USA > Ohio > Ohio's progressive sons; a history of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth > Part 73
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J. C. Oldt,
Superintendent of the Schools of Put-in-Bay and Clerk of the Ottawa County Board of Examiners of Teachers, was born at Beaver Springs, Pennsylvania, on the 15th of Feb- ruary, 1865. From childhood he was sent to school regularly about six months a year,
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although public schools were then open but four months a year. The remaining six months he worked on his father's farm. At thirteen he enrolled in a teachers' normal school and at that age creditably passed a teacher's examination, and began to teach at the age of fourteen. He taught in Pennsylvania for seven consecutive winters, devoting the fall and spring terms to study in various State and County Normal Schools. For two terms, in 1886, he held the Chair of Mathematics in the Snyder County Teachers' Normal School at Beaver Springs. In 1887 he entered Central Pennsylvania College, now Albright College, as a Freshman, and graduated from the clas- sical department with the degree of A.B. in 1800. Immediately after graduation he went to Ohio to teach. He began at Put-in-Bay, and after two years succeeded to the Principalship. His vacations and spare moments were devoted to his own improvement, so that since coming to Ohio he has completed a commercial course, earned his master degree from his Alma Mater, received a High School life certificate from the Ohio State Board of Examiners, and com- pleted three-fourths of a course in pedagogy, leading to a higher degree in Lebanon Valley College. Mr. Oldt has taught school for twenty-two years, and for the last four years has been one of the members of the Ottawa County Board of Teachers' Examiners. Out- side of educational work, he has not neglected his duties as a citizen. In April, 1898, he was made the unanimous choice of both political J. C. OLDT parties for Mayor of the village of Put-in-Bay, the most famous summer resort in Ohio, to which position he was four times elected, twice without opposition, and is now serving as a very efficient Mayor of that village, as well as occupying the position of Superintendent of the public schools of the same place. He also served for five years as Justice of the Peace of Put-in-Bay Township. Professor Oldt is considered a fine scholar and excellent teacher, and enjoys a good musical training. He was one of the founders of the Beaver Springs Herald; has been for the last ten years a vestryman in the Episcopal Church, teacher and Superintendent in Sunday School all his life, and for years an active worker in the Y. M. C. A.
E. W. Patterson,
Superintendent of the Public Schools of Wellston, Jackson County, Ohio, was born in Jackson County on the 23d of September, 1859. He received his elementary education in the rural schools, and at the age of seventeen he entered Marietta College, from which institution he graduated, among the foremost in his class. While in college he was selected as one of the prize declaimers, and won prizes for general scholarship two successive years. Professor Manatt, of Brown University, says of him: "In an experience of twenty-five years I never knew a better or a more thorough student." After leaving college, Mr. Pat- terson entered the teaching profession, first in Burlington Military Academy, New Jersey,
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where he prepared students for Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Columbia. Since this time he was employed as High School teacher in Jack- son, Ohio, and Portsmouth, Ohio, and is now entering his tenth year as Superintendent of Schools of the city of Wellston. Mr. Patterson also served his third term as City and County Examiner. He holds a High School life cer- tificate. Mr. Patterson, who is recognized as one of the ablest educators in the State of Ohio, has made special preparation for his work by studying under Professors of John Hopkins and Yale. His work speaks for itself and has been crowned with much success.
George D. Pettee,
The present Principal of the University School of Cleveland, Ohio, came to the admin- istration of its affairs from an extended experience in one of the strongest classical schools of the country-Phillips Academy, at E. W. PATTERSON Andover, Massachusetts, and of him it has perhaps correctly been said that he has had as wide an acquaintance, of an intimate and personal sort, with four or five thousand boys who have entered the leading American col- leges, as any teacher now living. In coming to Ohio and addressing himself to the school problems of an institution like University School, le has testified to a personal belief in the principles upon which the school is founded, and with a real enthusiasm has, in not a few ways, succeeded in bringing the school to a riper fruition of its first hopes and plans.
GEORGE D. PETTEE
Arthur Powell,
Who holds the responsible position of Superintendent of the Middletown city schools, ranks as an educator of high order. Perhaps there is no State in the Union which is more advanced than Ohio in the attention which is paid to the interests of the young ; all over the State there are earnest, interested workers in the good cause, men and women who have devoted their lives to the progress of the coming generation, and whose highest reward is to see the advancement of the race. In this good work no one has taken a greater interest, or devoted himself more untiringly than Mr. Powell. He was born on his father's farm, near Sharon, Noble County, Ohio, on the 22d of October, 1853. His father, Andrew Powell,
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was also a native of Ohio, and was of Scotch descent, ancestors of the family having emi- grated from Scotland and settled in Virginia. Being people of great force of character and a high order of intelligence, they soon became prominent in their adopted country, and took an active part in the history of Virginia. The grandfather, Samuel Powell, was a minister in the United Brethren Church, and died in the pulpit, while engaged in his duties as a preacher. The maiden name of Mr. Powell's mother was Martha Lyons. She was also born in the Buckeye State.
Brought up on a farm, and his services being almost indispensable in its operation, Mr. Arthur Powell, up to the age of sixteen years, had received only a district school edu- cation. But the boy was ambitious, and deter- mined on having that which he knew was one of the greatest aids in fighting the battle of life-an education. His first step was to enter the Ohio Central Normal College at Worth- ington, where he worked his way, taking a preparatory course. After this he took a course of one year at the preparatory school at Oberlin, and during this time taught a select school and also took private lessons from a prominent and highly educated Episcopal clergyman. At eighteen he began to teach school to get the wherewithal to still further pursue his collegiate education, and taught for four years before his ambition was ful- filled. At twenty-two, however, he entered Oberlin College, graduating from that institu- tion in 1880 with the degree of A.B., after ARTHUR POWELL having completed the five-year course in four years. At his graduation he stood at the head of his class, and was also one of the students selected for the oratorical contest, in which he acquitted himself with great distinction; in fact, his whole college career was highly creditable to himself and his instructors. On leaving Oberlin, Mr. Powell took charge of the schools at St. Paris, Ohio, and then for six years was Principal of the schools at Wadsworth, Ohio. In both these places he won the regard of pupils and parents, and the reputation of being one of the most thorough teachers the schools had ever had. His next position was as Principal of the Barnesville schools, and from that place he came to Marion to fill the position of Superintendent of the schools of that city. During Mr. Powell's stay in Marion he has worked almost incalculable good in the cause of the higher education of the pupils of the city. Of the many improvements which he had introduced in the schools is the teaching of vocal music, a branch of study which has added materially to the interest taken by the pupils in their work. He also revised the High School course, raising the standard of instruction so much that pupils are now admitted to any college in the State on presentation of a certificate from the Marion High School, a feature that has worked to the great advantage of the students by stimulating them to further effort, with a greater end in view, and setting an example for other High Schools in the State to follow. The Superintendency of the school involved the oversight of nearly
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fifty teachers, who in turn had charge of about eighteen hundred and fifty pupils, and the work necessary in prescribing the different courses of study for these, and in laying down rules for their management and discipline, rendered the position of Superintendent no sinecure. Knowing from long experience the benefits to be derived by both teacher and pupil from an abundance of light and air and space, Professor Powell earnestly advocated the erection of a new High School building, and the result is a splendid structure, one of the finest in the State. In countless other ways his influence was felt, and indeed it would be strange if it were not so. Imbued with a love for his work, and thinking it one of the highest that men can engage in, he enters with a vim into everything that tends to raise the standard of education. Mr. Powell remained in Marion for a period of eleven years, when he accepted the position of Superintendent of the schools of Steubenville, Ohio, much to the regret of the citizens and pupils of Marion. During his two years' stay at Steuben- ville, Ohio, Mr. Powell was instrumental in raising the schools of that city to the standard they now occupy. He improved the schools in general, had the courses of the High School rewritten, and also the rules and regulations governing those institutions. In 1903 Mr Powell was offered the Superintendency of the schools of Middletown, Ohio. He accepted the position and soon his influence was felt in that much larger field of school work. He began his duties with a revision of the course of study, and the result was, that the most important colleges and universities of the Buckeye State gave their approval of the classical course of the Middletown High School and expressed a willingness to admit into their Fresh- man classes all who have completed said course. These colleges and universities are Wit- tenberg College, Western Reserve University, Marietta College, Ohio University, Denison University, Miami University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Oberlin College, Wooster Uni- versity and Ohio State University.
Mr. Powell is the owner of a State life teachers' certificate, issued to him in 1884. He is particularly interested in teachers' institutes, and for many years has taken a leading part in them, attending them in different parts of the State, and organizing and holding them in various counties. So successful has he been in the conduct of these, that it is no unusual thing for him to be recalled five or six times, and the many congratulatory press notices and private communications received by him show in what regard his services are held. He has always taken an active part in educational bodies, and is a member of the State Teachers' Association, the Southwestern Ohio Teachers' Association, the Central Ohio Teachers' Association, and the National Teachers' Association. He was President of the State Teachers' Association in 1903, and at the present writing he is President of the State Board of School Examiners, to which body he was appointed a member by State School Commissioner Bonebrake.
Socially, Mr. Powell is a member of the different branches of Masonry, of the K. of P. and the I. O. O. F. In political belief he is a Republican, and in religion of the Methodist Episcopal faith. On the 23d of July, 1884, while living at Wadsworth, Ohio, Mr. Powell was married to Miss Ada Franks. Mrs. Powell is a lady of liberal education and of much refinement, who takes a great interest in her husband's work, and shares with him in the regard with which he meets. They have two children, Stanley Franks and Carroll Arthur. Mrs. Powell has always been active in woman club work at Marion and Steubenville, as well as in Middletown.
Robert E. Rayman,
Superintendent of the Public Schools of East Liverpool, Ohio, ranks among the most efficient educators in the southeastern part of the State of Ohio. His experiences as a
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teacher are varied and extensive, he having held positions in all the different branches of the public school system of the Buckeye State, from district and country schools to Super- intendent. Unquestionably, Mr. Rayman is a man well adapted for the responsible office he holds. Under his management the schools of East Liverpool have forced themselves into line with the very best schools of Ohio, and the course of study has been advanced in the same proportion as the growth of the schools. Mr. Rayman possesses a profound knowledge, affable manners, and is a keen judge of human nature. His offices are located in the Central School Building of East Liverpool, one of the best-equipped school build- ings in the State. Outside of being Superintendent of the public schools of the Crockery City, Mr. Rayman is also identified with the business interests of East Liverpool, being the President of the Ohio River Oil and Gas Company, of East Liverpool. He resides on Pine Street, in one of the most beautiful parts of that city. Mr. Rayman and his family are devoted members of the Presbyterian church of East Liverpool.
John M. Sarver,
Superintendent of the Public Schools of Canton, Ohio, is of German origin. His family came to the United States about the time of the Revolutionary War. His father, Michael Sarver, was born in Pennsylvania, and engaged in farming, purchasing a place in Stark County, Ohio, in 1865. His mother was Eliza J. Sarver. Mr. John M. Sarver was born on the 29th of November, 1865, on the farm mentioned above. He obtained his first educa- tion in the district schools of his native town ship. When seven years of age his parents removed to California, and later, in 1876, returned East and resided in Philadelphia. After a stay of six months in the Quaker City the family removed to Canton, Ohio, where the son attended the public schools, and graduated from the High School of that place with the class of 1884. At an early age he began teach- ing in country schools during the winter, and JOHN M. SARVER at other times attended the Ohio Normal Uni- versity, in which he took a classical course and graduated from in 1886. When only twenty- one years old, in 1887, Mr. Sarver was elected Principal of the North Cherry Street School in Canton, remaining in that position for a period of five years, after which time he was appointed teacher in the High School. Since 1901 Mr. Sarver has occupied his present position of Superintendent of the Canton schools. While having charge of the Principalship of the North Cherry Street School, he took a special course at Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, and also spent one summer at the University of Buffalo and several sum- mers in the College of Liberal Arts at Chautauqua, New York. In 1889-1890 Mr. Sarver was President of the Stark County Teachers' Association, and for many years has been a member of the Board of School Examiners. In 1889 he was granted a State life teachers' certificate of the highest grade. During several summers he taught in the Wooster Uni-
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versity. He is a member of the Ohio Teachers' Association, the National Teachers' Asso- ciation, and socially is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., O. U. A. M. and Y. M. C. A. Mr. Sarver attends the Lutheran Trinity Church. He is a born educator, a man of broad knowledge and good common sense. Having recognized histrionic abilities, his services have been in great demand in many educational meetings, and he also is a writer of many essays on educational matters.
Frederick Schnee,
Superintendent of Public Schools of Cuya- hoga Falls, Ohio, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born at Freeburg on the 30th of April, 1848. He obtained his early education in the public schools and at Freeburg Academy, until sixteen years of age, when he came with his parents to Summit County, Ohio. He attended the High School at Akron and Greensburg Seminary. He commenced to teach in 1867 and for a period of three winters taught a district school in Summit County and two summer terms of select school at Uniontown. Stark County, where he continued his studies under Rev. D. M. Martens. In 1870 he was elected Principal of the Richfield Central High School. In 1872 he located in Akron, where he engaged in life insurance and school furni- ture business, and taught school in a suburb of the city from 1875 to 1877. In 1877 he accepted the position of Superintendent of FREDERICK SCHNEE Schools at Mogadore, Ohio, where he remained six years. From 1883 to 1885 he was Superintendent of the schools of Norton Township and Principal of the Central High School. In 1885 he was appointed to his present position of Superintendent of Schools of Cuyahoga Falls. It is his constant aim to maintain the high standard which they had reached under able supervision by his predecessors, and to keep them abreast with the educational progress of the times. The High School was organized in 1855. Mr. H. K. Taylor was the first Superintendent and Principal. He held the position for six years, and laid the foundation for the present system of schools. Mr. Taylor was succeeded by L. H. Delano, in 1861 ; followed by Professor W. I. Chamberlain, in 1863; Mr. George Mclaughlin, in 1865; Messrs. W. B. Rogers and B. B. Tremelin, in 1866; Virgil P. Kline, Esq., 1867; Professor Edward Rowland Sill, poet and author, 1869; Miss Almeda A. Booth, 1871; G. L. McMillen, 1874; Mr. Augustus N. Bernard, 1875. Under Mr. Bernard's administration the first course of study was adopted, and three classes, sixteen pupils, were graduated. Mr. Bernard's incumbency continued until September, 1883. Mr. W. H. Rowlin was his successor, who filled the position for two years, gradu- ating two classes, ten pupils. Under Mr. Schnee's supervision, twenty classes, including the class of 1905, two hundred and sixty-three pupils, have been graduated. A four years' course of study is maintained, and the school is an accredited High School, first grade. Mr. Clinton R. Stauffer is Principal of the High School. He, with two assistant teachers and the Superintendent, constitute the instructors in the High School. The course of study in
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the grades covers a period of eight years. The grade teachers are fourteen in number. The enrollment for 1904-1905 is 720-95 in High School and 625 in the grades. The teachers are organized into a class for the study of methods, and the work prescribed by the Ohio Teachers' Reading Circle.
Mr. Schnee takes an active interest in every movement for the betterment of the schools. whatever its source may be. He has been a working member of the Summit County Teachers' Association since 1870, of the Northeastern Ohio Teachers' Association since 1872, and has attended many sessions of the State Association and three sessions of the National Association. He has done much institute work, and served on the Summit County Board of School Examiners for a period of sixteen years.
On the Ist of December, 1870, Mr. Schnee was married to Miss Caroline M. Gilcrest, of Springfield, Summit County. They are the parents of two sons, Robert G., a physician, and Professor of Bacteriology and Pathology in the Cleveland College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Thomas J., of Cuyahoga Falls, dealer in real estate and timber.
J. A. Shawan,
Superintendent of the Public Schools of Columbus, Ohio, an educator of more than ordinary ability, was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, of parents in moderate circumstances. He was deprived of mother's care at the early age of three, and when but seven years old his father died, leaving him and three brothers to meet the conflicts of life. An uncle took the orphan boy to Champaign County; where he found a home. This was during the days of the Civil War. The uncle, the only one to whom the boy looked for support, went to the front to help put down the rebellion, and like many others, never returned. From this time on Mr. Shawan had to struggle alone for his existence. Naturally congenial, and having no bad habits, he was a welcome guest wherever known. This characteristic has fol- lowed him through life. At the age of fourteen, feeling the need of an education to better fit J. A. SHAWAN him for a useful life, he, unaided, began his studies. Education became his hobby, and early and late the spelling book, arithmetic and books of the Ohio School Library were in his hands. The most difficult problems were solved by him while doing chores or following the plow. He attended school each winter and managed to keep ahead of his class, and at the age of nineteen years mastered the com- mon school course, completed one full year at the Urbana High School and passed the county teachers' examination, receiving a certificate. Subsequently he was employed for four years as a teacher, receiving before quitting the highest wages paid to any country teacher in the county. Resigning from this position, he entered Oberlin College, graduating in 1880 with the degree of A.B. Three years later that institution conferred upon him the degree of A.M. Mr. Shawan's career as a Superintendent began immediately after
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graduation. He was offered two positions on the same day -St. Marys, Ohio, and Georgetown, Illinois. He chose the former. After three years of splendid work, he was called to Mt. Vernon, where he remained until 1889. In the latter year he accepted the position of Superintendent of the public schools of Columbus. He is thoroughly inter- ested in all lines of educational work. He was a County Examiner for two terms in Knox County, and is now serving his sixth term as a member of the Columbus City Board of Examiners. He has been President of the Central Ohio Teachers' Association, and has served ten years as Treasurer of the Ohio State Teachers' Association. He is a life mem- ber of the National Educational Association, was First Vice President of the Department of Superintendence one term, and was instrumental in having one session of that body held in the city of Columbus. He is President of the Central Ohio School Master's Club, a new and vigorous organization, which has for its object social enjoyment and informal discussion of vital school questions. In 1903 Mr. Shawan was a prominent candidate for the office of State School Commissioner. Under the directorship of Mr. Shawan, the public schools of Columbus have obtained a reputation for efficiency unsurpassed throughout the nation.
Albert Hugh Sherer, A. B.
Superintendent of the Public Schools of Oxford, Ohio, was born near New Paris, Preble County, Ohio, on the 26th of March, 1861. He lived and worked on his father's farm till he was eighteen years of age, when he began to teach in the district schools. Such education as he had at this time had been acquired in the neighboring country school and through self application. As soon as he had fairly gained a start in teaching he began to improve his education by attending the summer sessions of the Central Normal School at Danville, Indiana. This he continued for several years, then entered this institution for a year's resident study, graduating in 1888. He was at once elected to the Principalship of the public schools at Carthage, Indiana, and remained in this position for seven years. At the end of this time he removed with his family to Boulder, Colorado, and entered the State University as a student. The following year he returned to Indiana and entered the ALBERT HUGH SHERER, A. B. State University at Bloomington, from which he received his degree in 1899. Several months previous to his graduation from the University he was engaged as Superintendent of the schools at Gas City, Ind. This position he held for two years, when he was invited to come to Oxford in the same capacity, which position he still holds. In June, 1886, Mr. Sherer was married to Miss Annabel Trueblood, of Danville, Ind. They have had two children, a son dying in infancy and a daughter, Helen, now a member of the Senior class of the High School. In all Mr. Sherer's educational efforts his wife has been an inspiration and valuable assistant, having for several years been Principal of the High School where he was Superintendent. It is a matter of pardonable pride that he has
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never held a position to which he has not been invited to return after having left it. Mr. Sherer is a man of strong convictions and of high educational aims and ideals. He believes in an intelligent use of the best in both the old and the new education. The prog- ress of the Oxford schools during the past three years is a matter of great local public pride.
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