History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume I, Part 72

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1202

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A systematic and consecutive course of study was prescribed. The required time for completing the course of study in the lower grades was from two to three years and in the lligh School four years. Pupils from five to seven years of age were assigned to the primary department; from seven to ten, to the secondary grade ; those over ten to the grammar grades, and those over twelve, who were prepared for it, to the High School, in which, during the year 1848, an English and classical course was arranged. The studies of the lower grades comprised exercises in elementary language sounds, spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic- mental and written - geography with globe and ontline maps, and English gram- mar. In all the schools instruction was given in the meaning and use of words, the elements of geometry and in vocal music.

The English course in the High School included the sciences and was fully equal to that of the best academies. The classical course was more extensive than was then required for the preparation of college students. During its second term this school became so large that the Covert building, now Mrs. J. J. Ferson's residence on Town Street, was rented for it, and the school was opened in that building on Wednesday, April 19, 1848. S. S. Rickly began service as an assistant teacher June 5, 1848. He taughtabout one year, and on April 3, 1849, was succeeded by E. D. Kingsley. From May, 1849, until some time in the following winter the Iligh School occupied the basement of the Reformed Church on Town Street at the present site of the Hayes Carriage Works. From thence it returned to the Covert Building, where it remained until the completion of the State Street building in 1853, in which it found a home for nine years. Twentyfive pupils attended the High School during the first quarter, thirtythree the second and fifty the third.

For some time the Superintendent visited the schools several times per week, and after the organization of the High School at least once a week, for the pur- pose of aiding the scholars, establishing proper order and discipline and inciting due diligence. For the purpose of awakening deeper interest in the schools a series of juvenile concerts was given during the fall and winter of 1847 in the largest churches of the city.

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

One school for partly colored children had been sustained since the passage of the act of 1839, and was still maintained with about fifty scholars who were instructed at an expense of about three dollars each. Two sueh sehools were sustained in 1853.

From the organization which took place under the law of 1838 to 1845 one and perhaps more German schools had been maintained as a part of the public system. In 1845 there were two German-English schools, and at the beginning of Doctor Lord's administration three, occupying the South Building and a rented

~ LIBRARY ROOM -

YOST- PACKARD & FAY . ARCHTS.ASSOCIATED.

LIBRARY ROOM, PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY.

room, In 1850 the three schools of this character had an enrollment of 207 scholars.

From the first, teachers were required to attend at the room of the Superin- tendent three hours every Saturday morning for review of all the studies taught and for instruction as to tuition, government and discipline. In addition to this the teachers formed a society for mutual improvement which met biweekly. The visitation of teachers by one another during schooltime for profit by mutual sug- gestion and observation was requested by the Board. Besides these means of improvement the teachers attended county institutes which were held in April.

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THE SCHOOLS. 1I.

At the close of the first year of Doctor Lord's superintendency, the Board spoke with pleasure of the great change that had taken place in public sentiment in regard to the schools, and of the faithful services of the Superintendent and teachers, the schools having " succeeded beyond their highest expectations." The following official statement of Samuel Galloway, Secretary of State, ex officio State Superintendent of Common Schools, is of interest as coming from a man who, with favorable opportunities, closely watched the indications of school progress :

As evidence of the improvement which may, by appropriate exertions, be realized, and as deservedly complimentary to those who have conducted and sustained the laudable enter- prise, it may be stated that an intelligent citizen of this State who recently visited the publie sehools of this city remarked that their organization, mode of instruction and advantages were superior to those which he had seen or in which he had been educated in his native New England state.

The Superintendent's salary was increased to $800 in 1848 and to $1,000 in 1849. In 1848-9 the average cost of tuition in all the schools for each of the 1,800 instructed was 82.80; for those in actual daily attendance, 85.37. The cost of tuition in the High School was $18.60; in the grammar schools, $7.80; in tbe secondary, 84.15 ; and in the primary, 82.87. The price of tuition in private schools varied from ten to forty dollars per year. In December, 1850, evening schools were opened in each of the districts under the instruction of teachers of the grammar schools, and were attended by one hundred and fiftythree scholars, varying in age from twelve to thirtytwo.

The High School teachers and their salaries in 1850-1 were as follows: Asa D. Lord, $1,000 ; Almon Samson, 8700; Anna C. Mather, $400. The grammar school teachers were, D. C. Pearson, $500; William Mitehell, 8500; John Ogden, 8500. Secondary teachers, Misses M. L. Wheeler, $225.50; J. E. Welles, $225.47 ; S. J. Hull, 8225.45; M. E. Robertson, $225.52 ; H. S. Gregory, $225.49, and H. S. Car- ter, $225.49. Primary teachers, Mrs. W. F. Westervelt, 8225.63 ; Misses M. Bunker, 8225.60; C. E. Wilcox, 8225.47; S. S. Miner, $225.48; Amelia Byner, $225.55; W P. H. Brooks, $225.46, and Mary Sawhill, 8225.56; Mrs. M. J. Ogden, 8225.54. German-English teacher, Peter Johnson, 8400.60 ; Gustavus Schmeltz, $300.51 and Christian Pape, 8300.96.

In 1851, N. Doolittle, Secretary of the Board of Examiners, reported that the schools had been constantly rising in publie favor and confidence. The Super- intendent had guarded them, he said, with a parent's care and his judicious management and unwearied vigilance had eminently contributed to their pros- perity.

The enrollment in all the schools for the eight years from 1847 to 1855 was, respectively, 1,750, 1,800, 2,000, 2,000, 1,691, 2,400, 2,483, 2,800; the average enrollment for these years being seventyfour per cent. of the average enumeration. The number of teachers increased from seventeen to twentyseven and the annual expenditure from about 85,000 to 823,000. Prior to 1850 the annual school tax, exclusive of the sum paid to the State fund, was less than one mill per dollar on the taxable valuation. In January, 1851, the German-English schools, four in num-

552

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

ber, had an enrollment of 316 and an average daily attendance of fifty cach. Their classification was improved.

On November 7, 1851, the Board purchased a lot on Fourth and Court streets, 93 x 120 feet, valued at $2,000, and crected thereon in 1852 a frame onestory build- ing, 32 by 70 feet, at a cost of $3,000. The German-English schools were removed to this building during the winter of 1852-3.

The present site of the Sullivant School building was purchased in 1852, and upon it a plain brick building, 60 by 70 feet, three stories and basement, was erected. Its estimated cost was fifteen thousand dollars. To this building the High School, which had been previously taught in the Academy on Town Street, was removed in 1853. , These two buildings accommodated seven hundred scholars. In 1854-5 the instruction at the High School embraced a full English course, a business course and an academic course.

The twentythree schools taught during the last year of this administration were, one High School, three grammar schools, seven secondary, seven primary, three German English, and two colored. In the course of the year two additional schools - one secondary and one colored - were opened. Besides the Superinten- dent, there were employed thirtytwo teachers, eight of whom were males and twentyfour females. In January, 1854, the Superintendent's salary was increased from one thousand to twelve hundred dollars. Salaries of other teachers were raised in proportion. The total expense of each pupil during the year 1853-4 was as follows : High School, $17; grammar school, $13; secondary, $7; primary, 86 ; grammar, 87; colored, 88. The rules adopted for school government were admirable, as the following extracts will show :

It shall be the constant aim of the teachers to secure the greatest possible amount of thoroughness and accuracy in scholarship on the part of each pupil ; to this end they shall be careful not to propose leading questions, or employ in their questions the language to be used in answering them, and not to question classes regularly in the same order ; they shall adopt as far as possible, the plan of reciting by topics, and of preparing written abstracts of the lessons ; they shall constantly aim at cultivating in their pupils the habit of selfreliance, of looking for the meaning of everything studied, of comprehending ideas rather than mem- orizing words, and of expressing their ideas clearly, correctly and elegantly ; and should never allow them to think they understand a subject till they can explain it clearly and intel- ligently to others.

The teachers will be expected to improve favorable opportunities for communicating prudential and moral instruction, to pay special attention to the physical, social and moral as well as the intellectual habits of their pupils, to exert over them an elevating and refining influence, and to inculcate both by precept and example the importance of purity, integrity and veracity, and of habits of industry, order, cleanliness and propriety of deportment.

The High School graduated its first class in December, 1851, and by the authority of the Board issued diplomas to the graduates and honorary certificates to scholars who had completed a course of two or three years. The graduating exercises were held in the Reformed Church on Town Street. They elicited the following newspaper comments:

A large number of our citizens have this week had an opportunity of attending the examination and exercises of our public schools under the superintendence of Doctor Lord,

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THE SCHOOLS. IL.

and we but report the general voice when we say it has been with high gratification and admiration of the zeal and ability of the teachers and the progress of the scholars. . . . On Tues- day evening we attended the exhibition of the schools connected with the High School at the Reformed Church on Town Street. The capacious building was completely and densely filled. The exercises were of an interesting character and well calculated to gratify the teachers, the Board of Education and the friends of thescholars that took part in these exercises. We cannot close this article without commending the arduous labors of our city Board of Edu- cation in their efforts to make our public schools what they are. The citizens of Columbus owe them a debt of gratitude that they can never pay. Among the number let us designate one, the Hon. James L. Bates. His address to the graduating class on Tuesday evening was one of the happiest and most impressive things we have ever listened to in that line; and his remarks in favor of the public schools of the city to the audience at the close were excel- lent. We wish every parent in the city could have listened to him.

In accepting Dr. Lord's resignation as Superin- tendent of Public Instruction on February 24, 1854, the Board of Education adopted resolutions highly eulogistie of the efficiency and usefulness of his services.

D. P. MAYHEW.

David P. Mayhew, second Superintendent of the Columbus schools, was a native of New York State, and graduated in 1838, from Union College. From 1839 to 1852, he was Principal of Lowville Academy. His services with the schools of Columbus began February 25, 1854, and ended with his resignation July 10, 1855. During the next ten years he filled the chair of Chemistry and Physics in the Michigan State Normal School at Ypsilanti, of which institution he was President from 1866 to 1871. His death took place in 1887. Under his administration the schools were opened August 21, 1854, and closed for the school year on June 30, 1855. They included three grammar, eight secondary, nine primary, three German and three colored schools and the High School. Night schools under the direction of the Board of Education were also maintained. Rev. Daniel Worley was appointed Doctor Lord's successor as Principal of the High School, but resigned November 13, 1855. J. Suffern was appointed as a special teacher of music and Mr. Folsom of penmanship. These were the first special instructors in those departments. Superintendent Mayhew gave much attention to the improvement of the primary and secondary departments, particularly as to methods of promotion, classification and conduct of recitations. On May 30, 1855, the Board ordered that Webster's Dictionary be adopted as the standard. After the four colored schools had been organized much zeal was shown by the colored people in the education of their children, of whom 336 were enumerated and 312 in attendance. These schools, of which two were on Gay Street, one on lligh and one on Town, were taught by C. 11. Langston, J. A. Thompson, T. N. Stewart and A. E. Fuller. In the High School 150 pupils were enrolled and the average attendance during the year was 100.

554

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

During the school year 1855-6, twentyseven schools were taught. At the close of the term in December, Rev. D. Worley severed his connection with the High School and John G. Stetson succeeded him as Principal. The enrollment was as follows: High School, 159; grammar, 486 ; secondary, 606; primary, 1,262 ; Ger- man, 539; colored, 300. The Principals were : North Building, D. C. Pearson ; State Street, E. L. Traver ; South Building, George C. Smith; Mound Street, H. N. Bolander; Middle Building, Miss E. Robertson. During the summer of 1856, the school bouses on Mound and Long streets were enlarged by the addition of a twostory wing to each and by putting another story on the middle portion. On July 18, 1856, an additional lot was purchased for the Mound Street school.

On July 10, 1855, Doctor Asa D. Lord, who had resigned the year before to accept the position of agent for the State Teachers' Association, was reëlected Superintendent. During his second admin- istration more than the usual amount of time was E. D. KINGSLEY. spent in the examination of classes for promotion and special improvement was made in reading, spelling and penmanship. The schools for colored children were classified into two grades. Teachers' meet- ings, which had been mostly omitted for some time, were resumed. On the sub- ject of moral instruction, the Superintendent thus expressed himself:

Religious culture should not be entirely ignored in the schoolroom. Whatever increases our reverence for the Supreme Being and our regard for His word, whatever height- ens our sense of obligation to Him and cherishes the desire to avoid His disapprobation and secure His favor, whatever inclines us to do right because it is right, to do this in the dark as in the light, may be regarded as connected with religious culture. The practice of reading the Scriptures, of singing appropriate hymns and engaging in prayer, which has been pur- sued by a majority of the teachers has had a most excellent influence upon our schools and perhaps done more than any other thing to secure order and obviate the necessity of a resort to discipline.

Having accepted a call to the superintendency of the State Institution for the Blind, Doctor Lord retired from the superintendency of the Columbus schools. He was indeed a masterbuilder in the educational enterprises of the city.

Erasmus D. Kingsley, A. M., third Superintendent of the Columbus schools, was a native of Whitehall, New York, and was for one year Principal of the Aurora Academy. In 1848 he graduated at the New York State Normal School at Albany. In 1848-9 he was one of the teachers in the Columbus High School. From the termination of that engagement until his return to Columbus he was Superintendent of Public Schools at Marietta, Ohio. In 1854 he received the degree of Master of Arts from Marietta College. His election to the superinten- dency of the public schools of Columbus took place July 11, 1856. He filled the position for nine years.

555

THE Schools. IL.

In 1856 the five school buildings owned by the city were that erected in 1853 on State Street, the north, middle and south buildings, and the German school- house on Fourth and Court streets. Added to these were rented buildings, mak- ing the whole number of school rooms in nse thirtysix. On July 18, 1856, an additional lot beside that occupied by the German school on the corner of Fourth Street and Strawberry Alley was purchased for 8490. On February 25, 1857, the Board purchased a lot adjoining that occupied by the South Building and now forming part of the present Rich Street site. A large lot in Medary's Subdivision, now forming the site of the Douglas School, was bought about the same time. On March 20, 1858, the Board purchased lot Number 645 on the corner of Long and Fourth streets, then valued at $2,500. The school house sites were at that time estimated to be worth $33,700, and the school buildings, $32,000. In 1859 the Middle Building was declared unfit for use, and in 1860 a plain, twostory brick structure of seven rooms was erected in its stead at a cost of $15,000. This was the third generation of school buildings on that site, and represents the prevail- ing style of architecture at that period. At the suggestion of Superintendent Kingsley it was provided with cloakrooms. This building served as a model for those afterwards erected on Third and Sycamore streets, on Spring Street, on Second Avenue, on Park Street, and on Fulton Street.

In 1859 the Board of Education purchased of Trinity Church for $8,820 a lot 99 x 200 on the southeast corner of Broad and Sixth streets, inclusive of a stone foundation which had been laid on the premises in 1856. On this foundation, originally intended as the substructure of a church, the Board erected the main part of the present High School building in 1860-61 This building, opened for use at the ensuing autumn term, was at the time considered an architectural orna- ment to the city. From the northwest corner of its main part, 60 x 200, rose a tower one hundred and fifty feet in height. The first floor comprised the Superin - tendent's room, in the tower, three large school rooms, a laboratory and an apparatus room. On the second floor were three school rooms, a library and a reading room. On the third floor a large room for chapel exercises and an audience room were arranged. The building cost 823,400, and accommodated about three hundred pupils. A few years later some contiguous ground was pur- chased and two additions to the building were made.

During Mr. Kingsley's administration the number of buildings belonging to the Board increased to twelve; the number of school rooms from thirtysix to fiftyseven and the number of teachers from twentyseven to sixtythree; the number of school- age youth from 4,366 to 7,759, and the enrollment from 2,881 to 4,148 in 1864. Notwithstanding the distractions of the Civil War, the average daily attendance increased from fiftyone per cent. in 1856-7 to seventyfive per cent. in 1864-5, and fiftyone per cent. a year later.

In 1856-7 the Board had under its supervision twentytwo English, four German and three colored schools. Of the forty teachers employed, ten were males. Special teachers were engaged for classes in German, French, penmanship and music. The German language was taught in the High School by C. E. Boyle, and music in all the schools by S. B. Phipps. The teacher of writing was

Baillet

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

Mr. Rittenberg; of French, Adolph Mott. In 1859 the Principals were: High School, Horace Norton; grammar, State Street Building, A. W. Train; North Building, Osmer W. Fay; Middle Building, J. B. Peck; South Building, G. W. Hampson; German schools, H. N. Bolander; colored schools, J. A.

RICHES, COLUMBUS.

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL.

Thompson. The buildings were at that time crowded to their utmost capacity. The total attendance numbered 2,000 children, of whom 388 were in the German schools and 120 in the colored. During Mr. Kingsley's administration the rules governing the schools were made more ample and explicit and the courses of

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THE Schools. II.

study were revised. The classification was changed from four to five departments, designated primary, secondary, intermediate, grammar and high. The grounds appartenant to the buildings were enlarged and so divided as to provide separate playgrounds for the sexes, which were also separated in the High School. Pro- grammes designating the hours of study and the daily exercises were prepared for the use of teachers, and special pains were taken to secure uniformity in the studies of each grade. Natural methods of instruction were adopted and special attention was given to the elementary branches, particularly reading and spelling. The office of principal of the schools of the district, or building, was created. In 1856 Mr. Kingsley introduced the word method of instruction in reading. This method he thus defined :

Instead of commencing with the alphabet, the child is taught at once a few easy and significant words from cards or blackboard; these words are then combined into short and simple sentences. The scholars are required to reproduce each lesson on their slates as an exercise in spelling, and to impress the words more firmly on their minds. The parts that compose the words are frequently dwelt upon and by such means the child learns the force of letters better than in any other way. The names of the letters can soon be taught by occasionally calling the attention of the scholars to them as they occur in words. It bas been the universal testimony of teachers that hy the word method in a single term children can be taught to read fluently in easy reading. The only practical use of spelling is the proper arrangement of the letters that enter into the construction of words in written composition. The old routine mode of teaching by pronouncing columns of words to be spelled orally failed to secure the desired end. There is no certainty that scholars who have been taught to spell orally, correctly, can write the same words without making mistakes, but it is certain that those who spell correctly in writing will be prepared, if necessary, to spell audibly ; hence, written exercises should be mainly relied upon in teaching. Oral spell ing is simply a tax of the memory ; written exercises in spelling are mental and mechanical, and correspond with practice in after life.

Pupils entering the primary grades were required to furnish themselves with slates and pencils. From the organization of the schools under Doctor Lord, it had been the custom to invite committees of citizens to visit them, assist in the examinations and make reports to the Board. The course in music was by order of the Board confined to the grammar, intermediate and secondary schools, and the music instructor, Mr. Phipps, was provided with a room at each of the bui'd- ings where he had the same control of his pupils as that exercised by other teach- ers. The average age of the pupils in 1857, was thus stated : Primary, seven and onefifth years; Secondary, eight and fiveninths years; Intermediate, eleven and onefourth years; Grammar, thirteen and onehalf years; High School, sixteen years; average in all the departments, eleven years.

In 1858, Mr. Joseph Sullivant, a devoted and useful promoter of the educational interests of the city, procured for the High School, at great personal sacrifice of time and effort, a wellselected collection of apparatus to illustrate the principles of natural science, including Oberhauser's achromatie compound microscope, a solar and oxyhydrogen microscope, Atwood's machine illustrating laws of gravitation, working models of the electric telegraph, an extensive set of electrical apparatus, a powerful magic lantern, and various other interesting articles.

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

Night schools and teachers' meetings were maintained throughout this admin- istration, which was a period of steady growth and prosperity, signalized by increased patronage and improved equipments. In 1861, George H. Twiss suc- ceeded T. H. Little ax Principal of the Third District.

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History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume I, Part 72

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1202

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1202