USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume I > Part 46
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The faculty for the first year consisted of Rev. S. B. Brown, principal; Julius S. Townsend, a graduate of Wesleyan University, whose salary was $400; D. Dwight Hitchcock, a graduate of Amherst, salary $390; Miss Fabina Jennings, a garduate of Mt. Holyoke, salary $400; Miss H. O. Caldwell, Miss Juliana Aldrich and Miss Sarah G. Sill, each receiving a salary of $200. It was specified in the annual report to the regents that each of the above women professed an intention to make teaching a permanent profession. The instruc- tion was divided into three departments, the male, female and primary. A well arranged course of study was outlined. During the first year 300 students were registered, 107 of whom attended for at least four months.
The second principal was F. Moore, a graduate of Union, who had been assistant. He resigned in 1862, and was succeeded by Oren Root, Jr., of Hamilton College, who served until the close of the school in 1865. E. O. Hovey was the next principal, and served three years, resigning in July, 1868. K. S. Putnam was next elected, and served from the transfer of the academy to the public school system.
In 1850 the Liberty Street School building was erected under the super- vision of Edward Comstock, R. G. Savery and E. Seymour, as trustees. In the winter of 1851-2 an attempt was made by the trustees to classify the school, seating boys and girls in the same apartment. This action met with decided disapproval. A special meeting of citizens was held, and the following resolu- tion adopted: "Resolved, that the classification of this school by the trustees in placing the males and females in the same apartment was inexpedient for the school." The trustees resigned. Three new trustees were elected, who speedily restored the school to its previous condition, and for many years the distinction of sex was rigidly observed.
In the meantime, about the beginning of 1861, there became manifest a strong sentiment in favor of free public schools with an academic department. At the annual school meeting in 1861 a free school system was advocated, but nothing definite was done. In June, 1869, there appears to have been a renewed demand for a change in the school system, and a special meeting of citizens was called to consider the "expediency of establishing a union free school with an academic department within the limits of District No. 5 of the town of Rome." A large and enthusiastic meeting convened at the court house July 3, 1869, and K. Carroll offered the following resolution: "Resolved, That a Union Free school be established within the bounds of school district No. 5 in the town of Rome, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 555 of the laws of 1864, and the amendments thereto." This resolution was adopted by the decisive vote of 310 to 49. The following resolution was then offered by A. H. Bailey, and adopted without serious opposition : "Resolved, That the Board of Educa- tion of this Union Free School district be and they are hereby authorized to adopt the academy located in said district as the academy department of said district, with the consent of the trustees of said academy, pursuant to section 24 of title 9 of chapter 555 of the laws of 1864." A board of six members
NEW ACADEMY OR HIGII SCHOOL. ROME
OLD ACADEMY. ROME
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
was then instituted, consisting of Stephen VanDresar, John Reifert, Zaceheus Hill, Edward Huntington, R. E. Sutton and H. O. Southworth. Stephen Van- Dresar was elected president and R. E. Sutton clerk.
A meeting of the trustees was called April 30, 1869, to consider turning over the academy and "all appurtenances thereof" to the trustees of the public schools. The matter was favorably considered, and a committee was appointed to ascertain the powers of the board relative to such a movement and also to re- port on a suitable manner for perfecting such a union. Ten days later the board reported that a transfer would be legal, and that steps had been taken to initiate the proceedings. The formalities of transfer were consummated July 16, 1869, by the trustees signing a quitclaim deed of the academy property, and then passing a resolution to the effect that their offices were declared vacant. "Atque in ventos vita recessit." The academy opened under the new condi- tions in the fall of 1870, with an enrollment of 97, which by 1877 had increased to 200. The first principal was George H. Barton, A. B., and the first precep- tress was Miss Sarah C. Fisher, who, during the year became Mrs. Barton. Mrs. A. Bours and Miss Alice Armstrong were assistants in this school, where arith- metic, algebra, geometry, geology, astronomy, history, all the higher English branches, as well as French, German, Latin and Greek were taught. In July, 1871, Oliver Christie Harrington, a young lawyer of Elmira, N. Y., was em- ployed by the board of education to organize and develop the graded system in the Union Free schools of Rome. These schools were held in the academy, a brick building on Liberty street, another on South James street, and two small rooms, accommodating about 25 pupils each, one in East and one in West Rome. A new building on Thomas street was first occupied in the autumn of 1871. In 1872 the academy was thoroughly repaired and reseated. In 1874 the brick building on Third street was erected, and a dwelling house was purchased and remodeled for a primary department on South James street. In 1876 the school building in West Rome was repaired and enlarged to accommodate 80 pupils. In 1879 the brick building on North Jay street was erected and occu- pied. The first published report of the board of education was issued for the years 1875 and 1876, and according to this report 29 teachers were employed in seven different school buildings, and 2,103 pupils enrolled. The school prop- erty at that time was valued at $82,000. The schools were under the very efficient direction of Prof. Oliver Christie Harrington until 1881. Prof. Har- rington was born in Middlesex, Yates county, N. Y., March 28, 1847. He was the son of Colonel Oliver Harrington, a life long resident of that locality. He was closely related to Theophilus Harrington, justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont from 1803 to 1813, who, when a slaveholder from New York state came before him with proof of his ownership of a runaway slave gave the famous de- cision that nothing short of "A bill of sale from God Almighty" could prove a valid title. Prof. Harrington possessed in a marked degree the clearness of perception and independence in action that characterized this decision of his ancestor. He received a thorough schooling with the intention of entering the legal profession, but before undertaking the study of law he taught two years at Nyack on the Hudson, and filled the position of principal of the Utica Ad- vanced school for two years in place of his brother, James Pratt Harrington.
374
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
He studied law with his uncle, James A. Christie, of Horseheads, N. Y., at the age of 23 was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of his profession in Elmira. His ability as an instructor and organizer had attracted the attention of educators, and in July, 1871, soon after the incorporation of the city of Rome, he was called to organize and develop the graded system of instruction in the schools of that city. He planned and evolved an admirable system that gave to Rome schools a place in the very front rank with those of larger cities and better equipment. During the ten years of his service as superintendent the schools of Rome were justly his greatest pride, and their superior standing was recognized by educators throughout the state, and by the state authorities in schools matters. In 1882, at the death of his brother, who had occupied the position of principal of Utica Advanced school, he was again called to that posi- tion, which he filled four years. In 1890 he was married to Olive Pamelia Hannahs, of Rome, and in his home in that city he enjoyed needed rest and leisure for the gratification of his taste for art and literature, which he well merited. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him in 1877 by Hamilton College. He died at his home in Rome, February 16, 1896.
Prof. Harrington was succeeded as superintendent by Allen Barringer, who officiated for one year. Superintendents who have served since that time are Myron J. Michael, William D. Manro, Harrison T. Marrow, Walter D. Hood, Lewis N. Crane, and the present very efficient superintendent, Prof. Daniel J. Kelly, who is doing most excellent work in the Rome schools.
In September, 1899, the new academy building was opened. This was erected at a cost of approximately $100,000, and occupies the site of the old building. At present the academy has a faculty of 15 teachers and an enroll- ment of nearly 400 pupils. In Rome in 1911 there are 3,300 pupils of school age, 2,500 of whom attend the public schools.
ACADEMY OF THE HOLY NAMES (Rome)-At the invitation of Rev. William Beecham, pastor of St. Peter's church, Rome, N. Y., the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary from Hochelaga, Montreal, came in August, 1865, to take charge of the parochial school and continue the work of the Franciscan Sisters; they were four in number.
In the summer of 1873, with the hearty approval of Right Rev. Francis Mc- Neirny, D. D., bishop of Albany, N. Y., the Sisters of the Holy Names opened an academy for boarding and day pupils, with a staff of five new members, and their undertaking has certainly been blessed and prospered. The academy is pleasantly and healthfully situated on the banks of the historical Mohawk, and has always been singularly attractive to young ladies, who find in this delightful spot the comforts of an ideal home. The grounds are spacious, and laid out in terraces and courts for out-door exercise.
The object of the Academy of the Holy Names is to educate young girls thor- oughly and practically. Every student is prepared for the station in life to which she may aspire or may be called. She is taught to cultivate the Christian virtues, and to acquire the womanly accomplishments indispensable to the true mistress of the home. To Christian doctrine is given the prominence due it as the foundation soil of those virtuous habits which give fragrance to life and
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
title to heavenly happiness. The system of education is so arranged as best to reach and cultivate the heart, develop the mind, train the hand, mould and re- fine the character.
The academy has been accredited to the University of the State of New York since 1895. The courses of study, therefore, include pre-academic, complete academic and high school courses of four years or more, conducted along such lines as will secure admission to college, normal or training schools, as the stu- dents may desire. A business course has been organized according to the most approved modern methods. There is also a strong department of music, affiliated to the Grand Conservatory of New York City, and courses of study in this art are offered to special students.
In 1898, the old convent was abandoned for a new one, a fine four-story brick building, which, since then, has received new additions, comprising a spacious and elegant music hall, a vast gymnasium, etc.
The Alumna Association has been increased to the number of 120 members. The present year has registered to November, 150 boarders and 90 day scholars.
The actual number of sisters at this time is twenty-three, seven of whom are engaged in teaching at the parochial school, which the sisters have always kept in connection with the Academy of the Holy Names; it is situated next to the convent. The much lamented Rev. Father Murphy, M. R., had worked hard to make his school one of the best in the diocese of Syracuse, and his wishes have been fulfilled. A regent's charter was secured from the state of New York in 1902, and in 1903 the first graduates stepped forth from an academy which, since then, has had a remarkable growth, the present number being nearly fifty. The attendance of boys and girls is now 350. The name of this academy was changed from that of St. Peter's school to St. Aloysius' Academy, out of respect to the memory of the beloved pastor, Rev. Aloysius Murphy.
GENERAL STATISTICS OF SCHOOLS
The most trustworthy information upon the subject of the public schools of the county is found in the report of the commissioner of education for the year 1910. A compilation of the statistics from that report is as follows:
Number of school buildings
388
Number of academic departments
22
Total property
Total library
51,542
Academic $310,873 18,936 96
Total $1,489,609 70,478 876
Total teachers
780
Number of pupils between 5 and 18 years
of age-
Boys
11,794
831
12,625
Girls
11,190
1,033
12,223
Total
22,984
1,864
24,848
Number of pupils over 18 years of age-
Boys
22
126
148
Girls
15
154
169
Total
37
280
317
Elementary $1,178,736
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Aggregate days attendance pupils between
5 and 18 years-
Boys
1,552,393
126,822
1,679,215
Girls
1,465,951
161,296
1,627,247
Total
3,018,344
288,118
3,306,462
Aggregate days attendance pupils over 18
years-
Boys
2,123
18,397
20,520
Girls
1,224
24,167
25,391
Total
3,347
42,564
45,911
Average attendance pupils between 5 and
18 years-
Boys
8,514
670
9,184
Girls
8,030
856
8,886
Total
16,544
1,526
18,070
Average attendance pupils over 18 years
Boys
12
97
109
Girls
8
128
136
Total
20
225
245
Total payments
.$663,064.81
$142,121.10 $805,185.91
CHAPTER XXVI.
LIBRARIES.
BARNEVELD -- In 1874 Dr. and Mrs. Luther Guiteau, Rev. and Mrs. William Silsbee, Rev. Thomas Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wicks, Griffith Pritchard and others met for the purpose of founding a library in the village of Barne- veld. A subscription paper was circulated, and a sufficient amount of money was raised to insure the establishment of a library association. In November the association was organized, and in January, 1875, books had been purchased and a circulating library was doing good service in the village and surrounding country. The library was located in the Wicks block, but in March, 1875, the building was destroyed by fire, and all the books were burned except about forty volumes, which were in circulation and not in the library at the time. Soon after additional books were purchased, and before the year ended there were twelve hundred well selected volumes in the library. On June 12, 1875, the Barneveld Library Association was incorporated. July 27, 1877, the corner- stone of the library building was laid, and the building was completed in the autumn of that year. At the present time there are 3,200 volumes in the library, and room for many additional books, as the exigencies of the case will demand. The library at present is under the efficient management of Miss Alice Burnette Jones, as librarian.
BOONVILLE-The handsome Erwin Library building at Boonville was con- structed by an association with funds left by will by Cornelius B. Erwin, of New Britain, Ct. Mr. Erwin had formerly been a resident of Boonville, but removed to New Britain many years before his death, and accumulated a for- tune. He gave $10,000 to an association to be formed for a public library building, $2,500 for library and $18,000 as a maintenance fund. In 1886 the library association was organized with John M. Whipple, Robert H. Roberts, Frank A. Willard, Leander W. Fisk and William Bamber as directors and trustees of the fund. There are at the present time about 5,000 volumes in the library.
CAMDEN-In 1890 citizens of the village of Camden took steps to establish a public library. At first books were contributed to the library, the first being given by Mrs. Emma Frisbie, and in August, 1891, the library contained 218 volumes. A room was then procured, other books were loaned to the association, and the nucleus of a library was established in the building of B. A. Curtis. At the end of the year there were 549 volumes. In 1894 a permanent librarian was employed, and the library was removed to the Opera House building, where it remained until 1896, when it was moved into the new Town Hall building, and then placed under the Board of Regents. Various means were employed
377 .
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
to obtain money necessary for carrying on the work. Concerts, lecture courses, suppers, rummage sales and dramatic entertainments helped to swell the funds, which continued steadily to grow. In 1905 the town made an appropriation of $500, and since 1906 the town has each year appropriated $500 for the purposes of the library, and the state now gives $100 yearly for the purchase of books, with the provision that a like sum be added to it from the town appropriation. On July 1, 1911, the library contained 5,324 volumes. The officers for 1911 are, president, Mrs. E. H. Conant; vice president, Mrs. E. T. Pike; second vice president, Mrs. T. A. Farnsworth ; secretary, Mrs. D. G. Dorrance; treasurer, Mrs. Susan B. Cromwell; the library is in charge of Miss Annie More, who has held the position since 1897.
CLINTON-Notwithstanding the very large library at Hamilton College on the hill near Clinton village, the ladies deemed it expedient to establish a cir- culating library for the inhabitants of the village. Several of the prominent ladies of Clinton held a meeting and organized an association September 9, 1901. In 1902 a charter was granted by the Regents of the University to the Kirkland Town Library Association, which was the name selected by the organ- izers of the institution. For many years prior to this the Sigma Phi fraternity of Hamilton College had a commodious building in the village, but this fraternity had erected a much more expensive building upon the college grounds to which they had removed, and offered their former building for sale. The library as- sociation purchased this building in 1902, and have since occupied it. The num- ber of volumes in the library at the present time is 4,573. The librarian is Miss Sara Morris. A portion of the building is also used as a depository for his- torical relics, and another portion by the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion.
REMSEN-Didymus Thomas Library was incorporated under the Regents of the University of the State of New York, December 21, 1899, with the following board of trustees: George E. Pritchard, president; John G. Lewis, vice presi- dent; Edward E. Samuel, secretary; Edward C. Evans, treasurer; John C. Thomas, Evan G. Williams and Charles M. Williams, trustees. Mrs. Marion L. Francis, the widow of Wallace Francis and daughter of Didymus Thomas was the promoter, as a memorial to her father. She proposed to give two dollars for every one dollar raised by the people of Remsen. The sum of $700 was raised, and she paid $1,400, making a total capital at the start of $2,100. The library was located for several years in the second story of Dr. E. G. Williams' drug store, then owned by Dr. D. H. Reed. At that time Mrs. Francis promised to leave $5,000 in her will towards putting up a building, and from time to time promised to enlarge this sum. She died in 1905, and her will bequeathed the library $10,000, and made it one of four residuary legatees whereby it re- ceived $58,000 net, making a total of $68,000. The trustees then purchased for a site the residence of the late Joseph Roberts, on Main street, at the net price of $2,290, and erected thereon a pressed brick, Gouverneur marble trimmed building, fifty-six feet front and forty-four feet deep. The inside is finished in oak. It is lighted with gasoline gas and heated with steam. The cost of the
7
THE OLD UTICA FREE ACADEMY
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
building, including heating and lighting, was $26,300, and for furnishing, im- provements to the grounds, etc., $1,500, making a total of about $30,000. The library now has about 2,000 volumes. The balance of the fund is invested in long-time, high-class securities, of the par value of $36,500, and the market value of about $40,000, producing an annual income of about $1,700.
ROME-John Bloomfield Jervis, who died in 1885, bequeathed to the Board of Education of the city of Rome his private library of over 2,000 volumes and three-tenths of his estate, amounting to about $44,400, for the establishment of a free public library. The estate was not settled until 1894, and in Decem- ber of that year the Board of Education became incorporated as the Jervis Library Association, later including in its membership the presidents of the banks of discount, the superintendent of schools, Benjamin F. Jervis of Ithaca, N. Y., and Robert B. Vail of Rahway, N. J. Therefore, the Jervis Library As- sociation when incorporated consisted of the following persons: T. M. Flan- drau, M. D., Edward Comstock, W. H. VanWagenen, W. R. Huntington, Je- rome Graves, A. H. Golley, W. D. Manro, W. J. P. Kingsley, M. D., A. W. Orton, J. G. Bissell, H. G. Utley, B. F. Jervis and R. B. Vail. At its first meet- ing Hon. Edward Comstock was chosen president and Miss M. Elizabeth Beach librarian. Mr. Jervis' late residence, a spacious, three-story brick structure sur- rounded by ample lawns, was taken for the library building, and with a few alterations proved well adapted to the purpose.
The private library bequeathed by Mr. Jervis contained 2,509 volumes. New books were bought to the number of 2,266, the Rome Free Academy Library of 1,401 volumes was transferred to the association, and the Rome Book Club pre- sented 240 volumes, making a total of 6,634 volumes on the shelves when the library opened. In addition to these the library of the late Hon. Bloomfield J. Beach, containing 2,681 volumes, was loaned to the association for five years, so that 9,315 volumes were ready for the use of the public.
On July 15, 1895, appropriate exercises were held at the library, and the following day the books were made accessible to the people of the city of Rome. At first the doors were closed during a part of the morning, afternoon and even- ing, but now they are open each week day continuously from 10 a. m., until 8:30 p. m.
Each year the association has added to the library by purchase three or four hundred volumes, and many donations have been received. Conspicuous among the latter was the gift of the late Arthur W. Soper of 300 volumes of works on scientific subjects and useful arts, purchased at a cost of about $800; the gift of $100 worth of juvenile books by the Hon. Edward Comstock; 480 volumes donated by the heirs of the Beach Library with the loan was withdrawn; 100 volumes of bound magazines presented by the late Alfred Sanford; complete files of the Rome Sentinel from 1864, given by the Rome Sentinel Company; several hundred volumes of medical books donated by the heirs of Dr. M. C. West, Dr. T. M. Flandrau, Dr. R. E. Sutton and Dr. H. C. Sutton, and a very valuable copy of Audubon's Birds of America, presented by Mrs. W. J. P. Kingsley. In 1896 a public spirited citizen gave $50 for the purchase of juve- nile books. In 1899 a few interested friends of the library contributed $1,200 for adult literature, and the proceeds of an entertainment by local talent added
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
$500 to the fund. Many other gifts of books have been received, and the total number of volumes owned by the association July 1, 1911, was 15,652, a gain of 9,000 volumes since the opening of the library.
In 1898 the city appropriated $1,000 toward the support of the library, which sum was contributed yearly until 1901, when it was increased to $1,500. Also in 1898, by the bequest of Thomas Jones the library association received $2,500, and in 1911 there became available $2,900, bequeathed by John D. Hig- gins.
A number of pictures, casts and curios have been presented from time to time, so that the library now owns some valuable relics and works of art.
In 1896, the ladies of the Wednesday Morning Club (a literary club in the city of Rome), who had been granted the privilege of using a room on the sec- ond floor of the library building, converted the whole side of that floor into one large assembly room, furnished it and opened it for the benefit of the public. Historical and literary clubs make use of it, and several art exhibitions have been held there.
During the year ending July 1, 1911, the librarian and her two assistants have given out 45,553 volumes. No record has been kept of the reference work, but daily the librarians furnish information on a great variety of subjects to inquiring individuals, besides assisting study clubs, debating societies, and the little children in their school work. The juvenile section is largely patronized. For several years books suited to the different grades were placed in the schools, but it has proved advisable to keep all the books in the library, arranging them on the shelves for convenience in grade work.
The room which Mr. Jervis occupied as a library, and which still holds his books in their original cases, is now used as a reading room, and the public has access to forty-two periodicals and 1,750 bound volumes of magazines.
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