History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 78

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 78

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This expresses well and forcefully the idea of gen- eral responsibility for the success of school work :

"The whole system of Public instruction shª en- gage the earnest attention of every citizen. None are so ignorant as not to be able to help onward the good cause, and none are too wise aud learned to be exonerated from the duty of bestowing freely of their means and fostering care, each according to his ability. The danger of the age is an increasing indifference to public instruction. Through the desire for sec- tarian schools on the part of some, the preference for private schools by many, and the desire for schools of higher culture by others, the public common school, on which the great majority of the children of the State must rely, for the acquirement of the ele- ments and first principles of knowledge, in fact, for all the education they will ever receive at school, is in danger of being neglected. The common school, supported at the public expense, is worthy of increasing interest, generous support and careful supervision." The last sentence is made emphatic here, as it not only expresses an important truth, but shows the spirit which controlled the school management for so long a period.

At the annual town-meeting in 1883 the town, after a most thorough discussion and consideration of the subject, voted to employ a superintendent of schools. This change required an increased appro-

priation, and the town added $1500 to the amount recommended by the committee, or $12,909.62 in all. The time had fully come for such action on the part of the town, and the result has vindicated its wis- dom. There is no danger that the town will now go back to the old way.

The action above referred to was in April, and be- fore the end of the term the committee elected MIr. William E. Pulsifer, principal of the High School in Stoughton, Mass., as superintendent of schools for Leominster. He entered upon his duties the 1st of September, 1883, and continued in office until April, 1885. At that time he resigned to take a more profit- able position with a publishing house in Boston. His administration of the schools was marked with a good degree of wisdom and success : all that ought to have been expected, where the office was new and the in- cumbent without previous experience, was accom- plished. The committee would gladly have retained Mr. Pulsifer in the service, and to that end proposed a larger salary, but he preferred his present work.

The present superintendent, Mr. I. Freeman Hall, was elected to fill the vacancy. He had seen success- ful service in the same kind of work at Dedham, Mass., and came to Leominster with both experience and skill as a superintendent. He is especially familiar with primary work, and has made a valuable record, both here and in Dedham, in this department. His administration of the schools has been and is successful. He is, also, a most acceptable speaker upon educational subjects, and a superior teacher of Normal Classes and Institutes.

The closing words of Mr. Hall's last annual report may be added, as expressing the present condition and temper of the town in regard to school matters : " It has been pleasant to labor in a community where there is such a good degree of intelligence and appre- ciation, and where committee, teachers, parents and citizens are so fully in sympathy and work together so harmoniously to secure the highest and best results."

THE HIGH SCHOOL .- The Leominster High School, now the Field High School, was established in 1850, but it was not until 1868 that a regular course of study was arranged and diplomas granted to those who finished this course. Since that time there have been one hundred and seventy-nine graduates. The history of these is given by the superintendeut in his last annual report. " Five of the graduates," he said, " cannot be accounted for. Eight are dead. Three died soon after graduation ; five after they had given promise of great success. Of the remaining one hun- dred and fifty-six " (the last class of ten was not in- cluded in the percentage, of course, but is now in- cluded in the whole number of graduates given above), forty-five, or more than twenty-eight per cent., are teaching in the common schools of Leominster, Watertown, Concord, Mass., and of Vermont, New Hampshire, North Carolina and other Southern and Western States, or in Normal Schools, colleges and

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universities. Thirty-three, or nearly twenty-two per cent., are now studying in colleges, Normal Schools, scientific and professional schools.

"Twenty-eight, or eighteen per cent., are in business or following some scientific pursuit.

" Sixteen, or nearly seven per cent., are lawyers, doctors or ministers.

"Twenty, or more than twelve per cent., have mar- ried men successful in business or professional life. Twenty, or more than twelve per cent., have been kept at home by duty or ill-health, or have remained there from choice."

The above is surely a favorable showing for the graduates of this school. It is the record and stands for all who wish to read.

The following list contains the names of all who have served as principals of the High School : Josiah S. Phillips, of Georgetown, May, 1850; Andrew F. Willard, of Lancaster, June, 1854; Jasper Fish, of Middleton, Conn., March, 1855; D. H. Goodell, of Antrim, N. H., June, 1856; Caleb Blodgett, Jr., September, 1856; Halsey J. Boardman, June, 1858; George R. Marble, of Fitchburg, July, 1859; D. B. Hubbard, April, 1862; Samuel H. Virgin, of Chelsea, March, 1864; M. P. Stafford, of Cambridge, March, 1866; G. G. Pratt, of Cambridge, August, 1866; O. H. Stearns, of Lunenburg, December, 1866; Joel D. Miller, of Athol, April, 1867, who has charge of the school at the present writing. The names of the assistant teachers need not be given. It is enough to say that Miss Sarah E. Richards was elected to the place in 1876-a position which she has filled and still fills with entire acceptance to all concerned. The name of one other teacher, Mrs. Ella M. Wilder, should receive honorable mention in this connection. After three years' service in other schools she was, in 1868, elected principal of the second department of the High School. This position she filled with emi- nent ability and success until the summer of 1886, when she resigned to engage in business.

SCHOOL BUILDINGS .- So far as there is any record or tradition in the matter, Leominster has always provided liberally for her schools in the way of build- ings and supplies. In this respect to-day she is more than the equal of similar towns throughout the State. It is true there is but one costly school building in town, and, in this case, the cost has been accumulated by continued alterations and additions, in part, at least, the result of a faulty construction at first. Still, Leominster has some of the best school buildings in the State, if regard to use be the point. The Field High and Grammar School, while as poor in some ways as any, is still well adapted for school work, and some of the best and pleasantest of rooms. The Field Primary and the Bennett School, both con- structed on the same general plan, are model school buildings. It is not easy to see how, with moderate outlay, better results could be obtained. The first was built about 1870, at a cost of $8000, or about

that, and has been remodeled so as to accommodate four in place of two schools. The Bennett School building was built in 1874 and remodeled last year. These buildings as they now stand cost about $11,000 each. A new school building was erected at North Leominster in 1888. It is one of the best and most complete for the cost to be found anywhere. It is convenient, substantial, handsome in finish, has the best heating and ventilating arrangement in the country, and provides thoroughly for the comfort and health of the scholars. The cost was about $12,000. Leominster has no reason to be ashamed of her school buildings.

The results in education are, after all, often as much in men as in buildings and town votes. It is proper to make, therefore, some reference to the men who have had most to do with the educational affairs of the town.

JONAS HENRY KENDALL .- No historic sketch of the school system and school affairs of the town can be complete that does not record the name of Jonas Henry Kendall among the generous benefactors of the town. He died in 1862, a descendant of an ancient and honorable family of the town. By his will, besides minor bequests to individuals and a gift to the town of a fine bell for the Town-House, and 85000 for a hall and school-room at North Leomin- ster, he bequeathed to the town $5000 for a free Public Library, the income of $10,000 for the support of the High School, and the income of $3000 for the benefit of the school at the North Village. It is par- tienlarly for his benefactions to the cause of education that his name should be held in grateful remembrance for all time by all lovers of sound learning and gen- erous culture.

DR. CALEB CLESSON FIELD .- To write adequately of the schools of Leominster and not give some ac- count of the life and work of Dr. C. C. Field would be impossible. It would be equally unjust, for to his sustained interest, watchful care and excellent judg- ment the town is very largely indebted for her supe- rior schools, and especially for those progressive ideas of school management and instruction for which Leominster has so long been noted. Of this the writer can speak with confidence. For fourteen years he taught under Dr. Field's direct supervision, during which time two of the doctor's own children were members of the school and graduated under the writer's personal instruction. Dr. Field's work for the Leo- minster schools, his general estimate of the public school system, his ideas of management, instruction and progress, his temper towards the new and the old in education, are all matters of familiar knowledge. There is lasting advantage in placing a system of schools in the right attitude, in leading parents and teachers to cherish the right spirit towards educa- tional topics; a mind at once hospitable to progress and conservative of the real gold in possession, and in keeping a town up to the point where it is willing

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to honor, cherish and keep its public schools. All this and more Dr. Field did for Leominster, and of this mention should be made to his lasting honor.

Caleb Clesson Field was born in Northfield, Mass., May 27, 1810; he graduated with honors at Amherst College iu the summer of 1833. His first public work was as a teacher in the old town of Concord, Mass., where, as a young graduate, he achieved marked suc- cess. Teaching was not, however, his chosen profes- sion, and in the year 1835 he began the study of medi- cine at a private school in Boston. He remained here until June of the next year, when he was compelled to leave on account of failing health. He remained at his home in Northfield until 1837, studying medi- cine with Dr. Dean, of Greenfield. After this he spent five months with the then celebrated Dr. Twitchell, of Keene, N. H. At the close of his studies there he attended a course of lectures at Dartmouth Medical School and received the degree of M.D. from that institution in 1837. In the same year Dr. Field came to Leominster and settled in the work of his profession, continuing its practice with the grow- ing favor of the community until his death, in 1881.

In 1838 Dr. Field was elected a member of the Leominster School Board and served without inter- ruption from that time until his death. At the time when he hecame a member of the board, the educa- tional pulse of the State was showing increasing strength. New blood had been infused into the sys- tem by Horace Mann and others. The State Board of Education caused broader and juster ideas of ed- ucatiou to take strong foot-hold in all parts of the State; with these ideas Dr. Field was fully in sympa- thy. During a long and active life he kept himself well posted on all educational topics, was a close ob- server of methods and a clear and forcible reasoner upon the principles of teaching. Ile was ready to advocate any change for Leominster schools which gave reasonable promise of greater efficiency in school work, but was not willing to throw away an actual good for what was only an imaginary gain. He was the friend of any earnest and faithful teacher, a safe counselor, a decided helper in the line of direct sug- gestion. The schools of Leominster will always bear the marks of his wise care, faithful oversight and un- failing interest. As our modern life makes larger and larger demands upon the time of the individual, and the system of public instruction becomes more com- prehensive, special supervision by men who can de- vote all their time to the work must take the place of the old way. But in the years before this was possi- ble, any town was most fortunate if among her citi- zens there was one who had the will and the ability to do for her public schools what Dr. Field did for the schools of Leominster. He labored with unfailing interest and zeal, with rare wisdom and success, for the wise and permanent development of our system of schools, and after a service of over forty-three years left the schools among the best in the State. On the

anniversary of his death the teachers and scholars have been accustomed to cover his grave with flowers.

As a physician Dr. Field was held in high esteem by members of the profession, and served the town with skill and success. He was twice chosen by the people to represent them at the General Court, and did most honorable and efficient service there, espe- cially as a member of the Committee on Education.

As a man Dr. Field was highly esteemed by the community. His character grew in breadth and strength to the end. He left a lasting impression for good upon the community.

In May, 1881, Dr. Field, reduced in strength by the severe work of the winter and early spring, took a sudden cold which developed into pneumonia, of which he died after a brief illness of five days. He was three times married, but only one of his children is now living.

JAMES BENNETT, ESQ .- This is an honorable name in Leominster, and especially in connection with her public schools. Mr. Bennett was for a long time an active and influential member of the School Board, and to the end of life an earnest, devoted friend of education. His time, his influence, his help in every way, was freely given to the public schools. In this field, as well as others, he did excellent and lasting work. In many ways Mr. Bennett was exceptionally well-fitted to work for the schools. His interest was constant. So far as he was able-and his ability exceeded that of most men not actually engaged in teaching-he gave direct help in this work. His ser- vice was honorable to himself and helpful to the cause.

In other ways Mr. Bennett served the town faith- fully. He was for many years a member of the Library Committee, and one of the most potent factors in its growth. Of his work there it is sufficient to say, that when he became a member of the committee he found the library a small collection of books of small value; when he left the committee, in 1880, on account of age and health, the library numbered eight thou- sand volumes, had a home of its own, and a fine reading-room department. Of the work needed to bring all this about Mr. Bennett bore his full share. He was a wise and efficient member of the committee, serving much of the time as its treasurer.

Mr. Bennett also served the town as its Representa- tive at the General Court. In this, as in other places, he honored himself and the town.

Writing in 1853, Mr. Wilder, in his "History of Leominster," said : " Although there have been some failures on the part of the teachers, yet, at least for the sixty-five years past, the town has been peculiarly fortunate in this particular." Not now including the High School, to which there is reference elsewhere, it may be noticed that not a few of the teachers in the grammar and primary grades have been for many years in the service of the town, and have shown rare ability in teaching and rare fidelity in work. Of this

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the writer has personal knowledge, and it would be neither just nor honest to end this article without saying, that in all the grades to which reference is now made at least, while there may have been some failures, it is still true, as it was in 1853, that Leomin- ster has been peculiarly fortunate in her teachers. When it is remembered that it is, after all, neither the building, nor the text-book, nor the committee, nor the superintendent, but the teacher who deter- mines the character and influence of the school, there should be no more honored names in connection with our school history than of those teachers who, in these least-noticed places, with unfailing patience, zeal and devotion, have given the strength of their best and truest life for the success of the Leominster schools.

The following persons have served the town as members of the School Committee :

1803 .- Dr. Daniel Adams, Abijah Bigelow, Esq., and Jonas Kendall, Esq.

1804 .- D. Adams, A. Bigelow and J. Kendall.

1805 .- A. Bigelow, Asa Johnson, Esq., Rev. Fran- cis Gardner, David Wilder and J. Kendall.

1806 .- Rev. F. Gardner, A. Johnson and D. Wilder.

1807 .- Rev. F. Gardner, A. Johnson and D. Wilder.

1808 .- A. Johnson, D. Wilder and A. Bigelow.

1809 .- F. Gardner, A. Johnson, Josiah Richard- son, D. Wilder and Bezaleel Lawrence, Esq.

1810 .- F. Gardner, A. Bigelow, J. Kendall, D. Wilder and Joshua Chase.

1811 .-- J. Kendall, D. Wilder, J. Crosby, J. Rich- ardson and William Perry, Esq.

1812 .- D. Wilder, J. Richardson and William Perry.

1813 .- D. Wilder, Caleb Barton and William Perry.

1814 -William Perry, J. Crosby and J. Kendall.

1815 .- William Perry, Daniel Fuller and Joshua Chase.

1816 .-- Rev. William Bascom, A. Bigelow and J. J. Richardson.

1817 .- William Bascom, D, Wilder, Dr. A. Has- kell, Daniel Gates and Horace Richardson.

1818 .- W. Bascom, Dr. C. W. Wilder, Joseph G. Kendall, D. Wilder and D. Gates.

1819,-William Bascom, D. Wilder, C. W. Wilder, William Perry and D. Gates.

1820 .- D. Wilder, C. W. Wilder, William Perry, Jonas H. Kendall and Leonard Burrage.

1821 .- Rev. Abel Conant, D. Wilder, Levi Nichols, J. H. Kendall and L. Burrage.

1822 .-- A. Conant, D. Wilder, Levi Nichols, J. H. Kendall and H. Richardson.

1823 .- A. Conant, D. Wilder, L. Nichols, J. H. Kendall and H. Richardson.

1824 .- A. Conant, William Perry, Dr. A. Haskell, Jr., J. H. Kendall and H. Richardson.

1825 .- A. Conant, J. G. Kendall, Dr. Thos. R. Boutelle, J. H. Kendall and L. Burrage.

.1826 .-- A. Conant, Philip Payson, T. R. Boutelle, J. H. Kendall and J. G. Kendall.

1827 .- A. Conant, T. R. Boutelle, Solon Carter, J. H. Kendall and J. G. Kendall.

1828 .- A. Conant, Solon Carter and T. R. Boutelle. 1829 .- A. Conant, David Wilder and Charles W. Wilder.

1830 .- A. Conant, J. J. Taylor and Alanson J. Whitcomb.

1831 .- A. Conant, A. J. Whitcomb, T. R. Boutelle, Solon Carter and J. H. Kendall.

1832 .- A. Conant, S. Glover, J. H. Kendall, S. Carter and A. J. Whitcomb.

1833 .- A. Conant, S. Glover, J. G. Kendall, S. Car- ter and D. Wilder.

1834 .- A. Conant, C. W. Wilder, S. Carter, A. J. Whitcomb and Albert Smith.

1835 .- A. Conant, C. W. Wilder, S. Carter, Rev. O. G. Hubbard and Dr. Albert Smith.

1836 .- A. Conant, C. W. Wilder, S. Carter, O. G. Hubbard and A. Smith.

1837 .- O. G. Hubbard, C. W. Wilder, S. Carter, A. Smith and Sumner L. Carter.

1838 .- Rev. R. P. Stebbins, O. G. Hubbard, Rev. Moses Harrington, C. W. Wilder and Dr. C. C. Field. 1839 .- R. P. Stebbins, O. G. Hubbard, M. Harring- ton, C. W. Wilder and Dr. C. C. Field.

1840 .- O. G. Hubbard, M. Harrington, C. W. Wil- der, C. C. Field and Rev. John C. Goodridge.

1841 .- O. G. Hubbard, R. P. Stebbins, C. C. Field, Solon Carter and C. W. Wilder.

1842 .- O. G. Hubbard, R. P. Stebbins, C. W. Wil- der, C. C. Field and S. Carter.

1843 .- O. G. Hubbard, R. P. Stebbins, C. W. Wil- der, C. C. Field and S. Carter.

1844 .- R. P. Stebbins, O. G. Hubbard, C. W. Wil- der, C. C. Field and S. Carter.

1845 .- O. G. Hubbard. Rev. Hiram Withington, C.

C. Field, A. J. Whitcomb and Joel W. Fletcher.

1846 .- O. G. Hubbard, H. Withington, Rev. J. C. Carpenter, J. M. Burrage and Alanson Richardson.

1847 .- O. G. Hubbard, H. Withington, C. W. Wil- der, C. C. Field and S. Carter.

1848 .- O. G. Hubbard, H. Withington, C. W. Wil- der, C. C. Field and S. Carter.

1849 .- O. G. Hubbard, Rev. Amos Smith and C. C. Field.

1850 .- O. G. Hubbard, A. Smith, Rev. S. Tupper, C. C. Field and Dr. G. W. Pierce.

1851 .- O. G. Hubbard, A. Smith, Rev. A. M. Swain, C. C. Field and G. W. Pierce.

1852 .- A. Smith, A. M. Swain, C. C. Field, G. W. Pierce and Charles H. Merriam, Esq.

1853 .- Amos Smith, A. M. Swain, J. S. Brigham, C. C. Field and John Hurd.

1854 .- C. C. Field, Amos Smith, J. S. Brigham, A. M. Swain and - Mudge.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

1855 .- C. C. Field, Amos Smith, J. S. Brigham, I. Smith and J. W. Fletcher.

1856 .- C. C. Field, Solon Carter, Charles H. Mer- riam and James Bennett.

1857 .- C. C. Field, Solon Carter, Charles H. Mer- riam, James Bennett and James T. Joslin.

1858 .- C. C. Field, Solon Carter, Stephen Bar- ker, Charles H. Merriam, C. C. Field, Henry Shaw and James Bennett.

1859 .- James Bennett, Henry Shaw, C. C. Field, Solon Carter and Stephen Barker.

1860 .- Charles H. Merriam, Solon Carter, C. C. Field and James Bennett.

1861 .- Solon Carter, C. C. Field, Charles H. Mer- riam and James Bennett.

1862 .- James Bennett, C. C. Field and Charles H. Merriam.

1863 .- Charles H. Merriam, C. C. Field and James Bennett.

1864 .- C. C. Field, James Bennett and C. H. Mer- riam.

1865 .- James Bennett, C. C. Field and Charles H. Merriam.

1866 .- Alfred L. Burditt, James Bennett and C. C. Field.

1867 .- C. C. Field, A. L. Burditt and James Ben- nett.

1868 .- James Bennett, C. A. Wheeler and C. C. Field.

1869 .- James Bennett, C. C. Field and H. A. Boy- den.

1870 .- C. C. Field, H. A. Boyden and James Ben- nett.

1871 .- John H. Rice, H. A. Boyden and C. C. Field. 1872 .- Henry A. Boyden, C. C. Field and John Rice.

1873 .- C. C. Field, H. A. Boyden and John H. Rice. 1874 .- John H. Rice, H. A. Boyden and C. C. Field. 1875 .- C. C. Field, John H. Rice and Mrs. Ella M. Wilder.

1876 .- C. C. Field, John H. Rice and Ella M. Wil- der.

1877 .- C. C. Field, Hamilton Mayo and Ella M. Wilder.

1878 .- C. C. Field, Hamilton Mayo and Ella M. Wilder.

1879 .- C. C. Field, Hamilton Mayo and Ella M. Wilder.

1880 .- C. C. Field, Hamilton Mayo and Ella M. Wilder.

1881 .- C. C. Field, Hamilton Mayo, Henry R. Smith, Joel D. Miller, Joel C. Allen and John H. Rice.

1882 .- Dr. C. A. Wheeler, Henrietta M. Gates, Hamilton Mayo, Henry R. Smith, Joel D. Miller, Joel C. Allen and John Rice.

1883 .- Charles C. Foster, George M. Powers, Henry R. Smith, C. A. Wheeler, J. D. Miller and Mrs. Hen- rietta M. Gates.

1884 .- E. M. Rockwell, Charles C. Foster, George M. Powers, Henry R. Smith, C. A. Wheeler and Henrietta M. Gates.

1885 .- E. M. Rockwell, C. C. Foster, George M. Powers, Henrietta M. Gates, J. D. Miller and Henry R. Smith.

1886 .- E. M. Rockwell, C. C. Foster, George M. Powers, J. D. Miller, Henrietta M. Gates and F. C. Bowen.

1887 .- E. M. Rockwell, C. C. Foster, George M. Powers, J. D. Miller, Henrietta M. Gates and F. C. Bowen.

1888 .- E. M. Rockwell, C. C. Foster, George M. Powers, J. D. Miller, Henrietta M. Gates and F. C. Bowen.

THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY .- In writing of the educational facilities which Leominster affords, some mention should be made of the different departments of her Free Public Library. There is a close connec- tion between these and the schools. Many of the books purchased are such as will aid, both directly and indirectly, the work of teaching. In this way the library becomes a direct and most efficient educa- tional force. By offering a large and well-selected collection of the best books, many of them beyond the means of a majority of its patrons, the library must be, in any community, a persistent power in the education of the people. But the library may be, and in Leominster it is, in direct sympathy with the schools, takes an active and helpful part in their work, gives opportunity for improvement and invites to better methods. Leominster has reason to take pride in her library. The books are, in the main, well- selected ; they are free to all, and sufficiently varied in character and subject to meet the reasonable requirements of this community.

The first Public Library in the town of Leominster was gathered in 1763, and numbered about one hun- dred volumes, and was known as the Leominster Social Library. For fifty-two years this library was kept in the study of Rev. Francis Gardner. The case which held it is in the possession of the library com- mittee. This book-case is about thirty-four and one- half inches square, and contains three shelves.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 78

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464