USA > Indiana > Bartholomew County > History of Bartholomew County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc. : Together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 47
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City of Columbus .-- The first school in the town of Columbus was taught by Andrew Wallace in 1825. Mrs. Harriet (Hinkston) Jones and the mother of Zach Hauser attended this school. The teachers boarded at " Hinkston Tavern." About the year 1828, one Redenbough taught in a log cabin at the cross roads south of the fair grounds. In 1830, John R. Phillips taught in a new log
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house southeast of the same cross roads. B. B. Jones and sister, now Mrs. Dr. Hinman, and Dr. J. C. Beck, of Cincinnati, were pu- "pils of the school. The wife of Dr. John Ritchey taught in this town in 1829. The Doctor had come from Butler County, Ohio, early in 1829. His wife was the first lady teacher in the town of Columbus and probably the second in the county. Next came Robert Gessie who taught one or more terms in the old Union Church on Third Street, which was used both as church and school house - Hon. W. H. II.2 Terrell, William Washburn and B. B. Jones attended this school. Mr. Washburn says that the whips stood in the corner or lay on pegs in the wall, and that the "cat o' nine tails " was kept in the teacher's desk. He also states that the whips were real instruments of torture in the hands of Gessie, but the " cat o' nine tails " frightened the pupils and did little real harm; as he had no doubt tested the good points of each, we take his word at par. Gessie was considered a good teacher. Mrs. Brough, the wife of Hipple Brough, an Englishman, taught school and needle work in 1830, in the old church on the Third Street, on the lot now owned and occupied by the family of Samuel Samuels. This was probably the first attempt in the State to intro- duce manual labor by a school teacher. ITipple Brough was the first person naturalized in Bartholomew County.
Columbus Public Schools .- The history of the public schools of this city begins with the year 1859. Prior to that time, private schools were taught in different places in the town and in the old brick building, in the northwest part of the city, now known as the " Old. Seminary." These schools were kept up by private dona- tion and subscription, assisted by public funds. Under such an ar- rangement, the education of the children was, oftentimes, sadly neglected. In the year IS58, a movement was made looking toward the erection of a public school building. Ralph Hill, now of Indianapolis, Col. Simcon Stansifer, of this city, and Aquilla Jones, now postmaster of Indianapolis, were foremost in the work. These gentlemen constituted the first Public School Board of this city. A tax, the highest allowed by law, was levied, a site se- lected, an architect consulted, plans submitted, and a building, worthy the effort it had cost, was completed in the year 1859, and
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was, as is expressed in stone over the front door, a gift "To Our Children." This stone also bears the names of " William Tinsley, Architect," and " Rowley & Branham, Builders." The shade trees, now grown so large, were also the gift of citizens, the donors themselves setting them in the ground. The schools opened under favorable circumstances. Mr. Theodore P. Marsh was chosen first Superintendent, and continued as such until the year IS61, when he was succeeded by Prof. J. M. Olcott. He remained in that po- sition till 1862, and was succeeded by Mr. -. Vance, who also re- mained but a year. Mr. Vance was followed by Prof. David Shuck, who remained in charge but one or two terms of the year, when the work was taken up by Mr. Amos Burns, whose superin- tendence continued until the fall of 1865. During all these years, from the opening of the schools in the year 1859, to the fall of the year 1865, there is no record of attendance of pupils nor a complete list of the teachers employed. At the close of the schools in May, 1865, the number of pupils in attendance was near 300. David Graham, then Superintendent of the Public School of Madison, Ind., was employed, and began his labor in the fall of 1865. He continued as Superintendent until the sum- mer of 1869, when the present incumbent, A. H. Graham, suc- ceeded him.
The rapid increase in the attendance kept pace with the growth of the town, and it was found necessary to furnish more room. It was decided to enlarge the building of 1859, and during the sum- mer of 1873, the work was pushed forward, and by the first of January, 1874, a building containing ten (10) school rooms, a hall with seating capacity of 600, a music room and Superintendent's office, was completed, and the children of the city took possession with glad hearts, on the morning of January 12, 1874. This build- ing is now known as the Central School. Although the seating capacity had been nearly doubled by the remodeling of this build- ing it was all occupied the first year, and the crowded condition of the rooms was again temporarily relieved by the Board renting the school building known then as "Classical Institute," now occupied as a blacksmith shop near the grain elevator. In the year 1877, the First Ward school building was erected on the corner of Sec-
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ond and Franklin streets. It was hardly opened until its desks were all occupied. In the spring of the year ISSo, the School "Board, keeping pace with the demands, selected a site in the northern part of the city, on the corner of Twelfth and Sycamore streets, for the erection of another ward building. It was completed, and on the 15th of November, ISSo, was given to the children. Both of these ward schools are handsome and substantial brick buildings, with seating capacity of 200 pupils each, with spacious hallways and cloak rooms.
In the summer of ISS4 the Central School had become too small for the number of school children in this district of the city, and the Board was compelled to give additional room, which was done by erecting, on the same grounds, a frame building containing two large rooms for primary grades. The manufacturing interests of Columbus during this time, and for several years following, were greatly prosperous and gave such a steady and substantial growth to the city that it was but a short time until the problem of more school room was again presented to the Board for solution. It was now determined to erect a city school. The work was begun in' June, 1886, and pushed forward with all possible speed. It was completed and ready for use by the opening of the schools in Sep- tember following. The building stands on Pearl Street between Seventh and Eighth. It is complete in all its appointments, an or- nament to the city, and an honor to its projectors. It has, on the first floor, two large recitation rooms, library room and Superinten- dent's office. On the second floor, a large chapel, used also as a recitation room, an apparatus room and class recitation room. There are spacious halls and cloak rooms on both floors. For the first time in many years it may truly be said that Columbus has room, comfortable and ample, for all her school children.
The present enrollment (March, 18SS), is near 1,200. In the High School there are 107 students. The following are the officers and teachers of the public schools: School Board, John H. Long, President; John G. Lay, Treasurer; William F. Kendall, Secre- tary; Superintendent, A. H. Graham. High School: Miss Eliza- beth Long, Principal; Miss C. D. Laird, Assistant; Samuel Wertz, Assistant. Central School: Mrs. Lou M. Summers, Principal;
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Mrs. M. W. Edson, Miss Jennie Snyder, Miss Anna Nicol, Mr. S. M. Glick, Miss Fannie Pope, Miss Anna G. Watson, Miss Lois Wets, Miss Clara Shultz, Miss Lottie Gaston, Miss Zue B. Shirk, Miss Mary L. Veach. South School: Mr. R. Becker, Prin- cipal; Miss Minnie B. Keith, Mrs. Lina S. Reeves, Miss Mary A. Clark. North School: Mr. John L. Rose, Principal; Miss Helena Roesgen, Miss Ada Hofer, Miss Jennie Hayes.
Haw Crock Township .- One of the first schools taught in this township was by a Mr. Maccabee on the site of the town of Hlarts- ville,. as early as 1833. This is given on the authority of Mrs. Rogers who lives in Hartsville and has just celebrated her one hundredth anniversary. The first school at Hope was taught by L. J. Levering, about the year 1830. The Hon. Thomas Essex, who has been already mentioned, began teaching in this township soon after the last date, and continued for a number of years. He was an excellent teacher and did much to inspire in his pupils a de- sire to live noble, patriotic and useful lives. Philip Essex, one of the early settlers and teachers in this part of the country, no doubt taught in this township previous to 1840, but we do not know the exact date. Sandy Spaugh taught several schools in this township along in the 40's, and later. Robert Spaugh taught near old Saint Louis about 1845-47, and Rev. Albert Carter taught in the same neighborhood from 1847-50. Prof. Henry J. Kluge was one of the earlier teachers in Hope and vicinity. He was a fine scholar and an enthusiastic educator. He was the first principal of the Moravian Female Seminary, which was opened in 1859. He continued in charge of that institution for several years. He also taught in the public schools of the township. Prof. F. R. Holland has been identified with the school interests of this township and county for more than twenty years. He became principal of the Moravian Seminary for Young Ladies, in 1866, which position he held until the school was closed. It is well here to remark that many of our best lady teachers have been pupils of this seminary. Prof. Holland served several years as a member of the School Board of the town of Hope, and one term of two years as Trus- tee of Haw Creek Township. In all these positions he was a good counselor and an ardent supporter of the common school system of
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his adopted State. He is a man of broad culture, of liberal views, good executive ability, and takes deep interest in the education and elevation of the youth of our country.
Notwithstanding a sketch of Hartsville University is given in another place, a brief reference to its work in connection with our public schools, will not be out of place. The school was organized in 1851, as Hartsville University. The charter given was a liberal one, and was introduced into the Legislature by Hon. Thomas Essex, of this county. Since that time a large number of our teach- ers have received more or less education within its walls, many of them graduating in the scientific or classical course. While many of them have continued to teach in this and adjoining coun- ties, others have dropped out, and some have taken up other pro- fessions or engaged in business. Among the large number of teachers who deserve honorable mention, we can only find space for a few names: W. D. Williams, Albert Wertz, Mrs. Lucretia (Shuck) Armen and Miss Tenie Murphy, of Hartsville public schools. S. M. Glick, W. T. Strickland, James H. Clark, James C. Black, J. Frank Matson, Mrs. Lottie (Holder) Redman, Misses Carrie Ricksceker, Florence Jones and Alice Kluge, of Hope. D. A. Robertson, John L. Rose, William F. Barrett, A. B. Clapp and Misses Jennie Handley, Alta Renny, Monta Hopkins, Susie Shore and Druzie R. Lytle.
Flat Rock Township .- Miss Mary Smith, eldest daughter of Garland Smith, taught the first school in the county in 1821 in a round log cabin in this township about one mile west of Clifford, probably on land owned by Samuel Quick, father of the late Judge Tunis Quick. Philip Essex, father of Mrs. Albert Carter and Wells Essex, taught a school in a cabin near the Owens school house in Hawpatch about 1830. Thomas Essex, a brother of Philip and of the late Hon. Lewis Essex, of this county, taught near the south line of the township in 1829-30, in a cabin on the Jesse Rud- dick farm. He was educated in North Carolina, and was said to be the best scholar in the county at that time. William Ruddick, M. J. Quick and the Sims boys, Noah and Russell, attended this school.
Robert Louden taught several terms; one at Liberty grave-
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yard about 1830-32. Justin Dudley and Mr. Blair were also carly teachers. Major William Nye, who was born and educated in Vermont, taught in Hawpatch one mile west of Clifford, about 1838. Ile continued to teach in this township perhaps as late as 1855. Ile was a good teacher and was qualified to teach algebra, geometry and surveying. The families of Judge Quick and Joshua McQueen were among his pupils. Sandy Spaugh taught a school in the northeast part of the township in 1844-45. The families of Philip Reed and John Essex attended this school. Rev. Amos Essex, now in Cherryvale, Kan., taught in the Quick school house about 1866. Of the later teachers we would name Isaac Lucas, John W. McQueen, Julius Norton, Dr. James L. Carr, Charles T. Meseke, Oscar D. McQueen, Misses Mary McFall, Fannie Fisher and Amanda Carter.
German Township .- The first school in this township was taught by William Morris as early as 1824-25. It was held in a small log cabin one-fourth mile west of present residence of Joseph Steinbarger. Eli Pence, who still lives in the township, was one of his pupils. A school was taught by a Yankee teacher in an old deserted cabin on Judge Jones' farm at an early date. His name was Morey Artie. He came from Vermont. He was a bright, wide-awake teacher, and made his mark. The boys of Judge Jones and Samuel Brown were among his pupils. James T. Gar- rettson taught school in a log school house near the old Union Church in 1847. Strander and George Bozell and Benjamin Schuder, were patrons of this school. Among the later teachers- G. W. Chandler, David Stobo, Jesse M. Hook, H. II. Winn, Mrs. Sue W. Buxton, Mrs. Myra W. Edson, and H. S. Struble, deserve honorable mention. This township has been noted for long terms of school, and it was one of the first in the county to build brick school houses in each district. Taylorsville has a commodious four-room structure-neat in appearance and a model of con- venience. Large school districts, together with a large list of tax- able property and wide-awake school officers, supported by generous-hearted patrons who believe in the education of their children as early in life as possible, will account for their valuable school property and long terms of school. Such townships who
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have the ability should establish a Township Graded School and employ a teacher of well known scholarship and large experience for the benefit of their young men and young women.
Columbus Township .- In writing up the early school history of the city of Columbus, much of it has a history of township schools outside of the present city limits. Under the above heading any facts pertaining to either city or township not already given may be included. After the adoption of the new Constitution in 1851, a system of graded schools was adopted by the Trustees of the city of Columbus, and the schools were organized in IS52, by James Brownlee, in the "old Seminary building." In the first report made by State Superintendent Larabee, in 1853, special mention is made of the graded schools of Columbus. The number of children then reported was 200. Elisha P. Jones taught a school as early as 1827 in a log cabin about one-half mile north of the old Elias Cox farm. He afterward taught a school in the old Liberty meeting house in Columbus. John S. Foster attended this school. John Bass taught in a school house at Jacob Cook's crossing on the Cambridge Rail- road, in 1838. Prof. John S. Hougham, late of Franklin College, Indiana, taught in the same school house in 1841. George W. Aikens and Jacob Cook attended these schools. John D. Fawcett, father of Mrs. Laura C. Arnold, taught school in Columbus as early as 1836, and probably in other parts of the township as late as 1843. Silas W. Kelley taught in the Carter settlement about 1836. John Boggs came from Ohio about 1839, and taught in the old Liberty Union church and school house on Third Street. He introduced the Eclectic series of school books, which was a great improvement. This was a mixed school of girls and boys. The boys turned him out on Christmas. He taught for several years and then became an editor of a periodical published at Cincinnati. William French, Lyman Dewey, John McNeal, Lewis P. Wilkin- . son, Mrs. Martha Hook, D. B. Farrington and Mrs. D. B. Farring- ton were teachers in the city and township from 1839 to 1844. Mrs. Hook was afterward married to Benjamin Irwin, of New Hope. Many reminiscences of these teachers might be given did space permit. We can only name some of the later teachers of the township: John R. Owens, Tunis J. Quick, Frank Hays, James
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Abbett, Walter J. Wallace, William H. Turner, William Spuhler, T. C. Ahern, A. P. Long, Luther Burns, Miss Minnie B. Keith, Mrs. Lena (Anvine) Ruddick and William F. Norton.
Clifty and Clay Torenships. -- These two townships having been under one organazation until 18 42, we shall consider them as one in giving their school history. William Morris, a young teacher from Pennsylvania, taught the first school in this township in 1822-23, on the south bank of Clifty, about two miles west of Newbern, where General Charles Scott's Army crossed Clifty on their expe- dition against the Indians in May, 1791. George D. Roland, Mrs. Sally Ilook, Mrs. Luke Covert, and perhaps others yet living, at- tended this school. Mrs. John Morris, mother of William, taught three summers in the same house. The old log house where these schools were held, was built by Samuel Phillips in 1819, and used first as a dwelling. The cabin of the first settler became the school house a few years later. Joseph Hart, great grandfather of George Pence, of Pencecalla, this county, taught school at the Sandhill Cemetery about 1824-25. Ile continued teaching for several years. Bond Burnett, John S. Foster, William Branham, and J. Swain were pupils. Hestin Buchanan taught here in 1832. Joseph Hart in 1833, and Justin M. Dudley in 1836. The last named was a classical scholar. Dr. J. C. Beck, of Cincinnati, attended the last three schools. John Williams taught in this school house a few years later. It was then called the Hart schoolhouse. Aaron Davis taught the first school in Newbern in an old cabin, in the summer of IS31. Rev. Aaron Farmer taught there in 1836. John Ed- wards, a lame man, taught school in his own house in Newbern, where he kept " bachelor's hall " in 1830. A hewed log school was built by citizens in the western part of Newbern in 1839. This was the first school house erected in the neighborhood, and we are at liberty to assume that it was built in regulation style " according to statute " made and provided. Mr. James T. Garrettson was the first teacher in this house. He continued to teach there for several years. Dr. J. C. Beck, who was a pupil, says he was one of the best teachers of the early day. Dr. W. T. Stott, now president of Franklin College, taught in District No. 6, in Clay Township, pre- vious to 1860. Samuel J. Beck taught at Newbern in 1857, and
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several years before this about two miles east of the village. David Stobo in 1858, and Thomas Clapp in 1863, Mrs. Jane Shepherd as as early as 1864 to 1870. Dr. W. II. Beck of Hartsville taught several terms in this township along in the 50's. Miss E. Nellie Beck, now assistant editor of the Advance Courier, published at Bartow, Florida, taught in Newbern in 186S.
It will be seen by reference to a map of these townships in con- nection with the carly settlements which were made along or near the banks of Clifty that the four points named where schools were mainly held, at least up to 1850, were located, so as to accommodate the greater number of the children in these townships. Of course the children had to walk two or three miles through an unbroken forest to reach these " seats of learning," and it is no wonder then that a boy who had mastered the three R's was voted a very bright pupil, and the master a successful teacher. None of the pioneer teachers, or those who taught during the first quarter of a century after settlement, now remain. But few of the second quarter are with us. Of those belonging to the last two decades, we would mention, W. M. Garrettson, J. W. Bline, Thomas Clapp, James Mahaffey, Preston R. Redman, now of Tacoma, Oregon, William J. Beck, N. F. Glick, Edward A. Herod, C. W. 'Adams, James Finkle, George H. Glick, Dr. F. D. Norton, Rev. Charles Boaz, F. G. Hecker, J. W. Donaker, George A. Lytle, of Illinois, D. A. Mobley and Edward K. Adams, of Shelbyville.
Sand Creek Township .- William Parker, grandfather of Willis and Phineas Parker, taught the first school in this township in 1822, near the site of the present Friends' Seminary. . He was from North Carolina and settled at Salem, Ind., in 1820, coming to this county in 1821. William Knott taught near the same place in the Old Friends' Church, in 1831, and Horatio Treakle in 1832. Barnabas C. Hobbs taught his first school in 1833, on or near the site of the present seminary building. He was then only eighteen years of age, but taught a very successful school. He received his education at the old seminary taught by James G. May, in Salem, Washington County, Ind. Five families furnished twenty-five scholars for this school in Sand Creek. Joel Newsom, Willis Parker, Cader Newsom, Jesse R. Newsom, Isaac P. Cox,
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and perhaps others still living, attended this school. Many pleas- ant memories will be recalled by the mention of the names of these teachers: The first lady teachers were Miss Abigail Albertson, who taught in 1834, and Miss Mary Moore, in IS3S.
The first school house, in the northwest part of this township, was built on the farm now owned by Jesse R. Newsom. Harvey Sloan taught there in 1838, and Hawly Chenowith in IS40. The house burned down while Chenowith was teacher. The first school kept on the section was tanight in an old deserted log dwelling, by William Marshall in 1841. H. Sloan also taught one term in 1843. Jesse R. Newsom taught his first school at Azalia in 1851, and the next one on the section in 1852. Joel S. Davis taught his first school on the section in I855-56, and also in 1857-58, each term being three months. Hon. W. T. Friedley of Jefferson County, Ind., taught a school at Azalia in the 50's. Joseph Moore, ex-President of Earlham College, Miss Linda Mills, L. Estes, Prof. R. G. Boone, now of the State University, L. J. Woodward, J. J. Mills, President of Earlham College, O. B. Todhunter, W. N. Trueblood, the Misses Parker, and the Misses Armstrong, and many others who taught at the seminary, will be remembered with pleasure. We also mention B. F. Owens, Marshall Hacker, J. B. Anderson, Dr. H. M. Connelly, Ab. Anderson, at Elizabethtown, and T. H. Dunn, C. Ricketts, W. H. Redman, and Charles New- som, at the section. Also Pennie Newsom, L. P. Cox, W. J. Davis, A. H. Morris, and Misses Rhoda Parker, and Ida Davis, and S. E. Nicholson of the township.
Nineveh Township .- John Wilson, who was probably the first teacher in this township, taught a school in a cabin of John S. Dry- bread's farm about 1832. Mrs. Jacob Slack was a pupil in his school at that time. Thomas Lowry taught several terms in dis- trict number one, in the northeastern part of the township, previous to 1838. William Lee taught in the same house in 1839, and Henry Barlow, in IS40. John Ball taught one or more terms in the western part of the township near the village of Kansas. Next came Elzea Matthews, Hiram Jackson and Z. Y. Bailey, the latter in 1841. John S. Drybread, who is still living on a farm in this neighborhood, attended these schools, and still retains a lively inter-
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est in his log cabin school days. The veteran teacher, Jacob Slack, taught his first school, which was a subscription school, in district "number one, in IS41, near the residence of J. D. Marsh, a pioneer of this township. Ile also taught the two winters following in the same house at the rate of forty dollars per term of three months. This was considered good wages for a teacher at that time. Mr. Slack continued to teach each year in different parts of the town- ship until about ISSo -a period of forty years' continuous service. His record in this respect as a teacher in the common schools is per- haps not excelled by any one in the State. Ile is still living and is a man of great moral worth. It is probable that others of the early teachers continued to teach in the township several years later. Jonathan Hammond commenced teaching in this township about 1856, and continued until his death in 1875. He was a good teacher and was probably the best-posted teacher in geography in the county. We can only find space to mention the names of a few of the many good teachers of this township: William Beatty, J. H. Beatty, George C. Hammond, George C. Hubbard, John M. Hickey, Jacob Stucker, James H. Clark and Elijah S. Carter, will all be pleasantly remembered by both patrons and pupils.
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