The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-09-30
FAMILY
Troubles Caused The PreSi-
dent Of BGrGa College
To Resign His Position And
Study Law
His Abandonment Of The
Ministry For Law
Surprised His Friends
Throughout The State
Until Domestic Troubles
Came To Light

The question of wife or career
was at the back of the resignation of
Rev. DR.. Robt. l.. Waggoner, as presi-
dent of Baldwin University.
This became known Monday when
it was learned that DR.. Waggoner had
enrolled as member of the Cleveland
Law School and that he had been in
marital difficulties for three years.
When DR.. Waggoner accepted the
presidency of Baldwin, he said:
"In accepting the presidency of
Baldwin University, | do it with an
eye single to Gods work and His call
ing. While to me it means much, do
it, looking to Him and to you for as
sistance in making Baldwin Universi-
ty a power for good in the commun-
ity."
DR.. Waggoner spoke to the mem
bers of his alma mater as they gath
cred at the alumni banquet table in
the parlors of the English Methodist
Episcopal church in Berea, o., on the
night of June 10, 1908. And while all
others were overjoyed as the words of
acceptance fell from the speakers lips,
he alone looked sad, for he was think
ing of one who from the first had
urged him not to take the position
rendered him by the trustees of the in
stitution. That one was Mrs. Lillian
Meacham Waggoner, his wife.
The election of DR.. G. A. Reeder of
Mt. Vernon, former superintendent of
the Cleveland district of the North
Ohio Conference, to succeed DR.. Wag-
goner came as surprise to even the
outgoing presidents most intimate
friends. 81 believe my stepping down
will be for the best interests of the
school," was the only comment DR..
Waggoner had to make when asked
concerning his resignation.
When in the spring of 1908, DR.. Geo.
B. Rogers resigned as president of
Baldwin, the efforts of the trustees
and members of the alumni were di-
rected in the choice of the zone best
man" for the position. That man
ought to be a graduate of the institu-
ton, they said. Session after session
was held, and finally the choice fell
upon DR.. Waggoner. The latter was
then pastor of the First Methodist
Episcopal church of TifIin o., which
charge he had filled for five years.
Mrs. Waggoner liked the social at
mosphere of that city and was not de-
sirous of leaving. DR.. Waggoner's
salary as president was less than his
salary as pastor of the Tiffin church.
He sought chamber in a rela-
tives home in Berea and there, on his
knees, he asked guidance. And while
he prayed came a telegram from Tiff
fin urging him not to accept. 1t was
signed by his wife. He visited the
home of her mother in Berea and talk
ed the matter over with her.
The faculty, alumni and friends of
the school had already seated them
selves at the banquet table but the
chair provided for DR.. Waggoner was
vacant. After wrestling in prayer,
which lasted for hours, he decided his
place was at the head of the universe
ty, and when he entered the banquet
room he was greeted with a mighty
shout.
From that day on DR.. and Mrs
Waggoner lived apart. For several
months she continued to reside at Tiff
fin. Then their household effects were
placed in storage in Berea and Mrs
Waggoner took up her residence with
her mother. They were seldom seen
in each others company.
Shortly after the opening of school
DR.. Waggoner took up the study OF
law in the Cleveland law department
of Baldwin University. For two years
he continued to teach and study
Since his retirement from the uni
versity he is devoting all his time tc
his senior year in law. He has Civ
en- up his residence in Berea.
DR.. Waggoner was member of the
class of 1892 at Baldwin. Among the
pastorates filled by him were those a
Brooklyn, Lakewood, Wellington ant
Timn. He is known throughout Ohi'
as an able platform speaker and lee
turer. At the age of A he has, a