History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 66

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 66
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 66
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 66

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).

Under the Congressional township system Northwest had rive district schoolhouses in which to educate these children, each district receiving about 815 per annum of public money for school purposes. This seemed to be all that could reasonally be desired. as the result of the vote on free schools at August election. 1848, showed. For free schools, tive votes. Against free schools, 124 votes. The same question was again submitted in 1849, when the friends of school law polled thirty-eight votes, and the opponents 104 votes. In JS31 the opposition could poll but fifty votes against thirty-three for the law, a great many persons assuming a neutral position. The first Trustees elected under the school law of 1852 were Richard Miller, James Faucett and Thomas Bedster. They were elected in April, 1853. and on the 10th day of April, 1854, they submitted the

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proposition to vote a tax for building schoolhouses to a vote of the peo. ple. This was defeated by a majority of fifteen votes. Nothing more was done in the way of building until 1856, when the change in the law enabled the Board of Trustees to levy and collect a schoolhouse tax with- out a vote of the people. A levy of 25 cents on the $100 of property. and 50 cents on the poll was now made. Schoolhouse No. 1 was put under contract in July, of this year. It cost $175.75. Six new houses were now built. They were substantial frame buildings, and are the same that are now in use. Meanwhile the first public school had been taught during the winter of 1855-56, the old district houses being used until the new ones were completed. Northwest Township has now seven schoolhouses. They are well supplied with improved furniture and school apparatus. Schools are sustained from four and a half to five months each year, at a cost of about $1,200 per annum.

SCHOOLS OF FRENCH LICK TOWNSHIP.

The first school in this township of which I have any account was established on Sulphur Creek in the year 1820. Samuel Cobb was the first teacher. He was succeeded by Jordan Giles, and he by John Har- vey. The branches of study were reading, writing, spelling and arith - metic. The patrons were the Charleses, Pinnicks, Gileses, Collinses and Hazlewoods. In 1921 Jonathan Mullen taught a school on land of Green Ray. in a house which had been a dwelling. Rev. James P. Campbell was a pupil of this school. In 1923 Michael Miller opened a school in a s:nall log.house upon the Faucett land. This house was furnished with poplar poles for seats. placed upon legs so high that the feet of the staller children did not reach within six inches of the floor. A hooked stick hung beside the door. to be removed when a pupil went out of the house and placed back in position when he returned, in order to avoid having more than one out at a time. Mr. Miller was succeeded as a teacher by Benjamin Bolls. who was afterward sentenced to the State prisen for life for the crime of murder. Samuel Dalton taught here about 1828. The course of study in these schools embraced reading, writing. spelling and arithmetic. The patrons were the Campbells, Mil- lers. Doughertys and Wilsons. Nelson W. Nunley taught in this neigh. borhood about 1826. He was considered an extra good teacher, being able to teach grammar and geography. In 1834 Col. John Pinnick and Samuel Wolfington employed an old sailor named Acley to teach their children. The school was established in a dwelling house near French Lick Springs. The pupils of this school spent a large part of their time in roasting potatoes. The district school at Azor Charles' farm was established in 1536. Jacob Dishon was the first. teacher; he was succeeded by Daniel Smith, and he by John Mellon. The Charleses, Smiths and Pinnicks were among the patrons of this school. A district

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school having been established on the land of Nathan Lambdin, near Prospect, Henry Johnson became the teacher about 1843. The Lamb. dins and Pinnicks attended this school. The same year Wilton Smith taught the district school near Buncomb Ridge. Old French Lick church house was used for a schoolhouse for ten years, having been built about 1840. Jacob Dishon, Daniel Smith and David Porter, afterward County Treasurer, were teachers here. The patrons were the Pinnicks, Gileses, Robbinses and Winingers. William Furguson, the last teacher. made quite a disturbance by attempting to teach a silent school. The people could not understand how children taught in a silent school would ever be able to transact any business in this noisy world.

The district schoolhouse on Collins' land near line of Paoli Town. ship, built about 1831, is still standing. It is a hewed-log-house. 18x24 feet. stone chimney and was furnished with the regulation "split sapling" seats. Samuel Dalton taught several terms here. He was succeeded by Michael Dougherty, J. W. Kidwell, Mr. Rickmire, John Newlin and Hiram Trueblood in the order named. Nancy Lindley also taught a summer term here about 1840. All the common school branches including algebra and natural philosophy were taught here. Among the patrons were the Truebloods, Lindleys, Springers and Osborns. This school was well sustained, and in point of efficiency, be- came second to none in the country. Under the Congressional Town ship system, French Lick had but five district schoolhouses, and 463 school children to educate. But these accomodations seemed amply sufficient to furnish an education to the children of the township, if we may judge from the returns of the August election, 1848. At that elec- tion there were cast for free schools, 9 votes. Against free schools. 187 votes. In 1849 there were 34 votes in the affimative and 178 in the negative. In 1850, 16 in the affirmative and 171 in the nega- tive. In 1851, 23 votes in the affimative and 139 in the nega- tive. But notwithstanding this opposition, free schools have grown and flourished in French Lick Township. The first Trustees were John Dishon, Thomas Nichols and John Tillery. They were elected in 1853. The old records of this township having been destroyed in the burning of Trustee Gilleatt's house, in January, 1884, I rely upon the recollec- tions of the older inhabitants. The proposition to vote a tax for building schoolhouses having been defeated, the Trustees were not discouraged, but immediately put under contract the building of eight log schoolhouses. There being no money in the treasury, these houses were enclosed and roofs put on them this year, the contractors agreeing to wait for their money until it could be levied and collected by taxation. These houses were finished and fitted up for school after the Legislature had provided means for levying a school house tax without an affirmative vote of the people. The first free school was taught during the winter of 1855-56.

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These log schoolhouses have all disappeared, being replaced by good substantial frame buildings. Four new districts have been added to the number. French Lick Township ; has now twelve schoolhouses, all well furnished with improved school furniture and apparatus. Schools are sustained about five months in the year at a cost of about $2,250 per annum for tuition expenses.

SCHOOLS OF JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

The first school of which I have any account in this township was established about the year 1821, in a log cabin about one-half mile west of the town of Newton Stewart. A man named Constable was the first teacher. The next school of which I have been able to obtain any infor- mation was situated in the north part of the township, near the Killum's farm. Miss Sophia Throop taught here in 1827. The Killums were among her patrons. This was probably the first school taught by a lady in Orange County. Miss Throop taught here for two terms of three months each. The first term she made $7.50 above her board bill. The second her pay amounted to something more than this. Then to Miss Throop belongs not only the honor of being the first lady teacher in the county, but also of having done good and efficient work in the school-room for less pay than was ever received by any other teacher of the county. Patrick Dougherty was a pioneer teacher of this township, but I have not been able to locate schools taught by him. About the year 1832, Thomas Treadway taught a term of school in a church house, situated in the northwest part of the township on Section 30, Township 1 north, Range 2 west. A schoolhouse having been erected here, Samuel Mills became the teacher about 1835. He was succeeded by Reuben Cox in 1836, and he by William Pinnick in 1838. These were all subscription schools. Wages of teachers about $1.50 per pupil for term of three months. A district school was established here about 1841, and John Ditts employed to teach. He taught reading, writing, spelling and primary arithmetic. He was succeeded by Benjamin Newlin in 1847. The Cases, Coxes and Collinses were among the patrons of this school.

About 1837 Rev. John Walls taught a term of school near the Will- iam Marlett farm. in Section 2, Township 1 south, Range 2 west. The house was a log-cabin which had been erected for a dwelling. The Pal. mers and McDonalds were among the patrons. Thomas Hunt, of Paoli, also attended this school. The first school record of Jackson Township bears date of July 26. 1837, being the proceedings of a public meeting to elect a Township Clerk and Treasurer. Samuel Parks was elected Clerk and John C. Walls, Treasurer. This is followed by a map of township- showing boundaries of the five school districts. At a public meeting of the citizens of District No. 1. held at the house of Ptolemy Bledsoe, August 12, 1837. it was resolved that this district would support a three

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months' school each year, and to adopt the dwelling house of Lewis A. Bledsoe as a schoolhonse. Jonathan Palmer, a noted pioneer teacher, opened school here September 25, 1837. He received $45 for a term of three months. Money was paid in advance of the opening of schools. This was the first district school organized in the township. Mr. Palmer gave very good satisfaction as a teacher and was re employed for the next term upon the same conditions as before. There were about fifty pupils belonging to this school. The Bledsoes, Parks, Walls and Palmers were among the patrons. District No. 3 was organized January, 1839. At a meeting of the voters of this district it was resolved to build a hewed- log schoolhouse, 20 feet square, finished "with one nine-light window, one long window, stick and clay chimney, plank floor, nailed down, board roof, held on by weight poles," to be ready for school by June 30, 1839. This house was to be sitnated in the north part of Section 20, south of Patoka Creek. The location was afterward changed to near the camp- ground, npon condition that Isaac Eastridge would furnish "boards to cover it," and William Stewart furnish plank for the floor, and do all the hauling of building material. James Eastridge was the first teacher here. The school opened August 2, 1842. There were about seveuty children enumerated in the district. The Eastridges, Gilliatts, Stew- arts and Wallses were among the patrons. The wages of Mr. Eastridge were $36.50 for a term of three months, to be paid as follows: "$25 in State script. $2 in Illinois money and $9.50 in currency." About 1850, the people of this district decided to change the location of their school- house to the north part of Section 24, Township 1 south, Range 2 west. being one mile north of Patoka Creek. A public meeting resolved to build a log schoolhouse here, 16x20 feet, and to espend the sum of $8.50 for building purposes. Lewis Walls taught here in the fall of 1850. Term of three months. Wages $10 per month.

Under the Congressional township system, Jackson Township had six district schools and 280 children of school age. At the August elec. tion, 1848, her people unanimously resolved not to exchange these schools for a free-school system of which they knew nothing, except that it was to be supported in part by taxation. At that election there were cast against free schools 108 votes. This question was submitted again in 1549, also in 1850 and 1851, but at no time were the friends of the system able to poll more than a half dozen votes. But free schools came to Jackson as to the other townships of the county. The first Trustees were Christopher Cox, Henry Banks and Lewis A. Bledsoe. They divided the township into six districts, and built log schoolhouses and paid for them with the school funds. The first free schools were in the winter of 1856-57. Schoolhouse No. 1, in this township, was the last log school. house used in the county, a school having been taught here during the winter of 1878-70. Jackson Township has now ten school districts.

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The houses are substantial frame buildings, well finished and furnished with school apparatus, and about half supplied with improved furniture and the remainder will soon be supplied. Schools are sustained from four to five months each year, at a cost of about $1,500 per annum.

SCHOOLS OF GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.

This township not having been settled so early, schools were not organized here until a later date than in the other townships of the county. I have not been able to locate the first school within this town- ship. Among the earliest was the one organized in the old log church at Providence. Amos Critchfield was the first teacher here. He taught a six months' session in 1830. The patrons of this school were the Stones. McCanns, Bennetts, Pitmans, Kendalls, Agans, Newkirks and Grimeses. The succeeding teachers were a MIr. McCrae, McCelvey and Charles Sands, in the order named. Margaret. Murray taught here in the summer of 1851. At this school James Pruett, a small boy, was killed by the falling of a pile of lumber which was being delivered here for the building of the frame church house. About 1838 William Key taught in a small log schoolhouse near the Apple Church house. He could teach reading, writing, spelling and primary unmbers. The Apples, Easters and Hunts were pupils. Thomas Hunt taught here in 1841. Wages. $2 per pupil, per term of three months. Thomas S. Lambdin was a pioneer teacher of this township. He taught an early school in a round-log-house which had been used for a dwelling. It was situated in the north part of the township ou Section 28, Township 1 north. Range 1 west. This was a "loud" school, as were most early schools. It is said that there was a boy in this school who so disliked going over the lessons that he would not do so at all, but repeated the word " heptorpy" from morning till noon and from noon till night in order to make the tencher believe he was studying the lesson. The dis- trict school at Hobson's place was established about 1840. The house was a hewed-log building, had glass windows and seats without backs. Wilford Ditts was the first teacher. He was succeeded by Thomas Hunt in 1842. The course of study embraced all the common school branches. The patrons were the Apples, Williards, Gilliatts, McDonalds, Teafords, Hobsons, Easters. Gobles, Allens and Tarrs. The school here was well. sustained, and was long considered one of the best district schools in this part of the county.

The district school at Lomax's place east of Unionville, was estab. lished about 1840. John Stout, William Stout and John F. Murphy were teachers in this school. In 1847. the house being "out of repair," a district meeting resolved to levy two days' labor upon each citizen in order to repair the house. Those who did not wish to work, could be exempt by paying 50 cents in money. The wages of the teacher were

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$1.50 per pupil for a term of three months. The patrons were required to furnish one-half cord of wood or pay 40 cents per pupil in addition to the above. A district meeting decided that non residents should not have the right to attend this school. The Gobles, McCabes, Lomaxes, Hills, Davises, Hammonds, McBrides, Marletts and Morrises were patrons of this school. Other district schools were established previous to the adoption of the Constitution of 1851, when this township had six dis. trict schools and 420 school children. These schools were giving very good satisfaction to the voters of Greenfield, as proven by the result of the August election in 1848, when her people unanimously voted not to exchange for a free school system, casting 108 votes in the negative. The same question was submitted again in 1849, also in 1850 and 1851; at this last election there were six votes in the affirmative to 111 in the neg. ative. But free schools came without an invitation. The first Trustees under the free school system were John D. Hammond, John Apple and Abner W. Allen. They were elected April, 1853, and in June of that year they submitted the proposition to build a schoolhouse by taxation to a vote of the people. This proposition was unanimously defeated, there being sixty-nine votes against it, and none for it. The Board, how- ever, proceeded to lay off the township into six districts. The district houses were sold for about $45. Six log schoolhouses were now built at a cost of $45 each, and paid for from proceeds of levy of April, 1856. These houses were hewed logs, and had plank floors and glass windows. The first free schools were in the winter of 1855-56. Greenfield Town. ship has now ten school districts. The houses are very fair frame school buildings, well furnished with school apparatus and fitted for schools, except in the matter of seats for pupils, the old box-seats being still in use. Schools are sustained from four and a half to five months each year, at a cost of about $1,600 per annum.

SCHOOLS OF SOUTHEAST TOWNSHIP.

The first school established in this township was situated upon the land now owned by John Agan, one mile east of Valeene. The house was a small, round log cabin. It was built for a schoolhouse by John Hollo - well, Robert Breeze and David Brown. I have not been able to learn the date of the opening of the school, nor the name of the first teacher. The second teacher was named Cantrell, and he was succeeded by John Harned about the year 1817. The studies pursued were reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. The Hollowells. Breezes, Browns and Cantrells attended this school. About the year 1815 a log-cabin schoolhouse was built near John H. Buchanan's farm in the southwest corner of the township. This house had fence corner fire-place, puncheon floor and open windows. The first teacher was named Willis. He remained here several years and was succeeded by Thomas Harned about the year 1818. Reading.

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writing, spelling and arithmetic were taught here. The Harneds, Reels, Baileys, Stones and Tarrs attended. During 1524-25, Alexander Morris tanght three terms of school in a house situated on the land of James N. Murphy, Section 11, Town 1 south, Range 1 east. Harrison White is the only person ncw (1584) living who attended this school. The Hollo- wells were patrons of this school. Some years after this, John Holaday taught a term of school in a small log house west of Rock Spring Church. Sophia Throop taught here during the summer of 1831. The Harneds and Hollowells were among her patrons. .

About 1830, Henry Crittenden opened a school in a log-cabin situated on the Thomas Ferguson land, west of Valeene. He taught reading, writing and spelling. Among his patrons were Hunts, Furgusons, Selfs and Summers. In the winter of 1833-36, John Bobbitt taught a school in a dwelling house on the Veach land. near "Hogdefeat" Creek. Studies same as above. The Veachs, Cooks, Bobbits and Hunts attended. Thomas Hunt, of Paoli, was a pupil of this school. In 1838 a district school was established in the southeast part of the township on the George Vance land. The house was a hewed log structure, and was built by a tax of $1 each upon the citizens of the district. This fund, amounting to $50, was voted npon themselves at a district meeting. It was expended by Henry Crit- tenden, District Treasurer. Enoch Weathers served as District Treasurer here for many years. John Bobbitt was the first teacher in this school. Spelling was the chief recreation pursued here. Night spellings were held often. The patrons were the Strouds, Taylors, Crittendens, Weathers, Keys, Sanderses, Vances. and others whose names I do not have. Nehemiah Tower taught a silent school here, in 1847. the first silent school in the district. Mr Tower was regarded as a very excellent teacher, being able to teach all the common school branches. The first school record of Southeast Township is dated November 4, 1841, being an enumeration of the school children showing the number to be 321. The next is the report of Joel C. Dilliard. as teacher of District No. 3. Length of term, 65 days Wages of teacher, 855. Average attendance, 28. The schoolhouse in which Mr. Dilliard taught was in the south part of the township, east of Harned's Chapel. This school was taught during the full of 1841. The patrons were .the McDonalds, Harneds, Lambdins, Piersons, Wellmans. Falkners and McMahans. Mr. Dilliard taught all the common school branches.

The old log.church house south of Valeene was used as a schoolhouse for several years. Col. John Line taught here in 1839. The Hazle- woods, Hollowells, Crittendens, Childers, Harneds and Purkhisers attended school here. Gilbert Jenkins was teacher here about 1848. It is said that he whipped a young man named Roach before allowing him to take a seat. on the first day he attended the school. About 1841 a small frame schoolhouse was built near Rock Spring Church. Thomas Furguson

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taught here in 1842. He was succeeded by Charles Sands in 1843, and he by Danie! Dwyer in 1844. The wages of the teacher were $50 for a term of three months. The patrons of this school were the Stalcups, Childers. Harneds, Puttes, Hollowells and Moons. About the same time the district school was established at the Ferguson place west of Valeene. Thomas Hunt commenced teaching here in 1843. He remained about eight years, teaching a three months' session each year, wages $40 per term. The Furgusons, Tarrs. Veaches, Glenns. Sanders, Cooks, Star- rets, Cartwrights, Maxedons and Selfs attended this school. As many as sixty pupils were enrolled during a session. All the common school branches were taught. Silas Stont taught at the district school in the northwest part of the township in 1838, followed by Hiram Atkinson in 1842. The above were good schools. All the common school branches were taught. The Stouts, Atkinsons, Andrews and Newlins were pupils of this school.

Under the Congressional township system. Southeast Township bad six district schoolhouses, which her people thought amply sufficient to furnish an education to the 600 children of the township. as the result of the August election. 1848. would seem to indicate. At that election. there were cast for free schools eight votes. Against free schools, 204 votes. This question was submitted again in 1849. also in 1850 and 1851. At this last election the friends of the schools were able to poll thirty-five votes while the opposition was reduced to 152 votes. Samuel Stalcup and Thomas Harned voted for free schools at every election. The first Trustees were James Childers, James McDonald and William Noblitt. They were elected in April. 1853, and in June of that year they submitted the proposition to vote a tax for building schoolhouse to a vote of the people. This proposition was defeated by an overwhelming majority. The Board of Trustees now laid off the township into eleven districts, and requested the people to build houses by private subscrip- tion, or labor of the citizens. Three districts responded to the request and built log schoolhouses. The remaining districts not proceeding to prepare houses, the Board of Trustees built them, using the school fund for that purpose. In the three districts where the citizens had built the houses, free schools were taught in the winter of 1854-55: in the remaining districts not until the winter of 1853-56. Southeast Town. ship has now twelve school districts. The houses are substantial frame buildings well furnished with school apparatus, and about half supplied with improved furniture. Schools are sustained from four to five months in each year. at a cost of about $2,000 per annum.

SCHOOLS OF STAMPERS CREEK TOWNSHIP.

I have not been able to learn the precise date at which the good people of this township determined to establish a school, but certain it

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is that about 1814 George Vandeveer, a crippled man, came with his family from Kentucky and made settlement near the head of Patoka Creek, where he soon afterward opened a school. The house was a small. round log structure, dirt floor, without windows, door or shutter, and was situated upon the land now owned by Mrs. Nancy Lynch. Here he taught one session during the summer, and then in order to have better accommodations he removed his school to a dwelling-house of a Mr. Pierce near the head of Patoka Creek. Here he remained teaching a three months' session each year until about 1829. The branches of study were reading, writing, spelling and primary numbers. The patrons of these schools were the Vandeveers, Danners, Holadays, Bosleys, Pierces and Shores. Mr. Vandeveer was succeeded as a teacher by Abram Pier- son, who in the fall of 1831 opened a school near where Danner's Chapel now stands. He taught for three months. The average attend- ance was about fifteen pupils; wages, $1.50 per pupil. An old gentle- men named Fielding taught a school in a dwelling house upon the land of Mason Burgess in 1818. The Burgesses and Mahans were patrons of this school. Mr. Edward Cornwell, present County Recorder, recollects attending school at the Mahan District about the year 1821. Jeremiah Mozier was the teacher. The house was a small round.log cabin, situated on the land of Cyrus Finley, near where the schoolhouse now stands It was built and furnished with split saplings for seats by the citizens of the neighborhood. The patrons of this school were the Cornwells, Bur. ggesses. Mahans and Doaks. The branches of study were reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. The pupils in arithmetic very freque tly retired to the grove in order to avoid noise while pursuing their studies. Mr. Mozier was succeeded as a teacher in 1822 by Alexander Wallace, who taught here for several terms. He was a very excellent teacher of penmanship. John Murray taught one school here in 1824. The people south of the above district being without school privileges, Mr. Richard Hall, Asa Burtt and several others resolved to build a schoolhonse and established a school with Mr. Burtt as teacher. The house was built on the land of Mr. Burtt, but he dying before the school was opened, Michael Dougherty was employed to teach. He taught here during 1828 and 1829. The same years John Clements taught at the Copeland farm.

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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 66

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