St. Clair County, Illinois - Chapter 14 (1 of 2 so headed), 1928

Rev. W. R. Davis

IN i8=;2, Dr- Cummings laid down the t.isk of the presidency and Rev. Peter Akers was for the third time called to take it up. No man was better acquainted with the college and its struggles, its successes and failures. He was now at the mature age of sixty-two, but still vigorous in body and mind, and especially rich in those experiences which are useful to a religious leader. This was a longer term than either of his preceding ones. He had .been president when the first charter was secured, and again during the year 1845-46. In the minutes of the Southern Illinois Conference for 1852, which was the first session of that body, is found a report on education, which refers to the fact that by the division of the Illinois Conference, McKendree College fiiUs as an heritage to the Southern Illinois Conference, and mentions as a cause of gratification the fact that Dr. Akers has again been made president, stating further that "His popularity as a preacher, his purity of morals, his fervent piety, in connection with his literary attainments, promise great usefulness to the college and the conference." He had been a member of the Illinois Conference almost from its beginning, and he did not think it worth while to transfer to the Southern Illinois, since the Illinois was still in Mc Kendree's patronizing territory. The conference was held in Belleville that year. Rev. Charles M. Holliday was appointed pastor at Lebanon, with Rev. W. L. Deneen as his assistant. Mr. Deneen was really on the retired list and lived in Lebanon. The presiding officer was Bishop Edward R. Ames, who had recently been elevated to the episcopacy by the General Conference, which met in Boston in May, 1852. It seems probable that being so close to the scene of his early labors in the educational field, he would visit McKendree and see what progress had been made in the interval of nearly a quarter of a century, but we have found no record to show whether he did or not. The faculty associated with Dr. Akers at this time were : Rev. James Leaton, professor of Natural Science, Rev. Russell Z. Mason, professor of Mathematics and Philosophy, and Oran Faville, professor of Ancient Languages, with Risdon M. Moore and William S. Pope as tutors. Leaton and Mason, as well as both the tutors were already in the faculty when Dr. Akers took charge. The next year Rev. Nelson E. Cobleigh came from New England to Southern Illinois and became pastor of the Methodist Church in Lebanon, and at the same time. Professor of Ancient Languages in the college, so that he served an apprenticeship with Dr. Akers before becoming president himself. The next year he became a member of the faculty m Lawrence College, in Wisconsin, and Rev. George C. Jones took his place in McKendree. Prof. Jones served as secretary of the Joint Board, however not nearly so long as Professor O. V. Jones, who served a little later. Other new members of the faculty were Rev. Edward C. Merrick, professor of Mathematics, and Rev. Werter R. Davis, professor of Natural Sciences. It was in this administration that we first find mention of O. V. Jones and S. H. Deneen as tutors, who later became prominent members of the faculty. Rev. Gallus Rutz was for several years teacher of German. Concerning some of these men, we have very slight information outside of the fact that they served in the faculty. But Professor Davis deserves more than a passing notice. REV. W. R. DAVIS He was horn in CircleviUe, Ohio, April i, 1815, and was therefore thirty-nine years old when he came to McKendree. He attended Kenyon College, but left there at the age of nineteen without finishing the course because he was repelled by the lack of religion in the institution. He had strict religious training at home and deep religious convictions of his own. His father was a member of the Episcopal Church, and his mother a Presbyterian. But he was converted in a Methodist camp meeting and henceforth allied himself with Methodism. He used to say that he was "paternally an Episcopalian, maternally a Presbyterian, but by the grace of God, a Methodist." He was licensed to preach by James B. Fmley in 1835. He was first a member of the Ohio Conference, but belonged to several different ones during his lifetime. He was once imprisoned in the state of Virginia for preaching against slavery. He was married in 184J, to Minerva Russell, with whom he lived for half a century till his death in 1893. In 1854, he was transferred to St. Louis and became pastor of Ebenezer Chapel. The next year he was elected to the chair of Natural Science in McKendree, where he spent three busy years, when he was elected to be the first president of Baker University at Baldwin, Kansas, and authorized to select the remainder of the faculty himself. He had a successful career at Baker, and for many years shaped the destiny of the "First College in Kansas." He was active, not only in educational work, but also in political affairs, for those were stirring times in Kansas in the midst of the slavery agitation, and doubtless President Davis had a large part in settling the slavery question right in that great state. He spent the rest of his active ministry, and of his Hfe, in Kansas. Thirteen of his Kansas years were spent in the pastorate. He was a member of three General Conferences. After his active ministry was completed, he spent his few years of retirement at Baldwin in the shadow of the college to which he had given so much of his life. There he saw his youngest son graduate and enter the ministry. One of his daughters became the wife of William A. Quayle, one time president of Baker, and afterward, bishop.

In January, 1856, the original college building which was begun in 1828, was destroyed by fire. The origin of the fire has never been officially determined, but the opinion was expressed with much confidence by one who was a student there at the time, that it w,i< deliberately fired by certain disgruntled and unprincipled students. At any rate, the old building was gone. The building that rep resented so much labor and toil, so many pray ers and sacrifices at last went up in smoke. It occurred in the night, and scarcely anything of the contents was saved. But fortunately, there was insurance, thowe have no means of knowing what amount. It was originally an allpurpose building. It was used for an assembly room and often for church services, for class rooms, office, dormitory, and dining hall. But after the completion of the new brick building in 1851, it was sufficient for recitation THE CHAPEL rooms and society halls, and so the old building was used principally for a chapel. So it was determined to build a new chapel. This was the great achievement of Dr. Akers' administration. At the meeting of the Board in June, 1856, the Executive Committee was authorized to apply the insurance from the old building toward the erection of a new chapel and to employ an agent to collect enough in addition to complete the building. When the Board met again in 1857, the building was in process of construction, but the agent had not succeeded in collecting enough money to finish the task. So the committee was authorized to raise a loan of $6,000 for that purpose. During the following year, it was completed and the class of 1858 held their graduating exercises in the new chapel. The class consisted of the following persons: Stith Otwell Bonner, John Wesley Brock, Thomas Essex, Daniel Kerr, and Joseph W. Van Cleve. This was June 17, 1858. In the late nineties, Mr. Brock visited the chapel service one morning, and in a reminiscent talk told the students about the first commencement held in the new building, and how the members of his class were the first who stood on that platform to receive their degrees. It was a large and commodious building for that period. At an educational convention held at the college in 1868 to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of its founding, the committee on buildings referred to this as "the largest hall of the kind in the state." The auditorium is about forty-five by seventy feet, and heated at first by two large stoves. About 1898, a steam heat plant was installed to supply all three of the college buildings at that time on the hill. The stoves were then removed. The original seats were long, movable wooden benches with backs, usually arranged like pews in a church. The graduating class of 1890, as their gift to the institution, raised money to seat the center of the room with opera chairs. When Dr. Chamberlin was president, he secured the donation of enough chairs, thonotofthe same kind, to finish seating the room. Some of the old benches may still be seen in the gallery. The room will seat slightly more than four hundred people. So it has long since lost its rank as the largest hall of its kind in the state. Its tall spire is a land mark that can be seen for many miles, and is surmounted by a gilded globe three feet in diameter, and an arrow nine feet long to serve as a weather vane to indicate the direction of the wind. The top TODAY of the spire is approximately one hundred and forty-five feet above the walk in front. For many years it was a favorite problem for the class in trigonometry to measure the height of the spire. Another achievement of Dr. Akers was the publication of his book on Biblical chronology. The title page of the book reads, "Introduction to Biblical Chronology from Adam to the Resurrection of Christ, by Rev. Peter Akers, D. D., President of McKendree College." It was printed for the author at the Methodist Book Concern in Cincinnati, 1855. It is an octavo volume of four hundred and eleven pages, and represents a vast amount of research and patient labor on the part of the author. It reaches some very remarkable, though in some cases, doubtful conclusions. It contains numerous carefully prepared tables to show comparisons of the Jewish and Julian calendars. It has a very exact calendar of the period of the exodus, showing the day of the week, month and year on which many of the important events of that time occurred. In fact, it sets forth the calendar in such detail as to show that Moses died on Sunday,

February 13, and that this was also the anniversary of his birthday. There are also long chapters on the fulfillment of various Old Testament prophecies. Such minuteness of interpretation indicates a tireless patience m research, but tends to destroy confidence in the reliability of the conclusions reached. There is a copy of the book m the Mc Kendree library.

Dr. Akers finished his work as President with the commencement, or the Board meeting, of iS-iV. He was desirous of returning to the work of the pastorate, and the Board elected Rev. James G. Blair of Ohio to fill the vacancy. However, he did not accept the place, and later Rev. Nelson E. Cobleigh was chosen for the position. He did not actually assume charge of the work until January, 1858. In the meantime, Rev. Werter R. Davis, who had already been in the faculty several years, was acting president.

The Class Of 1S53 Dr. George W. Caldwell

THE CLASS OF 1S53 DR. GEORGE W. CALDWELL George William Caldwell was born near Waverly, Morgan County, Illinois, August 23, i8jo, not long after his father removed to Illinois from Kentucky. After attending the pioneer country school, he entered McKendree in

1848 and graduated in iS'ij, receiving the degree of A. B., and later, A. M. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society, of which he was one of the original founders. After his graduation from McKendree, he studied medicine at Rush Medical College of Chicago, and in the summer of 18^';, he began the practice of his profession at Zanesville, Montgomery County, Illinois, a thriving inland town on the old state road from Edwardsville to Springfield. The town is now only a memory, its site being lost except to those who reside in the immediate neighborhood. The Doctor has resided in Waggoner, a few miles north of his former home, for the past fifteen years. He was married September 19, 185'T, to Miss Frances Cloud, daughter of Rev. Newton Cloud, a pioneer Methodist preacher and a prominent figure in the early history of Illinois. They have two daughters, Mrs. S. W. Kessinger of Litchfield and Mrs. E. V. Vordenbaumen of Shreveport, Louisiana.

John S. Denny

1849 and entered McKendree in 1852. He graduated in 1853, with the degree of B. S. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. Until 1865, he taught school continuously. In 1859, he was elected county treasurer of Bond Countv, and attended to the duties of the office m connection with his teaching. In iSe^;, he was elected county clerk, which office he held for twelve years. In 1873, he was elected mayor of Greenville. He was county commissioner from 1878 to 1881. He was married April 10, 1854, to Miss Marietta Meers of Platteville, Wisconsin. Two of their children died young. The others are Ellen, Mary, Alfred M., Charles I., and Effie May. Mrs. Denny died in 1871, and about two years later he was m.irned again to Miss Dorcas Rosebrough. Ot' this marriage, there were no children. Mr. Denny died in March, 1888, at Greenville, respected and honored by all his fellow citizens. He was for many years an elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Prof. Oliver V. Jones

PROF. OLIVER V. JONES Oliver Vanlandingham Jones was born in Caldwell County, Kentucky, December 28, 1824. His early ancestors were from England, but his father, Fountain W. Jones, was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, and his mother, Mary Ann Vanlandingham, was a native of Kentucky. When he was SIX years of age, his parents moved to Illinois and settled in Gallatin County, near Shawneetown, where he grew to manhood. Bent on securing a good education, he earned the money himself with which to pay his way thru college. He entered McKendree in 1847 sritl graduated in i8')3, with the degree of A. B. He later received the A. M. degree. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. His connection with McKendree was continuous from the time he graduated till 1879. He served as tutor in Mathematics until 1858, adjunct professor of Mathematics and English until 1862, professor of English and History till 1866, and from that date till 1879, he was professor of Mathematics and Astronomy. He was a life long Methodist. In 1846, he became a member of that church, and in 1867, he was ordained as a minister therein. In 1880, he served as pastor of the Wisetown Circuit, but the next year he was teaching again in the Illinois Literary and Commercial Institute in Lebanon. He was for several years connected with the Lebanon Journal. In 1883, he was appointed collector of Internal Revenue, which position he held until the time of his death, April 27, 1885. He was married in 1858, to

Oliver V. Jones

Miss Mary E. Crocker, of Lee, Massachusetts. Their two children are William L. Jones, a graduate of McKendree and editor of the Lebanon Journal, and Mrs. Mary A. Morriss, of Colorado Springs, who is also a graduate of McKendree, class of 1890.

Alonzo Thompson

Alon~o Thompson was born at Centreville, in St. Clair County, IlHnois, February 22, 1832. In his youth, he attended school in a log school house in High Prairie. In 1848, he entered McKendree, and graduated in 1853, receiving the degree of A. B., and later, A. M. He was a member, and one of the founders of the Platonian Literary Society. For a time after graduation, he engaged in teaching and in the live-stock business. In 1856, he went to Nodaway County, Missouri, settled at Maryville, and engaged in the real estate business. He was appointed county surveyor, and made justice of the peace. In 1858, he became deputy surveyor. At the opening of the Civil War, he took an active part in the raising of troops for the army. In 1862, he was elected to the Missouri Legislature, and from 1864 to 1868 was auditor of the State of Missouri. He then moved to St. Louis, where he engaged in real estate business for some years. He went back to Maryville in 1877, and assisted in promoting a railroad enterprise. Later he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and then to Fullerton, Nebr., and still later to Denver, Colo., where he resided until his death April 9, 191 3. He was married December 6, 1857, to Miss Mary F. Vinsonhaler, of Nodaway County, Mo. Of their three children, one died in infancy. The others are Hattie Irene, born in 1858, and Elmer Ellsworth, born in 1861. Mr. Thompson was said to be a millionaire, and a believer in spiritualism. His fortune consisted mostly of lands and mortgages in Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and other states. His private records, which he has kept all through the years, show that he has paid in his life time over $';,ooo,ooo in taxes on real estate.

Samuel Louis Foster

Samuel Louis Foster was born in Curran Township, Sangamon County, Ilhnois, Jan. 29, 1830. He entered McKendree in 1850 and graduated in 1853, receiving the degree of B. S. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. From the time of his graduation until i860, he engaged in farming and school teaching near his old home. He then went to Sherbourne County, Minnesota, where he farmed for three years. He then returned to Curran and engaged in farming and stock-raising until his advanced age made it preferable to retire from farm life, when he moved to Springfield, Illinois. He was married December 27, 1S55, to Miss Lydia Lee. Their oldest son, Charles, died in infancy. Their other children are : Mary Alice, Louis Kossuth, Robert Lee, and Margaret Belle. He died April 26, 191 1. REV. THOMAS N. McCORKLE

Jeremiah T. Tomlin

Thomas N. McCorkle was a member of the class of 1853 and of the Philosophian Society. His early home was atOrayville, Illinois. He also engaged in teaching for some years. Further than this we have no knowledge of his career. JEREMIAH T. TOMLIN

Jeremiah T. Tomlin enrolled in McKendree in 1852, and graduated in 1853. He was a Philo. For a period of years he occupied the Chair of Natural Sciences at the Illinois Wesleyan. He afterward went to San Diego, California.

Thomas Jefferson Caldwell was born near Franklin, Morgan County, Illinois, January 11, 1833, and died May 1, 1863, at the place of his birth. His parents were John C. and Louisa Caldwell, and he was the younger brother of Dr. G. W. Caldwell. He graduated from McKendree in the class of 1854, receiving the degree of A. B., and in 1856, that of A. M. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He was married August 25, 1859, to Eliza M. Trotter, daughter of Rev. W. D. R. Trotter, who was a member of the Illinois Conference of the Methodist Church. After his graduation, Mr. Caldwell taught for five years in the State Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, at Jacksonville. He then served for a term of years as assessor and treasurer of Morgan County. He was a member of Grace M. E. Church and Urania Odd Fellows Lodge in Jacksonville. JOSEPH BUTLER

Joseph Butler came to McKendree from Jefferson County, near Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Data concerning his parentage and early life are not accessible. He became a member of the Philosophian Literary Society in 1851. He graduated in the class of 1854, receiving the degree of B. S. He was a soldier in the Civil War, and held the office of lieutenant. He studied law, but died in early life before he was fairly launched on his professional career. His remains were laid to rest at Mt. Vernon, Illinois. He was a nephew of Hon. Robert F. Wingate, at one time Attorney General of the State of Missouri.

Risdon M. Deneen Prof. Samuel H. Deneen

and graduated m July, i8'i4, receiving the degree of A. B., and later, A. M. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. He taught one year in a school near Mascoutah. III, and two years in St. Louis. Then m 18^7, he went to California by ship. For a year, he engaged m mining, and then began teaching in this far western country. He taught one year at Healdsburg, m connection with Col. R, Mathieson, who was afterward killed m the Civil War. In 1861-62, he was professor of Mathematics at Santa Clara, and 1862 to December, 1863,, he was professor of Mathematics m Union College, San Francisco. In January, 1864, he went from San Francisco to superintend the working of the Santa Rosa silver mine near Opodepe, in the state of Sonora, Mexico. At this mine, he was murdered sometime between the 24th and 26th of December, 1864. PROF. SAMUEL H. DENEEN Samuel Heddmg Deneen was born near Belleville, Illinois, December 20, 183, f. He was a son of Rev. William L. Deneen, who was a member of the Illinois Conference and one of the pioneer Methodist preachers. His mother was MissVerlinderBeall Moore before her marriage. He entered McKendree in the fall of 1850 and graduated in July, 1854, receiving the ^^' gree of A. B., and later, A. M. In 1876, he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the Indiana Asbury University (now De- Pa uw). He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. After graduation, for one year he taught school and studied Latin. He was then for three years classical tutor in McKendree; then from i8';8 to 1862, he was adjunct professor of Ancient Languages; and in 1862, was elected professor of Latin in McKendree. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the U. S. army and served as Adjutant of the 117th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers until November 23, 1864, when he was granted an honorable discharge on account of ill health. He then resumed his duties in the college, where he taught Latin and History continuously until 1886, when he abandoned the work of the class room on account of failing health. In 1890, he was appointed by President Harrison to the position of United States Consul at Belleville, Ontario, which post he held till 1893, when he resigned to go into business m Chicago. In this city, he died April 13, 1895. He was married m 1859, to Miss Mary F. Ashley, a daughter of Hiram K. Ashley, who was one of the early trustees of McKendree, and secretary of the Board from 1843 to 1846. Of their children, three are living: Charles Samuel, Sadie Alice, and Florence. They are all graduates of McKendree.

Dr, Isaac N. Higgins

Isaac Newton Higgins was born at Griggsville, Illinois, August 4, 1834, and died in San Francisco, California, March 20, 1885. He entered in McKendree in 1848 and graduated in the class of 1854, receiving the degree of A. B. Later he was granted the A. M. degree, and after completing a course in Rush Medical College of Chicago, he received the degree of M. D. from that institution. While in Mc Kendree, he was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. In spite of the inducements to follow his father's profession, he seemed more inclined to literary pursuits, and hence never practiced medicine. His early efforts at poetry are lauded by his friend, H. C. Bradsby, as being worthy to be classed with the works of Poe or Gray; but since it was necessary that his work produce a means of livelihood as well as an outlet for his desire to write, he turned his attention to journalism. He was connected successively with the Pike County Union of Griggsville, the Pike County Democrat of Pittsfield, the Illinois State Journal of Springfield, several Chicago papers, the Associated Press in Chicago, and finally in 1870, he became Managing Editor of the San Francisco Morning Call, which position he held until the time of his death. During the Civil War, he was adjutant of Colonel Mather's regiment, the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, and at the same time, served as war correspondent for the Chicago Times. He was a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason.

Lewis M. Phillips

Lewis M. Phillips was born in Washington County, Illinois, August 6, 1833. He entered McKendree in 18^3, after considerable preliminary training, and completed the scientific course in 1854, receiving the degree of B. S. He continued his studies in McKendree and graduated in the classical course in 1857, with the degree of A. B. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1858. He taught school for several years while continuing his law studies, and then spent a year in the Law Department of Harvard University, and in 1861, graduated from that institution with the degree of LL. B. August 12, 1861, he enhsted in the United States army. He was in a number of important engagements, and tcDok an active part in the siege of Vicksburg. After the surrender of that place, he resigned his position as Lieutenant on account of ill health, and began the practice of law at Nashville, Illinois. He was commissioner of enrollments for the twelfth congressional district until the close of the war. He continued the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred December 27, 1880. He was married April 10, 1864, to Miss Mary A. Buck. Their three children were Clyde B., Paul L., and Myrtle K. THE CLASS OF 1855

The Class Of 1856

The catalogue of 1854 has one man listed as the senior class for the next year. This was Mr. Isaiah Stickel. For some reason, possibly because he did not wish to be in a class by himself, his graduation was deferred till the next year, and he finished in the class of 1856. So the only degrees conferred at the commencement of 1855 were the Doctor of Divinity upon Rev. James G. Blair, who was at that time vice-president of the Ohio University, (and who was, two years later, invited to become president of McKendree, but declined), and the degree of Master of Arts upon Dr. J. S. Harrison, who was already a Doctor of Medicine and a professor in the Cincinnati College of Surgery and Medicine. THE CLASS OF 1856

The members of this class are James H. Barger, Caleb C. Burroughs, David Birch Halderman, Frederic James Heslop, John Hill, Dempsey S. Kennedy, Jacob Samuel Moore, Thomas Asbury Parker, David Howell Porter, Isaiah Stickel, and Elias Dimory Wilkin. Sketches follow of those concerning whom we have information.

Rev. James H. Barger

James Hughes Barger, son of John S. and Sarah A. Barger, was born in Kentucky, June 29, 183 1. Nearly his whole life was spent in Illinois. He graduated from the Illinois Wesleyan University, July 6, 185 j, with the degree of A. B. This is claimed to be the first degree ever conferred by that institution. In 1856, he received the honorary degree of A. M. from McKendree. He was licensed to preach in 1850, joined the Illinois Conference in 1853, and was active in the work of the ministry till his death, which occurred October 31, 1861, when he was accidentally shot on an island in the Mississippi River. His last appointment was presiding elder of the Quincy District. He was married September 5, 1853, to Miss Elisi A. Reddick, who with three children, survived him.

Caleb C. Burroughs

Kansas, March i, 1904. His parents were Joseph and Rebecca Burroughs. He came to Illinois at the age of nine, and became a student in McKendree and a member of the Platonian Society in 185 1. He graduated in 1856, receiving the degree of B. S. He was married in April, 1857, to Miss Nancy Phillips of MiddleviUe, New York. Their children were Joseph V. and Charles N. Burroughs. Some time after the death of his first wife, he was married to Miss Lizzie Brown, October 16, 1883. Of this marriage, one son was born - Harry B. Burroughs. After his graduation, he taught for some years in a seminary at Shelbyville, Illinois, where he was associated with his fellow alumnus. Professor C. W. Jerome, who was principal of the institution. His first wife was also a teacher in this school for a time. It was there that he made her acquaintance. After this period of teaching, he engaged in the book business in Decatur, Illinois, for a time, and then entered the manufacturing business and established the Union Iron Works of Decatur. In 1883, he went to Kansas and lived on a ranch for a time, and later resided in Salina, Kansas, where his death occurred. He was for many years a member of the Methodist Church, but later m life became a member of the Christian Church and a minister in that body.

John Hill

JOHN HILL John Hill was born at New Salem, Illinois, September 6. 1839. He was a son of Samuel and Parthenia Hill. His father was a native of New Jersey, and after coming to Illinois, engaged in merchandising. John graduated from Mc- Kendree in 1856, receiving the degree of B. S. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. On the death of his father, the year following, he assumed charge of his extensive business interests, which included the operating of a large woolen mill which was burned a few years later. He was editor of a local paper at Petersburg, Illinois, and took an active part in the Lincoln-Douglas campaign as a vigorous supporter of Douglas. He was elected to the Illinois Legislature and served as a member of the twenty-fourth General Assembly. After living in Jacksonville, Illinois, for some years, in 1872 he moved to Columbus, Georgia, where he was employed with the Eagle and Phoenix Woolen Mills. Afterward he became engineer for these mills and held this position until 1892, becoming widely known throughout the south as a mill expert. He was the inventor of numerous factory machines and fire protection devices, and later was prominent in several manufacturing companies, among them the Hill Automatic Sprinkling Company, and the Neracher and Hill Sprinkling Company of Warren, Ohio. He was also a well-known and extensive writer on mechanical and textile subjects. He married Lula C. Crawley of Jacksonville, Illinois. Their four children were: Perry N., John and B. Y. Hill, and one daughter, now Mrs. John C. Martin. They all reside in Columbus, Georgia, except the second son, John, who lives in Atl.mta. After a useful career, active to its very close. Mr. Hill died January 20, 1898. DEMPSEY S. KENNEDY Dempsey S. Kennedy was born February ^, iSj";. He became a student m McKendree m 1852, and graduated m the class of 1856, receiving the degree of A. B. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He was engaged in farming near Nashville, in Washington County, Illinois. But he did not long survive his graduation. A promising career was cut short by his death, February 28, iS-iS. REV. JACOB S. MOORE Jacob Samuel Moore was born in St. Clair County, Illinois, February 16, 1835. He became a student m McKendree m iS'fo, and completed the classical course, receiving the degree of A. B. in i8'i6. Later he received the Master's degree. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. He was admitted as a probationer in the Southern Illinois Conference m 18^7, and was received in full connection in 1859. He served the following charges: Xenia, Sandoval, Central City, Flora, Lebanon, Upper Alton, and then for three years, 1865-68, he was president of the Southern Illinois Female College at Salem. During the Civil War, he was captain in the Fortieth regiment of Illinois Volunteers. After his retirement from the work of the ministry in 1869, he moved to Atchison, Kansas, where he lived until his death, which occurred October 20, 1880. He was married June 20, i860, to Miss Cornelia Randle.

Rev. Thomas A. Parker

REV. THOMAS A. PARKER Thomas Asbury Parker was born m New Albany, Indiana, February 22, 1838, and died at Champaign, Illinois, June 18, 1921. When he was eleven years of age, his parents moved to Lebanon to educate their son in McKendree. He graduated in the class of 1856, when he was eighteen years old. After this, he studied medicine in St. Louis, and then went to Topeka, Kansas, to practice the physicians' vocation. While there, he became a member of the first faculty of Baker University, at Baldwin. He also joined the Kansas Conference in 1861. Later, he held many important positions. He was president of St. Charles College, and Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state of Missouri. He was Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Illinois for nineteen years, a record never before attained. Early in the Civil War, he enlisted in the 1 2th regiment Kansas Volunteers, and was appointed chaplain. In later years, he was chaplain of the Legislature of Missouri, and afterward of the Illinois Legislature. He was a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic and for twelve years was chaplain of the Soldiers' Home at Danville, 111. He was in the ministry of the Methodist Church for sixty years, and during forty-seven of those years, he was connected with the Illinois Conference. He was pastor of several important churches, and served a term as super, intendent of the Champaign District. He was also widely known as a lecturer and writer. He was a high grade type of Christian gentleman, and filled every position to which he was called with a high degree of efficiency. His wife passed away about six years before his death, but their four children survive him. His only son is Walter A. Parker of Chicago. Dr. and Mrs. Parker celebrated their golden wedding anniversary m July, 1914.

Judge David H. Porter

JUDGE DAVID H. PORTER David Howell Porter was born near Ghent, Gallatm (now Carroll) County, Kentucky. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Porter, his father being a native of Virginia and his mother ot North Carolina. He became a student in McKendree in 185 1 and graduated in 1856, receiving the degree of B. S. He then studied law and received from McKendree the degreeof LL. B. in i86i.He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He was married October 25, DAVID PORTER 1866, to Miss Sarah F.Copp, of Waterloo, Illinois. To them were born two sons, of whom one is now living. In 1861, Mr. Porter enlisted in the Union army and was elected lieu' tenant m Company E of the Second Illinois Cavalry. He was afterward transferred to the infantry service, and in 1864, became a captain in the 142nd Illinois Regiment. After the war, he located in Kansas City, Missouri, and engaged in the practice of law. From 1868 to 1872, he was editor of the "Kansas City Bulletin." In 1873, he was elected judge of the Kansas City Municipal Court. In 1874, he became associate editor of the "St. Louis Dispatch." In 1883, he was elected president of the Kansas City Municipal Council. In religion, he was a Unitarian. He was a member of the order of A. F. 6? A. M. and of the Grand Army of the RepubHc. He was a man of sterling integrity - genial, kindly, cultured, and a true friend. His death occurred January 28, 1909, at Kansas City.

Lieut. Isaiah Stickel Rev. Elias D. Wilkin

Isaiah Stickel was born in April, 1830. He entered Mc- Kendree at the age of twenty, and made his own way through college under circumstances of great difficulty. Before finishing his course, he taught two years in Union Academy at Sparta, Illinois. He then returned to college and graduated in 1856, with the degree of A. B.; and later he received the A. M. degree. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. After graduation, he was principal of the Jacksonville grade school. Then for two years he was principal of the Monticello High School. In 1861, he enlisted in Company F of the second regiment of Illinois Cavalry. He later became first lieutenant of this company. He served through the entire Civil War and was engaged in much actual fighting. During the last nine months of his service, he was mustering officer with headquarters at San Antonio, Texas. After the war, he located in Kansas, sixty miles west of Atchison, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was also active in church work and did much for the promotion of the interests of Methodism in that section. In 1895, he removed to Baldwin, Kansas. There he was president of the Board of Trustees which built a $50,000 Methodist church. After that, he entered and proved up a soldier homestead claim in western Kansas. He then returned to Baldwin to spend his old age in that college town. REV. ELIAS D. WILKIN

Elias Dimory Wilkin was born near Newark, Ohio, Sep' tember 20, 1830. He was the second in a family of six sons and three daughters. When he was about fifteen years of age, the family moved to Crawford County, Illinois, where they engaged in farming. After being trained in the common schools and under a Methodist minister as a private tutor, he entered McKendree in 1850, and graduated in 1856, receiving the degree of A. B., and later, A. M. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He received the degree of D. D. from Blackburn College, a Presbyterian institution at Carlinville, Illinois. He had intended to make the law his profession, but after his conversion in 1848, he felt the call to the ministry, and devoted his life to that work. He was admitted to the Illinois Conference in 1857. After three years as professor and president of Marshall Seminary, he took a regular pastorate and was appointed to Champaign. At the opening of the Civil W.ir, he became chaplain of the Twenty-first Illinois (Grant's) Regiment. In 1865, he resumed the work of the ministry in his conference, and served with great acceptability the following charges: Charleston, Normal, Springfield Second Church, Mattoon, Pana, Paris, Champaign, Vermillion, Danville First Church, Carlinville, and Lincoln, covering a period of nearly thirty-eight years in his entire ministry. He was twice married, first to Miss Harriet Mayo of Paris, Illinois, on December 20, 1857. She died October 31, 1881. His second marriage was to Mrs. Mary E. Hill of Palestine, Illinois, who survived him. In his death, April 8, 1895, Dr. Wilkin realized his oft-expressed desire of "Dying in the harness." He was in the fifth year of his pastorate at Lincoln, which he was trying to make the best of the five. Though he had been ailing for a few days, he was able to plan for his charge. As he was seated in his arm-chair he threw up his hands, "and he was not for God took him."

The Class Of 1857 Capt. William H. Copp

William Herbert Copp was born in Chautauqua County, New York, May 30, 1836. He came with his parents to Monroe County, Illinois, in 1844, and settled near Waterloo. He entered McKendree College in 1853, and became a member of the Platonian Society.

He graduated from college, receiving the degree of B. S. in 1857. He then studied law in a law office in Waterloo, and was admitted to the bar. But having no inclination to practice law, he engaged in farming near Waterloo. During the war, he was an officer in the Union army. He was captain of Company A of the 130th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. In May, 1873, he was married to Miss Louisa Gilmore. He died April 2, 1885, leaving his widow with three sons and three daughters. Mrs Copp left the farm and moved to the city of Waterloo, where she still lives with her one unmarried daughter.

Joseph H. Matthews

Joseph H. Matthews was born at Perry, Pike County, Illinois, December 3, 1835. He entered college in September, 1853, a'""! graduated in 1857, receiving the degree of A. B., and later, A. M. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. For a year, he was a clerk in the office of the State Auditor at Springfield, Illinois. He was then employed for some time with Prof. Norwood in making a geological survey of the central and southern portions of Illinois. He returned to Perry in the fall of 1859 and in December of that year, was married to Miss Kate Whittaker.

Rev. William Fletcher Short

He spent p.irt ot the following year in farming and then engaged m the mercantile business with his father-in-law He died ot tuberculosis at Perry, March ji, 1861. REV. WILLIAM FLETCHER SHORT William Fletcher Short was born m the state of Ohio m the year 1829. In early childhood, he came with his parents to Morgan County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. At the age of about twenty, he became a student in Mc- Kendree and took his college course there except the last year, which he spent in the Illinois Wesleyan at Bloomington, and having transferred his credits, he received his Bachelor's degree at that institution m 1854. I" 1817, he received the degree of A. M. from McKendree. In later years he was granted the degree of D. D. by the Ohio Wesleyan University. While at McKendree, he was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. After graduation, he spent three years teaching in a seminary at Jackson, Missouri, which was under the auspices of the Missouri Conference. He then joined the Illinois Conference and was pastor or presiding elder in that conference until 1875, when he was elected president of the Illinois Female College at Jacksonville. He remained in this position until 189 j, when he was appointed superintendent of the Illinois State Institution for the Blind at Jacksonville. After four years of service here, he retired from active labor, and his useful life came to a close August 29, 1909.