Complex sentence: He became president of the Masonic University at Selma, Alabama, in 1853, but in 1854 entered the service of the University of Michigan as professor of physics and civil engineering.
Split into simpler sentences: He became president of the Masonic University at Selma, Alabama, in 1853. In 1854 Winchell entered the service of the University of Michigan as professor of physics and civil engineering.