USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 21
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On the 9th of December the governor sent a communication to the leg- islature, in which he reported the titles of the books he had purchased and the rules he had authorized for the management of the library. On motion of Gustavus Swan, a member of the house from Franklin county, a resolution was adopted on the 17th of January, 1818, accepting the library which Gov- ernor Worthington had purchased and appointing a joint committee, con-
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sisting of three members of the house and two members of the senate, to report rules and regulations for the same.
First Librarian.
Agreeably to the rules established, Governor Worthington entrusted the care of the library to John L. Harper, during the session of the general as- sembly for 1817-18. He was, consequently, Ohio's first state librarian. He was paid for his services two dollars a day during the session of the legis- lature.
First Donation.
The first gift to the library on record was by Jeremy Bentham and Robert Owen, through John Quincy Adams, minister to England. Subse- quently many other persons contributed volumes, pamphlets, letters, etc., while others were regularly acquired by purchase and exchange, until at the close of the year 1890 there were sixty thousand six hundred and thirty-three volumes registered. In 1856, the library was removed from its original loca- tion on High street to rooms opposite the state treasury, and in 1858 to its present quarters opposite the senate chamber. In the meantime, the legal works originally in the State Library were placed in the Law Library, and they became separate institutions.
William T. Coggeshall, who was librarian from 1856 to 1862, wrote a detailed history of the library up to and including the year 1858, which appears in the report of that year. In 1890 John C. Tuthill, the librarian, brought the history down to that date. To these able writers persons are referred who desire the details in all their particularity.
During the first eighteen years of its history the library was under the general direction of the governor. In 1845 a library commission was created by law, of which the governor, the secretary of state and the librarian were ex officio members. The following gentlemen constituted the personnel of the first board: Mordecai Bartley, Samuel Galloway and John Greiner.
In 1896 the composition of the board of trustees was made appointive by the governor, the terms of the members being three years each. The follow- ing was the first board under the change: Charles A. Reynolds, president; Rutherford B. Hayes; J. F. McGrew. The present board is: J. F. McGrew, president, Charles Orr and John McSweney.
The present number of books is rising, one hundred and twenty-six thousand, and the annual accessions are between seven thousand and eight thousand. The librarian's salary, in view of the great labor and responsibility of the position, is three thousand dollars, and he is fairly well supplied with expert assistants. The original librarian received two dollars per day during the seasons of the legislature. The first annual salary was three hundred dollars. Under the present librarian, the great educational feature of the library was inaugurated by putting into successful operation the circulating department which extends into practically every neighborhood of the state, affording library facilities to the entire five and a half millions of popula- tion.
ACADEMY OF ST. MARY'S OF THE SPRINGS, In the Northeastern Suburb of the City, the Center of a Landscape of Almost Matchless Beauty.
B
THE JOSEPHINUM COLLEGE, 821 Main Street, One of the Leading Catholic Educational Institutions in the State.
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The following persons have filled the office of librarian since its founding, the figures prefixed indicating the date of their appointment and incumbency.
1817-18. John L. Harper. 1876-77. H. H. Robinson.
1819-20. John McIlvain.
1878-79. R. M. Stimson.
1821-24. David S. Brodrick. 1880-81. H. V. Kerr.
1825-42. Zachariah Mills. 1882-83. Joseph H. Geiger.
1843-45. Thomas Kennedy. 1884-85. Howard L. Conard.
1846-51. John Greiner. 1886.
H. W. Pierson.
1852-54. Elijah Hayward.
1887. F. B. Loomis.
1855-56. James W. Taylor.
1888-89. John M. Doane.
1857-62. William T. Coggeshall.
1890. William G. Sibley.
1863-74. S. G. Harbaugh.
1893. Joseph P. Smith.
1875. Walter C. Hood.
1895-1908. J. H. Galbreath. (Inc.)
1871-COLUMBUS PUBLIC LIBRARY AND READING ROOM-1909.
The "beginnings" of this now great institution dates back to the 17th of May, 1821, when "The Apprentices of Columbus formed themselves into a Soiety, for the purpose of establishing a library solely for benefit of Ap- prentices. They have formed a constitution, elected their officers and have collected what books their scant libraries afforded, which are but few."
A Cooperative Library.
In other words they set about establishing a common or cooperative library. Here the record ends. But the spirit which inspired it lived. An enterprising citizen, Thomas Johnson, in 1825, conceived the idea of starting a library on a somewhat practical basis and yet within the reach of all.
A Circulating Library.
His idea was to start a circulating library and depend on public patron- age for its maintenance. It was to be open to the public on payment of a small fee. It circulated for awhile and then the fees and the circulation ceased, whether mutually or automatically the earlier recorder of library events saith not.
The Columbus Reading Room.
About 1835 the Columbus Reading Room and Institute was established and operated on a more elaborate scale than formerly had been attempted. Suitable rooms were rented and furnished, and newspapers and periodicals were extensively subscribed for, and provision was made for a lecture course- the funds for its maintenance probably being largely derived from patronage of the lectures. As announced in the Journal of that time, "the Reading Room is regarded as a pleasant resort and an agreeable place to introduce one's friends and also respectable strangers who visit the city." A final appeal for more liberal patronage appeared in the Journal of April 30, 1839, which evidently was unsuccessful as the rooms were shortly closed.
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The Western Lyceum.
Still the Spirit was not extinct. On the 14th of December, 1846, the "famous Franklin Lyceum was organized to establish a system of public lec- tures and a library. For six years t flourished and then it joined its prede- cessors.
The Columbus Atheneum.
In 1853 this institution was founded and housed in the courthouse. A contemporaneous writer says of the event:
"A large, neat and convenient reading room is provided in the east wing of the courthouse. Attached are two rooms, one for a library and the other for specimens of minerals and metals and curiosities-the nucleus of a museum. The reading room is well supplied with newspapers and magazines; easy chairs and plenty of reading make this an attractive point for visitors . Columbus needs and must have something of the kind. The wants of our young men demand it. We should offer them some better, more manly place of resort than the saloon and the gambling hell."
Among the distinguished lecturers before the Atheneum, for the pur- pose of raising library funds, were, with their subjects: S. S. Cox, "The Satanic Element in Literature"; John G. Saxe, "Poets and Poetry"; Bayard Taylor, "The Avales" and "Japan"; P. T. Barnum, "The Philosophy of Humling." This was the only lecture of the course of 1853-4 that paid any- thing and it paid handsomely.
In the next course lectures were delivered by Samuel Galloway, Allen G. Thurman, Rev. D. A. Randall, United States Senator Thomas Ewing, Wen- dell Phillips, Donald Mitchell (Ike Marvel), George Sumner, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Charles Mackey. The financial success was greater than on the previous occasions, and it but only served to stimulate public sentiment and incite action on the part of leading citizens.
A Public Meeting.
A great public meeting was held June 15, 1871, over which Hon. John W. Andrews presided. An appeal was made to the city council to take action. Judge J. R. Swan, S. S. Rickley, Charles Breyfogle, James Westwater and Dr. William E. Ide were made a committee to push the matter in that direction.
At a second public meeting another committee consisting of J. Sullivant, John G. Mitchell, L. J. Critchfield, A. S. Glenn and Henry C. Noble. This committee reported a method of procedure on which the present public library and reading room was subsequently organized. It noted the fact that council had full power by ordinance to establish and maintain a free pub- lic library and reading rooms, and manage and control the same, and suggested that the management of the library be vested by council in a board of trustees consisting of four citizens elected by the council and that, ex 'offi- cio, the mayor, president of the city council and president of the board of education also serve with the trustees. This report was unanimously adopted
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and sent to the council with a request for early and favorable action. The desired ordinance was introduced into council by John J. Janney, of the second ward, and was passed by the city council, January 15, 1872, and im- mediately thereafter at this same session, the council elected as trustees for one year Messrs. William B. Hayden and Otto Dresel, and as trustees for two years, Messrs. John W. Andrews and A. S. Glenn. A further meeting of citizens was held January 18, and the following committee was selected to cooperate with the trustees in the establishment of the new enterprise: Luther Donaldson, P. W. Huntington, Charles Breyfogle, John G. Thompson, Henry C. Noble, F. A. Marble, James Patterson, Isaac Eberly and L. G. Critchfield. The board of trustees held their first meeting February 19, 1872, with all the members present, viz: Hon. James G. Bull, mayor; Luther Don- aldson, president city council; Frederick Fieser, president board of educa- tion ; William B. Hayden, A. S. Glenn, John W. Andrews, Otto Dresel. The organization was elected as follows: President, John W. Andrews; secretary, Otto Dresel; treasurer, A. S. Glenn. The Atheneum library of twelve hun- dred were transferred to the new library, which was later housed in the city hall.
Library Successfully Established.
Rev. J. L. Grover was employed to catalogue the books thus secured, and in 1872 was made librarian. The library was formally opened Tuesday, March 4, 1873, at 8 P. M. The address was delivered by Hon. J. W. An- drews.
The Deshler Alcove.
Within one week after the opening the Deshler Alcove was established in the library and has constantly been added to. In addition to a permanent cash endowment of two thousand dollars, some three thousand six hundred volumes have been accessioned and shelved.
The Noble Alcove.
In 1876 Henry C. Noble established the Noble Alcove in the library. Mr. and Mrs. Noble jointly creating a trust for the purpose of maintaining and promoting the alcove. The alcove is of four thousand volumes capacity, and the accessions are now approximately two thousand six hundred volumes.
The Hubbard Alcove.
The Hubbard Alcove was presented to the library in 1874 by Mrs. Mary N. Bliss, in memory of her father, William B. Hubbard. The case to contain the books is built of walnut cut from trees on the old Hubbard property on North High street. This alcove had no permanent endowment until 1891, when action was taken and the alcove was established. The alcove contains rising seven thousand five hundred volumes.
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The Andrews Alcove.
John W. Andrews and Mrs. Andrews founded the Andrews Alcove as a memorial to their deceased son, John W. Andrews, Jr., and made provisions for its maintenance. The alcove now contains about one thousand volumes.
The Brickell Alcove.
In 1899 William D. Brickell donated two hundred and thirty books and stated that from time to time he would add thereto. The alcove now contains approximately one thousand two hundred volumes.
The Kilbourne Alcove.
In June, 1900, Colonel James Kilbourne delivered to the library seven hundred and fifty volumes for the purpose of establishing an alcove to be known as the Kilbourne Alcove, and stating that from time other books would be added and also creating a permanent fund for maintenance and accessions in the sum of one thousand dollars.
Columbus Author's Alcove.
In 1892, Osman C. Hooper submitted the proposition to establish a Columbus Author's Alcove, to contain the works of Columbus authors. It now contains four hundred volumes, the most of them containing the au- thor's autograph.
John J. Pugh Made an Assistant.
From 1872 the library streadily grew. In 1881, John J. Pugh, who had for years been a clerk in the library, was made assistant to Librarian Grover. In 1897, when Mr. Grover celebrated his ninety-first birthday, he laid down the burdens of the position and Mr. Pugh was unanimously chosen to the place, which he still holds.
The present history, if the term is allowable, is too new to be more than made a few notes of. It is probably the real starting place of its greater ca- reer.
There were several people in the city who were instrumental in securing the two hundred thousand dollar donation from Andrew Carnegie to build the unique and beautiful marble structure, but none more entitled to men- tion than the board of trustees at and after the inception of the idea, Messrs. Fred J. Keer, president; James M. Butler, vice president; J. Nick Koerner, treasurer; Professor E. O. Randall, Hon. James R. Kilbourne, Osman C. Hooper, of Columbus, and Colonel S. H. Church, of New York, formerly of Columbus.
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The Majestic Marble Structure.
After the donations had been received, R. Ewing Miller remitting ten thousand dollars on the site for the building, the structure rose, and in due time was ready for occupancy.
Laying the Corner Stone.
The placing of the corner stone took place at 4 o'clock P. M., September 10, 1904. Professor E. O. Randall was officiant, Dr. Washingon Gladden, who pronounced the invocation, Hon. George D. Janes, president of the council, who appeared for Mayor Jeffrey, unavoidably absent, spoke in be- half of the city. James J. Thomas, ex-president of council, spoke appro- priately of the work that had been accomplished by steady persistence. Wil- liam A. Taylor read a specially prepared poem: "The Columbus-Carnegie Elm." Dr. S. O. Giffin spoke of the work toward the present end that had been done by council, of which he had been a member. Judge John E. Sater, a former trustee, congratulated the people on the prospect just ahead for a fitting educational monument.
At the close of the exercises, Rev. E. D. Morris, D.D., pronounced the benediction.
The Dedication of the Library.
The edifice, which had already been occupied, was dedicated Thursday, April 4, 1907, the afternoon services continuing from 2 to 5 and again from 7 to 10 in the evening. The following was the order of the exercises: Invo- cation, Rev. John Hewitt, D.D .; introductory remarks, Professor E. O. Ran- dall; remarks by Fred J. Keer, presiding; address by Burton E. Stevenson ; re- marks by Mayor D. C. Badger; address by Rev. Dr. Gladden ; remarks by Judge John E. Sater; remarks by Charles B. Galbreath; remarks by Colonel James Kilbourne; dedication poem by William A. Taylor; benediction by Rev. William E. Morris, D.D.
On Historic Ground.
The site of the library at the head of State street, with its background of trees and lofty towers and gables eastward, stands on historic ground, with only three generations of conveyance standing between the genius of the li- brary and the giant of the primeval forests. It was patented to Noah H. Swayne in the early part of the nineteenth century. Here he cleared away the forest, builded for his young wife and family a stately mansion, then far out in the country, which was reached by corduroy roads across swamps. In this house he lived and entertained as become the prince of men that he was until he ascended to the supreme bench of the United States, when he parted with the property to Hon. T. Ewing Miller, who finally transferred it to the library trustees, generously remitting ten thousand dollars of the purchase price.
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The Home of Five Governors.
This stately mansion in the absence of one belonging to the state, was successively, or nearly so, the home of five of the very distinguished govern- ors since the Civil war, namely, General Jacob Dolson Cox, General Ruther- ford B. Hayes, Charles Foster, George Hoadly and Captain Joseph B. Foraker.
A Touch of Romance.
It was at the Swayne mansion in the early days that T. Ewing Miller met his future bride, the daughter of a distinguished citizen of New York, who was visiting the family. Having met the woman of his choice there he longed to possess the premises for their associations. When Judge Swayne was ready to part with them, he found a quick and ready buyer in Mr. Miller. When the changes came and Mr. Miller retired from the activities of life, his ambi- tion and hope was that the home of his vigorous manhood might pass to some noble public institution, designed for the betterment and advancement of mankind. It was with enthusiastic happiness that he saw the opportunity to reaize his hope and his ambition.
1875-OHIO STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY-1885-1909.
During the year 1875, an Archæological Society was formed at General Brinkerhoff's home in Mansfield, Ohio. The society, through the efforts of General Brinkerhoff, received an appropriation from the legislature of two thousand five hundred dollars, to be expended in making an exhibit at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. Professor John T. Short, of the Ohio State University, was secretary of the society, and it flourished under his sec- retaryship until his death, November 11, 1883, when the society became prac- tically inoperative. Governor Hoadley suggested a revival of the society. A meeting for this purpose was called to convene at the secretary of state's office, February 12, 1885. A number of prominent gentlemen, including leading citizens, scholars and professors from various parts of the state, responded to this call, and decided to extend to all persons in the state interested in the formation of such a society an invitation to meet March 12, 1885, at Colum- bus. In response to the circulars sent out, some sixty gentlemen from all parts of Ohio, representing the various departments of scholarship, convened on the day specified in the library room of the state capitol. This convention contin- ued in session two days, perfected an organization known as The Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society, which was incorporated March 13, 1885. Hon. Allen G. Thurman was made president and Mr. A. A. Graham elected secretary. Mr. Graham occupied the office of secretary until Decem- ber, 1893, when ill health compelled him to remove west. He died in Albu- querque, New Mexico, in February, 1896.
Mr. Randall was elected assistant secretary in December, 1893, to act as secretary in the absence of Mr. Graham. At the annual meeting of the trus-
NEW MEMORIAL HALL AND AUDITORIUM, EAST BROAD STREET,
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tees, February 20, 1894, Mr. Randall was elected associate secretary, and Feb- ruary 19, 1895, was elected secretary, which office he has since held.
The following have served as presidents of the society since its organiza- tion : Allen G. Thurman, Francis C. Sessions, Rutherford B. Hayes and Roeliff Brinkerhoff. General Brinkerhoff is incumbent 1908-9.
For twenty-four years the society has faithfully pursued the lines of study and investigation for which it was organized, and has held regular annual meetings at Columbus. In that time it has accumulated a valuable collection of relics and antiquities, consisting of over one hundred thousand specimens, mostly archæological in character, but embracing also many papers and articles of historical value. The collection has been catalogued and arranged in cases, and now occupies suitable quarters in the museum room of the society, Page Hall, Ohio State University. The library of the society, which numbers three thousand volumes of great value, occupies a library room in Page Hall. Both the library and museum are accessible to visitors on each weekday between the hours of 9:00 a. m. and 5:00 p. m. The students of the Ohio State University have free use of the museum and library.
Archæological Department.
Particularly is the society strong in archæological research. No state in the Union is so rich in archæological resources, consisting of mounds, forts, graves and monuments of prehistoric periods. The society is the custodian of Fort Ancient, Warren county, the largest, best preserved and most interesting remains of its character now extant. Models of this fort are in some of the leading museums of, Europe, and it is often visited by dis- tinguished scholars, not only of other states, but of foreign countries. The society is also the possessor of the famous Serpent Mound, in Adams county, one of the most curious religious monuments left by the Mound Builders in the United States. The site of the Big Bottom Massacre (1790) in Morgan county on the banks of the Muskingum, is now the property of the society.
The society, through a corps of explorers, is doing splendid and valuable work, each year, in examining and making permanent record of the in- numerable points of archæological interest in the state. An archæological map is being prepared, which will designate the location of all important mounds, monuments, graves, etc., within Ohio. It is estimated that these places of interest number not less than ten thousand.
Publications of the Society.
The society is now issuing annually a bound volume (which first appears as a quarterly magazine) of material concerning the history, archæology and biography of the state. It has published sixteen such volumes, averaging four hundred pages to the volume. These volumes are of the utmost value and interest, containing articles, essays and papers by the leading author- ities, historical and archæological-most of which material is prepared
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solely for the society, and which does not exist and cannot be obtained out- side the works of the society. The demand for these publications has been so great that the society has issued nine editions of volumes four, five, and six; six editions of seven, eight, nine and ten; and three editions of eleven and twelve. These books are in constant demand, not only by similar soci- eties and by leading libraries throughout the United States, but by the governments and great society libraries of the old world. Each member of the society is entitled, without cost, tó these publications as they are issued by the society.
The following articles of incorporation were taken out at the office of the secretary of state, March 13, 1885, and the organization was completed :
The undersigned citizens of Ohio, having associated themselves together, and desiring to form a corporation not for profit, under the laws of the said state of Ohio, do hereby subscribe and acknowledge the following articles of incorporation :
1. The name of such corporation shall be The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society.
2. Said corporation shall be located and its principal business trans- acted at the city of Columbus, county of Franklin, and state of Ohio.
3. Said society is formed for the purpose of promoting a knowledge of archaeology and history, especially of Ohio, by establishing and main- taining a library of books, manuscripts, maps, charts, etc., properly pertain- ing thereto; a museum of prehistoric relics and natural or other curiosities or specimens of art or nature promotive of the objects of the association- said library and museum to be open to the public on reasonable terms-and by courses of lectures and publication of books, papers, and documents touch- ing the subjects so specified, with power to receive and hold gifts and devices of real and personal estate for the benefit of such society, and generally to exercise all of the powers legally and properly pertaining thereto.
4. Said society has no capital stock.
The constitution provides in Section 1:
"The membership of this society shall be divided into four classes, designated as follows: life members, active members, corresponding mem- bers and honorary members. Application for membership shall be made to the secretary of the society and by him referred to the executive committee. Upon the approval of the executive committee and the payment of the an- nual fee, such applicants shall be declared members."
The life membership fee is twenty-five dollars; active three dollars and thereafter three dollars annual dues. President, General Roeliff Brinkerhoff, Mansfield; secretary, Professor E. O. Randall, Columbus; curator, Professor William C. Mills, Columbus.
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