Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - 1862 [Begin page 91] State Agricultural College Michigan Feb. 26 1862 The regular meeting of the State Board of Agri- culture was called to Order at 11 o'clock A.M. There were present Messrs Wells, Parsons, Gage, Carpenter, and Rich. The President being absent, Mr Wells was appointed President pro tempore; and Mr. Charles Rich empowered to act for the secretary whenever it might be necessary for him to be absent. [Yerkes' Resignation] A Communication was received from S.A. Yerkes, resigning his position as a member of this Board; - he having enlisted in the military service of the Country. The Resignation of Mr Yerkes was accepted by the Board. The Board adjourned until Tomorrow. T.C. Abbot Secy. State Agricultural College Michigan Feb. 27, 1862 Board met as per adjournment, at 9 A.M. Present Messrs Wells, Parsons, Gage, Carpenter, Rich, and His Excel- lency Governor – Blair. [Land Sale] Resolved that James Bayley be, and is hereby auhroized to contract for sale of the South East quarter of the North West quarter of Section 27, in the Township of Bath, Clinton County, part of the Swamp lands belong- ing to the Agricultural College, at the price of Eighty Dollars, Said tract of land being in part covered with water. [Accounts] The following Bills, presented by the Committee on accounts were then allowed: - to wit. Grove and Whitney $25.53 No 52 Ford and Wells 1.97 " 53 B.F. Savage 25.43 " 54 Austin Blair 29.05 " 55 D. Carpenter 14.25 " 56 P. Parsons 12.30 " 57 Charles Rich 14.85 " 58 H.G. Wells 13.50 " 59 Justus Gage 18.50 " 60 The Committee on Employees made a Report recommen- ding Mr. C.A. Kenaston of Oberlin Ohio, as a Suitable person to take charge of the Preparatory Department of the College: whereupon it was ---- . [End page 91] [Begin page 92] [Kenaston Prepty. Dept.] Resolved that C.A. Kenaston be employed to take charge of the Preparatory Department of the College, during the pleasure of the Board, at a Salary of Five Hundred and Fifty Dollars per year, and that the said Kenaston be, and he is, hereby authorized to finish off the unfinished dwelling connected with the College at his own expense, and when finished to occupy the same, the cost of fitting up said building to apply on rent of said house. The Board then adjourned until tomorrow at 8 A.M. T.C. Abbot Secretary .. State Agricultural College, Michigan Friday Feby. 28, 1862 AM Session Board met as per adjournment. Present, the same numbers as yesterday. [Bell] Resolved that Mr. Philo Parsons be authorized to procure a bell suitable for the use of the Agricultural College; - and to make such disposition of the old bell as he shall judge advisable. for the interests of the College. [Report] Professors Fisk and Miles submitted a Report in accordance with a Resolution of the Board passed Nov. 15. 1861: the Report was accepted, and ordered to be placed on file. On motion of Mr. parsons, it was [Crippen elected to Bd. of Ag.] Resolved, that James B. Crippen, President of the State Agricultural Society, be, and hereby is, elected a member of this Board, in the place of S.A. Yerkes, resigned. [Bayley Resignation] A Communication was received from James Bayley, Superintendent of the Farm of the State Agricul- tural College, tendering his Resignation of the office of Superintendent The Resignation of Mr Bayley was accepted. On motion of Mr. Gage, Resolved that in accepting the Resignation of Mr. James Bayley, as Superintendent of the Farm of the State Agricutlrual College, and of the Boarding Hall the Board are animated with a proper sense of the zeal, econ- omy, and integrity manifested by Mr Bayley in the discharge of his duties as said Superintendent; and that we tender to him the Expression of our Sympathy, on account of his present ill health. [End page 92] [Begin page 93] [Com on Farm Supt.] Resolved that Messrs Phil Gardner, and . H.G. Wells be and then hereby are authorized to engage a Farm Superintendent to take charge of the Farm and Boarding Hall, doing the pleasure of the Board at a compensation not to exceed the sum of Eight Hundred Dollars ($800.00) per annum. The following Report on the Building of a Barn was submitted by the Committee to whom that subject was referred by Resolution of Nov 15. 1861 : - viz. [Barn] The Committee appointed by the Board for the purpose of taking into consideration the Building of a Barn have had the matter under consideration and recommend that the Board adopt the Plan submitted by Mr. Carpenter for its construction : in size sixty (60) feet by forty six (46) feet : and that Messrs Parsons and Carpenter, with the Farm Superintendent obtain specifications in detail for the same, and procure materials, and proceed in its erection as speedily as the interests of the College will permit The Report was accepted, and adopted. [Land Sale] Resolved that Philo Parsons be, and he is hereby authorized to take into consideration the proposition of George B. Van Atta, to purchase the South half of the South East Quarter of Section Eleven (11) and the North East Quarter of Section Fourteen (14) Swamp lands in the township of Meridian, and that he be authorized to contract the same to said Van Atta at a price not less than Six Hundred Dollars, provided he may deem that the interests of the College will be subserved by such sale. On motion of Mr. Gage [Experiments] Resolved that Professors Fisk and Miles be authorized to carry out the experiments referred to in their Report submitted to the Board this present Session. [Supt. pro. tem.] Resolved that Professor Fisk be, and he is here- by authorized, and requested to take charge of, and direct the students as to their labor, until a Superintendent of the Farm shall be appointed, and be on hand to perform the duties of his office. [Steward] On account of the severe illness of Mr Bayley, Messrs Parsons and Carpenter were appointed a Committee at once to see Mr Harrison, and engage his, and Mrs. Harrison's services on the farm, and in the Boarding Hall, until some other person shall be engaged to take charge of the same; so as to relieve Mr and Mrs Bayley entirely [End page 93] [Begin page 94] of all care in regards to it. [Account] An account was allowed in favor of Dr. M. Miles of $17.17 No 61. The chair being temporarily vacant, Mr Wells was appointed to fill it and it was [Appropriatn.] Resolved that the Treasurer of this Board is hereby directed to obtain from the Treasurer of the Board Five Thou- sand Dollars ($5000.00) of the appropriation to the Agricultural College made by the present Legislature, and hold the same subject to the disposition of the Board. The Board then adjourned T.C. Abbot Secretary State Agricultural College, Michigan May 28, 1862, PM. Session The Regular Meeting of the State Board of Agriculture was called to order at 3 o'clock P.M. There were present Messrs Wells, Rich, Parsons, and Gage. In the absence of the President of the Board. Mr Wells now made President pro- tempore. The reading of the Records of the last Session was deferred until tomorrow morning. At the request of the President, Professor Fisk made a statement respecting the state of the Health of the Students, [Health] Resolved that in view of the condition of the heatlh of the Students during the present month, and the desire expressed by a majority of those in attendance, it is expedient that the usual Recess of two weeks during the month of July be anticipated, and that the same be ordered from this, the 28th inst, to June 18th. Adjourned to tomorrow A M. at 9 o'clock T.C. Abbot Secretary State Agricultural College Michigan May 29. 1862 Board met as per adjournment; members present the same as yesterday. The Record of the Session in February last were read and approved. [Crippen Declines] A letter received by the Secretary from James B. Crippen was read; - in which he declines to serve as a member of this Board, owing to other engagements. In the absence of Mr. Carpenter, Mr Gage was ap- pointed to act as member of the Finance Committee with Mr. Parsons [End page 94] [Begin page 95] [Accounts] Accounts against the College were then allowed as follows: - James Bayley final settlement of acct. as Supt. $299.58 L.R. Fisk expenditures for College 15.04 T.C. Abbot " " " 44.36 Philo Parsons Provisions etc 614.99 " " " 106.51 M. Miles Expenditures for College 18.30 It was ordered that the Services rendered by Mr Harri- son for 24 days as Superintendent of the Farm be accounted an [affect?] to the Bill of the College against his [illegible in original], up to the 7th of May. ($53.55) The Bill of John A. Kerr, and Hosmer and Kerr for printing etc ($50.50) was referred again to Committee on finance, to be reported in at the August meeting, 1862, with recommmendation that affidavit be made, showing why Bill was not presented to "Board of Education". Resolved that T.C. Abbot (Secy.) be authorized to draw warrant on the College Treasurer in favor of L.G. Berry, in the sum of $1456 26/100 to cover various items advanced by said Berry & James Bayley, at various times, as per request of Board. [Thanks to B.G. Wade] Resolved that this Board in behalf of the Agricul- tural interests of the State of Michigan extend to the Honorable Benjamin F. Wade thanks for his earnest and well timed effort to procure Congressional aid in sustaining the great farming interests of the Country, by the establishment of Colleges in which Agriculture as a Science shall receive that attention which its importance demands Resolved that his Excellency Governor Blair, the President of this Board, be requested to communicate the foregoing Resolution to Senator Wade, and to give him assurance that the people of Michigan hold in high estimation his general course as a legislator; and that they believe that, in efforts to uphold and sustain the American Government, he is moved by considerations of unbending integrity and patriotic impulses. Mr. Parsons submitted the following Report [Land Sale] The Subscriber, to whom was entrusted the sale of Swamp Land, Lots numbered or described as follows S ½ of S. E ¼ Sec. 11, N.E ¼ of Sec 14 in Township Meridian, begs leave to report to the Board of Agriculture that he has contracted with Mr. Vanatta for the above described lots of Swamp lands, at $600: Two Hundred to [End page 95] [Begin page 96] be paid the coming Fall, and the balance of $400. payable Two Hundred Dollars annually with 7 per cent interest till paid. [Barn] After a Recess for dinner, the Board, & Farm Superintendent examined proposed locations for a barn which it is purposed to build; after which the Board by vote fixed upon the cite, and left stakes to mark the four corners of it. [Accts.] The Account of Mr Tibbits was audited and allowed, and the balance in favor of the college of $18.88 was ordered to be carried to a new account. It was ordered that a warrant for $850.00 be drawn in favor of Mr Tibbits, Farm Superintendent, to cover Expenditures made by him, with moneys informally furnish- ed by Mr Berry, for the Boarding Hall & Farm [Land Sale] Resolved that J.S. Tibbits be empowered to sell on the best terms the Swamp lot wanted by W.F. Kelly in the town of Meridian: also the fractional lot wanted by Mr Clark, Mr Tibbits ascertaining the positive value before making the sale, and being governed thereby . Resolved that Mr. J. S. Tibbits have the use of Room No. 11, from and after the 5th day of June next. [Prutzman Bd. of Agr.] The Board then proceeded to fill the vacancy in their body occasioned by the resignation of Mr Yerkes. ha Mr. Abra^m C. Prutzman of St. Joseph County was unani- mously elected to fill the vacancy in the Board. It was ordered that a warrant be drawn in favor of Mr. Kenaston for the amount due him at this time [Arbor Barn $50.] It was ordered that a deduction of Fifty Dol- lars be made from the rent of House occupied by Prof essor Abbot, for the present year; - that being the cost of the Barn erected by him. It was ordered that a warrant be drawn in favor of Mr L.G. Berry, to cover the Interest paid by him to Mr Jas. Bayley, for the use of money. [Sheep] Resolved that the Farm Superintendent be authorized to purchase such number of sheep, after shearing, as shall be, in his opinion for the interest of the Institution. [Rent] Resolved that the rent on the house now being finished by Mr Kenaston, be for the first year from the time he begins to occupy it at the rate of One Hundred Dollars per Annum. [End page 96] [Begin page 97] [Wages] Resolved that this maximum. rate of wages to be paid to Students for labor during the present recess . - to be paid those only who labor as manny as ten hours each day, be six pence per hour and board, not including their washing. [Accts.] - J. Gage, Bill for expenses allowed $25.60 - Charlie Rich " " 16."" - H.G. Wells " " 14.75 The Board then adjourned T.C. Abbot Secretary State Agricultural College Michigan August 27, 1862. Regular meeting of the State Board of Agriculture Present Mr. Gage . Adjourned Aug 28. 1862 Adjourned meeting of the Board. Present Messrs Gage and Carpenter Parsons. Recess Present Messrs Weill, Parsons, Rich and Gage. Adjourned to meet at the Agricultural College on Monday the 10th of November next. T.C. Abbot Secretary. State Agricultural College, Michigan Nov 11, 1862 The State Board of Agriculture met pursuant to Adjournment, and adjourned until tomorrow. Nov 11. 1862 Board met to adjourn until tomorrow at 9 A.M. Members spent their time in attendance on the Examinations of College classes. Nov. 12. 1862 Board met at 9. A.M. There were present Messrs Wells, Parsons, Rich, Carpenter, Gage, and Prutzman. in the absence of the President of the College, Judge Wells was made President Pro-tempore. A Communication was received from the Faculty of the College, recommending for the honors of graduation the students named in the following Resolution, there upon passed by the Board. [Graduates] Resolved that the Degree of Bachelor of [End page 97] [Begin page 98] Science be conferred upon Oscar Clute. Albert. J. Cook. Frank Hodgman. Charles A. Jewell Jr. and Edward M. Proctor. [Diplomas] Resolved that a fee of Five Dollars ($5.00) be required for each Diploma. [Dismission] Resolved that no degree nor honorable dismission from the College be granted to any student until his College bills shall be paid in full. [Dismission] Authority [now?] given the Faculty to excuse students after this Commencement exercises from further attendance the present term, on their individual application. The Board then took a Recess in order to attend the Comencement Exercises of the Graduating Class, After dinner met and continued in Session until dark. Adjourned to 8. A.M. tomorrow Nov 13, 1862 Board met at 8. A.M. Present the same as yesterday. [Appropriatn.] Resolved that the balance of the appropriation made to the State Agricultural College for the year 1862, by the Legislature of the State, be drawn from the State Treasury into the hands of the Treasurer of this Board, to be held subject to the control of the Board. [Donations] Resolved that Professor T.C. Abbot, acting Secretary of the Board of Agriculture be requested to acknowledge the receipt of all donations to the Agricultural College of Michigan. [Blanks] And for the purpose of facilitating action under this resolution, that he be authorized to have printed the neces- sary blanks [Fees] Resolved that the entire amount of the matriculation fees, together with the fees for Diplomas collected from students during the last two years be appropriated to the increase of the College Library ; and that said fees hereafter collected from year to year be a permanent appropriation for the same purpose. [Books] Resolved that the chairman of the Committee on accounts (Mr. Parsons) purchase for the Library of the College a [illegible in original] of the Encyclopedia Britannica, and other valuable works which he may select to an amount that can be purchased by the sums received for matriculation and Diplomas, during the last two years. [End page 98] [Begin page 99] [Com. on Afc] Mr. Prutzman was added to the Committee on Accounts and Supplies. Mr. Geo. B. Vanatta, to whom lots of Swamp Lands were sold last May , (see Resolution of the Board, May 28th 1861 A.M. Session and Report of S. Parsons May 29, 1861) personally made representations and requests of the Board; whereupon it was [Land Sale] Resolved that Mr. Vanatta be allowed one year for this payment of Seventy Five Dollars of the Two Hundred dollars which was to constitute his first payment, due this Autumn; and that in a year from this time a deed be executed of the land to him, and a mortgage received after from him of the land, to secure payment of the terms there^ due: - - this Resolution to take effect only on condition of his paying Ninety Dollars down, and Thirty Five by the First of December next, and the balance of the first payment before the Execution of the Deed. [Rules] Resolved that the Secretary of the Board be requested to report to this Board at its next meeting, all the Rules, Regulations, and Bylaws now in force in the Agricultural College, in a form proper for publication. [Museum] Resolved that Professor Miles be requested to open corresondence with the Smithsonian Institution, and other Scientific and Literary institutions of the Country, to ascertain to what amount specimens in Natural History can be obtained by donation and exchange for the benefit of the Agriucltural College, and that he report, as soon a may be to the commtitee on Accounts: And that said Committee be authorized to act make such expenditures, not to Exceed Two Hundred Dollars, for procuring specimens so offered in exchange or by donation, as in view of the representations made, the Committee shall deem advisable. [Reports] The Report of the Faculty to the Board was read, accepted adopted, and ordered to be printed in connection with the Report of the Secretary of the Board. The Report of Professor Thurston, Superintendent of Horticulture was read, accepted, adopted, and ordered to be printed in connexion with the Report of the Secretary. [Catalogue] Mr. Gage Chairman of the Committee appointed to prepare a Catalogue of the College for the year 1862 reported that the Comittee had attended to the duty assigned, and present- ted the printed Catalogue as the result of their labors [End page 99] [Begin page 100] The Report was accepted, adopted, and the Committee discharged [Hog Sale] Resolved that Mr. Parsons be authorized to make sale of the hogs now fallowed on the farms not to exceed twenty five in number, in such may as in his opinion, shall be for the best interest of the College. [Tibbits] Resolved that Mr. Tibbits be requested to remain in charge of the Farm and Boarding Hall until the regular meeting of the Board the last Wednesday of February 1863. [Help] Mr. Tibbits was by vote authorized to hire hands, not to exceed two persons, to work during the winter [Barn] Mr Tibbits was by vote, requested to make a full and complete statement of the cost of the new barn, separate from his full account of Expenditures [illegible] [Bridge] Resolved that Professor Fisk be requested to call on Almond Harrison, and request him to examine the South end of the bridge over the Cedar River, and see whether in his judgment, as a man of honor and fair dealing he ought not to make said Bridge secure and safe, as it is now most insecure and unsafe [Clearing] Resolved that Mr Tibbits during the Fall and winter proceed to clear up the [heater?] piece on the left of the bridge, on the bank of the river as far as the line of the cleared land saving for wood as much as possible, and burning, or putting into a condition to burn, the balance. Also that during the winter the banks of the stream, while ice is in the river, be as thoroughly cleaned as possible, and old trees be cut down and burned. [Accounts] Accounts were allowed as follows: To (warrant) P. Parsons paym't of Bill of [Crapo?] A $53.28 (90) C.A. Kenawton B 251.68 -91- T.C. Abbot C 169.89 -92- Geo. Thurber D 280.75 -93- L.R. Fisk E 221.52 -94- D. Thurber paymt. of Diploma Bill F 93.62 -95- M. Miles G 101.27 -96- [?] and Whitney I 19.26 -98- " " J 45.63 - " - L.R. Fisk K 40.00 -99- J.S. Tibbits L 231.03 . Justus Gage M 56.50 -102- . Charles Rich N 15.20 -103- . " " O 15.00 - " - . D. Carpenter P 15.00 -104- . D.. Q 15.00 - " - [End page 100] Begin page 101] warrant . A.C. Prutzman R $26.00 -105- . H.G. Wells S 37.75 -106- P. Parsons T 30.55 -108- " " paymt Elec Bill U 14.65 - " - " " V 262.83 - " - " " W 11.44 - " - Jacob Wiessner X 7.00 -109- Bill of H.D. Wood ordered to be paid on being certified to, as Correct by M. Tibbits [(illegible in original)] $1.87 1/2 [Accounts] Bill of [illegible in original] for $115."" ordered to be allowed on affidavits being attached showing why Bill was not presented to the Board of Education. Bill of S. Lansing for Blacksmithing to be allowed if certified to by Mr. Tibbits as correct. [Refunding] The matriculation fees of Students Valentine, Miller, Payne and Kenyon were ordered to be remitted or refunded because sickness had prevented their having any of the benefits of the Institution. Adjourned to meet at Benton House after tea T.C. Abbot Acting Secretary of the Board Same date. Benton House Adjourned to meet at the call of H.G. Wells . T.C. Abbot Secy. Jackson Mich Dec. 4 1802 The State Board of Agriculture met at the call of Mr. H.G. Wells, at the Marion House at 2 P.M. Present Messrs Carpenter, Gage, Parsons, Wells, Rich, and Prutzman. Mr. Wells acted as President of the Board. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. [Com on Employees] Mr. A.C. Prutzman was made a member of the Committee on Officers and Employees. in place of Mr. Herkes, resigned. [T.C. Abbot president] Resolved (unanimously) that T.C. Abbot., Professor of History and English Literature be, and he hereby is, appointed President of the State Agricultural College, with a Salary at the rate of Fifteen Hundred Dollars ($ 1500.00) per annum. Professor Abbott being present signifed his acceptance of the officer tendered him. [Steward] Resolved that the committee on Officers and [End page 101] [Begin page 102] Employees be requested to find some suitable person to take charge of the Boarding Hall for the ensuing year at a Sal- ary not to exceed the sum of 450 Hundred Dollars per annum; and that the farm manager be thereafter relieved from the control and managmenet of the Boarding Hall. [Report] The Secretary then read to the Board the first draft of his annual Report to the Legislature of the State. Resolved that when this Board adjourns, it adjourn to meet at the Agricultural College the last Tuesday of January next. Adjourned. T.C. Abbot Acting Secy. of the Board. [End page 102]