at the end of the Freshman year, and adds several terms of mathemati cal and scientific studies, while the modern classical, introduced to meet the growing demand for the modern languages, gives to the French and German each six terms-a part of the last term being devoted to the history of the literature. It is also proposed for such as can not take a full collegiate course, to provide facilities for both a thorough English and a complete commercial course. The academic course-embracing modern languages, mathematics, natural science, history, philosophy, and general literature-and the commercial course are de signed to supply these demands. There is also a musical and literary course, and instruction is given in painting and drawing.

Besides the sketch in the Alumni Record, 1881, the chief sources of information are the catalogues, the files of the local papers, the reports of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and of the Commis sioner of Education, and the Historical Sketch of Lawrence University written for the Centennial Exposition, 1876.

IV.

RIPON COLLEGE.1

Beginnings.-On a pleasant hill of what is now the city of Ripon, in the autumn of 1850, two men might have been seen marking out the location of a college building. This was done amid the jeers of some, the indifference of others, and with but slight anticipation, on the part of any interested, of the real significance of this small beginning. Only one of those concerned in the undertaking made any pretension to a liberal education, and none of them were men of wealth.

There were but fourteen rude buildings in the village of Ripon, as only one year had elapsed since the first clearing had been made. Yet the novelty of founding a college among these rough surroundings and at this early stage of the city's development won the sympathy and co-operation of most of the members of the young settlement. Wisconsin, as a State, was less than three years old, and its population about three hundred thousand. There were then but two colleges in the State, and they had in attendance only seventy-five students. The pioneers in this new college enterprise argued wisely that another institution more favorably located for the middle and northern parts of the State would soon be needed, and like many another company they "builded better than they knew." Contributions of materials, of money, and of land were made, and although lumber had to be drawn twenty miles over rough roads, the work of building was pushed rapidly forward. When the walls were completed and the structure roofed in, the funds were exhausted and the enterprise halted for a time.

The next step was the obtaining of an act of incorporation, and under the name of Brockway College the new institution became known to the people of the State. The purpose of the corporation was declared to be "to found, establish, and maintain at Ripon, in the county of Fond du Lac, an institution of learning of the highest order, embracing also a department for preparatory instruction."

It was now decided that it would be best to enlist some religious denomination in the enterprise. Accordingly a proposition was made to the Winnebago District Convention of Presbyterian Ministers and Churches to adopt the institution. The trustees offered to transfer all the property for four hundred dollars, but the churches were just beginning their work and felt too poor to accept the proposal. The minister at Menasha, however, Rev. J. W. Walcott, bought the property

1 Contributed in part by Prof. Newton S. Fuller.

55

for the convention, agreeing to transfer it to that body whenever it was able to take it. One of the conditions of the trustees was that the building should be so far completed that a school should be opened in 1853. Mr. Walcott took possession of the property in November, 1852, and enlarged the grounds by the purchase of land adjoining. Two rooms on the east side of the building were soon finished, and a school for young ladies was opened in June, 1853. The first teacher was Miss Martha J. Adams, and the number of pupils for the first term sixteen. In September a young men's department was added, Mr. Walcott as suming the control of both departments as principal, and remaining in charge three years.

In February, 1855, a new charter was obtained, and two years later Mr. Walcott conveyed to a Board of Trustees, designated by the convention, the grounds and building. During that year liberal subscrip tions were obtained, and a second building, now known as Middle College, was erected. The financial disaster of the country in this year, together with a debt incurred in building, a second time crippled the resources of the school. Yet it struggled on till June, 1861. At that time many of the young men enlisted in the "Ripon Rifles," the first company that went from Ripon to aid in the War for the Union, and teachers and scholars devoted themselves to the work of fitting out the new volunteers. During the summer vacation the trustees leased the grounds to the Government for a camp. The white tents of the First Wisconsin Cavalry dotted the campus till the last of November, while troops occupied the East Building and used some of the rooms of Middle College for hospital purposes.

For nearly a year after this Mrs. C. T. Tracy and Miss Martha Wheeler, who had been connected with the school for two years previous, gave private instruction to a class of young ladies. To the fidelity of these two women in this crisis, the continuous existence of the school is due. In July, 1862, a notable meeting was held by the Winnebago District Convention, to decide whether the institution should live or die. Its friends rallied to its support and raised a subscription which partially paid the debt. The trustees accordingly reopened the school, in September, with Rev. E. H. Merrell at its head. This gentleman was then recently graduated from Oberlin College, and has now been longer connected with the institution than any other professor. The school grew so rapidly, and its prospects seemed so favorable, that in April, 1863, the trustees began the organization of a permanent Faculty. Rev. William E. Merriman, of Green' Bay, a graduate of Williams College, was elected president, and Rev. E. H. Merrell professor of languages.

At the opening of the term in September, 1863, the first college class was formed. During that year the debts were all paid, the library was begun, and amendments to the charter were obtained, among other things changing the name of the institution to Ripon College.

In 1866, three years after the permanent organization of the college,