Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th, Part 55

Author: Doyle, Joseph Beatty, 1849-1927
Publication date: 1973
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 584

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > Steubenville > Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th > Part 55

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On a mound near the Market Street en- trance is the Jefferson County soldiers' and sailors' monument, completed in 1870, at a cost of $8,000. It is a beautiful Corin- thian column of white marble, surmounted by a flying eagle, while at the base stand life-size statues of a soldier and sailor. Emblems of war and names of the fields upon which Jefferson County soldiers bled and died are found on the sides. It is a most artistic piece of work, and through- out the cemetery are other fine examples of the sculptor's art, as well as mauso- lemns, etc. Recent oil developments in the neighborhood have somewhat detracted from the scenic surroundings, but this will only be a temporary drawback, while the amount realized by the cemetery corpora- tion will make a material addition to the endowment fund. The interments bere to date aggregate 10,212, in addition to over

600 removals from the old cemeteries. The present directors are: Geo. W. McCook, president; Geo. P. MeCracken, secretary ; David McGowan, D. J. Sinclair, Sherman Walker, H. H. McFadden, John A. Kith- cart, Thomas Johnson, J. B. Doyle; super- intendent, E. T. Jenney.

As stated, a graveyard originally sur- rounded St. Peter's Church (then called St. Pius), but about the same time as the organization of the Union Cemetery a tract was purchased on Market Street ex- tension, north side, which was used until 1880, when a tract was purchased west of Union Cemetery, which is now in use. This association has also benefited finan- cially by the recent oil developments in that neighborhood.

SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLHOUSES.

We have seen that Steubenville's pio- neers were above the average in culture and refinement, and settlers of this character were not likely to go longer than was neces- sary without educational facilities for their children. It is probable, however, that for the first few years after the laying out of the town the number of children of school age was very small, and while there were no doubt some previous efforts towards education, it is not until 1805-06 that we find an account of a regular school within the town limits. Mrs. Polly Johnson, whose father, Augustine Bickerstaff, came to Steubenville from Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1798, tells of attending school in a log hut in 1801, but it was a mile from their house, and they went only in the winter season, as they had to work hard the rest of the year. The school above referred to in the town was conduct- ed by Mr. Black. It was located in a frame residence on Market Street, between Fifth Street and Bank alley, and he seems to have been a man of ability and respect. The first structure erected for exclusive school purposes was built by Bezalcel Wells, on the site of the present electric plant on High Street, and, painting it red,

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it was ever after known as the Little Red Schoolhouse. The first teacher was James Thompson, who was succeeded by Thomas Fulton, and Fulton by Jacob Hull. Both Fulton and Hull had a fondness for intoxi- cants that today could not be reconciled with the high positions held by them. Their indulgence frequently led to nap- ping, when they would awaken to find their slippers removed or hats decorated with quill-pen feathers thrust through the bands. It is handed down that on occa- sions they would go to sleep with their heads resting on the desk, and on awaken- ing find a pile of books covering the seat of learning, but for the moment befnddled with liquor. The books used prior to 1812 were, as a rule, such as the schoolmaster conkl furnish himself, but after this period the English Reader, the United States Speller and the Introduction were introduced, and other schools followed the Little Red Schoolhouse. Miss Sheldon opened a school ou High Street, the Misses Graham and Burgess on Fourth Street. and as early as 1816 an Irish schoolmunster named Baker opened a school at the head of Washington Street, which was well pat- ronized, but his employment of the hickory gad as a factor of education was so de- cided that he was frequently a subject for discipline himself. He continued to teach for ten years, when his spirit took its flight and the body was followed to the tomb by a large concourse of people, in the fall of 1825. Mr. Fowler conducted a school on Fourth Street in 1817 and after. Boys and girls attended these schools together, the tuition being $2.50 per term of six months and upwards. A step forward was taken in 1818, when Bezaleel Wells started a fund for the erection of an academy on Sonth High Street, adjoining the present electric plant. It was put in charge of Prof. J. P. Miller, a seceder minister, the building having been erected by John De Huff. It was well patronized for a number of years and was the home of St. Panl's congrega- tion previous to the erection of its first house of worship. Rev. Intrepid Morse

purchased the property and converted it into a dwelling. With considerable altera- tion it still stands. Rev. Dr. George Bu- chanan, a native of the Cumberland valley, established the first classic school in the West, on Market Street, in Steubenville. in 1814, where the Hammond residence now stands. Here all the higher branches were tanght for many years and the pupils be- came eminent in many of the states, giv- ing testimony of the high character of the school, among the pupils being Edwin M. Stanton. Samuel Ackerly conducted a pri- vate school not far from the Buchanan neademy in 1820, and afterward Dr. John Scott erected an academy on North Seventh Street and conducted a successful school up to nbont the year 1856, where many of the youth of the city received their education. Private schools by Delle lunt, in 1828, and John Dudley, on Third Street, Henry Orr, Miss Rush, Miss Os- borne, Miss Butler, Powell's School, ou South Fifth Street, and others continued to flourish for many years. While the male portion of the youth were thus being cared for. not only in the primary but in the higher branches, there was as yet no provi- sion for the education of the girls beyond the primary departments.

On October 21, 1825, Rev. Charles C. Bentty, of near Princeton, N. J., then in his twenty-sixth year, who had already at- tained a reputation for ability and scholar- ship, was installed as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. His services in that connection are noticed elsewhere, but it was not long before he began to take an active part in public affairs generally. On November 6, 1827, he married Miss Hetty Elizabeth Davis, of Lexington, and after- wards of Maysville, Ky. She was born within the present limits of Pittsburgh, on October 31, 1802, her father's farm becom- ing what is now the Allegheny Cemetery. She was a studions girl, and was thor- ongliy edneated not only in the ordinary English branches but in music, French and painting, as well as Latin-something quite exceptional for the daughters of the pio-

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neers. The newly married couple lived in the frame building on the west side of High Street, for many years after the home of Col. Alexander Doyle, and still standing, although remodeled. Here, on April 13, 1829, was opened the first semi- mary for young ladies in what had been known as the Northwest Territory. With- out detracting an iota from Dr. Beatty's part in this enterprise, we think that the main credit for its inception us well as for much of its subsequent success was due to Mrs. Beatty. From an interesting biogra- phy by Rev. A. M. Reid we learn that she had previously wished to teach, but her relatives and friends would not agree to it. After marriage the desire continued, and to gratify her taste and wishes Dr. Beatty agreed to let her begin a school. When they decided to have a seminary Dr. and Mrs. Beatty visited the leading schools in the Enst to learn the best metli- ods und types of a school for young ladies. Being Presbyterians, the religions atmos- phere of the school was under the auspices of thut denomination, but it was always a private institution, not under the control of any outside organization. Exactly how long the school remained in its first home is uncertain. Dr. Beatty had purchased from Alexander McDowell, on December 19, 1828, Lot No. 8, in the Original Plat of the City, on High Street. below Adams, for $200, where afterwards was erected the centrul building of his seminary, with main entrance hall and parlors.

No additional ground was acquired until November 23, 1833, when Lot No. 9, on the north, was purchased from Eliza Payne and others for $155. On July 21, 1835, he bought from James Ross Lot No. 1, on South Street, for $200, and on October 5, Lot No. 10, on Adams Street, with the house thereon, the present residence of Dr. A. M. Reid, for $2,250. Lot No. 6 was pur- chased from Robert Hanlon on July 24, 1837, und adjoining Lot 7 probably about the same time: Lot 4 from James Means, October 1, 1838, for $600, und 5 on Decem- ber 10, 1840, from June and Francis Hyde,

for $500. May 14, 1841, Lots 2 and 3, with the brick house thereon, were bought from William Brickell for $4,000, the property now including the entire square bounded by Adams, High, South and Water Streets, the aggregate cost being $8,555. As the school grew in size and additional ground was procured the buildings were extended, the library, school hall and con- necting music corridor being the last con- structed. The grounds were enclosed by a high brick wall and planted with trees and shrubbery, forming a beautiful grove, with later a central fountain, while from the windows und veranda were the loveli- est views imaginable up and down the Ohio River. The first graduates went out in 1833, the advance guard of nearly 5,000 who spread the name and fame of the Steu- benville Seminury to every quarter of the globe. In 1856 Rev. A. M. Reid and his wife, Mrs. S. L. Reid, were associated with Dr. and Mrs. Beatty as assistants, Dr. Reid becoming principal and Dr. Beatty super- intendent. The latter afterwards pur- chased the Frazer property on the oppo- site side of High Street, the present resi- dence of Col. J. W. Benzell's family, where he made his home for a number of years. On May 15, 1866, the entire semi- mary property was conveyed to Mr. Reid for $25,000.

Dr. and Mrs. Reid brought to the now venerable institution to the highest degree of enlture and refinement, which not only enhanced its character as an educational institution, but made it a center for social gatherings, which brought it in touch with the best life of the community. The monthly receptions were a feature to be anticipated with pleasure as well as profit. In 1873 Dr. and Mrs. Reid held a reunion of the seminary pupils in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Beatty, which was probably the largest and most complete affair of the kind on this or any other continent. Seven hundred alumnae were present in the See- ond Presbyterian Church. to whom ad- dresses of welcome were delivered by Dr. Beatty and Dr. Reid, when a procession

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was formed and marched to Garrett's tury, and the buildings were diverted to other uses. Mrs. Reid died on December 29, 1895, but her husband still occupies "The Poplars," the name given to the Adams Street residence. Hall, where a grand banquet was held, with speeches from home friends and visitors, and congratulatory letters from Bryant, Longfellow, Whitelaw Reid, Dr. Jacobns and others, for the seminary had been the Efficient as was the work done in the dif- ferent private schools, it became apparent in the course of time that if the ideal of every child having at least an elementary education were to be carried out the work must be undertaken systematically by the community as a whole. Accordingly, in 1838, the first board of education, consist- ing of Dr. John Andrews, chairman; Rev. C. C. Beatty and James Means, was ap- pointed by Adam J. Leslie, township su- perintendent of common schools, under an act of the legislature recently passed. The first meeting of the board was held on October 1, 1838, in Dr. Andrews' office, at which a resolution was adopted calling a meeting of the qualified voters of the dis- triet at the courthonse on November 3, to decide on raising "a tax to build a school- house or schoolhouses in said district." Dr. Beatty was appointed a committee to prepare plans with estimates of cost. Judge Leavitt presided at the meeting and Dr. Andrews presented a preamble and resolution for the purchase of two suitable lots of ground, one north and the other south of Market Street, and for the erec- tion of two good houses thereon, and that a tax of $6,000 be levied, to be collected in three equal sums on or before April, 1839, 1840 and 1841. The proposition carried, and, in accordance with Dr. Beatty's plans, two brick schoolhouses were built, at a cost of $2,000 each, exclusive of ground and furniture. One was located on the east side of South Fourth Street, just above Slack, and the other on North Fourth, just above Logan, Each was a square two- story brick, with no ornamentation to speak of, containing four rooms, and de- signed to accommodate 250 pupils. They were soon taxed to their full capacity, and a side addition was afterwards attached to the North School for the smaller schol- natural home of every literary celebrity visiting the city. This was followed by a general reception at the seminary during the afternoon and evening. Mrs. Beatty died on Jnly 5, 1876, and Dr. Beatty was married for the third time on December 31, 1878, to Mrs. Mary A. Crittenden, a for- mer pupil, who survived him, he dying on Monday, October 30, 1882, full of years and honors. His first wife was Miss Lydia Moore, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to whom be was married on June 30, 1824, who died May 28, 1825, three days after the birth of a danghter, who also died, six weeks later. It is estimated that between 1851 and his death, in 1882, Dr. Beatty's publie benefactions amounted to about half a million dollars. His principal benefi- ciaries were the Allegheny Theological Seminary, $225,000, and Washington and Jefferson College, $100,000. He also built the Third Presbyterian Church in Stenben- ville and contributed liberally to the inter- ests of his denomination here and else- where. His sagacity and ability as a finan- cier were as generally acknowledged as his merits as an educator and preacher. Dr. and Mrs. Reid conducted the seminary un- til 1886, when, feeling the need of rest with their advancing years, they turned the active management of the institution over to Rev. J. W. Wightman, who carried it on for a couple of years, when they again tem porarily took charge of it. Subsequently Rev. Dr. Davis took charge of the institu- tion and was succeeded by Miss Northrup and Miss Sheldon, and they by Miss Mary J. Stewart, who conducted the institution until 1898. By this time conditions had changed, and heavily endowed schools in other localities were gradually taking the place of private institutions. So it was deemed wise to close the school after an honored career of three quarters of a cen- ars. William Thompson was the con-

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tractor, and on November 11, 1839, the schools were opener with ceremonies in the South building and an address by Hon. Il. HI. Leavitt. Following were the first teach- ers: North -- John Taylor, Edward Wood. Miss Elizabeth Judkins, Miss Jane Dick. South-T. A. Plants, William C. Wilson, Miss E. MeDonald, Miss Martha Judkins. The salaries ranged from $15 to $35 per month. On motion of Dr. Beatty, the Bible was introduced as a reading book, and the Eclectic series of readers aud spellers and Kirkham's English Grammar were adopt- ed. Market Street was made the dividing line between the schools. In 1840 a system of rules was adopted, and at a school meet- ing in September of that year Dr. John Andrews, on behalf of the board, made a very important report, saying, among oth- er things :

" We presume it is not too much to say that whatever may be the present public opinion on the subject, until rreently free schools have proved, among us. to be almost useless so far as any permanent useful result is concerned. In investigating the cause of this important fact. the circumstance which, among many others of urinor importance, presents ilself lo our minds as the most operative, is the fart that every free school bad carried with it the belief or apprehension that it was regarded as a 'pour school,' a circumstaner which, in a free conntry like ours, where all stand upon a just equal- ity, and where wealth given to its possessors no prece- dence in publie estimation, strikes at the root of any institution designed for the moral and intellectual im- provement of the community. Our first object, therefore, and, as we deemed it, our first duty, was to remove this unfounded and Injurious vlew of The intention of free schools. We resolved, if the public would sustain us in the attempt to make the free schools of Steubenville equal to any other schools of similar design in the place ; to place them on such a footing of character, resperla- bility and usefulness that any one desirons of giving his children a common English education would he anxious to have them educated in these schools. At this time the district owned but one lot on which there was a very inconsiderable house. [This let was afterwards soll for fifty dollars.] To us It seemed essential to the sue- erss of our plan to provide grounds and houses snited by their situation, size, comfort and general attractive appearance, for the arcominodation of the schools; and we therefore resolved to submit the question to the quali- fied voters of the district. whether they should vote a sufficient tax to enable us to carry out our plans. The response was worthy of an enlightened and generous pro- ple. . . . Total average daily attendance in the schools, 459. The branches taught in the various schools embrace the letters, spelling, reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic and geography. The Bible is used as a read. ing book, as well from a conviction of its value us per- haps the purest specimen of the Anglo-Saxon tongne, as

also with a view to impress the minds of our youth with the only moral and religious principles which can make thetu useful citizens of an enlightened republic. No one can enter the rooms without being sensible of the order and quiet that are preserved, and that our free schools are no longer regarded as scenes of confusion, idleness and insubordination. It is not to be supposed that the schools are the best that the district enn have, but that they are as good as can be expected under the circum- stances in which the district is placed, and that they may be regarded as the commencement of a new era in our free schools.

"JOHN ANDREWS, ""JAMES MEANS."

This paper may be pronounced the Mag- na Charta of our local school system and the basis from which all subsequent de- velopment has proceeded.

For several years the schools were opened in April and continued six months. In the winter the rooms were rented for private schools at $1.50 to $2,25 per month. In 1843 Messrs. Taylor and Wilson were employed to teach evening schools. An- mal elections for directors were held in September until 1850, and then changed to April, which remained until the abolish- ment of the spring elections, in 1904, since which time they have been held in Novem- ber. Book agents were early prohibited from visiting the schools, and a resolution was passed that no series of texthooks should be discontinued until it had been used at least five years. The first county institute was held in October, 1851.

In 1853 Thomas F. MeGrew was ap- pointed "acting manager" of the schools. being in fact the first general superintend- ent, and three grades were established- primary, secondary and grammar. On Au- gust 4 of that year a publie meeting was held in the North schoolhouse, with Rev. W. Dunlap chairman and L. A. Walker secretary. Hon. Thomas Means made an address on the origin, progress and pres- ent condition of Ohio common schools, for which he received a vote of thanks, and resolutions were passed recommending the erection of a new schoolhouse, and the or- ganization of a Central High School. It was ordered by the board that "persons employed as teachers are requested to at- tend the Teachers' Institute at least two

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hours each week during the session of the schools." A separate school for colored children was organized this year, which found quarters in the basement of the Af- riean M. E. Church, at the corner of Third and South Streets. In July, 1854, Mr. Me- Grew was sneceeded by Warren J. Sage as superintendent, with a salary of $700 per annum. He provided a system of grades, which, with modifications demand- ed by time and growth, has been in nse ever since. He organized the high school in a room in the new Kilgore Hall Build- ing, on Market Street, from which it was shortly removed to the brick dwelling lately owned by Rev. Joseph Buchanan, on Lo- gan Street. east of Fourth, and took per- sonal charge in November of that year. The next year Mr. Sage, at his request, was relieved of all care of the lower grades, and devoted himself to the high school. Jacob S. Desellem was elected as- sistant superintendent and afterwards sn- perintendent. It was ordered that "to fa- cilitate the more thorough classification of pupils, boys and girls shall be assigned to the same rooms." This principle of co- education has since been carried out in ev- ery department. Mr. MeLain was permit- ted to teach vocal music in the schools, the pupils paying for the same. At this time there were more applicants for admission to the schools than could be accommodated, and the number in grades below the high school was limited to 770. an average of 55 to each teacher. In 1857 a visiting com- mittee of ladies and gentlemen was ap- pointed each month, but we have no record of their proceedings. By 1858 it was ap- parent that better school accommodations were needed. The North and South build- ings erected twenty years previous were filled to overflowing, and rooms were rent- ed in different sections of the city. Two storerooms were occupied under Kilgore. afterwards Garrett's Hall, two in base- ment of the old Second Presbyterian Church on North Fourth Street, two in the Snowden Building on Third Street, north of Washington, and one in basement of old

Hamline Church, in addition to the high and colored schools. Besides quite a num- ber of parents were sending their children to private institutions on account of the in- adequate accommodations in the public schools. To meet this demand, at a meet- ing of citizens held on April 3, 1858, a proposition was submitted to build a new schoolhouse at a cost of $20,000, but the proposition was defeated. Fortunately at this time the Grove Academy Building, with spacious grounds on North Seventh Street, was in the market, and in June of that year the board, composed of James Turnbull, Dr. Thomas JJohnson and Will- iam Cable purchased the property for $5,000, a remarkably low price even for those cheap times. A booklet published in 1906 descriptive of the new high school starts ont with the glaring misstatement that "before 1870 the Steubenville High School had no home. A rented room was used until the erection of the house now called the Grant Building." The fact is that on the purchase of the Grove Acad- omy the entire upper floor of the south wing was fitted up for a high school or "No. 16." and there it flourished for twelve years. While the spacious grounds with their flowers, shrubbery and trees gave facilities for outdoor exercise now sadly missed, yet the building and the drawback of being remote from the center of population. Originally the only method of access to the upper stories was a narrow winding stairway in the center of the building, which, in case of fire, would have made a veritable holocaust. To obviate this danger wooden platforms were ex- tended from the third story rooms to the hill immediately behind, affording a safe and speedy, if not artistie, method of es- enpe. In March, 1858, Mr. Desellem was superseded hy Eli T. Tappan as superin- tendent, who remained in office until June, 1859, when he was succeeded by Rev. Jo- seph Buchanan, now dead. The first graduate of the high school was Miss Oella Patterson, in 1860. There were five the next year and six in 1865, when the pres-

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ent motto, "Essee Quam Videri," was adopted. Besides the high school this building contained one grammar and six primary rooms. By 1868 the accommo- dations were again outgrown, and the Wells heirs having given a quitclaim to the city for the graveyard lot on the corner of South Fourth Street, what is known as the Grant School, was built thereon, which was dedicated on April 1, 1870, the Board of Education then being composed of Robert Sherrard, Jr., Wm. B. Lindsay and D. Mc- Curdy. Jacob Fickes did the brick work and C. Massey the carpenter, the cost be- ing $59,822. The high school, with excep- tionally spacious class rooms, occupied the entire upper story, furnishing an apart- ment which, it was thought would be avail- able for commencement exercises as well as ordinary school work. But it was too large for the latter and the acoustic prop- erties were not favorable to the former, so later it was divided and one end occupied by the South Grammar School, thus increasing the accommodations of the building from 670 to 800, with the reserve basement to be used later. The old South school building was sold at this time and converted into dwellings. As may be sup- posed, the citizens on the north side of Market Street were not disposed to rest satisfied with their antiquated buildings. The academy building was asserted to be dangerous, and there was enough doubt about the matter to warrant the board in tearing down about half of the house and erecting a temporary structure of four rooms on the premises. In 1871 the peo- ple, by a vote, authorized the Board of Education, then composed of E. F. An- drews, W. H. Wallace and D). McCurdy, to erect a house on the old North school pren- ises at a cost not exceeding $50,000. Ad- ditional ground was acquired and the pres- ent Stanton building, accommodating abont 700 pupils, was finished in the spring of 1873, after which the academy property was sold for building purposes, and no vestige of the old building now remains. The colored school remained at the corner

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Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th, Part 55

Author: Doyle, Joseph Beatty, 1849-1927 Publication date: 1973 Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 584

Author: Doyle, Joseph Beatty, 1849-1927
Publication date: 1973
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 584