Louisiana AHGP
Part of the American History and
Genealogy Project
Institutes and Colleges
The Homer Male College (Methodist) was incorporated in 1855 and
in 1856 work on the buildings was begun, but for some reason the
rooms were not opened for educational purposes until 1859.
The presidents were Rev. Baxter Clegg, assisted by J. W. Stacy
and J. B. Gutter in 1859, followed by Rev. W. D. O'Shea in 1860,
who conducted the school until 1803, when E. M. Seavey came; it
was closed in 1865.
In 1869 Rev. H. T. Lewis, assisted by Messrs. Borden and Wills,
reopened the institution. Rev. J. E. Cobb was president in 1870,
with Messrs. A. C. Calhoun, J. W. Nicholson and E. M. Cony
assisting, and Rev. F. J. Upton, collecting agent. The latter
collected subscription notes aggregating over $40,000, but their
collection was quite another affair and even the interest on a
great part was refused. In 1873 Rev. J. L. Bonden presided,
followed by Baxter Clegg, Dr. T. B. Gordon and E. A. Smith, who
was president when the institution was sold under execution in
1878. Contemporary with the male was the female college.
The Homer Masonic Female Institute was established in 1859 as
successor of the Homer Female College, with Prof. Wilcox in
charge. The Masonic lodge owned the property and directed the
policy of the school. Prof. Sligh and Mrs. Sligh were teachers
here for many years.
The Homer Masonic Male and Female College dates back to 1885,
when the plan of county education was adopted, and President
Davidson placed in charge.
Then the Claiborne Male and Female College and the Masonic
Institute appear to have been separate institutions for a short
time until the consolidation of two years ago when Claiborne
College was adopted as the title. The faculty comprised Mrs.
Lawrence, M. A., and Prof. Martin, A. M., associate principal;
Miss Mary Furman, M. A., instructress in elocution and French;
Miss A. M. Teskey, M. A., in the art department; J. W. Connell,
A. M., commercial department.
The brick building of olden days was restored, a new boarding
hall erected and the Masonic Institute building repaired and
refitted.
The Athenian Institute and Business College was presided over in
1888 by R. P. Webb, with E. H. Payne, secretary; T. J. Caldwell,
treasurer; W. W. Culpepper, A. H. Wilburn, A. H. Caldwell, J. W.
Hilbun, H. L. Awbrey, N. D. Smith and B. P. Smith, directors. In
November of that year the officers named were called to refute
the charges against Rev. L. A. Traylor.
Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, Southern Publishing Company, 1890
