Trending
North Bloomfield played a very important part in the formation of Hiram College.
Talks began in 1849 in the membership of the Disciples of Christ Church about the need for a local institute of higher learning. Meetings were held and the decision was made -- a college was warranted and they were going to build one.
In North Bloomfield, the Disciples of Christ were established in 1829. The local congregation constructed the building in 1849. This church is now used by the Assembly of God congregation. The property belonged to Charles Brown, who was an elder. The first pastor in the new building was Isaac Errett, who with his family lived with Charles Brown.
In 1849, meetings were held in northeast Ohio and seven communities petitioned to have the new college located in their township; North Bloomfield was one of them. The committee settled after debate and consideration on Hiram for its location.
The official name of "The Western Reserve Eclectic Institute" was suggested by North Bloomfield Pastor Isaac Errett. Now that they had the name, a charter had to be written and sent to the State Legislature for approval. Three men were selected to head this task and submit it. Those men were Charles Brown of North Bloomfield, Rev. Isaac Errett of North Bloomfield and Rev. Amos Hayden, (whose brother William Hayden was a previous North Bloomfield pastor).
The charter was reviewed by Judge Leicester King, who was Charles Brown's father-in-law. It is safe to presume that these men met often in North Bloomfield to author the College Charter. More than likely, they met in the home of Charles Brown.
Rev. Amos Hayden would go on to be the first president of the Institute. The second president would be none other than Civil War general and President of the United States, James Garfield, who had attended the Institute.
The Eclectic Institute would change its name officially to Hiram College in 1867.
I don't presume that without the actions of these men from North Bloomfield, Hiram College may not have come into existence, meaning Garfield wouldn't have attended and he wouldn't have been a college president and wouldn't have been a United States president. However, it is interesting to consider.
I do feel safe to say that without the dedication of these same men and their church, countless individuals would have found post-secondary education in a different location and the fingerprint of Northeast Ohio would be considerably different. I'm sure that none of this went through their minds during those first meetings in 1849, but it proves that a small group of people with a common vision and strong dedication can make a positive difference for centuries long after they have been buried.
You and your friends may not start a college where a future United States president attends. Nevertheless, I would encourage you to bind up with other visionaries and do something good in your community. You don't have to change the world, but, how about making a difference in your little corner of it?