USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 43
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Vocal music was also generally introduced. During the year 1849 a high school was incorporated in district No. 2, now known as Mount Pleasant, under the Somersworth act, namely: To empower school districts to establish and maintain high schools. The organization took place on the twelfth of May, 1849. A new, costly and convenient schoolhouse had been built, having accommodations for eighty pupils in the upper or high school, seventy-two in the intermediate and eighty in the primary. Mr. Samuel Alvord was engaged as principal.
Following the action of the citizens on the north side of the river, in 1851 a high school was organized on the south side, the West Pearl street school, and a Mr. Stone was elected to take charge of the same. He was succeeded in the winter term by Mr. W. B. Chute, a very efficient teacher.
There seems to have been at this time a decided increase in the interest felt in the public schools. They had more visitors and there was a general awakening in the cause of education.
Two years later, in 1853, the high school was removed from Pearl street to the new high school- house on Main street. This new high school building was looked upon with great pride by the townspeople. In March, 1854, the essential work of grading the schools systematically and adopting through them all a thorough and progressive course of study was accomplished. And by this their work was rendered far more complete and effectual than ever before. The differences between the primary, intermediate and high schools was clearly drawn. The high school started with the following subjects, adopted as the course of study: Arithmetic, English grammar, algebra, natural philosophy and the Latin language. With our present rich curriculum, these subjects seem meagre indeed. In 1856 it was recommended by the committee that no child under five years old be allowed to attend school. Before this, children four years old, and even three, were frequently sent to school by their parents. The requirements for admittance to the high school are interesting, as they show what the committee expected of the lower schools. Colburn's arithmetic must have been completed, the common school arithmetic through fractions, Bullion's grammar as far as prosody, parsing begun, Colton's and Fitch's geography complete, history of the United States, reading and spelling.
Upon the reuniting of Nashua and Nashville, the schools went on as before. There was a high school maintained at Mt. Pleasant and one also at the Main street. In connection with the former, it is but just to mention the name of Hiram D. Wood, who taught the high school on the north side of the river for so many years faithfully and well.
In 1867 the school year of district No. 3 had to be shortened to 30 weeks for a lack of sufficient funds. The next year it was recommended that all the districts in the city unite to form one high school.
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In 1869 this was brought into effect. The following sentence is quoted from the school report of this time : "Hereafter the high school will be composed of the first class of scholars selected from the entire city." The same year saw the entire school system of the city put in exact form. Printed rules and regulations were also adopted. These were written in the most commendable way and stood practically unchanged up to 1893, when, under press of circumstances, they were carefully revised. At this time the superintending school committee, feeling that they were unable to do justice to the supervision of the schools, voted to elect a superintendent. The board of education consisted of eight members, one from each ward. They were presided over by the mayor of the city. Mr. Eben H. Davis was elected as the first superintendent. Mr. Davis is now superintendent of schools at Chelsea, Mass., and is the author of the celebrated Davis readers. His work in organizing our school system at this time cannot be overestimated. Mrs. Ann S. Noyes gave during the year $1000, the interest of which was to be expended in the purchase of four silver medals.
An epidemic of that dreaded disease, small pox, caused the schools to be closed for a considerable period during the year 1870.
Chas. H. Merrill, whom many well remember as an excellent instructor in music, began his work in connection with the public schools in the year 1872. This teacher placed the music of our schools upon a very high plane, which has been ably sustained through the present time.
In 1873 work was begun on the present high school building. Two evening schools were also started, one at West Pearl street and the other at Belvidere. Two years later the present high school was occupied, and on June 1, Mr. T. W. Hussey, who had been principal of the high school for over seven years, resigned and, at the beginning of the fall term, Edward A. Kingsley was elected in his place.
Upon the occupation of the present high school the Main street building was remoddled into eight rooms suitable for the lower classes and the pupils who had formerly attended the Old Brick on West Pearl street were transferred to this place.
During the winter vacation the primary school on North Central street was burned and has never been rebuilt.
Great credit is due Superintendent S. Arthur Bent for introducing into our schools logical and modern methods of teaching primary children. To him is largely due the excellence which character- izes our lower grades. It is also but just to speak here of the Hon. John H. Goodale, of his long and interested support of the Nashua schools, both as a member of the school committee and as superintendent.
In 1881, the school house on Chandler street was completed. This was named the O'Donnell school after Rev. Father O'Donnell, a most respected member of the school board. Under his benign influence many matters which might have caused difficulty were made smooth.
In 1877 Erastus B. Powers was elected principal of the high school. There has been no name more prominently connected with the high school of our city than has that of E. B. Powers. His influence is felt even at the present day.
Excellent recommendations were made by Supt. Frederick Kelsey that more extended use of supplementary reading be introduced into the schools and that a city training school for teachers be established.
During October, 1884, the schools were closed on account of an epidemic of scarlet fever.
In 1884, E. J. Goodwin, now principal of the high school at Newton, Mass., was elected principal of our high school. Mr. Goodwin was a man of marked ability and a most excellent instructor. Under Superintendent Williams, a plan was introduced by which the parents were kept in close touch with the work of their children. Cards were made out by the teachers on which was plainly indicated the work of the pupil. That system, with certain modifications, is at present in use. By it, the final examinations held at the end of the year, when children were most unfit to be examined, were abolished.
In the years 1885 and '86 special instructors in drawing and physical culture were elected. Their work at this time was particularly useful to the schools. Military training in the high school was adopted in 1887. Under the able instruction of Gen. Elbert Wheeler and Col. Jason E. Tolles, this organization has maintained a most commendable position.
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Lemuel S. Hastings, in the summer of 1889, was elected principal over the high school in the place of J. H. Willoughby, resigned.
During 1891, Hon. Fred Gowing, now state superintendent of public instruction, was elected superintendent in place of Mr. O. S. Williams, who resigned for a more lucrative position in Dedham, Mass., in this year, also, E. W. Pearson accepted the position of musical director.
The year 1890 is to be particularly noted by the adoption, for the first time, of a regular systematic course of study. This has done an immense good by unifying the work of the schools in different parts of the city.
In 1891 the board of education adopted the method by which the pupils were promoted from grade to grade, not by the perfunctory examinations, but by a direct estimate of the pupil's ability by the teacher.
When, in the spring of 1893, Superintendent Gowing assumed the broader duties of the State Superintendency, James H. Fassett was elected to fill his position.
In 1894 two important departures were made, namely, the introduction of the kindergarten and the establishment of a training school for teachers, in the new building on Amherst street.
IMPORTANT PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
There is no name connected with the educational history of Nashua which arouses among the people so many keen recollections of school days as does that of Prof. David Crosby. Professor Crosby was born at Hebron, New Hampshire, in the year 1808. His parents were too poor to give him the education for which he was ambitious, and Crosby was therefore compelled to work his way through Kimball Union academy and afterward through Dartmouth college. He graduated at the latter institution with high honor in the class of 1833.
For several years after graduation he was engaged in teaching at different places throughout the state and always with marked success.
In 1840 Professor Crosby founded the Nashua Literary institution. This school under his careful management, in which he was ably seconded by his wife, was kept in a flourishing condition over forty years
Professor Crosby was a man of stern and forbidding exterior but was in reality warmhearted and sympathetic. His manners stern and hard toward the delinquent older boys, was always kind toward the children. His favorite subject was mathematics and he had, it is said, such a clear and concise way of stating a problem that it was impossible for the pupil not to understand.
The school became a noted one and many pupils came from a distance to attend.
Some of our brightest minds have obtained their start in education from this excellent instructor. Professor Crosby died February 26, 1881, but his strong rugged personality still lives in the memory of his pupils.
During the year 1883, Father Milette started a Parochial school in the basement of St. Aloysius church. It opened with five hundred pupils and eight sisters were employed to take charge of them. In June of the same year the new building was started. The following November it was ready for occupancy. This school continued under the charge of the sisters until 1889, when the boys' school was erected and the Brothers were brought in to take charge. From this time on the boys have been separate from the girls. At present there are about seven hundred children in attendance, three hundred and fifty boys and three hundred and sixty girls. To take charge of these there are employed nine sisters and eight brothers, one of whom, Brother Theofridus, acts as a supervising principal. The school in all its parts has the impress of the personality of its founder, Father Milette.
In the fall of 1884, Rev. Father Houlihan, pastor of the church of Immaculate Conception, bought the old "Indian Head House." This was turned into a parochial school by making extensive repairs and alterations. In September, 1885, the school was formerly opened and placed in charge of the Sisters of Mercy. It continued in a very prosperous condition for six years, at the end of which time, Rev. Father E. E. Buckle, believing it to be for the best interest of the school to be nearer the center of population, sold the Indian Head House site and purchased a large lot of land on the west side of Spring street. Upon this was erected a modern brick building which was dedicated
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as the School of the Sacred Heart. The course of study followed is made to conform as closely as possible to that of the public schools.
Under the supervision of Sister Euphemia, the present principal, the school work is well and ably carried on.
In the parish of Father Lessard during the year 1886, was started a parochial school. It began in the basement of the church of St. Francis Xavier, but during the spring of '87 the present school- house was erected. The school opened with an attendance of one hundred and fifty. There are now attending two hundred and seventy-five children. The corps of teachers has been increased from three to six and is now conducted under the principal, Sister Lucia.
It has been the endeavor of the author, in this brief Educational History of Nashua, to obtain facts and data from original sources so far as possible. This is particularly true in relation to the history of the public schools. All or nearly all the facts have been taken directly from the school reports issued by the boards of education.
Janus H. Passt.
NASHUA LITERARY INSTITUTE.
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
JOHN GRAY FOSTER.
Gen. John G. Foster, U. S. A., was born in White- field, May 27, 1823, died in Nashua, Sept. 2, 1874. He was a son of Perley and Mary (Gray) Foster, who became residents of Nashua in 1833. They were descendants of a long line of Scotch-English ancestors who bore conspicu- ous parts in the field and forum of the mother country. No records could be found, however, by which to compile their genealogy.
JOHN G. FOSTER.
John Gray Foster was a Nashua boy, who, during his youth, showed a decided inclination to the profession of arms. He was captain of several military companies and between him and George Bowers, Thomas G. Banks and George H. Whitney there was for many years a friendly rivalry. Following school days in Nashua he became a student at Hancock academy, and subsequently fitted for West Point at Crosby's Nashua Literary institute. His appointment, in 1842, to the military school was obtained through the influence of Charles G. Atherton, then member of Congress from this district, and as the events of his life show, he proved himself worthy of the confi- dence of that eminent man. Lieutenant Foster graduated at the institution in 1846, ranking number four in a class with Mcclellan, Reno, Sturgis, Stoneman and Oakes, names now famous as commanders in the Union army, and with Jackson and Wilcox who were numbered with the best tacticians in the Confederate army.
At his graduation Foster was at once appointed brevet second lieutenant of engineers. He was assigned as as- sistant engineer in the bureau at Washington in 1846, and during 1847-48 was attached to a company of sappers, miners and pontoniers in Mexico, where he was engaged
in the siege of Vera Cruz from March 9 to 29, 1847 ; at the battles of Cerro Gordo, April 17 to 18; at Contreras in August; at Churubusco and Molino del Rey. In the storming party of the latter place, which took place Sept. 8, 1847, he was severely wounded in the hip. He was then granted a sick leave of several months, which he spent with his friends in Nashua. Upon his return to the service he was successively breveted first lieutenant and captain for gallant and meritorious conduct in the memor- able engagements already mentioned.
Following the war with Mexico Captain Foster was en- gaged for a number of years upon the fortifications of the coast, and was also at the coast survey office in Washing- ton. From 1855 to 1857 he was assistant to the professor of engineering at West Point, and in 1858 he was engaged in building Fort Sumter. July 1, 1860, after fourteen years' continuous service, he was commissioned as full captain of engineers. In 1861 he was chief engineer of the fortifications of Charleston harbor, being engaged in strengthening the works in anticipation of an attack upon them, and was also in command when the garrison of Fort Moultrie was transported to Fort Sumter. He was engaged in the historic defence of the last named fort during its bombardment, (being second in command), and was present when it surrendered and was evacuated, April 12 to 14, 1861. He was breveted major for his gallantry.
Upon his return to the North he built several fortifica- tions, and, Oct. 23, 1861, was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and, with the Burnside expedition, he par- ticipated in the capture of Roanoke, Feb. 8, 1862. He was at the capture of Newburn, N. C., and at the bom- bardment of Fort Macon, and from July 1, 1862, to July 13, 1863, was in command of the department of North Carolina. It was here that several New Hampshire regi- ments came under his command. He participated in all the encounters of that campaign, and, July 18, 1862, was appointed major-general of United States volunteers. He was subsequently appointed to command the department of Ohio, where he served from Dec. 12, 1863, to July 9, 1864, when he was obliged to ask relief in consequence of some injuries received by the fall of his horse. In 1863, he was made a major in the corps of engineers, U. S. A., for gallant and meritorious services in the field during the Rebellion.
After the close of the war General Foster was stationed for some time in the department of Florida, and, in 1869, while on temporary duty in the department of engineers at Washington, he was detached, by reason of feeble health, for special service in Boston harbor, where he in- stituted and completed several needed improvements necessary to navigation. During this period he spent a portion of his time with his venerable mother at his old home in Nashua.
General Foster was a man of commanding figure and the very beau ideal of a soldier. In his deportment he was a quiet, unpretentious man whose gallant career in- spired the respect of those with whom he came in contact and whom to see upon the street or about the city on foot or in his carriage was to admire. There was no display in private life, no fustian about General Foster, and in camp or in battle he always displayed tact, wisdom, mili- tary skill, a watchful care of his subordinates that won their approbation and made him a leader deserving the
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confidence reposed in him by his government and by his countrymen. In fact he became during the war one of those central figures whose career was watched with pe- culiar interest and pride by the people of Nashua.
General Foster, in honor of whom the Grand Army post in the city was named, was buried with military honors. The funeral took place at the Church of the Im- maculate Conception, business was suspended, public and private buildings draped in mourning and a fitting eulogy pronounced by Rev. Robert J. Fulton, S. J., of Boston. Among the mourners were many distinguished people from near and remote places. Col. Thomas P. Pierce, a prominent citizen of Nashua and a comrade of the gener- al's in the Mexican war, marshaled the civic cortege, and Generals Thom, Burnside, Tyler, Stevens, Stackpole, Gor- don, Stephen and Whittier guarded the hearse, while John G. Foster post, G. A. R., Col. George Bowers, com- mander, another Nashua comrade of the general's in the Mexican war, and a detachment of United States regulars escorted the procession to the grave, in the Nashua ceme- tery, where Very Rev. John O'Donnell, V. G., read the Catholic burial service.
General Foster was twice married ; at Baltimore, Md., Jan. 21, 1851, by the Most Rev. Archbishop Eccleston, with Mary L. Moule, daughter of Col. Samuel Moule. Mrs. Foster died at New York, June 6, 1871; in Wash- ington, Jan. 9, 1872, at St. Matthew's church, with Nannie Davis, daughter of George M. Davis. One daughter was born to him by his first wife, Annie M., born at Balti- more, Md., Nov. 3, 1851, married Lieut. Henry Seaton, U. S. A., at the cathedral in Boston, April 26, 1870. Mrs. Seaton has two sons.
GEORGE BOWERS.
Col. George Bowers, son of Jesse and Betsey (Love- well) Bowers, was born in Old Dunstable, April 22, 1817, died in Nashua, Feb. 14, 1884. (For genealogy see sketch of his father).
Colonel Bowers was educated in the public schools and at Crosby's Literary institute. Inheriting a passion for military service he identified himself even as a boy, with the local companies and later commanded the famous Light Infantry company. When war was declared between the United States and Mexico, he was com- missioned, March II, 1847, by President Polk, first lieu- tenant in the Ninth United States infantry. From the time the command left Newport, R. I.,-his captain being on detatched service-to the close of the campaign, he commanded his company and endured all the fatigues and hardships incidental to a country infested by guerillas, and a climate of an enervating character. In the san- guinary battles of Contreras and Churubusco, he fought with great gallantry and distinguished himself for un- flinching bravery and the science of arms to the degree that his services were recognized by General Scott and rewarded with a brevet captaincy. Again in the awful slaughter at El Molino del Ray, when out of 2,400 en- gaged 800 fell in forty minutes, Captain Bowers won honor and recognition from his superiors by his courage and fidelity. At the storming of Chapultepec he bore a con- spicuous part and was among the first to reach the ditches. His company was in advance and having no scaling ladders he placed himself in a stooping position against the wall, his broad shoulders forming a bridge
upon which his men made the first leap to carry the forti- fication. For his coolness and bravery in this action he again received deserved mention in official congratulations
GEORGE BOWERS.
to the army. He was with his command when the west- ern gates of the City of Mexico were seized, and on the following day was assigned a conspicuous position in placing the flag of his country on the Palacio of the Montezumas. He attained the full rank of captain in December, 1847, and remained in command of his com- pany until the regiment was ordered home in 1848, when he received an honorable discharge.and at once returned to the pursuits of peace in his native town.
In 1853 he was appointed postmaster of Nashua by his old commander and friend, President Pierce, and was re- appointed by President Buchanan in 1857. During this time he organized and commanded the Granite State cadets, the members of which distinguished themselves a few years later in the Civil War. In March, 1861, having served eight years as postmaster, he was elected mayor of Nashua. Meantime Governor Goodwin tendered him the colonelcy of the Second New Hampshire volunteers, but the duties of his office were such that he could not accept. A few months later, however, he accepted a commission as lieutenant-colonel of the Thirteenth regiment, New Hampshire volunteers, and went to the front in that command. Arriving at the seat of war in September, 1862, the regiment received its baptism of fire at the ter- rible battle of Fredericksburg, where Colonel Bowers bore himself with that same cool and intrepid heroism he had displayed on the plains of Mexico. During the fol- lowing winter he was ever zealous in the care of his men, and particularly during the siege of Suffolk in which the regiment bore an active part, and where, in the engage- ment on the Nansemond, May 3, 1863, he commanded. But the severe and arduous duties of the Virginia cam- paigns began to make inroads on his heretofore strong constitution and he fell a victim to the malaria of the lowlands, and, although unwilling to resign, he was com- pelled by reason of ill health to leave the front. In No- vember, 1863, he was transferred to the Tenth regiment. Veteran Reserve corps, with which he served for over two
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years, being in command of the Broom street barracks in New York city during the troublesome period following the draft riots and subsequently at Baltimore and Wash- ington, commanding the regiment at the grand review. IIe was honorably discharged in November, 1865, and re- turned to his home and engaged in mercantile pursuits.
Colonel Bowers served the city as mayor again in 1868, and after that he retired from political strife. When the Grand Army of the Republic was organized he became one of its earliest champions. He was a charter member of John G. Foster post and upon its organization was unanimously chosen commander, serving as such two years. In 1879 he was elected department commander to which position he was re-elected in 1880. When he as- sumed the latter position the interest in the order had somewhat flagged but he nearly tripled its membership. He commanded a battalion of New Hampshire veterans at the dedication of the Boston Soldiers' monument in 1877, and delivered the address at the unveiling of the soldiers' monument at Manchester in 1879, and at Lakeport in 1880. He served the national encampment as junior vice- commander in 1880. The same year at the Fourteenth National encampment he was appointed on the committee to consider the subject of woman's work for the G. A. R., which resulted in the organization of the Woman's Relief corps. Colonel Bowers was of commanding figure, noble presence and bearing, and every inch the beau ideal soldier of poetry and romance. Courtly, dignified, yet affable and gentle to all, he made real the dramatist's lines, " He was a knightly gentleman and as brave and true a soldier as ever in the fire and smoke of battle, mid the rattle of musketry, and the deep toned thunder of artillery, planted the victorious standard of his country on an enemy's wall."
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