History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 14

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1592

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As population increased and business developed more banks were founded. In 1851 there were six incorporated banks. When national banks were authorized, there were by the 1st of December, 1863, the First National, with a capital of one million; the Second, with one hundred thousand; the Third, with three hundred thousand, and the Fourth, with one hundred and twenty-five thousand, fully organ- ized and ready for business. The Cincinnati Clearing House Association was organ- ized in 1866, and is still in operation.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

One of the most massive, stately and commanding buildings in the city is the Chamber of Commerce, standing on the southwest corner of Fourth and Vine streets. The location is conspicuous, and the attention of strangers is always attracted tothis imposing temple of trade, on account of its magnificent proportions, architectural beauty and great strength and solidity. On account of its unique appearance, one is reminded of a European castle built to stand for thousands of years. Its exterior walls are constructed of undressed granite, whilst its interior arrangements are per- fect in their adaptation to the purposes for which it was built. It was opened for business in January, 1889. Details regarding the membership and the vast business to which attention is given will be found in the chapter on Trade and Commerce.

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

CHAPTER VII.

SCIENTIFIC RECORD.

[BY REV. A. S. DUDLEY.]

EARLY TENDENCIES -PROMINENT NAMES-DR. DANIEL DRAKE-ASTRONOMICAL SURVEY OF PUBLIC LANDS-COL. JARED MANSFIELD-PROF. ORMSBY MITCHELL.

T HE city of Cincinnati and the county of Hamilton early became the seat and center of scientific work and results. Within a few years after the first settlement here and the location of the city there were found among the citizens men of rare talents and rich attainments, who gave themselves to the work of devel- oping the county and founding a society which should be fully abreast with the times and foremost in the march of the progress of the human race. They wrought intelligently and skillfully, and brought scientific principles and forces and methods to the aid of their great work.

The nation, in all its history, has produced few men of equal or like genius to John Cleves Symmes, one of the founders of Cincinnati. In mental endowment and force, in philosophic spirit, in originality of conception and in ingenuity and energy of execution, in patriotic and philanthropic devotion and in lofty aims, he was a rare man. He attracted other kindred spirits, and created around the locality an atmosphere stimulative to intellectual ambition and scientific pursuits.

These early pioneers labored amid many limitations and difficulties. Their scientific devotion and enthusiasm were their inspiration and their noble public spirit was their impulse. No labors could daunt them, no hindrance discourage them. They wrought with abundant success. They founded a city and builded institutions which have perpetuated their spirit, and have followed and favored intellectual growth and scientific development.

Space is not afforded in the compendium of the history of the county for the record of the details of the beneficial work of these high-minded pioneers, nor even to catalogue their names. As an illustration of their type, it will not be invidious to make mention of several illustrious men who have left the stamp of their genius and the inspiration of their spirit on the community.

No one who reviews the history of the past times can fail to note the prominence of such men as Daniel Drake. In his profession or in his work as an investigator and author, as well as in his devotion to the public good, he occupied an enviable posi- tion. He was a practical worker, and not a mere speculative dreamer. His books, the earliest published here, and even to this day the ablest, gave the growing city a name and fame abroad. His work in founding the first Medical College and the Commercial Hospital was a magnificent achievement, and these institutions are his monument.

Hamilton county enjoys a scientific honor brighter in its conception and broader in its practical results, than that belonging to any other locality in the nation. This distinction resulted from the exigency in the affairs of one department of the nation's business. When Mr. Jefferson came into office he was confronted by a condition in one branch of executive administration, which offered the most serious elements of social disturbance and threatened even the existence of the government. The Northwest Territory was a munificent domain. In soil and climate, and in all material resources, it possessed "a potentiality of wealth, beyond the dreams of avarice." A swarm of prospective occupants were flocking to it, and provision must at once be made for the allotment of lands, the definite marking of bounda- ries and the authentic conveyance of titles, on the part of the government.

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

The system of random surveys and "indiscriminate locations," employed in Kentucky, had resulted in so much inaccuracy and error and had produced so many and such serious disputes among the settlers, that it was found impracticable and almost impossible to allot lands under it. The Federal Congress in 1785, two years before the ordinance organizing the Northwest Territory, had passed an ordinance providing for a systematic survey of the public lands, by plotting townships six miles square, marked by lines running due north and south, and crossed by lines running due east and west, and the subdivision of these townships into sections, each containing six hundred and forty acres. This is the system of rectangular coordinates. It was favored by the eastern States, and opposed by the southern States which favored the old plau of "indiscriminate locations."

This law providing for the survey of lands by rectangular coordinates had not been put into operation, and for the best of reasons. The system, in order to be ac- curate and uniform, must be based upon lines accurately determined upon astro- nomical surveys. The law provided for an astronomical system of surveying. No astronomers were known to exist, who had ever done this kind of work, or who had ever heard of it being done. Certainly such astronomers were not found among land surveyors. Mr. Jefferson was puzzled to find such a man. No one was an appli- cant for the place. It was not desirable for a man of scientific culture and tastes and pursuits. He must become a pioneer and proceed to the wilds, and camp in the forests, and wade through the swamps and the streams, and must live, for a time, at least, just as other pioneers lived.

In his search Mr. Jefferson came upon the man who had the scientific qualifica- tions. This was Col. Jared Mansfield, of New Haven, Conn., but, unfortunately, the President had just appointed Mr. Mansfield to another most important work, that of organizing West Point Military Academy. Mr. Mansfield was a graduate of Yale College, a thorough classical scholar, and had given special attention to the higher mathematics. He was a successful and popular teacher. He was also an author, having published an original work, entitled " Mathematical Essays," treat- ing of profound and obtuse problems of the higher mathematics. His book showed him to be among the foremost mathematicians of the country and of the age. He was eminently qualified for the task of organizing the military academy, and Mr. Jefferson for a long time hesitated to ask him to relinquish that important work. But he finally realized that he could not find another man so well qualified for the work of setting in operation the new and indispensable system of the astronomical survey of the public lands. He offered Mr. Mansfield the office of Surveyor Gen- eral. Mr. Mansfield was loth to accept the new office and its arduous work. An institution of liberal learning was the field of labor most congenial to his scholarly tastes and training. In order to induce him to accept the surveyorship, the Presi- dent assured him of holding his commission in the army, and of the opportunity of returning to the work at West Point, after he should have inaugurated the new sys- tem of surveys. On these conditions Mr. Mansfield became Surveyor General, and proceeded to the preparations needful to execute the work on lands.

Serious hindrances were still in the way of proceeding with the survey, after the astronomer had been found. There were no astronomical instruments in the coun- try adapted to this field work; nor were there any manufacturers of such instruments in the country. The celebrated Trauton, of Fleet street, London, England, was the nearest source from which an observatory outfit could be obtained.

There was no appropriation of funds by Congress for such a purchase. To meet this lack without departing from strictly legal methods of procedure, the President applied a part of his own contingent fund for their purchase. Three years from placing the order with Mr. Trauton the instruments were safely landed at Cincin- nati, in 1805. Mr. Mansfield was already upon the ground, and gladly welcomed the instruments. They consisted of a three-foot telescope, well mounted, a thirty-

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

inch portable transit, and an astronomical clock. There was also a lot of necessary books, and mathematical tables. The whole cost. of these, when packed by the maker and ready for shipment, was $1,054 in our currency.

The same year Mr. Mansfield removed to Cincinnati and began his work. He rented the residence of Israel Ludlow, at the Ludlow Station, now Northside, but at that time said to be five miles from the city. Here he set up his instruments and founded the first observatory west of the Alleghany Mountains. The first line run by Mr. Mansfield was the principal meridian passing through the mouth of the Great Miami river, and extending to the northern boundary of the United States. Thus does Hamilton county have the honor of the first survey under the system ever since used, and everywhere applied.

These old astronomical instruments followed Col. Mansfield on his return to West Point, and are now deposited in the Philosophical Department of the Military Academy at West Point. Let it here be asked, what more interesting relics for a Cincinnati Museum of History and Science than these historic instruments could possibly be obtained, and is it not probable that the general government might be induced to surrender their custody to this city ?

Under the direction of the government, Col. Mansfield ascertained the latitude and longitude of many important places. His scientific services would render him illustrious in any time and in any place. When it is considered at what a sacrifice of personal tastes and ease he rendered these important services, his public spirit, his patriotism and his devotion to duty, can be appreciated.

Even the partial mention of scientific achievements would be incomplete without the mention of Prof. Ormsby Mitchell, who came later on the scene. His brilliant talents, his indomitable energy, his unquenchable enthusiasm, and his attractive per- sonality, gave him a hold upon the citizens, which enabled him to induce them to found the observatory, at great cost, and amid the most disheartening difficulties. He left the luster of a great name, and the inspiration of a noble spirit, which still are acknowledged and felt.

These are sufficient illustrations of the scientific spirit prevailing among the pio- neers of Hamilton county, and serve to account for the intellectual cast and artistic tastes which have always characterized the community.

CHAPTER VIII. EDUCATION IN CINCINNATI.

[BY W. H. VENABLE, LL. D.]

THE FIRST SCHOOLS-OTHER EARLY SCHOOLS, SEMINARIES, COLLEGES, ETC .- PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THEIR ORGANIZATION, SUPERINTENDENTS, ETC .- HISTORY OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS-NOR- MAL SCHOOL-UNIVERSITY-OBSERVATORY-OHIO MECHANICS' INSTITUTE-TECHNICAL SCHOOL-PRIVATE SCHOOLS SINCE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS WERE ORGANIZED-OTHER SCHOOLS, INSTITUTES AND COLLEGES-LAW SCHOOL-MEDICAL EDUCATION-LANE THEO- LOGICAL SEMINARY-ST. XAVIER COLLEGE-OTHER ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS-HEBREW UNION COLLEGE-MUSIC-ART ACADEMY -- SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY-HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF OHIO-CLUBS AND SOCIETIES-EDUCATIONAL JOURNALS- LIBRARIES.

T HE educator, as a working force, has been active in Cincinnati from the time of the city's founding. John Cleves Symmes, proprietor of the Miami Purchase, had taught school in the East before coming West; John Filson, who surveyed the original plat of " Losantiville," was a New Jersey schoolmaster; and another school- master, John Reily, owned the first schoolhouse in Ohio or in the territory north-

Engraved by J. R.Rice &. . L.s Philada

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

west of the Ohio river. This schoolhouse stood in Columbia, now the East End of the Queen City, and a subscription school was accommodated within its wooden . walls about a year and a half after the landing of the first settlers of the town. The school was opened June 21, 1790. Reily was a young Pennsylvanian, and had served in the later battles of the Revolutionary war. He was joined in his teaching enterprise in 1791 by Francis Dunlevy, also an ex-soldier, who, after the war, had migrated from Virginia to Kentucky, and thence to Ohio. He became a judge, and he also wrote valuable annals of the Baptist Church. He was the father of Hon. A. H. Dunlevy.

The school started by Reily, and afterward carried on by Dunlevy alone, seems to have been reorganized into an "academy" in November, 1792, chiefly through the public spirit and practical energy of Judge William Goforth, Maj. John S. Gano, Rev. John Smith and Mr. Dunlevy himself. This pioneer institution existed for several years, and asserted its educational orthodoxy and dignity by drilling back- woods boys in mathematics and Latin grammar.

Other Early Schools. - In the shadow of Fort Washington, near the present intersection of Third and Lawrence streets, a log cabin was built in 1792, and under its clapboard roof a school of young Cincinnatians was gathered, but the teacher's name is forgotten. Three years later a better school building of frame was put up on the north side of Fourth street, between Main and Walnut, a locality noted for experimental literary institutions. The scanty records of Cincinnati's first decade make bare mention of several teachers and pseudo-teachers who earned a penny by dispensing such knowledge as had a market value. The French language was taught in 1799 by one Francis Menessier, who kept a "coffee-house" at the foot of Main street hill, and sold liquors and pies together with polite instruction. Dancing schools and singing schools were in considerable demand. One of the first schools for general elementary training was kept by James White, who, in October, 1799, announced to the citizens of Cincinnati, in the columns of the Western Spy, that his "English school" had been removed, and was "now next door to Mr. Thomas. Williams, skin-dresser,"-a suggestive juxtaposition. Mr. White advertises that "he also intends to open an evening school," in which "writing, arithmetic, &. c, will be taught four evenings in each week for three months. The terms for each scholar will be two dollars, the scholars to find firewood and candles." That the schoolmaster's function a century ago trenched on the domain of the lawyer is indi- cated by the fact that Mr. White made known his readiness to furnish " deeds, indentures, &. c, on reasonable terms."

Early in 1800 the Western Spy contained the notice that "a good schoolmaster was wanted on the Great Miami," and that one with a family would be preferred. The same newspaper kept before its readers the somewhat ostentatious advertise- ment of "Rev. Robert Stubbs, Philomath," an English clergyman and "dominie," who founded "Newport Academy " on his farm, "two miles from the Ohio, oppo- site Cincinnati, in Campbell county, Ky.," in which he taught "English grammar, Latin, Greek, arithmetic-all the most useful and some of the ornamental branches of mathematics." There is something almost awe-inspiring in the conclusion of the " Philomath's" statement, which announces that "should any feel inclined, he will also teach the use of the globes, at stated periods, in Cincinnati." Newport Academy developed into a useful school, having for its trustees some of the leading settlers of Campbell county, such as James Taylor, Daniel Mayo and Thomas Car- neal. The chairman of the board was Washington Berry.

It may amuse the reader of these memoranda of small beginnings to peruse the following school advertisement which appeared in a Cincinnati paper in the year 1804: " Notice .- The public in general, and my former subscribers in particular, are respectfully informed that I purpose to commence school again on the 1st day of January, 1805. I shall teach reading, writing, arithmetic and English grammar,

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

indiscriminately, for two dollars per quarter." Perhaps one may say, without the bitterness of irony, that a good many teachers since the days of the good man here quoted have, like him, taught the common branches quite "indiscriminately."

That succinct Old Testament of the local history of the "Miami Country," Dr. Daniel Drake's "Picture of Cincinnati," published in 1815, informs us that in Cin- cinnati "the business of tuition was generally conducted by strangers, and tran- sient teachers, in rented rooms, till the year 1811; when ten or twelve individuals purchased a small lot, erected a couple of schoolhouses, and employed two or three teachers; but notwithstanding their laudable exertions, this academy has not flour- ished, and is likely soon to be superseded by the Cincinnati Lancaster Sem- inary." Dr. Drake gives a brief account of a projected institution which was to bear the name Cincinnati University. He says: "In the year 1806, a school asso- ciation was formed in this place, and in 1807 it was incorporated. Its endowments were not exactly correspondent to its elevated title, consisting only of moderate con- tributions; and an application was made to the legislature for permission to raise money by a lottery, which was granted. A scheme was formed, and great part of the tickets sold; they have, however, not been drawn, and but little of the money which they brought, refunded. On Sunday the 28th of May, 1809, the schoolhouse erected by the corporation was blown down; since which it has become extinct."

Hon. S. S. L'Hommedieu, in a published "Pioneer Address," gives some pleas- ing reminiscences of his school days in early Cincinnati. He says: "In the years 1810, 1811, 1812, I recollect only three or four small schools. A Mr. Thomas H. . Wright kept one in the second story of a frame building on the southwest corner of Main and Sixth streets. John Hilton had his school on the east side of Main, between Fifth and Sixth streets, over a cabinet maker's shop; David Cathcart, on the west side of Walnut, near Fourth street. The scholars at each school probably averaged about forty."

The Lancaster Seminary .- The schools thus far mentioned, and others that sprang up and died down within the first quarter of our city's first century, were sporadic and, as institutions, abortive. They were not fostered by united effort or general sympathy, and therefore took no deep root. The first really important school planted in Cincinnati was the Lancaster Seminary, a vigorous institution created mainly by the enthusiastic zeal of Dr. Daniel Drake, Rev. Joshua L. Wilson, and Rev. Oliver M. Spencer, seconded by the good will of the people. The school was to be conducted, as the name suggests, according to the monitorial method advocated by the English teacher, Joseph Lancaster, who, coming to America, pro- mulgated his views in Philadelphia, where he died. The Lancastrian ideas appealed strongly to the visionary mind, and were seized upon eagerly by many who dreamed of an education at once cheap, substantial, and easily acquired. Edmund Harrison, of Tennessee, who had been a pupil of one of Lancaster's disciples, espoused the monitorial theory, and, with much ability and enthusiasm, undertook to put it into practice in the Queen City. In 1814-15 money to the amount of about twelve thou- sand dollars was subscribed for the seminary, payable in shares of twenty-five dol- lars. The banks of the city, fired with unwonted generosity in behalf of popular culture, agreed to loan the new institution cash on a long credit. A building site was secured near the northwest corner of Fourth and Walnut streets, on ground now partly occupied by the Cincinnati College. Architectural plans were prepared by Isaac Stagg, and a rather extensive and ambitious two-story brick edifice was con- structed, without loss of time. Drake, who may, with justice, be honored as the father of the movement, tells us that: "On the 17th of April, 1815, one of the lower . rooms being completed, a school composed of children of both sexes was opened, and in less than a fortnight 420 were admitted; when, the apartment being suf- ficiently filled, many subsequent applicants were rejected. By the indefatigable efforts of the teacher [Mr. Harrison] order and method were at length introduced,

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

and the proficiency of the scholars has equalled all reasonable expectations. A sec- ond school, on the same plan, for females only, has just been commenced, and . promises to be well filled." The seminary was put under the management of a board of seven trustees, with Jacob Burnet as president. The expectations of the founders of the school were not realized, owing, in part, to inherent defects of the Lancastrian plan, and, in part, to a general depression caused by financial troubles affecting the entire community. The school was kept up as an academy until Janu- uary 22, 1819, when it obtained a charter conferring university privileges, and changing the name from Lancaster Seminary to Cincinnati College. When the seminary first went into operation, in 1815, the town of Cincinnati consisted of about eleven hundred houses, and the entire population amounted to but six thousand, a number not sufficient to fill our present Music Hall.

Cincinnati College .- When, in 1819, Cincinnati College was chartered, there were, in energetic operation, three other western colleges that had a stimulating effect upon the literary pride of Cincinnati, and that aroused hier emulation, if not her envy. These were Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky., Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, and Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. These young and vigorous institutions liad faculties of zealous and able professors, and were drawing many ambitious young men to their halls. Especially did the Kentucky College and that at Oxford, being easily accessible from Cincinnati, provoke the rivalry of the newly organized Cincinnati College. The influence of the several colleges upon other schools, and upon individuals smitten with the desire for scholarship, was most bene- ficial. The higher institutions, with their libraries, laboratories, professional chairs, courses of study, degrees and alumnal bodies, were the "power-houses," or "stor- age-batteries," from which flowed streams of energy to the surrounding villages and farms.

In June, 1818, perhaps mainly at the solicitation of Dr. Drake, the sum of twen- ty-nine thousand dollars was subscribed by Gen. William Lytle, Oliver M. Spencer, John H. Piatt, Ethan Stone, William Corry, Gen. James Findley, David E. Wade, and Andrew Mack, with the object of " elevating Lancaster Seminary into a respect- able college." These subscriptions were soon largely increased by the liberal giv- ings of about forty other benefactors. In the winter of 1818-19, Dr. Drake went to Columbus and procured the charter which was the legal basis of the new college.

A Faculty of Arts was organized, with Rev. Elijah Slack, A. M., as president, assisted by several professors and tutors. John P. Foote says in his "Schools of Cincinnati," published in 1855: " The college was continued in operation a few years, during which period several young ladies were included in the graduating classes, together with a number of young men who have since attained distinguished reputation.'

An English traveler visiting Cincinnati in 1823 wrote: "The college is tolerably built but is not likely to be well attended until better regulations are established. I was present at a lecture, and was much shocked at the want of decorum exhibited by the students, who sat down in their plaids and cloaks, and were constantly spit- ting tobacco juice about the room."

The trustees of the college in the year 1824 were Jacob Burnet, William H. Harrison, Rev. William Burke, O. M. Spencer, D. E. Wade, G. P. Torrence, D. K. Este, J. S. Lytle, P. S. Symmes, William Corry, Martin Baum, Daniel Gano, Will- iam Greene, Joseph Benham, T. Graham, Charles Hammond, Nathan Guilford, E. S. Haines, D. Wade and A. Mack. At the fourth annual commencement held Wednesday, September 29, 1824, orations were delivered by H. E. Spencer, T. H. Burrows, George W. Burnet, J. W. Piatt, E. Woodruff and John Scott Harrison. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on John H. James, Frederick A. Kemper and William H. Harrison, Jr.

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History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 14

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1592

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1592