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Show Page 59<br><br> graduating in 1875, standing seventh in a class of forty-five. He resolved to take a course at Dartmouth, and began private lessons in Greek. At the end of one year, when nearly fitted, ill-health compelled a cessation of work and with many regrets he abandoned his college plans. Five years of active life in the open [PHOTO: I. HUSE.] air on his father's farm recruited his energies, and he resolved to go West. He arrived in Utah May 31, 1881, and spent the next six months on a ranch, after which he opened a private school in Hoytsville, Summit county, Utah. This school, in February, 1882, was taken into the New West Commission system of schools. At that time there were only about eight such schools in Utah. The starting of a private school in a strong Mormon town created a big sensation, and the turning it into a so-called sectarian school, a bigger one, so that Mr. Huse enjoyed all the experiences that a pioneer teacher had in those days when Gentile schools were few and the Mormon power supreme. Notwithstanding all this, his school increased from eight at its opening in December to an enrollment of fifty-four at the end of the year, in June, 1883. The year 1883 witnessed the enlargement of the Congregational school work, and the New West schools were more than doubled. A local agent and superintendent became a necessity, and greatly to his surprise Mr. Huse was asked to fill the position. From September, 1883, to September, 1893, he was the trusted agent of the society, and had entire charge of the local work. He was financial agent, school committee and school superintendent combined. For ten years he held a position requiring a combination of physical and mental strength, patience and good judgment, such as few men possess, and which the average person unacquainted with the nature of the work can scarcely imagine. At one time the New West pupils numbered 2400 during the year and the teachers forty-five. To supervise these schools, scattered widely apart as they were, was work enough for one man, but Mr. Huse not only successfully did this, but personally supervised the erection of six buildings in three years, costing about $38,000. All local expense accounts went through his hands. It was not therefore without a feeling of relief that when the hard times compelled the closing of many of the schools, that Mr. Huse accepted the principalship of Proctor Academy in Provo. Here he labors with much relief from the harassing cares of the superintendency. Mr. Huse married in August, 1885, Miss C. A. Lancaster, one of the New West teachers, who, with two little girls, comprise his family, and reside in Salt Lake City. Gordon Academy. This academy is located at Ogden and was formerly known as the New West Academy. It dates from September, 1883, when it began its work in the building now used as a residence in the rear of the present structure. Professor H. W. Ring was then the principal and Miss Virginia Ludden the assistant, having each but about thirteen pupils under them. The attendance of the Academy rapidly increased until in 1887 the corner-stone of the present excellent structure was laid. It seems only justice to mention in this connection the name of Mrs. Lydia W. Bailey, who, by her labors on the lecture platform, raised a large amount of money to pay for the erection of the new building. The name of the institution was changed to Ogden Academy, and as such it continued to be known until 1892. In that year, it received an endowment of $10,000 from Hon. Nathaniel Gordon of Exeter, N. H., and in honor of him the name was changed to Gordon Academy. The school was formerly under the control of the New West Commission, but is now under the Congregational Education Society. David A. Curry succeeded Mr. Ring as principal, and held this position until June, 1895, when, upon his resignation, Professor W. W. Howe, a graduate of Harvard University, was elected to the position. Miss Louise Dickinson, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College, is the present first assistant, and Miss Theresa Wallace, the second assistant. The academy has entered upon a promising year, and the instructors are endeavoring to raise the standard of scholarship still higher than it formerly has been. William W. Howe, Principal of Gordon Academy, Ogden , Utah, and superintendent of the Congregational Sunday-school in the same city, was born in Boston, Mass., September 19, 1869. His early education was obtained in Boston public schools and after preparing there to enter college he completed a college course in Buchtel College, Akron, O. Having graduated in 1891 from that institution, he taught one year in the high school of Chardon, O. He then taught for two years in college preparatory work in Richfield, N. Y. Desiring a more thorough course of study, he entered Harvard University in 1894, and received of it in June, 1895, the degree of bachelor of arts. He soon afterward accepted the offer of the principalship of the Gordon Academy in Utah, where he is at present located. Salt Lake College. In July, 1894, the Congregational Education society determined to make an important advancement in the matter of higher Christian education in this great intermountain region. The significant step was the advancement of Salt Lake Academy to the rank of a college. As a college this institution has but little history except in connection with and in continuation of the history of the development of higher Christian education in the Territory of Utah, and especially in Salt Lake City, in which work Salt Lake Academy played an important part in common with Salt Lake Collegiate Institute and other similar schools. This academy was established nearly twenty years ago. Rev. W. M. Barrows, then pastor of the First Congregational church, and a few of the members of the church, determined to establish a parochial school. Prominently associated with the pastor in these plans were Mr. L. E. Hall, Mrs. John T. Lynch, Mrs. T. R. Jones and others. Through the influence of President Tenney an academy was founded, instead of a parochial school, and was taken under the fostering care of Colorado College. Soon after the establishment of the academy the New West Education Commission was organized, of which Col. Charles G. Hammond was the founder, and one of the chief early supporters. From the time of the withdrawal of Colorado College early in the '80's, this commissions took the young academy under its care. The growth, the success, and the wide influence of the academy were without doubt most largely due to the wisdom, consecration, energy, and unselfish devotion of Professor Edward A. Benner, who was for so many years the inspiring principal. A large degree of credit is due also to the helpful counsel of Rev. Charles R. Bliss, the watchful secretary of the New West Education Commission. Through the efforts of these men and the munificence of Col. Hammond and the large contributions of Mr. L. E. Holden, President John Taylor and other leading citizens of Salt Lake City, the noble and substantial building, known as Hammond Hall, was erected on East Third South street, and other valuable property was secured. Among those who shared with Professor Benner the honor of making the academy a success by their faithful services as teachers may be named Mrs. K. M. Ashley, Misses Alice M. Keith, Lena A. Wakefield, Nina Van Voorhis, Minnie Emerson, Danforth, Stevens and Carney, and Hon. C. E. Allen and Professor Metcalf. The influence of the earnest work of these teachers is still manifest. Rev. O. F. Davis took up the work of the principalship after the resignation of Professor Benner, and led the work of the academy for three years, until the time of the change to college. In view of the fact that Utah was soon to adopt a State Constitution and apply for admission to the Union, it was determined by the Congregational Education Society to anticipate the event by advancing one of its oldest and best academies to the rank of a college. Upon the foundation so well laid in the academy Salt Lake College was established. Rev. Henry K. Warren, A. M., |
