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Michigan State Agricultural College BY PRESIDENT ABBOT
At the opening of the college, May 13, 1857, the officers were as follows: Joseph Ricketson Williams, M. A., President and Director of the farm; John Clough Holmes, Professor of Horticulture, and Treasurer; Lewis Ransom Fiske, M. A., Professor of Chemistry; Calvin Tracy, M. A., Professor of Mathematics; Robert D. Weeks, Professor of English Literature and Farm Economy, and Secretary; Enoch Baucker [Banker, ] Assistant in Chemistry; James M. Shearer, Steward.
Of these first officers, Mr. Williams continued in office until the beginning of the spring term of 1860, when he resigned. Mr. Williams was a Massachusetts man, a graduate of Harvard University of the class of 1831. He was State senator in 1861, and on the resignation of Hon. James Birney, Mr. Williams became, by virtue of his office of President pro tempore of the senate, the lieutenant governor of the State. He was for two years (1854-5) editor of the Toledo Blade. He died very suddenly at his home in Constantine, Mich., June 16, 1861. A fine likeness of him, presented by Mrs. Williams, adorns the college library. He was a person of splendid presence, an eloquent speaker, and of much force of character. His remains were taken to New Bedford, Mass., for burial. Williams Hall is named in honor of its first president.
Of Mr. John C. Holmes, mention has already been made. He did much to lay out and beautify the grounds, and to give the college a "right start. " Lewis R. Fisk, now D. D. and LL. D., remained in charge of the department of chemistry until the spring of 1863, when he resigned, entering the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, preached in Detroit and other places, and became associate editor of the Christian Advocate. Since 1878 he has been the president of Albion College, Michigan. To him is due the excellent position which the chemical department of the college took at the very first.
Michigan State
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