OLIVET --------------------

ONE HUNDRED YEARS

                            --------------------------1844-1944

A COMMEMORATIVE HISTORY

OF COLLEGE AND VILLAGE

PUBLISHED BY INTERESTED CITIZENS OF

OLIVET, MICHIGAN

1944

FRANK NOYES GREEN

1859 – 1943

 Publisher, Postmaster, Political Adviser,

Purveyor of Good Will

 .  .  .  foremost in civic enterprise and in all

 things devoted to Olivet.   

To this home-town devotion, wherever it is

found, we dedicate this book.

                                     Photo by W. F. Jackson

Olivet .  .  .  as sturdy and as seasoned as its Oaks.

FORWARD

A village centennial is usually the occasion for carnival spirit -- for parades, bands, bunting, and speeches; for commemorating the past with festivities and rejoicing; for honoring the old in the spirit of youth. 

But this is no year for celebration. Our youth are in the Armed Services. Also, travel is difficult and our time is more than occupied -- so that the festive spirit is not with us. Therefore, it is more fitting that we should quietly meditate on the way that we have come; on our failures and successes; on the community we have built; and on the way that lies ahead.

 THE

WALTON TOWNSHIP

 UNIT SCHOOL

HISTORY OF OLIVET

BOARD OF EDUCATION 

FACULTY

From left to right:  Mrs. King, School Secretary; Mr. Robinson, Mr. Kerrey, Miss Gray, Miss Heightman, Miss Briggs, Miss Nousiainen, Mr. McAllen, Miss Curtice, Miss Persons, Principal; Mr. Scott, Superintendent; Miss Lundin, Miss Edmonds, School Nurse; Miss Goodrich, Miss Graves, Mr. Reynolds, Miss Rudenberg, Mrs. Steeman, Mrs. Bugbee, Miss Grose.

EARLY HISTORY,

CONSOLIDATION AND EXPANSION OF

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL

The name of the public school in the village of Olivet became the Walton Township Unit School when, in 1920, the eight districts in Walton Township voted to unite. The oldest of these districts were Number One (Olivet) and Number Two (Fordham) organized in 1839.  At that time District Number One had fourteen children and Number Two had six on the school census.  As the settlements in the township increased, and the need arose, each of the other six districts was organized.  The first buildings for these schools were small log or frame structures, the Olivet School originally standing in the lot just north of the Congregational Church.  In about 1886, after the first brick building was erected, this original schoolhouse was moved to a downtown site, but it was later changed to its present location where it now serves as a garage on Mrs. Sexton’s lot.

Between 1870 and 1890, all the districts built more substantial buildings, which were used until one by one they were closed after the reorganization of 1920.  One of these, the Bosworth School, built in 1878, was moved in 1926 to the present Olivet school site where it is still used, for storage purposes, in connection with the modern plant.

In the early days, these eight buildings were the centers of activity in their various communities.  Here socials, spelling bees, singing school, and even religious services were held.  In the minutes of the school board meetings of the Stine School, we find recurring year after year a resolution “that the schoolhouse be used for religious services for one year from date.”  And that was at a time when there were six active churches in the township and two others just outside the township.

The length of the school year formerly varied from sixteen to thirty-six weeks and was divided into terms of eight to twelve weeks.  We find often in the minutes of the annual meetings of the districts and of the school board meetings resolutions to the effect “that a male teacher be employed for the winter term,” or “that a female teacher be hired for the summer term.”  The salaries of the teachers varied from six dollars a week to as high as forty dollars a month plus board and room in the respective homes.

The minutes contain other interesting information, such as: “. . . moved to buy ten cords of wood at 69¢ a cord”; “to introduce the teaching of music in the school if they (the school board) deem it for the best interests of the school”; “to maintain order peaceably if it can be so maintained, forcibly if it must be.”  One school board member presented a bill of twenty-five dollars for two and one-half years’ service as Director.  The bill was not allowed.

Meanwhile, the school census in the Olivet district (Walton Number One) was gradually increasing.  By 1875 the original fourteen had grown to two hundred five children.  This has since decreased slightly, the census for District Number One being one hundred forty in 1920 at the time of the reorganization of the districts, and one hundred thirty-two within the original district boundaries at the present time.  The total school census for the Unit District now numbers approximately four hundred.

In 1885, the Olivet District bought a portion of the present school site for seven hundred dollars, and by a vote of sixty-seven to twenty-three, decided to raise four thousand dollars for the building of a four-room, two-story structure.  An addition of two rooms was made to this building in 1897.  In 1885 also, the Olivet system became a graded school.  Peter Legg was hired to teach the upper grades at forty-five dollars per month; Miss Abbie Taber was hired to teach the intermediate grades at thirty-two dollars per month; and Miss Martha Goodwin was hired for the primary grades at twenty-four dollars per month.  In 1891, a ninth grade was added to this school; and in 1892, a tenth grade.  In June 1893, Ed Crampton was the only member of the first class to be graduated from the tenth grade.  The class of 1894, fifty years ago, had ten members.  In 1899, a kindergarten was added to the ten grades.  In 1901 the eleventh grade was added and in 1902 the twelfth.  The first class to complete the twelve grades was graduated in 1903.

Beginning in 1900 an arrangement was made between the school and the Preparatory Department of the college whereby the college preparatory students were taught certain subjects in the public school at ten cents per hour and high school students were taught the science studies in the Preparatory Department for twenty cents per hour.

In the latter part of April 1919, the Olivet six-room brick building burned to the ground.  Although the fire occurred during the daytime, all of the children marched safely out of the building and no one was injured.  However, some of the school records were destroyed.  For the remainder of the spring term, and the next year, classes were held in various places:  the church, Mather Hall and over store buildings.  Since the college was closed the next year, Parsons Hall was then used for the whole school.

During this time, a movement was started to interest other districts in the township in uniting with the Olivet district to form a consolidated school.  The first effort was to try to get two districts to combine with Number One and form a rural agricultural school, but this attempt failed.  Then a township election was held on April 6, 1920, to vote on forming a township unit school.  The result, with 327 ballots cast, was 220 in favor of the plan, and 107 against it.

As a result of this decision, on July 12, 1920, at the annual school meeting, an election was held to select a board of education for the unit school.  Everett P. Reynolds and Charles B. Allerton were elected for a term of three years each; Ohlin E. Walcott and Claude Crampton were selected for two-year terms, and Allen C. Fisher for a term of one year.  The newly elected board was organized and called a meeting of the school boards of the respective districts to make plans for turning over the properties of the districts to the unit school.  Plans also were begun for the raising of money to erect a suitable building for such a school.  Meanwhile, the rural districts operated as usual for a few years.

On March 22, 1921, an election was held at which the school electors voted on the proposition of bonding the district for $50,000 for the building project.  Of 543 ballots cast, 273 votes were for and 270 against the program.  Bonds for $50,000 were issued by the district at 6% interest payable over a period of fifteen years.  These bonds sold above par at 113.  On Jun 27, 1921, the board of education let contracts for the erection of a building, the plans for which had been prepared by Architect Warren Holmes of Lansing.  This building is the central portion of the present schoolhouse.  The total cost was $56,000.  It was completed and dedicated during the Christmas holidays of 1921-22, and was occupied by the school in January 1922.

During the summer of 1923, in order that the pupils of District Number Two (Fordham) might be transported to Olivet, the board of education bought its first school bus.  That fall the Fordham School was closed and its teacher, Miss Harriett Rice (Mrs. George Bugbee) came to the unit school to teach.  By 1929, the last one of the rural schools in the consolidated area had been discontinued, and all the pupils in the district were being transported to Olivet.  Moreover, in time, several other rural school boards asked for permission to send first their high school and later their grade pupils to the Walton Unit School.  As a result, today nine rural schools in the Olivet community area are closed and the high school students and some of the grade pupils of thirteen other schools are now transported by the present fleet of buses.

This influx of pupils from outside the unit district to Olivet soon caused an overcrowded condition in the school.  In 1935, the Kellogg Foundation became interested in the local school problem and offered to give the district financial aid to enlarge the building.  Similar aid was also sought and obtained from the Public Works Administration.  Plans were prepared by the architect of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, and the district voted to bond for $36,000, payable over a period of thirty years.  During 1936, the south wing and gymnasium were built at a total cost of $112,000.  The P.W.A. gave 45% of the total cost and the Kellogg Foundation 55% of the cost, less the $36,000 supplied by the district.

In the fall of 1938, the shop and garage building, and the cafeteria under the south wing of the main building were further additions to the school plant.  For the construction of these the P.W.A. supplied 45% of the cost and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation 55%.  The total cost was $65,000, none of which was supplied by the district itself.

The result of this long history of growth and development of the Walton Township Unit School is an unusually complete and well-equipped plant of which every citizen of the Walton community area can be justly proud.  The buildings and equipment now are evaluated at approximately $300,000.  Twenty teachers furnish instruction for 226 grade and 247 junior and senior high school pupils, 82% of which are from rural homes.  Ten buses, for which a full-time mechanic is employed, supply transportation for rural pupils.  The Cafeteria on an average of 350 students each noon.  The graduating classes of recent years have averaged about thirty seniors.

R. L. Stickle	E. P. Reynolds

As with any large enterprise of this type, it success has been achieved only through the cooperative efforts of many people.  Those who have served on the Board of Education, the Superintendents, and all the teachers aided invaluably in planning and administering the project.

The dynamic efforts and progressive foresight of Ralph L. Stickle contributed much to the development of the present system.  Mr. Stickle served this community for seventeen years; one year as teacher, five years as principal, and eleven years as superintendent.  At his request, the Board of Education granted him a leave of absence in 1941 and appointed Miss A. Fern Persons as Acting Superintendent for that year.  Since leaving this school Mr. Stickle served as an official in the National Youth Administration, and is now a field director with the American Red Cross located in the Southwest Pacific theatre of war.

Because of the heavy demands upon his time during the reorganization and building programs, Mr. Stickle gave much responsibility to Miss Persons.  Her understanding of the function of public education and her high ideals of educational efficiency have contributed greatly to the esteem in which the school is now held.

Let it not be thought that the people of the Walton community area feel that public school improvement is complete even though they are justly proud of what has been achieved thus far.  In the attempt to equalize educational opportunity for all children in the area much remains to be done.  The problem of meeting the needs of individual children adequately is still to be solved.  The fields of pre-school child education, adult education, and further improvement in vocational education will require study and call for definite action.  The further reorganization of school districts within the community area will demand united effort.

Much of the historical material for this article was taken from the minutes of the Board of Education and other existing records. It was organized and presented to the editorial staff by Mr. E. P. Reynolds who has served as a member of the Board of Education for all but six years since Mr. Reynolds has at all times been a devoted servant of educational interests in this area.  He has worked with untiring efforts for efficiency and progress, which has made possible much of the expansion of the last twenty years without a large burden of debt to the community.

STUDENT COUNCIL

The first student council of the Walton Township Unit School was organized in 1926 under the leadership of Principal John H. Milor.  The purpose of the organization was to enable the student body, through its representatives, to manage such affairs of general interest to the student body as by mutual agreement rightfully fell under their jurisdiction.

The membership now consists of officers and representatives, who are elected annually, from the upper six grades.  The officers are selected from the Junior and Senior classes.  Increased enrollment and new trends in education have called for new objectives.  Emphasis has been placed upon school and community citizenship.

Miss Fern Persons, principal of the high school, is the present advisor to the Student Council.

LIBRARY

In 1940, through the W. K. Kellogg Foundation “Five-For-One Book Program”, almost two thousand new volumes were added to the library.  The program provided that five old books could be exchanged for one new book.  This made possible a splendid addition to the library.  These, together with new books received ever month through membership in a book guild, and books purchased on request of the teachers, form a varies and extensive collection which serves the interests of the entire school area.

In 1941, The Parent Teachers Association furnished a recreational reading room to be used in connection with the library.  Under the guidance of Miss Helen Goodrich, a Library Club, of which all student librarians are members, was organized in 1943.

BA N D

The record of the High School Band is one of continuous development since its organization in 1925.  Starting with a handful of boys and girls, plus a few old instruments and a huge amount of wind and enthusiasm, its early history is not unlike that of many similar bands.  From an approximate fifteen who reported for the first practices, the roster has increased until it is necessary to maintain both a Senior and a Junior Band reaching a total membership of seventy.  A medium by which its members can learn some of the disciplines of joint musical performance, it also acts as a socializing agent, and aims to contribute as much as possible to the life of both community and school.  The original gift of fine quality uniforms was largely made possible by a spontaneous expression of the mothers of band members.  This in itself seems sufficient testimony to the esteem in which the Band is held.

Among the important activities of the Band is the Olivet Festival held annually in April in McKay Gymnasium.  This occasion, supported jointly by the school and the college, affords an annual meeting ground for more than six hundred young musicians from as many as sixteen neighboring high schools.  Without question its values rank high in school and community spirit, musical education and experience, socializing force and the building of morale.  Inaugurated in 1934, this spring brings the completion of ten such festivals.

GIRLS’ GLEE CLUB 

HEALTH  ROOM

This year, through the cooperative efforts of the Parent Teachers Association Health Committee, of which Mrs. Bernard Hice is chairman, and the Community Health class, taught by Miss Dorothy Rudenberg, a room known as the Health Center has been furnished and equipped to accommodate three patients.  The room is also used by Miss Elizabeth Edmands, Eaton County public health nurse, who has assisted in the planning and organization of this project.

CAFETERIA 

The value of a hot luncheon at noon has long been recognized by the school, and facilities have been provided for the preparation of such a meal.  Before the present cafeteria was built, the room now used by the band was the cafeteria.  The Home Making students prepared hot lunches at noon.

A modern cafeteria was constructed with the building program of 1939.  The finest equipment makes it possible to serve lunches to all pupils who wish to take advantage of this service.  Some buy a complete lunch, while others supplement lunches brought from home with hot dishes purchased at a low cost at the cafeteria counter.

The first full-time manager of the cafeteria was Betty Thompson.  The present manager, Hilda Miller, came in 1942, and is assisted by a staff of students.

 FUTURE HOME OPERATORS

The first Future Home Operators club was organized here in 1933 under the leadership of Miss Eleanor Laskey who was then the teacher of Home Economics.  The group became affiliated at this time with the Michigan Home Economics Association and the American Home Economics Association.  The first officers of the organization were:  President, Lucille Starks; Vice-President, Valdean Masters; Secretary, Nellie Dabrawa; Treasurer, Bette Burleson.  The officers for the present school year are Dorothy Loveless, Margaret McClure, Constance Barlond, and Margaret Johnson.

It is one of the purposes of the club to promote health, service, friendship, and courtesy.  Miss Dorothy Rudenberg is the present advisory to the organization.

 FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA

Under the leadership and guidance of Donald H. Shepard, who came to Olivet as teacher of vocational agriculture in 1928, the students organized the Future Farmers of America, and joined the state association in February, 1932.  Mr. Shepherd left in 1939, and was followed by Keith King who was here from 1939 to 1941, and Thomas Kerrey, the present advisor.

Since is organization, the local chapter of the Future Farmers of America has been outstanding in county, district, and state activities, having won several state championships.  In 1937 the winning team in Fruit Judging was composed of Hubert Janousek, Harold Bradley, and Wendell Youngs.  The team winning the championship in Dairy Judging in 1939 was composed of Oliver Shaw, Allyn Van Dyke, and Marvin Eppelheimer.  Also in 1939, the championship in Livestock Judging was won by Dale Mahan, Marvin Eppelheimer, and Charles Zanger.  The 1940 championship in Livestock Judging was won by Dale Sumption, Owen Berkimer, and Gleason Williams.  Public Speaking contests were won by Howard Rice in 1935, Hugh Oxby in 1936, Donald Eppelheimer in 1937, and Allyn Van Dyke in 1938.  In 1943 a championship in Livestock Loss Prevention was won by Carroll Moon and Gerald Marquardt.

During the same twelve years, honors were conferred upon individual members of the chapter.  Douglas Barlond was elected to a state office, and seventeen members earned the State Farmer degree.  Those members were:  Marvin Eppelheimer, Allyn Van Dyke, Donald Eppelheimer, Loren Walker, Hugh Oxby, Ivan Baker, Burton Van Dyke, Arthur Jaquette, Douglas Barlond, Carroll Moon, Byron Waddell, Allen Ross, Charles Kleinfelt, Winton Hice, Max Powers, Clyde Bahmer, and Lyle Lond.  All of these young men and many others who have been members of the Future Farmers of America are now established in farming, or serving in the armed forces of this country.

 BASKET BALL

The interest in basket ball has been keen through the years, and Olivet has produced many winning teams.  Olivet placed first in district tournaments in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, and 1942.  The 1941-42 team was coached by Walter Sprandel, and won the Eaton County Basket Ball League championship, winning ten games and losing none.  This year Olivet had a successful season, winning eight out of ten games, and placing second in the district tournament held at Charlotte.  This team was coached by Gordon McAllen who came to Olivet in 1942.

In former years, before the new gymnasium was built, Olivet College shared its facilities with the high school.  Superintendent Ralph Stickle coached many of the teams in the sixteen years prior to 1941.

In basket ball, as in other athletics, the emphasis has not been placed on winning games alone.  The development of good sportsmanship and ability to work together has been considered in measuring the success of a season.

 PHYSICAL FITNESS 

The physical education program has always been considered a vital part of the curriculum.  The construction of the gymnasium in 1936 did much to stimulate interest in athletics.

Since January, 1943, this school has participated in a nation-wide program of physical fitness which has been generally stressed since the need for such a program has been recognized.

Physical Fitness classes for high school boys and girls attempt to improve endurance, strength, coordination, posture, and agility, through vigorous calis-thenics, hardening-up exercises, and recreational games.  Gordon McAllen instructed the boys and Helen Goodrich the girls.   

TRANSPORTATION OF PUPILS

The growth of the transportation system closely parallels the development of the school.  The first school bus was purchased in the summer of 1923, at which time the Fordham school was closed.  A second bus was purchased the following year when the Hawkenberry and Bosworth schools were closed.  Today, these first buses would be very strange in appearance.  School records reveal that the body of the first one was hand-made, extremely heavy, that the windows were plate glass, and that it could accommodate twenty-four passengers.  “Bill” Winegar was the first bus driver.

By the time the last one-room schools in the township were closed, the district had purchased five buses.  The problem of storage facility was solved in the summer of 1925 when the first bus garage was built on what is now the cement skating platform east of the cafeteria.  Arrangements were made with the local garages of that time to keep the buses in repair.  Gasoline and oil were purchased from the local dealers.

As the educational program grew and districts outside the township became interested in sending their pupils to this school, the transportation system was expanded until now the district owns eleven buses.  The building program of 1939 provided the present busy garage which is one of the finest of its type in the state.  It accommodates twelve buses and has complete mechanical facilities for their maintenance.

The first full time mechanic employed was Lester McAmis who was followed by Floyd King in 1941.

For the current year the buses carry approximately four hundred pupils daily, travel somewhat over seventeen hundred miles per week, and will have used about eight thousand gallons of gasoline by the end of the school year.

 PARENT – TEACHER ASSOCIATION    

The Parent Teachers Association was organized in this school in May 1940.  Mr. Haakon Furu was elected president, and, after serving two years, was succeeded by Mrs. Crosby Washburne.  This year, the organization is under the leadership of Mrs. Percy Boult, who was elected in 1943.

Each year the organization has chosen and carried out a project in the interest of the school.  The association has furnished the Browsing Room, assisted in the purchase of band uniforms, and equipped the Health Room.  It has also presented to the school many other useful gifts.  This year, plans are being made to send a boy to Wolverine Boys’ State, and a girl to Wolverine Girls’ State.

During the past two years, the Parent Teachers Association and the Chamber of Commerce have entertained the children of the community at Hallowe’en and Christmas parties.

In February of this year the Parent Teachers Association sponsored its third annual Adult Institute which was again a profitable two-day program for the people of the community.

ADULT EDUCATION

For several years the Walton Township Unit School has offered courses in Home Making and Agriculture for adults.  The war has added impetus to this program and, as the state and federal departments of vocational education made more funds available, the opportunities in this community were greatly increased.  During the last two years an average of eighteen courses per year has been offered in sewing, canning, gardening, swine, dairying, poultry, soils, farm management, tractor and truck repair, farm machinery, and farm labor training.  The average number of adults enrolled in these courses has been two hundred fifty.

This adult education program has been supervised by the local administration, and directed by Dorothy Rudenberg, teacher of Home Making, and Thomas Kerrey, of the Agriculture department.  Instruction was given also by residents of the community.  Those who taught courses in Dairying are, Clair Lake, Clyde Butterfield, Everett Reynolds, Bernard Hice, Arthur Jaquette, Dale Shrontz, and Charles Garner.  Classes in Swine and Poultry Husbandry were taught by Leonard Johnson and Ernest Nelson.  Instruction in Tractor and Truck Repair and Maintenance was given by Floyd King, and James Reynolds and Darwin Jaquette taught courses in Farm Machinery Repair and Maintenance.

These classes have been held at the school in the Home Making rooms, the Agriculture room, the Cafeteria, the shop, and the bus garage.  Other classes have met in rural schools, Grange halls, and, in some cases, in farm homes throughout the community.

Early Village School (1885)

The First Brick Structure, destroyed by fire in 1919 . . . Built about 1886

First Unit of Consolidated School (1922)

An early shop, R. L. Stickle, Instructor      One of the first Orchestras, Pedro Paz, Director

KINDERGARTEN

The KINDERGARTEN is enjoying a free play period; thus personal interest is given a chance to develop.

FIRST GRADE

This group shows FIRST GRADE children interested in a daily activity of clay modeling.

THIRD GRADE

The THIRD GRADE at work on a study of transportation.

FOURTH GRADE

FOURTH GRADE activity period divided into groups; bird study, observing a puppet show, and a geography study.

FIFTH GRADE

FIFTH GRADE making a study of one of the important spring enterprises of the community. 

They are producing maple sugar.

SIXTH GRADE

The SIXTH GRADE during one of their library periods; returning and checking out books.

STUDENT COUNCIL

The STUDENT COUNCIL is ready to discuss student problems under the guidance and council of their advisor.

BAND

One out of every three pupils in the Junior and Senior High School take band.  Rehearsals are held daily for 60 minutes.

HEALTH

A busy morning in the Health Room.  The doctor is giving hearing tests to grade pupils and 

two older students are under observation.

CAFETERIA

Mrs. Harold Miller, cafeteria manager, with the student assistants serving lunch to the second grade pupils.

FUTURE HOME OPERATORS

The Future Home Operators hold an initiation meeting.  Officers are Dorothy Loveless, Margaret McClure, 

Constance Barlond, and Margaret Johnson.

GIRLS PHYSICAL FITNESS

The girls develop coordination, poise, and balance through exercise.

FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA

The opening of a meeting of the Future Farmers of America, with all officers at their stations.

Officers standing, left to right:  Max Powers, Kenneth Crilly, Lyle Lynd, Harold Tooley, Dale Cooley, 

and Mr. Thomas H. Kerrey, Advisor.

SHOP

Farm Shop students repairing farm machinery and building farm equipment.  

Mr. James Reynolds,  the instructor, is supervising.

BASKETBALL

Left to right, first row:  George Perry, Theron Stults, Norman Heddon, Duane Shaw, Vinton Perry, Richard Herbert, and Leonard Johnson.  Second row:  Carol Severn Sorenson, Jr. (manager), Karl Goodnoe, James MacKenzie, Robert Sasnic, Gordon McAllen (coach), and Dorothy Loveless (cheerleader).

BOYS' PHYSICAL FITNESS

This is one of the milder forms of toughening up exercises that always follow calisthenics in our boys’ gym classes.

BUSES

At the close of school the drivers and teachers check grade pupils on to the buses 

before the high school students are dismissed.

MAINTENANCE

Left: Orma Stults and Fred Campbell, custodians, mechanic, take care of plumbing, 

heating electrical and machine repair, as well as building and grounds maintenance.

Right: Floyd King, the full-time mechanic, keeps the fleet of eleven 

buses in first class operating condition. 

Row 1:  W. Bradford,  F. Bowles,  N. Burke,  N. Crilly, F.  Campbell,  J. Cooper,  C. Caplin,  M. Dillon, S. Engle, L. Hall. 

Row 2:  I. Harris, M. Ingram, J. Kerry, J. Masters, D. Miller, H. McDonald, G. Mogg, B. Nye, B. Sumption, M. Tompkins.  

Row 3:  L. Bolley, J. Boult, N. Campbell, V. Campbell, R. DeBaun, D. Demaree, L. Eishen, M. Gettys, G. Hall.  

Row 4:  E. Hall, A. Halsey, N. Halsey, J. Harris, G. Heisler, C. Hickok, K. Janousek, C. Johnson, D. King, J. Love. 

Row 5: S. Owen, G. Patterson, R. Peters, S. Peters, G. Ryor, P. Scott, M. Sheplar, A. Swan, C. Thornton, R. Vahs.  

Row 6:  R. VanNortrick, D. Wertz, J. Wolf, E. Abson, E. Allen, J. Bolly, M. Bowles, D. Bugbee, C. Bugbee.  

Row 7:  F. Campbell, J. Campbell, M. Engle, D.  Hefflebower, G. Gray, A.Hickok, R. Johnson, T. Kerry, R. Leslie, D. Lamb.  

Row 8:  M. McDonald, S. Marsh, L. Miller, J. Morrison, L. Murphy, V. Norton, C. Otenry, J. Root, J. Sharp, S. Sherman.  

Row 9:  D. Shrontz,  J. Velliquet, A. Weaver, D. Weaver, J. Wolf, E. Wood, J. Boysen, D. Campbell, D. Carpenter.   

Row 10:  G. Chapman, C. Conant, J. Crilly, D. Dillon, R. Dowding, S. Engle, R.,Halsey, H. Hammond, A. Harris, P. Herbert.

Row 1:  F. Jewell, D. Judd, D. Keller, D. King, N. Kleinfelt, M. Lover, N. Mann, D. Mather, J. Mattingly, D. Merrill.  

Row 2:  E. Mogg, F. Morales, N. Norton, N. Owen, A. Patterson, B. Reiss, D. Ripley, J. Ryor, B. Sheets, D. Spangler.  

Row 3:  R. Stukey, J. Thornton, D. Bennett, J. Boult, B. Boysen, G. Burke, C. Gardner, E. Halsey, J. Halsey.  

Row 4:  D. Harris, L. Hice, R. Hisler, V. Hisler, R. Jewell, P. Johnson, K. Marsh, L. Mathias, D. Moon, L. McDonald.  

Row 5:  S. Murphy, M. McCollum, J. Peters, C. Rundle, J. Sharp, P. Sheets, J. Shrontz, L. Vedder, R. White.  

Row 6:  H. Bailey, L. Bugbee, V. Campbell, J. Carpenter, N. Cooper, P. Fields, A. Hansen, G. Harris, E. Hefflebower, C. Keller.  

Row 7:  E. Hensen, K. Masters, D. Mather, L. Mathias, B. McClure, C. Nobles, R. Norton, G. Persons, S. Ripley, R. Root.  

Row 8: D. Ryor,G.  Sherman, P. Spillane, M. Winterstein, R. Bahmer, R. Boysen, J. Clark, C. Conant, D. Crilley.  

Row 9: M. Dowding, G. Eishen, A. Halsey, G. Hammond, C. Horn, C. Johnson, L. King, J. Kleinfelt, W. Loveless, M. Mather. 

Row 10:  J. Mellor, C. Morrison, F. Morrison, B. Paige, T. Patterson, D. Peters, A. Powers, H. Ruffner, J. Russell, D. Stevens.

Row 1:  R. Vedder, R. Allen, J. Bradford, R. Clark, W. Coats, M. Collins, C. Conant, C. DeBaun, W. Dema-Ree.  

Row 2:  S. Dowding, R. Edick, F. Hammond, J. Hansen, C. Heisler, D. Heisler, H. Hensen, G. Howard,W. Kleinfelt, D. Leslie.  

Row 3:  I. Martis, R. McFarland, B. Morales, L. Murphy, L. Myers, H. Obrinski, L. Phillips, G. Pratt, T. Priest, A. Reid.  

Row 4:  B. Root, C. Sherman, V. Thompkins, J. Vance, V. Van Nortrick, N. Washburne, D. Weaver, Y. Bailey, R. Boult.  

Row 5:  J. Bugbee, P. Church, M. Davis, M. Davis, D. Eishen, J. DeBaun, I. Faulkner, B. Goodrich, D. Harris, D. Heisler.  

Row 6:  B. Hogle, B. Horn, L. Howard, G. Hubert, F. Hydon, R. Jaquette, C. Jones, D. Joshick, D. King, J. Kopp.  

Row 7:  M. Lake, S. Loveless, D. Lynd, S. Mason, M. Masters, M. Mather, D. Mitchell, M. Morales, H. Morrison, I. Mott.  

Row 8:  I. Norton, G. Paige, H. Patterson, P. Peters, C. Pratt, P. Robinson, P. Ross, G. Rundle, W. Russell, M. Sadowsky.  

Row 9:  R. Spangler, J. Sumption, J. Swan, W. Turner, D. Velliquette, M. Waddell, B.Weldon, G. Adrianson, G. Betts.  

Row 10:  M. Bowen, V. Brangwin, E. Clark, N. Coats, J. Cornell, P. Davis, Day, V. Fleming, H. Frieny, B. Gardner.

Row 1:  M. Godward, W. Harris, C. Hisler, B. Horn, R. Johnson, A. Joshick, M. King, B. Lear, M. Leslie, B. Maier.  

Row 2:  I. Marsman, I. Marsman, M. Masters, M. McCullough, J. Miller, V. Nelson, M. Niver, V. Nobles, M. Patterson, H. Piatt.  

Row 3:  A. Ripley, R. Ross, B. Russell, D. Smant, C. Sorenson, D. Southward, H. Stukey, D. Stults, N. Sundberg, R. Tucker.  

Row 4: J. Vance, A. Arquette, M. Bargy, K. Bradford, L. Bradford, D. Carpenter, G. Crilly, G. Fuller, K. Goodnoe.  

Row 5:  J. Gray, J. DeGroot, W. Haun, N. Heddon, R. Herbert, H. Hisler, J. Hoagle, L. Howard, R. Howard, R. Howard.  

Row 6:  B. Lake, J. Lewellen, S. Lewis, P. Lynd, O. MacKenzie, J. Morales, E. Mount, J. Mull, D. Norton, J. Ott.  

Row 7:  D. Parker, S. Parr, N. Patterson, O. Patterson, G. Perry, B. Peters, C. Rundle, D. Rundle, W. Spangler, A. Stanton.  

Row 8:  G. Sandberg, R. Swick, H. Taylor, D., Thums, R. Turner, D. Washburne, C. Wells, H. Williams, H. Willis, R. Yoder.  

Row 9:  S. Adrianson, C. Barlond, G. Bradley, T. DeLong, M. Dowding, J. Fairchild, N. Goodrich, D. Hansen, H. Hickok.  

Row 10:  D. Horn, R. Jaquette, L. Johnson, H. Loucks, M. McClure, V. Perry, V. Reid, J. Robinson, F. Ross, V. Sabin.

Row 1:  R. Sasnic, T. Stults, R. Sumption, T. Vedder, G. Williams, D. Wood, C. Bahmer, V. Ballard, M. Bingham.  

Row 2:  B. Carpenter, D. Coats, K. Crilly, L. Flynn, A. Greenfield, W. Hice, P. Jewell, M. Johnson, J. Johnston, D. Lear.  

Row 3:  D. Loveless, L. Lynd, D. Mathis, I. Maurer, H. McDonald, R. Myers, M. Powers, H. Rundle, M. Russell, Z. Shapley.  

Those Absent from These Pictures

Kindergarten: P. Hoffman, R. Leslie, S. Stroo, D. Stultz, J. Dowding, C. Uhl, P. Powers, S. Mott, J. Emerson, P. Curtis.

1st Grade: B. Bolley, I. Griffin, G. Vierk, C. Uhl, B. Hyde, L. Mathias, K. Wintersteen.

2nd Grade: S. Stainsburg, S. Emerson, R. Wintersteen, D. Clark.

3rd Grade: L. Emerson, J. Hice, D. Custer, D. Wertz.

4th Grade: O. Dillin, J. Persons, M. Willis, L. Griffin, E. Leonard.

5th Grade:  J. Fasnaugh, C. Faulkner, F. VanNortrick, C. Wintersteen, R. Grable, M. Farrand.

6th Grade: R. Mull, B. Leslie, B. Stansbury, D. Farrand.

8th Grade: J. Wirt, M. McConnell.

9th Grade: M. Mills, S. Swift, W. Dillon, M. Farrand.

10th Grade: M. Starks, H. Bugbee, C. Hayter, J. MacKenzie.

11th Grade: S. Nichols, E. Horn, B. Hick, J. Sweet, D. Cooley.

12th Grade: D. Fleming, K. Hisler.

OLIVET COLLEGE

ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY

1844 - 1944

SONG OF THE MARCHING HOSTS

Down the years what hosts are marching!

In their hands faith's sword is strong;

Thru the mists their eyes are searching

Rough the pathway, steep and long.

But their giving and their striving

Made the paths we tread secure,

And the goals of our arriving

Thru their vision shall endure.

For the treasure they have given,

What have we today to give?

Oh! they have greatly striven

That we may greatly live.

Here us, hosts that went before us,

You whose days in toil were set,

While her oak leaves rustle o'er us

Pledge our hearts to Olivet.

'Mid the oaks you too saw growing

One by one strong towers arise;

On the paths worn by your going

Youth is hastening to be wise.

Faith and valor, still we need them

Goals more glorious beckon yet;

We for brotherhood and freedom

Pledge our hearts for Olivet.

Verses by Mafra Wright Newhall, '02

Music by Samuel Robinson

The Paths Worn by their Going . . .

Esther Raymond Shipherd

John Jay Shipherd was born at Granville, New York, just across the border from Vermont; the date was March 29, 1802.  His father, Zebulon. Rudd  Shipherd, was a Yankee Lawyer and former Federalist member of Congress who sometime in the 1820’s became an enthusiastic follower of the great New York evangelist, Charles Grandison Finney.  The younger Shipherd came under Finney’s influence when he was at the most impressionable age and always looked to him for guidance and leadership.

John Shipherd studied at various local academies and then, foregoing a college education because of illness, prepared for the ministry in the home of the Rev. Josiah Hopkins, at New Haven, Vermont.  He held on pastorate – at Shelbourne in Vermont – and from 1828 to 1830, served as General Agent of the Vermont Sabbath School Union.

About that time the Congregational and Presbyterian churches of the East had become much interested in the effort to extend Christian influence among the new settlers of the Mississippi society; and Absolom Peters’ Home Missionary and Pastor’s Journal begun in Boston in 1828 was the official organ of the movement.  Shipherd was persuaded that he had a call to go to these “unplowed spiritual fields.”  He wrote to his father in May, 1830:

“As it now seems to me the finger of Providence points westward even to Mississippi’s vast valley, which is fast filling up with bones which are dry; and the Spirit that giveth life is not wont to breathe upon them, till the prophet’s voice be uttered.  Who shall utter it?  As if affrighted at the sight, many who, I think, ought to go, stand back.  The cultivated field of New England and the Middle States is more inviting than the new and desolate region of the west; and has a multitude of laborers in it compared with that valley of moral death.  The Lord of the harvest says “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”  The Heart of your unworthy son responds:  ‘Here am I, send me.’”

In the autumn, Shipherd went to the Western Reserve in Ohio as a home missionary with the benediction of Charles G. Finney and receiving partial support from the Home Missionary society.  His pastorate at Elyria was none too successful.  His church was divided by factional controversies; his health gave way.  But there he dreamt his dream of a combined Christian colony and school which might serve as a leaven for the whole “wicked Valley of the Mississippi.”

Though others made their contributions, the conception, the inspiration, the determination to carry through the plan of Oberlin was almost wholly Shipherd’s.  A group of pious New Englanders would settle together in the wilderness at a sufficiently safe distance from worldly influences.  They would establish a manual labor school where their own children and the children of other poor Yankee farmers could be prepared to go out as disseminators of elementary education, sound morals, true democracy, humanitarian benevolence and devoted piety among the growing millions of the New West.  Shipherd selected and gathered his colonists on lands which he begged from New Haven land speculators.  He became first pastor of their church.  He established Oberlin Collegiate Institute.  Then, when the enterprise seemed about to collapse because of a lack of funds, by one magnificent coup he brought to Oberlin the financial support of certain rich New York merchants, the moral support of the Christian reform movement and the personal prestige of Finney himself.

Success in Oberlin had germinated in Shipherd’s mind an expanded vision.  He would fill the whole region with institutions on the Oberlin plan where, through manual labor combined with study, the young men and women of the West could be trained up for the great work of converting the valley to Christianity.  In his official letter of farewell to his congregation, he wrote:  “The great head of the church is Opening before me a Door of Usefulness, wide and effectual in the work of Christian Education, and distinctly calling me into that great and blessed work so that while I can do but little in the plenteous harvests by personal ministry, I can do much to supply it with effective Laborers and thus preach Christ still through the Oberlin Institute and kindred Seminaries which under God I may aid in building.”  Certain New York merchants were to finance a succession of missionary colleges in the West.  Eliza Branch, an Oberlin teacher, acting as amanuensis, wrote of the plan to Shipherd’s brother:  “The brethren . . . having pledge $13,000  . . . he will leave Oberlin about 1^st June on an exploring tour . . . He is to select and purchase the most eligible site for a manual labor institution.  The design is to get 10,000 acres and to raise money enough on the sale of it to endow the college, and add some $10,000.  In addition to this enough to make a second purchase for a Theological Sem. from which enough must be saved for a third purchase and so on, until through these, that great valley shall be supplied with efficient laborers who will reap down her harvests, already ripe and gather them unto the gardner of the Lord.”

Elihu P. Ingersoll, Professor of Church Music and Principal of the Preparatory Department at Oberlin in 1835—1836, had a brother Erastus S. Ingersoll, who had originated a scheme to establish a Christian colony and school a’ la Oberlin in the central part of Michigan.  Professor Ingersoll resigned from the Oberlin faculty to aid his brother and easily persuaded Shipherd to sponsor the enterprise.  Dr. Isaac Jennings, Oberlin’s medical reformer, also participated in the planning for this manual labor, missionary school near the present Lansing, which was to be called the Grand River Seminary.  In June of 1836, Shipherd issued an announcement of the new institution, together with a plea for financial aid.  This appeal, written in the wilderness on a bark table “in an Indian wigwam on the banks of the Cedar River” constitutes his manifesto:

“To the Brethren and Sisters of Eastern Churches.

“Beloved in Jesus – I address you from the Great West, on a subject and under circumstances as interesting as this Valley is extensive. . .

“Three years ago I was among you on an agency in behalf of the Oberlin Collegiate Institute (then prospective) hoping thereby, under God, to do much to supply his plenteous harvest with effective laborers.  Now I am in the center of Michigan, seeking a location for Oberlin second; not because I or my Oberlin associates have occasion to forsake Oberlin first, but because the place is too strait for us, and there remaineth beyond us much land to be possessed in the name of the Lord; and because the Oberlin mode of possessing it has succeeded by the Lord beyond a parallel . . .

“Therefore, beloved, I am here, with a dear member of our faculty, and a hundred brethren of this state, sent of God, we trust, to find the place where we will continue His previous Oberlin work.”

President Jackson’s famous “Specie Circular” requiring payment in gold for Government lands spoiled many a promising land speculation scheme, but few as unselfish as this one.  Shipherd wrote to his brother:  “Gen’l Jackson’s ‘Golden Order’ about specie payment for land cramps me in my new enterprise – cramps Oberlin and nearly all in business.”  After the financial collapse of 1837 his New York backers were unable to pay their subscriptions.  In May, 1839, failure was acknowledged in a circular sent to all subscribers and signed by E. P. Ingersoll, Jennings and Shipherd.  In the meantime, Shipherd had been promoting a similar enterprise in Indiana.

In March, 1837, the founding of another Unit in the system of pious mission colleges was announced.  This was the Lagrange Collegiate Institute of which Shipherd wrote to the editor of the New York Evangelist:  “I am happy to inform those who pray the  Lord of the harvest to send laborers into it that another Oberlin . . . is rising in Lagrange county, Indiana.”  He continued:  “The hope of our republic, of our American Zion and of the world, degraded in ignorance and sin, is Christian education.”  The grand design appears in a later sentence:  “Literary institutions must rise as the forests fall; and the seeds of Christian science must be scattered upon the fallow ground of prairies and plains as they are broken up.  Enlightened minds see clearly that much delay will be irretrievable ruin.”  The Lagrange institute was to follow closely the Oberlin pattern.  “To meet the demands of physiological law, and the indigence of promising youth,” manual labor was to be required.  It was to partake, too, of Oberlin’s reform character.  “This institution will allow free discussion, and openly sustain the great moral enterprises of the day – such as revivals, temperance in all things, the strict observance of the Sabbath, moral reform, Christian union, human rights under whatever color or circumstances.”  Shipherd expected that it would receive its students partly from the overflow from Oberlin.  Nothing more is known of this project, but it is suspected that it, too, died of financial malnutrition.

In 1842-43, Shipherd preached in Buffalo and in Strongville, Ohio, but in the latter year he turned again to Michigan.  In November, 1843, he went to that state to take care of Oberlin’s interests in certain lands and to make a preliminary survey for a new colony and school.*

In the execution of this commission from the authorities of Oberlin, Shiphered made his way toward the Grand River location of the property through the site of the present village of Olivet.  He spent the night at a settler’s cabin in a small clearing near the hilltop now occupied by the College.  The next morning, setting out again on his journey toward Charlotte, he lost his way and was startled to find himself three times drawn back to the forest-covered hilltop.  With a perfect faith in the guidance of God, he said to himself:  “The hand of the Lord is in this.  Is not this green hilltop the chosen mount of consecration – the very spot whereupon He would have me rear the holy altar of Learning and Religion?  Surely God hath directed my stumbling steps!”

Returning to Oberlin, full again of the desire to carry out his dream of founding a Christian community, he vigorously set about getting a colony ready for his enterprise.  Among those who gave him most encouragement were Mr. William Hosford, Mr. Carlo Reed, and to these were added the families of Wilson C. Edsell, Hiram Pease, George Andrews and Phineas Pease.  Four young men, Albertus L. Green, Phineas Hagar, Joseph Bancroft and Chauncey Cady were quick to catch the spirit of the project.  Together with Reuben Hatch and Oramel Hosford, recent graduates from Oberlin College, plans for the migration were laid.  Three young women, Julia Edsell, Alice Green and Abby Carter who were living in the families of Mr. Edsell and Shipherd were added to the company when it made ready to start its journey into the wilderness of Michigan.

On February 13, 1844, an advance party consisting of Andrus, Hagar, Bancroft and two hired men left Oberlin with ox-teams, cattle, sheep and colts, and were followed the next day by the main colony.  The tedious journey was made from Oberlin through the Black Swamp region on the Maumee River northward.  Passing through Marshall on their way, the people laughed at the old man who had gone off into the woods to start a college.  On Saturday, February 24, 1844, the party reached the site that had been chosen.  Five settlers awaited them; Parley Shumway, Captain J. W. Hickok, Isaac Hogle, N. L. Curtis and Hiram Burroughs.  Mr. Shipherd found shelter in the cabin of Mr. And Mrs. Newton Curtis, and it was in their home that the new institution had its formal beginnings.

It is related of Mrs. Shipherd that, when she had mounted to the highest point on the hill and had taken a survey of the region, she turned to her husband and said:  “Your village, Mr. Shipherd, looks better on paper than in reality.”

But the colonists set to work making homes for themselves.  Some managed to live in abandoned log cabins and some were taken into the already full houses of the earlier settlers, who were delighted at their coming.  They cleared away trees and planted crops.  They built a saw mill and a grist mill. 

Two months after their arrival Shipherd wrote to Amasa Walker, thanking him for a gift:  “And I thank the Lord that he is thus and otherwise aiding us to do his good work at Olivet.  Our program is slow but I trust safe.  Our prospect of usefulness appears to me to be fair.”  But his weak body was breaking under the strain.  Though, he wrote to Hamilton Hill, he was “happy in confidence that we are doing God’s work,” he recognized that he was “weary and worn and greatly pressed with labors.”  Malaria broke out and spread until there were more sick than well, and John J. Shipherd died at Olivet September 16, 1844.

Should the colonists try to continue or should they give up the enterprise as hopeless?  They would wait until Mr. Reuben Hatch, who was to be the first president of the new college, should arrive and see how he felt about it.  Mr. Reuben Hatch, just out of Oberlin himself, came and found conditions as bad as they had been reported, but he was young and strong, and the reason which had originally led to the undertaking appeared to him as valid as ever.  And so Olivet College, though not legally incorporated, sent out bulletins announcing the opening of its first term.

THE INDENTURE made between Julius Brown of Croton, Tompkins County, New York, and John J. Shipherd in April, 1844, by which Shipherd acquired the land for Olivet College.

It is supposed that it is in the cabin of Mr. And Mrs. Newton L. Curtis that Father Shipherd spent his first few days in Olivet after the migration from Oberlin.  In their house, worship service was held on Sunday, and the formal plans for the College were created. This  picture, taken in 1868, is the gift to the College of Mrs. Edith E. Rowe, their  granddaughter. 

Class of 1863

Three young women, Sophia A. Keyes, Mary N. Barbour, and Sara Benedict, constituted the first class to receive degrees from Olivet College following its incorporation in 1859 as a Collegiate institution. The first four graduating classes were made up only of women since the Civil War had called so many of the men into service.

The Old Chapel

THE FIRST CHAPEL was the upper room of the school building which was erected in 1846.  When that burned in 1851, the chapel was moved to Colonial Hall.  But this soon became too small as the enrollment of students increased, and the following year a one-story frame building was erected for a chapel with a seating capacity of three hundred.  In 1865, it was decided to lengthen this building and raise it two stories with the chapel on the second floor and classrooms on the first.  This place of worship served both the College and the village until the church was completed in 1894, and continued to serve as College chapel until it was removed in 1933 after erection of the Dole Residence Hall for Women.

Old Parsons Hall

PARSONS HALL, the dormitory for men, was completed in 1871.  It housed successive gene