History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 19

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

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"At a banquet given by the Commercial Club on December 1, 1888, in honor of Matthew Addy, the founder of the Addyston Steel and Iron Works near Cincinnati, the subject of industrial education was mentioned. Mr. Addy opened the question with a strong appeal in behalf of technical and manual training, quoting the proverb: 'He who does not teach his son a trade, teaches him to steal.' M. E. Ingalls and others followed, urging that it had become essential to give to thinking labor in this city of diversified industries an impetus that would be felt through generations, by aiding an institution like the Cincinnati Technical School, and to do something to remove the anxiety of its founders and promoters in regard to its finan- cial basis. The appeals of these gentlemen found an echo in the actions of the members of the club, for when a subscription list was started many of the gentlemen present responded to the appeal with great enthusiasm. More than thirty thousand dollars were raised within a few minutes, and more was subscribed afterward. The liberal donation of Charles Schiff of ten thousand dollars created a deep impression."

According to the sixth annual catalogue of the school, for the year 1892-93, the amount of cash in its treasury was then about nine thousand dollars. There are eight teachers in the School, three of whom are instructors in shop-work, four class instructors, and one in charge of drawing. The School has graduated thirty-one pupils, and awarded certificates to eight others.

The object of the School, as stated in the articles of incorporation, is to furnish pupils instruction and practice in the use of tools, Mechanical and Free-hand Draw- ing, Mathematics, English Language, and the Natural Sciences; to develop skill in handicraft, and to impart such a knowledge of essential mechanical principles as will facilitate progress in the acquirement of manual trades. The rates of tuition range from $75 to $125 per year.

The School is provided with a fully-equipped carpenter shop, blacksmith shop, and machine shop. There are, also, suitable recitation rooms, facilities for drawing, and a good working library.

The officers of the board of trustees, elected March, 1893, are president, M. E. Ingalls; vice-president, A. M. Dolph; treasurer, T. T. Gaff; secretary, Miles T. Watts. Other trustees are H. T. Proctor, Levi C. Goodale, A. B. Voorheis, Charles Fleischmann, J. G. Schmidlapp, B. S. Cunningham, Peter R. Neff, William L. Rob- inson, W. P. Anderson, Herman Goepper, Stewart Shillito, Drausin Wulsin. The Faculty of the school consists of James B. Stanwood, M. E., director; E. R. Booth, A. B., principal, English and political science; T. L. Feeney, mathematics and sci- ence; H. F. Brewer, physics and chemistry; Miss H. B. Whitaker, mathematics and

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history; Benjamin Jones, drawing; Horace D. Chipman, in charge of carpenter shop; Fred. H. Von Eye, in charge of blacksmith shop; Gustav F. Hammer, in charge , of machine shop.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS SINCE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS WERE ORGANIZED.

An account has already been given of some of the earlier private schools of Cin- cinnati, particularly those conducted by Locke, the Pickets and Kinmont. All these flourished before public schools were started. In 1833, there were in the city pub- lic schools only 2,000 pupils with twenty-nine teachers, while there were twenty-four private schools, with 1230 pupils and thirty-eight teachers. In 1841 there were forty-four private schools with 1,500 pupils, and in 1859, according to Cist, "there was a very great number and variety of private schools and academies, besides the parochial schools-as many teachers as 150, with 4,000 pupils." In 1859 the number of teachers in the public schools was two hundred and eighty-two.

Schools for Young Women .- Many of these private schools were most excellent, and a few gained wide-spread and enviable reputation. A girls' school which grew into distinction was that known as the "Western Female Institute," founded by Miss Catherine Beecher and her sister Harriet (Mrs. Stowe), about the year 1833. When the Misses Beecher retired from the school it was carried on by Miss Mary Dutton, of Hartford, Connecticut. This school was located on the site afterward occupied by St. John's Hospital. Miss Dutton returned to New England, and the patronage of her school was largely transferred to a similar institution conducted by Mrs. Ryland, an English lady, whose school, organized before Miss Dutton came to the city, was maintained very successfully and with great dignity for about twenty years. Another school for girls, organized early in the " thirties," was conducted by Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz, a lady then highly honored for her literary achievements, and whose novels are yet in considerable demand. Her husband, Prof. Hentz, was a distinguished teacher, and the seminary conducted by him and his wife was one of the fashionable schools of the day. It was on Third street, near Broadway.

These girls' schools were the forerunners of several more ambitious and extensive female seminaries, or colleges, of a semi-public character, and generally of some special denominational bent, that sprang up within the decade from 1840 to 1850, or not long after. Principal of these, perhaps, was " The Wesleyan Female College," founded under the auspices of the Methodist Church, in 1843, under the presidency of Rev. P. B. Wilber. This, the oldest college for women, and one of the best known in the west, has only recently suspended activity in its long and useful career. Its alumnal association includes hundreds of accomplished ladies, who recall with pride the days of prosperity of the old college. The history of the institution is full of interest, and should be written with care by some one conversant with all the facts. In the list of its presidents we find the names of Rev. R. H. Rust, Rev. David H. Moore, D.D., Rev. Lucius H. Bugbee, D.D., and Rev. W. K. Brown, D.D.

The "American Female College," Glendale, Ohio, was founded about 1852 by Rev. John Covert. The "Ohio Female College," College Hill, founded in the same per- iod, was for many years a prominent and deserving institution of higher learning. The "Cincinnati Female Seminary," conducted for a long time on the southwest corner of Seventh and Mound streets, by T. A. Burrows, was a notable seat of polite culture. Among its teachers, in 1859, were Milton Sayler, since distinguished in law, and Miss Frances C. Bauman, one of the most influential women teachers that the city has ever possessed. This seminary passed into the hands of Rev. George W. Maxwell, D.D., whose high standards and refined scholarship kept up its well- deserved reputation. The school building was finally bought by the Homeopathists, and was transformed into " Pulte Medical College."

After the suspension of "Cincinnati College," in 1845, and the dispersion of its Faculty, several of its teachers embarked their fortunes in private school enterprizes.

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Among these was Lyman Harding, who had been principal of the Preparatory department in the college. He established Harding's Female Seminary, of which John P. Foote said, in 1855: "It has become so prosperous that it is considered a permanent institution. It comprizes teachers in all the branches taught in our seminaries of the highest class, and a large body of pupils constitute a testimonial of approbation of the conduct of the school, on the part of parents and guardians."

In Mr. Harding's school, Miss Elizabeth Haven Appleton was a teacher for six years, beginning in 1849. The memoir of this noble woman's life, contained in a memorial volume prepared by Eugene F. Bliss, in 1891, contains this account of her educational work. Mr. Bliss writes: "In 1855 she established a school of her own, which she continued till 1875. Usually she had a partner, but her own personality was so strongly impressed upon it that it was always spoken of as 'Miss Appleton's school.' She was absent in Europe during the school year of 1865-66, and was again abroad after she finally gave up teaching ten years later. I have no account of her labors in Mr. Harding's school, but in her own more than four hundred pupils were first and last under her instruction. Were the list to be published, the names of all the families prominent in the city for the last forty years would be found in it. What impression she made upon her pupils may be shown by the following extract from the proceedings of their meeting held December 1, 1890: 'The sphere of teacher admits of such scope for influence, and the teacher is such a factor in the moulding and shaping of our lives, that the value of such a mission can scarcely be computed. No one could have been more gifted and better qualified to fulfill this noble work than Miss Appleton. She had, to a rare degree, the faculty of imparting knowledge and of awakening interest and love of study in her pupils. By her admirable methods she not only trained the mind for careful and serious thought, but, by her instruction in art and literature, she stimulated the imagination and cultivated an artistic appreciation tending toward that harmonious development which makes life so full of interest and beauty.'''

Private Schools for Boys; after 1830 .- One of the early schools for boys was that conducted by O. M. Mitchell, and called by him the "Institute of Science and Languages." It was established, probably, in 1836. Of earlier origin were "Cin- cinnati Adelphi Seminary," Thomas H. Quinan, principal; "Cincinnati Academy," John L. Talbott, principal, and a practical school, taught by Milo G. Williams, a prominent member of the College of Teachers. In June, 1832, an examining com- mittee consisting of Isaac G. Burnet, Timothy Flint, and others, testified, in the pages of the Cincinnati Mirror, to the great merit of Mr. Williams' school. In it were taught manual labor, and the principles of the United States constitution. The proprietor supplied for the use of his school a choice library of 250 volumes. Mr. Williams removed to Dayton, where he founded the "Academic and Manual Labor Institute," one of the first technical schools in the West.

Herron's "Seminary for Boys " was begun in 1845, and maintained a high repu- tation for a series of twenty years. Joseph Herron came to Cincinnati in 1829. He was one of the early teachers in the public schools. Subsequently he was called to take charge of the Primary department of Cincinnati College. After the destruction of the college by fire in 1845, he, like Mr. Harding, founded a private school, of which he was principal till his death, March 26, 1863. The school occupied the lecture room of Wesley Chapel until 1848, when it was removed to Seventh street. The average annual attendance at this seminary was about two hundred. Foote, in 1855, speaks of it as "one of our permanent institutions of learning." The seminary was situated on Seventh street, between Walnut and Vine. The building was erected by Mr. Herron. The corps of teachers, in 1859, was as follows: Joseph Herron, A. M., professor of rhetoric, moral science and English literature; Miletus Green, A. M., professor of Greek and Latin; Maxwell P. Gaddis, Jr., B. S., mathematics and natural sciences; James E. Sherwood, assistant; Charles Aiken, A. M., vocal

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music; Philippo Fr. Baldauff, German and French; Charles J. Sheppard, book- keeping and penmanship; Louis Schwebel, drawing and painting; Mons. Jose Tosso, instrumental music.

Mention must be made of an original and energetic institution entitled "St. John's College," conducted for some years by Dr. Colton, with the assistance of Prof. Jolin C. Zachos. The immediate successor to this school was an academy under the care of Charles Matthews, formerly professor in old Woodward College.

Dr. Andrew J. Rickoff, after his withdrawal from the superintendency of the public schools, in 1859, opened an "English and Classical School," on the corner of Elm and Ninth streets, which he carried on successfully for nine years.

A most excellent "Preparatory School for Boys" was conducted for a number of years by Eugene F. Bliss, of Harvard, a gentleman of the finest culture and char- acter, and whose influence on the many youths, whom he prepared for college, pre- pared them, also, in the best way for a pure and upright life. It was a loss to education in this city when Mr. Bliss retired from the teaching profession.

Chickering Classical and Scientific Institute. - Josiah Boutelle Chickering opened a "Select School for Boys," in the hall of the George street engine-house, between Central avenue and Plum, Cincinnati, September 3, 1855. A circular an- nouncing the school gives the following names of citizens to whom reference is invited : Miles Greenwood, D. T. Woodrow, Samuel Cloon, Jabez Reynolds, Dr. Henry Crane, William H. Moore, Henry A. Johnson, Rev. W. R. Nicholson, Clifford G. Wayne, William P. Neff, Edgar B. Conkling, E. O. Goodman, J. W. Sibley, George T. Stedman, Dr. Charles Woodward, George H. Calvert, D. W. Corwin, James Calhoun, R. S. Holden, S. H. Burton. In a sense, these men may be regarded as the founders of the institution. The school was well attended, and the hall of the engine-house did not long afford sufficient accommodation. In 1859, Mr. Chickering bought a lot on George street, between John and Smith streets, and built thereon a substantial two-story brick edifice, well planned for the purposes of a school. Two years later a third story was added.

The school was reorganized in 1860, and the courses of study were revised by the Faculty. During the continuance of the Civil war, the business prosperity of the school was phenomenal. The first formal commencement exercises were held in June, 1864. The first four classical graduates went to Yale College, and the next three went to Harvard. In 1864 the Adelphi Literary Society was formed by Prof. George K. Bartholomew. The school paper, Lux Luminum, was started in 1865. The school was known as Chickering's Academy until 1866, when the name: was changed to Chickering Classical and Scientific Institute.

Mr. Chickering devoted himself wholly to the up-building of the school. His indomitable will, his business tact, his untiring industry, his love for educational work, united to give his private enterprise the character of public service. He con- ducted all departments of the school on a liberal scale, and made every effort to employ the best of teachers.

Among the teachers who were connected with this school within its thirty- one years of existence are Prof. Chauncy R. Stuntz, Woodward High School, Cin- cinnati ; Nelson Sayler, Esq., attorney at law, Cincinnati ; Charles F. Vent, Esq., book publisher, Cincinnati ; H. A. Morrell, Esq., attorney at law, Cincinnati ; Dr .. J. C. Christin, late assistant superintendent public schools, St. Louis, Mo .; Prof. George K. Bartholomew, principal Bartholomew English and Classical School, Cin- cinnati ; Charles S. Royce, director of Butler's Health Lift, Collegeville, Penn. ; Louis Schwebel, artist, Cincinnati ; Charles Aikin, late superintendent of music in the public schools of Cincinnati ; Prof. J. K. Creevy, editorial rooms of Appleton Co., New York ; Prof. E. G. Coy, professor of Greek in Phillips Andover Academy ; Prof. H. P. Wright, professor of Latin in Yale College ; Rev. J. P. Babin, propri- etor of Collegiate School, Cincinnati ; Prof, Tracy Peck, professor of Latin Yale

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College ; Prof. William G. Lord, president Bellewood (Ky. ) College ; Rev. Thomas D. Bisco, professor in Marietta College ; Prof. Winthrop D. Sheldon, professor at Colorado Springs, Colo .; Prof. J. K. Richardson, professor in Boston Latin School ; J. T. Logan, Esq., attorney at law, Cincinnati ; Prof. H. F. Clark, publisher, New York ; A. C. Shattuck, Esq., attorney at law, Cincinnati ; William L. Dickson, Esq., attorney at law, Cincinnati ; John H. Cook, Esq .; Prof. Hugo Walter ; Dr. C. R. Holmes, oculist ; Frank Daulte, B. S. and S., naturalist, Paris, France ; Rev. J. C. Brodfuhrer, A. M., late president Farmers' College, College Hill, Cin- cinnati ; C. C. Long, principal Twentieth District School, Cincinnati ; J. H. Sprengelmeyer, Covington, Ky. ; John De Han, De Han's Commercial Col- leges ; Mons. E. A. Quetin, A.M .; Ernst Lietze ; M. D. F. Campbell, A. M .; J. B. Lutton ; F. Von Rossum, A. M., late instructor in Cincinnati Univ- ersity, Cincinnati ; J. M. Crawford, A. M., M.D., U. S. consul to St. Peters- burg ; Joseph A. Shaw, A. M., professor in Cheshire (Conn. ) Episcopal Academy; J. P. Patterson, A. M., scientific lecturer ; William Morrow, A.M., attorney at law, Cincinnati ; Charles F. Seybold, A. B., professor of languages in Cincinnati Univer- sity ; Dr. Orin Cady, LL.B., Ph. P., physician, Cincinnati ; J. N. Caldwell, civil engineer ; Henry W. Crawford, piano dealer ; A. D. Binkerd, M. D., physician ; Prof. August Fredin, Prof. Alphonse Monsch, Lucien F. Plympton, William R. Hoeg ; Mrs. Mary V. Venable, Tusculum, Cincinnati ; Miss M. P. Knox ; Miss Re- becca A. W. Hale (Baker), Ipswich, Mass .; Miss Martha R. Hale, Washington, D. C .; Miss Lucy R. Branson, Boston, Mass .; Mrs. W. W. Robinson; Miss L. W. Huntsman, proprietor Central Select School, Cincinnati ; Miss Mary E. Eagle, teacher in the Collegiate School, Cincinnati ; Miss E. M. Merriam (Goodnough), Loveland, Ohio ; Miss E. J. Merriam (Eastman), Pottsville, N. Y .; Mrs. B. Fredin, proprietor Girls' School, Walnut Hills, Cincinnati ; Miss C. L. Colby ; Miss Mar- tha E. Franks (Bonsall) ; Miss Marion Palmer (Chase) ; Miss Sallie Beekley, teacher in district school, Cincinnati ; Miss Ada Chickering, West Boylston, Mass. ; Miss Ada Longley, Cincinnati ; Miss Katherine Osborn, Mrs. M. V. Longley, Miss May Bunker, Mrs. Katherine Westendorf, Mrs. Helena Klingner, Mrs. E. L. Hard, Miss Lucie Mason Parker, Miss Mary Venable:

After J. B. Chickering's death (December 5, 1881,) the principalship of the Institute devolved on W. H. Venable, who, for twenty years, had been at the head of the Scientific department of the school. Mr. Venable, on February 6, 1882, purchased the good will of the school, and leased the school building of Mrs. S. M. Chickering, widow and executrix of the founder.

Mr. Venable conducted the school until June, 1886, when for business reasons it became necessary to abandon the buildings on George street. Under the circum- stances Mr. Venable decided to withdraw temporarily from the educational field.

Two hundred and twenty persons received the diploma of the Chickering Insti- tute. These were graduated within twenty years ; twelve are deceased. The catalogue shows that nearly one-half of the graduates took higher courses

of study after leaving the Institute. Many took college degrees. Thirty at- tended Yale, and nine went to Harvard. The following institutions each received

one or more students from this academy, viz. : Amherst College, Brown University, Beloit College, Center College, Cincinnati University, Cornell University, Columbian University, Hahnemann Medical College, Hebrew Union College, Law School of Cincinnati, Ohio Medical College, Marietta College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Michigan University, New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, Otterbein College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Pulte Medical College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Williams College, Wooster University.

A majority of the graduates of the Institute reside in Cincinnati, but a consider- able number are scattered in various cities and States. They are engaged, almost without exception, in active business pursuits, or in professions. Twenty-seven

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have entered the profession of law ; twelve are physicians ; four are clergymen ; four are teachers ; seven are journalists. A number are prominently connected with mercnutile and manufacturing interests. The record exhibits the names of bankers, pork-packers, stock-growers, farmers, engineers, architects, etc. Several of the graduates have held public offices of honor and trust.

The Franklin School. - The Franklin School, a first-class academy for boys, has its buildings on May street, Walnut Hills. This excellent institution was founded several years ago, and has grown steadily in power and in the estimation of discrim- inating judges, and now holds high rank, not merely ns a local school, but also as one of tlie very best places of preparatory learning in America. Such an authority as Everett O. Fisk, of Boston, is in the habit of rating the school as the best private school out of New England. At present the teaching corps numbers eight persons, and the school has besides the regular equipment of most schools, a gymnasium with a trained instructor in physical culture. The school has primary and interme- diate departments, and prepares its pupils for colleges, and schools of science and technology. Classes of about twenty are graduated each year. The list of its stu- dents who have entered colleges and scientific schools now numbers one hundred. The instructors are : Principals: Joseph E. White, Latin and English ; Gerrit S. Sykes, Greek and modern languages; Assistants : Albert E. Kingsbury, mathematics and science ; Adelaide A. Jackson, primary department; Eléonore Peltier, French; Marie Harff, German ; and Mary Grace Hulsman, English and German.

Babin's Collegiate School .- The collegiate school for boys, at No. 6 West Fourth street, Rev. J. Babin, A. B., principal, "aims to prepare boys thoroughly for col- lege and for commercial or professional life, and to afford the best educational advan- tages to those who wish to have their sons trained with reference to their individual peculiarities and wants." The name of the school was given in 1877, when the present principal and E. F. Bliss united their schools and formed a partnership, which, in 1879, was dissolved. The motto of the school is " Age quod agis." The teaching force for the years 1893-94 includes, besides the principal, E. G. Kinkead, Latin ; H. M. Wallace, Greek ; Prof. H. T. Mueller, German ; R. H. Hoeg, writ- · ing ; John Zelter, drawing ; Miss Flavia Babin, primary department. The colle- giate department offers a four years' course of study.

Dodd Classical High School. - This school, conducted by Rev. T. J. Dodd, D. D., located in the Apollo building, began its seventh year in September, 1893. It offers to boys and young men a five years' course of study, embracing mathematics, ancient and modern languages, history, English literature and elementary science. The proprietor states the aims and scope of the school as follows: " The first purpose of the school, paramount to all others, is to train the student to the highest order of intellectual and moral manhood, qualifying him for an honorable and useful life as a member of society, a man of business, and a citizen of the commonwealth. The special aims kept steadily in view are : To create a love of study, to stimulate zeal to its highest efforts, to ascertain the student's gifts or aptitudes, to develop thought with the power of expression, to secure intelligent comprehension and appreciation of the subject studied, rather than the committing to memory of facts or rules."

Prof. Eisele's School .- One of the most popular and successful preparatory schools in Cincinnati is that of Prof. W. M. Eisele, Ph. D., C. E., in the Bradford block, now in its eighth year, which makes a specialty of preparing pupils for col- leges and scientific or polytechnic schools or for business. The school also gives special courses, which provide a thorough preparatory training for civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, surveying, architecture, professional and commercial pursuits. Pupils are received by the term or by the month, and three sessions are held daily. The time for completing a course preparatory for college and scientific or polytechnic schools varies from one to three years, and in favorable cases less than one year is required.

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A considerable number of Prof. Eisele's pupils have passed creditable examina- tions for admission not only to the Freshman, but also to the Sophomore year of Yale College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Other candidates from this school have been notably successful in the entrance examinations of Harvard, Sheffield Scientific School, Cornell University, Lehigh University, Cincin- nati University, Ann Arbor University, Rose Polytechnic Institute, Imperial Poly- technic Institute, Berlin, Germany, and the Polytechnic School at Zurich, Switzer- land. The methods of instruction and recitation adopted by Prof. Eisele have gained the approval of those who have examined into their merits. The cramming and rote system are not honored by the school, for Prof. Eisele believes that "the letter kills, the spirit makes alive." Strict personal attention is given to each pupil according to his individual requirements, so that he may be promoted in each study as rapidly as his abilities and application will justify. Among the many who bear testimony to the thoroughness and efficiency of Prof. Eisele's school may be men- tioned : H. T. Eddy, C. E., Ph. D., president of Rose Polytechnic School Insti- tute, Terre Haute, Ind., formerly dean of the Cincinnati University ; Hon. Fred- erick W. Moore, judge of the supreme court, Cincinnati ; Prof. Ferd Schwill, Ph. D., of Chicago University ; Prof. W. S. Rix, formerly principal of the Mount Auburn Collegiate School ; Thomas G. Smith, Esq., ex-president of the board of public affairs ; D. S. Oliver, Esq. ; also H. Coope, G. N. Merryweather, Herman Knost, James Landy, Herman Urban, Maximilian Briam, and others scarcely less prominent in educational, professional and commercial circles.

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History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 19

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