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 Mt. Carroll Seminary.

MOUNT CARROLL, CARROLL COUNTY, ILL.

INCORPORATED BY LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT, 1852.

OFFICERS OF GOVERNMENT AND INSTRUCTION.

Mt. Carroll Seminary is situated in Mt. Carroll, in the northwestern part of Illinois, ten miles from the Mississippi, on the Southwest and Chicago Pacific divisions of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway. By means of this road it is brought into direct communication with Chicago, Omaha, Milwaukee and Rock Island, and through them, with all points east, west, north and south. Mt. Carroll is beautifully located, possessing in the lay of its land, with its undulating surface and numerous trees of abundant foliage, the charm of a New England village. It is entirely free from malaria and justly celebrated for its healthfulness.

The plan of work throughout aims at development and training, rather than the acquisition of knowledge. An active, useful life, in which there is a demand for the highest Christian character and well-disciplined powers, is what is desired for the students leaving this institution. Those in charge seek to so direct study and surround by influences as to prepare young women for earnest living. The aims and methods of work which have already won the approval and confidence of the public, as has been shown by the liberal patronage given, will be continued but modified as experience seems to make wise, and the larger demands of a progressive age and improved society require. Physical, mental and moral training will be combined, that harmonious development of the entire nature may be secured.

The school was opened in May, 1853, by Miss F. A. Wood (now Mrs. Shimer) and Miss C. M. Gregory (now Mrs. Lansing). The founders of the school remained as principals and proprietors till 1870, when Miss Gregory retired and was succeeded, two years later, by Miss A. C. Joy, as an associate with Mrs. Shimer in the care and management of the institution. Mrs. Shimer has been connected with the school from its beginning, and since 1870 has been sole owner.

For thirteen years young women and men were received as students, but the demand for room became so great that it was necessary to limit the attendance and it was decided to receive young women only.

The grounds, consisting of twenty-five acres, are ornamented with evergreens and deciduous trees of many varieties. On the Seminary grounds and farm is found a great variety of fruits and vegetables of this climate. Thousands of apple trees and grape vines with other hardy fruits are cultivated for the use of the institution.

Three additions have been made to the original building. The last, which nearly doubled the accommodations, is heated and ventilated on the Ruttan system, supplied with water and other con-