The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 75

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 75

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The church was appropriately draped in mourning, and Archbishop delivered a most appropriate and imposing panegyric over the departed. Bishop Rosecrans, of Columbus, and other dignitaries of the church were ].

Father Kelley's assistants in the pastorate were Fathers R. N. You O'Rourke, the latter succeeding him to the pastorate of the church, and Charles Daugherty became his assistant. Father O'Rourke served unt when he was succeeded by Rev. Richard Gilmore, now Bishop of Cie His assistant was Father Francis Cubero. Father Gilmore was succeeded or 1872 by Father William M. Carey, under whom served as assistants O'Reilly; Murphy and Grace. Father Carey served the congregation u summer of 1879, when his successor, Rev. Father James O'Donohu charge and is still the pastor. He is assisted by Father James M. The congregation now numbers about three thousand five hundred soul pastor's residence, a substantial two-story brick, adjoins the church congregation is so rapidly increasing that the church edifice is too sma commodate all, and the erection of a new building is contemplated.

ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

Owing to the great increase of Catholics in the city and this vicinit found necessary, in 1859, to make another division of Emanuel's; h erection of St. Mary's Church, located on the corner of Xenia avenue a street. The ground upon which the church, schoolhouse and pastor's r stands was donated by Albert McClure for church purposes. The siz lot was 150 feet front by 280 feet deep. This was at once improved a tified, and to-day presents a lovely appearance, with the many fruit an trees that dot its surface. The present edifice was erected in 1859- cost of $9,427. It is of brick, and in size 110x50 feet. It has a tc

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CITY OF DAYTON.

-pir the latter of which is, like all Catholic churches, surmounted by a large ore the emblem of the crucified Son of God. Within the tower are three bell and a clock. The interior of the building is handsomely decorated and ised. Over the altar is a fine painting of the ascension of our Lord, and Ceiling is decorated with many scriptural scenes. The windows are of tued glass, though modest. A fine altar has just been placed in the church, ustg $1,200. It is of Gothic design, constructed of black walnut, with gold n.mings. The dedication of this edifice took place on the 15th of August, Sermon by Bishop Henry D. Juncker. Father Schiff was the first pas- For the congregation, and served the church until 1869. He was a native (" russia, Germany, and was born January 23, 1826; was ordained in the cyof Cincinnati, in 1858, and died near Baltimore, Md., November 2, 1873, I ter Schiff was succeeded by the Rev. Father Henry L. Stuckenborg, who as- LA his duties October 10, 1869, and has since continued in the pastorate of we lurch. The pastor's residence was built by Father Stuckenborg in 1871. It ia two-story brick, 40x36 feet, contains eight large rooms, and cost $5,000. . vecongregation numbers 220 families, or about twelve hundred persons.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH.

Despite the split of Emanuel's congregation to form the above men- trond church, her edifice was not large enough to hold all the members of le congregation, and another church became a necessity. In 1860, wond was secured on the corner of Fifth and Brainbridge streets, and .ity Church erected thereon. It is an imposing structure, one story high, iloch large. In size it is about 160x70 feet. It is constructed of brick, with In tone trimmings, and has in the center front a massive tower in which is « sjnded a bell, and is adjusted a large clock. In front are three entrances aharrow hall, from which open into the auditorium the same number of The church is supplied with a large and fine organ, placed in the gal- C Leyin the rear of the audience room. The interior finish of the church in ij of magnificence and beauty compares favorably with that of Emanuel's, description of which has been given. The frescoing, elegant in design edinish, representing Scriptural scenes, and the altars with their numerous ciations are rarely excelled in more pretentious edifices. There can be mortably seated in the building 1,000 persons.

Rev. F. J. Goetz was given this congregation as pastor, and he has ever "( been the faithful shepherd of his flock, assisted by Revs. Kress, now at jeving, Ohio, and Frohmiller, the latter now yet acting in this capacity.

The church was dedicated August 18, 1861, by Bishop Henry D. Juncker, ton, Ill.

Rev. Father N. Nickels also served as assistant priest of the church in con- con with Father D. Kress from January, 1872, until 1875. Father J. B. chiller was installed as assistant pastor in July, 1875. There are about three Lred and fifty families in the church. The present Wardens are: T. A. g'r. O. J. Ferneding, P. Schommer, A. Eicheulaub and J. L. Butz.

In connection with the several churches are a number of benevolent, ben- cl and other societies, which aid and work in harmony with that body, ur of which, known outside of the church, are as follows: St. Charles ajal Benevolent Society of Emanuel's Church, organized in 1863; Knights George, of the same church, organized February 7, 1875; and Knights George of Holy Trinity Church, organized in November, 1871. The membership of these two last named organizations is about seventy-five and sixt five, respectively.

St. Joseph's Benevolent Society, of the church of that name, organized in Jul 1862. Its present membership is seventy-five. Hibernians, another so-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ciety of the English speaking Catholics of the city, organized March 17, 18 Membership now ninety. And St. Joseph's Orphan Society (of the Catho) in general), organized mainly through the efforts of Father John F. Hah Number of members enrolled, between three and four hundred,

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The formation of the Young Men's Christian Association of Dayton the direct result of a religious awakening throughout the city during. winter of 1869-70. At this time, a call was issued for the young men of city to meet at the First Lutheran Church, on Sunday afternoon, February 1870. At this meeting, several hundred were present. A resolution favor the formation of a Y. M. C. A. was unanimously adopted, and a committee which T. O. Lowe was Chairman, was appointed to draft a constitution by-laws. This Committee soon after made its report, and on March 2. 19 the Association was formally organized with R. W. Steele as President.

There having been a young men's reading room in the city, its outfit purchased by the Association, and on March 31, the Y. M. C. A. parlors reading room were thrown open to the public. These rooms were located the Journal Building, on Main street, between Second and Third.

H. P. Adams, of Manchester, N. H., was installed as General Secretary which capacity he continued until the spring of 1874, when he was called to f charge of the Assocation at Baltimore, Md., the vacancy thus created in the Day branch being temporarily filled by W. A. Wagner, who remained in the posit until August, 1874 when D. A. Sinclair, the present incumbent, was appoin;

In the spring of 1875, a movement was started to get the Association a building of its own, and, notwithstanding the hard times of that year, mc enough was subscribed to purchase the present elegant quarters at Nos. 32 34 East Fourth street, which were remodeled and furnished throughout.

The property now owned by them is a lot with a frontage of sixty-five i and a depth of 200 feet, on the front of which is a handsome two-story bi building with stone capped windows and doors. The door opens into a cious hall, to the right of which are elegantly furnished double parlors, back of these a lecture room, with a seating capacity of 100. On the ser floor are the Secretary's office, the printing office, newspaper room and libr all handsomely furnished. Besides these, there are three rooms used by Secretary as a residence; also, a lodger's room and a wash room. The w building is heated by a furnace with open fires for ventilation, and is f ished with gas and water throughout.

In 1876, a spacious hall was built on the rear of the lot capable of sea 620 persons. Under this is a finished basement, with a kitchen and rooms socials, and a gymnasium. The association also own a frame chapel in Br town, known as Patterson Mission, which has a regular attendance of They also owned Calvary Chapel, in McPhersontown, which was sold in A 1882, to the Methodists of the city, who have a regular Methodist Church ganized and operated there.

The entire property of the Association is valued at between $35,000 $40.000, free of incumbrance. The annual expenses are about $3,000, of w $2,000 comes from individual donations by citizens, and the remainder seats. entertainments, memberships, etc.

The present officers are: President, G. N. Bierce; Vice Presidents, Daniels, D. E. McSherry, C. V. Osborn, John Dodds; Recording Secretar A. Kimmel; Corresponding Secretary, W. D. Chamberlin; Treasurer, C Mitchell; Board of Managers, J. C. Reber, E. A. Parrott, P. Mitchell, F. ford, William Saint, J. C. Kiefaber, R. M. Parmely, Leonard Moore, W King, A. S. Wensthoff, G. Y. Jones and M. F. Hooven.

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CITY OF DAYTON.

CHAPTER VIII.

TIONAL -INTRODUCTION-PUBLIC SCHOOLS- GERMAN SCHOOLS -NIGIIT HOOLS-COLORED SCHOOLS-INSTRUCTION IN MUSIC-HIGI SCHOOLS- CHOOL LAW-SUPERINTENDENT OF INSTRUCTION-INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL- ORMAL SCHOOL-BOARD OF EXAMINERS-PUBLIC LIBRARY-FREE NIGHIT DUSTRIAL SCHOOLS-STATEMENT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PENMANSHIP- COPER ACADEMY-CATHOLIC SCHOOLS-SAINT EMANUEL'S, SAINT JOSEPII'S. SINT MARY'S, HOLY TRINITY, SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY'S STITUTE-COMMERCIAL COLLEGE.

HISTORY OF THE SCHOOLS OF DAYTON.

BY ROBERT W. STEELE .*

creditable to the first settlers of Dayton that as early as 1799 a school was tight in a block-house located at the head of Main street, which had been ts a protection against Indians. It was no ordinary interest in the educa- their children which led them to establish a school amid the privations of watr life and danger from hostile Indians. Benjamin Van Cleve, so prominent hlearly history of Dayton, was the teacher, and the school was continued for months in 1799 and 1800. In the fall of 1804, Cornelius Westfall, a Ken- til, opened a school in a cabin on Main street, south of First, and taught a r. He was succeeded in 1805, by Swanscy Whiting, of Pennsylvania. It is .le that Dayton was at no time without a sehool, but we find no mention of nnes of other teachers at this early period. Fortunately the records of the Tyton Academy were carefully preserved by the late John W. Van Cleve, om this source we ean trace the history of that institution.

1807, an act incorporating the Dayton Academy was obtained from the itture. The incorporators were James Welsh, Daniel C. Cooper, William re, David Reid, Benjamin Van Cleve, George F. Tennery, John Folkerth mes Hanna. In 1808, the trustees ereeted by subscription a substantial -Ory brick schoolhouse, on the lot adjoining the ground now occupied by the kPresbyterian Church. Mr. D. C. Cooper, the proprietor of the town, a man aje views, donated in addition to his subscription, two lots and a bell. illiam M. Smith, afterward for many years a prominent citizen of Dayton, e first teacher employed. In his contract with the Trustecs he proposed to l" reading, writing, arithmetie, the classics and the sciences." Training in t'on was made prominent, one of the rules of the school requiring that " for i provement of the boys in public speaking a certain number. previously ap- 111 by the teacher, shall at every public examination pronounce orations and Cies, in prose and verse, to be selected or approved by the teacher, and famil- pces shall be recited in the presence of the teacher by all the boys, in rota- . ho can read with facility, every Saturday morning.'

1820, the Lancasterian or "mutual instruction system of education was g great interest throughout the United States, and the Trustees of the Day- ademy determined to introduce it in that institution. The Trustees were el H. Crane, Aaron Baker, William M. Smith, George S. Houston and David dey. It was necessary to erect a building specially adapted to the purpose. use was built on the lot adjoining the academy, and consisted of a single ousixty-two feet long and thirty-two feet wide. The floor was brick, and the roo myas heated by " convolving flues" underneath the floor. The walls were

*hpter VIII, excepting Saint Mary's Institute and Commercial College, contributed by Robert W. Steele.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

hung with printed lesson-cards, before which the classes were placed to r under the charge of monitors selected from their own number. A long, na (lesk, thickly covered with silver sand, was provided, upon which, with sticks youngest scholars copied and learned the letters of the alphabet.

Gideon McMillan, an expert, was appointed teacher, and in the fall of the school was opened. It was continued until, like so many other theori education, the system was superseded, leaving no doubt a residuum of good has been incorporated with our present advanced methods of instruction.

A few of the rules adopted for the government of the school may illus some of the peculiarities of the system :

" The moral and literary instruction of the pupils entered at the Dayton casterian Academy will be studiously, diligently and temperately attended to

" They will be taught to spell and read deliberately and distinctly. agree to the rules laid down in Walker's Dietionary ; and in order to do that corr they will be made conversant with the first rules of grammar. The senior will be required to give a complete grammatical analysis of the words as proceed.

" They will be required to write with freedom all the different hands no use, on the latest and most approved plan of proportion and distance.

" There will be no public examinations at partieular seasons ; in a Land rian school every day being an examination day, at which all who have leisur invited to attend."

In 1821, the Trustees adopted the following resolution, which would li: accord with present ideas of the jurisdiction of boards of education or th thority of teachers :

"Resolved, That any scholar attending the Lancasterian School who m found playing ball on the Sabbath, or resorting to the woods or commons or day for sport, shall forfeit any badge of merit he may have obtained, and tw five tickets ; and if the offense appears aggravated, shall be further degrado the tutor shall think proper and necessary ; and that this resolution be re school every Friday previous to the dismission of the scholors."

The high hopes excited by the Lancasterian system of education, its ge adoption in the towns and cities of the United States, and its entire abandon is an interesting episode in school history, and may serve to moderate our c siasm for new methods of instruction until thoroughly tested by experience.

In 1833, the academy property was sold. and a new building erected o purchased on the southwest corner of Fourth and Wilkinson streets. At this the Trustees were Aaron Baker, Job Haines, Obadiah B. Conover, James : and John W. Van Cleve. Mr. E. E. Barney, a graduate of Union College York, was elected Principal in 1834. By the introduction of the anal methods of instruction, Mr. Barney exerted an important influence on our 1. schools. Teachers educated by him carried these methods into the schools vance of most places in the West, and gave them in their early history reputation.

In 1857, the academy property was donated by the stockholders to the of Education, and the Central High School building stands on the site former cupied by the academy. Our high school may thus trace its history back to Among early Dayton teachers, Francis Glass, the author of a"" Life of Wa: ton," in Latin, is worthy of special notice. Mr. I. P. Reynolds, a pupil of this county in 1823, and who was instrumental in proeuring the publicatie Harper Brothers, of his "Life of Washington," in the introduction to that work. this account of him. He was educated in Philadelphia, taught for a time interior of Pennsylvania, but removed in 1817 or 1818 to the Miami co where he was employed as a teacher in various places. Mr. Reynolds wish pursue classical studies, heard of Glass as a competent teacher, and determi visit him. He says : " I found him in a remote part of the county, in :

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CITY OF DAYTON.

neigborhood of thrifty farmers, who had employed him to instruct their children, whoin general, were then acquiring the simplest rudiments of an English educa- tion The schoolhouse now rises fresh on my memory. It stood on the banks of a sull stream, in a thick grove of native oaks, resembling more a den for Druid- i'll tes, than a temple of learning. The building was a low log cabin, with a I ppard roof, but indifferently tight ; all the light of heaven found in this cabin um through apertures made on cachi side in the logs, and these were covered utbiled paper to keep out the cold air, while they admitted the dim rays. The ator benches were of hewed timbers, resting on upright posts, placed in the Goud to keep them from being overturned by the mischievous urchins, who sat tem. In the center was a large stove, between which and the back part of hilding, stood a small desk without loek or key, made of rough plank over id a plane had never passed ; and behind this desk sat Prof. Glass when I red his school. The moment he heard that my intention was to pursue the study to languages with him, his whole soul appeared to beam from his eounte- "

He had already commenced his "Life of Washington " in Latin, but had been ichindered by his poverty. Mr. Reynolds furnished him the means to remove Lyton, where the work was completed. He taught in Dayton for some time, und he quaint advertisements of his school frequently appear in the Watchman tat period. The following characteristic one is found in the Watchman of 524 "The subscriber having completed the biography of Washington, which .. Ingaged the greater portion of his attention and solicitude for the last two a and being constrained to remain in Dayton for some months for the ['rise of correcting the proof-sheets of said work, respectfully announces this school is now open for students of either sex who may wish to proseeute .uspal, mathematical or English studies. As respects his literary attainments, sinding as a scholar, he refers to the faculty of arts of any university or col- zen the United States." It is sad to think that the poor author did not enjoy tisfaction of " correcting the proof-sheets " of the work which had been the soing ambition of his life. His friend, Mr. Reynolds, took the manuseript, nt ied in vain to find a publisher. Leaving the country for a voyage round the rirą on his return, he found that Francis Glass had died. The work was not robshed until 1835. It is certainly a very remarkable production for a country und teacher, remote from libraries. Its Latinity has been pronounced good by chairs, and it was adopted as a text-book in many schools. A copy of the work 1 De found in the Dayton Public Library.

Iilo G. Williams was another teacher of mark, at an early day. In 1833, he savited by Mr. David Pruden to come to Dayton to take charge of a manual i'd school to be established in the large brick building owned by him, which, tirecently, stood at the junction of Jefferson and Warren streets. Mr. Will- l'vas to conduct the academic, and Mr. Pruden the labor and boarding depart- The large building was used for the school and boarding purposes, and D)} were erected for instruction in various mechanical trades. A large number lys from Cincinnati and other places were attracted to the school by Mr. il ums' reputation as a teacher, and the school enjoyed great popularity. Not ong a pecuniary success, it was closed after a few years' trial, and Mr. Will- in returned to Cineinnati to continue his work as a teacher there. Both Mr. Films and Mr. Pruden were actuated by philanthropie motives in the establish- ver of the school, and deserve credit for the attempt to combine intellectual cult- e lith preparation for the practical duties of life. How this may be done is sull'erplexing the minds of educators, and it is no discredit to them that they did hothd the solution.

n 1844, by invitation of the Trustees, Mr. Williams returned to Dayton to tukcharge of the Dayton Academy, where he taught for several years with great accctance. Solicited by leading members of the religious denominations to which

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

he belonged, he resigned to take a position in a college of his church at Urb: at which place he died in 1880, having reached a ripe old age. He was a ger man of fine presence, admirable social qualities, and ever ready to unite 1 others in efforts for the publie welfare. He was one of the founders and the 1 President of the Dayton Library Association, and, in many ways, left his imp on the community.

But perhaps the teacher who made the deepest impression on our syster cdueation was Mr. E. E. Barney. Coming to Dayton in 1834, he brought ! him from New York the most advanced methods of teaching, and introdu them here. He inspired his scholars with his own enthusiasm, and transfor study from a drudgery to a pleasure. He procured the best apparatus for illustration of natural science, and by frequent excursions to the country 601 to make his pupils familiar with the botany and geology of this region. Cor sition and declamation were required studies in the school, and a literary soc and library were established under his auspices. He encouraged the plantin trees, and the cultivation of flowers, and, by every means at his command, sor to develop a symmetrical character. He was quiek to notice the aptitude of pupils for particular professions in life, and his advice often exerted an impor influence on their after career. The discipline of the school was mild, but ! and largely left to the honor of the pupils. Corporal punishment was ra resorted to. Each morning the school was opened with the reading of the S. tures and praver.

In 1838, when a public meeting was called to determine upon the buildir the first public schoolhouses, Mr. Barney heartily advocated the measure. Altho the patronage of his private school might be decreased, he permitted no se motives to interfere with what he believed would promote the public inter His experience and advice were freely given in planning and seating the schoolhouses, and his school furnished a corps of educated teachers who cal at once the newest methods of instruction into the public schools. A large of the older citizens of Dayton were his scholars at the Dayton Academ Cooper Seminary, and recall his instructions with gratitude. A suitable bi phy of Mr. Barney will appear in another part of the history of Montgoi County.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

In Ohio, until 1825. no uniform system of taxation for school purposes adopted, and until 1838, no adequate tax levied. The lack of means rather the lack of interest on the part of the people prevented the general establish of public schools at an early day.

Probably before 1831, schools had been partly supported by taxation, 1. was not until that year that the school district of Dayton was formally organ A meeting was held at the court house, Saturday, May 14, 1831, and Dr. Steele, F. F. Carrell and Warren Munger were appointed Directors; Edmund rison, Clerk, and William Bomberger, Treasurer. Soon after, a board was ularly elected and the schools organized as will appear by the following notic "First District School will be opened Monday, December 5, 1831, by vanus Hall, approved teacher, in the school room on Jefferson street bet Water and First streets. Publie money appropriated to support it." It Bruen, Nathaniel Wilson and Henry Van Tuyl, Directors.

Three additional rooms were soon after opened in different parts of the for the convenience of scholars.

From this time until 1838, sehools supported by taxation were taught few months each year in rented rooms. No public sehool buildings had erected, and the majority of the citizens sent their children to private scl During this period, the following persons served at different times as Direc Thomas Brown, William Hart, James Slaght, I. H. Mitchell, David Osborn, F P. Lowe, Simon Snyder and William H. Brown. Among the teachers of

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CITY OF DAYTON.

v.r 1 were Mr. and Mrs. Leavenworth Hurd, who taught in the old academy build- ungh St. Clair street. The public funds not being sufficient to sustain this school, r quarter was charged for each scholar.

We have now reached the period when the public schools assumed the impor- n in the public estimation which they have ever since maintained.

In 1837, Samuel Lewis was elected by the Legislature State Superintendent hools. Mr. Lewis entered upon his work with great enthusiasm, visiting e part of the State, and addressing the people at all important points. It ione of these addresses that led to the public meeting in 1838, which resulted e building of two schoolhouses. Prior to that time, not more than $300 in yine year could be raised by taxation in a school district for the purpose of i ing schoolhouses. By the law of 1838, it was provided that "a special ing might be called after twenty days' notice, stating an intention to propose woolhouse tax, at which a majority of the voters present, being householders, I authorized to determine by vote upon the erection of a schoolhouse, and how o u money should be raised for such purpose." Legal notice was given, and a ubc meeting assembled in the church which formerly stood on Main street, teen First and Water streets. Strenuous opposition was made to the levy of Teix by a few wealthy citizens, but after a heated discussion, the measure was red by a large majority. The amount to be raised was fixed at $6.000, and it usesolved to build two houses, one in the eastern and one in the western part tp city.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 75

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214