History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 72

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096

USA > Ohio > Knox County > History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present > Part 72

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).

The agitation consequent upon the adoption and repeal of the Akron school law increased the spirit for educational progress, and the desire for greater efficiency in the common school sys- tem. The necessity for some better accommodations, in the way of school buildings, was still more apparent.

The treasurer of the board of education was, by law, on re- quest of the council, required to transfer to the town treasurer all school funds collected, and unexpended by said board. The

382

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

same, amounting to $2,879.57, was, under direction of the council, distributed to the several wards, or sub-districts, as fol- lows: First ward, $756.12; Second ward, $468.00; Third ward, $641.47; Fourth ward, $586.41; Fifth ward, $427.66. With this fund on hand, it was thought advisable to add thereto, by local taxation, an amount sufficient to build a comfortable school- room in each of the sub-districts; and, in furtherance of this object, the council, on the twenty-fourth day of April, 1850, recommended the holding of school-meetings, and ordered that notice thereof be given, as follows: "The qualified voters of the town of Mt. Vernon are notified to meet in their respective wards, on the eighteenth day of May, 1850, at three o'clock P. M. Those qualified to vote in the First ward, to meet at E. W. Cotton's law office; those in the Second ward, at the shop of Henry W. Ball; those in the Third ward, at the Kremlin; those in the Fourth ward, at the court house; those in the Fifth ward, in the basement of the Congregational church; and then and there, for their respective wards, forming sub-school districts, to determine by vote upon the purchase of a lot or lots; and also in like manner, to determine how much money shall be raised for such purchase, and the erection of such school-house, and the furnishing of the same, in and for their respective wards and districts," etc., etc.

In pursuance of this notice, meetings were held at the time and places therein specified, and the proposition submitted to purchase lots and build school-houses, and theamount of money to be raised for such purposes, were all determined in the af- firmative by the vote of a majority of those present. The pro" ceedings of these meetings were promptly reported to the town council, and accepted. Thereupon, it was ordered that a tax be levied to raise the amount of money recommended; that lots be purchased in the First, Second, Third, and Fourth wards, as sites for school-houses, and that suitable school buildings be erected thereon. Committees were appointed to carry out the object of this order. Lots were purchased designs for school- houses adopted, contracts for building the same let, in the First ward, July 1, 1850, to Carden and Madden, masons, and E. Armstrong, carpenter; in the Third ward, September 2, 1850, to John Jennings, mason, and Daniel Clark, carpenter; in the Second ward, May, 1851, to Solomon Smith, mason, and J. W. Rumsey, carpenter; and in the Fourth ward, to John Jennings, mason, and J. W. Rumsey, carpenter. The erection and fur- nishing of the buildings, the grading and enclosing the lots with good substantial fences, were completed under the direc- tion and supervision of Benjamin Giles, in the First ward; M. M. Beam, in the Second; A. Banning Norton, in the Third; and Sewal Gray, in the Fourth ward. In the Fifth ward, it was determined by the citizens to purchase the lease of R. R. Sloan, repair, reseat, and occupy the old brick school-house on Mul- berry street.

By the latter part of the year 1851, each of the five wards of the town, for the first time in its history, was provided with a public school-house, with ample and convenient accommoda- tions for all the children of school age.

New life and vigor were infused into the teachers and school authorities, means were provided by taxation to continue the schools in session at least seven months during each year, di- vided into two or more terms, as circumstances might require. Rules were adopted for the government of teachers and schol- ars. The schools gradually increased in usefulness, and pros- pered as well as schools of the same grade in other portions of the State.

But, up to this time, only the ordinary branches of a com- mon school education were taught in the town schools, such as are taught in the common schools of the rural districts.

In 1854, the incorporated town of Mt. Vernon was advanced to the grade of a city of the second class, under the general law of the State, entitled "an act to provide for the organiza- tion and government of municipal corporations, " and authorized to elect two trustees for each ward, who became the school di- rectors for their respective sub-school districts of the city.

The spirit of progress was prevalent, and to keep step with this advancement, greater improvement in the public school system was demanded. Petitions were presented to the city council for the establishment of graded schools, including a high school, and the introduction into the same of the higher branches of education. The school directors, taught prudence by experience, and caution by sad failure in the introduction of the Akron school system, long hesitated as to the propriety of making such a radical change.

But petitions of like character continued from time to time to be presented with more earnest entreaty, convincing the city council that higher and more extended educational facilities were not only demanded, but would be sustained by the enlight- ened voice of a large majority of the citizens. These petitions were respectfully received and considered, but favorable action thereon was delayed until the twenty-eighth day of March, 1856, when the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and the following ordinance duly passed by the city council :

An ordinance to provide for the appointment and election of the board of education for the public schools of the city of Mt. Vernon.

SECTION I. Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Mt. Vernon that the board of education for the public schools of said city shall consist of six members; that at the first regular meeting of the city council for the month of April, in the year of our Lord 1856, the city council shall appoint the members of said board, who shall have the qualifications of electors resident within said city -two of whom shall hold their offices for one year, two for two years, and two for three years, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified; that the qualified elec- tors of said city meet in their respective wards, on the first Monday in April, in the year of our Lord 1857, and each and every year thereafter at the place designated or provided for holding municipal elections therein, and elect by ballot two members of the board of education for said city, having the qualifications aforesaid, to serve for the term of three years, and until their successors are elected and qualified.

SEC. 2. That in case of a vacancy in said board of educa- tion, by death, resignation, or removal, it shall be the duty of the city council, within sixty days thereafter, to appoint some suitable person, having the qualifications aforesaid, to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term of such deceased, resigned, or removed member.

In compliance with this ordinance, on the ninth day o April, 1856, Walter H. Smith, Samuel Israel, Henry P. War- den, Mark Curtis, Levi B. Ward, and Jacob W. Lybrand were, by the city council, duly appointed a board of education for the city of Mt. Vernon. And afterwards, to-wit : on the fourth day of February, 1857, the term of office for each member of said board was fixed, by resolution, as follows : For one year, Messrs. Smith and Israel ; for two years, Messrs. Warden and Curtis; for three years, Messrs Ward and Lybrand.

383

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Thus passed forever from the city council the management of the public school of Mt. Vernon.

Following are the names of the teachers from 1845 to 1857 : Adam Randolph, Hull Bixby, Benjamin Magers, Gilman B. Stilley, Lewis L. Murphy, David Galusha, Caleb D. Hipsley, Henry Graham, John M. Taylor, Samuel Glenn, John M. An- drews, B. A. F. Greer, E. W. Muenscher, Mrs. Rebecca How- ard, Mrs. Lucinda Andrews, Mrs. Polly Ann Nichols, Sarah W. Burgess, Hannah J. Dunn, T. M. Cannon, Lucena P. Curtis, Clarinda Curtis, Hannah L. Conger, Kate Opdyke, Mary E. Rogers, Felicia H. Scott, Delia A. Galusha, Elizabeth Moore, Harriet N. Kerr, Jennie Kerr, Hannah C. Morrison, Sue Forsythe, Deborah Day, Mary P. Fister, Mary W. Evans, and Mary Mitchell.

The members of the board of education appointed by the city council met at the law office of Delano, Sapp & Smith, on the fourteenth day April, 1856, accepted the position and trust, and were duly qualified, as required by law. Samuel Israel, esq., was chosen president of the board, and Joseph S. Davis, by virtue of his office as clerk of the city council, was by law made the clerk of the board of education.

The board immediately proceeded to transact the business en- trusted to its care, and commenced to carry out the objects con- templated in its formation. But it will be observed that its progress was without any apparent haste, cautiously feeling its way step by step, and closely watching the movement of the public pulse at each onward step, until the final consummation of the plan was secured beyond doubt. Messrs. Curtis, War- den, and Lybrand, under instruction from the board, examined and suggested several suitable sites for a union school-house, as- certained the price at which they could be purchased, and fur- nished an estimate of the probable cost of building. The fol- lowing preamble and resolutions, introduced by Walter H. Smith, esq., were adopted:

"WHEREAS, In the opinion of this board, it is necessary and proper to provide a central or high school for the city of Mt. Vernon; therefore,

" Resolved, That a special meeting of the qualified electors of said city be holden on the second day of June, A. D. 1856, at I o'clock P. M. of said day, at the council chamber in said city, to decide any questions which may be deemed important in re- lation to the cost and location of the building or buildings for said school, and the amount of city tax to be levied for that purpose, and any other provisions necessary for the establish- ment of said schools.

"Resolved, That this board fix, as their estimate of the prob- able cost of said building or buildings, the sum of ten thousand dollars.

Due notice of the meeting was given, and the qualified elec- tors of the city assembled at the time and place mentioned and organized by the appointment of Samuel Israel, esq., chairman, and J. S. Davis, clerk. The object of the meeting was briefly explained that, as the board of education of the city estimated the probable cost of erecting a central school building at the sum of ten thousand dollars, and as several written propositions have been submitted, it is for this meeting to determine by vote the location and the amount of tax to be levied for the purchase of site, and the erection of said central school building. Hosmer Curtis, esq., offered a resolution, which was adopted, "that it shall require a majority of all the votes given at this meeting to determine and fix the location of the high school under consid-

eration." The vote was then taken, and, after the same had been carefully counted, it appeared that five hundred and thirty- eight ballots had been cast, of which number five hundred and six were in favor of the proposition to raise by tax ten thousand dollars for buildings, and the George W. True site, socalled, at four thousand five hundred dollars, was selected by a very de- cided majority over all others. The result of this meeting of the citizens was reported to the board of education at their meeting held June 2, 1856, when the following resolution we- offered by H. P. Warden, and adopted :

"WHEREAS, This board is satisfied that due notice was given of the object, time and place of holding a special meeting of the qualified electors, resident within said city at least twenty days previous to the holding thereof, and that a majority of electors at such meeting assembled did then and there vote for the as- sessment of a tax of ten thousand dollars for the erection of a central school building, and did select by vote the George W. True site, so called, at four thousand five hundred dollars, and authorized the levy of a tax for the payment thereof ; therefore,

"Resolved, That the sum of fourteen thousand five hundred dollars be and the same is hereby assessed on all taxable prop- erty, both real and personal, within the limits of the city of Mt. Vernon for the purpose of purchasing a site and erecting central or high school buildings thereon-five thousand of which is to be levied this year and the balance in the years 1857 and 1858, and that the same be forthwith certified to the auditor of Knox county, Ohio."

W. H. Smith and H. P. Warden were authorized to investi- gate the title, and, if found satisfactory, to complete the con- tract with George W. True for the purchase of school-house site, consisting of eight lots lying on the west side of Mulberry street, between Hamtramck and Burgess streets, Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

The special care and control of the school in each ward was conferred upon the member of the board from the same, with power to employ teachers, provide light, fuel, etc., and the max- imum price to be 'paid male teachers was fixed at forty dollars, and female teachers at twenty-five dollars per month of twenty- two days. This shows a considerable improvement in the mat- ter of compensation to teachers, and indicates a better appre- ciation of their labors. A higher grade of school was estab- lished in a rented room in the Kremlin, as the beginning of a graded school system, and the most advanced scholars in the different ward schools were selected and placed therein.

The estimate heretofore made of the probable cost of a cen- tral high school building was wholly arbitrary, and without ref- erence to any particular design or plan, or whether there should be erected one or more buildings; but the ideas upon this sub- ject now began to assume shape and some degree of certainty, as will appear by the passage of resolutions May 4, 1857:

"Resolved, As the sense of this board, that it is expedient to erect a school edifice sufficiently large to accommodate all the scholars of the city, should it hereafter be thought for the in- terest of the city to concentrate the entire system in one build- ing.

"Resolved, That it is expedient to proceed at once to mature a plan, and, after sufficient notice, to enter into a contract for the erection of such a school edifice as is contemplated by the above resolution."

Messrs. Auld and Miller, architects, were employed, who vis- ited and critically examined the public educational buildings in

384

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

other parts of the State, and with the advice, suggestions, and assistance of some members of the board, designed a plan for the union school house in Mt. Vernon, furnished drawings and specifications for the same, which were, after careful inspection and due deliberation, adopted by the board. Notice of the letting of said work was given by publication in the newspapers of Mt. Vernon, and printed copies of the specifications made for such building were extensively circulated, and mailed to pro- fessional contractors in other cities of the country. On the twenty-sixth day of October, 1857, the bids were opened, and out of the eight competitors for the job, the bid of Henry Hal- ler and Joseph Gardner was accepted, and the contract for building the Union school-house awarded to them, on condition that they would enter into a written agreement, such as the board of education shall approve, containing a bond in the pe- nal sum of twenty thousand dollars, with good and sufficien, security, to the satisfaction of the board, for the faithful per_ formance of the work, and the completion of the same on or before the first day of August, 1859.

The Union school building and furniture, the site and the im- provement of the same, cost about thirty thousand dollars double the amount at first contemplated. To meet this in' creased expenditure, the board found it necessary to levy for building purposes each year for a number of years, the full amount authorized by law, in addition to the special levy au- thorized by a vote of the citizens.

Samuel Israel, esq., president of the board, superintended the erection of the central school building, and the improve- ment of the grounds thereto appertaining, being at all times subject to the direction of the board of education.

The year 1859 marks a new era in the history of the public schools of the city. The new union school building now ap- proached completion, and the three years spent in its construc- tion had been advantageously occupied in preparation for the radical change. The old free common schools of the city gradually emerged into the new, better systematized, and more expanded system of graded schools. In the summer of 1859, the board of education employed William Mitchell, esq., an ex- perienced and successful teacher, to take charge of, and super- intend the city public schools. He was an industrious, ener- getic man, possessed of great firmness, good executive ability, and a rigid disciplinarian. His services proved invaluable to the board in preparing, organizing, and inaugurating the new system. Four grades of schools were established-primary secondary, grammar, and high school. The scholars of the city were examined, classified, and placed in the grade of school their scholarship justified. . \ course of studies and text-books necessary and appropriate for each grade of school, were care- fully selected and adopted. A well digested series of rules and regulations for the government of the city schools, setting forth the duties and obligations of teachers as well as pupils, was prepared and printed for use and distribution.

It was determined that the school year should consist of ten months, of four weeks or twenty days each, and be divided into three terms, with a vacation of one week intervening between them-the first term to commence on the first Monday of Sep- tember, and continue four months; the second and third terms to be three months each, then a long vacation during the monthis of July and August. A full corps of teachers, thirteen in num- ber, besides the superintendent, was employed, consisting of Misses Ann V. Scott, Malinda Ward, A. D. Yale, J. Hubbard, and Minerva Laughrey, for the primary schools located in each

of the five ward school-houses; Misses H. M. Whitman, E. J. Dawson, C. E. Yates, and Mrs. C. Curtis, for the four sec- ondary schools; Mr. George Mitchell and Miss Theresa Thrall, for the two grammar schools; Mr. John N. Cassil and Miss A. Hubbard were the assistant teachers in the high school. All the schools of the city, except the primary, were concentrated in the new Union school building, under the immediate control of the superintendent. This new building is heated throughout by steam, the rooms well ventilated, and furnished with the latest and most approved style of furniture, and every conven- ience for the comfort of the pupils, and every facility for acquir- ing a thorough knowledge of the branches studied, was pro- vided. Thus was the graded school system, including the high school, introduced; and, by the first day of November, 1859, was in full operation in the city of Mt. Vernon, working to the satisfaction of all persons interested.

The schools prospered from the start, and soon attained a high rank, and continued to grow in popularity and usefulness, until in a short time they were recognized and considered by eminent educators equal to the best conducted schools in the State. They have been successfully managed, and have main- tained their superior position and good reputation to the present period.

In 1867, the course of studies and the rules and regulations were thoroughly revised and improved. At different times, when the best interest of the schools seemed to require it, cer- tain text-books have been dropped, and others more modern and better adapted to school-work substituted.

Other changes have taken place. Three schools of an inter- mediate grade between primary and secondary have been es- tablished, and one unclassified school, all located in the ward school-houses, and doing profitable work. A writing and com- mercial department, under the management of Captain H. Stevens, has also been established.

A substantial two-story brick school-house, with four large, comfortable rooms, was commenced in 1873, and completed in 1874, situated on an elevated site at the west end of North street in the Fifth ward of the city, purchased of Dr. J. W. Russell, and three schools are now being taught therein. Fowler and Armstrong were the principal contractors.

In the summer of 1877, a very neat and substantial two-story brick school-house was erected in the Second ward, southeast corner of Scott and Vine streets, and a primary school is being taught therein. O. W. Hubbell was the contractor. The completion and furnishing of the building, the grading, improv- ing, and fencing of the lots, was done under the direction and supervision of the committee on buildings and repairs.

The city public schools have had four superintendents. Cap- tain William Mitchell, the first, was employed by the board for six consecutive years, and great credit is due to him for the high standard of order and proficiency the schools attained during his term of service. His successor was Colonel P. C. Hayes, who served faithfully, without anything remarkable occurring, for the term of one year, at which time his connection with the schools terminated. The third, Charles A. Baker, was a grad- uate of Dartmouth college, New Hampshire. So far as scholar- ship is concerned, he was apparently fully competent for the position, but he unfortunately failed in government, the most important qualification of a good superintendent, and re- signed after a service of five months. Richard B. Marsh, the present incumbent, is the fourth, an alumnus of Kenyon college, an accomplished scholar and experienced teacher, who, by invi-

385

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

tation of the board of education. took charge of the city public schools in the year 1867. He has ever since superintended and controlled them with uniform success, gradually elevating the standard of scholarship, and more than maintaining the deserv- edly high and enviable reputation of the schools. He has de- voted himself with great earnestness to the cause of education, to advance the best interests of our schools, and performed the duties required of the superintendent with scrupulous punctu- ality and fidelity.

The graded school system has been in operation about twen- ty-two years, and during that time many changes have taken place in the members of the board of education. After the ap- pointment of the first board, the following named persons have been elected, and served at different times as members of the same, viz .: J. H. McFarland, S. L. Taylor, E. Calkins. William L. King, Joshua Hyde, E. W. Cotton, Jarred Sperry, H. W. Owen, Rev. Joseph Muenscher, Joseph S. Davis, F. D. Sturges, Charles Cooper, Rev. T. E. Monroe, D. W. Chase, William B. Russell, Henry Errett, J. M. Byers, H. Stephens, W. S. Errett, A. R. McIntire, H. Graff, W. P. Bogardus, Benjamin Grant, J. C. Gordon, and W. F. Baldwin.

Presidents of the board and their terms of service: Samuel Israel, esq., seven years; E. W. Cotton, esq., two years; Rev. Joseph Muenscher, one year; Mr. Jarred Sperry, one year ; Walter H. Smith, esq., two years; Rev. T. E. Monroe, three years; Joseph S. Davis, esq., nine years.

It is more than seventy years since the first school was opened at Mt. Vernon, and now behold the contrast! In the beginning, a log-cabin school-house, illy lighted and heated, rough walls, chinked and daubed; rude slab benches and desks, with a single teacher only, engaged in the work while preparing for some other occupation, and often only partially qualified to instruct in the simple primary branchies. To enjoy these scant and lim_ ited school privileges, the pupil was required to pay tuition for each term attended. At present, witness the large, commodio us brick buildings, well finished and furnished, with pleasant and beautiful surroundings, school-rooms large and airy-well lighted, heated, and ventilated; seats and desks the most com- fortable and convenient; teachers well educated and trained, who devote their entire time to the work, and make teaching a profession, fully competent to instruct in all of the branches, from the primary to the most advanced studies taught in the highest grade of schools, and with ample provision for continu- ing the schools ten months in each and every year. These splendid school advantages are within the reach of every person of school age in the city, without money and without price, free as the air we breathe, yet how few of the many children enrolled in the public schools receive the full benefit of instruction in all the grades. Scholars may be observed dropping out and drift- ing away at all stages of the course, from the primary to the last year of the high school. Perhaps not over ten per cent. of those who enter the high school ever complete the full course, and graduate. What is the remedy? What measures can be adopted to enlist the feelings of these wayward, straying chil- dren, and enable them to appeciate these superior school privil- eges, and embrace the golden opportunity of profiting by them? What plan can be devised to induce parents to more earnestly cooperate with the school authorities in securing a larger at- tendance in the public schools, and for a greater length of time, so that a higher percentage of instruction, with greater mental culture, can be obtained? These are questions worthy of seri-

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.

History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 72

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co. Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096