546 THE GROUNDSWELL. 



PROFESSOR AT ILLINOIS COLLEGE. 



Leaving college, he became a teacher ; endearing himself 

 to his associates&quot; by his uniform courtesy and earnestness; 

 making fast friends, whose love and respect he retains to 

 this day, in addition to many substantial testimonials of 

 their fraternal and lasting regard. 



But his energies were not destined to be spent among the 

 hills of his beloved New England. The love of a pioneer 

 life, contracted in youth, led him, in 1832, to emigrate to 

 Illinois, where he was soon chosen one of the professors of 

 Illinois College; in which position he continued for fifteen 

 years, when, at length, his incessant labors, and the con 

 troversy of opinions respecting practical education and free 

 dom of thought, undermined his health, and he was compell 

 ed to resign his professorship. 



Those of his many friends who were conversant with his 

 clear perception and logical mind urged him to undertake 

 the law as a profession ; but Providence had a broader field 

 and nobler work in reserve for him as an educator of the 

 masses at large. His honest mind was constantly revolv 

 ing some project by which he could ameliorate the condition 

 of his fellows, scattered, as yet, at wide intervals over the 

 broad and luxuriant prairies of Illinois. His instincts, for 

 tunately for the children of the State, led him back to the 

 labors of the farm. Since that time he has been steadily 

 engaged in the various duties of his farm, garden, orchard, 

 and vineyard. 



As early as 1833, he lectured in various towns of the 

 State, to awaken an interest in education through the found 

 ing of common schools, urging, with all the strength of his 

 mind, the necessity of a permanent system while yet the 



