History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 53

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 53
USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 53
USA > Pennsylvania > Wyoming County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 53

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).

The organization of the new board June 5th, 1866, was signalized by the appearance of two new members, his excellency Governor Henry M. Hoyt and Attorney General Henry W. Palmer, both elected for three years.

The new brick building was now completed. It was capable of accommodating ten schools, and had six recitation rooms besides that could be used for school rooms if required. The minutes of a meeting of the board held November 6th, 1866, contain the following: "On motion of Henry M. Hoyt it was resolved that the board do hereby employ Charles J. Collins as super- intendent of the public schools of the borough of Wilkes- Barre during the balance of the current school year end- ing June 1, 1877, at a salary at the rate of $1,000 per year-his engagement to commence at this date." Mr. Collins accepted this appointment; at once entered into the work with enthusiasm; visited the schools of Phila- delphia, New York and Boston; became familiar with their best features; returned, and on December 10th, 1866, entered upon his work as principal and superintendent of the Wilkes-Barre schools. How well he succeeded dur- ing this first year is indicated by the report of the board for this year: " The board in the most emphatic manner, desire to recognize their obligations to Rev. Charles J. Collins. To him as principal and superintendent of all the schools we attribute whatever success we have achieved. From a chaos of unclassified elements he has wrought order; he has adjusted conflicting views, and from inharmonious materials has produced an evenly balanced, perfect working machine. The amount of labor, time, well directed skill, energy and conscience which he put into his work is best known to your board. Himself a mature scholar and experienced educator, he quickly apprehended the wants of our locality, and rap- idly impressed upon the crude materials before him the best features of our best schools, worked out of the latest experience. His enthusiasm was at all times unabated; his interest in the cause of education was the result of a conviction of its utility, and he most conscientiously met every responsibility before him."

This term was a short one, though longer than that of the year preceding, being five months in duration. The whole number of pupils increased from 187 to 676. The names of the members of the board on the tablet of this new building are as follows: President, George D. Miles; secretary, Charles F. Reets; treasurer, Moses D. Wilson; George B. Kulp, D. L. Rhone, Charles Roth, Samuel S. Weller, Dennis McQuillin, Lee W. Stewart.

At this time the borough contained three wards, each having three members in the board. Mr. Collins's plan embodied several distinct principles. One of these was an accurate system of grading, fixing the starting point and the limit of each branch to be studied in any partic- ular grade. Another was the introduction of the object system of teaching in the primary grades, together with calisthenics and music. Still another and a corollary to the first two was the employment of professional teachers -those especially prepared for the work in the normal

203

EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS IN WILKES-BARRE-THE FEMALE INSTITUTE.

schools of the county. June 18th, 1867, the committee on teachers were instructed and authorized to employ six female teachers, "educated to teach," from abroad at a salary not exceeding $500 for nine months. The schools were opened in September with the corps rein- forced by six trained teachers from the Philadelphia, Albany and Oswego normal schools. The work of this year was an improvement over the last: the number of schools increased from ten to eighteen, the number of months taught from five to eight and a half and the whole number of pupils from 676 to 817. At the begin- ning of the year 1868-9 the teaching force contained a still larger percentage of trained teachers from the normal schools named above and from the Pennsylvania State Normal school at Millersville, employed at better salaries and for a term of ten months. The number of pupils also increased from 817 to 943. During this year the advanced class of the gram- mar department (the highest grade, thus far, in the school) finished three or four of the branches of study and were prepared for advancement. But the schools still suffered one serious drawback. . The large building on Washington street was not sufficient to accommodate all the schools, consequently the board was compelled to continue the occupation of the miserable old buildings heretofore described. This difficulty was met, however, by the purchase of a suitable lot and the erection thereon of the elegant and commodious brick building on Frank- lin street near Academy. June 8th, 1868 the purchase of the lot was authorized; January 25th, 1869, it was re- ported and approved; shortly after the contract was given, and before the year had ended the building was completed. It is capable of accommodating twelve grades or classes. A marble tablet in the building con- tains the following names of members composing the school board at that time: President, Charles Roth; treasurer, Charles F. Reets; secretary, Henry W. Palmer; Henry M. Hoyt, George B. Kulp, Philip Steinhaur, Sam- uel S. Weller, Dennis McQuillin and Philip Banker. Accommodations were now furnished for all the pupils of the district. The year 1869-70 was characterized by the establishment of the high school department and the election of Mr. Collins borough superintendent, with powers co-ordinate with the county superintendent. Early in 1870 the borough was declared a separate dis- trict, and January 17th Mr. Collins was duly elected and shortly afterward was commissioned borough super- intendent. This position he held until August Ist, 1874, when, owing to ill health, he resigned. The system of grading adopted by Mr. Collins extended over a period of twelve years' tuition, four in the primary grades, four in the grammar and four in the high school. Later the high school course was shortened to three years, but in other respects the course of instruction, grading, rules of order and government and methods of discipline and in- struction remain materially the same as when they came from the hands of Mr. Collins in 1874.

In 1873-4 the elegant new building on St. Clement's street was erected and named the Conyngham graded

school building. It was rendered necessary by the rapid increase in the population of the lower parts of the city at that time. The following named gentlemen composed the board at the time of its completion: President, H. H. Derr; secretary, Dr. G. W. Guthrie; George B. Kulp, S. S. Weller, George M. Nagle, Jacob Schmitt and C. F. Reets. A few years later a fine building for the accom- modation of colored children was erected at the corner of Washington and South streets.

The statement made by the board for the year ending on the first Monday of June, 1879, embodies the following facts:

Whole number of schools, 30; number of months taught, 10; number of male teachers, 7; number of fe- male teachers, 25; average salary of males per month, $74.50; average salary of females per month, $45.60; whole number of scholars, 1,677; average number attend- ing school, 1,316; percentage of attendance, 92; tax levy (number of mills), 10.

The board (Apri!, 1880,) is composed as follows: Pres- ident, William J. Harvey; secretary, Dr. G. W. Guthrie; Martin Frey, George S. Bennett, Dr. O. F. Harvey, J. W. Driesbach and S. H. Sturdevant.

Thus we have a brief picture of the marvelous growth of the schools of Wilkes-Barre in efficiency al.d general popularity. From being what the board in their report for 1866-7 pronounced them-" utterly useless, if not act- ually vicious-" they have become one of the chief attract- ive features of the city. Already there is a clamor for still better things. The first new building erected, the Washington street grammar and high school, has in it some serious defects, and the public demands a better building. There is reason to believe that still another new edifice will be erected that will be a crowning glory to the already famous schools of Wilkes-Barre.

THE WILKES-BARRE FEMALE INSTITUTE.

This educational institution, under the auspices of the Presbytery of Luzerne, was chartered April 10th, 1854. The following trustees were appointed : 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 Faser, Andrew T. McClintock and Rev. J. Dor- rance, ex officio. At a meeting held April 15th, 1854 George M. Hollenback was chosen president; John Faser, treasurer, and Edward M. Covell, secretary, and a build- ing committee was appointed. May 8th, 1854, Rev. John Dorrance reported that the Presbyterian church of Wilkes-Barre had raised $10,000 for the establishment of the 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 13th, 1854. April 30th, 1874, this building was sold, and in May, 1876, a lot was purchased on South street, at the corner of Barnum place, on which it is intended to erect a large and con- venient building for the use of the school. Since Oc-

204

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

tober, 1876, the Judge Conyngham homestead, on River street, has been occupied by the institute.

The first principal of the school was Rev. Joseph E. Nassau, who accepted the position June 24th, 1854, and resigned in January, 1855. He was succeeded by Rev. C. J. Collins, who resigned November 28th following. Rev. S. Hutchins was appointed in March, 1856, and re- signed in July, 1857. September 5th following R. S. Howes, A. M., was chosen to the position. He was suc- ceeded by W. S. Parsons, Esq., under whose management the school opened in September, 1864, and who served until June, 1872. From this time until October, 1876, the school was abandoned. At the date last mentioned it was reopened in its present quarters, with Dr. J. F. Rothrock as principal. Dr. Rothrock was succeeded by Mrs. F. C. Hosmer and Miss E. H. Rockwell, two ladies of large and successful experience as educators in Massa- chusetts and Princeton, N. J., who opened the school September 12th, 1877. The course of study is arranged for six years-two in the preparatory department and four in the academic. The grade of pupils is determined by examination. No pupils are received who are under eleven years of age. Opportunity is given for the study of the French, German, Latin and Greek languages. Ancient and modern history, in connection with progress in literature, art, science and civilization, receive par- ticular attention. The business management of the in- stitute is vested in the board of trustees, of which Andrew T. McClintock is president and Douglas Smith secretary and treasurer.

MALLINCKRODT CONVENT.

This institution, an academy of the Sisters of Chris- tian 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 parliament, 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 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 ac- quiring 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 useful branches.

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 five hundred, and were divided into five classes, three of girls and two of boys. A few months later two teachers were added and a more com- plete 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 attendance, di- vided into two classes. At this institution, besides a complete course of English, are taught vocal and instru . mental music, drawing and wax and needle work.

LITERATURE AND LITERARY PEOPLE OF WILKES-BARRE.

As early as 18co, Abram Bradley, an ex-Revolutionary captain who had come into the valley from Connecticut four years before, published the first book ever issued at Wilkes-Barre. It was a 12mo from the press of Asher and Charles Miner, and was entitled "A New Theory of the Earth." The Messrs. Miner published in 1803 a book of 142 pages, under the somewhat lengthy title of " The Susquehanna Controversy Examined. The Ma- terial Objections against the Connecticut Claimants Ans- wered. Done with Truth and Candor by Samuel Avery, Esq." It is said to have been a valuable publication. A poem by Joseph McCoy, cashier of the Philadelphia branch bank, entitled "The Frontier Maid, or a Tale of Wyoming," was printed and published by Steu- ben Butler and Samuel Maffit in 1819. It possessed little literary merit, and subsequently becoming dissatis- fied with it Mr. McCoy collected and destroyed all the copies he could find. The Miners during their career at Wilkes-Barre as editors and publishers issued a hymn book, a work on alchemy by Dr. William Hooker Smith and a collection of anecdotes, edited by Charles Miner, under the title of " The Merry Fellow's Companion." "The History of Wyoming," by Isaac A. Chapman, a work now scarce and much sought for by students of the history of Wyoming, was published by S. D. Lewis, at Wilkes-Barre, in 1830. A work on the same subject, but broader in scope and more minute in treatment, is "The History of Wyoming " written about 1830 by Charles Miner, who was also an able and facile writer of general articles and poems. Like Chapman's history, there are few copies of it to be found now, and when one is procurable it is always at a high price. An- other valuable work upon the same subject is Stewart Pearce's " Annals of Luzerne," published by Messrs. J. P. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia, in 1860. A second edition was issued in 1866, and a third is now in prepara- tion and will doubtless appear ere long, its value enhanced by judicious revision and copious additions. At one time (1813-15, portions of both years inclusive) a distinct- ively literary periodical, the Literary Visitor, was pub- lished at Wilkes-Barre . by Steuben Butler, which con- tained numerous contributions by Charles Miner, Josiah Wright, Edward Chapman and others. James Sinton was a writer of ability who lived in Wilkes- Barre at a comparatively early date. Andrew Beaumont was also an occasional writer of a good quality of verse, his "Sons of Wyoming," written soon after the departure of the Wyoming Artillerists for the Mexican war, being a well remembered example of his poetical ability. Edward E.

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LITERARY SOCIETIES OF WILKES-BARRE.

Le Clerc was also a versifier of no inconsiderable merit, as is attested by his well known poem on the death of Lieutenant James M. Bowman, in 1839. Judge Edmund L. Dana is an apt and pleasing writer of extensive and varied information. Judge G. W. Woodward was a strong and vigorous writer on legal questions. C. E. Wright, Esq., has produced some noteworthy works of fiction. Prof. John S. Hait, of Philadelphia, well known as a literary man, was a Wilkes-Barre boy. The lit- erary abilities of Mr. W. P. Miner and Dr. Charles F. Ingham may be inferred from their contributions to this work.

LITERARY AND LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS.

As early as 1804 the first debating society in Luzerne county of which there is any record was organized at Wilkes-Barre, under the name of the Wilkes-Barre De- bating Society, by Charles Miner, Thomas Dyer, Arnold Colt, John Evans, Josiah Wright, Ezekiel Hyde, Nathan Palmer, Thomas Wells, Thomas Graham and Roswell Wells. "Is celibacy justifiable by the laws of God, or consistent with moral principles ? " was the first question discussed and was decided in the negative. The name of the society was changed in 1809 to that of the Wilkes- Barre Beneficial Society. In 1806 a similar association was formed under the title of the Quincun Society or Tribe, and the Wilkes-Barre or Wyoming Library Com- pany was organized and a collection of instructive books was procured and placed at the disposal of the public, most of which were scattered and many lost. In 1826 measures were taken to find the volumes, and such as could be reclaimed were divided among the members of the society. Many of the members of these associations became eminent in after life as orators and statesmen. Under different names literary societies were kept up in Wilkes-Barre until the organization of the Wyoming Athenæum.

THE WELSH LITERARY SOCIETY

is an organization well known at the present time. Meetings are held Saturday evenings at the corner of Sherman and East Market streets.

THE WYOMING ATHENAEUM.

The stated objects of this society at the time of its organization were "to establish a public library in Wilkes-Barre ; to open therein, when deemed expedient and profitable, a reading room for those who should con- tribute to its establishment and support ; and the ad- vancement of science and literature and the dissemina- tion of useful knowledge." It was provided that its stock should consist of an unlimited number of shares at $5 each, and Messrs. Ziba Bennett, Joseph P. Le Clerc and Andrew T. McClintock were designated to receive payment on subscriptions. At a meeting of the subscri- bers held at the court-house March 23d, 1839, of which Edward Lynch was appointed chairman and Joseph P. Le Clerc secretary, the following named gentlemen were

duly chosen trustees of the fund: Luther Kidder, Hen- drick B. Wright, Andrew T. McClintock, Volney L. Maxwell, Amos Sisty, George W. Woodward and Joseph P. Le Clerc. The board was organized March 28th, 1839, by the election of Amos Sisty as president, An- drew T. McClintock as secretary, and Isaac S. Oster- hout as treasurer.

The original subscribers to the stock of the society, embracing names then and afterwards well known in various walks of life, and many of the most influential citizens of Wilkes-Barre in the past and present, were as follows :

Charles Miner, Volney L. Maxwell, John N. Conyngham, E. Lynch, S. Butler, Joseph Dubs, Harrison Wright, William Willets, Charles White, E. B. Stiles, Samuel P. Puterbaugh, Rev. John Dorrance, B. R. Phillips, Andrew T. Mcclintock, E. W. Sturdevant, William Hibler, Zachariah Gray, Aldson Morse, Ziba Bennett, E. W. Reynolds, John L. Butler, Syl- vester Dana, George T. Jackson, George W. Woodward, M. B. Hammar, James C. Heline, Isaac Wood, Luther Kidder, B. A. Bidlack, Thomas W. Miner, Isaac S. Osterhout, Henry C. Anhiser, Thomas Davidge, Hendrick B. Wright, Samuel Holland, N. Rutter, F. Van Fleet, Sidney Tracy, Charles A. Lane, William Wurts, John Smith, A. H. Emley, William L. Bowman, Henry Colt, John R. Jackson, Benjamin Drake, William J. Stephens, John G. Fell, David Seott, Jonathan J. Slocum, Amos Sisty, H. Collings, Gilbert Barnes, Charles P. Lane, Williamn Jessup, P. M. Gilchrist, John T. Robinson, Henry Pettebone, Samuel T. Nicholson, John M. Burtis, William S. Cox, George M. Hollenbaek, Lewis Worrall, Joseph P. Le Clerc, Hezekiah Parsons, Asher Miner, S. F. Abbott, George W. Williams, Benjamin Bailey, James Stark, James Haneoek, Rev. Wil- liam James Clark, Charles B. Drake, Chester Tuttle, Lord Butler, William Hancock, A. O. Chaloou, A. R. Pennington, William S. Ross, William Alexander, Charles Denison, S. S. Winchester, Charles Roth, Edward M. Covell, Charles T. Barnum, Israel Dickinson, Henry Kutz, Jacob Kutz, William C. Gildersleeve, W. T. Dennis, C. M. Smith, C. I. A. Chapman and Thomas W. Miner.

The first librarian was Cyrenus M. Smith, and the li- brary was kept in his office, in the old court-house, until his removal from Wilkes-Barre. F. J. Leavenworth was elected in 1849 and served until succeeded by Charles H. Drake in 1852, when the library was removed to the office of the latter, on South Main street. Mr. Drake died in January, 1862, and was succeeded by Volney L. Maxwell, who served until his death in January, 1873. During that year Robert L. Ayers was appointed to the office, and the library was removed to the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, on Franklin street. There are about 1,500 volumes in the library. The so- ciety was incorporated by the Court of Common Pleas January 6th, 1845. Isaac S. Osterhout has served as treasurer since its organization. Andrew T. McClintock was president in 1880.

THE WILKES-BARRE LAW AND LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

The Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association was organized June 18th, 1850, with Hendrick B. Wright as president; Andrew T. McClintock, treasurer, and George Byron Nicholson, secretary. The original members were John N. Conyngham, Hendrick B. Wright, V. L. Max- well, Harrison Wright, Andrew T. McClintock, Horatio W. Nicholson, George Byron Nicholson, Henry W. Ful- ler, Warren J. Woodward, Jonathan J. Slocum, Charles Denison, L. D. Shoemaker, Asher M. Stout, E. B. Har- vey. The successive presidents have been Hendrick B. Wright, Edmund L. Dana and Andrew T. McClintock. The following were the officers in 1879: Andrew T. Mc-

206

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Clintock, president; George R. Bedford, secretary and treasurer; Stanley Woodward, H. B. Payne and E. S. Os- borne, executive committee. The membership was about too, made up from the lawyers of Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. The association is incorporated by act of Assembly, and has a law library of about 2,500 volumes. Five regular meetings are held each year.

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The Young Men's Christian Association of Wilkes- Barre was organized in November, 1871, and has for its object the interests of young men. A reading room was opened shortly after and has since been maintained at ILI Franklin street. The association was made the cus- todian of the valuable library of the Wyoming Athenaeum, which is opened to the public twice a week. The asso- ciation carries on religious meetings at various points and also engages in secular work for young men. Among the former are hospital and jail meetings, gospel services, cottage meetings, Bible readings, meetings in the coun- try, song services, etc .; and among the latter, entertain- ments at the rooms, night school, health talks, parlor con- ferences, besides other features which suggest themselves from time to time. The association has the nucleus of a building fund. The membership is about 100. The officers were as follows in 1879: President, H. H. Derr; vice-president, Robert L. Ayres; treasurer, John N. Pir- rong; secretary, C. Walter; librarian, Montgomery Wilder- muth.

JOURNALISM.

The earliest venture at journalism in the Wyoming valley was made by two young men from Philadelphia in 1795, who brought with them to Wilkes-Barre a small hand press and a limited quantity of type and started a weekly paper about the size of a sheet of foolscap, called the Herald of the Times. The original proprietors, find- ing the business not remunerative, or at least uncongenial, the concern was sold to Thomas Wright, a substantial real estate owner, who changed the title to the Wilkes- Barre Gazette, under which name it was published for several years under the editorial management of Josiah Wright, son of the proprietor. As Mr. Wright was sub- stantially the first printer in Wilkes-Barre, so also was he the progenitor of a long line of printers in the valley, down to the present time. The Gazette, though small was ably conducted, and grew in favor with the people till its list of subscribers exceeded three hundred, and it was looked upon as a journalistic success. To us, who are in the habit of reading each morning in the daily papers of the present of the happenings in nearly all parts of the world on the preceding day, it may seem a little slow to notice, as a copy of the Gazette shows, that the latest news from Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington came down only to within a month of the date of issue, while news from Europe was at least from three to four months old.

The publication of the Gazette having ceased at the beginning of 1801, January 5th of that year Asher Miner,

who was a practical printer and had worked for some time in the office with Mr. Wright, started the Luzerne Federalist with a new press brought from Norwich, Con- necticut, on a sled, by his younger brother, Charles Mi- ner, afterwards a distinguished journalist and member of Congress and the historian of Wyoming. The paper used at this time was made in Allentown and brought over the mountains once in two weeks on horseback. Soon after, however, Matthias Hollenback erected a small paper mill on Toby's creek, in the hollow back of Kingston, a supply from which fortunately relieved the newspaper men of one great difficulty in conducting the business of publication. The paper was ably managed by Asher and Charles Miner till 1809, when the Feder- alist establishment was sold to the veteran editor Steuben Butler and Sidney Tracy. Mr. Butler, a son of Colonel Zebulon Butler, who commanded the American forces on the ill-fated 3d of July, 1778, is yet (1880) living, hale and hearty, about ninety.

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History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 53

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York Publication date: 1880 Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co. Number of Pages: 900

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900