Milton College - Fides Yearbook (Milton, WI)

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QEMWE i1 haw ? changed to Milton about 1854a. Mr. VVhitford was at that time pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Milton. After a year spent with the Academy as its head, Mr. VVhitford resigned his pastorate and for forty-four years was principal of the Academy 0r president of Milton College. With the exception of time spent as a member of the state legislature and as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, President VVhitford gave his all for the institution until his death in 1902. Attempting to follow the course of events as chronologically as possible, we find that in the years 1861 to 1865 Milton Academy was extremely well represented in the armies of the Union. Students were chilled in Chapel and on the Campus. Three hundred and twelve students and graduates entered the army, formed two full companies and parts of three others. FOrty-three fell either by bullet or by disease. Sixty-nine were commissioned officers, ranging from second lieutenant to hrigadier-general. Becomes College in 1867 On March 13, 1867, a charter was secured from the state legislature which established the school at Milton as Milton College. The period since that time is, of course, the period that will he of interest to the majority of present readers, although it is essential that the growth and progress before the establishment of the College proper be given its due regard. Page Srzrcntocn

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taught for two years until 1848, when WYisconsin was admitted to the Union. and the school was Chartered as Du Lac Academy. In 1848. a Mr. Prindle became principal, but was relieved after one term by Jonathan Allen, who was later presi- dent of Alfred University. The Rev. A. W. Coon was principal in 1849. Colonel George R. Clarke was in charge in 1851, and for the next seven years the sehool was under the jurisdiction of Ambrose C. Spicer and his wife, Susanna M. Spicer. As education became more and more widespread in this section the need for efficient teachers became more and more evident. The result was that M ilton came in 1854 to take the preparation of teachers as its chief aim. A scarcity of rooms about the town at this time led to the erection of the Ladies' Hall in 1857 at a cost of over $5,000. This building was later named Goodrich Hall, because of the part that Joseph Goodrich and his relatives had played in financing the construc- tion. This was used for a time for both men and women, but a few years later Principal W. C. XVhitford, who had been called to take charge of the school in 1858, together with his brother. Albert VVhitford, Financed the purchase of an old Houring mill for the sum of $400 and in 1863 this was converted into a Gentle men,s Hall. It was situated at a point almost directly across College Street from Goodrich Hall. Later. two floors of this building were converted into a gymnasium for the use of students. I As has been already mentioned, W illiam C. VVhitford was called to take over the principalship of Milton Academy in the year 1858. t'The name was Page Sixteen

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xx x; M W In 1844, the property of the school was worth about $400. XYhen the insti- tution was established as a college the property was valued at $29,675, with a debt of $3,500. With this amount of property which included the three buildingsaMain Hall, Goodrich Hall and Gent's Halleand their equipment, Milton College started on its career as an institution of higher learning to compete favorably with every other college in the State of Wisconsin. We find during these years such instruc- tors and supporters of Milton College as Prof. Albert VVhitford, father of Presi- dent Alfred E. VVhitford, his wife, Mrs. Chloe C. VVhitford, S. S. Rockwood, Edward Searing, Nathan C. Twining, Mrs. A. M. Fenner, Miss Mary F. Bailey, Mrs. Emma Utter, Forrest M. Babcock, Mrs. Ruth E. VVhitford, Jairus M. Still- man, Rev. E. M. Dunn, Walter D. Thomas, Edwin Shaw, Ludwig Kumlien. Rev. Lewis A. Platts, Mrs. Anna S. Crandall, Mrs. Emily A. Platts, Agnes Bahcock, May B. Smith, Eleanor M. Brown, Belle R. Walker, Alfred E. VVhitford, Miss Susan B. Davis and the Rev. William C. Daland. Dr. Thomas R. Williams was acting-president for a short period during part of the time that President XV. C. Whitford was State Superintendent of Public instruction. This brings us now to the beginning of a new century. It was at about that time that President W. C. VVhitford began his attempt to convince the friends of Milton College that a new building to house the science departments of the College was essential to the welfare of the institution. President W hitford, however, did not live to see the start of the new building. His death occurred on May 20, 1902. Page Eighteen