USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 31
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Roll of Attorneys .- In a hasty review of the court records it is next to impossible to obtain a complete list of all the attorneys as they were admitted to the bar. In this county of course it is impossible to give any prior to 1843. The following list is given although it doubtless contains many errors and omissions.
ROLL OF ATTORNEYS, MIAMI COUNTY.
D. D. Pratt, September, 1843. - Nicklin, April, 1861.
Horace P. Biddle, September, 1843.
B. F. Williams, April, 1861.
W. Z. Stuart, September, 1843.
Shuler, April, 1861.
E. P. Loveland, September, 1843.
T. C. Whitesides, September, 1863.
A. A. Cole, September, 1843. Nathan O. Ross, September, 1843.
John Mitchell, March, 1864.
Henry A. Brown, March, 1864.
Spier S. Tipton, September, 1843.
Nelson Perdham. March, 1865.
M. W. Seely, September, 1843.
W. W. Sullivan, April, 1867.
Williamson Wright, March, 1844.
A. B. Charpie, September, 1867.
Wm. J. Holman, March, 1884. - Palmer, March, 1844.
W. E. Pew, September, 1867.
J. D. Connor, March, 1844.
John F. Dodds, February, 1845.
Mace & Brand, August, 1845.
Jos. B. Underwood, February, 1845.
John M. Wilson, August, 1845.
Gregory & Thayer, August, 1845.
John Bush, August, 1846.
David M. Dunn, February, 1846.
Edwin Leas, October, 1869. Alexander Hess, October, 1869. J. R. McNary, October, 1870. Thos. B. Miller, April, 1871. John R. Parmelee, April, 1872. G. A. Osborn, April, 1872. F. M. Morgan, April, 1873.
Nathaniel McGuire, March, 1848. Isaac Hartman, March, 1849.
Stephen D. Carpenter, June, 1873.
Wm. M. Waters, October, 1872. Geo. W. Brizee, October, 1873.
William Potter, September, 1849. Harvey J. Shirk, September, 1849.
Geo. H. Williams, April, 1369.
Albert C. Ewing, March, 1869. Henry T. Underwood, March, 1869.
347
BENCH AND BAR.
Augustine O. Nelson, 1850. E. P. Dickey, prior to March, 1851. Meredith H. Kidd, September, 1851. R. P. Effinger, prior to March, 1853. John M. Connell, March, 1853. Beal, prior to September, 1853. Daniel M. Cox, prior to September, 1853. Jos. A. Faust, April, 1877. I. M. Harlan, March, 1854.
J. A. Beal, March, 1854. E. Walker, March, 1855. Baird, September, 1855. Peters, September, 1855. Josiah Farrar, March, 1856. J. L. Farrar, March, 1856. Orris Blake, September, 1856. Jas. A. Stretch, September, 1856. R. T. St. John, September, 1856. J. Carvin, March, 1857. J. M. Brown, March, 1857. Christy, prior to September, 1857.
R. P. DeHart, April, 1859. John R. Coffroth, April, 1859. W. S. Benham, April, 1859. James M. Talbott, October, 1859. John M. Washburn, October, 1859. Jas. N. Tyner, prior to April, 1860. J. M. Robinson, prior to April, 1860. -- Goodwin, October, 1860. S. W. Robertson, October, 1860. Lyman Walker, October, 1860. Calvin Cowgill, October, 1860. Peterson, April, 1861.
Thos. A. Stuart, March, 1875. Hood Pratt Loveland, March, 1875. Orlando McNabb, June, 1876. Ethan T. Reasoner, October, 1877. Spear S. Steele, prior to June, 1877. Lyster T. Pitman, June, 1877.
Chas. A. Cole, January, 1878.
Thos. E. Songster, February, 1878. Abraham Dipboye, April, 1878.
Wm. J. Smith, June, 1878. David W. Curtis, January, 1879.
Wm. B. McClintic, January, 1879.
Henry T. Helm, January, 1879. Geo. E. Ross, January, 1879. Jay H. Neff, June, 1879.
Lynn Helm, June, 1879. Wm. E. Mowbry, prior to June, 1879.
Samuel F. Winter, October, 1879.
C. M. Emerick, prior to October, 1879. Clem J. Kern, December, 1879. Chas. S. Dunn, April, 1880. N. N. Antrim, prior to April, 1880.
Robt. J. Loveland, April, 1880.
Geo. F. O'Byrne, April, 1880. Wm. C. Farrar, April, 1880.
Jos. H. Larimer, April, 1880. Alfred H. Plummer, April, 1881. Hiram S. Holt, October, 1881. Michael S. Effinger, October, 1881.
Will Brenton, April, 1882. Charles R. Pence, June, 1882. Jabez T. Cox, May, 1883.
Resident Attorneys .- The Bar docket now contains these names of active resident attorneys of Miami County.
LIST OF ATTORNEYS.
N. O. Ross, H. J. Shirk, R. P. Effinger, John L. Farrar, Josiah Farrar, James M. Brown, Lyman Walker, John Mitchell,
W. E. Mowbray, W. W. Sullivan, C. M. Emerick, Nott A. Antrim, S. D. Carpenter, Henry B. Jamison, John W. Eward,
Robt. C. Foor, Chas. A. Cole, A. J. Dipboye, Walter C. Bailey,
Joseph A. Faust,
Ethan T. Reasoner,
H. F. Underwood,
W. B. McClintic,
William J. Smith, Wm. C. Farrar,
Robert J. Loveland,
Joseph H. Larimer, Hiram S. Holt,
Chas. R. Pence, Jabez T. Cox, Elmer S. Morris.
348
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
CHAPTER VI.
SCHOOLS-EARLY EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES-FIRST SCHOOLS-
TEACHERS AND THEIR METHODS-SCHOOLS OF PERU-THE TOWNSHIPS IN DETAIL-THE COUNTY SEMINARY-THE CON- GRESSIONAL TOWNSHIP FUNDS-NORMALS AND INSTITUTES, ETC.
W HEN our forefathers, a century ago, declared in the ordi- nance of 1787 that knowledge with religion and moral- ity was necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, they struck the key-note of American liberty. Science and literature began to advance and the enthusiasm began to move forward with the tide of emigration. The declaration of the con- stitution of Indiana gave new life to the cause within the borders of the new State. The first who came to find homes upon the banks of the Wabash and its tributaries were illy prepared to provide the necessary means for the education of their children. So impor- tant an object, however, could not be delayed, and struggling through the pressure of poverty and privation, they soon began to plant among them these early institutions of learning. The schools for many years were in a condition
corresponding with the advancement in all other public matters. The teachers were, as a rule, illiterate and incompetent and selected not because of any special qualifications, but because they had no other business. The only requirements were that the teachers should be able to teach reading, writing and " ciphering." The teacher who could "cipher all the sums" in Pike's arithmetic up to and including the single rule of three was considered a mathematician of no mean ability. With such a condition of things, no system and no discipline could have been expected. Among the teachers there was no concert of action and consequently no uniformity in work. No appliances were provided without which successful work can not be accom- plished. Blackboards were unknown; wall maps were not in use; text-books were few, and those provided were illogically arranged and unsuitable for use; classification was unknown, the number of classes always corresponding with the number of pupils. For many years there were in most districts only subscription schools and these presided over by incompetent and inexperienced teachers.
Several years had elapsed, after the first settler came to the county, before a school was open to the public. This delay was due the sparseness of the population-there being in no one neigh- borhood a sufficient number of white children to constitute a school
349
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
until 1833. William Smith, now a citizen of Peru, was, according to good authority, the first to assume the role of the pedagogue. He opened a school during the winter of said year in a cabin that stood on the present site of the town of Mexico. The cabin was built of unhewn logs, with a mud and stick chimney in one end of the building, and a fire-place wide enough to receive a four to six-foot back log. For windows a part of a log was cut out and the aperature covered with paper, which, with an application of grease became quite translucent. The writing desks consisted of hewn slabs or heavy oak plank laid upon wooden pins driven in the wall. The benches and floor were of the same material-puncheons. With these equipments the first term was opened. The children presented themselves the first morning well supplied with Webster's spelling books, from which spell- ing, reading, writing and arithmetic were taught. The attain- ments of Mr. Smith were probably superior to the average teacher of to-day, yet it is safe to say that the organization was unsystematic and the teaching immethodical, for such was cer- tainly true of the teaching of every Hoosier school-master of that period. It is claimed by one of the pupils who attended this school that whenever there was any manifestations of a lack of interest or enthusiasm on the part of the pupils the same was restored by a vigorous application of the rod, which, it is said, was vary potent in its influence. This school was patron- ized by the families who resided in that neighborhood, among whom were the Wilkinsons, Beards, Connors, Cooks, Banes and others.
The second school in Jefferson Township was taught by the same teacher the following year, in a house built for the pur- pose. This was a log building 15x20 feet, and in convenience of arrangement was superior to the first. A school was taught by William Suewalt in the winter of 1834-35. The house was a log dwelling which stood on the Wynkoop farm, near where John Stanton now lives. The township was soon organized and other houses were erected at public expense.
At present there are two graded school buildings in the township-one at Denver the other at Mexico, the former con- sisting of four graded schools and the lattter of three depart- ments. There are nine country districts, and altogether the township employs sixteen teachers.
Schools of Peru .- The common schools of every State or county are the foundation upon which the general system of education must be built. These are the colleges of the people, and if neglected the great mass must grow up in ignorance. Although many of these primitive schools were but little more than a place at which the pupils would gather to receive their
350
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
daily " tannings" by a teacher who was selected because of his physical, rather than his mental proclivities, yet there is no doubt but that the influence was good. The first institution of learning was a log building 18x24 feet, located on Third street and erected by the venerable William Smith, at his own expense. This building was probably completed in the fall of 1834, and the first term taught the winter following. Mr. Smith, who had previously taught at Mexico, was the first teacher, and taught three consecutive terms. This was a subscription school, each pupil being required to pay a fee of $2.50. It is claimed that in some instances this amount was paid in coonskins and venison hams, which, at a still earlier day, is said to have been very generally used as a medium of exchange. The attendance averaged about ten pupils daily, which brought to the teacher about $25 per term, he furnishing both house and fuel. The second house was a frame structure, located on Third street opposite the residence of Dr. Bloomfield. Another house which was used but a short time, was erected on Broadway. The Presbyterian and Catholic churches were both used for school purposes during the latter part of the thirties. About the year 1837, what was known as the Peru Collegate Institute, was established. A Presbyterian minister by the name of John Stocker, a classical scholar, was the first principal, and his wife, who was an accomplished lady, associate principal. The build- ing used stood on the present site of the Presbyterian church, and at times when the attendance was too large to be accom- modated in one building, an old log house on Second street was used by the academical department. The institute was largely patronized not only by the people of Miami, but adjoining coun- ties as well. Among others who served as members of the board of trustees, were Rev. S. Newberry, Wm. N. Hood, Richard L. Britton, James B. Fulwiler and Alfred S. Keiser. Prof. H. Waldo, A. M., succeeded Mr. Stocker as principal.
Since the establishment of the Collegiate Institute the schools- of Peru have steadily developed into a system equal in the re- sults obtained to those of any city in Northern Indiana. For many years there was no supervision other than that afforded by the Trustees or Directors, but early in the sixties the neces- sity becoming more apparent, as the attendance increased, Ly- man Walker, a young graduate from the east, was appointed City Superintendent. Under his supervision many of the methods that proved successful in the older states were introduced, and in a short time there was a manifest improvement in the work. D. Eckley Hunter, one of Indiana's best known educators, served in the same capacity until 1871, when he was succeeded by the present incumbent, Prof. G. G. Manning. The best tes-
Your Respectfully Davonown
353
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
timonial of the eminent fitness of Manning, and the satisfactory results obtained under his management, is the mention of the fact of his re-appointment each year for fifteen consecutive years. The city has provided and conveniently located a sufficient num- ber of buildings to accommodate an enrollment of 2,100 child- ren. The following teachers were employed in the schools in 1886-7 and assigned as follows: High School-W. E. Henry, Mamie G. Taylor and W. A. Woodring. Seventh and Eighth Grades-Eileen Ahern, Ida Stutesman and Carrie C. Puter- baugh. Sixth Grade-Alice Stahl and Nannie Rees. Fifth Grade-Belle Watson and Madge Calvert. Fourth Grade- Mamie Smith and Clara Stoneberger. Third Grade-Alice Reisecker and May Servoss. Second Grade-Emma Davidson and Rose Seyfert. First Grade-Minerva Beckwith and Eva McFarland. Brownell School-W. D. Whisler and German A. Gehring. The work is divided into eight grades and a High School course of four years. The school has been commissioned by the State Board of Education which entitles the graduates to admission into the State University without examination.
The school history of Peru would be incomplete without more than passing memtion of the name of the venerable. Will- iam Smith. To his wisely directed energies the efficiency of the early schools of Peru are largely due. He came at a time when his services were needed and at once entered into the work with little promise of reward. He taught the first school, erected at his own expense the first house, and dedicated it to the cause. For the first thirty years of the county's existence he lead in every movement that promised an increase of the schools, and in all his actions he has shown an unselfish devo- tion to the cause of education.
The first school house to make its appearance in Jackson Township was in 1848, and was located on the farm of Benja- min Davis. During the same year another was built on the farm of Mr. Gates. The first board of trustees was constituted of the following named persons: O. H. P. Masey, Samuel Draper and Thomas Moore. Prominent among the early teach- ers were David Stanfield, Elizabeth Cook, Mason Sharp, Thomas Reese and Harvey Cooper. . Several years later a graded school was established in Xenia. The school is divided into four departments, viz: High school, Grammar grade, In- termediate and Primary grades, presided over, respectively, by M. H. Hester, Principal, Edgar A. Smith, Ida Armstrong and Anna Tuey. There are at present fourteen teachers employed in the schools of the township. The schools of Amboy have taken high rank, and under J. Z. A. McCaughan the course is sufficiently advanced to prepare pupils to enter the State Uni-
7
354
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
versity, and to that end the school has been commissioned by the State Board of Education. The schools of Harrison Town- ship had their inception in a small log hut, which had been abandoned as a residence, that stood on the farm of Jesse Lee. It was a subscription school, taught by Mr. Lee, and, although the attendance was small, it is said that much interest was man- ifested. The year following, 1849, Irwin Murden taught in a house that stood on the farm of William Smith, Jr. One of the princi- pal characteristics of these schools was the freedom and vigor with which the birchen twig was bent about the larger boys. "Whip the large ones and the small ones will not need it," was the maxim of the pioneer pedagogue. The Township has at pres- ent six district school houses and a township graded school with two departments, at North Grove. The people of Clay Town- ship began to provide means for the education of their children in the beginning of the forties. At first, instructions were given in spelling and reading in the houses of several of the early settlers by a traveling pedagogue, who would make daily trips and impart his knowledge in a way that was not calculated to over-work the student. Feeling the necessity for increased fa- cilities for school work, people living in the vicinity of Z. Hos- tettle's erected a house on the farm of said Hostettle, and, in the winter of 1843, the first school was taught by Elias Ho- baugh. The next house was built on the Lewis Hoover farm in the fall of 1850, and the first term of school was commenc- ed in the winter of the same year. To Henry Murden is due the honor of dedicating the new building. The Township is at present divided into eight school districts, each supplied with commodious buildings.
The early settlers of Deer Creek Township were not slow in giving their children all the opportunities for an education that the circumstances would admit of. The first settlers came to the territory now included within the boundaries of the town- ship, in 1844, and in the following year, 1845, they had pro- vided a small log cabin on the farm of Mr. Haines, and early in December the first school was opened, with Henry Garrett in charge. The inconvenience of having to walk three and four miles was very great, and especially at a time when for a con- siderable portion of the winter the ground was covered with snow. This was at once overcome by the erection of another house the following year on the farm of Austin Herrel, where John Truax was installed as teacher. Among the early families who patronized these schools were the Millers, Pearsons, Hoff- mans, McCrareys, Davises, Lewises, Armstrongs, McConnels, Busbys, besides a few others. The Township, at present, has eight school houses and employs nine teachers.
355
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
The early settlers of Pipe Creek Township were not lack- ing their appreciation of education although they were not so early in providing the necessary means. The first school was taught in a hastily constructed cabin on the farm of the first set- tler, Joel Julian, in the winter of 1843-44. The name of the first teacher has been forgotten, but, a few years later, Jacob Brandt and Eliza Barnett taught in the same district. What was known as the Marquis school house, in the northeast part of the Township, stood near the residence now owned by Joseph Sullivan, and was used for many years. Another of the early school houses was erected on the farm of Samuel Dewese, near Bunker Hill. Mr. Dewese, a Baptist minister, was the first to occupy this house .. He is said to have been a very serviceable man, being an excellent hunter, a good preacher and a fair teacher, and if occasion demanded it, he could serve in any other capacity with about equal ability. Daniel Puterbaugh was one of the prominent early teachers, and taught in various parts of the township. A house was erected at an early day on the farm of Jacob Brandt. A few years ago a graded school was established at Bunker Hill, in which four teachers are now employed, viz : J. H. Neff, principal; J. E. Rinehart, grammar grade; Jennie Haggerty, second primary and Eva Wilson, first primary. There are six houses in the town- ship, not including the graded school building at Bunker Hill. The first house in which school was taught in Washington Township, was erected on the farm of John Allen, in 1842, and in the following year was dedicated to God by Rev. Johnson, of Peru. The house had been built for a dwelling, but being un- suitable for the purpose, was converted into a school and church building. The first teacher was a young lady from Peru. In the fall of 1843 this house was abandoned for a small round log cabin that was erected on the farm of Patrick Colgan. A small Buckeye cabin was built on the Peter Weckler farm the same year. In this house Lucy O'Brien was the first teacher, and she is remembered by the old settlers as being one of the most competent pioneer teachers of the county. The township is now divided into ten school districts, and each is supplied with a well arranged house, some being of the most modern style of architecture.
Of the early school history of Peru and Erie Townships but little can be said. The residents of the former for many years availed themselves of the privilege afforded by the town of Peru, which was for many years a part of the Township system, and in consequence but little was done outside of what is now the city. There are at present school houses in the Township. In Erie Township seventeen years had elapsed after the coming of the first white man, in 1827, before a school was organized. This was not due however, to lack of zeal in educational matters, but for want
356
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
of a sufficient number of settlers to organize and support a school, and, in consequence, there was no school taught until the winter of 1844. There were at this time two houses built, one on the Phila- baum and the other on the Peer farm. The rapid growth of the. school from the date of their inception was largely due to the in- fluence of Pheobe Cox, Robert Taylor and James Corwin, who. were pioneer teachers of the Township. In school enumeration, as. well as area, the Township is the smallest in the County, and em -- ploys but five teachers.
Butler Township has eleven school districts and employs twelve. teachers. The Santa Fe school is what is known as a district ·graded school and consists of two departments. The development. of the schools into their present excellent condition speaks well for the citizens of the Township, who have been zealous in the cause of education since the opening of the first school. This was in the winter of 1842-43, in a house that stood on what was known as the J. Long farm. It is uncertain as to who was the first teacher. The year following a house was erected near the present site of the Clayton cemetery. This was a very rudely constructed cabin, 16x16 feet. Jacob Elliott is said to have been the first to teach in this building. The school was made up of about an equal number of Caucasians and Indians, there being six of the former and eight. of the latter. The patrons of this school were the Votaws, Sulli- vans, Millers, Claytons, and prominent among the Indian pupils. were the children of Pymyotimah, a Miami Indian, who was con- spicuous among his tribe for the interest he manifested in educa- tion. Elliott was probably succeeded as teacher by Margaret. Mackey, a native of Ohio and teacher of more than ordinary ability. John Bowman was also a pioneer teacher of the township. The Bradley school house, in the northern part of the township, on the Wabash river, and the one on the land of John Miller, were: also constructed at an early day. Among those who wielded the birchen rod in a manner entirely satisfactory to early settlers of the: Township may be mentioned the name of Lewis Reeves. Union. township was settled as early as 1835, the number of inhabitants at. the close of the year being four. These were soon joined by new emigrants, and in 1837 the township was organized. Churches- were soon built, and in the winter of 1838 that most important fac- tor in the civilization of every community-education-began to receive attention, and a school house was accordingly erected on the land erected of John Plaster. It was the same: characteristic log house, with stick chimney, puncheon floor, paper windows that was provided for all the primitive schools. Mahala Scott was thought to be competent to perform the duties of teacher and was at once put in charge of the school. In literary attain- ments she was probably not equal to the requirements of the most
357
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
fastidious. Yet she was endowed by nature with good common sense, a qualification found wanting in many of the college bred of to-day. The following year, 1839, two more houses were built, one on the farm of Mr. Kiplinger and the other near the residence of Mr. Cross. Other houses were built as soon as they became necessary, until there are now six houses in the township, which includes a township graded school building at Perrysburg.
Probably to Robert Watson is due the credit of establish- ing the first school in Richland township. The house was built upon the land of said Watson in the fall of 1838, and in the winter of the same year he began teaching, It had been but two years since the first settler had erected his pioneer mansion within the limits of the township, and consequently in so short a time but few others had come. There were not to exceed ten enrolled during the term, and these represented nearly every family of the township at that time. The house was also used by the Methodists as a place of worship. The church was always given the right-of-way when appointments conflicted, for the reason any other course would have been considered sacri- legious in those days. The same year a house was built on the farm of M. Martindale, and in the winter of 1838-39 the first term of school opened by M. Martindale. Jr. This was followed by the erection of a diminutive structure on the farm of R. C. Harrison, which was used for school purposes for several years. A house was built near Chili early in the forties. There are at present ten district school buildings and one township or dis- trict graded school building, making a total of eleven, requiring the services of twelve teachers. The school history of Perry Township begins with the winter of 1836-37. During said winter two buildings were erected, one on the land of Benjamin Landis, and the other three miles northwest of Gilead. The schools were attended by the children living in a radius of three and four miles and included nearly all settlers in the township at that time. The best informed now living differ as to who was the first teacher. Prior to 1840 there was a building erected near the present site of Gilead in which Samuel L. Thomas is said to have tanght the first school. Hiram Butler taught in the southeast part of the township about the same time. These were followed by the location of houses in various parts of the town- ship. In the southwest part, at what was known as Paddytown, James Potter taught at an early day, John Gaerte taught in a log house that stood on the land of Jacob Hoffman. In the eastern part of the township, a log house was erected on the land of Joseph Grogg. Others who belong to the catalogue of pioneer teachers of the township, were Peter Smith, Alvin Dun- bar, Valentine Hobart, Amanda Doud, C. B. Ash, Joel Crum-
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