Bradley University - Anaga Yearbook (Peoria, IL)

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if i Mrs. Bradley's will with its codicils was then read to the Board, and at this time she presented them with a deed for ten acres of ground as a site for the school buildings, contemplating entrance to such campus from Bradley avenue. She also tendered a contract for the payment of one-half her net income, estimated at 55525000 per annum, for the support of the school during her lifetime. These papers were accepted and resolutions of thanks and appreciation were placed on record. Affiliation with the University of Chicago was petitioned for, and the Board subsequently advised of favorable action. This, however, confers no power of control upon such University, or gives any interest whatever in the estate of the school. The relation thus established is social and advisory. The minutes of this First meeting were signed by the trustees individually. lt was an impressive meeting, opened with remarks by Dr. Harper and with prayer by Prof. Albion XV. Small. All felt the gravity of the occasion, as it was to mark an epoch in the endowment of this school, a new era in this undertaking which had so long occupied the earnest thought of Mrs. Bradley. She in her own Way explained her ambition and her plans and the responsibility she was placing upon those whom she had selected to have part with her in the material building of her hopes. Un the day follow- ing this Board meeting, Mrs. Bradley placed in the hands of the President, deed to additional grounds, extending the campus to Main street, as at pres- ent, and making a total of seventeen and a half acres thus devoted. Com- mittees on finance, buildings and grounds, faculty, curriculum and equipment, we1'e appointed by the Board, and at once entered actively upon their respect- ive duties of securing suitable buildings and providing for the opening of the school by the next October. lanuary13, 1897, a contract was entered into with architect llenry lves Cobb, of Chicago, to furnish plans for the Bradley lrlall and llorological build- ings to be erected at an estimated cost of 2f3110,000. Mrs. Bradley's original proposition to the trustees contemplated an expenditure of 315100000 in build- ings and 2fB50,000 in equipment, but that buildings might be improved in char- acter bythe use of stone instead of brick an additional amount of 310,000 was added, and generosity has been continually drawn upon until building and equipment accounts represent a total expenditure of fl52T20,000. But for it stand two beautiful and substantial buildings, wonderfully well adapted to the uses intended. Bradley Hall in addition to its administration department, faculty offices and school rooms, contains the manual training and domestic economy depart- ments, and their furnishings are marvels of utility and practical demonstra- tion not excelled in any schoolg and the horological department justly con- tends forthe distinction of having the best building and the best equipment of any watch-making school in the country, indeed in the world. Ground was broken April 10, 1897, heralding the material beginning of this enterprise

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l'uterbaugh, Rudolf l'l'eiffer, Zealy M. lrlolmes, llarry A. llammond, Albion XV. Small and Oliver gl. Bailey. The objects, ethics and aim of the Institute are defined by Section Two of such charter as follows: The objects for which this corporation is formed are to organize and maintain forever a school for the education of young people of both sexes in all the practical and useful arts, sciences and learning usually taught in polytechnic schools, includ- ing a department of ethics in which instruction shall be given in the principles of morality and right living as exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ: and so far as the resources of the Institute shall warrant there shall be added such courses of study and means of instruction in science, literature and art as may be deemed advisable by the Trusteesg but the chief aim of the Institute shall be to fur- nish its students with the means of living independent, industrious and useful lives by the aid of a practical knowledge of the useful arts and sciences. To establish the terms of admission of students to the Institute: to make and enforce rules and regu- lations for the government of faculty and students, but neither in the terms of admission nor in the treatment of students, the selection of officers, agents or instructors, nor in the appointment of trustees, norin any matter whatever connected with this Institute shall there be any distinction made or preference given on account of sect, creed, nationality. politics or partyg but with a view to its greater usefulness, this Institute shall be and ever remain non-sectarian, non-politiggal and non-partisan. Power is conferred to hold real and personal property for the use and occupation of the school and as income producing investments, and to admin- ister any estate or fund devised or bequeathed to the school for any purpose connected with its general object. lt is also given power to grant such liter- ary and scientific degrees as are usually granted by like institutions for work done in its various departments. The entire management of the Institute is vested in a board of seven trus- tees, two of whom by the terms of this charter are to be representatives of the University of Chicago. The other members of such Board are to be residents of l'eoria County or vicinity: and all hold office during life unless disqualified by incompetence, insolvency or other sufficient cause. The services of a Court of Chancery of Peoria County may be involced in perpetuating the suc- cession of such trustees, in emergency. Four members of such board consti- tute a quorum and all matters of important business must have the sanction of at least a quorum, and that fact must be shown by the record of proceedings. It is safe to say that no institution organized under the laws of the State of Illinois has been more safely guarded at every point looking to the present, and to that future which we reclcon as eternity. The first meeting of this charter board of trustees was was held at the residence of Mrs. Bradley, November lti, Hilti, when the charter referred to was tendered and accepted, by-laws were formulated and adopted and the following officers elected: ULIYER J. BAILEY. .. ............,. ........ ............... P r esident LESLIE D. Pu'1'ERBAuoi-1... . . ..... .Vice-President HARRY A. HAMMOND. . . . ........ ....... S ecretary VVILLIAM R. HARl'ER .... .... P resident of Faculty

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destined to mean so much to Peoria and its youth of the present and coming generations. October 4, 1897, had already been fixed upon by the Board of Trustees for the beginning of school work. Wlhat must necessarily be accom- plished in the interim between these dates, was so great an undertaking that people shook their heads in doubt, many said it was a physical impossibility, but anxiety on the part of Mrs. Bradley and her associates for this attainment was a spur to every effort and with wonderful rapidity and harmony the work went forward, not only upon the buildings, but in plans for the school work as well. Mr. Edward U. Sisson, at the time President of the South Side Academy, Chicago, had been secured as Director of the Institute to enter upon his duties, more particularly of assisting in selecting the faculty, March I, 1897. He remained such President until july 1, 1897, from which date his time in behalf of the Institute has been undivided and untiring. Although at the time of appointment to this responsible position, Mr. Sisson was under thirty years of age, he has shown himself possessed of the qualities of heart, mind and education, essential to the best success, and Bradley Polytechnic Institute will ever profit by the efficiency of his work in establishing the foundations of the school in these first years of its history. For all departments of the school it was the ambition to secure persons thoroughly fitted to the work, both by nature and education, and who would consecrate themselves to the undertaking as a duty and a privilege, and it has been a source of congratulation that the wisdom exercised in choosing from the many applicants presenting themselves for consideration, was so unerring as to seem providential, and it would be a pleasure to name here each one selected and having part in the early days of this school life. The departments of manual training and domestic economy, were to be and ever remain, special features of this school, though not more thorough and important would be their instruction than in every department, for the intention was to furnish so far as it might be carried, the best instruction in all that should tend to a complete education. lVIr. Charles Alpheus Bennett was secured for the manual training department, and it would be well for the Institute if it could have assurance of retaining him for many years to come. Mrs. Nellie Sawyer Kedzie, given charge of the Domestic Iiconomy Depart- ment, has won golden laurels in her work, placing such department in high favor and giving new character and dignity to this branch of education. For some years prior to the establishment of Bradley Polytechnic Insti- tute, Mrs. Bradley had been interested in Parsons' Horological Institute, cou- ducted in a building owned by her and located near the Polytechnic grounds. By co-operation of all parties interested, it was arranged that this horological school should become a department of Bradley Polytechnic Institute, and its conduct was undertaken accordingly. Mr. R. Parsons remaining for a time