Rev. Nelson E. Cobleigh, D.D., was elected Professor in 1854.  He was also a graduate of the Wesleyan University.  On coming West, he was first elected Professor in the McKendree College, Ill., from which position he came to Appleton.  His first visit to these “northern wilds,” as Appleton was then called, was a memorable one.  It was a Commencement occasion, and in connection with the other exercises, the annual Missionary Meeting was held.  Under the leadership of Dr. Cooke, Brother Cobleigh was appointed to deliver one of the addresses.  There were three speakers appointed as usual, and the second place was assigned to Dr. Cobleigh and the last to Dr. Cooke.  The first speech, brief and to the point, was made, and as Chairman I introduced Dr. Cobleigh.  The speech opened in a quiet, clear, and common-sense way, none expecting more than a good, average effort.  But before the speaker had proceeded far, his sentences began to grow intense, and the blood began to shoot upward in deep, livid lines along the neck and face, and wreathe his forehead.  All eyes were turned upon him, and each hearer began to feel the kindlings of a strange inspiration.  But the speaker was lost to everything except his theme.  He dashed on from one burning thought to another, carrying his audience with him, in such storms of eloquence as had never before enchanted the walls of the University Chapel.

At the expiration of a full hour, the great orator came to himself and resumed his seat, amid the shouts of the people.  As soon as quiet intervened, I introduced Dr. Cooke.  The Doctor came forward and stated that as the speakers had been limited to thirty minutes each, and as his good friend, Dr. Cobleigh, had used an hour, without any fault of his own, however, as he could not help it, he would not attempt to make a speech himself, but would adopt the last half of the last speech, which was infinitely better than he could do if he were to speak.  The fine turn of the Doctor was taken with a good zest.

After serving the University several years, Dr. Cobleigh went back to McKendree College as President.  He next served as Editor of Zion’s Herald, in Boston, then was President of our College in Tennessee, and at the last General Conference he was elected editor of the Advocate at Atlanta, Ga.  But his work was soon finished, and he passed on to join the great and good who have entered the Heavenly gates.

Dr. R.Z.  Mason came to the University as a Professor in 1855, and continued to hold this position until the resignation of Dr. Cooke, when he succeeded to the Presidency.  He remained at this post until the election of Dr. Steele, when he entered upon business pursuits in Appleton.  The Presidency of Dr. Mason was distinguished by great anxiety and severe labor.  Like the Presidents who went before, and those who have followed, he was greatly burdened with the financial management.  The several schemes which had been adopted to secure an Endowment Fund for the University,