Risley, who was the daughter of a Methodist preacher. They were the parents of four children, James W., Frederick, Annie, and May. He was for many years president of the McKendree Alumni

Association and at each annual meeting delivered an address that was not without merit m other respects, but usually excelling especially m its length.

Henry H. Horner William T. Lucky

The huildmg is still standing on St. Louis St. in Lebanon which he occupied for many years as his office. He died at his home m Lebanon, December 29, iSgi. HENRY H. HORNER Henry Hypes Horner was born in Lebanon, Illinois, February 22, 1821. His parents were Americans for several generations back. His grandfather, Nicholas Horner, who came from Maryland to Illinois in 1812, was the largest subscriber to the original fund for the founding of Mc- Kendree College, and was a member of its first Board of Trustees. Since its first founding one or more members of the Horner family have always been in some way connected with the college. Henry spent his youth m his native town and at the age of sixteen entered college. He graduated in the class of 1841 with the degree of A. B. and later received the Master's Degree. He was the salutatorian of his class. He belonged to the Philosophian Literary Society. After his graduation Mr. Horner taught school at Hillsboro, Illinois; was principal of Brandon Academy in Mississippi, for one year; and was professor of ancient languages in McKendree for the year 1844-45. He then turned his attention to law, which was his principal vocation for the remainder of his life. In 186'; he was chosen Dean of the McKendree Law School and remained in this position till 1889. At different times in his career he held the offices of City Attorney and Mayor of Lebanon, State's Attorney, and Master in Chancery. He was married November 19, 1857 to Helen M. Danforth. Their children were Roland Henry, 'Wilbur Nathan, Walter Sargeant, Lottie M., Hattie Hypes, and Bertha Adele. Of these the third and fourth died in childhood. The others were all students in McKendree, and three of them graduated. Mr. Horner finished his long life in his native town, and died September 21, 1902. WILLIAM T. LUCKY William Thomas, son of Enoch and Mildred Lucky, was horn in Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Kentucky, April 24,

Judge Horner Johnson Pierson

1821. He entered McKendree m i8:,7 and graduated m 1841, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He later received the Master's Degree. He was a member of the Philosophian Society. He united with the Methodist church in 1840, and later became a minister of the gospel, but his life was spent in educational work rather than the pastorate. From 1841 to 1844 he served his alma mater as principal of the preparatory department. From that time till 1852 he was principal of Howard high school, Fayette, Missouri. In 1852 he became president of Howard Female College m the same city, which position he held until 1861 . He then went to the Pacific Coast and became president of the Pacific Methodist College at Vacaville, California. Here he remained till 1867 when he became principal of Lincoln School, San Francisco. In 1868 he was made principal of the State Normal School at San Jose, and in 187}, was chosen principal of the Los Angeles high school. He was married August 29, 1844 to Mary Jane Scarritt. Their children were Laura Ellet, Mary Cornelia, Edward Merrill, William Scarritt, and Arthur Mason. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the Pacific Methodist College in 1868, and from McKendree in i860, He died in San Francisco, CaHfornia, October 21, 1876. JOHNSON PIERSON Johnson Pierson was born June 24, 1814, in Ohio County, Virginia. He grew up on a farm and his early education was acquired in his native state. In i8_^5 he emigrated with his father's family to Burlington, Iowa. In i8j7 he entered Mc- Kendree, and graduated in the class of 1841. He was one of the founders of the Philosophian Literary Society. He was married October 28, 1841 to Miss Martha I. Howard of Lebanon. Their surviving children are J. L. and G. D. Pierson of St. Louis, and one daughter, Mrs. Robert Cameron of Chicago. After leaving college he was employed until 184-; as Principal of the Mt. Vernon Academy. He was then elected to the chair of Ancient Languages m the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, which position he held for four years. From 1852 to 1855 he was editor of the "Burlington Hawkeye." During the Civil War he was Commissioner of the Draft for the First Congressional District of Iowa. In 1872 he became postal clerk in the U. S. mail service, from which work he was retired in 1885 on account of having reached the age limit. He spent much time in literary work, writing both prose and poetry. One of his published books IS an epic poem reciting the history of the Jewish people, entitled the "Judiad." He died at St. Louis in 1907 at the advanced age of ninety-three.

Jeremiah G. Johnson

Jeremiah G. Johnson, adopted son of Jeremiah and Esther Johnson, was born in St. Louis, November 3, 1822. He lived a brief but beautiful life. He was one of those noble souls capable of appreciating the joys of learning and the beauties of classical literature. He graduated in 1841 with the first honors of the class, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He was one of the founders of the Philosophian Literary Society. His body was not sufficiently vigorous to sustain the mighty intellect with which he had been endowed, and his health soon failed. He studied law, but did not live to fulfill the exceeding promise of his youth. He died a triumphant Christian death in Lebanon, IlHnois, August jo, 1845. His body was laid to rest in Ckjllege Hill cemetery where his weather beaten grave stone may still be seen with the inscription on it still quite legible.

Eli Robinson

Eli Robinson was born in South Carolina in 181 "j. He was the son of a pioneer Methodist preacher who greatly desired to give his son a thorough education; but death claimed him before this ambition could be gratified. Through the influence of his father's friends the son found shelter and kind benefactors in the home of Nathan Horner of Lebanon, one of the original trustees of McKendree College, who, having but one son of his own (Henry H. Horner) to educate, with generous disposition furnished a good home and provided tuition fees for this orphan youth who was seeking an education. He graduated from McKendree in 1841 with the degree of A. B. He was a member of the Philosophian Society. He taught school several years after his graduation, and then studied law with Judge Wm. H. Underwood of Belleville. He succeeded well in his chosen profession. Some years after we hear of him at Hastings, Minnesota, where he had an elegant home and his family consisted of his wife and two children, Frank and Ollie. Here he was visited by John L. Scripps of Chicago, who knew many of his early acquaintances at McKendree. Mr. Robinson died at Sioux City, Iowa, October 19, 1878. His son Frank having died some years before, he left only his daughter, Mrs. Ollie O'Connor.

William Weer

WILLIAM WEER William Weer was born in Philadelphia, December 20, 1824. He graduated from McKendree in 1841 with the degree of A. B. He was a member of the Philosophian Society. One who knew him in his college days says, "He was a quiet studious young man, avoiding all social life. His books were his closest companions." After leaving college he spent two years in the Rocky Mountains, hunting, fishing, and living the simple outdoor life that enabled him to recover the health which he had lost in his overstudious college life. He studied law and practiced his profession in the state of Kansas. He was a member of the Kansas Senate, and State Constitutional convention. At the beginning of the Civil War he became Colonel of the loth Regiment of Kansas Volunteers. After the war he located at Wyandotte, Kansas, where he died in 1866. He was married to Gloriana Harrison. Their children were Mary and Elizabeth, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mr. Weer was said to so greatly resemble his classmate, Henry H. Horner, in personal appearance, that they might easily be mistaken for brothers.