University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

Page 24 text:

through, and knowing them so well they all loved him and he managed them in the most happy and easy way. His practical common sense, keen business ability and dignified but genial manner were strong elements in his popularity and success, and of all these qualities he had complete and harmonious control in adjusting himself to his new position and shaping the work of the College in its somewhat experimental mission. It was a most difficult work, with limited means and few assistants, to lay the foundation of a college that should afford facilities for a liberal education, especially adapted to those who were to engage in productive industry and business life. Without undervaluing the importance of classical studies for those who were to enter on a professional career, it was deemed necessary to direct the students of the State College to scientific studies and modern literature rather than to Greek and Latin—to do something more than to make successful farmers or skillful artizans—the design of the College was to make educated men. with a broad and generous culture especially fitted for those who were to engage in industrial pursuits. When President Allen came to Orono lie found the College with a total of forty students. He sent out the first class from the institution with their diplomas—that class of six which graduated in 1X72. During the eight years of his most successful administration of the College, lie sent forth to their life work in the eight classes of its graduates. 11D students, and left the institution with a total of 102 students in its four classes. Among the graduates during his term as President, who have reached high distinction as specialists in different branches of science may lx mentioned: Prof. George II. Hamlin, of the State College: Dr. W. H. Jordan. Director of the Maine Kxperiment Station; Prof. Edward H. Farrington, Chemist to the Illinois Experiment Station; Dr. Geo. P. Merrill. V. S. National Museum. Washington, I). C.; F. IS. Kidder, Architect. New York. N. Y.. and Dr. F. Lainson-Scribncr. I'. S. Botanist. Depart- ment of Agriculture. Washington, D. C The faculty of the College was increased between the years 1X71 to 1879 from four to eight professors. Among these were three of its own graduates, and of the eight associate professors during the term of President Allen, four are still members of the faculty. Dr. M. C. Fernald, who was a professor under President Allen, has retired after the long sen-ice of fourteen years as President of the College; Prof. Charles II. Fernald is now at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, and Prof. Walter Balentine. a graduate of '74. and for thirteen years the able and beloved Professor of Agricul- ture at the College, deceased in 1894. During President Allen's term ol service he was, cxojicio. a member of the State Board of Agriculture. This brought him into close and intimate relations with the people of Maine at the various farmers’ 19

Page 23 text:

evidence that the man of their choice was broader than his denomination, greater than any sect and a representative f the highest material interests and best good of the entire people of the State. The man selected was Rev. Charles Frederic Allen, already an eminent minister of the Methodist church. Mr. Allen was born in the old historic town of Xorridgewock, January l lfi. He came of the splendid old New England ancestry noted for its integrity, moral strength and great common sense. His father was William Allen, a native of Martha's Vineyard, who early settled in Maine—first in Industry, subsequently in Norridgewock. He was prominent in town, county and state affairs throughout his long and useful life : was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Maine; was widely known for his high business ability and integrity: published a genealogy of the Allen family, and histories of Industry and Norridgewock : was father of the Methodist church in the latter place, and died ai the advanced age of 93 years. Of his family was the eminent Dr. William Allen. President of Bowdoin College: while Rev. John Allen, widely known as Campmeeting John Allen, and during tile last years of his life chaplain of the Maine House of Representatives, was his uncle. Mr. Allen fitted for college in select schools in his own town with one term at Bloomfield Academy, and at the age of 19 entered Bowdoin College, of which I)r. William Allen was then President. At his graduation in 1.339, Mr. Allen was one of four in the first rank of scholarship in his class—and at present, Ik side himself, the only survivor of the class is Hon. John C. Tallrot of Machias. During his course at college he taught school in several towns in Maine, and after graduation was appointed instructor in Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent’s Hill, and for one year was preceptor of St. Albans Academy. In 1K43, Mr. Allen entered the ministry of the Methodist church, and lietween that date and the time of his election as President of the State College, had received appointments to eighteen different charges, including most of the larger and more important churches in the Maine Conference. It was a complete change in the whole course of his life-chosen profession—that from the work of the ministry to the presidency of a new college, the development and shaping of which, along its untried lines of education. Mr. Allen was to undertake. But it was one for which he was admirably fitted. The instruction of the class room was not new to him, but a task in which he was completely at home. Of some of the branches which came to his chair as President—English Literature and Mental and Moral Science—he was a thorough master—while of those for which no chair had been provided. like Rural Law. he very soon became master. Always a close student of human nature, he knew boys through and 18

Page 25 text:

conventions of the Board, held in the different counties, and into vital contact with the fanners and mechanics whose sons and daughters were active or prospective students at the College. By his many public addresses before these assemblies, on subjects connected with general agricultural education, the special education for farmers and mechanics and the aims and methods of study at the State College, President Allen did a noble work in l chalf of the institution and in acquainting the people of the State with its grand object—work which is still bearing good fruit and which will not fail of its influence to this end for years to come. Before sessions of the Maine legislative committees, where the wants of the College were from time to time presented, President Allen was always an eloquent, effective and convincing speaker: and legislators believed in the College lnicause they believed in its President. It was also largely through President Allen's counsel and advice that his old friend, ex-Governor Abner Coburn, made the College the munificent bequest of $100,000. As master of ceremonies” at commencement dinners, his presiding was most courteous, genial and dignified, and his remarks in introducing speakers were always of the most happy character. It is to be doubted if there was ever a student who came under President Allen's care for any considerable length of time, but can trace in his own life the good influence of the moral training, thorough education and kindly interest given by his beloved President. In 1S7‘J, President Allen received the degree of 1) I) both from Howdoin College and from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. After having seen the College firmly established upon a broad and sure foundation in its popular career. I)r. Allen felt it his duty to again resume the sacred calling which had been his life work, and which lie had for a time laid aside that lie might aid in the establishment of this important enterprise for the education of the sons and daughters of the farmers and mechanics of Maine. He accordingly resigned the presidency of the institution at the close of the college year of 1871». Again, at the age of f»3, I)r Allen re-entered the active sendee of the ministry with physical powers and mental vigor unimpaired and is still in constant pastoral work. During this latter period of ministerial service he has been for four years presiding elder of Lewiston district: seven years secretary of the Maine Conference; has been twice chosen a delegate to the General Conference; for four years was a member of the book committee of the Methodist Publishing House, and in 1876 was a member of the revision committee of the Church Hymnal—the admirable body of religious hymns in use- by the Methodist Church in this country. Here his fine and critical education and love for the grand old hymns of the early days of 20