Chaddock College

In 1857, Quincy had become a station, having 184 members, 145 Sunday school students, and church property valued at US$8,000.

[2] In 1856, a literary institution, known as the German and English Methodist Academy, was founded, and a few years afterwards, was raised to the grade of a college.

[3] In December 1875, when the John Wood Mansion, at the corner of Eleventh and State streets, was sold in the courts, it was purchased by the college.

[3][2] In December 1876, the school having become involved in debt, a donation of US$30,000 was made to the college by Charles Chaddock, of Astoria, Illinois.

At that time it was decided to make it a school exclusively for boys, and after that, it enjoyed an era of marked prosperity and growth, having paid off its debt, so that it was free from all financial encumbrances.

Boys were admitted between the ages of six and sixteen years and could pursue academic and preparatory courses, fitting them for regular college work.

The school was conducted upon an economic basis and was under the direction of the Methodist church, the property being owned by the Illinois Conference.