”In 1884, two years after its organization, the North Nebraska Conference appointed a commission with authority to establish a conference seminary. The commission met in December and selected Central City as the place. Dr. J. B. Maxfield was elected president, and a substantial brick building erected at a cost of $10,000. The following year the school was opened with good prospects. At the following conference the grade was changed to that of college, and the name changed to Nebraska Central College. At the end of the second year Dr. Maxfield resigned on account of failing health, and the Rev. David Marquette was elected to the place. He, too, after a year spent principally in an effort to solve the financial problem, which had already become serious, found his health so impaired as to make it necessary to relinquish the work, and the Rev. J. W. Shenk was elected. He in turn was soon succeeded by the Rev. H. A. Crane, and then by F. W. Ware. The number of students continued to increase till at one time there were 150 in attendance, but the financial conditions constantly became worse.”

Reference Data:

History of Nebraska, by J. Sterling Morton and Albert Watkins, PH. B., LL.B, 1918, page 499