The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-03-03
A Western College.
Ann Arbor-Why SO cniIed-A Western
University-Womeni in n Mems College.
ANN ARBoR, MICHIGAN.
Fahruary ODD. 1879

Ecurudly SAV, 1910
1t is queer name, to be sure, and it is no
wonder that everybody asks how it came to be
given to town. So, that this laudabe Curl
osty may be satisfied atsonce, be it known that
each of the two men who first settled here,
when this whole region was wilderness,
(howling, doubtless, as every wilderness is sup
posed to be) had a wife whose name was Ann.
Their affection for their spouses and admira-
ration for the beautiful groves of oak and ma
pie in the midst of which their cabins were
built, induced them to give the place the name
of AIMS Arbor, which by an easy process OF
abbreyiation came at last to be what it now is.
If this little bit of historical information were
more widely disseminated, fewer people would
fall into the error of saying Ann Harbor'
which is not only cockneyism, but a geo
graphical absurdity, as would be apparent to
anyone who had once seen the diminutive
stream which flows through this inland town
and which is honored with the stately title of
Huron River.
The town is very pretty-for western
place-being located on more elevated and
broken ground than is often to be found In this
state, having broad aud regular streets well
margined with shade trees, and abounding in
comfortable and even elegant residences which
are almost invariably surrounded by grass
plat and flower garden. In the population of
eight thousand there are no very rich people
and hardly any who are in extreme poverty.
The foreign element is principally German
and one who has lived mostly in the eastern
states will be Immediately impressed with this
fact in walking through Main street, the chief
business thoroughfare. More than half the
signs on the shops bear German names, and
they belong largely to men who are among the
most influential citizens. The Germans are
frugal industrious, law-abidiDg folks who
might be substituted with great profit for the
foreigners who are most prevalent in M aine.
There are few grist mills here, some brew
cries (for wells are scarce and there is less
prejudice than in New England against lager),
sizable printing establishment and some
minor manufactures; but there are no great
industries to make the town particularly wor-
thy of notice.
The only thing of any special importance is
the State University, which is an affair of
enough moment to attract attention anywhere.
1t IS by no means an old institution, its first
class having been graduated in 1885, but it has
developed with a rapidity which seems almost
marvellous even in this part of the country so
celebrated for extraordinary growth. This is
largely due to the broad and liberal basis on
which the founders of the University estab-
lished it and to the eminent ability and whole
souled devotion of the men who have had
charge of its affairs. But all these could not
have saved it in some of the trials through
! which it has passed if there had not been in
! its favor what the unregenerate are wont to
| call good luck. Indeed this is about the only
very successful university which has been at
| tempted on its peculiar plan, the others having
| foundered or fallen over some of the many
obtacles which always beset the pathway of a
young college.
| Unlike most of the institutions of its class
| in this country, it is under the direct care and
| patronage of the state. 1t is a part of the
great educational system of Michigan, giving
opportunities to those who have passed through
the ordinary public schools to continue their
studies with first class classical education,
| and then to prepare themselves for professional
| lfe in medicine, law, art or science. The
| government is in the hands of a Board of Re-
| gents who are elected by popular vote-a meth
| cd which is hardly the surest possible for the
selection of the best men for such places, but