the corps of teachers in the possession of new accommodations and room for growth, in the opportunity for improved work and better results. The new building is a material and attractive addition to the School's equipment. NOTE-By authority of the State Board of Education a pamphlet for general distribution was recently published, containing a full account of the exercises of Anniversary Day," which was celebrated at the Normal School in March, 1896, as also the full text of Prof. Putnam's address on that occasion, entitled A Sketch of the Steps in the Evolution of the Teaching Profession in Michigan." Therefore, no history of the Normal School will be incorporated here. C. F. R. BELLOWS. PRINCIPAL OF CENTRAL NORMAL SCHOOL. Charles Fitz Roy Bellows is descended from one of the oldest New England families. His earliest ancestor in this country was John Bellows, who came from England in 1635 and settled at Concord, Mass. The family name is associated with the growth of our country for a period of over two hundred fifty years, his ancestors having rendered zealous service in both the French and Indian, and the Revolutionary War. The subject of this sketch was born at Charlestown, N. H., Oct. 27, 1832. His parents removed to Michigan in 1837, (when the territory was admitted into the Union), settling on a farm at Climax, Kalamazoo county. Here he attended the summer and winter school of the district until twelve years of age, and the winter term only until seventeen, working meanwhile on the farm. He then went to Olivet Institute, where he remained two years, boarding in the family of Hon. Oramel Hosford, then Professor of Mathematics and afterwards State Superintendent of Public Instruction. It was under Prof. Hosford's instruction that Mr. Bellows became imbued with his love for mathematical studies, and the stalwart and noble manliness of the man with whom he was so closely associated during those two years, had a powerful influence on the life of the young student. During the winter of 1852-53 he taught the district school at Verona, Mich., for $17 a month, boarding around, Entering the State Normal School the following spring, he graduated in the class of 1855, having in the meantime taught a term of five months at Port Huron. In the fall of '55 he was engaged to organize and conduct the first graded school at Constantine, Mich., teaching there and at Mishawaka, Ind., for eight years. In the meantime, having by private study completed three years of a classical course at the University, he went to Ann Arbor in the fall of '63 and graduated with the class of '64. The next fall he organized the graded schools at Decatur, Mich., remaining in charge three years. In 1867 he was elected the first county superintendent of Van Buren county, and he was also one of the original proprietors and editors of the Van Buren County Republican. In the fall of 1867 he was appointed by the State Board of Education to the chair of Mathematics in the Normal School, a position which he occupied for twenty-four years. Here unquestionably was the most important service of his long and useful life. Its history is written in the minds and hearts of thousands of students who knew him there. Prof. Bellows was present at the organization of the State Teachers' Association, served several years as its secretary, and was president of the same in 1877. He has also enjoyed some prominence in the Masonic fraternity, being Grand Master of Masons in Michigan for the year 1833. He has written several mathematical texts on the following branches: arithematic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and surveying. But his activity has extended beyond mathematical studies alone, and in general institute work for many years he has taught, studied and lectured on themes of general educational interest. In the summer of 1892 he accepted the heavy responsibility of founding and building up a Central Michigan Normal School at Mt. Pleasant. The tremendous difficulties involved in its successful accomplishment would have staggered a less determined man, and the history of this institution will commemorate the zeal, courage, and splendid enthusiasm of Prof. Bellows, as also the enterprise of the locality where it is situated. When that institution was accepted by the State In 1895, he was elected its first Principal, which position he still holds. Perhaps no other living teacher has placed the imprint of scholarship and character upon the minds and hearts of so many men and women in Michigan as Prof. Bellows. In every part of the State his influence has been felt for a generation. His activity and experience have embraced every part of our school system, from the rural districts to the University. CENTRAL MICHIGAN NORMAL SCHOOL. The history of this school, it is conceded, has for its initial point the time when the idea of such an institution at Mt. Pleasant first entered the mind of Hon. Samuel W. Hopkins, a prominent resident of that city. This was in the early part of the year 1891. At this time, many towns and cities in Michigan were offering large inducements to manufacturers and capitalists to come there and locate their industries. Mt. Pleasant had already secured the location of a Government Industrial School for the education of Indians. This, no doubt, had some effect in turning Mr. Hopkins' thoughts in the direction of further augmenting the educational advantages of the city. Moreover, Mr. Hopkins was at the time prominently engaged in promoting the development and interests of the public schools of the city. Having been for a number of years a member of the Board of Education, he was then its president. In the facts above cited are probably to be sought the influences that suggested thhe thought of developing the importance of the city rather as an educational center than as a merely industrial or commercial one. The magnificent agricultural region surrounding, the exceeding beauty and healthfulness of the locality, and its central situation, were readily perceived as favoring considerations to the end in view. After having somewhat fully developed plans in his own mind, Mr. Hopkins communicated his idea to Mr. Charles M. Brooks, a prominent citizen, and at the time secretary of the Board of Education of the city. Mr. Brooks, with his characteristic public spirit, entered enthusiastically into the work of further developing plans and devising means for their execution. Mr. A. S. Coutant, editor and proprietor of "The Mt. Pleasant Enterprise," was the next one approached in the matter. He also entered into the movement with great energy and public spirit. All needed printing was gratui tous. Messrs. Hopkins and Brooks then waited upon Hon. J. W. Hance and M. Devereaux and laid the matter before them. They took hold of it with equal enthusiasm, and soon plans were laid and began to take public form among the citizens. Twelve men, namely, S. M. Hopkins, Charles M. Brooks, A. S. Coutant, J. W. Hance, M. Devereaux, I. A. Fancher, D. H. Nelson, F. D. Patterson, W. Doughty, G. A. Dusenbury, L. N. Smith, and M. Lower, joined themselves together to promote the enterprise. The Mt. Pleasant Improvement Company was organized, and one hundred forty-three citizens of Mt. Pleasant and vicinity became shareholders, at $25 a share, of the stock issued. All these have vigorously sustained the project through all its vicissitudes. In July, 1891, Prof. C. F .R. Bellows of Ypsilanti having gone to Marquette to conduct a summer school, it was ascertained that he was contemplating the organization of a Normal School movement in Upper Michigan, and a representative of the Improvement Co. was sent thither for the purpose of interesting him in the movement at Mt. Pleasant. The result of this conference was that the people were encouraged to believe a Normal School could be here built up and eventually made a State institution. Fifty-two acres of land adjoining the city were accordingly at once bought at the price of $8,000. The sum of $500 was paid down of money obtained of Mr. Brooks, and a mortgage on the land was given fer the balance. The land was immediately surveyed and platted by Prof. Bellows, as the Normal School addition to the city. A magnificent campus of nearly ten acres, embracing a beautiful grove of native trees, was reserved as the site of the proposed building. The remainder was divided into 224 desirable residence lots, with ample avenues, streets, and alleys. The lots nearly all found ready purchasers at $110. The rest have since been sold at $150 each. Arrangements now began for the opening of the school. Rooms were secured on the second floor of one of the business blocks in the city and nicely fitted up for the purpose. Furniture was bought, and everything put in readiness for |