St. Clair County, Illinois - Chapter 27, 1928

Chapter 27

yy I'HEN DR. HERDMAN became ill president in 1890, there were no other important changes in the faculty. Tho there was some readjustment of the teaching work, since Dr. Herdman was to be a teacher as well as president, while Dr. ViUars had been relieved of class room work before he left the college. He had long been a member of the Board and was wellacquainted with the ideals of the institution. He was himself a man of the highest Christian ideals, and had long been in the business of guiding young people in the higher things of life.

Thomas Hanson Herdman was born July 8, 1829, at Noblestown, Pennsylvania, twelve miles from Pittsburg. His father was of Scotch-Irish and his mother of English descent. Thomas was one ofthe six children ofthe family that grew to maturity. In 1848 he entered Muskingum College, at New Concord, Ohio, where he remained for three years. Later he attended Madison College, at Antrim, Ohio, where he received his A. B. degree in 1856. In after years he received two degrees from McKendree - A. M. in 1876 and D. D. in 1889. After his graduation, he made teaching his profession for some years. He was Superintendent of Schools at Greenfield, Ohio for eight years. In 1864 he entered the Cincinnati Conference and served one year as pastor of Highland Circuit. About that time he was unexpectedly called to Mount Vernon, Illinois, on some important business, and while there was elected President of Mt. Vernon Seminary, which position he accepted and held for four years. He then resumed the work ofthe ministry in the Southern Illinois Conference, where the remainder of his life was spent. He served a number of the important charges, such as Vandalia, Mt. Carmel, and Effingham, and one term as presiding elder of the Lebanon District. He was twice pastor at Lebanon and lived at Lebanon while on the district, while president of the college, and after his retirement. So that his home was in Lebanon altogether for a period of thirty-five years. After his three years as President of McKendree, he served as Dean of the Theological and Post-graduate Departments until 1898 . He then served nearby charges and still lived in Lebanon for a few years. In 1902 he was appointed Conference Historian for the Southern Illinois Conference, which appointment he held until his retirement in 191 1. While in this office, he copied with his own hands the minutes of the Illinois Conference from its organization in 1824 until the establishment of the Southern Illinois in 1852. Besides that great task, he wrote a history of Illinois Methodism prior to the formation of the Illinois Conference, and he collected much historical material for the use of the future historian of the Southern Illinois Conference. None of this work was published because of lack of funds. He was a delegate to the General Conference of 1880 which met in Cincinnati. He was married September 29, 1852, to Miss Celia Joseph, of Chandlersville, Ohio. She died January 5, 1869. He was married to Miss Eliza H. Peck, at Duquoin, Illinois, December 20, 1870. Her death occurred Feb. 4, 191 5, only a brief period before his own, which occurred April 8, 1916.

Dr. Herdman's position was not always a "bed of roses" while he was president. The attendance of students was maintained about the same, but the chief difficulties were financial ones. There was a mortgaged debt against the college of $5,500 and the holder was demanding payment and threatening foreclosure. It was Dr. Herdman's task to keep this creditor pacified and thus postpone foreclosure until in some way the money could be raised to clear the debt. This he did with great adroitness, tho his efforts to raise the money were not successful. During all the time of Dr. Herdman's term, the chapel services were held in what was known as the study hall. This was the building formerly known as the Athleteon. During the years when the enrollment ran low. It did not seem worth while to use the chapel which was large enough for five hundred for the assembly place of less than a hundred, especially in the winter when it had to be heated. So the Athleteon, which had never appealed very strongly to the student body in general, probably because they did not have a director of physical training, was fitted with school desks and used by the students as a place ot study when not attending classes. There were accommodations for one hundred. For a number of years the chapel services were held in this study hall. The faculty felt that since there were no dormitories and there was no reading room connected with the library, that this study hall was a great convenience to the students. There were no dormitories and some of the students roomed at boarding houses possibly a half mile from the college. They needed a place to study or wait between classes. There was always a professor m charge of the hall to maintain order, and sometimes he conducted a recitation at the same time. This was somewhat of a distraction to some of the students. The chapel exercises were held at eight o'clock and recitations began immediately following. The faculty felt that it was profitable for students not in class to spend the time in study, each at his own individual desk m the study-hall. Then a plan was devised by the faculty whereby each student was expected to put in at least two hours each evening m his own room. Then each student was required to attend chapel each morning and church twice on Sunday. It was customary for the president to call the roll every Monday morning and each student whose attendance at church and chapel for the week previous had been perfect and who had observed the evening study hours, would answer, "Five-two-ten." Or if his record fell short, he was to respond accordingly. The study hour proposition was resented by many of the students and that portion of the plan was abandoned, but the church and chapel record was kept for years and grades recorded for each student in those subjects, the same as for Latin or Mathematics. The church and chapel attendance are still nominal requirements of all regular students unless officially excused, which may be done when there are good reasons. In the days of the study-hall chapel, there was an organ in the room and a chapel choir made up of students, and some times special music was rendered m a very creditable manner. The majority of the faculty were preachers and all took turns in conducting the devotions. There were seme interesting meetings held in that hall before it was cut up into smaller rooms for the benefit of the Science Department. In Dr. Villars' day there was once a Thanksgiving service held there. A week beforehand. Dr. Villars issued a challenge to the students and faculty, agreeing to sing a song in chapel if any other member of the chapel assembly would furnish either a musical or rhetorical number. The students all let the week slip by, but on the last morning Professor Edwards came forward with an essay on the subject of Thanksgiving, beginning with the fifteen day thanksgiving decreed by Julius Caesar in celebration of a victory over the Helvetians. Then Dr. Villars came forward, and with powerful voice, sang the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." He was not a trained singer^ but he sang with feeling, and with great acceptability to a group of students.

In this room m 1890 was held the last meeting of the organization known as the "College Association." Its ostensible purpose was to give a public entert.unment each year m celebration of Washington's birthday. The performers in this entertainment were to be representatives of each of the literary societies and the Law Department But the real purpose was to give opportunity for a contest of popularity between the literary societies at the election of officers. A Philo and a Plato were nominated for president. Each received the full vote of his own society and the one who could draw the most votes from Clio would be elected. On the occasion referred to, a question of representation on the entertainment program arose. It happened at that time that every member of the Law Department belonged to Philo. The Platos claimed that the plan to be followed would give Philo a double representation. To this they objected. Then much fiery oratory went to waste and much ill feeling was engendered. After the stormy session had lasted till the hour for adjournment had arrived, the meeting adjourned with the understanding that anct'aer session should be held at the call of the president to complete the business. But to avoid a repetition of the clash of sentiment and hot words between the members of the two societies, the president refused to call another meeting and the organization died a natural death.

In this hall it was customary to meet on the last morning or afternoon of each term to hear the reading of grades. Visitors were often present for this interesting exercise. One day a special meeting was held to hear the public confession and apology of three students who had been guilty of indulgence in strong drink. They promised the college authorities that they would reform. And they did. To make this confession in chapel was their only punishment. They kept their promise. Two of them are now successful lawyers and living useful lives.

During this administration there were not many changes in the faculty. However, one that ought to be mentioned was the resignation of Professor Edwin C. Ferguson, A. M., Ph. D. He succeeded Dr. Swahlen in the chair of Greek and German in 1886, and gave four years of faithful and efficient service, and showed the same spirit of sacrifice which characterized some other members of the faculty. He was well prepared for his work, both in school training and teaching experience. He was the author of several text-books and a constant reader and student. He was a single man, tho perhaps nearing forty years of age. But in the summer of 1890 he took to himself a wife. He was a prudent man and did not believe that the meager pittance which the faculty received at that time and which the Board called a salary, was sufficient for the proper support of a family. The author ities were carefully living up to the resolution passed by the Board in 1886, to the etfect that no debt should be incurred by the institution for current expenses, and that the Board would be responsible for the payment of salaries only to the extent of the income produced by the fiscal fund and the interest on the endowment, after the necessary running expenses were met. Accordingly, Professor Ferguson gave up his position here and secured a similar one at Athens, Tennessee. He spent the remainder of his active years in that institution. To succeed him in McKendree, the Board secured Professor Bertrand P. Judd, A. B. He was a young man of high ideals but not specially adapted to the position he was expected to fill here. So after one year he decided to enter the ministry, and went to take a course in Boston University School of Theology. In the fall of 1891 another young man just out of college came to take the chair of Greek and German. He was Professor Morris L. Barr, A. B. He had taken his degree at the Ohio Wesleyan University. He proved to be a good teacher and a good leader of young folks in the college, and also in the Epworth League and church circles. He was a good public reader, and that also made him popular. It was soon discovered that he was well fitted for the position he held. He was an unmarried man and still young, but old enough to be prudent and circumspect in his conduct. His boarding place was at "Aunty Hoffman's" and to board there always gave a person good standing in the town. Mrs. Hoffman was then the proprietor of the old French mansion, that is, the former home of Governor French. She has been known to have as many as nineteen boarders at once. Professor Barr gave two years of good service during Dr. Herdman's administration. By that time he had become so popular with the students that at the commencement of 1893,, a request came from some of the students that Professor Barr be made president. The Board became obsessed with the idea that his popularity with youth might be a means of drawing great numbers of students to McKendree; and after long deliberation they provided another position for Dr. Herdman and made Professor Barr president Dr. Herdman was a very sweet-spirited man and was always willing to make any sacrifice which his brethren believed would advance the cause of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Therefore he cheerfully surrendered the Presidency and became Dean of the Post-graduate and Theological Departments of McKendree. The enrollment during the three years of his presidency made a very slight gain, increasing from one hundred and eighty-six to two hundred and two. This included the college, academy, music, art, etc. The three classes who graduated during his administration are here given.

The Class Of 1S91 Charles B. Brown

Charles Burdette Brown was born in Venice Township, Madison County, Illinois. March 26, 1870. His parents were Robert J. and Martha J. Brown. After attending the public schools, he went to McKendree, where he took work in the Literary Department of the college and also in the Law Department, from which latter he graduated in June 1891. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He was a member of the Methodist Church and of the Order of Knights and Ladies of Honor. His early death cut off a promising career before it was well begun. He never entered upon the practice of law, though he did teach school for a time. His death occurred December 5, 1891, at the home of his mother, in Warrensburg, Missouri.

John McLean Chamberlain, Jr. was born at Lebanon, Illinois, August ig, 1872. His father, John M. Chamberlin, is also a native of Lebanon, of EngHsh and German descent. His mother, Maggie E. (Royse) Chamberlin, was of Scotch- Irish ancestry. He grew up in Lebanon, entered McKendree in the fall of 1887, and graduated in the class of 1891, receiving the degree of B. S. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. For five years after his graduation, he was employed as a telegraph operator. Then for about the same period he published a weekly newspaper, the "Lebanon Leader," at Lebanon, Illinois. In 1900 he was elected to the forty-second General Assembly of Illinois, as a representative of the forty-ninth Senatorial District. He served one term. In 1901 he entered the real estate business in E. St. Louis. In iqio he was elected State Senator for the forty-ninth Senatorial District and was re-elected in 191 2. He has served as president of the E. St Louis Board of Education; also of the Real Estate Exchange and the Commercial Club, both of that city. He was for one term Mayor of East St. Louis. He is a member of the Masonic Order, the Elks, Knights of Pythias, and Modern Woodmen. He was married November 26, iqoj, to Miss Lulu Mildred Farthing, of Odin, Illinois. They have three children - John McLean the third, William Farthing, and a younger son. Their little daughter, Mildred, died as the result of an accident. For several years Mr. Chamberlin has been in business at Mineral Wells, Texas.

Clarence A. Combs

E.xact reproduction ot commencem; CLARENCE A. COMBS Clarence Alonzo Combs was born at CoUmsville, Illinois, June 2,0, 1869. He was the son of William S. and Sarah (McCormick) Combs, the former of Scotch and the latter of Irish descent. After being trained in the public schools of CoUinsville, he entered McKendree in the fall of 1889 and graduated from the Law Department in 1891, receiving the degree of LL. B. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He was married to Miss Bertha Hadley, of CoUinsville, June 9, 1903. He practiced law only a short time and then became cashier of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, of East St. Louis. His death occurred August 29, 1903, as the result of an accidental fall from a trolley car. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he was a

George L. Corlis

George Leming Corhs was born in MetropoHs, Illinois, in 1873. His parents were Edwin and Sarah Corhs, the father being of English and the mother of English and Scotch ancestry. He entered McKendree in 1889 and graduated in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He was married October 15, 1895, to Miss Bird Trevathan, of Union City, Tennessee. They have two daughters - Marian and Catherine. After his graduation, Mr. Corlis was engaged for some years in general practice of law, and then he became Dean of the Benton College of Law, of St. Louis, which position he still holds. In addition to his work as Dean, he maintains a law office in a suite of rooms in the Times Building, St. Louis. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity.

Judge Henry M. Kasserman

JUDGE HENRY M. KASSERMAN Henry M. Kasserman was born in Monroe County, Ohio, January 4, 1864. His parents, Stephen and Anna E. Kasserman, were natives of Switzerland. After receiving preliminary education elsewhere, he entered the Law Department of McKendree in September, 1890, and graduated in the class of 1891, receiving the degree of LL. B. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. After his graduation, he began the practice of law at Newton, Illinois, where he is still located. He has served as City Attorney and Mayor of Newton, and is now in his third term as County Judge of Jasper County. He is a member of the Baptist Church, the

Lew Wallace Mason was born at Boaz, Kentucky, May 12, 1867. His parents are William H. and Susanna (Adams) Mason, both native Americans. He and his twin brother, Walter Scott Mason, were in college at the same time, entering the Law Department in 1889 and graduating in the same class in 1891, receiving the degree of LL. B. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He was married June 6, 1909, to Miss Clara L. Zerweck, of Lebanon, who graduated from McKendree in the class of 1894. They have one son, Lew Wallace Mason, Jr. Ever since his graduation, Mr. Mason has been engaged in the practice of law in Mayfield, Kentucky. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. About 1912 he opened a law office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and since that time has been spending much of his time building up a law practice in that new field. W. S. MASON Walter Scott Mason was born at Boaz, Graves County, Kentucky, May 12, 1867. His parents were William H. and Susan M. Mason. His father was born in Robertson County, Tennessee, and his mother in Graves County, Kentucky. Though he did not enter McKendree till January, 1890, he completed the work of the Law Course from September, 1889, and graduated in June, 1891, with the degree of LL. B. Before coming to McKendree he attended the West Kentucky College, but did not finish the course. While at Mc- Kendree, he was a member of the Platonian Society. Since his graduation, he has been engaged chiefly in the practice of law, though he was principal of the Mayfield, Kentucky, schools for a time and was Postmaster of Mayfield for four years (1898 to 1902). He was married January 26, 1897, to Miss Ellen Rebecca Hocker. They have two children - Miriam Rebecca, born in 1902, and Walter Scott, born in 1906. Mr. Mason is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. WILLIAM WILSON William Wilson was born at Alma (now Carbon), St. Clair County, Illinois, March 28, 1866. He is a son of William and Janet Wilson, who came to America from Scotland and settled in Illinois in 1856. He grew up in the vicinity of Brighton, Illinois, and graduated from the Brighton High School in 1886. He attended Blackburn College, at Carlinville one year and then entered the Law Department of McKendree, graduating in 1891 with the degree of LL. B. Soon after his graduation, he began the practice of law in Greenfield, Illinois, but in 1893 he came to Alton and engaged in various lines of mercantile business until 1899, when he began the practice of law in Alton, where he is still located and prospering in his profession. He held the position of City Attorney of Alton for three terms, and has been Assistant State's Attorney a number of years. He was a member of the Alton Board of Education for five years. He belongs to the Modern American Fraternal Order and is secretary of the lodge. He is a member of the Alton Mutual Society and is one of the trustees. He also belongs to the Junior Order of American Mechanics and is State Councilor of that order. He was married to Miss Jennie E. Tuller, of Alton, July 4, 1898. Both he and Mrs. Wilson were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but now they both belong to the Pentecostal Church of Alton.

Rev. Elmer E. Waggoner

Elmer Ellsworth Waggoner was born at Godfrey, Illinois, November 24, 1862, and died at Staunton, Illinois, August 17, 1894. He was a nephew of Rev. G. W. Waggoner, who was one of the charter members of the Southern Illinois Conference. He was educated in the public schools and Mc- Kendree College, from which he graduated in the class of 1891, receiving the degree of A. B. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He joined the Southern Illinois Conference in 1891, and was pastor of three charges - Venice, Grafton, and Staunton; at which last named place his life was completed. He was married March 22, 1892, to Miss Belle Linhoff, of St. Elmo, who with one child survives him.

There were four other members of this class : James Russell Miller, B. S. Biography appears in class of 1893. Thomas Franklin Moore, LL. B. See sketch page 373. SkiUman Parker Shaw, LL. B. Went to the Phillipine Islands. Orpheus W. Smith, LL. B. Lawyer and Judge, Decatur, Illinois.

The Class Of 1S92 Judge S. P. Chapin

JUDGE S. P. CHAPIN Silas P. Ch.ipin was born at SomerviUe, Ohio, June 6, 1857. After coming to Illinois he spent some years as a Methodist preacher. He then studied law at McKendree and graduated in 1892 with the degree of LL. B. After practicing law at E. St. Louis for a time he was appointed Judge in the territory of Alaska. He returned to E. St. Louis about 191^ and died there a few years later.

Louis A. Marcoot

LOUIS A. MARCOOT Louis A. Marcoot was born at Highland, 111., December 9, 1867. He received the degree of LL. B. from McKendree in 1892. He was a member of Plato. He practiced law at Venice, Illinois until 1897, when he went to Texas and became a travelling salesman.

Samuel Stephen Smith was born m White County, Ilhnois, January 14, 1870. He graduated from McKendree m the cl.iss of i8q2 with the degree of B. S. He was a loyal Plato. He immediately joined the Southern Illinois Conference and has been m continuous service as a pastor ever since, except one year that he was Field Agent for the Anti-Saloon League. In 1894 he was married to Miss Carrie Gott, of Norris City. They have five sons and three daughters. Mrs. Smith died m 1920.

Prof. Charles H- Dorris. D. Litt

Charles Henry Dorns, one ot the le.idmg educators m this part of the state, was born at Okawville, Illinois, August 10, 1867. His parents were August and Harriet (Cantrell) Dorris. His father died in 1874. In order to give her two sons an opportunity to secure an education, his widowed mother moved to Lebanon in 1887 and kept boarders while her sons went through McKendree. After they had completed their college course and gone out into the business of life, she continued to make her home m Lebanon until the end of her life in 1921. Mr. Dorris became a student in McKendree and a member of the Platonian Literary Society in 1887. He pursued both the Law Course and the regular college course, finishing the former in 1891 with the degree of LL. B., and the latter m 1892 with the degree of B. S. Five years later he received the degree of M. S., and in the Centennial year that of D. Litt. The profession of law never appealed strongly to him after finishing the law course, but immediately after his graduation he entered upon an educational career, in which he is still active. From 1892 to 1900 he was in charge of the Lebanon public schools. It was under his leadership that the Lebanon High School was first organized. Since 1900, with the exception of one year, he has been in charge of the schools of the city of CoUmsville. He is superintendent, both of the city schools and the Township High School. In addition to his work in his home city, he has frequently been called upon to do institute work in his own and other counties, and deliver special lectures on certain occasions. He has taught in the summer sessions a number of years, both in the Southern Normal, at Carbondale, and the Normal University, at Normal, Illinois. He has been a life-long Methodist and is active in various lines of church work, having served many years as Sunday School Superintendent. He is also a thirty-second degree Mason, a Shrmer, an Odd Fellow, a member of the Lion's Club, and a Trustee of the Madison County Tuberculosis Sanitarium.

Mrs. Dorris was a Lebanon girl, whose maiden name was Susie Mae Peach, the daughter of James S. and Mary (Wakefield) Peach, both of whom died in Lebanon. She received her education in the public schools of Lebanon and McKendree College, where she graduated in 1893, receiving the degree of B. S. In August, 1895, she was married to Professor Dorris, who was then superintendent of the Lebanon schools. They have two sons and one daughter. The eldest, Charles Lester, is married and is m the employ of the Roxana Oil Company, of Chicago. The other son has been for the past four years an engineer for the Braden Copper Company, in Rancagua, Chile, S. A., while the daughter, Dorothy A., is now a teacher m the schools of Collinsville. Mrs. Dorris is also a prominent church and community worker, is Past Matron of the Eastern Star, President of the Household Science Club, and a member of the Cahokia Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. While in McKendree, she was an active Clio, and occasionally comes back to participate in the Clio reunions.

John M. Hampton

JOHN M. HAMPTON John Miles Hampton was born on a farm near Donnellson, Montgomery County, Illinois, November i, 1870 He is the son of Rev. J. A. and Jane (De Sart) Hampton. His father was for many years a member of the Southern Illinois Conference. He became a student m McKendree m the fall of 1889 and graduated from the Law Department m June, 1892, receiving the degree of LL. B. He was a member of the Platonian Literary Society. He was married to Miss Eva. M. Meriwether, of Shipman, Illinois, November 26, 1903. They have two children, John Hadley and Helen Jane. For three years after his graduation, Mr. Hampton published a newspaper m connection with his law practice at Gillespie, Illinois. He was compelled to give up this work because of ill health. After three winters of travel in the South, he recovered his health sufficiently to resume professional work. In 1900 he purchased a paper in Cerro Gordo, Illinois. A year of this kind of work caused another physical breakdown, which made it necessary to again abandon his work and go South. He spent the next two years in Texas, Mexico, and California. He returned m 1903 and purchased the old homestead on which he was born, and where he now lives, near Donnellson, Illinois. He now has a well-stocked farm of three hundred and eighty acres and is a progressive agriculturist. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Dr. William J. Steele

In the history of Nassau County, New York, we find the following statement concerning Dr. Steele, "He is held in high esteem for his benefactions and philanthropies as well as for his ability in the practice of medicine and surgery". That is exactly what we would expect of one who has really imbibed the "McKendree Spirit".

William John Steele was born near Newton, in Jasper County, Illinois. He attended the public schools and at one time had Charles S. Deneen, now United States Senator, for his teacher. After making use of the home educational opportunities and teaching several years in the district schools, he became a student in McKendree in 1889 and was graduated in 1892, receiving the degree of B. S. He received the second honors of the class and delivered the Latin salutatory on commencement day. He was a member of Philo and served as president of that organization. After another period of teaching he decided to make the medical profession his permanent vocation. Accordingly he entered the Medical Department of the University of Illinois, which is located in Chicago. From this institution he was graduated in 1898, with the degree of M. D. After serving a year as interne in the Joseph D. Lee Hospital in Chicago, he located in Baldwin, N. Y. for the practice of his profession. By faithful and skilful service he established a reputation which has given him an extensive and lucrative general practice in which he is still engaged. He is a member of the Nassau County Medical Society, the Associated Physicians of Long Island, and the New York State Medical Society. He is on the staff of the Nassau and Mercy hospitals, the South Side Community Hospital, and the Rockville Center Sanatorium, a trustee of the South Side Community Hospital and attending physician of the Freeport Sanatorium. Dr. Steele has also been active in various civic, educational, financial, and fraternal organizations which are carried on mainly for the welfare of the citizens of the community. He has been president of the School Board in his home town for twenty-five years. His enthusiasm and force of character have been moving factors in the adoption of progressive methods in many fields of activity. He is a member of the Civic Association, President of the Baldwin National Bank, Vice-president of the Columbia Bronze Corporation, President of Throat Specialties Laboratories, Director of Long Island Bankers, Inc., and Director of Long Island Title Guaranty Company. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order, Freeport Chapter Royal Arch Masons, Nassau Commandery Knights Templar, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Junior United American Mechanics, and the Knights of Pythias. In his religious affiHations he is a member of the Methodist Church. He is a most helpful member of the community in which he lives. In his exten' sive medical practice he often renders professional service where his only reward is the satisfaction of having relieved human suffering. Dr. Steele lives in a fine stone residence on Merrick Road, which hospitable home is presided over by his dignified and capable wife. Before her marriage, Mrs. Steele was Miss Ora MacArthur of Brooklyn, New York. Dr. and Mrs. Steele have two children, Donald M., a student in the Law School of New York University, and Elizabeth N., who is still m the high school. It is claimed that America is the "Land of Opportunity" though many American youths fail to see any chance to rise in the world. However, the story of Dr. Steele's life is a good illustration of what may be accomplished by a poor boy who has ambition together with energy and perseverance enough to carry out his ideals.

William Clarence Walton was born m Lincoln County, Missouri, July lo, 1866. His parents were Edward W. and Hester C. (Eberman) Walton, who were both natives of Illinois. When he was only a few weeks old, the family moved back to Brighton, Illinois, and in that vicinity he grew up and received his elementary education, mostly m the country schools. He graduated from the Brighton High School in 1886, and after teaching two years m the country schools, he entered McKendree College in the fall of 1888. He completed the Classical Course and received the degree of A. B. m iSq2. He was the valedictorian of the class. In 1894 he received the degree of A. M. from McKendree; in 1897, Ph. D.; and m the Centennial year, D. D. He was a member of the Philo Society. In September, 1892, he was admitted on trial to the Southern Illinois Conference and was appointed to the Huey Circuit, where he served two years, and during that time led the enterprise of building a new church at Shattuc. It was dedicated by Bishop Bowman m the summer of i8qj. In the fall of 1894 he became a member of the faculty m McKendree and has been in continuous service ever since that time. He has taught in several different departments. Until 191 he had charge of the Department of Greek Language and Literature. After that he had charge of Philosophy and Education. As a side line he taught Bible for a number of years before the establishment of the Religious Education Department. Aside from the regular work of teaching, he has given evening courses and extension courses, and has served the college as Fiscal Agent for about ten years. He has also served short terms as pastor - several times in addition to college work. These were at Sandoval, Ashley, Waterloo for seven years, and Caseyville for five years. He has also frequently supplied pulpits in emergencies, given educational addresses, commencement addresses, Memorial Day addresses, and speeches on various special occasions He did graduate work for several summers in the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago, and for a number of years has served as Director of the McKendree Summer School, and other years has taught in summer sessions. He served as Vice-president of McKendree for twelve years during the administration of Dr. Chamberlin. He also served in the Lebanon City Council for eight years.

He was married June 30, 1897, to Miss Mabel Hadley, of Hoffman, Illinois. She is the daughter of Mr. S. S. Hadley, who came of a prominent Quaker family of Wilmington, Ohio. Miss Hadley attended school at the Southern Normal and taught school for two years before her marriage. They have four children - Ruth Catherine, Alice Hester, Emma Irene, and Clarence Hadley. The two older daughters are graduates of McKendree, and have both rendered several years of teaching service, Ruth Catherine as teacher of Home Economics in the Mascoutah High School and two years in McKendree College. Alice Hester has taught English in the high schools of Crossville, Mascoutah, and Lebanon. Emma and Clarence are both students in the Lebanon High School. Professor Walton has travelled widely in the home country, having visited thirty-nine of the states in the Union, Canada, and Mexico, and spent one summer touring Europe.

The Class Of 1893

THE CLASS OF 1893 REV. JOHN M. ADAMS, D. D. John Martin Adams was born on a farm near Mayfield, Kentucky, February 25, 1864. His parents were John W. and Mary E. Adams, who were both of American ancestry. After a youth spent in the "Blue Grass" state, he became a student in McKendree in January, 1889. He graduated in June, 189J with the degree of A. B. He was a member of the Platonian Society, but he was of such a friendly temperament and so fair minded in his estimates of others that he always had friends in the rival society. In September, after his graduation, he joined the Southern Illinois Conference at the session held in Flora, m 1893,. Ever since that time he has been continuously engaged in the work of the pastorate. He has served several of the important charges of the conference, such as Cairo, and Fairfield, where he is now located and where the 1928 session of the conference is to be held. In March, 1894, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Mary Brownlee, of Kentucky. To them were born three children - Ethel Louise, now Mrs. Norman Moss, of Irasburg, Vermont; Harold Brownlee, who was a student in McKendree several years, but when the Great War came on, entered the service of his country; while still in the training camp, he fell a victim of disease in the course of the great influenza epidemic which swept the country, and the youngest, Paul Stanley, who has also been a student in McKendree, but now is employed with a business firm in St. Louis. Rev. Adams was one of the group to receive honorary degrees during the McKendree Centennial, when he was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Dr. Adams is a member of the Modern Woodmen, the Masonic Fraternity, and the Rotary Club.

Philip Baer

Philip Baer was born at St. Jacob, Illinois, February 13, 1870. He is a son of Rudolph and Louisa Baer, who are of German descent. He graduated from the Law Department of McKendree in 1893, receiving the degree of LL. B. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. He was married October 18, 1894, to Miss Emma Harges. They have two children - Harold and Alice. Mr. Baer is an attorney at law now located in his home city, though he was in the real estate business for some time in Denver, Colorado. He served for two years as Tax Collector of St. Jacob Township. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Evangelical Protestant Church, the Masonic Order, the Odd Fellows, the Turnverein, and the Modern Woodmen of America.

George S. Caughlan

George Sidney Caughlan was born in St. Louis, Missouri, January 22, 1865. His father. Rev. David Caughlan, was for many years a Methodist preacher and a member of the Southern Illinois Conference. He was for several years a student in McKendree and graduated from the Liw Department in the class of 1893, receiving the degree of LL. B. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. He was admitted to the bar and for many years has practiced law in East St. Louis. He was also engaged in the leal estate and insurance business. He served one term in the Illinois Legislature. He was married, and at his death was survived by his widow, Mrs. Dora Caughlan, and three grown children - Ralph, JUDGE C. E. CHAMBERLIN

Judge C. E. Chamberlin

Nellie, and George. His death occurred December 29, 1913, at Douglas, Arizona, where he had gone in the attempt to recover his health. He was a member of the Masonic Order. JUDGE C. E. CHAMBERLIN One ot the time honored names in the history of McKendree College and the city of Lebanon is that of Chamberlin. David Chamberlin was one of the founders of McKendree and his son John M. was a trustee for over forty years. Of the four sons of the latter, the only one still living in Lebanon is Charles Earl Chamberlin who was born September 26, 1874 and has been a citizen of Lebanon all his life. His mother, before her marriage was Miss Maggie E. Royse. Charles Earl was educated in the public schools and McKendree College, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1893 receiving the degree of A. B. In 1895 he completed the law course in McKendree and received the degree of LL. B. He was a member cf Philo and took an active part in the various phases of the college life of his day. Soon after leaving college he began the practice of law in his home town, at the same time engaging in the real estate and insurance business. His fellow citizens expressed their confidence in him by elect, ing him City Attorney, which office he held for three terms. He was also supervisor of Lebanon Township for four terms- He was Circuit Clerk of St. Clair County for four years, and Master in Chancery for two years. In 1926 he was elected Probate Judge of St. Clair County. Since that time he has had his office in Belleville, but still lives in Lebanon, and has one of the most cozy and comfortable homes in the town, presided over by his capable wife, who before her marriage was Miss Ruth E. Case of Carlyle, Illinois. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Case, were for many years well-known citizens of Clinton County, but late in life, moved to Texas in order to spend their declining years in a more congenial climate. Mrs. Chamberlin graduated from McKendree in 1898 receiving the degree of A. B. She was a member of Clio and occasionally assists the more recent Clios in their various social enterprises. Judge and Mrs. Chamberlin are both members of the Methodist Church, and she is an active worker in the various organizations connected with It, such as the Ladies' Aid and the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. She is also a Charter member of the Woman's Club of Lebanon. The Chamberlin's have three daughters. They are, Mrs. Ruth Mautz of Effingham, Illinois, Mrs. Virginia Pfeffer of Lebanon, and Mary who still lives with her parents and is a student in the high school. Judge Chamberlin is a member of several fraternal orders, such as theMasons, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen, and the

William O- Edw.Ards

WILLIAM O- EDW.ARDS William Ozro Edwards was horn February 28, i86q, at Pmckneyville, Illinois. His parents, Mortimer C. and Harriet M. Edwards, were both native Americans. He entered McKendree in September, i888, and completed both the Classical Course and the Law Course in 1893. At that time he received the two degrees of A. B. and LL. B. In 1898 he received the degree of A. M. from McKendree. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. He taught school m his own county for a time after his graduation, and then began the practice of law m Pmckneyville, the County Seat of Perry County, m which occupation he is still engaged. He is a member and an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has served the church as teacher and Superintendent of the Sunday School, as record' ing steward of the church since 1903, as trustee, as district president of the Epworth League, as president of the County Sunday School Association, and as secretary of the Laymen's Association of the Southern Illinois Conference. He is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He was married in June, 1899, to Miss Etta L. Root, of Lebanon, who was his classmate in McKendree. They have two children - Margaret Corinne and Gilbert Harold

MRS^ THERESA JEPSON HARDING Nina Theresa Jepson was born in Roscoe, Illinois, July 21, 1873. She is a daughter of Professor Albert G. and Nina E. (Ormiston) Jepson, who were both natives of New York State. Her father was for ten years Professor of Mathematics in McKendree College. She entered college in September, 1888, and graduated in June, 1893, receiving the degree of A. B., and m 1896, that of A. M. She was a member of the Clionian Literary Society. She was married March 8, 1898, to Robert H. Harding, also a graduate of McKendree. They have three children - Harold W., Nina Ruth, and Robert J. She is a member of the Methodist Church, the Ladies' Literary Club, and the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. She was twice elected president of the Literary Club, and three times secretary. She is now serving her second term as District Secretary of the W. F. M. S. Since her marriage, her home has been in East St. Louis, Illinois. Her daughter, Nina Ruth, died m 1925 while a student m the University

Susie M. Peach Orley E. Laird

Orley Egbert Laird was born at Mt. Vernon, Illinois, July 21, 1868. His parents were Samuel and Charity C. (Leonard) Laird. They were both of Scotch-Irish descent, but their ancestors came to America before the French and Indian War. After preliminary training at another institution, he entered McKendree m September, 1891, and graduated in 1893 with the degree of A, B. After pursuing post-graduate studies, he received the degree of A. M. m 1894. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. After his graduation he joined the Southern Illinois Conference and served pastoral charges for several years, but afterward decided to make the law his life work. He practiced law for some years at Mt. Vernon and then moved to Springfield, lUinois, where he engaged in abstracting as well as in the general practice of law. He was also lecturer on Abstracts in the Lincoln College of Law, in Springfield.

About 191 5 he moved to Lebanon, where he lived until his son, Samuel Niles, had finished college in 1920. He then entered the ministry of the M. E. Church, South, and served pastorates at Cairo and Centralia. After that he transferred to California and is now pastor at Isleton.

Mr. Laird was married February 3, 1897, to Miss Mary L Niles, of Henderson, Kentucky. Of their children, only two are now living - Samuel Niles and Orley Egbert, Jr.

Prof. J. R. Miller

PROF. J. R. MILLER James Russell Miller, son of Dr. Lloyd T. and Margaret (Blake) Miller, was born near Caseyville, November 3, 1870. He entered McKendree and became a member of the Philosophian Literary Society in 1885. He eventually received the following degrees from the institution: B. S. in 1891, A. B. in 1893, and A. M. in 1896. After some experience teaching m the public schools, he taught English in McKendree duf ing the two years 1895-97. At this time he realized that a more active occupation would probably improve his health, so he sought work of this kind. He became one of the organizers of the Rinard Grain and Lumber Company, of Rinard, lUinois. He was also at this time a member of the Chaney Mercantile Company, and with H. C. Chaffin, a manager of the John Kindle Farm, one of the finest fourhundred-acre tracts in Wayne County. He then purchased, improved, and personally managed a fruit and poultry farm near Collinsville, where for ten years he lived chiefly the outdoor life and thus built up his health to a point of efficiency that enabled him to again engage in school work. For a time he was one of the proprietors and a regular instructor in the Summers' Commercial College, of Collinsville. In 1912 he

Prof J. R. Miller

He was married in igo2 to Clara Elizabeth Hearn, of Baltimore, Maryland, who, prior to her marriage, was a teacher in the schools of Baltimore. Their two children are Margaret, now a teacher in the East St. Louis schools, and Lloyd, a student in Washington University. In 1912, Mrs. Miller, while on a visit to her old home in Baltimore, contracted an illness from which she did not recover. In 1920, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Marie Lloyd, of Collinsville, a former teacher in the schools of St. Clair County.

Since his college days, Mr. Miller has been a member of the Methodist Church, and for years was active in Sunday School work. He was for some time president of the St. Clair County Sunday School Association, and developed that organization to a higher point of efficiency than it had previously attained.

Mrs. Etta Root Edwards

He has always been interested in good books, works of art, and whatever tends to the uplift of his fellow-men. MRS. ETTA ROOT EDWARDS Luella Root was born November 7, 1867, at Bone

Gap, Illinois. She is a daughter of Rev. Edmund and Mary A. (Rhoads) Root, who were both native Americans. She became a student in McKendree in 1888 and graduated in the Classical Course in 1893, receiving the degree of A. B. She was a member of the Clionian Society and was an active worker in that organization. She taught school for several years after her graduation, one year as instructor in English in McKendree. She was married in June, 1899, to ^- O. Edwards, of Pinckneyville, who graduated in the same class with her at McKendree They have two children - Margaret Corinne and Gilbert Harold. In addition to her home duties, Mrs. Edwards has found time for much active service m various lines of work for the cause of humanity. She has been an active worker in the Methodist Church since early youth. Her father was a minister of the gospel in that denomination, and she has served the Sunday School and Epworth League in various capacities as the years have passed by. In 1908 she was a lay delegate from the Southern Illinois Conference to the General Conference, which convened at Baltimore, Maryland. In temperance work she has been equally prominent. She was recording secretary of the lUinois State W. C. T. U. from 1907 to 1912, and is now vice-president of that body. She won the first Matron's Grand Diamond Medal ever presented by the W. C. T. U. She also belongs to both the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society and the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Church.

Mrs. Marguerite Steele Doty

Marguerite Steele was born in Jasper County, Illinois, where she spent the years of her youth. In 1890 her mother, then a widow, moved to Lebanon in order that it might be more convenient for her daughter and her two sons, Robert and William, to attend college. Maggie first became a student in McKendree in September, 1890, and graduated in the class of 189 J, receiving the degree of B. S. She was a member of the Clionian Literary Society. After teaching school one year, she was married to Mr. S. O. Doty, who was also a student at McKendree for several terms. They made their home in the state of Arkansas, where Mrs. Doty died in 1902, leaving her husband and four children. She was a member of the Methodist Church.

Otto C. Pfennighausen

Otto Charles Pfennighausen was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, October 11, 1869. He is the youngest son of Captain Reinhold von Pfennighausen and Louise Gallen, who were both natives of Germany, and came to America in 1848. Otto was trained in the elementary schools of St. Louis and entered McKendree in 1887, and became a member of the Philosophian Society. In 1889 he began teaching in the Lebanon schools, but returned to his college course and graduated in 1893, receiving the degree of B. S., and M. S. in 1896. His teaching career in Lebanon, Lenzburg, and Belleville covered a period of twenty-three years. After that he went to Maplewood, Missouri ,ind estabhshed the Pfennighausen Realty and Construction Company, at which he is president and manager.

Hon. Fred J. Tecklenburg

June 24, 1896 he was married to Miss Sara Evelyn Jones, eldest daughter of Alfred C. and Cornelia (Houser) Jones, of O'Fallon. He and Miss Jones were fellow-students at McKendree. They have five daughters and three sons. The eldest daughter is Mrs. Cornelia Phinney, of Kansas City. George, the oldest son, is married and lives in Webster Groves. Louise and Ida are employed in St. Louis, Belle is a Junior in McKendree, while Alfred, Emma, and Blair are still under the home roof. Mr. Pfennighausen belongs to the Masonic Order, and his whole family are Methodists. He can trace his ancestry through five generations of soldiers, yet he prefers to fight for the Prince of Peace. HON. FRED J. TECKLENBURG

Fred J. Tecklenburg was born in St. Clair County, Illinois, June 6, 1869. His parents, Henry and Johanna (Bader) Tecklenburg, were both natives of Germany. He entered the Law Department of McKendree m the fall of 189 1 and graduated in the class of 1893, receiving the degree of LL. B. He was a member of the Philosophian Literary Society. He began the practice of law m Belleville in 1894 and is still engaged in the same business. In 1897 he was elected City Attorney of Belleville and held that office for six years. In 1904 he was elected State's Attorney of St. Clair County on the Republican ticket. In 1908 he was re-elected and thus held this important office for eight years. While in this office the esteem in which he was held by his brother attorneys was evidenced by the fact that he was elected president of the Illinois State's Attorneys' Association at a meeting of that body held in Chicago. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar, and a Shriner.

Maud Anna Watts was born in Lawrence County, Illinois, July 28, 1868. She is the eldest daughter of David A. Watts, a native of Illinois, and Mary A. (Greer) Watts, who was born in Ohio. The father was of Scotch descent and the mother of Irish ancestry. Mr. Watts was for a number of years a trustee of McKendree, and held that post at the time of his death. Maude became a student in McKendree in 1889 and graduated in the class of 1893, receiving the degree of B. S. In 1897 she received the degree of M. S. She was a member of the Clionian Literary Society. She taught school for a time in Lawrence County and m August, 1894, was married to W. C. Burt, who was then engaged in teaching but is now employed in newspaper work. Both Mrs. Burt and her husband are active members of the Methodist Church. They lived for some years in the state of Alabama, but now reside in AsheviUe, N. C.

Rev. Francis Marion Van Treese, D. D., a veteran of the Civil War and of the Gospel Ministry, was born January 29, 1844, in Hendricks County, Indiana, and died at the home of his son, in California, in October, 1927. His funeral was held in the Methodist Church of Lebanon and his remains laid to rest in College Hill Cemetery beside the grave of his wife, who had preceded him to the better world by less than a year. His early educational opportunities were limited, but he made the best use of what advantages he had and formed careful habits of study, which served him well m later life. At the opening of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Fifth Illinois Cavalry Regiment and served full four years. For two years after the war he was engaged in business at Willow Hill, Illinois, and then entered the ministry and joined the Southern Illinois Conference. He served continuously in the field of Southern Illinois until 1922, when he took the retired relation and lived through the few years of his retirement in East St. Louis. He served two terms as District Superintendent; six years each on the Vandalia and Alton Districts. In 1915 he was appointed Executive Secretary of the Conference Endowment Fund. In this work he raised $125,000 of permanent endowment for the retired preachers' fund. He was a great friend of Education and served for nearly forty years as a member of the Joint Board of McKendree College. In 1893 the College bestowed upon him the degree of D. D.

He was married September 20, 1868, to Miss Avis Cheek, who was his faithful helpmeet until her death November 3, 1926. They had six sons and one daughter, all now living except Harry, who died about twenty years ago at Douglas, Arizona. The daughter is Mrs. Blanche McMackin, of Chautauqua, Illinois, and the sons are; William O., of Redondo Beach, California; George, of Chicago; Melville, of Los Angeles; Marion, of San Francisco; and Charles, of Robinson, Illinois. Four of these - William, Blanche, Harry, and Marion were all some-time students in McKendree, though none of them graduated. Dr. Van Treese, at different times during his long ministry, served some of the leading churches of the conference, and was always regarded as a leader among the preachers. He had attractive offers from churches in other conferences, but preferred to devote his life to the service of the church in Southern Illinois. After the death of Mrs. Van Treese, he set his house in order by closing up his business affairs and giving his library to McKendree College, with instructions to distribute it among the ministerial students in the institution; and then he went to California. He spent the last few months of his life enjoying the climate and scenery of California, and visiting in the families of his three sons who live in that state.