, 1872-10-23
History Of tfae Northwest
eFn University.
Rise and Rapid Growth Of the
Institution.
Promises Of the Future---Trustees'
Meeting To-Day.
Chicago Theological Seminary
Alumni Institute.

THE NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.
On the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan,
twelve miles north of Chicago, in the heart OF a
grand old oak wood, stands. the institution Of
learning whose name heads this article. It is
not an old institution, with iVy-mantled walls
and covered with the associations Of centuries,
but young and vigorous one, having only re-
Gently attained its majority, with most aatter-
ing prospect for it's future. Institutions OF
learning, like wine, improve with age; so it will
be with this University, yet its rapid, even mar
vel1ous growth, is worthy Of more than pass
ing notice.
In the spring OF 1850, on the 30th day Of May,
injecting was held in the city of Chicago COM
posed of those favorable to the establishment Of
q University, under the patronage Of the Metho-
dist Church, in or near that rapidly growing city.
By appointment tho following well-known gem
tlemen met at the Office of Grant Goodrich, over
J. z. Botsford's store: Reys. Richard Haney,
R. h. Blanchard, q. Hall, and Hon. Grant Good
rich, Orrington Lunt, Esq, Il. ". Clark, Esq,
John Evans, Esq, ]. K. Botsford, Esq, and A.
J. Brown, Esq.
At this meeting resolutions were adopted
favoring the immediate establishment Of q Uni
fGE54kf alA " tOl1AAAttEo hab ApEOAAtON W
draft charter to be submitted to the General
Assembly Of Illinois at the eneuing session.
The charter was obtained the succeeding winter,
and accepted by the Trustees juno Is, 1851.
Tho first election of Trustees under the charter
resulted in the choice of the following GENTLE
men as Resident Trustees A. s. Sherman,
Grant Goodrich, Orrington Lunt, J. 4. Bots
ford, John Evans, Andrew J. Brown, George F.
Foster J. II. Arnold, E. B. Kingsley, James
Kettlestrings, N. S. Davis, and A. Funk, upon
whom the charter conferred tho power to elect
their successors.
It was thought best by the Trustees to secure
parcel of ground in the city for Preparatory
Department, which should be made tributary to
the University. A1essrs. Lunt and Evans, the
Committee, finally recommended tho purchase
Of some lots on the corner Of Jackson and Clar1
streets, which could be had for $4,000. After
deiberation this purchase was made, and it may
be interesting to know that the Grand Pacilic
Hotel now rests upon these same lots, still OWL
ed by the University. The Executive Committee
in 1853 mado numerous excursions into the sur
rounding country IN search OF suitable location
for a tract of land near Jefferson
we're pending, and the majority Of the Commit
tee we're in fuyor Of their purchase, but were ar-
rested by the merest accident. On the return
from one Of these excursions to Highland Park,
Mr. o. Lunt, in the company Of A1r. Benson,
stopped at the Snyder Farm, where the latter
had some business to transact. While Mr. Ben
eon was attending to his business: Mr. Lunt,
who had been opposed to thoJ Jefferson purchase.
walked across tho wet land to the lake shore.
His attention WAS then drawn to d high bank o
short distance north, to which he repaired. He
was delighted witl, the location. and the i'm
preston made BY the high bank, the forest
be saw bright visions of the future beautiful
University town with all its prosperity and ad-
vanteges. THO Executive Committee were not
long after transported to this newly-discovered
Arcadia. The verdict was unanimous in favor Of
this site. and action immediately taken to
secure it. It was not without difficulty, howev-
er that the land was secured at the then exorblt-
we're purchased. forty Of which were set apart
for University grounds, and tho remainder laid
out into town. Rev. Philo Judson, who was
their agent, and filled his Office with universal
sss'7fa'iGn s1 fed sn' hs sng Ssf1s
Of the town. In the month Of June Of the
year 1854 the following Faculty rere decided on:
President DR.. G: 7. Hinman Colleagues, ".
a. four-story wooden structure, was erected in
1855, at a cost of about $4,000, on the same
block in which the new Methodist Church now
stands. In the summer Of 1871 this building
was moved into the Campus, thoroughly remoo-
elled and enlarged, and is now used for the Pre-
paratory Department. Although the institution
opened with only five students, It not long or
dained to remain so. Dr.. Hinman, who up to this
time had been President, was called away by an an
inscrutable Providence, not being destined to
see the future growth and greatness OF the IDEA
for which he had 30 faithfully 1abored. At the
annual meeting Of the Trustees IN 1886, rev.
Dr. r. s. Foster was elected President, under
whose fostering care for the next four years the
ingtit ution advanced rapidly into public notice
| and esteem. The great commercial crash OF
1857 fell With full force on the University and
growing village Of Evanston. 1t Was at that
epoch in the Uniyersitys history, it in no other.
that tho Trusteees showed their financial ability
and wisdom
There we're no funds to pay the salaries Of the
professors, only an abundance OF unlmproVed
lands. The Trustees thought better to shut up
the T University entirely than sacrifice them,
and SO informed the Professors. But they, IN
perfect accord with the spirit Of dieinterested
| benevolence that has ahown conspicuously
through the entire history Of the institution, ex-
pressed willingness to take promises to pay,
rather than shut the University doors.
From this date the institution prospered Won
| dorfully; the landed endowments which the Uni
vereity possessed rose IN value, and Its future
| SUCCESS and opulence were indisputable.
! The successful efforts put forth by the Faculty
to raise the standard Of Western scholarship
turned from it's doors the superficial, and at
tracted the lovers Of high scholarship and liberal
culture.
The accommodations not being sufficient for
the large influx Of Students and the time having
arrived when the finances allowed Of the under
taking, the present elegant and commodlous
structure occupied by the arts, scientific, and
civil engineering departments WIS planned
The cornerstone vas laid in 1855. and tho
year 1869 Witnessed the completion Of the editice
! and the installation of DR.. Erastus O. Haven to
| the Presidency. The building is constructed of
Athens marble" four stories in height, con;
| tanning recitation rooms, chapel, museum, and
| library, the whole furnished throughout with
the most approved modern conveniences., The
entire cost vas sl25, 900. DR.. Haven, entering
| upon his duties as President. assisted
By a large and able Faculty which had been
| added as the growing wants of the institution
made it necessary and advisable, and also b the
one of the most popular and success-
ful college Presidents in the country,
can it be q matter Of surprise
| that the University with one mighty leap placed
itself with the foremost college Of the land
| Students thronged the halls, and woman, who
| had previously been admitted to the Same pr1vl-
leges as the sterner sex, threw the charm OF her
nreBence over the prosaic life Of the student.