NUTT, Cyrus - Putnam

The citizens of Greencastle were surprised and pained Monday to hear that Dr. Cyrus Nutt, president of the State University had died that morning at his home in Bloomington at 4 o’clock.  His family physician, Dr. Durand makes the following statement of his last illness: “Dr. Nutt had been failing in health for five or six weeks past. On the 12th instant he had a light attack of bilious remittent fever.  On the Monday following he was able to take his meals as usual at the table; on Tuesday and Wednesday he had some fever and suffered greatly from mental depression. Thursday and Friday he was comfortable under the use of fancies.  On Saturday morning at 3 o’clock he commenced sinking, his pulse failing.  All remedies had no other effect that to prolong his life for a short time.  He lingered until 4 o’clock this (Monday) morning when, without a struggle he departed this life.  His disease was such as produced a profound stupor.  He hardly recognized his children who had assembled around his bedside to witness his decease or to give a parting word to his afflicted and bereaved widow.  When it was known in Bloomington Monday morning that Dr. Nutt was dead, the manifestation of sorrow was universal among all classes. The entire town went into mourning for the deceased during his 15 years’ residence had endeared himself to all.  During the morning a public meeting was held at the Court House with Gov Paris C. Dunning in the chair and J. Misener secretary. The following is the official report:

Gove Dunning stated the object of the meeting to be concerning the death of their highly esteemed and good citizen, Dr. Cyrus Nutt, DD, LLD.  Speeches appropriate to the occasion were made by Rev. P. McNary, Guy Dunning, CC Foster and others, setting fourth the character of this good and noble man.  The following resolutions were then offered by Rev. P McNary, pastor of the Presbyterian church and unanimously adopted.

Whereas, the Rev. Cyrus Nutt, DD, LLD has long been identified with this community having been twice pastor of the ME Church and for 15 years President of the State University and whereas, it has pleased God to remove him suddenly by death, thus causing a pall of sadness to rest upon the whole community and .. whereas the citizens of Bloomington desire to place on record an expression of their feelings with reference to him therefore be it – resolved, that in the death of Dr. Nutt the citizens of Bloomington have lost a kind friend and a warm—heated Christian gentleman.  Resolved that whether as a preacher in the church of his choice or as president of the University or in whatever relation of life he sustained to this community he has by the performance of his many duties, commanded the highest regard of all who have come in contact with him and he will ever be remembered for his many virtues.  Resolved that in this their sore bereavement, we tender to his family our heartfelt sympathy and commend them to that God upon whom the husband and father, so suddenly taken from them always relied.  Resolved, that as a further token of our respect the businessmen of Bloomington be requested to close their stores during the funeral exercises.  The Ministerial Association of Bloomington also met and adopted the following.

Whereas, the Rev. Cyrus Nutt, DDL, DD for many years president of the Indiana State University was this day suddenly called to his reward and Whereas at the time of his death he was engaged in the active duties of the ministry as pastor of the ME Church at Bloomington and whereas, We, the remaining pastors of the churches of Bloomington sustained the relation of co-workers with him therefore

Resolved, that we unite in bearing testimony that he was an able minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that he was a kind and attentive pastor and a zealous worker in the cause of the Master and that the most cordial relations have ever existed between him and his Christian brethren in this community. Resolved that by this mysterious dispensation of his providence in taking away a brother in the strength and vigor of life, God has given us all a solemn warning saying, Be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.  Resolved, that we commend our beloved sister, the bereaved widow and all the children with whom we mourn to the blessed ministry of the Heavenly Comforter who alone is able to give them “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.  Beloved brother, a co-laborer we will accompany his remains to their resting place in Greencastle tomorrow.  When the news of Dr. Nutt’s death reached Greencastle, Indianapolis and other places where he had been so well known, the effect was marked among all his numerous friends.  In Greencastle preparations began at once for the funeral services, it being understood that the remains would be brought here and interred in our beautiful Forest Hill Cemetery.  The Methodist Preachers’ meeting of Indianapolis on hearing the news Monday morning took appropriate action as follows: Having just received the sad intelligence of the death of Rev. Cyrus Nutt, DD, late President of the Indiana State University at his residence at Bloomington Indiana we feel called upon as citizens of Indiana and as Dr. Nutt’s associates in the ministery to express our own high appreciation of him as a man, as a minister of the Gospel of Christ and as an education.  Dr. Nutt was the first Professor chosen at Asbury University in which Institution he labored efficiently for many years.  As President of the State University he did much to elevate that Insitituion and to raise the standard of collegiate education.  His scholarship was thorough and his deportment in social life was that of a true gentleman, courteous, frank and genial in all the relations of life he was a true man.  Resolved, that we regard his death as a public calamity, inasmuch as in his death religion and sound learning have lost an efficient advocate.  Resolved, that we tender to his deeply bereaved family the sincere sympathy and prayers of the Indianapolis Preachers’ meeting.

The last sad rites in honor of the deceased  began in Bloomington Tuesday morning at 9:30 o’clock business of every kind being suspended. The body was lying in state at the residence of Dr. Durand where Dr. Nutt had been stopping previous to and at the time of his illness. Thence it was taken in procession by the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities to the Methodist Church.  The use of the College Chapel had been tendered by the trustees but had been respectfully declined. Not half the people were able to gain admission to the church.  The services were conducted by Dr. Andrus of Asbury University and Dr. Wylie of the State University, the former preaching an able and affecting sermon.  At its conclusion the remains were escorted to the waiting train which bore them to Greencastle, accompanied by about 200 of the citizens of Bloomington. The train reached this place at 2:30 p.m. and was met by the Masons and Odd Fellows in full regalia who received and escorted the remains and attendant friends to the University campus in the following order: J McD Hays, DS Duckworth, PS Nightingale, JD Steele, MT Lewman, Miles Conover, Dr. GC Smythe and William Daggy acting as pall bearers on the part of the Sir Nights.  College City Band. Odd Fellows of Bloomington, Elletsville, Gosport, Quincy, Cloverdale and Greencastle.  Masonic Bodies of same place.  Hearse – Pall Bearers.  Knights Templar of Greencastle and Crawfordsville.  Carriage containing widow and family.  Faculty of State and Asbury Universities.  Members of Board of Trustees of State University and clergy of Bloomington.  Citizens on foot and in carriages. The hearse was Sherfys and was drawn by four black horses.  In the campus a platform had been erected over the grave of Bishop Roberts and here the services were held, the beautiful casket containing the body being place on the south side. On the casket was the inscription Cyrus Nutt 1814-1875 and wreaths and crosses of ivy and choicest flowers.  Mrs. Nutt could not enter the enclosure, being still a cripple from her fall of last winter which fractured one of her limbs and was compelled to witness the ceremonies while lying on a reclining bed, placed in a hack standing on the side walk just outside the fence. The rest of the more immediate friends of the deceased present were James S. Nutt, wife and children; Dr. John Nutt and wife of Lodi; Hon. Isaac Clements, wife and son of Carbondale, Ill; Dr. Cyrus N. Nutt of New Albany and Gen. John Standeford the last having just returned from the funeral of another son-in-law, Dr. Mahan of Terre Haute.  Our own institutions of learning and churches were all fully represented by the faculties and pastors as was all those of Bloomington while there were present a number of the citizens of Indianapolis and Crawfordsville. The Teachers Institute of Putnam County had adjourned in honor of the occasion.  After the singing of a beautiful hymn, the exercises were conducted in the following order: Pray by Dr. Bayliss of Trinity Church, Indianapolis; addressed b Bishop Bowman, Dr. Wylie of the State University and Dr. Wiley of Asbury University. The burial services of the Knights Templar. The procession then reformed and marched to the cemetery where at the grave, the services concluded with the Gen. Hill who soon after to the ceremonies of the Blue Lodge and Odd Fellows and the burial service of the Methodist Church, the last being performed by Dr. Andrus.  As it concluded, night was closing around the gathered throng. Next week we will give a biographical sketch of the deceased.

Source: Greencastle Banner 2 Sept 1875 p 2

Cyrus Nutt, DD, LLD late President of Indiana State University (sic) was born in Trumbull County, Ohio Sept 4, 1814.  As a farmer’s son he was inured to toil; and with only such opportunities as the district school of that early day afforded, he prosecuted his studies in the harvest field and at the end of corn rows.  He taught his first school at 15 years of age.  At 18 he sought a collegiate education, preferring it to the promise of a farm from his father at 21.  With a small pack of clothing and few books, he left the paternal roof attended by the prayers of pious parents who were able only to send with him their love and good wishes.  He arrived at Meadville, PA with but a few cents in his pocket and entered Alleghany College.  He worked his way through the college course by teaching and unusual labor – for a time he chopped six cords of wood a week for board – and kept up with classes.  Graduating in 1836 he was immediately chosen principal of the preparatory department and shortly after was elected to a similar position in Asbury University of this place then just chartered which he opened with a class of five students in the smaller room of the old county seminary which was a small one-story brick, hip-roofed building three squares west of the Public Square and on the lot now occupied by the residence of Mr. Hanneman. He had entire charge of the young university until the election of President Simpson in 1839.  He was converted in 1823 and joined the ME Church.  Licensed to preach in 1837 and preached his first sermon in the old Methodist Church on South Indiana Street. He was married April 26, 1838 to Amanda Standeford, daughter of Gen. John Standeford, long identified with our city.  He was elected to the chair of Latin and Greek languages in 1839 which he held until the same was divided in 1842 when he became professor of Greek and Hebrew.  This year he was also elected President of Iowa Sate University and at other times was offered tempting positions in other states all of which he declined, preferring to remain in the State of his adoption and give his life work to Indiana.  In 1843 he resigned his professorship to enter into the regular work of the ministry ever dear to his heart and was stationed at Bloomington.  He labored with heart and hand in the building up of the church.  He drove a team and handled much of the material in the present church edifice at that place, bearing a scar from an accident there unto his death.  From Bloomington he went to Salem in 1845 and the following year was elected to the chair of Green in Asbury which place he filled until called in 1849 to the Presidency of Fort Wayne Female College.  The climate not agreeing with the health of Mrs. Nutt, he accepted the presidency of White Water College at Centerville, Ind in 1850.  For five years he labored successfully in this institution when he again entered the ministry and was appointed presiding elder on the Richmond District. In 1857, at the reorganization of the faculty of Asbury after the great reverses of the preceding year he was elected VP and Professor of Mathematics, acing as president for two years.  In 1859 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the Ohio Wesleyan University.  In 1860 he was elected to the president of the State University, which position he held for 15 years consecutively.  In 1860 and 1872 he represent his conference in the General Conference of the ME Church, taking an active part in all of its proceedings. In 1873 the degree of LLD was conferred upon him by the University of Missouri and also by Hanover College of this state.  He has filled high, honorable and important positions in his conferences and in the different benevolent orders of which he was an honored member.  He was a true philanthropist taking a deep interest in everything that tended to elevate and ennoble man or ___ his condition.  An indefatigable student and worker, his lamp was the last one put out at night and first one lit in the morning.  In the pulpit he was always interesting and frequently eloquent, melting his audience to tears.  He was kind, generous to a fault, giving his time, money, books, council and good cheer to all who asked for or needed it.  If a man’s greatness is measured by success then he was a great man.  Every work in which he was engaged prospered, Asbury was twice built up by him.  Fort Wayne and White Water Colleges flourish under his hand as they did under no other.  In the ministry a revival attended him.  But his crowning work was the State University.  In the 15 years he stood at its head, the improvements of the institution (nearly all of which is due to his efforts) may be seen from the following table

State University in 1860 # of faculty =5; number of students = 100; volumes in Library – 1,500; specimens in museum – 1500; Alumni 242; annual income $5,600 – debt 16,000

State University in 1870 # of faculty – 26; # of students = 425; volumes in library 8,000; specimens in museum 100,000; Alumni 1,067; annual income $33,000; Debt none.  He retires from office with an untarnished name and the honors of an administration scarcely equalled in prosper in the history of western institutions.  Dr. Wylie of the state university says of him” During his administration the University has prospered; nor should I, as I am by no means disposed to do make that his only merit; that he was a faithful guardian of the trust committed to him; not permitting it to suffer any damage but always advancing its interests to the utmost of his ability and that too in the midst of much opposition and maintaining it in good working order during his administration; I should by saying as all acquainted with the circumstances known, nothing but the truth and at the same time much to his credit.  Dr. Nutt was eminently successful as a teacher. He commanded the respect and affection of his pupils, as an instructor, by his uniform kindness and courteous bearing and scholarly attainments.  As the presiding officer of the faculty, he was prompt and efficient at the same time kind and forebearing.  I cannot recall a single unkind or uncourteous act during his whole administration.  Sometimes in cases of discipline, though severely tried, he never lost his equanimity.  The official as well as the social intercourse of the faculty with its President has always been pleasant in the highest degree.  As a Christian gentleman he was universally respected by the community in which he has lived during the last 15 years.  Christians of all denominations esteemed him for his eminent Christian spirit as one who indicated by his daily walk and conversation the principles of the religion he professed.  “He made no branch of learning a specialty. His scholarship like his work was general but of the finest order of attainment.  He had mastered the Green, Latin, Hebrew, German and French languages, was well versed in philosophy and the sciences and was well qualified and had actually filled nearly every chair of the University.  His memory was almost perfect being able to recall names, face, dates and even the abstruse equations of mathematics with ease, though not seen nor heard for years.  He knew the Bible by heart, often furnishing a text, giving the book, chapter and verse from memory at the slightest suggestion of a word of clew to it.  His mental attainments, his character, his life and work were each and all well rounded and complete. He had arisen by indefatigable industry, modestly growing up to the highest point attainable and was taken away in the glory of his strength and usefulness.” Another says of him as president: “The surroundings of the position make it almost impossible for the man, however pure and worthy, to hold the place for any length of time.  Everybody is critic and all must dictate.  Dr. Nutt’s greatest fault in his position was his kindness of heart and forebearance.  But the chapter of his life is closed and it was with the word Success.  Envy cannot obliterate it.  Church and state and the champions of education will preserve his name in living green and his influence, always for good, will be felt through time, as generation after generation transmits it.  Brave in the cause of right, tender hearted as a child, sympathetic, pure, lofty in his aspirations, a true patriot and friend to the weak and lowly, Dr. Nutt’s name will stand as one of Nature’s noblemen.”  Full of years and having fought the good fight and kept the faith, he passed from this life to immortality at Bloomington on Monday Aug 23d 1875 at 4 o’clock a.m.