History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c., Part 69

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968

USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c. > Part 69

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" The enrollment of pupils in our schools for the past school year was 808. and at the pres- ent time 925. We are satisfied that the course of study adopted by our Board is a most judicious one. and well calculated to discipline the mental faculties as they mature. impart a valuable fund of knowledge, and prepare our youth for the highest usefulness and happiness. We are happy to notice that moral instruction has a high position in the minds of our teachers and all our school officers. The Bible, without note or comment, but as God's revealed will. is used in all our schools."

As the Mansfield Female College came into existence about this time, it may be proper to give a brief history of that institution, which created expectations and hopes that have not been realized. It was projected in the spring of 1853, and completed for the reception of pupils November 7. 1855 .. It occupies a pleasant sit- nation on West Market street ; is a substantial and beautiful brick edifice, 54x76 feet, and four stories high. The entire cost of the building. apparatus, library, etc .. was $22,447. It started out with a competent corps of professors, and

an attendance of 113 students the first year. It struggled along for a number of years, but failed for want of pecuniary support ; being heavily burdened with a debt it was unable to liquidate. The Odd Fellows were about purchasing it in 1857, for the purpose of establishing a school for the orphans of deceased members of that society, but for some reason that project failed, and it finally passed into other hands. For many years. it has been occupied as a boarding- house.

Following Bartlett and Merril as Superintend- ents, came William C. Catlin, who continued to occupy that position until 1859, when he was succeeded by J. H. Reed, who, after his retire- ment from this office. engaged in the retail, and afterward the wholesale, book and paper trade. Henry M. Parker succeeded Mr. Reed, and con- tinued in the office of Superintendent until 1873, when he resigned, and was succeeded by John Simpson, the present efficient officer.

As has been stated, the first Board of Edu- cation, under the present system, was elected in 1853, and consisted of A. L. Grimes, J. H. Cook and Isaac Gass. In 1854, George W. Waring succeeded Gass ; in 1856, Barnabus Burns succeeded Grimes ; in 1857, Uzziel Stevens succeeded Waring ; in 1858, Henry C. Hedges succeeded Cook ; in 1860, Joel Myers succeeded Stevens, and in 1868, A. L. Grimes succeeded Burns. The Board then consisted of H. C. Hedges, Joel Myers and A. L. Grimes, who remained in office until 1872, and during whose administration the four beautiful brick schoolhouses were built. one in each ward of the city. Before the erection of these build- ings, there was a controversy among the citi- zens regarding the organization of the schools ; one party wishing to build one grand institution of learning. in a central portion of the city, which should accommodate all the children in the corporation ; the other desiring to erect a building in each ward. The latter finally pre- vailed. The former desired to purchase the

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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female college building, for the purpose, but since the erection of the ward schoolhouses. all parties seem well satisfied. The first of these buildings was erected on Bloom street. in the Second Ward, in 1868, and was ready for the reception of pupils in January, 1869. The same year, the frame schoolhouse in John's Addition was erected, and also the Third Ward Schoolhouse, which occupies a square, extend- ing from Third to Fourth streets, in the eastern part of the city. These houses. together with

houses in the First and Fourth Wards was agi- tated ; and resulted in the erection of the First Ward School building, or high school, in 1870. This beautiful edifice was opened, with appro- priate ceremonies, January 2, 1871. It occu- pies the lot on First street, which is on the southwest corner of the original plat of the city, and was donated by Gen. Hedges, to the Pres- byterians, for a graveyard. The total cost of this building, furniture, etc., was $31,297, and with few exceptions, the labor was performed

MANSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL.

the old brick on Southeast Diamond. and the and materials furnished by mechanics and bus- brick on the corner of Mulberry and First, now iness men of the city ; the stone, with the ex- ception of the window sills, being taken from quarries near the city. It is of brick, two stories. besides basement and attic ; mansard roof: conveniently planned and nicely furn- ished, and is occupied by primary. intermedi- ate, several grammar and a high school. owned and occupied by the Catholic School. constituted the schoolhouses of the city for several years-the house on the corner of Mul- berry and First being used for high-school pur- poses. while the primary school of the First Ward occupied the upper rooms of the market house. At this time. the number of teachers. In the following year, 1871. the Fourth Ward building was erected. It was built on the same plan and of the same size as the First Ward building, costing about $100 less. Its location. in the eastern part of the city, is commanding including superintendent, was seventeen. It was soon found that the existing buildings were not adequate to the increasing demands upon them, and in 1867-68 the question of new school-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

and beautiful, seven acres of land having been purchased by the Board, upon which the build- ing is located. A statement made by Henry C. Hedges. at the dedication of this building, which occurred January 15. 1872, furnishes the infor- mation that the cost of the school buildings in the four wards and that in John's Addition, was $93.450, with twenty-eight rooms, capable of seating 1.850 pupils at one time. The ward buildings were all erected under the supervision of Mr. S. G. Brinley, since deceased, and have given general satisfaction.

After the completion of these buildings, changes were again made in the Board of Edu- cation, Isaac Gass succeeding Joel Myers in 1872 : Martin B. Finfrock succeeding A. L. Grimes in 1873. In 1874, Mr. Gass was suc- ceeded by John W. Jenner. who still retains the office. In March, 1879. the number of the members of the Board was changed from three to six by a vote of the people. In April follow- ing. Abraham Small, B. Sens, M. B. Bushnell and L. F. Harrington were added to the Board, Mr. Hedges retiring. after having faithfully served the city in this capacity for twenty-one consecutive years.

The Board, as now (January, 1880) consti- tuted, consists of M. B. Bushnell. M. V. B. Fin- frock. L. F. Harrington. J. W. Jenner. B. Sens and A. Small.

The steady growth of the city is indicated in the progress of the schools, in the additional number of pupils and teachers each year, and the occasional building of a new schoolhouse. During the year 1879, a fine brick schoolhouse was erected in Newman's Addition, in the eastern part of the city, and additions have been made from time to time to some of the old houses. These houses now number six in the city, and will seat (at one time) 2,234 pupils. The actual cost of these buildings is $103.450. and the total value of school property in the city, $150,000. Number of pupils enrolled in 1878-79, was 1,777 ; the per cent of average

daily attendance is. of the average monthly en- rollment. 95 ; the per cent of average daily at- tendance is, of the whole number enrolled. 76. Thirty-six teachers are employed-two males (including the Superintendent), and thirty-four females : average salaries of grade teachers is $40 per month ; of high -school teachers. $78.33. Under the management of the present very efficient Superintendent, Mr. John Simpson, these schools have attained a high degree of excellence, and are not surpassed by any others in the State.

The Mansfield Normal College was organized September 10, 1878, by Prof. J. Fraise Richard, at the suggestion of a few leading citizens of Mansfield. of whom Henry C. Hedges may be mentioned as the most active. The building, on the corner of East Diamond and Flint streets, formerly the Fourth Ward School building, was secured for the purpose, and exteriorly fitted up by the Board of Education. It had been un- occupied since the erection of the new Fourth Ward building, and its windows afforded invit- ing targets for the boys of the neighborhood.

From the first circular issued, the following facts are gleaned : "The first year contained three terms of twelve, sixteen, and twelve weeks respectively. The tuition was placed at 75 cents per week, which covered all branches studied. The objects of the institution are :

1. To afford teachers of all grades the most rational methods of instruction and manage- ment.

2. To give the most thorough, recent and sys- tematic instruction, in the various subjects em- braced in the courses of study.

3. To inspire the power of thorough, original investigation ; to develop earnest, consecutive and effective thinking ; in short, to cultivate that sort of mind-power which makes itself felt under every circumstance in life.

4. To realize as fully as possible what is com- prehended in the expression-a modern school, dealing with practical subjects in a practical way.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

5. To put within reach of all a thorough. practical education, " good enough for the best, and cheap enough for the poorest."

The courses of study are :

Preparatory-embracing a searching study or review of all the common branches, including also elementary algebra, rhetoric, elocution and debating.

Teachers-same as preparatory, with thorough training in methods of teaching, philosophy of education, school organization and management.

Business-a full course in book-keeping, com- mercial computations, penmanship, business correspondence and commercial law.

Musical-vocal and instrumental in all its departments.

Scientific-a full line of mathematics, natural science, Latin language, history (both ancient and modern), English literature, evidences of Christianity, and government.

Classical-This adds to the scientific course a training in Greek, metaphysics and logic.

To these it is proposed to add, in the early future, a preparatory course in law and medi- cine, so that young ladies and gentlemen may be prepared, in classes, to attend the regular lectures in legal and medical schools.

At this date (January, 1880), although the normal college has been in existence but little over a year, it has grown from thirty-two students at the opening, to one hundred and ten. repre- senting nearly every part of the State.

Classes have been organized in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, geog- raphy, natural philosophy. chemistry, physi- ology, botany, geology and zoology, English grammar. rhetoric. elocution, literature and his- tory, Latin grammar and Greek, penmanship. vocal and instrumental music.

Under its present efficient management the normal college, it is hoped and believed, will be a permanent success. All it needs is encour- agement and fostering care to make it one of the best of its kind in the State.

In 1818, the first paper made its appearance in Mansfield. It was called the Olire. The following extract is from a letter of Mr. John (. Gilkison. its editor and proprietor : " The first newspaper printed in Richland County was established in April, 1818. * It was what * is termed a medium sheet. and was printed on what we would call. at this day, worn-out type, and an old Ramage press ; the entire establish- ment cost about $150. *

It was car- * * ried on about a year, with three hundred and fifty or four hundred subscribers. * At the time the Olire was first established. Rich- land County contained about one thousand voters, and the number of dwelling-houses in Mansfield was about seventy-five or eighty .* chiefly log cabins and small frame buildings. A considerable proportion of the support of the establishment was from Huron County, there being at that time no printing office in that county." In politics, the Olive advocated Whig principles. Shortly after it started. John Fleming became a partner of Mr. Gilkison. and the publication was continued about one year. when Mr. Gilkison sold his interest to Robert C'rosthwaite. who. in a few weeks. also purchased Fleming's interest, and carried on the paper very irregularly eight or ten months, when he failed ; and. for a time, Mansfield was witlı- ont a paper. In 1823, James Purdy arrived in the town, purchased the establishment and commenced the publication of a Whig and Masonic paper called the Mansfield Gazette. He purchased the establishment on credit. giving his personal notes therefor. took possession and employed John C. Gilkison as printer. He soon discovered that the type was too much worn to print a readable paper. and. mounting his horse, rode to Cincinnati. purchased a new font on credit and returned with it in his sad. dle-bags. Thus the first really permanent

*Mr. Gilkison must have been mistaken about the number of houses. Mr. James Purdy, Mrs. Smith, Dr. Bushnell and other old residents place the number of dwellings at that time from eighteen to thirty.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

newspaper establishment was started entirely on credit. Mr. Purdy's difficulties were not yet at an end. The first three years the con- cern did not pay expenses ; the press was too small, and it was found necessary to purchase a new press and renew the entire establishment. The income from his professional practice. how- ever, enabled him to meet his notes at matur- ity, sustain and improve the establishment un- til it became self-supporting and eventually prosperous. His practice requiring his whole attention, he sold the establishment in 1832. In 1830, Josiah L. Reed established another press in Mansfield, and printed a Democratic paper, called the Western Herald, which he conducted about a year or two. In 1832, T. W. Bartley, Dr. Rentzel and J. C. Gilkison formed a part- nership, bought out both the Purdy and Reed offices. consolidated them and commenced the publication of the Ohio Spectator, with the understanding that it should be an impartial journal : but, in a short time, it proved one-sided, and Mr. Gilkison withdrew from the establishment. It was soon sold to H. Leyman, and, not long after, Leyman sold to J. H. Hoffman, who, with Rentzel, conducted it to the end of the first volume (still Demo- cratic). when they failed, and this office re- mained closed until 1836. Meanwhile, in 1832. John and Charles Boreland commenced the publication of the Richland Whig, which advocated the principles its title denotes, and was conducted by them about two years, when it failed for want of patronage.

In 1836. John Meredith and John Warnock purchased the Spectator office of Hoffman & Rentzel. and continned its publication as a Democratic journal, of super-royal size. for some two years, under the title of the Ohio Shield, when Meredith purchased Warnock's interest. enlarged the paper to double-medium size. and changed its title to that of the Shield and Banner. The publication of the paper was continued by Meredith. and Meredith & Max-

well, until May, 1841, when it was purchased by its present editor, John Y. Glessner. Thus it will be seen that the Shield and Banner is the pioneer paper. It had a hard struggle for ex- istence in the start, but has been published under different names sixty-two years, with only an occasional break-down for the first few years. It has been published under its pres- ent name more than forty years, and by its present editor nearly forty years. In 1838, Marain & Devine established a Whig paper called the Richland Jeffersonian, which they conducted one year, when they failed for want of patronage, and the establishment was pur- chased .by J. C. Gilkison & Sons. It was con- ducted by these gentlemen nine years, with a sub- scription list of about eight hundred. They then sold out to M. Day, Jr., and E. W. Smith. Messrs. Day & Smith changed the name of the paper to the Mansfield Herald. In 1852, Mr. Day purchased Mr. Smith's interest, and con- tinued the publication of the Herald until 1855, when it was purchased by R. Brinkerhoff, D. R. Locke (Nasby) and James G. Robinson. In 1856, Mr. Locke retired. and became proprietor of the Bucyrus .Journal : Messrs. Brinkerhoff & Robinson continuing the Herald, and in the fall of 1857 received M. Day. Jr .. into the firm. In the spring of 1858. Messrs. Day and Robinson retired, and the paper was conducted by R. Brinkerhoff alone until May. 1859, when he sold out to Dr. Myers and his brother. Lorenzo D. Myers. When Dr. Myers died, his interest passed into the hands of his brother, Wesley Myers. The Messrs. Myers continued its pub- lication until October 13. 1875, when it was purchased by its present proprietors, Messrs. George U. Harn & Company.

In 1844, a Democratic campaign paper was started by Wiley & Tidball, called the Morning Pennant; and about the same time a Whig cam- paign paper, called the Richland Bugle and In- dependent Press, was established by William Johnson, both of which were discontinued at

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

the end of the first volume. In 1850, an inde- pendent Democratic paper was established by Joel Myers and Jacob Reisenger, which was con- tinued through one volume, then sold to John Y. Glessner, and discontinued.

From time to time, as occasion demanded. extras have been issued from the Herald and Shield offices.

Owing to a large German element in the population of the city, which has been steadily increasing in numbers and influence, it was thought a paper printed in the German lan- guage would receive support, and. accordingly, October 5. 1872. the first issue of the Mansfield Courier appeared. conducted by August Selbach. It started with a subscription list of four or five hundred. In about a year, the firm changed to Selbach & Pfisterer. Soon after, it was pur- chased by John B. Netscher, who conducted it until January 1. 1874, when it was purchased by Messrs. Kilian & Kuebler. In six months. Mr. Kuebler withdrew, and Mr. Kilian con- ducted it until his death in October 1. 1875. after which it was continued by the adminis- trator of the estate until January. 1876, when it was purchased by Messrs. Kuebler & Wolf. its present proprietors. It is quarto. 30x44.

In April, 1873, a paper was started called the Ohio Liberal. It was intended to represent the views of Liberal Republicans. in the county and State, as at that time they felt themselves subject to attack from both the old political parties. and desired some means of self-defense. A few citizens of Mansfield. therefore. sub- scribed the means necessary to start a weekly journal, and a company was organized and in- corporated, with a capital stock of $1.000. It was under the editorial supervision of Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, who, during the Presidential cam- paign. had been Chairman of the Liberal Re- publican Executive Committee of the State. The local department was under the charge of W. S. McMillen. It had not been expected that it would be a financial success. but. to the sur-

prise of its originators. it was self-supporting from the beginning. and has prospered and steadily grown in circulation. Subsequently, a jobbing department was added, and the paper became one of the permanent institutions of the city.

It maintained an independent position in pol- itics, until the Presidential election of 1876. when it supported the Democratic nominee for the Presidency, and has since been in accord with the Democratic party. In April. 1877. it was transferred to its present proprietors, Henry and Charles Foulk. who have sole control of its editorial and business management.

In 1859, a paper was started, called the Rich- land Democrat, by L. C. Kelly and Jacob Reis- inger. The latter died during the first year of its existence, after which it was continued by Mr. Kelly until 1862. when the settlement of Reisinger's estate and the war, combined. caused it to suspend.

The first issue of the Sunday Morning Call appeared July 23. 1876. It has not changed hands since that time. and is still issued. from the southeast corner of Fourth and Main streets. by A. J. Banghman and his sister. Miss Sadie Baughman, both practical printers. Its success does not depend upon regular subserib- ers. but being of an aggressive and sensational nature. its weekly sales are quite large. It soon came to be well known. and is sold by news-dealers and news-boys. in Mansfield and other towns within a radius of fifty miles. mak- ing it a financial success.

The Herald. under its present management. is healthy and prosperous, and is unqualifiedly Republican ; indeed. all the county papers are well sustained. which speaks volumes for the intelligence of the people of the county. Mr. Glessner is the oldest editor in the State. in continuous service.

In December, 1871. the Shield and Banner office was totally destroyed by fire. The loss was very severe, but such was the energy

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

displayed. that the paper never missed an issue. Through the courtesy of the Messrs. Myers, of the Herald, Mr. Glessner was enabled to issue a half-sheet the same week of the fire, and to continue its publication without interruption. During the thirty-nine years of his connection with this paper. it has never missed an issue. It is the organ of the Democratic party of Richland. and the official paper of the county.

So far as can be ascertained, the first post office was established (as has been mentioned in the general history of Mansfield) on a very large white-oak log that lay between the two block-houses on the square. Two men by the name of Facer and Hatfield were the earliest mail-carriers. They carried the mail from Cleveland and Sandusky City, to Mansfield, Mount Vernon and Columbus ; sometimes on horseback, but, during the war of 1812, gener- ally on foot for greater safety; packing the mail-bags through the woods, hiding in swamps and skulking in the bushes to save their scalps and the mail from a savage foe. Henry New- man says : "We few inhabitants of Mansfield, on the day Hatfield was expected, would as- semble together on and against a very large white-oak log, that lay between the block-houses, and there await the arrival of the mail. Some one was always ready to read the news, for the mail was then and there opened on the big log." It was generally Andrew Coffinberry, or, as he was usually called, " Count Coffinberry," or sometimes " Count Puffindorf," who would read the news from the top of the log. The settlers were anxious to hear from the war, and a newspaper, though it might be a week or two old, was quickly seized. no matter to whom it belonged, and the news read aloud to all the citizens of Mansfield. A local post office became a necessity after a time ; some place where the letters. which of course soon began to accumu- late. could be kept in safety until called for, and where the weary and mud-spattered mail-carrier could rest and warm, before starting again

on his lonely journey. That well-dressed. wigged and powdered, foppish but smart little Winn Winship was selected as Postmaster. A description of this gentleman, and also of his honse, is given in the general history of Mans- field and need not be repeated here. It is suffi- cient to say that he lived by himself in the only frame house in town, which he built just oppo- site the present site of the North American, where Purdy's Bank was for many years located. In this house, therefore, was established the first post office in Mansfield and the first in Richland County. The exact date when this post office was established and also the names and dates of appointment of all subsequent Postmasters have been obtained from the Post Office Depart- ment, through the kindness of Secretary Sher- man. and from this report it is found that Mr. Win- ship received his appointment July 1, 1811, and held the office nine years. He was succeeded, May 30, 1820, by R. McCombs, who kept a store on the southwest corner of Main and Third streets, where the Mansfield Banking Company now is.

To show the postal routes of that day, the fol- lowing card was exhibited on the post-office door: " Arrival and Departure of Mails.

"To Columbus, via Bellville, &c., every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 6 P. M. To Sandusky City, via Truxville, Plymouth, &c., Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at 6 A. M. To Millersburg, via Perrysville and Loudonville, Wednesday, at 6 A. M. To Bucyrus, via Galion, Wednesday, at 6 A. M. To Pittsburgh, via Hays' Cross Roads, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at 6 A. M. To Delaware, via Lexington, &c., Wednes- day, at 6 A. M."

Mr. McCombs held the office until January 25, 1830, when Hugh MeFall was appointed, and the office removed to the McFall corner --- northwest corner of Main and Third. Mr. Mc- Fall was appointed by Gen. Jackson, then Pres- ident, and held the office eleven years and six months. Those were the days of stages. In the transportation of mails, one step forward had been made-instead of going afoot, or horseback, the never-to-be-forgotten stage-coach

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Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 968

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968