Heidelberg University - Aurora Yearbook (Tiffin, OH)

Page 14 text:

,-7 S if ,Ji X Joseph B. Shumaker, 11892-94.3 E. D. Wettach, 41894-99.3 H. Williard, 11850-51.7 H. Shaull, 41850-53.5 FINANCIAL AGENTS.

Page 13 text:

HE present generation of students in looking over the early records of Heidelberg will find few men more fre- quently mentioned t h a n Henry Leonard, the financial agent, or The Fisherman. He render- ed invaluable service to the college during the years 1856-'88. He was born February 14, 1812 in Basil, Ohio, and died December , 7, 1889. His parents were natives . of Switzerland. He was consecra- ted to God in baptism in infancy and was received into full mem- bership of the Reformed Church in early youth. His early education was obtained in the schools of his native village, and though the ad- vantages of secular education were not those of to-day, he made good use of the privileges afforded and laid the foundation of a well-train- ed and liberally stored mind. Nature had endowed him with more than ordinary capacity. With a mind acute, penetrating and invent- ive he made rapid progress in all his undertakings. In early manhood he engaged in mercan- tile pursuits in Basil, and soon acquired a competence. But he became deeply inter- ested in the educational work of the church and in 1856 accepted the agency of the college tendered him by the Synod of Ohio. It required a severe struggle to give up his bright business prospects and undertake the hardships and self-denial of the agency. But with the conviction that the call came from God, he devoted all his energies to the work and erected a monument more enduring than marble. He traveled over IO8,000 miles in the interest of Heidelberg, engaged in securing subscriptions, collecting interest on notes, and inducing students to enter the institu- tion. He was well informed on the educa- tional and theological questions of the day and quite competent to defend his views. Of an agreeable disposition he was a great HENRY LEONARD. The Fisherman. favorite with the people and known to every one in the Reformed Church of Ohio. Abundant in plans and resources, he suc- ceeded in collecting a considerable sum of money and in awakening a deep interest in Heidelberg. He was convinced that the institution has a great mission to fulnll and for the realization of this ideal he spent the best years of his life. A numerous concourse of people attended his funeral in Basil, among them a large number of ministers. Appropriate memorial services were also held in Heidelberg Chapel. His name and memory are deeply cher- ished by the older students and friends of the University. DR. A. S. ZERBE.

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qorehisforic Heidelberg. QU5 THE spring 1839 the Synod of Ohio and adjacent states met in E9 3 annual session at Lancaster, Qhio, and were generously dined by the guy? late John U. Giesy at his hospitable hostelry. The late Henry Wil- liard and myself were then boarding at the same place. During this dinner and meeting of synod a great deal was said about the necessity of establishing a Theological Seminary within the bounds of this synod. It was also learned that as early as 1835 this matter had been talked over, but no definite action taken. Although I was only twenty years old at that time, and had but an imper- fect knowledge of the English or any other language, Iunderstood very well the importance of the question before synod, and concluded that in my humble way I would do whatI could to accomplish the desired object. By the advice of my friend, the late Rev. Henry Williard, I went to Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, and entered Marshall College, hoping to learn in two years all that was necessary for the accomplishment of my favorite scheme, but Rev. E. V. Gerhart, who was then a post graduate there, said that if a young man found out in two years that he knew nothing he was making commend- able progress. This somewhat dampened my ardour, but 7ZZ.!LZ,6'SfE7'fZ7Z6l72!71'Z, I continued my studies, keeping steadily in view the object of my ambition. About the year 1846, the same synod appointed a committee of three to receive proposals for the location of such an institution, but people were in no hurry in presenting their offers. About the year 1847, the people of VVorthington, Franklin Co., Ohio, offered to donate for this purpose, a lot of about four acres containing a commodious building, but as the church had no membership there or in the vicinity it was thought inadvisable to accept the offer. About the year 1848, I attempted to interest certain citizens of this city to purchase a lot of four acres on the southeast corner of Town Street and Washington Avenue, which could be purchased for 32,0005 it is worth now not far from 8100,0o0. I went to mine host, Wm. Kelsey of the American House, whose elegant residence was just west of this piece of land, and asked him what he would contribute toward securing an institution of this kind for that locality. He answered very emphatically, I will give 8500 to keep it away. This virtually ended the effort.