Rock River Seminary, Mt. Morris, Illinois, was started by the Methodists in the 1839.  Financial problems proved to be overwhelming and the institution was sold to Robert Hitt, son of the founder, Thomas Hitt. Another Methodist school, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois was larger and better equipped and provided strenuous competition.  So much so that Rock River Seminary had to close its doors.  The available property was noticed by a local Brethren minister, M. M. Newcomer, who was not excited about sending his children all the way to Ashland, Ohio to receive a Brethren based education. He suggested to other Brethren and surrounding Brethren churches that they might buy the Rock River Seminary.  The purchase was made and the new school opened on August 20, 1879 wtih the name of Mount Morris Seminary and Collegiate Institute. 

See:  Mt. Morris College

and pages from the Catalogue of Rock River Seminary,1857.