USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > Salem in Columbiana County > History of Salem and the immediate vicinity : Columbiana County, Ohio > Part 4
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In this Mr. Caruthers alluded to the building on Columbia street, that was erected soon afterwards. In his annual report for 1880 and 1881, he gave some very pertinent comments on reading.
In 1887 Prof. Myron E. Hard was engaged as superintendent, and he continued here ten years. He was a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, and had previously been superintendent of the schools in Gallipolis ; and had been principal of the High school at Washington Court House, Fayette county, Ohio. From this place he went to Bowling Green, Ohio, and was succeeded by Prof. W. P. Burris.
Besides the superintendents, heretofore mentioned, there have been some persons in subordinate posi- tions, who well deserve some honorable notice, espe- cially those engaged in the grammar and High schools. Of these were A. J. Blake, T. E. Suliot, and Rosa A. Prunty, afterwards the wife of Dr. J. L. Firestone. With him she made a tour through certain parts of Europe. There were also Jehu B. Strawn, Ambrose Blunt, E. J. Godfrey, Philo P.
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
Safford, W. H. Maurer, T. C. Mendenhall, and F. R. Dyer; Misses S. A. Platt and M. A. Southard. Miss Hattie Creel was music teacher for several years. Miss Maggie Umstead has been in some of the schools for thirty-two years; and Mrs. G. W. Peeples twenty- eight years.
The Columbia street building was erected in 1881, and the East Main street building in 1891. In 1896 the Fourth street edifice was condemned as unsafe for an assemblage of pupils, wherefore it was pulled down, and the contract for a new building let. W. C. Wilkins, of Pittsburgh, took the contract; also, that for the building in the south-west part of the city. The work was pushed during the following winter; but some hindrances occurred, so that it was late in the fall of 1897, that the house was ready for the opening of the school.
The corner-stone of the new High school edifice was laid on the first day of October, 1896. It was done with masonic ceremonies. Some relics proper for the purpose were deposited in it, and an address was given by J. T. Brooks It was more than a year after this before the house was ready for school pur- poses. On the 25th of November, 1897, Thanks- giving services were rendered by a dedication of this building. 'All ministers in this place participated. Addresses were given by the superintendent, W. P. Burris, and J. T. Brooks; also, brief speeches by each of the ministers, and a dedication poem was read by George D. Hunt. Some anthems and appro- priate hymns were sung. The auditorium was well filled, and the whole thing was a handsome affair.
CHAPTER VI.
SCHOOLS CONTINUED.
B ESIDES the schools of which an account has been given in the previous chapter, especially those which led to the inau- guration of the union system, there have been some schools in the town, that well deserve some notice ; though they were not all of a pretentious character. Each of them, in its time, did much good, and excited some interest among the friends of education. They all had their respective times of success and useful- ness, but they came to an untimely end. Why they were not permanent will be best known to those who understand the liabilities and vicissitudes of the teacher's vocation.
In 1828 occurred the unfortunate division in the Society of Friends. Joseph Shreve went with the Orthodox party, and thus retained their confidence and patronage, which was amply sufficient to sustain him in their school. The Hicksites were no less earn- est advocates of education than the original society had always been; but they united more with persons out of their denomination in maintaining schools.
In 1829 and 1830 Samuel Ruckman kept a scliool somewhere on Green street. It was called a district school, but the public-school system was not then in such a condition as to render much help to teachers. Soon afterwards a school was kept in the Hicksite meeting house, by Jonathan Thomas. Some others, also, kept short terms in the same house.
In 1830 a brick school-house was built at the corner
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
of Green and Chestnut streets; and, during the fol- lowing winter, James Tollerton was there employed. Eliza Shreve also kept one term in the same house. Then J. J. Brooks, Jacob Heaton and Martin Heck- ard were teachers. The latter was a rigid disci- plinarian, and, in many particulars, a good teacher. It was about this time that P. R. Spencer first visited Salem, and introduced his system of penmanship. Mr. Heckard eagerly adopted it, and taught it in his school. It was, also, about this time that writ- ing-schools became much of a hobby.
In the summer of 1834 Amos Gilbert came to Salem, from Lancaster county, Pa. His arrival and subse- quent teaching made a notable era in the school interest of the place. He was not a profound scholar, but he was a man of thought, and his greatest ambi- tion was to set others to thinking. In certain ways he was a philanthropist. He engaged eagerly in the anti-slavery enterprise, but from politics and religion he kept aloof. In teaching natural philosophy was his favorite topic. In grammar and mathematics he was deficient. During ten or twelve years subsequent to this time natural philosophy became a prominent branch in all schools in this region. Following this, mental arithmetic became quite a hobby. This man took much delight in communicating facts in nature, and he had great respect for the Pestalozzian system of education. Before coming to Salem, he edited and published a literary paper called The Inciter. It was a monthly, and was intended to impart useful information, and to set forth some moral reflections. He brought a printing press to Salem, and here issued a few numbers. He did not get much patronage, and the craft of conducting a periodical was much out of his line of thought.
WILLIAM D. HENKLE.
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SCHOOLS CONTINUED.
During the next summer Amos Gilbert was joined by his son-in-law, Abner G. Kirk. Some time in 1836 his connection with this school ceased, and Mr. Kirk continued in it some time longer; and then he left the school and engaged in farming. He was succeeded by Benjamin B. Davis, who, after a few terms of teaching, engaged in starting The Village Register, which was the first successful newspaper enterprise in Salem.
In 1839 or 1840 Miss Elizabeth Richards com- menced a school for young ladies. She was assisted by Leah Heaton, who afterwards was the wife of J. J. Boone. They kept a good school and awakened much interest in the science of botany. Their terms varied from $2 to $5 a quarter. Drawing, painting, and fancy needle-work were at the highest price. In April, 1843, James C. Marshall, and his wife, Henri- etta, commenced a select school on Green street, between Chestnut and Lundy streets. Their terms were $1.00 a month. And they had a library of a hundred and fifty volumes. Mrs. Marshall was a woman of fine literary taste, an extensive reader and an authoress. She was one of those who are more at home in some scientific or literary work than any- where else. Her greatest delight was in some intel- lectual pursuits, especially such as contemplated the moral training of the young.
About the year 1840 Abner G. Kirk returned to Salem, and commenced a select school. He built a small frame school house adjoining his dwelling on High street. There he kept a school during several years. Many young persons came and boarded in Salem to attend his school. It was very popular and was regarded as a school of a higher order than any
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
other in the town. In 1845 he commenced preaching, and in the spring of the next year he closed his school, and then gave his whole time to preaching and pas- toral duties. After that time he became an earnest and devoted minister in the Baptist denomination. The most of his ministerial labor was in Beaver and Lawrence counties, in Pennsylvania. He died at Hillsville in June, 1886.
In 1844 Rev. Jacob Coon came to Salem, and pur- chased property on Lincoln avenue. In the rear of it he erected a two-story frame building, and, in it, he opened an academy. Some of his pupils named the place Science Hill. They had probably been reading, with some interest, Aiken's description of The Hill of Science in the English Reader, a school book now out of print. Here the Latin language was first taught in Salem, and several young men were prepared for college, who afterwards made their mark. The pupils gave some good exhibitions, and, in many ways, this school was a good one. Mr. Coon was a good man, and a popular minister in the Presbyterian church, but he was not fully appre- ciated. Had he come to this place ten years sooner, he might have given the educational interest a much better aspect than it then had. The church interest, too, would have been much benefited. Before com- ing to Salem, Mr. Coon was, for two years, a profes- sor in Franklin College, at New Athens, O. After leaving Salem, he took charge of the academy at Poland, O. At the same time preaching for some churches in the neighborhood. Afterwards he had charge of academies at Hayesville, O., and Freeport, Il1. At the latter place he closed life.
In 1847 Mrs. Greer, wife of Rev. T. W. Greer,
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SCHOOLS CONTINUED.
kept a school for small children in the Baptist meet- ing house on Depot street. Her school was interest- ing, and to her is due the credit of being the first in this place to introduce vocal music in school.
In 1852 Calvin Moore opened a select school on Lin- coln avenue. For about thirteen years, he and his wife conducted it in an unostentatious manner; and they got a fair amount of patronage. They were exemplary Friends, and their school was patronized mainly by people of their persuasion. They were both good teachers, and were not backward in the modern improvements pertaining to the profession. This school was brought to an end by the accidental death of Friend Moore, in 1865; soon after which event the widow obtained a situation in the Friends' boarding-school, at Westtown. Pa.
About the year 1872 Bejamin D. Stratton, who was an earnest friend of education, erected a building on West Dry street, now numbered 78 and 80, for a school house. This was for his son-in-law, Joseph H. Branson, who was a fine scholar, and, in this house, he commenced a select school. Mary Cad- walader was employed as assistant teacher. An intelligent citizen, of Salem, declared to the author that Mr. J. H. Branson had more teaching power than any other person in the place. But he, somehow, became unpopular,-with some of his pupils espe- cially. Wherefore he left the school, and Mary Cad- walader continued it several years quite successfully. At one time she had Linnaeus Warrington as assist- ant. Pupils came from the country, and boarded in town, to attend her school. A chance to get married terminated her career of public teaching.
She was succeeded by Mrs. Mary M. Williams, who
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
came from Steubenville. She was an accomplished teacher, and had been educated in the Female Semi- nary, at Washington, Pa. She had good success for about two years. For awhile she had a writing- teacher employed. Part of her work was done in another building. Her career of teaching ended like that of her worthy predecessor.
About this time Isaac N. Vaile came to Salem and tried to start a select school in the house that had been occupied by the two aforesaid teachers; but he did not get enough encouragement. Although he was a good scholar, well versed in the sciences, it appears that he was not duly appreciated.
Mrs. Helen M. Beatty came to Salem in 1840. Soon afterwards she got a position in the public-school. This she held about a year. She then commenced a a select school which she managed with marked suc- cess for twenty years.
Recently a neat little school-house has been built on the Friends' lot on Sixth street. This is intended for schools under the direction of their Monthly Meeting. Two terms have there been kept; one by Elma G. Hutton, and the other by Howard Fawcett.
" The Salem Business college was organized in 1894 by J. W. Butcher and H. T. Edmeston, of Cleveland. Rooms in the Howell block were occu- pied until more commodious quarters were secured in the old Y. M. C. A. rooms, in the Trimble block. This change was made necessary by the increase of students from Salem and from the adjoining counties. "
"In 1895 Mr. Butcher purchased his partner's share, retaining the entire interest in the school until 1896, when it was sold to W. H. Matthews, who
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PROSPECT STREET SCHOOL BUILDING, ERECTED IN 1897.
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SCHOOLS CONTINUED.
came to Salem as a teacher in the preceding year. "
"W. H. Matthews and Miss Clara Barton are the present proprietors. The management is to be con- gratulated on the growth of the school, and the success of its graduates; many of whom are employed in first-class positions as book-keepers and steno- graphers. "
"The attendance has been steadily increasing until it has exceeded one hundred and fifty, for the school year of 1897 and 1898, making the Salem Business college one of the largest business schools in Eastern Ohio. "*
The history of the Salem schools exhibits a pro- gressive work, similar to that of acquiring an educa- tion. The character and qualifications of the teach- ers has corresponded in many particulars with the patronage and encouragement that they received. Some of them have exhibited commendable zeal in their work, and had much sympathy for those who were in their pupilage. We need not dwell on their failings and imperfections, while we have nothing to say about the discouragements that they encount- ered. Why some of them left the place or forsook the profession need not be asked. These are occur- rences too common, and their cause is apparent to every observer of school experience. It has cost much effort and expense to bring these schools to their present condition, and some exertion will be needed to keep them from retrograding. They reflect much credit on the citizens, and give the city an invaluable reputation. And now the youth of Salem may justly felicitate themselves on the superior priv- ileges that they possess for acquiring scientific and
*W. H. Matthews.
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
literary knowledge. Well may we adopt the follow- ing apostrophe; it being the language of a pioneer teacher .*
" Go on loved school, from step to step proceed ; And fresh improvements mayst thou receive.
*
Mayst thou in future rise to just renown,
Mayst thou the page of history next unfold ; Bid ignorance fly ; tread superstition down, And on thy way to best refinement hold."
*Joseph Shreve.
CHAPTER VII.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY .- THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
ALEM having been settled by Friends, they were the first to establish religious wor- ship; and, for about fifteen years there was no other form of public worship but theirs. The first immigrants arrived in 1802 and 1803; of whom, in this connection, might be mentioned Samuel Davis, Elisha Schooley, Jacob Painter, Caleb Shinn, Zac- cheus Test, and Joseph Wright, with their families. Their nearest meeting was then Middleton, about twelve miles east. The place is now generally known as Mosk Post-office. In the summer of 1804, the first meeting was held-in the house of Samuel Davis, which stood near the spring, on Garfield avenue. About a dozen persons assembled and held a silent meeting. When they were fairly composed, an Indian chief and his squaw entered the house; on receiving an explanation of what was being held, they took seats and sat in a respectful manner until the Friends shook hands. The red strangers had no communica- tion to offer in the meeting, but, being invited to take dinner, the chief was so well satisfied with what he had eaten that he exclaimed, "Go six days," mean- ing, without eating any more.
Soon after this a log cabin was built near the site of the Town hall, and a Preparative meeting was formed, then an addition to it was built and a Monthly Meeting was constituted, two or three years after- wards; it being a branch of Redstone Quarterly meet- ing. In this meeting house was solemnized the mar-
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
riage of David Scolfield and Rebecca Davis, on the 20th of the 11th month (Nov.), 1805. They were the first couple married in Salem. The number of Friends increasing by immigration, a Quarterly meeting was contemplated. In 1807 a deputation of Friends, appointed by Baltimore Yearly meeting, visited Salem. They were piloted from Redstone by Nathan Hunt, Sr. On reaching the Middle Fork, near the site of Franklin Square, they found the stream so swollen by a heavy rain that they were obliged to cross in a skiff, and make their horses swim after them. This delayed their arrival in Salem beyond the appointed time for meeting. On their return they reported favorable for the establishing of a Quarterly meeting. The high water must have been what has often been called a "June freshet."
The Quarterly meeting thus formed was made a branch of Baltimore Yearly meeting, and thus remained till 1813, when Ohio Yearly meeting was constituted, and Salem Quarterly meeting was made a branch of it. During more than thirty years from the first, quarterly meetings always gathered the largest congregations of any meetings in the place. That interest is now much diminished.
A lot on the north side of Main street was donated by Samuel Davis, and one on the south side by Israel Gaskill. More ground was afterwards purchased and added to them, and they thus divided the town into two parts. After some years much of this prop- erty was sold for building lots, only a portion being reserved for the meeting houses on Dry and Green streets.
In the summer and fall of 1807, the brick were made, and the house erected and enclosed, which
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THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
stood on the south side of Main street, and between Depot and Broadway. In the spring of the next year it was finished. Joel Sharp, Sr., and Aaron Strat- ton were the principal carpenters. This venerable edifice is now, perhaps, remembered by some of the oldest inhabitants. It stood and was occupied until the new one on the south side of the square was finished.
In 1828 the Society of Friends became divided into two parties, each claiming to be the original society, and charging the other with embracing doctrines not held by the primitive Friends. In Salem the Ortho- dox party, being the larger in number, held the meet- ing house and property on the south side of Main street. The Hicksites took possession of a small frame house on Green street, to which they built an addition, and there held their meetings. In 1830 or 1831 a division of the ground was made by which this party got all on the north side.
That division in the Society of Friends was a source of much animosity between the two parties; yet both professed sincerity. They were generally known to be a very peaceable people, hence this divi- sion made a great amazement among all people out of their denomination, who knew much about them and their profession. Persons who wish to know more about this division are referred for the Ortho- dox side to issues of The Friend in 1827 and 1828, Thomas Shellato's Journal, and Evans's Exposition. And for the Hicksite side to Elias Hicks's Journal, Cockburn's Review, and Janney's History of the Friends.
In 1845 the large frame house that the Hicksite party now use was built, and, in that year, their
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
yearly meeting was first held here. Since that time it has been held alternately here and at Mount Pleas- ant, Jefferson county, O.
In 1854 another division in The Society of Friends occurred. Some years before Joseph John Gurney, an English Friend, came over, and went through the most of the American meetings, and therein preached in a manner that set the people to thinking and debating on what he thus set forth. Many believed that he preached the truth, and there were many who regarded him as getting away from the Friend's standard. One John Wilbur, an American Friend, opposed him. This led to a division; and, for distinction, the parties got the names of Gurney- ites and Wilburites. But they both ignore the names as applied to their respective parties.
By a compromise, during about eighteen years, both parties held their meetings at different hours on Sabbath days, and mid-week meetings on different days, in the Dry street house. The so-called "Wil- bur Friends" built and finished a new and commo- , dious meeting house on East-Sixth street in 1872. During many years the Friends had more influence in Salem than all other denominations taken together, and they mainly gave character to the town and country around.
During late years, other denominations have increased in number and gained influence. The Friends have diminished, and much of their influence that they have had is gone from them. Divisions and sub-divisions have been a source of misfortune, and a cause of declension to them, in the same man- ner as in other denominations. But they have a sig- nificant history.
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
While these declensions have prevailed among the primitive Friends, there has been some other notable events in the progress of the Gurney party. They have taken to themselves the name of Friends' Church. And by their aggressively evangelical work, they are doing much to keep up their organization, and awaken others to an interest in religion. The operations of Joseph John Gurney in the Friends' society were much like those of John Wesley in the church of England. Neither of these men intended to make a schism in their churches. But they wished to promote more spiritual activity among those who held to their creed. The fruits of Wesley's work are now seen in the Methodist church, and Gurney's-in the Friends' church.
In 1897 a convention of representatives from the different yearly meetings of this denomination was held at Indianapolis, Ind. This might be called an "Ecumenical council." To the published proceed- ings of it readers are referred for further informa- tion about their doctrines and church economy.
This body has here done much to sustain ministerial service and gain converts. In this capacity Willis Hotchkiss, Joseph Peele, Edgar Ellyson, and Fred- erick J. Cope have labored with them. The latter is now their pastor. They have also sustained Sun- day schools, in which Eli French, George W. Faw- cett, William Daniel, Hannah and Sarah Fogg, and Amelia Hole have rendered good services as superin- tendents and teachers.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
David Gaskill, Sr., his wife and Mary Straughan may be regarded as the pioneers of the Baptist inter- est in Salem. They arrived about the year 1806,
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
and, together with others who joined them soon afterwards, they early contemplated building a meet- ing house and organizing a church. In 1809, two lots amounting to half an acre, were purchased or donated from John Straughan. They were on Depot street. Subsequently another lot was purchased. The native forest then covered them except a little improvement and a log cabin. But it was some years afterwards that a house was built, and a church constituted.
Rev. Thomas Miller appears to have been the first minister who preached Baptist doctrines here, and administered the ordinance by immersion. Meetings were first held in private houses, and often in Rich- ard Heacock's shop, which was at the west end of town, and on the south side of Main street. In 1820 a small brick house was built, on the lot aforesaid. By this time the Methodists had gained some signifi- cance. They and some others united in building the house with the stipulation that it should be used jointly by the different parties, but the Baptists were to have it at least every fourth Sabbath. The car- penter work was done by Jesse Strawn, Samuel Jolley and John Flitcraft.
The first candidates for baptism were David Gas- kill, Jr., his wife, John Sheets, his wife, Jacob Countryman and Jane Heacock. On the 22nd day of November, 1823, these, the pioneers named above, and Elizabeth Shinn, Elizabeth Wright and her two daughters, Tamzin and Clarissa, were constituted into a church. The council in attendance was com- posed of Elders Jehu Brown and Thomas Miller, and eleven laymen from other churches. This date may be regarded as the birthday of the church; but it has had such mutations since that time that now it is like a different body.
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
A few years after the organization of the church, one Walter Scott commenced preaching for it. He baptized many persons in Salem, and some near the site of Franklin Square. The Campbell secession occurred at this time. He went with it and took the most of his proselytes, and all of the Salem church except five. A great excitement followed. Rev. John Clealand was then called, and he gave some plain preaching, in which he showed what genuine Baptist doctrines are; and, with the aid of the few faithful members arrested the schism that had almost ruined the church.
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