History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 46

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 626

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In 1850, President Mahan resigned his position as president of Oberlin College, and took charge of a new university established at Cleveland, in which it was designed that the classics should be less promi- neut in the course of study: and the following year Professor Finney was appointed his successor.

Since it was near the lake, and a noted anti-slavery place, Oberlin became, at an early day, an important station of "the under-ground railroad." Many fugi- tives were helped to escape, being sent to some port on the lake, to Cleveland, Charleston (now Lorain), Iluron or Sandusky, wherever there happened to be a vessel whose captain would take them to Canada. It is the boast of Oberlin that no fugitive was over taken back from her soil to slavery; nor has the pre- vention of such a result ever been accompanied with violence or bloodshed. It is said that in one year as many as three hundred and sixty fugitives from slavery passed through Oberlin.

In 1840, at a house on Lorain street, about a mile east of the First Church, then in the forest, two men from Kentucky seized a colored man and woman and hurried away with them. Word soon reached the people of Oberlin, who were assembled in the chapel at some meeting, and they immediately pursued the slave-catchers, overtaking them two or three miles from the village. These men went the next day to Elyria to substantiate their ctaim, but, failing to pro- duce sufficient evidence, their victims were imprisoned to await a further trial.

The slave-catchers were themselves arrested on the charges of honse-breaking and threatening of life, but were released on bail. Before the trial one of them died, and the other returned to the double trial to find that the slaves had escaped-by following a fel- low prisoner, and by no aid from without-and was himself released.

At a much later date occurred the celebrated Ober- lin-Wellington rescue case.

Among the compromise measures passed by Con- gress in 1850, was the fugitive slave bill, which, signed by the President. becamea law, and went into operation. Accepted and approved by northern con- servatives, but denounced and renounced by anti- slavery men, who proclaimed in its stead "the higher law," being more stringent and efficient than the old law, the business of slave-catching was prosecuted with renewed vigor and with varying success.

On the 13th of September. 1858, the people of Ober- lin were startled from their usual quiet by the report that a colored man, by the name of John Price, had been taken from their midst and carried toward the south. A considerable company of citizens and stu- dents followed in pursuit as far as Wellington, where they found the Wadsworth Ilouse, in the garret of which the captors with their captive had taken refuge, surrounded by a crowd. The crowd, pressing up the stairs and against the door of the room whither the

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kidnappers with their vietim had retreated, the door at last gave way, and the captive walked out and was borne in triumph away.

A grand jury was summoned by the United States District Court, for Northern Ohio, which found bills against thirty-seven citizens of Oberlin and Wellington. Among these, Professor Henry E. Peek, James M. Fitch, superintendent of the Oberlin Sunday School, and Ralph Plumb, a lawyer, the most prominent of the Oberlin men, were indicted for aiding and abetting. Thirty only were arrested. These appeared at Cleve- land on the day set, and were released on their own re- cognizance till the day of trial. Hon. R. P. Spalding, IIon. A. G. Riddle, and S. O. Griswold, Esq., volun- teered their services for the defence, free of charge. April 5, 1859, the trials commenced by the arraignment of Seth M. Bushnell, who was charged with driving the buggy which conveyed the captive away from his captors; who, upon his trial, was found guilty by the jury, and was sentenced to sixty days imprisonment, and to pay a tine of six hundred dollars and the costs of prosecution, estimated at two thousand dollars. Charles Langston, being next tried, was also found guilty, and sentenced to twenty days imprisonment, and to pay a fine of one hundred dollars and costs, An application was made to the supreme court of Ohio for a writ of habeas corpus in behalf of Bushnell and Langston, on the ground of the unconstitutionality of the fugitive slave law; but it was denied to them, the vote of the judges standing three to two. Mean- time the rest were confined in prison awaiting their trial. On two different Sabbaths, Professor Peck preached to an assemblage, surrounding the jail, esti- mated at from three to four thousand. July 2, a few days before the liberation of the prisoners, the Ober- lin Sunday School went to Cleveland in a body, and paid their superintendent a visit in jail. This was an occasion of much interest.

In May the faculty and resident trustees made a publie statement in the Oberlin Evangelist, in which, among other things, they say:

"We do not believe that there was, in this case, a design on the part of the rescuers to violate even the fugitive slave act, because it was ap- parently believed that the man was kidnapped, and that the paper hy which his captors held him was illegal. But we wish it also understood that we do not regard that enactment as of any binding force whatever. We think it right and proper to escape Its penalty when we can consis- tently with duty ; but its prreept wecannot regard without renouncing christianity and offending God."

After the conviction of Langston further trials were arrested. The captors had been indicted in the Lorain county court for kidnapping; and these finally proposed an arrangement by which nolles should be entered against the cases on both sides, and they be dismissed. This was agreed to, and the prisoners were accordingly released on the 6th of July, after three months' imprisonment. After their discharge, and before leaving the jail, they passed a series of resolutions, of which we quote the following one:

" Resolred, That after all the pains and penalties inflicted on us by government officials in the attempt to enforce the fugitive slave act, we feel it to be our duty to say that our hatred and opposition to that un- just and unconstitutional law are more intense than ever before. No fine

or imprisonment, however enforced, hy whatever court, can induce us to yield it obedience. We will hereafter, as we have heretofore, help the panting fugitive to escape from those who would enslave him, whatever may be the authority under which they may act."

On their arrival at Oberlin, they were received with unbounded enthusiasm. In the evening, the church was crowded, speeches were made by the reseners and others, and the meeting did not close till midnight. Near the close of the meeting, a resolution was passed that the town council be requested to enter a minute of this whole affair upon the records of the village of of Oberlin. The following is the conclusion of this minute:

"And finally, in view of all the consequences attendant upon this prosecution, and all the light shed upon the subject, we unanimously express our greatly increased abhorrence of the fugitive slave act, and avow our determination that no fugitive slave shall be taken from Oberlin, either with or without a warrant, if we have power to prevent it. Passed unanimously July 6, 1859,"

On the 11th, Bushnell having served out the sixty days for which he was sentenced, returned to Oberlin, and another enthusiastic meeting was held.

In less than two years from this manifestation of the enthusiastie determination of the people to main- tain their principles, they were, by the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, put to a far severer test. In the grand uprising of the North, one of the most sublime and inspiring events of history, Oberlin had her share.

April 13, 1861, Fort Sumter fell; and on the 14th, President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand volunteers. At Oberlin, as everywhere throughout the North, the excitement was deep, intense and absorbing.

A meeting of the students was held at the college chapel on the evening of the 19th, and was addressed by enthusiastic speakers from each of the regular classes, and a committee of five was appointed to obtain volunteers. A meeting of citizens was also held. On the next evening, Professor Monroe, who was then a member of the State legislature, having arrived from Columbus, a meeting was held in the church, and was addressed by him and Colonel Shel- don, of Elyria. At the close of this meeting, the roll was opened for enlistments, and forty-nine at once gave their names, and ten thousand dollars were pledged to assist in sustaining those who should go. By Monday morning, one hundred and thirty names were enrolled; and this being in excess of the number required, and others being ready to enlist, a second company was formed. Nor was this eagerness to enlist from mere excitement; it was, on the contrary, in most cases, from sturdy principle.

The first company formed is known as company C of the Seventh regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, of which Professor G. W. Shurtleff, then a tutor in the college, was captain. The first enlistment was for three months ; but a month later most of the com- pany re-enlisted for three years, At Cross Lanes they were overpowered by a superior force, two of their number were killed, and twenty-nine, including Captain Shurtleff, were made prisoners. Notwith-

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standing this serious blow, this company afterward took an active part in many battles, in which its members were distinguished for their bravery. They were also distinguished for their moral and religious character. Out of the one hundred and fifty stu- dents who were at different times members of this company, but three died of disease ; and of these, two died of infection caught in the filthy dungeons of New Orleans. Twenty-eight fell in battle, fifteen were discharged on account of wounds, and many others were wounded slightly. Fifteen were promoted as commissioned officers in other regiments. Its cap- tain, after a year spent in southern prisons, was made inspector general on the staff of General Wilcox ; then was appointed lieutenant-colonel, and afterwards colonel of the Fifth United States colored troops. and just at the close of the war was made brevet brigadier general.

The second year of the war another company, com- posed of citizens and students, was sent out and joined the one hundred and third regiment. The same year, when Cincinnati was threatened, almost all the college students capable of bearing arms, with many of the preparatory students and citizens, started on a few hours' notice and spent several weeks there till the danger was past.

Toward the close of the war a second company, K, was sent out, which joined with Cleveland to form the one hundred and fiftieth regiment, and helped Grant tight his way to Richmond.

"Taking the catalogue of 1861, the first year of the war," says Profes- sor Ellis, from whose address entitled "Oberlin in the War," we take most of these facts and statistics, "we find that of one hundred and sixty-six gentlemen in the four college classes, one hundred, or sixty per cent., have heen in the army as soldiers. We doubt if any college catalogue can show a better record than this. Of alumni and the under-graduates in the college classes, we count one hundred and ninety-seven who have served in the army. Among these, two major generals, one brigadier general, ten colonels, and officers of lower grades in larger proportion. Of those who have been connected with the preparatory department, our estimate can only approximate the exact figures. Supposing that those of whom we do not know pos- itively have gone in the same proportion as those of whom we do know, we have not less than five hundred and fifty from this department, giving a total of eight hundred and fifty of the representatives of Oberlin in the army. The great majority of these enlisted without a selfish consideration, Even those who were far advanced in their course, and many of whom had been leading men as teachers or preachers, entered the ranks side by side with the ignorant and uncul- tivated sons of toil. If the list of officers should be found dispropor- tionately small, as I do not think it is, it would be accounted for by this fact."

Of those who went into the army Professor Ellis estimated that not less than ten per cent., or from seventy-five to one hundred men, were among the slain. The number of students was of course mnuch redneed during the war, especially the young men.

The year that the war broke out the number given in the catalogue is one thousand, three hundred and eleven; the next year it was reduced to one thousand and seventy-one, and the next to eight hundred and fifty-nine; the next year it is nine hundred and seventeen, and the next, nine hundred and one-an average decrease of about one-third.

At the commencement in 1860, an effort was made to raise funds to build a new ladies' hall, of which

there was felt to be a pressing need. The first pledge was two dollars for a corner stone; and after that, pledges were given for from one dollar to two hun- dred, till the whole sum amounted to three thousand, one hundred and thirty-six dollars. Its foundations were laid the next spring, at the breaking out of the war, on ground which had long been reserved for it. Further work was suspended on it for two years. The walls were erected and the roof put on in 1863, and it was not completed till 1865. The cost of building and furnishing was about forty thousand dollars.

In 1865, President Finney, seeking relief in his declining years, from the cares and responsibilities of the presidency of the institution, resigned his posi- tion, and Professor James H. Fairchild was appointed his successor, and delivered his inaugural address at the commencement, August 22, 1866. President Fairchild was one of the four who formed the first college class, and participated in the exercises of the first commencement. After the completion of his seven years' course in college and in theology, he was appointed, in 1841, professor of languages. This position he occupied till 1847, when he was trans- ferred to the professorship of mathematics and na- tural philosophy; which he tilted till 1859, when he became associate professor of theology and moral philosophy.

He had thus, as student and professor, leen fully identified with Oberlin from its beginning; had im- bibed its idea, breathed its spirit, and entered into its life. A clear and independent thinker, wise in eoun- sel, sagacious and prudent in the management of affairs, conscientiously careful and faithful in the performance of duty, unostentatious and unobtrusive in manner, with high aim and steadfast purpose, a man of culture and refinement, of gentleness and of force, of benevolence and dignity,-and inspiring universal respect, confidence, and love,-the college, under his management and guidance, with an efficient corps of professors, of like mind, as counsellors and helpers, was to have a steady and symmetrical growth in the perfecting of its various departments, and was to receive a warmer and more general acknowledg- ment of its character and work.

During the first few years after its establishment the theological department was large and flourishing. In its first year, 1835, it numbered thirty-five; the next year it had increased to thirty-eight. In 1838 it numbered forty-four, and the next year it had in- creased to sixty-four. This was the maximum of attendance, and after this it gradually declined, until, in 1846, it numbered but twenty-five. In 1859, the number had increased to thirty-six, and the next year it was thirty-five. But during the war the number was diminished, nntil, in 1864 and '65, the number was but thirteen, the next year but fifteen, and the next but eleven. This was the minimum; and at this time the question was seriously raised whether this department could be maintained. But it was concluded that it

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was a necessity, not only for Oberlin, but especially for the furnishing of ministers to Congregational churches in Ohio and Michigan, and even in States farther west; and it was resolved to make a deter- mined effort to revive it, and to put it in every respect on a more substantial basis. In 1869, Rev. Hiram Mead, a graduate of Andover, was appointed profes- sor of sacred rhetoric, and proved a valuable accession, not less by his devotion to the several interests of the department, than by that to the duties of his own professorship. A new building was needed, and this need it was resolved to proceed at onee to supply.

In November, 1821, the first general conneil of the Congregational churches of the United States met at Oberlin, and during their session gave their voluntary and hearty endorsement to the seminary; and the cor- ner stone of the new building, which was properly called "Council Hall," was at that time laid. A large meeting was held at the First Church, at which sev- eral addresses were made. In conclusion, Rev. Dr. Buddington, chairman of the conneil, made a few remarks, in the course of which he said:

"I rejoice lo stand, this day, upon the grave of buried prejudice. It is true that Oberlin has been a battle-cry in our ranks for a generation. It is so no longer, but a name of peace, of inspiration, and hope."

Money was given by friends of the college in New- England, and by the churches in Ohio, by which the building was carried forward to completion; and at the commencement, August 1. 1874, it was formally dedicated. The influence of these efforts in reviving the seminary is apparent in the increase of numbers. In 1821, the number had increased to thirty-six, the next year to thirty-eight. the next to forty-three, and in 1876 to fifty-one.

No history of Oberlin would be complete withont some notice of its music; to which, especially sacred music, much attention has been given from the first. and which has grown with its growth. In 1835, Rev. Elisha P. Ingersoll was appointed professor of sacred music in the college. Ile resigned and left town the next year, and, in 1838, George N. Allen was ap- pointed to the same position, which, with the excep- tion of two years, he held till 1864. Professor Allen was also chorister of the church choir from 1836 till 1859, with the exception of two years. He entered with enthusiasm into the work of training the choir. and organized an orchestral accompaniment.

The first concert of note was given at the commence- ment in 1852, at which the "Oratorio of Absalom" was performed. In 1856, the first organ was procured, the expense of which the choir helped much towards de- fraying with money earned by their concerts. In this way they also paid for the gas fixtures in the First Church, and furnished the bell of the chapel.

On the division of the church in 1860, and the formation of the Second Church, a new association was formed, called "The Musical Union," composed of members from both choirs. The musical union paid most of the cost of the cabinet organ used for a time by the Second Church; has given toward the

large organ now in the Second Church nearly a thou- sand dollars, and four hundred dollars toward the new organ in the First Church.

In 1867, the "Oberlin Conservatory of Music" was brought into connection with the college, and George W. Steele was appointed professor of music, but was granted leave of absence to pursue his studies in Ger- many, whence he returned at the close of the fall term of the next year. In 1871, Fenelon B. Rice, a graduate of the Leipsic Conservatory of Music, was appointed professor of music, and was made director of the con- servatory of music, under whose efficient management this department of the college has attained high rank among the musical schools of the country.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The following facts respeeting the public schools of Oberlin, are gleaned from a historical sketch pre- pared for a centennial book in 1876 :

A primary department was at first organized in connection with the college, but was kept up only one year. "The first public school was taught in one room of a house belonging to Deacon 'T. P. Turner, by Miss Anna Moore ; afterward it was taught in a shop on the corner of Main and East College streets.

The first school house was built in 1838, on the corner of Main and Lorain streets, not far from where the first church now stands. It was a small frame building, containing but one room, and this furnished at first with only rough boards for seats. Afterward rough tables were placed around next to the wall, with chairs before them. This was the only school house till 1851, and as the number of scholars doubled and trebled during that time. it was necessary to seek rooms wherever they could be found. Many good private schools were in operation during this period.

In 1851-52 a new brick building was erected on Professor street, opposite the college square, now owned by the college and known as " Cabinet hall." It was two stories high and contained three school rooms and one recitation room. The building was, however, not yet ample enough to accommodate all the pupils, and afterward two wings were added, so that the whole building then contained seven school rooms. On entering the new building the schools were for the first time graded.

In 1854 the schools were re-organized, and Joseph IT. Barnum was elected superintendent. Mr. Bar- num was an active and efficient teacher, and remained in the school three years, when he left to take charge of the Elyria schools.

The last two terms of the year following Mr. Barnum's departure, Deacon W. W. Wright had the general superintendenee of the schools, and after this, for two years, they were without a superintendent.

In 1860, the Union school was first organized, under the law of 1849. The school board appointed Samuel Sedgwick, a graduate of Oberlin college, superintendent, at a salary of six hundred dollars,

SYLVESTER HART

HOMESTEAD OF MRS. R.B.HART, RUSSIA, LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO

MRS. RELIEF B. HART.

MISS E. C. HART.

SYLVESTER HART.

Among the early settlers and good, practical farmers of Carlisle township who have passed away, none left a fairer record for personal integrity and high moral worth than he whose life and character forms the basis of these lines. Reared amid the Green Mountains of Vermont, and at an early period of his existence being inculcated with the importance of in- dustry and self-reliance, he was admirably qualified for the life of a pioneer in the western country where forty-five years ago he effected a permanent settlement.

Sylvester Hart was born at Weston, Vt., on the 27th of March, 1806. Ifis father, George Hart, was a native of Massachusetts ; his mother, Polly Lawrence, a Vermonter. In the days of his youth, educational advantages were quite limited, and what little of scholastic learning he obtained was in the common schools of the place of his birth. By subse- quent self-study, and the application of knowledge gained by experience, he became a well-read man, and possessed an in- telligence above the average farmer. It was in the year 1834, when, imbued with a spirit of adventure, coupled with the desire to make a home for himself and family, he came to Lorain Co., Ohio, and settled in Carlisle township, upon the farm now occupied by his son, Henry H. Some years prior to his removal from Vermont, however, he had become pretty thoroughly acquainted with and habituated in agricultural pursuits. At the age of seventeen years he bought his " time" of his father, and subsequently purchased a small farm, which he sold preparatory to his departure to Ohio. All went well with him in his western home until 1840, when his residence and barn were totally destroyed by fire, a calamity under which a man of less indomitable energy and perseverance would have succumbed. Nothing daunted by this untoward event, he rebuilt on another part of his farm the house in which Henry H. Hart now resides. In December, 1856, Mr. Hart removed to the village of Oherlin, intending to retire from the active, incessant labor of the farm. Here he resided a respected and honorable citizen until his death, which occurred Sept. 26, 1874.

On the 25th of January, 1829, Mr. Hart was united in mar- riage with Relief Baldwin, who was born at Pawlet, Vt., Aug. 31, 1806. She survives him. They had issue as follows, namely :

Relief M., born June 19, 1830 ; died in infancy. Eunice D., born July 8, 1831 ; died in infancy.

Jeremiah B., born Aug. 13, 1832; married Sarah A. Lyon, Jan. 25, 1854. Married, second time, Julia A. Preston, April 21, 1875. Children by first wife,-Carlton V., born May 26, 1855; Alice Relief, born Dec. 22, 1857; and Cora C., born April 11, 1859. Child by second wife,-Helen A., born March 19, 1876. Elizabeth C., born May 19, 1834; Cornelia M., born Sept. 21, 1836; married John H. Eckler, of Carlisle, Dec. 25, 1862. Children,-Henry S., born Oct. 11, 1863; George H., horn July 20, 1865; died Oct. 9, 1873 ; Bertha MI., horn Oct. 14, 1868 ; Catharine M., born May 14, 1872; Frank R., born Feb. 21, 1875.

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History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 46

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers Number of Pages: 626

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 626