History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 28

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 28

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).

"Young Men in the West, who are destitute of the means of obtaining sufficient education to transact the common business of life, or to become teachers of Common Schools, may re- sort here with the assurance that by industry and application, they may defray nearly all their expenses while attending to their stud- ies."

INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION.

"At a meeting held at the Institute of Edu- cation in Marietta, in pursuance of a notice previously given by the Proprietors, on Thurs- day evening. March 15, 1832, Dr. S. P. Hil- dreth was appointed Chairman, and Douglas Putnam, Secretary.

"Mr. M. French read to the meeting a paper, submitting to their consideration cer- tain propositions in regard to the Institute of Education.

"Rev. L. G. Bingham, at the request of the Chairman, made an interesting statement in relation to the general interests of the institu- tion and the cause of education.

"The meeting was addressed by C. Emer- son, Esq .. . A. Nye. Esq .. and Dr. Cotton.

"On motion. it was Resolved that the com- munication of Mr. French, and the matters contained therein, be referred to a committee İ of seven members.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

193

"The following members were chosen as this committee : Caleb Emerson, Arius Nye, J. Cotton, D. Protsman. W. Thomas, Robert Crawford and James Whitney.

"Resolved, That when this meeting does adjourn, it adjourn until Friday evening of next week.

"Meeting adjourned.

Friday Evening, March 23.

"Meeting held at the Institute of Educa- tion, agreeably to adjournment.

"The Committee appointed at the last meet- ing presented this report, which was read :

The Committee, appointed by a meeting of the citizens of Marietta, held in pursuance of request and notice published by the proprietors of Marietta Insti- tute of Education, beg leave to submit the following report :

We are fully impressed with the importance of im- proved establishments for education. The political in- stitutions of our country, and the spirit of the age. can only be well sustained by an enlightened popula- tion. While it is admitted that the people of our country are comparatively enlightened, it must also be conceded that the average standard of intelligence among us is far below what it ought to be.

Every citizen of our country should be so taught and educated as to put him within reach of any station to which his native talents and the want of the com- munity might call him ; and beyond the reach of quack- ery, whether political, religious or professional.

To the attainment of the most important end, it is highly requisite that a class of men, hardly to be found at present. should be raised up and qualified-we mean, teachers by profession-persons who are taught to teach-who will devote their time and their energies to the business of instruction.

When dne improvement shall have been made in the number and qualifications of teacher-, and in the modes of instruction, a large portion of the time spent by children in school, and especially in more advanced periods of youth, when their labor is profitable, will be saved.

To these general and particular objects, it is under- stood, the Marietta Institute is to be particularly de- voted.

That Marietta is a favorable situation for an ex- tonsive establishment for education, will be doubted by no one, who is acquainted with its pleasant and healthful location, and who sees that it is the center of an important region, in Virginia and Ohio, to which the channels of communication, by land and water, so favorably converge.

On the immense advantage of such an establish- ment, not only to the vicinity, but to the surrounding region, we need not enlarge. The success of the pro- prietors in founding and sustaining a well arranged and well conducted Institute, capable of embracing

present and pre pertive improvements and on a .ale commensurate with the wants of the surrounding cot- try, would most eminently conduce to the best inter- ests of that community

It is highly satisfactory to learn that the Marietta Institute, during the short period of exisence, has been successful beyond the anticipation of its friends, has acquired a reputation abroad, highly conducive in its future prosperity ; and that the number of applications for admission, to the higher departments especially. 15 likely tar to exceed the present accommodations. In order to make room for the number of students, which may be experte ! to apply for admission, the erection of a building, beyond the present means of the proprie- tors, seems absolutely regmyte. While in submitting this matter to the consideration of their fellow citizens, the proprietors are not understood to expect any defin- ite pledge of support, they are desirous of ascertain ng the actual bearing of public sentiment in this neighbor- hood, in relation to the enterprise-it being understood that the present and probable means of the proprietors are deemed adequate, or nearly so, to the construction of the walls and outer finishing of the building, say in dimensions seventy-five by forty feet, three stories in height-we should apprehend the undertaking to be one of favorable aspect, and likely to attract attention and aid from a mmmificent and enlightened community.

It is well known that the attention of our Eastern fellow citizens, at this time is keenly directed to the progres- and prospects of the mighty West .- There are many men-and men of substance ton-who are de- sirous of removing hither; not for their own sakes, but for the benefit of their children. Enlightened stitos- men and philanthropists, there, can not but see clearly that the power of the Union is fast concentrating in the great valley of the Mississippi. In the older States of the East, with all the advantages of increased ca- pacity for population, corferred by the existence of large manufactories, the people find their Emits far too strait for them-and turn their eyes to the West. as the grand receptacle of their surp its population-as the home of their posterity.

In view of these considerations, It is not wonder- fol to find, that our Eastern brethren feel an intense interest in the prosperity of the West; and that they contribute with a mumifeent hand to the furtherance of any and every enterprise, calculated to advance the light of knowledge, and the moral and intellectual ele- vation of its mhabitants; nor should we deem it chi- merical to hope that a well directed Institute of Ed- ucation, at Marietta would be generously cherished by Eastern liberality. Independently of all positive dona- tions, much might be expected from the Eastern pa- tronage, to such an establishment, in the enlargement of its number of students. There are. it is believed, many Eastern parents, who are desirous that their sons should be located in the West: and with this in view, wonl1 gladly embrace the opportunity of placing them here to prosecute their studies and, at the same time. to learn the manners, customs, and prospects, and be . me mured to the elmare of the Wes.

When the misapprehensions regarding the health of Marietta shall have been dissipated and the exist- ence and success of the Institute are eminently condu- cive to this result :- when the reputation of this plac?

194

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

abroad. shall. in this respect. equal its imputed eleva- fion, in intellectual and moral points of view ;- which it shall be generally known ( contrary to recent reports), that Marietta has abundance of pleasant building ground, far above the reach of all modern floods- there is reason to believe it will have very considerable accessions of valuable population : provided, more es- pecially, that the Institute shall grow and prosper in any degree commensurate with the present prospects. Families may be expected to locate themselves here. for the express purpose of enjoying the advantages of the Institute for the education of their children. It may also become a favorite resort for the Summer resi- dience of families from the lower regions of the Miss- issippi.

It seems a prevailing opinion of the present time, that establishments, like the one in question, are best managed, in their practical details. by individuals di- rectly interested in their immediate and prospective suc- cess. Nevertheless to become extensively useful, they must partake of a public character-more especially when aided by public benefactions, or donations for public benefit. In this view it is highly proper that the proprictors should pledge themselves and their succes- sors to a correct, liberal and expansive plan of opera- tions, divested of all partisan influence and aiming to advance the general interests of society.

In case, also, that donations, of considerable amount shall liberally he made to aid in the erection of the proposed building, it is proper that measures should be taken to secure the building and appendant lands and fixtures, for the objects intended by the donors-or such an interest at least, as would be proportionate to the donations.

The objects last named may both be attained, it is believed, through the instrumentality of the board of trust of which we are about to speak.

We beg leave, here, to notice a suggestion of the proprietors of the Marietta Institute, namely, that when desired by the donors, the said proprietors, for every ten dollars donation, would stipulate the gratuitous instruction of one scholar for one quarter in the High School or Young Ladies' Seminary, as calculated to be viewed in a very acceptable light by men of liberal minds-inasmuch as they may thereby be enabled to promote the education of children, less favored in re- gard to property, and at the same time to advance and sustain an establishment highly conducive to the public utility.

In the expectations of receiving donations in aid of the erection of the contemplated building, and other objects connected with the Marietta Institute, the pro- prietors have suggested the expedieney of having a dis- interested Board of Trust, constituted for the purpose overseeing and reporting the application of all such funds In this the Committee concur, and recommend the approval, by this meeting of seven persons, nomi- nated by the proprietors, to constitute such Board ; who shall be competent to fill vacancies in their own body.

And to secure such pledge for a correct, liberal, and expansive plan of operations divested of partisan in- fluence. and aiming to advance the general interests of socie.v, as already stated, we recommend, that the as- sent of said proprietors to such stipulations or general rules, in relation to this subject, as may be agreed upon

between said proprietors and said contemplated Board, be digested and made public.

All which is respectfully submitted.

On motion it was Resolved, That the proprietors of the Institute, be requested to sign the report, and express their concurrence in the views suggested by the committee.

As proprietors of the Institute of Education in Marietta, we express our full concurrence in the views and measures recommended in the above report.

L. G. BINGHAM. MANSFIELD FRENCH.

"The proprietors then nominated the fol- lowing persons to act in accordance with the report of the committee, as a Board of Trust of the Institute of Education in Marietta-who were approved by the meeting-viz :

Caleb Emerson, Arius Nye,

James Whitney, W. Thomas,

S. P. Hildreth, John Cotton,

Douglas Putnam.

"On motion, Resolved, That a certified copy of the proceedings of this meeting be de- posited with the chairman of the Board of Trust, and that a copy be furnished to the pro- prietors of the Institute.

"Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the newspapers of this town.

"S. P. HILDRETHI, Chairman. "DOUGLAS PUTNAM, Secretary."

TIIE MARIETTA COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

September, 1832 .---

"It will be seen by an examination of the Catalogue of the Marietta Collegiate Institute, just published, that the number of pupils for the past year was 230. Of this number 117 are inserted as being from abroad. Eight different States have been represented in the Institute, viz: Massachusetts, Verinont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. In the High School 33 have been in the Languages.

"A very considerable number of those who have been pupils of the Institute are now en- gaged as Teachers in Common and Select Schools in different parts of the county. It has an object, which is steadily kept in view,

195

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

to raise up qualified Teachers who may go abroad to do good wherever they may find a field to be occupied. The demand for Teach- ers of a high order is increasing very much throughout the West. We hail this as a happy and auspicious omen of good to the land. A great change for the better has taken place within the last five years.

"The Institute is designed to afford the means to both males and females of qualifying themselves for the various walks of usefulness in life. It is understood that the next term will open under far more favorable auspices than ever, as it regards the number and qualifi- cations of the Teachers in the Institute. On this account it is expected that the advantages will be greater than they have been at any form- er period. It will be evident to any one who will reflect a moment, that the expense of car- ing forward the operations of such an institu- tion, employing so many teachers, must be very great. It is hoped that an enlightened and liberal public will appreciate the advan- tages of this institution, to the town and all the surrounding country, and will bestow upon it a liberal patronage.

"It is the entention of all concerned to take early measures to make the Marietta Collegi- ate Institute an entirely public institution, so as to perpetuate its advantages on a permanent basis. This, it will require some time to ac- complish, and thus carry out the original die- sign and wishes of the founder. But this, de- sirable as it is, cannot be done until the Insti- tute has taken a strong hold upon the public mind, and the importance of possessing and cherishing such an institution is deeply felt. Its influence has been already seen in this town. It has given new life to business. It has enhanced the value of property and waked up in some measure the spirit of improvement. It has brought into the town and put in circu- lation a considerable amount of money. But there are influences, which belong to the mind and heart, of a far greater value, and advan- tages, the worth of which is not to be estimated in dollars and cents."

MANUAL LABOR DEPARTMEN.

August. 1883 .-

"It is a fundamental principle of this insti- tution, that each male student be required to labor three hours of five days of the week ; and in order to secure uniformity in this Depart- ment, the parents and guardians of those classes will be required to secure from those, under their care, the same amount of labor at home, as if they boarded in the Institute. The avails or profits of labor will be credited to each student according to the estimate of the steward.

"The Department of Manual Labor is deemed of peculiar importance in a Literary Institution.

"I. As a means of diminishing the ex- penses of the student, and enabling him to contribute materially. by his own efforts, to the cost of an education.

"2. As tending to form business habits, and prepare young men for the duties and avo- cations of life.

"3. The principal benefit, however. ap- pears to us in its tendency to preserve the health of the student, while engaged in literary pursuits : it is the only effectual mode of pre- serving a sound mind in a sound body, while engaged in a long and laborious course of study and mental effort.

"4. In this point of view, the Manual La- bor scheme commends itself as an invaluable appendange to a Literary Institution."

1883 .----

( Far the Marietta Gazette.)

Messrs. Editor: :-

I am one of those who are sensible to the great beauty of Marietta, and of the kindness and politeness of its citizens. I have become acquainted, too. with much refinement of taste displayed here :- and per- ceiving this, have been induced to believe that a few remarks addressed to you would be acceptable. The obiect of them would be merely to call your attention to the improvement which may yet be made in the culti- vation of "la belle science" Music

There is much musical talent latent (if so I may speak of it), much, that if called forth into action, would prove to be of a high order. Why cannot this be effected? All that is wanting is a concert of opinion

196

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

and action. In order to bring this about, why may we not form an Harmonic Club? Let all the musical talent be collected, and surely the result must be productive of melody.

Thu. suppose ten or twelve only should meet ;- two or three might perform well on the flute, others on the violin, or piano, or violoncello, or flageolet, or clarionet. Now can we net, by a union of all these in- struments, with the exercise of a little patience and perseverance. form an Orchestra, which may be pro- ductive of pleasure and usefulness.

I believe. Messrs, Editors, that you are musical men. Will you not then aid me in attempting to effest the improvement of music here. My ideas on this sub- ject, I will readily admit. are crude ; but such as they are. I respectfully sulent them, hoping that they may be matured and carried into effect. AMATEUR.

"In answer to our correspondent Ama- tenir.' we acknowledge oureslevs to be admir- ers of what he terms 'la belle science,' and should be happy to see the young gentlemen of this town join hand in hand in order to effect this object. We shall hold ourselves in read- iness to take our part in the promotion of this object : and shall be glad indeed to witness the performance of the 'Orchestra,' if ever one can be formed. We think with 'Amateur,' that an Harmonic Society would be a source of pleasure and usefulness to all its members."

PUBLIC MEETING.

The citizens of Marietta and its vicinity are re- specifully informed that a public meeting in behalf of the Marietta Institute will be held at the Hall of the Marietta Library, on Wednesday, the 6th, of February. at 6 o'clock, P. Mt.

It may not be generally known that this Institution which has hitherto been under the exclusive control of Messrs. Bingham and French, has been recently in- corporated by the name of the "Marietta Collegiate Institute, and Western Teacher's Seminary," and placed under the direction of a Board of Trustees, appointed by the Legislature, with a view of rendering it a Pub- lic Institution, and this enlarging the sphere of its operations. and extending its usefulness.

In pursirince of this design. the Trustees have thought it expedient to call a public meeting of the citi- zens, in order to lay before them the plans of the Board for their consideration. As it is believed that the growth of this infant institution is intimately associated with the advancement of useful knowledge in the Western Country, and especially with the prosperity of this place, a general attendance is earnestly solicited. J. COTTON, L. G. BINGHAM, JONAS MOORE. DOUGLAS PUTNAM. Committee of Board of Trustees. Marietta, January 24th, 1833

INSTITUTION OF EDUCATION.

1883 .---

"Below will be seen an account of the pro- ceedings of a meeting of the citizens of Mari- etta and vicinity, on Wednesday evening last, on the subject of the Institute of Education, together with the plan, furnished by the Board of Trustees, of its general arrangement. The Institute of Education, heretofore, has been a private institution, in the hands of individuals, and although conducted with much propriety and usefulness, and highly beneficial to the public, it has been found to be entirely too mtich cramped for the requirements of the W'est. especially as the Manual Labor Plan is one of the great advantages of its establish- ment. In order to extend its usefulness, and open a door for the youth of our country, who are unable to educate themselves by pecuniary means, the institution has been made public, and a charter obtained from the Legislature of Ohio now in session : and other steps are tak- ing. as fast as time and circumstances will per- mit, to make it permanent, and a highly useful institution. To the consideration of the en- lightened and benevolent citizens of our coun- try. the proceedings of the citizens and plan of the Board of Trustees is submitted, under the impression, as it has already met with the hearty support and encouragement of all who have been made acquainted with its general principles and arrangements, that it will find many more friends in the far West.'

"The following are the proceedings of Wednesday evening :-

"A large and respectable meeting of the cit- izens of Marietta and vicinity, in behalf of the Institute, was held agreeably to notice, in the Library Hall, on Wednesday evening. After a short address from the chairman, stating the objects for which the meeting was convened, eloquent addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Spaulding, and Rev. Mr. McAboy, on the prac- ticability and importance of elevating the stan- dard of education in the West, as connected with the great and interesting objects proposed by the Board of Trustees. Rev. Mr. Smith, at present a Teacher in the High School, then

197

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

addressed the assembly in an eloquent and ap- propriate manner on that peculiar and impor- tant feature of the proposed plan. the educa- "This Department is believed to be of the highest importance. tion of Teachers for Common Schools in the Valley of the Mississippi, especially as con- "2. . A Classical or Collegiate Department, combining all the advantages to be found in the best Colleges in the Western Country. nected with manual labor. He was followed by Rev. Mr. Vail of Lane Seminary, near Cin- nati, who exhibited in a peculiarly striking and "3. An Academic Department, to pre- pare young men for either of the two higher departments and for other purposes. lucid manner the advantages of the Manual Labor Plan, and illustrated and enforced the whole subject by a great variety of facts, cal- "The Female Department, it is designed culated to show the practicability of the plan, " to render as extensive and useful as practica-

and the certainty of its ultimate adoption by all the literary institutions in our land. Mr. Vail then presented a plan for the present institute as adopted by the Board. the entire completion of which will require the sum of $20,000-and stated his conviction that if eight or ten thous- and dollars could be raised in the Town and vicinity, the remaining balance might be pro- cured in the Eastern Cities.

"The following resolution was then pre- posed and unanimously adopted: That with a view to carry into effect the plan proposed by the Board, a special effort be made, to raise the sum of $20.000 in the East and West with- in twelve months.

"A second resolution was then proposed and adopted : That an effort be made to raise the sum of eight or ten thousand dollars, in the Town and vicinity within three months.

"It was then proposed that a book for sub- scriptions be presented to the assembly, and in a few minutes between six and seven thousand dollars were subscribed by individuals pres- ent.

"It is believed a deep interest was felt in the proposed object by all present-an object which manifestly has an important bearing on the highest interests of this Town and vicinity. and on the intellectual and moral condition of the Western Country.

"The plan proposed by the Trustees is as follows :-

"I. An English Department, in which young men can obtain a thorough English ed- ucation. to prepare them, in the most perfect manner, for the avocations of life; and espe-

cially, to train Teachers for Common Schools in the Western Country.

ble.

"A peculiar and highly important feature in the plan of the Institute is that of manual labor. It is expected that every male student will engage in manual labor three hours per clay, and all the avails of such labor will be placed to his credit. Experience has shown the immense value of this feature in a literary institution.

"I. It tends to preserve the body and mind of the student in a sound and vigorous state, and enables him to prosecute a long and laborious course of study without, in the small- est degree, impairing the vigor of his consti- tution.

"2. It prepares young men in an eminent degree for the active duties of life, and ren- ders them much more efficient and useful men- bers of society than they would otherwise be- come.

"3. As it enables young men to defray, for the most part, the expenses of an educa- tion, it opens a wide door for all who are de- sirous of acquiring useful knowledge.

"There are hundreds of thousands of youth in our land, shut out from our Colleges and Academies, from want of the requisite pecun- iary means, who by the adoption of this plan will be enabled to educate themselves, and be- come qualified for eminent usefulness in the church and world.

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 Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 28

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