ILLINOIS COLLEGE
An institution of learning at Jacksonville, Ill. which was the first to graduate a collegiate class in the history of the State.
It had its origin in a movement inaugurated about 1827 or 1828 to secure the location at some point in Illinois , of a seminary or college which would give the youth of the State the opportunity of acquiring a higher education.
Some of the most influential factors in this movement were already citizens of Jacksonville, or contemplated becoming such. In January, 1828 the outline of a plan for such an institution was drawn up by Rev. John M. Ellis, a home missionary of the Presbyterian Church and Hon. Samuel D. Lockwood, then a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, as a basis for soliciting subscriptions for the organization of a stock-company to carry the enterprise into execution.
The plan, as then proposed contemplated provision for a department of female education at least until a separate institution could be furnished which, if not a forerunner of the co-educational system now so much in vogue, at least foreshadowed the establishment of the Jacksonville Female Seminary, which soon followed the founding of the college.
A few months after these preliminary steps were taken, Mr. Ellis was brought into communication with a group of young men at Yale College who had entered into a compact to devote their lives to the cause of educational and missionary work in the West, and out of the union of these two forces soon afterwards effected grew Illinois College.
The organization of the "Illinois" or "Yale Band" was formally consummated in February 1829 and before the close of the year a fund of $10,000 for the purpose of laying the foundation of the proposed institution in Illinois had been pledged by friends of education in the East, a beginning had been made in the erection of buildings on the present site of Illinois College at Jacksonville, and in December of the same year the work of instruction of a preparatory class had been begun by Rev. Julian M. Sturtevant, who had taken the place of "advent-courier" of the movement.
A year later (1831) Rev. Edward Beecher the oldest son of the indefatigable Lyman Beecher and brother of Henry Ward already then well known as a leader in the ranks of those opposed to slavery had become identified with the new enterprise and assumed the position of its first President. Such was the prejudice against "Yankees" in Illinois at that time and the jealousy of theological influence in education that it was not until 1835 that the friends of the institution were able to secure a charter from the Legislature. An ineffectual attempt had been made in 1830 and when it was finally granted it was in the form of an "omnibus bill" including three other institutions, but with restrictions as to the amount of real estate that might be held and prohibiting the organization of theological departments, both of which were subsequently repealed.
The same year the college graduated its first class, consisting of two member Richard Yates afterwards War Governor and United States Senator, and Rev. Jonathan Spillman, the composer of "Sweet Afton." Limited as was this first output of alumni, it was politically and morally strong. In 1843 a medical department was established, but it was abandoned five years later for want of adequate support. Dr. Beecher retired from Presidency in 1844 when he was succeeded by Dr. Sturtevant, who continued in that capacity until 1876 (thirty-two years), when he became Professor Emeritus remaining until 1885 his connection with the institution covering a period of fifty-six years.
Others who have occupied the position of President include
Rufus C. Crampton (acting) 1876-1882
Rev. Edward A. Tanner 1882-1892
Dr. John e. Bradley 1892 to 1899
Among the earliest and influential friends of the institution besides Judge Lockwood already mentioned, ay be enumerated such names as:
Gov. Joseph Duncan
Thomas Mather
Winthrop S. Gilman
Frederick Collins
William H. Brown (of Chicago)
all of whom were members of the early Board of Trustees.
It was found necessary to maintain a preparatory department for may years to fit pupils for the college classes proper and in 1866, Whipple Academy was established and provided witha separate building for this purpose. The standard of admission to the college course has been gradually advanced keeping abreast in this respect of other American Colleges.
At present the institution has a faculty of 15 members and an endowment of some $150,000 with a library (1898) numbering over 15,000 volumes and property valued at $360,000.
Degrees are conferred in both classical and scientific courses in the college proper. The list of alumni embraces some 750 names including many who have been prominent in State and National affairs.