USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume II > Part 8
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About 1845, Rev. Benjamin S. Huntington established a seminary for young ladies at Aston Ridge, which flourished greatly, his scholars being drawn largely from the southern states. Rev. Huntington, however, was so constant- ly enlarging his building that he became bankrupt. About 1857, J. Harvey Barton established a seminary at Aston Ridge in a large brick building on the Rockdale road, near the Baptist church. Both sexes were received, a fine corps of instructors employed, the school attaining high rank and flourishing until 1866, when it passed out of existence.
The city of Chester, aside from its most excellent public schools, is also the home of the Pennsylvania Military Academy (see special article). and Chester Academy, founded in 1862, by Charles W. Deans, at one time superintendent of public instruction for Delaware county. It was first known as the Chester Academy and Normal School. In 1865, Professor George Gilbert, then of Philadelphia, purchased Mr. Deans' interest, reorganized the institution, en- larged the building, thoroughly revised and advanced the course of study and employed additional teachers. This school has had a successful career, has doubled in size, and affords facilities for students preparing for college, for the teacher's profession, or for a business career.
DELAWARE COUNTY
In 1793 the Friends established a school in Upper Chichester, which was continued by the meeting until the public school system was accepted, when it was discontinued.
In Lower Chichester the first school of mention was conducted under the auspices of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and was continued for sixty years. In 1801 a new brick school house was erected on the church lot, the expense being borne by subscription by the members of the parish.
.\ noted school of the long ago was located in Darby, at Sharon Hill, known as Sharon Hill Academy. John Jackson, a noted Friend of Darby, after his marriage to Rachel T. Tyson, a highly educated woman, in 1834 de- termined to established a female boarding school, and about 1835, after the death of his father, Halliday Jackson, located at Sharon Hill, the family estate. The school soon became famous and was at one time one of the most noted of female educational institutions in the middle states. John Jackson died in . 1855, his widow continuing the school until 1858, after which it was conducted by Israel J. Graham and Jane P. Graham. About 1870 the school was pur- chased by the Rev. C. J. H. Carter, a Catholic priest, and has since been con- ducted as a church school for females.
In Haverford township is located Haverford College, founded in 1832 by prominent members of the Society of Friends in the middle states, principally. however, from Philadelphia. This valuable institution, now presided over by Dr. Isaac Sharpless, will have special mention elsewhere.
The borough of Media long had its Brooke Hall Female Seminary. The buildings were erected in 1856 by H. Jones Brooke, after whom the school is named, a warm friend of education, and one of Delaware county's honored citizens. In the fall of 1856 the school was opened as a seminary for young ladies by Miss M. L. Eastman, and had a long career of usefulness. Brooke Hall, conducted under the influence of the Episcopal church, became widely known as one of the best seminaries of its class in the state.
In 1874 Swithin C. Shortlidge removed his school for boys from West Chester to Media, opening in the building formerly known as the Haldeman House. This was enlarged until it contained fifty-five lodging rooms, with study, class and dining rooms, and near the main structure a well equipped gymnasium. . \ large corps of teachers was employed and the school for many years enjoyed great popularity, but is now closed.
Joseph Shortlidge in 1862 established at Concordville, Maplewood Insti- tute, a school for both sexes, incorporated in 1870, that was well conducted and popular and was continued under the care of his son, Chauncey Shortlidge.
In the fall of 1872, Miss Anna M. Walter, for several years a teacher in the grammar school, established a private school that later was known as Media Academy. This school prospered until 1884. when it was closed, Miss Walter accepting a position in Friends' school at Fifteenth and Race streets, Philadelphia.
In Middletown township, is located the Pennsylvania Training School for
THE PENNSYLVANIA TRAINING-SCHOOL FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN.
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Feeble Minded Children, the third institution of its kind erected in the United States.
In Radnor township is located Villa Nova College, belonging to the Cathi- olic brotherhood of St. Augustine, established as a branch of the parent house in Philadelphia in 1842. In 1848 the college was empowered by the legisla- ture of Pennsylvania to confer degrees. The buildings are ample and the college ranks as one of the leading colleges of the church.
In Springfield township the Friends have another educational institution that has acquired a national reputation-Swarthmore College, the cornerstone of which was laid in 1866. This institution, now presided over by Dr. Joseph Swain, will have more extended notice elsewhere.
The first man elected Superintendent of Public Instruction in Delaware county was Dr. George Smith, elected in June, 1854, serving until September, 1855, when he resigned. He was followed by Charles W. Deans, appointed in September, 1855, to fill out Dr. Smith's unexpired term, then was elected, serv- ing until June, 1863. James W. McCracken, the next superintendent, served from June, 1863, until December, 1868, when he resigned. James W. Baker, appointed to fill out Mr. McCracken's term, was elected later, and served until June, 1878. He was followed by Albert B. Stewart, who served from June, 1878, to June, 1887. The sixth superintendent, A. G. C. Smith, assumed the duties of the office in June, 1887, and has been continuously in office until the present date, 1913. Beginning with 1914, the term of county superinten- dent will be four years instead of three, as heretofore. All teachers are exam- ined for fitness by the county superintendent, except State Normal graduates, holders of permanent certificates and holders of professional certificates, the holders of such certificates being greater in proportion in Delaware county than in other counties of the state.
In 1887 Delaware county contained twenty-eight school districts, twenty- one townships, six boroughs, and one independent district. Two boroughs, North Chester and South Chester, have been annexed to the city of Chester. There was but one high school in the county-that at Media. One hundred and seventy-one teachers were employed, of whom twelve were males; of these, forty-four held normal diplomas. The average wages then paid was : male teachers, $47.95; female teachers, $42.57. The highest salary was $100 per month, paid in Media, to a female teacher. The highest salary paid a male teacher was $60 paid in Lower Chichester.
In 1911 there were forty-one school districts, twenty townships, twenty boroughs and one independent district under the care of the County Superin- tendent. Besides these Chester, Darby and Radnor have their own organiza- tions. There were ninety school houses in the county, against ninety-seven in 1887, ten having been taken from the county by the annexation of North and South Chester boroughs to the city of Chester ; seven by the creation of Rad. nor township into an independent district, and two in Darby borough, the lat- ter two having superintendents of their own, and not included in county figures. At the close of the school year, June, 1911, after twenty-five years under Sup-
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crintendent Smith's administration, there were 286 teachers employed in the county, under his jurisdiction, the number now being 309. Of these 286 teach- ers in 1911, 159 were normal graduates, 52 had permanent certificates, 27 had professional certificates, and 28 were college graduates. But 18 of the teachers were males. It is further to be noted that North Chester, South Chester, Rad- nor and Darby, which employ about one hundred teachers, that were under the supervision of the county superintendent in 1887, are no longer so. The aver- age salary paid for the year ending June, 1910, for male teachers, was $114.21. the highest being paid in Lansdowne, $250. The average salary paid female teachers for the same year was $53.27, the highest being $100, paid by Radnor and Swarthmore.
During most of the time since 1887, Delaware county has stood at the head of the list of counties in the state for average length of school term and average wages paid for teachers, both male and female. Allegheny county is the only county in the state that challenges Delaware in average salaries paid, and this comes from the fact that Pittsburgh, where higher salaries are paid, is included in the report. In 1910, Lackawanna county led in average length of school term, with 9.46 months, Delaware county second, with 9.44 months.
In 1887 the cost per pupil was $1.23 and in 1910 $2.16 per pupil. This means better salaries, and more free text books furnished. While Delaware county leads in average salary paid male and female teachers and in average length of school term, the tax rate for school purposes and building purposes. 5.80 mills in 1910, was three mills less than the average school tax for the state. The directors of Swarthmore organized a manual training department in their public schools in 1894, Lansdowne and Colwyn following later. Lansdowne has maintained a Kindergarten department since 1894, two teachers now being regularly employed. Nether Providence also has a Kindergarten department, Special instruction in drawing and music has for several years been given in the schools of Darby, Lansdowne, Media, Radnor, Haverford, Nether Provi- dence and Swarthmore. Special instruction in music is also given in Aldan, Clifton Heights, Collingdale, Colwyn, Glenolden, Upper Darby and other dis- tricts. Yeadon has special instruction in drawing : Colwyn in sewing. In sev- eral districts one of the regular teachers gives special instruction in music or drawing. Ridley Park and Swarthmore maintain domestic science depart- ments. A well equipped playground has been established in Ridley Park, to be kept open all the summer months in charge of a specially instructed play ground teacher. Lansdowne also has acquired a suitable piece of ground for organized playground work, and in Colwyn and Collingdale one or more of 'he regular teachers have taken courses of study in organized playground work and supervise the children's play during recess periods, when the schools are open. Medical inspection is required in Colwyn, Lansdowne and Media.
In 1897 Radnor township elected their supervising principal, township superintendent, which resulted in bringing the schools under closer supervision and greatly increasing their efficiency. In December, 1908, Darby borough fol- lowed the example of Radnor, with the same good results.
BRANKA
ENOX AND A - T
THE' OU DATIONS
HAVERFORD UNION -- ROBERTS HALL AND BARCLAY HALL.
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FOUNDERS' HALL, HAVERFORD COLLEGE
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In 1888 the school directors of the county formed a Directors Associa- tion, which has held two meetings annually ever since, one in connection with the Teachers' Institute, the other in February. Representatives from the association assisted in forming the State School Directors Association, and regularly appointed delegates to attend the annual meeting of the State Association.
.In 1888, a committee from the Directors Association, acting with County Superintendent Smith, prepared a course of study for the rural schools. It provided for a county diploma to be given those who could pass a satisfactory examination in specified studies. This plan has been the means of keeping the children in the rural schools two or three years longer and making the attend- ance more regular. At present the superintendent, assisted by six teachers, conducts the examinations at seven different centers, the same day. The next day they meet, examine the papers, and announce the results. From eighty to one hundred scholars have presented themselves annually for several years, and from sixty to seventy-five of them have been successful. The school directors are required by law to send the successful ones to the nearest high school and pay their tuition. This becomes an additional incentive to more regular attendance, and the plan as carried out has been very beneficial to the school interests of the county.
A Teachers' Institute is held in the county each year, at which every teaclier in the county, outside of the city of Chester, must be present, unless satisfactory reason for absence is given the county superintendent. Three dol- lars daily is allowed the teachers for attendance at the institute, and a like amount deducted from salaries for non-attendance.
In conclusion it must be noted that, all through the county, good school buildings is the rule. The furniture and equipment of the schools is of the best modern type; ventilation, light and heat is carefully considered in all new buildings; and ample playgrounds surround each school. The teaching ability of the instructors is high. Salaries, if not always adequate, are the highest in the state outside of a few cities, and there is a "free school for every child," as contemplated by the fathers of the public school system. While all concerned in bringing about these most excellent results are deserv- ing of high praise, too much cannot be said of the results accomplished under the present and for twenty-six years past, Superintendent A. G. C. Smith.
HIGHER INSTITUTIONS.
Haverford College .- Although there is no documentary evidence to the effect that the founding of Friends' Central School, afterward Haverford School and Haverford College, was due to the great schism which in 1827 rent asunder the Society of Friends in America, the coincidence of time points to that supposition. At the yearly meeting of Friends held in Philadelphia in 1830, a committee was appointed consisting of five Friends from each Quar- terly Meeting, to "enter fully into a consideration in all its parts, of the deeply interesting subject of the right education of our youth." That there was
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great feeling on the subject of a school exclusively for Friends is evidenced by the following extract from an article which appeared in a Friends' publication of the day: "It is a fact which, although painful, ought to be known to our members, that many children of Friends are placed at the colleges of other re- ligious societies, such as Yale, Princeton, Muhlenberg's on Long Island, and at the Roman Catholic College in Maryland. The latter has frequently had as many as six or eight at once."
.A corporation which was independent of the Yearly Meeting was formed for the proposed institution, which met on the 30th day, 12mo, 1830, and ef- fected the first organization for the management of the school, as follows: Secretary, Henry Cope ; treasurer, Benjamin H. Warder ; managers-Samuel Bettle, Thomas P. Cope, Thomas C. James, John Paul, Isaac Davis, Abraham L. Pennock, John G. Hoskins, Thomas Evans, Daniel B. Smith, Thomas Kim- ber, Charles Yarnall, George Stewardson, Isaac Collins, Samuel B. Morris, Bartholomew Wistar, John Gummere, Thomas Cock, Samuel Parsons, Lindley Murray, Samuel F. Mott, John Griscom, Gerard T. Hopkins, Joseph King Jr., and Benjamin W. Ladd. The new managers were authorized to select a site and to purchase ground for the school, which, after extensive investigation and deliberation, they finally did-"an oblong tract of one hundred and ninety- eight and a half acres, lying on both sides of the Haverford road, near the ten- mile stone, and extending from that road to the Pennsylvania railroad, being nearly south of the eight-mile stone on the Lancaster turnpike."
After the incorporation of the organization as the Haverford School As- sociation, the selection of a head and a corps of instructors for the infant insti- tution was considered seriously, the final choice for. superintendent falling upon Samuel Hilles, of Wilmington, Delaware, a man of singular gentleness and sweetness of character. Affiliated with him as the faculty were Dr. Joseph Thomas, the distinguished author of Thomas' "Biographical Dictionary" and Lippincott's "Pronouncing Gazeteer of the World," instructor in Latin and Greek ; John Gummere, instructor in mathematics ; and Daniel B. Smith. The latter was one of the best loved of the host of noble men who have graced Haverford College as members of the faculty. His genial companionable spirit made him a favorite of the students, a regard which continued no less in the class room than in recreation hours, and made the lesson periods more endura- ble and the lessons more understandable.
One of the principles which characterized the early days of the school was the enforcement upon the students of an adherence to the "doctrines and testi- monies of the Society of Friends." Early in its history it held a position as merely a Friends' boarding school, later, as it broadened its course of study. enlarged its enrollment capacity and was incorporated as a college in 1856, it gradually grew into the Haverford College of to-day, historic, strong in vitality and usefulness, an educational center from which an ever-widening stream of graduates goes forth yearly.
To give a detailed history of Haverford College through all the stages of its development would require a volume the size of the one containing this
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sketch. It is therefore necessary to touch but lightly upon the advancement of the school, its steady increase in size and influence until overcome by disas- ter in 1845, when lack of funds compelled the managers to close its doors. The dark years from 1845 to 1848, when the ultimate fate of the institution was in grave doubt, must be passed over with only a mention of the valiant efforts of those who labored so desperately for its revival. In 1848 the school was reopened, with Lindley Murray Moore as superintendent, and once more the institution entered upon what promised to be a prosperous career, a promise that has been more than fulfilled.
One phase of the college life at Haverford that has probably done more than any one thing towards making the Haverford man what is commonly known as "well-read," that is, truly well-educated, has been the society life. The large number of literary and debating societies that have been organized at Haverford since the founding of the school is eloquent testimony to the effect that the students were quite as interested in their mental improvement and the acquirement of culture as the most zealous of their professors. Of the societies of this nature the one first organized was the Loganian, founded Ist month 21, 1834, and reorganized 5th month 29, 1848. This was a literary society of high rank, composed of the college men whose ambitions were above mere pleasure seeking, and who were banded together for the sake of com- mon fellowship and improvement. The society was the owner of a rather extensive library, and many a member confessed to a love of good literature acquired from the numerous voluines which lined the walls of the library.
The Penn Literary Society existed about 1840. The purpose of its organ- ization was the promotion of the declamatory art, debating being their chief exercise. The Haverford Literary Society existed contemporaneously with the Penn Literary Society, its object being much the same. Other minor socie- ties, whose term of life was shorter and whose activities were more fitful were the Franklin Literary Society, the Historical, the Rhetorical, and a society which, because of its cumbersome title, was universally known as the C. F. D. D., its full name being Circulus Familiariter Disputando Delectandoque.
The Haverford Lyceum was a literary society organized roth month 25, 1853, which soon disintegrated, its chief distinction being that it was the par- ent institution of the Athenaeum Society. Another organization which led but a brief career was the Henry Society formed in 1854. A society whose purpose should have insured it a longer existence was in the Euethean Society. Its object was the promotion of good morals among the student body, its motto being "Mens sibi conscia recti." The society was in reality the forerunner of College Y. M. C. A. work, and with a stronger backing would have endured until supplanted by that association.
The most famous of Haverford's societies were the Athenaeum and the Everett. The former of these was established 12th month 17, 1855, by twelve students-George M. Tatum, James E. Carmalt, Thomas C. Steele, Stephen Underhill, Theodore H. Morris, James W. Cromwell, Walter G. Hopkins, Edwin Tomlinson, Roberts Vaux, John S. Witmer, George Wood, and Wil-
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liam 11. Wood. In the preamble of the constitution it was stated that "Being sensible of the influence of sound learning in disciplining the mind and matur- ing the understanding, and also being desirous of cultivating in themselves a correct taste for literature and a love for scientific pursuits, do hereby asso- ciate themselves together for these purposes." The organization acquired a large membership and flourished from the start. Great rivalry was felt between it and the Everett Society, and for years there was great competition in regard to membership, first one and then the other forging ahead in the race. At length, because of the increasing activites of the college, it was deemed expedient to effect a consolidation of the two, which was accordingly done.
The grounds of the college have been increased until they now cover two hundred and twenty-five acres, some of which is woodland. although, under the direction of a skillful landscape gardener, sixty acres were laid out in a level, smoothly rolling lawn, intersected by walks shaded by century-old trees, and plentifully dotted with shrubs and low-growing trees, making a campus unexcelled by any in the country. Here and there upon the grounds one comes upon a quaint old building, a relic of former days, standing proudly beside its fellow of a later day, the old mingling with the new and giving the whole an historical and almost a classical appearance. The various buildings which have been occupied by the college are as follows : Founders Hall, erected in 1833 ; the Observatory, built in 1852 and enlarged in 1883: Alumni Hall, established in 1863 and enlarged to meet the growing needs of the library : Barclay Hall, a dormitory, erected in 1877 by friends of the college ; the Mechanical Labora- tory, built in 1884. supplanted by a new building in 1890 which was burned in 1896 and whose place was taken by Whitall Hall, a building of three stories ; the Biological Laboratory, established in 1886; the Physical Laboratory, built in 1888: Chase Hall, for recitations and lectures, erected in 1888; and the Cricket Shed, built in 1893. In later years, through the lively interest and hearty cooperation of the Alumni Association building operations have been progressing at a rapid rate and the college is being supplied. with an equipment of which it may justly be proud. The augmenting of Haverford's natural beau- ties with architecture fitting gives an ideal result, and with the thousand mem- ories and attachments connected with each spot. it is small wonder that the wandering steps of the alumnus ever bring him back to the place he came to know and love so well. Haverford's spell, once woven, is never broken, and the charm of the historic school begins to wind itself about the new student even while he is in the throes of his first homesickness, so that the final part- ing with the college in which he has spent four such joyous years is to him far more sad and cheerless than the leaving of his home upon matriculation.
The buildings which have been erected in recent years are Lloyd Hall, a dormitory built in 1899: the large and finely equipped gymnasium, completed in 1900: Roberts Hall. the gift of Lucy Branson Roberts, with college offices and a large auditorium, erected in 1902; Merion Hall, a dormitory remodeled in 1903 from the old Haverford Grammar School Building ; a wing added to
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the Founders Hall in 1905 for dining-rooms and a kitchen ; a heating and light- ing plant, installed in 1906: an enlargement of Merion Hall in 1907: Haver- ford Union, a building erected in 1909. presented to the college by Alfred Per- cival Smith, of the class of 1884: the Chemical Laboratory, built in 1910; and the Infirmary. completed in 1912, the gift of John T. Morris, of the class of 1867, and a new section of Lloyd Hall the gift of the Strawbridge family in 1913. In addition to these buildings there are a number of residences on the campus, occupied mainly by professors, thus making quite a college com- munity.
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