History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 48

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 967


USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 48
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 48
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 48


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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STATISTICS.


Gubernatorial Votes.


Since and including the year 1841, the votes polled in the county of Bedford, for candidates for the office of governor of the commonwealth, have been as follows :


1841. David R. Porter 2,550


John Banks 2,261


1844. Joseph Markle 3,045


Francis R. Shunk 2,884


1847. Francis R. Shunk 2,458


James Irvine 2,205


1848. Morris Longstreth 2,739


William F. Johnston 2,613


1851. William F. Johnston 2,239


William Bigler 2,202


1854. James Pollock 2,157 William Bigler 2,019


1857. William F. Packer


2,338


David Wilmot 1,568 Isaac Hazlehurst. 398


1860. Henry D. Foster. 2,561


Andrew G. Curtin 2,464


1863. George W. Woodward 2,704


Andrew G. Curtin 2,430


1866. Heister Clymer 2,835


John W. Geary 2,591


1869. Asa Packer. 2,832


John W. Geary 2,485


1872. Charles R. Buckalew 2,977


John F. Hartranft


2,973


1875. Cyrus L. Pershing


3,099


John F. Hartranft 2,906


Robert A. Browne 27


1878. Henry M. Hoyt. 3,014


A. H. Dill


3,347


R. S. Mason


202


H. S. Lance. 7


1882. Robert E. Pattison 3,406


James A. Beaver


3,021


John Stewart. 192


Thomas A. Armstrong


72


A. C. Pettit


3


POPULATION.


By the erection of Fulton county, in 1850, Bedford was reduced to its present proportions, and its inhabitants to 23,052 in number. During the three succeeding decades the population of the county has been enumerated by townships and boroughs, as follows :


TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS.


1860.


1870.


1880.


Bedford borough.


1,328


1,247


2,011


Bedford township.


2,105


2,333


2,685


Broad Top township.


6:21


1,626


1.446


Bloomfield township.


...


1,357


1.270


Colerain township


1,235


1,204


1.022


Coaldale borough


262


258


Everett borough


557


1.247


East Providence township.


1,218


1,274


1,503


East St. Clair township.


716


783


978


Hopewell township


1,011


1,078


1,404


Hyndman borough


1,390


1,437


1,437


King township.


963


1,255


1,233


Liberty township.


791


806


914


Monroe township


1,396


1,719


1,911


Mann township


1,680


1,825


2,011


Pleasantville borough


227


Rainsburg borough


250


280


Schellsburg borough.


394


342


859


Snake Spring township


696


631


716


Southampton township.


1,591


1,647


1,206


St. Clairsville borough.


144


144


Saxton borough.


$18


369


South Woodberry township


1,439


1,630


Union township


1,704


1,791


956


West Providence township


1,106


970


1,179


West St. Clair township


....


951


Woodberry borough


294


281


Woodberry township


1,900


1,483


999


Bloomfield formed part of Middle Woodberry township until 1876. East and West St. Clair townships formed St. Clair until 1,875, and to- gether contained 2,173 inhabitants in 1860, and 2,219 in 1870. King township was part of Union until 1876. Mann township was erected from Southampton in 1876. Middle Woodberry (now known as Woodberry township) and South Woodberry townships and Woodberry borough were enumerated together in 1860, and contained 1,900 inhabitants.


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863


Cumberland Valley township


1,336


...


1.114


Harrison township.


323


Juniata township


1,168


Londonderry township


894


Napier township


TRIENNIAL TABULAR STATEMENT,


Showing the amount of property taxable for state and county purposes, etc., etc., as returned by the different assessors of Bedford county for the year 1883.


SEATED LANDS.


UNSEATED LANDS.


TOWN OUTLOTS.


OVER THE AGE OF FOUR YEARS.


Horses, mares, geldings and mules.


Value.


Cattle.


Value.


Offices, professions, trades and occupations.


Value of all household furniture exceeding


owned by any person or persons, corpora-


Pleasure carriages, both of two and four


Aggregate value of all property taxable for


Debts due from solvent debtors on mortgage,


cles of agreement and accounts bearing


interest, except notes or bills for work and labor done and bank notes.


Value of all money loaned or invested on


Gold lever or other gold watches of equal


Every other description of gold watches, sil-


ver lever or other watches of equal value.


Every other description of watches of the value of $20 and upward.


All stages, omnibuses, hacks, cals and other ve-


Value.


Bedford borough


654


755


27,526


$508,795


11,046


$34,709


144


23,559


567,063


368


18,681


387


7,265


18,205


331


11


570


614,384


Broad Top .


357


24,437


272,895


7,669


14,910


80


25,830


313,635


133


7,545


136


1,504


21,050


200


7


315


344,249


Bloomfield.


238


6,906


311,304


4,778


47,519


6,700


365,523


157


8,810


3,500


7,990


63


2,189


387,312


14,710


$250


Cumberland Valley 330


20,374


210,450


15,907


11,755


7,525


229,730


213


10,400


302


4,530


6,625


155


38


1,410


252,695


Colerain ..


261


14,382


315,324


7,997


33,566


2,623


351,513


226


13,162


265


5,850


5,365


105


64


2,482


378,372


8,010


1


4


175


Everett borough.


400


85


33,110


22


1,100


320


195,895


230,105


71


3,775


49


650


20,825


6,680


14


800


262,835


40,000


13


9


300


Harrison.


252


17,159


148,595


4,235


6,925


88


31,998


187,508


189


8,785


215


4,300


8,825


130


200


44


1,360


210,978


1,400


5


80


Hopewell


9,522


207,101


9,587


44,736


5


2,198


254,035 170


5,783


247


2,967


9,060


145


575


272,420


3,000


Hyndman


98


10


1,000


218


45,602


46,603


200


231


5,880


65


1


60


52,974


400


Juniata .


340


27.266


259,911


455


2,260


22


6,675


258,846


310


17,829


371


231


110


2,635


3,532


9,375


185


14


495


189,481


2,759


4,400


4


Mann ..


202


18,675


37,077


1,703


2,154


39,231


137


5,345


133


1,693


3,605


86


11,245


246


300


37


1,893


281,804


4,550


505


30,975


370,044


824


1,855


26


4,489


376,388


394


18,720


431


8,710


14,760


174


99


3,630


422,208


13,750


72


8


5,150


2


80


73


21,925


27,155


4


195


23


500


2,675


11


153


32


1,205


217,304


4,690


3


323


21,510


199,888


4,453


15,822


41


222,270


227


11,540


241


3,751


7,225


110


24


2,611


247,397


2,519


Pleasantville


63


24 35


3,162


19,045


56


3,282


84


56,871


79,198


2,941


43


948


7,875


40


44


2,032


3,100


200


6


Snake Spring.


172


8,812


204,334


5,546


30,351


12


2,100


236,785


162


9,369


149


2,720


2,085


80


14


510


154,695


5,460


2


St. Clair, East


341


17,856


200,427


1,196


3,587


1,466


3,260


38


6,910


43


13,625


180


22


81


20


5,583


434,151


244


13,990


279


6,595


6,130


113


95


3,340


464,206


20,205


Woodberry, South ..


412


12,670


514,475


5,658


29,461


95


53,635


597,567


311


14,714


363


6,178


4,320


224


132


4,266


627,045


10,170


1


:


1


100


231


COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-STATISTICS.


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Google


..


257


16,301


92,697


7,566


14,829


2,850


110,376


185


7,566


194


3,091


5,125


84


18


850


127,008


5,101


Woodberry borough


90


55


9,405


878


4,521


55,860


68,265


26


1.265


28


588


7,575


39


26


1,030


75,723


4,800


..


Woodberry township ... 286


36,486


134,335


1,459


800


....


..


37


6,720


210,734


258


13,880


242


4,807


6,925


94


58


1,510


237,856


7,750


St. Clair, West.


280


15,700


St. Clairsville.


43


25


1,500


5,087


11,623


46


11,615


236,528


403


23,530


433


8,308


9,640


134


60


3,130


278,076


2,950


Liberty


388


19,465


140,693


13,789


13,281


91


12,130


166,104


171


9,975


235


14


305


3,200


17


9


410


44,360


3,272


Rainsburg .....


70


69


35,289


38,451


23


1,335


28


549


6,050


30


100


22


784


47,169


3,671


Schellsburg borough


119


326


223,740


3,752


8,627


42


12,265


245,032


207


15,910


4,364


7,205


164


62 2,110


293,104


3,060


King ..


294


7,399


179,813


8,554 . 21,760


123


25,085


226,658


108


1,195


4


60


5,900


38


1


75


31,626


350


Coaldale ..


85


Number of acres.


Value, including all improvements.


Number of acres.


Value.


Number of lots.


Value.


613


$547,115


$547,115


109


$7,600


81


$1,833


105,000


282


55


$3,805


$678,953


$75,800 13,500


51


13


9 36 $3,235


Bedford township


Liable to military duty.


$300, including gold and silver plate.


tion or corporations.


wheels.


Value.


county purposes.


interest in any other state.


value.


...


..


17


160


24,396


24,396


13


....


....


49,874


3,000


Monroe


456


45,346


213,290


185,327


2,163


2,394


187,724


282


15,743


266


....


6,560


65


39,355


24


1,190


48


135,135


250


11,030


261


3,725


3,825


5,900


90


49


2,885


207,880


2,850


5,450


Saxton.


119


5


270


79,321


6,750


1


65,388


65,388


10


455


20


298 12,710


58


200


19


975


250,959


9,800


Southampton.


314


Providence, East


385


25,502


4,481


8,750


4,295


104


2,690


18


316


781


13


13


15,125


197


184,190


11,030


239


12,385


119


8


290


249,508


2,780


6


Londonderry


Napier.


New Paris 8 ..


30,525


1,007


..


Providence, West.


11,300


27,955


23


25


Value of all real estate.


FOR STATE AND COUNTY.


FOR STATE PURPOSES ALONE.


DISTRICTS.


Number of taxables.


...


111


315


16


7,114


316


17,045


388


22


219


177


..


hicles used for transporting passengers for hire.


1


174,020


19,887


Union ..


:


12,388


424,047


92,994


2


5


7,540


$13,600 2,600


bond or judgment note, etc., and all arti-


232


HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.


CHAPTER XXII. PUBLIC SCHOOLS .*


The Schools of Pioneer Days - Traveling Schoolmasters - The First Rude Schoolhouses - Description of Houses and Furni- ture - The Custom of "Barring Out "- Only Three Studies Pursued - The School Law of 1834 - Opposition to Free Schools - Progress - Early Schools in Each of the Townships of the County - Names of Early Teachers - Prominent Di- rectors and Teachers under the Present System - Borough Schools - Statistics.


F SULLY a quarter of a century elapsed after the formation of Bedford county before many of the citizens began to make provision for the education of their children. But after the dark days of the Revolution had ended and the settlers had in some measure recovered from the hard times which succeeded, earnest and thoughtful men began to exert themselves in behalf of the rising generation. Here and there schools were organized, generally during the winter months, and placed in charge of the best- informed man whose services could be obtained. Cabins which had been deserted by their former occupants were converted into schoolhouses. The teacher received a stipulated amount per term from each scholar. Not unfrequently schools were organized by peripatetic school- masters, who tramped from place to place, teach- ing a term in any neighborhood where a sub- scription sufficient to pay their very moderate wages could be secured. Some of these traveling teachers were fine scholars ; others were broken-down. soldiers and sailors, densely igno- rant, and of intemperate habits. Only reading, writing and arithmetic were taught in the early schools.


Few, if any, schoolhouses were erected before 1800. The first buildings were of unhewn logs, with clapboard roofs, huge stone chimneys and large fireplaces. Greased paper served as window-lights ; the seats were either of slabs or "puncheons"; the writing desk, at one side of the room, was formed of a slab fastened to the wall by wooden pins.


The age of the scholars ranged from six to thirty years. Discipline was maintained with difficulty, and the rod was not unduly spared. Unless he was at all times master of the situ- ation, the teacher commanded no respect. " Barring out " was universally practiced at the time of the Christmas holidays. The process


consisted in keeping the teacher out of the schoolroom until he was forced to agree to pro- vide a treat of apples or cider and cakes for his pupils.


All schools were conducted on the tuition plan until 1834. In that year a state law was passed for the establishment of free schools, the adoption or rejection of the system to be de- cided by vote in each election district. In many townships the law was severely denounced, and several years elapsed before its provisions were carried into effect.


The first established school in Bedford bor- ough was the Bedford Academy, incorporated by act of the legislature March 20, 1810. Jonathan Walker, Rev. Alexander Boyd, Jacob Bonnett, John Moore, John Anderson, Josiah Espey, George Funk and Joseph S. Morrison. The school received two thousand dollars from the state, one-half to be applied in erecting build- ings and purchasing apparatus, and the remainder to be held as a permanent fund, the income of which should be devoted to the education of poor children. Rev. James Wilson, a fine Eng- lish and classical scholar, was the first principal. The school became widely celebrated, and attracted pupils from several neighboring coun- ties, and from Maryland. Rev. Jeremiah Chamberlain, afterward president of Oakland College, Mississippi, was the next principal. He was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Boyd, Mr. Om- rod and Mr. Kinmont. The latter was the last classical teacher who had charge of the institu- tion. Samuel Brown, a popular teacher, next taught a grammar school for several years. In 1835 the academy was sold by the sheriff to Samuel Brown. The institution then became of a private character and so continued until it closed.


Dr. William Watson, Dr. John Anderson, James M. Russell, Hon. Jonathan Walker, Samuel Riddle and George Burd were active friends of education in the early history of the borough. About 1835 Rev. B. B. Hall opened a classical school, with a military department. He taught four or five years and was highly esteemed. During his terin the public school system was adopted. Charles McDowell, James M. Russell, David Mann, D. Washabaugh, John G. Martin and William Woodcock were the first directors elected. Thomas J. Harris was one of the prominent teachers under the present system and among the first to introduce a thor-


* For most of the information contained in this chapter, the editor is indebted to an article, by Prof. J. W. Hughes, on the schools of Bedford county, in the report of the state superinten- dent for the year 1877.


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PUBLIC SCHOOLS.


ough classification. Thomas Jordan, George Hall and Rev. John Lyon taught select schools at different times. Bedford has always evinced a lively interest in schools. The public school building of the town is the finest in the county, and is surrounded by beautiful grounds.


In Bedford township Samuel Clendenin, John Montgomery, A. J. Howlett, John Bartell, John R. Reed, Anthony Sloan, Thomas Allison and John R. Anderson were the principal teachers prior to 1834. The free school system was adopted at the first election held for that pur- pose. John Bridaham, John Amos, Daniel Sill, Daniel Wisegarver, Jacob Ripley, John S. Ritchey, Isaac Imler, Michael Holderbaum and Adam Koons were prominent school directors. Active teachers : Isaac Reighard, David Hyde, William White, Henry Whitaker, John A. Miner, J. W. Lingenfelter, David Shoemaker, Samuel and Daniel Diehl, Hall Hughes and John Williams. New schoolhouses began to be erected about 1859. Uniformity of text- books and general classification were adopted in 1854 and 1856.


In Broad Top township John Griffith early taught in a log house. He was succeeded by James Frazier, a severe disciplinarian, who had forty rules for governing the school. For vio- lating the first rule the penalty was one lash ; the second, two; and the last, forty lashes. Samuel Krieger, who required all pupils to study aloud, was the first teacher in a new schoolhouse erected in 1829. Joseph Evans was for many years the leader among the friends of education in the township. Free schools were adoptedin 1835, the township being then included in Hopewell. Sixteen dollars per month were the first teacher's wages. First directors of Broad Top (1838) : Joseph Evans, Thomas Speer, George B. Kay, George F. Steel, David Cypher and James Lane. Classification and uniformity of text-books were introduced about 1858. The township now pays high wages and has superior schools. Among the successful teachers have been Jacob Deavor, .James Dunlap, James Richardson, John and David Hamilton, Ben- jamin Osborn, William Figard, Aaron, Levi, Jonathan and Lemuel Evans.


After 1818 schools were kept open regularly each winter in Colerain township. Early teach- ers : James Dugan, George Riley, George Caldwell, William French, James C. Newman and Jesse Ash. Free schools were adopted in


1836 and log schoolhouses were at once built. Peter Morgart, William Metz, Philip Shoe- maker, Frederick Smith, Adam Exline and William Shaner were the first directors. James M. Alexander, Alexander Henry, Asa Williams, John C. Morgart, William and George Cald- well and Samuel Wilkey were the first teachers under the new system. George H. Tower was afterward a very successful and popular teacher, and his influence for good was very great. A general interest in educational mat- ters has been manifested by the citizens.


The leading teachers in Cumberland Valley prior to the adoption of the free school system in 1838 were Michael Boor, Joseph E. Cotter, George McCoy, Adam Easter, John C. Vickroy, Thomas Cheney, Henry Bruner, Richard Har- wood and E. M. Swift. First board of directors (1838) : Michael Boor, John Blair, George Bortz, George Elder, Campbell Hendrickson and William Boor. First teachers : Samuel Barrick ; James Rawlins, Charles Mclaughlin, John and Frederick Simons, John Blair, Josiah Bruner, J. B. B. Cessna, Daniel Defibaugh and Anthony Smith. All were log schoolhouses until 1865.


John Padan taught a school in Everett in 1814. William Girard succeeded him, charging three cents per day for tuition. Joseph Brown, Logan and Abraham were the next teachers. The first schoolhouse was erected about 1837. It was used for twenty years, after which the Method- ist Episcopal church served as a schoolhouse until the present school-building took its place in 1866. The schoolhouse is of brick, two stories, surrounded by five acres of ground. First directors of the borough (1860) : J. B. Williams, John C. Black, P. G. Morgart, William Masters and John A. Gump. The first teacher was J. C. Clarkson, succeeded by J. C. Long. The school is in a good condition.


At the time of the organization of Harrison township in 1842 six schoolhouses were included within it. The early friends of education, most of whom were afterward school directors, were John Metzger, John McVicker, John E. Miller, George Elder, L. A. Fyan, Frederick Turner, B. V. Wertz, George Mullin, John B. Hardman and G. S. Mullin. Early teachers : Abraham Miller, Peter F. Lehman, Nathan Bullock, James H. Caton, James Dugan and William Ketring. Principal teachers from 1845 to 1860: Jacob Miller, Banner Wertz, Josiah Border, B. H. Will- iams, M. C. Miller, James and John Rawlins.


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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.


Thomas Nixon taught the first school in Hope- well township in 1790. Thomas Fannagan was the next teacher. In 1810 Nicholas Bollman, a fine penman, began to teach and continued for ten years. Grammar was first taught by Rich- ard Harwood in 1827. George Moreland and Dr. Otho Selby were among the teachers of that day. Dr. Selby was among the best teachers of the day. The present school system was adopted at the first election held for the purpose. First directors : John and William Piper, James Lane, George B. Kay, George Rhodes and Jacob Fluke. The teachers were Richard Harwood, Henry S. Fluke, Simon Cameron and John Miller. Miller taught several years, adopted general classifi- cation and held a successful normal school. Asa Williams and Rev. John G. Howell also taught successfully. Stoves were first used in school- houses in Hopewell township in 1820.


First directors of Juniata township (1853) : Leonard Bittner, Michael and P. R. Hillegass, Solomon Leitig, Nathan Hurley and John Gil- lespie. First teachers : P. T. Lehman, Caspar Stroub, James Dull, Lewis Beltz, John Palmer, D. M. Wonders and Miss Younkin. Wages were twelve dollars per month. Houses were poor, without desks, in 1854. Desks and black boards were put in in 1856.


The early history of the schools of Liberty township is included in Hopewell. Daniel Cypher, David Stoler and Samuel Shoupp were earnest friends of the schools. Successful teachers : Jonathan and Lemuel Evans, Richard Harwood, David Shreve, Samuel Moore, I. K. Little and Miss Moriah Brumbaugh. In 1848 wages were eleven dollars and twelve dollars per month ; term three months ; three schools ; whole tax, one hundred and forty-eight dollars. Schools are in good condition. Michael Porter taught a school at Cook's Mill, Lon- donderry township, in 1820. Benjamin L. Dodge, Edward J. Cotter and R. L. Jones taught at different times. There were then but two schools in the township. Free schools were strongly opposed and adopted by only a small majority. Cornelius Devore was a strong advo- cate of the system. James C. Devore was one of the first and most successful teachers. There has been great progress in educational matters of recent years.


The early history of the Monroe township schools is included in that of Providence and Southampton. Among the prominent directors


were the following: Jabez Hickson, M. Murray, James Marshall, J. Shaw, Philip Snider, Daniel Fletcher, Daniel Miller, Jacob Fletcher and Josiah Koons. Profitable select schools have been held. Some of the best teachers of the county have come from Monroe.


John Friend taught in Napier township in 1813. Joseph Potts and Lewis Writer were also early teachers. The first schoolhouse was built about 1825. Free schools adopted in 1834. Emanuel Statler, A. J. Snively, Jacob Adams, Mulford Treadwell, Joseph Mortimore and Will- iam Nycum were the first directors. Sixteen log houses were built and poorly furnished. Wages for several years were twelve dollars per month. Benjamin Kinsey, Isaac Philson, Jacob Miller, John W. Bowen, James Allison, Robert Miller, Henry Whitaker and G. S. Mullin were among the first teachers. Uniformity of text- books and general classification were secured about 1857.


Among the early teachers of Providence township (now East and West Providence) were Francis and John Wilkins, John Mc- Laughlin, "Master " Jaques, Edward Kerr, Peter Jamison and Solomon and Asa Williams. Schoolhouses poor, and but little classification until 1860. Steady progress since.


First directors of Pleasantville borough (1871) : Adam Ickes, A. J. Kegg, Isaac T. Bowen, Amos Harbaugh, Daniel Price and Joseph B. Smith. Further notice given in the history of the borough.


For history of the Allegheny . Male and Female Seminary, Rainsburg, see sketch of that town. First directors (1856) : Samuel Will- iams, John A. Gump, N. C. Evans, B. F. Gump, V. Freet and B. Sheely.


Saxton borough has a good schoolhouse and a prosperous school. Prominent school men "and directors have been E. A. Fackler, John Fulton, E. H. Turner, David Stoler, Dr. C. W. Moore, I. K. Little, E. J. Rauch and Messrs. Eichelberger. Teachers : W. S. Brenneman, W. F. Hughes, S. B. Stoler, J. O. Smith and others.


First directors of St. Clairsville borough (1867) : G. B. Amick, Rev. C. W. Heilman, Rev. J. Peters, Abraham Corle, Josiah Imler and John Beckley. Rev. C. W. Heilman, S. W. Keyser, J. G. Ake, Miss Ella Mclaughlin, and others, have been the teachers. (See sketch in borough history.)


Among the first directors of Snake Spring .


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F. C. REAMER, M. D.


DR. F. C. REAMER.


Dr. F. C. Reamer was born near Sideling Hill, in the present county of Fulton, Pennsylvania, in 1821. He studied medicine with Dr. Francis B. Barclay, of Bedford, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the University of Pennsyl- vania, Philadelphia, April 4, 1845. He began the practice of his profession at Hancock, Maryland. In the spring of 1849 or 1850, he located at Bedford, but a few months later removed to McConnellsburg, the then recently


established county-seat of the new county of Fulton. It seems that his anticipations were not realized there, however, for in the spring of 1854 he again returned to Bed- ford, where he resided until his death, which occurred April 28, 1870, at the age of forty-nine years. From September 16, 1862, to February 3, 1865, he served as surgeon, with the rank of major, of the 143d regt. Penn. Vols. His wife, formerly Miss Georgiana A., daughter of Abra- ham Kerns, of Bedford, died May 28, 1869.


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PUBLIC SCHOOLS.


township (1857) : Michael Lutz, Hon. J. G. Hartley, B. R. Ashcom, Henry Hershberger, M. C. Ritchey and William Turney. Among the principal teachers : Isaiah Rawlins, Maggie McCleery, H. F. Gump, Josiah Amos, W. W. Sparks, J. T. Jamison, Samuel Amos and O. G. McCoy.


St. Clair township (now East and West St. Clair) was formed in 1814. In 1820 there were four schoolhouses. Leading teachers from 1814 to 1836 : John Kemp, Mark C. Shepherd, James Smith, Levi Lamburn, Thomas and James Allison. Free schools had few friends, and the system was not adopted until 1846. John B. Potts, James and John Blackburn, Eli Miller, J. Gordon and Thomas McCoy were the first directors. Henry Whitaker, Aaron Frazier, Jennings Oldham, Robert and Martin Miller, Thomas Schooley, John Guyer, D. M. Wonders, Miss E. P. Blackburn, J. Porter, J. A. Living- ston, Adam Ickes and Austin Wright have been teachers since the free system was adopted. Old methods of teaching were abandoned in 1858-60.


In Southampton township David Howsare, David Sell, Simmons and Nicholas Cooper, Warman Johnson and Denton Stevens were the principal teachers prior to 1836, when the free schools were opened. In that year the town- ship contained three schoolhouses, two of which were also used for public worship. Thirteen log schoolhouses were then built. William Lashley, Joseph Barkman, William Robinson, John Pendergast, George Blankley and Henry Turney were the first directors. Strong oppo- sition to free schools was made, and in 1857 a board of directors which was chosen refused to serve, and there were no schools. This state of affairs continued until 1866, when, by action of the court, schools were re-opened. Good progress has since been made.




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