(By W. P. Hendricks, Esq.)
from
Biographical and Historical Souvenir
for the Counties of
Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington
1889
HANOVER COLLEGE
Hanover
College is beautifully situated upon the top of the river bluff, and commands
magnificent views up and down the river. The institution is under the control of
the Presbyterian Church, and was established in 1833.
Subjoined is a full history of the college, taken from the "General Catalogue of the Alumni of Hanover College, "1833-1883"
Historical Sketch of Hanover College-Hanover College was the outgrowth of a desire on the part of the Presbyterian Church in Indiana to provide herself with an educated ministry. The church in the East could not supply the ministry needed for the widely scattered but constantly growing population of the West. Animated with this desire the Prebytery of Salem, embracing Indiana and Illinois, and connected with the Synod of Kentucky, in 1826, requested the pastor of the church at Hanover, Rev. John Finley Crowe, D.D., to open and conduct an Academy until further provision could be made.
This school was opened January 1st, 1827, with six pupils, in a log cabin, near where the Presbyterian church of Hanover now stands. This was the humble beginning of Hanover College, and of the North Western Theological Seminary, at Chicago, Illinois.
In May, 1826, the Synod of Indiana was constituted, consisting of the Presbyteries of Salem, Madison, Wabash and Missouri. The school at Hanover was committed temporarily to the Presbytery of Madison. This Presbytery applied to the Legislature of the State for a charter, and that body on the 30th of December, 1828, passed an act incorporating HANOVER ACADEMY.
The Academy was taken under the care of the Synod of Indiana in 1829. The following resolution was adopted by that body.
"Resolved, That this Synod adopt Hanover Academy as a Synodical school, provided the Trustees of the same will permit the Synod to establish a Theological Department, and appoint Theological Professors."
The condition was readily granted, and the Synod at once unanimously elected the Rev. John Matthews, D.D., of Shepherdstown, Virginia, to the chair of Theology. Dr. Mathews accepted, and with characteristic zeal gave his whole time and talents to the interests of the institution. The Theological Department was continued at Hanover for ten years, when it was removed to New Albany, Indiana, in 1840.
The Academy which was chartered in 1828, had been steadily growing; regular college classes had been formed and in 1833, by act of Legislature, the institution was incorporated as HANOVER COLLEGE.
By active agencies in the East and West, funds had been collected and the necessary buildings had been erected for the Prepratory, Collegiate and Theological Departments. The Rev. James Blythe, D.D., of Lexington, Kentucky, of the Presbytery of West Lexington, and extensively known throughout the Church, was in 1832, secured as the first President of the College. The first catalogue issued after the change in the charter presents for all departments a Faculty of seven Professors and four assistants, and one hundred and eighty three students: Theological 7; Collegiate 63; Preparatory 113. The Board of Trustees consisted of eighteen members, among whom were these pioneers of Church and State: Rev. John M. Dickey, President; Rev. James H. Johnston, Secretary; Hon. Williamson Dunn, Treasurer; Victor King; William Reed; Hon. Jeremiah Sullivan; and the Rev. Samuel G. Lowry. The only survivor of the Faculty of 1834, is Hon. William McKee Dunn, L.L. D., Washington D.C.
The location of the College in that day was within the corporate limits of the village of Hanover. All that remains of the old buildings, is so much of the principal edifice as is embraced in the present Presbyterian church, and one of the shops now occupied as a private residence. None of the real estate or property now forms andy part of the present property of the college. The farm lay north of the Spear property and west of Prof. Garritt's place. The Presbyterian church includes the chapel, two recitiation rooms and part of the second story.
So remarkable was the success of this pioneer institution of our church in the West, that the catalogue of 1834-35, shows an attendance of 236 students: Theological 10; Collegiate 77; Irregular and Preparatory 149. These students were gathered from a wide terrigory, embracing every State from Pennsylvania to Texas and Missouri. This is explained by its location on the Ohio River. But this prosperity was followed by a period of darkness and trial. The Manual Labor System, for aiding poor students, attempted by many institutions of that day, was tried at Hanover. It failed and involved the institution in debt for every day of its continuance. It had to be abandoned, the expense of education was largely increased, and a necessary consequence was the withdrawal of a large number of students. While embarrassed by debt and this partial withdrawal of support, a fearful tonado swept over the place in 1837, and left the principal college edifice in ruins. From these misfortunes, the college rallied, repaired its buildings, and cancelled its debts, but without endowment, was left in a feeble condition.
President Blythe's connection with the College closed in 1836. For two year Dr. Mathews, of the Theological department acted as president and in 1838, the Rev. E.D. McMaster D.D., LL. D., was elected to that post, where he remained five years, terminating his presidency by a memorable epoch in the history of the college. The Board of Trustees was a small body, a close corporation, but indirectly influenced by the Synod, and liable to the control of a powerful mind and local influences. Under the leaderhip of this eminent and able man, a part of the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to surrender their charter to the Legislature in return for the charter of a University at Madison. Thus the College was divided right down through Board, Faculty and students, part going with President McMaster to Madison, and part remaining with Vice-President Crowe at Hanover. The Synod retained all its early convictions of the importance of Christian education by the Church, and it was a day of great men. A struggle followed in which "Greek met Greek." In the Synod of 1844, Madison University was offered to it as a Synodical College. The offer was declined, and the Synod ordered the continuance of its College at Hanover. A new charter was obtained, said to be more favorable in the State, conferring the powers of a University, and placing the Institution fully under the control of the Synod of Indiana. This it does by giving to that body the right to elect one-half of the trustees and through them a voice in the election of the other half. The rights and franchises of the original Synod have descended to the present Synod of Indiana. On account of the changes in the two Synods since the reunion of the two former branches of the Presbyterian Church some alterations have been made in the mode of choosing the members of the Board, but only such as they are consistent with the Charter. For instance, the Alumni Association now annually nominates a member. But the College still remains, as it ever has been, firmly bound to the Presbyterian church.
Through the trials and sufferings which have almost everywhere marked the history of higher education in America, Hanover College has at a comparatively small cost done an immense work for Christian education in Indiana and the Republic. Upwards of four thousand students have been educated in whole or in part within its walls, many of whom have attained high distinction and usefulness in the ministry, law, medicine and science. It has graduated 544 students in the Departments of Science and Arts and Theology, and a much larger number have completed the Preparatory course, and gone out from the lower classes. These students are scattered throughout the Republic and in many foreign lands.
Space permits the mention of but few of the Christian men and women who are identified forever with this early scheme of education by the Church in our State. In this latter day it is an honor to be numbered among their successors. To no man, perhaps, do the citizens and Presbyterians of Indiana owe a larger debt of gratitude than to that eminent man of God, Dr. John Finley Crowe, who for thirty years with heroic benevolence, self-denial and fortitude, indentified his time, talents and interests with the cause of education in our Church. Judge Williamson Dunn is another name illustrious in our early history, among the founders of Hanover and Wabash Colleges, giving first to Hanover and afterwards to Wabash the grounds upon which they were severally built. Another pioneer, Mrs. Mary T. Lapsley, of New Albany, has been the most munificent benefactor to this early effort, giving over $30,000-standing steadfastly by the College inits darkest days, and securing an imperishable name among the Christian educators of the West. Another earnes, modest, learned pioneer, the Rev. Wm. A. Holliday, of Indianapolis, left one third of his estate now constituting $20,000 of the permanent endowment of the College. Still another pioneer, John King, Esq., of Madison, after a life of prayerful devotion and generous gifts to Hanover College, left by will $13,000 more. Others of smaller means, whose names will not be forgotten by God or man in the early annals of Presbyterianism in Indiana, have added from time to time to the resources of the College.
The most recent considerable addition to the means of the College has been for the purpose of erecting suitable building as a home for students.
The College is now out of debt and is living within its means. But it greatly needs additional funds, both to afford a proper support to the men engaged in its work, and also to enlarge its equipment to the scale which the times and the opportunity demand.
Subjoined is a full history of the college, taken from the "General Catalogue of the Alumni of Hanover College, "1833-1883"
Historical Sketch of Hanover College-Hanover College was the outgrowth of a desire on the part of the Presbyterian Church in Indiana to provide herself with an educated ministry. The church in the East could not supply the ministry needed for the widely scattered but constantly growing population of the West. Animated with this desire the Prebytery of Salem, embracing Indiana and Illinois, and connected with the Synod of Kentucky, in 1826, requested the pastor of the church at Hanover, Rev. John Finley Crowe, D.D., to open and conduct an Academy until further provision could be made.
This school was opened January 1st, 1827, with six pupils, in a log cabin, near where the Presbyterian church of Hanover now stands. This was the humble beginning of Hanover College, and of the North Western Theological Seminary, at Chicago, Illinois.
In May, 1826, the Synod of Indiana was constituted, consisting of the Presbyteries of Salem, Madison, Wabash and Missouri. The school at Hanover was committed temporarily to the Presbytery of Madison. This Presbytery applied to the Legislature of the State for a charter, and that body on the 30th of December, 1828, passed an act incorporating HANOVER ACADEMY.
The Academy was taken under the care of the Synod of Indiana in 1829. The following resolution was adopted by that body.
"Resolved, That this Synod adopt Hanover Academy as a Synodical school, provided the Trustees of the same will permit the Synod to establish a Theological Department, and appoint Theological Professors."
The condition was readily granted, and the Synod at once unanimously elected the Rev. John Matthews, D.D., of Shepherdstown, Virginia, to the chair of Theology. Dr. Mathews accepted, and with characteristic zeal gave his whole time and talents to the interests of the institution. The Theological Department was continued at Hanover for ten years, when it was removed to New Albany, Indiana, in 1840.
The Academy which was chartered in 1828, had been steadily growing; regular college classes had been formed and in 1833, by act of Legislature, the institution was incorporated as HANOVER COLLEGE.
By active agencies in the East and West, funds had been collected and the necessary buildings had been erected for the Prepratory, Collegiate and Theological Departments. The Rev. James Blythe, D.D., of Lexington, Kentucky, of the Presbytery of West Lexington, and extensively known throughout the Church, was in 1832, secured as the first President of the College. The first catalogue issued after the change in the charter presents for all departments a Faculty of seven Professors and four assistants, and one hundred and eighty three students: Theological 7; Collegiate 63; Preparatory 113. The Board of Trustees consisted of eighteen members, among whom were these pioneers of Church and State: Rev. John M. Dickey, President; Rev. James H. Johnston, Secretary; Hon. Williamson Dunn, Treasurer; Victor King; William Reed; Hon. Jeremiah Sullivan; and the Rev. Samuel G. Lowry. The only survivor of the Faculty of 1834, is Hon. William McKee Dunn, L.L. D., Washington D.C.
The location of the College in that day was within the corporate limits of the village of Hanover. All that remains of the old buildings, is so much of the principal edifice as is embraced in the present Presbyterian church, and one of the shops now occupied as a private residence. None of the real estate or property now forms andy part of the present property of the college. The farm lay north of the Spear property and west of Prof. Garritt's place. The Presbyterian church includes the chapel, two recitiation rooms and part of the second story.
So remarkable was the success of this pioneer institution of our church in the West, that the catalogue of 1834-35, shows an attendance of 236 students: Theological 10; Collegiate 77; Irregular and Preparatory 149. These students were gathered from a wide terrigory, embracing every State from Pennsylvania to Texas and Missouri. This is explained by its location on the Ohio River. But this prosperity was followed by a period of darkness and trial. The Manual Labor System, for aiding poor students, attempted by many institutions of that day, was tried at Hanover. It failed and involved the institution in debt for every day of its continuance. It had to be abandoned, the expense of education was largely increased, and a necessary consequence was the withdrawal of a large number of students. While embarrassed by debt and this partial withdrawal of support, a fearful tonado swept over the place in 1837, and left the principal college edifice in ruins. From these misfortunes, the college rallied, repaired its buildings, and cancelled its debts, but without endowment, was left in a feeble condition.
President Blythe's connection with the College closed in 1836. For two year Dr. Mathews, of the Theological department acted as president and in 1838, the Rev. E.D. McMaster D.D., LL. D., was elected to that post, where he remained five years, terminating his presidency by a memorable epoch in the history of the college. The Board of Trustees was a small body, a close corporation, but indirectly influenced by the Synod, and liable to the control of a powerful mind and local influences. Under the leaderhip of this eminent and able man, a part of the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to surrender their charter to the Legislature in return for the charter of a University at Madison. Thus the College was divided right down through Board, Faculty and students, part going with President McMaster to Madison, and part remaining with Vice-President Crowe at Hanover. The Synod retained all its early convictions of the importance of Christian education by the Church, and it was a day of great men. A struggle followed in which "Greek met Greek." In the Synod of 1844, Madison University was offered to it as a Synodical College. The offer was declined, and the Synod ordered the continuance of its College at Hanover. A new charter was obtained, said to be more favorable in the State, conferring the powers of a University, and placing the Institution fully under the control of the Synod of Indiana. This it does by giving to that body the right to elect one-half of the trustees and through them a voice in the election of the other half. The rights and franchises of the original Synod have descended to the present Synod of Indiana. On account of the changes in the two Synods since the reunion of the two former branches of the Presbyterian Church some alterations have been made in the mode of choosing the members of the Board, but only such as they are consistent with the Charter. For instance, the Alumni Association now annually nominates a member. But the College still remains, as it ever has been, firmly bound to the Presbyterian church.
Through the trials and sufferings which have almost everywhere marked the history of higher education in America, Hanover College has at a comparatively small cost done an immense work for Christian education in Indiana and the Republic. Upwards of four thousand students have been educated in whole or in part within its walls, many of whom have attained high distinction and usefulness in the ministry, law, medicine and science. It has graduated 544 students in the Departments of Science and Arts and Theology, and a much larger number have completed the Preparatory course, and gone out from the lower classes. These students are scattered throughout the Republic and in many foreign lands.
Space permits the mention of but few of the Christian men and women who are identified forever with this early scheme of education by the Church in our State. In this latter day it is an honor to be numbered among their successors. To no man, perhaps, do the citizens and Presbyterians of Indiana owe a larger debt of gratitude than to that eminent man of God, Dr. John Finley Crowe, who for thirty years with heroic benevolence, self-denial and fortitude, indentified his time, talents and interests with the cause of education in our Church. Judge Williamson Dunn is another name illustrious in our early history, among the founders of Hanover and Wabash Colleges, giving first to Hanover and afterwards to Wabash the grounds upon which they were severally built. Another pioneer, Mrs. Mary T. Lapsley, of New Albany, has been the most munificent benefactor to this early effort, giving over $30,000-standing steadfastly by the College inits darkest days, and securing an imperishable name among the Christian educators of the West. Another earnes, modest, learned pioneer, the Rev. Wm. A. Holliday, of Indianapolis, left one third of his estate now constituting $20,000 of the permanent endowment of the College. Still another pioneer, John King, Esq., of Madison, after a life of prayerful devotion and generous gifts to Hanover College, left by will $13,000 more. Others of smaller means, whose names will not be forgotten by God or man in the early annals of Presbyterianism in Indiana, have added from time to time to the resources of the College.
The most recent considerable addition to the means of the College has been for the purpose of erecting suitable building as a home for students.
The College is now out of debt and is living within its means. But it greatly needs additional funds, both to afford a proper support to the men engaged in its work, and also to enlarge its equipment to the scale which the times and the opportunity demand.
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