Taylor University - Ilium / Gem Yearbook (Upland, IN)

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3 5 TAYLOR UNIVERSITY A BRIEF HISTORY N a meager three-acre plot of ground in West Fort Wayne, Indiana, Taylor University, The College that Cares for the Soul, had its beginning. In the year 1846 the public-spirited people of Fort Wayne, working with the North Indiana Methodist Conference, established the Fort Wayne Female Institute. Fourteen thousand dollars was subscribed to this enterprise and a committee composed of Samuel Edsall, P. H. Taylor and William Rockhill started to prepare the building plans. The main building was a four-story brick building with stone trim- mings, having a frontage of one hundred and seventy-five feet. Though plain, it was at the same time substantial, solid, and well arranged to accommodate five hundred students. Mr. Huestis was the first president, and under his labors one hundred students were enrolled. In 1848 G. M. Round became president and the student body was somewhat enlarged, but more important, there was an increase in funds, donations, and tuition fees. Rev. Cyrus was elected president in 1849 and held that position for one year. A new department, known as the Collegiate Institute, was organized in 1850. This was a male department and was kept apart as a distinct school from the Female College. In the same year, A. C. Huestis was again made president and the attendance that year again increased as well as the funds. At this same time the first commencement was held and three students were graduated. The Thalonian Society was organized in an attempt to better the literary societies. The motto, Know Thyself, was chosen, as well as the college colors, yellow and pink, which were later changed to orange and black. Soon two smaller societies, known as the Philosophian and the Excelsior, were combined to form the El Dorado Literary Society.

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Dormitory Court

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T FT€ Cr e m It is probable that from this society our present Philalethean Literary Society was formed. Rev. Samuel Brenton was president of the college from 1853 to 1855 and then Rev. Reuben Robinson was elected. At the beginning of his term, in 185 5, the Fort Wayne Female College and the Fort Wayne Collegiate Institute combined and became known as Fort Wayne College. The rules and regulations of the college were firm and fair but not modern, as the following rules prove: The young ladies boarding in the institution shall rise at the ringing of the bell in the morning, adjust their rooms, and be engaged in study till breakfast. And it shall be the duty of the matron to see that these rules are complied with. Young ladies will at no time be permitted to visit the post-office, nor will any one be permitted to go to town oftener than once a week, and then only in company with some member of the Faculty, or some one appointed by a member of the Faculty. During the Sabbath day, walking on the streets or commons for pleasure, collecting in each other ' s rooms for idle conversation or amuse- ment, as well as all practices prohibited in well bred Christian homes, and receiving visitors are totally forbidden. Each student will be required to have the lights out in her room and to retire, by a quarter before ten o ' clock; and the Steward shall see that the house is closed at ten o ' clock. No young woman shall be permitted to contract debts or buy goods without the written consent of her parents or guardian; and a copy of such permission shall be handed to the President. Professor L. Beers became president and in 1872 Rev. Robinson again was elected president and served in that capacity until 1878. Under the supervision of W. F. Yocum the college was raised to a commanding position among the educational institutions of the state. In this same year there were eight graduates and the enrollment of the college was the highest of its history. In 1878, during the presidency of W. F. Yocum, the Philalethean Literary Society was organized. The members declared themselves Lov- ers of Truth and chose as their colors blue and white. After ten years of serving as president, W. F. Yocum was succeeded by H. N. Herrick. In 1890, because of a financial crisis, the Fort Wayne College sold out and changed its name to Taylor University in honor of Bishop William Taylor, at that time a local preacher of world- wide fame and remarkable accomplishments. The graduating class from the classical, elocutionary, bookkeeping, and stenographic courses had increased to sixteen. Dr. Thaddeus C. Reade, a noted educator, accepted the duties of president in 1891, and with his help the school was brought to Upland