The Indianapolis journal., 1903-02-22
ONCE A FAMOUS COLLEGE
FIRST SCHOOL FOR WOMEN TO IN
TRODUCE A COLLEGE CURRICULUM.
Old Ingham FIOurished When the
Great WOmeD's Colleges of To-Day
Were Not Thought OF.

Oatka and in one of the most picturesque
spots of the village of lie Roy are the old
and dilapidated buildings of the once ia
nous Ingham University, whose halls at
one time rang with the mirth and laugh
ter of the bevy of schoolgirls who attended
this institution. but which are now silent as
if in mournful remembrance of these happy
days.
The buildings are now the property of
Yale University. having passed into its
hands through the death of William Lamp
son, a wealthy banker of lie Roy, a few
years ago. At the time Yale acquired the
buildings rumors were afioat that il was in
tended TO utilize them for a Yale prepara-
ton school, but the rumors were without
foundation. OF late years the building
which at one time served as a dormitory
has been arranged as a tenement house,
and several families now occupy it. The
handsome brick dOrmitory which was built
a few years before the school was aban-
doned, is also used as a tenement. The
Staunton Conservatory of Art building is
now unoccupied. but for a time it was used
by the local Maccabees as a meeting place.
part of the school proper is occupied by
a patent medicine manufacturer.
interesting one. For over half century the
institution survived under different cor
porations and at one time had earned for
itself a national reputation as an institu-
tion of learning for young ladies. The
school was established by the Misses Mari
ette and Emily E. Ingham, who were born
in Saybrook, Conn. They first located in
Attica, but after two years removed to lie
ID
Female Seminary in 1885.
The founders at its commencement pur-
chased the fine residence and grounds
which were then owned by Robert Bayard,
streets, on which property the Ingham
buildings are now located. The first char
1871 isF i0r the institution was obtained IN
The school by the energy and ability of
its founders sprang at into the first
rank of this class of institutions in the
State. Aside from its advancement at this
period of female institutions, it adopted
rule which was ever rigidly maintained,
that mo teacher will be employed who will
not conscientiously make continued efforts
for the moral and spiritual good of the
pupils" Under such guidance and with so
high a standard the success of the school
was assured from the first. 1t continued
to flourish, but its founders had seen other
institutions of this kind arise, flourish
and at last perish, for want of support,
so they resolved to relinQuiSh their valuable
private interests in the school and surren-
der the large property TO the synod OF
Genesee, who accepted the gift on the con-
ditions that a full collegiate course should
be established in the school and a perma-
nent fund raised for its support
The first charter as a collegiate institu-
ton was obtained April g. 1852, its title be-
ing "Ingham Collegiate Institute" located
at lie Roy, n. Y. The institution at this
time preceded South Hadley, Elmira, Farm
ington, Wells, Packer and Vassar and all
other female institutions, in that 1T was
he fret 10 frfr COLI rrTfn r1rrrf1
into the education Of young ladies, and
charter with power to confer degrees and
grant diplomas.
The next step in advance was to ask
the Legislature Of the State for a charter
for university. The request was at first
refused on the ground of its inadaptability
to a female institution of learning and
rank hitherto unknown in this or any other
State. With persistent urging the charter
was finally granted at the next session
of the Legislature g with the university gi1 priv
ileges. This was in April, 1857.
Samuel Hanson Cox, a distinguished cler-
gyman of New York city, was installed
under imposing ceremonies as its first
chancellor. Colonel Phineas Staunton was
temporarily elected vice chancellor. He
was an artist of high merit and made his
branch speciality In the university. He
was the son of General Staunton, a distin-
guished officer in the war of 1872; was born
in Wyoming, N. Y, and was married to
Emily E: Staunton. one of the founders of
the institution, in 1Si7. fine collection
of his paintings adorned the art gallery of
the institution. up to a few years ago, when
all the paintings of the art gallery were
sold at public auction to the highest bidder.
The sale attracted many of Ingham's
former pupils. AT the time of the civil
war. Colonel Staunton was chosen lieuten-
ant colonel of the One-hundred- first
Regiment in Buffalo. At the battle of Fair
Oaks he was wounded. Later he became a
member of the scientific expedition organ
lied at Williams College. This was his last
America.
In 1870 Mrs. Staunton erected the Staun-
ton Conservatory Of Art. In memory of her
| 1t was the finest In the State for the pur-
pose of its construction. 1t still stands,
though somewhat dilapidated, as a monu-
ment to this noble couple.
The property valuation Of Ingham, as re-
| ported by ii to the regents of the Univer-
sity Of New York in 1876. was SOL. .00O Time
| has greatly reduced the valuation, but at
that time the handsome brick dormitory
was not included in the property, which In
a degree would offset some of the deprecia-
| tion.
The chancellors who succeeded DR.. Cox
were the Rev. Samuel d. Burchard, who
| served until 1872, DIR. Edward b. Wads-
worth and DR.. w. M. Totheroh. Some of
| the noted professors were Prof. l.. NJ.
| Wiles, OF New York, in the art department.
He acquired national reputation a
landscape painter. He was aided by his
complished Henri Apply and Mrs. c. S.
Cary. The Rev. William l.. Parsons and his
| wife, Mrs. Lucy. A. G. Parsons. taught
| moral philosophy and history. Other noted
professors connected with the institution
| were Prof. III. ]. Smitz and DR.. Henry J..
| Van Lennop. 1t is estimated that more
than $4,000 had been given to INDECENT but
well-deserving pupils by Mrs. Emily Staun-
ton. one of the founders.
After the granting of the university char
| ter in 1851 the Legislature was asked for
$25, ,OOO but only 5000 was obtained, and an
| appeal to the public resulted in securing
| only the small sum of 81, 400 The synod of
Genesee then relinquished its trust and in
| 1883 new charter was granted and new
board of trustees organized.
| AS years progressed and other female in
stitutions began to forge ahead it was
| necessary for Ingham TO keep up the pace.
| The capital on hand was not enough to do
some brick dormitory was added TO the
/ school at a cost of $4,000. The mortgage
| on it was held by William Lampson- The
| school began to lag and the profits were
| not large, and when the time was up for
| the payment of the mortgage it was not
| to be had and the mortgage was foreclosed
and the buildings closed.
| Thus ended the career of one of the most
| famous female seminaries of its time, but
| its memories will always live in the minds
| Of those who were interested in its well
fare. Each year the members of the Ing
+ ham Alumnae Association meet in Brook
lyn and New York, and at those meetings
| the happy days of Ingham are still re-
| hearsed
Little by little the interior OF the build
| ings have been stripped of their belong
| ings until at the present time there remains
nothing to identify Ingham except its build
| ings.
War and the Wheat Market.