History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 30

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 391

USA > New York > Ontario County > History of Ontario Co., New York > Part 30

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On the retirement of Dr. Jackson from the presidency of Hobart, the Rev. James Kent Stone, D.D., son of the first tutor of the college, the Rev. John S. Stone, D.D., was called to the position, which he filled but a single year, but little of which, in consequence of family affliction, he was able to spend in actual col- legiate work. The vacancy created by Dr. Stone's retirement was filled by the ap- pointment of the Rev. James Rankine, D.D., rector of St. Peter's memorial church, Geneva, and head of the De Lancey training school. Dr. Rankine's in- cumbency extended over two years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Maunsell Van Rensselaer, D.D., late President of Deveaux College, Suspension Bridge, New York, whose term of office was terminated carly in the present (1876) year. Dur- ing the presidency of Drs. Rankine and Van Rensselaer, mainly through the ex- ertions of the bishop of the diocese, the Right Rev. Dr. Coxe, assisted by the presidents and the local Geneva clergy and trustees, the sum of sixty-five thou- sand dollars was added to the funds of the college, while various improvements, such as the purchase of valuable philosophical apparatus; the erection of an ob- servatory, and the purchase of a fine telescope, with other subsidiary appliances for the practical study of astronomy ; the fitting-up of a college reading-room; the increase and arrangement of the college library of thirteen thousand volumes, etc., etc., prove that the college is not standing still.

On the 11th of May the Rev. William Stevens Perry, D.D., LL.D., who had

Digitized by Google

76.

HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

been elected on the 20th of the preceding month, entered upon the presidency of the college. On the 31st of May the newly-chosen president was unani- mously elected to the episcopate of the diocese of Iowa. The circumstances of the diocese and of the election being such that there could be no doubt as to the question of duty in the case, Dr. Perry tendered his resignation to the trustees of the college on the 21st of June, which was accepted by the board, after the adoption of complimentary resolutions, to take effect on his consecration to the episcopate. A committee was empowered to nominate a new president, who will enter upon his duties on the removal of Dr. Perry to his future home.

At present the following gentlemen form the faculty and lecturers of Hobart College for 1876 :

The Rev. William Stevens Perry (Harvard College), D.D. (Trinity), LL.D. (William and Mary), President, Trinity Professor of Christian Ethics, Startin Professor of the Evidences of Christianity, and Acting Professor of Intellectual Philosophy ; John Towler, M.A. (University of Cambridge, England), M.D. (Hobart), Professor of Civil Engineering and of Chemistry, and Acting Professor of Mathematics and Modern Languages; Hamilton L. Smith, M.A. (Yale Col- lege), LL:D. (Trinity), Prendergast Professor of Astronomy and Natural Phi- losophy ; Joseph H. MoDaniels, M.A. (Harvard College), Professor of the Greek Language and Literature ; the Rev. George F. Siegmund (graduate of the Uni- versities of Halle and Berlin, Germany), M.A. (Hobart), Hobart Professor of the Latin Language and Literature ; Charles D. Vail, M.A. (Hobart College), Ad- junot Horace White Professor of Rhetoric and Elocution, and of the English Language and Literature; the Right Rev. Arthur Cleveland Coxe (University of New York), D.D. (Trinity), LL.D. (Kenyon), Lecturer on English Literature and History; the Hon. Samuel A. Foot, M.A. (Union College), LL.D. (Hobart), Lecturer on Constitutional Law; the Rev, Walter Ayrault, M.A. (Hobart Col- lege), D.D. (Hobart), Chaplain and Pastor on the Swift Foundation ; Charles D. Vail, M.A. (Hobart), Librarian.

Hobart College is the college of the five dioceses of the State of New York. The five bishops of these dioceses are all visitors. Three of them have consented to serve as trustees ; and the rector of Trinity church, in New York, is also a visitor and a trustee.

The church possesses in this college :

(a) Endowments, inclusive of value of buildings ($53,000), amounting to $266,000. Total of college property, $333,000.

(b) Income from all sources, $13,700.

(c) A corps of eminent scientific and classical professors, whose names and college honors we have given above, all laboring to give the highest tone and character to the scholarship of the college, the standard of which is not surpassed by any college in the State, and elsewhere only by the two great universities of the land.

(d) An incomparable site on the banks of the beautiful Seneca lake, in a healthy and beautiful village, where the social and religious influences are of the happiest kind.

(.) A historic character, shown in this sketch, which is always valuable to an American college, and is a guaranty of perpetuity.

(f) A community of relations and claims that never can be shared by any future institution, growing out of the common history of the five dioceses of the State of New York.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE ONTARIO FEMALE SEMINARY-THE GENEVA UNION SCHOOL-THE CANANDAIGUA ACADEMY.

THE ONTARIO FEMALE SEMINARY. *

IN a history of the educational institutions of Ontario County, the Ontario Fe- male Seminary should have a prominent place. This is due to its successful career for so long a period, and to its position, in its early years, as a pioneer in the modern movement in behalf of a higher education for females.

Its beginning was as follows : December 8, 1824, James D. Bemis, Nathaniel Jacobs, Walter Hubbell, Jared Willson, and Mark H. Sibley, gave public notice that they would make application to the Legislature for an not incorporating the Ontario Female Seminary, which was then being established. Land for the seminary was deeded by Henry B. Gibson, July 28, 1825. March 4. 1825,

. By Edward G. Tyler.

notice was given for proposals to erect a building for the use of the institution, the building to be of brick, seventy-five feet front and fifty feet deep, two stories high, with a basement of four feet above the ground. This was the main central build- ing, and furnished adequate accommodations for a very few years, until a south wing of thirty by fifty feet was erected, for the purpose of supplying a school- room and recitation-rooms, while the main building should be devoted wholly to the accommodation of the boarding department. During the first five years of its existence the institution had a varying history, with successive changes of principale, among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Whittlesey, whose name was widely associated with the Mother's Magazine.

In October, 1830, Miss Hannah Upham and Miss Arabella Smith, from New Hampshire, were made principals of the institution, and from this time it began to take on a steady growth and permanent prosperity. In the year 1835 they as- sumed, by request of the trustees, full charge of the boarding department, and the almost entire control and responsibility of the institution. Under their wise man- agement the number of pupils increased, the reputation of the institution extended, pupils from a distance multiplied, and larger accommodations for the boarding de- partment became requisite, until the north wing of thirty by fifty feet, two stories high, was erected to supply the needed rooms for dormitories. Miss Upham and Miss Smith continued as associate principals until the summer of 1842, when Miss Smith died, and Miss Upham continued sole principal, except as assisted by her nieces, until July, 1848, when she retired from the institution, after a connection with it of eighteen years of successful management. After resigning her charge, she spent a few years with relatives in New England, after which she returned to Canandaigua, and in the midst of endeared friends and associations passed the ro- maining years of her life. She died August 20, 1868, in the eightieth year of her age. In conformity with her request, her remains were taken to the family cemetery, at Portsmouth, N. H. In commemoration of her character and life-work, her pupils erected in her name a rich memorial window in the new Congregational chapel at Canandaigua.

In the words of a well-drawn biographical sketch, taken from the minutes of the University Convocation of the State of New York, August, 1869,-

" Miss Upham was a woman of rare gifts. With great strength of mind, the most thorough culture, and the acuteness of a logician, there was combined a most delicate refinement and the sweet simplicity of a child. As a teacher she won- derfully impressed herself upon her pupils, or, rather, she reproduced herself in them. She moulded their characters and planted in their hearts seeds of spiritual life, which have blossomed and borne fruit in countless Christian homes; and even when the infirmities of age gathered upon her, she wore upon her brow that coronet of tranquil joys accorded only to those whose life and being have been consecrated to the Lord. Her ruling principle was love. Every pupil was to her as a child of her affections, and to fit her for Christian usefulness was her most earnest endeavor. Her school was a delighted family-many, very many of whose members have already with her entered into that divine joy to which she led them."

In July, 1848, Miss Upham was succeeded by Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Tyler, who had previously been connected as associate principals with the Young Ladies' Institute of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The institution continued to prosper until the accommodations both for day and boarding pupils became too limited, and in the summer of 1852 its capacity was enlarged by the addition to the south wing of a two-story building, with dimensions of forty by sixty feet, furnishing an elegant school-room and chapel, and additional lodging-rooms. The institution thus had come to have a capacity for accommodating a large day school and = boarding school of eighty pupils, and twelve or fifteen. teachers, together with a full complement of domestics.

. In July, 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Tyler were succeeded in the principalship by Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Richards, then recently from the Female Collegiate Institute at Barhamville, S. C.

From 1860 to 1867, Mr. Tyler and Mr. Richards were associated in the man- agement of the institution.

From 1867 to 1875, Mr. and Mrs. Richards had entire charge of the semi- nary. Thus the institution filled up and completed the half-century of its existence.

During its later years it encountered difficulties arising from the weaknees of its financial condition, it having never been endowed, and having started on a sub- scription of about sixteen thousand dollars ouly, thus leaving the expense of build- ings and improvements to be provided for, chiefly by incurring a permanent indebtedness. Also there has come upon our country recently the era of large and richly-endowed female schools and colleges, thus drawing away patronage from the older seminaries of more limited accommodations and humbler preten- sions.

Whether, from these causes, the Ontario Female Seminary has closed its work, or, on the other hand, has a mission still to accomplish, its past at least is secure.

Digitized by Google

PLATE XIX.

RES. OF CAPT GEORGE HICKOX, CANANDAIGUA, NEW YORK.

Digitized by Google

PLATE XX

FARM & RES. OF DE JOHN W. POTTER, MAIN STREET, CANANDAIGUA, NEW YORK.

Digitized by Google

7.7

HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Its half-century record is made up, and its history is repleto with precious and enduring memorials. Like the Troy Female Seminary, founded about the same time, it was a pioneer, leading the way in the new era of an advanced education for women. It was "the mother" of female schools and colleges over the land, and thus still lives. It has sent out hundreds of well-educated teachers, many of whom have risen to high positions in first-class seminaries and colleges for women. It has furnished many successful writers and authors. It has educated probably not less than five thousand pupils, many of whom have gone to enrich and adorn happy Christian homes in distant States, while for its own town and county and region it has done a work of inestimable value, -a work not only literary and in- tellectual, but also social and religious, for it ought to be recorded that the insti- tution was earnestly Christian, but not sectarian, the different denominations being represented in its board of trustees, its corps of teachers, and its list of pupils.

THE UNION SCHOOL OF GENEVA,

now incorporated as the Geneva Classical and Union School, is one of the first institutions of the kind established in the State. The plan was first proposed by Mr. Francis Dwight, so well known for his deep interest in the cause of educa- tion in our State, and was submitted to Messrs. C. A. Cook, Perez Hastings, and Aaron Young.

After long consultation the plan was proposed to the public, and a meeting of the citizens was called. There was for a time strong opposition to the enterprise on the part of tax-payers; but the object was at last obtained, a large majority of the citizens voting for it, and in time those most opposed to the plan became its warmest supporters. For a long time this institution was taken as a model for others, and delegations frequently came from other towns in the State to witness the operation of the school, in order to form others on the same plan.

On the 24th day of April, 1839, Philo Bronson, Charles S. Brother, and S. D. Tillman, commissioners of common schools for the town of Seneca (now Geneva and Seneca), pursuant to previous notice to each of said commissioners, met at the office of S. D. Tillman, in the village of Geneva, and unanimously resolved that the old school districts, Nos. 1 and 19, comprising the corporate bounds of the village of Geneva, are hereby annulled, and that a new district, to be called No. 1, be formed from the same, together with a certain tract or territory lying north of the corporate bounds of Geneva.

On the 26th day of April, 1839, Aaron Young, William W. Greene, and S. Greene, trustees of old district No. 1, and Clark Morrison and William Barker, trustees of old district No. 19, consented in writing to the annullment of the old districts and the formation of the new.

On the 11th day of May following, by order of the commissioners, a meeting of the taxable inhabitants of the new district was held at the Mansion House, on Seneca street, in the village of Geneva, for the purpose of electing district officers and transacting such other business as might be deemed necessary in the organiza- tion of the district. At this meeting Bowen Whiting was chosen moderator, and Francis Dwight clerk pro tempore. The meeting elected as trustees of district No. 1, Bowen Whiting, Richard Hogarth, and Francis Dwight. James Gil- lespie was chosen clerk, and Jacob Marshall collector. An effort was made to raise by tax two thousand dollars to build a new school-house, but was unsuccess- ful, and the meeting adjourned sine die.

A special meeting was called on the thirtieth of the same month, at the Presbyterian lecture-room, in the village of Geneva, and a sum not exceeding three thousand six hundred dollars was voted for purchasing a site and erecting thereon a suitable building.

The site was purchased on Milton street, and a very commodious building erected on it in 1839, having four rooms, accommodating about three hundred pupils, and employing five teachers.

On the 9th day of May, 1840, at the annual meeting held at the new school- house, and presided over by Benjamin Hale, D.D., Messrs. Whiting, Hogarth, and Dwight were unanimously re-elected trustees.

Mr. Isaac Swift was the first principal of this institution, and held his position, with honor to himself and profit to the district, for thirteen years. In 1841 the sum of six hundred dollars was voted for the purpose of procuring a bell for the new school-house. In 1842 the building was found insufficient, and a wing on the east of the main building was erected.

In 1852, Mr. J. E. Dexter succeeded Mr. Swift, and in the spring of 1853 Mr. William H. Vrooman became connected with the school as assistant teacher, having charge of the boys of the senior department.

During the summer of 1853 a west wing was erected to the main building, and all the rooms rearranged and newly furnished; also three branch school-houses, known as the North and South branches, and colored school. The main building then accommodated two grades of scholars,-seniors and juniors.

Scholars were transferred from the branch schools to the junior department, and from the junior to the senior, on passing a certain prescribed examination. By an act passed April 15, 1853, incorporating Geneva Union school, and author- izing a classical department, it became subject to the regents of the University of the State of New York, and entitled to a distributive share of the literature fund. This academic department has enjoyed, and still enjoys, an excellent repu- tation.

During the year 1853, and incorporated in the same act above referred to, the board of education was increased from three to five members,-one to be elected annually, and to hold his office for five years. In 1854 another branch building was erected on Lewis street, called the middle branch.

In 1855, Mr. E. M. Hutchins was selected as principal, and in 1857 Mr. B. I. Bristol.

In 1859, Mr. William H. Vrooman was elected principal and superintendent, and still has charge of the schools. When Mr. Vrooman took charge of the schools, the board of education was composed of the following gentlemen, viz .: George B. Dusenberre, Perez H. Field, Phineas Prouty, James M. Soverhill, and Corydon Wheat. Messrs. Dusenberre and Soverhill were elected members of the board in 1856, Mr. C. Wheat in 1857, Mr. Phineas Prouty in 1858, and Mr. Perez H. Field in 1859. In this place permit us to say that no school ever had a more acceptable, efficient, and excellent board, and that no board of trustees was ever more devoted to the interests of a school.

The fact that a larger number has been in attendance each succeeding year is pleasing evidence of the growing popularity of the school and the competency of the board of trustees to direct in its successful management. The Union school building, on Milton street, known as the main or academic building, was destroyed by fire on the 17th of December, 1868, and with it the large and valuable library, astronomical, chemical, electrical, and philosophical apparatus, pictures, piano, furniture, books of teachers and pupils,-all lost. Apartments were immediately secured and furnished, and the school reopened on the 4th of January, 1869. Union or Dunn's Hall was occupied by the senior department, and rooms at the foot of Castle street, owned by Mr. James M. Soverhill, by the junior department. On the 16th of March, 1869, an act was passed legalizing all former acts of the board of trustees, and, among other things, making "Geneva Classical and Union School" the corporate name of the institution. At an annual meeting, held in Union Hall, December 26, 1868, it was resolved that the trustees be authorized to procure estimates and plans for rebuilding the school-house, and submit the same on the 30th of January, 1869, to which time the meeting adjourned. The trustees not being prepared to report, the meeting again adjourned. Messrs. Angus McDonald and S. D. Robison were associated with the board of trustees, and authorized to examine new sites on which to erect a house. After several adjourned meetings, it was finally resolved, on March 20, 1869, after hearing the report of the trustees, etc., "that we proceed to build s new school-house, and to build it on the old site, and large enough to accommo- date at least six hundred pupils, and that it be furnished with single desks, and of the most approved styles. Mr. A. J. Warner was the architect who drew the plan of the building, and it was built, furnished, and heated with steam at a cost of about thirty-eight thousand dollars. On the 20th day of October, 1870, the building was ready to be occupied by the school, and was formally delivered into the hands of the pupils by the president of the board, Mr. Corydon Wheat. The school was immediately graded and put in good working order.

In 1871, Mr. James M. Soverhill having declined a re-election as trustee, Col- onel Frederick A. Prince offered the following resolution, viz .:

"Resolved, That the thanks of the tax-payers of this school district be tendered to James M. Soverhill for his long and faithful services and unswerving devotion to the interests of its schools, extending over a period of fifteen years, as one of its trustees."

The resolution passed unanimously. Mr. Joseph S. Lewis was then elected trustee for five years. This is the first and only change in the board of trustees since 1859. On the 2d day of September, 1872, the board of education met at tlie office of Hon. George B. Dusenberre, tidings having been received that the steamer " Metis" was lost, and that one of their number, Hon. P. H. Field, was drowned, and adopted the following, viz. :

" Resolved, That we attend his funeral in a body ; that all the public schools in the village be closed at the time appointed for his funeral ; that a copy of the memorial be furnished the family of the deceased, and that the same be published in the Geneva papers.

[Signed]

"C. WHEAT,

" P. PROUTY,

" J. S. LEWIS,

"GEO. B. DUSENBERRE,

" Trustees."

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

On this same day, at a meeting of the teachers of the Geneva Classical and Union School, held at the new school building, the following resolution was unanimously adoptod:

" Resolved, That the teachers of Geneva Classical and Union School, in token of respect to the memory of one who has been a sealous and steadfast friend of this institution, attend, in a body, the funeral obsequies of the late Hon. Peres H. Field. " WM. H. VROOMAN, Principal."

On the 5th day of October, 1872, Mr. John Post, supervisor of the town, appointed George W. Field, M.D., trustee of the school, in place of Hon. Perez H. Field, deceased. Mr. Field acted as trustee until the day of his death, which occurred on the 20th of March, 1875. At a special meeting of the trustees of Geneva Classical and Union School, held March 22, 1875, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted :

" Whereas, We have learned of the death of our esteemed associate, George W. Field, M.D., which occurred in the city of New York on the 20th day of March, 1875; therefore be it

. " Resolved, That in his death we recognize the loss of a faithful, influential, and cultivated associate, who has endeared himself to us by his noble acts and un- swerving fidelity to duty.

" Resolved, That we, in token of respect, attend his funeral in a body; that all the public schools of the village be closed at the time appointed for the funeral; that we extend to the relatives of the deceased our deepest sympathy; that a copy of these resolutions be furnished the family of the deceased, and that the same be published in the village papers.

" CORYDON WHEAT,

" PHINEAS PROUTY,

" Gro. B. DUBENBERRE,

" JOSEPH S. LEWIS,

" Trustees."

Also the following, viz. : "In the sad event of the death of George W. Field, M.D., one of the trustees of Geneva Classical and Union School, the teachers of the institution, feeling that the school has lost a faithful and efficient officer, edu- cation a cultivated scholar, and they a genial friend, met in the school chapel, March 23, 1875, and adopted the following :

" Resolved, That we, out of respect to the memory of the deceased, attend his funeral obsequies in a body; that we tender our sympathy to the widow and relatives; that a copy of these resolutions be furnished the family of the de- ceased, and that the mme be printed in the village papers.

" WM. H. VROOMAN, Principal."

Ou the 20th of April, 1875, John J. Doolittle, supervisor of the town, appointed Arthur P. Rose, Faq., trustee in place of George W. Field, M.D., deceased.

On the 13th of June, 1876, Mr. Arthur P. Rose tendered his resignation as trustee of the school.

This resignation having been accepted, the supervisor, on the 18th of July, 1876, appointed Mr. John W. Smith trustee, in place of Arthur P. Rose, resigned.

The changes noted in this sketch are the only ones in the board of education during a period of twenty years. The teachers connected with the school are kept as long as they are found faithful and efficient, or until they signify a desire to leave. The board of education has ever been watchful, economical, and de- voted to the interests of the school ; never conceited, fickle, hasty, jealous, selfish, and tyrannical ; never biased by politics or religion ; always united and pulling together, taking for their motto, "In union there is strength," " United we stand; divided we fall." Hence, the school has steadily grown and increased, and teachers, pupils, and patrons have been benefited and made happy.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 30

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 391

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 391