USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania > Part 44
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
History of the Eighteenth District .- By act of May 21, 1840, Clarion county was added to the eighteenth judicial district, then embracing Potter, McKean, and Jefferson, and known as the Wild Cat District. Elk county was added by the act of April 18, 1843. By act of April 5, 1849, the eighteenth judicial district was made to consist of the counties of Venango, Clarion, Jef- ferson, Elk, and Forest (but no courts were held in Forest county until 1857). Elk county was transferred to the fourth district by the act of April 15, 1851. Clearfield county was added to this district by the act of April 5, 1852. By the act of April 9, 1853, Clearfield was transferred to the twenty-fifth district, and Mercer county added to the eighteenth, which remained thus, consisting of Mercer, Venango, Clarion, Jefferson, and Forest, until Mercer and Venango were created into a separate district by the act of April 12, 1866. Forest county was transferred to the thirty-seventh district by the general apportion- ment act of 9th of April, 1874, leaving the eighteenth district consisting of Clarion and Jefferson counties. The census of 1880 showed that Clarion had more than 40,000 inhabitants, and was, therefore, by the constitutional pro- vision, entitled to be declared a separate judicial district. Accordingly on the 7th of August, 1883, it was enacted that the eighteenth judicial district should consist of the county of Clarion, " to which the county of Jefferson is hereby attached, and shall have one judge learned in the law." In consequence of the constitutional provision and this enactment, no associate judges are to be elected in this county.
Below is given a complete list, up to the present date, of all attorneys resi- dent in Clarion county, together with place of practice, and year of admission to the bar of Clarion county:
Admitted in 1840, Jacob K. Boyd, Jacques W. Johnson, David B. Hays, Alfred Gilmore, Jesse G. Clark, James Campbell, Clarion ; 1841, George W. Lathy, D. W. Foster, John L. Thompson, Thomas Sutton, Thomas M. Jolly, Clarion ; 1842, Parker C. Purviance, Clarion; 1844, G. W. Carskadden, Clarion ; 1845, J. S. McCalmont, Clarion ; 1846, Amos Myers, Clarion; 1847, William Shaw, William L. Corbett, Clarion; 1848, James Boggs, Clarion ; 1850, Robert
408
HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
Sutton, Clarion ; 1853, A. S. Barber, W. W. Barr, J. B. Knox, C. L. Lamber- ton, B. J. Reid, Clarion ; 1854, Paul Carnyun (Huntington county), Clarion ; 1857, Reynolds Laughlin, Callensburg; 1858, David Lawson, Clarion ; 1859, John F. Craig, New Bethlehem ; 1860, James Craig, William H. Fetzer, Clarion ; 1861, James D. Mahon, Theo. S. Wilson, Clarion ; 1862, Wm. Hasson, Clarion ; 1865, Joseph H. Patrick, J. T. Hindman, Geo. S. Kelly; 1866, William E. Lathy, Clarion; 1868, Wm. Kinser, East Brady; 1870, J. McMurray ; 1871, William H. Frampton, Clarion ; 1872, D. S. Herron (Parker), J. S. Mckay, G. S. Crosby, O. E. Shannon, Charles F. Fay (Crawford county), St. Peters- burg ; R. B. Bell, West Freedom ; James T. Maffet, Clarion ; 1874, William D. Burns, J. B. Patrick, Samuel K. Clarke, M. A. K. Weidner, Clarion; T. F. Ritchey, New Bethlehem ; 1875, G. F. Kribbs, John W. Reed, John F. Shana- felt, Clarion ; 1876, William A. Hindman, A. C. McComb, William H. Ross, Frank R. Hindman, James J. Frazier, Clarion ; O. P. Hopper, John F. Gealey, W. A. Selby, John F. Selby, Edenburg; H. McSweeney, William A. McCor- mick, St. Petersburg ; Harris Finley, Shippenville; D. E. Brenneman, Elk City ; 1877, S. M. Crosby, J. W. Walker (Jefferson county), John A. Wilson (Venango county), John K. Wilson (Venango county), S. L. McGee, Eden- burg; L. E. Johns, Elk City ; Rodman F. Pugh, St. Petersburg; O. E. Tay- lor (Erie county), Turkey City ; Jasper E. Wood, M. M. Meredith, A. B. Reid, Clarion ; 1878, W. M. Boggs (Washington county), Edenburg; Robert D. Campbell, Samuel W. Calvin, Clarion; 1879, Lewis F. Barger, Edenburg ; 1881, James Q. Sweny, G. G. Sloan, Clarion; 1883, F. J. Maffet, Clarion ; 1884, Samuel L. Glasgow (Huntingdon county), St. Petersburg ; 1886, T. J. Van Giesen, Edenburg ; Charles P. Craig, New Bethlehem ; H. R. Wilson, Clarion.
The first deed on the Clarion county records is from Jonathan Mifflin to the Bank of Pennsylvania, dated July 30, 1799. It conveys a one-half interest in twenty thousand-acre warrants, for one dollar and other considerations. The first transaction between Clarion county parties on record, is a deed from the county commissioners for borough lot No. 134, in Clarion, to Sophia G. Benton ; dated December 10, 1840 ; consideration, $40.
The first will registered is that of Jacob Edenbun; dated October 31, 1840. It is a curious document, both in context and spelling. After providing for his debts and funeral expenses, it bequeaths his personal estate and a life inter- est in the real to his wife " Margret." Seventy-five dollars is reserved out of the former for William Huffman when he reaches twenty-two; and at the death of the testator's wife the realty is to revert to his nephew, Samuel Ed- ingburgh, provided he takes good care of her and supplies her with all the necessaries of life " that is needful to make her comfortable in this life." He appoints his wife executrix, and wills James Watson a piece of ground in ex- change for an equal amount off Watson's land. The will is witnessed by Jacob Watterson, John Early, and James Watson.
ALITTLE
UM Colleen
409
THE BENCH AND BAR.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Prothonotary, etc .- James Goe, 1840, re-elected 1843; Hugh A. Thomp- son, 1846, re-elected 1849; John H. Boggs, 1852 ; D. B. Long, 1855, re-elected 1858, died in office July 16, 1860; J. W. Long appointed, served to Decem- ber, 1860; Daniel Delo, 1860; Christopher Reichart, 1863, re-elected 1866; J. B. Watson, 1869, re-elected 1872; Manasseh Arnold, 1875 ; W. W. Green- land, 1878, re-elected 1881 ; W. F. Collner, elected 1884, term expires Janu- ary, 1888.
Register and Recorders .- This office was not separate from the protho- notary's till 1850. C. E. Beman, 1852, re-elected 1855 ; John Haslett, 1858, resigned in 1860; Jacob B. Lyon, 1860; T. B. Barber, 1863, re-elected 1866; J. W. Long, 1869, re-elected 1872 ; O. E. Nail, 1875, re-elected 1878; S. J. Burgoon, 1881, re-elected 1884, term expires January, 1888.
District Attorneys .- Before 1850 district attorneys were appointed by the attorney-general, and styled deputy attorney-generals. Alfred Gilmore was appointed deputy attorney-general 1840; John S. McCalmont, 1845 to 1848 ; W. L. Corbett, 1848 to 1850 ; William Shaw, elected district attorney in 1850; James Boggs, 1852; W. W. Barr, 1854, re-elected 1857 ; James Boggs, 1860; David Lawson, 1863 ; John T. Hindman, 1866; W. W. Barr, 1869, re-elected 1872; David Lawson, 1875; W. A. Hindman, 1878; F. R. Hindman, 1881, re-elected 1884.
Sheriffs .- James Hasson, 1840; Daniel Delo, 1843; Seth Clover, 1846; John Klingensmith, 1849; Daniel B. Hamm, 1852; J. S. Turney, 1855; James C. Galbreath, 1858 ; S. Scott Jones, 1861 ; C. J. Rhea, 1864; Henry H. Neely, 1867; Samuel Johnson, 1870; A. H. Beck, 1873 ; B. B. Dunkle, 1876; W. F. Collner, 1879; I. M. Shannon, 1882; C. A. Wheelock, 1885, term expires January, 1889.
County Treasurers .- Amos Williams, 1841; Benjamin Crisman, 1843 ; Greenberry Wilson, 1845; William T. Alexander, 1847; Daniel Laughner, 1849; William T. Alexander, 1851; David Morrell, 1853; John Keatly, 1855; William T. Alexander, 1857 ; James T. Burns, 1859; W. W. Barr, 1861; Samuel Johnson, 1863; Daniel Mercer, 1865; Jeremiah M. Best, 1867; Bernard Ven- sel, 1869; Christian Brinker, 1871; Andrew Edinger, 1873; J. B. Gwinn, 1875; P. Graham, 1878; Samuel Sharar, 1881 ; J. E. Fisher, 1884, term ex- pires January, 1888.
County Commissioners .- Robert Potter, Lindsay C. Pritner, George B. Hamilton, provisional commissioners appointed by the governor, 1840; George L. Benn, Jacob Miller, and Gideon Richardson, elected 1840; Joseph Young, 1841 ; James Kerr, 1842; William Curll, 1843; Hugh Maguire, 1844; Henry Sloan, 1845; William Henry, 1846; Stephen D. Burns, 1847; Amos W. Owens, 1848; Daniel Bostaph, 1849; James T. Burns, 1850; Peter B. Simpson, 1850,
410
HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
re-elected 1851; Daniel Mercer, 1852; James Rankin, 1853; Samuel M. Zink, 1854; William Divins, 1855; Daniel Mercer, 1856; Christian Seigwarth, 1857; Benjamin Miller, 1858; Samuel Kifer, 1859; John McLain, 1860; John F. Mc- Ginnis, 1861; William W. Rankin, 1862; William Frampton, 1863; Adam Black, 1864; Isaac Neely, 1865; E. W. Haines, 1866; W. A. Henry, 1867 ; James T. Burns, 1868 ; Valentine Shick, 1869; Isaac Mong, 1870; John Stewart, jr., 1871; Christian Breneman, 1872; Levi Shaner, 1873; George T. Henery, 1874; Samuel D. Sloan, J. T. Burns, and Valentine Phipps, 1875 ; James B. Lawson, John Keatly, and John J. Wilson, 1878 ; John Keatly, Aaron Kline, and Johnson Wilson, 1881 ; David Heffron, S. A. Bell, and Emanuel Over, 1884.
County Auditors .- John Elliott, Joseph C. King, and George Means, elected in 1840; John Elliott re-elected 1841; William Henry, 1842; Stephen D. Burns, 1843; Ephraim Armitage, 1843; Stephen D. Burns re-elected 1844; Daniel Bostaph, 1845; Hugh Kilgore, 1846; Peter B. Simpson, 1847 ; Rey- nolds Laughlin, 1848; Samuel B. Reyner, 1849; William Divins, 1850; John G. Fox, 1851; Samuel Winket, 1852; Samuel Johnson, 1853; J. J. Living- ston, 1854; William Thompson, 1855; James Martin, 1856; Samuel Garvin, 1857; Joseph Wood, 1858; Isaac Neely, 1859; George Callihan, 1860; Geo. Heeter, jr., 1861 ; John Elliott, 1862 ; E. W. Haines, 1863 ; A. K. Page, 1864; H. H. Neely, 1865 ; William C. Dunkle, 1866; Jeremiah Heeter, 1867 ; Ste- phen Smith, 1867; James McCall, 1868; Stephen Smith re-elected 1869; Edward Best, 1870; George Black, 1871; William B. Hamm, 1872; Jacob Kribbs, 1873; W. Reed Boyle, 1874; James Russell, H. E Best, and A. L. Sigworth, 1875; Jacob Kribbs, W. G. Allen, and A. G. Truitt, 1878, re-elected 1881 ; H. P. Elliott, W. H. Spangler, and W. L. Johnson, 1884, term expires 1888.
County Surveyors .- John H. Groce was appointed in 1841 ; B. J. Reid in 1845; John K. Maxwell, elected 1850 ; Jesse Teats, 1853 ; Christopher Reichert, 1856, re-elected 1859; George A. Knight, 1862, re-elected 1865 ; Samuel Conner, 1867, re-elected 1875 and 1880; James M. Owens, appointed 1885 ; I. J. Keck, elected 1886.
Coroners .- John Reed elected 1840; James Potter, jr., 1843; John S. Mc- Pherson, 1846; William F. Keever, 1849; John B. Loomis, 1852; John Vensel, 1855 ; Jeremiah Whitman, 1858; Dr. C. Klotz, 1861; William Martin, 1867; Robert Blair, 1871; Daniel Bostaph, 1873; J. J. Green, 1876; A. R. Cyphert, 1879 ; J. D. O'Donnel, 1882 ; William T. Alexander, 1885.
Jury Commissioners .- Aaron Kline and Thomas L. Burns, elected 1867 ; Thomas A. Brinkley and William Davis, 1870; Daniel Delo and William Kelly, 1873 ; John McLain and William Kelly, 1876; William Turney and W. A. Forkum, 1879; P. M. Dunkle and Jesse F. Gardner, 1882 ; C. F. Near and J. N. McCain, 1885.
A.LITTLE, PHILA.
ag Davis.
4II
SCHOOLS.
CHAPTER XLI.
SCHOOLS.
First Schools - Free Schools - The County Superintendency - Superintendent Orr - The First Institutes - Superintendent Magonagle - Superintendent Walker - Superintendent Kelly -Superintendent Wood - Superintendent Davis - Superintendent Anderson - Superintendent McNutt - Parochial Schools.
T HE early schools of the county have been adverted to in other parts of this volume, and we shall endeavor to avoid repetitions.
The first settlers were sturdy and industrious pioneers, but they brought with them from their former homes ideas of progress and culture, and within a year from the time the first community was fairly settled in the new forest home, a school-house was erected, and in 1803 Gabriel Glenn was duly installed therein as teacher.
This was within the territory now embraced in Clarion township. Other settlements followed, and with equal promptitude school-house and place of wor- ship were provided, sometimes in the same building, though not unfrequently the school was held in the house of some settler, where the children of the community could learn the rudiments of an English education.
Schools were established in the territory now included in the townships of Beaver, Elk, Farmington, Licking, Limestone, Maidson, Monroe, Paint, and Toby between 1805 and 1815. The first school-house in Richland township was erected about 1817 or 1818. The Shields school, near Smithland, and the Ardery school, near the head of Leatherwood Creek, Porter township, were built about 1818 or 1820.
Among the teachers during these early years were William Kelly, William Hopkins, John Cochran, Henry Black, William McGinnis, James Stuart, Mat- thew Philips, Daniel Delo, Hugh Kilgore, Robert N. Craig, Peter B. Simpson, John Gilleland, David Hays, Mr. McElwaine, Daniel Boyd, Thomas Thomp- son, David Conver, Miss King, and J. J. Livingston. Some of these belong to a somewhat later period, and Mr. Livingston is the only one still alive.
The early schools were supported by voluntary subscription, but practically all the children in each community enjoyed the benefits of school wherever one was established. All the people were almost equally poor, and the class distinctions and sectarian prejudices which affected older settlements had gained no foothold here up to the time of the enactment of the common school law in 1834. There was in consequence less marked opposition to the law in this new section of the State than in the southern and eastern counties ; how- ever, several townships, either through indifference, or, in rare cases, through active opposition, failed to accept the provisions of the act for some years.
412
HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
Richland township accepted the provisions of the school law at the first elec- tion after its passage. Captain Henry Neely, Benjamin Junkin, John Alsbach, James Ritchey, Henry Gilger, and James Say were the first directors. Charles H. Haas, John Cochran, John F. Conver, and William McGinnis were among the first teachers under the new system in that township.
In Toby township David Lawson and George Means were ardent advocates of the public school system, and were members of the first board of directors. Mr. Lawson had been one of the earliest supporters of schools in his neigh- borhood, and contributed both time and of his means to support them.
Redbank township, then including Porter, accepted the new law in March, 1836, while Beaver tardily waited until 1839, before falling into line.
Although Clarion county was erected in 1839, yet the reports made to the State department, up to and including 1842, still embraced the several town- ships of this county with those of Armstrong and Venango. The reports from these counties for 1842 exhibit all the districts as having accepted the provisions of the public school law, or "free school law," as it was then usually termed, and as being in operation under the law ; but in 1844 Beaver, Paint, and Pine Grove townships and Clarion borough were reported as non-accepting districts. The average length of the term in the county, in 1844, was four months; the average salary of male teachers was $14.39, and of female teachers, $7.30. The number of schools was seventy-four. In 1850 the number of schools had increased to 119, but a decrease in length of term to three and one-half months was reported, while the teachers' salaries had risen to $16.90 and $8.26 for males and females respectively. "Boarding round " was universal in those days, and when we consider the scarcity of money and the low wages paid in other occupations, the teachers' salaries of that period do not compare unfavor- ably with the amount paid them at the present time.
In some districts teachers were paid in grain, and the miller was made col- lector, taking from the cereals brought to the mill by farmers, in addition to the customary toll, an amount equal in value to the tax levied for school pur- poses on the property of each citizen.
The State appropriated $200,000 for the support of the schools in 1836, and in 1837 the appropriation was increased to $700,000-only $300,000 less than was appropriated fifty years later, although the population of our Com- monwealth has increased more than threefold, and its material wealth many fold, since that year. In 1838 the appropriation was less than the preceding year, though it still amounted to one dollar for each taxable, while for 1885 and 1886 it was only eighty-four and a half cents per taxable.
Progress was slow, in fact almost imperceptible, until 1854, when the act establishing the county superintendency was passed by the Legislature. Un- fortunately, few records remain to show the growth of the school system of our county, until the county superintendency made it possible to obtain full and more accurate reports from the several districts.
413
SCHOOLS.
The office of county superintendent was unpopular over the entire State, and while the people of Clarion county were less obtrusive in their opposition than those of other counties, yet there was a strong undercurrent of feeling hostile toward the new office, which found vent in unreasonable complaints against the person who filled it, and manifested itself in the beggarly salary voted the first officials by the conventions electing them. This feeling con- tinued until a comparatively recent period.
Rev. Robert W. Orr was elected the first county superintendent of Clarion county on the first Monday of June, 1854. Mr. Orr was born January IS, 1808, near Greenville, Clarion county, and lived on a farm until he was twenty years of age. He entered Jefferson College in 1829, and graduated in 1833, taking the first honor. He united with the Presbyterian Church the year be- fore he graduated, and determined to devote himself to the ministry. He took the usual three years' course at the Western Theological Seminary, in Alle- gheny, and spent one session in Princeton Seminary. In 1837 he was ordained as an evangelist by the Presbytery of Bedford, and the same year set sail with his young wife (whom he had married three months before) for Singapore. For over three and one-half years he remained in this mission field, when fail- ing health compelled him to return to his native land, which he reached in July, 1841.
He was principal of Clarion Academy from the spring of 1842 to 1844. The latter year he became a member of the faculty in Jefferson College and continued a member until 1852, when, his health again failing, he resigned.
When elected county superintendent, a salary of $300 a year was voted him. Although the salaries of county superintendents were paid directly out of the State treasury, and were not an added burden to the tax-payers, yet the convention voted a mere pittance to this excellent man, to administer our school affairs, while the directors of Lancaster county, more wise, voted their superintendent a salary of $1,500 a year.
In his first report (1854) Mr. Orr states that "in the greater part of the county, schools of one kind or other are enjoyed from four to eight months in the year." The statistical reports for several years show an average of only three months public school. He also mentions as the greatest obstacle, in the way of carrying out efficiently the common school system, a want of qualified teachers. He reiterates this assertion in succeeding reports.
In the superintendent's report for 1855 he mentions as obstacles, in the way of progress in the schools, lack of interest on the part of the people, and too low an appreciation of the value of education ; want of uniformity of text- books; wretched condition of school-houses; no school apparatus (some houses had not even a black-board) ; want of well-qualified teachers. "The most hopeful sign of all is that the idea is beginning to prevail . . .. that the com- mon schools ought to be greatly improved, and that the qualifications of the teachers must be elevated." 43
414
HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
Only sixty teachers attended the public examinations to supply one hun- dred and fifty schools. Others afterwards visited the superintendent's house for private examination, and detained him until near Christmas from visiting schools.
The first teachers' institute held in Clarion county met in the Clarion Academy on Wednesday, the 25th of December, 1855. D. R. Craig was called to the chair, and R. P. Reyner was appointed secretary. We find such names. as David Kirk, B. J. Reid, James Craig, James Speer, L. Guthrie, and R. Sut- ton among the active members. Hon. J. S. McCalmont, Amos Myers, esq., and Rev. John McAuley gave evening addresses. A constitution was adopted, officers for the ensuing year were elected and installed : president, Superintend- ent Orr; recording secretary, B. J. Reid, esq .; corresponding secretary, Rob- ert Sutton, esq .; treasurer, Samuel C. Allison.
The institute was in session two days and one evening. Other citizens be- side teachers were active participants in the exercises of these institutes. It was resolved that the next meeting be held on the third Tuesday of the follow- ing October, and continue in session three days. On some account the organ - ization failed to meet its appointment, and we have no account of another insti- tute until January 26, 1857. During the early part of the winter of 1856 the superintendent held educational meetings throughout the county, lectured on the art of teaching and invited the teachers to give their experience. These meetings were instrumental in awakening a strong educational sentiment.
Among the members of the institute held in 1857, we note in addition to those who attended the first institute, such familiar names as J. W. Porter, M. L. Boyer, J. T. Maffet, S. K. Travis, J. H. Mehrten, James S. McGarrah, Thomas E. Thomas, Miss H. J. Wilson, Miss M. A. Guthrie, Miss M. J. Clover, and Miss H. A. Keatley. Rev. Mr. Boyle delivered an evening address. The exercises of the institute were conducted with spirit, mostly by members of the institute.
J. G. Magonagle, who had been acting as deputy during the illness of Su- perintendent Orr, presided at this meeting.
Superintendent Orr died in Mechanicsville, Clarion county, near the place of his birth, March 30, 1857, of consumption. J. G. Magonagle was commis- sioned county superintendent on the 6th of the following April. He was elected to serve during the ensuing term of three years, at the triennial con- vention which met on the 4th of May, 1857. The new superintendent, while acting as deputy, held meetings throughout the county, and endeavored to organize educational associations in the several districts; few, however, out- lived the presence of the deputy. One at Clarion and one at Strattanville were kept in successful operation during the session of the winter schools.
On the first Monday of September, a convention of directors met in Clarion for the purpose of recommending a uniform series of text-books to be used
415
SCHOOLS.
throughout the county. J. R. Strattan was chairman of this convention. Os- good's Readers, Clark's Grammars, Ray's Arithmetics and Algebras, and Monteith's and McNalley's Geographies were recommended " to such boards of directors as have not adopted a regular series, and to such as have another series, the adoption of this one as soon as practicable." Wright's Analytical Orthography was especially recommended to the consideration of teachers. Osgood's Readers and Spellers and Ray's Arithmetics were used in most of the districts throughout the county for many years, and our county has never since those years enjoyed so nearly a uniformity of text-books.
At the call of Superintendent Magonagle, about thirty teachers assembled at Strattanvile on the 14th of October, 1857, for a drill of two weeks. This was carried on harmoniously and successfully. The school was closed on the 26th, and the county institute opened on the 27th of October. Near fifty teachers attended the institute, and the sessions were continued until the close of the week. The exercises throughout were spirited and interesting. R. Sut- ton, of Clarion, addressed the association on Wednesday evening. Miss H. A. Keatley read an essay on Physical Culture the following evening. The day sessions were devoted chiefly to lectures on the branches taught in the schools. Mr. Meredith and a committee of ladies, on behalf the Normal class, presented to the county superintendent a Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.
During the last days of the following January a teacher's institute held a session for three days at Callensburg. Hon. R. Laughlin moved a resolution to call "a county convention of teachers, directors, friends and enemies of the common school system to take into consideration the necessity and utility of establishing a county normal school." Twenty-nine years later this idea ma- terialized in the form of a State Normal School located in the county. Super- intendent Magonagle, like his predecessor in the office, held that the pressing need of our schools was well-qualified teachers, and, with commendable zeal and energy, he set about to supply the need. We find him again at Callens- burg the 5th of the following October, conducting a normal institute for a period of five weeks. State Superintendent Henry C. Hickok visited this insti- tute, and addressed the public on several occasions, infusing new life into the school system of the county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.