USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Memoirs of the Miami valley > Part 17
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Milo G. Williams was born in Cincinnati in 1804, his parents being from New Jersey. At the age of sixteen he became a teacher in the village school in which he had studied as a pupil. In 1823 he opened a private school in Cincinnati which soon became so popular that he was required to secure additional rooms and employ other teachers. He graded his classes and organized the school under four departments and successfully introduced the study of constitu- tional law.
In 1833 he went to Dayton to accept the supervision of a manual labor institution, but this failing to meet the expectations of its promoters, he in 1837 accepted the position of principal of the Springfield high school, which was opened in that year. In 1840 he returned to Cincinnati, where he was shortly elected a professor
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in Cincinnati college. In 1844 he removed to Dayton to reorganize the Dayton academy. Five years later he was elected president and professor of science in the college newly founded by the church of the New Jerusalem at Urbana, in which capacity he continued to serve until 1870.
Mr. Williams' educational activities were along many lines. He assisted in organizing "The Western Literary Institute and Board of Education," which largely through his efforts became "The Western Literary Institute and College of Teachers," of which association he was for ten years the corresponding secretary. He delivered many addresses along educational lines and prepared a number of educa- tional reports. In one of these he advocated the establishment of a normal school in each congressional district. By reason of his varied and important activities, he is entitled to a high place among the founders and promoters of education in the west.
Among Cincinnati's promoters of a better system of education was Nathan Guilford. In 1821 he was one of a committee appointed by the state legislature to consider the educational needs of the state. This report advised the appointment of a commission of seven to devise and report a system of common schools, of which he was one of the members. From the report of this commission which advised the establishment of a system based on the New York plan, he dis- sented on the ground that it was not broad and comprehensive enough to meet the needs of the state, and wrote a letter to the legislature in which he urged upon the state the founding of a system of free education. This position proving too advanced for the vision of the legislators, he appealed to the people and was elected to the state senate from Cincinnati. In this capacity he served as chairman of the joint committee on education. This committee later presented a bill "which required a tax of one-half a mill on the dollar to be levied for school purposes by the county commissioners, made township clerks and county auditors, school officers and provided for school examiners." This bill without amendment received the sanction of a large majority of the members of both houses. In 1850 Mr. Guilford was elected superintendent of the public schools of Cincinnati, in which capacity he served for a number of years.
Of the early educators of the Miami valley none was better be- loved or more effective in leaving his immediate impress on the lives of so large a number of prominent leaders in our national life, than Robert Hamilton Bishop, who was born in 1777 at Cult, near Edinburgh, Scotland. He graduated from the University at Edin- burgh in 1798 and from the Associate Presbyterian Theological seminary at Selkirk in 1802. In that year he was induced by Rev. John M. Mason of New York City to come to America and identify himself with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church. Upon his arrival in this country he was assigned to the presbytery of Kentucky and itinerated for a while in that state and in southern Ohio. In 1804 he located at Lexington, Kentucky, taking pastoral charge of several congregations in that vicinity. The same year he was elected professor of logic and moral philosophy in Transyl- vania university. In 1818 he was made professor of mathematics
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and natural philosophy. The teaching of mathematics was soon assigned to an assistant and he was given history in its stead. In 1819 he connected with the Presbyterian church. During his con- nection with the university he continued his pulpit ministrations, which were highly appreciated. Rev. David McDill, sr., who grad- uated from Transylvania university in 1813, says of him: "He soon ascended to a high rank among the pulpit orators of Kentucky. 'Clay at the bar, or Bishop in the pulpit,' was at one time among the students of Transylvania university the 'ne plus ultra' of human greatness. There are and have been but few men in the United States who could wield a general principle with the same facility and apply it to such a variety of cases. This was his forte. In it he excelled Dr. Mason."
In 1824 Dr. Bishop accepted the presidency of Miami university. Prior to this time the institution had had a precarious existence. In 1811 a schoolhouse had been erected on the university reservation in which James Dorsey had conducted a private school until 1818. In that year one wing of the university building and a house for the president being completed, the trustees opened a grammar school with Rev. James Hughes as principal. This school was main- tained until 1821, when, the principal dying, it was discontinued that the main building might be the more speedily finished. By 1824 this work was so well under way and the regular income of the institution was such, that it was determined to raise the school to collegiate rank. The income for the year ending December 31, 1824, is shown by the records to have been $4,503.0712. To shape the policy of the young institution Dr. Bishop was eminently qualified. In 1841 he resigned the presidency of the institution to accept the professorship of history and political science, in which capacity he served until 1844. From that time till his death he devoted himself to the upbuilding of Farmers' college at College Hill, near Cincinnati.
Of President Bishop's colleagues, one of the most distinguished was William H. McGuffey, concerning whom we cannot do better than quote from his son-in-law, Prof. Hepburn :
"William Holmes McGuffey was born in western Pennsylvania in 1800, and was brought to Ohio by his parents when a child. He was of Scotch-Irish stock. His father was a sturdy farmer; his mother was devoutly pious, her one wish being that William should become a preacher. There were no schools in those days, and as the elder McGuffey was not a strong believer in education, the boy had a hard time in his search for knowledge. A preacher who lived several miles away took an interest in him, and taught him. To this man's house young McGuffey would walk two or three times each week to recite the lessons he had learned at night, using for light a pine knot, which he burned in the fireplace at his home.
At the age of eighteen he entered Washington college, from which he was graduated with honors in 1826. During his college course McGuffey would go out and teach, it being necessary for him to help himself. His last engagement of this kind was in Paris, Ken- tucky, where he taught in an old smokehouse, which probably still stands-it was there a few years ago. It was while there, and before his graduation, that he was elected to the faculty of Miami. He was
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ordained a Presbyterian minister in Oxford in 1832, and at once became active as a preacher, taking a prominent part in the theolog- ical controversies of that period.
When the Cincinnati college was opened in 1836, Dr. McGuffey became its president, serving until it closed, three years later, for want of funds. While in Cincinnati he was one of a coterie of great educators who started the agitation for public schools-the common schools they were then called. Among these men were Prof. Ray, author of the famous mathematical series; Prof. Miller, the astronomer; Edward D. Mansfield and others.
Dr. McGuffey was president of Ohio university, at Athens, from 1839 to 1843, his administration being a stormy one. The enclosing of the college campus, and the demand for a revaluation of the property of the village of Athens, upon which rent was paid for the support of the institution, were events of his executive incumbency which caused a large amount of discussion.
In 1843 Dr. McGuffey returned to Cincinnati and became a professor in Woodward high school. By that time he had become famous, not only as an educator, but as a preacher and lecturer. He was particularly effective as an extemporaneous speaker, never being known to write an address. His audience put him to his best.
Two years later the distinguished William C. Rives, a member of the board of visitors of the University of Virginia, heard Dr. McGuffey lecture in Cincinnati, and was so impressed by the power of the speaker that, upon his recommendation, Dr. McGuffey was called to the Virginia institution, where he spent the remainder of his life teaching philosophy, preaching and lecturing, full of the vigor of manhood. One day in the spring of 1873, after having delivered a lecture of great power to children, he was taken ill with an affection of the brain, from which he died in a few weeks. He was buried in the cemetery of the University of Virginia.
Dr. McGuffey was a strong man, a great teacher, and the effects of his work cannot be estimated. While possessing no false dignity, and never emphasizing himself, he inspired his pupils as few teachers ever did. He was of medium size, varied features, and thoughtful temperament. One's first impression of him was that he was very stern. He was firm, and stood by his convictions when once they had been formed; but he was liberal, and all his pupils loved him.
Another of President Bishop's colleagues was John W. Scott, who was born in Pennsylvania, January 22, 1800. He graduated from Washington college in 1823, after which he studied physics and natural science at Yale university. He then returned to his alma mater where he served as professor of natural science, 1824-28. In the latter year he was elected professor of mathematics, geography, natural philosophy and astronomy and teacher of political economy, 1828-32; ordained to the ministry by the presbytery of Oxford in 1830; professor of natural philosophy, astronomy, and chemistry, 1835-45 ; professor in Farmers' college, 1849-54; founder and princi- pal of Oxford Female institute, 1849-54 ; professor of natural science at Hanover college, 1860-68; at Concordia college, Springfield, Illinois, 1868-70, and at Monongahela college, 1874-81.
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After retiring from teaching he accepted a government position at Washington, which he resigned when his son-in-law, Benjamin Harrison, was elected to the presidency lest, as he said, he come under the curse, "The elder shall serve the younger."
Rufus King, a grandson of the Revolutionary patriot and states- man, was born at Chillicothe in 1817. After graduating at Harvard, he established himself at Cincinnati, where he became one of the leading lawyers of the city. For many years he served on the school board of that city, of which body he was president for twelve years. He had a large part in the reorganization of the schools of that city and in the increase of their usefulness. Upon his suggestion a bill was prepared providing for the consolidation of the school libraries in cities and thus the way was prepared for the present library system of Cincinnati. He later served as president of the board of trustees of Cincinnati university, the schools of art and design and the Cincinnati observatory.
Calvin E. Stowe was born at Natick, Mass., in 1802. Having graduated from Bowdoin college and Andover Theological seminary and served as professor of languages at Dartmouth college, he came to Cincinnati in 1833 to become professor of biblical literature in Lane Theological seminary. Recognizing the educational needs of the state he associated himself with those public-spirited persons who were already advocating a common school system. In 1836 he visited Europe and in 1837 published his report on Elementary Education in Ohio. This report urged thoroughness in preparation and in work, freedom from routine and slavish subservience to text books. This book was widely distributed throughout Ohio and other states.
Another teacher and text book author of the period was Joseph Ray, who gave to the educational world the series of mathematical texts that bear his name. He was born in Ohio County, Virginia, in 1807. Manifesting an aptitude for study, he entered Washington college, but did not complete the course of study prescribed for a degree. Taking up the study of medicine, he graduated from the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati. Instead of taking up the prac- tice of his profession, he joined the teaching staff of Woodward college, of which he later became president, in which capacity he served until his death in 1856.
William Norris Edwards was born at Pittsfield, Mass., July 4, 1812, and graduated from Williams college. He came west and for a time conducted a private academy at Dayton. In 1852 he became superintendent of public schools of Troy, in which relation he continued till his death in 1867. He was elected president of the State Teachers' association in 1861. He was a man of culture and deliberation of judgment, who enjoyed the gratitude of his pupils, the respect of his fellow teachers, and the confidence and affection of his fellow citizens.
Robert W. Steele, descended from one of the pioneer families of Dayton, was born in 1819. He studied at Dayton academy and graduated from Miami university with the class of 1840. In 1842 he became connected with the public schools of Dayton in the capacity of clerk of the board of managers. For more than thirty years he
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served in an administrative capacity. For twelve years of this time he was president of the board of education. By reason of the dis- tinguished services rendered by him to the educational interests of his city, the principal high school building has been named in his honor.
Samuel Galloway was born at Gettysburg, Pa., in 1811, but in his early youth moved to western Ohio. He graduated from Miami university in 1833, after which he taught for a number of years. In 1842 he was admitted to the bar and shortly afterward took up his residence at Columbus. When in his official capacity as secre- tary of state, he was ex officio state superintendent of common schools. In this he did much by means of his exceptional ability to promote the cause of education. Upon the founding of the State Teachers' association in 1847 he was chosen its first president.
While the fathers of the Miami valley have labored with such distinction, her sons are following in the footsteps of their illus- trious predecessors. They are occupying positions of influence and honor in many of the educational institutions and agencies of the country. A few years since, when Boston desired the ablest man to be obtained, she chose a product of the valley in the person of Prof. Dyer, erstwhile dean of the Normal college of Miami university and later superintendent of the Cincinnati schools. When the government desired a man to effectively direct the educational work of the Students' Army Training Corps, she chose President R. M. Hughes, the major part of whose life has been identified with this area. Numerous other names might be mentioned, did space permit.
Prominence of the Miami Valley in the Educational Develop- ment of the State. As previously indicated, it has been the habit of some writers to dilate upon the importance of the Western Reserve element in the promulgation of educational ideals in Ohio. While no one will deny that this element has been a strong support to educational development in the state as it has been everywhere, it may be questioned whether any one section or area of the state is wholly responsible for this rather remarkable progress. While we may not therefore arrogate to the Miami valley sole honor of having evolved Ohio's educational system, the facts show that she does not suffer by a fair comparison with the Western Reserve. It may be seriously questioned whether any other area has contributed more to the educational progress of the state than has the Miami valley.
BANKING AND FINANCE
D URING the period preceding the War of 1812 the people of the Miami valley, and for that matter of the entire State of Ohio, were occupied literally in getting out of the woods. The social and economic fusion of the population was delayed and dense forests separated the different settlements. The barrier of the Alleghanies cut them off from the markets of the Atlantic states, except for live stock, which could be driven over the mountains on foot. As a result of these conditions the occupations of the people were mainly pastoral or agricultural. Yet the very barriers which made it hard to dispose of surplus products and difficult and costly to import merchandise, etc., served to hasten home manufactures, much the same as a protective tariff theoretically is supposed to do. The towns in the region of which we write had the advantages of river communication with each other, as well as with Pittsburg, Louisville and New Orleans, and it was in these centers that manufacture and commerce first developed. Natur- ally, the first banks organized in the state were established here. This was the most populous and flourishing part of the state at that time. With the broad and fertile expanse of the valley, the immense agricultural back country, and its advantageous location on the Ohio river, opposite the mouth of the Licking river, Cin- cinnati easily gained an ascendancy which made it the leading city in the west for many years.
The population of the Miami country was not over 2,000 in 1790, and in 1800 it was about 15,000. In 1810 the single county of Hamilton contained 15,258, and the Miami country about 70,000, or one-fourth of the whole population of the state. According to Drake, in his "Picture of Cincinnati," this had increased to about 100,000 in 1815. Agriculture and stockraising advanced rapidly in this important region. The fertile soil produced immense crops of wheat and corn, and scores of grist mills turned the wheat into flour. The corn was utilized largely in feeding hogs, though many distilleries flourished throughout the region, where the farmers turned their surplus corn into whiskey. Much of this whiskey and flour, together with the pork, bacon and lard prepared upon the farms in winter, found its way to Cincinnati, there to be shipped via the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. Whiskey, beef, pork and lumber and staves were shipped from Cincinnati to New Orleans by water as early as 1803, and it was in connection with this river traffic of Cincinnati that the first bank in Ohio was organized.
The enterprising citizens of the Miami country were quick to recognize the advantages of association under state authority in
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the transaction of business. Almost as soon as the State of Ohio was admitted into the Union, Martin Baum, a prominent Cincinnati merchant, who had early become active in manufacture and trade in that city and was most influential in attracting German immigra- tion there, organized a company, with several of his business as- sociates, to facilitate trade. They applied to the legislature for a charter, and as a result, at the first session of that body, the Miami Exporting company was incorporated, April 15, 1803. The original object of this company was the exportation of agricultural prod- uce, chiefly to New Orleans, and banking, if purposed at all, was a secondary consideration. Its charter, however, permitted the issue of notes payable to bearer and assignable by delivery only; and the company, which began business operation in 1804, was soon exercising the powers of banking. It issued bills and redeemed them, not in specie, but in the notes of other banks. Thus the Miami Exporting company became the first bank in Ohio, and perhaps the second west of the Alleghanies, the first having been the Lexington Insurance company, incorporated in 1802, and es- tablished at Lexington, Ky. The latter is said to have obtained its banking privileges surreptitiously, but Gouge, in his history of early banking in the United States, suggests that, as the title of the Miami Exporting company indicates that it was established ostensibly for commercial purposes, perhaps banking privileges were obtained for it surreptitiously, also. Be this as it may, the Miami Exporting company almost from the first did a banking business, opening an office in Cincinnati for that express purpose. In fact, on March 1, 1807, the bank went into full operation, all commercial projects having previously been relinquished.
The charter of the Miami Exporting company was granted for a period of forty years, and provided for a board of eleven directors, who were to be chosen annually, and one of whom was to be elected president. The authorized capital stock of the company was fixed at $500,000, divided into shares of $100 each, payable $5 in cash at the time of subscribing, and $45 in produce and manu- factures such as the president and directors would receive in the first year, and the remaining $50 in produce and manufactures from July to March of the following year. The stockholders were to give notice in writing at the company's office on or before the first day of September following, what kind of produce and manufactures and the probable amount thereof they would deliver, but the presi- dent and directors were to designate the times and places of delivery.
Not all of the authorized capital was ever paid in. Gouge, in his "Short History of Paper Money and Banking," gives the capital of this company as $200,000, and this agrees with the amount stated in the list of Ohio banks organized before 1812, as published in the first issue of the Banker's Magazine. The directors, however, in 1811, authorized the sale of a large number of additional shares of the capital stock of the company, and Nov. 28 of that year they issued a notice offering these to purchasers with the privilege of taking them either at $102, to be paid at the time of subscribing, or at $104, to be paid one-fourth at the time of subscribing, one-
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fourth in six months, one-fourth in twelve months, and the remain- ing one-fourth when required by the board, the subscribers, how- ever, to have at least thirty days' notice. And Daniel Drake, writ- ing in 1815, says that the capital consisted of $450,000 paid in by 190 persons, the number of stockholders at that time.
However, it is probable that not all of this $450,000 was ever actually paid in cash, for it was a common practice among banks of the period following the War of 1812 to accept what were known as stock notes in payment of subscriptions for stock; that is, after making the first payment or two in cash, the subscriber would be permitted to pay the remainder of his subscription with his own note, which would later be redeemed, if at all, with dividends re- ceived from the bank. It is likely that a considerable portion of the Miami Exporting company's $450,000 capital stock was paid in that way, especially the later issues of that stock. A published balance sheet of the company, under date of May 11, 1821, gives the amount of money paid by the stockholders on their shares as $379,178.
The Miami Exporting company continued in the undisturbed employment of its banking powers without question until 1822, when it became unable to progress with its business. From that time until 1834 it engaged in no business but such as was required for adjusting and closing its debts and credits and maintaining its corporate organization. In 1831 Gallatin listed it, with a capital stock of $468,966, among the banks which had failed since 1811. In 1834, however, it was resuscitated, and provision was made for the payment of its stock, the liquidation of its debts, and the redemp- tion of its outstanding notes. It then recommenced the business of banking, but was finally compelled to wind up its affairs before the termination of its charter in 1843. In Knox's "History of Bank- ing" it is mentioned as having failed, Jan. 10, 1842.
On Feb. 5, 1813, the Farmers' & Mechanics' bank at Cincinnati, with a capital stock of $200,000, was chartered, and on Feb. 11, 1814, the Dayton Manufacturing company, at Dayton, commenced busi- ness with a capital stock of $100,000. Both of these banks were chartered by special acts of the legislature, and their charters ex- tended until 1818. The methods of their organization were about the same, and the provisions of their charters were quite similar. The charter of the Farmers' & Mechanics' bank contained a pro- vision which required that one-third of the thirteen directors must be practical farmers and the same proportion practical mechanics. This bank had been established in 1812, the year before it was in- corporated. Another unauthorized concern, the Bank of Cincinnati, was founded in 1814, with shares at $50 each, 8,800 of which had been sold to 345 persons by 1815, though it had not yet obtained a charter. It was governed by twelve directors, chosen annually. Its notes, in 1815, were in excellent credit and the dividends had advanced from 6 to 8 per cent during the first year. This bank also obtained a charter in 1816.
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