http://ia600407.us.archive.org/2/items/cu31924030628345/cu31924030628345.pdf
HISTORY
OF THE
University
of Arkansas
By
JOHN HUGH REYNOLDS
Professor of History and Political Science
and
DAVID YANCEY THOMAS
Associate Professor of History and Political Science
University of Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
1910
Page 143-144:
There were no revolutions in the faculty during this period, but
several changes of importance occurred. In the department of
mechanical engineering Professor Whitham was succeeded by
Professor C. V. Kerr in 1891. In English Professor Edwards was
Succeeded in 1891 by Professor R. H. Willis, transferred from the
position of adjunct professor of ancient languages, to which work
Professor C. H. Leverett was recalled.
Professor J. F. McNeil took
charge of the department of biology in 1891 in place of Professor
Simonds. The military department was in charge of three men during
this administration, Captain E. L. Fletcher 1887-1890, Captain R. C.
Cabell 1890-92, and Major R. W. Dowdy, 1892-94.
Page 242-243:
Biology.
Considerable work in biology was required in some courses from
the beginning, but it is not known who taught it previous to 1887,
when "natural science" was added to the department of chemistry,
then held by Professor F. L. Harvey. In 1879 Professor C. P Conrad
was associated with Professor Harvey, but two years later the work
was divided and Professor Harvey took the department of biology
and geology. The new department continued its separate existence
until 1885 when, in obedience to the demand of the legislature that
the faculty be "reduced to the number required to meet the necessity
according to the number of pupils in the Collegiate Department,"
it was again combined with chemistry under Professor George D.
Purinton. Two years later it was divorced from chemistry and
attached to physics, which had not even been mentioned since 1885,
and put in charge of Professor F.W. Simonds, but this attachment
was of brief duration, physics being dropped at the end of the year.
In December, 1890,
J.F. McNeil became professor of biology and
geology, vice F.W. Simonds resigned, and served until 1899.
Meantime (1897) geology was separated and the department of
biology was recognized as a separate entity. Professor F.W. Pickell,
the present incumbent, took charge in 1899. From the beginning
a year's work in botany was required of agricultural students, one term
THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 243
of classical and engineering students and one term of zoology was
required of agricultural students. After "natural science" was added
to the department of chemistry the work in biology was described
a little more in detail. The course in biology was said to begin in
the preparatory department with physiology. This was elementary,
laying the foundation for comparative zoology in the second term
of sophomore. Freshmen devoted one term to elementary botany
and sophomores one term to cryptogamic and economic botany.
Upon the creation of the department of biology in 1881 this same
work was continued and then was added a term's work in advanced
physiology; also a term of laboratory work in advanced biology. After
the legislative quake of 1885 entomology was included with the
foregoing under the general head of biology and comparative
anatomy and physiology were treated as "preparatory to the study
of stock-breeding."
By 1891 the work in botany had increased to two courses of four
hours each and a course in laboratory work of indefinite amount, and
three courses in zoology amounting to twelve hours. Introductory
to this was a course in general biology for freshmen, consisting of
three hours of class-room work and six of laboratory. Entomology
and horticulture were still looked after by this department, twelve
hours or more being devoted to the two.
As now organized the department offers nine courses extending
over thirty hours, though not all can be given in one year with the
present teaching force. They deal with general biology, botany,
and nature study, bacteriology, general zoology, comparative anatomy
of vertebrates, animal histology and embryology, and physiology.
The number of students taking biology has increased from 56 in
1899-1900 to 115 in 1908-9. The number of seniors making their
major in biology has increased from two in 1905-6 to nine in 1908-9.
Since 1903 the department has received and expended $2,719.
It has been used to purchase books and periodicals and laboratory
apparatus and material. The department has only 415 volumes. The
laboratory instruments now belonging to the department are valued
at $2,500.00, but are not considered adequate to present needs. Many
specimens of animal and plant life have been collected from various
parts of the United States.
Page 278:
Horticulture.
This department shows signs of waking into a separate existence
in 1894, when Jerome McNeil was styled professor of horticulture.
However, closer observation reveals the fact that he was also professor
of biology and geology and that this was his main business. In 1896
J.T. Stinson was designated horticulturist and was supposed to
devote all his time to the subject. In 1897 the department was
recognized by the board. January, 1900, Professor Stinson was
succeeded by Ernest Walker. From 1905 to 1909 he was assisted by
J.L. Hewitt.
Page 289:
THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE. 289
Bulletin 5. Dehorning.—R. R. Dinwiddie, S. S. Twombly, and C. B, Collingwood.
Bulletin 6. Experiments with Wheat.
Bulletin 7. Tests of Varieties of Grapes and Strawberries.
Annual Report—First Annual Report, 1888.
Bulletin 8. Spaying of Cattle.
Bulletin 9. Cotton-seed Hulls for Fattening.
Bulletin 10. Insects and Insecticides; Chemical Fertilizers.—C. W. Woodworth.
Bulletin 11. Strawberries and Cereals.
Annual Report. — Second Annual Report, 1889.
Bulletin 12. Influence of Spaying on Milk Production; Milk Analysis.
Bulletin 13. Entomology.—C. W. Woodworth; Test of Varieties of Strawberries.—
J. McNeill
Page 493:
SKETCHES OF TRUSTEES AND FACULTY. 493
Jerome Fee McNeill, B. S., M. A., was a native of Ohio, a graduate
of Antioch College, also of Indiana University. He married Miss
Mary Alderson of Boston. For several years he taught in Indiana,
and was later superintendent of schools at Moline, Illinois.
Professor McNeill was connected with the University of Arkansas
from 1890 to 1898, first as professor of biology and geology, later, on
the division of the department, as professor of biology. Aside from
his work in biology, Professor
McNeill displayed an intelligent interest
in three phases of college work. Under his direction, the University
library was rescued from a state of chaos by the introduction of a
better system of organization and classification. He himself acted
as librarian. He was the promoter of the lecture course, which for
several years commanded unusually able talent and was self-supporting. Professor
McNeill was one of the first men of the faculty to
evince an interest in athletics at the university. For the past several
years he has been professor of biology at Florida State College.