A History of The Eclectic Society of Phi Nu Theta, 1837–1970

2. The 1840s: The First Decade

chapter 2 the 1840s the first decade M uch of the discussion of the founding of Eclectic in the previous chapter revolved around individuals who joined the Society and influenced its development .The same is true concerning the historyof the following decade. Many Eclectics of these early years became legendary figures for succeeding generations. One of these was Judge George Greenwood Reynolds (1821–1913) of the class of 1841. Almost to this day, students who frequented the Eclectic House at 200 High Street knew his face. His portrait occupied the place of honor over the fireplace in the library, for it was he who was the largest single donor of funds which made possible the building of the House in 1907.1 Paul North Rice (1910), the author of the manuscript on which so much of this account of the early years of the Fraternity depends, knew him personally and recounts remarks the judge made on the occasion of the celebration of his ninetieth birthday in 1911: I was one of the first members after the Society started, but not the first initiate. The class of 1841 were the first initiates. Three of us entered sophomore year: [George] Landon, [George W.] Allen, and myself. Landon and Allen went in [i.e., joined] the first term, but I hung along until just before the end of the year. Then C. D. Hubbard and Loranus Crowell told me [of my election]. My exultation can be imagined. Judge Reynolds also incarnates another trend that characterized Eclectic well into the twentieth century: the recurrence of names from generation to generation. His son Frank Reynolds (1868), grandson George Greenwood Reynolds II (1905), and great-grandson Blake Greenwood Reynolds (1936) all joined the fraternity in their undergraduate years. The judge’s comments on his initiation were cited by Paul North Rice as follows: 9 On the night when I was to be admitted to the distinguished privilege of such a literary and scholarly association, I was introduced into a room in North College, Middle Section, third story front— I think it was the rooms occupied by Marcy and Crowell. Being born out of time, I was the only newcomer. Receiving a cordial handshake and a welcome from the brethren, I took a modest seat and witnessed literary exercises, I presume very much like those in operation now. They were at that time in the habit of having essays, criticisms, and written—and I think sometimes oral— debates. The room I have mentioned was our regular meeting place. We were tenants at sufferance, without furniture and without stationery. We had a President and a Secretary—and perhaps a Treasurer, but his position must have been a sinecure, and at all events, they all flourished under English names. The world never saw a finer example of ‘‘plain living and high thinking.’’ Two things particularly to note in Judge Reynolds’s recollection are the venue for the meeting and its format. In these early days of the Society, meetings were held in student rooms. It was not until much later that Eclectic, like the other fraternities, acquired a clubhouse— and then only after a period of renting a room or rooms on Main Street. The literary exercises conducted at meetings were from the beginning a part of Eclectic tradition and their format, while varying in detail over the years, retained their basic outline unchanged until the 1960s. Commencement in 1839 meant the graduation of seven of the thirteen members (G. W. Allen having already left college). During the year 1839–40, the remaining members initiated two seniors, four juniors, and two sophomores. One of the seniors was Joseph Cummings (1840), the first Wesleyan graduate to serve as president of the university. In fact, as of this writing, four of the five presidents of the university who have beenWesleyan graduates were Eclectics—Joseph Cummings (1840), Cyrus D. Foss (1854), John W. Beach (1845) and Edwin D. Etherington (1948). Doug Bennet ’59 somehow managed to be elected president without being an Eclectic (he was an Alpha Chi Rho/eqv). The academic achievements of the early Eclectics were truly outstanding . With few exceptions, the number one (valedictorian) and 10 a history of the eclectic society number two (salutatorian) positions in the graduating classes in the 1840s were Eclectics, and Eclectics contributed many of the members elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In fact, therewas discussion fora while of the...