Monson Academy - Academy Bell Yearbook (Monson, MA)

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O:'1'g1'm1f Aululcnzy B zc:'lJz'ng MRM frum Cwflllflfl, Ona Hzmnlrucltlz A11nz'1Jcrsury, 1911.1 P.-XG!-i SIX

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' ' ' ' ' 3 ' Y ' X ' 2.1.-L' 1, 5' ',w . 23 ' .'. A'L?'Z1 ?',i-:Wi W .. . r-'- 'M , .p , -19,5.., p 1.4 I F 8 8 it F 5 F E3 33 C5 james Ha den Tuhs A L19 Q 1 F31 Qi Born in Monson, Mass., july, 1862. E3 Q32 Elected Board of Trustees, 1899, President since 1924. QF Qi A AB., Amherst, 1884, AM., 1890. 3557 Q5 BD., Yale, 1889. A Q1 G Student Freiburg and Berlin, 1891-92. 4 LID ' LI..D., Amherst, 1904. cgi! Instructor of Nlathernatics, Amherst 1885-87. QF Qi Instructor of philosophy, Uniifersity of Michigan, 1889-91. Q Q5 Assistant professor, 1894-1900. QF 3 Professor since 1900. Q C Qi Head of Department since,11905. 9937 Q Dean Sgnior Eiollege, 1899-1904 and 1907-08. QP D F t' , 1923-26. . Vr21:esidech1t,1eliJ'niversity of Chicago. A 1 Author of ntunerous bools on philosophy. C if-3 LEE? Q QP afj E G2 F3 Qi- lg G2 f + Qi E37 tvs Q1 E? 8 15.5 5, Q5 533 - L A A A A -A A APAGBAFIVE Ai A A A -'L -iv A -

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W School History DN E hundred and twenty-five years is a long period and to write the history of Monson Academy fully from its incorporation, June 21, 1804, until now would re- quire more space than is permitted in this sketch. There are, however, milestones along the way that we can call attention to. ' From the records it appears that in 1804 there seemed a need for a new Academy between Westfield on the west and Leicester on the east. Both Monson and Brimfield were eager for the honor. One pledged as much money as the other, but the choice fell on Monson and the Commonwealth granted the new school an endowment of a half township in the then Province of Maine. The young people of Monson were in- duced to take up farms in this township and they went out as pioneers to clear the land and make homes for themselves. So far as any record shows there did not arise any large income from this source but it constituted the first endowment fund of the Academy. Dr. Hammond says in his historical address in 1854, Monson Academy had its origin, undoubtedly, in a general movement in favor of education which took place near the close of the eighteenth century and in consequence of which a distinct, and in some respects a peculiar class of schools was established, which then received the new and somewhat ambitious title of Academies. The Academy was not a local school but a State institution. It could receive its pupils from any town or State although it was established to meet the needs of a certain section of the State. The interests of the Academy were confided to a permanent board of trust like those of most colleges, composed of men of learning and substantial character. Only one name among the list of original trustees is repeated on the board of today 1-the name of Elynt. ln 1804 Rufus Elynt, in 1929 Henry N. Elynt, his great grandfsong and in between the stretch of years the son and grand-son of Rufus Elynt served as trustees, so for four generations the family has been connected with the board of trustees :-an unequalled record. Close to it is the name of Norcross, serving for three generations and in the early history of the school Joel Norcross is named as its largest benefactor. lt is impossible to measure service by years or generations but it seems fitting here to recall the long service of Dr. Alfred Ely in behalf of the church and school. A trustee for sixty years he gave liberally of himself and his means. To him is given the credit for the establishment of the Charity Fund, or Education Fund as it is now called. Its original purpose was to aid young men studying for the ministry but the Court has ermitted a freer use of the income in these later years. A fine portrait of Dr. Ely hangs in the Academy chapel and is familiar to the student body. Well might the student of today pause before it and say Great is the gift that I owe to you. . It is fitting here to mention the names of three other former trustees whose portraits also hang in the cha el 1-Hon. William N. Elynt, Mr. E. E. Morris, and Mr. C. W. Holmes, jr., each oipwhom showed his love and devotion to the school through long years of service. The Holmes name is associated with the Gymnasium and is still rep- resented on the board of trustees, Miss Esther R. Holmes being the only woman ever elected to that office. To her and to her family Monson Academy owes much of its present equipment and prosperity. As further evidence of the loyalty of the trustees during the one hundred and twenty-five years there have been but 11 presidents, 7 treasurers and 10 secretaries. A list of headmasters and instructors is of value but this is not the time for enum- erating them. Sufhce it to know that such a record is preserved and from this list no PAGE SEVEN Q 6 Qi E Qi Q Qi Q Qs Q Q Q Qi E gigs in 9 Q Qr Q Qs Q Qs Q Qs C Q Qs Q Qs Q Q QQ