Illinois State Normal University - Index Yearbook (Normal, IL)

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A light to others r r 1857 the structure was suspended from Septembei until the summer of 1859. In an effort to quiet rumors of relocating the univer- sity, Principal Hovey began underwriting the debts incurred by the building. His buying of federal swamp lands created confidence on the part of land speculators, whose cash purchases enabled work on the structure to resume and eventually be completed in 1861. The 1860 June commencement exercises opened the nearly completed building. Halls for two literary so- cieties, and lecture organizations, the natural history museum, and an art gallery were located on the now- removed fourth floor. During the Civil War, Hovey commanded the Normal Rifles, which later became Company A of the School- masters ' Regiment. He died in 1897, leaving his eternal mark upon the Illinois Normal University. Establishing the curriculum was a major task. Courses such as metaphysics and orthography were listed in the first catalog, published in 1860 with particular emphasis placed on the natural sciences. Social life centered around two literary societies — the Philadelphians and the Wrightonians. Such were the crucial opening days of the Illinois Normal University, that was endowed with a zealous leader and faithful community backing. Lieutenant Joseph G. Howell, a mem- ber of tlie 1860 graduating class, was the first Normal casualty of the Civil War. HoweU was killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing in February-, 1862. A marble plaque to this hero ' s memory still hangs in Old Main. A magnificent four-story brick structure, complete with dome and silk flag, was tlie only build- ing on the campus at the time this picture was taken in the 1860 ' s. Classes were held on tlie first three floors, while the fourth floor housed the literary societ - hall, the museum, and the art gallery. Old Main 11

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6 C r. ? r v e Charles E. HoM.-y. first ISNU prt-sidcnt, was assisted by two other facidty members on lUi- nois Normal ' s opening day, October 5, 1857. He resigned the presidency in 1862 to lead the Normal Rifles in the Civil War, at which time he was promoted to brigadier-general. Charles E. Hovey — The first president of Illinois Normal University, the first president of the State Teachers Institute, and the first editor of The Illinois Journal — these distinctions delineate the personality of Charles Edward Hovey. Born in Tlietford, Vermont, in 1827, the young school- master was a product of Dartmouth College and once toyed with the idea of becoming a lawyer. The task of not only setting ISNU ' s machinery in mo- tion but of also perpetuating its ideals fell upon Presi- dent Hovey. A holiday spirit prevailed during the cornerstone lay- ing of the main building in North Bloomington on September 29, 1857. Copies of the school charter, sub- scription lists, daily newspapers, and the Declaration of Independence were placed in the memorial block b attending dignitaries. Meanwhile, the first university classes began on October 5, in Major ' s Hall, East Front Street, Blooming- ton. Nineteen pupils registered the first day, with the enrollment totaling 127 students by the close of the academic year. Successful as Normal was in its chief purpose of teacher preparation, it could not prosper financially. Top heavy with debt created by the Panic of 1857 and the imminent Civil War, community pledges for the new building were not fulfilled. As a result, actual ' ork on Major s Hall Major ' s Hall, birthplace of ISNU, still stands at the corner of Front and East Street. It was here that Lincoln delivered his famous Lost Speech and that nineteen students enrolled for the new school ' s first session on the third floor of the building. 10

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Richard Edwards, a Welshman by birth, learned the English language through memorization of an English catechism. A i ubiic speaker of no mean reputation, the ISNU administrator re- ceived a number of calls to various Illinois churches. He resigned as president in 1867. Richard Edwards — Richard Edwards became jDresident of the State Nor- mal University in September, 1862, and held the office tor fourteen years. Upon him fell the crucial task of stabilizing the infant school during the war and post- war years. President Edwards ' biography exemplifies the tradition of America as the land of opportunity. The outhful immigrant ' s family debarked from Wales to Ohio in 1832. Young Edwards was ten years old at the time. He was in full comprehension of the English language, having committed an English catechism to memory dur- ing early religious training. Forsaking a carpentry apprenticeship in 1838. Richard Edwards undertook studies at the Bridgewater, Massa- chusetts, Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1846. He financed his way through college by means of part-time teaching. Graduate studies were continued at Harvard University- and the Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York. Under Dr. Edwards ' experienced guidance, ISNU emerged as the largest and most influential Normal in America. Basic to the 40-year-old leader ' s educational philosophy were the ideals of consecrating a right spirit in college students and providing each community with the type of professional leadership it so often lacked. Fell PontI was the ideal setting for iiirKU The pond lias siiin li(( ii n p!,h ' ' ! I this group ot Illinois State Normal Uni%ersitv coeds built in 1918. im, .MB - i-2