Franklin and Marshall College - Oriflamme Yearbook (Lancaster, PA)

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Historical Sketch of Franklin and Marshall. N a beautiful campus well planted with trees and shrubbery, in the northwestern part of the city of Lancaster, stands the historic institution of Franklin and Marshall. The main college building is situated between the Goethean and Diagnothian Liter- ary Society Halls. North -of the latter hall is the new Gymnasium, Harbaugh Hall, a commodious and substantial building used as a students' boarding house, the Daniel Scholl Observatory, and the Academy Building, occupied by tl1e Preparatory Department, the Herbarium and the Linnaean Museum. On the south side of the campus are residences of several professors of the Theological Seminary. Franklin and Marshall College was formed by the union of two colleges. Before reviewing the history of the present institution, it is necessary to consider the origin, design, and growth of its components. By an act passed by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, March io, 1787, a German College and Charity School was in- corporated in the city of Lancaster. The title of this new insti- tution made it not only a college, but also, a charity school. Doubtless, the college grew out of, and was based on the charity school which had been founded at Lancaster as early as 1754, by the celebrated missionary, Michael Schlatter. The college was founded, out of a demand felt in both the Lutheran and Reformed churches, for a supply of men for the ministry, who could be edu- cated in this country instead of Europe. - We must recognize as the founder of this college, that most emi- nent citizen of Pennsylvania, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, who was instrumental in establishing many philanthropic institutions. In the charter, the title is set forth as follows: From a profound re- spect for the talents, virtues, and services to mankind in general, but more especially to this country, of His Excellency, Benj. Franklin, Esq,, President of the Supreme Executive Council, the I2

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said college shall be and hereby is denominated Franklin College. Dr. Franklin was the largest individual contributor alld took a deep interest i11 the new institution. He, although advanced in years, made a journey to Lancaster for the purpose of laying the corner-stone. An act was passed February 27, 1787, for vesting the public store-house and two lots of ground in the borough and county of Lancaster in the trustees of Franklin College, for the use of said institution.'l This store-house, which was for a longtime used as a college building, was situated on North Queen street, near james. The bllllfllllg was finally divided into dwellings, Zllld is now known as Franklin Row. The first board of trustees consisted of many intelligent and distinguished men. The ministers of the board were generally the most prominent men of the Lutheran and Reformed churches. Among the list, also, were a number of distinguished Revolution- ary ofiicers and four signers of the Declaration of Il1Ciep6llClC11CC. The presidents and professors of Franklin College, from its in- ception, were men of eminence. The first president was Rev. H. E. Muhlenberg, D. D. The first vice-president and second presi- dent was Rev. Frederick Valentine Melsheimer, who was a dis- tinguished scientist and is known as the father of American entomology. Prof. Stewart, a native of Ireland, had charge of the English department. Rev. Joseph Hutchins, of the Episcopal church was, for a short ti1ne, a professor in Franklin College. John C. W. Reichenbach, the first treasurer of the faculty, was professor of mathematics. Rev. james Ross, the author of the celebrated Latin grammar, entered upon the duties of his office as professor of ancient languages in 1801. Franklin College had to contend with some difficulties. The chief trouble was not a lack of patronage, but was of a personal character. Situated, as it was, in a German community, the peo- ple of the county were not favorable to higher education. The fact, also, that the college was controlled by two synods, the Lutheran and Reformed, was detrimental, as neither synod was properly conscious of its responsibility. The college, therefore, was' neglected. It was, however, constantly kept open, but many of its rooms were frequently rented for private schools and acade- mies. In 18 39, Franklin College, which had now reached a very 1 5 i