USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 19
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MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Stark and Wayne District-Samuel Coulter, 1813 to 1814; William Henry, 1814 to 1815 ; John Harris, 1815 to 1816. From 1816 to 1848. Wayne county formed a representative district.
1
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WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
Wayne District-Thomas McMillan, 1816 to 1820; Jacob Barker, 1820 to 1821 ; Benjamin Jones, 1821 to 1822; Cyrus Spink, 1822 to 1823; Robert McClarran, 1823 to 1824: James Robinson, 1824 to 1825; Jacob Frederick, 1824 to 1826; David McConahay, 1826 to 1829; John Lohr, 1828 to 1829; James Robinson, 1829 to 1831 ; Jacob Ihrig, 1830 to 1835; Jacob Ihrig, 1834 to 1836; Jacob Miller, 1835 to 1836; William Peppard. 1837 to 1839; Elzy Wilson, 1839 to 1840; Thomas Shreve, 1839 to 1841 ; Charles Wolcott, 1841 to 1842; John Larwill and Joseph Willford, 1842 to 1843 : Peter Wiloz, 1843 to 1844: John Brown, 1844 to 1845; Michael Totten and Joseph Willford, 1845 to 1846; George Emery, 1846 to 1847; Michael Totten, 1847 to 1848.
W'ayne and Ashland District-Abraham Franks, Jr., and Jacob Miller. 1848 to 1849; Abraham Franks, Jr., and George W. Bull, December, 1849, to 1850; Charles R. Deming and Clinton Wilson, 1850 to 1852.
Wayne District-Clinton Wilson and Josiah H. Hitchcock, 1852 to 1854; Ezra V. Dean and Joseph H. Downing, 1854 to 1856; John W. Buckingham and Lorenzo D. Odell, 1856 to 1858: Lorenzo D. Odell, 1858 to 1860; Wil- liam C. Moore, 1860 to 1862; John Ault, 1862 to 1864; John Brinkerhoff, 1864 to 1866: John Ault, 1866 to 1868; William R. Wilson, 1868 to 1872; Thomas W. Peckinpaugh, 1870 to 1874; E. B. Eshelman, 1874 to 1876; Thomas A. McCoy. 1876 to 1878; T. A. McCoy, 1878 to 1880; A. M. Arm- strong, 1880 to 1882; W. P. VanDooran, 1882 to 1884: C. C. Stauffer, 1884 to 1886; J. W. Baughman, 1886 to 1888; J. W. Baughman, 1888 to 1890; M. J. Carroll, 1890 to 1892 ; M. J. Carroll, 1892 to 1894 ; C. H. Weiser, 1894 to 1896; A. Wiley, 1896 to 1898; A. Wiley, 1898 to 1900; U. F. Wells, 1900 to 1902: U. F. Wells, 1902 to 1904: Ed. S. Wertz, 1904 to 1906; Ed. S. Wertz, 1906 to 1908; Price Russell, 1908 to 1910.
GENERAL REPRESENTATION FROM WAYNE COUNTY.
In the state and national government Wayne county has furnished the following men :
Judge of the supreme court, Edward Avery and George Rex; Martin Welker, lieutenant governor and judge of the United States court for the northern district of Ohio; Hugh A. Hart, on the staff of Governor Campbell ; John McSweeney, Jr., as trustee of several state institutions; Leander Fire- stone, as superintendent of the Ohio Asylum for the Insane at Columbus and of the Northern Ohio Asylum for the Insane at Newberg: John Sloane, as secretary of state for Ohio, and secretary of the treasury of the United States,
177
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
under President William Henry Harrison; Gen. Reasin Beall, as major-gen- eral of the United States army ; Louis P. Ohliger, collector of internal rev- enue; James Newkirk, statistician for the state; Benjamin Jones, a member of the third state board of equalization ; Jacob Ihrig, member of the fifth state board of equalization; William Barton, member of the seventh board of equalization.
THE CIRCUIT COURT.
A circuit court was created by an amendment to the constitution, to con- sist of three judges. The circuit consists of the following fifteen counties : Ashland, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Richland, Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne.
The following members of the bar have acted as judges in this court : Charles Follet, John W. Turner, John W. Albaugh, John I. Adams, Julius C. Pomerene, Charles Kibler, George E. Baldwin, Richard M. Voorhis, Silas M. Douglass, M. H. Donahue, Martin L. Smyzer, John W. Swartz, T. T. Mc- Carty, Frank Taggart, John W. Craine and John Shields.
The present court is composed of Frank Taggart, M. H. Donahue and Richard M. Vorhis.
JUDGES OF COMMON PLEAS COURT.
The dates below are when the judges were elected, as a rule :
Benjamin Ruggles. 1812
William Wilson 1816
George Todd. 1816
Alexander Harper 822
Ezra Dean. 1834
Jacob Parker
184I
Levi Cox. 1848
Martin Welker. 1852
( Vice McDowell, deceased.)
William Sample
1857
C. Pomerene. 1897
John T. Maxwell. 1897
S. B. Eason. 1 898
Samuel H. Nicholas 1907
Charles C. Parsons 1877
Carolus F. Voorhis 1878
J. D. Nicholas 1887
W. Stillwell . 1883
E. S. McDowell 1888
E. S. McDowell. 1893
John T. Maxwell 1897
Frank Taggart. 1896
William Given 1859
Joseph H. Downing 1866
William Reed 1867
WV. E. Weygandt.
1908
(12)
178
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
Christian Smith 1812
Jacob Frederick. 1826
David Kimpton 1812
James Robinson . 1831
John Cisna.
1812
Hugh Culbertson. 1833
David McConahay 1819
Stephen F.Day 1833
Thomas Townsend 1819
George Wellhouse 1838
Thomas G. Jones 1820
Samuel N. Bissell 1845
John Nimmon 1819
Smith Orr. 1847
John Patton. 1821
Neal McCoy
1848
William Goodfellow
1824
Thomas Robinson 1848
Hezekiah Bissell 1826
James Swart. 1849
By the constitution of 1852 associate judges were abolished.
CLERKS OF COMMON PLEAS COURT.
William Larwill was appointed clerk of this court by the supreme judges of the state of Ohio, for seven years, the length of a term, serving from 1812 to 1826 in all in this office; Levi Cox served from 1826 to 1828; from 1828 to 1852, William Larwill, John Sloane and Samuel L. Lorah conducted the office, though here the record is not quite clear as to the years served by these gentlemen. From there on the record is: Benjamin Eason, 1852 to 1858; William Weiker, 1858 to 1861; C. C. Parsons, Sr., 1862 to 1868; John W. Baughman, 1868 to 1874; George Power, 1874 to 1877; George Power, 1877 to 1880; John Van Nostran, 1880 to 1886; Eli Zaring, 1886 to 1892; D. W. Musselman, 1892 to 1898; Samuel Esselburn, 1898 to 1904; J. Harrold, 1904 to 1910.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
William Smith was appointed first county treasurer in 1812. The first executed treasurer's bond on record in the auditor's office is that of Francis H. Foltz, dated 1819. the office to be held by him until the first Monday of the following June. In 1820 a similar bond was executed by Mr. Foltz. In 1822 Samuel Quimby was appointed to the office, holding it until 1830, when he was duly elected, filling the position for eight more years. James Finley was elected in 1837, and held the office twelve years. The list from the above dates to the present time is as follows :
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WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
Neal Power 1849
David Carlin 1853
John Zimmerman 1857
M. W. Pinkerton. 1861
Anthony Wright 1863
M. W. Pinkerton. 1865
George J. Kreiger 1903
George J. Kreiger 1905
George J. Kreiger 1907
Lewis P. Ohliger 1875
W. H. Zaugg.
. 1909
COUNTY AUDITORS.
From 1810 to 1820 the county commissioners appointed their clerks, who did the duties now discharged by the county auditors. In 1820 the office of clerk of commissioners was abolished, and that of county auditor created.
Cyrus Spink 1820-182I
Cyrus Spink 1821-1822
Samuel Knapp. 1822-1823
Samuel Knapp 1823-1824
Samuel Knapp.
1824-1826
Samuel Knapp 1826-1828
John Smith. 1828-1834
John H. Harris 1836-1840
Michael Totten 1840-1844
A. H. Byers 1844-1846
Lucian Upham. 1846-1848
J. P. Coulter 1848-1852
C. C. Parsons, Sr 1852-1854
Thomas A. Adair 1854-1856
Frederick Fluke.
1856-1858
Thomas A. Adair 1858-1860
Frederick Fluke. 1860-1864
T. W. Peckinpaugh 1864-1868
I. N. Hough.
1904-1906
David Kling
1868-1870
I. N. Hough.
1906-1909
W. W. Hamilton 1870-1872
George W. Henshaw. . . 1872-1873
W. W. Hamilton .died 1873
J. H. Carr .. served
T. J. McElhenie
1874-1878
John B. Wilson.
1878-1880
John B. Wilson. 1880-1882
John B. Wilson.
1882-1884
T. E. Peckinpaugh
1884-1886
T. E. Peckinpaugh
1886-1888
T. E. Peckinpaugh.
1888-1890
Henry Marshall
1890-1892
Henry Marshall
1892-1894
Henry Marshall.
1894-1896
A. B. Peckinpaugh 1896-1898
A. B. Peckinpaugh
1898-1900
A. B. Peckinpaugh 1900-1902 I. N. Hough. 1902-1904
James L. Zering
. 1909 ----
C. M. Lovett. 1891
A. B. Blackburn 1895
D. Heller . 1899
Jacob B. Koch. 1867
John R. Helman. 187I
J. S. Caskey . 1879
H. McClarran 1883
R. B. Wasson 1887
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WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
PROBATE JUDGES.
Samuel L. Lorah 1852-1855
Henry Buckmaster 1855-1858
Thomas Johnson 1858-1864
Hiram B. Swartz 1890-1893
John C. McClarran 1893-1899
John K. McBride 1867-1873
Robert L. Adair 1899-1905
Joseph H. Downing 1873-1876
T. W. Orr 1905-1908
Aquila Wiley 1876-1878
John P. Jefferies 1878-1881
T. W. Orr
1908-
SHERIFFS.
Josiah Crawford 1812-1814
Robert Orr. 1814-1818
John Updegraff . 1818-1820
Joseph Barkdull 1820-1824
John Smith. 1824-1828
Thomas Robison 1828-1832
Mathias Johnston 1832-1836
Daniel Yarnell 1836-1838
M. C. Shant 1838-1842
Samuel Kermickel 1842-1846
Samuel Cutter 1846-1848
George W. Lorah 1848-1852
John Bechtel
1852-1856
Neal McCoy 1856-1858
W. A. Eaken 1858-1860
Joshua Wilson.
1860-1864
John B. France. 1864-1868
George Steele. 1868-1872
Jacob R. Bowman 1872-1876
William Coulter.
1876-1878
William Coulter
1878-1880
H. E. Messmore 1880-1882
H. E. Messmore. 1882-1884
Jacob Mougey. 1884-1886
Jacob Mougey
1886-1888
E. A. Brown 1888-1890
E. A. Brown 1890-1892
John Brown 1892-
(Vice E. A. Brown, deceased.)
Cyrus D. Smith 1892-1894
W. W. Garver 1894-1896
W. W. Garver 1896-1898
J. S. McCoy
1898-1900
J. S. McCoy
1900-1902
Armstrong Brown
1902-1904
Armstrong Brown.
1904-1906
W. M. Caskey
1906-1908
WV. M. Caskey
1908 ---
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
18II- James Morgan, John Carr and Jacob Foulkes. 1812-James Morgan, Jacob Foulkes and John Carr. 1813-Oliver Jones, Jonathan Butler and Benjamin Miller.
Henry J. Lehman 1864-1867
Isaac Johnson 1881-1887
Hiram B. Swartz 1887-1890
18I
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
1814-Oliver Jones and Samuel Mitchell. 1815-Oliver Jones, Samuel Mitchell and Robert McClarran. 1816-Samuel Mitchell, George Bair and Aaron Baird. 1817-George Bair, John Lawrence and Thomas Taylor. 1818-19-John Lawrence, James Robison and Benjamin Jones. 1820-John Lawrence, Matthew Johnson and James Robison. 1821-Matthew Johnson, Charles Hoy and Joseph H. Larwill. 1822-Charles Hoy, Matthew Johnson and Basil H. Warfield. 1823-B. H. Warfield, William McFall and Charles Hoy. 1824-B. H. Warfield, William McFall and James Hindman. 1825-William McFall, James Hindman and Stephen Coe. 1826-James Hindman, Stephen Coe and Abram Ecker. 1827-28-Stephen Coe, Abram Ecker and George Wellhouse. 1829-Jacob Ihrig, Stephen Coe and George Wellhouse. 1830-Stephen Coe, George Wellhouse and John P. Coulter. 1831-32-John P. Coulter, Samuel Wilford and George Wellhouse. 1833-Samuel Wilford, George Wellhouse and James McFadden. 1834-George Wellhouse, James McFadden and Peter Emery. 1835-36-James McFadden, Peter Emery and Andrew Ault. 1837-38-James McFadden, Andrew Ault and William Burgen. 1839-Andrew Ault, William Burgen and James Cameron. 1840-Andrew Ault, James Cameron and John Hess. 1841-John Hess, James Y. Pinkerton and James Cameron. 1842-James Y. Pinkerton, Henry Swart and Josh Kelley. 1843-44-James Y. Pinkerton, Henry Swart and John Walters. 1845-James Y. Pinkerton, John Walters and Clinton Wilson. 1846-James Y. Pinkerton, Clinton Wilson and Moses Foltz. 1847-48-Clinton Wilson, John Rice and Moses Foltz. 1849-Clinton Wilson, John Rice and Henry Kramer. 1850-51-Henry Kramer, J. M. Blackburn and Conrad Franks. 1852-53-J. M. Blackburn, Conrad Franks and John Hough. 1854-J. M. Blackburn, J. B. Gregor and J. Hough. 1855-J. B. Gregor, J. M. Blackburn and Alex Ramsey. 1856-Benjamin Norton, J. B. Gregor and Alex Ramsey. 1857-Alex Ramsey, William Barton and Benjamin Norton. 1858-Benjamin Norton, William Barton and John Sickman. 1859-60-William Barton, John Sickman and Henry Shreve. 1861-62-Henry Shreve, V. W. Ault and William Barton.
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WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
1863-64-Henry Shreve, V. W. Ault and Joseph Firestone. 1865-V. W. Ault, S. M. Henry and Joseph Firestone. 1866-V. W. Ault, S. M. Henry and A. Dawson. 1867-S. M. Henry, A. Dawson and John McGill. 1868-S. M. Henry, I. Schriber and A. Dawson. 1869-70-S. M. Henry, I. Schriber and A. Adair. 1871-I. Schriber, A. Adair and John W. Newkirk. 1872-I. Schriber, J. W. Newkirk and F. N. Haskins. 1873-John W. Newkirk, F. N. Haskins and Benjamin Weygandt. 1874-Benjamin Weygandt, F. N. Haskins and Peter Stair. 1875-76-Benjamin Weygandt, Peter Stair and Henry Goudy. By years the following were elected :
1878-E. Quinby, Jr.
1894-E. J. Pocock.
1879-Peter Mougey.
1895-P. S. Blosser.
1880-E. Spangler 1896-M. M. Miller.
1882-John McGlenen. 1898-J. W. Cutter.
1883-Isaiah Byall.
1899-Dan Leiner.
1884-W. Spangler. 1900-John Ramsey.
1885-John McGlenen.
1901-John F. Harrison.
1886-Isaiah Byall.
1902-W. Ramsey.
1887-W. Spangler.
1904-S. I. Lehman.
1887-L. Graber. 1888-Jacob Hess.
1905-J. F. Harrison.
1906-J. F. Villard.
1889-John McGlenen.
1907-D. McIlvain.
1890-Anderson Oberlin.
1890-Jacob Hess.
1892-P. H. Blosser.
1909-J. F. Villard.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
Joseph H. Larwill 1814-1815
Cyrus Spink. 1815-1817
Samuel Knapp. 1817-1813
James L. Spink 1818-1819
John Brinkerhoff 1844-1847 Cyrus 'Spink. 1819-1820
Lorenzo D. Odell 1847-1850
James L. Spink 1820-182I
John Brinkerhoff 1850-1863
C. W. Christmas
1821-1832
George Emery 1832-1837
C. W. Christmas 1837-1838
John A. Lawrence 1838-1844
J. H. Lee. 1863-1872
1908-J. F. Harrison.
1909-G. W. Plasterer.
1893-M. M. Miller.
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WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
John Brinkerhoff. 1872-1875
E. D. Shreve.
1875-1883
Henry M. Knepp . 1901-1908
Henry M. Knepp. 1908- -
COUNTY RECORDERS.
William Larwill 1813-1819
Levi Cox. 1819-1833
Joseph Clingan 1833-1836
J. Thompson 1836-1842
Henry Marshall 1882-1888
J. W. Crawford
1842-1848
Joseph A. Schuch 1888-1894
H. J. Conner. 1848-1854
H. J. Kauffman
1854-1858
L. G. Franks
1900-1906
Emanuel Schuckers 1858-1864
Gideon B. Somers 1864-1867
A. S. Saurer
. 1909~
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
Roswell M. Mason 1812
Nathaniel Mather 1814
J. W. Halleck 1815
Alexander Harper. 1816
W. B. Raymond. 1817
H. Curtis. 1818
Lucas Flattery . 1819
Levi Cox. 1825
William McMahon 1840
Eugene Pardee. 1842
George W. Wasson 1846
George Rex. 1848
John McSweeney, Sr 1852
John P. Jeffries 1856
George Rex. 1860
Hamilton Richeson. 1864
Thomas Y. McCray 1868
Martin L. Smyser 1872
E. S. Dowell. 1874
E. S. Dowell. 1876
Cyrus A. Reider 1878
John McSweeney, Sr. 1882
John McSweeney, Sr 1885
A. D. Metz. 1888
Ross W. Funck. 1894
William E. Weygandt 1897
Eugene Carlin 1903
Eugene Carlin
1906
L. R. Critchfield, Sr
1908
INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.
The first infirmary directors of Wayne county were Casper T. Richey, John Brinkerhoff and Thomas McKee. Jacob Hoffman was elected in 1852.
John Brinkerhoff . 1883-1886
Philip Markley 1 886-1896
H. U. Mowery. 1896-1901
James F. Methven 1873-1876
Jacob Stark. 1876-1879
Jacob Stark. 1879-1882
A. S. Saurer
1906-1909
Charles E. Graeter. 1867-1873
Florian Schaffter
1894-1900
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WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
serving four years. I. N. Jones was appointed to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Jacob Hoffman and was elected in 1855, serving ten years. John Hindman was elected in 1855 and served a term of six years. Thomas Elliott was elected in 1857 and served six years. Aaron Franks was elected in 1861, serving six years. Benjamin Norton served three years and was succeeded by. Andrew Moore in 1865, and he held the office for six years. Jacob Kramer was elected in 1866 and served for six years. Jacob Halfhill was elected in 1867, served two months, and died. Charles Gasche was elected in 1872, serving six years. Joseph Holtzer was elected in 1872 and served six years. Adam Eyman was elected in 1873. John Alexander was elected in 1876. James McClarran was elected in 1877. Other directors have been elected as follows: James McClarran, 1877; Peter Buell, 1878; John H. Alexander, 1879; James Taggart, 1881; J. F. Seas, 1883; Francis Little, 1887; Mr. Marshall, 1886; Mr. Langell, 1888; A. M. Smedley, 1899; John Martin, 1893; Perry D. Cotterman, 1894; John Martin, 1890; C. F. Plasterer, 1889; A. H. Smedley, 1896; Ira C. Hindman, 1897; Ira C. Hindman, 1900; E. D. Amons, 1901; A. Straits, 1902: W. D. Kosier, 1904; Andrew Butler; 1906; J. A. Hamilton. 1908; Bradley Ihrig and A. H. Smedley, also L. N. Patterson, 1908.
CHAPTER X.
EDUCATIONAL.
When the pioneer band settled in the forest lands of Wayne county they came to build for themselves homes, and to most of them that included the proper training of their children, both in intellect and morals. The church and the school house were the first things sought for after the cabin home had been reared and a small patch of timber had been cleared away, on which land was to be grown, the first crops upon which the hardy pio- neer settler was to feed his little flock.
Wayne county was in no wise behind her sister counties in establish- ing her school system, and year by year improved it until today no county has better grades of public schools than are found here. At first this county, in common with all sections of the United States at that early date, depended on the subscription school for the primary education of their children.
PRIMITIVE SCHOOLS.
Perhaps no better description of the early-day schools in Wayne county can be given the reader of today than to quote from the late Ben Douglas. who had lived here and made a careful study of the growth of the school systems of Ohio from the earliest times to the date he incorporated the fol- lowing into a chapter of his "Wayne County History," published in 1878. It reads as follows :
"The primitive school house, as described to us, was eighteen feet square, built of logs, round or hewn, as the caprice of the builders suggested. It had a floor of split logs called puncheons; it was roofed with clapboards, with ridge poles to hold them to their places and keep the wind from blow- ing them away. At the one end was a fireplace,-in fact, in many instances, the whole end was devoted to such use, and therein were rolled and tumbled in immense back-logs. At the other end was a door with latch and string, and a window was formed by sawing out a section of a log, inserting therein a light frame and stretching over the same some white oiled paper.
"In the center of the room were slabs which were used for benches. without backs, and these were set on feet, or sticks set up perpendicularly at
186
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
each end. Boards arranged at a slope were fixed for the 'on scholars,' on which to put their copy books and slates.
"These early schools were gotten up by subscriptions, that is, parents subscribed so much for each member of the family; if they sent one, so much ; if more, that much in proportion more. These subscriptions were usually for a quarter, and the school commonly began November Ist. Though it was a short term, it was sometimes long for the teacher. The instructor was most anybody they could pick up; sometimes an intelligent neighbor, some- times the peripatetic gentleman 'from York State.' In those days the teacher was held in great esteem, aye, reverence. He was a master, and was sup- posed to know everything. He could solve puzzles, do sums, make capital letters, sometimes he drank nothing but milk, and his last and most un- fortunate gift was that he could sing. He always kept 'order' in the school room, his weapons to make the scholars 'behave' consisting of a rule and a well-filled quiver of 'gads.'
"When he touched somebody's son he employed his whole intellect. If perchance he thumped him he did it bodily-boldly. If he struck his knuckles with his club, he did it with refined courage; if he pulled his ears- why this was government. At this, the father thought the child was being instructed. He pretty nearly always boarded with the scholars, and of nights he would call them around him, the little trembling urchins, with black marks on their tender backs which resulted from his cruel hammerings during the day, and pat them on the head and cheeks and tell the parents how apt and smart they were; that this was Cincinnatus and that a Cicero. The father would take it 'all in' and reflectively remark to his good wife of the fame that was sure to come upon them.
"Sometimes the scholars would 'bar' their teacher out on Christmas or New Year's day and then his Satanic majesty was to pay with a depleted purse. He might break in the door, or crawl through a window, or jump down the chimney ; or if there were any big scholars in attendance, he would 'cave in' and promise to 'set 'em up' the next day. The 'treat' he would fur- nish would be composed of candles, cakes and gimcracks. On the last day of the school the heads of the family would assemble and the master would use some endearing terms to parting children and their fond fathers and mothers.
"The subjects taught were the three rules-celebrated rules-'Readin', Ritin' and Rithmetic' to the rule of Three. If the teacher said he could go this far he was hired with no further examination. If a pupil could bound the United States he was considered classic and fit to preach or practice law.
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WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
Spelling was a big thing, for the masters were always spellers themselves, and in addition 'worked out hard sums' of the neighborhood. The children sometimes had a long distance to go to school, and in such cases their parents made furrows with their plows through the woods, or 'blazed the trees' as guides for them. Here they would gather, boys and girls, the omnipresent 'big brother' likewise putting in his appearance. The boys in those days, too, kept busy their eyes to all fun going on, and occasionally they took their dogs along, Jew's harps, jackknives, and frequently a pistol was taken with them."
They all voted for long recesses and short recitations. But under all these circumstances they managed to make some acquirements, and proved to be highly useful members of society when they grew to manhood and womanhood. To these back-woods pupils we are today greatly indebted for the many blessings we enjoy, for when the times were ripe and the ques- tions of improving the school system came up for them to decide, they knew the need of a change and always voted right.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
With the advancing of the decades, the settlers of Wayne county heralded with almost one accord the advent of better schools and they were soon patterned after some one of the older Eastern states.
The adoption of the new state constitution gave a new impetus to the. educational affairs of Wayne county. The enactment of the first general law upon this subject, dated April 14. 1853, imparted a giant impulse to the cause and progress of the public schools of this county. This was an entirely new school law, on the free school system plan. This law was prepared by a senate committee, consisting of Hon. Harvey Rice, of Cuy- ahoga county, Hon. George Rex, of Wayne county, and Hon. Alonzo Cush- ing, of Gallia county. Its provisions were grand and beneficent.
Wayne county people seemed from the first to grasp the intent of this new law and at once were eager to take advantage of the same. Among the first townships to move under the law was Plain, and the first school house built under the new law was what is known as "People's College," in sub-district No. 7. It should here be stated, however, that, as is nearly always the case in any innovation, it was met with a stout opposition; but under the direction of Hon. Benjamin Eason, Jacob Welty and Robert C. Beard, the local directors, the sub-district completed its building, which
188
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
served as a model for many years for other sub-districts of Wayne county. From time to time various amendments have been made to that school law; but in all subsequent legislation upon this subject, the salient features of the original law have been retained; and today the same system of free education to all the youth of the state remains as a monument to the wisdom, intelligence, justice and genius of the framers of the first law.
SMITHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
What was quite an educational institution, at an early day, was the Smithville high school, established in August, 1865, at Smithville, Green township. Prof. J. B. Eberly was the first teacher and became principal of the school. In 1867 money was raised by subscription to the amount of five thousand dollars to build a building to take the place of the old "Synagogue," or Presbyterian church. By 1878 it was reported to be in flourishing condition, with buildings in all valued at twenty thousand dollars. The average yearly attendance had, up to that time, been two hundred and seventy-five students, of both sexes. A large per cent of the local school teachers up to that date had been educated at this most excellent institu- tion. The school had no endowment, nor had it received any gifts except the original subscription of five thousand dollars.
The officers in 1877-78 were: President, Rev. D. Kosht, of Smithville ; secretary, B. Musser ; treasurer, Rev. James Baldwin; board of trustees, Ben- jamin Hershey, of Canton; D. B. Hotchiss, of Limaville; David Shisler, of North Lawrence; Rev. John Excell, of Limaville; David Ecker, of Burbank; John Williams, of Smithville.
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