Biography - George Churchill
GEORGE CHURCHILL. Principal of Knox Academy in Galesburg, and was born in
Winfield, NY on 2 April 1829, the son of Norman and Anna (Eggleston) Churchill
the former born at Hubbard, VT, on 5 Nov 1799, his mother in Batavia, NY, on 24
Jan 1806. George was reared on a farm and attended school and worked at
mechanical labor, graduating at Knox College in 1851. He came to Galesburg with
his parents in 1839, and since remained here, save two years passed at
Farmington, IL, where he had charge of the High School. He visited schools in
different parts of Europe and especially in Germany, and studied their systems.
He worked faithfully to consolidate the 8 district schools of Galesburg, and
inaugurate the present system. He was Chairman of the Committee of Citizens who
prepared the charter of the schools and got it through the Legislature, and
finally effected the organization. He employed at his own expense, Hon. William
Baker of CT to labor in the city for this end. He served as Alderman 4 years, is
present City Engineer for 8 years. He is a member of both the Board of Park
Commissioners, and Library Board. He was a member of the Board of Education for
14 years, was employed 1 year as Assistant Civil Engineer on the Central
Military Track Railroad, and has done much surveying throughout the county. He
has been principal of Knox Academy since 1855; he joined the First Church
Galesburg in 1876. Professor Churchill was married first time to Clara A. Hurd,
and again to Ada A. Hayes in 1858, and the third time to Ellen S. Walker and is
the parent of four sons. Republican.
Contributed by Joan Achille, extracted from the 1878 History of Knox County,
Illinois published by Charles C. Chapman.
GEORGE CHURCHILL.
"Sow a character and you reap a destiny".
The truth of this maxim finds abundant exemplification in the life and labors of
George Churchill. There is scarcely a department inaugurated for the improvement
of this city, or for the bettering of the condition of its people, without a
trace of his handiwork. He has been "part and parcel" of the city of Galesburg
and Knox College almost from their very inception, and their history would be
incomplete and almost worthless without the embodiment of the life-work of
Professor George Churchill.
Dr. Churchill, son of Norman and Anna (Eggleston) Churchill, was born in
Herkimer County NY, April 2, 1829. His father came to Galesburg early in the
Fall of 1836, and purchased a ten-acre lot on West Main Street, know as the
"Churchill home." Into this "home" he moved with his family in 1839, where he
lived and died, an honored citizen, September 20, 1886, at the advanced age of
nearly eighty-seven years. He was the son of Reverend Jesse Churchill and was
born in Hubbardton VT, November 5, 1799.
The early educational advantages of Dr. George Churchill were of the kind
incident to a new country. At that time, the necessities of the family and home
had to be supplied and the culture of the mind was treated more as an incidental
matter. However, young George's youth was given to the study of such books as
were at his command, and to the contemplation of the open book of Nature for
which he had an innate fondness. He entered Knox College as a student in the
Preparatory department in the first year of its history. With thorough
preparation, he afterwards entered the college classes and graduated in 1851.
After graduation, there was no time afforded him for recreation or rest. His
first year was spent as civil engineer on the Central Military Tract Railroad,
which afterwards became part of the main line of the Burlington system.
Appreciating the inefficiency of the public schools of Galesburg and vicinity,
and desiring to supplant them with a better system, he next made a trip to
Europe, in order to make a most thorough inspection of the Prussian schools. For
this tour, he had exceptional facilities. Letters from the Secretary of State
and from other influential men were given him, and he was thus enabled to gain
an accurate knowledge of the Prussian system of education. On his return to
Galesburg, he addressed himself to the task of arousing public sentiment in
favor of an improved school system, that should, in some measure, be comparable
to the one he had been studying. No only his time and energy were lavished
without stint, but his slender salary as teacher was encroached upon to secure
the assistance of Honorable Henry Barnard, of Connecticut, who afterwards
received the first appointment as Commissioner of Education for the United
States. The co-operation of the various educational interests ultimately
resulted in procuring a special charter by which the former district schools
were consolidated, and the foundations of the present system, with all its
essential features, were laid. The Board of Education has shown a just
appreciation of Dr. Churchill's services in this direction, by naming what was
called the Grammar School the "Churchill School", and by adopting, January, 14,
1896, the following resolution:
Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to Professor Churchill, thus
expressing our high appreciation for the efforts he made in securing a higher
education for the public schools of Galesburg by a special charter, which passed
the Legislature in 1859; and that we extend to him an invitation to be the guest
of this Board to visit our schools and see if we have come up to his
expectation, both in buildings and in teaching.
Dr. Churchill has been fully appreciated by his fellow citizens, and at their
hands has held many positions of honor and trust. For thirteen years, he was a
member of the Board of Education. For twenty-two years, he served in the
capacity of City Engineer. For two terms, he served as Alderman. For eight
years, he was a member of the Board of Park Commissioners. For twenty-three
years, he held a position on the Library Board, which position he held until his
death, which occurred in September, 1899. Besides all these extra duties and
labors, which were performed acceptably and well, and which demanded the need of
praise from every citizen, he filled a Professor's Chair in Knox College for the
long period of forty-four years.
Dr. Churchill was born to be useful. He was born to do good. He was born
especially as an educator of youth. Nobly and grandly, he fulfilled his mission.
In his instruction, he was lucid and thorough, and, whatever the subject taught,
he never failed to interest. Thousands of men and women, scattered over our
land, as the evening shadows fall and as their wandering thoughts revert to the
scenes of their school days, will picture the stalwart form of Dr. George
Churchill. They will recall with deeper affection his peculiar and interesting
manner of teaching and his many quaint and always instructive speeches. They
will ever regard his name and Knox College as one and inseparable.
As a citizen, Dr. Churchill was deservedly popular. He was intelligent, and
amiable in disposition; honorable in purpose and character; charitable towards
the unfortunate; kind and loving in all domestic relations; a friend to the poor
and needy; and a lover of all that makes for righteousness and is a benefit to
the human race. He was a practical and consistent man and won his way by his
urbanity and vigorous common sense.
In religious faith, Dr. Churchill was a Congregationalist. When sixteen years of
age, he became a member of the Old First Church. At the time of his death,
September 10, 1899, he was a member of its successor, the Central Church. He
served forty years as deacon; twenty-five years as Superintendent of the Sabbath
School, and more than twenty-five years as leader of the choir. He was also a
member of the building committee of the present church structure. He was
director and President of the Mechanics' Homestead and Loan Association since
its organization in 1882, the assets and disbursements of which to the present
time amount to two and a half million dollars.
Dr. Churchill was thrice married. His first wife was Clara A. Hurd. To them was
born one son, Milton E., now Dean of the Faculty of Illinois College,
Jacksonville.
His second wife was Ada H. Hayes. Of this union, one daughter and two sons were
born: Mary Hayes, who died July 7, 1863; Charles E., a lawyer in Chicago; and
George B., a hardware merchant of Galesburg.
His third wife was Ellen Sanborn Watkins. One son was born to them, William
David. By a former marriage, his third wife had a daughter, Mrs. Nellie Sanborn
(Watkins) Wetherbee.
Extracted from the 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County,
Munsell Publishing Company.
