The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-05-16
From the Michigan Teacher.
uILLsDALE COLLEGE.

Learning that have sprung into exis
! tence sincs the West was opened TO the
enterprise OF the American people, few
can point to a better record than the
college founded by the Free Baptist in
Michigan and now located at Hillsdale
As early as ls4i a movement in this
direction was inaugurated at the Mich
iehn Yearly Meeting held in June al
Franklin, Lenawee. Earnest Chris.
tian men felt tho need TO their demon.
ination of more general culture and q
better-trained ministry. The beloved
David Marks had been previously con.
suited. and though unable to be pres
ent at the session in 1874, sent his cor
dial approval OF the proposition. This
resulted in the establishment, ut Spring
Arbor, Jackson county, OF an academy,
which subsequently expanded into the
Michigan Central College. The school
was opened in December, 1914, with
the Rev. ID. Nj. Graham, a recent grad
nate OF Oberlin, as Principal. A log
building, that had formerly been used
as n town-house, furnished the first
home to the infant College. Soon,
however, three buildings more suitable
for the purpose were erected; q good
though not large library was collected; /;
and the finest philosophical apparatus
then west OF the mountains was obtain
ed. After filling the Office Of Principal
OF the Academy, and subsequently that
of President of the College very ac-
ceptably for several years. Mr.. Graham
resigned and was succeeded by the
Rev. f. b. Fairfield. The Rev. Ran
som Dunn, still connected with the
College; the Rev. @. ii. Churchill, af-
terwards a professor ut 0berlin; the
Hon. l.. J. Thompson; the Rev. L. b.
Potter, now Of Lansing; the Rev. w.
Fl. Perrine aud Mrs. Psrrine Miss
Benedict). now Of Albion; Miss Della
II. Whipple, and some others, we're
connected with the board Of instruc-
tion while the College remained at
Spring Arbor.
Open to all, irrespective Of natiouali-
ty, color, or sex, the College grew 80
rapidly that enlargement became essen
tial to its existence. An appeal to the
residents Of the vicinity, who had been
confessedly benefited by its location
there, for help TO accomplish this de-
sign, having received no favorable re-
sponse, removal became the only alter
native. This proposal reused an in
tense opposition from the citizens. who
learned too late the value OF the Col.
lege. The struggle that ensued result
ed in the loss Of all the property, to
the amount of nearly S25, ZOO. The
invisible College" however, found a
hearty welcome in Hillsdale, whose
residents by their libsrality moro thnn
repaid the loss experienced by removal.
The Hon. T.. Blackmar contributed q
beautiful plat Of twenty-five acres, and
the people OF the county erected the
buildings, the corner stone OF which
was laid July 4th, 1853. On this occa-
sion the Hon. Henry Waldron-still
trustee and warm friend OF the College
presided. Professor Dunn offered
the consecratipg prayer, and President
Fairfield made the address. The in
terest taken in the enterprise was man
tested by the presence OF vast num-
ber, who united in exercises that trans
ferred the land from the noble purpos-
es OF agriculture to the not less noble
purposes Of learning and religion. A
handsome edifice was completed upon
this ground in little more than two
years, and for nearly twenty years long
er was prominent among the buildings
OF the county. This was thrown open
to students Nov. Z, 1855, when the eXer.
cises Of Hillsdale College proper, or
ganized under q new charter, began,
with l.. u. Fairfield as President, and
Professors Ii. Il. Whipple, Ransom
Dunn, &. II. Churchill, aud Misses
Whipple and MAhoney, as associates,
Henry J. King as Treasurer and Finan-
cial Manager.
In the twen.y.one years Of its exist
ence, Hillsdale College has had a num-
Der OF talented and hard -workingprofes
sors, among whomlt will not be invidious
to mention the Rev. s. J. Fowler, who
died during the summer vacation OF
1875, at Saco, Me, whittier he had
gone on account Of his health. For
nineteen years he had most faithfully
served the College in the chair Of
Mathematics, besides adding largely to
its endowment by solicitations among
the churches. As n man, n teacher,
and a Christian, Prof. Fowler so en-
deared himself to the community, the
church, and the College, that many
years must elapse before his memory
shall fade away or his influence cease
10 be felt. Intimately identified with
the history OF the College 10 the name
OF George Mcmillan, who, after sixteen
years service in the chair Of Ancient
Languages, resigned, and is now filling
an important chair in the new State
University at Lincoln Nebraska. Hi
ram Collier, an alumnus Of tho College,
was for q number Of years one OF its
most successful professors, but, like
too many OF the other instructors, was
called to a more lucrative position in
Washington College, Penn. President
Fairfield continued at the head Of af-
fairs for sixteen years, during which
the institution was highly prospered.
or great magnetism OF character, he
bound the students closely TO him, and
received many tokens of favor also
from his fellow-citizens, filing at one
time the Office Of Lieutenant Governor
OF the State.
DIR. Fairfield resigned ia 1859. His
successor was the Rev. JAMES Calder,
ID. d., Of Penny ylyania. who had been q
missionary in China for many years
DIR. G. filed the Office but two years,
being called TO the Presidency Of the
Pennsylvania State College at Belle
fonte. lie was succeeded by DR. Ora.
ham, who was the first President Of
the College under its former charter
when located at Spring Arbor. Al
though quite popular as n teacher, DIR.
Graham's business affairs were such
that be was not able 10 hold the officc
longer than three years, when he ten.
dered his resignation. After two inef.
fectual attempts to secure the services
Of the late Rev. George 4. Day, ID. d.,
then editor of the Morning Star, the
trustees, upon DIR. Days suggestion,
elected the present incumbent.
The Faculty. as IL now stands, con.
sists Of tie Rev. Dewitt c. Durgin, ID.
D., President and Professor of Mental
aud Moral Philosophy: Rev. Ransom
Dunn, ID. D., Burr Professor 81 Sys-
tenntlc aud Pastoral Theology; Daniel
VI. FISH. 4. NJ, Professor 81 Chemis-
try abl Natural History: the Rev.
John J. Bntler. ID. D., Professor OF
Sacred Literature; the Rev. John 3.
Cnpp. 4. W. Alumni Professor 81
Rhetoric and Belle Lettres; George II,
Kicker, a. NJ, Professor Of the Greeh
aud Latin Languages: the Rev. Rich
ard s. James. d. D.. Marks Pre- fessol
Of Homiletics and Ecclesiastical His
tory; Mrs Mary H. Phillips, A. NJ,
Lady PTiaeipal aud Instructor in His
tory and French; Alex. G. Rideou'
Principal Il the Commercial Depart
mcui sud Profcssoro ~ Commercial Law
Warren A. Drake, Associate Principa