Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 6.djvu/136

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130
F. G. Young.
130

130 JAMES R. ROBERTSON. scrupulously kept intact, and that the credit of the insti- tution should be maintained at the highest point. His phrase " better close the institution than do a dishonorable thing" has become proverbial with the board of trustees. In the development of a staff of college professors the first appointment was that of Rev. Horace Lyman to the chair of Mathematics. Mr. Lyman had come to Oregon originally as a representative of the Home Missionary Society, and in that capacity had already done much work previous to his appointment in the college. He was the first pastor of the First Congregational Church at Port- land, and served in other places as well. Mr. Lyman was a native of Massachusetts, born at East Hampton. He was a graduate of Williams College and of Andover The- ological Seminary. As a young man he had been a per- sonal friend of Mr. Atkinson and largely through his in- fluence came to Oregon. He was later transferred to the chair of History and Rhetoric, for which he had greater aptitude than for mathematics. Professor Lyman was a man of great usefulness in the college. In spite of phys- ical infirmities he was able to endure the heavy work requisite in a pioneer college. He was often called on to do administrative work besides his usual duties as teacher. During the absence of President Marsh in the East he acted as president, and served as treasurer for some years. As a teacher Professor Lyman possessed that quality of sympathy which drew students to him. The oldest grad- uates speak in highest terms of him and of the inspira- tional character of his work. In 1863 the faculty was increased by the addition of Prof. Edward A. Tanner, who was transferred from the academy to the chair of Ancient Languages. Professor Tanner came to Oregon from Illinois, where he was born. He was a graduate of Illinois College. He was a teacher of high standards and well qualified for the work of a