History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 23

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 23

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The president of the Association delivered an address on "School Discipline." Profes- sor Allen, Rev. Mr. Gear, Theodore Scott, Caleb Emerson, William P. Cutler and the president were appointed a committee to pre- pare articles on the subject of common school education for the political papers of the coun- ty. Theodore Scott reported on the best meth- ods of promoting common school instruction by the Association. A general discussion was had on the improvements necessary in com- mon schools to insure for them the attention and patronage of every class of citizens, in which Professor Allen, Caleb Emerson, Pro- fessor Maxwell, William P. Putnam, C. Ames, Joseph Barker, Jr., Judge Loving, Rev. Mr. Jolly and George Dana participated. On motion of L. Lewis it was,

Resolved. That teachers genera ly in the Coun- ty be requested to deliver lectures on the subject of Common School Education in their several school dis- tricts and that they forward the same to the Committee of Publication.

The following officers and directors for the ensuing year were elected : President, William Slocomb Vice-President, George Dana Secretary, Beman Gates Directors, Jonas Mason, AAdams William W. Melntosh,-AAurelius

William P. Putnam and W. R. Browning,-Belpre James Lawton, Jr.,-Barlow. Sylvester Haynes .- Decatur Silas Hobby,-Fearing Charles Talbot,-Grandview John H. Dye .- Lawrence Richard Scott,-Ludlow

Theodore Scott, Lionel Tenney, Ar- galus Pixley, D. H. Allen and Douglas Putnam,-Marietta

E. Battelle, Jr., and Joseph Barker, Jr.,-Newport David Deming,-Watertown Hapgood Goddard,-Wesley William P. Cutler,-Warren John Hemphill,-Roxbury Andrew Cline,-Liberty Joseph Barker,-Union Daniel G. Stanley,-Salem Rothens Hayward,-Waterford

The second semi-annual meeting of the Washington County School Association was held in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Newport, beginning May 7, 1839. Gordon Battelle delivered an address on "the Univer- sality of the claims of Education." Rev. Mr. Gear delivered an address on the connection between intellectual and moral culture. Mr. Andrews delivered an address on the general subject of "School Instruction," and Beman Gates, on request, made some remarks on the subject of "Vocal Music," with a plan of teaching the same in public schools. Rev. Mr. Strickland made a report on "the use of fixed (questions in text books," which was discussed at length by Rev. Mr. Gear, Joseph Barker, Jr .. George M. Woodbridge. W. W. Hart- well, Caleb Emerson, Lionel Tenney, Mr. Kenney, Mr. Andrews and others. W. W. Hartwell presented a report on "the use of the blackboard," and in the discussion that fol- lowed, Caleb Emerson, Judge Barker, Profes- sor Allen, Joseph Barker, Jr., Lionel Tenney and Mr. Kenney participated. Lionel Ten- ney presented a report on "the best method of teaching Geography." E. Kinney presented a report on "Mental Arithmetic," which was dis- cussed at length by members of the Associa- tion. The meeting adjourned to meet in Mari- etta the first Tuesday in November.

At the meeting of the Board of Directors held October 11. 1839, addresses and reports were assigned to different members of the As- sociation, and the president was appointed to

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inform teachers where they could obtain situ- ations, and to inform districts where teachers could be obtained.

The Washington County School Associa- tion met at the Baptist Church in Marietta November 5, 1839. for its annual meeting. An address on "the benefits of School Associa- tions as a means of promoting the interests of Common Schools," prepared by Judge Barker. was read by George M. Woodbridge. Caleb Emerson delivered an address on the subject of "General Education." and Prof. Henry Smith gave an address on "the influences of popular education on our civil and religious institutions." E. Kinney presented a re- port on "Composition in Common Schools." and in the discussion that followed, Rev. Mr. Gear. William Slocomb. George MI. Wood- bridge, Lionel Tenney and G. Dana partici- pated. William Slocomb, Rev. Joel H. Lins- ley. Rev. A. Darrow. George Dana, William A. Whittlesey, Beman Gates and Julius Dem- ing were appointed delegates to the State Ed- ucation Convention. Theodore Scott present- ed a report on "School Discipline." which was followed by a discussion. E. Adkins pre- sented a report on "the evils of a want of punctual attendance in "Common Schools." which brought out a full discussion. Lionel Tenney reported on "the introduction of appa- ratus into our "Common Schools." The fol- lowing resolutions were adopted at this meet- ing :

Resolved. That the Directors of this Association be requested to employ a person to lecture on the sub- ject of "Common Schools" in all the Townships in this County and take measures to defray the expenses by subscription or otherwise, as may be deemed most proper.

Resolved, That this Association recommend to the several school districts of this County, to purchase a box of apparatus for the use of their schools.

Resolved, That the several clergymen laboring with- in the county be requested to deliver addresses as they may have opportunity, on the importance of Common School instruction; and also to use their influence in obtaining full meetings to attend the meetings of the lecturers appointed by the Directors.

The officers elected for the ensuing year were:

President, Wilbam Siemb

Vice-president, George Dana

Secretary. Beman Gates

Directors, E. Short and Dr ( Spomer -Adams William R. Browning .nd Willam P. Putnam, -Belpre

Freeman Batcheider .-- Decatur

Thomas Stanley .- Fearing

Robert K. Ewart,-Grandview

Joseph Caywood,-Lawrence

Jacob Flint, -- Ludlow

Andrew Cline .- Liberty

Themlore Scott, Lionel Tenney. Dr. S. Fuller, N. L. Wilson and George M. Woodbridge,- Marietta

Joseph Barker, Jr .. and E. Battelle, Jr.,-New- port

Damel G. Stanley .- Salem

Joseph Barker and Franklin Dyer,-Union

David Deming .- Watertown William P. Cutler .- Warren

Hapgood Goddard,-Wesley

John Dodge,-Waterford

The third semi-annual meeting of the Washington County School Association met at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Bever- ly, commencing Tuesday, May 7. 1840. A re- port, prepared by John Woodbridge, on "the expedieney of introducing the Bible into com- mon schools" was read by Rev. Mr. Strick- land. Professor Andrews offered the follow- ing :

Resolved, That the introduction of any one mode of school government into our Common Schools should be a serious detriment to the cause of education.

Which, after a discussion, was laid on the ta- ble. Dr. S. Fuller delivered an address on "the influence of exercise and diet on the mind." The question, "Ought the Legislature now to raise the standard of qualifications of teachers?" was discussed by Professor An- drews. W. W. Ilartwell, Rev. Mr. Strickland. S. B. Robinson, Dr. Baldwin, Mr. Prentiss and President Slocomb, and was decided in the affirmative. The question, "Is it expedient for teachers of Common Schools, in order to produce the greatest amount of usefulness, to deliver lectures upon the principles of civil government ?" was discussed by Caleb Emer- son and Mr. Cutler, and was decided in the affirmative. A lecture was delivered by Pres- ident Slocomb on "the responsibilities and du-

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ties of teachers." The following resolutions were adopted :

Resolved, That the introduction of any one mode of school government into our Common Schools would be a detriment to the cause of popular education.

Resolved, That writing compositions ought to be introduced into our Common Schools.

The annual meeting of the Washington County School Association for 1840 began Tuesday evening, November 10th. An ad- dress was delivered by President Slocomb on "the duties and responsibilities of teachers." Addresses were also delivered by Caleb Em- erson, William D. Emerson and Lionel Ten- ney. The address of William D. Emerson was on "the influence of education on the per- petuity of our republican institutions." The following reports were presented: "The Ju- risdietion of Teachers," by Amos Viller ; "Im- provements in Teaching," by Lionel Tenney ; and "Rhetorical Reading" by Professor An- drews. "The relative importance of the study of English grammar in our Common Schools and High Schools" was discussed by Messrs. Perkins, Gear, Slocomb and Emerson. Will- iam Slocomb, Beman, Gates, Rev. H. Gear, Arius Nye, George M. Woodbridge, William P. Cutler and William R. Putnam, Jr., were appointed delegates to the State Convention to be held in Columbus the following December. The following officers and directors were elect- ed for the ensuing year :

President, William Slocomb

Vice-President, William Dana Secretary, Beman Gates

Directors, Alfred Dana and Daniel Da- vis,-Adams

William R. Browning, George Dana and William P. Putnam .- Belpre -, Decatur James Dutton,-Fearing

Robert K. Ewart,-Grandview

Joseph Caywood,-Lawrence Jacob Flint .- Ludlow Andrew Cline .- Liberty

Theodore Scott. Lionel Tenney, Dr. S. Fuller, E. B. Perkins and

George M. Woodbridge .- Mari- etta

Joseph Barker, Jr., and E. Battelle, Jr.,-Newport

Daniel G. Stanley,-Salem

Joseph Barker and Thomas Ridg- way,-Union David Deming .- Watertown

William P. Cutler,-Warren Hapgood Goddard,-Wesley John Dodge and Abel Vinton,-Wa- terford

The fourth annual meeting of the Wash- ington County School Association was held in the Baptist Church in Marietta, commenc- ing November 2, 1841. The following ad- dresses were delivered: "Qualifications of Teachers," by Prof. John Kendrick of Mari- etta College: "Importance of the connection of moral with intellectual instruction in our schools and colleges," by E. B. Perkins. William D. Emerson reported on "Improve- ments in Teaching," which was discussed at length by Rev. H. Gear, E. B. Perkins, Caleb Emerson, President Slocomb. A. Spaulding and Lionel Tenney. Professor Andrews re- ported on "the influence of different kinds of reading for the young," and the subject mat- ter of the report was discussed at length by Caleb Emerson, E. B. Perkins, Professor Ken- drick, Professor Maxwell, Rev. H. Gear, Pro- fessor Andrews and Lionel Tenney. A re- port was read on "the state of Common Schools in Washington County" by Joseph Barker, Jr. After its acceptance the following resolution was adopted on motion of Mr. Barker :

Resolved. That five solicitors be appointed to ob- tain funds which shall be applied under the direction of the directors in the employment of agents to visit the different towns and districts in the county and deliver lectures on the subject of "Common School Education."

Joseph Barker, Jr .. E. B. Perkins. Lionel Tenney, William P. Cutler, and A. Spalding were appointed as the five solicitors.

William Slocomb. Joseph Barker and Ca- leb Emerson were appointed a committee to

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petition the Legislature to pass an act to pro- hibit any German school being taught to the exclusion of English in any district. Messrs. Gear, Emerson and Kendrick were appointed a committee "to report at the next annual meeting on the proper books to be used in the Common Schools of the County, with a list of the books they may recommend, and their reas- on for preferring them." It was decided that the next meeting would be held in Watertown, in the Presbyterian Meeting House, on the third Tuesday of May following. The fol- lowing officers and directors were chosen for the ensuing year :

President. William Slocomh Vice-president. Judge Barker Secretary. E B. Perkins

Directors, Alfred Dana and E. Short,-Adams William R. Browning and George Dana,-Bel- pre Thomas F. Stanley .- Fearing Robert K. Ewart .- Grandview Joseph Caywood,-Lawrence

Jacob Flint .- Endlow

Theodore Scott. Lionel Tenney, T. Wickes, S. Maxwell and William D. Emerson,-Marietta Joseph Barker. Jr., P. Crandall and E. Bat- telie, Jr ..- Newport Daniel G. Stanley .- Salem

David Deming .- Watertown

George W. Barker, M. Wood and T. Ridgway,- Union William P. Cutler,-Warren

john D. Dye and Abel Vinton,-Waterford

November 1, 1842 .-

The Association adopted the following resolution :

Resolved. That in the opinion of this Association it is desirable that the study of Natural Sciences he introduced into our Common Schools.

September 9, 1843. On motion, it was

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to .correspond with other School Associations and friends of education, in order to secure their co-opera- tion in petitioning the Legislature to provide some more efficient mode than the one now adopted of vis- iting Common Schools.

John Kendrick. E. B. Perkins and Beman Gates were appointed.

May 13, 1845 .- The following question was taken up for 1

discussion :- "Are teachers' drills practicable, and ought they to be encouraged at the present time, and recommended to the consideration of teachers?" Messrs. Tenney, Burgess, Cutler, H. McClure, Kendrick, Emerson and J. J. Hollister participated in the debate.

On motion, the question was so amended as to substitute in place of the words "Teach- ers' drills." the words "Teachers' Associa- tions for mutual improvement." The ques- tion as amended was then put to a vote, and carried in the affirmative.

November 4. 1845 .-

The officers and directors elected at the annual meeting held on this date were as fol- lows :

President, E. B. Perkins Vice- President, I. W. Andrews Secretary, Beman Gates

Directors, Jonas Mason and Daniel Davis .- Adams William R. Browning and O. R. Loring .- Belpre Rev. R. Tenney and Thomas F. Stanley,-Fear-

Theodore Scott, C. Shipman. John Crawford, William Slocomb and Douglas Putnam,- Marietta

Charles, Dana and E. Battelle, Jr ..-- Newport Ephraim Gould .- Salem David Deming and Rev. James Hohnes,-Wat- ertown

George W. Barker and Benjamin F. Stone,- Union

Wilham P. Cutler and R. D. Hollister .- Warren B. Shaw and John W. Dana .- Waterford Hiram Gard,-Roxbury

Joseph Caywood .- Lawrence

May 5. 1846 .-

G. Dana, Jr., introduced the following res- olution :

Resolved, That the Science of Agriculture ought to , be introduced as a study into our Common Schools.

Which was referred to a committee of three,-G. Dana, Jr., William P. Cutler, and J. J. Barker, to report at the next meeting.

November 3. 1846 .-

Professor Andrews introduced the follow- ing resolutions :

Resolved. That this Association regards with great favor the introduction of the study of the Natural Sciences into our Common Schools.

Resolved, That it regards "Raschenberger's Sei-

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ence" as well adapted for the purpose of instruction and would recommend its gradual introduction into the Common Schools of this County.

Resolved, That in the judgment of this Association no teacher ought to be considered as possessing the qualifications necessary to give instruction in the best Common Schools unless he can pass an examination in these sciences.

These resolutions were discussed by Messrs. Slocomb, Burgess, Caleb Emerson, Andrews, Kendrick, Tenney, Heath, Perkins and Smith. The first two were adopted, and the third laid on the table.

May, 1847 .-

The attention of the Association was called to the July meeting of Teachers' Institutes as now conducted in some portions of the State. and as recommended by the Secretary of State. On motion it was,

Resolved, That the Examiners of the County, to- gether with D. E. Gardner, William P. Cutler, G. Dana and 1. W. Andrew, be requested to make inquiries concerning the establishment of such a one at Mari- etta the coming fall. And should they deem the plan advisable, to take the necessary measures for carrying it into operation.

November 3, 1847 .-

The following resolutions were introduced and passed :

Resolved. That this Association respectfully and carne-tly request the Board of Commissioners of Washington County to make the necessary appropria- tions for the support of a County Superintendent of Common Schools and a Teachers' Institute, the ensu- ing year, provided an act should be passed by the Leg- islature authorizing the same.

Resoked. That the Secretary be instructed to pre- sent said resolution to the Commissioners at their Spring Session and urge the motives for complying with its request.

Mr. Gardner also introduced the following resolution which was made the order of the day for the adjourned meeting of the next morning :

Resolved. That this Association request our Senator and Representative in the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, to procure the extension, to the County of Washington, of. the provisions of an act. entitled "An act to provide for the appointment of County Superintendent of Common Schools, etc." passed February 8, 1847. And also an act entitled "An act to encourage Teachers' Institutes," passed Feb- ruary 8. 1847.

September 30, 1848 .-

Hon. William P. Cutler, Hon. R. E. Harte and Prof. John Kendrick were appointed a committee "to present the subject of appoint- ing a County Superintendent before the Coun- ty Commissioners-in case of failure of an ap- propriation from that source, said committee to endeavor to raise funds by subscription for the purpose."

Professor Andrews made a report on un- ion schools, showing the great advantages of the system over the ordinary isolated districts, after which remarks on the same subject were made by Messrs. Kendrick, Slocomb and Per- kins.

The officers and directors elected for the ensting year were as follows:

President, Hon. William P. Cutler Vice-president, Rev. Gideon Dana Secretary, Prof. I. N. Andrews

Directors, D :. Blackledge,-Adams John Corpe, Esq.,-Aurelius Rev. D. C. Perry,-Barlow

William R. Browning and George Dana, Jr ..- Belpre Mr. Schroeder,-Decatur L. F. Stanley .- Fearing Rev. L. L. Fay,-Lawrence

William Slocomb, John Kendrick, R. E. Harte, Lionel Tenney, Rev. T. Wickes, Beman Gates.

' Gjeorge M. Woodbridge,-Marietta Hon. I. Barker and F. Battelle, Jr.,-Newport Rev. Mr. Tenney .- Salem

Thomas Ridgway and George W. Barker,- Union

Rev. Mr. Smith and A. D. Hollister,-Warren I. B. Robinson,-Waterford David Deming .- Watertown

November 12, 1851 .-

Professor Andrews offered the following resolutions, which were adopted :

Resolved. That the best interests of education in Ohio demand a thorough supervision of our schools; and that we hereby earnestly urge upon the attention of the Legislature the importance of the appointments of a State Superintendent, and such Assistant District Superintendents as from time to time may be neces- sary.

Resolved, That copies of the above resolution be transmitted to the Senator and Representative from this District, and that they be respectfully. yet earn- estly, solicited to use their influence for the accom- plishment of the object therein mentioned.

Mr. Bailey, formerly superintendent of

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schools in Ashtabula County, was invited to address the Association. Mr. Bailey took for his subject : "Examination of Teachers," and showed the importance of having examinations conducted by the whole Board of Examiners, of having stated times, and of conducting the examinations mainly by written questions.

In Volume 1, ot the Ohio Journal of Edu- cation, the Teachers' Institute, beginning at Marietta, November 10, 1851, is reported as having enrolled 104 members. The instruc- tors, who in that day served without pay, were, E. D. Kingsley, P. R. Kendal, Rev. H. Bates, Beman Gates, I. W. Andrews and L. An- drews. Since that day, at the annual meeting of the Washington County Institute, the teach- ers have received instruction and encourage- ment from teachers widely known throughout the State and nation. For the last 35 years the fees received from teachers' examinations have furnished the funds sufficient to procure lecturers and instructors of the first class. For this means of support to the institute, the teachers of Ohio are largely indebted to the wise forethought of Hon. E. E. White, who now lives in Columbus. Besides the annual meeting, which has usually been held in Mar- ietta, the teachers have had many local meet- ings, sometimes under the direction of the county committee; sometimes under the spe- cial township committee. In these, practical questions have been discussed and many teach- ers have found them even more profitable than the larger annual meeting.

WILLIAM SLOCOMB.

Hon. George M. Woodbridge gives us this picture of one of the early teachers :

"AAcross the street was the home of Will- iam Slocomb, the veteran school teacher, and his brothers. Silas and John. But we must not pass with the mere mention of the name of William Slocomb. For many years he was the instructor of the youth in the upper part of the town. His place for teaching was in the old Academy building, which stood, until a few years ago, immediately north of the

Congregational Church building. His pun- ishment of scholars in those days was of the old-fashioned kind, by feruling the hand and using the switch. But opinions sometimes change, and so did those of Mr. Slocomb, upon the subject of school government. Later in life he became the advocate of the abolition of corporal punishment in schools and the gov- ernment of even the most unruly by moral sua- sion. We will here be allowed to relate an in- cident which occurred at a teachers' conven- tion in Newport, after Mr. Slocomb's change of views. In a talk, of an hour's length, he denounced the whipping of scholars and advo- cated milder means. After the completion of this talk, a young man, who had once been his scholar and many times felt the weight of the ruler and the sting of the switch, had the tem- erity to speak of this and to make light of the change of views of the old gentleman. Among other things, he said that within the radius of an eighth of a mile of the old Academy build- ing there could not be found a straight limb. as in the early growth of the trees switches had been plucked for the use of the teacher. Aroused by this unwarranted attack of his former scholar, the old-time teacher arose and excitedly remarked: 'Yes, I well remember the school boy days of the last speaker, and never until now could determine whether I punished him too much or too little. But this much I do know, that in this case either was a failure.' "

TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOLS.

The most improved forward step made in our district schools has been the organization of the township high school with the principal as superintendent of schools. In 1888 Mari- etta township, which included all the terri- tory of the township outside of the separate districts of Marietta and Harmar, resolved to build a high school at Sand Hill. Fortunately for this Board of Education. John T. Duff, a superintendent who had had much experience in grading and managing public schools, was by his private business called back to this coun- ty. He was invited to take charge of the

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schools of this township and in a very short time he had the high school in good running order and the district schools well graded. One of the patrons of this school said, that at the close of the first year he had saved enough in the board and traveling expenses of his children to pay for the entire cost of the high school. His successors have been H. E. Smith, II. C. Frye, C. C. Smith, L. E. Booher and F. L. Maury. Already a small library has been collected in each sub-district.

Waterford township followed the good ex- ample set by Marietta and established a high school in 1894 with C. S. Joseph as principal and superintendent. Mr. Joseph taught the school five days in the week, from Tuesday to Saturday inclusive and spent Monday in visit- ing the district schools, making the task a heavy one for him, but he discharged his du- ties in a creditable manner and left the schools of all grades in good order for his successor, L. E. Booher.

Belpre and Decatur townships have made some beginning at the organization of schools of a higher grade than the sub-districts.

It is said that Wesley township is also about to adopt the plan of a township high school, with the veteran teacher, Patrick Henry, as principal.

In some other townships, the separate dis- trict or the village school has served the pur- pose of a central high school, especially since the law has been so framed, as to requiring the payment of tuition for those pupils who have passed the common school examination. Low- ell, in Adams township, has a graded school with a high school course. It has been re- ported in the State Commissioner's Report since 1888: Supts. J. L. Jordon and D. A. Leake.

The same year, Macksburg appears in the state report with F. P. Wheeler as superinten- dent. W. E. Ellison and C. C. White have been his successors.

Barlow township has two graded schools. Barlow village, reported since 1896, has had four superintendents, A. M. Farlow, John Lawton, J. R. Franklin, and G. W. Perkins.

Vincent, a separate district, has had two principals,-F. B. Shaner and A. M. Farlow.

In Belpre township what was probably the first circulating library in the Northwest Ter- ritory was established. The books were prob- ably brought by Col. Israel Putnam in 1795. For many years this library of formidable books was a very improved educational factor in that township. At last they were distributed among the share-owners and it is said that some of them are preserved to this day. Bel- pre school as a separate district was first re- ported in 1872; the following names appear in the list of superintendents, in the order here given,-E. S. Cox, L. D. Brown, W. N. Spen- cer, C. K. Wells, J. G. Schofield. C. E. Keyes, Frank P. Ames, J. C. Barnes, E. D. Albright, C. E. Githeus, E. K. Barnes, MI. L. Fearnow, and S. E. Weaver.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 23

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490