USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 5
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564
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
John Christy taught in the blue-front house on Locust Street above the old town hall in 1828-31. James Stevenson taught school on Walnut Street, 1828-30. Miss Laird, Miss Hamilton, and Miss Houston were also teachers at a later period, and John D. Wright tanght about twenty-five years ago.
Lancasterian School .- Joseph Lancaster, a mem- ber of the Society of Friends in England, was the founder of the monitorial system, by which the most intelligent pupils in a school were required to teach their fellows what they had learned in advance of them. Mr. Lancaster died in 1839. This system came into general nse in England and this country. In 1822 the Legislature of Pennsylvania enacted a law encouraging these schools. Lancaster City and the boroughs of this county were designated as the "Second School District of the State." Twelve di- rectors or controllers, to be elected by the people, were to manage the schools in each of the boroughs.
J. L. Rowand commenced to teach school in his native place, in the winter season, in New Jersey in 1820. He went from there to the city of Camden, N. J., and took charge of the academy in that place and remained there nntil 1827, when failing health compelled him to relinquish for a time the business of teaching. During the summer of 1827 he went to Philadelphia and took instructions in the model school on the "Lancasterian" mode of education. In the autumn of 1828 he came to Columbia and opened a school on the Lancasterian plan in the then new town hall, which had just been completed. Among the trustees were William Wright, president, Evan Green, James Given, and William Dick, secre- tary.
The school was opened in the second story, with one hundred and five scholars on the first day. This number increased, and the room was found to be en- tirely too small to accommodate that number. The charge for each scholar was two dollars per quarter, which covered all expenses.
This school was conducted on that plan for about two years, when the trustees changed its character to a select and limited in number school, which was always full. In the spring of 1832, Mr. Rowand was compelled to give np his school on account of failing health. In Jnne, 1832, he sold his school to, George W. Layng, a native of New England. In addition to the ordinary English branches he taught the Greek and Latin languages. His terms of tuition were:
Spelling, reading, and writing, three dollars for twelve weeks; arithmetic and geography, four dollars for twelve weeks; English grammar, history, use of the globes, natural philosophy, etc., five dollars for twelve weeks.
Extra charges were made for pens, ink, and pencils, and for fuel. His sister, Miss Maria Layng, gave in- structions in plain and ornamental needle-work to young ladies. Mr. . Layng was a classical scholar, as well as an accomplished gentleman. His school was
well patronized. Mr. Layng removed to Pittsburgh, where he studied law, and became a successful at- torney. He died some years ago. He was followed by Henry Montgomery in 1836, a native of New York State, who taught school near the "Gap," in this county, from which place he came to Columbia.
Like his predecessors, he used the rod freely, which on several occasions stirred up the ire of the " bad boys'" parents, who came to the school-room to return the compliment on the teacher, which was not always a success. Mr. Montgomery found that the profession of teaching was not the one best adapted to the de- velopment of his abilities. He was in political faith an Anti-Mason, and entered into the personal warfare carried on in the newspapers between the parties with a good deal of vim. He established the Pennsylvania Courant in Columbia in 1837, and while he was con- nected with this paper, which was abont two years, he was in "hot water" all the time, and was never satisfied unless he could find some political opponent to pound. As a political writer in a heated campaign he had few equals. IIe remained in the newspaper business for many years in Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Detroit, Mich. He married Ann, daughter of Robert Spear, Esq., late of this place.
He was followed by Michael R. Keegan in 1837, who taught school in the town hall and at the cor- ner of Front and Union Streets for ten years. He removed to the State of Ohio.
Washington Institute was created and brought into existence by the trustees of the Public Ground Company, whose funds were a trust designed by the fonnder of Columbia for the sole benefit of the citi- zens of the town he laid out, which is known as " Old Columbia."
Before the free-school system was adopted in the State, the citizens of Old Columbia frequently met and endeavored to convert the income of this trust to establish free schools in the town. There was no one who could devise a plan calculated to make the scheme a success, and hence every attempt in that direction was a failure.
There was jealousy and envy among the citizens of Old and New Columbia over the disposition of this trust fund, and different projects were proposed, which led to a confusion of counsel, and the conse- quence was that nothing was done.
In the spring of 1854 the board of trustees of the public ground concluded to purchase a tract of land on the north side of Lancaster Avenue, between Locust and Cherry Streets, from John L. Wright, upon which they designed to erect a school building. In the year 1856 a contract was made with Michael Clepper for its erection for $8640, and it was finished the same year.
June 30, 1857, a school board composed of five members were elected, to wit: Samuel Truscott, Philip Shreiner, Jonas Rumple, Joshua Vaughen, and Henry Minnich, of the board of trustees of the
565
BOROUGH OF COLUMBIA.
public ground, and Joseph W. Fisher, Hugh M. | schools, it is second to none in the State in school North, Samuel Shoch, and Dr. Benjamin Rohrer by government and the thoroughness with which they instruct in the several branches of study in accord- dance with the curriculum. the citizens of Old Columbia, who were to serve for one year.
In November, 1857, Professor Joseph D. Nichols A day- and boarding-school for boys, English and classical, was established in the second story of the town hall, on April 18, 1853, by Professor Alfred Armstrong, principal. The school was removed to the building in the rear of the Presbyterian Church on Fourth Street. A number of scholars received a upon a collegiate course of studies. The school was was chosen principal, and in the following winter Morris D. Wickersham and Grace Clarkson were chosen assistants. In 1859 he was assisted by Mr. Gamwell and Miss Iferntz. The school was not self- sustaining, and on the 1st day of March, 1859, the company gave the buildings to Mr. Nichols free of | classical course of studies, and were prepared to enter rent. During the summer and fall of that year the school was reported to be in a flourishing condition, scarcely self-su-taining, and Mr. Armstrong re- but it soon declined again.
On the Ist day of July, 1860, the Institute was rented to Rev. A. Essick for a period of one year. He was assisted by Mr. Patton for a few months. The following two or three years were periods of depression, and the board of trustees made an effort to sell or rent the buildings to the school board of the borough.
In February, 1863, Professor Howard Gilbert and Professor Vieroy and Miss Johnson taught in sepa- rate rooms. In April, 1863, a free school was taught for three months by Professors Peek, Richards, John- son, and Haldeman.
In the month of September, 1863, the Institute building was taken by the United States govern- ment for a hospital, and so occupied for two months.
In October, 1863, it was rented to Professor II. S. Alexander, and a portion of the building was con- verted into a dwelling. In January, 1864, Mr. Alex- ander leased the buildings for a period of eight years.
In April, 1866, Mr. Alexander sold his lease to President Sacket, who found the school in a prosper- ous condition, but let it run down, when Mr. Alexan. der took charge of the school again in 1868. In March, 1868, the trustees purchased from J. H. Mif- flin, for eighteen hundred dollars, a tract of land ad- joining the Institute grounds which extends to Locust and Sixth Streets. In the same year the buildings were enlarged. Under the management of Professor Alexander the school was in a flourishing condition and profitable. His health and that of Mrs. Alexan- der was such that they had to abandon the profession they had adorned with so much grace and ability, and in March, 1871, they retired from the Institute and were succeeded by the Rev. Ewing. In January, 1873, Mr. Alexander again took charge of the school, but he was not able to make it self-supporting.
moved to Harrisburg, where he again established an academy.
Up to the year 1834 there was no uniform system of education in the State for the common people. Every township and town had its private schools, conducted frequently by incompetent teachers in their own way. They were peripatetic in their move- ments, and seldom remained longer in one place than three winter months. In the country they boarded around among the farmers, and sometimes behaved .very dishonorably.
Long and persistent efforts in behalf of the com- mon school system in New England by Horace Mann crowned his efforts with success about the year 1830. Friends of the educational cause in Pennsylvania took up the subject, and began to agitate and mould a publie sentiment in favor of the common school system. The subject was brought before the Legis- lature and discussed there. Governor Wolf rendered valuable aid. Among the ablest and most persistent champions in the Legislature of these measures was Thaddeus Stevens, then of Adams County. His elo- quence and matchless argument brought a majority of the Assembly to his side, and the common school law was passed in 1834. There was a provision in the law requiring-the districts to accept the same be- fore it was brought into practical operation.
When the Legislature adjourned and the full scope of the law became known to the people, there was great opposition to its enforcement.
On Tuesday, Sept. 11, 1834, a meeting of the citi- zens was held in the town hall to ascertain the senti- ments of the people on the subject of adopting the school law. Dr. Joseph Clarkson was chairman and J. Houston Mitllin secretary. Thomas E. Cochran addressed the meeting in favor of the school law. Dr. R. E. Cochran, John Barber, Esq., and J. Houston Mifflin were selected or nominated by the meeting for school directors, and Samuel Boyd, Christian Hershey, and John Musselman were selected for school directors from West Hempfield township.
In February, 1876, the school board of the borough leased the Washington Institute buildings and the grounds purchased from John L. Wright for a period of twenty years, at an annual rental of four hundred dollars. It is now called the Columbia High School, When the Legislature met in 1835, a majority of its members were in favor of repealing the law of 1834. Thomas H. Burroughs, who was then Secretary of State under Joseph Ritner's administration, was a and under the superb management of Professor B. G. Ames, superintendent of the public schools of Co- lumbia, and Misses Lillian and Mary Welsh and Mr .. Hoffman, his able assistants, who have charge of the | warm friend of the law, and worked very hard to save
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566
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
it. Opposition grew rapidly; and everything seemed to be lost. Upon making a private eanvass among the members, it was found that a large majority were in favor of repealing the law. When the question came up upon second reading, Mr. Stevens arose, and under the inspiration of the moment made one of the grandest and most successful efforts ever undertaken in a deliberative body of people to change a large majority to the minority side. He had barely taken his seat when there was a call from every member to vote upon the question. The law was sustained, and it has never been disturbed since, except to improve it. A copy of this speech should be printed and hung upon the walls of every school-room in the State.
There was considerable opposition to the seventh seetion of the school law, which required a tax to be levied in the borough of Columbia and East and West Hempfield townships.
On the 16th day of May, 1835, a public meeting of the citizens of Columbia and the township named was held at the public-house of Joshua Kehlers, one mile and a half east from Columbia, along the Colum- bia and Laneaster turnpike, of which Samuel Boyd was president; J. Houston Mifflin, secretary. .
West Hempfield, which included Columbia, was among the first townships in the county to accept the law.
The Public Schools .- After the system of common schools came into general use, the improvement made was gradual. The schools were better attended, more care was taken by the directors in the selection of competent teachers ; but little real progress was made, however, until the Normal School at Millersville was fairly under way and a class of teachers trained and equipped to enter a profession they adorned.
Another step in advance was taken when graded schools were introduced. In 1857 a committee was appointed by the school board, with J. G. Hess as its chairman, to grade the public schools of Columbia. This was something new, and but little progress was made, promotions were gradual and few. There were six separate school buildings in the place, some of which were substantial brick structures. The citizens wisely selected some of their best educated and most prominent citizens for school directors. Their edu- cation and training enabled them to select competent teachers from merit alone, and to them much credit is due for the advances made in the cause of educa- tion in Columbia. Of the number may be mentioned Samuel Shoch, Hugh M. North, J. W. Fisher, Amos S. Green, J. Houston Mifflin, and also Joseph M. Watts, Samuel Grove, Philip Shreiner, David W. Griffith, J. G. Hess, Samuel Young, Abraham Bruner, George Young, Jr., Daniel Waun. The most suc- cessful teachers were Calvin Stewart (now pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Colerain township), Wil- liam Murphy, Morris Wickersham, Frederick S. Pyfer, Mary Shoeh, Grace Clarkson, Georgian Houston, and Mary Miller.
The board of directors in 1862 decided to erect one school building large enough to accommodate all white children of lawful age in the place. Accord- ingly a building was erected on Cherry Street be- tween Fourth and Fifth Streets, three stories high, and containing eighteen commodious school-rooms, ten of which were furnished and prepared for the reception of scholars in 1863. The building was con- structed of brick, and was modeled after the High School building on Broad Street, Philadelphia, and ! when completed was one of the largest and finest school buildings in the State. At the time of its erection it was thought that it was sufficiently large to accommodate all of the white children in the place for many years to come. When filled it would seat two thousand scholars. Although it was a great stride in educational progress, experience has since demonstrated that it was not altogether a wise move- ment to collect the scholars in an entire district as large as Columbia and place them under one roof. The system has its advantages, but there are many disadvantages which more than balance the good ones. The original cost of the building was sixteen thousand dollars.
The borough superintendency of public schools was adopted for Columbia April 1, 1875. In May they agreed to advertise for a superintendent, and agreed to pay him an annual salary of fourteen hun- dred dollars. Out of fifty-seven applicants Benjamin G. Ames, of Bridgeton, N. J., was chosen to fill the new position. Ile was an accomplished scholar, and had rare qualifications to fill a position of this kind; more than thirty years of his life has been devoted to the cause of education.
His system of promotions was different from the old one, and he gradually made a number of other changes, which experience has proven to have been wise and salutary. The most accomplished and thor- ough teachers in the schools are graduates of the High School.
Miss Lilian Welsh, a daughter of the late Gen. Thomas Welsh, is now vice-principal of the High School, and is one of the most successful and tal- ented teachers in the State. Her sister Marie is her assistant, and is well fitted for the position.
Mr. Hoffman has also risen from the lower to the front rank as a teacher. The entire body of teachers are excelled by few anywhere, and Columbia may well feel proud of the position her schools hold in relation to others in the State.
Lyceum .- The system of social lyceums became very popular with the people in the United States about the year 1830, and it did not decline for ten or twelve years. Josiah Holbrook, who was actuary of the Universal Lyceum, was the principal organizer of lyceums in the United States. The Columbia Lyceum was organized Dec. 2, 1835. The exercises generally opened with a lecture delivered by one of the members, or a subject selected which was debated
567
BOROUGH OF COLUMBIA.
by members chosen by the chairman. This feature of the lyceum was always entertaining. Among the members who delivered lectures were Henry Mont- gomery, S. S. Haldeman, Dr. J. S. Clarkson, Samuel A. Black, Dr. William S. MeCorkle, James J. Given, Thomas H. Pearce, E. C. Lewis, Dr. R. E. Cochran, Owen B. Goodman, H. Bingham, Philip Gossler. Many of these lectures were illustrated with scientific apparatus. When the lyceum ran out of home ma- terial for lecturers, they were supplied by young and promising lawyers from Lancaster. Among the num- ber we recollect Amos Slaymaker, Esq., Nathaniel Ellmaker, Esq., George M. Kline, Esq. The meet- ings of the lyceum were held in the old brick scheel- house on Third Street, near the town hall. After its decline many of its members formed an organiza- tion called the Senate. Members were divided and assigned to each of the States. This organization was copied after the United States Senate. Its most pleasing and interesting feature was the political dis- cussions between the members, who were supposed to represent the same political parties which elected the United States senators in their respective States, and they generally adhered to the line of argument used by the members of the United States Senate, whom they were supposed to represent. These discussions were animated and often acrimonious. Among the most active members were J. H. Mifflin; John S. Given, Joseph W. Fisher, Napoleon B. Wolfe, Sam- uel Evans, Alexander Caldwell,' James B. Cowden, John Frederick Houston, Stewart D. Elliot, Hugh M. North, Philip Gossler, Amos S. Green, J. G. L. Brown. This organization lasted several years.
Public Libraries .- On the 14th day of January, 1829, a number of prominent citizens subscribed va- rious sums to be expended in the purchase of books for the mutual benefit of all those concerned in a library company to be formed. The company was organized in the spring of 1829 by the election of Evan Green, president, and William Dick, secretary ; Miss Haines, librarian. A large and judicious selec- tion of books and pamphlets were purchased. Much interest was at first taken in the enterprise, but debts were accumulated gradually, and in four years from its organization the books and property of the " Co- lumbia, Pennsylvania, Library Company", were sold at auction to pay its debts. Enough was realized also to pay each shareholder two dollars on each share of stock, the par value of which was five dollars. The building opposite the Franklin House was occupied by the library. Herewith we publish the names of each shareholder, so far as we are able to ascertain :
Jolin Arms. Williamn P. Beatty. George Beatty. Robert Barber. Owen Bruner.
John L. Boswell. Mary Bethel. Christian Bachman. Elizabeth W. Buude. George W. Bonde.
1 Mr. Caldwell was elected United States senator to represent the State of Kansas in 1867 or 1868.
Abraham Bruner.
Benjamin Herr.
Sarah Barber.
George Haines.
Dr. Abraham Bitner.
William Harrahı.
E. G. Bradford.
Joseph Hugentogler.
Christ. Brenneman.
Joseph Jeffries.
Henry Brenneman.
Samuel Johnson.
Levi Brenneman.
Joshna Kehler.
Gideon Brenneman.
John Barber.
G. W. Layng. Thomas Lloyd.
Jeremiah Brown.
Edward C. Lewis.
Joseph Cottrell.
George W. C. Lloyd.
Jolin Campbell.
James E. Mifflin.
John Cooper. Samuel W. Mifflin.
Joseph Cooper.
Moses Montgomery.
Israel Cooper.
John McKissiek, Jr.
James Collins,
Jacob Mathiot.
William C. Cornwell.
Samuel Mathiot.
Jacob Clyde.
William Mathiot.
Richard E. Cochran.
John McMullen.
William Dick.
Hugh Mccorkle.
Richard Derrick.
Henry Martin.
Peter Epley.
George Mireick.
Dominick Eagle.
George Peters.
Michael Elder.
William Poist.
Preston B. Elder.
Jacob Purkypile.
John Evans.
Jacob L. Rowand.
John L. Futhey.
Charles Odell.
John Forty, Jr.
Benjamin Pearl.
Evan Green.
William Todd.
Amos S. Green.
Robert Spear.
Benjamin Green.
James Sweeney.
Joseph Green.
Abraham Shirk.
Jolin Guy,
Jacob Strickler.
Peter F. Gonter.
Henry HI. Strickler.
Jacob Gossler.
Dr. Beaton Smith.
James Given.
Henry Y. Slaymaker.
Owen B. Goodman.
Robert B. Stille.
Jacob B. Garber.
Henry F. Slaymaker.
Elizabeth A B. Ileise.
John L. Wright.
Peter Haldeman.
Charles N Wright.
Christian llaldeman.
Jumes Wright.
John Houver.
Michael Way.
Solomon lleise.
Moses Whitson.
Daniel Hamaker.
William Wright.
Robert B. Houston.
Lewis Wisler.
William B. Ilunt.
Isaac Vaughen.
The Franklin Library was organized in the spring of 1834, John L. Boswell, secretary. The stockhold- ers purchased the books of the Columbia Library, and added to them a large number of new books. This was, like its predecessor, a circulating library. It flourished for a few years, and then went down rapidly. There was no public library in the place from 1836 to 1862.
In the year 1862, Samuel Shoch, president of the Columbia National Bank, donated to the public schools of Columbia five bundred dollars for the pur- pose of procuring books and establishing a library. The school board accepted this fund and established a library, and named it after its doner. This was the plant of a large and select library. Mr. Shoch has given liberally of his abundant means since, and the school board have at various times made large appro- priations and purchased several thousand volumes of choice books. They have, and it is their duty to make, an annual appropriation for the purchase of books and meet incidental expenses. The library is now established on a permanent basis, and will become in time one of the grandest institutions in the county.
568
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
At present a large room on the first story of the public school building on Cherry Street has been set apart for the library. Only one danger confronts the friends of this enterprise, and that is the possibility of fire wiping out of existence in a few hours the accumu- lated work of many years. It is hoped that there may be found in the community enough of generous- minded citizens who will provide sufficient means to erect a fire-proof building upon the public ground at the corner of Fifth and Locust Streets, or in that vicinity, that will protect this library from a calamity so disastrous.
Samuel Grove, a prominent citizen of the place, twenty or more years ago commenced to purchase books with a view of establishing a cireulating library. He made additional purchases from time to time until he has several hundred volumes in his library-room on Third Street, between Locust and Cherry Streets. His books are generally of a religious cast.
Old Residents' Society .- On the 27th day of No- vember, 1874, a number of citizens of Columbia or- ganized a society of old residents of Columbia, the object being to cherish the social interests and friendly relations by holding frequent meetings, under the name of the " Ancient Citizens of Columbia." Fol- lowing is a list of the members :
Joseph M. Watts (president).
George W. Bowyer. .
J. Houston Mifflin (secretary).
John A. Hook (dead).
Samuel Shoch (treasurer).
John S. Given.
Samnel B. Heise.
Juln K. Eberlein.
William Matbiot (dead).
llenty N. Keller.
Francis X Ziegler.
Samuel Evans.
Thomas E. Cochran (dead).
John Frederick Houston (dead). Samuel W. Mifflin.
Samuel Nelson Houston (dead).
Heury Wisler.
James Barber. Henry Brenneman (dead).
llenry H. Houston. William F. Lockard.
Martin Niel. Harford Fraloy.
George W. Haldeman.
Christian Brenneman (dead).
Jacob L. Gossler.
George Bogle (dend).
Jacob Ely (dead).
James Wright (deud).
Samuel Wright. Abrum Bruner.
To become a member of this society a residence of fifty years is required. Several bave attained an age of more than fourscore years. As will be seen from the foregoing list, their numbers are rapidly growing less.
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