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.

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