Archives West Finding Aid

John Russell Herrick was born May 12, 1822 in Milton, Vermont. He graduated from the University of Vermont and Andover Theological Seminary. He married Harriet Emily Brownell in 1856, and they had two children: Mary Brownell and John Wheeler. In 1880, he became the second President of Pacific University and Tualatin Academy. As President of the University, however, he spent much of his time travelling to the Northeastern United States soliciting money for the school. One of Herrick main interests was promoting women's education and his most significant achievement while President was the construction of a Ladies' Hall. It was renamed Herrick Hall in 1897. His other achievements included his success in bringing one of the U.S. Government’s Indian Training Schools to Forest Grove. Herrick eventually resigned from Pacific University after losing the support of the Board of Trustees over various issues, as well as his concern over the effect of constant travel on his wife. He went on to do other work, including preaching, writing, and serving as President of the University of South Dakota. He died in Elgin, Illinois on July 26, 1912.