History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 52

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 52

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The general scheme of the dormitories is that of a rectangle, following a typical Oxford or Cambridge system. They are divided into sec- tions accommodating from twelve to sixteen stu- dents each, and are entered from the quadrangle through separate doorways. They are named Berks, Rhoads and Luther League Halls. West of the dormitories are the base ball and foot ball fields and tennis courts.

ALLENTOWN COLLEGE FOR WOMEN.

The Allentown College for Women was founded in 1867 under the name of "The Allen- town Female College." It is under the control of the Reformed Church, though in no sense a sectarian institution. It was originally founded by the Classes of East Pennsylvania and Lehigh, but in 1905 passed under the control of the Eastern Synod of which the above mentioned Classis are an integral part. In 1893 the col- lege obtained a new charter under the name "Allentown College for Women." Its founders. deeply impressed with the importance of provid- ing for the higher education of woman, and recognizing the great advantages to be derived from such an institution, determined to found a school whose special aim should be to make it distinguished for its religious influence upon the heart, as well as for the thorough cultivation of the mind, thus to develop all the excellencies of a pure, noble, christian womanhood.

The desires and purposes of these advocates of higher female education found embodiment and recognition in a resolution offered and adopted at a special meeting of East Pennsylvania Classis, held in Zion's Reformed church, Allentown, July 12, 1867, to establish a female college in Allentown, Pa., to be under the supervision of the East Pennsylvania Classis of the Reformed Church. A committee was appointed, consist- ing of Revs. N. S. Strassberger, W. R. Hofford, I. K. Loos, D. F. Breidle and Samuel Philips, with instructions to effect organization, make all the necessary arrangements for the opening of the college, and superintend the educational in- terests. At a session of this committee, July 12, 1867, it was decided that a joint stock company should be formed to secure funds for the pur- chase of property and the erection of suitable buildings, that the college should be under the management of a board of trustees, two-thirds to be members of the Reformed Church, and the organization to be known by the name of Lehigh Female College. A course of study embracing all the principal branches of a thorough Chris- tian education was adopted; the several depart- ments, the primary, academic and collegiate were constituted, and the terms for tuition fixed, Rev. L. Cort was appointed general agent. To enlist the interest of friends of education, and to secure a hearty co-operation in this enterprise, a public meeting was held on Thursday evening, July 12, 1867, in Zion's Reformed church, and addresses were delivered setting forth the advan- tages of the college,-its claims upon business men, parents, and of the church. The result was the appointment of a business committee, whose duty it should be to counsel and co-operate with the executive committee in commending the col- lege to the favorable consideration of the busi- ness portion of the community. The committee was constituted as follows: Charles W. Cooper, Esq. ; John H. Oliver, Esq .; Honorable R. E. Wright, Rev. A. J. G. Dubbs, Messrs, A. G. Reninger, G. P. Weil, Thomas Mohr, Milton J. Kramer, and W. H. Blumer.

The first president was the Rev. Lucian Cort. The school organization was effected on the fifth day of September, 1867, in the lecture- room of Zion's Reformed church. The num- ber of pupils on the morning of the first day was eight, which by the end of the week had in- creased to fifteen. The instructors, in connec- tion with the president, were Revs. W. R. Hof- ford and N. S. Strassberger, Miss M. E. Garrett and Miss Ida E. Erdman.

September 16, 1867, the executive committee appointed Rev. W. R. Hofford to attend to the school work of the president for the remainder

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EDUCATION IN THE COUNTY.

of the year, with the view of enabling Rev. L. Cort to give his undivided attention to the du- ties as general agent.

Feeling the want of a more suitable room, a removal was soon made from the basement of the church to rooms in Hecker's building, on Hamilton street, above Eighth. This place, however, like the other, was only temporary shel- ter, and hence the question arose, where shall it be permanently located? This question was answered by Honorable R. E. Wright, Sr., a liberal-minded citizen and warm friend of this educational enterprise, who, for suitable consid- eration, offered his beautiful grounds on Fourth street, known as "Clover Nook," which were taken in possession and occupied for school pur- poses in April, 1868. The institution rapidly increased in number, and before the end of the first year the accommodations were too limited and it was resolved to build an addition. To provide the necessary funds a committee was ap- pointed to dispose of additional stock. This com- mittee met with encouraging success, which was largely owing to the influence and work of its chairman, Rev. A. J. G. Dubbs.

In less than three months the building was completed, so far as to admit of the opening of the school at the usual time. The college was not formally opened until November, 1868, when appropriate addresses were delivered by Rev. T. G. Apple, D. D., of Lancaster, and Rev. J. Beck, D. D., of Easton.

Pursuant to a notice given by East Pennsyl- vania Classis, a meeting of the stockholders was held at the American Hotel on the evening of the 17th of February, 1868. Samuel Mc- Hose, Esq., was appointed chairman, and Dr. E. G. Martin, secretary. Hon. R. E. Wright, Sr., presented a charter, which he had prepared by request. It was read and unanimously adopted, and ordered to be presented to the court of Lehigh county for incorporation. The charter was granted by the court during the June term of 1868. By this instrument the name was changed to the title, "Allentown Fe- male College." In accordance with the require- ments of the charter, an election was held for six trustees to represent the stockholders in the board. The following gentlemen were elected, viz: Charles W. Cooper, Esq .; Hon. R. E. Wright, Sr .; Hon. Joseph Laubach, John H. Oliver, Esq .; Dr. E. G. Martin, and Aaron Troxell, Esq. It was also officially announced that Rev. A. J. G. Dubbs, Rev. W. R. Hofford and Aaron G. Reninger, Esq., were elected members of the board to represent East Pennsyl- vania Classis in her trust of the institution.

The Rev. Lucian Cort was elected to the presi- dency of the school.

Rev. Lucian Cort's connection with the col- lege as its first president was of but short dura- tion. The Rev. W. R. Hofford, A. M., was for- mally elected to the position of president July 27, 1868. On the 22d of June, 1869, the Rev. S. G. Wagner, D.D., was elected vice-president and professor of Mental and Moral Science, whose valuable services as an experienced and successful teacher and wise counselor were very generously rendered to the college for seven years.

The impaired health of President Hofford necessitated him to seek relief from the burden of responsibility and the arduous duties of the position which he had held for fifteen years, and in accordance with the advice of his physician he tendered his resignation, and withdrew from the presidency April 16, 1883.

REV. WILLIAM R. HOFFORD, D.D.

William R. Hofford, son of Joseph and Sarah Hofford, was born May 8, 1833, in Upper Saucon township, Lehigh county, Pa.

In 1851 he was admitted as a scholar in the Allen- town Seminary and was graduated at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., in 1855. After his graduation he accepted the appointment of teacher of Latin and Greek in Cumberland Valley Institute, which position he held for several years. He graduated from the Theological Seminary at Mercersburg, Pa., 1857. He was licensed May 12, 1858, to the gospel ministry. For one year he filled the position as teacher of anceint languages in the Allentown Seminary. He subsequently became prin- cipal and continued in this service to 1864. He was ordained and installed February, 1863, as pastor of Lower Saucon congregation. In the following year Williams township congregation was added to this charge; he served these two congregations until 1869. He supplied the congregation at Freemans- burg from May 1, 1869 to Sept. 29, 1872, and also South Whitehall from May 3, 1863.

In 1867 he was elected professor of Latin lan- guage and Literature in Muhlenberg College. In 1868 he was elected President of the Female College in Allentown, which position he filled with credit for five years. In 1883 he was called to the Egypt charge consisting of four congregations, which he served until his death which occurred Jan. 31, 190I, aged 67 years, 5 months and 23 days.

Rev. Hofford was married Oct. 1, 1861 to Carrie, daughter of George P. and Caroline Weil. This union was blessed with two daughters.

"Recall him as the honored and successful Prin- cipal of the old 'Allentown Seminary,' which in- stitution he brought back again to the prosperity and renown which it had enjoyed under the la- mented Rev. C. R. Kessler ; study his singular suc- cess as the founder and first Principal of the old "Allentown College for Women,' or as one of the first instructors and originators of 'Muhlenberg College' and from these institutions all; the num- ber is legion who cherish his memory with sacred affection and give him the tenderest place in their

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

hearts. Go to the congregations he served so long and so faithfully, in Saucon and in the Whitehalls, and hundreds and thousands will rise to call him blessed, will feel a thrill of inspiration or shed tears of sadness at the mention of his name."-Rev. J. D. Schindel, in the Parish Assistant.

In 1884 an addition of 53 by 40 feet was added to the building giving it a frontage of one hundred feet. A continuous veranda over 300 feet in length and eight feet wide, extends around the whole building affording excellent room for exercise in unfavorable weather. The building contains a chapel, library, society halls,

the standard college as determined by the Rock- efeller Foundation.

The number of young women who have been graduated by the college exceeds four hundred, and the number of those who attended it at va- rious times is estimated at fifteen hundred.

The greater Allentown College for Women will be located, on Cedar Crest, 30th and Walnut streets, where a fifty-acre tract has been secured. The site was dedicated June 4, 1913.

The president and board of trustees have adopted a plan which when completed will crown Cedar Crest with a dozen or more build-

Library

Art Room.

Main Building.

Gymnasium

Dietz Mall.

ALLENTOWN COLLEGE FOR WOMEN.

dining room, recitation rooms, Primary Depart- ment, music and art studios, together with twen- ty-five rooms for boarding students. It is fur- nished with all the modern improvements and upon the relocation of the college will be used as a preparatory school for which it is favorably located and well adapted.

The institution continued to fulfill its mission as a female seminary until the fall of 1913, when the full prerogatives of the charter were assumed, by providing a course of study in accordance with

ings, two of which, the administration building and a dormitory are now under construction.

The administration building will be an im- posing structure, 200x70, two stories high, the same height as that of the dormitory, and will contain the class rooms, offices for president, dean, treasurer and administrative offices. The flooring will be of terrazzo with an imposing marble stairway leading to the second floor. The main, or administration building will be lo- cated in a south-easterly direction from the dor-

ADMINISTRATION HALL, COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, ALLENTOWN.

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

BISHOPTHORPE MANOR.

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EDUCATION IN THE COUNTY.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

Reuben J. Butz, E. H. Reninger, Rev. F. C. Seitz, Rev. C. B. Schneder, Rev. J. G. Rupp, Rev. F. H. Moyer, Hon. Webster Grim, N. A. Haas, N. M. Balliet, Rev. T. W. Dickert, E. M. Young, James Hartzell, G. J. P. Raub, Rev. Paul S. Leinbach, Rev. John S. Stahr, D.D., H. J. Lerch, Jacob W. Grim, Rev. H. I. Crow, Rev. C. E. Creitz, D.D., J. Monroe Hoffman, Rev. W. F. More, H. B. Koch, Hon. C. O. Hunsicker.

FACULTY.

President-William F. Curtis, Philosophy and Sociology.

Secretary and Treasurer, Rev. E. V. Loucks, A.B. Preceptress, Carrie M. Kerschner.

Rev. F. H. Moyer, A.B., Aesthetics; Miss Harriet A. Hill, Art; Miss Florence E. More, A.B., Eng- lish; Rev. R. M. Kern, A.B., English Bible; Miss Clara Searle, A.B., History; Miss Anna Lash. A. B., Ancient Languages; Miss Catharine Laros, A.B., Modern Languages; Miss Gretchen Barr, A.B., Mathematics; Rev. E. E. Kresge, Ph.D., Psychol- ogy; Miss Elvira M. Strunk, B.S., Science; Miss Sara S. Gabriel, Expression; Mrs. Kathryn Sut- phen, Piano; Miss Mary West, Vocal Music; Miss Emily J. Foust, Needle-Work; Miss Anna Grim, Mathematics; Miss Henrietta Eicher, Intermediate ; Miss Frances Hartman, Miss Grace Mcclellan, Tu- tors.

BISHOPTHORPE MANOR.

Among the leading educational institutions of Lehigh county is Bishopthorpe Manor, the only seminary for girls in Pennsylvania under the au- spices of the Episcopal Church. It is a select high-grade school and is situated in Fountain Hill, the residence section of South Bethlehem. In 1850 the present property and adjoining lands belonged to Auguste Fiot, a Frenchman, who im- proved them for a country seat and had them laid out with great beauty. He built the Manor House of stone, a stately mansion, and named the estate Fontainebleau after the historic park and palace near Paris. With its grand old trees, fine walks and terraces, beautiful flowers and fountains it was the most attractive place in the county. The borough that afterwards grew up around it on the mountain side was called Foun- . tain Hill, the name being, it is said, a free trans- lation of the original. At Mr. Fiot's death in 1866 the property was sold to Mr. Tinsley Jeter, a man of broad culture, who proposed its use as a Church School for girls and it was purchased for this purpose in 1867. At the suggestion of the Right Rev. William Bacon Stevens, then Bishop of Pennsylvania, it was re-named "Bishopthorpe" after the country seat of the Archbishop of York, England, the term signifying a bishop's demesne.

The Middle House in which are the dining room and the large study hall was then built and

the school opened in 1868 under the control of a Board of Trustees of which the Bishop was Presi- dent. When the Diocese of Bethlehem was or- ganized in 1871 it became the owner of the property. The school maintained a high stand- ard of character and scholarship and was very successful in its work. In 1885-'86, in order to meet the demands for increased capacity, it was greatly improved by the addition of the New House which contains the gymnasium, music rooms, studio, several bed rooms, the kitchen, butler's pantries, &c. With the increase of ex- penses, as the school had no endowment, the Trustees found it difficult financially in later years to keep it up to its high standard of excel- lence and sold it in 1908 to Prof. Claude N. Wyant, the present owner, and an associate. Mr. Wyant who had had much experience in high-grade schools in Virginia and Ohio, became sole owner in 1910 and in that year built the annex which contains the large concert hall, some class rooms, and several bed rooms. All the buildings adjoin one another so that commu- nication does not require going out of doors.

The plan of administration of Bishopthorpe Manor is to some extent different from that of boarding schools generally. The school is con- ducted as a spacious residence and the students are considered as the members of one family. All are placed on honor to observe those regula- tions of proper decorum and correct demeanor that will best serve the whole household. The fulfillment of this plan develops a delightful home life and the experience is a constant training for each girl in all the graces that pertain to cul- tured womanhood.

The school endeavors to develop as fully as possible the intellectual capabilities of each stu- dent and accomplishes this by use in part of a well-arranged elective system. There are three courses of study as follows :

College Preparatory, four years, which gives complete preparation for the best colleges.

Academic, partly elective, four years, which corresponds to that of the best high schools.

General Culture, largely elective, two years, for high school graduates and others who desire a finishing course with graduation.

The school furthermore shares largely in the excellent musical advantages of the Bethlehems and maintains an unusually high standard for efficiency of work in music. In addition to the regular courses and music there are special courses in domestic science, domestic art, elocu- tion, art, and post-graduate music.

Bishopthorpe Manor, although conducted un- der the auspices of the Episcopal Church, is in no wise sectarian and much of its patronage

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

comes from those of other affiliations. It is pre- eminently a home school in management and di- rection, the aim being to prepare its students to be true home-makers. It holds the view that it is the part of every woman, whether she is a col- lege graduate or not, to make a home, which will be happier and better in every way if she has re- ceived the right kind of training. The school gives this thoroughly and fully sustains the tone and best traditions of its long and honorable ca- reer as an institution of earnest and accurate scholarship with the best social and cultural training, one where the physical health and the

and was moved to 16 S. New street, Bethlehem in 1883 into a very large dwelling built by Cap- tain Dutch. The school during this period went under various names. The founder called it "The Preparatory School for Lehigh Univer- sity." The students and people of the town called it "Ulrich's Preparatory School." In No- vember, 1897, Mr. Ulrich died. At that time there were twenty-six boys in attendance, of whom three were boarders.

March 3rd, 1890, Mr. Howard A. Foering, B.S., a graduate of Lehigh University, became one of Mr. Ulrich's assistants, and on the death

BETHLEHEM PREPARATORY SCHOOL.

moral and spiritual life of its students are happily combined with the most approved methods of edu- cation.

BETHLEHEM PREPARATORY SCHOOL.

The founding of the school is due to William Ulrich, a graduate of the University of Berlin, and an officer who had served in the Franco- Prussian war. In the year 1878 he gathered to- gether a few boys and began preparing these boys for Lehigh University in his dwelling house in South Bethlehem. The school grew in size

of Mr. Ulrich the sole ownership passed to Mr. Foering. Head Master Foering immediately set about to increase the attendance and to devise plans for new school buildings with large grounds. To this end he bought a large tract of ground in the borough of West Bethlehem, Le- high county, which borough was later annexed to Bethlehem.

Mr. Foering incorporated the school in 1901 and gave it the name of Bethlehem Preparatory School. The first board of trustees consisted of: Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, Dr. T. M. Drown, Messrs. Garrett B. Linderman, Joseph J. Mc-

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EDUCATION IN THE COUNTY.

Kee, E. H. Williams, Jr., George R. Booth, and H. A. Foering. During the same year the original building was erected on the new grounds, and in September, 1901, the new school buildings were occupied. The next year the gymnasium was built.

The school now grew rapidly in numbers. Its reputation for scholarship became almost world wide, and there are found on its rolls students from all parts of North and South America, and occasionally from European countries.

As time went on extensions were made to all the buildings and more land was added. At present the buildings consist of the main build- ing, a four story brick structure, the gymnasium, and the head master's house. This main build- ing contains a fine dining room with a seating capacity of 150, dormitories for sixty boys, eight class rooms and the head master's office. The gymnasium contains a fine, large floor, running track, swimming pool, and dormitories for twenty on the upper floor.

The attendance for the ten years prior to the time this is written (August, 1913) has been in excess of 150 annually. The staff of teachers consists of ten members. The purpose of the school is the preparation of boys for colleges in the United States. Thus far over 1,450 boys have been sent to college. Among these are many men who have become eminent in various professions.

ALLENTOWN PREPARATORY SCHOOL.

The Allentown Preparatory School, under several different names, has a continuous history extending over a period of more than half a cen- tury. Prior to 1864 the school was known as Allentown Seminary, and in that year it became Allentown Collegiate Institute and Military Academy. In 1867 Muhlenberg College was organized, and the secondary school was con- tinued as the preparatory department of the college. In 1904, however, the preparatory school was reorganized under a separate faculty and became the Allentown Preparatory School, and when, in January, 1905, Muhlenberg Col- lege moved to its new buildings in the western part of the city, the preparatory school remained as the sole occupant of the historic college build- ings at the corner of Fourth and Walnut streets. Here the work has been carried on with increas- ing success for nine years. New buildings are now in course of erection on a campus of fifteen acres, adjoining Muhlenberg College, the gift of Chas. F. Mosser, which are expected to be occu -- pied in September, 1914.

Faculty.

Frank G. Sigman, A.M., Principal, Mathematics, English; Irvin M. Shalter, A.M., Assistant Prin- cipal, Mathematics, Science, German, Henry R. Mueller, A.B., Latin, Greek; Howard W. Fields, C.E., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics; J. Conrad Seegers, A.B., English; Matthias H. Richards, A.B., History, Geography; Charles R. Keiter, A.B., Sum- mer School; J. Robert Kline, Summer School; Mrs. Frank G. Sigman, Matron; William A. Hausman, M.S., M.D., Visiting Physician.

Courses of Study.

The school offers three regular courses, the Classical, the Latin-Scientific, and the Scientific, the general scope of which is indicated by the titles. A more detailed description of these courses is given below.

In order to fully meet the advanced entrance requirements of the best colleges and technical schools, the courses have been placed upon a four-year basis, and the new system was inaugu- rated, in part, in September, 1911, and went into full force in the fall of 1913. This new arrangement will not be allowed to conflict, how- ever, with the plans of those who entered the school in years past with the intention of pre- paring for college under the provisions of the three-year courses. As heretofore, especially ca- pable students, who feel that they should com- plete the work in less than the prescribed time, will be allowed to make the effort. In short, the work will be adapted as nearly as possible to the needs and capacity of the individual student. Boys who enter from other approved secondary schools will be given due credit for work satis- factorily completed in such institutions.

ALLENTOWN BUSINESS COLLEGE.

The Allentown Business College, located at 804 Hamilton street, was established by W. L. Blackman in 1869. Through the efforts of a number of public spirited men, among whom were Rev. Alfred J. Dubbs, Dr. Alfred Martin, Charles Cooper and Edward Young. Mr. Blackman was induced to come from New York to Allentown in 1868 and open a school for busi- ness training, claiming that such a school was needed by the community. On February 1, 1869 the school was opened under the name of Allen- town Business College and has continued up to the present. During these many years it has trained hundreds of young men and women for successful business careers.

Prof. William L. Blackman was born in North Coventry, Connecticut, May 17, 1843. He received his training in his native town. On September 7, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Regiment Conn. Volunteers. He was

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

wounded at Kinston, N. C. Upon coming to Allentown he taught bookkeeping, penmanship and mathematics in A. C. W. and M. Colleges and the city high school. He is an expert ac- countant and auditor.

The present principal of the school is Nathan S. Biery.

AMERICAN COMMERCIAL SCHOOL.

The American Commercial School was founded by O. C. Dorney in 1889. In 1895 the school was incorporated with a capital of $30,- 000.00. It occupies an entire floor of the Y. M. C. A. building at the southwest corner of Centre Square, Allentown. Mr. Dorney in con-

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 52

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1158

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158