USA > Indiana > Orange County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 64
USA > Indiana > Washington County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 64
USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 64
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At what is known as Harned Chapel, three miles southwest of Valeene, is another class of the Methodist Church that was formed about the year 1845. Thechurch house was built of logs and afterward weather-boarded. It is now a very comfortable building and has cost about $500, being contributed by the people living adjacently. Thomas Harned and family, the Dillards, Sloans, Crandalls, Bateses, Stones and others were among the principal early members. Three of the Harned boys-William, Michael and John-became noted as preachers, they first preaching at Indianopolis and Jeffersonville. This church has been prosperous and in connection with it is maintained a good Sunday-school.
The Christian Church at Valeene was organized about the year 1830. The Hollowell family, the Selfs, the Moores, the Pirtles, the Sanderses, the Crittendens, the Bobbitts, the Fergusons, Samuel Harned, William Holaday and many others have been among the prominent members of this society. The first preachers were two brothers, Peter and Jolin Wright, from Washington County. Other ministers have been David Stewart. Eli Stewart, John Hollowell, Jr., H. Bobbitt, Henry Crittenden, John Davis, Moses Smith, Nehemiah Tower and Samson Cox, the present pastor. The first house cost about $150, and in 1855 a good frame was built which cost $600, but this was destroyed by a cyclone in 1874. The present house. a frame, was immediately erected at a cost of $1,000, or thereabouts.
CHURCHES IN STAMPERS CREEK TOWNSHIP.
The United Brethren Church in the southwestern part of Stampers Creek Township was organized in the latter part of the twenties some- time, but the exact date is not known. The first meetings of the society that can now be learned of were held at the house of Joseph Danner who
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then lived on the farm now owned by Edward Mussear and the first min- ister was probably Samuel Haines. This church has had a gradnal and uninterrupted term of prosperity and now has a membership of about sixty persons. The present house of worship was built in 1850 and is called Danner's Chapel. It is a frame structure and the original cost was in the neighborhood of $300. It belongs to the Paoli Circuit and the present minister is Mr. John A. Richardson.
The Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church was organized in August, 1870, at the house of Josiah Thomas in the southern end of Stampers Creek Township. The meetings of this society have always been held at what is known as the Green Brier Schoolhouse. The first members were Josiah Thomas, William T. Wells, Isaac Underwood, John R. Thomas and their wives, Jacob O. and Elizabeth Thomas. Under the charge of Mr. Josiah Thomas, as minister, the church has been ordinarily successful and it now has twenty- four members.
About one and three-fourth miles south from Millersburg, in Stampers Creek Township, is the Pleasant Grove Regular Baptist Church. This society was formed about the year 1876, and immediately built the present church house they occupy, which is a good and substantial frame costing about $500. Francis M. Mattox was the first preacher of the class, and has been such ever since, and now occupies that position. Among the first members were: H. H. Polson and wife, William McIn- tosh and wife, Phoebe Rigney, Phoebe Strange, William Jones, Polly A. Jones and others. Services are held here every third Saturday in each month, and the organization is growing.
LIBERTY CHURCH, NORTHEAST TOWNSHIP.
In the northeastern part of Orleans Township is situated the Liberty Meeting Honse. The society here was probably organized in the year 1819, and is of the Christian or Campbellite denomination. Some of the first members were: Christian and Adam Hostetler, David S. Lewis, John Ribbel and their wives. This organization for a time flourished and took rank as the foremost church of its kind in the connty for sev. eral years, but other classes being organized in this part of the county drew away much of its strength, although it is yet a strong society. It was probably organized at the honse of a Mr. Knight, who lived in the neighborhood, and the meetings were held at private honses for some time. About the year 1824 or 1825, a hewed-log. house was built which continued to be used until the building now in use was erected, about the year 1855. This is a good and substantial frame, 40x60 feet. and cost, it is said, about $2,000. The present membership is about 150, and the minister is Rev. Jonathan Stanley.
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CHAPTER IX.
BY JAMES L. NOBLITT.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY-THE EARLY SCHOOLS OF PAOLI AND TOWNSHIP-CHARACTER OF THE EARLY HOUSES-OLD METHODS OF INSTRUCTION AND CORRECTION-NAMES OF SCHOLARS AND PATRONS- THE TEACHERS-THE SUBSCRIPTION SCHOOLS-THE FIRST AND SUBSE- QUENT FUNDS-THE COUNTY SEMINARY-HIGH SCHOOLS-THE SOUTH- ERN INDIANA NORMAL SCHOOL-EDUCATION IN EACH TOWNSHIP TRACED -THE ORLEANS ACADEMY-THE TEACHERS' INSTITUTES-A GENENAL VIEW OF THE SCHOOLS.
THE first school established in Paoli Township was in a small round - log-house, situated upon the land of David Thompson's heirs, in Section 16, Town 1 north, Range 1 east, one mile west of Chambers. burg. The first teacher was an old gentlemam named Tomlinson. He could teach reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. Among the patrons were the Chamberses and Lindleys. This was probably the first school ever taught in Orange County. There is now no person living who attended this school. Mr. Tomlinson remained here but a short time. and was succeeded by Thornton Brady. Nathan Farlow is the only person now living (1884) who attended Mr. Brady's school. The next teacher was Duncan Darrock, succeeded by Thomas Newlin. William G. Chambers attended during Mr. Newlin's term. John Murray taught about one mile south of this in 1823. These schools were super- seded by the establishing of a school at Lick Creek, in 1824, at the site of the present school building. This was the first district school estab- lished in the county under the Congressional Township System. It was supported in parts by rents of school land. John Murray taught here in the fall of 1824. Thomas Newlin was teacher about 1828-29. He gave his pupils a treat of cakes and pies at Christmas time. It was served at his residence, a half mile from the schoolhonse. The honse was a log building 18 x 24 feet. It was replaced by a frame house in 1822. Among the patrons were the Chamberses, Lindleys, Thompsons, Lynches and Gillums. William C. Gillum attended during 1829. Shadrack B. A. Carter and Jonathan Prosser were early teachers in this neighborhood. The studies embraced reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic and grammar. Several years after this Morris Pritchard introduced the first geography. Later than this Levi Woody taught here a number of years. He was a good teacher. Under his management the school was well supported, and became one of the best in the county under the district system. All the
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common school branches, including algebra and philosophy were taught. The patrons at this time were the Lindleys, Chamberses, Towels, Dixons, Clouds, McVeys, Thompsons and Coxes. Miss Asenath Cox, who became a very excellent teacher, was a pupil of this school.
In the meanwhile other schools had been established in this and adjoining neighborhoods. In 1816 the citizens built a small log house near Thomas Atkinson's place, three miles south of Paoli, and employed a Mr. McIntire to teach, Shadrack Ditts taught here about 1820. The patrons of this school were the Atkinsons, Stouts, Farlows, Grimeses, Mormans, Boltons, Lambdins and Throops. Sophia Throop, then a young girl, walked three miles morning and evening to attend the school. Miss Throop afterward became the first lady teacher in the county. The studies in this school embraced reading, writing, spelling and primary arithmetic. In 1816 Evan Jones taught a school in a house which had been used as a dwelling, about one mile south of Paoli. The next year the citizens of this neighborhood built a schoolhouse on land of Nathan Farlow, west of Beachgrove Church. Roderick McLuskey, an Irishman, was the first.teacher. He was succeeded by Thornton Brady in 1818. Mr. Brady was a good man and was much beloved by his pupils. The patrons of this school were the Farlows, Truebloods, Wolfingtons, Pin- nicks, Williamses, Weeks, Boyds, Hills, Lindleys, Dishons, Dixons and Hollowells. Mary Hollowell, who was said to be the first female child born within the present limits of Orange County, was a pupil of this school. Miss Hollowell afterward became Mrs. Joseph Clendenin. About the year 1820 Maj. Doak opened a school in a small house near the sink of Stampers Creek. Among his patrons were the Lewises, John- sons, Sniders and Mahans. He was followed by Richard Mills near the present site of Rifetown in 1821, and he by John Murray, at same place, in 1822.
In 1825 the citizens built a log house, 18x18 feet, on the land of Cyrus Quackenbush. It was furnished with split sapling seats and one glass window, a log being taken ont on the other side to admit light. Henry M. Canaday was the first teacher. The branches of study were reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. This was the first silent school taught in the county. Mr. Canaday remained here three years and was succeeded by Samuel Dalton. Samuel Hudelson studied gram- mar at this school. The patrons were the Hudelsons, Elrods, Lindleys and others. During the summer of 1839 Sophia Throop taught in this district. The house was situated on Owen Lindley's place. Lindleys and Wellses were among her patrons. In 1841 William Hudleson and John Hollowell, District Trustees, built a log schoolhouse two miles northwest of Paoli. Judge John Baker, now of Vincennes, Ind., built the chimney for this house. Theodore Stackhouse taught here in 1845. The studies embraced all the common school branches; wages of teacher,
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per month, term of three months, $18, public money. Remainder paid by rate bills. Patrons were Hudlesons, Hollowells, Ellises, Braztans, and Milligans. Mr. William Hndelson served as District Trustee here for more than fifteen years, for which service he never charged or received any pay. Schoolhouses being inconvenient in some neighbor- hoods, churches were used for schoolhouses. Alexander Morris taught at Newberry in 1831. Julia Talbert taught in the old log church at Stampers Creek in 1841. Sophia Throop also taught one school here. In 1832 Sarah Chambers taught a school where Chambersburg has since been located. She received $1.50 per pupil for a term of three months. Among her patrons were the Cateses, Chamberses and Robinses.
Under the congressional township system, Paoli Township had the county seminary and five district schoolhouses in which to educate her 800 children. At the August election in 1848 her people refused to exchange these for a free school system. The vote was as follows: For free schools, forty-five votes; against free schools, 339 votes. The same question being again submitted in 1843, there were 116 votes in the affirmative and 258 in the negative. In 1850, and again in 1851, the question was voted upon. At this last election there were 133 votes in the affirmative, and 201 in the negative, but free schools came to Orange County without an affirmative vote of her people, by the passage of the school law of 1852.
The first Trustees in this township were Henry M. Hobbs, William Rhodes and Levi Woody. They were elected April, 1853, and on the 30th day of May submitted the proposition to vote a tax for building schoolhouses by taxation to a vote of the people. This proposition was defeated by a majority of 106 votes. The Trustees estimated the cost of schoolhouses required to furnish educational privileges to the children of the township at $5,000. But as the money could not be raised without an affirmative vote of the people, the result of the late election was accepted as a final blow at the public schools of the township. The Board of Trustees now declined to purchase the county seminary build- ing, which was sold in August of that year, pleading want of funds and the unwillingness of the people to be taxed for schoolhouse purposes. But happily the Legislature of 1555 furnished a remedy for this state of affairs by giving the Board of Trustees the power to levy without the vote of the people. The Board now proceeded to divide the township into ten districts. The first levy was made in 1856, being 25 cents on each $100 worth of property, and 50 cents on each poll. Four of the district houses were adopted and six new houses built, one each year. The county seminary was afterward purchased and used as a public school building by the township. The first free schools were in the winter of 1855-56. Paoli Township bas now thirteen school districts. The build- ings are substantial frame houses, being well finished and furnished with
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improved furniture and school apparatus. Schools are sustained from five and a half to six months each year, at a cost of about $3,000 per annum for tuition expenses.
PAOLI TOWN SCHOOLS.
The first school in the town of Paoli was taught about the year 1817, by James Stores. The house was built for a dwelling. and was fitted up for school in true primitive style. Mr. Stores taught but one term, and and was succeeded by Joseph Athon. Not much concerning these schools has been learned. The Braxtana, Lindleys and Campbells were here, and probably attended, but of those who were pupils then all are gone to that land over and beyond "the river." About 1829 Benoni Jackson opened a select school in his dwelling-house in the east part of town. This school was continued several years. Mr. Jackson was a good teacher, and was liberally patronized by the people of the town. The Braztans. McVeys, Campbells, Merrits and Hoggatts were among his patrons. About the year 1832 Mrs. A. M. Collins taught a school in a frame house east of the southeast corner of the public square. The Braxtans, Wellses and Merrita were pupils. Robert Higgins, of Orangeville, attended this school. Later than this, Col. John Murray taught in the Hoggatt prop- erty in the east part of town. He was succeeded by James Brooks, and he by Bartlet Coffin. The patrons of this school were the Me Veys, Tow. els, Browns, Huggatts, Braxtans and Hazlewoods. B. R. Harrison taught here in 1844 and 1845. About the years 1841 and 1842, Col. Murray tangbt in the White property in the west part of town. At Christmas time he gave his pupils a " treat " of cider and apples. Dr. Green Hazle- wood. of Chambersburg, attended the school. The school history of the town of Paoli is nearly all included in the history of the seminary.
. THE COUNTY SEMINARY.
The idea of a county seminary originated with the Constitution of 1816, which provided that all fines assessed for any breach of the penal laws, and all money paid as an equivalent by persons exempt from mili- tary duty. except in time of war, should be applied to the support of county seminaries in the counties wherein they were assessed. This money was held in trust by a Seminary Trustee, appointed at first by the Governor of the State, and afterward by the Boards of County Commis- sioners, and later elected by the people at a general election. Thomas Coffin, John Pinnick and Thomas Chapman, in the order named, served as Trustees of Seminary Fund in Orange County. The following act incorporated the seminary.
AN ACT INCORPORATING A SEMINARY IN THE COUNTY OF GIBSON AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, APPROVED JANUARY 21, 1826. * .
SECTION 8. The county seminary for the county of Orange is hereby estab. .ished at the town of Paoli, the seat of justice of said county. and it is hereby made
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the duty of the President and Associate Judges of the Circuit Court of said county at the first term of sald court, after the passage of this act, to appoint five good and lawful freeholders, residents of said county, as Trustees of said seminary, whose duty it shall be to take an oath or affirmation that they will well and truly discharge the duties assigned them as aforesaid for the term of one year from and after their appointment, and until their successors are appointed and qualified in the manner prescribed in the foregoing provisions of this act: and the Trustees of the Orange County Seminary Fund is hereby required to pay over all moneys that are or may come into his hands for the use of sald seminary to the Trustees of said seminary. or their order, when called on for that purpose: the Judges and Trustees of said county shall be governed In all other respects by the provisions of the foregoing sections of this act, except that nothing In this act contained shall be so construed as to abolish the office of Seminary Trustee In the said county of Orange. This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
The Trustees appointed under this act, were Lewis Byrum, John Scant. lin, John G. Clendenin, Andrew Wilson and Joseph Potts. This Board, after being organized as required by law, proceeded to procure a site for the proposed building. Lot No. 50 was purchased from William Hen- dricks for $40; a part of Lot No. 57, from Orange County, for $24, and a part of Lot No. 51 from William Spooner donated for the encourage- ment of education. The seminary building was erected during the summer of 1827. Henderson and Holt were the contractors who built it. We have not been able to learn the contract price or cost of the building, nor have we been able to obtain the date when the first school was opened here, but it was probably late in 1827, or early in 1828.
THE SEMINARY TEACHERS.
Joseph Athon, who had previously been teaching in town, was the first teacher in the seminary. He taught but a short time and was suc- ceeded by David Adams, who taught here during 1828-29. The patrons at this time were the Braxtans, Campbells, Scantlins, Clendenins, Donghertys, Lindleys and Spooners. Birney taught about 1830. He was succeeded by a man named Sisson. About this time Henry M. Ken- nedy taught for short time. T. B. Kinder had charge of the school during 1833. He was a fine teacher of penmanship. Samuel T. Lind- ley was a pupil this year. Rev. William Martin taught a term in the seminary about this time. Mr. Martin was a good man and well-beloved by all who knew him, but he evidently did not understand all the ways of thoughtless boys, as he could not succeed in maintaining discipline in school. During his term Thomas N. Braxtan and John G. Clendenin, Jr .. having committed some offense in school, in order to evade punish- ment jumped out of the window and ran away to the top of the hill north of town: here they climbed a beech tree and rested in fancied security. But Mr. Martin was not to be outdone this time. He followed them and having brought them down, proceeded to administer a whipping there, lest his anger might cool while returning to the schoolhouse. That tree is still standing, and Mr. Braxtan declares that he would not
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have it destroyed for $500. During the summer of 1835, a feeling was worked up favorable to increasing the efficiency of the County Seminary. A. J. Simpson, Thomas Coffin, Hiram Braxtan and David Adams, having been appointed Seminary Trustees, resolved to raise the standard of the institution to that of other seminaries iu the State. They accordingly gave notice that "a teacher who can come well recommended as to moral character, and who is well qualified to teach the Greek and Latin languages, together with Mathematics and English language," would be employed to take charge of County Seminary. As a result of this notice, Mr. James A. Watson, a learned and scholarly man, was employed. He opened school the second Monday in October, 1835. Mr. Watson was a good teacher and conducted the school in a very satisfactory manner. He remained here until about 1838, and was then succeeded by Samuel Newel. The latter was also a successful teacher. At the close of bis - school the pupils produced the play of "William Tell and the Tyrant Gesler." Thomas Cotfin as Tell shot the apple off of John G. Clen- denin's head, who personated Albert. T. N. Braxtan played the part of a soldier. About this time Mrs. L. Green had charge of the female department of County Seminary, and later Mrs. Meur taught the same department. Lawyer Thixton became principal teacher of the seminary about 1839, and James Brooks assistant. Thomas Hunt attended one term this year. About this time Mr. Keller was Principal of the sem- inary. The Legislative mind was never very clear as to the proper manner of electing Seminary Trustees. First they were appointed by the Judges of the Circuit Court; next elected by the people, and afteward appointed by the Board of Commissioners; and in 1841 changed back to an election by the people. :
SEMINARY TEACHERS CONTINUED.
Andrew Wilson, John Hollowell, Josiah Hazlewood, Henry R. Will- iamson and Thomas Nichols were elected Seminary Trustees under this act. They employed Rev. Ennis, a learned man and a good teacher, to take charge of the County Seminary. He remained here for two years. His work was well received, being highly complimented in the county papers. About this time Col. John Murray taught one term in the semi- nary. He taught a loud school, and lost some patronage by so doing. During 1845 and 1846 Marshal D. Maxwell had charge of the school. He was assisted by his sister. They were good teachers. During 1847 and 1848 Rev. Thomas J. Thornton was Principal of the County Semi- nary. He was assisted by Mrs. Lord. The Braxtans, Simpsons, Clen- dennins, Throops, Coffinses, Hauns, Bakers, Craigs, Hazlewoods, Johnsons, Polsons, Merits and Collinses were among the pupils. Charles McCann was teacher during 1849. He was succeeded by Sidney .I. Mayhew. He took charge of the school in 1850, and remained three years. Mrs. S. J. Mayhew had charge of female department during the same time. They
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were successful teachers. They closed their work here in February, 1853. Very strict discipline was maintained at this time, as the following inci- dent will show. Isaac Craig took a large apple to school to eat during school hours. As soon as the school work began, he commenced upon the apple, but had made very little progress when he was discovered by the teacher, who politely requested him to stand in front of the school and finish the apple. That apple was eaten without any remarks, but the tears which flowed from Craig's eyes showed very clearly that he did not enjoy the eating. One more session during the spring of 1853, taught by Mr. O'Brien, and the Orange County Seminary, after a life of a little more than a quarter of a century passed out of existence, being sold in August of that year, as required by act of the Legislature, approved June 12, 1852.
And here let it be remarked, that the Orange County Seminary was in its day a grand institution. U'nder the management of James A. Wat- son. Rev. Ennis, Marshal D. Maxwell, Rev. Thomas J. Thornton, Sidney J. Mayhew and others, it reached a high standard of excellence, and was justly the pride of the people of the town and county. It numbered among its pupils many boys and girls who are still living, useful and honored members of society, who, when they read these pages, will drop a sincere tear of regret to the memory of those of their schoolmates who have passed away.
SALE OF THE SEMINARY.
At the sale of the Seminary above narrated, it was purchased by John C. Albert, who after an ownership of three days transferred it to David Porter. July 19, 1856, A. M. Black, administrator of Porter's estate, transferred it to Paoli Township to be used as a public school building. During this period it had been let to parties who taught private school in it. Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Woodford taught here during 1854-55. In May 1855, there was a call, through the county papers, for a female High School at Paoli. This was started in October 1855, with J. D. P. Hungate as teacher. A fourteen weeks' session was taught. The terms of tuition were first grade $3, second grade $4, and third grade $5, with 20 cents additional in each grade for fuel. L. Norris taught a twelve weeks' session here during the spring of 1856. The patrons of these schools were the Braxtans, Simpsons, Hazlewoods, Lindleys, Whites, Throops, Merits. Alberts, Dayhuffs and others.
The people of Paoli did not have a separate vote upon the question of free schools, but the vote being taken in connection with Paoli Township, the result of that election very nearly expresses the opinion of the people of the town. The first free schools were opened in September, 1856, in the seminary building. Henry P. Jones and Martha MI. Gilbert were the first teachers. Length of session, sixty days. R. S. Thurman teacher during 1557-58. Judge Francis Wilson, of Bedford, taught here during
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