USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 14
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"The whole amount paid for teachers' wages during the year ending De- cember 31, 1847, was $3.311.83. Of this sum only $677 was raised from the rate bills. Adding to this the contingent fund of these four districts, amounting to $675, gives $3,986.83 aggregate expense for the year. Of this sum the rate bills pay but about one-sixth, leaving five-sixths to be paid
* During the first six years of the city's organization, its territory comprised only four wards, but the reader will better understand the location of these schools by giving their situation after the city was divided into eight wards.
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534
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
by moneys received from the Literature Fund of the State and by a prop- erty tax.
" By the last assessment roll the taxable property of these four dis- tricts amounted to the sum of $3,100,000. Now, on the supposition that the above named $677 were paid by the property of these districts, how much would it add to the tax already paid for educational purposes? If I have figured correctly it would be $00.001,5."
The chair then appointed the following as the committee contemplated in the fourth resolution :
First Ward .- Wm. Clarke, Michael Lynch, I. R. Quereau, Miles W. Bennett, Noah Wood.
Second Ward .- John Wilkinson, Dennis McCarthy, L. W. Hall, Henry J. Sedgwick, Alex. Mckinstry.
Third Ward .- Hiram Putnam, Theodore Ashley, Rev. Mr. Raymond, Phares Gould, P. S. Stoddard.
Fourth Ward .- Hamilton White, David Bonta, W. W. Newell, A. G. Salisbury, E. T. Hayden.
It was resolved, "that the committee be requested to meet at the trus- tees' room on Saturday evening next."
Also, "that this meeting adjourn to meet again at the call of the com- mittee."
This meeting led to the establishment of the present system of public schools in the city.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNDER THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
" An Act in Relation to the Public Schools of Syracuse" was passed April 11, IS48. This act with some slight amendments, is the basis of the present public school system of the city. It provided for the appointment by the Mayor and Common Council, of two classes of School Commission- ers, one of which should hold office one year and the other two years from the date of the first appointment, and that thereafter one commissioner should be elected from each ward annually. The commissioners so elected have control of everything relating to the public schools. The act was amended March 11, 1865, March 26, 1866, and March 27, 1868. One com- missioner is now elected by the people, from each ward for two years, and it is so arranged that the even wards elect one year and the odd wards the next year.
In pursuance of the Act, eight commissioners were appointed by the Mayor and Common Council, who met at Market Hall (later the old City Hall) April 21, 1848, and after choosing Hiram Putman and R. A. Yoe, President and Secretary, pro tem., proceeded to draw for their respective terms as follows:
535
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
First ward, William Clark, two years, J. P. Babcock, one year : Second ward, 'James Noxon, two years, C. M. Brosnan, one year ; Third ward, Hiram Putnam, two years, Daniel Bradley, one year; Fourth ward, Oliver Teall, two years, C. A. Wheaton, one year.
Oliver Teall resigned and his place was filled by T. B. Fitch. Wm. Clark was elected President of the Board, but declined to serve, whereupon Hiram Putman was elected in his place. At the next meeting of the Board, April 26, 1848, A. G. Salisbury, who had been principal of Putman school previous to the city organization, was chosen clerk, upon whom also de- volved the duties of Superintendent of Schools, at a salary of $500 a year.
The Board, upon its organization, adopted the following resolutions :
"Resolved, That the Board of Education will not employ any teacher in any of the public schools of the city who uses intoxicating liquors as a beverage or who is addicted to the use of tobacco.
"Resolved, That the I'resident of the Board give public notice that the common schools of the city will be opened free to all children of the city."
The first teachers appointed by the Board were: First ward .- No. 1, Lewis Cornell, principal, monthly salary $35 ; No. 8, Edward Smith, princi- pal, $35 ; No. 15, J. B. Brigham, principal, $30 ; No. 16, James Johonnot, principal, $35, Miss Delia Earll, assistant, $15.
Second ward .- No. 4, N. P. Stanton, principal, $48, Mrs. N. P. Stanton, assistant, $IS, Miss Palmer, assistant, $15 ; No. 5, R. R. Stetson, principal, $45, Mrs. R. R. Stetson, assistant, $16, Miss M. A. Clapp, assistant, $18, Miss J. A. VanDenburg, assistant, SI8.
Third ward .- No. 6, J. B. Beal, principal, $35, Miss Hannah Burnet, as- sistant, $15 ; No. 20, Miss A. Bennett, principal, 818.
Fourth ward .- No. 7, W. W. Newman, principal, $50, Miss E. E. Will- iams, assistant, $18, Miss E. Williams, assistant, $15. Miss J. Brooks, assist- ant, $18, Miss S. M. Cox, assistant, $18, Mrs. R. C. Newman, assistant, $18; No. 12, J. M. Winchell, principal, $35, Miss A. Barker, assistant, $15 ; Miss HI. Kingsley, assistant, ȘI8.
W. W. Newman, now of South Onondaga, was married in the old Put- nam school, the only " wedding in school " on record.
James Johonnot, the first Principal of No. 16, became a successful con- ductor of Teachers' Institutes throughout this and other States, and an author of several educational works.
Edward Smith, who was appointed Principal of No. 8, in 1848, had been for several years a teacher in the village schools of Syracuse. After the city organization he continued in the service of the Board of Education as Prin- cipal till 1865, when he was elected Clerk and Superintendent. He held the office of Superintendent of Schools until 1889, a period of twenty-three years, when he was made Principal of Prescott School in the Fourth ward. Ile is a man of untiring zeal, having advanced views concerning all matters pertaining to common schools; and during his long term of service, now
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
nearly forty-five years, has, perhaps, done more for the cause of education in Syracuse than any other person.
A. E. Kinnie, Principal of Madison School, in the Eighth ward, who has been in the employ of the Board since 1855, excepting about two years, is another veteran to whom large credit is due.
A. G. Salisbury was for many years connected with the schools as Prin- cipal, and also for some years as Clerk of the Board of Education. He is held in grateful remembrance by many who came under his efficient in- struction.
Syracuse was one of the first cities in this country to abolish corporal punishment in its schools. This important action was taken in 1867, on motion of Commissioner Orrin Welch, of the Sixth ward. Many thought at the time that it was too radical a step; but subsequent experience has proved that it was a wise one. The moral tone of the schools is infinitely better than when whipping was in vogue.
In 1854, a high school department was organized in the old Prescott School on Lock street, with Charles O. Roundy as principal. This depart- ment was removed to No. 4, now Young's stable, on Church street, in 1855. It was continued in the Pike block, corner of Salina and Fayette streets, and in rooms over what was then Sherman's grocery, at the corner of War- ren and East Fayette streets, till 1869, when it was removed to the present commodious building on West Genesee street, which was erected at a cost, including lot, of $100,000. Prof. Roundy has been succeeded by W. A. Brownell, A. M., Ph. D .; Samuel Thurber, A. M .; George A. Bacon, A. M. Ph. D .; and William K. Wicks, A. M., in the order in which they are named.
The High School has been a success from the first. It is now first in the State in the number of Academic scholars. It contains an average of about six hundred students, five hundred and fifty of whom hold Regents' certificates.
First Graduating Class .-- The names of the first graduates from the High School in 1856, are as follows: Rossiter Raymond, H. Wadsworth Clarke, Samuel M. Comstock, Osgood V. Tracy, Arinda L. Adams, Catherine B. Poole, Ellen A. Evans, Ellyette W. Casey, Ellen V. Bowen. There were eighty-three graduates in 1889.
There is nothing which shows so well the growth and prosperity of Syr- acuse as the wonderful progress of her schools. The people of the Central City have always shown an increasing interest in education, and have taken care of their schools, even when other public interests had to be neglected. Twenty-four, the number of teachers employed by the first Board of Edu- cation, in 1848, has increased to two-hundred aud seventy-eight in ISS9.
In 1889 there were registered in all the schools, 12,977 pupils; average number belonging, 10,644 ; average daily attendance, 10,198.
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537
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
There are (1891) twenty-eight school buildings, one of which is a High school and eight are Grammer Schools. Eight new school buildings have been erected since ISSO. Several of these are commodious and costly, con- taining all of the modern improvements, including power ventilatlon. As example, Prestcott School, finished in ISS1, cost (not including lot) $29,000 ; Seymour School, 1883, (not including lot) $40,000; Putnam School, 1888, (including lot) $65,000.
Following is a list of schools, principals and location : High School, West Genesee, corner Wallace, Third ward, Wm. K. Wicks, A. M., Princi- pal. Adams School, Adams street, between Grape and Orange, Seventh ward, Bessie M. Lowe, Principal. Bassett Street School (annex to the Madison School), Eighth ward, Marvin E. Bushnell, Principal. Brighton School, South Salina street, near Colvin, Eleventh ward, Mrs. L. E. Thomas, Principal. . Clinton School, Lodi street, near Hawley, Fourth ward, Mrs. L. L. Goodrich, Principal. Danforth School, Furman street, near South Salina, Eleventh ward, John Q. Adams, Principal. Delaware School, Del- aware street, near Merriman avenue, Mary W. Flanagan, Principal. Frank- lin School, Butternut street, corner Peters, Second ward, Charles E. White, Principal. Frazer School, Frazer street, corner of Smith, Ninth ward, Eliza A. Kennedy, Principal. Genesee School, Genesee street, corner Wal- lace, Third ward, Mary Lounsbury, Principal. Gere School, Willis avenue, near Essex, Tenth ward, Laura M. Geary, Principal. Grace School, Grace street, corner Ontario, Fifth ward, Sara C. Terwilliger, Principal. Irving School, East Fayette street, Eighth ward, Eliza G. Chapman, Principal. Jefferson School, corner Park and Court streets, First ward, Mary L. Ford, Principal. Prescott School, Willow street, above Lock, Fourth ward, Ed- ward Smith, Principal. Madison School, Madison street, corner Walnut avenue, Eighth 'ward, R. Bruce White, Principal. May School, Seneca street, between Otisco and Tully, Fifth ward, Mary A. Van Antwerp, Prin- cipal. Merrick School, South avenue, near Sheldon, Fifth ward, L. May Cameron, Principal. Montgomery School, Montgomery street, between Adams and Jackson, Sixth ward, Samantha C. Lincoln, Principal. Onon- daga County Orphan Asylum, East Genesee street, Eight ward, Maria B. Parish, Principal. Porter School, St. Mark's Square, between Bridge and Emerson avenues, Tenth ward, W. H. Scott, Principal. Putnam School, corner Montgomery and Jefferson streets, Seventh ward, John D. Wilson, Principal. Rose School, Eighth ward, Bessie L. Hurd, Teacher. Salina School, Salina street, between Center and Bear, First ward, H. E. Barrett, Principal. Seymour School, Seymour street, near West, Fifth ward, Bruce M. Watson, Principal. St. Vincent de Paul Orphan Asylum, Sixth ward, Mary Mallynn, Principal. Townsend School, corner Townsend and Ash, 68
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
Second ward, Kate M. Cullen, Principal. Vine Street School, Burnet ave- nue, near Vine, Fourth ward, Anna Holkings, Principal.
The following comparative school statistics are worthy of preservation :
1859.
1889.
Registered,
5,279
12,977
Average attendance,
2,776
10, 198
School census,
9,823
23,460
Cases of tardiness,
27, 183
8,160
Days,
76,776
100,128
The following have served as Clerks of the Board of Education : A. G. Salisbury, 1848-1849; W. L. Crandall, 1849-1850; A. G. Salisbury, 1850- 1851 ; E. A. Sheldon, 1851-1853; Wm. Hall, 1853; M. L. Brown, 1854; Geo. L. Farnham, 1855-1862 ; Chas. E. Stevens, 1862-1864; Edward Smith, 1865-1889; A. Burr Blodgett, 1889.
The present School Board is as follows: President, William Spaulding; Clerk and Superintendent, A. B. Blodgett ; Commissioners, First ward, John J. Keefe; Second ward, Daniel Scheer; Third ward, James H. Meagher; Fourth ward, A. von Landberg ; Fifth ward, Warren D. Tallman ; Sixth ward, E. C. Wright; Seventh ward, P. R. Kiely; Eighth ward, Alexander Grant ; Ninth ward, Patrick Cody ; Tenth ward, G. H. Stilwell ; Eleventh ward, James R. McAllister ; Twelfth ward, Charles F. Wyckoff ; Thirteenth ward, John A. Mackay; Fourteenth ward, John A. Tholens.
The number of wards in the city was increased to eight in 1854, and the number of School Commissioners to sixteen. In 1857, the number of Com- missioners was reduced to eight. In 1887, the number of wards was in- creased to eleven and the number of Commissioners to eleven.
Syracuse University .-- The Syracuse University had its inception in the celebration of the Centennial of Methodism in 1866. The Methodist Epis- copal Church had resolved to raise that year two millions of dollars, and to make its educational institutions the chief objects of its benefactions. There were at that time, under the care of the Methodist denomination, several seminaries in the State of New York, but only one college. This-Genesee College-was located in Lima, in western New York, a small village several miles distant from a railroad station. It had been in operation since 1851, doing excellent work, but because of the disadvantage of its location had not prospered as much as had been anticipated. When efforts were to be made for centennial educational collections in New York, the question of a new University site at once became prominent. After much discussion it was resolved to seek a central location to which the Genesee College might be removed. All the trustees of the latter institution, save one, favored re- moval. Of course the citizens of Lima violently opposed such action, and secured an injunction against the trustees, prohibiting it. The work, how-
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SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY.
ever, of founding the new University did not halt. In 1867 the city of Syracuse voted an appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars to the new University, conditioned upon the raising of four hundred thousand dol- lars additional, for endowment. On the 22d of February, IS70, a Methodist Episcopal convention for the State of New York was held in Syracuse, at which it was determined to establish the University here. The following resolution, passed by the convention, declared its purpose : " Resolved, that this State Convention of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in New York, approves of the plan to establish, without delay, in the city of Syracuse, or its immediate vicinity, a first-class university, and recommends that imme- diate measures be taken to raise at least five hundred thousand dollars for its endowment. Subscriptions were thereupon asked for and one hundred and eighty-one thousand dollars were pledged. This, with previous valid subscriptions and the pledge of the city, made the amount of funds for the new enterprise three hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars. A provis- ional Board of Trustees was elected and steps taken to secure a charter. In January, 1871, the valid pledges to the enterprise reached four hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, and on the 24th of April, following, the city issued bonds to the University amounting to one hundred thousand dollars.
In May, Eliphalet Remington gave to the University an interest in a block in Syracuse worth eighty thousand dollars. During the same month a site of fifty acres, in the southeast part of the city, was selected and plans for building the Hall of Languages were adopted.
On September 1, 1871, the College of Liberal Arts opened its first ses- sion in the Myers block with forty-one students and five professors. It con- tinued to occupy this building until the Hall of Languages was completed and dedicated in May, 1873.
In December, 1871, the Medical College was ordained, and began its work in the autumn of 1872.
The College of Fine Arts was established in June, 1873, and opened on September 18, following. Its declared purpose was to give instruction in Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Engraving, Music, Oratory, Poetry, Belles-lettres, Literature, etc.
In the autumn of 1886, Mr. E. F. Holden determined to erect a work- ing observatory as a memorial to his son, Charles Demarest Holden, who graduated in the class of 1877, and died in Syracuse, February, 1883. This Observatory is built of rock-faced, gray limestone, and is about 40x40 feet in extreme dimensions. It is equipped with an eight-inch Alvin Clark tele- scope, a four-inch reversible transit, micometer, chronograph, chronometer, astronomical clock, and all other needed appliances for practical astronomy. It is also fully equipped with apparatus for meteorological observations.
In April, 1887, Mrs. John M. Reid, of New York city, purchased the great library of Leopold Von Rancke, of Berlin, Germany, and offered it to
540
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
Syracuse University on condition that a suitable building be erected to con- tain it. Accordingly in the following September a Library Building 80x90 feet, with a capacity for one hundred and thirty thousand volumes, was begun, and was completed in June, 1889. It is provided with abundant rooms and facilities for all departments of library work.
One of the most magnificent gifts ever received by the University is the Memorial College for Women, erected by the late John Crouse, of Syracuse, and completed by his son, D. Edgar Crouse. This structure is of long- meadow, red sandstone, 162x190 feet extreme measurements, and is one of the most imposing college edifices in the world. It contains a magnificent music hall, a large organ and has been amply and elegantly furnished by its donors.
The Medical College occupies three brick buildings on Orange street, well adapted to its purposes.
The University has at present three well-equipped colleges. The College of Liberal Arts, with Classical Latin-Scientific and Scientific courses, is ad- mirably furnished with apparatus, laboratories and museums, and has an enrollment of four hundred and fifty students.
The College of Fine Arts has courses in Painting, Architecture, and Music, and an attendance of two hundred and fifty students.
The College of Medicine has a graduated three-years course, with an attendance of sixty students.
Among the notable gifts to the University have been the following : Philo Remington, $100,000 ; John D. Slayback, $20,000; " A Friend," for library, $100,000 ; Milton S. Price, $10,000 ; Mrs. Lydia Morehouse, $30,000; Eliphalet Remington, $So,000 ; Bishop Jesse T. Peck, $50,000; J. Dorman Steele, $50,000 ; Geo. F. Comstock, $50,000 ; Rev. R. H. Robinson, $15.000; Rev. William Griffin, D. D., $40,000; Hon. David Decker, $10,000; Mrs. W. P. Abbott, $10,000 ; Mrs. Harriet T. Leavenworth, Wolff Collection of Engravings ; E. F. Holden, the Observatory ; John Crouse and D. Edgar Crouse, John Crouse Memorial College ;' Mrs. J. M. Reid, Von Rancke Li- brary ; Mrs. J. Dorman Steele, support of Professorship of Theistic Science ($2,500 per year), and the equipment of the department of Physics, $10,000. Besides these have been many other gifts of various amounts.
The Presidents of the Board of Trustees have been as follows : Rev. Jesse T. Peck, D.D., 1870-73 ; Alexander Winchell, LL. D., 1873-74; Hon. David Decker, 1874-79; Hon. Francis H. Root, 1879, to the present date.
The Chancellors have been Rev. Daniel Steele, D. D. (President of Col- lege of Liberal Arts), 1871-72 ; Alexander Winchell. LL. D., 1872-74; E. O. Haven, D. D., LL. D., 1874-80; Chas. N. Sims, D. D., LL. D., ISSI, to the present date.
At this writing the University has property amounting to one million, seven hundred thousand dollars, of which five hundred thousand dollars is
541
MEADS' BUSINESS COLLEGE.
productive endowment. Its students number nearly eight hundred, with a teaching force of forty-nine. The University is co-educational and opens all its courses of study on equal terms to students of both sexes.
Meads' Business College .- In or about the year 1857 a Mr. Kelsey es- tablished and maintained a Commercial School in the old Wieting block until the year 1862, when Prof. D. T. Ames, who had been in partnership with Prof. C. P. Meads in conducting the Commercial College at Oswego, purchased the Kellsey School.
There was at that time in the block now occupied by D. McCarthy & Co., corner South Salina and Fayette streets, the Bassett Commercial Col- lege, which was afterwards conducted by the Mead Bros. (no relation to Prof. C. P. Meads). By reason of the disturbed condition of the country from 1861 to 1865, many commercial schools suspended operations, among them the one in the McCarthy block. This gave to Prof. Ames the field in this city without competition until 1865, when Bryant & Stratton, of unlim- ited fame and resources, established a branch college in the Malcolm block, corner Railroad and South Salina streets.
The competition between Prof. Ames and the latter college became ani- mated and at times decidedly fierce. This condition of affairs continued until the Spring of 1868. Prof. Meads, who became connected with the Oswego Commercial College in 1859, and, excepting the copartnership with Prof. Ames for a period of some two years, was the sole owner and conductor of the college in that city until the burning of the Grant block, where his school had been located, with all desirable appointments, for several years. The fire destroyed everything connected with the material effects of the college, but with pluck and energy Prof. Meads secured quarters in the Mansard block, and with somewhat crude appliances at first, had his college in running order, with the loss of but a few days. This occurred on the 9th of January, 1868, and the school continued in that location until April following, when a co-partnership was formed with J. H. Warren, of Syra- cuse, who had succeeded to the management of the Bryant & Stratton Col- lege in this city. A consolidation was effected, and the Oswego interest was brought here and combined with the Bryant & Stratton school. This arrangement continued for a short time when Messrs. Warren & Meads pur- chased the Ames College and moved into the rooms of the latter, covering the entire upper floor of the Pike block, corner South Salina and Fayette streets.
In the fall of the same year (1868) Prof. Meads purchased the interest held by Mr. Warren and the school was then, and continued to be for sev- eral years, the only commercial or business college in .this city. In 1882, rooms were taken in Grand Opera House block, covering three stores on second floor and fitted up expressly for the growing needs of the college.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
Prosperity attended the entire period from 1882 to the fall of 1888, when the "Grand" was destroyed by fire on the 13th of September. This event, occurring twenty years after the fire at Oswego, would have had a depress- ing effect on the average man in like circumstances, but Prof. Meads lost no time in securing another location for his school, which was found in the Washington block, corner South Salina and Jefferson streets, formerly oc- cupied as the Washington House. Here, with spacious rooms and all mod- ern appliances for conducting a business college, the school is enjoying the prosperity it deserves.
LIBRARIES.
The first circulating library in Syracuse was known as the "Parish Li- brary " and was established chiefly through the efforts of the Rev. Palmer Dyer, then rector of St. Paul's Church. Mr. Dyer took a deep interest in the welfare and growth of the village and this feeling prompted him to seek a means of giving the people healthful reading. This small library was ac- commodated, at least during a part of its existence, in a room provided by the late L. H. Redfield, who also appreciated the value in the community of good reading matter. It was subsequently removed to the old Academy and consolidated with the library of that institution.
Madame A. J. Raoul, a lady who took a deep interest in educational and intellectual affairs, had a circulating library at one time, before the organiza- tion of the city, which accomplished much good.
A building which formerly stood on the northeast corner of Salina and Washington streets, acquired the title of " Library Hall " from the fact that in it was a public hall, and also a library which was the offspring of the "Syracuse Library and Reading Room Association." This hall and library acquired considerable distinction. Public lectures were given in the hall before the Association and its friends by several prominent persons, and on one occasion Mrs. Fannie Kemble-Butler gave readings there. Ole Bull, then at the height of his fame as a violinist, gave an entertainment there. The library which was accumulated by the Association never reached more than 1,200 volumes, and was for a period under the care of Thomas A. Smith, who had his law office in the rooms of the Association and acted as librarian. This Association was not very long-lived and under a burden of debt finally closed up its affairs and the books were purchased by E. W. Leavenworth, Capt. Hiram Putnam, Dr. Lyman Clary, and others, and placed as a library in Dr. Clary's office. At a later date the books were presented to the " Franklin Library and Institute."
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