USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part One > Part 36
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
local conference. On leaving Odell he was presented with a gold watch and highly com- plimentary resolutions from his church and congregation.
In 1895 Mr. Swanson received a call from Lima, which he accepted, and he preached his first sermon in the First Congregational Church of this city on the first Sunday in the year 1896. His 10 years of ministry here have been marked by a steady increase of member- ship, over 240 having been added, and a de- crease in the church debt by $5,000 until at present the debt is so small as to be a scarcely perceptible burden on the shoulders of the congregation. As a preacher and pastor he easily takes front rank and his church fills a prominent place in the religious life of the city. Mr. Swanson has been twice honored by be- ing chosen moderator of the Toledo Confer- ence, and he was sent as a delegate to the Na- tional Triennial Council of the Congregational Churches in the United States.
Going abroad in 1903, he toured extensive- ly in his native country and England, besides taking a short trip through France. The story of these travels has been told in a number of illustrated lectures. He has been very active- in the Y. M. C. A. work of the city and his. labors in the Sunday School Training Class have been markedly successful. His influence- and happy method of instruction resulted in the largest graduating class, that of 1905. This. class presented him with a very handsome set of books in token of their regard and of their appreciation of his services. His appointment as secretary of the Sunday School Teachers' Training Association of Allen County, and as president of the Pastors' Union of Lima, at- test to the prominence his labors have won him and are a well-deserved acknowledgment of his learning and sterling religious character, as well as the high esteem in which he is held by his clerical co-workers. He is generally re- garded as one of the ablest ministers in the. city of Lima, possessing the highest regard of the public generally, and the confidence and love of his own congregation.
CHAPTER XV
EDUCATION
The Public School System of Allen County-The Public Schools of Lima-Board of Education-List of Teachers-The Lima High School-First and Last Graduating Classes of the High School-The Lima Training School-The Truant Law-Supple- mentary Reading-An Ancient Appeal-Lima's School Buildings-Demolishment of the Old West Building -- "That Dear Old Building"-Destruction of the Old East Building by the Terrible Cyclone of September 24, 1898-Other School Buildings- The New High School Building-A Brief History of the Public Schools of Lima-Ac- count of Mrs. Josephine C. Smith-Complete List of Superintendents and of the Presi- dents of the Board of Education-The Parochial Schools of Lima-Lima College-The Allen County Teachers' Institute-Board of County School Examiners-The New School Code-The Old Academy, Called "The Allen County Institute." .
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OF ALLEN COUNTY
Is of greater interest and moment to the people than any other institution, save the church. Every citizen should take the deepest interest in the selection of the teachers and in the mak- ing of the course of study. The time has long since passed when a citizen of Ohio should be careless about matters of education. Allen county has a large number of intelligent, in- terested and competent teachers. All they need is proper encouragement. From the schools of the county have come a large number of young men and young women thoroughly grounded in the rudiments of an education. Many of these have continued their work in higher institutions of learning, and have ac- complished most excellent results. In this article only those schools will be considered that have not already been given. In the his- tory of each township, under Chapter VII, the reader will find a history of the schools of the township, together with a list of the present-
day teachers. The same is true with the vil- lages. The course of study very largely fol- lowed in the villages and in the city of Lima consists of eight years' work below the high school, viz., four primary and four grammar years. This is followed, in most instances, by a four-year high school course. Much honor is due to pioneer teachers who had every ob- stacle to overcome; but in the face of every dif- ficulty there were often seen in these schools groups of students, the equal of any of to-day. In fact, the "giants of the past"-Mackenzie, Lamison, Cunningham, Coffinberry, Metcalf, Nichols, Harper, McHenry, Marshall, Robb and Pillars-were all trained in these primitive schools. Likewise, all honor is due the ad- vanced system of to-day. It aims to teach not only the "Three R's," but the full measure of a well-educated gentleman or lady of the 20th century.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF LIMA Are organized as follows: Primary depart- ment, four years; grammar department, four
264
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
years; high school department, four years; and training department, one year. The courses of study in the primary and grammar depart- ments are the common branches; in the high school department there are three courses- Latin, German and scientific. The school buildings include the new High School, cost- ing $75,000, and II ward buildings, two of which were recently completed. The value of all school property is $405,000. The total ex- pense of the teaching force in 1903-04 was $46,562.50. The total enrollment of the schools in 1905 was 4,430, of whom 348 were enrolled in the High School. The total enroll- ment, January, 1906, is 4,600, of whom 430 are in the High School. The total number of teachers employed in 1906 is 115, of whom II are teachers in the High School.
The members of the Board of Education for the year 1905-06 are as follows : Dr. J. C. Pence, president; Charles W. Banta, C. H. Churchill, Dr. A. H. Creps, J. N. Stolzenbach, W. H. Uhl and G. A. Herrett, clerk. The treas- urer of the board is Clem S. Baxter. The su- perintendent of schools is John Davison Fol- lowing is a list of the teachers of the Lima schools :
Lima High School-S. Steffens, principal; Nettie M. Snook, Blanche Andrews, Ella M. Richards, Millie M. Cooke, Grace Hunton, Mary Jones, Herbert M. Thomas, Fern M. Renick, Genevieve Hanna and Lillian Rauda- baugh.
Garfield School ( East Building) -Eliza- beth Disman, principal ; J. C. Arbaugh, Nannie Francis, Mary Armstrong. Jennie Christopher, Verna Driver, Chloe Davis, Agnes Connell, Bertha W. Borges Ada Shreve, Etta Johnson, Elizabeth Jewett, Cora R. Reynolds, Mabel Ballard, Nellie Potter and Emeline Reilly.
Franklin School ( West Building)-W. H. Thomas, principal; Wessie Baker, Emma Knupp, Mae Ward, Lizzie Ducey, Mabel Shei- demantel, Alice Stockton, Gertrude Weixel- baum, May C. Epke, Clara Stolzenbach, Gene- vieve Henry, Rosabel Keve. Marie Robinson, Ella Bresler and Lucy Hooper.
Lincoln School (South Elizabeth Street Building)-Mary Gore, principal; Elizabeth
Williams, Edna Goodenow, Anna Ducey, Grace Overholtz, Bernice Fletcher, Julia Ly- ons, Grace McClurg, Lelia Waugh, Nora Ke- ville, Leanne Saunders, Emma Ford, Edna Smiley, Alice Morris and Minnie Littler.
Washington School (South Pine Street Building)-Clara S. Reed, principal; Anna L. Conrath, Effie Sherrick, Anna Klein, Kate Carter, Laura Frail, Dorothy Jones, Bertha Wilhelm Goldie Blair, Nellie Smith, Matilda Robinson, Nina Morehead, Emma Guy and Bessie Morris.
Lowell School ( West Spring Street Build- ing)-Kathryn Ford, principal; Clara E. Herr, Elizabeth Parrett, Elizabeth Hughes, Arminta Allison, Lillian Elliott, Anna Phillips, Lena Schnabel, Minnie Keve and Bessie Eastman.
Irving School (Grand Avenue Building)- Etta Boysell, principal; Agnes Higginbotham, Lorena Gottfried, Frances Lawlor, Nina Can- tieny, Mary Arthur, Anna Gagin and Kathryn Prophet.
Whittier School ( Reese Avenue Building) -Belle Gibbs, principal; Myrtle Busick, Blanche Long, Mae Murphy, Nellie McCach- ren, Minnie Eisley and Vera Sherrick.
Richardson School ( Maplewood)-Clara V. Bingham, principal; Laura Hirseland, Anna Taylor and Jennie Thompson.
Emerson School ( North Jefferson Street Building)-Florence Bower, principal; Daisy Simmons, Mary Bingham and Nellie Donahue.
Mckinley School ( Harrison Avenue Build- ing)-Hannah R. Gordon, principal; Lenore Gottfried, Mabel Busick and Minnie Bloxham. Longfellow School (Shawnee Building)- Gladys Eppert, principal; Helen White, Gert- rude Moore and Marie Umbaugh.
Solar Avenue School-Mary Parish.
Music and physical culture are taught in all of the schools by Myrta Hartson.
THE LIMA HIGII SCHOOL.
No part of the public money is expended to better advantage than that which is used for the maintenance of the High School.
That the people of Lima appreciate the ad- vantages of the High School is shown by the
265
AND: REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
constantly increasing attendance. In 1896, the enrollment was 156; in 1897, 192; in 1898, 214. It is now (1906), 430.
The High School ranks first grade in Ohio and maintains a four-year course. There are II teachers employed (1906). The school li- brary has 900 volumes on its shelves.
The High School was organized in 1856 and to date there have been 730 graduates. The first graduates were four in number, namely : Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Lima; Fidie Bennett (Holmes), Marion; Josephine Cunningham (Smith), Lima; and Mary Watt (Nichols), deceased, Toledo.
The last graduating class, that of 1905, was made up of 30 members, as follows: Girls- Mabel Arnold, Marie Badeau, Carrie Botkins, Blanche Craig, Elma Crider, Lenore Kissel, Hazel Maskey Florence Moore, Treva Morris, Hazel Morrison, Isabel Morrison, Francis Myers, Ethel Neise, Mary Philips, Lenna Rudy, Jessie Siglin, Martha Weixelbaum, Frieda Wilhelm and Goldie Zurmehly ; Boys- Karl Bassler, Robert Black, Karl Deakin, Harry Drake, Emmet Jackson, Walter Mur- phy, Manley Osgood, Clayton Paine, Levi Reichelderfer, Karl Sproul and Charles Walther.
THE LIMA TRAINING SCHOOL.
Acting on the recommendation of the su- perintendent of schools, the Board of Educa- tion, in 1899, wisely decided to establish a training school for the city of Lima. The ob- ject of this school is to train young people for the serious business of teaching in the public schools. The plan is a very simple one. A thoroughly trained and experienced teacher is selected by the Board of Education, who is known as the training teacher. This teacher is given control of all who wish to enter this school. By the aid of these pupil teachers or cadets, the training teacher is enabled to teach two rooms in the regular school work, thus causing two less teachers to be elected and paid by the board. The training teacher receives the salary of these two teachers, and that amount of money ($90 per month ) will secure
a most competent and skillful teacher. Only graduates of the Lima High School, or of other high schools of equivalent standing, are admitted to the training school. Each one of these applicants , however, must first secure a certificate to teach, from the City Board of: Ex- aminers of Lima, before they can enter the training school.
The course of study consists of the regular work of teaching the two schools placed under the charge of the training teacher, and in ad- dition the study and mastery of two high-grade texts taught by the training teacher. These books are White's "School Management and. Seeley's History of Education." One hour each day is devoted to the study of these texts ;. thus the pupil teacher secures both the theory of teaching and the actual practice. This. course of study is continued daily during one school year. If the pupil has completed. the: work to the satisfaction of the training teacher at the close of the year, the Board of Education grants to these pupils a diploma, as a graduate of the Lima Training School. These teachers. are then elected by the board and assigned to regular work. By this method, only thorough- ly trained teachers are admitted to the regu- lar corps in the city of Lima. This plan has- greatly elevated the standard of teaching, and has a strong influence in securing increased pay for meritorious service.
The first training teacher elected in 1899, was Ruth English, a graduate of the Fredonia State Normal School of New York. Upon her resignation, at the end of the second year, 1901, Jennie Elizabeth Chapman, a graduate of the same school, was elected. Miss Chap- man resigned at the close of the year 1905, and in her place Cora Ruth Reynolds was elected.
The following are the graduates of the Lima Training School: Class of 1900-Belle Bloxham, Rhoda Basinger, Chloe Davis, Lil- lian Elliott, Lillian Robinson, Minnie Sontag, Margaret Tehan, Mae Ward and Ethel Zur- mehly ; class of 1901-Armitta Allison, Laura Borges, Ethel Hefner, Grace Hunton, Minnie Keve, Marie Mills, Grace Overholtz, Helen Smith, Ada Shreeve, Nellie Steffens and Lil- lian Williams; class of 1902-Agnes Connell. Verna Driver, Laura Frail, Edna Godenow,
266.
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
Elizabeth Hughes, Genevieve Henry, Laura Hirseland, Edna Johnson, Fanny Lawlor, Ma- tilda Robinson, Leanne Saunders, Marion Smith, Bertha Wilhelm and Julia Weaver; class of 1903-Ina Cook, Dorothy Jones, Grace McClurg, Nina Morehead, Mary Mc- Carey, Anna Phillips and Clara Stolzenbach ; class of 1904-Myrtle Busick, Bertha Wise Borges, Bernice Fletcher, Lenora Gottfried, Blanche Long, Helen Smith, Mary Stephens, Lena Schnabel and Anna Taylor ; class of 1905 -- Mary Arthur, Mabel Walker Ballard, Inez Bedford, Maybelle Busick, Clara Belle Clizbe, Mary Catherine Epke, Nora Frances Keville, Julia Teresa Lyons, Mae Murphy, Mary Par- ish, Lydia Alice Stockton, Vera Dalphyne Sherrick, Marie N. Robinson, Helen Amelia White and Halsa Marie Umbaugh; class of 1906-Mabel Arnold, Margaret Finley, Lenore Kissel, Florence Moore, Mary Phillips and Frieda Wilhelm.
THE TRUANT LAW.
Among the most beneficial school laws passed in the last two decades is the truant law. This compels the attendance of all children of school age, and regulates the employment of minors by shops, factories or private persons. In Lima, F. C. Povenmire has filled the respon- sible position of truant officer for the past 12 years. The conscientious manner in which he has performed his duties at all times has made the law effective, and, in consequence, many children were kept in school who would other- wise have grown up in ignorance.
SUPPLEMENTARY READING IN THE LIMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
"If there is a benefactor of mankind in this world, it is the author of a good book. Towers crumble to earth, but he whose book lives can- not die." So wrote old Richard De Bury in his book entitled "About Books." One of the most momentous questions before the educa- tors today is that of reading. Just what shall be placed before the child is a much unsettled problem. That good reading matter should be
placed in their hands all agree, but the proper selection is important and difficult. The books of the "Ohio State Pupils' Reading Course" have been, from year to year, put in the hands of the pupils. The results have been very sat- isfactory. A better taste for the right kind of literature is acquired and the habit of reading firmly implanted. By this means the pupil's vocabulary is wonderfully broadened and im- proved-a consummation devoutly to be wish- ed. The number of pupils who have, each year, completed the course grows larger with each succeeding year and it is larger in proportion to the size of Lima than that of any other city in Ohio. In 1896-97, 675 pupils completed the course; in 1904-05, more than 2,000.
AN ANCIENT APPEAL.
Out of the mists of the past comes an echo which might have resulted from a more mod- ern cry. It is an appeal for a new school house and could well enough have emanated from a patron of the schools of 1904 in place of 1868. The slip of paper, a circular, aged and yellow and printed in quaint and long since aban- doned styles of type, reads as follows :
PARENTS If you would have your children edu- cated vote for A NEW SCHOOL HOUSE on The 13th day of January, 1868.
Between 2 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Let every child watch his pa and see that he votes on that day for his child.
Children, it is for you that the new school house is wanted. More than 1,000 of you have no place to go to school. Not more than one out of every three can get in the schoolhouse you now have.
Give you knowledge and you will be intelligent men and women; turn you out of school on the streets and you will soon be bad men and women.
Who are in favor of a new schoolhouse .? Every parent who prefers to give his children an education above everything else; every man who loves his little child; every man who desires the prosperity of the town; every man who prefers good society, and would diminish suffering and crime.
Who will vote against the schoolhouse? Every
INTERIOR OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, LANDECK
CENTRAL MENNONITE COLLEGE, BLUFFTON
LIMA COLLEGE, LIMA
ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, LIMA
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, LIMA
269
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
man who loves money more than everything else- even more than his own children.
January 10, 1868. N. TUCKER.
LIMA'S SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
The school buildings of a city are an index to the character of the people. While Lima has not always had buildings of a high grade, the tendency in recent years is very largely towards modern, handsome and substantial buildings. This is shown particularly in the new Garfield Building, and the new High School Building -- structures that would com- mand attention and admiration in any city. Lima's first school building of any pretension was the old West Building, erected in 1858. For many years this was the most imposing school edifice in Northwestern Ohio. It was a three-story, 12-room building, constructed of brick laid in old-fashioned mortar, which hardened equal to the best cement of to-day. The timbers throughout were hard wood, and the walls so thick and firm that they seemed to defy both time and the elements. It was con- structed by John P. Haller, whose work was so honestly done that had the present Board of Education acted with less haste and more wis- dom, the building would be standing to-day, and as good as ever. There was no reason whatever for the destruction of the building, which was done by order of the board, in Feb- ruary, 1905. This hasty act on the part of the Board of Education brought only inconven- ience to the school children, and great expense to the taxpayers. No doubt, however, a new and modern building will soon arise upon the ruins of the old. An architect has been se- lected and plans are now being prepared. Many sacred memories cling about that old west Building, for in it many of Lima's most sub- stantial and honored citizens received their early training.
At the time the Board of Education order- ed the abandonment and demolishment of the old West Building the following editorial, en- titled. "That Dear Old Building," appeared in the Lima Times-Democrat :
"The action of the new School Board in ordering the abandonment for ever of the old
West Building brings a sense of sadness to many who have been identified with the growth of this city and the intellectual develop- ment of her people.
"For 46 years that old building, which was not erected by a 'contractor who was cracked,' has stood as a monument to the burning desire among the good pioneers that their children should have the advantages of an education.
"The glory of this ambition is the Lima of to-day.
"With the razing of the structure there will pass away for many of us a constant re- minder of many happy childhood days, but all that can bring back those pleasant memories does not fade with the destruction of its great square walls.
"We recall two teachers, Mrs. O. W. Smith, and Mrs. M. J. Ballard, who are still living in Lima to note the influence and ele- vating impressions they made on many of those who were their pupils in the '60's, and who are now among the best men and women in this prosperous city. They, too, will recall many happy hours spent in the old West Building teaching the ideas of the young how to shoot, but not at 'cracks,' which a recent addition to the occult pencil-shovers of this community has discovered, doubtless through some clair- voyant, have always existed.
"Whatever its faults, the building has cov- ered thousands without harm to them physi- cally ; it has provided shelter for teachers and pupils, and the moral and school learning therein imparted and absorbed will last as long as eternity.
"Whatever its faults, it has played a part in teaching an army to be honest within them- selves, and respectful in discussing these things which are dear to others.
"Whatever its faults, it is responsible for Lima.
"To the dear old school building we say a fond farewell. The sweet remembrance of the days of our youth spent within its walls will last as long as life endures to us."
The next building of importance was the East or Garfield Building, erected in 1871. This structure was used jointly as a ward and high school building until September 24, 1898,
1
270
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
when it was destroyed by a most terrific elec- tric storm or. cyclone. The people of Lima were fortunate in this: The storm occurred on Saturday, and no lives were lost in the destruc- tion of. the school building. The large bell, weighing 2,000 pounds, fell through three floors, carring everything with it to the base- ment. Had the storm occurred at the same hour on a school day, not less than 300 children would have been crushed. In its place was erected, in 1900, the handsome modern struc- ture in use today. This building is of mottled pressed brick, finished in hardwood through- out, and of most excellent design. The archi- tect was William R. Brown, of Cincinnati, with Leech & Leech, of Lima, associate archi- tects.
Other buildings were erected as follows :
Lincoln School (South Elizabeth. Street Building) 1882 Irving School (Grand Avenue Building) . 1888 Washington School (South Pine Street Building) 1890 Lowell School ( West. Spring Street Building) .. 1890 Whittier School (Reese Avenue Building) . 1891 Whittier School (two additional rooms added) .. 1905 Longfellow School (Shawnee Building) .. 1892 Emerson School (North Jefferson Street Build-
ing) 1897
Solar Avenue School. 1903 Richardson School (Maplewood) 1904 McKinley School (Harrison Avenue Building) .. 1904 High School Building. 1904-05
A new High School building for Lima had been an absolute necessity even before the destruction of the Garfield Building in 1898, but the people of the south side of the city insisted that the new High School structure should be "centrally" located, at least it should be farther south than the West Building lot, where it was proposed to erect it. The propo- sition to bond the city for the erection of a new High School failed to carry on its first presen- tation, but later the proposition carried by a large majority. The Board of Education de- cided by an emphatic vote to locate the new building upon the south side of the old West Building lot, viz., on the school property be- tween McDonald and Pierce streets, the build- ing to face High street. Dissatisfied citizens
of the South Side carried the matter of the lo- cation into the courts, seeking to prevent its. location as decided by the board. The case was bitterly contested, appealed again and again, until it reached the Supreme Court of the State. The Board of Education was sus- tained in every court. In the meantime, the building had been erected and opened to the admiration and delight of the citizens of Lima, at the dedicatory exercises, May 4, 1905. The. Board of Education under whose direction this beautiful structure was built was constituted as. follows: President, H. S. Prophet; vice-pres- ident, Dr. Fred L. Bates; treasurer, C. E. Mc- Clain; clerk, Miss Annie Disman; members, James Donahue, A. L. Metheany, Frank J. Klatte, J. H. Blattenberg, T. E. Fenwick, Charles W. Mooney, Joel Spyker, Mrs. Anna. Vicary, Dr. T. R. Terwilleger and H. K. Fredericks; superintendent of instruction, Charles C. Miller. The building committee: was composed of Dr. T. R. Terwilleger, Charles W. Mooney and James Donahue. F. S. Packard, of Columbus, Ohio, was the archi- tect. He was assisted by a local architect, J. A. Chapin, in the construction of the building. The building was 182 days in erection and cost $75,000. The furniture and equipment will in- crease this amount to nearly $90,000. A cut of this building is found on another page of this- book.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF LIMA.
The organization and development of the. school system of Lima is no inconsiderable part of the city's history. It is interesting to the old and instructive to the young. Great credit is due those intelligent pioneers, who saw, with the eye of the seer, the future growth of Lima and the consequent need of an adequate school system. These wise founders held to the faith expressed in the Ordinance of 1787, one of the most noted laws ever given to a people, that "Religion, morality and knowledge being nec- essary to good government, schools and the. means of instruction shall forever be encour- aged."
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.