1849 – Jan 17 Issue of Sangamo Journal: page 3, col. 6; incorporation of McDonough College passed; Reopened under Presbytery of Schuyler (Bergen, J. V.).
1851 – McDonough College (1851 McDonough College, 16th GA, p. 26 H-4482) New charter obtained. Trustees:
- Rev. James M. Chase
- Rev. William F. Ferguson
- Rev. William K. Stewart
- T. S. Vail
- W. R. Talbott
1851 – Full college program operating
1855 – Forced to close (The Presyterian Synod of Illinois was already supporting in part: Illinois college in Jacksonville, Knox college in Galesburg, Lake Forest College, and another Presbyterian group had opened the college in Monmouth)
1857 – McDonough College, charter amended (19th GA p. 585 S-6316); Trustees divided into 5 classes, such that one class shall go out of office in each succeeding year
1859 – McDonough College, Act 1851 of repealed (21st GA – 369 H252 7609); http://www.archive.org/details/lawsofstateofill1859privilli
1859 – McDonough College, Act 1851 revived & amended (21st GA – 369 H252 7609) – see below
1860 – McDonough College, Schuyler Presbytery authorized to convey lands/property of McDonough College to others (22nd GA – 89 S 115 7961) – see below; Interesting to note that the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the Northwest (McCormick) was chartered to the Presbyterians of Illinois, Inc. at this time (22nd GA – 22 H-222 7834)
1898 – after use by other educational institutions, the building was razed.
References:
Approved Feb 24, 1859.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly. That an act approved the 14th of February, 1855, entitled “An act to amend an act entitled an act to amend the charter of McDonough College,” approved January 23d, 1851, be and the same is hereby repealed.
Section 2. Be it further enacted, That an act entitled, “An act to amend the charter of McDonough College,” approved January 23d, 1851, be and the same is hereby revived and declared in full force, except as hereinafter provided.
Section 3. Be it further enacted, That vacancies in the board of trustees, hereafter, shall not be filed until the number of trustees is reduced to twelve; after which, that shall be the number of trustees of said college.
Section 4. this act to be in force from and after its passage.
Approved February 21, 1861.
An Act to authorize Schuyler Presbytery to convey certain lands in McDonough County.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That the Presbytery of Schuyler of the Old School Presbyterian Church of the state are hereby authorized and empowered to transfer and convey the property of McDonough College or any portion thereof, to McComb Lodge, No. 17, A.F. & A. Masons of McComb, in this state or to any person, in trust for said lodge, who may be designated by said lodge; and for that purpose the said presbytery may designate and appoint some person to make, execute and deliver, for and on behalf of said presbytery, all the necessary deeds of conveyance, releases, acquaintances or other writings. And all deeds of conveyance, releases, acquaintances or other writings, which shall hereafter be made by any person, so appointed for the purpose aforesaid, shall be valid and binding in law and equity.
Sources:
- Russell, Annie Wilson. (1966) The First One Hundred Years: First Presbyterian Church of Macomb, Illinois.
- Berben, J. V. (1978). “College Towns and Campus Sites in Western Illinois”. Western Illinois Regional Studies. Vol. XIII No. 2 p. 46. Online at http://www.archive.org/details/westernillinoisr_fall1990west
- Ferguson, W. F. (1852). Causes of failure and success in founding western colleges: An inaugural address, delivered before the Board of Trustees of McDonough College, Illinois, March 31, 1852. Cincinnati: Printed for McDonough College by John D. Thorpe. [Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library].
- Harris, Cora (1938) “A College Opened Here 100 Years Ago,” Macomb Daily Journal 31 Aug 1938 p. 6
- (1898) “An Old Land Mark: Will Be Removed and a New Green House Erected in its place” Macomb Daily Journal, 27 May 1898 p. 3
1857 – Trustees divided into 5 classes, such that one class shall go out of office in each succeeding year
Section 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly. That an act approved the 14th of February, 1855, entitled “An act to amend an act entitled an act to amend the charter of McDonough College,” approved January 23d, 1851, be and the same is hereby repealed.
Section 2. Be it further enacted, That an act entitled, “An act to amend the charter of McDonough College,” approved January 23d, 1851, be and the same is hereby revived and declared in full force, except as hereinafter provided.
Section 3. Be it further enacted, That vacancies in the board of trustees, hereafter, shall not be filed until the number of trustees is reduced to twelve; after which, that shall be the number of trustees of said college.
Section 4. this act to be in force from and after its passage.
Approved Feb 24, 1859.
An Act to authorize Schuyler Presbytery to convey certain lands in McDonough County.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That the Presbytery of Schuyler of the Old School Presbyterian Church of the state are hereby authorized and empowered to transfer and convey the property of McDonough College or any portion thereof, to McComb Lodge, No. 17, A.F. & A. Masons of McComb, in this state or to any person, in trust for said lodge, who may be designated by said lodge; and for that purpose the said presbytery may designate and appoint some person to make, execute and deliver, for and on behalf of said presbytery, all the necessary deeds of conveyance, releases, acquaintances or other writings. And all deeds of conveyance, releases, acquaintances or other writings, which shall hereafter be made by any person, so appointed for the purpose aforesaid, shall be valid and binding in law and equity. Approved February 21, 1861.