USA > Ohio > Lorain County > History of Lorain County, Ohio > Part 29
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ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
We are unable to obtain any authentie history of this church. It was established in 1852. Its first priest was Father Haley. It purchased a lot on which is erected a large wooden church building, which has a seating capacity of five hundred. It is always filled when there are services. It has also, on the same lot, on Middle avenue, a fine parsonage. It also purchased a large lot on the east side of the avenne, on which is a school house, and a fine site for a new church, which will soon be erected. The school numbers one hundred pupils. Father Louis L. Molon is the present priest. He disconrses both in the English and German languages.
We are indebted to Prof. 11. M. Parker, superin- tendent of the union schools of Elyria, for the fol- lowing
HISTORY OF ELYRIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The early settlers of Elyria, Mr. IFeman Ely and his associates, were from the State of Massachusetts, and brought with them to this western wilderness, the idea, which was then, and ever has been held, throughout New England, that a good common school education is necessary to prepare boys and girls for citizenship in a republie. Their descendants, and others who have selected this beautiful place for a residence, have maintained the same opinion, and the present efficient system of graded schools, may be considered as the outgrowth of the sentiment of the early settlers.
First, let us spend a little time in looking up the buildings in which the schools have been taught.
Mr. Ely, and a few others, came here in 1817. As soon as there were pupils enough to organize a school, Mr. Ely built a log house on the east side of the east branch of the river, on the corner of East Bridge street and the street leading to the cemetery. This building was creeted in the fall of 1819. Miss Irene Allen, afterwards wife of Roger Cooley, taught the first school in the log house. The summer of 1820. Miss Julia Johnson taught in the same place. Some others who taught there were Dr. Ilowe, Mrs. Clark Eldred, Mr. Bronson, and perhaps a few others. Miss Pamelia Manter, afterwards Mrs. Ransom Red- ington, taught an unfinished term in the log honse, in the summer of 1824. Among Miss Manter's pupils was a young man nineteen years old. The first day he was in school he committed several lawless acts, for which he was reproved by his teacher. Towards the close of the day, when standing in spelling class, he put his foot out to prevent a small pupil from go- ing above him, on a word he had misspelled. When told that he must not do so, he said: "What will you do with me? Will you whip me? " Miss Manter immediately replied that she would report him to the trustees of the school, and he would be dismissed. lle gave no farther tronble. No school was taught in the log house after the winter of 1824-25.
The summer of 1825, Miss Manter taught a school in a house in Mr. Miles' garden. The house is still standing in the same place, and is used as a residence. It is the honse back of Mr. Monroe's business block, and is near the corner of East avenue and the street at the rear of the railroad depot. She had abont fifty pupils, ranging in age from five to twenty. One pupil pursued the study of history. Other studies taught were such as pupils ordinarily pursue in un- graded schools.
What was known as the " session room " was erected by Mr. Ely in 1823. It stood where the building now stands which Mr. Bean occupies as a grocery, on the corner of Broad and East Court streets. The "session room" is now occupied by Mr. Snearer as a store room for furniture. After the trustees ecased to use Mr. Miles' house for school purposes, school was taught in the "session room" till the completion of the "yellow school house," which stood where the town hall now is, on the west side of the public square. This building was creeted for school pur- poses in the year 1827, and was used for such for a number of years. It now stands on the east side of Middle avenue, between Third and Fourth streets, and is occupied by the Catholic parochial school. Mr. Ely donated the land upon which the building was erected, and contributed one hundred and thirty- five dollars towards its erection, and built the second story at his own expense, with the privilege of using the same in any way which would not injure the school. The remaining expense of the house was met by a tax on the property of distriet number one of
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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
Elyria township, except that Mr. Ely's property was exempt on account of his liberal donation toward the enterprise. This was the first school house erected in the district, any part of whose expense was defrayed by a tax upon the property of the distriet.
From 1822 on till 1850 several private schools were successfully carried on in Etyria. Among these, the one known as the " Elyria High School " should be mentioned in this connection. It was under the man- agement of a board of trustees known as the "Trus- tees of the Elyria High School." Mr. Ely erected a building on land at the rear of the Methodist church, between Broad and Second streets, in the year 1831, and leased the building and land to the trustees for a term of years.
Rev. John Monteith was called to take charge of the first school taught in the new building. He was assisted by his wife and Miss Mary Eells. The pupils were taught advanced studies as well as the common branches, J. IT. Fairehill, now president of Oberlin College, and his brother, E. H. Fairchild, now presi- dent of Berea College, Kentucky, were wholly, or in part, prepared to enter college at this school.
Mr. and Mrs. Branch, Dr. A. B. Brown and wife, Rev. John P. Cowles, afterward professor in Oberlin College, Rev. Mr. Mills and Luther M. Oviatt, suc- cessively had the management of the Elyria high school.
After retiring from this school, Mr. Monteith estab- lished a school at his own house, where Mayor N. B. Gates now lives, where he and his wife taught for several years.
Rev. Mr. Grosvenor established a girls' school in what had been the Presbyterian church. The build- ing now stands on East Third street, and is occupied as a dwelling.
In the spring of 1846 a meeting of the voters of school district number one was called to vote a tax of one thousand dollars, to be used in building a school house for the use of the common schools of the dis- trict. The vote was unfavorable. Many of the citi- zens feeling dissatisfied with the result of the vote, drew up a bill providing for the division of district number one into numbers one and nine. This bill became a law soon after.
In the winter of 1846-47, meetings were held in districts number one and nine, and each district voted a tax of one thousand dollars for the erection of a school house within its own territory. The following season the stone school house on the corner of East avenue and Third streets was erected in district num- ber one, and a brick building in the west part of the village in number nine. Public schools are still taught in both these houses.
During these years the sentiment was growing among educators that the public schools of the eities and villages should be greatly improved. Much work was done by a few men to arouse the citizens to the importance of improving their schools. The result of their labors is the law which was enacted February
21, 1849, entitled "an aet to provide for the better regulation of public schools in cities and towns, etc."
On the 13th of May. 1850, but a little more than a year after the passage of the above act, a notice was posted in Elyria calling upon the citizens to assemble at the court house on the 24th of May, to decide by vote whether they would reorganize their schools under the law of 1849. The vote was favorable to reorganization. An election was held on the 8th day of June, 1850, at which the following persons were chosen members of the board of education: For three years, E. De Witt and O. Cowles; for two years, M. W. Pond and Tabor Wood; for one year, C. S. Goodwin and P. C. Dolley.
In October, 1850, Mr. Jason Canfield was called to take charge of the Elyria union schools, which con- sisted, at that time, of the two primary schools in the stone and brick houses which were erected in 184;, in the east and west parts of the village, an interme- diate or secondary school and a high school, both of which were taught in the "Elyria High School" build- ing before mentioned in this article.
In April, 1851, Mr. Canfield was succeeded by Mr. M. J. Oatman, who remained in the schools for more than three years. The scholarship and experience of Mr. Oatman were such as to render him a valuable man in perfecting the organization upon which the schools had been started.
In 1853, another department was organized, mak- ing three below the high school. This school was taught in the old "session room," which had pre- vionsly been occupied for church, for a court room, and for schools.
The present high school building, between Middle and West avenues, was erceted in pursuance of a vote of the electors of the union school district, at a meet- ing held January 26, 1856, and adjourned to February 9, 1856, The building was commenced in 1856, and was completed in 1857. and first occupied by the high, grammar, and secondary departments, in the winter term of 1858. The old "high school " house and the "session room " were now abandoned to other uses.
What are now known as the east and west side primary schools of the Elyria union schools, were formerly sub-districts number two and number six of Elyria township. These were assumed by the Elyria school board in April, 1864.
Seeing the need of more room for the increasing number of pupils, in 1868 the board erected a two- story wing on the south side of the high school build- ing. In this wing are two rooms. The lower room was first occupied in September, 1868; the upper room was first used in September, 18:0.
In 1813, the board erected a school building west of that occupied by the high school, fronting on Sixth street. This house contains four rooms, two of which were occupied in January, 1876, one in October, 1877, and one is still unocenpied.
When first organized there were but four schools in the "union school district;" there are now fourteen
Photo. by Lee, Elyria, O.
El Johnson
The truth of the law "that like produces like" is forcibly illustrated in the life of Elizur G. Johnson, the seventh child of Hon. Nathan P. Johnson. He was born at Lagrange, Lorain Co., Nov. 24, 1836.
In those days a boy's life devoid of labor was a remark- able exception. E. G. Johnson's life was not the exception. His work for twenty-one years was on the homestead, except such time as was devoted to school and school teaching. The district school, Oberlin, for a time during the winter months, and an intelligent father were his sources of edu- cation.
Arriving at maturity, farm labor, the teaching of school, and other employments occupied him for a time. Then com- mencing the reading of the law under Mr. L. A. Sheldon, he was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio, making Lagrange his residence. He there remained for several years, practicing his profession ; years more of hard work, study, and mental gain than pecuniary profit. Here, as his father had been before him, was he honored by his l'ellow-citizens with local offices.
Eleeted as auditor of Lorain County in 1868, Elyria be- eame his residence. So striet was his attention to duty, and so courteous his treatment of all with whom business brought him into contact, that he was sueecssively re-elected in 1870-1872, and again in 1874.
Leaving the auditor's office with a perfeet record, Mr. Johnson again engaged in the practice of law at Elyria, in which and where he still remains, with a large and ever- increasing practice.
During the years 1875 and 1876, with great ability he conducted the Elyria Republican as its editor. His pen
was always found on the side of justice, temperance, and morality, and proved an efficient and ever active aid to the Republican party, of which he has been a member since its origin.
Holding at the present time, as he has for many years, the office of secretary of the Lorain County Agricultural Society, none have surpassed, and but few equaled him in endeavor, by word and act, to make said society the worthy organization it is.
As a citizen of Elyria he has been and is now a member of its council, and noted for his constant efforts for the imu- provement of Elyria.
On Jan. 1, 1859, Miss Lydia D. Gott, of Lagrange (daughter of Peter Gott, an original settler in said town- ship, yet living, over eighty years of age), became Mr. John- son's wife.
To him in early days of toil and hardship she was a true companion. And now with comforts on every side, a de- voted member of the Methodist Church, with a fond mother's eye she watches the growth and education of seven children, ever holding in the mother's heart the memory of the two little ones that death took from her in childhood.
Mr. E. G. Johnson, yet in the vigor of manhood, warm in his friendships, generous to a fault, with private and public character untarnished, now reaps a glorious harvest. True it is, the seed was sown under every difficulty, but he was never discouraged ; and now, with a reputation fitting him for any office that his neighbors and fellow-citizens may call him to, he has well and honestly earned the high rank he takes among Lorain County's best men.
JUDGE JOHN C. HALE.
John C. Hale was born at Oxford, New Hampshire, March 3, 1831. 1Iis parents were Aaron and Mary IIale. ITis mother's maiden name was Kent ; she was a daughter of Thomas Kent. John C. was born and brought up upon his father's farm, where he remained until he was nineteen years of age. During this period he availed himself of such advantages of educa- tion as the common schools of that State then provided. Feel- ing the necessity of something beyond this, he began fitting himself for college. Entering Dartmouth College soon after, he graduated in the class of 1857. At the end of his college- life he found himself nearly a thousand dollars in debt, all of which he has since paid with interest. Immediately remov- ing to Cleveland, Ohio, he employed himself in teaching in the public schools of that city. In this employment he re- mained three years, in the mean time studying law with Judge Prentiss.
On the 27th day of December, 1859, he married Miss Carrie A. Sanborn, of Cleveland, Ohio. In July, 1861, he was ad- mitted to the bar, and in October of the same year he removed to Elyria, Ohio, and commenced the practice of the law. Here he soon won a commanding position as a lawyer, and a high place in the confidence of the people. This is evidenced by the fact that in 1863, but two years after he came to Elyria, an entire stranger to the people of Lorain County, he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, which position, by two successive re-elections, he held for six years.
During this time he also held the office of register of bank- ruptcy, the duties of which he acceptably discharged until the consolidation of districts abolished the office.
In 1873 he was elected to the constitutional convention, and took an active and influential part in the deliberations of that body. In 1876 he was elected judge of the court of Common Pleas, which position he now holds, and fills with distinguished ability.
Judge Hale has always taken an active part in the pro- motion of every enterprise calculated to advance the public good. As a member of the village council and the board of education of Elyria, he rendered valuable services in behalf of education and economical municipal government.
As a lawyer he had no superior at the Lorain bar, a fact that is attested by his successful and lucrative practice. His clear perception, his candor and strict integrity, gave him early in his practice a strong hold upon the people, and a commanding position in his profession.
As a judge he brings to his assistance a large common sense, tempered by a thorough legal and scholastic education. Just in the vigor of manhood, with mental and physical powers undiminished, deserving and possessing the full confidence of the people, and guided by a strict integrity, his career of use- fulness has but just commenced, and he will long hold the high position he has fairly won among the foremost men of Lorain County and the State of Ohio.
JUDGE WASHINGTON W. BOYNTON.
Among the other New England States that sent their hardy sons to mould the early history of Lorain County, Maine sent her representative in the Boynton family.
Lewis D. Boynton, father of Judge Boynton, was born in the State of Maine, in Angust, 1802. Emi- grating to Ohio in 1826, he purchased a farm in Russia township, Lorain Co., where and in Elyria he resided until his death, which occurred in Sep- tember, A.D. 1875.
Washington W. Boynton was born in Russia town- ship, Jan. 27, 1833, and spent his early years upon his father's farm. His father being of limited means, and charged with the support of a large family, did not think it practicable to send young Boynton to college, and he was forced to content himself with such advantages as the common sehool of his district provided. Adding to this, constant study and close application, maturity found him eminent in scholarship, although no college had added a title to his name. From that time until the present he has been a hard student. For several winters he taught school, in the mean time pursu- ing the study of the law, which he carly chose as his profession. He was for a number of years a member of the Board of School Examiners of Lorain County.
He was admitted to the bar in 1856, and he soon became prominent in his profession, a position which he held until chosen Common Pleas judge. In 1859 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of prosecuting attorney, which office he held for two successive re-elections until the fall of 1863, when, on account of ill health, he resigned. A trip to Minnesota, where he remained during the winter of 1863-64, gave him necessary rest, which, together with the change of elimate, greatly improved his health. Returning to Elyria, he again opened a law- office, and soon found himself in the midst of an extensive and lucrative practice.
In 1865, Judge Boynton was elected to represent Lorain County in the Legislature for the term of two years. In 1867 he was the unanimous choice
of his party for re-election, but he declined it and continued in the practice of law.
While a member of the Legislature, Mr. Boynton had the honor and pluck to introduce a resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution of Ohio to strike the word "white" from the clause relating to the election franchise. After a stormy debate in a House largely Republican, the resolution was de- feated, lacking a few votes of the necessary two-thirds majority required to submit it to a vote of the people. This debate aroused such a sentiment throughout the State that, in a few weeks after, a similar resolution was introduced into the Senate by Hon. Abner Kel- logg, of Ashtabula, and having passed that body, was sent to the House, and after a heated debate finally adopted and the question submitted to the people. The proposition was lost, but it was soon followed by the amendment of the Federal constitution which forever put the question to rest.
In February, 1869, Mr. Boynton was appointed by Governor Hayes a Common Pleas judge of Lorain, Medina, and Summit Counties, on the resignation of Judge Burke. At the ensuing fall election he was elected to fill the vacancy, and two years thereafter was re-elected for the full term. As judge of the Common Pleas Court, Mr. Boynton won a fame as wide as the State, and at once stepped into the front rank of the legal profession of Ohio. In 1876 he was elected judge of the Supreme Court of the State, which position he still holds.
Mr. Boynton was married Dec. 20, 1859, to Miss Betty A. Terrell, daughter of Ichabod Terrell, of Ridgeville, Lorain Co., Ohio.
Mr. Boynton is a man whom his friends and fellow- citizens hold in the highest esteem. His record both in public and private life is free from blemish. He has been honored by the people with offices of trust and high responsibility, and in every capacity has proved himself a competent and fearless officer, and an upright and honest man.
As a lawyer, legislator, and jurist he has achieved a success that reflects great credit upon himself and honor upon Lorain County, whose representative he is.
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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
different sehools, with fifteen teachers besides the superintendent, and special teachers of German, mn- sic and penmanship.
At a meeting of the board of education held Novem- ber 17, 1859, a course of study for all the departments was adopted. In the grades below the high school, provision was made for instruction in reading, spell- ing, writing, drawing, vocal music, arithmetic, geog- raphy, grammar, composition, declamation, physi- ology, United States history, and morals. For the high school a three years' course of study was laid down, and provision was made for a fourth year, which was to be optional. The board then declared that pupils completing the full course of four years in the high school should receive a diploma from the presi- dent of the board, signed by its members, and also by the superintendent and examining committee.
The first class which graduated from the high sehool course was that of 1863, consisting of Lydia A. Ball, Beza N. Boynton and Henrietta C. Schaibly. A class had gradnated in the year 1861, having com- pleted some of the studies contained in the course before its adoption by the board. This class consisted of Cyrus Y. Durand, Thankful D. Boynton, Frances W. Sanford and Louise Terrell.
At a meeting of the board, held September 3, 186%, the course of study was revised. At the same meet- ing. a set of rules regulating the board meetings, and specifying the duty of members of board, of superin- tendent, teachers and pupils, was adopted.
After stating the duties of members of the board, the minutes of the meeting above mentioned read as follows:
"Public schools are expensive. They cost the young people a great deal of valuable time. They cost teachers and other friends of educa- tion a great deal of labor and care. They cost tax-payers a good deal of money. But schools are worth all they cost. No community can afford to do without them. It is cheaper to support schools and churches than penitentiaries and infirmaries. Free public schools are the palladium of liberty. Universal education is the surety for the permanency of free institutions. Every good citizen feels a direct interest in the prosperity and efficiency of schools, and should also feel a personal responsibility therefor. Good schools are not only worth what they cost; they are worth understanding and caring for. The best way to know them is to go and see them. Any one may learn more about schools by visiting them a few hours, than by much fault-finding with the teachers and board of education."
The above quotation is made to indicate the senti- ment which has pervaded the board of education of the Elyria union schools from their organization to the present time. They have spared neither time nor money necessary to carry on their schools in an etlieient manner.
The course of study was again revised April 19, 18:0, that for the first eight years being the same as in the Cleveland schools. In 1871. the board pub- lished a "manual of the course of study, rules and regulations of the Elyria union schools." Since that time, the course of study has undergone some changes to adapt it more fully to the wants of the times. More attention has been paid to the use of language. Also much more time has been devoted to the acqui- sition of a knowledge of the best thoughts of the best authors.
It has been the aim of the board to have the chil- dren of Elyria enjoy educational advantages equal to those enjoyed by the children of any other place in Ohio. They have endeavored to secure competent teachers, and to retain them as long as possible.
After the resignation of Mr. Oatman, in 1854, Mr. N. W. Demunn acted as superintendent till June, 1856; Mr. Frank Robbins, from September. 1856, to June, 1857: Mr. J. H. Barnum, from September, 1857, to June, 1859: Mr. W. C. Catlin, from September, 1859, to June. 1862; Mr. II. M. Parker, from September, 1862, to June, 1864; Mr. J. S. McKee, from Sep- tember, 1864, to June, 1865; Mr. Geo. L. Mills, from September, 1865, to June. 1867; Mr. Peter H. Kaiser, from September, 1867, to June, 1868; Mr. Geo. N. Carruthers, from September. 1868, to June, 1873; Mr. HI. M. Parker, from September, 1873, to the present time.
During the twenty-eight years of the Elyria high school, forty-one different ladies have been connected with it as teachers. Of these, Mrs. W. C. Catlin and Miss L. F. Ingram remained three years. A few of the others remained two years, but most of them for a shorter time. Miss Beza N. Boynton, now Mrs. Peter IE. Kaiser, was teacher in the high school four and two- thirds years in the aggregate, but her teach- ing was at three different times. What has been true of the high school, has been true of the lower grades. The want of permanency in the profession of teaching is an injury to the canse. Miss L. E. Smith has been for many years a teacher in some one of the different departments of the schools of Elyria. Her work de- serves honorable mention. No adequate mention can be made of the good she has done in this community.
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