The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1905-08-10
CHATTER rAlarY.onE.
origin, Growth and History o. our
Colleges.

Colleges.
Everything good originates In the
heart OF some benefioent person who
rs not living wholly FOR him or her.
self This is especially true OF our
institutions OF learning. There is
heavy toll and anxiety all along the
pathway OF all kinds o. unselfish la.
Dor. But back in the beginning years
there IS distinct character which
grows brighter with passing time,
whose faith and hope outreached his
fellows, and gave birth to the new
idea. Such a man was Thomas Star
ford, whom everybody knew in the
earlier days. His father came orig.
inally from North Carolina. The
household goods were hauled in a one
horse wagon and the family walked to
Richmond indiana. Mr.. STAFFORD was
a devout member OF the Friends
church and was the head workman
Who built the historic Friends church
at Richmond, Ind. Having accumulated
small fortune, he went with number
of friends TO Southern Missouri with
the thought of building UP a colony.
The country was not TO his liking, and
through the influence OF his friend,
Samuel Coffin, he came to Iowa in the
summer of 1843, locating in Spring
Creek township. Through his infiu-
ence other members OF the Friends
church became his neighbors, until
there was quite community OF his
own STURDY faith. A house of worship
was built. This modest building Is
now doing service as lie Friends Mis-
sion Chapel in West oskaloosa.
Thomas Stafford lived to be 81
years old. He sleeps in the pioneer
cemtery in Spring Creek township,
which ne himself helped to found.
Later, largely through Mr.. Stat
ford's persistent labors and influence,
the Friends established a school two
and one-half miles east Of Oskaloosa.
The building was substantial frame
three and half stories high and me
school was opened Nov. u, 1860. IL
was known ais the Spring Creek Instr
tute and was placed IN charge OF
Prof. David Morgan, OF Friendsyille,
Tennessee. This village was located
not fan from Knoxville in East Ten
nsSy "A The toyn had been built up
and named by Mr.. MorsoH, VINO had
charge OF a fourishing academy In
the place. The breaking out of the re-
bellion paralyzed all educational efforts
in tho South and Mr.. Morgan and HIS
brother, DR.. ]. w. Morgan, accepted
an invitation to take charge Of the
new Friends school which had been
established in this county under the
care of the Friends Yearly Meeting.
Those who anew Prof. David Nor
gan, the head Of the school, say that
he was man Of broad culture, pos
sessing unusual force Of characte-.
He was mathematician and taught
these branches In his school. DR..
Morgan says that he preceded his
brother some weeks and when he OPP
ened the now historic institute seven
ty-fiye young men and women enrolled
as students. Among the first to grad
.uate from the school were Prof. jesse
Macy. of Grinnell college, and Prof.
M. Stalker, state veterinarian. AL
the end of three years the building
took fire anu was wholly destroyed.
After the detruction Of the Spring
Creek Institute by fire in 1863, steps
were taken by the Iowa State meeting
Of the Friends church to establish a
college to be located at Oskaloosa.
This organization was first called the
Iowa Union College Association OF
Friends" Under this name grounds
were purchased from John While
north OF Oskaloosa, and work was be-
gun on the foundation. AS usual In
the beginning of every good and use
full work, many difficulties were In
fine way. The foundation for the west
wing Of the present building was frst
undertaken. II was partly DESTROYED
nv a storm, but perseyered In and
completed in 1872, at cost OF $1,000.
A school was opened in the IAN OF
that year under the management OF
J. w. Woody, who was president OF
the institution for four years.
At the Friends annual meeting In
1873 the name of the school was
changed to Penn college. The first
term Of collegiate work began Sept.
3. 1873. On the retirement Of Prof.
Woody, the presidency was held by
William B. Morgan for two years. In
1873 BENJAMIN Trueblood became the
head Of the school and ably filed the
Office OF president until 1890, when ne
was invited to become secretary Of
The American Peace Society, and
editor Of The Peace Advocate,
which ONCE he stir holds. Pres.
A. Rosenberger was chosen by the
board Of trustees TO succeed Presi-
dent TruebIood. The first class TO
graduate from the school was in 1875.
since that time there has been a
graduating class each year. In .he
year closing 1905 the graduating class
numbered thirty-two, the largest IN
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