History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 121

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408

USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio > Part 121

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).

June 25, 1842, was reported to the Council, a vote of two mills on the dollar by District No. 2, for rent of School-building, which was ap- proved. Also, was presented a report that District No. 3 bad voted one mill on the dollar for like purpose ; which was approved.

This action by the Council was not specially hopeful of the advance of popular instruction in the infant City. It will be borne in mind, that at that time, expenses for tuition were met by charges, which each pupil was required to meet, and to which alone the teacher must look for his pay, the District-as already seen- furnishing only the house and fuel. How far one mill on the dollar of the small taxable valuation of that time went toward the support of educational privileges for a District, may be imagined. The Schools were then in operation but a few months of the year-chiefly in win- ter-and the imperfect advantages furnished were practically denied to many children un- able, from distance from the Schools, to attend with regularity.

At a public examination of pupils in District No. 1 (Lower Town), March 27, 1847, prizes were awarded for excellence as follows : To Zebulon C. Pheatt (now of the firm of Emerson & Co.), for improvement in penmanship; to Miss J. M. Peck, for proficiency in Natural Philosophy ; and to Miss Mary E. Lownsbury, for ability in book-keeping.

In December, 1847, there were in Toledo four Schools, averaging about 100 pupils each. The pioneer School-bell then made its advent.

So far as ean now be ascertained, the first step toward the permanent improvement of the means of education in Toledo, consisted of an ordinance passed by the City Council, May 14, 1842, " for the erection of School houses in the City of Toledo." David Crane was then the President of that body, and Edson Allen the Clerk. The ordinance provided for a vote by the electors of the several School Districts, to determine whether or not grounds be purchased and School buildings erected ; and also as to . renting buildings for School purposes, the amounts to be paid for such purposes, and also for fuel. Reports of such votes were to be made to the Council, and when approved by that body, the requisite tax would be levied upon the property taxable in the District, " not including the property of black or mulatto persons " (for the reason that colored children then had no right to public instruction of any sort). June 7, 1842, report was made to the Council, that the electors of Distriet No. 1 had voted for a tax of 15 mills on the dollar, for the purchase of a lot and erection of a School- house thereon; and also, that two mills had been voted by that Distriet for expenses of School-house rent, fuel, etc., for the year. The vote for a Sebool-house was disapproved by the Council, as involving too large an outlay ; and that for renting accommodations was approved. At the same session, the Council disapproved a vote by Distriet No. 2, for a levy of 23 mills for building a School-house.

Miss M. Howlett opened a Select School in a building on the corner of Superior and La- grange Streets, in July, 1841, teaching English

613

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

branches. Rates-Alphabet, $1.00 per term ; Spelling and Reading, $1.50; Arithmetic, Geog- raphy and Grammar, $2.00; Higher Branches, $3.00 to $4.00.

In December, 1841, Thomas Dunlap, Jr., taught such a School at the corner of Superior and Lagrange Streets, in a building which now (1887) constitutes a portion of the residence of Dr. S. S. Thorn. The teacher of this School is vet a resident of Toledo.

In October, 1843, Charles Dodge opened in what was known as the Court-room building, Northeast corner of Summit and Cherry Streets, a Select School, including, with the English branches, Spanish, French, German, Latin and Greek languages. Terms for English depart- ment, $3.00 per term; for other languages, $5.00. Mr. Dodge is still a resident of Toledo. In the winter of 1844-45, Miss Jenks taught a School for young ladies and misses in a building at the corner of Summit and Cherry Streets.

Levi S. Lownsbury opened the Toledo Acad- emy (day and evening) in January, 1846, in Mott's Block, corner Summit and Monroe Streets.

The condition of things thus stated contin- ued, with such degree of improvement as a total lack of system and requisite means per- mitted, until the fall of 1848, when the late Fran - eis Hollenbeck, then a resident of Perrysburg, furnished the Toledo Blade articles setting forth the need and the practicability of improve- ment in the School facilities of the City. The effect of such discussion was, to call attention to the entire want of system and efficiency in the existing plan, when a petition was presented to the Legislature for the extension to Toledo of the " Akron law," originally passed in 1846, and already successful in that Town. This petition was cirenlated by the late Simcon Fitch, Jr. Though not meeting the unanimous sentiment of the people of Toledo, there was no active opposition, and the law asked for was passed. In May, 1849, on a popular vote, this law was accepted by the City, and steps at once taken for putting the system into operation. Among the friends of the movement active in its support, are named Austin Willey, Roswell Stowe, Daniel Swift, Alfred Stowe, Levi S. Lownsbury, Jas. M. Whit- ney, Dennison Steele, Thos. Dunlap, Edward Bissell, Sr., Daniel Segur, and C. I. Scott.

The first Board of Education consisted of Ira L. Clark (President), Decius Wadsworth, Simeon Fitch, Jr., John P. Freeman, Samuel B. Scott, and Morgan L. Collins. There were then in the City three small buildings used for School purposes, all amounting in value to about $1,500; but the Board was without fur- niture fit for use, as they were without funds for the purchase of such. They leased rooms for a Central Grammar School, and for Pri- mary Schools in the four Wards of the City, in

which latter were 489 pupils enrolled. For the supply of indispensable furniture, the mem- bers of the Board generously made advances from private means, and set the new system in operation so far as the conditions permitted. The first check to their movement was the re- fusal of the City Council to approve a levy of three mills on the dollar for School purposes.

There was nothing very surprising in these facts. The radical change of policy then being instituted-from that of popular indifference to and practical neglect of the great inter- est of education, to recognition of respon- sibility by the community for the free educa- tion of all children-was well calculated to challenge discussion and provoke antagonism. It is doubtful if greater advance in any public matter ever was known, than was in- volved in the new School system then strug- gling for acceptance by those upon whom its burtheus, new and not slight, were to fall. Toledo was by no means an exception in any hesitation at first shown in that connection. On the contrary, it was even then in advance of the average sentiment of Western Cities. In due time, through the patient and persist- ent efforts of earnest friends of the new sys- tem, opposition was so far overcome, that it was accepted and established on a basis of popular support, which 38 years of experience, with all its labors and expense, has not been able to shake; and to-day, it may be truly said, that in no other City in Ohio is the policy of Free Education more firmly grounded in the popular feeling, than in Toledo; while in no other have the serious burthens incident thereto been more cheerfully met, than here. What these have been in taxation, is indicated by the statement of School property elsewhere given. The more fully to invest the Board with independent action in the matter of means for the prosecution of its plans, the law made that body independent of the City Coun- cil in the matter of tax levies for School pur- poses. To this feature has the system been in great measure indebted for its remarkable efficiency and success.

With other needs provided for, everything at the outset of the new system depended upon the efficiency of its executive head. As in all other organizations, without a competent Super- intendent, no extent of provision could give success. This is specially true as to the be- ginning of untried ventures. Fortunately, the Toledo Schools did not have to wait for such important support. The Board secured the services of Rev. Anson Smyth.

At the opening of the new School system in 1849, the High and Grammar Schools occu- pied a frame building, 204 Summit Street, near Adams, on the lot now occupied by Meilink's furniture establishment, where they remained until the increase in pupils made demand for larger accommodations. The Grammar De-

614

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

partment was then removed to a frame build- ing constructed for the purpose on Superior Street, between Adams and Oak, which subse- quently was used by an Unclassified School, then by the Central Mission Sabbath School, and now constitutes the rear portion of two dwellings. In 1853, both these departments were removed to the new High School build- ing, then first occupied.

The first important step toward the provision of suitable School-houses for the City, was taken in the construction of the Lagrange Street building, which was completed and occu- pied in April, 1852. Referring to that struc- ture, the Blade said : " It is an edifice of which every citizen of Toledo has great reason to be proud-a splendid result of the common effort, by which, during the past two years, the Schools of our City have been raised from a condition of absolute worthlessness, to one em . bracing all the improvements and perfections of modern energy and investigation." Of the condition of the Schools themselves, that paper said : " We doubt if any Schools in the country were in worse condition than ours, when Rev. Anson Smyth took charge of them; and we confidently challenge any Superintendent in Ohio to make an exhibition of Schools now in better condition."

The next and still more important step in the progress of the new School system, was the provision of a Central building, which, while furnishing much-needed accommodations for the higher grades of Schools, should also con- stitute a sign of the completeness and perma- nence of the new order of things. That was an end much more easily conceived than reached. A glance over the condition of affairs from the earliest history of the City to that period, will show something of what the friends of the movement had to overcome, preliminary to the advance which they sought to be made. A plan for a High-School building, prepared in 1853, contemplated the two wings which since have been supplied, the main building only being then undertaken. This was 56x102 feet ; 3 stories high; of stone and brick; with 26 rooms-those of the first and second stories, 153 feet high ; and of third story, 21 feet. On the third floor was a lecture-room, 86x533 feet, with capacity for 1,800 persons. A tower was provided with a large clock, having three seven-feet dials. Above this was placed a bell weighing 4,305 pounds, with the inscription on one side, " Toledo High School, May Ist, 1854," and on the other, " To Learning's Fount, the Youth I Call." The ceremony of laying the corner-stone of this building took place August 11, 1853, with the co-operation of the Board of Education, the City Fire Department and the Odd Fellows of Toledo. John Fitch was Pres- ident of the Day; Denison B. Smith, Rev. H. B. Walbridge and Rev. J. T. Caples, Vice Presidents. Committee of Arrangements-

Matthew Johnson, E. B. Brown and C. W. Hill. Marshal of the Day, Gen. Jos. W. Brown, with Gen. C. B. Phillips, Major J. R. Bond, John W. Walterbouse and Dr. V. Braun, as Aids. A procession was formed, which marched to the site of the proposed building, where prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Walbridge ; an address and the laying of the corner-stone by the Grand Master of Odd Fellows; an address by Lorin Andrews, Agent of the State Teachers' Association ; and benediction by Rev. Mr. Caples.

In a historical statement of the Toledo Public Schools, prepared by Superintendent D. F. De Wolf, in January, 1876, it is stated as to the School buildings:

The rule for ten years has been not to erect a building on less than 40,000 square feet of land. and in most cases there is more than this for permanent buildings. The standard size of single rooms, accom- modating 56 pupils or less, has been for ten years, 34x28 feet, and not less than 14 feet from floor to ceiling, with ample halls 14 feet wide, and a large play basement for each sex-these last with white-washed walls, generally lumber floors, and well warmed and ventilated ; also quarters for janitor, and most care- fully constructed out-buildings. The windows of the late buildings are arranged to secure sun in each room a part of the School hours, and to throw the light on one side of the pupils only, and never in the face of the teacher. The methods of heating have advanced from ordinary Wood-Stoves, by way of Chilson's ventilating Stove, and Chilson's and Boynton's hot-air furnaces, to steam heating. It was found that the first furnished no ventilation, except by drafts of cold, and hence heavier air along the feet of the pupils ; the second, no heat; the third, no means of control during pressing winds, nor of sup- plementing the meagre supply of heat in windward rooms. Steam eoils are now run through air cham- bers in the basement, which receive a supply of fresh air from outside the building, by means of large tubes. This air, being heated, is brought into the rooms for ventilating purposes, and is partly relied on for warmth, while coils are also run around the sides of the room, or stacked in different places, to supply by radiation the heat of this warm air. Flues with ample openings at the floor, are relied on to take off the vitiated air, and the elasticity of the incoming heated air, as it rises to the ceiling, is de- pended on to press the cold and vitiated air out of the floor openings. There are still placed in flues near the ceiling, small registers; but these are now intended to be so small as never entirely to re- lieve the pressure of the hot air on the mass, and thus stop the circulation through the floor registers. They are always kept closed while warm air is cominginto the room, as otherwise the heated air establishes a direct current to them, leaving the mass of the air in the room stagnant. The window sash have panes tightly puttied in on both sides, leaving a half-inch space of dry air between the panes. The descending current occasioned by the contraction of the air of the room as it impinges on the large surface of cold glass, is avoided, and a prolific source of rheumatism, croup and diphtheria is removed. So long, however, as any occasions remain for letting in direct drafts from windows to remove the tainted air, which is also itself the occasion of diphtheria, debility and nervous diseases, the end has not been reached. Whether this can be effected without a blower, such as is now used in the Washington School of Chicago, or some other mechanical means, is still uncertain. The

615

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

subject of proper heating and ventilation still needs study. Its importance cannot be over-estimated.

This quotation is made here, as a way-mark, to indicate the progress then made in Toledo toward the more perfect and complete plans of School buildings which future study and genins shall provide.

The first public exhibition of the Toledo High School took place at Union Hall, March 12, 1852. It consisted of reading of composi- tions and declamation ; and was also the first event of the kind in the City. The programme was substantially as follows :

First, was Master Charles O. Brigham, with a Latin salutatory. Next, was Master Thomas B. Mott, with an English salutatory. Following, eame Miss Frances L. Collins, with a composition, "The Ap- parent and the Real ;" Miss E. E. Belknap, "Proper Sphere of Woman ;" Miss Julia Bissell (now Mrs. Asa Backus), " Genius ;" Miss Isabella Harmon, "Jubal ;" Miss L. R. Fitch (now Mrs. E. B. Hyde), "Europe ;" Miss Anna E. Swift (now Mrs. Norman Waite), "Our School and School Room."

Then came Master J. M. Blodgett's oration on the Bible ; followed by a dialogue (" Public Opinion "), written by Henry T. Bissell, the parts being sus- tained by the author and Master Richard W. Howard; oration. " Man makes his own Character," by N. A. Cone ; dialogue, " Byron and Franklin," written by Master Warren S. Waite; oration on Colonel Leh- manowsky, a noted Polish patriot, at that time travel- ing and lecturing in this country. Following, was an oration by " the youngest scholar in the School" (Master William H. H. Smith); a dialogue on " Wo- men's Rights"-a question then recently prominent in the country-Master Abram W. Colton having the part of the " Bloomer," and Master Cone, that of the " Bloomer's " husband ; while Master Brigham had that of "the impudent imp of the printing office," sometimes known by another title. The exercises were concluded with an oration on Greece, and Val- edictory, by Henry T. Bissell.

The effect of this exhibition seems to have been marked and beneficial. The audience- the largest ever seen in the hall -were most favorably impressed with the first showing of the new school arrangement, to the unexpected suecess of which is no doubt largely attributa- ble the firm foundation in popular feeling which ever since has given unfailing support to Toledo's educational system. The pioneer superintendent (Rev. Anson Smyth), and much less the young lads and misses taking part in the exercises, could not then appreciate the far-reaching strength they were giving to that great interest. Of those taking part on that occasion (now 36 years ago), there are known to be still living Messrs. Smith, Brigham and Colton, and Mrs. Waite, at Toledo; and Mrs. Hyde and Mrs. Backus elsewhere.

The first class graduated from the High School, was that of 1857, Wmn. H. H. Smith, Olive Parmelee and Amos W. Crane.

Exereises of the graduating class of the High Sehool took place June 24, 1859, were as fol- lows :

Prayer by Rev. W. W. Williams. Address by II. L. Hosmer. Music. Compositions by Miss Ada F. Orcutt, Miss Laura A. Parmelee, and Miss Applya Avery. Latin Colloquy by Emerson E. Hasty, A. F. Orentt, Apphya Avery, Sarah Collins and L. A. Par- melee. Poem, by E. E. Hasty. Conferring diplomas, by President Ilill. Class Song, by E. E. Hasty.

The Winter term of the Toledo Public Schools closed with an exhibition, March 8, 1861, when the following was the programme :

I. Opening Song. 2. Salutatory-James Young. 3. Declamation -Burton Taylor. 4. Dialogue-Ellen Murphy, Gertie Fowle, Lena Kraus, Nettie King, James Young, Alex. Young. 5. Declamation-Albert Stevens. 6. Paper-read by Esther Mooers and Mary Chamberlain. 7. Declamation-Edward T. Waite. 8. Class of girls from Gymnasium. 9. Declamation- Frank Scott. 10. Song-Adele Reed, Minnie Hamp- ton, C. S. Crossman. 11. Declamation-Camillus Falinestock. 12. Dialogue-Fairfield, Fisk and Pfan- ner. 13. Declamation-Otto Kraus. 14. Song-Miss Hampton and Mr. Crossman. 15. Declamation- Roswell J. Cheney. 16. Class of Boys from Gym- nasium. 17. Declamation-George Colby. 18. Dec- lamation-Ethelbert S. Griffith. 19. Song-School.

Matthew Brown, J. Austin Scott, Mrs. S. A. Raymond, Mrs. J. Austin Scott, and Miss L. Sizer, Committee appointed to examine paintings and drawings of scholars under instruction of Miss Sarah Marshall (now Mrs. John H. Peck), reported, highly commending oil paintings by Misses Steb- bins and Church; Crayon and Monochromatic drawings by Misses Holloway, May, Whitney and Gertrude Smith ; and pencil drawings by Misses So- phie Hill, Kate Shoemaker, Carrie R. Waggoner, So- phie Watson, Lottie Haskell, Belle Brownlee, Alice Hall, Lottie Steele, Fanny Rowland and Evelyn Shepard, and Emery D. Potter, Jr.

Public exercises in connection with the close of the school year, June 28, 1861, consisted of prayer by Rev. W. W. Williams; address by Rev. Anson Smyth ; oration by John J. Inn- ker ; composition by Helen M. Jones; oration by Cyrus W. Breed ; composition by Myra L. Dorr; oration by Henry A. Forsyth ; compo- sition by Rachel Tyler ; music, conducted by C. S. Crossman ; conferring of diplomas by Judge E. D. Potter.

The School year (1861-62) closed with the usnal graduating exercises, June 26, 1862. In reporting the same, the Blade said : " It is a fact worthy of note, that all the young men of the Graduating Class of 1862, have been, or are now, engaged in the service of their coun- try; and all but one are now ' in the field,' the exception having been a member of the 14th Regiment in its three-months service." The programme of the evening was as follows :

Prayer, by Rev. II. B. Walbridge. Colloquy- The Peril and the Triumph-Mary E. Eldridge, Lottie A. Steele, Mary E. Haskell, Carrie Cheney, Emily Springer, Sophie Watson, Belle Hammell, Lucy D. Collins, Julia A. Steele. The Class Song was by Miss Emily Springer, set to music by Prof. Crossman.

The male members of the Class then in the Army, were W. Hunt Walbridge, Emery D.

616

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

Potter, Jr., and Ralph Osborn. The male graduate was Andrew J. Wales.

A prominent and fitting feature of the Hall on the occasion of the graduating exercises of the Toledo High School, July 1, 1864, consisted of a decoration in the form of a Shield, com- posed of 74 Stars-the number of boys who had within the preceding six months been in the School, and also in the Union Army. Inter- woven near the top of the Shield, were the words, " Honor to Our Braves ;" below this, and in the center, were the words, " In Memo- riam ;" and surrounding these, wrought in the border of the Shield, the initials of seven gradu- ates, who had fallen martyrs to the cause of Freedom, to wit : Theodore Sawyer, at Dalton, Ga .; G. Duncan Forsyth, at Richmond, Va. ; George M. Ballard, at Petersburgh, Va .; Hamilton C. Colton, at Cumberland, Md .; Amos H. Miner, at 2d Bull Run battle ; Mason Cressey, at Chickamauga; and James T. Bailey, at Fort Wagner, S. C. Over the stage in front, was the American flag, festooned with a wreath of flowers and leaves ; in rear, against the wall, the motto of the class, " Plus Ultra," and above these the words, " God Save the Union."

SUPERINTENDENTS OF TOLEDO SCHOOLS.

The first Superintendent of the Public Schools of Toledo, was Rev. Anson Smyth, who had been for several years the Pastor of First Congregational Church of that City. He continued in charge of the Schools until Feb- ruary, 1856. Upon him devolved the special responsibility of organizing and inaugurating a system of edneation entirely new to the people. Old notions and practices had to be removed, and the better so introduced as to be · made acceptable. The embarrassments of such a work can be appreciated only by those who have passed through it. Mr. Smyth was ex- ceptionally successful in his service. In the language of the Board of Education, he " per- formed the duties of Superintendent with great ability and antiring industry." Subsequently, Mr. Smyth served with equal credit for two terms State Commissioner of Common Schools. He afterwards was Superintendent of the Public Schools of Cleveland, where he died in 1886, leaving a wife and one daughter (Mrs. Samuel Eddy).

February 4, 1856, Mr. John Eaton, Jr., sue- ceeded to the office of Superintendent. He came from New Hampshire and from Dart- mouth College, and acted as Superintendent until March 7, 1859. Of his serviee, the Board said : " The untiring industry, zeal and fidelity which have characterized Mr. Eaton's service as Superintendent, are well known, and appre- ciated by the friends of education acquainted with his eourse, and merit our special com- mendation." The high qualities shown in Toledo have given Mr. Eaton success in far more promi-

nent fields of labor since leaving Toledo. Com- pleting a clerical course of study, he was ordained for the ministry in 1861, and soon after the commencement of the Rebellion he accepted an appointment as Chaplain of the 27th Ohio In- fantry, which position he held until detailed by Gen. Grant as " Superintendent of Contra- bands," in April, 1863, holding such position until the organization of the Bureau of Freed- men about the close of the War. In 1869, he was appointed by President Grant as United States Commissioner of Education, which office he held, with special honor, for over 16 years, and until he resigned, in 1885, to accept the Presidency of Marietta College, Ohio.

The successor of Mr. Eaton as Superintend- ent of Toledo Schools, was Mr. Moses T. Brown, who remained in faithful and successful admin- istration of the office until he resigned, in April, 1864. Most of the time since leaving Toledo, Mr. Brown has devoted his attention mainly to giving instruction in elocution, and largely in connection with Tuft's College, Boston.

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.

History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 121

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company Number of Pages: 1408

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408