University of Cincinnati - Cincinnatian Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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Lion, and such as might tit them for the active duties of life, as well :15 illHtrltCtiUtl in all the higher branches of kimwiedge. except denominational theulugy. tn the extent that the same are now or hereafter may he taught in any of the Secular colleges or universities: of the highest grade in the country, I feel grateful to God that through His kind providence I have been sufficiently favored to gratify the wish of my heart. It was not only his desire, as expressed in the thirty-sixth section of his will, that the youth of his adopted city should he made useful citizens. but also 'good citizens. deeply imprenrsed with a knowledge of their duties to their God and their fellmv-men, and with a it'Wt: of their country, too, and its united republican institutions, in the ble55ed and peaceful enjoyment of which it was his fervent prayer that they and their descendants might continue to live. The University 0f Cincinnati had its origin in the munificenee of Charles McMickcn. He secured to our city the benefits of a free collegiate education, thus crowning the work of instruction begun in the primary schools and continued through the high schonls. 'tCharlcs It'IcMickeu sleeps in Spring Grove Cemetery, under a modest shaft which bears only his name. His labors arc endch but his work has just com- menced. He was fortunate above men in that he went down to his grave not atone with the joyous confidence that his efforts had helped the progress of humanity, but that his memory would live in the gratitude of the young and asPiring. whom he aided and directed to :1 better life. The sunset of his declining days was illttminetl with The glow which comes from generous toils; for his fellow-men. His name will stand, as year shall follow year and generation shall succeed generation, as the friend of young men and young women. :15 the benefactor Of his race. and as the founder of the University of Cineimlatiit ORGANIZATION OI: PICNICKEN UNIVEPSI'I'V. mrefiminarg gaps to :3 ON April 21, 1855. Theophilus Gaines Gccepfme 0f ngequeaf. and Henry Pearce, a committee on the part of the Common Council. were appointed to confer with the committee of the Burird of Trustees MA 13. HA: LtNS. of Common Schools, consisting of Rufus King and Wm. P. Stratton, in reference to the bequest of the 1:

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CHARLES A'WPIICHI'IN, TIIIE IZOLINDER OF THE LlF-llt-TIQSI'IY OF CINCINNATI CHARLES McMIct-llix. the founder of the Univemity of Cincinnati. was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on November 23, ITHE, and came to Cincinnati, with 501116 means saved while surveying at Chillicothet in the Spring uf 1803. He secured employment here, and later successfully engaged in business as a cotton factor and merchant in New Orleans and Cincinnati. After 1335 he would leave New Orleans in March of each year, remain in Cincinnati till June. spend July and August in the East. and the Winter months in New Orleans. His first purchase of real estate in Cincinnati was at the north-east corner of Third and Main Streets in 1835. I11 134.0 he purchased the 01d MeMieken hnmestead. the grounds of which were, until last year. the seat of the Academic department. He added to his estate. from time to time. by purchases in this- eity, until it was estimated at more than onevhalf million dollars. He was a man of strong mind and memory, reserved in manner and expression. 111 his habits he was temperate, and in his business affairs 111ethodieal. He was selftreliant, possessed of excellent business qualifications. and in his multiplied deeds of charity showed no lHLU'm hTRl-NK. ostentation. He died 0f pneumonia contracted while journeying by boat from New Orleans to Cincinnati. on March 30, I355. in the seventy-sixth year of his age. His willt containing: thirty-nine sections. was prohated on April IO. I853. After Emlguage of flie . tltaking provisions fur the payment of several legacies and annuities to those united 'YDIW. $333 by blood, he hequeaths t0 the City of Cincinnati and to its successors all the residue of his real and personal pruperty fnr the purpose of building, establishing, and Illaiutaining two colleges. me for each of the sexes, embracing in extent a course of university education. The thirty-Flrst section of the will contains the devise to the City of Cincinnati, in trust, for build- ing. establishing, and maintaining two colleges. with directions :15 to sales, leases, investments, and :15 to certain charges on the devise. It is the spirit of the bequest. autl was written by Charles MeMieken himself. It is :15 follmvs: Having long Cherished the desire to found an institution where boys and girls might be taught, not only a knowledge of their duty to their Creator and their fellow-mcn. but also receive the benefit of a sound, thorough and practical English educa- I6

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'l'Ii1-. Hume ml: CHARLIuS Altllnsluwh