USA > Ohio > Highland County > The County of Highland : a history of Highland County, Ohio, from the earliest days, with special chapters on the bench and bar, medical profession educational development, industry and agriculture and biographical sketches > Part 22
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THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND.
he was graduated in leading medical institutions at Cincinnati and New York with the highest honors of his class. Dr. Shepherd was recognized by the medical association of the county as one of its brightest members, a safe counsellor, wise and true. For more than a quarter of a century he practiced his profession in the city of Hillsboro, and during all this time he was very successful as a physi- cian, while as a surgeon he was especially noted for wonderful skill. His citizenship was of the highest order and his literary attainments of a very high character. Socially he was genial and cultured, a welcome guest at every circle. His great heart was crushed when his bright young son was killed by the accidental discharge of a rifle, and not very long after this sad event he fell unconscious on the street and never regained consciousness, but passed in a few hours to the unseen land where all the friends of his young professional life had preceded him.
During the war period Dr. David Noble may be taken as a worthy example of the patriotic services of Highland county medical men. He was born in County Donegal, Ireland, came to Adams county at the age of eighteen years, in 1838, and after teaching school for a time began the study of medicine, with the result that he obtained a diploma from Starling medical college in 1855. Before that he began work as a doctor at Sugartree Ridge, and when the war began he had a good practice, which he abandoned to enlist as a private in one of the short time regiments in 1861. Soon he was assigned to the medical department, and as surgeon he contributed effectively to the great war for the Union. After 1865 he made his home at Hillsboro until his death, embarking in important commercial enterprises as well as maintaining his professional work.
Dr. Rufus A. Dwyer was another patriotic physician, going out with the Sixtieth Ohio regiment in the summer of 1862, as surgeon, and later serving with the Second battery heavy artillery and the Hundred and Seventy-fifth regiment, and gaining the full rank of major and surgeon. Dr. Dwyer was born in 1827, in Ross county, son of James Dwyer, and grandson of James Dwyer, Sr., a native of Virginia and pioneer settler of Paint township. Dr. Dwyer was a graduate of Starling medical college and practiced at New Peters- burg from 1852.
Drs. C. C. Sams, Jacob Kirby and J. M. Johnston, for many years leaders in the work of the medical association, were a noted trio in the history of the profession, and should be remembered also for their generous work during the rebellion among the soldiers of Ohio. Their medical careers were for many years contemporaneous, but Dr. Sams died in August, 1865, while Kirby survived until 1873, and Johnston until October, 1876. Another prominent physician of their day, somewhat younger, who died in 1880, was Dr. J. W. M. Quinn.
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MEDICAL PROFESSION.
The pioneer physician of the homeopathic school in Chillicothe was Dr. William Hoyt, a native of Canada, who was graduated at Cleveland in 1867, and began his practice at Hillsboro in the same · year.
In the history of the county prepared for the Centennial of 1876 by James H. Thompson, the following list is given of "distinguished physicians who have departed this life and who during their lives were extensively engaged in the practice of medicine:" Jasper Hand, John Boyd, Allen, H. Faquer, Jacob Kirby, James Conway, John Wood, C. C. Sams, R. P. Judkins, William M. McCollum, T. H. Davis, Isaac Quinn, W. C. McBride, M. C. Russ, John Parke, John M. Johnson, Zimri Hussey, W. W. Holmes, Michael Holmes, N. H. Hickson, George W. Dunlap, W. W. Hardy, Jeptha Davis and W. A. Shepherd.
In the same work (1877) is given the following list of "physicians of Highland county":
Hillsboro: Drs. R. D. Lilley, Sr., J. W. M. Quinn, S. J. Spees, Enos Holmes, David Noble, D. Collahan, W. W. Shepherd, P. H. Wever, W. R. Smith, R. C. Russ, H. S. Fullerton, B. F. Holmes, E. L. Reeves, F. M. Metz, William Hoyt, J. L. Hill, C. Matthews, C. C. Hixson, W. S. Patterson. Dentists, J. Callahan, A. Evans, B. R. Shipp. Greenfield: S. F. Newcomer, J. L. Wilson, Milton Dunlap, W. W. Wilson, H. L. Wilson, Jr., W. F. Galbraith and Frank Nelson. Leesburg: M. Holmes, J. L. McLaughlin and John Holmes. New Lexington: E. Judkins, J. M. Spears and A. A. Patton. New Petersburg: W. M. McCollum and Rufus A. Dwyer. Rainsboro: J. P. Garrett, N. Troth, D. M. McBride. New Market : H. Whisler, N. B. VanWinkle and D. M. Barrere. Marshall: H. M. Miller and J. F. Blair. Belfast: A. Rogers. North Union: S. McNulty. Sinking Springs: C. H. Leighton and T. C. Rogers. Lynchburg: I. Holmes, J. W. Pettijohn, T. D. Achor. Prince- town: F. M. Drake. Buford: A. S. Bryant, C. E. Lee and Dr. Gaskins. Sicily: John Shocky. Boston: A. W. Devoss. Dan- ville : S. F. Chaney, Silas Chapman and J. L. Vance. Mowrystown : C. Hare. Taylorville: W. S. Moore. Sugartree Ridge: Arthur Noble and A. S. Bunn. Fairfax: C. J. Whitaker. Samantha: F. M. Thomas. Russell's Station: B. D. Granger and F. M. Granger. At the present time in the city of Hillsboro few remain of the first mentioned number. Dr. B. F. Holmes and Wm. Hoyt, as far as we are able to find out, being the only living members of those who, during their lives were extensively engaged in the practice of their profession. A new generation has come upon the scene ; young men of merit and of skill who bid fair to keep alive the reputation of the past for earnest application and faithful study of the art divine.
In making mention of the names of the survivors of the old ranks of physicians, after further investigation I find the names of W. S.
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THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND.
Patterson of Hillsboro, and C. H. Leighton of Sinking Springs entitled to recognition among that number of that early medical association prominent in the county. The physicians at present resi- dent in Hillsboro are B. F. Holmes, W. S. Patterson, Wmn. Hoyt, J. C. Larkin, V. B. McConnaughey, H. A. Russ, W. W. Glenn, H. A. Beam, John McBride and H. M. Brown. The last named, while a most brilliant and successful physician and surgeon, has quit the practice of medicine on account of threatened disease, and has retired to his suburb farm on Rocky Fork, where among the pleasant sur- rounding of home and the ourdoor exercise that his rural life brings, is fast regaining the lost treasure that no wealth can buy-good health. The names we have selected for special mention have been without a single reflection upon the character and skill of any living or dead, but simply to impress upon all who read these pages that honor and success depend upon earnest, intelligent work in each and every department of life.
CHAPTER XIV.
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
T HE first settlers of Hillsboro were men of intelligence, and at an early day evinced a great interest in schools .* Many of these pioneers were men of liberal education for that day, and always ready and anxious to provide schools for their children. Very soon after the settlement of the town, pay or subscription schools were taught at intervals by James Daniels and others. The first of these schools deserving of particular notice was taught by Robert Elliott, who came from Kentucky, at the instance of Allen Trimble, who had known him as a teacher in that state. Elliott opened his school in 1814, in a building on Walnut street opposite the Methodist church. At the start he had between thirty and forty pupils, and the number was increased afterward. He was considered a good teacher, and his school was continued for the following three years. Some of the pupils of this school were John A. Trimble, John M. Barrere, Colonel Trimble, and Washing- ton Doggett.
While this school was going on, the citizens of the town agitated the subject of the erection of a school house. A public meeting was held, at which it was determined to buy a lot and build a house, all to be paid for by subscription, and to be the property of the town for school purposes. Three managers were elected: Joseph Woodrow, J. D. Scott and George Shinn. They were deeded on May 15, 1815, a lot on East Main street by Jesse Williams, for fifty dollars. Very soon afterward a log schoolhouse twenty-five by thirty-five feet, was erected upon this lot. The house was of hewn logs, and, in the language of the article of agreement with the contractor, was to be chinked and daubed with good lime and clay mortar on the outside, and to be lined with plank on the walls on the inside, and ceiled above head." On the completion of the house it was furnished with seats and desks of simple construction, but in consonance with the means
* From a sketch of the Rise and Progress of the Common Schools of Hillsboro, by Supt. H. S. Doggett, 1876, for the Ohio Centennial Memorial School Volume. H-14
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THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND.
of the people and in accordance with the furniture of their homes. Elliott first occupied this house, removing his school from the house on Walnut street. He taught in it until 1818. The next movement in the direction of better schools occurred in that year. The Madras or Lancastrian school system was attracting considerable attention then in this country and Europe. Capt. John McMullen came to Hillsboro from Virginia, and proposed to teach a school upon that plan. Several prominent citizens became interested and a meeting was held and an article of agreement and subscription was drawn up and signed by nearly all the citizens of the town. For the welfare and good government of the school, Allen Trimble, William Keys, Samuel Bell, John M. Nelson, Joshua Woodrow, Sr., John Boyd and William Wright were chosen trustees of the "Hillsboro Lancastrian school." These trustees were empowered to contract with McMullen to teach the school and were to pay him a salary not exceeding six hundred dollars for the first year. They were also authorized to provide fuel and other necessaries. All expenses were to be paid by assessment on the subscribers in proportion to the number of scholars each sent to school. Allen Trimble subscribed four pupils, John Boyd four, William Keys three, Francis Shinn three, John Smith, Pleasant Arthur, Newton Doggett and some forty others one or two each. The school was opened in the log house on Main street in September, 1818, and all the appliances of the Lancastrian system were provided. Among these latter was the sand desk which supplied the place of the modern blackboard. Between sixty and seventy were enrolled at the start, and the number was afterward increased during the continuance of the school to ninety. In 1821 an addition twenty feet in length was added to the school house. This school seems to have prospered for four years, and whatever the defects of the system may have been, it had the merit of turning out good readers, writers and spellers. In these two early schools no provision was made for indigent pupils, excepting what assistance was given by their abler neighbors, and that assistance was rarely withheld from the deserv- ing. The Lancastrian school under Capt. McMullen closed in 1823. An effort was made by John S. McKelvy to continue it, but the system was soon abandoned. No effort was made in these schools to teach anything beyond the common branches, except an occasional class in bookkeeping. The next school of any note was taught in 1826 by Eben Hall and his wife, who came from Massachusetts. Hall, a man of classical acquirements, taught the advanced branches, such as algebra, Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and his wife taught the primary classes. Nelson Barrere was a pupil of this school and went thence to Augusta college. Owing to domestic troubles, Hall did not teach many months. He was succeeded by Benjamin Brock, who taught for a year or two. Judge Gregg also taught a school about the same time. In 1827 Robert Way, a Quaker preacher, who had been
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EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
teaching in Fairfield township, came to Hillsboro, and began a school. He was a teacher of considerable reputation, and taught for many years in Clinton county, where he died a few years ago.
In the year 1827 a movement was made in the direction of higher education in Hillsboro, which, on account of the impetus it gave to the cause of education and the results flowing from it, deserves special notice. In 1828 a number of the citizens of Hillsboro and the sur- rounding country organized themselves into an association to found the Hillsboro Academy. During the same year they raised money by subscription and bought in lot No. 103, on Main street, on which there was standing a frame building 18 by 36 feet in size. In 1829 a charter was obtained from the legislature of Ohio, with the follow- ing names as incorporators: William Keys, Jacob Kirby, Joshua Woodrow, Sr., Isaac Telfair, Allen Trimble, Andrew Barry, and John M. Nelson. These were to serve as trustees until the time designated for the regular annual election. We have no record of this corporation until February, 1843, the intervening history having been lost or mislaid. It is known, however, that Gov. Allen Trimble was elected president of the first meeting, and continued to hold that position until April, 1854, when he was succeeded by Gen. J. J. McDowell. In 1860 Samuel E. Hibben was elected to fill the place, and he served until the Academy property was turned over for public school purposes. Col. W. O. Collins, Dr. Jacob Kirby, Dr. C. C. Sams, Judge Thomas Barry, R. D. Lilley, Sr., James M. Trimble, and other prominent citizens were members of the board for a num- ber of years. But all have gone with the years, leaving behind them the memory of their earnest and intelligent efforts to organize a school system that would give advantages to the boys and girls of the county.
From 1827 to 1831 the building on Main street was used as a high school, by Rev. J. McD. Matthews. In the autumn of 1838, James A. Nelson opened a high school for boys and girls, his assistant teacher in the latter department being Miss Ann Kemper, of Walnut Hills, Cincinnati. In 1840 the building was deeded to John M. Trimble and removed to a vacant lot just across the street.
Early in the history of the academy it received, through the efforts of Governor Allen Trimble, a donation of the State's interest in two tracts of land forfeited for taxes. After paying $1,600 to heirs having claims on the land, enough was realized above this amount by the sale of a portion of the land to buy a lot and erect a building. Thirteen acres in the north part of the town was pur- chased, and on it a two-story brick edifice was erected known as the Hillsboro Academy. This building was ready for occupancy in 1845. Isaac Sams commenced his school in September of that year, aided at different times by Fred Fuller and Messrs. McKibler and C. Matthews. The reputation of this school for thorough instruction in
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THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND.
the higher branches grew rapidly as a result of the efforts of Mr. Sams, a gentleman of impressive appearance and genuine ability. Prof. Sams retired from the Academy in 1851, and after Frederick Filler had charge two years the building was turned over to the board of education.
The first notable institution in Highland county for the educa- tion of girls was the Oakland Female Seminary, founded in 1839 by Rev. Joseph McDowell Matthews, who purchased for his purpose an acre of land and the old Presbyterian church building, at the junc- tion of the Chillicothe and Marshall roads and Main street of Hills- · boro. This institution was the first female school in Ohio in which a thorough collegiate education was given, and during the time it was maintained by Mr. Matthews a hundred young ladies were gradu- ated. The worthy head of the school deserves remembrance as one of the founders of higher education in the county. He was educated in youth under Dr. Lewis Marshall of Kentucky, and was for some time a preacher, but finding the demands of that calling too severe, he turned his attention to education, for which he was peculiarly fitted.
In 1855 the Hillsboro Female College was incorporated, the pio- neers in the enterprise being James H. Thompson, Jacob Sayler, John Dill, William O. Collins, J. I. Woodrow, J. R. Emrie, J. H. Mullenix, J. McD. Matthews, John Baskin, J. Milton Boyd and David Fenwick. The capital stock was named as $50,000, and there were to be fifteen trustees, eight of them to be appointed by the Cin- cinnati conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1857 a: college building was completed at a cost of $50,000 for building, grounds and furniture, and Mr. Matthews, one of the incorporators and the inspirer of the enterprise, was given charge as president of the college. The officers of the corporation at the same time were James H. Thompson, president ; J. M. Boyd, Alexander Buntain, Joseph H. Mullenix, David Fenwick, Edward Easton, Henry Turner, John Dill, William M. Meek, J. McD. Matthews, Jacob Sayler and James J. Dryden, trustees. Rev. Joseph McDow- ell Matthews continued in charge of the college until his resignation in December, 1860. In later years he again served as president in 1872-77. Other educators in charge were Rev. W. G. Lewis, Rev. Henry Turner, Miss Jennie Warren, Rev. Allen T. Thompson, Rev. D. Copeland, Rev. J. F. Lloyd. The college was endowed about twenty-five years ago by the bequest of several thousand dollars made by Mrs. Drusilla Buntain.
In the old seminary building from which Mr. Matthews removed to enter the Female college, Miss Emily Grandgirard began her famous school for girls known as the Highland Institute, in 1857, and this she conducted for many years, graduating a large number of young women well trained for the duties of life. She also is
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EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
worthy of remembrance among the people of the county who have exerted a wide influence for good.
But academy, seminary and institute are all things of the past. The Presbyterian school or seminary has long since been abandoned and the building is now being used as a Children's Home by the county. The Methodist college building is not in use. The high grade of education to be obtained in the public schools operated against them, and it was impossible to support special schools under such circumstances.
In this connection it is fitting to mention the service of Gov. Allen Trimble, who, from his coming to the county, was to the day of his death the friend of popular education. He took an active part in inaugurating the present common school system. Always foremost in the early educational enterprises at home, he accomplished much for the cause in Ohio while governor of the state. He appointed, in 1822, the commissioners to report a system of education adapted for com- mon' schools. Nathan Guilford of this commission secured the passage of the act in 1825, which was the first step toward our present school system. Governor Trimble, in his inaugural in 1826, and in his messages, and from that time to 1830, urged upon the legislature the interests and demands of common schools, and recommended increased taxation for their maintenance. His influence more than anything else effected passage of the acts of 1831-2. His services, when the system was in its infancy, cannot be over-estimated, and should always be remembered with gratitude by the people of Ohio. To no one person are they more indebted for the proud rank their schools have taken than to Allen Trimble.
During the years of the inception, growth and prosperity of the Academy, the public schools were in operation as primary schools, and were gradually growing in usefulness. Instruction in them was confined to the primary branches. Under the law of 1825 and 1831 a portion of the expense was paid from funds raised from taxation, and part by the patrons of the schools. Soon after 1832 schools sustained by public money were inaugurated. These' schools were taught for the next four years by George McMillen, Matthew Simp- son, Messrs. Wilcox and Davis and others. In 1827 a grammar school was taught by Rev. Joseph McDowell Matthews, afterward the principal of the academy and the founder of Oakland Female semi- nary, and president of the Hillsboro Female college.
In the year 1835 the old log school house built in 1815, gave place to a one-story brick house, erected on the same site. The first school in this house was taught by Matthew Simpson, who was afterward succeeded in turn by George McMillen, S. D. Beall and D. Ruckman. At this time the interest of the public schools was in a manner over- shadowed by those of the academy and seminary. Still the rapidly increasing number of children requiring primary instruction
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THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND.
demanded more room for the schools, and in 1846 a two-story house was built), known as the Walnut street house. The schools reopened in 1847, with David Herron and Amanda Wilson as teachers in the Walnut street house, and William Herron and Marv Muntz in the old Main street house. About one hundred fifty pupils were enrolled.
In 1850, Professor Sams called the attention of the people to the benefits likely to accrue to the youth by an organization under the law of 1849, known as the Union School law. This was ably advo- cated by James Brown, of the News, and Mr. Emrie, of the Gazette, and was resolved upon by a popular vote, and in the spring of 1851, a Union School board of education, consisting of D. J. Falles, John M. Johnson, J. R. Emrie, R. H. Ayres, Benjamin Barrere and Washington Doggett, were elected. The organization was perfected during the year, and in the autumn the Union Schools opened with Henry M. Shockly as superintendent. It was determined at the time to add a high school department to be taught by the superintendent, assisted by Prof. Sams, whose services for half of each day were secured. The schools were in charge of Mr. Mckinney until 1856, when he was succeeded by Mr. Sams, who remained in charge until 1858. During these last years the system found favor, and it was believed by those interested it would in time supplant all other schools. The schools opened in 1858 with Lewis Mc.Kibben as superintendent. In December of this year the old academy building, in which three grades were taught, was destroyed by fire. For the next eight years the schools were without good accommodations, changes of teachers were frequent, and they lost much of the ground they had gained in the few years before.
In 1862 Mr. Mckibben was succeeded as superintendent by John Edwards, and in 1864 he was succeeded by L. McKibben. For various reasons a superintendent and an A grammar teacher were not employed for 1865, and the school, including the lower grammar and the grades below, was continued in charge of B. C. Colburn, of the B grammar grade. The board and the people had been convinced of the absolute need of a good building, which would accommodate all the children under one roof. They had in 1863 purchased a fine lot on West Walnut street for $2,630. The purchase was confirmed by a vote of the people and preparations were commenced for erecting a commodious Union School house. Some delay occurred in commenc- ing it, but in 1865 plans and specifications were drawn up for the building. These articles and plans differed materially from those of the log house of 1815, which was, by the terms of the contract, to be "chinked and daubed." The contract for building the house was let in 1866, and the work pushed forward during that year and the next two. The board, under whose auspices the house was built, consisted of C. S. Bell, Jame's S. Murphy, Washington Doggett, N. Rockhold, J. C. Gregg and J. H. Mullen. The old school houses and lots were
1
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EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
sold at public sale, the Main street lot for $2,000. This, as we have seen, was bought in 1815 for $50.00, a big price at the time. Schools were opened on the 6th of September, 1868, in the new house, with the following corps of teachers: H. S. Doggett, superintendent; Lewis Mckibben, high school teacher; E. G. Smith, A grammar ; Maggie Richards and May Ellis, intermediate; Serena Henderson, Mary Doggett, B grammar; Maggie Richards and May Ellis, inter- mediate ; Serena Henderson, Matilda McFadden, and Sarah J. Lam- bert, primary. A revised course of study and a code of regulations were reported by the superintendent and adopted by the board. At the start four hundred and ten pupils were enrolled. These were examined and classified in their proper grades. Soon after the open- ing another intermediate teacher was required, and Ellen Eckly was employed. It was also determined to employ a teacher for the Ger- man language, and Gustav Chateaubriand was selected. In 1869 Caroline Clay was chosen for this position. A regular high school course of study was adopted at this time, which, in 1872, was revised and extended, and arranged for three years' study. From that time onward the board determined to give diplomas to those pupils who satisfactorily completed the course. Pupils completing this course are prepared to enter college or qualified for the active business of life. The number of pupils enrolled in 1890 were 49 in the high school and 775 in lower grades, making a total of 824. A school for colored children is taught in a commodious and convenient brick school house erected by the Union School and township board.
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