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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COLLEGE BY HON. JOHN C. PATTERSON, 1883
Hon. Samuel B. Philbrick, H. D. Johnson, J. E. Snow, and Daniel Branch were among the founders and friends of this school. Daniel Branch, Mrs. Daniel Branch, John Beech, Miss Abigail Curtis, Rev. George E. Ball, D. D.. Rev. Ransom Dunn, D. D, Rev. George T. Day, D. D., Prof. Spencer J. Fowler, A. M., and Rev. C. B. Mills, A. M., were among the teachers of thin school. The last five persons named have been members of the faculty at Hillsdale.
After a year of negotiations, Geauga Seminary was sold, its scholarships redeemed, and the remaining effects, amounting to two thousand dollars and upwards, were transferred to Hillsdale College. Elder David L. Rice and Hon. Samuel B. Philbrick, of Ohio, rendered great service in procuring this transfer. Geauga Seminary and Michigan Central College were thus consolidated, and became the principal organized factors of Hillsdale College.
The work at Hillsdale was pushed with vigor. Materials were purchased, contracts let. and June 13th. 1853. the ground for the buildings was broken. On the fourth day of July, 1853, the corner-stone of the college edifice was laid, with imposing ceremony, in the presence of a large concourse of people. The citizens of the county having contributed the means, had a personal interest in the enterprise, and turned out en masse to witness the ceremony. Hon. Henry Waldron was president of the day; President Edmund B. Fairfield orator, and Col. Frederick M. Holloway and Dr. Daniel Beebe were marshals. Professor Ransom Dunn made the consecratory prayer. Patriotism, education, and religion united at Hillsdale on the occasion, in a celebration which has never been equaled in that generous community.
EARLY MICHIGAN
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