History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 38

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923

USA > Ohio > Pickaway County > History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 38

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Johnston Hunter, Hans Hamilton and Hugh Hannagan were teachers of this early period.

After 1820 a number of private schools

came into existence and a better class of in- structors were employed. Prominent among the new teachers were Joseph Olds, Edson B. Olds, Marcus Brown and J. C. Groom. Most prominent among these new schools was the Circleville Academy, which for many years was the recognized leader in educational mat- ters in the locality. . George W. Doane was the head of this institution for a considerable period. A female seminary taught by the Misses Streeter, occupied several rooms in a row of brick buildings belonging to a Mr. Mc- Cracken. The terms of tuition varied from $2 to $4 per quarter.

The columns of the Olive Branch and the Herald, the leading town papers between 1820 and 1850, contain the advertisements of many small private schools. In an issue during the year 1838, Miss Leonard advertises a private school where, in addition to the ordinary branches, French, Italian, drawing and paint- ing were to be taught. In this same year Caleb Atwater, in his "History of Ohio," states that the town of Circleville contained "about twelve schools-one or two, for young ladies, deserving great praise and receiving it."

Somewhat later than this, C. C. Neibling, coming here from Lancaster, Ohio, opened a select school for boys only, which was well patronized by the people of the town. His school consisted of about 40 scholars. His charges were $4 per scholar, for each quarter of 60 days, payable in advance. This enter- prise lasted four years, until the free school was inaugurated. About 1850, there was a Circleville Female Seminary, taught by Ben-

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jamin N. Ludden and wife, with three other teachers. These were succeeded by Rev. W. S. Spaulding and wife, with two other teachers. Soon after the passage of the school law of 1838, the little Academy, the first free school in the vicinity, was built by the district. It stood beside the Circleville Academy and consisted of a single room. By the boys who went to the pay school, it was mockingly de- nominated the "Kitchen school." Pine desks ran around the walls, behind which, raised a step or two above the floor, sat the larger scholars, while the little ones were seated on benches ranged in front upon the floor, and facing the middle of the room. Other district schools were held about town wherever they could be had.

Until the time of the organization of the Union schools, which took place in 1849, the teachers were mostly men. They were paid about $20 per month. To secure positions, examinations were required by law only. in the three "R's," but if the applicants were qualified to teach other branches the county examiners would grant them permission to teach such branches. For extra classes the scholars were required to pay tuition.

-There were three directors elected by the people. The school funds were drived from the State school tax creating a fund of $200,- 000, from township school lands and from in- terest on proceeds of "Section 16." No special provision was made for the books or tuition of indigent pupils.

The first steps in the organization of the Circleville schools under the free, graded sys- tem of the present time were taken on Sep- tember 11, 1849, when John Cradlebaugh, Samuel A. Moore, Joseph G. Doddridge, Jacob Rutter, Chester Olds and seven others issued a call to the qualified electors of the town to assemble on the 22nd, and "then and there to vote by ballot for or. against the Adoption of an Act for the better regulation of the Public Schools, etc., passed by the General Assembly of Ohio on the 21st of February, 1849." Of . the 97 votes cast on the day designated, "87 were for the School Law, 9 against the School Law and one blank.".

On the 4th of October following, six direc- tors of public schools were elected. This board declared it inexpedient to open free schools until such a time as suitable buildings could be secured. For some time there was consid- erable diversity of opinion in regard to the kind of building or buildings to be erected. Some favored a central building sufficient in size to accommodate the scholars of the entire com- munity. This scheme was opposed by others, who advocated ward schools. At a public meeting held at the Court House March 18, 1850, for the purpose of voting on the levying of a tax to build a schoolhouse, the project was voted down-220 votes being cast against to 160 votes for the tax. Those in the op- position were not opposed to a free school sys- tem but to a centralized school.

The board of directors favored the central school and in order to enlighten the people in regard to the matter, they selected William C. Taylor and George Gearhart to visit Cin- cinnati and other cities for the purpose of "ex- amining schoolhouses and any and all matters connected therewith." Dr. A. D. Lord, then superintendent of the Union schools of Co- lumbus, was invited to address the citizens of Circleville at the Lutheran Church on educa- tion and the organization of public schools un- der the law of 1849.

The investigations of Messrs. Taylor and Gearhart turned many from the side of the opposition so that in the election called for June 10, 1850, the advocates of a central school won with a majority of 117 votes. At that time it was decided to levy a "tax of $9,000, to be called for as follows, to-wit : $3,000 in one year, $3,000 in two years, and $3,000 in three years, to enable the Board of Education to pur- chase ground and build a schoolhouse." W. W. Bierce and George Gearhart were made a committee to "purchase of the heirs of E. Everts their out-lot (known as Everts' Hill) at a price not to exceed $800, and also of John Irwin and widow Darst portions of their in- lots, adjoining said out-lot, for an entrance to the same."

In the "Historical Sketches of Ohio Schools," written in 1876 for the Philadelphia

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Centennial, M. H. Lewis, then superintendent of the Circleville schools, has the following to say in regard to the Everts' Hill property : "Mr. E. Everts was, for many years before this period, an earnest and successful school teacher of this district. In a log house of two rooms, an upper and a lower, standing near the old oak just east of the present Everts Building, he held a popular school. Many of our older citizens bear grateful testimony to the unwavering zeal he showed in behalf of the establishment in Circleville and through- out the State of a graded public school system, supported liberally by a direct tax, and free to all of school age in each district. Though his property was not large, yet he determined, if such a system could be established in his day, to donate this hill property to the town as a site. His views were in advance of his time. In his will, this out-lot of nearly four acres was to be sold by the heirs to the school dis- trict, if devoted forever to educational pur- poses, for the nominal sum of $1,000. The heirs, in the true spirit of the testator, offered it to the board for $800, though at the time it would have yielded several thousands in town lots."

In addition to the sum of $9.000 provided for by the tax, the treasurer of the board, Col. Samuel A. Moore, reported having received, up to January 14, 1851, from district and township treasurers and from the State school fund in full $1,461. Still further funds were raised by increasing the annual levy beyond the amount necessary to meet the regular expendi- ture for schools when opened, and by the issue of bonds, payable after certain dates, with in- terest from 8 to 10 per cent.

Early in January, 1851, William C. Taylor and Stanley Cook submitted a plan for a school- house "to be known by the name of the Union Schoolhouse." Thomas Pedrick was appointed superintendent to oversee its construction. The building was ready for occupancy in Novem- ber, 1852.

The "Ohio Journal of Education" for 1853 has the following account of the new school- house :

THE CIRCLEVILLE UNION SCHOOL HOUSE.

This building, which is pleasantly situated on a lot of four acres, is 96 feet long by 69 feet wide. It is three stories high above the basement, and contains fifteen school rooms. Connected with each room is a closet, which is furnished with a wash-stand, looking- glass, combs and all the paraphernalia of a dressing room.

Neat and commodious apartments are fitted up in the basement for the residence of a janitor.

Two of Chilson's No. 6 furnaces are placed in the basement, which afford ample means for heating the house. In each hall is a large cooler, which is con- stantly supplied with fresh water. We noticed, among other things, on looking over a neat pamphlet of six- teen pages, that a janitor is employed who has entire charge of the furnaces, keeping the rooms clean, pro- viding water, ringing the bell, etc. This is as it should be. It is the poorest kind of economy to compel teach- ers or scholars to make fires and sweep the school- rooms, though no better arrangement can be expected till the plan of erecting large buildings is adopted.

The cost of the house and grounds, when the latter is ornamented, will be about $30,000.

Three of the lower rooms were furnished with long pine benches, divided into what are known as box seats, the boxes constituting the partitions between scholars along the set- tee and serving as deposits for books and slates. The remaining rooms-as many as were needed at first, nine in number-were supplied with double desks of walnut. the best of the day. The lower middle room on the first floor was used as an exercise room for the primaries, especially in unpleasant weather. The middle room of the third floor was used for morning exercises, and was long denomi- nated the "Chapel."

At a meeting of the Board of Education, held in May, 1852, Messrs. Griswold, Bierce and Moore were appointed a committee to se- cure by correspondence or visitation a superin- tendent and other teachers to take charge of the schools. This committee reported at the August meeting that they had visited Columbus, Cin- cinnati and other places, and had attended the teachers' convention at Sandusky, and that they felt full confidence in reporting the name of John Lynch, of Ashland, as one qualified to

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act as superintendent of the Circleville public schools. The report was accepted, and John Lynch was "unanimously chosen as the prin- cipal of said schools at $1,000 per annum." In addition to the superintendent, 12 teachers were appointed, II of whom were women. With this corps of workers the schools were opened November 22, 1852.

In October, Mr. Lynch, by direction of the board, prepared and reported a system of rules for the government of the schools, course of study and a list of textbooks. The daily ses- sions began at 9 o'clock A. M., closing at 12 M .; in warm weather the afternoon sessions began at 2 P. M., closing at 5, and in cold weather at I P. M., closing at 4.

The schools were divided into four depart- ments, called, respectively, High School, gram- mar, secondary and primaty. The primary department was divided into four grades of one year each, and four teachers were assigned to it; the secondary, into two one-year grades and two teachers assigned; the grammar, into three one-year grades and two teachers as- signed; and the High School into four grades of one year each.

The branches taught during the first year of the school, in the primary department, were -alphabet, spelling. reading, writing on slates, geography (oral and textbook), arith- metic (oral and textbook), and grammar (oral). In the secondary-spelling. reading, writing on slates, penmanship, geography, arithmetic and grammar. In the grammar- spelling, reading, writing on slates, penman- ship, geography, arithmetic (mental and writ - ten), grammar and drawing, with weekly ex- ercises in composition and declamation. In the High School-spelling, reading, penman- ship, geography, mental and written arithmetic, grammar, algebra, Latin and botany, with stated exercises in composition and declama- tion.

Since the opening of the Union schools in 1852, their growth has been rapid. The private schools existing at the time lost their patronage and closed and since that time no others have come to take their places. The accompanying table shows briefly points of increase taken at intervals of 10 years, including figures for the first year and the year just closed :

1853

1855

1865

1875

1885

1895

1905

1006

Number pupils enumerated.

1,201

1,292

1,800

1,903

2,204

2,095

1,911

1,904

Number pupils enrolled

845

813

875

1,300

1,433

1,332

1,265

1,348

Average daily attendance

600

532

650

803

1,011

953

981

1,018

Number teachers.

Number school rooms

Weeks in session

28.

Amount paid teachers.

8 3,216

$ 3,466

৳ 6,910

$10,917

$14,500

$ 15,590

20,015

$ 20,372

Total expenditures

24,641

39,578

26,853

27,596

Value school property

45,000

80,000

115,000

150,000

12,597

14,003

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HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY

In addition to the changes in textbooks, as one authority becoming old was superseded by another more modern and better suited to the need of the scholars, there were other changes which tended to increase the efficiency of the schools.

In accordance with a State law giving boards of education the option of furnishing all supplies for the schools, the Circleville Board of Education, in the latter part of M. H. Lewis' administration as superintendent, de- cided to furnish free all textbooks, tablets, etc., to the scholars in the schools.

Soon after M. H. Lewis was appointed to his office, the schools were regraded. Up to that time there had been four departments called respectively High School, grammar, sec- ondary and primary. There were nine grades below the High School. That department, as at present, consisted of a four years' course. In the regrading, the secondary department was merged into the primary and grammar de- partments. One year was dropped from the latter, making the eight grades of the present day.

Another change made in the grammar grades was to seat both sexes in the same room. Heretofore there had been two rooms-one presided over by a woman teacher in which the girls of the three grades were seated; the other, presided over by a man teacher, in which the boys of the three grades were seated. The man teacher resigned and since that time there have been no men teaching in the grammar grades.

Latin and algebra were introduced into the 9th grammar grade under Mr. Barney. His- tory became a required study in the eighth year and physical geography in the ninth. In 1873 Superintendent Smart removed the Latin of senior grammar to the first year of the High School. For many years the study of Ger- man was optional in the two upper classes of the High School. After 1873, in accordance with a provision of the school law of that year, it was decided to provide a special teacher who should devote her whole time to the teaching of German. All scholars from the junior sec- ondaries were eligible to membership in these

classes. It was not until June, 1874, that the Board of Education decided to make German a High School study and to give it a position similar to that held previously by Latin. Since that time it has been taught only in the High School, where four years' work is offered.

"In 1870 the board employed a special teacher of music, who, each week, gave a les- son of one hour to each room of the depart- ments above the primary." In 1875 the study was made obligatory in all except the grammar grades, and lessons of 15 to 20 minutes each were given daily by the special and regular teachers alternately.

The quadrennial report issued by C. S. Smart in 1874 says: "The rudiments of pen- manship are taught in the lowest grades by the use of slates and pencils. Copy books, pens and ink are not used until the last term of the fourth year. The teachers are required to give such instruction each day as is needed." In 1875 a special teacher of writing was em- ployed. Slate writing with ruled lines was begun the first term of the first year, followed in the next by lead pencil writing. The copy book was begun in the second year and pen and ink with advanced copy books in the third year. The system formerly used has been improved greatly under the supervision of Harp Van Riper, who still retains his position as head of this department. He also has charge of classes in drawing, a study which was introduced at about the same time. An excellent opportunity for development is given in this line of work and many of the scholars in the upper grades become quite proficient in pen and ink sketching and in water colors.

There has been much improvement in school accommodations and buildings since 1853. The original "Union schoolhouse," now called the "Everts Building," in 1875 contained 16 school rooms, with sittings for 850 pupils, the labora- tory and the superintendent's office. In 1880 it was decided to remodel the building as it was somewhat out of repair. The old structure had been square, but now two wings were added

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on the north and south sides and it was other- wise changed, as at the present time. There were then 20 school rooms in the building. Since then the two rooms in the basement have been made into the physical and chemical laboratories. During the past year an office for the principal of the High School was con- structed adjoining the office of the superin- tendent.

In 1871 the Ohio Street Building for col- ored pupils was completed at a cost of $7,000. At first it was a fine brick structure with ample hall and two rooms, but a few years later it was doubled in size. It was in use continu- ously until 1886, when the State law was changed and separate schools for colored chil- diren were abolished. After remaining vacant for eight years, it was turned over to the use of the Circleville Home and Hospital.

In 1875 a brick school building at the cor- ner of High and Pickaway streets, now called the "High Street Building," was completed. It contains six school rooms of the primary grades and was erected at a cost of something like $25,000.

In 1894 a brick building, containing four rooms of the primary grades, was erected on Franklin street between Washington and Mingo. In 1896 an addition of four rooms was added, which is also used for primary grades. It has been named the "Franklin Street Build- ing."

In 1896 when the lower grades became crowded, a hill was purchased at the corner of Walnut and Washington streets .. On this site a building of four rooms was erected for the use of the primary grades. It is called the "Walnut Street Building."

The members of the Board of Education as a rule have been very conscientious in their efforts to advance the status of the schools. Much of their time and energy has been given freely to the problems which have arisen. The following list includes all the members of boards since the organization of the schools in 1849, together with their terms of service :

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Name

Term.

Abernethy, Isaac N

1888-1891, 1899

Anderson, W. M 1867-70, 1874-77

Bauder, William 1855-51

Bierce, W. W. 1849-64

Brunner, John N. 1866-79

Burget, J. W. 1849-53

Clarke, E. C. 1856-65

Courtright, Alva P. 1881-97

Courtright, Samuel W. 1870-73

Crow, O. H. 1896-99

Davenport, George M. 1879-81

Delaplane, J. T. 1856-58

Delaplane, W. E.

1865-71

Doane, William

1860-88

Evans, J. B.

1857-60

Evans, Samuel B. 1876-95

Garrigues, C. H.

1854-57

Gearhart, George 1849-54, 1864-66

Grigsby, A. J. 1898-1905

Griswold, Wayne 1850-54

Groom, John C.

1853-56

Hamilton, Aaron 1897-03

Harsha, James

1876-95

Hedges, Henry N.

1854, 1864-67

Heffner, George W.

. 1905

Helwagen, Julius H. 1897

Hoffman, G. W.

. 1897-05

Huber, Peter

1865-77

McCrea, Adam

1854-61

Moeller, C. E.

1895

Moore, Samuel A.

1849-56

Myers, George W.

1849-56

Neuding, Emanuel S. 1905

Niles, O. E. 1861-65

Noecker, J. R. .1902

Pontius, George H. 1890-99

Schleyer, Gustavus A. 1890-91

Schryver, J. H. 1861-64

Taylor, William C.

1849-50

Wilder, G. A. 1871-78, 1881-88-91-97

Winship, E. E., Sr.,

1899, 1902-03-

Winstead, Jacob P. 1888-90

Wittich, G. F. 1858-96

The two longest terms on the board were those of G. F. Wittich and William Doane- 38 years in the case of the former and 28 in the case of the latter.

The present Board of Education is consti- tuted as follows: Joseph R. Noecker (presi - dent), E. E. Winship, Sr. (secretary), C. E.

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HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY

Moeller, Julius H. Helwagen, Dr. George W. Heffner and Emanuel S. Neuding. * *

The High School was organized at the same time with the Union schools, November 22, 1852. It is located on the first floor of the Everts Building and consists of four class rooms. There is a teaching force of five in- structors, one having charge of the physical and chemical laboratories in the basement.

Mr. Lynch, the first superintendent of the schools, outlined a course of study which re- mains, with few changes, to the present time. German has had a more prominent place in the curriculum in recent years and more emphasis is being placed on the study of physics, chem- istry and mathematics. The curriculum in- cludes the following studies: Latin, German, Greek, English, physics, chemistry, physical geography, ancient history, modern history, English history, American history, civics, alge- bra, plane and solid geometery, physiology, mythology, botany, commercial geography and bookkeeping.

HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.

Name

Employed Resigned

E. M. Cotton

Nov., 1852

June, 1859

J. P. Patterson

Sept., 1859 June, 1860

D. N. Kinsman

Sept., 1860 Mch., 1863

J. M. Atwater

April, 1863 June, 1863

O. C. Atwater

Sept., 1863

June, 1865

M. J. Warner

Sept., 1865

June, 1866

C. F. Krimmel

Sept., 1866

June, 1872

J. H. Clendenin

Sept., 1872 June, 1875

P. M. Cartmell

Sept., 1875 June, 1878

E. W. Mitchell

Sept., 1878 June, 1880

Miss Bertha Farr

Sept., 1880 June, 1882

Miss Emma M. Hall

Sept., 1883

June, 1887

Miss Mary E. Whipple

Sept., 1887

June, 1888

Miss Ella C. Drum

Sept., 1888

June, 1895

A. C. Fay

Sept., 1895

June, 1896

Frank Morrison

Sept., 1896

Oct., 1896

F. B. Spaulding

Oct., 1896

R. R. Upton

Oct., 1896

June, 1898

George P. Chatterton

Sept., 1898

June, 1899

O. C. Hulvey

Sept., 1899

June, 1902

·F. A. Cosgrove

Sept., 1902

June, 1905

T. O. Williams

Sept., 1905

During his term as principal, R. R. Upton organized a uniformed battalion of cadets, in which the boys of the High School were taught the manual of arms and military discipline. An armory was fitted up in the basement of the Everts Building. Drill was held several after- noons in the week after regular school hours. The cadet corps was maintained until the grad- uation of the class of 1902, when O. C. Hul- vey severed his connection with the schools. He was the last principal to provide a military training. During his administration, Major Hulvey, who was an enthusiast in matters per- taining to his profession, organized a cadet band, which was known throughout this sec- tion of the country not alone by reason of its ability but on account of the youth of the members.

The cadet corps did much to arouse a strong school spirit and to attract into the High School many who otherwise would have dropped out of the schools after finishing the grammar grades. At the same time the men teachers sought to excite interest in athletics. An athletic association was organized and con- tests were held with neighboring high schools and. academies. These activities caused the new scholars to take greater interest in their work and the graduates of the High School were. increased both as regarded quality and quantity.

The High School is on the accredited list of the colleges of the State. During the past 20 years-from 1886 to 1906-over 15 per cent. of the graduates have continued their education in colleges and universities. This, however, does not include teachers who have supplemented their work with courses in the summer schools given by many colleges and universities.

The first commencement was held in March, 1858. Since then 47 classes with an aggregate of 590 members have been gradu- ated. The following is a complete list of the graduates and shows, too, as far as can be as- certained, those who continued their education above the High School.

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Miss Vrylena W. Buffum

Sept., 1882 June, 1883

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GRADUATES OF EVERTS HIGH SCHOOL.

Name

Class Name

Class

Abernethy, Charles

.1892

Boyles, Ward

1904

Curl, Ella

. 1883

Abernethy, Minnie

1899

Brehmer, Pearl

1899

Curl, Georgia A. 1906

Adams, Bessie

1899

Brehmer, Robert

.1902

Curl, James G. 1902

Adams, Ella R ..

1865

Brooks, Della

1887

Curtain, Ralph 1906

Adkins, Wilbur

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 38

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 923

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923