USA > Ohio > A history of the state of Ohio, natural and civil > Part 24
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Let us hope that our sons and daughters may surpass, not fall behind their parents, in all that is manly, good and fair, so that in every age, Ohio will shine brighter and brighter, as a star of the first magnitude in the constellation of the Union. So DeWitt Clinton predicted in his speech in the United States senate, when we were admitted into the Union; and so may it be.
COLLEGES, ACADEMIES AND COMMON SCHOOLS.
KENYON COLLEGE
Was founded chiefly through the instrumentality of Philan der Chase, D. D., L. L. D., the first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church in Ohio.
It was first established as a theological seminary for the edu- cation of pious young men for the ministry in that church. Funds for this purpose were obtained in England in the year 1824, and in the same year an act of incorporation was grant-
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KENYON COLLEGE.
ed by the legislature. A supplementary act was past the fol- lowing year, by which the institution obtained the power of conferring degrees in the arts and sciences under the name and style of the " President and Professors of Kenyon Col- lege." In the same year the convention of the Diocese fixed the site of the college and seminary in Knox county, on a tract of eight thousand acres of land, purchased of William Hogg Esquire, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, who generously abated some thousand dollars from the price, in favor of the College. Upon these lands, under the laborious and active su- pervision of Bishop Chase, a village was immediately laid out, which received the name of Gambier, from Lord Gambier, a distinguished benefactor of the institution, in England. Valua- ble mills were soon erected, and a college building of stone, on a magnificent plan, was partially completed. In 1831, however, the want of funds caused a temporary suspension of the work.
At the convention held in September of that year, Bishop Chase having resigned the presidency of the college, and the charge of the Diocese, Bishop McIlvaine was elected his suc- cessor, but did not enter upon the duties of his office until the winter of 1832. His first object, was the procuring of means to relieve the pecuniary embarrassments of the insti- tution, and to enable it to complete its buildings. In this he was so far successful as to enable it to complete the college edifice, erect a large and commodious building for the use of the junior preparatory department, furnish dwelling houses for the professors, and put up several other valuable and neces- sary buildings. It still, however, feels the want of more ex- tensive accommodations for its students and officers.
The institution is situated in Knox county, five miles East of Mount Vernon, being nearly in the centre of the State. It now owns, and has entirely under its control a tract of four thousand acres of very valuable land, in the centre of which the college is placed. Its location is elevated and beautiful, commanding a view of Vernon river, and its rich bottoms for Y
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
several miles. The advantages, derived to the college from its position in the centre of its own domain and having the exclusive control of its immediate vicinity, must be obvious to every one. The institution now embraces four departments : a theological and a collegiate department, and a senior and a junior preparatory department-the latter is called "Milnor Hall." The course of study in the seminary and college, is essentially the same as that adopted in eastern institutions of the first rank. The senior preparatory department while aux- iliary to the college, is also conducted on the plan of a high school. Milnor Hall is intended for boys under the age of fifteen years, who board with their instructors, and lodge in the same building. The number of students has always been equal to the extent of the accommodations which could be furnished, and the prosperity of the institution is now greater than at any former period. It numbers in all its departments, two hundred and six students, and has fourteen professors and instructors.
THE MIAMI UNIVERSITY
Is located at Oxford in Butler county. We have already told the reader how it happened to be here located by the legislature. It is endowed by the township of land where it is placed. It has a president and professors, and, about one hundred and fifty students attend its sessions. In its numbers it stands next to Woodward college. We need further infor- mation concerning it.
THE OHIO UNIVERSITY,
Situated on the Ohio company's grant at Athens, is endow- ed by two townships of land adjoining the institution. There are collegiate institutions at Marietta, Granville, New Athens, Hudson and Worthington. They languish for the want of funds to sustain them.
At Cincinnati are several colleges; some of them well en-
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COLLEGE OF TEACHERS.
dowed, and all of them well conducted. Of these we will re- mark, that the LANE SEMINARY, a presbyterian theological school is located on Walnut hill, near the city. Its officers are extremely well qualified for their stations, and PRESIDENT BEECHER and PROFESSOR STOWE stand high in the public esti- mation. We regret our want of information, as to its library, funds, number of students and other facts which we do not possess.
THE WESTERN LITERARY INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE OF PROFES- SIONAL TEACHERS.
Improvements in the modes of Instruction, is the object of this Institution, and for this purpose the members have endeav- ored to open a communication, with all similar associations, and also with such individuals of either sex as feel the importance of the subject to such a degree as would induce them to hold a correspondence, either to communicate or obtain information, or for the general encouragement of so important an under- taking.
A few years ago the teachers of Cincinnati organized a socie- ty for mutual improvements. Its first anniversary was cele- brated on the 20th of June 1831, at which time the Rev. B. H. Bishop, D. D. President of the Miami University, delivered an excellent address on the importance of demanding and encouraging faithful and well qualified teachers. This asso- ciation, however, not extending beyond the boundaries of the city, was necessarily restricted in its operations, and its bene- volent designs, even there, were almost entirely paralized by jealousies, local prejudices and conflicting interests. Under these discouragements some of its founders were for abandon- ing the objects altogether, believing it could never be rendered productive of any valuable results. But Mr. Albert Picket, sen- ior, a veteran in the profession of teaching, unwilling to abandon his object, devised a plan, which would not only sustain the sinking cause, but greatly augment its usefulness and respec- tability.
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
He very wisely concluded, that if a literary institution were formed which should be composed of all the instructors of youth and other friends of education in the West, who should annu- ally meet in convention, all the members would be apt to unite in the promotion of the great object in view, while all local schemes and selfish policy would be rendered powerless or be forgotten. This idea he communicated to some of his friends, and as it received their hearty approval, circulars of invitation were immediately sent, as far as information could be obtained, to all engaged in teaching, whether in colleges, academies or schools, to meet in Cincinnati on Wednesday, October 3rd 1832. At which time, a respectable number convened. A resolution was passed for the establishment of the present College. A constitution was prepared and unanimously adopted.
Thus commenced the western College of professional teach- ers; the most popular and useful literary institution in the wes- tern country, if not, in the Union, and which has already ac- complished wonders in the advancement of the cause of gene- ral education in the West.
Should this Institution continue to flourish, the advantages to be derived from it, will at some future day, be great. It brings together the presidents and professors of our Colleges and Universities and the teachers of Academies and Primary Schools. They form a mutual acquaintance and learn to respect each others' character, merit and usefulness. And the time will come, when there will exist between them, a mutual dependence, which will be productive of mutual benefits. The Colleges and Universities will then furnish efficient teachers for the Schools and Academies, and they in return, when effi- ciently taught, will furnish a great number of pupils for the Col- leges and Universities. In consequence of our young men being early initiated and established in regular habits of study and in the love of useful knowledge; where there is now one pupil who wishes for the advantages of a collegiate education, there will then be many.
In order to give the reader some idea of the subjects discuss- ed by the members of this institution, we select what follows,
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COLLEGE OF TEACHERS.
from their published works. We give the names of the authors, the subjects discussed, and the time when delivered.
Rev. B. P. Aydelott. On introducing the Bible into schools, 1836.
Professor Bascom. Philosophy of letters as a question of moral interest, 1832.
Rev. L. Beecher, D. D. Importance of making the business of teaching a profession, 1833.
Professor Biggs. Domestic education, 1835.
Rev. B. H. Bishop, D. D. Difficulties in the government of Colleges, 1836.
Professor Bradford. Modern language, 1832. The kind of education adapted to the West, 1833.
Mr. Mann Butler, A. M. Qualifications of teachers, 1832.
Rev. Alexander Campbell. Union of moral and intellectual culture, 1836.
John D. Craig. On the superficial modes of teaching, 1836.
Daniel Drake, M. D. Physical education, 1833. Philoso- phy of family school and college education, 1834.
F. E. Goddard. History of mathematical science, 1832.
Hon. T. S.Grimke. Importance of rejecting the classics and mathematics from a general course of education, 1834.
John P. Harrison. M. D. On popular education, 1836.
Nathaniel Holly, A. M. Importance of preserving the inno- cence and purity of the infant mind, and uniting therewith, a thorough and liberal education, 1832. On the necessity of uni- versal education, 1833. On the plan of study as proposed by the Hon. T. S. Grimke, 1835. On the best method of animating the community on the subject of general education, 1836.
W. Hopwood, A. M. On the best method of teaching lan- guages, 1834.
A. Kinmont, A. M. On the study and nature of ancient languages, 1832. On the study of character, 1833. On the study of the classics, 1834. On fictitious reading, 1836.
Samuel Lewis Esq. On common schools, 1835. On the causes of fluctuation in the common schools, the evils and their remedies, 1836.
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
O. S. Lenard, Esquire. On arousing the public on education, 1836.
E. D. Mansfield, Esquire. On the study of the mathematics, 1834. On the qualifications of teachers 1836.
Rev. W. H. McGuffey, A. M. The study of theBible on intel- lectual and moral improvement, 1834. Reciprocal duties of parents and teachers, 1835. On conducting examinations in schools, Academies &c. 1836.
Rev. S. H. Montgomery. Importance of education, 1836. Mr. Thomas Maylin. Nature and objects of education, 1832. M. W. Morrison. On common schools, 1831.
Mr. Robert Munfort. Duty of parents and teachers, 1832. Professor Niles. On the number of pupils for one teacher, 1832. On the government of public literary institutions, 1834.
Professor Nixon. Natural and moral influence of music, 1834.
Rev. B. O. Peers. Intellectual education, particularly in its early stages, 1833.
Albert Picket, Esquire. Objects of this institution, 1834. General duties of teachers, 1835. Opening address, 1836.
Professor Post. Expediency of studying the classics, 1834.
Bishop Purcell. Philosophy of the human mind, 1836.
Joseph Ray. Utility of cabinets of natural science, 1836.
Professor Scott. Importance of a more practical education, 1835.
Doctor Thomas Simm. Claims of Phrenology on teachers.
Rev. E. Slack. Physical science in general, 1832. Appli- cation of principles to practice in physical science, 1834. Agri- culture as a branch of education, 1836. On fictitious reading, 1836.
Professor Stowe. Discipline of the intellectual power, 1833. Education of Immigrants, 1835.
D. L. Talbott. Best method of teaching composition, 1835.
Timothy Walker Esquire. Object of education in the United States, 1833.
Rev. J. L. Wilson, D. D. Universal education, 1836.
Milo G. Williams. Manual labor in schools, 1836.
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STATE OF LEARNING.
€
THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF OHIO,
Is the best institution of the kind west of the Alleghanies. Its charter was originally procured by Dr. Daniel Drake on his sole application. Its funds, library, anatomical apparatus and buildings are respectable, and its number of students, one hundred or upwards.
CINCINNATI COLLEGE has languished, but is now rising, un- der an able board of trustees, and under the supervision of William H. McGuffey D. D., its worthy and talented president.
WOODWARD COLLEGE OF CINCINNATI.
The number of scholars in the Woodward college, is nearly two hundred. Its income from all sources amounts to four thousand two hundred and forty-eight dollars annually. In seven years, the funds of this institution will produce from six to eight thousand dollars annually. It originated in the enlightened benevolence of William Woodward, of Cincinnati.
His first grant of land for his endowment, was made on the Ist of November, 1826, to Samuel Lewis and Osmond Cogs- well, perpetual Trustees. The site of the building was a sub- sequent donation by the same gentleman. It was first char- tered as "The Woodward Free Grammar School." This title was afterwards changed into that of "The Woodward High School," and with the alteration of the name, there was also a change in the character of the institution. The course of study was raised in consequence of the establishment of com- mon schools. These latter, while they supplied the place, filled by the former under its organization, as originally con- templated, seemed to call for an institution of a higher grade.
As a high school, its course of study has been gradually ex- tended till it embraces every subject usually taught in our colleges, besides the modern languages and book keeping as parts of a mercantile education. In the winter of 1835-6, the trustees applied to the legislature for collegiate powers;
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
which were accordingly granted under the title of "The Woodward College of Cincinnati." To this last step the board was induced by several considerations. The city had become so large as to require such an institution,-the Wood- ward high school was a college in almost every thing but the name,-the public sentiment is decidedly in favor of diplo- mas; without the power of confering these, the advanced stu- dents would continue to leave this school for others having such privileges,-and to name no more, those whose circumstances would not permit them to go elsewhere, would be deprived of the advantages of graduation. For these reasons, we now have established " The Woodward College of Cincinnati."
Trustees,
Samuel Lewis,* Esquire, President; Osmond Cogswell, Esquire, Secretary; John P. Foote, Esquire; Oliver Lovell, Esquire; E. P. Langdon, Esquire.
Faculty,
Rev. B. P. Aydelott, M. D., President and Professor of moral and political philosophy; Joseph Ray, M. D., Professor of mathematics, natural philosophy, and chemistry; Mr. A. H. McGuffy, Tutor in languages; Rev. J. W. Hopkins, Principal of the preparatory department.
THE EYE INFIRMARY, under Dr. Drake, is a valuable insti- tution.
The Roman catholic college, under the name of the ATIIE- NAEUM, we presume is better endowed than any other literary or scientific institution in this state. We have no data, ex-
*Mr. Lewis and Mr. Cogswell are trustees for life, with the power of ap- pointing their successors with the same privileges; the other trustees are chosen, one each year, by the city council. In case of the failure of an appointment in either class of Trustees, it will thenceforward forever be made by the court of common pleas of Hamilton county.
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SELECT SCHOOLS.
cept what we see in and about its lofty and splendid edifices, from which to give our readers any idea of its present state. The society under whose entire control it now is, exerts a great influence in the city. And from the number of people in the city and vicinity under the charge of the "Society of Jesus" estimated variously from twelve to twenty thousand, two thou- sand children are probably here educated by this order.
SELECT SCHOOLS IN CINCINNATI.
These vary as to numbers, in different seasons of the year. We presume, though they may be fairly estimated at one hun- dred. In these schools is taught every branch of science and literature.
Among the female academies, that of the Messrs. Pickets, stands deservedly high. Mr. Carlo DeHaro teaches the Span- ish, Italian and French languages.
Mr. A. Kinmont excels in teaching all branches of the mathematics, and indeed, every branch of literature. Dr. Daniel Drake, teaches, with great success, botany and all the branches of natural history, as well as every thing else, which a physician or surgeon needs to learn. The same re- marks equally apply to Landon C. Rives, M. D. brother of our late minister to France, from Virginia.
The teachers in this city, as a whole, are superior to those of any other city or town in the western states. They may be equaled, but certainly not surpassed by the teachers of any other city on this continent. Their manner of instruc- tion can never be improved. Without any punishment, they acquire the unbounded confidence of the pupil, soon after it enters the school. The facility and clearness, with which these talented teachers convey instruction, are truly remark- able. And as one whole, these teachers deserve higher wa- ges. Few of them do more than merely live well, without being able to lay up much, for sickness and old age. It should be otherwise.
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOLS IN CINCINNATI IN 1837.
These are under the government of trustees and visitors. who are Peyton S. Symmes, President; George Graham, jun- ior; Elam P. Langdon; James R. Baldridge; William Wood.
These visitors examine and employ the teachers, carefully inspect the schools, adopt rules for their government, and finally, do every other act proper and necessary to be done, in execution of their high trust. Thus far they have acted wise- ly and efficiently in the management of these noble institu- tions.
The city council have a board of education, whose business it is to raise the funds wherewith to build school houses, pay the teachers, and keep the buildings in repair. They have erected ten large edifices, at an expense of about one hun- dred thousand dollars. This sum includes the cost of the lots on which these splendid buildings are erected. Each of these buildings is divided into four rooms thirty-six feet in breadth by thirty-eight feet in length, two in each story, besides the basement rooms. The building is two lofty stories in height, above the basement story. In these buildings forty schools are taught, by about eighty instructors. The number of schools for males and females is equal, in which, about two thousand five hundred children are instructed during the whole year, except two vacations of two weeks each. The wages of the teachers are seven hundred dollars annually, for principals, and three hundred, for assistant male teachers; and only two hundred and fifty dollars for female principals, and two hundred for assistant female teachers! All these sums are paid by the city, for the instruction of the children who have no parents, or those whose parents are poor.
So much we can say, for the benevolence, wisdom and char- ity of Cincinnati.
The instructors of these public schools are all well educa- ted. The principals of the male schools, are graduates of eastern colleges, and the female teachers are educated in the best manner. The teachers in their department, are per-
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IMMIGRANTS' FRIEND SOCIETY.
fect gentlemen and ladies. Their constant examples before their pupils, the moral as well as literary instruction, which they convey to their schools, are productive of the happiest effects. Pupils are admitted when six years old, and they can be instructed until they are fourteen years old, and all this instruction costs nothing to them, or their parents and guardians.
Among the teachers in the higher department of females, . Mrs. Wing and Miss Eustis, are preeminent for their educa- tion and polite accomplishments. We mean no disparage- ment to other teachers, because they are all good, and de- serve higher wages than they now obtain.
IMMIGRANTS' FRIEND SOCIETY.
There is also another institution of learning in this city, under the patronage of the immigrants' friend society of the valley of the Mississippi. The object of this society is to ed- ucate the children of foreigners in the English language; to instruct them in the scriptures, and the nature of our free in- stitutions. This object commends itself to the understand- ing of every thinking patriot when he looks at the fact, that the great mass of this foreign population are inaccessible to us, through the medium of our language, because we have otherwise no means of diffusing useful information among them. It is their object also to remove their misapprehen- sions, and correct their errors. The members of this insti- tution extend the hand of kindness to this portion of our popu- lation, and establish schools for the education of their chil- dren, so that they may be prepared for the reception of use- ful knowledge, and become good substantial Americans. Al- though this society is yet in its infancy, yet it is truly in a .flourishing condition. They have one school in Cincinnati numbering two hundred pupils in daily attendance. They have also, a school recently established in Louisville, and one in New Albany, by their general agent the Reverend J. J. Lehmanowsky. He makes it his business to raise funds, and
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
establish schools, in any town where there is a sufficient foreign population to need them, throughout the whole Mississippi val- ley. At Cincinnati F. C. F. Salomon, A. M., is the Princi- pal.
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Executive Committee,
Honorable BELLAMY STORER, President; John Myre, Vice President; H. K. Wells, Recording Secretary ; Professor C. G. Stowe, Corresponding Secretary; Jacob Guelick, Esq. Curtis M. Doolittle, C. P. Barnes, William Neff, Dr. John Allen, D. W. Tolfard, Otis Aldrich.
Treasurer,
Alfred W. Bentley.
General Agent,
Reverend John J. Lehmanowsky.
The general assembly of the state, have incorporated the above named society and placed their school in Cincinnati, on the same footing with the public common schools, which are supported by the public funds.
We have twenty-two incorporated academies in the state, some of which are flourishing.
COMMON SCHOOLS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.
Every township is divided into school districts, which are governed by a board of directors, elected by the people. School houses are built by a tax levied on the people, and the public money is paid over to the teachers in proportion to the number of scholars who attend the schools. The system is a wise one, and the funds to support common schools now
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STATE OF THE MECHANIC ARTS.
amounts to nearly two millions of dollars. A part of this fund is employed by the state, and another part of it is loan- ed to individuals. The interest of this fund, in both cases, is guaranteed by the state to be punctually paid. By care and good management, this fund may be increased to five millions of dollars within a few years. In many instances, the schools throughout the state are very well conducted, but in other cases they are not managed as they should be. On the whole, though, better school houses every where appear, and the teachers are better ones than we had a few years since. This is encouraging.
STATE OF THE MECHANIC ARTS.
These are improving rapidly. The construction of our ca- nals taught our people the art of cutting stone and laying them; the art of bridge building, and of erecting dams on our streams. Had our canals done us no other benefit, this would have been of great advantage to us. So of the construction of the Cumberland road across this state. The able engineers which the government has sent here, have taught our people how to construct roads.
In the construction of houses of all sorts, our house build- ers have greatly improved of late years.
In Cincinnati these builders of houses, vie with their eas- tern instructors, in all that is useful or ornamental in their art. Our cabinet furniture, too, now equals that made in the eastern cities, from whence our mechanics came. The brick- maker, brick layer, house carpenter and joiner, sometimes unite, buy some lots in a new town, and all join and build row after row, of elegant houses and stores. The merchant and mechanic follow them, and fill the houses with goods, families and mechanic tools. The farmers settle around them, and town and country flourish as if by enchantment, where the forest stood a very few years before. Z
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