History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 49

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532

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In 1812 the citizens of Kingston erected a large two-story frame building, to be used for the purposes of an academy. This school was first taught by Thomas Bartlett, who had been an assistant under Mallery, in the Wilkes-Barre academy. He was followed by Bennett, Severs, W. H. Bissel (first Republican governor of Illinois in, 1856), Ketchum and others, under whose discipline and instruction the institution prospered many years. It was finally supplanted by new and enlarged schools, and the building becoming dilapidated it was demolished by E. Reynolds, who erected his residence on or near its site.

In 1815 the citizens of Plymouth erected a large two-story, frame building for educational purposes. Schools were taught in it by Steel, Park and others until 1828, when the first classical school was organized under the direction and principal- ship of Benjamin M. Nyce. He was succeeded by Patterson and Severs. This is the oldest academy in the county. Like the one in Kingston, it had a bell, and was used for many years as a place of religious worship.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

With these venerated old schoolhouses and teachers the plain, substantial, old- fashioned system of education has passed away. They have been replaced by new and splendid edifices, occupied by new teachers, adopting new systems, new books, and imparting new ideas, or rather new modes of shooting the young ideas.

Wyoming Conference Seminary .- This flourishing institution in the borough of Kingston was opened September 24, 1844, with thirty students, the faculty at the time consisting of Rev. R. Nelson, principal, and E. F. Farris and Miss Ruth Ingalls, teachers. The opening address was delivered by J. P. Durbin, D. D. The anticipated success of this seminary has been fully realized. The yearly number of students has increased to upward of 700, which fact established the character of Mr. Nelson and his assistants, together with the board of trustees, for competency, energy and good government. The original building cost about $6,000, one-fourth of which was contributed by Thomas Myers. In 1851 William Swetland contrib- uted $3,000 for the erection of Swetland hall, and the Hon. Ziba Bennett donated $1,000 as the foundation for a library. On March 15, 1853, the entire establish- ment was consumed by fire, but through the noble liberality of William Swetland, his son George and his son-in-law, Payne Pettebone, who together donated $8,000, of Isaac C. Shoemaker, who gave $1,000, and of Urban Burrows and A. Y. Smith, who each contributed $500, the institution was at once raised from its ashes. Judge Bennett also made another liberal donation to replace the library. The entire prop- erty of this institution is valued at $50,000. The seminary is under the general superintendence of the Wyoming conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, but the trustees and board of directors have been composed of able men without regard to denominational preferences.

In the ante-bellum days there were several southern boys generally in attendance upon this school. This suddenly changed as the war clouds thickened, and in a brief time the impetuous southerner had ceased to bask within the shades of this fostering mother of education. Since the war and its scars have come and gone, however, instances have occurred where the North and the South have met after many years, with their "silver threads among the gold," and renewed in their acci- dental meetings, the soft, sweet stories of auld lang syne, those of the campus ground.

The Wilkes-Barre Female Institute was chartered in 1854, and in October of that year opened with fifty female pupils, under the superintendence of the Rev. J. E. Nassau. He was succeeded by the Rev. J. S. Howes, then Rev. W. S. Parsons. The institution is under the general direction of the Presbytery of Luzerne county. It has a library, a philosophical and chemical apparatus, and is in successful operation. This institution, becoming pecuniarily involved, was extricated from its embarrassment by the liberality of Col. G. M. Hollenback and others.

About 1840 Mr. Dana had erected a building on Academy street and organized a classical school, which in a measure took the position previously occupied by the old academy in the public square. A brick building was erected in 1842 on the site of the old structure, and under the direction of Messrs. Owen and Jackson a high school had a successful existence in it for a number of years; but in consequence of various causes in time it lost much of its prestige and became only an ordinary day school. E. B. Harvey purchased this building in 1848, and moved it to Union street and converted it into a dwelling.

The Wilkes-Barre Female Institute was chartered April 10, 1854; following trustees: George M. Hollenback, Alexander Gray, Harrison Wright, Ario Pardee, Samuel Wadhams, John Brown, John Urquhart, Henry M. Fuller, Elisha B. Harvey, William R. Glen, John Fraser, Andrew T. Mcclintock and Rev. J. Dorrance, ex officio. At a meeting held April 15, 1854, George M. Hollenback was chosen president; John Fraser treasurer, and Edward M. Covell, secretary, and a building committee was appointed. May 8, 1854, Rev. John Dorrance reported that the Pres- byterian church of Wilkes-Barre had raised $10,000 for the establishment of the

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

institute, and soon afterward a contract was awarded to D. A. Fell & Co. for the erection of a suitable building on River street above Smith, which was finished and the school opened in it September 13, 1854.

Catholic School .- The two-story brick convent stands a little to the south of the Catholic church at Plains. This is a plain but comfortable building with five class- rooms, an office, two music-rooms a recitation and drawing-room. The attendance of pupils is an average of 375.

Mallinckrodt Convent .- This institution, an academy of the Sisters of Christian Charity, a boarding and day school for young girls, was founded in 1878 by the Sisters of Christian Charity, who emigrated from Germany to America in 1873, the founder of the society being a noble lady, Miss Pauline von Mallinckrodt, sister of the much lamented Hermann von Mallinckrodt, member of the German parlia- ment, who died some years ago. The Mallinckrodt convent is, besides its being a pensionat for young girls, the mother-house and novitiate of the Sisters of Christian Charity of the United States, who are devoted to the instruction and education of the young in parochial schools, academies, orphan-houses, etc., in many places throughout the United States. It affords many advantages to young girls desirous of acquiring a solid, polite and religious education. The course of instruction is given in both the German and English languages, and embraces a wide range of use- ful branches. It is one of the foremost female educational institutions of our country and is patronized by many of the leading families of Philadelphia, New York, Bal- timore and other large cities. The mother superior, Eugenia, with sister Marguretta in charge of the boarding school, having ten teachers in this department and six in the normal department. A fine chapel was built in 1884.

St. Mary's Convent .- St. Mary's school on Canal street, in charge of the Sisters of Mercy, was opened in October, 1875. The pupils numbered over 500, and were divided into five classes, three of girls and two of boys. A few months later two teachers were added and a more complete classification was obtained.

The children attending this school are afforded every opportunity for obtaining a thorough English education. The annual closing exercises were held for the first time, in June, 1876, at which time an academy for young ladies attached to St. Mary's convent on Washington street, was opened, with about forty pupils in attend- ance, divided into two classes.

The Wilkes-Barre Business College was founded by W. J. Solly, September 1, 1886, and incorporated February 7, 1887, its object being to teach those branches . of a practical business education. Board of trustees: John W. Hollenback, presi- dent; F. C. Johnson, secretary; Hon. C. D. Foster, S. L. Brown, H. H. Welles Jr., H. H. Harvey, A. A. Sterling, G. Lewis Baldwin, Gen. E. S. Osborne. Orley Hazelton and W. A. Billingham, principals.

Harry Hillman Academy of Wilkes-Barre commenced its educational existence September 14, 1877, its primary object being to prepare boys thoroughly for college or university and the technical school. From the first it has had a healthy pros- perity and now numbers 128 students-within five of its limit. This year (1892) has a graduating class of sixteen. Its certificates are recognized by all the leading institutions of learning in the country. In 1884 H. Baker Hillman purchased ground and erected the academy building. The teacher's handsome residence near the academy is upon ground presented by W. L. Conyngham, and the costs of this build- ing were maintained by Messrs. Fred Ahlborn, W. L. Conyngham, E. P. Darling, J. W. Hollenback, L. D. Shoemaker and William Stoddart.

Orphans' Home .- During the war an arrangement was made with the State government by which soldiers' orphans were placed temporarily in the home. The remuneration for their care enabled the managers to enlarge their corps of helpers and lay by a small sum annually, to form a nucleus to an endowment fund. In 1864 the home became so crowded with soldiers' orphans that a larger building

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

became an absolute necessity. A subscription book was opened and application made to the legislature for an appropriation. The State promised $2, 500, provided double that sum could be raised by subscription. At once four of the trustees, Messrs. G. M. Hollenback, W. S. Ross, William C. Gildersleeve and V. L. Maxwell, subscribed $1,000 each; others gave $500 each and many added smaller sums, thus securing the State appropriation and making it safe to commence building. The lot was offered at a very low price by Mr. Charles Parrish and Dr. E. R. Mayer, and the latter added as a gift an adjoining back lot for a garden. The building, a large brick edifice, and ample grounds on Franklin street, was completed and occu- pied in the autumn of 1866. In 1867 active steps were taken to secure the endow- ment fund. A book for subscriptions was opened. Judge Ross and William C. Gildersleeve each subscribed $5,000, and smaller subscriptions were added until the sum exceeded $16,000. The home is governed by a matron; the school is managed by a lady teacher. The children, besides their regular school instruction, are taught sewing and various household duties.

Common Schools .- An act of the legislature of 1834 was the strong foundation on which has been built the present public-school system. The first vote cast for that important bill was by Ziba Bennett, member from Luzerne- in the roll call his name came first and therefore his vote was first given. Mr. Bennett was associate judge of the county in 1842. In 1822 he became a partner with Mr. Hol- lenback in his store, and in 1826 commenced merchandising on his own account in the property he purchased of Stephen Tuttle on North Main street, and soon was one of the prominent business men of Wilkes-Barre. He was deeply interested in school matters and gratified a long desire when elected to the legislature by his instrumentality in securing the passage of the act. It provided a tax should be levied on all the taxable property and inhabitants; that townships, boroughs and wards should be school districts and that schools should be maintained at public expense, the supervision of schools in each district being entrusted to a board of six school directors, to be elected. The law was optional by townships. The sec- retary of the commonwealth was made superintendent of schools and to appropriate any money from the State in aid of education. As stated the vote to accept the law was in the affirmative in all the townships of Luzerne county, except three, but these continued to keep up their schools equal in every respect by levying a tax on the property of their respective townships.

It is now practically half a century since the law was put on the statute books. At first it did not meet unanimous favor from the people. Some opposed it on one ground and some on another. But the law forged its way rapidly to a universal approval, not only as wise, but as beneficence itself. A free school! Who would doubt for a moment but that this meant every child in the community would now be educated-all was free, without money and without price. Education! a boon at any price, worth, could it be had no cheaper, half a man's life to lose! What a rainbow of hope filled every friend of education. A half century has come and gone and its work is before us. We can begin to cast up results and balance the books. Extravagant hopes have been only partially realized-only partially, most unfortunately, and the particularly sad confession now comes up from the whole array of educators for " compulsory schools," and " truant policemen " are demanded. States are passing such laws, and only a short time ago the whole country was startled with a strong and thoughtful paper in a leading magazine by one of the strongest thinkers in the nation, entitled: "Do the Schools Educate?" And now constantly do we see discussions in our best magazines pro and con on this vital subject.

Is it possible we are deceiving the rising generation on a subject so vital to them as their education ? Let us hope not. But it must be confessed that this demand by the rank and file of educators for compulsory schools is very near a fatal admis- sion.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

This much we may now know: If it is imperative that we have compulsory free schools, then inevitably the State must furnish lavatories, fine-toothed combs, and decent clothing for those compelled to attend. When these are supplied, and this should be done promptly and ungrudgingly, then these newly-fashioned children can not go to school and become educated or Solomons on empty stomachs.

The following data is gleaned from the State superintendent's report of 1891, of the schools in Luzerne county: Whole number of schools, 672. Total male teachers, 199; female teachers, 543. Total scholars, male 17,337; female 18,787. In addition to these there are night schools-three in Avoca; three in Plymouth; six in Plains; one in Luzerne borough; three in Hughestown; six in Pittston.

New school buildings erected in Sugar Notch, Nanticoke, Edwardsville, Fair- mount, Huntington, Sugar Loaf and those mentioned in Wilkes-Barre.

There are 67 school districts in the county, and the items of the districts are as follows:

Ashley has 9 schools; 2 male and 8 female teachers; scholars, 313 males; 381 females; total tax levy for schools, $5,219.29.

Avoca has 8 schools; 1 male and 7 female teachers; scholars, 244 males; 391 females; total tax levy for schools, $4,364. 75.

Bear Creek has 4 schools; 4 female teachers; scholars, 34 males; 34 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,058.88.

Black Creek has 10 schools; 3 males and 8 female teachers; scholars, 263 males; 248 females; total tax levy for schools, $3,611.83.

Buck has 1 school; 1 female teacher; scholars, 15 males; 10 females; total tax levy for schools, $83.50.

Butler has 11 schools; 3 male and 8 female teachers; scholars, 217 males; 213 females; total tax levy for schools, $3,510.10.

Conyngham has 5 schools; 5 male teachers; scholars, 113 males; 110 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,685.87.

Dallas borough has 2 schools; 1 male and 1 female teacher; scholars, 47 males; 43 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,473.27.

Dallas township has 7 schools; 1 male and 12 female teachers; scholars, 102 males; 18 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,365.73.

Dennison has 5 schools; 5 female teachers; scholars, 78 males; 73 females, total tax levy for schools, $1,357.48.

Dorrance has 5 schools; 5 female teachers; scholars, 106 males; 73 females; total tax levy for schools, $839.55.

Dorranceton borough has 2 schools; 1 male and 1 female teacher; scholars, 70 males; 54 females; total tax levy for schools, $2,418.93.

Edwardsville has 6 schools; 1 male and 6 female teachers; scholars, 262 males; 301 females; total tax levy for schools, $5,116.60.

Exeter township has 4 schools; 1 male and 4 female teachers; scholars, 78 males; 69 females; total tax levy for schools, $763.57.

Exeter borough has 3 schools; 1 male and 2 female teachers; scholars, 59 males; 60 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,828.59.

Fairmount has 8 schools; 3 male and 9 female teachers; scholars, 133 males; 109 females; total tax levy for schools, $2,066. 79.

Fairmount, (Ind.), 1 school; 2 female teachers; scholars, 8 males; 13 females; total tax levy for schools, $121.61.

Fairview has 5 schools; 3 male and 2 female teachers; scholars, 137 males; 114 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,981.06.

Forty Fort has 5 schools; 1 male and 4 female teachers; scholars, 118 males; 147 females; total tax levy for schools, $3,550.08.

Foster has 23 schools; 11 male and 12 female teachers; scholars, 740 males; 835 females; total tax levy for schools, $12,090.65.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Franklin has 5 schools; 2 male and 7 female teachers; scholars, 55 males; 60 females; total tax levy for schools, $849.27.

Freeland borough has 4 schools; 1 male and 3 female teachers; scholars, 161 males; 55 females; total tax levy for schools, $2,519.50.

Hanover has 11 schools; 5 male and 6 female teachers; scholars, 234 males; 303 females; total tax levy for schools, $5,615.50.

Hazle has 41 schools; 21 male and 23 female teachers; scholars, 1,037 males; 1,113 females; total tax levy for schools, $29,813.93.

Hazleton borough has 35 schools; 6 male and 29 female teachers; scholars, 943 males; 950 females; total tax levy for schools, $25,454.27.

Hazleton West., borough has 2 schools; 2 female teachers; scholars, 87 males; 84 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,414.05.

Hollenback has 5 schools; 5 female teachers; scholars, 127 males; 100 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,428.14.

Hughestown has 4 schools; 1 male and 3 female teachers; scholars, 135 males; 139 females; total tax levy for schools, $2,743.47.

Hunlock has 6 schools; 7 female teachers; scholars, 106 males; 103 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,070.08.

Huntingdon has 10 schools; 3 male and 7 female teachers; scholars, 200 males; 150 females; total tax levy for schools, $2,288.12.

Jackson has 6 schools; 1 male and 5 female teachers; scholars, 84 males; 69 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,195.10.

Jeddo has 1 school; 1 male teacher; scholars, 41 males; 35 females; total tax levy for schools, $480.69.

Jenkins has 11 schools; 3 male and 8 female teachers; scholars, 172 males; 275 females; total tax levy for schools, $6,278.08.

Kingston borough has 6 schools; 1 male and 5 female teachers; scholars, 209 males; 223 females; total tax levy for schools, $6,490.66.

Kingston township has 16 schools; 16 female teachers; scholars, 488 males; 404 females; total tax levy for schools, $7,198.52.

Lake has 8 schools; 1 male and 11 female teachers; scholars, 126 male; 98 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,343.

Laurel Run has 1 school; 1 male teacher; scholars, 41 males; 37 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,145.

Lehman has 8 schools; 1 male and 7 female teachers; scholars, 148 males; 135 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,499.71.

Luzerne borough has 6 schools; 1 male and 5 female teachers; scholars, 213 males; 249 females; total tax levy for schools, $3, 795.01.

Marcy has 8 schools; 8 females teachers; scholars, 175 males; 209 females; total tax levy for schools, $6,918.15.

Miner's Mills has 5 schools; 2 male and 3 female teachers; scholars, 175 males; 209 females; total tax levy for schools, $2,871.55.

Nanticoke has 24 schools; 6 male and 24 female teachers; scholars, 697 males; 764 females; total tax levy for schools, $20,514.69.

Nescopeck has 6 schools; 4 male and 2 female teachers; scholars, 104 males; 142 females; total tax levy for scholars, $1,528. 77.

Nescopeck (Ind.) has 1 school; 1 male teacher; scholars, 30 males; 19 females; total tax levy for schools, $318.

New Columbus has 1 school; 1 male and 1 female teacher; scholars, 33 males; 26 females; total tax levy for schools, $253.11.

Newport has 16 schools; 6 male and 11 female teachers; scholars, 416 males; 429 females; total tax levy for schools, $16,535.99.

Parson's borough has 7 schools; 3 male and 6 female teachers; scholars, 158 males; 255 females; total tax levy for schools, $4,291.57.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Pittston borough has 25 schools; 3 male and 23 female teachers; scholars, 482 males; 641 females; total tax levy for schools, $16,587.91.

Pittston township has 10 schools; 2 male and 8 female teachers; scholars, 245 males; 357 females; total tax levy for schools, $6,200.19.

Pittston, West has 14 schools; 2 male and 15 female teachers; scholars, 385 males; 463 females; total tax levy for schools, $13,261.79.

Plains has 15 schools; 5 male and 11 female teachers; scholars, 508 males; 582 females; total tax levy for schools, $16,091.32.

Plymouth borough has 25 schools; 5 male and 25 female teachers; scholars, 601 males; 760 females; total tax levy for schools, $13,285.13.

Plymouth township has 26 schools; 18 male and 8 female teachers; scholars, 786 males; 899 females; total tax levy for schools, $19,330.26.

Ross has 8 schools; 17 female teachers; scholars, 139 males; 140 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,008.

Salem has 11 schools; 11 female teachers; scholars, 201 males; 169 females; total tax levy for schools, $2,540.72.

Shickshinny has 6 schools; 1 male and 6 female teachers; scholars, 142 males; 157 females; total tax levy for schools, $2,155.33.

Slocum has 2 schools; 1 male and 1 female teacher; scholars, 40 males; 50 females; total tax levy for schools, $366.50.

Sugar Loaf has 9 schools; 6 male and 3 female teachers; scholars, 228 males; 172 females; total tax levy for schools, $3,159.50.

Sugar Notch has 9 schools; 3 male and 7 female teachers; scholars, 271 males; 388 females; total tax levy for schools, $7,307.55.

Union has 7 schools; 3 male and 4 female teachers; scholars, 83 males; 69 females; total tax levy for schools, $853.45.

White Haven has 6 schools; 2 male and 4 female teachers; scholars, 156 males; 180 females; total tax levy for schools, $2,849.31.

Wright has 2 schools; 2 male teachers; scholars, 30 males; 22 females; total tax levy for schools, $444.73.

Wyoming has 6 schools; 1 male and 5 female teachers; scholars, 167 males; 192 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,305.44.

Yatesville has 2 schools; 2 female teachers; scholars, 37 males; 46 females; total tax levy for schools, $723.02.

Laflin borough has 1 school; 1 male teacher; scholars, 19 males; 31 females; total tax levy for schools, $1,154.54.

Wilkes-Barre Public Schools .- Whole number of schools, 115; number of school buildings, 16; value of school property, $352,000. Board of control: W. G. Weaver, president; Thomas F. Hart, secretary; G. W. Guthrie, S. J. Strauss, W. T. Smith, Edward Mackin. Superintendent of schools, J. M. Coughlin. Enrollment: Balti- more, 141; Bowman Hill, 336; Centennial, 189; Central, 512; Conyngham, 353; Custer, 331; Franklin, 592; Hancock, 505; Hazel Street, 292; Hill Street, 211; Hillard Grove, 352; Mead Street, 322; North Main, 186; Parrish Street, 404; Union Street, 784. Total, 6,202. Average attendance, 4,335. Night schools, 12, with an attendance of 505. Total collections for school purposes the past year, $100,- 482.76. The Courtright Avenue school was burned and rebuilt and enlarged in 1891. A fine school building is to be completed on Hazel street January 1, 1893; also a building on North Main street. The past decade has built ten new school- houses costing each $25,000. The buildings and paraphernalia of this city com- paratively stand second to none in the country. The elegant, seventeen-room high- school building was erected in 1889. In this building is the office of James M. Coughlin, city superintendent of schools. In the city are employed 20 male teachers and 97 female teachers.

P. M. Gilligan

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE PRESS.

THE FIRST PRINTERS - HERALD OF THE TIMES-GRADUAL GROWTH OF PRINTING - LONG LIST OF PAPERS AND MANY ABLE NEWSPAPER MEN -PAPERS NOW PUBLISHED IN THE COUNTY-ETC.

T "HE old style country newspaper was one of the most marked institutions-the product of America. The modern onslaught upon it by the metropolitan press, a part of that general trend to centralization or gathering in one what had been many, is, to the writer, one of the keenly regretable things of our most modern civilization. The marked evolution in the general newspaper business the past third of a century, both in city and country publications, makes, perhaps, the strongest landmarks of the past generation.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 49

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.) Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1532

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532