H. H. Rassweiler Papers, 1859-1893

Alphabetical, then chronological

Henry Haesler Rassweiler was born in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania on April 3, 1842. The family moved to Cedar Brook, Illinois in1857 and in 1859, Rassweiler began teaching at a district school. He attended Plainfield College from 1862 to 1867, receiving the first Bachelor of Science degree in 1868. Following graduation, Rassweiler became the professor of Mathematics and Science at the College. He also was a founder of the Alumni Association, the Natural History Association, and the Museum and Botanical Garden, and the first managing editor for the Chronicle. H.H. Rassweiler met Susie Victoria Harlacher while they were students at Plainfield College, and the couple married in 1868. When A. A. Smith, the first College president, resigned in Feburary 1883, Professor Rassweiler became the second president of then North-Western College. An upcoming division in the Evangelical Association, the founding and supporting church body of North-Western, forced an upheaval within the Board of Trustees and administration of the College and resulted in Rassweiler's dismissal as president. Henry Rassweiler's cousin, Charles F. Rassweiler also attended and received a degree from North-Western College and Charles went on to become the French instructor at North-Western College. He later took on mathematics classes and reached professor status within this discipline. Charles Rassweiler was the financial secretary and publisher of the Chronicle when it began in 1873 and was involved with the Alumni Association.

The items in this series are very fragile and should be handled carefully. The sermons were previously stored curled and still remain somewhat curved.

The base collection of the College Archives had no inherent order. The Archives created this series out of the base collection in 1999.

These files contain various items and records related to Henry Haesler Rassweiler, second president of North Central College, and his family. Two sets of journals exist. The first are Henry Rassweiler's Personal Journals. Volume 1 (1859-1867) of Rassweiler's personal journals include the years that he taught in a public school and was a student at North-Western College in Plainfield, Illinois. Rassweiler's writings cover school subjects, notes on temperance, record of correspondence, notes on summer travels, personal budgets and news clippings pasted into the journal. Volume 2 (1868-1877) of his personal journals includes lecture notes for classes he taught and notes from faculty meetings. Six volumes of Family journals contain entries written both by Henry and Suzie Rassweiler. The first volume begins on their wedding day. Entries in all volumes relate to family life, current weather conditions, activities and travels, children, and personal health. The volume including 1871 includes entries on the Chicago fire. Information on Henry's professional life is also recorded throughout all the journals. The final family journal (1888-1893) includes a summary explanation of his conflict with the Board of Trustees in 1887-1888 which resulted in his removal from the College. Additionally, entries in this journal also detail the split in the Evangelical Association and the resulting formation of Grace Church in 1890.

In addition to the family and personal journals of Henry and Suzie Rassweiler, there is also one journal written by C.F. Rassweiler from the years 1868 to 1870 in this series. Additional files include notes, and speeches and sermons written by Henry Rassweiler. The booklet titled Loyal to Our President and the Church by C.H. Tobias, published in 1888, discusses the injustice of Rassweiler's dismissal as President and the student support of his efforts.