Milton College - Fides Yearbook (Milton, WI)

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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

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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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i . , inabxzaal mtmtvmts V I y G .28 Club 3737 , . 35m 29' 1353 Laaiu' vatet 1333 In 1901, the property owned by the College was divided into real estate, $23,062.72; apparatus, $1,215.64; cabinets, $2,150.00; libraries, $8,658.34; endow- ments, $83,244.66; total $118,244.66. Of the endowment fund $70,000 had been donated by George H. Babcock of Plainfield, N. J. Of this sum, $20,000 gave birth to the endowment fund and $50,000 was left to the College as a bequest. Immediately following the death of President W. C. VVhitford, a movement was set on foot for the erection of a Science Hall as a fltting memorial to a man who had given nearly half of a century to Milton College. Accordingly, the campaign was initiated and the cornerstone was laid at Commencement time, in June, 1904. The cost of the building was something slightly less than $30,000. Mrs. George H. Babcock gave $5,000 toward equipment and through the influence of Dr. James Mills of Janesville the Andrew Carnegie estate gave $6,500 more. The work was finished in 1906. The endowment of the College in this year amounted to $116,600. In the year 1900, a movement was begun toward the improvement of the Gentlemen's Hall for use as a gymnasium. This sufficed for that purpose for a time, but in 1909, the graduating class started a fund for the erection of a new gymnasium by donating $1,000 in that direction. The cost was about $20,000 for the gymnasium built at that time, which is still in use. The building was opened at Commencement, June 22, 1911. Page Nineteen