St. Clair County, Illinois - Chapter 26, 1928

Chapter 26

ISAIAH ViLLARs was bom March 5, iSjg, in Clinton County, Ohio, and died at his home in New Lenox, lUinois, in June, 191 5. He came to lUinois in 18^8 and located at Catlin, in Vermillion County. When the war broke out he joined an Illinois regiment of volunteers and served his country faithfully till the close of the war. He entered the ministry and joined the Illinois Conference in 186'). His ministerial career covered just a half century. His early education was very limited, but great industry and will-power, coupled with his native ability, enabled him to reach a prominent place in the work of the ministry. He was an ardent advocate of prohibition and a worker for the Antisaloon League. He was well-received as a lecturer. His book entitled "The Irrepressible Conflict" was an able discussion of the temperance question as it was related to politics. His books, "The Resurrection" and "Ministerial Misfits" were in the field of Theology, rather than politics. Shortly before his death he published another interesting volume entitled "Souvenirs of Friendship." From letters which he wrote himself, we have some interesting information about his becoming President of McKendree in 1887. On account of the deficiencies in his school education, he always hesitated to claim a place among those in high places. But his successful accomplishment of some of the hard tasks assigned to him by the Church attracted the attention of those who were looking for men who could do things. De Pauw University conferred upon him the degree of D. D., and the first he knew of it was when a friend called his attention to the announcement of it in a Chicago paper. When elected as President of McKendree, he was notified and then he came to look over the situation and decide whether he would accept. After a three-day investigation, he went to John M. Chamberlin, a member of the executive committee and said, "Mr. Chamberlin, after a thoro investigation, I feel that I cannot accept the honor, much less the responsibility of the office." "All right," replied Chamberlin, "All we will have to do is to nail up the doors and windows of the old college and send out a notice that it will not be open to students this fall. For if the word goes out that after you were unanimously elected, and after looking over the situation you decline to accept, the only thing to do 15 to close the institution and let this be the end of its history." "Well," said Dr. Villars, "get the executive committee together and let us talk this over." It V. 13 done. They met in the private office of Henry Seiter's bank. There were just three members of the committee, Chamberlain, Seiter, and Luther Brown. Dr. Villars spoke of some of the great presidents McKendree had had in the days of yore - Merrill, Wentworth, Cobleigh, Allyn, Locke. He said, "Those are the men that have made McKendree great and no other kind will do." Henry Seiter said, "We want that kind again." Said Dr. Villars, "If that is the kind you want, they come by prayer. Let us pray." They got on their knees in the banker's office and Dr. Villars prayed. In telling of it afterward, he said, "I do not know what I said, but I opened my heart as freely and my voice as loudly as I ever did at a camp-meeting, and when we arose from our knees, I noticed that Henry's eyes needed his handkerchief, and 'by that sign' I was conquered. When Henry wept, I surrendered, and said, 'Gentlemen, I accept.' Again Henry put his handkerchief to his face and shouted thru his tears, 'Gentlemen, the old college will go' "

Immediately Dr. Villars took the field in Southern Illinois and told the story of McKendree and what she could do for the youth of Methodism if only they would come and accept her services. One of his addresses that he delivered many times was entitled "What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." The title was attractive to young people because it suggested an interesting event. The point he made in the lecture was that the head and heart belong together, religion and education should be found in the same college, therefore you should go to a church college like McKendree, instead of one of the state schools. Of course there was much ill-feeling and prejudice to overcome, and one man could not cover the whole field in one season. When school opened there was a gratifying increase in the enrollment. Still it was not large enough to produce sufficient income to pay expenses. But the faculty all had the spirit of sacrifice and of hard work. The students recognized this and began to catch it themselves. Dr. Villars went into the ckiss room and taught the classes in moral philosophy. He had had no experience in that line. According to the theories of modern education, his methods were not up to standard, but as far as results in character building were concerned, he was very efficient. After his best efforts in the iirst summer, the enrollment in college and preparatory together did not reach a hundred. The next summer he started out with this goal in view. Mr. Seiter told him whenever he got a hundred on the roll, he might come down and hold a prayer-and-praise meeting m his bank. The hundred was not reached the first week, but in those days, students from the farm often waited till after the wheat was sown before they could leave home. The first week in October the hundred mark was reached and passed. Dr. Villars explained the situation in chapel and said he would like to invite all the students to the meeting, but as there was not room at the bank for so many, he had to restrict the invitation to members of the faculty. So they went down to the bank one day at the noon hour and held the meeting. That was the second prayer meeting that was held in Mr. Seiter's bank.

The Board was very anxious to stop the .mnual deficit, so a resolution was passed providing that the Board would not be obligated for the payment of the salaries beyond the amount of the fiscal and endowment funds, after the other necessary running expenses had been paid. And, in order that there might be a better chance of paying in full, the president was relieved entirely from teaching work, that he might do more field work, soliciting students and raising endowment, and incidentally was to raise his own salary of $1,500, in order that it might not have to be paid out of the fees collected at the college. That left the president's income entirely problematical. It was a fair salary at that time, if he could raise it, but if he did not succeed in collecting it, he would never receive it. The first year that Dr. Villars was at McKendree, he suffered a severe bereavement in the death of his wife, who was a very estimable woman, not only a church worker, but a pulpit worker and lecturer of real merit. In fact, some thought that on the public platform, she was the equal or superior of her husband. He had no children except a married son, so after her death, Dr. VilLirs did not try to miintam a home of his own m Leb.mon. Therefore the idea of living in the college are.i here and there did not discourage him when it was first presented. But soon after the college year opened, he was married to Mrs. W. C. Dickson, who was the widow of a Methodist preacher who had died about ten years before.

This change m his state of life put a different face on the question of his support as college president. With only himself to support, he might collect his own salary, or get along without it if he did not collect it. But with a home to maintain and a family to support, it was another matter. Accordingly, he resigned his position without warning and left the college without a president and without a field agent. It did not affect the work of instruction in the college, as he had already been relieved of all teaching duties. Dr. Albert G. Jepson, the vice-president, assumed control and performed the duties of the president in a very acceptable manner for the remainder of the year.

Prof. Edwin C. Ferguson, Ph. D.

Albert Gillette Jepson was born in Hammond, New York, June 2, 1S42. He graduated from the Wesleyan, at Middletown, Connecticut, where so many of McKendree's early presidents and professors were educated, in the class of 1869. For some years he was engaged in the drug business m Muskegon, Michigan, afterward entering the teaching profession, and came to McKendree in 1886, when she was in great need of help. He was a man of high moral ideals and very active in religious work. He took hold of the work in McKendree with the same spirit of zeal and sacrifice that some of the fathers had shown in the early days. With the help of his efficient wife, he lived on the small salary which McKendree paid him, and maintained his family of five daughters and enabled them to secure an education. They were all students in McKendree and all graduated except the youngest, who accidentally lost her life while a student there. He spent ten of the best years of his life in McKendree, and spared neither time nor strength in his efforts to promote the interests of the students whom it was his great desire to serve. After his connection with McKendree ceased, he taught for a time in the Orchard City College, at Flora, Illinois, and later m the East St. Louis High School. His death from pneumonia occurred in East St. Louis in February, iQoo. He was buried in College Hill Cemetery. PROF. EDWIN C. FERGUSON, PH. D.

One of the most scholarly and saintly men ever on the McKendree faculty was Dr. E. C Ferguson. He was a product of the old New England Puritan stock, and was educated at the University of Vermont, where he received the degree of A. B. in 1869, and the Master's degree in 1S72. He did his graduate work in Boston University, where he received the B. D. from the School of Theology in 1874, ,ind Ph. D. from the graduate school in 1879. From 1874 to 1879 he was a member of the New England Conference in the regular work of the ministry. He then turned to educational work, and coming out to Illinois, he taught L.itin, Greek and German m the Chaddock College, at Quincy, until 1886. He then came to McKendree, where he taught Greek and German until 1890, when he went to the Athens Tennessee School of the U. S. Grant University. Later the name was changed to University of Chattanooga, and the Athens School was known as Tennessee Wesleyan. Here he taught Greek and Modern Languages for two years, and then his work was changed to Latin and History. This varied line of work indicates his unusual versatility. He seemed to be equipped for every line of duty to which he was called. He continued steadily at work without intermission until 1925, when on account of failing health, he retired from active work. He sought the restoration of his health for a few months in Florida and Asheville, N. C, and then went to Jacksonville, Illinois, which was Mrs. Ferguson's former home. Here his death occurred March 28, 1926. He was buried at Quincy. One of his associates at Athens said of him, "He was rigidly faithful to every duty up to the time of his retirement and allowed nothing to prevent his attend' ance upon his classes. He was loved and respected by all of his students through the years, as well as by all others who knew him. He was ever modest and retiring. He was quite content to be permitted to invest his life in endeavoring to give an upward touch to the young people with whom he came in contact. He asked nothing of the world except a place to serve. He so exemplified the teachings of the Master that his most effective teaching was by example, rather than precept."

He made a similar impression upon his fellow-workers at McKendree. He was the author of several books. One was entitled "An Aid to Greek at Sight." He had the same sacrificial spirit as the other professors who were in the McKendree faculty of that period. Further mention is made of him in the account of the college prayer meeting at McKendree -

An extract from the report of the Ways and Means Com' mittee at the Board meeting of 1889 gives some idea of the progress made during the early part of the ViUars adminis' tration. We give it here:

"While we find a mortgaged debt of $3,314 and a deficit for the present year of $r,8oo, yet we are thankful it is no worse, and we are grateful for the flattering prospects for the future success of the college. Two years ago the institution was turned over to the executive committee in a deplorable condition. Their was no money, no faculty, few students, and some of them in bad temper, writing home discouraging letters. The buildings and grounds were in bad condition. The trustees were discouraged. Rumors were afloat that the college must soon close forever, and 'Old McKendree' will be no more.

"What have we today for our encouragement? A live, working faculty of Christian gentlemen; students more in number than we have had for several years and they are writing home cheering news. The prospects are flattering for a still larger increase m the attendance for next year. The trustees are taking courage. The buildings have been repaired, the fences rebuilt, grounds beautified, and rumors are afloat that 'Old McKendree' is still alive and getting better."

The last term of the year 1889-90 was characterized by a wonderful enthusiasm for improvement m the appearance of the buildings and grounds. The report of the committee to the Joint Board that year seems worthy of reproduction here. It was presented and adopted as follows;

"Your committee on buildings and grounds find it easy and pleasant to perform the duty assigned them. Easy, be cause your minds and hearts have already been delighted by the condition of things which we now briefly rehearse in your ears; and pleasant, because we may record the best condition of buildings and grounds ever known in the long and eventful life of this historic institution. This gratifying fact is true, not only in general, but also in detail.

"The park, with its elegant fence, its neatly trimmed trees, and its carpet of green, has become indeed a 'thing of beauty," and we hope it may continue to be a 'joy forever.' The buildings, always ample and commodious, have taken on a new dress, without and within, and in every hall and every room there is evidence of neatness, care, and good taste. This satisfactory showing has evidently been secured by the united efi^orts of friends, faculty, and students. It is significant, and fitly expresses the spirit of 1890. Among many items that are observable, we mention as especially notable, the recent im' provement and embellishment of the college chapel. Your eyes have beheld the transformation and no words from us are needed to gladden your hearts. We will, however, make and record honorable mention of the enterprise and generosity by which these results have been secured. The citizens of Lebanon, the Executive Committee, the Faculty, and the Students, deserve your thanks. The Senior Class and the Literary Societies have been especially active and efficient in this work, and we take the liberty here and now to thank them one and all in your behalf.

"The veterans in the Board will doubtless call to mind some objects once familiar, but not now conspicuous. The recitation rooms are not festooned with cobwebs above, nor variegated below with a combination of free soil, coal oil, and tobacco juice. Possibly the Joint Board may share in the glory of this last. The walls, doors, and ceilings are not covered with hieroglyphics, readable and unreadable, some wise, mostly otherwise. The background of the campus is no longer noted for its cast-off stoves, rusty pipe, old boots and broken crockery. The stalwart and odoriferous jimpson weeds no longer enter into the college bouquet. The ghostly mullein stalk no longer stands sentinel at the corner of chapel or hall, and the festive cockle-burr has given place to the sweetscented clover. It is sometimes hard to part with old associations. 'Twas hard to part with these, especially the cockleburrs. All hail to the new order! And long live McKendree'" Respectfully submitted,

It will be observed that this report especially commends the activity of the senior class in the program of improvement. This class of 1890 was a rather remarkable aggregation for the size of it. It consisted of five young women, three of whom were daughters of McKendree professors, and the other two, daughters of McKendree trustees, and cousins to each other. Of the men, two were preparing to enter the field of law, and the other, the ministry. They were all full of zeal, and did good team work in the improvement enterprise. They chose for their special tisk the purchase and installation of opera chairs for the center portion of the chapel, to displace a part of the old wooden benches which had done service ever since the chapel was built in 1858. They raised the money by giving public entertainments, by soliciting their friends, and in every honorable way they could devise. And when they delivered their commencement orations, they proudly addressed people sitting in chairs which their industry and enterprise had provided.

An incident that occurred during the year Dr. Jepson had charge of affairs was the burial of "Physics." The winter term closed in March, 1889, and the course in Physics, under Professor Waggoner, was completed. Some of the members of the class felt that as far as they were concerned. Physics was dead and ought to be buried. A meeting of the class was held outside of the regular class period, and plans were discussed and committees appointed to make all arrangements for a first-class funeral. J. L. Hobbs was appointed to be the undertaker, pall bearers were chosen and certain members were designated as chief mourners, but the list of names on the various committees has not been preserved But the day and hour was appointed for the funeral and to certain members was committed the responsibiHty of furnishing the corpse. These boys, with shameless disregard of the consequences, surreptitiously procured the Professor's text book for that purpose. A suitable box was secured for a coffin, with a glass window in the lid through which the remains might be viewed. Preliminary to the funeral, the deceased lay in state on a black-draped bier in Plato Hall, where friends might quietly slip in and pay their respects. Promptly at 4 o'clock P. M., according to previous arrangement, the procession tiled out of the hall, down the long flights of stairs, out onto the campus where the grave had been dug. The chief mourners were arrayed in costumes which would have been the envy of the hired mourners of the days of Jairus' daughter. In the midst of great lamentation and demonstrations of grief, and much hilarity on the part of unsympathetic onlookers, the procession reached the grave- Before the casket was lowered, W. C. Walton, who had been appointed to deliver the funeral oration, mounted a convenient stump to deliver the eulogy. In the hush of expectation, he began his speech with an adaptation of the words of Mark Anthony m the presence of Caesar's dead body: "Friends, McKendreans, Countrymen! Lend me your ears. I come to bury Physics, not to praise him." He then portrayed the long period of companionship many of those present had enjoyed (?) with the deceased (tears and groans) and how their devotion to him had led to long hours of strenuous toil and the burning of barrels of midnight oil in the effort to get better acquainted, but now their hopes of future fellowship were suddenly blasted by the untimely death of the object of their devotion (groans and wailing by the mourners). After pausing for the wailing to subside, he proceeded to portray the brilliant prospects which Physics had and the hopes he might have indulged in, to eventually conquer the world when he had such followers as the members of this class. But now those hopes and ambitions are swept away by one tremendous blow of the hand of fate and Physics is dead (more wailing). After continuing in this strain for some minutes, the oration was concluded, the casket lowered in the grave under the careful direction of undertaker Hobbs and a mound of fresh earth was heaped over the sacred spot. The photographer, knowing the hour of the funeral, took advantage of the opportunity to make a picture of the group, of which he sold many copies. Before many days there was a resurrection and Professor Waggoner received his Physics book whole and sound, although it had lam in the grave almost as long as

The Class Of 1S88 Rev. George Bernreuter

Bernreuter, who were both Germans. After receiving preliminary education in the home schools, he became a student in McKendree College, and having completed the Classical Course, he graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1888. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. After his graduation, he entered the ministry and spent the remainder of his life m that profession. He died at Tampico, Illinois, in 1934. He left a widow, Mrs. Edith Bernreuter, and two children, Gertrude and George, who now reside at Wood' stock, Illinois. He was a Modern Woodman and a member of the Masonic Order.

Leroy E. Miller

Leroy E. Miller was a student in the Literary Department of the college for several terms and then took the Law Course. He finished it in 1888 and received the degree of LL. B. He taught school for a number of years both before and after his graduation. He was for some time principal of the Lebanon schools. He practiced law for some years in Chicago, and for some ye<irs has been located in Minneapolis, Minn. ' PROF. CHARLES L. MANNERS

Charles L. Manners was born at Highland, Illinois, June 6, i860. His father, Joseph C. Manners, was born in Indiana; while his mother, Susan E. Proctor, was a native of Illinois. In 1866 he moved to East St. Louis, which has been his home since then to the present time. He became a student in McKendree in September, 1886, and graduated from the Law Department in 1888, receiving the degree of LL. B. Although he received a legal education, he has devoted his life to educational work. After three years in a book store, he began teaching, first in the country, then in the city schools, where after various promotions, he became Principal of the East St. Louis High School from which he had graduated in 1877. After twenty-seven years of service in this position, he accepted the principalship of the Webster school, where his duties would be less taxing. He was married June 25, 1885, to Miss Susan Rachel Farris, of East St. Louis Their children are Laura M. (now Mrs. Elmer Overlin), Jennie E., Susie E., and Charles F. Professor Manners was for many years a member of the First M. E. Church and an active worker in various lines of church and Sunday School work. He has been P. G. of Golden Rule Lodge No. 374, I. O. O. F., and Patriarch in Harmony Encampment, No. 102, 1. O. O. F. He died Sept. 29, 191J.

James Walter Morris was born in the state of Missouri, in the year 1859. His preliminary education was received at Carleton College, Farmington, Mo. He entered McKendree in the fall of 1884 and graduated in June, 1888, with the degree of A. B. In 1890 he received the degree of A. M., as a result of graduate work done in connection with Mc- Kendree. He also did one year of graduate work in Philosophy under Dr. Bowne, at Boston University. He was granted the degree of Ph. D. on examination by Taylor University. While at McKendree, he was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He was received into the Southern Illinois Conference in 1883 and transferred to the California Conference in 1888. From there he was transferred to the New England Conference in 1896 and served as pastor at Brockton and Lynn, Massachusetts. He was elected President of the Montana Wesleyan University in 1901. After three years in this institution, he was transferred to the West Nebraska Conference and was pastor at North Platte and Gothenburg. In 1910 he was appointed Superintendent of Holdrege District. He represented his conference in the General Conference of 1912, and was leader of the delegation. He is a member of the Masonic Order. He is now retired and lives at VictorviUe, California.

Daniel G. Ramsay

DANIEL G. RAMSAY Daniel G. Ramsay was born near Martinsville, Illinois. He is the son of William and Eliza Ramsay. After receiving preliminary training in the public schools, he entered Mc- Kendree College and graduated from the Law Department, receiving the degree of LL. B., June 7, 1888. He has followed the profession of law and has done special service in various cipacities. He was a member of the thirty-seventh General Assembly of the Illinois Legislature, having been elected in 1891. From 1894 to 1897 he was Assistant State's Attorney of Cook County. He was a candidate for Judge of the Superior Court of Cook County in 1912 and lacked only a few votes of being elected. At present he is Assistant State's Attorney of Cook County. He is past president of the order of Railroad Telegraphers. He was married October 10, 1894, to Miss Estella Humes Watson, of Vinton, Iowa. They have two children - Samuel Watson and Estella Kathleen.

The Class Of 18S9

THE CLASS OF 18S9 REV. GEO. W. BABCOCK, PH. D , D D. George Washington Bibcock was born at C.ipe M ly. New Jersey, August 11, 1862. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1890, receiving the degree of A. B. He also took a year and a half of post graduate work in the sams institution. He took a non-resident course in Philosophy in McKendree and received the degree of Ph. D. in 1894. He received the degree of D. D. from Dickinson College in 1911. He was married July 8, 1890, to Miss Lydia R. Hubbs, of Bridgeton, New Jersey They have one daughter, Helen Osborne Babcock, born m 1901. Mr. Babcock's professional career has been in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church He is a member of the Philadelphia Conference. He has held some of the leading pastorates in that conference and is now pastor of Centenary Church, Philadelphia, which is one of the most important in that city. In 191 3 he was president of the Methodist Episcopal Social Union of Philadelphia and vicinity. He is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and of the Masonic Order.

Chas. B. Carroll

CHAS. B. CARROLL Charles B. Carroll was born in Wood River Township, Madison County, Illinois, September 19, 1856. His father, John B. Carroll, was a European war veteran and a member of the famous Light Brigade which made the heroic charge at Balaklava in the Crimean War. Charles B. attended the old Sand Ridge School and was called upon to make the fiftieth anniversary speech for the old school when the new big school at Wood River had its opening. He came to East St. Louis in 1871, and learned the printing business at the Gazette office. He taught school for a year, and then went to McKendree and studied law. He graduated in 1889, re ceiving the degree of LL. B. He then began the practice of law in East St. Louis, in which business he is still engaged. He was elected City Attorney of East St. Louis in 1891 and served four years. He published the first City Directory of East St. Louis, and published others till 1905, when he sold out to the Gould Directory people of St. Louis. He was married in 1880, to Miss Mary Barron, of St Louis. They have an interesting family of six children. Mr. Carroll and his family are members of the Catholic Church. He now resides

S. Bartlett Kerr

S. BARTLETT KERR Seward Bartlett Kerr was born at Burnham, Maine, October 18, 1863, but during the greater portion of his life his home has been where it is now, at Metropolis, Illinois. His parents, David and Addie C. Kerr, were both Americans. He took the Law Course in McKendree, graduating in 1889 with the degree of LL. B. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He was married December 22, 1889, to Miss Eva Gowan. They have two children - Virgil and Harriet. Since his graduation, Mr. Kerr has been engaged in the practice of law in Metropolis, Illinois, and has enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens, as evidenced by the fict that he has constantly held one or more elective offices. He has been City Attorney of Metropolis, City Clerk, Circuit Clerk of Massac County, member of the Illinois Legislature, Supervisor of the Census for the loth Illinois

District 111 1910, Mtister in Chancery six years, Public Guardian and Public Administrator each seven years, member of the Board of Education, and has held other minor offices. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the three fraternal orders, namely; K. of P., I. O. O. F.,

Hattie Hypes Horner was born in Lebanon, Illinois, in the year 1868. She is the eldest daughter of Henry Hypes Horner, who was a member of McKendree's first graduating class, and thus belongs to a family which has been prominent in McKendree's history ever since its founding. She graduated in 1889, receiving the degree of A. B. She was the valedictorian of her class. She has identified herself with a number of church circles and literary organizations. A dis tinguished line of ancestors makes her eligible to membership in the D. A. R. organization. Her home has always been in Lebanon.

Ethar E- Lewis

Ethar E. Lewis became a student in McKendree in 1885, and soon after, a member of the Platonian Society. He en' rolled from Hamletsburg. He was quiet, inoffensive, studious- He took both the Law and the College Course. He finished the former in 1888 and received the degree of LL- B. He finished the Scientific Course in 1889 and was granted the degree of B. S. Tho he had qualified for the vocation of the law, professional life did not appeal to him very strongly, and he did not follow professional work to any great extent. The latest information we have states that he was farming at New Liberty, Illinois.

Joseph D. Rockwell

Joseph Dorsen Rockwell was born near Alhambra, Madison County, LlinDis, July 4, 1863. He is the second son of G. W. and Catherine Rockwell, who were long time residents of that community. He attended the public schools and then entered McKendree, where he graduated in the class of 1889, receiving the degree of B. S. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. After his graduation, he engaged in teaching. He was for many years a member of the faculty of the Lebanon High School and was for two years principal of that school. He was also for some years principal of the Brighton (111.) High School. After a long career of successful teaching, he retired to engage in farming in the vicinity of his old home at Alhambra, where he now resides. He was married August 29, 1894, to Miss Nelle E. Beedle, of O'Fallon, who died a few years later, leaving one son, Jean H. Rockwell, who still lives with his father. Mr. Rockwell is a Methodist and a Republican, but does not belong to any secret order.

Larken A. Rockwell

LARKEN A. ROCKWELL Larken A. Rockwell was born at Alhambra, Illinois, Feb ruary i, 1866. After finishing the public schools, he entered McKendree and graduated in the class of 1889, receiving the degree of B. S. He was a member of the Philosophian Liteniry Society. After graduation, he was employed for a number of years m business in Chicago. He was at the same time much interested in religious work, was admitted to the Methodist ministry and served with good success as pastor of several churches in the city of Chicago; but at length he yielded to a long felt call to return to the business world. He IS now engaged m the real estate business in Kansas City, Mo. He IS an expert on leases and land values. Besides being a member of the Methodist Church, he belongs to the Masonic Order. He was married in 1892 to Miss Eva Ruff, of Lebanon, who was his fellow student at McKendree. Their children are Raymond C, born October 7, 1893, and Esther Lucile, born February 21, 1896. Mrs. Rockwell died in 1897. Some years later he was married to his present wife.

Jean F. Webb, Jr

JEAN F. WEBB, JR. Few McKendreans have had a more interesting career than Jean Francis Webb, Jr., of New York City. He was born in Lebanon, March i, 1869 and was educated in the Lebanon Public Schools and McKendree College. He was deeply interested in all college activities, whether athletic or literary. He was a loyal Philo, a leader in base ball, the organizer and captain of the first foot ball team that ever officially represented McKendree, and was a member and business managet of the McKendree Glee Club He graduated in the class of 1889, receiving the degree of

B. from Washington Univer sity. Though legally qualified as a lawyer he never confined his energies to the practice of law. He taught school in Summerfield, then engaged in the operation of coal properties JEAN WEBB, JR.

in Texas, then went to California and for two years was con' nected with the gold mining industry, then for six years he was engaged in the same line of business in Colorado, during which time he assisted in the introduction and establishment of the pneumatic cyanide process of gold extraction. Since 1905 he has been actively engaged in the field of automatic train control. This has really been his life work. He is the inventor of many devices for the safety of train traffic. The number reaches almost a hundred. He has taken out many patents, not only at Washington, D. C, but in all the countries in the world having any appreciable railroad mileage, on the apparatus known as the "Webb automatic train con, trol". Mr. Webb is the secretary-treasurer of the International Signal Company, with offices in the Grand Central Terminal, New York City, which makes and sells this safety device. He frequently represents the company as a lawyer in hearings before the Interstate Commerce Commission, as well as in drawing legal documents and contracts. He also supervises the selling campaigns and looks after the interests of the company in general.

He was married December 30, 1908 to Miss Ethel HamiU Morrison of Denver, Colorado. They have one son, Jean Francis Webb, III, who is now a college student. They reside in White Plains, a suburb of New York City.

The Class Of 1890 Robert J. Brown

Robert John Brown was born July 16, 1864, m Venice, Illinois. He graduated in 1890, receiving the degree of LL. B. He engaged in the practice of law in Venice, Illinois and for four years was State's Attorney of Madison County. He was married July 16, 1891, to Miss Mabel J. Paul, of Venice. Of this marriage there were three children - Robert J., Ralph E.,and Charlotte. He died at his home in Venice, April 8, 1910.

Mrs. Ida Burton Hammen

Ida May Burton was born at Trenton, Illinois, December 28, 1868. She is the oldest daughter of John and Helen J. Burton, her father being of English descent. She graduated from McKendree in the class of 1890, receiving the degree of B. S., and in 189J, M. S. She was a member of the Clionian Literary Society. She was married October 19, 1893, to Dr. E. C. Hammen, who was then practicing dentistry in Nokomis, Illinois, but a few years later moved to Lebanon, where he continued his practice till 1908, when they moved to Redlands, California where they now reside and where the doctor is still practicing his profession. They have one son, Lewis Burton Hammen, who was born in Lebanon, April 21, 1904. Mrs. Hammen is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was an active worker in the Sunday School and other church activities before her marriage, and has continued these since, so far as her other obligations would permit.

Florence Deneen Genevieve Jep50N

FLORENCE DENEEN Florence Deneen, youngest daughter of Dr. Samuel H. and Mary Ashley Deneen, was born at Lebanon, Illinois, December 30, 1870. At the age of sixteen she became a student in McKendree where her father was a member of the faculty for thirty years. She was a prominent member of the Clionian Society. She graduated from college in the class of 1890, receiving the degree of B. S. After her graduation, she taught in the public schools of Lebanon for two and a half years, and since that time in Chicago, where she is still engaged in educational work. She has devoted several summers to graduate work and has sometimes carried courses during the school year. She is at present assistant principal of the John P. Altgeld School of Chicago. She has taken an active interest in educational matters and is now an officer in three teachers' organizations. She has devoted much time to the subject of pensions for teachers. She has also taken an active interest in the Daughters of the American Revolution and has been a member of several important committees in that organization. She has travelled extensively in the United States and spent one summer m Europe. GENEVIEVE JEP50N Julia Genevieve Jepson was born at NorthviUe, Michigan, June 11, 187 1. She is a daughter of Professor Albert G. Jepson and Mrs. Nina (Ormiston) Jepson, who were both natives of New York State. Her father was of English and her mother of Scotch ancestry. She became a student in McKendree in 1886 and graduated in 1890, receiving the degree of A. B., and later, A. M. She was a member of the Clionian Literary Society. During most of the years since her graduation she has been engaged in the profession of teaching. She was for a time tutor in McKendree, and has been employed in high school work in Flora, East St. Louis, and Alton; she now teaches in the East St. Louis High School. She is a member of the First M. E. Church at East St. Louis and an active worker in the Sunday School.

Mrs. Mary Jones Morriss

MRS. MARY JONES MORRISS Mary A. Jones was born in Lebanon, Illinois, December 8, 1870. Her parents were Prof. Oliver V. Jones, who was born in Kentucky, and Mary E. (Crocker) Jones, who was a native of Massachusetts. She was first enrolled as a student in McKendree in the spring term of 1886 and graduated June 5, 1890, receiving the degree of A. B. She also spent a year in Syracuse University and is a graduate of the National Summer School of Music, of Chicago. Her father was for many years a Professor in McKendree, and also a member of the Southern Illinois Conference. While in McKendree, she was a member of the Clionian Literary Society. She is a member ot the Methodist Church, having held her membership m the Lebanon church for twenty years before moving to St. Louis. In that city she has been a member and an officer in some of the leading musical clubs and the D. A. R.; also a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Association. Before her marriage she taught in the Lynn School, in the country, near Lebanon; also in the Lebanon Public School. She was married December 17, 1891, to Herbert S. Morriss, of Lebanon. A few years later they moved to St. Louis. They have no children. For some years she taught vocal music in St. Louis; and has been director of singing societies and soprano soloist in various churches. Some years ago, because her health required a change of climate, she went to Colorado to live. For the past several years her home has been at Colorado Springs. MRS. NELLIE LEHMAN FAULKNER

Robert Steele

Nellie Florence Lehman was born at Lebanon, Illinois, May 28, 1869. She is a daughter of John H. and Mary (Burton) Lehman, who are both native Americans, though the father's ancestors were German and the mother's English. She was reared in Lebanon, attended the public schools, and then took the full college course, graduating in 1890 with the degree of B. S., and later received that of M. S. She was a member of the Clionian Literary Society. After graduation, she became a teacher in the Lebanon public schools and continued in this work for thirteen consecutive years. She was married July 9, 1907, to John S. Faulkner, of Johnson County, Illinois. They now reside in Lebanon, Illinois. Mrs. Faulkner has been an active member and worker in the Methodist Church since the time of her girlhood. ROBERT STEELE

Robert Steele was born on a farm m Jasper County, Illinois, February 14, 1865. His parents were Robert and Jennie (Forsyth) Steele, who were of Scotch-Irish descent, but both natives of Ireland. They came to America in early life, were married at Keokuk, Iowa, in i860, and reared six children. Robert entered college in 1884 and joined the Philosophian Society. After one year he returned to the farm and school teaching. In 1889, he re-entered college and graduated in the class of 1890, receiving the degree of B. S. During the next three years after graduation, he served as principal of public schools at O'Fallon and Belleville, Illinois, and read law at the same time, in connection with the Law Department of McKendree. In 1895, he graduated from the Law Department as valedictorian of the class, receiving the degree of LL. B., and at the same time, the degree of M. S. In 1894 he went to Chicago, where he practiced law for some years, .md then moved to Cordell, Oklahoma, where he has since been engaged as a Bonded Abstractor of Land Titles. On May 16, 1906, he was married to Miss Kate Lee, at Cordell, Okla., who comes of the well known Lee family of Virginia. To them was born one son, who lived only five months. Mr. Steele has served his home city as Mayor for three years, during which time the electric light plant was installed, the water system enlarged, and many other public improvements made. He is a member of the Methodist Church South and has been active m church ,ind Sunday School work for many ROBERT STEELE

Rev. Sherman P. Young

REV. SHERMAN P. YOUNG Sherman Pomeroy Young was born December 26, 1867, at Woodburn, Macoupin County, Illinois. His parents were John Henry and Sarah E. Young, who were both native Americans. He grew up in Illinois, and after receiving the usual training m the public schools, entered McKendree in 1886. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He graduated in the class of 1890, receiving the degree of A. B. He also received from his alma mater the degree of A. M. in 1892 and Ph. D. in 1896. He did post-graduate work m several institutions and received the degree of B. D. from Yale and S. T. B. from Boston University. He received the honorary degree of D. D. from the Ohio Wesleyan University. He entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church before he had finished his college course, and for a time belonged to the Southern Illinois Conference, but has since belonged to several different conferences. Among the important charges he has served are: Salem, lUinois; Lake Geneva, Wis.; Summerfield Church, Milwaukee; Broadway Church, Dayton, Ohio; Mt. Auburn Church, Cincinnati; and First Church, Beaver, Penn. He was married in 1898, to Miss Bessie Thompson, daughter of Rev. Dr. J. B. Thompson, who was a member of the Southern Illinois Conference. They have four children. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and belongs to the Shrine. He travelled in Europe during the summer of 1913. For some years he has been a member of Dr. Hancher's organization to raise money for colleges and other religious institutions.