History of Ohio University, 1954

              THE HISTORY ...•..............................................................
.. . F OHIO -~ -.•.•••..............................................- .
UNIVERSITY
by
Tholllas
Nathanael
Hoover
Hoover, Thomas Nathanael, 1876- 1951. The History of Ohio University. Athens, Ohio University Press [ 1954].
Ohio University Libraries - http:// media. library. ohiou. edu/
THE HISTORY
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OF OHIO
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\ UNIVERSITY
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by
THOMAS N. HOOVER
" the means of education
shall forever be encouraged"
- ORDINANCE OF THE
NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 1787
OHIO UNIVERSITY PRESS
ATHENS, OHIO
Copyright by
The Ohio University Fund, Inc.
1954
Library of Congress Card Number: 54- 7172
Printed in the United States of America
II
Foreword
IF, AS CICERO WROTE, " history is the evidence of the
ages, the light of truth, the life of memory, and the school of life," then
it logically follows that the writing of the history of any institution
which has deeply influenced the lives of thousands of human beings,
and will continue to do so, is little less than a public duty. Certainly
the story of a state university that has stood for a century and a half
should be known, not merely for its own sake, but because it is an
essential part of the story of the state. Thus it is that this first compre­hensive
history of Ohio University serves a noble purpose. In its way
it adds to a fuller understanding of America.
Why an institution so rich in human and historical interest as
Ohio University should have escaped the attention of historians for
so long is difficult to understand. This default becomes even more
mystifying as one delves into the past and studies the extraordinary
figures who founded the university and planned its future. While it
is true that certain historical books and articles related to the subject
exist, they are intentionally limited in scope, are often sketchy, and
none has been written within the last thirty years. It remained for
Professor Thomas N. Hoover to recognize the need of assembling
into a single, readable narrative all noteworthy facts pertinent to the
history of Ohio University from its founding to the present day. His
task was not a light one. He received little support from the university
in the early years of his undertaking, either in money or sympathy.
Even more serious was the failure to preserve many records and other
data which would have lightened his labors. He had the good fortune,
however, to be able to refer to all trustee records which have been
carefully preserved from the first meeting of the board on June 6,
1804.
It is much to be regretted that Professor Hoover did not live to
complete this work by his own hand. The great body of the material
III
and the concept of the whole are his. His approach was both honest
and fearless. Those who read these pages will learn much about Ohio
University, much for which our friends may be proud. They will
observe at the same time that no attempt has been made to conceal
moments of conflict, to minimize issues for which men fought, or
to ignore oversight, neglect, and lack of vision which at times per­mitted
the university to languish. During the author's illness and
following his death, additional significant data became available;
advantage has been taken of this, as he would have wished. Neither
this circumstance nor the fact that the work of completion was
assumed by others renders this volume any the less a monument to
the interest and the industry of Professor Hoover.
The history of any university is a drama colored by world events
and conditions surrounding it, and by the actors - its friends and
enemies - who do not play parts rehearsed in advance but parts
determined by their background, their ambitions, their ideals. These
do not make the entire history of the institution, but they influence
mightily its course. The reader of the present volume will be re­minded
of this many times. Every effort has been made to keep it
" Professor Hoover's history;" he chose to treat the history in terms of
presidents, thus emphasizing the importance of personalities in the
development of a university " along western waters."
Professor Hoover would want me to thank the men who did the
research and revision necessary in the preparation of the manuscript
for publication. Two members of the Ohio State Archaeological and
Historical staff, Dr. James H. Rodabaugh and Dr. Everett Walters,
reviewed much source material which resulted in additions of great
value. Professor Paul H. Fontaine of our own staff wrote the final
chapters and revised many earlier passages; Professor Joseph B. Heid­ler
generously gave time and effort to the compilation of the index.
The alumni and all friends of the university are deeply indebted to
Professor Hoover and to all the others , vho have made the presentation
of this history possible.
JOHN C. BAKER
Athens, June 6, 1953.
IV
MAJOR GENERAL RUFUS PUTNAM
17 8- 182
Co- founder of Ohio niver ity ru ­tee
from 1804 to 1824. From 1796
to 1803 he was Surveyor General of the
United tate. He made the first ur­veys
of Athens. The 1804 revision of
his town plat sho~ ing provision for the
Univer ity is reproduced on the end­papers
of thi volume.
OHIO UNIVERSITY
PRESIDENTS
1804 - 1954
Note: James Irvine, A. M.,
was President from 1822­1824;
no portrait of him is
known.
MANASSEH CUTLER HALL
Erected, 1819. Fir t college building
In orthwe t Territory. Long called
th " 011 g dific" and " Cent r
uilding," it a d i nated utI r
all in 1914, and r tor d to origi al
app aranc f r d dication in 1 47.
JACOB LINDLY . M.
1809- 1822
ROBERT G. WILSO , D. D.
1824- 1839
ALFRED YORS, D. D.
1848- 1852
WILLIAM HOLMES MCGUFFEY, D. D., LL. D.
1839- 1843
OLOMON HOWARD, D. D., LL. D.
1852- 1872
LL1 M HE 1- 1 RLE UPER Ph. D.
- 1 0
c L.. L TO L..
ER L ER)
ir t uilding in hio built for
the training of teacher and paid
for by tate appropriation. enter
ection completed 1904, north
wing 1907, outh wing 1 08.
MARGARET BOYD) A. B., 1873
Fir t woman graduate.
THOMA EWING A. B., 1815, first graduate of
Ohio University; Trustee, 1824- 1832. Secretary
of Trea ury, 1841; ecretary of Interior, 1849.
FROM THE DAY in 1804 when Jacob Lindly undertook his one- man a sign­ment,
academic leadership at Ohio University ha expanded to a group of
more than fifty deans, directors and department heads. The group below,
gathered in the Trustees' Room in eptember, 1952, includes the following:
( left to right, eated) W. H. Fenzel 18, acting dean ommerce; E. J. Taylor,
dean, Applied Science; E. W. Chubb, dean, Art and cience, emeritu and
former acting president; Irma E. Voigt, dean of women, emeritu ;
Gamertsfelder, former dean and former president; Pre ident Baker; T. C. Mc­Cracken,
dean of Education, emeritu ; G. W. Starcher, dean, Art and cience;
V. M. Roberts, director, Home Economic ; L. C. Mitchell, director, Painting
and Allied AltS; ( standing) L. J. Hortin, director, Journalism; E. C. eigfred,
dean, Fine Arts; M. Hunkins, dean of men; K. Ahrendt, director, Music; D. R.
Clippinger, director, Graduate Studies; J. B. Bixler ' 26, acting dean of women;
. G. S. Lasher, former director, Journalism; C. E. Kantner, director, Dramatic
Art and Speech; R. Elliott, dean, niver ity College.
ndat d
g mid-of
hio niver ity used a letterhead dur-teent
ntury; probabl mad about 1850.
REV. MA A SEH CUTLER) LL. D.
1742- 1820
Co- founder of Ohio University, and
signer of Ohio Company's contract with
United State Government, 1787.