USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > The centennial celebration of Springfield, Ohio, held August 4th to 10th, 1901 > Part 21
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Across Mill Run, on the site of the East street shops, and reached from the Vicory farm by a foot log, lay the little school presided over by Miss Emma Way. This one seems to have been the most remote from the center of the town.
Three places are identified as the scenes of the labors of Mr. Orin Stimson, a pioneer in educational matters in Springfield : North Spring street, a few rods north of Columbia street, on the. west side ; South Limestone street, near the former site of the As- sociate Reformed or United Presbyterian Church ; northeast cor- ner of Columbia and Factory streets. There are many who recall the days spent in Mr. Stimson's school and attest his ability as a
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school man. He was one of the victims of the cholera in its visita- tion about half a century ago.
The lot now occupied by the mansion of Mr. John Foos has- many scholastic associations. Here in a large square frame house, Mrs. Anna Foos held a school during the summer terms of two years. Here also for one winter Mr. Cadwallader, and the next Mr. Buchanan served the rising young idea. It is a matter of re- gret that the details of this service, both as to facts and dates, are- so meagre.
Sam Lawton, of Miss Stowe's "Old Town Folks," was wont to say that a pretty face on the singer's seat, in church, was a means of grace. Apropos of this, there is a record that in the forest still surrounding the E. W. Ross homestead on East High street there nestled a little school presided over by a woman of accomplishments, to which were added unusual charms of personal beauty ; declared by one admirer to have been the most beautiful woman of her time. Local history should not fail, then, to place on its roll the name of Miss Mi- nerva Aldrich. Miss Aldrich was followed in the conduct of this school by Miss Gunning.
The records of many schools are so scant that the narrative- reads like a page from a city directory ; yet in order to preserve local traditions and history, these teachers will be set down in.this chronicle of one phase of our city's life.
Miss Smith, later wife of Judge Rodgers and mother of Pro- fessor Henry G. Rodgers, taught on the site of the Bowman. Building, opposite the Teegarden residence on West Main street.
Mrs. Woodward, mother of the late Librarian Woodward, taught where the Farm and Fireside publishing house now stands.
In a stone house removed to erect the business house of Con- rad Nagel, as long ago as 1832-5, Mrs. Donohue had a school for little children. Here, too, Miss Finley and later Mrs. Anna Foos wrought on plastic natures. So few of the schoolrooms used in those "elder days" still stand, that any, which survive the demands of business for room to expand, should be pointed out as inter- esting links between the past and present. The red brick cottage on West Columbia street, under the shadow of St. John German:
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Church, was one of those "noisy mansions" where, with varying tides of fortune, master and youth struggled with the problems then confronting them. Rev. Mr. Pingree, Mr. William Wilson, and probably Miss Ebersole are some of those who taught school in this house.
Close to the track of the Little Miami Railway, between Cen- ter and Factory streets, stood the school of Miss Doolittle, which is remembered as one of the most popular and flourishing schools of that era of "pay schools."
Few, even of the older citizens, remember personally Mr. Isaac Lancey, who enjoys the distinction of being the first custo- dian of the first public library. Mr. Lancey had a school on Foun- tain avenue where Unnon Hall now stands, in a two-story frame house set back from the line of the street. The building on West Washington street now used by the National Biscuit Company, and formerly the Universalist Church, was the school room of Mr. James Wilson and also of Rev. Mr. Pingree, who was also a pastor of the church.
It is interesting to note that in many of the schools last named the Bible was the chief reading book, and formal instruction in the catechisms of the churches was a part of the system.
The educational advantages of Springfield ere long began to attract attention from beyond her bounds, and created a demand for boarding schools for both sexes. About 1844 such an enter- prise for girls was started by Rev. Mr. Moore in a building known as the "Linn," where the Gotwald-Zimmerman edifice now stands. This school was maintained for some time, remembered by many for the public examinations and literary exercises, which were held in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Moore afterward removed to Granville, Ohio, in charge of a college.
Perhaps no name filled so large a place in public esteem as that of Rev. Chandler Robbins, who was identified in so many ways with the education of Springfield's youth. He was first called to the principalship of the Springfield High School, as the institution still standing on East High street was then called, and served acceptably five years. After an absence of three years in the South, Mr. Robbin's returned to Springfield and in 1848 estab- lished Greenway Institute, a boarding school for boys. This
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school was first located on the Foos property, before mentioned, and is said to have taken its name from the beautiful grounds sur- rounding the school.
In 1851 the building on East Main street, now forming a part of the City Hospital, was erected as the home of his school, to which boys were attracted from distant places. Mr. Robbins continued this institute till his death in 1871. In addition to hi's labors in his own school, this tireless man was successively rector of the Episcopal Church, a member of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools, Examiner of Teachers.
On this roll of worthies must be inscribed the names of Miss Matilda Stout, who kept a school at the northeast corner of Fac- tory and Main streets; Mr. McWilliams, William Reid and his sister, Jane Reid, Rev. William McGookin, and Rev. John Rowe. all of whom spent many years of their lives in the cause of popu- lar education.
This bring's the narrative of early education in Springfield within reach of published and documentary records, chief of which "Howe's Historical Collections" and "Beers' History of Clark County" give ample details of the growth of the public. schools and other institutions of learning in our midst.
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The system of graded schools in the State was instituted at Cincinnati in 1836 by a special law. An act known as the Akron law, in 1847, provided for a board of six directors, who were to have full control over all the schools in the town of Akron. The provisions of this act, extended in 1848 to incorporated towns and cities, were further embodied in a general law in 1849, allowing any town of two hundred inhabitants to organize under the Akron law. The city records show that in 1850 two citizens were appointed as managers of the public schools, which then seem to have been conducted as private enterprises supported by subscription in part, and in part by an apportionment of public funds. In March, 1851, the people, by vote, decided to "build two schoolhouses for the purpose of common schools." In February, 1853, a report to the City Council shows the purchase of two lots,
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one the present site of the Western School, the other at the bridge on East High street, and known to the past generation as the "Old Eastern School." January, 1854, marks the approval of plans for two schoolhouses and the awarding of contracts to build the same. In April, 1855, the people selected as the first Board of Education, Chandler Robbins, Joseph Brown and C. H. Williams. Arrange- ments were at once made to provide for instruction in the Ger- . man language, which has been the policy of the Board ever since, and also to continue the maintenance of schools for colored youth, and did provide every facility up to the abolition of separate schools.
The first Superintendent of Schools was F. W. Hurt, and the first Principals were John Fulton and Daniel Berger, with R. W. Morris and Samuel Wheeler as assistants. Of these, John Fulton, Daniel Berger and R. W. Morris are yet living ( 1901). Some of the women composing the first corps of teachers still live. James Cowles succeeded Mr. Hurt in the Superintendency, and was followed by Rev. Chandler Robbins. For some years there- after the office of Superintendent of Instruction was discon- tinued, members of the Board of Education being designated in their turn to act as agents. . At such times the principals seem to have acted as superintendents in their respective dis- tricts.
For a few years, in addition to actual teaching, the Superin- tendent devoted a stated portion of his time to supervision of all the schools. In such capacity were the labors of Charles B. Rug- gles, Allen Armstrong, John F. Reinmund and Charles H. Evans. With the incumbency of J. A. Jackson, the entire time of the Superintendent was given to supervision. Since 1875 the office of Superintendent of Schools has been filled by W. J. White, A. E. Taylor, William H. Weir, Carey Boggess and John S. Weaver. When the latest published record closed, in 1880, the schools of the city were housed in the Central School, including the High School, the Eastern, Western, Southern and Northern, formerly the Springfield Female Seminary. The needs of the colored chil- dren were supplied by a commodious building on Pleasant street. Two single-room schools for little children-one on the Court House lot and the other, still standing, on the lot of the Southern School-were discontinued some time before.
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In public school history since 1880, change and growth are marked. Separate schools for white and negro children were dis- continued in 1887. New school buildings have been put up on Shaffer street, Dibert avenue. Clifton street (and afterward en- larged), East High street (owing to the irreparable damage by the flood of 1886), Pearl street, Northern (and later enlarged), Lagonda, Gray's, Lagonda avenue, North street, Oakland, Frey's, and High School annex.
THE SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL.
This corporation was authorized by act of the General As- sembly of Ohio, March 1, 1834, and soon thereafter the trustees selected the site on East High street where is still standing the building erected by popular subscription. Milo G. Williams or- ganized the school in 1835, and remained its principal till 1841. Upon his resignation Chandler Robbins became the head master and continued in office till 1845. In September, 1841, a proposi- tion was made to the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church to transfer the High School property to that body, on con- dition that a school of high grade be maintained therein. The offer was accepted, and, by act of March 7, 1842, the Ohio Con- ference High School was incorporated. After Mr. Robbins' re- tirement, Rev. Solomon Howard, Rev. John W. Weekly, E. G. Dial, Esq., Rev. W. J. Ellsworth, Rev. J. W. Herron, in succes- sion, managed the affairs of the school until 1869, when the prop- erty was leased to the Board of Education of the city for public school purposes.
The High School on East High street, after two years' use by the Board of Education as the home of the Public High School, passed into private control, schools for advanced grades being conducted in succession by Mrs. Ruth A. Worthington, Misses Longwell and Talcott: now Miss Anna B. Johnson conducts a primary school on this historic spot.
THE SPRINGFIELD FEMALE SEMINARY.
Rev. Jonathan Edwards, as early as 1849, had founded for young women a small select school, which was so well supported
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that enlargement of its influence became imperative. Accord- ingly, in 1852, a charter was obtained. The school, which had its home in the First Presbyterian Church, was soon after installed in a commodious building which stood where the Northern School now is, and commenced a long and useful career under the charge. of John A. Smith, and under the auspices and moral support of the Presbyterian Church of the State. Mr. Smith was followed: . by Rev. L. H. Christian in 1854. who in 1855 yielded to Rev .. Charles Sturdevant. On account of debt and its consequent em- barrassments, Mr. Sturdevant assumed the liabilities of the insti- tution and the corporate ownership became private. In 1857 Rev. James L. Rodgers became owner of one-half interest, and in 1860. Rev. Henry R. Wilson bought Rev. Mr. Sturdevant's share. After five years Rev. Mr. Rodgers, by purchase, became sole. owner and head of instruction. In 1871 the property was sold to, the city for public school uses.
The Springfield Female Seminary has given place to the Northern Public School building.
Old Wittenberg College. Erected 1846-51.
WITTENBERG COLLEGE.
The Legislature of Ohio, March 11, 1845, incorporated Wit- tenberg College under the control of the English Lutheran Synods
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of Ohio, and on November 3, 1845, in the basement story of the First Lutheran Church, Rev. Ezra Keller, D. D., the first Presi- dent, organized the first classes. During the year 1846 the east wing of the old college building was built, and in 1850-51 the middle and west portions were erected. Dr. Keller died De- cember 29, 1848, beloved and mourned by all who knew him. August 14, 1849, Rev. Samuel Sprecher was installed as Presi- dent, and served long and faithfully until the infirmities of age and feeble health compelled his retirement. He resigned in 1874, and was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Helwig, D. D., whose strong administration continued to the year 1882.
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Recitation Hall, Wittenberg College. Erected 1883-86.
Dr. S. A. Ort succeeded Dr. J. B. Helwig in the presidency of Wittenberg College in 1882, and was himself succeeded in 1900 by Dr. J. M. Ruthrauff. Women were admitted to all the college
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classes on equal terms with men in 1873, which date also marks the disappearance from the recitation room of slippers and dress- ing gowns as articles of male attire. Wittenberg ended the first half of the century with one building-the dormitory in which all departments were housed. She ends the second half of the cen- tury with Recitation Hall, built in 1883; Ferncliff Hall, in 1888; Hamma Divinity Hall, in 1889, and Zimmerman Library, in 1891. Large additions to the endowments were made in 1866 and 1874. to which have been added the Alumni Endowment in 1886 and the Harter bequest in 1892.
In addition to the schools named, it must not be overlooked that the churches in several instances have maintained parochial schools for the instruction of their youth. From the organization of the churches of Roman Catholic faith, such schools have been kept, at first. in charge of lay teachers, and later under the care of Sisters of Charity. St. Raphael School came under the tuition of the Sisters in 1877. St. Bernard in 1879, and St. Joseph from the organization in 1884. The Zion Lutheran Church has always maintained such a school under lay teachers, and using the Ger- man language.
A large field is covered by the work done in schools of the commercial type, which form 'a very important factor in Spring- field's educational development. The Williss School of Short- hand, established in 1880, has recently enlarged its scope and thus extended its influence. F. M. Porch, W. F. Bevitt and H. H. Goodfellow have likewise been instrumental in equipping a mul- titude of men and women for lives of usefulness and profit. W. S. Grim, Edward Harrison and J. W. Van Sickel, for longer or shorter periods, had schools for the training of both sexes in practical business methods. The largest place, however, is filled by the Nelson Business College, established here in 1881, and kept up continuously, fitting hundreds of men and women for places of usefulness and responsibility. It may be timely in this centenary of our commercial life to take an inventory of the growth of some of our institutions since the published rec- ord closed in 1880.
The writer's purpose is completed. There remains only his grateful acknowledgments of the kindness of the two score or
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more of citizens who submitted to interviews, unlocking memory's storehouse and spreading its treasures to the view of a generation which ought to value the work done in the past. As were the pedagogues of the old school, so we,
"All are architects of Fate, Working in these walls of Time : Some with massive deeds and great, Some with ornaments of rhyme."
"Let us do our work as well, Both the unseen and the seen, Make the house, where God may dwell, Beautiful, entire, and clean."
"Knowledge being necessary to good government," and "Education the cheap defense of nations," without apology we may exclaim --
"Humanity, with all its fears, With all its hopes of future years, Is hanging breathless on thy fate. * *
"Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee ; Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears, Our faith triumphant o'er our fears, Are all with thee-are all with thee."
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X
The Log Cabin was one of the interesting features of the Centennial. It was visited by thousands during the week, and pleased all alike. It was under the care of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who spared no effort to make it a place at- tractive and interesting. The historian of the local organization, , Miss Mary Cassilly, has presented the paper below, naming some of the relics and recording those who aided in making the Log Cabin so popular :
MISS MARY CASSILLY.
The Springfield Centennial Anniversary was celebrated at the Fair Grounds, in Springfield, Ohio, the first week in August, 1901. An old-fashioned log cabin was built by the Executive Committee, of which former Governor Asa S. Bushnell was chairman. The Springfield Daughters were invited by the His- torical Society to take charge of the cabin, and they furnished it throughout with articles over a hundred years old, and interesting relics, rare old china, a grandfather's clock, rush-bottom chairs. saddle-bags, a tester bed, a quaint cradle in which Mrs. Asa S. Bushnell was rocked. A number of mothers who came into the cabin with babes in their arms, put them in the cradle, just to say their baby had been in the cradle in which a Governor's wife had been rocked. The fireplace, with the cooking utensils of a cen- tury ago, was complete in every detail ; in fact, nothing was omit- ted in the cabin-even strings of dried apples, peppers and herbs
The Log Cabin.
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were hanging on the rafters, and red wolf skins on the walls. The cabin looked comfortable and home-like, and in the evening, when the candles were lighted, was very quaint and attractive.
Mrs. J. S. Elliott, Chairman of the Furnishing Committee, deserves great credit for her untiring efforts. Mrs. Elliott was ably assisted in soliciting articles and arranging the cabin by the following Daughters: Mrs. E. W. Ross, Mrs. Asa S. Bushnell,. Mrs. S. F. McGrew, Mrs. A. P. E. Cochran, Mrs. William Mur- phy, Mrs. H. H. Moores.
Military Day was a great success ; over ten thousand persons were on the grounds. The guests of the day were Governor Nash and Colonel James Kilbourne. Former Governor Asa S. Bushnell said in his address that it was the first time in the history of Ohio that an ex-Governor, Governor and the next Governor were pres- ent at the same meeting.
Reception-Mrs. James Kilbourne, Regent of the Columbus Chapter, and a guest of Mrs. William S. Thomas, was at the cabin from 3 until 5 o'clock, where an informal reception, which had been arranged by Mrs. A. S. Bushnell, was held by the Daughters.
Tea Table-A delightful feature of the Log Cabin was the tea table, which was gracefully presided over by cur Vice-Regent. Mrs. E. W. Ross, and her assistants, who wore becoming caps. kerchiefs. and swiss aprons, and served tea every afternoon. Quite a large sum was realized by the sale of souvenir cups and saucers.
Our charming Regent, Mrs. H. H. Seys, and the following Daughters assisted in different ways in the Log Cabin: Mrs. E. W. Ross, Mrs. J. S. Elliott, Mrs. Asa S. Bushnell, Mrs. H. C. Dimond, Mrs. C. E. Thomas, Mrs. H. H. Moores, Mrs. J. W. Murphy, Mrs. J. K. Black, Mrs. Blee, Mrs. Cochran, Mrs. Eliza- beth Ludlow. Mrs. Oscar T. Martin, Mrs. Will Cartmell, Mrs. C. C. Fried, Mrs. E. W. Plaisted. Mrs. W. W. Keifer, Mrs. Robbins. Mrs. Ingram, Mrs. R. S. Thompson, Miss Hollenbeck, Miss Nelle Hollenbeck. Miss Troupe, Miss Crigler, Miss Cassilly.
The Maypole Dance, which was arranged by Miss Anna Hollenbeck and Miss Kinney. took place on a platform near the Log Cabin several times during the week, and was perfectly
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danced by the following lads and lassies: Mary Moores, Mar- garet Kepsay. Margaret Elliott, Jane Martin, Katherine Kelly, Asa Dimond, Douglas Dimond, Warder Norton, William Corry, Ben Elliott. Jack Frey. The Queen, Miss Mary Buckingham, said it would be interesting to tell her grandchildren that she was Queen of the Centennial in 1901.
There are many interests in Springfield beside those men- tioned in the foregoing papers, that were deserving of specific no- tice during Centennial week, but the lack of time alone prevented their presentation. A more extended account of our fine Public Library, its faithful administration, and its great good to the peo- ple of our city ; a detailed account of our three benevolent Homes, and the fine work they are doing for young and old; of what has been done by our residents in music and art ; something about our beautiful and comfortable private homes, and other important factors in our city life, would have added interest to these rec- ords if time and space had permitted this to be done. The facts and figures presented by the various writers cost, in many cases, much time and labor, and they bring to view the great forward movements that our city has made from its planting one hundred years ago. .
The weather during the week of the celebration proved to be very favorable. The exercises were unhindered by storm or rain. Large numbers of people came and enjoyed the various papers and addresses from the beginning to the end. It had been prophe- sied by many that a large deficit in the expenses would be sure to follow the close of the week, but fortunately all such prophecies were without foundation. The Executive Committee, composed of Governor A. S. Bushnell, of whom the people of Springfield are justly proud because of his most excellent record in the ad- ministration of the affairs of the great State of Ohio, and who has always manifested much interest in all that pertains to the welfare of our city, and of Mr. John Foos and Mr. D. Q. Fox, both experts in the management of financial matters, were able to report a balance in the treasury, which was generously turned over to the Clark County Historical Society. Believing that it
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would be a matter of not only present, but of future interest, the final report of the Executive Committee is here given, thus closing the account of a most happy occasion in the history of Springfield :
Springfield, Ohio, November 14, 1901.
Final report of Executive Committee to the General Commit- tee having in charge the Springfield Centennial Celebration, . August 4 to 10, showing receipts and disbursements of all moneys paid into the treasury of said Committee :
RECEIPTS.
Sale of privileges $ 467 00
Subscriptions
1,326 08
D. A. R. sales in Cabin
224 13
Stimell & Reed entertainment
619 05
Sale of furniture, stamps, etc.
21 25
Sale of Log Cabin.
60 00
$2,717 51
DISBURSEMENTS.
Clark County Agricultural Society building. . $ 600 00
Office expenses, furniture, etc
189 00
Advertising
321 78
Police
240 67
Music
375 20
Log Cabin
220 85
Soldiers' transportation and subsistence.
108 50
Souvenirs, sold by ladies
45 00
Sprinkling grounds
72 70
Livery
42 00
Transportation, Home children
21 47
Incidentals
277 45
Historical Society
202 89
$2,717 51
Respectfully sumbitted, ASA S. BUSHNELL, Chairman. JOHN FOOS, D. Q. FOX, Treasurer.
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