USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Dover > Dover dates, 1722-1922 : a bicentennial history of Dover, New Jersey , published in connection with Dover's two hundredth anniversary celebration under the direction of the Dover fire department, August 9, 10, 11, 1922 > Part 13
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attracted the attention of Mr. J. R. Runyon, of Morristown, then super- intendent of Morris County schools, and later postmaster of Morristown. Mr. Thurber was a disciplinarian of the first rank, and though always holding to the truism that "Order is Heaven's first law," nevertheless, through his original methods, he made the work of his school so attractive to teachers and pupils alike, that Mr. Runyon desired that he should become his successor as Superintendent of Schools. Thus it can be easily understood why the Dover Board of Education wished Mr. Thurber to have a guiding hand in the school management during the time of which I am writing.
A period of weak discipline, and rather high-handed maneuvers on the part of pupils, subsequent to Mr. Thurber's occupancy of the prin- cipal's chair, caused Mr. Wm. H. Lambert, familiarly known as "Boss Lambert," President of the Board, to appeal to Mr. Thurber to assist in finding a suitable principal. This Mr. Thurber succeeded in doing in the person of Mr. John E. D. Naughright, whom he discovered teach- ing at Parsippany, N. J. Mr. Naughright was physically a stalwart, mild in manner, but firm and determined in his method of management, and one day's bout with a few refractory leaders among the boys convinced the attending pupils that it was he and not they who was going to run the school. It was an interesting sight to see the boys at the close of school sessions, passing all the way from the upper floor to the street with arms folded behind them, keeping step with the music of the piano until the lower floor was reached, where the drum (which I often beat myself, having charge at that time of the lower floor) gave them the time for marching until they reached the sidewalk. The boys enjoyed it more than being permitted to run, helter-skelter, through the halls, yell- ing and pushing one another, as is sometimes the case, even in schools of the present day. I succeeded Mr. Naughright as principal in the spring of 1883, returning to Boston in the fall to continue my musical studies in the New England Conservatory, from which I graduated in I886.
During the winters of '79, '80, and '81, I was an active participant in the work of the various church choirs, which included those of the Presbyterian, First Methodist, and Episcopal Churches. It was in the Episcopal choir where I first learned the Episcopal service and found it a valuable asset, when shortly afterward I was initiated into the choir loft of Dr. Phillip Brook's church in Boston.
I recall with pleasure a men's chorus in Dover that was drilled under the baton of one Reuben Rowe, and at a concert given by the club during the winter of '79 and '80, in the old Whitlock Hall, I accom- panied at the organ a baritone solo rendered by Mr. Emil Rossi, a civil engineer by profession, and son of Dr. Rossi, organist of the Catholic church at Port Oram, now Wharton, who was a practicing physician in Dover and vicinity at the time. The Rossis were doubtless the most capable musicians at that time in Dover, and many a time they attracted eager listeners beneath the windows of their residence on Sussex street, while they discoursed music of the classic order.
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Dover, in those days, was not without its band, and at times, I was an interested listener at rehearsals where Mr. Frank Kenstler showed that he could justly claim, in addition to his tonsorial artistry, skill in that other art of playing the brass wind instruments and telling the various band members vehemently where to get on and off in their attempts to master their parts. The baritone horn was a favorite with Mr. Kenstler, and I recall a concert given in the old Presbyterian Church at which he rendered several solos to my accompaniment at the piano. Other partici- pants at this concert were Miss Abbie Condict, a lady much admired, both for her personal charm and her ability as a reader, and Miss Bertha Gage, later Mrs. Dr. Flagge.
Miss Gage was accomplished both in vocal and instrumental music, and the Dover schools, for many years, profited through the exercise of her talents.
Dover, in those days, was visited periodically by some eminent musi- cians who taught and gave musicales. Among them was a Prof. Watson, an accomplished violinist, a long time friend, I believe, of Mr. Horace Dunham, a well-known Doverite and a connoisseur in that line.
I also met a visitor at that time, Mr. A. N. Johnson, the author of a well known text-book on harmony.
The occurrences of those years and the succeeding decades give evi- dence that Dover has kept pace with other communities, and to-day finds the citizens with an adequate equipment of church organs, auditoriums, and musical talent capable of worthily using these facilities.
Three-part and four-part singing was a common occurrence in the Dover school during those eventful years, and while there are doubtless many residing in Dover at the present time who could testify to the accuracy of that which is herein recorded, I recall the names of two well-known citizens, whom Dover still delights to honor, Alderman Etta C. Searing, and Mr. William Otto, cashier of the National Union Bank, both of whom laid the foundation of their future usefulness, as did many others, in those "unforgotten days."
EDWARD M. YOUNG.
THIRTY YEARS' GROWTH AND PROGRESS OF THE DOVER SCHOOLS
1892-1922
In September, 1891, I began my administration as Supervising Principal of the Dover Schools. During the preceding four years there had been three different principals and the schools were in a rather chaotic condition. The Board of Education at that time was composed of five members: Capt. Sedgewick R. Bennett, President; Rev. Fred Bloom, District Clerk; and Messrs. Isaac W. Searing, Martin V. B. Searing and Russell S. Penniman.
At the annual election the following spring there were three vacan- cies to fill, caused by the expiration of the terms of Mr. Isaac Searing and Mr. Penniman and by the resignation of Mr. Bloom. These three vacancies were filled by the election of Messrs. Fred H. Beach, Edwin
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J. Ross and Henry W. Crabbe. The Board then organized with Mr. Beach as President and Mr. Crabbe as District Clerk. This organization remained until the Township Law went into effect and the Board was increased to nine members. The Board has continuously consisted of nine members since that time with the exception of two years, during which Dover was under city government, when four members, one elected from each ward, constituted the City Board of Education.
When I took charge of the schools there were fourteen teachers- ten in the old North Side Building, two on the first floor of Odd Fel- lows Hall and two in a private house on Pequannock street. The South Side School was then under construction. It was occupied the following spring-April, 1892-with Mr. Albert J. Titman as principal teacher. The annexes were then abandoned, two additional teachers engaged and six rooms opened in the new school. This enlarged faculty of sixteen teachers in 1892 appears surprisingly small when compared with the present corps of 65 day school teachers in the Dover schools.
When the schools re-opened in September, 1893, all eight rooms of the South Side School were occupied, and two years later rented annexes were again resorted to. The number of teachers in annexes grew until before the opening of the East Side School in 1901 there were eight teachers with their classes thus housed-six in the old Iron Era building at the foot of Morris street and two in what had been a blacksmith shop on Pequannock street. The more recent school constructions in Dover have been the erection of the new North Side Building in 1908, with more than double the capacity of the old North Side Building, and the new High School in 1918.
During the school year ending in June, 1892, the statistics of enroll- ment and attendance were as follows:
Total Enrollment 945
Average Attendance 595
Percentage of Attendance 89.8
Pupils Present Every Day
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Tardy Marks 820
In 1901 the following growth and improvement may be noted : Total Enrollment 1,3II
Average Attendance 997
Percentage of Attendance 93.7
Pupils Present Every Day II6
Tardy Marks 400
For the year 1921-22 the statistics are as follows :
Total Enrollment 2,283
Average Attendance 1,906
Percentage of Attendance 93.3*
Pupils Present Every Day 167
Tardy Marks
908
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* The former method of estimating percentage of attendance would make this percentage considerably higher.
When I took charge of the Dover schools there were a number of studies being carried on of a more advanced character than those belong- ing to elementary grades. These, with some additional subjects, were promptly arranged into a two-year English high school course. This course was approved by Dr. J. M. Green, Principal of the Trenton State Normal School, which allowed the graduates to enter that institution without further examination.
Two years later-1893-an optional three-year high school course was arranged, which included all of the shorter course with the addition of three years of Latin. The first class to complete this advanced course was graduated in June, 1896. At the time of its graduation this class was composed of six girls, who were graduated with eleven others who had completed the shorter or two-year course.
The six young women who were the first graduates from the three- year course were Bessie Coe, America Davis, Augusta Howell, Bertha Richards, Grace Richards and Jennie Sayre. They were not only excel- lent students, as their choice of the advanced course would indicate, but they were all both present and early every day during their entire Senior Year. This is the only class that I have ever known to be absolutely perfect in attendance as a class during an entire year.
In 1898 the high school courses were rearranged and enlarged. The optional two-year and three-year courses were extended to those of three years and four years. The first class taking the four-year course was graduated in June, 1901, together with fourteen students of the shorter or three-year course. At the time of its graduation this first four-year high school class was composed of six students, as follows: Robert C. Baker, Belle Champion, C. Raymond Hulsart, Raymond C. Matthews, Marion Richards and Luella B. Sands. The three-year course was later abandoned and for graduation from the Dover High School the completion of a full four-year high school course was required of all students.
Manual Training, Domestic Science, Physical Training and Modern Health Instruction have been more recent additions to curricula of the Dover schools. In comparison with the various curricula now offered to its students by the Dover High School our modest two-year course of thirty years ago appears meager indeed.
The foregoing sets forth briefly the growth and development of the Dover schools during the past thirty years. What may we expect in the line of educational development during the thirty years to come?
J. HOWARD HULSART.
Superintendent of Schools in Morris County.
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DOVER SCHOOLS IN 1922 Roswell S. Bowlby
The schools are directed by a Board of Education of nine members elected by the people, and administered by a staff consisting of a super- intendent, four principals, and sixty-one teachers. There are four schools, McFarlan street, with an enrollment of 798; Academy street, 373; Belmont avenue, 478; and Myrtle avenue, 634; making a total enrollment of 2,283 pupils. Work as far as the Fifth and Sixth Grades is carried on in the Academy street and Belmont avenue schools respect- ively. All Seventh Grade work is done on the departmental plan in the McFarlan street school. The Eighth Grade, also on the departmental plan, and all High School classes are housed in the Myrtle avenue build- ing. This is known as the High School building and is a fine structure of which Dover may justly be proud. It is fireproof and modern, being splendidly adapted to meet the needs of the community as well as of the High School. It contains chemistry and physics laboratories, manual training shops, cooking and sewing rooms, a large gymnasium and an attractive auditorium. Many concerts and civic meetings are held here.
Dover is one of the very few towns in the State which have half- yearly promotions. This form of organization was introduced years ago by Dr. J. Howard Hulsart. Pupils who fail in the work of any particu- lar grade are required to repeat the work of one-half year instead of one full year. It is possible for the bright pupils to skip a half-year's work, when they might find it extremely difficult to skip a full year's work.
Two forms of classroom procedure much stressed by educators in recent years are the socialized recitation and the project method. These were introduced by former superintendent W. V. Singer. They are widely used in our schools to-day.
Nearly all of the elementary teachers are graduates of an approved Normal School and many of the high school teachers hold college degrees. The work of the High School is approved by the State Department and its graduates are able to enter most colleges without entrance examina- tions. Both boys and girls have entered some of the colleges of highest standing, where, with few exceptions, they have done very creditable work. Many have reached high places in business and professions.
The High School has made an excellent record in almost every kind of activity that is found in a modern school. In debating it has won several championships. In athletics, its best records were made in football and baseball. It has numbered among its defeated opponents some of the largest high schools in the State. Many excellent plays and operettas have been presented and several prizes have been won in literary competition.
Besides the day school, there are two other types of schools-eve- ning and continuation. The former runs during the winter and its chief feature is the work of teaching English to foreigners. The continua- tion school was established two years ago for all boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 16 who have regular employment. They are required to attend school six hours each week. The enrollment is about 100.
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Under Dr. Emma C. Clark, the medical inspection of the schools has become very efficient. A full-time nurse is employed. Miss Lucy D. Coe, the attendance officer, maintains a high standard of attendance, the percentage this year being 93.35. The emphasis by Dr. Hulsart upon punctuality and attendance created a community attitude which still persists.
One of the outstanding features of present-day school interest is the Home and School Association movement. Several years ago, under Mr. Singer's régime, an association was organized in each school. These have grown in size and importance and have proved to be very helpful. The forms of service which these associations are rendering are num- erous. Clothing, shoes, and surgical operations for some of the unfor- tunate ones have been provided. Playground equipment, Christmas parties, and hot cocoa at lunch time are some of the things which are making the modern school pleasanter and more healthful. But perhaps the greatest benefits come from the closer relations between teachers and parents. Visits to the schools are more frequent and parents and teachers are helped to appreciate each other's problems and difficulties. This tends to produce sympathetic co-operation and results in more effective school work.
Members-Board of Education-
Emil G. Kattermann, President
William Otto, Vice-President
Coleridge H. Benedict, Secretary
William L. R. Lynd
Arthur W. Condict
Henry Heiman Estelle F. Totten
Lena Dott Allen
John D. B. Vreeland
Superintendent of Schools- Roswell S. Bowlby
Officers-Home and School Associations-
Academy Street School-
Mrs. Chas. E. Powers, President
Mrs. William Herridge, Vice-President
Mrs. Harry Mulroy, Vice-President
Mrs. Eskel Danielson, Vice-President Mrs. Benj. Cleve, Vice-President
Mrs. John Byram, Secretary
Mrs. Arthur Longcor, Treasurer Belmont Avenue School-
Mrs. W. A. Sellers, President
Mrs. R. Bruland, Vice-President
Mrs. Chas. MacFall, Vice-President
Mrs. Wilson Davis, Vice-President
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Mrs. Henry Wills, Vice-President Mrs. Edward Jensen, Secretary Mrs. Edward Northey, Treasurer Central-
Mr. Harry Armitage, President
Mrs. Max Heller, Vice-President
Mrs. Lawrence K. Diffenderfer, Vice-President
Mrs. James T. Lowe, Vice-President Miss Minerva Freeman, Vice-President Mrs. R. F. Woodhull, Secretary
Mr. Seth H. Ely, Treasurer McFarlan Street-
Mrs. Richard Washburn, President
Mrs. Edw. Ackerman, Hon. President
Mrs. Clarence Hance, Vice-President
Mrs. Clarence Petty, Vice-President Mrs. R. Liftman, Vice-President Mrs. Allen J! Hahn, Vice-President
Mrs. C. H. Williston, Vice-President
Mrs. J. H. Tillyer, Vice-President
Mrs. John Cook, Jr., Vice-President
Mrs. Walter E. Howe, Secretary
Mrs. John Drake, Treasurer
PRESIDENTS OF THE DOVER BOARD OF EDUCATION 1909-1922 J. Willard Farrow, M.D., 1909-1915
Coleridge H. Benedict, 1915-1917
Arthur W. Condict, M.D., 1917-1921
Emil G. Kattermann, 1921-
DOVER HIGH
Air: Sweet Genevieve O Dover High, dear Dover High! We come to thee from far and nigh; Mt. Freedom, Wharton, Mine Hill vie To fill thy halls, dear Dover High!
O Dover High, dear Dover High! Thy lads and lassies charm the eye ; But when their genius burns-O my! The sun's eclipsed by Dover High!
O Dover High, dear Dover High! We love thee as the years go by, And when we come to say goodbye ! We love thee more, dear Dover High!
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ELKS' PRIZE ESSAYS
DOVER STUDENTS. TELL WHAT FLAG MEANS TO THEM
To stimulate patriotism and encourage greater interest in Flag Day each year, Dover Lodge of Elks has awarded prizes to two D. H. S. students in an essay contest open to all high schools, within the juris- diction of the local lodge, including schools at Newton, Hackettstown, Wharton, Rockaway, Roxbury Township and Franklin. All of the essays were gathered from the three counties participating, Warren, Sussex and Morris, and carefully inspected by competent judges, result- ing in Miss Ruth Meyer being awarded first prize of $15, and Stewart Hunter second prize, $10.
Members of the Elks' Committee in charge of the essay contest were W. V. Singer, J. J. Vreeland and Andrew M. Ryan. A final report will be made at special Flag Day services in the lodge room.
WHAT THE FLAG MEANS TO ME
By Ruth Meyer, Dover High School, Class of 1922
"Have you ever stopped to consider what the American flag really means? Most Americans regard it merely as their flag, to be saluted, respected and loved. But the flag is more; to me it enfolds volumes of history, a depth of meaning.
"The American flag is symbolic of the greatest country on earth, of the most democratic population existing and of the most sacred prin- ciples of mankind.
"When first the American flag was unfurled, the birth of the nation was proclaimed; a new nation, a land of forests and fields, undeveloped, unprogressed, in its infancy. Since then, at each step in its progress, at each great development, the flag became more significant. At each war, when the flag was floated, it proclaimed that the American people were joined into one in every battle; it meant that this country was lined up against its enemies, behind that flag, united powerful and determined.
"The flag has always meant a great deal to the people of America, but to the coming generation its greatest meaning was revealed during the World War. We lived while that great historic conflict was raging. History was being made by us, by our generation. To me, at that time, the American flag attained its greatest glory and its meaning was por- trayed in its fullest sense. First, just before our entrance into the war, when international law was being ignored, when our neutrality was being disregarded, when our ships were threatened with destruction and the threats were being carried out by an aggressive and militaristic nation, our flag was being disrespected, and therefore our honor as a nation. Would America tolerate such a condition? Indeed not, but in defense of that flag and that honor, America's name was added to those already lined up against autocracy. Immediately, every dollar, every industry, every conceivable resource was set to work to be utilized in
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the great cause ; every person gave willingly of his time, his money and his energy. For it is agreed by everyone that either victory or defeat, either restoration or destruction, either freedom or despotism, depended upon whether or not America entered the war.
"While our money was rendering priceless aid to our comrades, our army was being trained and all the machinery of war being prepared. At the end of nearly a year, our boys were sent three thousand miles across the ocean, to an unknown land, to horror, to suffering and to death to defend that flag. That is what it meant to me and to every American in the land. When our soldiers arrived and the American flag was planted on French soil, signifying that American soldiers were in the battlefield, it meant victory to us and our friends and defeat to our enemies. Of course, this was not accomplished all at once, but from the time the American flag and all that was there to back it appeared on the scene, the tables were turned.
"With the aid and leadership of our well-equipped army, with their unequalled perseverance and grit that all the world admired, yards were gained, and miles, the enemy was forced back and victory was achieved. The nations of the world looked up to our flag with prayerful thanks for its great and human work. The flag, and all that it meant, was proclaimed anew, more glorious, powerful, inspiring and everlasting than ever before. For that flag, our gallant youth, the flowers of the great garden of America, were given. For that flag, they left their homes, their happiness and their loved ones and went to answer their country's call, the call of the flag. And for that flag, they fought, they suffered and they died. America will never forget the tribute paid by this incalculable loss. It will ever remain a memory, and a glorious one, in the hearts and minds of humanity.
"To-day, perhaps in the busy whirl of commerce, in the hustle and rush of our daily tasks, we Americans do not think of the value of this flag, but lest we forget, let us turn our eyes for a moment towards the thousands and thousands of little iron crosses in the cemeteries of both Flanders and America-mute testimony of the tribute paid for that flag. This is the most sacred meaning of the American flag to me.
"The country behind that flag is to-day the greatest nation on this earth-in riches, yes, but more important and by all means more worthy, she is the moral leader of the world. That, in my mind, is America's most commendable achievement and in that leadership lies the true basis of her magnanimity and that of her emblem.
"All this is what the flag means to me, and in concluding, may that flag, representative of our country, ever be loved and reverenced by mankind, may it be a glorious monument of freedom, protection and justice, in the eyes of all nations, all people, throughout all the ages."
PART IV Banks, Newspapers, Real Estate Churches and Cemeteries
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THE NATIONAL UNION BANK, DOVER, N. J.
By James B. Tonking
On the ninth day of March, 1871, George Richards made an application to the U. S. Banking Department at Washington, D. C., to open a National Bank at Dover, N. J. This was made through U. S. Senator F. F. Frelinghuysen. After considerable correspondence, which took up some time, the matter progressed to the point where, on October 17, 1872, the necessary papers were received from Wash- ington to be executed for organization and, on November 21, 1872, permission was received from the Comptroller to organize with a capital of $150,000.
On December 19, 1872, the first meeting of the. Stockholders was held and the following Directors were elected. Columbus Beach, George Richards, I. B. Jolley, Isaac W. Searing, Ephraim Lindsley, Jas. H. Neighbour, Hudson Hoagland, Albert R. Riggs, Alpheus Bee- mer, Richard George, John W. Jackson. The newly elected Directors. then selected Columbus Beach as the first President. of the National -Union Bank of Dover, N. J. On December 26, 1872, the Comptroller's; approval of the organization was received. On December 27, 1872, Jay S. Treat of Newark, N. J., was elected as the first cashier.
The Bank Building is located at 7 and 9 West Blackwell street,, Dover, N. J., in the heart of the business section of the town of Dover and is conveniently located to care for the interests of a large sur- rounding territory, including the iron mines, arsenals, furnaces,; mills and factories, not only of the home town, but of adjacent towns of Wharton, Mt. Hope, Succasunna, Kenvil, Chester and other places having large industrial plants, probably representing, all told, a popula- tion of 30,000 people. On January 15, 1873, this building was secured from the Segur Banking interests and possession was given February 15, 1873.
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