USA > Ohio > Lake County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 15
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 15
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The school was maintained for a number of years after Dr. Nichols' departure, but began to decline, and, though a number of excellent teachers were employed, soon closed its career and its mission as an educational institution.
WILLOUGHBY MEDICAL COLLEGE
was started under fairly favorable conditions, and for some time there was a reason - able prospect of its becoming a permanently useful institution. Among those who were influential in creating a condition of public sentiment friendly to the insti- tution, and active in effort to secure the charter, were Dr. George Card, Judge Nehemiah Allen, and Simeon Fuller. The charter was passed in 1833, and in the following year the first session of the school was held in a little brick build- ing which stood upon the present site of Dr. O. S. St. John's residence, and which was torn down by that gentleman and re-erected upon the lot south of the street. Soon after a three-story brick building was erected where the present college building stands. Ralph Granger was president of the society ; H. A. Ackley, professor of Anatomy and Physiology; A. Trowbridge, of Surgery and Medical Jurisprudence; D. L. M. Peixotto, of Theory and Practice of Physics and Ob- stetrics ; J. Long Cassells, of Chemistry ; and Wm. Smith, of Materia Medica.
Afterwards Doctors Underhill and Walsh, John Delamater, O. S. St. John, J. P. Kirtland, John Butterfield, Robert H. Paddock and others were connected with the school. There were two causes of the deterioration and subsequent closing of the college,-the secession of nearly all the members of its faculty, and an in- tense excitement and indignation which arose because of a case of body-snatching. Nearly all the members of the early faculty went to Cleveland, and though their places were immediately refilled and the college went on prosperously for a time, it was evident that the school had received a blow from which it was doubtful if complete recovery were possible. The last session of the school was held in the winter of 1845-46.
THE OLD LAKE ERIE SEMINARY
was established under the same charter that was granted for the foundation of the medical college, and was established in 1847 in the old building. The seminary was taught by ladies from Mount Holyoke, and for a number of years was a quite successful and valuable school. The building was burned in 1855, and the semi- nary was then, after considerable discussion, moved to Painesville, where it was re-established, and at present exists as Lake Erie Seminary.
WILLOUGHBY COLLEGE,
or seminary, of the present day, is an institution of learning which received most of its funds from the people of Willoughby and vicinity. It is and has been in a prosperous condition, and has given education to a large number of the youth of both sexes. The building occupied, which was built in 1859 at an estimated cost of ten thousand dollars, stands in the centre of Seminary park, surrounded by a fine grove of trees. It is three stories in height, and above all is a tower commanding a view of the lake and surrounding country. There is an audience- hall sixty-five by fifty-seven feet, chapel fifty-seven by thirty-three feet, three large reception-rooms, a music-room, painting-room, reading-room, library, and two so- ciety-halls. There is in connection chemical and philosophical apparatus, cabinet of mineralogy, geology, and a valuable library. The course of study embraces a high-school course of three years ; scientific and classical course of six years. The principals of the college from 1859 to 1871 were S. S. Sears, W. N.
.
Reno, P. A. Laffer, J. B. Robinson, and J. H. Herron. 1871 and 1872, L. D. Lee, principal ; Mrs. D. Forward, preceptress ; L. F. Kirk, assistant ; Mary Hast- ings, painting ; and E. Grimme, music. 1872-74, L. T. Kirk, principal ; Mrs. D. Forward, preceptress ; W. W. Gist, Lucy Witter, and A. M. Gates, assistants ; Mary Hastings, painting ; W. L. Todd, music ; and B. F. Pratt, teacher commercial department. 1874-75, W. W. Gist, principal ; A. M. Gates, preceptress ; L. M. Tryon, assistant; H. Lou Taylor, music; and B. F. Pratt, commercial depart- ment. 1875-76, C. H. Dixon, principal; Tillie P. Work, preceptress ; L. M. Tryon, assistant ; Mrs. C. H. Dixon, music. 1876-77, W. W. Gist, principal ; T. P. Work, preceptress ; L. M. Tryon, and Mrs. W. W. Gist, assistants; M. L. Chapin, painting. 1877-78, W. W. Gist, principal ; L. M. Tryon, preceptress; Esther Houliston, assistant ; and M. L. Chapin, painting.
MADISON SEMINARY.
Before Madison Seminary was in existence there was a select school on Middle Ridge, in the town hall, then situated on the corner west of the Baptist church. In 1845 it had become so prosperous that a more commodious building was needed. Accordingly a subscription was circulated, and the amount necessary to be expended for purchasing the grounds and for building purposes was raised. This was a great undertaking for the people, and there were many obstacles to overcome; but, being enterprising and persevering, they at last had the satisfac- tion of seeing the work completed.
In the spring of 1847, Mr. C. S. Hartwell, coming from the town hall, taught the first term in the seminary. The year following there were about one hundred students, under the instruction of Mr. G. N. Campbell, who, taking the school in its infancy, and being an earnest worker, did much towards laying a good founda- tion. His place at the seminary was filled by Rev. S. R. Daviess and wife, who remained one year. Those who followed as instructors were Messrs. Olmstead, Tuttle, Parmeter, Burrows, and Smith, none of whom remained more than one year except Mr. Tuttle.
The tuition at that time was from two dollars and fifty cents to four dollars and fifty cents per term. Heretofore the school had been solely under the con- trol of gentlemen, but in 1857 two ladies accepted positions,-Miss Smith, of Leroy, N. Y., a graduate of Ingham University, and Miss Chadwick, now Mrs. Dr. Sherwood, of Unionville, a graduate of Willoughby College. A boarding- hall was then needed, and for this purpose some assistance was obtained from adjoining townships.
In 1859 the new seminary, containing chapel, recitation-rooms, and gentlemen's rooms, was completed, and the old one fitted up for a boarding-hall. Mr. Cravat had the honor to be the first teacher, assisted at first by Miss Chadwick, later by Miss Raley, who subsequently became Mrs. Cravat. Then Rev. G. N. Phinney, now Congregational minister in Geneva, had charge of the school, and after him Misses Smith and Chadwick were again employed for a short time. Mr. H. Avery, who had been repeatedly invited by the board, finally accepted the call and became principal, in August, 1864. The school increased in numbers and interest while he was at its head, one hundred and fifty students being enrolled in one term; but he soon after tendered his resignation on account of ill health. Professor Ellinwood followed, with two excellent assistants, Mrs. L. Richardson and Miss Emma Hulburt. There was a good school for a short time. When the next principal left there were less than ten students, and hope for the success of the school was almost gone. But in the fall of 1869, Professor W. N. Wight came to the rescue, and the school increased rapidly. In his third year there were one hundred students once more. Two literary societies were organized, the gentlemen's known as "C. C. T.'s," and ladies' as " Bronte Daughters." Professor and Mrs. Wight, and Miss Josie Whipple, assistant, remained four years, and left the school much improved. A. C. Hebbard, of Austinburg, became principal in the fall of 1873, and remained nearly four years, assisted at first by Miss J. Eva Moulton, and later by F. W. Sperr, of Jefferson. At this time there were more advanced classes than there had been for some years.
In the spring of 1877, Mrs. N. A. S. Bliss, a graduate of Phipps' Union Seminary, took up the work where Professor Hebbard had left it, and is still preceptress, with Miss Clara Brewer assistant, and Miss S. Della Morse teacher of German and music. The past year has been one of success in many respects.
IN CONCLUSION.
The object aimed at in the foregoing has been to give a history of the early educators and those educational institutions in Lake and Geauga Counties, past and present, other than the public schools. This has been done as well as the scarcity of reliable information would admit. It may not be inappropriate here to say a few words, in a general way, of the public-school system, which is the outgrowth and perfection of the efforts made and effects produced from half to three-quarters of a century ago.
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HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.
. The present public-school system of Ohio dates from the year 1838. When the State was admitted into the Union in 1802, measures were taken for the encouragement and support of educational institutions, and some of the most prominent men of Ohio have received the whole or a portion of their education through the schools so provided. The first act contemplating public-school pro- vision was passed in 1803. There was but little legislation looking toward the advancement of education from that time until 1821. The years 1825, 1838, and 1853 were the marked epochs in the school history of the State. There was a great movement in 1836-37, which resulted in the establishment of the present system. But few people have any idea of the vast amount of labor that a com- paratively few men performed about the time specified, to bring about the bene- ficial state of affairs that the men and women of the past generation have enjoyed. The rostrum, the pulpit, and the press were each the medium through which the influence of enlightened men was brought to bear upon a somewhat apathetic public for the formation of an advanced sentiment in regard to education. The method was slow, but the result attained was a great one. Taking a swift glance over the years from 1801, when the first movement was inaugurated for founding a school in the territory now comprised in Geauga and Lake Counties, down to the present year, and how vast seems the progress made ! The first rays of the light of education penetrated the Western Reserve as the sun rose upon the nineteenth century, and now the country is illuminated by the full light of day. Education is everywhere free. There is scarcely a landscape in which the school- house does not appear. Lake and Geauga Counties have over two hundred.
STATISTICS.
The school statistics of Lake and Geauga Counties for the year 1876-77 make a very favorable showing :
Lake.
Geauga.
Number of school-houses ..
87
133
Whole number of teachers employed during the year
177
259
Number of pupils enrolled ..
4029
3471
Amount paid for management, superintendence, and teaching.
$28,738 02
$21,297 64
Value of school property
$130,000 00
$80,835 00
CHAPTER XIV.
COUNTY SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS.
GEAUGA COUNTY.
THE OLD AND NEW AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
THROUGHOUT the Western Reserve the practical and systematic encourage- ment of agriculture was at an early day regarded as of vital importance, and everywhere steps were taken for the advancement of the farmers' interests. The old-time agricultural societies were great aids to the furtherance of social inter- course, and their meetings were looked forward to with the liveliest anticipations by old and young. Geauga County is said to have had the first agricultural society upon the Reserve. It was organized in 1823, under the name of
THE GEAUGA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MANUFACTURING SOCIETY.
A meeting was held in Chardon, January 15 of the year indicated above, and nearly all of the townships in the county were represented. General Edward Paine was chairman, and Lewis Hunt secretary. The following constitution was drafted and adopted at this meeting :
" PREAMBLE.
"To create a spirit of emulation, essential to the profitable cultivation of the earth ; the improvement of cattle, horses, sheep, and the various other animals contributing to the pleasure and advantage of man; to the encouragement of domestic manufactures, we, the undersigned, citizens of Geauga County, State of Ohio, form ourselves into a society, of which the following is the
" CONSTITUTION.
" ARTICLE I.
"This association shall be styled 'The Geauga County Agricultural and Manufacturing Society.'
" ARTICLE II.
"The officers of the society shall consist of a president, two vice-presidente, three corresponding secretaries, a recording secretary, a treasurer, and executive or prudential committee, and four awarding committees, of three members each ; to be elected by ballot on the second Monday of February next, at eleven o'clock
in the forenoon, at the court-house in Chardon, which shall be the first meeting of the society, and annually afterwards on the third Monday of January, on the same hour of the day and at the same place.
" ARTICLE III.
" Every person on becoming a member of this society shall subscribe this con- stitution or an authentic copy of the same, and shall pay at the time of subscrib- ing seventy-five cents for the benefit of the society, and shall pay annually, in accordance with the by-laws, fifty cents, as long as he continues a member. And any member may withdraw from the society by paying all arrears and notifying the secretary.
" ARTICLE IV.
" The president shall have discretionary power to call special meetings.
" ARTICLE V.
"The officers of the society shall perform the usual duties appertaining to their several stations, agreeably to the constitution and by-laws.
" ARTICLE VI.
" This constitution may be altered or amended at any annual meeting, provided the alteration or amendment be proposed for consideration at a previous meeting."
At a meeting held February 10, 1823, the organization was perfected by the election of the following officers :
President, Peter Hitchcock ; First Vice-President, Eleazar Hickox ; Second Vice-President, Samuel W. Phelps; Corresponding Secretaries, Ralph Granger, Lemuel G. Storrs, Lewis Hunt; Recording Secretary, Eleazer Paine; Treasurer, Edward Paine, Jr. ; Prudential Committee, John Hubbard, Daniel Kerr, Vene Stone; First Awarding Committee, Warren Corning, Abr'm Skinner, John Ford; Second Awarding Committee, Jesse Ladd, Nathan Wheeler, Nathaniel Spencer ; Third Awarding Committee, Benj. F. Tracey, S. H. Williams, Augus- tus Sisson ; Fourth Awarding Committee, Solomon Kingsbury, R. B. Parkman, Asa Cowles.
The first fair or exhibition held by the society was at Chardon, upon the village green, October 23, 1823. The display was, as might be supposed, small, but, considering the sparse population and the many disadvantages under which the husbandman labored half a century ago, in every respect creditable. Nearly all of the then prominent men of the territory now included in Lake and Geauga Counties were identified with the society, and many of them were present upon this occasion.
We are enabled to give the list of premiums granted to exhibitors at this fair. There were doubtless other articles than those mentioned which attracted admira- tion, and were perhaps worthy of especial mark of the committees' approval, but there is no record of what appeared other than that which we give. It will be noticed that the list is not extensive :
To Eleazar Hickox, for the best bull
$10.00
To Grandison Newell, for the second best bull. 5.00
To Edward Paine, for the best heifer. 8.00
To Lemuel Punderson's administrators, for the best buck. 6.00
To Eleazar Patchin, second best buck 3.00
To Edward Paine, Jr., for best ewe ..
6.00
To Edward Paine, Jr., for second best ewe.
3.00
To Mrs. Sophia Howe, for best piece of woolen cloth
6.00
To Mrs. Sarah French, for second best piece of woolen cloth
3.00
To Mrs. Catherine Kerr, for best piece of bleached linen ..
5.00
To Mrs. Alice Beardslee, for best table linen ..
4.00
To Miss Caroline Baldwin, for best grass bonnet.
4.00
To Miss Lucy Baldwin, second best, of straw
2.00
The society had an active existence until 1835, and the annual exhibitions were well patronized by the people from near and far. One of the most interest- ing exhibits at a number of the fairs was that of cattle. They were mostly red Devons, and by far the larger number came from Burton, though Zenas Blish, of Mentor, usually had a good display. On one occasion, it is related by old settlers, ninety yoke of red cattle were hitched up together in Burton, and, headed by a pair of black oxen, driven to the fair, drawing a huge wagon laden with the finest of farm products.
RE-ORGANIZATION.
On the last Friday of June, 1835, the Agricultural Society was re-organized in accordance with an act passed by the Legislature, and the following officers were elected : President, Ralph Granger; Vice-President, Seabury Ford; Recording Secretary, David D. Aiken ; Corresponding Secretary, Alfred Phelps; Treasurer, William Kerr; Directors, John F. Morse, Colbert Huntington, James Thompson, Erastus Spencer, William Graham, Charles Burr, Eleazar Hickox, James Hatha- way, Hendrick B. Paine. A new code of by-laws was adopted in the fall of this year. In 1836 all of the officers were re-elected. In 1837 all were re-elected, except William Kerr, corresponding secretary, Edward Paine, Jr., being chosen to
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HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.
that office. In 1838 the president, vice-president, and treasurer were re-elected, and B. F. Avery and Storm Rosa were chosen, respectively, recording and cor- responding secretaries. In 1839 all of the officers were re-elected, except Alfred Phelps, treasurer. In 1840 the officers elected were: Seabury Ford, presi- dent ; Eleazar Hickox, vice-president; Lester Taylor, corresponding secretary ; recording secretary and treasurer re-elected. In 1841, Jesse Stone, president ; Lyman Millard, vice-president; Edward Paine (2d), recording secretary ; Ed- ward Paine, Jr., corresponding secretary ; J. Converse, treasurer. No record remains of the year 1842. In 1843, Peter Hitchcock was elected president ; Leslie Taylor, vice-president; D. D. Aiken, recording secretary ; B. F. Avery, corresponding secretary ; J. Converse, treasurer. In 1844, Lester Taylor was president ; James Hathaway, vice-president ; D. D. Aiken, recording secre- tary ; Edward Paine, Jr., corresponding secretary ; John Packard, treasurer. In 1845, Alfred Phelps was president; H. H. Ford, vice-president; Peter Hitch- cock, corresponding secretary ; D. T. Bruce, recording secretary ; J. French, treas- urer. The society was again re-organized in August, 1846, in conformity to a law passed by the legislature the preceding winter. John B. Converse was re-elected president ; Lester Taylor, vice-president ; M. C. Canfield, secretary; M. M. Sey- mour, treasurer ; and Erastus Spencer, Russell Williams, Helen Canfield, George King, and Samuel Bodman, directors. Of 1847 there is no record. In 1848, Seabury Ford was elected president; Lester Taylor, vice-president ; O. P. Brown, treasurer ; and the secretary was re-elected.
In 1849, Lester Taylor was president; Peter Hitchcock, vice-president; O. P. Brown, treasurer; A. G. Riddle, secretary. Up to this time the annual fairs had been held in Chardon, but a motion now prevailed to hold them in Burton. In 1850, Peter Hitchcock was president ; J. S. Tilden, vice-president ; L. J. Rider, secretary ; O. P. Brown, treasurer. The number of members was now one hun- dred and ninety. In 1852, Erastus Spencer was elected president ; Peter Hitch- cock, vice-president ; M. O. French, secretary ; O. P. Brown, treasurer. In 1853 the officers were Peter Hitchcock, Jr., president; E. Thompson, vice-president ; secretary re-elected; A. H. Gotham, treasurer. Proposals were received from Burton, Chardon, and Claridon in relation to locating the fair grounds in those places. Burton was to furnish suitable grounds of from five to eight acres, fence, and fit up the same, on condition of receiving the " admittance fees to the fair until such admittance fees should repay such expenses as were incurred." Chardon proposed to fit up grounds near the public square, and give the society control when required for fairs, free on condition that the fairs should be held there for ten years. Claridon offered to fit up grounds near the centre of the township and lease them to the society for a term of years, the amount fixed to be paid by admission fees, or to take in payment the admission fees for two years and re-lease the grounds to the society. The proposition from the Burton people was accepted, and a tract of ground comprising nine acres was inclosed and fitted up for the meetings of the society. These grounds, lying one hundred rods north of the public square, are the ones now in use. There is a good track fifty rods in circuit, suitable hall, stand, etc. The whole amount paid by the society for fitting up the grounds was ten hundred and seventy-eight dollars and sixty-eight cents.
The officers for the remaining years were as follows : 1854 : Peter Hitchcock, president ; Edmund Thompson, vice-president ; M. D. Merriam, treasurer ; George Boughton, secretary. 1855 : R. K. Munn, president; A. Barnes, vice-president ; treasurer re-elected; H. S. Tolles, secretary. 1856 : L. Millard, president ; D. Robinson, vice-president; treasurer re-elected ; I. R. Johnson, secretary. 1857 : president and treasurer re-elected; A. Mathews, vice-president ; H. C. Ford, secretary. 1858 : officers all re-elected except C. Palmer, vice-president. 1859 : C. Palmer, president; N. E. Scott, vice-president ; H. S. Tolles, secretary ; treas- urer re-elected. 1860: officers all re-elected except G. H. Kent, vice-president, in place of N. E. Scott. 1861 : Peter Hitchcock, president; W. W. Munn, vice-president ; George Boughton, treasurer ; J. S. Cook, secretary. 1862 : D. Williams, president ; L. Millard, vice-president ; S. Hotchkiss, secretary ; treas- urer re-elected. 1863: D. Williams, president ; L. C. Reed, vice-president; R. A. Hitchcock, secretary ; treasurer re-elected. 1864 : T. Carroll, president ; D. L. Pope, vice-president; secretary and treasurer re-elected. 1865 : D. L. Pope, president; R. M. Johnson, vice-president ; H. E. Ford, secretary ; treasurer re- elected. 1866 : P. T. Thompson, president ; E. Tuttle, vice-president; H. C. Tuttle, secretary ; treasurer re-elected. 1867 : E. Tuttle, president ; L. Russell, vice-president ; secretary and treasurer re-elected. 1868 : Peter Hitchcock, pres- ident ; D. Johnson, vice-president ; secretary and treasurer re-elected. 1869 : president, secretary, and treasurer re-elected ; E. C. Belding, vice-president. 1870: L. Russell, president ; E. C. Kingsley, vice-president ; secretary and treas- urer re-elected. 1871 : president re-elected ; L. L. Reed, vice-president; R. N. Ford, treasurer; A. C. Tuttle, secretary. 1872: L. L. Reed, president; E. Spencer, vice-president; secretary and treasurer re-elected. 1873 : president re- elected ; S. Clapp, vice-president ; C. F. Burleigh, secretary. 1874 : president
and secretary re-elected ; J. C. Chidester, vice-president. 1875 : president and secretary re-elected ; W. C. Dutton, vice-president ; H. F. Tolles, treasurer. 1876 : W. C. Dutton, president ; E. P. Latham, vice-president ; H. F. Tolles, treasurer ; P. W. Parmele, secretary. 1877 : E. P. Latham, president ; Q. D. Mullon, vice-president ; secretary and treasurer re-elected.
THE GEAUGA COUNTY HISTORICAL AND PIONEER ASSOCIATION.
This society had its origin in a meeting or reunion of the descendants of John and Esther Ford, held at Burton, July 24, 1873. Of two hundred and fifty persons invited one hundred and seventy-two were present. The meeting was held in a pleasant grove upon the farm of H. H. Ford, and W. J. Ford, then of New Castle, Pa., was made president.
After dinner, of the substantial luxuries similar to those best known to the people of fifty years ago, there were numerous speeches, songs, etc., and Homer Goodwin, Esq., of Sandusky, submitted the following resolution, which was adopted :
" Resolved, That W. J. Ford, George H. Ford, and Peter Hitchcock be appointed a committee who shall consider, and, if they deem it fitting to do so, shall report to a mecting to be called for the purpose, a plan for a historical society for the county of Geauga."
In conformity to the spirit of this resolution a meeting was held September 16 at the fair-ground at Burton. A temporary organization was effected by the elec- tion of Peter Hitchcock as chairman and O. S. Farr as secretary. The following officers were then elected : President, Lester Taylor, Claridon ; Vice-Presidents, S. B. Philbrick, Chester ; Samuel Robinson, Russell; H. H. Benjamin, Bain- bridge ; Hiram Canfield, Auburn ; John Sanburn, Newbury ; O. Miner, Munson; Austin Canfield, Chardon ; L. G. Maynard, Hambden ; Noah Pomeroy, Claridon ; Rev. Dexter Witter, Burton ; Osman Beals, Troy ; Alonzo Hosmer, Parkman ; E. R. Thompson, Middlefield ; H. S. Pomeroy, Huntsburg; Anson Shaw, Montville ; F. M. Leonard, Thompson ; Recording Secretary, S. Clapp, Hunts- burg; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer, R. N. Ford, Burton; Board of Managers, the president, corresponding secretary, Henry Rice, Peter Hitchcock, and Eli Dayton.
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