Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Powell) [PAGE 381]

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The First Board of Trustees

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of denominations in the new university and devotion to worldly matters alone. However, Burroughs proved a most broad minded member of the board. His experience as the head of the Chicago university and as an educator of wide practice gave him the very qualities needed. All through the work of the session he showed himself capable, and under his influence were many others of the trustees who were aided in their work. Burroughs served on the committee on library and cabinets. Alexander Montgomery Brown (1818-1879) who served as trustee 1868-1879, was a man of broad and generous ideas, though not an educator by profession and very practical in all his views. He was a lawyer and possessed the confidence of all who were so fortunate as to make his acquaintance. He was a most useful member of the board, his practical turn of mind and great business sagacity at all times being found most useful in solving difficult questions concerning the management of the affairs of the university. He served on the auditing committee and the committee on by-laws and rules. Emory Cobb, (1831-1910) served as trustee from 18674893. His connection with financial matters eminently fitted him for the position of financial director of the new university and he was appointed on the committee of finance by Governor Oglesby, acting president of the board upon the first day of the first session of that body. In that position he continued as long as he served as a trustee. The appointment was a most fortunate one, and brought into the services of the university one whose work had well fitted him as a manager and director of any great financial affair, and one whose devotion to the interests of the university called into action all the power he possessed. The time and attention given by him to the affairs of the university for more than a quarter of a century would have commanded from any financial institution a salary of the most liberal dimensions, but he cheerfully and freely gave all his efforts to the university. Without exaggeration it can be claimed for him that he exerted a greater influence upon the financial, agricultural, and educational policies of the university than any other member of the board of trustees. He served only, however, upon the financial committee.

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