USA > Iowa > Benton County > The history of Benton County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics > Part 49
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Their country first, their glory and their pride; Land of their hopes-land where their fathers died ; When in the right, they'll keep their honor bright ; When in the wrong, they'll die to set it right.
The wondrous deeds of daring and glorious achievements of the Army of the Union, during the great war of the rebellion, will always be dearly cherished by all patriotic hearts. But there were scenes, incidents and accidents, the memory of which will shade with sadness the bright reflections engendered by the contemplation of a heroism, devotion and sacrifice the like of which the "world never saw before. But the memory of those who fell in the stupendous struggle is still familiar to the present people of Benton County ; but fifty years hence, when the fathers and mothers of to-day shall have passed on to their eternal home, they will be remembered by posterity more as matters of tradition than of absolute written history.
405
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
Forty-seven members of Company G, Thirteenth Infantry, returned home on veteran furlough March 18, 1864. The same evening, a meeting of citizens of Vinton was held at the Court House for the purpose of arranging for a formal reception to the boys who had re-enlisted for the war. Ten large committees were selected to make arrangements commensurate with the importance of the occasion.
On the 25th, the surviving members of Company D, Eighth Infantry, arrived, and these heroes were of course included in the list of honored guests.
The reception was held at the Court House, which was packed to its full capacity. Judge C. H. Conklin made the address of welcome, which was fitly responded to by Cols. Geddes and Shaw in behalf of the veterans. Music was furnished by Prof. Price and his band, and the following song was given by Mr. Chapin :
Roll the drum, fire the gun, Make the welkin ring ; Set the bonfires burning For the soldiers returning Home, sweet home.
See, they come ! mothers run,
Wives and sweethearts all ; Oh ! how the heart goes throbbing
To see the blue-coats bobbing Home, sweet home.
Welcome, boys! welcome, boys !
Welcome back to your home !
Long have we waited to meet you,
And we are happy to greet you Home, sweet home.
Rally all, great and small,
Give our brave boys a cheer,
Who for the Union are fighting,
And sending the rebels a-kiting, Home, dismal home.
Drop a tear, comrades dear,
For our brothers absent now ; Who have gone from the din of battle,
Where the loud cannons rattle, Home, heavenly home.
When in peace, wars shall cease, And Freedom take her stand, With the Star-Spangled Banner o'er us, We'll sing that happy old chorus, " Home, sweet home."
The dinner was served at the Tremont House, nearly every township in the county having contributed toward the bountiful table. Elijah Evans officiated as almoner, and under his skillful stewardship nearly five hundred persons sat down to the banquet.
The last hour of the reunion was an unhappy one, for by a premature dis- charge of cannon Alexander Shields lost his eye-sight.
April 27th, a dinner was given at the Tremont House to the members of the Third, Fifth and Twelfth regiments, then at home on furlough.
HOME TO STAY.
October 5, 1865, was celebrated by the people of Benton County, at Vinton, with elaborate ceremonies. The war was over, and it was due to the
406
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
soldiers sent out from Benton that some token of appreciation should be extend- ed them ere they doffed their uniforms and became once more identified in their old occupations.
A procession of the veterans was formed at 11 o'clock, in front of the Court House Square, under the direction of Gen. J. L. Geddes and Col. John Shane, headed by the Vinton Sax-Horn Band, and marched to the school house, in front of which the speeches were made. The address of welcome was made by Judge Conklin, and the response by Gen. Geddes, who, among other glowing sentences, said of the men he had commanded:
They return to yon again, with victory perched on their battle-torn banners. They have nobly accomplished the end for which they fought. They have assisted in removing the foul stain of slavery from the otherwise spotless escutcheon of our country, and in demonstrating the great fact that this " Union must and shall be preserved." As American citizens, they do not call the great North their country, with its teeming millions of busy population, its thronging workshops, and immense marine ; not the great West, with its vast prairies and green savannas, its noble rivers and ocean lakes, which carry on their bosoms food for a world ; not the South, with its fields of mimic snow, its rich plantations and temperate clime ; not of these separately are they citizens. No! They are American citizens, under which proud name is embraced the North and the South, the East and the West, from the Atlantic shore to the Pacific coast, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf-one country, one flag, " one and indivisible."
The two hundred veterans then marched back to the Court House Square, where the different maneuvers of dress parade were executed.
Dinner was then served in the Square, which was shared by about two thousand people.
At the southwest corner of the Square a triumphal arch had been erected, on one side of which were the words "Vicksburg," "Iuka," "Welcome Home, Boys in Blue," "Shiloh," "Wilson's Creek ;" and upon the other, "Thomas," "Meade," "Honor to the Fallen Brave," "Grant," "Sherman." Another arch stood over the south steps of the Court House, suitably decorated, and bearing two soiled and tattered battle-flags.
The holiday closed with a display of fire-works in the evening, and as the veterans sought their several homes, they saw once more, in recollection, the glistening tents pitched along the Cumberland, the Tennessee, and on the mountain ranges overlooking Atlanta. Once more tlie awful battle field appeared, but softened by months of absence, and recalled their fallen com- rads, where
On Fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread, And Glory guards, with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
It is hardly possible to give a perfectly accurate list of the officers of Ben- ton County. There is no record of the election in 1848, and from 1852 to 1863, the records have either never been kept or have been lost. But from all sources of information accessible the following list has been compiled, which will probably be found very nearly correct :
County Commissioners .- 1846 (April to August)-Edwin B. Spencer, Stedman Penrose and Samuel K. Parker. 1846-7-Samuel M. Lockhart, Charles Cantonwine and L. F. North. 1847-8-Samuel M. Lockhart, L. F. North and Thomas Way. 1848-9-Samuel M. Lockhart, Thomas Way and L. F. North. 1849-50-Samuel M. Lockhart, Thomas Way and L. F. North. 1850-1-Samuel M. Lockhart, L. F. North, James Rice.
That Jobin
PRINCIPAL TILFORD ACADEMY VINTON
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409
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
Commissioners' Clerk .- David S. Pratt, 1846-8; Elias H. Keyes, 1848-9; W. R. Johnson, 1849-50; James T. Beckett, 1850-1; Geo. W. Vardaman, 1851. (Office abolished in 1851.)
County Surveyors .- I. D. Simison, April to August, 1846; Francis Rigaud, 1846-7; I. D. Simison, 1847-51; Newell Colby, resigned May 1, 1856; Wesley Whipple, 1856; Peter B. Smith, 1862-7; James A. Brown, 1868-77 ; G. W. Smith, 1877.
School Fund Commissioners .- John Royal, 1847-8; Elias H. Keyes. 1848-50; James F. Beckett, 1850-2; Irwin D. Simison; Jacob S. Hunt, 1855. (Office abolished in 1858.)
Clerk of Courts .- Wm. J. Berry, 1846; J. R. Pratt, 1846-7; Irwin D. Simison, 1847-50; C. W. Buffum, 1850-1; G. W. Vandaman, 1851-2; James C. Traer, 1852-4; David Robb, 1854, resigned April 21, 1856; W. C. Stan- berry, 1856: James Chapin, 1856-66; Buren R. Sherman, 1867-74; H. E. Warner, 1875.
Sheriff's .- Jolin Royal. April to August, 1846; James Downs, 1846-7; John Royal, 1847-8-9; Cyrus C. Charles, 1849-52; William Remington. 1853-7; Elmyrrh Howard, 1857-9; A. H. Sebern, 1860-3; Ezra Bigelow, 1864-7; Henry M. Wilson, 1868-73; Peter S. Smith, 1874.
Prosecuting . Attorneys .- James Mitchell, 1846-7; Samuel Lockhart. 1847-8; John Alexander, 1848-50; I. M. Preston; Normam W. Isbel ; James Harlan, 1852; John Alexander, 1854; Edwin Humphreville, 1856-8.
Recorders-Irwin D. Simison, 1846 (April to August) ; Lester W. Hayes, 1846-7.
Treasurers and Collectors-Beal Dorsey, 1846 (April to August) ; S. L. Morse, 1846-7.
Treasurers and Recorders-David S. Pratt, 1847-8-9; Joseph Rouse, 1849 ; James Johnson, 1849-53 ; James Chapin, 1853; W. R. Johnson, 1853 ; J. W. Filkins, 1855 ; Alexander Runyon, James H. Shutts.
Treasurers-James H. Shutts, 1865-6 ; S. A. Marine, 1870-73 ; Othniel Horne, 1874-7; Philip M. Coder, 1878.
Recorders-Milton P. Adams, 1865 ; Frederick Lyman, 1866-8; Philip M. Coder, 1869-72; James W. Smock, 1873.
Auditor-Edward M. Evans, 1870.
Superintendents of Schools-J. Dysart, 1858 ; L. M. Holt, 1864-5 ; Amos N. Dean, 1866-9 ; H. M. Hoon, 1870-73; S. T. Shortress, 1874-5 ; Miss Salina Blackburn, 1876.
Judges of Probate-Jonathan R. Pratt, April to August, 1846 ; James M. Denison, 1846-7; James Mitchell, March to August, 1847; David S. Pratt. 1847-9 ; John Alexander, 1849-51 (office abolished 1851).
County Judges-John S. Forsyth, 1851-5; Samuel Douglass, 1855-9 : John Treanor, 1860-61 ; John McCartney, 1862 ; Buren R. Sherman, 1864-7 ; George M. Gilchrist, 1868-9; J. L. Geddes, June, 1869-70 (office abolished 1869).
District Judges-James P. Carleton, 1847-8 and 1851-3 ; William Smyth. 1854-6; Isaac Cook, 1857-8; William L. Miller, 1859-61; Norman W. Is- bel. 1862-3; James Bart, 1864; C. H: Conklin, 1865; N. M. Hubbard. 1866 ; James M. Rothrock, 1867-75; John Shane, 1876.
Circuit Judges-William E. Miller, 1869-70 ; Geo. R. Struble, 1871, re- signed ; William J. Haddock, 1871 ; John McKean, 1872.
G
410
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
SUPERVISORS (TOWNSHIP SYSTEM).
For 1861-James McQuin, Chairman ; James Rice, Jacob Springer, H. Gwin, Samuel Miskinim, W. F. Kirkpatrick, John Slattery, Wm. C. Smith, J. M. Inman, John F. Forsyth, Joab Austin, J. R. Christie, B. R. Dwigans, E. W. Stocker, D. A. Robinson, S. G. Livermore, Martin Mickey, Stoughton Lamoree, George L. Palmer, George Treanor.
For 1862-James McQuin, Chairman ; H. Gwin, W. F. Kirkpatrick, W. C. Smith, Joab Austin, B. R. Dwigans, D. A. Robinson, S. G. Livermore, Stoughton Lamoree, J. M. Inman, Jacob Springer, James Rice, William Helm, William Wallace, George Treanor, Samuel Miskinim, John Slattery, Martin Mickey, John Ruffcorn and C. W. Stocker.
For 1863-James McQuin, Chairman ; Jacob Springer, J. G. Burnett, H. Guinn, Simpson Welles, D. A: Robinson, M. Mickey, E. W. Stocker, J. M. Inman, S. Miskinnin, John Buffam, W. C. Smith, James Rice, John Slattery. Joseph Dysart, Wmn. Helm, George Treanor, Russell Bowe, Thomas Gillett and William Wallace.
For 1864-James McQuin, Chairman ; Jacob Springer, George Bergen, John L. Burke, Douglass W. Marsh, Michael Smith, W. F. Kirkpatrick, James Rice, E. W. Stocker, Dickson Johnson, S. B. Corning, John Treanor, W. C. Smith, J. M. Inman, T. Gillett, S. T. Wells, I. G. Burnett, D. A. Robinson, H. Guinn, R. Bowe.
For 1865-James McQuin, Chairman ; W. C. Smith, W. F. Kirkpatrick, John Knapp, Henry A. Shaffer, W. S. Snow, H. Sheldon, Alex. Runyon, D. A. Robinson, Alexander Johnson, John Treanor, D. W. Marsh, James Rice, Jacob Springer, George Bergen, M. Smith, E. W. Stocker, J. L. Burke, S. B. Corning.
For 1866-James McQuin, Chairman ; John Treanor, Jacob Springer, George Bergen, D. Johnson, James Rice, M. Smith, J. L. Burke, N. Hawley, A. Beaman, William Wallace, W. C. Smith, W. S. Snow, H. Sheldon, D. A. Robinson, Alex. Johnson, W. F. Kirkpatrick, John Knapp, Alex. Runyon, H A. Shaffer.
For 1867-James McQuin, Chairman ; W. F. Kirkpatrick, Amos Dean, John Knapp, E. Trueblood, W. C. Pogue, C. L. Summers, S. McGranahan, Isaac N. Chenoweth, Thomas Lewis, Thomas Ryan, John Treaner, W. Wallace, D. Johnson, J. Rice, J. Springer, George Bergen, J. L. Burke, A. Beaman, N. Hawley.
For 1868-James McQuin, Chairman ; Jacob Springer, E. G. Brown, J. L. Cobb, J. M. Van Meter, Samuel Mahin, Nelson Hawley, John B. Reeve, James Rice, George Buchan, David McNie, A. J. Wyckoff, Amos Dean, C. L. Summers, S. McGranahan, W. F. Kirkpatrick, W. C. Pogue, Thomas Lewis, John Knapp, I. N. Chenoweth.
For 1869-E. G. Brown, Chairman ; D. L. Webb, J. Blackman, J. M. Inman, W. A. Tanner, C. L. Summers, W. W. Hamilton, D. B. Ramsdell, A. W. Burnison, David Landon, A. D. Ryan, David McNie, J. L. Cobb, S. Mahin, James Rice, J. B. Reeve, Jacob Springer, A. J. Wyckoff, George Buchan, N. Hawley.
For 1870-E. G. Brown, Chairman ; Amos Dean, John L. Burke, David McNie, L. Brooks, H. T. Elliott, A. H. Heldenbrand, J. T. Ravenscroft, J. R. Christie, J. T. Austin, M. Smyth, S. M. Dinlkin, C. M. Summers, J. M. Inman, D. L. Webb, D. B. Ramsdell, A. W. Burnison, W. A. Tanner, W. W. Hamilton, J. Blackman.
411
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
SUPERVISORS (COUNTY SYSTEM).
For 1871-James McQuin, Chairman ; Isaac N. Chenoweth, John Knapp. For 1872-Same.
For 1873-John Knapp, Chairman ; I. N. Chenoweth, E. W. Stocker.
For 1874-John Knapp, Chairman ; I. N. Chenoweth, H. Guinn.
For 1875-I. N. Chenoweth, Chairman ; H. Guinn, Nelson Hawley.
For 1876-I. N. Chenoweth, Chairman ; N. Hawley, H. Guinn.
For 1877-N. Hawley, Chairman ; A. A. Wentz, William F. Atkinson.
For 1878-A. A. Wentz, Chairman ; W. F. Atkinson, N. Hawley.
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Senate .- George McCoy, 1856-9; Thomas Drummond, 1860-1; Joseph Dysart, 1862-3; William B. King, 1864-7; James Chapin, 1868-71 ; John Shane, 1872-7; John D. Nichols, 1878.
House .- Thomas Drummond, 1858-9; James McQuin, 1860-3; Alex ander Runyon, 1864-7 ; John W. Traer, 1868-71; Eli M. Stedman, 1872-5- S. C. Burnet, 1874-5; E. S. Johnson, 1876-7-8 ; John McCartney, 1876-7-8-
THIRD CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
James C. Traer, 1857.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first schools taught in Benton County were private or subscription schools. Their accommodations, as may be readily supposed, were not good. Sometimes they were taught in small log houses erected for the purpose. Stoves and such heating apparatus as are in use now were unknown. A mud and stick chimney in one end of the building, with earthern hearth, with a fire-place wide enough and deep enough to take in a four feet back log, and smaller wood to match, served for warming purposes in Winter and a kind of conservatory in Summer. For windows, part of a log was cut out in either side, and maybe a few panes of eight by ten glass set in, or, just as likely as not, the aperture would be covered over with greased paper. Writing benches were made of wide planks, or, maybe, puncheons resting on pins or arms driven into two-inch auger holes bored into the logs beneath the windows. Seats were made out of thick planks or puncheons ; flooring was made of the same kind of stuff. Everything was rude and plain, but many of America's greatest men have gone out from just such school houses to grapple with the world and make a name for themselves and names that come to be an honor to their country. In other cases, private rooms and parts of private houses were utilized as school houses, but the furni- ture was just as plain.
But all these things are changed now. A log school house in Iowa is a rarity. Their places are filled with handsome frame or brick structures. The rude furniture has also given way, and the old school books, the " Popular Reader," the "English Reader " (the finest literary compilation ever known in American schools), and " Webster's Elementary Spelling Book," are superseded by others of greater pretensions. The old spelling classes and spelling matches have followed the old school houses, until they are remembered only in name. Of her school system Iowa can justly boast. It has sent out a large number of representative men whose names are as familiar to the nation as they are in the histories of the counties and neighborhoods in which they once lived. While the
412
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
State has extended such fostering care to the interests of education, the several counties have been no less zealous and watchful in the management of this vital interest. And Benton County forms no exception to the rule. The school houses and their furnishings are in full keeping with the spirit of the law that provides for their maintenance and support. The teachers rank high among the other thousands of teachers in the State, and the several County Super- intendents, since the office of Superintendent was made a part of the school system, have been chosen with especial reference to their fitness for the position.
It is impossible to find correct reports of educational matters in this county prior to 1858, when the Seventh General Assembly passed " An Act for the Public Instruction of the State of Iowa," and organized the present school system. By this act, which went into force March 20, 1858, each civil town- ship was made a school district, and the number of districts and district officers was thus greatly reduced. By the same act, the office of County Superin- tendent of Schools was created, and appropriations made in aid of Teachers' Institutes.
WAYS AND MEANS.
Some of the townships in Benton County were among the first in Iowa to adopt the plan of forcing non-resident land owners to assist in building school houses. When a sub-district was organized, it was usually found to be an economical scheme to attach several sections of land owned by parties living in the East, and the Assessor would value it almost as high as improved land. When a new district was organized the wild land would be included in its bounds, and so on, till perhaps it would be made to help build three or four school houses.
One non-resident, named Eastman, who had several tracts in Kane, came to see it in 1856 or 1857, and complained to a resident of that township that he had paid taxes enough, he thought, to build two or three school houses. The settler thereupon instructed him as to the method pursued with regard to organizing school districts ; and furthermore told him that sometimes the people changed their minds after the tax was levied, and would borrow the money back instead of building.
One instance is mentioned where a keen Yankee organized a school district and employed his wife to teach the school at a fine salary, the only pupil in the district being their own child. This is regarded, however, by the historian as somewhat apocryphal.
INSTITUTES.
A Teachers' Association was organized at Vinton, in 1857, which held two or three meetings and then died out.
The first Teachers' Institute ever held in Benton County began its session on Monday, Aug. 29, 1859. Prof. D. F. Wells, Amos Dean and Dr. J. L. Enos gave the addresses. An Association was formed, with Julius Stevens as President, Miss Kiddoo and James Irving, Vice President; A. E. McQuaid, Secretary ; J. Austin, Treasurer. Those attending were: Salina Blackburn. Frances Scott, Mary A. Brooks, Margaret C. Jenks, Jane L. Wilson, Flora Wilson, Mary L. Shutts, Jane Hudson, Anna Matthews, Sarah Meskinens. Mrs. Ann Reed, Mary Spafford, Ann Brown, Margaret Pyne, Salina Heddin, Mary Kirkpatrick, Sarah Simson, Jennie Kiddoo, Maria Dickenson, Ellen Boyden, Mary Ann McCamron, Daniel Wood, Andrew Martin, Amos Rogers, James Hellar, W. C. Parmeter, L. Clingham, John F. Pyne, Nathan Rice, N. C. Keys, W. C. Connell, A. C. McQuaid, Goorge L. States, F. D. Dean, S.
413
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
Stickney, R. L. Rowe, J. S. Eberhart, A. Eberhart, M. Hartwell, G. B. Gill, J. L. Davis, S. Wood, J. K. Thompson, B. F. Page, Amos N. Dean, Joel J. Long, Sherman Tracy, Syreno O. Eaton, Jacob Austin, A. J. Dickinson, S. Rowe, David Martin.
Eighty teachers attended the second session of the Institute, which was held at Vinton, in September, 1860.
From this time forward annual meetings have been held, which are always well attended by teachers, who are behind none in acquirements and competency to teach.
The instructors at the Normal Institute for 1878, held at Vinton, were L. T. Weld, of Cresco; W. H. Sisson, of Eldora ; J. McCarty, of Blairstown ; W. H. Brinkerhoff, of Shellsburg ; Mrs. N. M. Rich, and T. Tobin. Ad- dresses were given by J. L. Pickard, President of the Iowa University : H. Sabin, President of the State Teachers' Association, and others. The enroll- ment of teachers in attendance on the third day was 146.
The first Superintendent of schools was Joseph Dysart in 1858 ; but there are no records in the office to show the progress of the educational interests of the county. Miss Salina Blackburn, in her last annual report to the State Superintendent, said :
I have used every available means to secure correct data for this report ; but I find upon comparison, that the amount " on hand " as reported last year, in many instances, does not cor- respond with the same item this year. But I have no means of determining which statement is erroneous. With three legal divisions of the school fund, and the frequent changes of school officers, it is simply impossible to make a correct financial report.
Quite a number of school houses have been erected during the past year, most of them after improved plans, and all of them seated with good patent seats. Many of the old buildings have been repaired, and the old seats replaced by new and comfortable ones.
A course of study was prepared and submitted to the people and teachers about a year ago. It met with quite general favor. I think its best result has been a tendency toward uniformity of work among teachers.
A system of monthly reports by teachers has been adopted, which not only proves a valuable aid in supervision, but is a great incentive to excellence in punctuality and attendance.
From Miss Blackburn's report for 1877, the following table is compiled :
Number of district townships.
10
Number of independent districts.
99
Number of sub-districts
86
Total number of districts.
185
Number of ungraded schools
179
Number of graded schools.
5
Average number of months taught.
7.33
Number of male teachers
121
Numbea of female teachers ..
243
Average compensation per month to male teachers
$33.90
Average compensation per month to female teachers.
27.50
Number of male pupils between 5 and 21 years of age.
4,921
Number of female pupils between 5 and 21 years of age.
4,467
Number of pupils enrolled.
6,990
Total average attendance.
4,194
Average cost of tuition for each pupil per month.
$1.35
Number of frame school houses
183
Number of brick school houses
3
Number of stone school houses.
Total value of school buildings.
$133,051
Total value of apparatus
1,841
Number of volumes in libraries
194
SCHOOL HOUSE I'UND.
Total receipts during the year
$20,712.51
Paid for school houses and sites
12,652.09
Paid on bonds and interest.
1,813,98
Amount on hand
5,715.64
414
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
CONTINGENT FUND.
Total receipts during the year
$23,834.10
Paid for rent of school houses
77.00
Paid for repairing school houses. 3,372.68
Paid for fuel.
3,865.40
Paid secretaries
848.55
Paid treasurers .
959.35
Paid for records and apparatus.
457.09
Paid for various purposes.
8,064.17
Amount on hand.
6,489.86
TEACHERS' FUND.
Total receipts
.$74,231.02
Paid teachers.
48,889,22
Amount on hand.
25,341.80
Number of professional certificates issued.
4
Number of first grade certificates issued.
138
Number of second grade certificates issued
211
Number of third grade certificates issued
353
Number of applicants rejected.
118
Number of applicants examined.
399
Average age of male applicants.
20
Average age of female applicants.
18
Number of teachers who have had no experience.
52
Number of teachers who have taught less than one year
72
Number of schools visited by County Superintendent.
163
Number of visits made during the year ..
171
Appeals
2
Amount received by County Superintendent for services from October 1, 1876 to October 1, 1877 $846.00
Number of private schools ..
4
Number of teachers employed in same.
9
Number of pupils attending.
235
IRVING INSTITUTE.
This academy was founded in A. D. 1862, by Rev. A. A. Sawin, formerly of Massachusetts, a Baptist minister of eminent ability, of high refinement and thorough scholarship.
The funds for the erection of the buildings, amounting to between $5,000 and $6,000, were chiefly raised in the vicinity by subscriptions in land, money, materials and labor. The largest donors were Levi Marsh, $1,050 ; George S. Williams, $370; J. M. Yount, $300; Andrew Hale, $290; S. W. Hutton, $275; T. G. Arbuthnot, $170; Martin Smith, $150; Samuel Miles, $120; I. R. Compton, $120; E. Thompson, $100. Levi Marsh was, by the subscrib- ers, appointed Trustee.
A. A. Sawin entered into bonds to maintain a high school for ten years, or refund to those who had donated real estate.
The school was opened in Marsh Hall, in the Spring of 1862. In 1863, Mr. Sawin moved the school into a frame building, erected by himself on the institute grounds.
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