USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 48
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108
Union Veterans' Union-Stevens Com- mand No. 16. Instituted 1887.
United Brothers' Friendship-No. 10. Instituted 1895.
United Spanish War Veterans-Henry A. Axline Camp No. 5. Meets 28716 W. Main Street, west of Race. Keifer Camp No. 3. Meets Court House.
Queen Esther's Court-No. 4. Insti- tuted 1882.
Woman's Veteran Relief Union-No. 32. Instituted 1895.
TRADES AND LABOR ORGANIZA- TIONS.
During the proceedings of the Spring- field Centennial Mr. Jeff Creager, who has been prominent in labor circles for many years, made an address in which he gave the following list of organizations as made up to that time:
LIST OF UNIONS.
Beginning with 1864 the following lahor organizations have been instituted in the order named in the city of Springfield:
1864-March. Iron Molders' Union No. 72.
1868 -- September 1. Typographical Union No. 117. Reorganized July 28, 1882.
1883-March 25. Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers, Sandusky Division, No. 208.
1883-April 9. Mad River Assembly. K. of I .. , No. 2582.
1885-June 22. Tailors' Assembly, K. of L., 3980.
1885-October 12. Champion City As- sembly, K. of L., No. 4351.
1886-January 1. Lagonda Assembly, K. of L., No. 4894.
1886-January 4. Germania Assembly, K. of T., No. 4903.
1886-January 8. Phoenix Assembly, K. of L., No. 4950.
1886-January 15. Excelsior Assem- bly, K. of L., No. 5007.
Di zed by Google
-
453
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
1886-February 13. Iron Workers' Assembly, K. of L., No. 5815.
1886-March 1. Western Assembly, K. of L .. , No. 5816.
1886-June 7. Cigar Makers' Assem- bly, K. of L., No. 7825.
1886-September 12. District Assem- bly, K. of [ .. , No. 178.
1886-January 13, Journeymen Bakers and Confectioners, No. 94. Reorganized September 11, 1900.
1887-June 26. Brotherhood of Loco- motive Firemen, Lodge 360.
1887-December 12. Cigar Makers' Union No. 45.
1889-October 8. Bricklayers and Masons No. 25.
1889-April 2. Brotherhood of Car- penters and Joiners No. 284. Reorgan- ized 1901. April 2. New number 660.
1890-January 1. Trades and Labor Assembly.
1890-June 16. Brotherhood of Paint- ers and Decorators No. 167.
1890-April 2. Journeymen Barbers No. 26.
1890 -- December 9. Retail Clerks' U'a- tional Protective Association No. 190.
1890-June 30. National Brotherhood of Boiler Makers No. 10. Reorganized March 3, 1895, No. 18.
1891-Janvary 16. International Asso- ciation of Machinists, Lodge 148. Re- organized May 14, 1898.
1891-Newspaper Employes' Union (local).
1891-September 28. Hod Carriers' Union. Incorporated under laws of the state of Ohio.
1891-June. Brotherhood of Brass Workers.
1891-Switchmen's Mutual Aid Asso- ciation, Lodge 125.
1892-('ar Inspectors' and Repairers' Association.
1892-Building Trades Council.
1892-April 3. Order of Railway Con- dnetors, Division 329.
1892-Quarrymen and Limeburners, Cold Springs Lodge. Reorganized 1896, under A. F. of L.
1892-Teamsters' Union (local). Re- organized and chartered by the Inter- national Union, March, 1900. No. 124.
1892-Laborers' Union (local).
1892-August 1. JJourneymen Tailors' Union No. 203.
1892-Shoemakers' and Repairers' Union (local).
1892-November 1. Journeymen Plumb- ers', Gas Fitters', Steam Fitters' and Steam Fitters' Helpers' Union No. 97.
1892-October 1. National League of Musicians No. 64.
1892-Coal Drivers' Union (local).
1893-April 1. Tin, Sheet Iron and C'ornice Workers' International Associa- tion No. 91.
1893-January. Printing Pressmen's Union No. 25.
1893-Machine Wood Workers' Inter- national.
1894-Journeymen Stone Cutters' As- sociation.
1895- September 15. Press Feeders' Union No. 7.
1896-March 21. Theatrical Stage Em- ployes' U'nion No. 34.
1896-October 4. Brewery Workers' Union No. 45.
1896-JJourneymen Horse Shoers' Union No. 76.
Dig Redby Google
454
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
1896 - International Association of Plasterers (operative) No. 22.
1897-February 10. Boot and Shoe No. 318.
Workers' Union No. 139.
1898-June 8. Coremakers' Interna- tional Union.
1898-November 25. Metal Polishers', Buffers", Platers' and Brass Workers' Union No. 102.
1899-April 13. Brotherhood of Train- men, Lodge 573.
1899-July 21. Metal Chippers' Pro- tective Union No. 7446.
1900-August 23. Suspender Workers' Union No. 8618.
1900-November 1. Shirt, Waist and Laundry Workers' Union No. 34.
1900-April 24. Amalgamated Asso- ciation of Street Railway Employes, Divi- sion 146.
1901-May 14. Stereotypers' and Elec- trotypers' Union No. 55.
1901-May 8. Machinists' Helpers' Union No. 9102.
1901-August. American Federation of Musicians No. 160.
A total of sixty organizations.
In addition to the above there appears in the last edition of the Springfield Directory the following :
Bill Posters' United Association of have temporarily ceased work, these dif- the United States and Canada.
Brotherhood of Blacksmiths No. 196.
Brotherhood of Bookbinders.
Brotherhood of Railway Clerks No. 96. Brotherhood of Railway Maintenance of Way Employes No. 396.
Electrical Workers' Union No. 45 (In- ternational). At Trades Assembly Hall.
Federal Labor Union No. 9857.
International Union Steam Engineers
Metal Polishers' and Brass Workers' Union No. 102.
National Association of Stationary En- gineers.
Painters', Decorators' and Paper Hangers' U'nion No. 533.
Pattermnakers' Leagne.
Printing Pressmen's Union No. 48.
Shoe Workers' Union No. 139.
Stonemasons' Union No. 68.
Tailors' Union No. 203 (International). Theatrical Stage Employes' Union No. 34.
Order of Railroad Conductors, Division No. 329.
Springfield being largely a manufactur- ing city, labor organizations flourish. No general strike, however, has ever affected the city. During the time that Mr. Will- iam N. Whitely had control of the East Street Works a determined stand was taken on his part not to employ a member of any labor organization. Mr. Whitely's subsequent failure in business had no con- nection with any strike. So. although at times there have been certain classes of workmen in various establishments who fieulties have never at any time assumed a serious aspect. Indeed Springfield has generally been considered fortunate in this respect, and it has been one of the potent arguments in inducing new in- dustries to locate in this town, that there has never been here auy serious trouble between the employer and the employee.
Deized by Google
CHAPTER XVIII.
SPRINGFIELD (II.) --- EDUCATION.
SCHOOLS.
Early History-Location, Principal and Enrollment of the Various School Build- ings (1907)-Private Schools other than Wittenberg College-Parochial Schools-Wittenberg College.
(The varions district and other schools in the county outside of Springfield may be found in the Chapter on Townships.)
The carly educational affairs of Spring. field have been well treated in a previous history of the county, and also in Prof. Weir's interesting paper read at the cele- bration of the Centennial of Springfield. To the latter source of information the author is indebted for the facts contained in the following article relating to the early history of our schools :
EARLY HISTORY.
"In the year 1806, on the site occupied by the Lagonda National Bank and con- tiguons properties, in a building of logs, Nathaniel Pinkered opened the first school in Springfield and has the credit of giving as full a course of instruction as was usual in those times.
"Before Will Run was diverted from its natural bed to furnish power for the
paper mill once operating near North Street. its course to Buck Creek followed the line of the present Center Street sewer. The portion of the town lying to the west of this stream was called 'Old Virginia.' Close to the west bank of Mill Run, in a frame or log building about where Schaeffer's feed and grain store now stands, was a school known as Smith's Academy. The date of the open- ing of this institution ennnot now be fixed, but was probably about 1813. Samuel Smith. the proprietor of this somewhat famous and well patronized school, was assisted in the care of smaller pupils by his wife, in her home nearby. An Englishman by birth, he enjoyed the telling of marvelous tales at the expense of the rough soil and rigorous climate of New England, where he had lived before coming to Ohio. Smith's fondness for ardent spirits, which he was at no pains to repress, is responsible in part for the Munchausen character of these stories,
Dig Red by Google
456
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
which his serions manner of telling led his younger hearers to accept as veritable facts. After his career as teacher, and after changing his too bibulous habits, Samuel Smith became justice of the peace. and lived to a good old age, honored by all who knew him.
"The first building erected in the town exclusively for religious services was al- most due south from Smith's school across Main Street and off -Center Street, about west of the Zimmerman drinking fountain. This building of hewed logs, thirty feet long and twenty feet wide, was put up by a general sub- seription in 1811, and was used by min- isters of all creeds in their casual visits. In 1818 the house was used as a school, but the names of the teachers who pre- sided at the desk cannot be recalled.
"As closely as can now be reckoned, be- tween the years 1824 and 1832, two schools independent of each other were conducted in a honse still standing at the northeast corner of Fountain Avenue and North Street. The teachers were Reuben Miller, Esq., and James L. Torbert. Esq. Divided by a hallway, the west end was used by Mr. Miller, and in the east end Mr. Torbert kept his school. These were the pioneers in academy work, for both taught only pupils in the advanced grades. "One of the drawing cards of Mr. Torbert's school was the fact that he gave instrnetion in English Grammar. Judge Torbert's dwelling was on Main Street, the site covered by Governor Bushnell's substantial business block, and bere Mrs. Torbert kept school for little children, whose weariness in quest of knowledge was slept off on a settee in her back par- lor, and whose hunger was appeased with
ginger cookies from her pantry. Several persons are yet living who recall the facts thus recited, and who also remember the industrial branches, such as painting and embroidery, which were included in ber system of training.
"One of Mrs. Torbert's pupils, after- ward enrolled in Judge Torbert's school. recalls the sentence by which she was in- itiated into the mysteries of English Grammar, parsing and analysis: 'John's hand trembled.' This is an interesting fact, since the usual introduction to pars- ing is through an ancient case of assault and battery, wherein 'James struck John.' But, after all, it may be a part of the same case, for, under the cirenm- stances, what would be expected of John but that his hand would tremble prelim- inary to giving a synthetic example of subject and object changing places in the sentence.
"These were the days of quill pens, with teacher as maker and mender. While making the rounds of his room for inspection or correction, he was wont to fix the damaged quills passed np to him. A good penknife, of proper edge and tem- per, was therefore an essential in the equipment of the master, and his skill and speed in pen entting counted for much in the sum of his qualifications. One teacher had an eccentric fashion of thrusting the quills into his hair, till in his measured beat he came again to the pupil's seat. Hence by the time bis round was made, his locks more and more re- sembled the ' fretful porcupine.' Engraved copies for the peumanship exercise had not been invented, and so each' teacher had to set the copy for his youthful scribes. This will explain. on the theory
Dieed by Google .
457
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
of heredity, why handwriting varies so, and also provides the cloak to cover a multitude of chirographie sins.
"It will be understood that all the schools of thut 'elder day' were known as 'pay schools'; the idea of instruction for all at public expense, though advocated, did not yet meet with popular favor. The demand for teachers was often in excess of the supply, and public-spirited men, at times, were much at a loss how to keep the schools supplied with competent teachers.
"In order to provide proper training for her own children, Mrs. Ann Warder bronght from Easten Pennsylvania into her own household a well-equipped in- structor, and, inviting a few children from family friends, opened a school in her homestead, then on East High Street. opposite Christ Church, now owned and ocenpied by the Misses Burrows. In her later home, on East Main Street, at the intersection of the Big Four Railway tracks, Mrs. Warder conducted a school of more advanced grade. among whose teaching corps may be named Miss Arm- strong and Mr. Lewis.
Afterward, in association with Miss Par- sons, on the site of the Charles Ludlow and Ross Mitchell residences, she had a school for older pupils. At a later period Miss Strong taught older students in a frame building on Fisher street, on the premises of the First Presbyterian Church. Many of the best years of her life were devoted to this good work, and no period of local educational history has the marks of one personality more deeply impressed upon it than the years Ennice Strong lived here. In response to ques- tions relative to her work, nearly every one exclaimed: 'Why, yes! Of course I remember Miss Strong.'
"If fires kept burning on the altar of education in any one locality can sanctify, then the northeast corner of High Street and Fountain Avenne ought to be regard- ed as 'holy ground.' As early, probably, as 1836, a two-story frame stood here, and on the second floor Mr. Elliott and his sister kept school for youth of both sexes. In 1837 Miss Strong succeeded in the occupancy of this site with her yonng people. Following her, Misses Merrill and Tenuey kept a school for girls and continued it till 1840, the year of the fire that destroyed much of the business prop- erty of the town. In 1841 Rev. Mr. Pres- bury, rector of the Episcopal Church. brought to this classic corner his select school for girls, which he had previously conducted at his own home.
"No teacher of the early days in Springfield will be longer or more loving- ly remembered than Miss Eunice Strong. Of sturdy New England stock. full of right convictions, broad in mind and large of heart, she impressed herself upon the religious, educational and social life of her day. When Main Street was called Sonth Street, and before it was opened "In the course of time this frame gave place to a plain brick building of three stories, known to the last generation as the 'Baltimore Grocery.' Reaching the third floor by a stairway from High Street, one found a large. well-lighted east of Spring, access to the ridge now called High Street was by a road winding up the slope to its summit. On this road and below the Wurder homestead before referred to, in a frame structure, Miss Strong kept school for younger pupils. room and well adapted to the school uses
Dig Red by Google
458
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
of that time. When, after a few years' suspension of the Public High School, the course of study was again shaped to pro- vide a line of advanced work, the pupils pursuing it were separated from the other grades, and, in 1867, as a High School, were installed over this 'Baltimore Gro- cery.' Mr. Allen Aminstrong and Miss Mary Harrison were the teachers in charge of this school.
"A review of education in Springfield with Hannah Haas left out, would ignore a very long and useful career. Before she began her work in connection with Springfield Seminary, Miss Haas gath- ered a little school in a house standing ou the southwest corner of Fountain Avenue and Columbia Street. At another time she had a school in the basement of the church then known as the Associate Re- formned Presbyterian and later as the United Presbyterian. This house of worship, partly torn away to make room for Mr. James Carson's wholesale gro- cery, was recently wholly removed for the erection of Mr. E. S. Kelly's business block on Limestone Street. After occupy- ing a room in 'Trapper's Corner' for a brief time, Miss Haas then used the base- ment of the Episcopal Church, which then stood at the southwest corner of High and Limestone Streets. At another period she taught in the house on the Presby- terian Church lot alluded to in connec- tion with Miss Strong. Whether it grew out of the sympathy felt by the church for the school, or was a source of income to meet that vexations question, 'current ex- penses,' so common in church finance, it will have been noted already in this nar- rative that the church edifice was the usnal shelter of the school.
"The United Presbyterian Church was also used by Robert Blaek as a school of advanced grade; there are many of his students yet alive to attest to the excel- Ience of his work in their behalf. In this same place was gathered the first public library, and here, too, a debating society held its meetings, which proved a valuable training for many who have since been much under public gaze. Robert Black remained long a citizen of this place and was recorder of the county for a term of years. Among others who used as a school room the Episcopal Church were Mrs. Lowndes, Miss Lavinia Baird, Laura und Virginia Miller, all of whom conduct- ed schools for little children.
"Miss Carrie Baird has the unique dis. tinction of having condneted in her own home a school for little ones who were un- able to pay the fees usually asked; prompted to do this simply as a means of doing what good she could. Miss Lavinia Baird at a later date gave instruction in a room over the tea store now on Foun- tain Avenue. These labors were abont 1858.
"Where Central Methodist Episcopal Church now is was the site of a school kept by Miss Catherine Haas, sister of Miss Hannah Haas before named in this narrative.
"Miss Elizabeth Parker at a later date conducted a school on the site of Nathaniel Pinkered's early labors.
"A very interesting group of schools was located in the eastern portion of the town, then quite in the suburbs. Fifty years or more ago the tract east of Wal- nut Street and south of Main was farm, forest and orchard. Near the intersection of Walnut and High Streets was a frame
Díjized by Google
459
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
structure in which an English gentleman the victims of the cholera in its visitation about half a century ago.
(partienlar emphasis on gentleman) and his estimable wife kept school for all grades, including instruction in languages and higher brunches. So long ago maunal and industrial training were in vogue, for under Mrs. Miller's oversight sewing and embroidery were tanght the girls; and women are still living who remember the instruction-and speak of the skill at- tained by several of the pupils. Mr. Mil- ler is remembered for the interest he took und inspired in his students in the study of astronomy. When Mr. Miller had re- moved to a new school near the corner of Main and Spring Streets, Miss Vicory succeeded him in the use of the building which was a part of her grandfather Merryfield Vieory's farmn. Here also Miss Peet hind a school afterward. "'Kind and faithful' is the brief but expressive enlogy pronounced upon the memory of these teachers by one of the pupils.
"Across Mill Run, on the site of the East Street shops, and renched from the Vieory farm by a foot log. lay the little school presided over by Miss Emma Way. This one seems to have been the most re- mote from the center of the town.
"Three places are identified as the scenes of the labors of Mr. Orin Stimson, a pioneer in educational matters in Springfield; North Spring Street, a few rods north of Columbia Street, on the west side; South Limestone Street, near the former site of the Associate Reformed or United Presbyterian Church; northeast corner of Columbia and Factory Streets. There are many who recall the days spent in Mr. Stimson's school and attest his ability as a school man. He was one of
"The lot now occupied by the mansion of Mr. John Foos has many scholastic as- sociations. Here in a large square frame honse. Mrs. Anna Foos held a school dur- ing the sunnner terms of two years. Here also for one winter Mr. Cadwallader, and the next Mr. Buchanan served the rising young idea. It is a matter of regret that the details of this service, both as to facts and dates, are so meagre.
"Sam Lawton, of Miss Stowe's 'Old Town Folks,' was wont to say that a pretty face on the singer's seat, in church, was a means of grace. Apropos of this, there is a record that in the forest still surrounding the E. W. Ross homestead on East High Street there nestled a little school presided over by a woman of ac- complishments, to which were added un- usual charms of personal beauty ; declared by one admirer to have been the most beautiful woman of her time. Local his- tory should not fail, then, to place on its roll the name of Miss Minerva Aldrich. Miss Aldrich was followed in the conduet of this school by Miss Gunning.
"The records of many schools are so seant that the narrative reads like a page from a city directory; yet in order to preserve local traditions and history, these teachers will be set down in this chronicle of one phase of our city's life.
"Miss Smith, Inter wife of Judge Rodgers and mother of Professor Henry G. Rodgers, tanght on the site of the Bowman Building, opposite the Teegar- den residence on West Main Street.
"Mrs. Woodward, mother of the late Librarian Woodward, taught where the
Digazed by Google
460
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
Farm and Fireside publishing house now stands.
"In a stone house removed to erect the the chief reading book, and formal in- business house of Conrad Nagel, as long ago as 1832-5, Mrs. Donohe had a school for little children. Here, too, Miss Fin- "The educational advantages of Spring- field ere long began to attract attention from beyond her bounds, and created a demand for boarding schools for both sexes. Abont 1844 such an enterprise for girls was started by Rev. Mr. Moore in a building known as the "Limm," where the Gotwald-Zimmerman edifice now stands. This school was maintained for some time, remembered by many for the public examinations and literary exercises, which were held in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Moore afterward removed to Gran- ville, Ohio, in charge of a college. ley and later Mrs. Anna Foos wrought on plastic natures. So few of the school- rooms used in those 'elder days' still stand, that any, which survive the de- mands of business for room to expand, should be pointed out as interesting links between the past and present. The red brick cottage on West Columbia Street, under the shadow of St. John German Church, was one of those 'noisy man- sions' where, with varying tides of for- tune, master and youth struggled with the problems then confronting them. Rev. Mr. Pingree, Mr. William Wilson, and probably Miss Ebersole are some of those who taught school in this house.
"Close to the track of the Little Miami Railway, between Center and Factory Streets, stood the school of Miss Doolittle, which is remembered as one of the most popular and flourishing schools of that era of 'pay schools.'
"Few, even of the older citizens, re- member personally Mr. Isaac Lancey, who enjoys the distinction of being the first custodian of the first public library. Mr. Lancey had a school on Fountain Avenne where Union Hall now stands, in a two-story frame house set back from the line of the street. The building on West Washington Street now used by the National Biscuit Company, and formerly the Universalist Church, was the school- room of Mr. James Wilson and also of Rev. Mr. Pingree, who was also a pastor of the church.
"It is interesting to note that in many of the schools last named the Bible was struction in the catechisms of the churches was a part of the system.
"Perhaps no name filled so large a place in public esteem as that of Rev. Chandler Robbins, who was identified in so many ways with the education of Springfield's youth. He was first called to the principalship of the Springfield High School, as the institution still stand- ing on East High Street was then called. and served acceptably five years. After an absence of three years in the South, Mr. Robbins returned to Springfield and in 1848 established Greenway Institute, a boarding school for boys. This school was first located on the Foos property. before mentioned, and is said to have taken its name from the beautiful grounds surrounding the school.
"In 1851 the building on East Main Street, now forming a part of the City Hospital, was erected as the home of his school, to which boys were attrneted from distant places. Mr. Robbins continued this institute till his death in 1871. In
Dizedby Google-
.
461
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
addition to his labors in his own school, this tireless man was successively rector of the Episcopal Church, a member of the
F. W. Hurt was elected the first super- Board of Education, superintendent of intendent. John Fulton was principal of schools, examiner of teachers.
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.