Bradley University - Anaga Yearbook (Peoria, IL)

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HI TORY 21.2 NSTITUTE DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MY BELOVED HUSBAND, ToB1As s. BRADLEY, AND OUR DECEASED CHILDREN, BY LYDIA BRADLEY. II E above inscription tells us the incentive which actuated Mrs. Lydia Bradley when she gave to us tfiis Institution. Laura Bradley, a much loved daughter of Tobias and Lydia Bradley, though young when call- ed away. had lived to a noble purpose, and the going out of her life brought into being an inspiration to father and mother which prompted a determina- tion to establish with their fortune a memorial which would have life and power for good. The death of Mr. Bradley in 1367 interrupted the progress of plans then under way, but later these were renewed by Mrs. Bradley. She travelled much, personally investigating the best polytechnic and manual-training schools in the countryg considered carefully plans adopted for the perpetuation and main- tenance of such institutions, as well as their structural arrangements and advantages. Mrs. Bradley hrst gave to her plans definite form through her will in 1885, the purpose of which was to convey the bulk of her estate at death for the endowment of an institute. In 1895 the interest in her was greatly quick- ened and she took steps for obtaining larger and more definite knowledge along the line of manual-training schools, and sent Mr. W. W. Hammond as her personal representative to the Washington School for Boys in St. Louis, Throup Institute, in Pasadena, California, and to the National Educational Convention which that year assembled in Buffalo, New York. She conducted large correspondence with Polytechnic Schools all over the United States. Finally it was suggested that she have a conference with Dr. Harper, President of the University of Chicago, and Dr. Harper in his first interview with Mrs. Bradley, realizing that her plans were well matured, urged upon her the advis- ability of endowing the school in her life time. This was a new and a happy view of the undertaking. Her estate was in readiness at any moment and her physical strength of body and mind gave happy promise. Renewing her search for still more definite knowledge, she visited the Chicago Manual Training School and Lewis Institute. November 13, 1896, a charter was secured under the University Act of the State of Illinois, giving to the school 1ts name, ff Bradley Polytechnic Institute , outlining the scope, aim and power of the institute and methods of perpetuation, naming as the first Board of Trusteesg William A. Harper, Leslie D. Puterbaugh, Rudolph

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' --vw -s .7--4 1 - l l BRADLEY POLYTECH NIC INSTITUTE

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Pfeiffer, Zealey M. Holmes, Harry A. Hammond, Albion W. Small and Oliver J. Bailey. The objects, ethics and aim of the Institute are defined by section two of the charter as follows: t' 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 poly- technic schools, including 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: 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 trustees, but the chief aim of the Institute shall be to furnish 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 regulations for the government of the 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, nor in any manner whatever connected with the Institute shall there be any distinction made or preferences given on account of sect, creed, nationality, politics or party, but with a view to its gre ater usefulness, this Institute shall be, and remain non-sectarian, non-politi- cal and non-partisan. The entire management of the Institute is invested in a board of seven trustees, 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 Peoria County or vicinity, and all hold office during life unless disqualified by incompetence, insobrency, or other sufficient cause. The ser- vices of a Court of Chancery of Peoria County may be invoked in perpetuating the successions of such trustees, in emergency. Four members constitute a quorum and all matters of important business must have the sanction of at least a quorum. Q The first meeting of this charter board of trustees was held at the resid- ence of Mrs. Bradley, November 16, 1896, when the charter was tendered and accepted, by-laws were formulated and the following officers elected: Oliver J. Bailey, President, Leslie D. Puterbaugh, Vice president, .Harry A. Ham- mond, Secretary, William R. Harper, President of Faculty. Mrs. Bradley's will 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. She also tendered a contract for the payment of one-half her net income, estimated at 525,000 per annum, for the support of the school during her life-time. Affil- iation with the University of Chicago was petitioned for. 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 sotial and advisory. On the day following the Board meeting, Mrs. Bradley placed in the hands of the President a deed to additional grounds, extending the campus to Main Street, as at present, thus making a total of seventeen and a half acres. I g 77,77 , Q-4, , ,,. Y. ....., , .,,,,. .Ls -i.- I, s..-4..-