USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 48
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
441
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
In the normal school the studies to be taught in the district schools are re- viewed, new methods of teaching are explained and illustrated, and thorough instruction is given in the theory and practice of teaching. Instruction is also given in intellectual philosophy, which sustains an intimate relation to teaching. Rooms in the school building, where the school is located, are placed in charge of pupils of the normal school, who, under the constant supervision of a critic teacher, thus learn the practical work of the schoolroom.
As the great majority of the teachers in the schools are women, instruction in the normal school is confined to that sex. Pupils desiring admission are re- quired to pass a thorough examination in the ordinary branches of an English education. Applicants must be not less than seventeen years of age and must pledge themselves to teach in the Dayton schools two years after their gradua- tion should their services be desired by the board. The board, on its part, guar- antees to the graduates situations as teachers in the public schools whenever va- cancies occur.
In the fall of 1869 the school was opened and up to 1888 has graduated two hundred and forty-two teachers. A majority of the teachers in our schools are normal graduates and are doing excellent work. It would be unreasonable to ex- pect that all the graduates of the normal school would prove equally good teach- ers ; but that the instruction received has been invaluable to them and a great gain to the schools no one acquainted with the facts can doubt. In the primary de- partments the beneficial effects of this school are particularly noticeable.
Colonel F. W. Parker, now at the head of the Chicago Normal School, was the first principal, assisted by Miss Emma A. H. Brown, a graduate of a normal school. Upon the election of Colonel Parker supervising principal of the schools, Miss Brown became principal, but resigned in 1873. In 1873, W. W. Watkins, principal of the sixth district school, was made principal of the normal school, and held the position one year. In 1874, Miss Jane W. Blackwood, a successful teacher in the Cincinnati Normal School, was elected and served until her resig- nation in 1883. In 1883, Miss Mary F. Hall, the present incumbent, was elected.
Previous to 1877 special teachers in penmanship had been employed occa- sionally, but for the greater part of the time instruction in that branch had been assigned to the teachers in the several rooms. Satisfactory results had not been obtained, and in 1877 the board elected C. B. Nettleton, superintendent of pen- manship. In 1878 drawing was introduced as a study, and its supervision added to Mr. Nettleton's duties. The board refused, in 1886, to elect a superintendent of these branches, but in 1887 Victor Shinn was elected superintendent of drawing. In 1888 Mr. Nettleton was again elected superintendent of penmanship, and now a special teacher is employed for each branch. The public exhibition of the work of the pubils in drawing in 1888 and 1889 has conclusively shown the great value of the instruction in this branch.
The school law of 1873-1874 directs the board of education of each city district of the first class to appoint a board of examiners, who shall have power to examine the schools established in such district, and shall examine all persons who desire to hold teachers' certificates valid in such district. The Dayton Board of Education had long felt the need of a board of city examiners, and was in- fluential in securing the insertion of this and other clauses in the excellent school
442
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
law of 1873-1874, sending its president, E. Morgan Wood to Columbus, to confer with the House Committee on Common Schools. Under this law, George P. Clarke, J. A. Robert, and William Smith were appointed city examiners. Mr. Clarke and Mr. Smith removed from the city, and their places were filled by Wil- liam Isenberg and Robert W. Steele in 1876. In addition to the above, the fol- lowing persons have served on the board at different times: A. D. Wilt, John Hancock, James J. Burns, C. L. Loos, H. C. Marshall, Edwin L. Shuey, W. J. White.
Impressed with the importance in a manufacturing city of affording artisans and others the opportunity of instruction in drawing, the board of education established, in 1877, free night industrial schools. A school in free-hand drawing was opened in the Gebhart building, on Third street, with James Jessup and Valentine Swartz as teachers, December 17, 1877. On March 6, 1879, a school of mechanical and architectural drawing was added and opened in the first dis- trict schoolhouse, with Thomas A. Bisbee for instructor. Mr. Bisbee taught this branch of drawing for several years with great success. On November II, 1880, the free-hand drawing school was removed to the large hall in the Eaker building, with Isaac Broome and Charles B. Nettleton for instructors. Mr. Broome was a very superior teacher and inspired his scholars with enthusiasm. The school, under the management of Mr. Broome and Mr. Nettleton, was a great success. In addition to those mentioned above, the following persons have taught in the school at different times : William Lutzenberger, Luther Peters, Silas R. Burns, William N. Roney, Lewis J. Rossell, George Prinz and George Wyman. Two schools were taught in the winter of 1888-1889 of architectural and mechanical drawing in the Kuhns building on Main street.
In 1880, to call attention to this branch of study, a public exhibition of the work of the pupils was given in the city hall. Committees of competent citizens were appointed to examine and report on the work, and such results were shown as to firmly establish the schools in popular favor. The committee of the board of education on the schools in 1880 says: The attendance for the last year has been greater than ever, and the quality of the work, as attested by experts ap- pointed to examine it, has been of a highly satisfactory character. About three hundred youth and adults from every walk of life have been instructed, many of whom are constantly using their knowledge in their daily avocations much to their own advantage, as well as to that of their employers. These schools are undoubtedly the first step towards the introduction of manual training in the day schools.
The city is largely indebted to Mr. A. D. Wilt, a member of the board of edu- cation, for the introduction of this important branch of study, and he deserves great credit for the persistency with which he advocated the measure until he se- cured its adoption.
A comparison of the schools at different periods of their history will forcibly illustrate the progress that has been made. As the records of the board begin in 1842, that year is taken as the starting point. The years 1857 and 1867 are chosen, because reports were published in those years by Messrs. Campbell and Parker, and the facts thus made accessible. Under the present system, the com. pletest statistics in every department are recorded and published annually :
443
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
1842
1857
1867
1875
1880
1888
Total enrollment
827
3,440
4,213
5,238
6,144
7,662
Average daily attendance.
544
1,600
2,809
3,7II
4,527
6,001 189
Number of teachers
16
45
70
98
125
Amount of school fund ... $2,483
$40,000
$60,000 $139,066 $189,261 $198,723
Amount paid teachers ... 1,583
24,180
31,055
75,826 89,906 123,992
Value of school property . 6,000
75,000
143,000
210,000
321,706 *550,000
The increasing proportion from period to period of the average daily atten- dance to the total enrollment is marked, and indicates the growing efficiency of the schools. In 1857 it was forty-eight per cent; in 1867 sixty-six per cent ; in 1875 seventy-one per cent; in 1880 seventy-four per cent; in 1888 seventy- eight per cent.
It is not so easy to represent to the eye the growth in other and more impor- tant particulars. A complete system of gradation has been established, consist- ing of an eight years' course in the district schools, four in the high school, and, for those who wish to teach, one in the normal school, supplemented by a large and free public library. New methods of instruction that promise good re- sults have been introduced, and so far as they stood the test of trial in the school- room, are in use; and such salaries are paid teachers as to secure the services of the best and most experienced.
Equal progress has been made in school architecture. In the new buildings, which have been erected within the past few years, have been introduced what- ever improvements in lighting, seating, heating, and ventilating, experience in our own and other cities has suggested. There are in the city twenty school build- ings with a seating capacity for eight thousand four hundred and thirty-eight children.
As no mention could be made in the appropriate places of many of the mem- bers of the board of education and teachers who have been influential in mold- ing and giving character to the schools, in justice to them the names of the presi- dents of the board from 1842 to 1888, of those members who have served four or more years, and of the principals of the schools from the beginning of our graded school system down to the present time are given.
Presidents of the board of education: 1842, E. W. Davies; 1843, W. J. Mc- Kinney ; 1844, E. W. Davies ; 1845, Thomas Brown; 1846, Henry Stoddard. Sr .; 1847, R. W. Steele; 1848-49, H. L. Brown; 1850-61, R. W. Steele; 1861-63, H. L. Brown; 1863-64, Thomas F. Thresher ; 1864-69, H. L. Brown ; 1869-73, E. Morgan Wood; 1873-75, Charles Wuichet ; 1875-78, E. M. Thresher ; 1878-79, C. L. Bauman ; 1879-80, J. K. Webster ; 1880-82, E. M. Thresher ; 1882-83, S. W. Davies ; 1883-87, R. M. Allen ; 1887-89, C. H. Kumler.
Members of the board of education from 1842 to 1889 who have served four or more years: W. J. Mckinney, R. W. Steele, H. L. Brown, J. G. Stutsman, L. Huesman, William Bomberger, D. A. Wareham, Wilbur Conover, W. S. Phelps, James McDaniel, A. Pruden, S. Boltin, H. Elliott, Jonathan Kenney, John Howard, John H. Stoppleman, E. S. Young, H. Miller, W. L. Winchell, Caleb Parker, George S. Ball, Joseph Herhold, D. Dwyer, H. Anderson, N. L.
* This includes the new library building.
.
444
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Aull, Joseph Fischer, James Carberry, E. Morgan Wood, George Vonderheide, W. H. Johnson, B. F. Kuhns, R. M. Allen, E. M. Thresher, Charles Wuichet, D. G. Breidenbach, Thomas Kincaid, George L. Phillips, Samuel W. Davies, W. S. Kemp, W. M. Murray, Jacob Stephans, Louis N. Poock, C. L. Bauman, L. Rauh, C. G. Parker, W. J. Conklin, H. C. Eversole, P. E. Gilbert, C. W. Dus- tin, John E. Viot, James A. Marley, James J. Rossell, Redmond P. Sage, James R. Andrews, A. A. Winters, A. Junikl, W. A. Lincoln, C. H. Kumler, John Aman, George Neder, A. J. Althoff, Joseph B. Thompson, W. Oldig, A. D. Wilt.
Superintendents of instruction : James Campbell, Caleb Parker, Warren Hig- ley, Samuel C. Wilson, John Hancock, James J. Burns, W. J. White.
Principals of the high school : James Campbell, John W. Hall, William Smith, Charles B. Stivers.
Principals of the normal school: F. W. Parker, Emma A. H. Brown, W. W. Watkins, Jane W. Blackwood, Mary F. Hall.
Principals of the intermediate school : William P. Gardner, Samuel C. Wilson.
Superintendents of music : James Turpin, Charles Soehner, W. B. Hall, W. H. Clarke, F. C. Mayer.
Superintendents of penmanship and drawing : C. B. Nettleton, Victor Shinn.
Principals of the district schools from 1839 to 1889: Collins Wight, W. W. Watson, D. L. Elder, Thomas E. Torrence, Charles Barnes, R. W. Hall, E. H. Hood, W. W. Chipman, W. J. Thurber, William Worrell, J. D. French, C. Gay- lor, W. Atkinson, A. Stowell, J. A. Smith, W. Knight, W. J. Parker, Joseph Mc- Pherson, M. N. Wheaton, R. L. Mckinney, James Campbell, W. F. Doggett, Charles Rogers, W. Pinkerton, W. H. Butterfield, R. Dutton, E. W. Humphries, A. C. Fenner, P. D. Pelton, H. Anderson, A. B. Leaman, W. Denton, A. C. Tyler, W. F. Forbes, J. B. Irvin, E. C. Ellis, W. Isenberg, A. P. Morgan, S. C. Wilson, H. H. Vail, W. H. Campbell, O. S. Cook, S. V. Ruby, S. C. Crumbaugh, H. B. Furness, N. L. Hanson, J. C. Ridge, James C. Gilbert, J. C. Morris, Tillie B Wil- son, Belle M. Westfall, Ella J. Blain, Lucy G. Brown, Esther A. Widner, A. Hum- phreys, C. H. Evans, W. W. Watkins, W. P. Gardner, A. J. Willoughby, C. L. Loos, Alice Jennings, Samuel Peters, Solomon Day, F. Loehninger, A. B. Shauck, W. N. Johnson, J. E. Johnson, J. G. Brown, Carrie Miller, William Hoover, James M. Craven, W. O. Bowles, Marie Jacque, N. Metz. W. D. Gibson, C. C. David- son, Grace A. Greene, Sarah A. Finch, Margaret Burns.
Many of the assistant teachers are as worthy of mention as the principals ; but to give a few names might appear invidious and to print them all would be impossible.
CONTINUATION OF SCHOOL HISTORY.
In taking up the history of the schools of Dayton at the point at which Mr. Steele's account closed, we cannot fail to notice how different the later condi- tions were from those with which Mr. Steele at first had to deal. We now notice a highly developed system every feature and stage of which is made a matter of public record. Yet from 1889 to 1909, great progress has been made, both in increased numbers of pupils and teachers and in the equipment and methods of
L
L
PETERS & BURNS
THE MEW CENTRAL DISTRICT SCHOOL " To be Created on the Old High School Site
447
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
the schools. Greater specialization on the part of teachers in the character of their preparation and more of individual work for the pupils have led to better and larger results.
In the period named, the population of Dayton has doubled and the school statistics on almost every item show a corresponding increase. The interest of the public in the schools is shown by an increase in the tax levy for schools from 6.4 mills in 1889 to 9.65 mills in 1909. The increase in attendance in the higher grades and in the high school has been marked. The work by special teachers in drawing, penmanship, music and elocution has continued as before with vari- ous improvements in the various departments. Also new departments have been added.
THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
When there were but two schools in Dayton they were called the Eastern and Western schools. When there were four they were called Northeastern, Northwestern, Southeastern and Southwestern. The school next added, was called the Eastern school. Through the greater part of their history, however, the schools have been known as the First District school, Second District school, etc. However, December 1, 1904, such schools as had not already received a special name, were given names in honor of distinguished persons, a number of them from our own city. In noticing these schools we shall proceed according to the number borne by them before recent changes were made, as in general these numbers indicate the order of their establishment. In general, the time when districts were formed will be given, but the remodeling and replacing of build- ings involve too many changes to be fully noticed.
The first four school buildings however, were not erected in time according to these numbers. The first two school buildings were erected in 1838. These build- ings were forty feet square, and the next two were forty-two feet square, all being two-story buildings and providing regularly for four rooms each. The plans were taken from the Common School Journal, and embodied the most ad- vanced ideas of the time on the subject of school architecture. The building corresponding to the Second or Central District building was on Perry street, north of Second. On the removal of the High school to its present location, the new Central school building was erected at Fourth and Wilkinson streets on the site of the old High school building, at a cost of about $70,000, the site being valued at $40,000. From 1888 to the present time, Miss Margaret Burns has been the principal of this school.
The so-called Fourth District school building was the second building erected in 1838. It stood on the present school lot on the corner of Brown and Hess streets. For a number of years previous to 1891, S. C. Wilson was the princi- pal. In the year named, G. A. Lange became principal, continuing until 1903, when he was succeeded by J. M. Ebert. Mr. Ebert was elected clerk of Montgomery county in 1909. The school is being managed in connection with the Fifth Dis- trict school. The new name is the Newcom school.
After various buildings had been rented for a time for two additional schools two school buildings were erected about 1846. One of these was the old Third Dis-
448
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
trict building, located on the east side of Ludlow street between Sixth and Frank- lin streets. For a number of years previous to 1891, A. B. Shauck was the prin- cipal. From the year named until 1895, Joseph E. Johnson was principal. In 1895, Miss Grace A. Greene, of the Normal school, had charge of the district as principal, this relation of the two schools with Miss Greene in charge continu- ing till 1908. The school is now the Cooper school.
The other building erected about 1846, was first called the Northeastern build- ing, later the First District building. It was located on Second street, east of Madison, where the St. Joseph's parsonage now is. In 1903, the present imposing school building was erected at the southwest corner of First and St. Clair streets. The cost of the new building was nearly $100,000. For a number of years down to 1887, Charles L. Loos was principal. In that year James M. Craven, who still serves as principal, succeeded to the position. The school is now known as the Parker school.
The next building, erected about 1853, so long known as the Fifth District building, was called at the time the Eastern school building. It stood on the east side of Montgomery street, between May and Fifth streets. About 1862, the site was changed for the present site on the north side of Fifth between Clinton and Dutoit streets. The lot was purchased in 1858. Prior to 1892, Miss Sarah A. Finch served three years as principal, since which time, S. A. Minich has served as principal. This school is now known as the Lincoln school.
The old Sixth District school building was built about 1864 on grounds lying between Burns avenue and Hickory street, east of Brown street. The present name of the school is the Emerson school. Ferdinand M. Loehninger was prin- cipal of this school from 1878 to the time of his death January 20, 1894. From 1894 until the present time, Sigmund Metzler has been the principal.
In 1872, the Seventh District comprised the territory west of the Miami river annexed in 1868. It included four school buildings, one at the corner of Olive and Fifth, one at the corner of Third and College, one on Holt street in Dayton View, and one at Fifth and Barnett streets, the schools all having been established before the annexation of the territory. A nine room building was erected about 1872 at Fifth and Barnett streets, and this was succeeded by the present build- ing about 1878. Miss Esther Widner long served as principal of this district. She was succeeded in 1893 by W. J. Patterson, who was succeeded in 1896 by G. W. Brumbaugh, the present principal. The name of the school is now the Garfield school.
The Eighth District, consisting of the annexed territory in North Dayton, was formed in 1873, but seems to have had no school building until a year or two later, the pupils meantime attending the First District school. In 1890, James T. Tut- tle became principal. He served until 1904, when he was succeeded by Miss Florence Odlin, the present principal. The first school building stood on the south .side of Hart street. The location was later changed to the corner of Webster and Kiefer streets. The present name is the Webster school.
The Ninth District was constituted in 1875. The school building was located on the east side of Huffman avenue between May and Center streets. Since 1888, A. J. Willoughby has been principal in this district. The school is called the Huff- mail school.
PARKER DISTRICT SCHOOL
1
xossamog
451
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
About 1880, the Tenth District, including the territory annexed in Riverdale, was formed. The school building was located on the east side of McDaniel street between Babbitt street and Herman avenue. In 1893, a new school building was erected on the corner of Forest avenue and Helena street. The name Tenth District school was changed to the school at this location. Miss Ella Beistle was chosen principal in 1889, and has continued to serve in that capacity until the present time. The school has been renamed the Van Cleve school.
The Eleventh District consists of the territory annexed in 1868. The school building for the district is located on the corner of Salem and Superior avenues. A large school building was erected in 1881-82 and in the fall of that year, four rooms were occupied for district and normal purposes. Miss Mary Belle West- fall has been principal since 1882. Up to 1889 she had also supervision over the Riverdale school. The school is now known as the Longfellow school.
The Twelfth District school building was erected in 1884. The lot extends from Henry street to McClure street, between Richard street and Xenia avenue. In 1890, P. A. Winder was chosen principal. He served until 1906, when he was succeeded by George Buck. In 1909, Miss Anna K. Schmidt became principal. The school is now the Ruskin school.
In 1891, four school buildings were erected. The first of these was for the Thirteenth District, including Edgemont. W. J. Patterson was the first princi- pal. C. C. Davidson, the present principal, succeeded to the position in 1893. The school building is located on the corner of Cincinnati and Albany streets, and is known as the Irving school.
Another one of the school buildings erected in 1891, was the Fourteenth District school building, located on the corner of Wyoming and Bosler streets. Miss Leota E. Clark has been the principal of this school from the first. It is known as the Patterson school.
The Fifteenth District school, also erected in 1891, is located at the corner of Fifth and Findlay streets. John R. Fenstermaker has been the principal from the first. The name of the school is now the Franklin school.
The Sixteenth District school, built in 1891, is located at the corner of Ger- mantown and Summit streets. The interior of this building was destroyed by fire February 6, 1902. The building was immediately restored. A. L. Girard was elected the first principal. He was succeeded in 1899 by Miss Ellen Tom- linson. The school has been renamed the Willard school.
The Seventeenth District building was erected in 1892 on the east side of Broadway, north of First street. Miss Mary E. Terry was chosen as the first principal, and has continued to serve as such until the present time. The school has been named the Edison school.
The old Tenth District building on McDaniel street became in 1894 the cen- ter for the Eighteenth District, with Harry Weidner as principal. Mr. Weidner resigned March 5, 1896, and the school was connected with the Tenth District. The district was restored in 1898, with Miss Mary A. Fitzpatrick as principal. Emerson L. Horner succeeded to the principalship in 1903 and has held that position up to the present time. The school is now called the Hawthorn school.
The Ninteenth District school building was erected in 1895 at the corner of Dover and Bidleman streets. The first principal was J. M. Ebert. He was suc-
452
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
ceeded in 1903 by the present principal, G. A. Lange. This is now the Schiller school.
The Twentieth District school building was erected in 1899 at the corner of Jersey and Sowers streets, at a cost of $41,000. Miss Nan. B. Hale has been the principal from the first. This is now the Washington school.
The Weaver District building was erected in 1899 at the corner of Miller and Howell streets at a cost of $42,000. Edwin J. Brown was the first principal. He was succeeded in 1908 by Mrs. Elizabeth R. McClure, the present principal.
The Allen District was the last completed of the three school buildings erected in 1899. It is located on the corner of Alaska street and Warner avenue. The cost of construction was $46,000. Miss Teressa M. Corcoran has occupied the principalship since the beginning.
The Mckinley school building was erected in 1906 on the corner of Pritz and Highland avenues, at a cost of $67,000. W. J. White has been the principal from the beginning until the present time.
In addition to the district buildings named, a number of sub-district build- ings, the property of the city, have been in use. The larger number of these were built before the territory to which they belonged was annexed to the city. The annexation of territory in 1909 has brought additional school buildings within the limits of the city, necessitating temporary arrangements for the pupils in the territory thus included.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.