History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 65

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954

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 65
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 65
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 65

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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1860-61. He was succeeded by J. L. Williams in 1863. In summer of 1865 the citizens of Paoli organized and appointed Samuel T. Lindley, L. B. Cogswell and James H. Sherrod, Trustees, who in connection with the Township Trustees, organized the Paoli High School with Professor .N. B. Bowles as Principal. He was assisted by his wife. They were professional teachers. The school was a success from the beginning, both in regard to attendance and thoroughness of the work done. The enthusiasm among the young people of the town and surrounding country was unbounded. The examination at the close of the second term was pronounced a great success by all who were present. Prof. Bowles remained here for two years, during which time many young men and women were prepared to enter the field as teachers in the common schools. These, taking up the work in the country districts, the result was a forward movement all along the line in the schools of Orange County. Asenath Cox, J. S. Wilson, Simeon Green and J. P. Throop also taught public school in the seminary building. In the spring of 1872 the building was sold by the Township and Town Trustees to A. J. Simpson, since which time it has not been used as a school building. It is now owned by W. F. Osborne and occupied as a family residence. To the passer-by it presents no appearance of the ancient schoolhouse, but rather strikes him as being a very neat and substantial brick resi- dence. The public schools were now united with the Normal School.

SOUTHERN INDIANA NORMAL SCHOOL.

The normal school building was erected in 1871, costing $22,000. It is one of the finest school buildings in southern Indiana, and is justly the pride of the people of the town and county. It is a neat brick 90x70 feet, two and a half stories (besides basement), and has in addition to the chapel, office and labratory, six large recitatation rooms, well lighted and furnished. The following is taken, with some alterations, from the annual circular of Prof. W. P. Pinkham, 1876:

The normal school is organized upon the plan of a graded school, consisting of Primary, Intermediate, Grammar and High School Depart- ments. The High School Department is the Normal School proper. The lower departments are intended not only for the instruction of the chil- dren who attend them, but as model schools for the instruction and train- ing of the senior classes in the teacher's course. The leading object of the normal school, and one which chiefly distinguishes it from other institutions, is the training of teachers for their work. Teaching is here taught as a science and an art. The science of the human mind, a just appreciation of which is essential to the highest success in teaching, is here presented and investigated. That its truths may be reduced to practice, teachers are afterward exercised in the preparation of lesson sketches, and the conducting of object lessons; in objective methods of

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teaching the different branches of study; in adapting lessons and instruc- tions to the age and development of the pupils: in organizing and disci- plining the class and the school. Besides the training of teachers, it is a cherished object of the officers of the normal school to place within the reach of the young people of southern Indiana an opportunity for acquiring a higher education. The following notes were taken from the circular of Prof. E. P. Smith, 1884:

" The school was organized on its present basis in the fall of 1873, by Prof. W. P. Pinkham, who served as Principal during the next six years, resigning in the spring of 1879 to accept the chair of mathematics in Earlham College. Under Prof. Pinkham's management the school grew rapidly into public favor, and enjoyed a very liberal patronage from the entire southern part of the State. During the academic year, in 1879- 50, the school maintained its high reputation for thoroughness under its Principal, Miss Asenath Cox, since deceased, who resigned at the end of the school year to resume a position in the Glendale Female College, at Glendale, Ohio, with which institution she has formerly been connected as a leading teacher. Miss Cox was succeeded by Prof. E. F. Sutherland, whose energy and professional ability did much to enhance the prosperity of the school. Prof. Sutherland served as Principal nearly three years, resigning in the early part of 1883 to engage in business. During the next academic year the school was in charge of Prof. W. T. Gooden, a thorough scholar and a faithful teacher, whose work in the class-room has bad a lasting influence upon the institution. Prof. Gooden resigned last March to engage in journalism, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Prof. E. B. Smith. Since the school was organized in 1873, some thirty students have graduated from its various courses of study."

SCHOOLS OF NORTHEAST TOWNSHIP.

The first school of which we have any account in this township was taught by Thomas Vandeveer, in the fall of 1817. It was situated upon the land of Perry Johnson, on Lost River. The house was a small, round log building, which had been constructed for a dwelling. The studies pursued were reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. The patrons were the Reeds, Mckinneys, Osborns and Glovers. Jonah Mor- gan became teacher in this neighborhood about the year 1822. Mr. Morgan's school was situated on the river near the east line of the town- ship. The house was a small, round log cabin, puncheon floor, and paper for window lights. In 1825 David Warford opened a school south of the above, on Orleans and Livonia road. The house had been used as a dwelling. Course of study same as above. The Glovers, Maxwells, Cases, Mckinneys and Reeds attended this school. All of the above were subscription schools, the teachers receiving about $2 per pupil for a term of three months. The district school on Max Lewis' farm, near

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Island Church, was established about 1830. The house was a hewed-log building, 18x24 feet; had plank floor and glass windows. Henry Ham- mersly taught here in 1832. He was succeeded by Richard Mills, and he by John Murray. The Bridgewaters, Boons, Haynes, McLains and Lewises were among the patrons. The district schoolhouse on the Clays- ville road, near the east line of the township, was built in 1834. This was a hewed log building, fitted up as required by the school law of 1824. The first teacher was Daniel Watkins; he was a good teacher. He remained here until about 1843, teaching a three months' session each year. The course of study in this school embraced all the common school branches. Mckinneys, Standifords, Cases, Hayses and Glovers were among the patrons. John B. Glover, afterward State Treasurer of Indiana, and now United States Consul at Havre, France, was a pupil of this district.

The district schoolhouse in the southeast part of the township was known as the " White Schoolhouse." John Murray taught several terms here about 1846-47. He was succeeded by Jesse Hungate, now of Salem. John W. Gillum and Daniel Robbins in the order named. The patrons of this school were the Altons, Halls, Kuoxes, Browns, Van- cleaves, Modlins, Vickreys, Potters, Lindleys, Sallees, Walkers and Hamptons. The people of this district were very much attached to their school, and refused to allow the schoolhouse to be sold at the introduction of the free- school system in 1853. A district school had also been estab- lished near the town of Lancaster. David Finley taught here in 1845. The enumeration now showed about 100 children in Northeast Township. The four districts above enumerated were all the schools provided for these children under the Congressional Township system. At the August election, 1848, Northeast Township, with less than 200 voters, polled more votes for the free school law than any other township in the county, there being forty-nine votes in the affirmative and 131 in the negative. At each succeeding election there was a gain in the affirmative vote. In 1851 there were sixty-nine votes for free-school and seventy- seven votes against them. The first T'rnstees under the free-school system were John W. Gillum, William Hays and Lewis Fordyce. They were elected in April, 1853, and in May, of same year, they subminitted the proposition to build schoolhouses by taxation to a vote of the people. This proposition was defeated by a majority of thirty-nine votes. The Board now determined to build the schoolhouses by private subscription. They accordingly laid off six districts and ordered the houses to be of hewed logs 20x30 feet, five windows and two doors in each. Leonard Hardman, John W. Gillum, William Hays and Lewis Fordyce were appointed a Committee to solict subscriptons. As nothing was realized from this, the building of schoolhouses had to be postponed until legis- lative aid could be obtained. That body, having so amended the school

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law of 1852 as to allow the money to be levied for schoolhouse purposes without an affirmative vote of the people, the Board of Trustees, in April, 1856, levied 25 cents on each $100 worth of property and 50 cents on each poll for building schoolhouses. In June of this year the Board contracted with James Crocket to build six frame houses, 18x24 feet. for $2,000. The first free schools were taught in the winter of 1957-58. These houses having been found to be too small to accommo- date all the children of the township, the building of larger and better houses was determined upon. John W. Ellis was elected Trustee in April. 1878. During his administration of four years, six large and sub- stantial frame houses were erected and furnished with improved furui- ture and school aparatus, so that now the educational facilities of North- east Township are second to none in the county. Schools are sustained for about five months each year, at a cost of about $1,100 per annum.

SCHOOLS OF ORLEANS TOWNSHIP.

The first school in this township of which we have any account, was at the Henry Shirley farm in the southwest part of township, about the year 1522. The house was a small round-log building. The windows were made by cutting out a log and stretching greased paper across the opening thus made. The Hudelsons, Elrods, Hendersons, Kenleys and Busicks were among the patrons. The first teacher was William Dougherty. He was very exact in teaching his pupils good manners. He was succeeded, as a teacher, by David Hudelson in 1823. A district school having been established at this place, John McConahay became teacher in 1834. He was succeeded by Thomas Dias. In this school John Hudelson and William McKnabb had some trouble, which they wished to settle by a tight, and accordingly proceeded to make that kind of settlement at a time when all should have been quiet and orderly study in the school room. Samuel Hudelson and Theodore Stackhouse were also teachers in this district. Grammar, arithmetic and geography had been introduced into the course of study. A district school was established on the land now owned by George Wolf, in southeast part of township, about 1831. This was known as the Maxwell House. A Dr. Tucker was the first teacher. The patrons of this school were the Webbs, Frosts, Scotts. Busicks. Coola, Bakers, Pickens, Speers, Chishams, Max- wells, Stines, Wares and Trnes. The wages of the teacher was $15 per month. Van R. Noblitt taught here in 1837. John W. Frost in 1845. A term of three months; wages. $10 per month. Aaron Speer was teacher here in 1849.

About the year 1834 Shadrach B. A. Carter opened a school at his farm south of the town of Orleans. The house, a small frame, stood near the family residence. He taught here for several years. Among his patrons were the Langfords. Brookses, Webbs and Steerses. John H. 35

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Steers, the oldest native inhabitant of Orleans, was a pupil of this school. A cave which opened at the south part of the large pond just south of the house, was used by the boys as a play-ground. Under the Congres. sional township system, Orleans Township including the town, had but four district schoolhouses, in which to educate her 600 children. But notwithstanding her poor accommodations. her people refused to exchange for a free school system. At the Angust election, IS48. there were cast for free schools 33 votes, and against free schools 242 votes. The same question being submitted the next year, there were 87 votes in the affirmative and 208 votes in the negative. By the year 1831 the friends of free schools had increased their number to 105, while the opposition were reduced to 119 votes, many persons remaining neutral. Thomas Elrod, Bury Sears and Washington Hardman were the first Trustees under the free school law of 1852. They were elected April. 1853. I have not been able to find any record of their official acts, but Mr. Abner Freeman recollects that during the summer of 1853. they submitted the proportion to raise a fund for building schoolhouses. by taxation, to a vote of the township, and that the proposition carried after a spirited contest. The records in the County Treasurer's office show that the levy was placed upon the tax duplicate of 1854, and that the sum of $1,368.48 was realized from it. The Board now sold the old district honses, and built six new honses. four in the country and two in the town. They were small frame buildings 18x24 feet. The first free schools were in the winter of 1855-56. W. T. Spicely and John H. Lindsey were among the first teachers W. W. Chisham was elected Trustee in 1856. and served continuously for eight years. During his administration two new districts were organized. He was succeeded by Thomas Elrod, under whose administration the building of larger and better houses was commenced. Orleans township has now eight school districts. The houses are substantial frame buildings, well fitted and furnished with improved furniture and modern school apparatus. Schools are sustained from five to five and a half months each year, at a cost of about $1,600 per annum.

ORLEANS TOWN SCHOOLS.

In the fall of 1823, the people of the town of Orleans resolved to establish a school. They accordingly fitted np a small house which stood near where Walker's store now stands. Here the schools of the town had their humble beginning, with John McClane as the first teacher. The patrons were the Webbs, Lewises, Searses and Brookses. There is probably no person now living who attended this school. Mr. McClane was succeeded as a teacher by Jonathan Prosser, who opened a school on the Conder property, abont the year 1826. Patrons same as above. John H. Steers was also a pupil of this school. Mr. Prosser was an extra good teacher of penmanship. Samuel Webb who was probably the best pen-

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man ever in Orange County, received his instruction in this school. Samnel Steel succeeded to the management of the school in 1830. He tanght but one term. In 1831 the citizens, under the leadership of Joseph Crawford and John Sears, built a schoolhouse on the public square, where the school building now stands. This was the first school building in the town of Orleans. It was a hewed log structure twenty feet square. Had glass windows and " split poles " for seats. The first teacher was George May. He had charge of the schools for two years. A Mr. White of Crawfordsville, Ind., Isom Procter, John Johnson and a Mr. Reeding were also teachers of this school. Thomas Dias was teacher here about 1835 or 1836. In order to get even with the boys who "turned him out " for a Christmas trick, he had bogus writs issued for them. but the joke turned upon the Constable, who served the writs in good faith, thinking they were genuine.

The course of study in these schools embraced reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic; occasionally a teacher was secured who could teach grammar. The patrons were the Searses, Crawfords, Williamsons, Cooks, Webbs, Kimblys, Moyers, Freemans, Merricks, Worrells and Brookses. That all earthly things must perish was clearly illustrated here. After a time some persons concluded that they were tired of seeing the old schoolhonse with its bomely walls and coarse furniture, so they went quietly and tore it down while those who would have hindered slept. Some persons were very indignant at this, but nothing came of it, as there was an abundance of time for their anger to cool before they dis- covered who did the mischief. Another school was that of A. F. Allen, who was for many years a well-known and honored citizen of Orleans and Orange County. His school was opened in 1839 and continued for two years. This school was noted for the thoroughness of the instruc- tion and practical business like manner in which it was conducted. Among the patrous we notice the names Sears, Webb, Moyer and Steers. Gen. W. T. Spicely was a pupil of this school, and owed much of his success in after life, to the thoroughness of the instruction received here. The citizens of Orleans did not have a separate vote upon the subject of free schools, but their vote being taken in conuec- tion with Orleans Township that result very nearly shows the sentiment in regard to free schools in the town. Orleans not being an incorporated town. came under the control of the Township Trustees at the passage of the school law of 1852. The Board of Township Trustees established three public schools in the town, building two small frame houses and using the old Methodist Church for a schoolhouse. These houses were afterwards replaced by three larger and more substantial frame build- ings. The first free schools were opened in the fall of 1855. Length of session sixty days. Isaac Albertson, William Jones and John White, were the first teachers.

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THE ORLEANS ACADEMY.

The above-named school was established in 1866. The building was erected by a joint stock company, at a cost of $8,000. It was the pur. pose of the company to establish an independent academy entirely dis- connected with the public schools. Prof. John M. Bloss, afterward Superintendent of Public Instruction of Indiana, was the first and only Principal of the academy as an independent institution. The opening of the Orleans Academy was a progressive step in the schools of Orange County. A very considerable part of the patronage at first came from the ex-soldiers; young men whose education had been entirely neglected by the requirements and services of war. and who came earnestly desir- ing to make up for lost opportunities ; added to these was a class of young men and women who were preparing for the position of teachers in the common schools. The work of this institution was comprehensive and thorough. It furnished to the public schools of Orange County a class of teachers whose work and worth will long be remembered by the friends of education. By a union with the public schools of the town in 1870, the academy was practically superseded by the Orleans Graded School, with Prof. Bloss as Superintendent, and John J. Lingle, assistant, the High School and Grammar Department being taught at the academy, and the lower grades at the different public school buildings. This arrangement continued until 1872, when the Town School Board pur- chased the academy building of the stockholders, since which time the town schools have been taught at that building. The educational advan- tages afforded by the town of Orleans are good, the public schools being kept open from seven to nine months each year. The high school is well equipped and doing good work. Thirteen ladies and eight gen- tlemen have graduated from this department.

SCHOOLS OF ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP.

The first school within the present limits of this township was estab. lished at the Shirley place in 1816. The house was a small log cabin. The furniture consisted of split sapling seats. The first teacher was a man named Fordyce. The branches of study pursued were reading, writing and spelling, also primary arithmetic. The Shirleys, Daltons and Halberts were among the patrons of thisschool. In 1826 a school was established in the northeast part of the township, on land of Noah Bur- ton. Samuel Dalton, a crippled man, and a noted pioneer teacher, com- menced his career at this place in 1826. He was succeeded by Jonah B. Wood in 1828. The house, which had been built for a dwelling, was a small round log-cabin, fireplace extended across one entire end of the building. Studies same as above. About the year 1831 a school was established at Bethel Church with a man named Gardener as teacher. He was succeeded by Thomas Alison, he by a man named Wormsley, and he

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by P. C. Huddrell, and he by Samuel Dalton in 1841, the last having an average attendance of sixty pupils. The teachers of this school were very much disposed to whip their pupils Huddrell whipped all who could not repeat the "hart " lesson on Monday morning. Sometimes the larger boys would rebel and have the whippings discontinued for a few days. The Mathers boys attended this school. A district school had now been established at the Jacob Shirley place, south of Orangville The house was of hewed logs, 18x20 feet; had glass windows; had been built by citizens of the district. Van Rensselaer Noblitt taught here about 1834-35. These were subscription schools, $1.50 per pupil for term of three months. The branches of study were reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. Among the patrons of this school, I see the names of Shirley, Dalton, Halbert, Toliver and others. Theodore Stackhouse, for many years School Examiner of Orange County, and now one of the oldest and best known teachers of the county, taught his first school here in 1844; term of three months; wages, $11 per month. Under the Con- gressional Township system, Orangeville had but two district school- houses, and 275 children to educate. School No. 2 was at Joel Riggs' place. Van R. Noblitt taught here in 1842. He received pay in corn, which he shipped to New Orleans, and sold at 29 cents per bushel. James M. Baker taught here in 1844. The patrons of this school were the Mathers, Bakers and Riggses.

Orangeville not having been organized as a township until March, 1850, her people did not have a separate vote on free schools until August of that year, when twenty- five votes were cast for free schools and ninety-five against them. The same question being again submitted in 1851, forty-five votes were cast in the affirmative, and seventy -four in the negative. But coming events cast their shadows before only to follow closely themselves. Free schools came soon after the school law of 1852. The first Trustees were Alfred Bruner. John A. Ritter and Robert Hig- gins. They were elected the first Monday in April, 1853, and on the seventeenth day of August submitted the proposition to raise money to build schoolhouses by taxation to a vote of the people. This proposi- tion was defeated by a majority of four votes. Not discouraged at this want of support. the Board of Trustees resolved not to pause in the good work, but to go on and establish schools in their township. They there- fore advanced the money and built a schoolhouse during the fall of 1854. This was the first public school building in the township. It was situated on the road between Wesley Chapel and Orangeville. It has been replaced by the Wesley Chapel Schoolhouse. The first free schools were in 1855-56. The Legislature of 1855 having given the Board of Trustees power to levy and collect taxes for building schoolhouses without a vote of the people. a fund was now raised and five new school honses were built. Two more have since been added to the number.

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Orangeville Township has now seven public schools. The houses are substantial frame buildings, well finished and furnished, except in the matter of seats for pupils, the old box desks being still in use, but these will probably be removed at an early day and improved furniture supplied. Schools are sustained in this township from four to five months each year at a cost of about $1,100 per annum.

SCHOOLS OF NORTHWEST TOWNSHIP.

The schools of Northwest Township had their bumble beginning in the fall of 1823, when John Chaney opened a school in the north part of the township. The house stood on the land now owned by John McPheters. It was a round log cabin 16x16 feet, dirt floor, one end built in the shape of a fence corner for a fire-place. This was a subscrip- tion school, the subscribers agreeing to pay three "bits " per pupil for a term of three months. The branches of study were reading, writing, spelling and primary arithmetic. The patrons of the school were the Kirke, Williamses, Chaneys, Talberts, Davises and Bruners. Alfred Bruner attended his first school here. The first school record of Northwest Town. ship bears date of April 23. 1846, being an order in favor of Jobn T. Wallace, teacher of District No. 5, for all the school funds of said district. This is accompanied by his receipt for $9.65 for services as teacher. In 1848 the citizens of this district resolved to build a schoolhouse by vol- untary labor of the inhabitants, or a tax of 25 cents per day on those who chose not to work. Not getting the house built, they afterward resolved to use the church for a schoolhouse, purchase a stove with the school funds, and support a school by subscription This arrange. ment was carried out, and Celia S. Kirk became the teacher about 1850. She received $30 for a term of three months. James Pinnick was teacher here in 1851. The teachers of this district were required to procure a certificate of qualification in reading, writing and spelling. The Kirks, Collinses and Piunicks were among the patrons of these schools. There were 290 school children in the township at this time.

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History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 65

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 199-?] Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.] Number of Pages: 954

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954