USA > Ohio > Champaign County > The history of Champaign county, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory etc > Part 26
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means of an opening made by cutting out one of the logs, reaching almost the entire width of the building. This opening was high enough from the floor to prevent the boys from looking out, and in winter was covered with paper satur- ated with grease to keep out the cold as well as to admit the light.
In the rural districts, school "kept" only in winter. The furniture cor- responded with the simplicity of the house. At a proper distance below the window, auger holes were bored in a slanting direction in one of the logs, and in these strong wooden pins were driven, and on these a hewed slab or puncheon was placed, which was to serve as a writing-desk for the whole school. For seats, they used the puncheon, or, more commonly, the body of a smooth, straight tree, cut ten to twelve feet in length, and raised to a height of twelve to fifteen inches by means of pins securely inserted. It has been said that not infre- quently the logs were of unequal length, and the bench predisposed to " wab- ble." The " master " was generally an Irishman, quite as able to make a full hand in the field or with a flail on the thrashing-floor as he was to flourish a shillalah or hickory in the schoolroom. Dr. Johnson's notion that most boys required learning to be thrashed into them was practically carried out in the pioneer schoolhouse. The pupils sat with their faces toward the wall, around the room, while the teacher occupied the middle space to superintend each pupil separately. In some rooms, a separate bench was furnished for those too young to write. Classes, when reciting, sat on a bench made for this purpose.
The books were as primitive as the surroundings. The New Testament was a common reading-book ; " The English Reader " was occasionally found, and sometimes the " Columbian Orator." No one book was common in all fami- lies. The reading class recited paragraphs alternately, and the book in use was made common property, passing from hand to hand during recitation. It was not unusual for the teacher to assist a pupil in one of his "sums," discipline a refractory scholar, and hear the reading class while the reading was going on. Deibold, Smiley and Pike's arithmetics were commonly used, with the examples for practice almost exclusively in pounds, shillings and pence, and a marked absence of clear rules or definitions for the solving of the different divis- ions. Webster's " American Speller " was the ordinary spelling-book, which afterward made way for Webster's "Elementary Speller." This latter book maintained its popularity for half a century. The spelling-class closed the labors of the day. All who could spell entered the "big class," and the rivalry was sharp as to who should rank first as good spellers. The class was numbered in the order in which they stood in line, and retained the number until a " miss" sent some one above them. Spelling-matches were frequent, and contributed largely to make good spellers. Grammar was not often taught, partly for the reason that books were hard to get, and partly because the teach- ers, as a rule, were not proficient in this branch of learning. When the science was taught, the text-book was the earlier and larger edition of Murray, which, by the close of the first quarter of the century, was largely superseded by "Kirkham," which, though of little real merit, stimulated a taste for gram- mar. The boys and girls went to the same school, but sat on opposite benches. It occasionally happened that a teacher would be employed who had learned that an elephant may be led by a hair, or more probably was blessed with a gentle nature, and won the hearts and life-long affection of his pupils by his pleasant and loving ways ; but these were the exception. The standard of excellence was too often measured by the ability and swift readiness to knock down and thrash on any provocation. Disobedience and ignorance were equally
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causes for the use of the " hickory." "Like master, like boy." The charac- teristics of the one tended to develop a corresponding spirit in the other, and the cruelty of the one, with the absence too frequently of all just discrimination in the use of the rod, excited animosities which death only obliterated. There were few boys of that day who did not cherish the purpose to "whale " the " master " on sight at a future day.
The schools were made by subscription, the charge being from $1 to $3 per term of three months, during winter, to begin at 8 o'clock in the morning, with an hour to an hour and a half recess at noon, and close at 5 o'clock. One-half of Saturday or alternate Saturdays made part of the term. Writing was taught to all the larger pupils, and the only pen used was the goose or turkey quill, made into a pen by the skillful hand of the teacher. Mending the pens was an essential part of the work. Copy-books were made of sheets of foolscap paper stitched together, and copies were "set" by the teacher during recess, which were commonly taken from the maxims of poor Richard or other " wise saws " which have been in use from time immemorial. Sometimes the teacher was partly paid in produce or other commodities, which were the equivalent to him for money. The latter was scarce, and to make change it was usual to halve and quarter pieces of silver coin with an ax or heavy chisel.
The games played were different from those of the present day. The little fellows played with the ball a game called " Anthony Over," on the calling of which the ball was thrown over the house, and, if caught upon the oppo- site side, entitled the catcher to the right to steal around the house and throw it at any one of the adverse party. But the principal game with the larger boys, was a ball game, called the "Bull Pen." The run of the play was to divide equally, tossing for first choice of partners and for cor- ners. The ground was then laid off into corners or bases, there being as many corners as there were players on one side. Within these corners was the bull pen. The ball was thrown rapidly from corner to corner, until one saw his opportunity to throw and strike one in the pen. If the thrower missed, he was counted out or sometimes entered the pen. If he struck his man, then all the players on the corners ran away, and the one struck in the pen endeavored to save himself by striking one of the fugitives. If he failed, he was counted out, but, if successful in his throw, both were counted in, and the game pro- ceeded until all the "corners " were out, when places were exchanged. The game was a rough one, and to be played only by those who were ready to take as well as give a hard hit. In the next generation, this game was surrendered to the smaller boys, and finally went into disuse. With the larger boys, it was superseded by what was called " Town Ball," substantially the " Base Ball " of the present day reduced to a science. The next generation added two other games, one of which involved trials of speed and endurance. This was called " Prisoner's Base," and was played by forming two base lines and dividing players equally. Each side had a space marked near by for a prison. Members of either party tempted the other side for trial of speed, and, if touched or " tagged," entered the adversary's prison, until exchanged or rescued by one of his own party. The game proceeded until all of one side were prisoners, or the bell tapped " school." The other play was rough and dangerous, but had quite a fascination for many. The name was " Whip the Snake," and was played by forming a line and clasping hands. The head of the line then started in a run, pulling after him the others, and when the line was well under way, it was whipped around in a short circle, throwing those at the end off at a tangent.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
The introduction of schools in one settlement was an incentive to their speedy adoption in all. The first schoolhouse, so far as we have been able to learn, was erected on the little rise of ground in the lot on the left-hand side of the pike, not far from the road leading to the cemetery. The description we have given above, applies to all the earliest schoolhouses erected.
The building of saw-mills and the opening up of wagon roads brought about a better order of things, and plank, weather-boarding and glass took the place of clapboards, puncheon floors and log benches.
SOCIETIES.
What does or does not constitute a secret society is a question about which honest men may conscientiously differ. It is not our purpose to enter on a defense of them. "By their fruits shall ye know them," applies with equal pertinency to-day as it did 1800 years ago to the men and societies of that age. Three or four propositions will be readily admitted-that enrolled with the membership of the so-called secret societies are many of the best men of the county ; that just as foolish things are said and done at the meetings as else- where ; that an organization having a secret political purpose cannot maintain a permanent existence, and that the time has passed by when an organization in this country, simply through its "secrecy," can effect either good or evil.
If "blessings " follow the instituting of "secret " societies, Champaign County should consider itself blessed. Among these may be enumerated the Masonic orders, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Daughters of Rebecca, the Improved Order of Redmen, the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor, the Royal Arcanum, United American Mechanics, Sons of Temper- ance, the Sons of Hibernia, the Sodality and the Patrons of Husbandry. Of these, more special mention may be made. The first named on the list having had an existence for centuries, and maintained itself through times of bitter controversy, the presumption is that it will continue. The Order of Odd Fel- lows, having survived the ordeal of sixty years, and having, with its social and beneficiary objects, organized a mutual life assurance association, it also will probably abide the inevitable changes of the future for many years. The other societies, based on the same general plan of working, but having for their pur- pose some specific object not otherwise attained, will probably continue so long as the necessity demands, or advantages to be derived from their maintenance can be the more easily secured than elsewhere. They will be more specially noticed in the notes on Urbana City and Township.
The order of the Masonic Fraternity and that of the Patrons of Husbandry had their first organizations in Urbana, and both became co-extensive with the county. It will be left for the notes of the various townships to include state- ments which concern these in their respective localities. For the two societies which organized in Urbana, and consequently became the initial members of their respective organizations in the county, we make room here.
Harmony Lodge, No. 8, A., F. g. A. M .- This lodge, as its number indi- cates, is one of the oldest Masonic organizations in the State. On January 4, 1808, there were six lodges in Ohio, and a convention of Masons was held in Chillicothe on that day, when it was resolved to organize a Grand Lodge for the State, which was accomplished on January 2, 1809. At the second communi- cation of the Grand Lodge held in Chillicothe, January 1, 1810, Harmony Lodge was represented by George F. Tenery, its first Worshipful Master, but
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
the minutes of the Grand Lodge are silent as to the time or to whom the war- rant under which Harmony operated was granted.
In the first organization of the lodge, meetings were held alternately at Ur- bana, Springfield and Dayton. The first Masonic Lodge opened in Urbana con- vened at the court house, September 20, 1809; E. W. Pierce, Samuel Gibbs and David Gwynne, were added to the membership. During the winter, Bennet Tabor, B. W. Langly, Thomas Gwynne and Alex McBeth. Same year, Hiram M. Curry, was appointed W. M. on a warrant empowering the lodge to hold meetings in Urbana and Springfield alternately. April 11, 1811, Joseph Vance, John Gunn, George Fithian, James Bishop and James M. Reed, new members. In 1814, the inconvenience of meeting in Springfield prompted a surrender of charter, and the present charter was issued January, 1815. At the first meeting thereafter, John Hamilton, John Mendenhall, Joseph S. Carter were received January 14, 1815 ; Samuel McCord, W. M. On November 15, the lodge passed the following resolutlons : "That all the members be a com- mittee to examine into the conduct of each other, and to report to the lodge any unmasonic conduct that may come to their knowledge." Under which Brother Gunn was charged with intemperance and cited to appear. The first return of Harmony to the Grand Lodge, December 27, 1815, for six months, reported four Past Masters, twenty-eight Master Masons, four Fellow Crafts and four Entered Apprentices-in all forty members. Joseph Vance represented the lodge in the Grand Lodge. April, 1818, the County Commissioners granted privilege to use rooms in new court house for lodge purposes, on condition that the lodge finish them in the same style as the rest of the building. William Malone was buried with Masonic honors August 18, 1818. and funeral sermon preached by Rev. Samuel Hitt, in the Methodist meeting-house. October 6, 1819, the lodge allowed Brother Meredith 50 cents for refreshments furnished the brethren. The record is silent as to the kind of refreshments. In 1820, John Hill was W. M. ; the P. M.'s, Joseph Vance, John Hill, Samuel McCord, George Fithian, Abram Colwell, James Cooley and Adam Mosgrove; whole number of members, forty-five. June 25, 1821, the festival day of St. John was celebrated for the first time by Harmony. Rev. Samuel Hitt, who was not a Mason, on several occasions addressed the body assembled in the Method- ist Church. After the exercises the members repaired to the tavern to par- take of a dinner. June 25, 1821, cost the lodge $2 for music and refresh- ments. David Davis, 1824, was expelled for leaving his wife dependent on the charity of the lodge. That year the lodge numbered sixty. From 1828 to 1833, Harmony suspended its meetings. The abduction of Morgan created a storm of opposition, and it was deemed the wiser course to suspend for a time. Among all the Masons who were members at that time, four only are now living-John H. James, Evan Banes, Jesse C. Phillips and John Hurd. March, 1838, the lodge re-organized and held its regular meetings ; E. S. Morgan, W. M. From the year 1840 to 1850, general prosperity and harmony prevailed. A return of Harmony to the Grand Lodge, for the year ending October 1, 1862, showed a total membership of ninety-two, and at the last re- turn, October 1, 1876, was 129.
At this present date, September, 1880, this lodge shows a harmony and prosperity greater perhaps than it has felt at any period of its existence.
The Patrons of Husbandry .- In 1866, several gentlemen and ladies con- nected with the agricultural department at Washington, agreed to form a society to be composed exclusively of those whose " leading pursuit is agriculture." The
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society adopted signs, words, ritual and degrees, after the approved manner of secret orders, but published a declaration of principles setting forth the objects and purposes of the organization. These may be succinctly stated to be-" to secure a more social intercourse-to encourage a more thorough education, and a more general diffusion of knowledge-to promote the thrift of the farmer, by a broader knowledge, by higher farming, and by all legitimate means that indi- viduals or communities may of right do-and to build up a nobler and better manhood and womanhood in the agricultural class." The scope of the society includes a lodge, a lyceum, a debating society, a farmer's club, an exchange. The general name of the organization is " Patrons of Husbandry," that of the local society " A Grange." The divisions of the association are: 1st. A National Grange, composed of the presiding officers of State granges, and having a gen- eral jurisdiction. 2d. State granges composed of delegates chosen by subor- dinate granges by counties, and having jurisdiction over sub-granges in the State. 3d. Local or subordinate granges, restricted to one society in a township. Women are received in membership, and entitled to the same rights and privileges as the men. In six years the organization spread over thirty-five States and Territories, enrolling a membership of one and a half millions. In 1873, the Ohio State Grange was organized, and within two years numbered over 60,- 000 members. In the fall of that year several township or subordinate granges were chartered in Champaign County, which within eighteen months in the aggregate, numbered over 900 members. Every township in the county had its subordinate grange. The reasonable presumption is that an order having for its basis of organization the general methods which underlie other well-established secret societies, but differing in this, as being the only one identified with the daily lives and labors of its members, and thoroughly adapted to promote the social and educational interests of the rural population, would become and con- tinue to be an efficient factor in agriculture, and in promoting the interests of the farmer. The character of the persons composing the grange in Champaign County may be determined from the fact that a society exclusive in its nature, taking a thousand adults from the body of the rural population, would necessarily take a considerable portion of many of its best and most intelligent citizens.
We have given more space to this society than perhaps the question intrin- sically demands. But from present indications the grange in Champaign County has ceased to be an organization for good or evil. With capacities for great and continued usefulness, sufficient in its appointments to meet the wants and pros- pective condition of the agricultural class, we may be well surprised that the association has not made a continued progress. That mistakes and blunders in its management have been made, was natural, but a little experience should and would cure these, and that a real and permanent progress has been lost sight of, in the pursuit of trifling gains, is more than probable, but these were hardly sufficient to break down a society thoroughly organized and having for its object a beneficent work. We must look to other causes for an explanation, and in this we are impelled to one of three conclusions. 1st. That the farmer, of him- self and by himself, is sufficient "to hoe his own row," independent of the aid to be attained by the power of co-operative effort. 2d. That the grange in the scope of its purposes and organization, is in advance of the age; or, 3d. To formulate an opinion which pervades the community outside the rural districts- " productive industry wants manual labor, and not brains nor mental culture." The order is still maintained in the county in a number of sub-granges, but at present does not show in Champaign the growth and vitality claimed for the
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organization in other sections, holding, perhaps, not over one-half of its original numbers in active membership.
Central Ohio Scientific Association .- October 24, 1874, Messrs. T. N. Glover and L. C. Herrick, of Woodstock ; R. H. Boal, I. F. Meyer, T. F. Moses, W. F. Leahy and P. R. Bennett, of Urbana, met at the office of Dr. R. H. Boal, in Urbana, to organize a society, having for its object the cultivation of physical and historical science; the study of the surrounding country and its inhabitants ; the development of a scientific taste in the community, and a mutual acquaintance among scientific workers. The meeting adopted a constitu- tion, and effected a permanent organization in the choice of T. N. Glover, Presi- dent ; P. R. Bennett, Jr., Vice President; T. F. Moses, Corresponding Secretary; T. F. Meyer, Treasurer. Although not specified in the constitution, the asso- ciation also contemplated, and has kept steadily in view, the founding of a public museum for the collection of specimens and curiosities as may be loaned or donated by individuals, whether members or not. Mr. W. A. Brand, Post- master in Urbana, made space in the general delivery room of the post office for the reception of part of the collections of the association, and of such as- might from time to time be brought in. The society justly claims that no more suitable location could have been selected for such a museum than Urbana. The field abounds in objects of interest and importance, and has scarcely been touched. President Glover, in his inaugural address, says, " Within a radius of a hundred miles lies a magnificent geological field, with its paleontological treasures. The drifts and more recent deposits have been little studied. In natural history, zoology and botany, the region is a rich one ; in ancient remains, the richest in America. Dr. Foster, in his Prehistoric Nations, says Ohio, alone, contains ten thousand tumuli or mounds, and of these not five hundred have been opened." Many of the smaller earthworks have been destroyed, and the process of destruction is continually going on, under the demands of agriculture and through an ignorance or indifference to the character and variety of the relics found in the soil. From these must be gathered all that can be known concerning the civilization and customs of the race of which every other vestige has been lost. Under the process of destruction going on, the lapse of a few years may make it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to settle, defin- itely, theories and beliefs which are now only matters of conjecture.
The association has held its regular monthly meetings, and, aside from the salutary scientific influence otherwise exerted, has been the means of exciting an interest generally in all matters pertaining to the pre-historic race, and spreading an intelligent appreciation in the community of the value of the relics found in the soil, and of the importance of collecting and preserving them. At the meetings discussions have been had and papers read on a variety of popular scientific topics. The field-work has been almost entirely confined to the exam- ination of mounds, earth-works and aboriginal remains.
In January, 1878, the association took formal possession of a room in the Weaver Block, corner of Scioto street and Monument square, specially fitted up for its use, under the superintendence of Mr. George A. Weaver. While the present rooms are sufficient for the immediate wants of the society as a place of deposit for certain collections, and for the holding of meetings, the probabilities are that at no distant date the demand for more space will arouse sufficient public interest in the association and its work to carry out a plan for the erection of a public museum. The progress made was deemed sufficient to make the association an incorporated body, and articles of incorporation were duly
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executed and filed May 10, 1878, and six trustees elected to serve for periods of one, two and three years; namely, for three years, George A. Weaver and R. H. Boal ; for two years, John H. Young and Thomas F. Moses ; for one year, Charles G. Smith and Hamilton Ring.
At the stated meeting in October of the Central Ohio Scientific Association, the following-named officers were elected for the ensuing year: Prof. P. B. Cabell, President ; Prof. Thomas French, Vice President ; Dr. F. S. Lock- wood, Secretary; Prof. T. F. Moses, Corresponding Secretary ; J. S. Parker, Treasurer ; George A. Weaver, Curator and Librarian ; George A. Weaver and Dr. R. H. Boal, Trustees. Stated meeting the third Tuesday in each month.
Champaign County Medical Society .- We have been kindly favored by Dr. James M. Mosgrove with the following paper relative to the medical pro- fession of the county :
"Being anxious to have as full and correct history of the medical profession of Champaign County embodied in your forthcoming work as possible, I have, since our late interview, devoted such time as I could conveniently give it ; but, I regret to say, my efforts in this direction have resulted in only partial or in- different success, as the opportunity for obtaining such information has long since passed away, by the death of the older physicians and their cotempo- raries.
"From the date of the organization of the town of Urbana up to 1812, 1813 and 1814, I have obtained the names of the following physicians, all of whom, it is said, practiced medicine in Urbana, for a brief time at least. In present- ing their names, I cannot give the exact dates of entrance or exit, nor reconcile their claims to priority, but give them simply in the order in which I received them. And, in accordance with the best information thus obtained, from our few remaining 'old settlers,' I believe that to Dr. James Davidson should be accorded the honor of first locating and practicing medicine in this town ; and, if correct, therefore the pioneer of our profession.
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