USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Harford > Franklin Academy reunion, June 14, 1900 : Harford, Susquehanna county, Pa., embracing pictures of the institution, and portraits of its principals, history, proceedings of the reunion, addresses, etc., and a complete catalogue of all students ever attending the academy > Part 3
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JULIUS TYLER.
Regarding these stanzas a word of explanation is necessary .. It was early resolved to have such a poem written. Prof. E. K. Richardson, the old Harford Band ledaer ('56 to '72), arranged the tune "Auld Lang Syne" for our present Band. At the end of the second and fourth verses, new instruments led the melody. Forwarding the music to the secretary he remarked that it "re- vived old memories." The audience, program in hand, were expected to join the Band and sing the words. Two persons. entered the contest on the poem, Julius Tyler, '49, and W. L. Thacher, '60. Copies were submitted to Prof. Benson of New Milford, Dr. Hooven, Band leader, and Mrs. M. Jeanie Wilson,. Harford, as judges. Two chose Mr. Tyler's and it was at once placed on program. Our quiet friend has here given us lines that will be sung more years than a century hence.
May 19, Prof. E. K. Richardson died. It was a startling and heavy blow to the Reunion. Besides his address, we had counted on his advice, and above all, his presence. For he was the last of the family; resembling so much his father, in features,. as age advanced upon him. And this blow prevented our hope that Mrs. Harriet Ann Tyler Richardson, widow of Rev. Willard. Richardson, would be with us. Although 83 years of age, she had thought of attending. The oldest living teacher. To the earlier students she would have been a veritable Queen Victoria, making a triumphal tour among her subjects.
The day drew on. Letters of regret at not being able to attend came in freely. Clarssa Tucker-Tracy, of Ripon College, Wis., 83 years old, Wesley Faurot of Kansas, James Osterhout, of Texas, James W. Belknap, of Colorado, Mrs. Augusta White- Decker, N. Carolina, are only a few examples. The notable point of every letter was reverence and love for "Dear Uncle Lyman."
The president and secretary must not forget the very many letters received, furnishing data for revision of names, and other
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assistance. Scores attended only to themselves or their rela- tives. But many sent long lists. We note and thank the fol- lowing :-
Mrs. Melvina Case-Gardner, Mrs. M. B. Vosburg, Mrs. Nancy Morgan-La Grange, Mrs. J. N. Brundage, Mrs. Harriet A. Richardson, Mrs. Mary Bell-Watkins, Mrs. Walter Tingley, Miss Emily C. Blackman, Geo. B. Tiffany, A. B. Kent, E. B. Beardslee, H. N. Tiffany, Joseph T. Tiffany, Julius Tyler, L. T. Birchard.
And we do not forget the valuable services of Watson Jef- fers and E. M. Watson on the finances, June 14. Mr. Jeffers was a tower of strength. Nor Prof. Stearns, who so cheerfully performed the not pleasant task of registering. Nor the half- dozen printers in the county who published our monthly notices. Nor Miss Harriet M. Johnston of Susquehanna, our stenogra- pher, who so faithfully labored in reporting the speeches.
THE DAY.
The night preceding June 14th was rainy. Showers in the morning. The hopes of the committee fell to zero. But Franklin students were made of better material. At 9 a. m. Supt. Matthews telephoned: "They are pouring in here like the Fair Days."
The Harford Cornet Band was escorted to the grounds by the S. O. School Band. Prof. Bauer, of Scranton, teacher of both bands, arrived at 11 a. m. Prof. Geo. A. Stearns, of the Harford Graded School, attended to the registry, and deco- rated each student with the badge-"Franklin Academy."
REUNION OF FRANKLIN ACADEMY STUDENTS. .
Thursday Morning, June 14th, commencing at 10:45 a. m. Selection by Band on grounds outside of chapel.
PROF. THACHER:
Fellow Students of Franklin Academy, Ladies and Gentle- men: Our friend will introduce this Reunion with a few re- marks, after which the band will give us a selection, and then the speech that Prof. E. K. Richardson was expected to give will be given by Prof. Hine, our President.
E. S. P. HINE:
Fellow Students of Franklin Academy, Ladies and Gentlemen:
No words of mine can tell how deeply we regret the unfor- tunate showers of this morning, but we rejoice that so many have had the courage to come out. We bespeak for you all a pleasant day. While it was announced that a set speech would be made, I beg you not to consider it as such, but just a few words.
It has been truly said that the sweetest gratification ever experienced by human intelligence is that which arises from the
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fulfillment of a hope long deferred. This bright morning, so replete with all the bewitching attractions of an ideal June day, brings to a great majority of students assembled here the realiza- tion of a wish and a hope that has rested in our hearts for years; a hope that some time we might be permitted once more to assemble on these grounds endeared to us all by a multitude of happy associations of student life; a wish to meet again and clasp hands with those dear friends who were engaged with us in educational labors, when Life's rosy morn grew brighter by Ambition's magic touch. Those were golden days for us. We could not forget them if we would. Each clasp of the hand by friends to-day bears joyful 'witness to the precious memories we so lovingly cherish of those days lived so long ago. Days when we felt the import of "To dare was to do,"-days when our hearts were vitalized by new and higher inspirations for our lifework.
Then came the vacation, as we exchanged books and les- sons for the earnest, rugged duties of practical life. A long vacation it has been for most of us here assembled. Thirty-five years for the very youngest of our number; forty,aye fifty, and even more for others. A vacation that embraces the varied experiences of a lifetime. To-day we meet again. The familiar tones of that old bell will call in vain for many whom we would so gladly greet again in these classic halls. He, the beloved teach- er, so enshrined in our grateful regards and affections, cannot be summoned from the peace and rest he so nobly merited. Strange and varied emotions will possess us to-day; Joy and Regret will accompany us hand in hand as we live over the past. But let us rejoice that an all-wise and loving Father has smiled on our efforts and permitted us to assemble to-day in a reunion that will furnish to each a brief taste of the happy past, and the memory of which shall brighten many an hour of our future journeying down the path of life.
Therefore, I beseech as many of you as are here present to accept joyfully the welcome so generously extended to us all, and enter heartily into the privileges of this occasion. I now declare Franklin Academy Reunion formally opened, and may the day be rich in blessings to all of us.
(Music by Band.)
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PROF. E. S. P. HINE:
A very sad duty has been assigned to me, to fill the place upon the program that we thought was to be far more worthily filled by the son of our departed teacher, Prof. E. K. Richard- son. Scarcely three weeks ago he was sdudenly called to his eternal home. He was assigned to read a paper here to-day containing valuable information. We had hoped by searching through his papers to find something of what he had written. Only one paper could be found, and this may be considered dry by some, but to the most of us it will be interesting. We may surmise what he intended to say, but unfortunately there is no one qualified to fill the place. With your permission I will read the paper of our deceased classmate, the son of our dear teacher, about the last penmanship he performed.
"Rev. Lyman Richardson was a descendent of Stephen Richardson, who came from England about 1666, and settled in Woburn, Mass. The sons of Stephen were William, Francis, Seth, and Thomas. The sons of William were Stephen, John, and William, Jr. The sons of Stephen were Stephen, Jr., Caleb, and Daniel. About 1714 they all moved to Attleborough, Mass. Caleb was a soldier in the French and Indian War and a Cap- tain in the Revolutionary war. Caleb, Sr., had one son, Caleb, Jr., The eldest son of the latter was Lyman, born March 20, 1790. In 1806, Caleb, Jr., and family moved to Harford, Pa. Aided by Rev. E. Kingsbury, Lyman mastered the higher mathematics and languages, studying his Latin while heading nails in his grandfather's shop. March 19, 1812, he married Charlotte Sweet and five years later started a classical school. It was at this school that Prof. William S. Tyler and others prepared for col-
lege. In 1820 Lyman entered the ministry, and continued preaching until 1840, when he was elected president of the school which he had founded and which was then known as Franklin Academy. His first wife died in 1837, and on Nov. 21, 1838, he married Sarah Storrs Kingsbury, whose memory is indelibly traced by her life of love and heroic sacrifice on the hearts of tens of hundreds. In 1850 Franklin Academy was chartered as Harford University. Rev. Lyman Richardson held the pos- tion of president of this institution until 1865, when the buildings and grounds were purchased for a Soldiers' Orphan School. Rev.
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Lyman Richardson died Oct. 1, 1867, and Mrs. S. S. Richardson, June 5, 1883. Prof. W. L. Thacher, A. M., in his Centennial History of Harford says: ' Twelve hundred students came in contact with his life and daily work. Twelve hundred souls have had a vision of this man rise before them times innumer- able, silently exhorting them to all that is pure, grand, and good in life.'" (Here ends paper prepared by Prof. E. K. Richardson.)
Prof. Hine continues :
With unspeakable regret we are compelled to announce that this brief paper just read comprises all that our esteemed, de- parted friend had prepared for his proposed "Historical Ad- dress" to be given here today, at this hour. All too soon the cruel summons came and deprived this Reunion of a valuable contribution compiled by the only person who, if living, could furnish such a paper bearing upon the unwritten history, of this great school. Very startling, very sudden, and inexpressibly sad came the word, "Prof. E. K. Richardson is no more." To your committee it was a great shock, as it would remove from our program of the day's exercises a factor of interest that no earthly power could replace. To all here present he was a familiar integral part of Harford University; he was of the be- loved family of our teacher; a classmate of many of us; a warm personal friends to all of us. Why, oh, why! was he taken so soon from duties that he only could perform? We simply know he intended to put on record for us subject matter of in- calculable interest; facts relating personally to the life of his father, especially personal experiences as observed during the last twenty years of the history of this institution. No one was so well qualified to render for us this important service as the son, Prof. E. K. Richardson. How we would have valued such personal memoirs; they would 'constitute living incentives to that higher, grander life the great teacher so faithfully exem- plified before us in his daily contact with his fellow men.
From the intimate acquaintance I was permitted to main- tain with Lyman Richardson, especially from the year 1856 to his decline and death, Oct. 1st, 1867, I may be permitted to say, that he, in common with all other fathers, entertained fond hopes of his son's advancement to a position of prominence and
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of great usefulness; especially this one hope most intensely and persistently was cherished, that the son, E. K. Richardson, should in time become the principal of the noble institution founded and fostered through a long course of years by himself, though planted in earlier years by a beloved brother. It was but human to wish intensely that Harford University might be perpetuated with all its noble history through succeeding generations with still a Richardson as principal. This worthy hope, though re- vealed to but few near friends, dominated the every-day pur- poses and influenced the entire business activities of the aged teacher through many years until the final transfer of these buildings and grounds to other parties. Harford University had won and proudly maintained a justly honored place, second to none, in the front rank of popular institutions of learning. It was pre-eminently the poor man's college, where a sound, practical education could be obtained by any one desiring such at a merely nominal expense. From humble homes all over this and adjoining counties came the sons and daughters of toil; the really substantial element for the upbuilding of strong Christian communities. Also from homes of opulence came students to this school, where peculiarly favorable influences opened equal possibilities to all. No wonder that splendid char- acters were developed and enthused by daily contact with that grand man whose pure soul moved by this one prime, constant motive, an overflowing desire to benefit all who came under his blessed influence!
Moreover, as a preparatory school for presons intending to become teachers in our public schools, it presented oppor- tunities and facilities nearly as valuable as those afforded by our much extolled Normal Schools of to-day. Those of us who became teachers, though so many years have passed away, will very reluctantly, if at all, concede the superiority of the modern State Normal Schools for making strong, devoted, practical teachers, such as went forth from these halls to every part of our great State, achieving success and honors in this profession.
In 1858 the health of Lyman Richardson noticeably de- clined. Gradually his grasp on the labor and responsibilities involved in the successful management of so large a school les- sened, and gradually the son, E. K. Richardson, assumed entire
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charge of the school. His ability as a successful teacher was readily acknowledged by all. The years, 1860, '61 and '62 wit- nessed a fair attendance of students. But educational conditions throughout the country were changing; various select schools were being taught in the towns of New Milford, Great Bend, Montrose, and Clifford, usually by teachers of considerable ex- perience and of fine reputation, the effect of which drew from this popular school many young people who, for convenience, patronized their home school. The conditions induced by the Civil War also sadly impaired the possibility of sustaining Har- ford University with its former popularity and usefulness. A gradual decline was observed through the years '63 and '64 and finally the institution passed from the family name and became a Soldiers' Orphan School.
It is fitting at this time to give a brief sketch of him whom we all desired to meet and listen to his "Historical Address" to be presented at this hour. A sad and unwelcome duty has been assigned to me. I would gladly refer it to others to do. For years I knew him intimately, and, recognizing his many sterling qualities of mind and heart, I counted him one of Nature's true noblemen: one whose life work has made the world better for his having lived in it.
After a serious illness of one short week's duration, Prof. Edward Kingsbury Richardson died of pneumonia in Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., Saturday afternoon, May 19th last. He was born in Windsor, N. Y., March 16th, 1840, and consequent- ly had passed his sixtieth birthday. His father, closing his pas- torate in Windsor, removed to Harford when Edward was six months old. "Here at the Academy he received his early edu- cation which became the foundation for that splendid superstruc- ture which by years of application and study he so firmly erect- ed." At the age of eighteen he assumed the duties of principal of this school, a responsibility made necessary by the impaired health of his father. For nearly five years he was a successful teacher here. He then removed to Oxford Furnace, N. J., and soon after accepted the principalship of the schools of that place. For six years he was a resident of Oxford. He then returned to Pennsylvania where he served as station agent for two years at New Milford, and became principal of the New Milford school
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four years. Resigning this position, he became principal of Great Bend school for four years. To him these eight years of professional life were extremely important, inasmuch as they were years of development along the lines of true educational methods. In an eminent degree he inherited the wonderful ability possessed by his father to impart knowledge to others, an attribute necessary in the character of all truly worthy teach- ers. Intensely he devoted himself to this one noble resolve: to become a thorough, practical, accomplished instructor of the young. And never did a man more persistently devote time and ability and opportunity to the accomplishment of a worthy end than did E. K. Richardson during this period of his life. In 1882 he became the principal of Hackettstown, N. J., schools, in which capacity he faithfully labored for five years, bringing that large school to a standard that won for it a reputation second to no other in the State. This field of labor was followed by three years at Stanhope school. In June, 1890, he was unani- mously elected vice-principal of the Berwick High School, which position he filled efficiently until released by death.
Prof. Richardson was a man of varied ability. His marked resourcefulness made him a man of exceptional power and of usefulness wherever duty called. A friend truly says of him: "He could and did readily fit into every niche of public life and could smoothly adapt himself to any circumstances of private life, where duty required a man of skillful hand or of cheerful heart." No call of duty, or of philanthropy, no summons to Christian work, no message to serve his Lord, ever met with a refusal from him. But Sabbath after Sabbath found him a diligent worker in his place at the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, at the Union Chapel, and at the Y. M. C. A. He was an earnest and consistant Christian, ever found walikng closely with the Master; in all things bearing witness to his noble faith in the power of God's Spirit dwelling in him and direct- ing all the affairs of his life with wisdom and love. The re- ligious element became thoroughly interwoven with his being. This phase of his well-ordered character we may, perhaps, at- tribute mainly to the careful and consistent teachings of his sainted mother, the good Aunt Sarah Richardson, whose tender
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ministrations to us students even now awaken feelings of un- speakable gratitude.
As a teacher, he ever sought the moral as well as the intel- lectual welfare of his pupils, and thousands of young people have received from him words of kindly advice, of consolation, and of earnest encouragement. More than these, the influence of his noble life could not fail to be a vital living inspiration to those young minds associated with him, thus making the world better in character because of his life and example.
Emphatically his was a self-made character. In all his varied relations to others he never ceased to be a student, con- stantly observing and thus enlarging the bounds of his own in- formation. His was an inherited love for study and for re- search. Only a few possess the knowledge he had grasped through years of patient plodding and toil to unlock the secrets of Natural Science. Especially was this true in music, where he stood as familiar as with the most common branch of edu- cation. Unswerving in his advocacy of truth and of right, he commanded the sincere respect of his fellow-men, to whom he ever proved a generous friend, as well as a kind devoted hus- band and father to his family. An honest man. A worthy son of a noble father.
The following brief facts may prove of interest to many here present, whose knowledge of the Richardson family of late years has been limited.
The subject of this sketch was the last surviving child of Rey. Lyman Richardson. He was born in 1840, March 16th. He was married to Mary Addis Smith Feb. 13th, 1867, whose home was in Oxford, N. J. To this couple survive two sons, Franklin and Frederick; also one daughter, Miss Nellie Richard- son. Our friend was laid, at rest in the beautiful cemetery at Belvidere, Warren Co., N. J., by the side of his beloved son, Eugene.
[During the speech of Prof. Hine, Capt. Sweet quietly placed on the platform an excellent crayon portrait of Rev. Ly- man Richardson. It was the work and gift of Miss Jennie Les- lie of Harford.]
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Music by Soldier's Orphan School Band.
(Here followed social reunion until 12:20 o'clock.) Music by Band.
Dinner served by Supt. Matthews, at which all the students of Franklin Academy in attendance participated. Two hundred and fifty persons sat down together. The student's wife, the lady student's husband were included. It was not intended one should be overlooked. It is believed none were.
Roast beef, mashed potato, peas, onions, bread, butter, pie, tea, coffee, constituted the bill of fare. All were satisfied. Many pronounced it very enjoyable, and some expressed personal thanks to Supt. Matthews. Nothing in the nature of a banquet was at all intended.
It was impossible for Supt. Matthews to again reset the tables. The remainder of the crowd, not students, probably one hundred, were provided with lunch by Mr. Hartweg, baker, under direction of Supt. Matthews. This dinner, this lunch, was the gift of the State Commission of S. O. Schools.
Afternoon session called at 2 p. m. A heavy shower took place soon after.
Five minute speeches.
JUSTICE MCCOLLUM:
Against all expectations I have been invited to say some- thing, and yet to be here is a pleasure, and I came here because I wanted to revive old associations, conscious at the time that I must miss many of those associates. My old associates of fifty years ago, they were all that I sought, all that I expected to meet, and they have no right to expect of me in these days anything in the way of an able address. I don't know that I ever had any particular faculty in that direction; but I must say what little I did have has fled from me in the twenty-two years' service.
My first connection with the school here was in 1849. We had selected a room in this building, in the old chapel. We occupied it together. We brought the most of our provisions from our homes. Our expenses were extremely light; and I confess that it was one of the pleasantest eras in my life. I soon came to know that in this school, conducted by the Richardsons
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(and in speaking in that manner I mean Uncle Lyman Richard- son and Willard Richardson), I was attending an institution where all were upon an equality; that one was as good as the other at all times, under the tutorage of these men. Upon all occasions they stood upon the uniform basis; the common equality was recognized; and I can't help but think that it al- ways was one of the charming features in the conduct of this school.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, I am very sorry that I am not in a stage to talk on this occasion so as to be of any interest and satisfaction. I respond briefly to what has been requested of me, but as I said to my friends here, I am before you a few moments and no more; that I was in no condition and under no expectation of attempting to entertain this people. I am glad to hear others entertain, and I am glad to be here and to participate in the entertainment that is provided.
S. B. CHASE:
Mr. President and Fellow Students: I should not have known how long it was since I was a student at this institution and drank at the educational table of Uncle Lyman, only for the fact that I found among my papers some copies of the "Literary Emporium," which I edited while rooming in what we called Luzerne Hall then. I am unable to find it now. And in this paper, for I had them for a year published semi-monthly, I found some very interesting reminiscences, and if there are any present that were attending here when I was a student they, perhaps, will recollect some of its incidents.
At one of the exhibitions-annual exhibitions I think-at the close of 1845-for that was my first year at Franklin Academy- I wrote, in connection with my cousin, E. B. Chase, a colloquy consisting of a Democratic convention, supposed to be in Sus- quehanna county. We had our delegates regularly credentialed, had our office in the convention, and went through with all the formula which some of the friends of my age may recollect was incident to the good old Democratic conventions, when the other party was called the Whig party. I read that colloquy the other day with a great deal of interest; first, because it repre- sented somewhat of the political questions of that day in its dis-
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cussions; but l was more interested in something that we omitted in that colloquy in the proceedings of that convention. I did not find that we had a lot of men paid for the purpose of doing the cheering during the convention. Not very long ago in Easton at a Republican convention there was a certain Repub- lican leader that engaged seventy-five men and paid their per diem expenses to the place where the convention was held for the purpose of what they called "rooting," and they called the men "rooters." Now, it is a sad departure front the good old days of '45 when we edited the "Franklin Democrat"; for we never heard of "rooters" at a political convention, nor did we need them. If any of you recollect a mass meeting that was held in Montrose during the campaign of Fremont, when the masses poured in from every road leading from different parts of the county into Montrose with teams, some consisting of twenty-six yoke of oxen, and ladies representing every State (one for Kansas, too,); if any of you attended that convention and saw the demonstration that went out from it, you can very well conceive that they didn't need any "rooters" to make ap- plause; and that was because there were principles underlying our actions, and everything was spontaneous and came from the heart. And so I say that that was omitted from our colloquy.
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