USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Valley of the upper Maumee River, with historical account of Allen County and the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Volume I > Part 60
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It is a matter of great gratification that these young ladies and young gentlemen, have proved themselves, with scarcely an exception, honora- ble and useful members of the communities in which they live, better fitted by the education they have received for the performance of their respective duties, and filled with a higher ambition to perform them in the best and most honorable manner. While, so far as known, none of them have attained to positions of great distinction, they have adorned the more useful walks of middle life. No honorable profession is unrepresented by their number. Many to whom the "res angustae domi " has otherwise denied the opportunity of cultivating the abilities with which they have been endowed have found in these schools ample facilities, most effective and kindly aids toward raising thein to spheres of honorable usefulness, and positions that have enabled them to become valuable producers in the community, instead of the wasteful drones and useless consumers of the results of others' labors.
The prudent and business-like management of the school funds by
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a board of exceptionally strong and successful business men has enabled that board to lessen the number of scholars assigned to a single teacher. This condition of things gives to each scholar a greater personal atten- tion on the part of the teacher, gives to the teacher a better opportun- ity of studying the individual character of each scholar, and its modifi- cations by heredity and its environments, permits the teacher, therefore, more understandingly, and more successfully to put in practice the best methods under the best conditions; avoids the evil effect to the health. physical, mental and moral of an over-crowded room, and places the pupil in the best conditions to obtain the best results with the least ex- penditure of life and strength. The course of study has been so care- fully arranged, that while due and paramount importance is attached to the so-called common branches, which must form the necessary and only safe foundation for all advanced work, just and weighty consideration is given to those branches which serve not only to supplement the former but also to strengthen them to the better equipment of the scholar for the work of life. The natural relation of the study and the age and capacity of the scholar have been so studied and provided for, that, as a rule, at whatever age a child may leave the school, it leaves it with the best to be attained in the time. The employment of special teachers in drawing, reading, music and writing, and of teachers in the advanced grades of the work specially fitted and educated for their respective fields, enables the board to furnish the highest facilities for a very ad- vanced education with less comparative cost than was formerly necessary to teach the three R's.
As an evidence of the value and accuracy of the work done in the schools, the board can point to the facts that no scholar in the advanced grades has ever gone to a higher institution of learning and failed to take an honorable position for work and conduct, that a larger percent- age of our teachers have been educated and fitted for their profession in our schools than in any other city in the country except Boston, so far as they are advised. The facilities for prosecuting scientific study and research are beyond those of many colleges; historical and literary studies are prosecuted with a fuller and closer consideration of original works, and with a breadth and comprehensiveness of scope, which a lustrum ago would have been considered impracticable. The results of the art teaching are seen in many of the houses of this city, and in many of its work shops. A study that raises the capability of a lad to those of a journeyman; which reduces the expenditure of time in a given employ- ment one third; enables a given result to be attained with the use of a third less material, may be ornamental - highly so -- but it is also unques- tionably eminently practical. A method of study which raises the sub- ject of reading from a mere mechanical repetition of words, or their stilted mouthing, after the manner of a barn-stormer, to an intelligent comprehension and rendering of the ideas of an author, and the ability critically to analyze and discuss the work of that author, may well be regarded as cheaply purchased by the salary of a special teacher. No
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less can be said for that delightful and humanizing study of music, which enables the child, as well as the youth of more advanced years, accur- ately and with feeling, to render in sweet and harmonious measures the elevating thoughts that seek their utterance in melody.
All these facilities and more, are freely furnished by a wise and pru- dently generous board to the scholars of the Fort Wayne schools, almost without money and without price; furnished to a fullness and ex- tent which are equalled in but few cities.
One other point exhibing the wisdom and the foresight of the board. Such strict cleanliness in all the schools, from garret to cellar; in out- houses and yards; such watchful care and attention to light, heat and ventilation in all the rooms and halls; such observance of the laws of hygiene in study, rest, recreation, duration of recitation, and the hun- dred other points which bear upon the health, strength and comfort of the pupil have been, and are so closely and fully observed, that last year -1886-7-out of an enrollment of 4,097, the whole number of deaths in the schools was eight, a proportion far below the average mortality of even the healthiest country. It is detracting nothing from the homes of the city to say that in many cases the schools largely counteract the evil effects that want of care, want of means, and want of hygienic knowledge, inflict upon the children in their own homes.
Very much the larger part of these valuable results and the marked economy of means by which they have been brought about, is due to the wisdom of the council in keeping in their positions men eminently fitted by their natural abilities and acquired experience, ably and suc- cessfully to administer the large, the important, and the delicate interests which must ever attach to the education and building up of the future fathers and mothers of the land. Long may this wisdom in all its con- servative power be exercised to the welfare, the prosperity, and the abounding good to the community, of these public schools, so that a grateful posterity may rise up and call all concerned therein blessed.
The present management of the schools is under the following board of school trustees: John M. Moritz, president; A. Ely Hoffman, secre- tary, and Oliver P. Morgan, treasurer, while Dr. John S. Irwin is just . closing the fourteenth year of his superintendency.
The following is a list of the trustees from the organization of the schools in 1853 till the present time, with the dates of their election:
Elected 1853, Hugh McCulloch, served till 1854; Charles Case, till I854; William Stewart, till 1854. Elected 1854, James Humphrey, till 1857; Henry Sharp, till 1855; Charles G. French, till 1856. Elected I855, William S. Smith, till 1856. Elected 1856, Franklin P. Randall, till 1856; Pliny Hoagland, till 1856; John M. Miller till 1857; Charles E. Sturgis, till 1858. Elected 1857, William Rockhill, till 1859; William H. Link, till 1857; James Humphrey, till 1859. Elected 1858, Thomas Tigar, till 1861; William Edsall, till 1859; Charles G. French, till 1859. Elected 1859, Samuel Edsall, till 1861; Charles E. Sturgis, till 1861; Oliver P. Morgan, till 1863; Robert E.
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Fleming, till 1861. Elected 1861, William Rockhill, till 1863; James H. Robinson, till 1863; John C. Davis, till 1863; Orin D. Hurd, till 1863. Elected 1863, Samuel Edsall, till 1863; A. Martin, till 1863; Christian Orff, till 1865; Charles E. Sturgis, till 1865; Oehmig Bird, till 1865; Emanuel Bostick, till 1865; Virgil M. Kimball, till 1865. Elected 1865, Oliver P. Morgan, till 1873; John S. Irwin, till 1875; Edward Slo- cum, till 1869. Elected 1869, Pliny Hoagland, till 1880. Elected 1873, Alfred P. Edgerton, till 1888. Elected 1875, Oliver P. Morgan, now serv- ing. Elected 1880, Max Nirdlinger, till 1886. Elected 1886, John M. Moritz, now serving. Elected 1887, A. Ely Hoffman, now serving.
TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.
Unfortunately the records of these schools, prior to the administra- tion of the present efficient county superintendent, are very meager and unsatisfactory. It is proper to say that under the management of the present superintendent, the schools are making marked progress in all that appertains to them, and the people of Allen county feel and know that their schools are keeping pace with the foremost, and that their children leave the schools well equipped for all the duties and vocations of life. By the reports of Superintendent Felt to May, 1888, to the state superintendent, it appears that the total number of children in attendance upon the county schools, exclusive of the city of Fort Wayne, were, 6,257, out of a total enumeration of 10,623, with an average daily attendance of 4,044. Of the enumeration, 5,557 were white males, and 5,066 white females, no colored children being enumerated in the town- ships. Of the total attendance, 3,378 were white males, and 2,879 white . females, a condition of things not usual in township schools, and one from which it is evident that the farmers' daughters are largely detained at home for household assistance, or have entered upon domestic service in the towns and cities around. In the townships there are 104 brick school-houses, and seventy-one frame, the last log school-house having been abandoned, The value of the buildings, sites, furniture and appara- tus is estimated at $175,145, seven of the buildings were newly erected within the year, at a cost of $9,200. These schools were taught by ninety- four male, and ninety-five female teachers, at an expense of $47,730.82, and for incidental expenses of $11,466.69, in addition to which there was expended for permanent improvement a further sum of $10,366.83. The tuition revenues for the year, including balances on hand July 31, 1887, were $85,076.11, and the balances on hand July 31, 1888, $47,730.82. The special school revenues for the year, including bal- ances on hand July 31, 1887, were $40,522.40, and the balances on hand July 31, 1888, $18,662.67, with no indebtedness whatever, except a small one in an incorporated town.
Monroeville Public School .- Monroeville, so far as its educatioal needs have been concerned, has always endeavored to keep pace with the times. The school was first graded in 1865, but there being but
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one room in the building, there was great inconvenience until the erec- tion of a commodious building in 1871, by Trustees A. Engle, James Weiler and T. S. Heller. This is 31x71 feet in dimensions, and cost $7,175.50. The first term here began January 2, 1872, under W. A. Dickey, principal. The school has attained a high rank, and the course of instruction includes those branches that are best calculated to prepare its students for practical life. The officers of the board at present (1889) are: President, David Purman; secretary, David Redelsheimer, and treasurer, John Corbaley. Teachers chosen to take charge of schools during 1889-'90, are: J. B. Munger, principal, assisted by the Misses Emma Peckham, Rose Redelsheimer, Minnie McGonagle and Alice Parker. During the past two years Prof. Munger has placed in the schools a library numbering 225 volumes, and the fact that 100 of these volumes are constantly in circulation during the school year, proves that the library is appreciated.
Two classes have completed the course of study, the first in 1887, with W. A. Munger as principal, included Minnie McGonagle, Lena Strass and Mary Debolt. The second class, in 1889, with J. B. Munger as principal, included Rose Redelshennir, Luna Buchanan, May Dewirt, George Glancy, Louis Brown and Ollis Robinson.
The names of the principals since 1871 are: W. A. Dickey, M. E. Crawford, L. M. Dillman, I. O. Jones, O. Z. Hubbell, W. S. Walker, W. A. Munger and J. B. Munger.
The number of pupils enrolled is about 240.
John M. Moritz, one of the prominent men of Fort Wayne, has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the educational interests of the city, and when President Cleveland appointed the Hon. A. P. Edgerton civil service commissioner, and Mr. Edgerton thereupon vacated the office of president of the school board of the city, Mr. Moritz was elected in his stead, much to the satisfaction of the public. To the same position he has recently been re-elected. Mr. Moritz was born in Adams county, Penn., about nine miles from the since famous battle ground of Gettysburg. His parents were native Pennsylvanians. In 1866 he came to Fort Wayne, and in partnership with his brother-in- law, D. M. Miller, leased the Aveline House, which in 1874 they pur- chased, and have ever since conducted. The hotel is handsome in all its appointments, and is well-known throughout the country. Mr. Moritz is one of the trustees of the First Presbyterian church, of which he is a member. In politics he is a democrat and prominent in his party. In business and social circles he is highly esteemed.
Dr. John S. Irwin .- In the twelfth century the family of De Irwin, of Norman descent, obtained possession of the lands of Bonshaw in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, and were known as the Irwins of Bonshaw. When Robert Bruce was waging the war for the freedom of Scotland, against Edward I., on one of his fights he stopped at Bonshaw, and finding William De Irwin to be a bright and energetic man he took him with him, making him his armor bearer, a post of distinguished honor.
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At the battle of Bannockburn Irwin was instrumental in saving the life of Bruce, for which he was publicly thanked and authorized to take the coat of arms of Bruce, the triple holly leaves with the motto "Sub sole sub umbra vircus," which has ever since been the family motto. He also gave him the barony of Drum in Aberdeenshire, which has remained the seat of that branch of the family, the castle of Drum being the oldest inhabited dwelling in Scotland. In the rebellion of 1680, several members of this family went over to Ireland to help raise the siege of Londonderry. Remaining there after the rebellion was quelled, they received lands in the counties of Tyrone, Londonderry and Antrim, the important branch settling in Tyrone. John Irwin was born there in 1745. He emigrated to the United States early in the revolutionary period and became assistant commissary general at Fort Pitt from 1781 to about 1791, after which he settled in the village of Pittsburgh as a merchant, where he died after an honorable and useful life in 1831. His eldest son, John S. Irwin, born in 1798, was graduated M. D. at the university of Pennsylvania in 1819, but died of consumption in 1832. His eldest son, John S. Irwin, now a citizen of Fort Wayne, was born at Pitts- burgh, April 4, 1825, and was there educated, being graduated A. B. at the Western University of Pennsylvania in August, 1842. He entered upon the study of medicine, practical chemistry and pharmacy under Dr. Joseph P. Gazzam of that city, and was graduated M. D. at the university of Pennsylvania, April 3, 1847. He entered immediately upon the practice of his profession, becoming junior member of the medical and surgical board of the Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh. In September he married Miss Mahan, of Carlisle, Penn. He continued the practice of his profession till 1853, when his health completely broke down, and he was compelled to abandon it. Recovering his health partially he became, in Decem- ber, 1853, book-keeper for the private banking firm of Allen Hamilton, in Fort Wayne, with whom he remained eleven years, becoming then teller in the Fort Wayne branch of the Bank of the State of Indiana. At the end of two years he was elected cashier of the Merchant's National Bank, which position he retained until 1873, when being threatened with serious disease of the brain he was compelled to resign his position, and spent a year traveling as general manager for Indiana, of the United States life insurance company. In April, 1865, he was elected a mem- ber of the city school board of trustees, and, upon organization of the board, made secretary and treasurer, retaining the latter position till June, 1875, when the superintendent of schools, Dr. James H. Smart, now president of Purdue university, having been elected state superin- tendent of public instruction, Dr. Irwin was elected superintendent of the city schools, which position he still occupies. In 1869 Dr. Irwin was elected a trustee of Indiana university, which office he held until elected superintendent, when, becoming ex officio a member of the state board of education, he resigned the trusteeship. Upon his resignation he received from the university the honorary degree of LL. D.
Prof. Chester T. Lane, principal of the Fort Wayne high school,
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was born in Jackson county, Mich., October 31, 185x, the son of David and Minerva J. (Crawford) Lane, both of whom were natives of New York. He remained upon the farm of his parents until he was fifteen years old, and then entered the public schools of Jackson, Mich., whither they had removed. He was graduated from the high school in 1869, and in the fall of 1870 entered the university of Michigan, where he was graduated in June, 1874, after completing a full classical course. He accepted the principalship of the high school at Ypsilanti, Mich., the next fall, and occupied that position five years, coming to Fort Wayne in the fall of 1879, to enter upon the duties of his present position. His educational work during the decade he has passed in Fort Wayne, has been of the highest order in his department of instruction, and he has become widely known as a successful teacher. Socially as well as professionally, he occupies a high rank. In politics he is independent of party and very much interested in the progress of reform of the civil service. Prof. Lane was married August 15, 1876, to Caroline J. Bloomfield, daughter of Giles and Cornelia R. (Williams) Bloomfield. She is also a native of Jackson county, Mich., and was born April 19, 1853. They have four children: Elmer B., Ralph C., Hilda and Win- throp D. Mrs. Lane is a member of the Episcopal church.
Dr. Charles R. Dryer, teacher of sciences in the Fort Wayne high school, is a native of Ontario county, N. Y., born August 31, 1850. He was reared on a farm and at seventeen entered Hamilton college, at Clinton, N. Y., in which he completed a full classical course, graduat- ing in 1871. Meanwhile he had given some attention to the study of medicine, and after graduating he set about a thorough study of that science. For four years he devoted himself to that study and also taught school, being principal during the time, of Phelps Union and classical school at Phelps, N. Y. During the winter of 1871-2 he took a course of medical lectures at the university of Michigan, and he took his second course in the medical department of the university of Buffalo during the winter of 1875-6. He graduated in February, 1876, after which he began practice at Victor, N. Y. In August, 1877, he came to Fort Wayne, since which time he has held the position of teacher of natural sciences in the Fort Wayne high school. Dr. Dryer was mar- ried July 28, 1874, to Alice M., daughter of Samuel and Mary Peacock, of Walworth, N. Y. Dr. Dryer and wife have four children: Helen E., Alice J., Reginald P. and Clare M. Between the years 1881 and 1885 he served as a member of the board of pension examiners of Fort Wayne. For ten years he has been professor of chemistry in the Fort Wayne college of medicine. During almost his entire residence here he has devoted much attention to analytical chemistry, particularly toxi- cology, and he has won in this department a very creditable reputation. Dr. Dryer is a fine scholar and an able educator. Socially his standing is very high. During the summers of 1887-8 he made a geological survey of both Allen and DeKalb counties which is a masterly produc- tion and does him much credit. The survey was made for the state geologist and is published in full in the latter's report.
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Westminster seminary was first opened in the fall of 1883. The year preceding, one of the principals had been offered the charge of Mr. Moody's seminary at Northfield, Mass .; but was so impressed with the idea of the need of a Christian school in the northern part of Indiana that she refused the offer, and in company with her associate principals they decided to open such a school in Fort Wayne. The right building and location were secured, being the family residence of the Hon. Rob- ert Lowry, who having been elected to congress, desired to lease his home for a term of years. Additions were made to the building; while the home-like character was preserved. A competent corps of teachers was engaged, and the institution opened its first sesson September 13, 1883, with four boarders and thirty-six day pupils, a number far ex- ceeding the expectations of the founders. A course of study was laid out, both classical and English, such as will fit for entrance into any of the higher schools for women, and equal to that of any similar institution in the west or east. A preparatory department was connected with the seminary proper. The numbers increased, and improvements were made from year to year. In 1884 a company of gentleman purchased the property, and continued to hold it for this purpose. Their generous aid and helpful encouragement at all times are striking illustrations of the public spirit and interest in all such enterprises, manifested by many of the foremost citizens of Fort Wayne. In 1886 the seminary grad- uated its first class, consisting of six young ladies; the exercises were held in the elegant new First Presbyterian church. No essays were required from the graduates, but they listened to an eloquent address from the Rev. Dr. McLeod, of Indianapolis. In 1887 the building was enlarged to meet its growing requirements; it also received a generous gift of money from Mrs. J. L. Williams. Some of the distinctive features of the seminary may be mentioned. The home-life is modelled upon that of a private family, and aims to train the manners and morals of the young ladies as they would be in their own homes. The small number received into the famly makes it possible for the principals to come into direct contact with each pupil. The decipline is based upon the laws of Christian courtesy and mutual helpfulness. Systematic instruction in the Bible is a part of the regular course of study, and of the family life. The methods of instruction are intended to develop the power of thought.
For the inception, as well as the successful management of West- minster seminary, the people of northern Indiana are much indebted to the foresight and executive ability of Miss Carrie B. Sharp. In 1882, having achieved a worthy reputation as a teacher by reason of nearly twenty years' service as principal of the Jefferson school, she was invited by the trustees of the Northfield, Mass., seminary, to take the principal- ship of that institution. She visited it, and this led to the foundation of Westminster seminary, an account of which has already been given. Miss Sharp has since been identified with it as one of the principals. She began her life work at the age of sixteen, but after teaching one term in Fort Wayne, she entered Holyoke seminary, Mass., from
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which she graduated in 1862. Returning to Fort Wayne she resumed teaching, taking a position in the Jefferson school. Three years later, at the request of ex-state superintendent, James H. Smart, then superin- tendent of the city schools, she accepted the principalship of that school.
A devoted teacher, of wide and varied experience, Mrs. Delphine B. Wells brought to Westminster seminary, upon its organization, a well-earned reputation and a thorough professional training. She was born in Bristol, Conn., February 2, 1847, daughter of William G. and Josephine L. Bartholomew. In her infancy the family removed to Weatherfield, Conn., where for six years the father was warden of the Connecticut state prison. Subsequently, they removed to Providence, R. I., where the father held the wardenship four years. Their next home was at Dayton, Ohio, for about six years, and they then removed to Kalamazoo, Mich., where the father and mother passed the remainder of their lives. Their daughter, at an early age entered Kala- mazoo colloge, and after completing the sophomore year, she entered Mrs. Stone's school for young ladies, at Kalamazoo, where she gradu- ated at the age of eighteen years, and during the subsequent year was engaged there as a teacher. She was married at the age of twenty and after a married life of three years, resumed her profession, to which her whole attention has since been given. She was principal of the Irving school at Detroit two years; principal of the high school at Muskegon, two years; teacher of modern languages in the Freeport, Ill., high school, one year; principal of the Plymouth, Ind., high school one year; and principal of the Clay school at Fort Wayne, four years, resigning that position to become one of the founders of the Westminster seminary, of which she is now one of the principals, having charge of the depart- ment of language and literature. Mrs. Wells is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and for ten years has taught the adult Bible class in the Sunday school of that church.
James F. Whiteleather, one of the principals of McDermut and Whiteleather's business college, Fort Wayne, is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, born July 4, 1853. His life was spent in Whitley and Allen counties, Ind., being engaged in boyhood on a farm. At eighteen years of age he took up the vocation of a teacher, and for several years he taught school and attended school alternately, receiving a collegiate education. For the past eighteen years his whole attention has been devoted to school work, either in the capacity of student or teacher. He completed a special course in plain and ornamental penmanship at Hun- tington, Ind., in 1875, and in 1879 he took a six months' course under P. R. Spencer, of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1882 he became teacher of penmanship in the Fort Wayne business college, and later became one of the proprietors of that institution. For some two or three years he was instructor in penmanship and other branches in the Fort Wayne college. In the fall of 1885 he, in connection with Mr. W. E. McDer- mut, established the McDermut and Whiteleather business college, to which his main attention has since been given as instructor in penman-
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ship, mathematics and bookkeeping. For two years past he has also taught bookkeeping in the Fort Wayne high school. He is an able instructor and a first class citizen.
Wilson E. McDermut, one of the founders and principals of Mc- Dermut & Whiteleather's business college, is a native of Richland county, Ohio, born August 9, 1851. He is the son of Josiah S. and Nancy (Vail) McDermut, natives of the same county. When he was but two years old his parents came to Indiana and located at LaGrange. There his father died in 1858, and in the latter part of 1859 he removed. to Ohio, and located at Lima. He remained at Lima four years, attend- ing school in winter and working in a blacksmith shop in the summer. In 1863 he returned to Richland county, and for two years resided there and in Wyandotte county, working upon a farm and attending school. In April, 1865, he began to learn the printer's trade at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and was thus engaged at Upper Sandusky, until April, 1869, when he came to Fort Wayne, where he has remained since with the exception of three months in 1872, when he worked in Chicago. In July, 1869, he took the position of foreman of the composing room of the Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel, and with the exception of an interval of about one year, he continued in the same capacity until January 30, 1880, also acting as telegraph editor during the most of that period. During his connection with the Sentinel he had learned stenography, and to this art, in 1880, he turned his attention as a court reporter. In the spring of 188I he became clerk and chief officer of the Fort Wayne water- works, a position he held four years, resigning it January 1, 1885, to resume the practice of court reporting, and he has labored in the latter capacity ever since. For the past four years he has also devoted much of his attention to the management of McDermut and Whiteleather's business college, which was established by himself and Mr. James F. Whiteleather, in the fall of 1885. Mr. McDermut was married Sep- tember 27, 1883, to Miss Lida F., daughter of the late Lewis Embey, of Fort Wayne, and they have one child, Gail, born August 13, 1885. Mrs. McDermut is a member of the Baptist church. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of the A. O. U W. For the past two years he has been employed as special teacher of short-hand in the Fort Wayne Central grammar school.
During the last twelve years James A. Gavin, a worthy citizen, has served very acceptably as overseer of the Fort Wayne public school buildings. He was born at Glasgow, Scotland, September 10, 1848, son of Robert and Isabelle (Craig) Gaven, with whom he came to America when he was six months old. The family made a brief stop at Cleve- land, Ohio, and then came to Fort Wayne, and soon after located on a farm near Leo. Two or three years later they settled on the Comparet farm which is now within the city limits. In 1860 Mr. Gavin accom- panied his father to a farm near Bryan, Ohio, where he remained several years. On his return to Fort Wayne he entered upon an
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apprenticeship as a miller, and served about four years in the old Wines mill and the City mill when ill health compelled him to give up milling. He then obtained employment on the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad, beginning as a foreman on a construction train, and upon the completion of the road he was promoted to baggage master, and still later to con- ductor, serving in the latter capacity two years. From the spring of 1872, to September, 1877, he was collector for the Fort Wayne gas light company. In the fall of 1877 he was appointed to his present position. Mr. Gavin was married June 29, 1871, to Sedonia R., daugh- ter of Wesley T. Davis. She was born in Newark, Ohio, April 29, 1850, and died October 23, 1879, leaving one child, Frank W., who was born April 9, 1872. Mr. Gavin is a member of the First Baptist church, in which he has been a deacon for the past seven years, and of the Masonic lodge.
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