This is an example of the
middle microscope, Stand-IIIa. It is supplied with
oculars numbered I and III, the objectives numbered 1,
3, and 7 stored in and leather covered box, an
immersion objective numbered 9 stored in a brass
canister, and three substage aperture stops with
holder. During this period, the firm also manufactured
a IIIb model, an archaic design, which still had the
fine adjustment located in the rear under the
stage.
A
later example of this model from 1886 is also
represented in this collection. It differs from the
1878 model only in the mechanics of the substage. While
the substage on this microscope incorporates a
removalbe brass slide, the substage on the later model
has a swivel mounting.
The following was extracted
from the 1880 Leitz catalog:
This microscope was
originally the property of Rev. Robert Anderson Yoder
(1855-1911). It was obtained for this collection from a
descendant. A letter from the descendant
accompanies the instrument is quoted as
follows:.
Rev. Robert
Anderson Yoder (1855-1911)
The owner of this microscope, William
E. Hall, most likely received this microscope from his
grandfather, Robert Anderson Yoder. Mr. Hall's
handwritten name was found on a piece of tape on the
inside of the wooden case.
The Rev. R.A. Yoder
(1853-1911) was a minister, teacher, founder of two
colleges, county superintendent for schools, county
surveyor, and distinguished citizen. (Yoder, 1970). R.
A. Yoder began his college degree at North Carolina
College in Mt. Pleasant, NC in 1872, finishing his
degree in 1877 after a year at Lincoln University in
Illinois. After graduation, he served as the first
teacher and superintendent at Concordia High School in
Conover, NC, that later grew into Concordia College
with his support and encouragement. While in Conover,
NC, he furthered his studies in theology and was
ordained into the ministry in 1874. Later, he earned
his Doctorate in Divinity from the Lutheran Theological
Seminary in Philadelphia, PA in 1884 receiving staunch
criticism locally as most ministers trained within the
state. R.A. Yoder served as professor and president of
Concordia College until 1891 when he left Concordia to
found a new college, Lenoir College, in Hickory, NC,
and serve as president until 1901. Known as a
consummate scholar, educator, and theologian, R.A.
Yoder was gifted as a teacher, minister, and speaker
and at various times taught mathematics, botany,
English, philosophy, and pastoral theology (Yoder,
1970, pg. 151). It is most likely that this microscope
was purchased and used during R.A. Yoder's tenure at
Concordia and Lenoir colleges to later share with his
grandson for his undergraduate studies at Lenoir
College.
Yoder, F. (1970).
History of the Yoder Family in North Carolina.
Ann Arbor, MI: Lithographed by Edwards
Brothers.
Marty
Hall
Great Granddaughter,
R.A. Yoder
See: The History of Concordia College and
the History
of Lenoir-Rhyne University.