USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 27
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THE MCINTIRE SCHOOL. John McIntire, as will be seen in his will, expressly declared that
" the President and Directors of said company, (The Zanesville Canal and Manufacturing Com- pany) are annually to appropriate all the profits, rents, and issues of my stock, as aforesaid, (see will), and all of my estate, of whatever kind the same may be, for the use and support of a "Poor School," which they are to establish in the town of Zanesville, for the use of the poor children of said town. The children who are to be the ob- jects of this institution, are to be fixed upon by the President and Directors of said company. This bequest to be absolutely void, in case my daughter Amelia, before described, should leave an heir, or heirs, of her body."
Amelia McIntire died without issue, and, con- sequently, the income of the estate accrued to the town of Zanesville, for the purpose named by the testator.
The "McIntire Academy," as it was known, was built by the executors under the foregoing will, and was first occupied for school purposes about 1836. The first Principal of this school, was John M. Howe, who had, for sometime pre- viously, conducted a private seminary in a build- ing on the corner of North and Seventh streets, known as Howe's "Seminary." He was assist- ed by A. E. Howe and George Miller, and sub- sequently, by Thomas H. Patrick. Mr. Howe remained as Principal of this school some ten or twelve years. The school was one of high or- der ; Latin and Greek, and other branches of higher education, being taught in it. The high- est, or classical department, was taught by Mr. Howe in person, the lower departments, by his assistants.
Mr. Howe was succeeded by Mr. Theodore D. Martindale, who was assisted by Mr. T. H. Patrick and two female assistants. Mr. Martin- dale was succeeded by Mr. Joseph Davidson, who was assisted by about the same corps of teachers.
Mr. Davidson was succeeded by Mr. T. H. Patrick, who remained as Principal of the school until 1856, when the graded school system having been fully organized, it was thought by the MeIntire executors, as well as others inter- ested, that the purposes of the testator would best be carried out by placing the school under the control of the Board of Education, and causing it to be merged in the general graded system of the city. Accordingly, an arrangement was made between the McIntire Trustees and the Board of Education that "the school house was to be put in thorough repair, and furnished with furniture similar to that in the other school build- ings of the city. The school to be organized and conducted under the rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Education, and to be under the control of the Superintendent of the City Schools.
"The expenses of repairs, furniture, salaries of teachers, together with all incidentals necessary to the conduct of the school, to be paid by the McIntire Trustees ; the McIntire Trustees re- serving to themselves the right of visitorial su- pervision."
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I19
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
THE SPECIAL SCHOOL LAW.
Prior to the first of April, 1839, the Public Schools of Zanesville were conducted under the general school laws of the State, and were of the same ungraded character as the schools of the rural districts.
The general State school law (that passed March 7, 1838,) was not considered adapted to the wants of the town in the expenditure of funds for school purposes, especially so in consequence of the existence of the McIntire school fund, which rendered the situation of Zanesville, in that regard, peculiar.
On the 29th day of December, 1838, a meet- ing was held in what is known as the Senate Chamber, pursuant to a notice from the School Directors of Zanesville district, (Ezekiel T. Cox, Uriah Parke and Henry Eastman), a committee was appointed to draft a bill adapted to the edu- cational wants and interests of the town of Zanes- ville ; while another committee was appointed to circulate petitions to the Legislature, for the "Support and Better Regulation of the Schools of the Town of Zanesville," of which law the following are among the provisions :
SECTION I. * * * It shall be the duty of the Town Council of the town of Zanesville, on or before the first of April next, to hold an elec- tion, at the Court House, in said town, for the election by ballot of six School Directors for said town, to serve as follows: Two to serve until the third Tuesday in September, 1839; two to serve until the third Tuesday in September, 1840 ; and two to serve until the third Tuesday in Sep- tember, 1841 ; and annually afterwards, on the third Tuesday in September, two directors, as aforesaid, shall be elected to serve for the period of three years, and until their successors are elected and qualified. All vacancies by death, resignation, or otherwise, to be filled by appoint- ment of the Council * * until the next election.
Provided, that none but free-holders, house- holders and heads of families shall vote.
"SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of said Board, on or before the first day of May next, to determine the location of a site, or sites, for a school house, or school houses, having in view the possibility of purchase on reasonable terms, and they shall determine the number and description of build- ings necessary for school purposes in said town, and report the same in writing to the Council.
"SEC. 4. That thereupon it shall be the duty of said Council, at the expense of said town, to purchase said site, or sites, and cause to be erected thereon, under the supervision of said Board, such school building, or school buildings, as may be described in said report. * * *
"SEC. 6. Provided that, as soon as the neces- sary buildings were erected, it should be the duty of the Board of Education to employ teach- ers, make rules and regulations for the schools, and to keep the schools in constant operation, except during reasonable vacations, to be by them established-and, when the public money
was insufficient, to supply the deficiency by a tax levied upon the parents and guardians of pupils attending. in proportion to the time of their attendance, and to exempt from such tax such parents or gurdians as, in the opinion of the Board, were unable to pay it, and were not en- titled to send to the McIntire School.
"SEC. 7, Made it the duty of the Board of Edu- cation to report annually to the Town Council the receipts and expenditures of all moneys coming into their hands for school purposes.
SEC. 9, Made it the duty of the Board of Edu- cation to make a yearly estimate of the probable expense of repairs, for fuel and furniture, and the Council to provide for the same by a tax levied for that purpose.
SEC. II, Made it the duty of the Council to appoint three suitable persons to act as a Board of School Examiners, whose duty it was to ex- amine applicants for teachers' positions, to ex- amine the schools, and to report semi-annually to the Council."
On the first day of April, 1839, an election was held at the Court House, and the following named gentlemen were elected as members of the first Board of Education, under the foregoing law :
Hugh Reed, to serve till the third Tuesday in September, 1839.
George W. Manypenny, to serve till the third Tuesday in September, 1839.
Allen Cadwallader, to serve till the third Tues- day in September, 1840.
Charles G. Wilson, to serve till the third Tues- day in September, 1840.
Richard Stillwell, to serve till the third Tues- day in September, 1841.
John A. Turner, to serve till the third Tues- day in September, 1841.
This Board organized April 6th, by electing Richard Stillwell President, John A. Turner, Secretary and Charles G. Wilson, Treasurer.
The first Board of Examiners appointed by the Council consisted of Rev. James Culbertson, Rev. William A. Smallwood and Wyllys Buell.
During the same year, (1839), the Board of Education selected sites for the school buildings, but put the schools in operation in rented build- ings, as follows :
James Barton's room, corner of Market and Fifth streets.
Mrs. Barton's room, Fifth street, between Mar- ket and South.
Mr. Spaulding's school house, Sixth street, near Marietta.
Old Methodist Church, between Fifth and Sec- ond streets.
First floor of old Academy, on Market street. Room in basement of Market street Baptist Church.
Second floor of old Academy, on Market street.
Mr. N. Harris' school room, on Third street.
In September of this year, Messrs. Reed and Manypenny were re-elected as members of the Board of Education. February 15, 18440, the
120
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Board of Education recommended to the Council the erection of a school house in the northwest part of the old graveyard, and submitted plans and specifications for the same. The Council adopt- ed the recommendation of the Board, and imme- diately advertised for bids for the erection of the building. On the 12th of March, 1840, the con- tract was awarded to James Ramage, at $3,750.
On the 28th day of March, 1840, the Council rented again all the rooms previously occupied by the schools, except Mr. J. Barton's, and rent- ed three additional rooms, namely: One of Colonel John Hall, one of Mr. Stratton, and an- other in the basement of the Market Street Bap- tist Church.
In July, 1840, Allen Cadwallader resigned, and Uriah Parke was appointed a member of the Board of Education in his stead. In September of the same year, Uriah Parke and C. G. Wilson were re-elected, and H. J. Cox appointed in place of Dr. Turner, deceased. October, 1840, Rev. Amos Bartholomew was appointed Exam- iner, vice Buell. On the 6th day of November, 1840, the new school house on the hill being ready for occupation, the following rented rooms were vacated, and the schools transferred to the new building : John Hall's Old Methodist Church, two rooms in the basement of the Mar- ket Street Baptist Church, and Mr. Stratton's. Mrs. Barton's room had been previously vacated, and the school transferred to Nathaniel Wilson's room, corner of Fifth and South streets. On the 27th of November, 1841, Richard Stillwell re- signed, and Jesse Keene was appointed a mem- ber of the Board of Education in his stead. On the 9th day of December, 1841, the Council pur- chased of John Howe the building on the corner of Seventh and North streets, known as "Howe's Seminary," together with the lease of the grounds upon which it was located, for the sum of $1,500. This building was repaired and improved, and ready for occupation on the first of April, 1842. With the occupation of this building, begins the history of the graded school system of Zanes- ville.
THE FIRST GRADED SCHOOLS.
In September, 1842, the following system of organization was adopted and went into imme- diate operation :
I. "The Zanesville public schools shall be di- vided into the Male Seminary, and the Female Seminary. [The former to occupy the new school house on the hill, and the latter, the "Howe Seminary," on Seventh street. ]
2. "Each division shall be divided into a Junior and Senior department. In the Junior department, shall be taught Spelling, Reading, and the elements of Arithmetic and Geography, and the scholars shall be allowed to attend les- sons in Singing and Writing. All the higher branches studied shall be taught in the Senior departments, with such continuation of the studies pursued in the Junior departments as may be necessary.
3. "Theres hall be a principal in each de-
partment, who shall have such assistants as may be necessary. There shall also be a teacher of writing and vocal music.
4. "The teacher of Writing and Music shall occupy the room at each building appropriated to his use, and the scholars shall attend his in- struction in such classes, and under such ar- rangements as he, with the sanction of the Board of Education, shall think proper. His services shall be divided between the Seminaries, as their wants may require.
5. "The Principal of the Senior Department of the Male Seminary, shall be General Superin- tendent of that school, and as such shall receive all applicants and assign them to their proper departments ; and whenever the departments are brought together for an examination, or for other purposes, he shall have the direction, and shall decide all questions of general arrange- ment. He shall exercise a general supervision, and see that the rules of the school are duly en- forced, and neatness and good order observed throughout. Any one feeling aggrieved by his action, may appeal to the Directors.
6. "The teacher of Writing and Music shall be General Superintendent of the Female School, and as such shall discharge all the duties per- taining to the Superintendent of the Seminary. He shall reside in the building, and protect it and the premises from injury.
7. "There shall be a Curator of the Male Seminary, who shall reside in the building and have charge of it, for the purpose of protection. He shall also have charge of the Cabinet and apparatus, under regulations to be hereafter de- fined.",
Fifteen other sections follow, defining more minutely the duties of teachers, officers, and pu- pils ; but the foregoing are deemed sufficient to indicate the character of the system organized at the time. The school year consisted of four quarters, of twelve weeks each. The income from taxation, under the general and special school laws then in force, not being sufficient to maintain the schools, tuition at the rate of one dollar per quarter in the Junior departments, and one dollar and a half in the Senior depart- ments, was charged for each pupil residing with- in the borough, and not entitled to attend the McIntire School. Pupils entitled to attend the McIntire School, or residing without the bor- ough, were charged three dollars per quarter in Junior departments, and four dollars in Senior departments. The Board of Education, to whom this organization of the schools is due, consisted of Messrs. Charles G. Wilson, Uriah Parke, Horatio J. Cox, Hugh Reed, George W. Many- penny, and Jesse Keene.
The testimony of the Board of Education, upon his retirement therefrom some years subse- quently, to the efficiency of Mr. Parke's services, would indicate that, in the judgment of his asso- ciates, much of the credit of the efficiency of the school system was due to him. He is still re- membered in this community, for his earnest de- Votion to the cause of popular education,
ICH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL, Zanesville, Ohio.
I2I
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
The Board of Examiners at this time (Septem- ber, 1842), consisted of Rev. James Culbertson, Rev. W. A. Smallwood, and Dr. Thomas M. Drake-Dr. Drake having been appointed in July, of this year, in place of Rev. Amos Bar- tholomew.
On the 20th of September, 1842, Mark Low- dan and Adam Peters were elected members of the Board of Education, in place of Messrs. Reed and Manypenny, and on the 26th, Colonel John W. Foster was appointed, in place of Jesse Keene.
In April, 1843, E. E. Fillmore was appointed a member of the Board of Education, in place of John W. Foster, resigned, and in September of the same year was elected to the same office.
On the 7th of April, 1845, the residence of Uriah Parke, then Secretary of the Board of Ed- ucation, was destroyed by fire, and with it all the records and papers belonging to the Board. The foregoing facts are gathered from the min- utes of the Town Council, and from a brief ab- stract of the history of the schools, prepared from memory by Mr. Parke, and recorded in June, 1845, in the records of the Board.
In June, 1845, the following corps of teachers was in the employ of the Board, at the salaries named :
George W. Batchelder, Principal of Male Seminary, salary $600 per annum ; Samuel C. Mendenhall, Assistant, Senior Department, sal- ary $240; N. A. Gray, Principal of Junior De- partment, salary $350; James H. Thompson, Asssistant, Junior Department, salary $240 ; William D. Chase, Second-Assistant, Junior De- partment, salary $150; Jesse P. Hatch, Princi- pal of Female seminary, and teacher of Writing and Music in both schools, salary $400 ; Miss Adaline Parker, Principal, Senior Department, salary $300 ; Miss Isabel Cary, Assistant, Senior Department, salary $175 ; Miss J. Williams, Principal, Junior Department, salary $260 ; Miss Amanda Charlott, Assistant, Junior Department, salary $96; Miss Martha Hatch, Second-Assist- ant, Junior Department, salary $96.
N. A. Gray resided in the Male Seminary building, and J. P. Hatch in the Female Semi- nary building, rent and fuel free.
The number of pupils enrolled, and in attend- ance, in June, 1845, was as follows :
Male Seminary, Senior Department, enrolled 67
attendance .... 60
enrolled .. 154
attendance. 139
Female = Senior
enrolled ... 89
attendance .. 65
Junior
enrolled. 157
attendance. 120
Total, in both Schools, enrolled 467
Total, in both Schools, attendanec .. 384
The following was the course of study, au- thorized by the Board :
Spelling-Sanders' Spelling Book.
Reading-Pierrepont's Introduction and Na-
tional Reader, Sanders' Reader, and the Scrip- tures.
Geography-Smith's.
Grammar -- Smith's.
Arithmetic-Emerson's Mental and Parke's Practical.
Algebra-Bailey's.
History-Goodrich's First, Second and Third Books, and Weem's Washington.
Music-Mason's Sacred Harp.
Philosopy-Comstock's.
Surveying-Gummere's.
Geometry-Playfair's Euclid.
Latin-Andrews and Stoddard's Grammar, Andrews' Reader, and Virgil.
Greek-Anthon's Grammar, First Lessons and Reader.
On the 16th of September, 1845, Gottlieb Nat- tinger and Leonard P Bailey were elected mem- bers of the Board of Education, in place of Adam Peters and Mark Lowdan.
Subsequent changes in the Board of Educa- tion are given in the roll of the Board, appended to this sketch.
In July, 1847, Mr. Batchelder resigned his position as Principal of the Male Seminary, and Mr. Mendenhall, that of First Assistant in the same. On accepting the resignation of these gentlemen, the Board of Education bore hearty and unanimous testimony of their efficiency and success as teachers, and added emphasis to that testimony by their subsequent re-employment in the schools.
Mr. Orlando L. Castle was elected to succeed Mr. Batchelder, and Mr. William D. Urquhart to succeed Mr. Mendenhall. In October, 1847, Mr. Urquhart was succeeded by Mr. William A. Castle.
In April, 1848, Mr. Hatch resigned his posi- tion as Principal of the Female Seminary and teacher of writing and singing. As a temporary arrangement, Miss Adaline Parker was made Principal of the Female Seminary, and Mr. O. L. Castle took charge of the writing and singing in the Male Seminary. In July, 1848. Mr. N. A. Gray resigned his position in the Male Semi- mary, and Mr. S. C. Mendenhall was elected to fill his place. Mr. L. P. Marsh, then of Dela- ware, Ohio, was elected teacher of writing and singing, and entered upon the discharge of his duties January 3, 1849. His salary was at the rate of $400 per annum. In February, 1849, Mr. J. H. Thompson, then assistant teacher in the Male Seminary, was made Principal of the Female Seminary, at a salary of $500 per an- num, with dwelling and fuel free.
In April, 1849, the length of the school year was fixed at four quarters, of eleven weeks each.
On the 26th of March, 1850, Mr. O. L. Castle. Principal of the Male Seminary, resigned, and Mr. Marsh was made Acting Principal till June, 1850, when Mr. George W. Batchelder was elected to that position, at a salary of $Soo per annum.
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Junior ¥
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122
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
In September, 1850, the corps of teachers con- sisted of Mr. Batchelder, as Principal of the Male Seminary, with four assistant teachers. Mr. Thompson, was Principal of the Female Seminary, with four assistant teachers, and Mr. Marsh as teacher of writing and singing in both schools. The average enrollment of pupils, at this time, was about five hundred.
In October, 1850, Mr. Marsh resigned, and Captain Hatch was again employed as teacher of writing and singing.
THE FIRST SUPERINTENDENT.
No important change was made in the organi- zation of the schools till February, 1852, when Mr. Batchelder was made Superintendent of all the schools. His salary was fixed at $1,000, and he was assisted by twelve subordinate teachers.
In May, 1852, the Female Seminary was de- stroyed by fire and its schools transferred to the basement of the Seventh street M. E. Church and the Market Street Academy.
In June of this year, the Board of Education took action looking to the provision of additional and more suitable accommodations for the schools. A committee was appointed to select sites for four ward schools and a high school.
In April 1853, the lots on which were built the Third and Fourth Ward buildings were selected, and Mr. Batchelder was sent to Cleveland, San- dusky and Columbus to inspect the school build- ings of those cities, with a view to advising the Board in their adoption of plans, and application was made to the Council for funds to purchase the lots selected, to erect two ward schools, and to make alterations and repairs on the High School building, so as to fit it for the use of a High School. The Council promptly responded to this call, authorized the issue of twenty-five thousand dollars of school bonds for the use of the Board, and advertised for bids for the erec- tion of two ward buildings. In July, 1853, the contract for the erection of the Third and Fourth Ward buildings was awarded to Jonathan Swank, at $7,645 for each building, exclusive of the stone work. Mr. John M. James was employed to superintend the erection of the buildings.
In the spring of 1853, the first school for the education of colored children was established. . Under the laws in force at that time, this school was controlled by a separate board of directors, elected by colored people, and sustained by taxes levied upon property of colored citizens.
In October, 1854, Mr. Batchelder resigned his office of Superintendent. Very much credit is due Mr. Batchelder for his labors in behalf of the better organization of our public schools. He earnestly advocated before the Board of Ed- ucation and before the City Council, the advan- tages of the graded system over that of the mixed schools, as they then existed, and gave impetus and direction to the preliminary efforts that were made to build up in our city a system of public instruction that should be creditable in its character and remunerative in its results.
THE GRADED SYSTEM COMPLETED .- In April, 1855, the new school buildings were completed, and the organization of the graded system began to assume tangible shape. Mr. Almon Samson had been elected Superintendent, and Mr. Charles W. Chandler, Principal of the High School.
The following departments were organized, and courses of study adopted :
The Primary Department, embracing the first three years of the course.
The Secondary Department, embracing the second three years.
The Senior Department, embracing the third three years.
The High School Department, embracing three courses of study, of two years, four years and five years respectively.
During the school year, ending July 3d, 1857, there were sustained by the Board: One high school, two senior schools, five secondary schools, ten primary schools, one unclassified school, and one colored school. The whole number of teachers was thirty-one.
The enumeration of white youth, of school age, in this year, was 2,857, of whom 289 were under six years of age-leaving 2,568 entitled to attend the public schools. The whole number of pupils enrolled in the white schools was 1,500, leaving 1,068 entitled to admission who did not enter school at all.
The average enrollment and attendance in the several departments were as follows :
Enrollment.
Attendance.
In High School.
78
75
Senior
85
83
Secondary
265
252
Primary
612
585
' In his report to the citizens of Zanesville, at the close of this school year, ( July, 1857), Mr. Bigelow, then President of the Board of Educa- tion, says: "We, (the Board), have endeav- ored to secure the most competent teachers in every department ; adopted the most approved methods of teaching : provided the necessary appliances, and sought, by a rigid conformity to the regulations, to make the internal working of the schools in every way successful."
M. D. LEGGETT, SUPERINTENDENT .- At the close of this school year, ( July, 1857), Mr. Sam- son resigned his position as Superintendent, having filled that office a little over two years, and having, with the co-operation of the Board of Education, fully established the graded sys- tem of schools, and witnessed its entrance upon a career of popularity and usefulness. Mr. M. D. Leggett was elected to succeed Mr. Samson, at a salary of $1,200 per annum. In his first re- port to the Board, made August 3, 1858, Mr. Leggett thus justly compliments the work of his predecessor : "In taking charge of the schools at the beginning of the last school year, I found a classification of scholars, and a course of study, which, in their adaptation to the wants of children,
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