History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers, Part 38

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 38
USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 38

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1868, R. W. Stevenson was re-elected superin- tendent, at a salary of two thousand dollars, and the salaries of most of the teachers were increased.

There was urgent necessity for more room and more school buildings, to accommodate the increased number of scholars in the different wards of the vil- lage. The board obtained from the corporation anthorities a deed of two lots on League street, designed in the platting by the "Homestead League " for "public purposes," for the erection of a school house, and the board proceeded to erect a good, substantial two-story brick building for the purpose, known as the " League Street School House."

The building was erected under the especial super- vision of D. D. Benedict and Theodore Williams, (a committed appointed by the board, ) at an expense of five thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight dollars and eighty-one cents, which was all paid for without levying any additional tax over that raised for school purposes of five mills. The board also pur- chased an acre of land on Benedict avenue, in the south part of the village, for the erection of another ward school house, to be put up as soon as the finances would permit, without creating a bonded debt. For this they paid eight hundred dollars.

Our enumeration had now reached one thousand, seven hundred and fifty-four, between the ages of five and twenty-one, and the enrollment in our schools was eight hundred and seventy-five, with an average cost per pupil of twelve dollars and fifty-four cents per year. The graduating class this year consisted of five members.

At the close of the school year in 1871, the super- intendent and all the teachers were invited to remain. Mr. Stevenson, however, tendered his resignation, as he had been elected to the same position in the public schools of Columbus, at an increased salary.

Mr. Henry A. Farwell, of Quincy, Illinois, was elected by the board to succeed Mr. Stevenson from September, 1821, at a salary of one thousand five hundred dollars.

procured, and measures adopted for proceeding at once to its erection. D. D. Benedict and Theodore Williams were appointed a building committee, and authorized to fit up the grounds and make all neces- sary arrangements for having a school opened. A very commodions two-story brick building was erected, about thirty-six by sixty feet, upon the ground, de- signed to accommodate two primary schools, with ante-rooms, recitation-rooms and black-boards, and seated with modern single seats and desks, having a more tasty and attractive exterior than any of our previous school buildings, at a cost of eight thousand dollars. This building will seat comfortably one hundred and fifty scholars.

Mr. Farwell was re-elected superintendent at a salary of one thousand seven hundred and fifty dol- lars, and the teachers of the previous year were invited to remain.

Mr. Farwell was re-elected superintendent in 1872, at his previous salary.

Miss S. H. Smith. resigned her position in the high school at the close of the school year in 1843. She had been teacher of marked ability in our schools for many years, and her resignation was accepted with much regret.

Mr. Farwell was re-elected to the superintendency in July, 1843. There was a graduating class at the close of the school year of eleven.

In July, 1844, Mr. Farwell's time having expired, the board elected C. W. Oakes superintendent, at a salary of one thousand and six hundred dollars per year.

The enumeration taken under the law of May 15, 1843, limits the school age to those between six and twenty-one years-our last enumeration embracing those between five and twenty-one years. We find the number reduced to one thousand six hundred and thirty-four. The average daily attendance was six hundred and fourteen, of whom eighty were in the high school. It should be stated, in explanation of the small per centage of daily attendance to the enumeration, that the Catholic denomination main- tains separate schools, and also the Lutherans (mak- ing three in all, ) and employing four or five teachers. There were twelve in the graduating class at the close of the school year.

Mr. Oakes was re-elected to the superintendency in June, 1875, at a salary of one thousand and eight hundred dollars.

The board this year added vocal music to the branches taught, and engaged the services of Prof. Luse at a salary of six hundred dollars, to divide his time between the different schools.

A brief recapitulation of the prominent points in our school history may not be uninteresting.

Our graded schools were organized under the general law of 1849; they opened under that law in The crowded state of our schools in 1812 made it necessary that a school building should be erected on September, 1850; the population of Norwalk was then about two thousand: the enrollment the first the lot purchased on Benedict avenue, and plans were t year was about four hundred; our present population

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

(1849) is six thousand and one hundred; our enu- meration between six and twenty-one years is one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine; our enroll- ment in schools, exclusive of Catholic and Lutheran schools, is one thousand and one.

We commenced with four schools, in three build- ings, and five teachers; we now have seven school houses; nineteen schools and twenty-three teachers.

We paid our first superintendent six hundred dollars per year. and our female teachers fourteen dollars per month; we now pay our superintendent one thousand and eight hundred per year, and our female teachers from thirty-five to sixty dollars per month. Our monthly pay roll is now one thousand and two hundred dollars.

We commenced with three grades, primary, sec- ondary and grammar : we now have nine grades, em- bracing the high school, with a standard of education intended to fit pupils to enter college. We think the average cost per scholar, for instruction for a series of years; will not exceed $15 per year.

Our school property in 1850 was worth $2,300; it is now worth over $45.000.

We have had seven different superintendents in our schools since organizing under the graded system, as follows : D. F. De Wolf, from 1850 to 1853; W. P. Clark, from 1853 to 1854: A. S. Hutchins, from 1854 to 1855 : William Mitehell, from 1855 to 1859 ; T. E. Baker, from 1859 to 1860 ; R. W. Stevenson, 1860 to 1811 : H. A. Farwell, 1871 to 1874; C. W. Oakes, 1874.

. Our list of graduates numbers 128.

An association of the Alumni was organized in 1825, which proved both pleasant and profitable, and promises to be a permanent society, holding regular meetings hereafter. It numbers among its members many of our best citizens, and gathers from abroad many, occupying prominent positions, who have gone out from ns.

The Catholic portion of our population has never felt disposed to participate, to any great extent, in the benefits of our public schools, preferring to main- tain their separate denominational institutions. They maintain two schools within our district, employing four teachers.

The board of edneation has never made the reading of the Bible in the schools imperative upon superin- tendents or teachers, but has left the matter wholly discretionary with them ; and though the general practice is in most of our schools to read a portion of the Scriptures in the opening exercise, no strictures or criticisms have arisen of a sectarian character to. disturb their peaceful progress.

There is no local interest dearer to our people than that of maintaining the high standing of our public schoools. The impression has grown into a settled conviction, that with universal suffrage, the great safe- guard for our institutions, both civil and religious, is in universal edneation.

LAW AND BUSINESS COLLEGE.

On the 21st day of October, A. D. 1878, Wm. H. Sprague, Esq., established Sprague's Business Col- lege, and located it in Gallup's new block. Since its organization, over thirty students have been and are in attendance. It is already a success. By reason of young men soliciting assistance in studying the law, the proprietor has coneluded to add a law department, which will open on the 22d day of September, 1879, and will be known as Sprague's Law and Business College. The faculty have been engaged and are well known at the bar, viz : Hon. G. T. Stewart, Col. Frank Sawyer, S. A. Wildman and C. H. Gal- lup. Instruction in phonographic short-hand will also be given by Mr. P. J. Mahon, a practical pho- nographer.

WHITTLESEY ACADEMY.

For twenty-six years there has been in existence in Norwalk, a corporation known by name to many of our citizens, but as to whose origin and history there exists an almost entire lack of information. A whole generation has grown up since the "Whittlesey Acad- emy of Arts and Sciences" was organized, who know nothing of the facts which led to its organization.

On the 16th of October, 1816, Hon. Elisha Whit- tlesey, who held the title as trustee in fact, for him- self, Mathew B. Whittlesey, E. Moss White and Platt Benedict, filed the "town plat of Norwalk" with the recorder of Huron county. Forty-eight lots are plotted and described, and the conclusion of the de- seription is as follows :

"The roads, streets and alleys are given for public use. Lot 13 is given for a site to build a court house. Lot 12, a meeting house. Lot 1 for an academy or college, and lot 24 for a goal, "evidently meaning gaol, or jail.

Lot 1, thus dedicated for "an academy or college" remained nnocenpied for many years, and was used for a play ground by the youth of the village, and as a publie hitching place for teams, but after nearly forty years Mr. Whittlesey, in 1854, then a resident of Washington, and Platt Benedict, gave a quit claim deed of the lot to the "Whittlesey Academy of Arts and Sciences," which had been organized by a number of the leading citizens of the town the year previous. This quit claim is dated April 26th, 1854.

On the 30th of May, 1853, a number of gentlemen "being desirous of founding an academy, in said town, for the advancement of useful knowledge by courses of lectures upon the sciences and arts, and a library and cabinet of curiosities," made petition to the county auditor, to be incorporated under the laws of Ohio. "The intention being to secure and perfect the title to lot No. 1 in said Norwalk, and erect a suitable building thereon, according to the the inten- tion of the donor, Hon. Elisha Whittlesey." Accord- ingly, G. T. Stewart, who was then the county auditor, appointed three appraisers, David Johnson, David E. Merrill, and Alfred S. Curtiss, to view and

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

appraise lot No. 1. They duly performed this duty, appraising the lot at $800, and made their return May 31st. The next day, auditor Stewart issued his certificate of incorporation, and on June 2d, C. B. Stickney, E. Gray, G. H. Safford, J. E. Ingersoll, C. E. Newman, M. R. Brailey, F. A. Wildman and G. T. Stewart, met at the mayor's office to organize. C. B. Stickney presided and G. T. Stewart acted as secretary. G. H. Safford stated the object of the meeting and moved that the association be known as the "Whittlesey Academy of Arts and Sciences." Messrs. Ingersoll, Brailey and Safford were appointed committee to draft a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted at a meeting held June 18th. On the 2d of July, officers were chosen for the year, as follows:

President, S. T. Worcester ; vice-president, G. T. Stewart ; secretary, J. E. Ingersoll ; treasurer, E. Gray ; librarian, C. E. Newman ; trustees, S. T. Worcester, G. T. Stewart, C. B. Stickney, G. H. Safford, M. R. Brailey.

Within a few weeks, Mr. Ingersoll removed from the village, and F. A. Wildman was chosen secretary. Mr. Gray, who was the first treasurer, has acted con- tinnonsly in that capacity ever since, nearly twenty-six years. The academy being thus organized, the next thing was to erect a building. At a meeting held November 7, 1853, a building committee was ap- pointed, consisting of G. T. Stewart, G. H. Safford and E. Grey. Subsequently, M. R. Brailey was added to the committee, and the contract for building the present Whittlesey block was awarded to John King. The sum of $10,137.02, to build with, was furnished by the following parties, who received perpetual leases, subject to forfeitnre on non-payment of annn- al rental or assessments, of the several rooms in the block, the academy reserving Whittlesey hall and ante-room for its own use :

Platt Benedict.

$1,168 80

E. Gager.

1,217 50

J. M. Crosby 1,170 00

Husted & Gray 779 20

Corporation of Norwalk 974 00

Worcester & Pennewell.

370 12

Jairus Kennan 340 90

Osborn & Stewart, 358 70

G. H. Safford

305 90

G. T. Stewart. 606 60

M. R. Brailey, 1,608 40

Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 64, F. & A. M.

904 50

The total cost of the building, as shown by the re- port of treasurer Gray, was some $188 more than the above.

The academy is limited to twenty-five members, who hold their membership during life, or until re- moval from the connty. Vacancies are filled at the annual meeting, which is held the second Monday in April. All the rooms in the block are subject to an annnal charge for ground rent, and the amounts thus received, with the rental of Whittlesey hall, furnish the income of the academy. Until 1866, when the Young Men's Library and Reading Room was estab- lished. the academy furnished a course of lectures nearly every winter, and had accumulated quite a

library and some curiosities. They then made an ar- rangement with the library association, whereby the latter took charge of their books. An annual appro- priation of from $100 to $400 for new books has since been made. At this time nearly all the books in the Young Men's Library belong to the Whittlesey acad- emy. The free nse of the hall has also been granted the library for lectures or entertainments, to the number of, at least, eight each year.

The affairs of the academey are managed by a board of five trustees, who meet at frequent intervals during the year, the academy itself rarely convening, save at the annual meeting in April. The following gentlemen have been members of the Whittlesey academy in the past :

M. R. Brailey, G. H. Safford, J. E. Ingersoll, W. S. Rose, S. T. Worcester, S. R. Beckwith, B. F. Roberts, J. A. Jones, Edward Winthrop, Charles Bishop, J. A. Jackman, I. E. Morehouse, John Cline, George Baker, Joseph M. Farr, E. M. Stone, A. Brainerd, R. W. Stevenson, D. H. Pease, C. E. Pennewell, E. E. Husted, Jairus Kennan, C. L. Boalt, S. L. Hatch, F. Sears, Platt Benedict, John Mountain, Elmer E. Husted.

The following are the present members :

G. T. Stewart, E. Gray, C. E. Newman, F. A. Wildman, O. G. Carter, C. B. Stickney, L. D. Strutton, John Tifft, N. S. C. Perkins, Hiram Rose, Franklin Sawyer, P. N. Schuyler, J. B. Ford, C. P. Wickham, G. W. Knapp, D. D. Benedict, S. P. Hildreth, Henry S. Mitchell, C. L. Kennan, D. H. Fox, S. A. Wildman, Charles A. Lloyd, C. H. Gal- lup, James G. Gibbs, L. C. Laylin.

The annual meeting for 1879, was held Monday, April 14th. Eighteen members were present. The report of the trustees showed an income during the year of 8665.25 from hall rents, and $194.92 from ground rents and assessments. (Assessments are made on the several rooms for repairs or improve- ments when necessary).

The expenditures amounted to 8923.02, of which $178.17 was for books for the library, and $133 was for the catalogne of the library. The balance on hand is $460.86.

Offieers for the ensning year were elected, as fol- lows : President, F. A. Wildman ; vice-president, O. G. Carter ; secretary, S. A. Wildman ; treasurer, E. Gray ; trustees. D. H. Fox, C. H. Gallup, S. P. Hildreth, C. A. Lloyd and S. A. Wildman ; of which board C. H. Gallup is chairman.

The use of the hall, free of expense, was tendered to the library asssociation, for lectures or entertain- ments, to the number of nine during the year, The sum of $150 was appropriated for books, to be placed in the keeping of the library association. The trus- tees were authorized to take snch action as they may deem proper in aiding the Firelands Historical Soci- ety to protect its cabinet.

The academy is one of the most meritorious insti- tutions in the place, and that gift of lot No. 1, is

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

really the substantial base of our present valuable Young Men's Library.

LIBRARY AND READING ROOM.

Early in January, 1866, a number of our citizens convened at the town hall, to discuss plans for estab- lishing a reading room, and organizing a library asso- ciation. Resolutioas were adopted expressing the object of the meeting, and pledging those present to the support of the enterprise. A committee was ap- pointed to draft a constitution and solicit subscrip- tions.

At a subsequent meeting, held on the 24th of Jan- mary, a constitution was adopted, as reported by the committee, in which the objects of the association were declared to be, the providing for the people, and especially the youth of Norwalk, additional means for mental improvement through the agency of a library, reading room, public lectures, and other kin -. dred instumentalities. An organization was then ef- fected under the name of The Young Men's Library and Reading Room Association, and the following officers elected : R. W. Stevenson, president ; D. H. Pease, vice-president ; T. D. Shepard, secretary ; W. M. Cline. treasurer ; directors, D. D. Benedict, E. E. Husted, T. P. Bishop and C. P. Wickham. A nuclens of a library was provided by an unconditional gift to the association, of over one hundred valuable volumes, by Mrs. S. T. Worcester.

This gift was immediately followed by a proposition from the "Whittlesey Academy of Arts and Sciences, " in which they proposed. (in order to carry more fully into effect one of the leading objects for which the academy was organized,) to loan to the Young Men's Association, all the books then owned by the academy, and all that might hereafter be acquired by gift, pur- chase, or otherwise, to be kept for its use, so long as the association was conducted according to the arti- cles of its organization. Also, that the academy would appropriate, at that time, 8500 for the imme- diate increase of the library, and not less than $50 for that purpose, annually thereafter.

The loan acquired at that time consisted of 1554 volumes, a number of which were a present to the academy from Washington Irving. The library of the association was a short time after increased, by a gift from the Presbyterian church, of 125 volumes.

The labors of the finance committee were attended with considerable success, as the following memoran- dum taken from their report will show :

Union Aid Society, donation .. . $ 76 09

Bounty Fund, donation 663 16

Christian Commission, donation .. . 10 00

Soldiers' Aid Society, donation. 58 00

Alert Club, donation 480 00

Alert Club Library fund, donation. 420 00

Norwalk High School, donation .. 100 00

Ladies' Festival, donation

218 19

Total donations $2,025 44

With a part of the funds, thus acquired, the asso- ciation was enabled .to lease suitable rooms and pro-

vide furniture. The rooms were supplied with the leading newspapers and periodicals, published at that time, and immediately became the most popular place of resort in the town. In the winter following the organization of the association, an excellent course of lectures was given under its auspices. Since that time the association has enjoyed the services of the best lecturers in the country.

In the year 1868, there were only 2623 volumes on its shelves, and 49 papers and periodicals on the ta- bles, now there are nearly 5000 volumes and over 60 papers and periodicals, in store for its patrons.

The amount of money received annually from membership tickets, and from the interest of the permanent fund, has been barely sufficient to defray necessary expenses. All additions of books that have been made to the library, have been bought by the Whittlesey academy, or by money raised by festivals, excursions, and other entertainments of like nature.

The association is not in debt, but yet it is in great need of more liberal support. It has always been the desire of the association, to occupy a home of its own. It was expected that the permanent fund, with the accumulating interest, would at some time enable it to realize that hope.

The permenent fund now amounts to $1,900, which is invested in real estate security. In addition to this, the association has invested $225, a bequest of Mrs. S. T. Worcester. It was Mrs. Worcester's request that the money should be used ouly in beauti- fying and adorning the rooms of the association.

The library was first established in rooms in the old Mansion House block. The rooms were inconvenient, and the books were necessarily in a disordered state. A removal was made in June, 1878, to the rooms now occupied in the Gallup block, which were fitted up at considerable expense, new cases provided, and the books arranged in systematic order, and an alphabet- ical list of the library was taken, and a catalogne pre- pared. It is the first ever provided and was the best method of preserving the books.

The present officers are, C. H. Gallup, president ; C. W. Oakes, vice-president ; E. L. Husted, treas- urer ; G. F. Titus, secretary ; J. G. Gibbs, B. S. Hubbard, H. L. Kennan, L. C. Laylin, S. J. Pat- rick, F. Sawyer, Jr., directors : Miss S. Rowland, librarian.

On account of the loss of the minutes of the pre- liminary meetings, it is difficult to ascertain, with certainty, the names of our citizens who were most active in organizing and establishing the association, but Mrs. M. F. C. Worcester, Mrs. M. A. Corwin, David H. Pcase, R. W. Stevenson and Charles P. Wickham were among them ; none, however, were more efficient in the good work than Mrs. Worcester.

This institution fills a very important position among the educational enterprises of the town, and but few of them better deserve the fostering care of its citizens.

GEORGE BUTT.

George Butt was born in the city of New York, July 24, 1834. At the age of six or seven years his father moved to Illinois, where Mr. Butt spent the earlier years of his active life. While still young he manifested a taste for the fine arts, spending much time in a por- trait painter's studio, where he received many impressions that were lasting, and which had much to do with his choice of a profession for life. His bent of mind did not receive encouragement from his parents; on the contrary, they discouraged him, and marked out another pursuit. He was still young when his parents died, and, having no desire for a trade, he grew up to manhood without any special business. His father had left some money for him, but he never received it. At the age of twenty-two, however, he acquired about $800, which, by judicious speculation, was increased to about $2000. With this he bought a large tract of land, and tried farm- ing, but was not successful. He lost heavily by the failure of the wheat crops in successive years, and, becoming discouraged, sold out at a great losa.

While visiting Springfield, Ill., he became interested in the ambro- type business, and gave considerable time to the acquirement of the art; but finally gave it up and returned home.

For a year succeeding he was in poor health. In the mean time photography had made rapid advances, and he once more determined to learn the business. Placing himself under the best instructors, he took a thorough course, and again entered the field with very creditable auccess ; but, becoming dissatisfied with his knowledge, he determined to place himself where he could become a thorough master of the art. He accordingly entered a leading gallery as a workman, and labored industriously, and subsequently took private lessons from some of the best artists in the State. In this way he soon made rapid progress, and in a short time was enabled to command good wages.

He eventually, with a partner, purchased a fine establishment in the city of Ottawa, Ill., which was remodeled and thoroughly refitted, but had only been in operation under its new proprietors for the space of three days when it was destroyed by fire, and he found him- self in very atraitened circumstances. But he was not wholly dis- couraged, and, adopting the motto, "Where there's a will there's a

way," he borrowed $150 of a friend, purchased a second-hand travel- ing car, repaired and refitted it, and, locating himself on the public square, opened for business within a week of the disaster.

In this venture he was eminently successful; but, his quarters proving too narrow for his increasing husiness, he soon after entered into partnership with an artist of Ottawa. This, however, proved an unprofitable venture, and he very soon sold out his interest.

During the next two years be spent considerable time in Chicago, with the intention of entering into permanent business there. But he finally took the mistaken, though well-meant, advice of a friend, and removed to Ohio, only to meet disappointment. After seeking an eligible location for several months, he eventually located in Nor- walk, when he rented the gallery over the First National Bank, taking possession Oct. 1, 1869, and began business under very discouraging circumstances. For six months his expenditures considerably ex- ceeded his receipts; but, continuing undaunted, at the end of one year his prospects had greatly brightened. In this location he remained five years, at the end of which period his business had entirely outgrown his facilities. He accordingly leased the second story over two stores in the new Flinn block, and fitted the rooms at great expense in modern style, and at the present time has one of the largest and most conveniently arranged galleries to be found in any provincial town of the State.

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History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers, Part 38

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company Number of Pages: 726

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726