USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > History of Perry County, Pennsylvania, including descriptions of Indians and pioneer life from the time of earliest settlement, sketches of its noted men and women and many professional men > Part 37
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In 1921, the State Legislature having created the position of assistant county superintendent, Albert J. Deckard, principal of the Marysville schools, was appointed to that office.
*Prof. Kline was selected for the fifth time, April 11, 1922.
CHAPTER XVIII. ACADEMIES AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
P ERRY COUNTY, owing to its small extent of territory, has never had within its borders one of the higher institutions of learning, neither has it had a State Normal School. It was, however, in earlier years, the home of a number of academies and soldiers' orphans' schools, two of which have grown into other in- stitutions of more than local note. The New Bloomfield Academy has become the Carson Long Institute, with students from all over the world, and the Loysville Academy, later the Loysville Orphans' Home, has become the growing Tressler Orphans' Home of the Lutheran Church in America. In the following pages an endeavor has been made to record the history and growth of these institut- tions, and the passing of those which no longer exist.
THE ACADEMIES.
Perry County during the past century was the location of quite a number of academies, and their impress has been left not only within its borders, but from among the students at these various institutions went forth educators and professional and business men into many parts of Pennsylvania, and into many of the other states of the Union. The passing of these institutions, in a way, is to be regretted, for they gave to the boys and girls a chance to learn, near their own homes, more than the common schools af- forded. Of course the borough high schools have now largely taken their places in so far as the teaching of the higher branches is concerned. Of these academies the ones to remain in existence, the New Bloomfield Academy, now the Carson Long Institute, and the Loysville Academy, now the Tressler Orphans' Home, the his- tory to date is noted. Of the others time has erased much infor- mation, but briefly their history follows :
The First Academy. From Presbyterian records it is noted that Rev. James Brady, of Carlisle, was called on March 10, 1803, to become pastor of the church at the mouth of the Juniata (prede- cessor of the Duncannon Presbyterian Church), of Dick's Gap Church and of Sherman's Creek Church. He was installed Octo- ber 3, 1804, and "located on a farm,, where he opened an academy" and conducted that work along with his duties along religious lines. He died April 24, 1821, and his remains are interred in the ceme- tery on the heights, above Juniata Bridge Station, at the junction of the two rivers. While the date of the establishment of this first
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HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
higher institution of learning within the borders of what is now Perry County-for it was then yet a part of Cumberland-is 1111- known, yet it must have been soon after his coming, as is implied by the sentence, "located on a farm where he opened an academy." Should it have been at a much later period the record would likely have read "where he later or in later years opened an academy.". No name is given to the institution, so it is here designated as The First Academy, which, in point of fact, it was. The inference is
THE LOYSVILLE ACADEMY, LATER THE TRESSLER ORPHANS' HOME.
that it was only a day school, but that the higher branches were taught.
Loysville Academy. This institution began in the basement of Lebanon Church, at Loysville, in the fall of 1853, with Josiah R. Titzel as principal, and J. T. Ross as assistant, concluding its first terin on Friday, March 31, 1854, with an examination during the day and an "exhibition" in the evening, not unlike the graduating and class day exercises of latter days. B. F. Frey was principal in 1856-57. The success of the academy from the beginning caused Col. John Tressler, who was a prominent citizen interested in education, to build an academy in 1855. It was a three-story brick building with an immense schoolroom on the first floor and with twenty rooms for students on the others. Its completion and dedication occurred the following year. The first principal in the new building was John A. Kunkelman, who was succeeded by David L. Tressler, a son of the founder. who in after years be-
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came the first president of Carthage College in Illinois-the first native Perry Countian to attain so great an honor in the educa- tional world. In 1862, when disunion was threatened, Mr. Tressler became captain of Company H, 133d Penna. Volunteers, in the United States Army, and with his company went many boys from the institution. In 1865 it became a Soldiers' Orphan School, one of the first in the United States, with Capt. David L. Tressler as principal. That action destined it to become a perpetual home for orphans, for the attention of the Lutheran Church was thereby attracted to it as a home for orphan children, which it is to this day, being fully described in the following pages under the title, The Tressler Orphans' Home.
Charity School. In 1842 citizens of Madison Township erected on lands of Mr. Samuel Hench a building which was known as "Charity School." Little data remains as to it.
Andersonburg Academy. This academy was started by Alex- ander Blaine Anderson, in the house now owned and occupied by W. Scott Moose, in Madison Township, on the Blain road. It was once known as "Sunnyside Academy." Dr. W. R. Cisna was once principal, assisted by Rev. J. J. Kerr, pastor of the Duncan- non Lutheran Church, it then being known as Sherman's Valley Institute. As Rev. Kerr's incumbency at Duncannon was from 1875 to 1878, the period was within those three years. In 1866 Martin Motzer rented the building and turned it into a Soldiers' Orphans' School, under which head it is described in the succeed- ing pages. While an orphan school an additional building was erected and remained standing until 1919, when it was torn down and the timber which remained in good condition was used in St. Mark's Lutheran Church at Kistler.
Duane Academy (Strain's School). During the summer of 1856 Rev. John B. Strain opened an academy, known as Duane Academy, in the dwelling of Mr. Jacob Super, near St. Samuel's Lutheran Church, in Juniata Township. It was later conducted in the schoolhouse which stood on the ground now occupied by St. Samuel's Church. Rev. Strain had as his assistant his sister, Miss Hannah Strain. Dr. C. W. Super, later president of the Ohio University, now of Athens, Ohio, attended this school for a term. Another student was the late Prof. W. C. Shuman, long principal of the Chicago Evening Schools, and a teacher in the Cook County Normal School.
Markelville Academy. On the hill at Markelville, then known as Bosserman's Mills, there stood a building locally termed "Wash- ington Seminary." In the spring of 1855 a school known as Buf- falo Creek High School was opened in this building. The law providing for the election of county superintendents of schools had just gone into effect during the previous year, and Rev. A. R.
22
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HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Height, a Lutheran clergyman, was made the county superintend- ent. He was also chosen principal of this school and filled the positions simultaneously. A year later, in 1856, the school was called the Buffalo Creek High School and Perry County Normal Institute, and in 1857 the first part of the title had been dropped and it was known as the Normal Institute at Markelville and so advertised, the name of the town in the meantime having been changed to Markelville. He was succeeded by Rev. George S. Rea. a Presbyterian clergyman, who in 1801 gave place to Prof. G. W. Leisher, later a Lutheran clergyman. In 1866 Prof. C. W. Super-now Dr. Super-tried to resuscitate the academy, which the fortunes of war had disturbed. He was succeeded by Alex- ander Stephens and Adam Zellers, in turn. As an evidence of its
large attendance, in 1860 it was attended by 112 boarding students. In 1867 George Markel erected a two-story frame academy build- ing in which the school was continued and the students boarded. This building had fifteen rooms for students and the basement was above street level and was intended for classroom use. It was Mr. Markel's intention to make the school a permanent institu- tion, but his death caused its discontinuance. Prof. John S. Campbell, of Newport, states (1920), "It is a pity that this man was called away," he having had personal knowledge of his ability and energy.
Mount Dempsey Academy. Rev. T. P. Bucher founded the Mount Dempsey Academy, which he then called the Landisburg Classical School, at Landisburg, on April 8, 1856, its location being in the basement of the Reformed Church .* It closed about 1864. largely because the War Between the States called the young men to arms. Rev. Bucher was elected county superintendent in 1857 and filled that position in connection with his work at the academy. Later principals of the academy were F. A. Gast, David Evans (later superintendent of the Lancaster County schools), Rev. R. X. Salem, William H. Sheibley, S. H. Galbreath, Rev. G. C. Hall, S. C. Cooper, J. C. Sheibley, and Lewis B. Kerr (later superin- tendent of the Perry County schools). Rev. Samuel Wagner, still a resident of the county and long a noted minister, was one of the students. Many lawyers, physicians and ministers secured the rudiments of their education at this pioneer institution. The late George Patterson, of Landisburg, interviewed by the author in 1919, while engaged in the compilation of this book, was a student at this institution in 1861.
Willow Grove Female Seminary. This institution was short- lived. It had its headquarters in the Judge Junkin home, one mile northeast of Landisburg, and was presided over by Miss E. J.
*See church on page 202, in left foreground.
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Petherfridge, of whom the Freeman said: "As a female instructor she is inferior to none in the state." Board and washing was $1.50 per week. Tuition was $4 and $5 per quarter. Other rates were: French, $3.00; drawing and painting. $6.00; piano, $8.00. The attendance was limited to twenty students. This evidently is iden- tical with the school authorized by a special act of the Pennsylvania Legislature passed June 12. 1840. designated as "a female semi- nary or public school for the education of female youths in the English or other languages, the useful arts, sciences and literature, by the name, style and title of the Landisburg Female Seminary." The act named John Junkin, Samuel A. Moore, Henry Fetter, James Diven, Sr .. Peter Hench, John Stambaugh, and James Mc- Clure, as trustees.
Susquehanna Institute. In 1860 Prof. Bartlett opened the Sus- quehanna Institute in the basement of the United Presbyterian Church at Duncannon, being the first principal. It was continued for a short time by Rev. William B. Craig, the Presbyterian pastor.
Duncannon Academy. Largely through the efforts of Dr. T. L. Johnston and Dr. H. D. Reutter, who were its directors, the Dun- cannon Academy was established in 1890, the sessions at first being held in Pennell's Hall, and the following year on the second floor of Odd Fellows' Hall. Seventy pupils were enrolled in 1890. Prof. Thomas M. Stalford, of Athens, was the principal, and Prof. W. F. Kennedy, later superintendent of the Lewistown schools, assistant. Its life was but two years.
The Blain School. For over fifty years a summer normal was conducted at Blain, but often under different managements. Among the instructors were such men as Gard C. Palm, S. E. Harkins, and Rev. Rentz.
Juniata Valley Normal School. That a State Normal School was not located somewhere in Perry County is not the fault of Prof. Silas Wright, but rather of the citizenship of the communi- ties; for Mr. Wright strained every effort to have it done. The general apathy-sometimes even yet displayed towards incoming things, industrial plants, etc .- was the barrier against which Prof. Wright's efforts spent their force, and the project failed. Looking towards the establishment of the State Normal School of the Sixth District within the borders of the county, the Juniata Valley Normal School was opened on April 8, 1867, in the new brick schoolhouse at Newport, for which $12.50 a month was paid as rental. The attendance at the first term was 141, a remarkably good showing. Two terms were conducted, the first being from April 8 to June 28, and the second from July 29 to September 17. The second session had an attendance of ninety-seven; of these twenty-two were not attendants at the first term. During the first
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session, on May 3, the Normal Echo Literary Society was or- ganized.
Newport not having displayed as much interest as Millerstown, which offered its school building rent free for the school, the ses- sions of 1868 began in the Millerstown school building on April 8, with an attendance of 140. At the very first term (in Newport) the theory class numbered forty-one, a number which it always exceeded in later years. The instructors were teachers of promi- nence, and beside Professor Wright were Nannie J. Alexander ( Millersville, '66), a cultured musician ; M. M. Rutt, of the same class at Millersville ; Mina Kerr, and Prof. Charles W. Super. who taught ancient languages and German, and who later became president of the Ohio University. During 1875 Professor Super got a temporary leave of absence from his position as head of the department of Ancient Languages and German in Wesleyan Col- lege in Ohio, in order to teach the languages for Mr. Wright.
A list of textbooks in use in the Juniata Valley Normal School at Millerstown in 1868, follows: Raub's and Sander's Union Spel- lers, Sander's Union Readers, Kidd's Elocution, Kerl's Gram- mars, Trench's Study of Words, Brook's Arithmetics and Geome- try, Ray's New Algebras, Paysou, Dunton & Scribner's Penman- ship, Bartholomew's Drawing, Coppee's Elements of Rhetoric and Logic, Mitchell's Political and New Physical Geography, Apgar's Map Drawing, Seavey's and Goodrich's History of the United States, Sheppard's Constitution, Gray's Botany, Hillside's Geology, Quackenbo's Natural Philosophy, Wickersham's School Economy and Method's of Instruction, Haven's Mental Philosophy, Hickok's Moral Science, Harkness' Latin, etc.
A "calendar" of the Juniata Valley Normal School at Millers- town for 1868 follows:
"First term of twelve weeks, opens April 6; closes June 26, 1868.
"Last term of eight weeks, opens August 3: closes September 26, 1868. "The Faculty : Silas Wright, M.E., principal ; Nannie J. Alexander, B.E .; Mina J. Kerr, and O. P. Wright (pupil assistant)."
The location is described as being "easy of access by private con- veyance or stage from every section of the county, and from east or west on the Pennsylvania Central Railroad." The price of boarding for the session of five months is named as $60. Prof. Silas Wright organized this school and was always its principal, save for a few weeks of the second summer term of 1871.
A glance over several old programs of the Normal Echo Lit- erary Society recalls names of other days, many of whom at- tained distinction, with a few still living and active in business. The first anniversary of the society was celebrated Friday evening, May 29, 1868, the officers being :
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ACADEMIES AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
A. M. Markel, Markelville, President. Amanda Passmore, Newport, Secretary. Mina J. Kerr, Donally's Mills, Editress. Charles H. Heffley, Duncannon, Critic.
On the program were P. S. Lesh, May N. Donally, Mina J. Kerr, and Alfred M. Markel. A debate was a part of the pro- gram, the question being, "Resolved, that human language is of Divine origin." The speakers on the affirmative side were S. B. Fahnestock, Wm. N. Ehrhart, O. P. Wright, and H. C. Magee ; those on the negative side were H. C. Gantt, W. W. Haines, C. A. Frank, and J. R. Runyon.
The second anniversary was celebrated Friday evening, May 28, 1860, the following being the officers:
S. B. Fahnestock, Millerstown, President. Josephine Debray, Millerstown, Secretary. L. C. Zimmerman, Editor. M. E. Haines, Critic.
On the program were H. C. Magee, Laura E. Goodman, Haly L. Kerr, H. C. Gantt, L. C. Zimmerman, and P. S. Lesh. The question for debate was, "Resolved, that the crusades were bene- ficial to Europe." Those assigned to the affirmative were O. P. Wright and Perry K. Brandt, and those assigned to the negative were Wm. N. Ehrhart and J. S. Runyon.
Prof. John S. Campbell, long one of Perry County's prominent educators, with the terse comment, "It did a good work," expresses the opinion of all who have any knowledge of the great work of the Juniata Valley Normal School. Dozens of its students became educators, lawyers, physicians, ministers of the Gospel, bankers, business men and intelligent farmers and homemakers.
CARSON LONG INSTITUTE, FORMERLY NEW BLOOMFIELD ACADEMY.
Almost from its beginning as a town and the location of the county seat New Bloomfield became greatly interested in educa- tion. Much of the credit for this interest was then due to the fami- lies of men like George Barnett and Alexander Magee. There is hardly a state in the Union to-day in which there are no former attendants of New Bloomfield Academy and Carson Long Insti- tute, many of whom have risen to positions of prominence and trust. To name over a list of these students is like calling a roll of honor. The writer's knowledge goes back only to the proprie- torship of William Grier, but there was already at that time some- thing about the institution which impressed him with its impor- tance as a substantial educational center.
In March, 1830, there was a call in the Perry Forester for a meeting to consider the advisability of establishing an academy, but for some reason which has not come down to the present gen-
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HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
eration, the meeting was called off. In 1837 Robert Finley, of Connecticut, opened a latin school in the corner second-story room of the former Mansion House, now a dormitory of Carson Long Institute. The pupils were Charles J. T. MeIntire, John A. Magee, John Creigh, Charles A. Barnett, George Harding, and William A. Sponsler. In the fall of 1837 Mr. Finley decided to open a semi- nary in a building known as "the barracks," later owned by W. A. Sponsler, the attorney.
The advertisement of December 14, 1837, names it the Bloom- field Seminary, and speaks of the "first term." The directors, ac- cording to the advertisement, were: John Dickey, B. Me Intire, David Lupfer, Wm. M. MeClure, J. R. MeClintock, John Dunbar,
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FOOT BALL ON TIIE CAMPUS, CARSON LONG INSTITUTE.
John Boden, A. C. Harding, Robert Kelly, George Barnett, J. Madden, James Moreland. Jonas Ickes, George Stroop.
During the winter of 1837-38 a petition was sent to the Penn- sylvania Legislature, requesting a charter for a school to be known as the New Bloomfield Academy, which was accordingly chartered by an act dated April 13. 1838. The trustees mentioned in the act were: Benjamin McIntire, George Stroop, John McKeehan, John D). Creigh. John Boden, Jeremiah Madden, John R. McClintock, and Robert Elliott. At a subsequent meeting of citizens in the courthouse the act was read and approved, thus getting the en- dorsement of the entire community. The trustees elected Robert Elliott. president : John D. Creigh, secretary, and Robert Kelly, treasurer.
A provision of the act was that the state treasurer was to pay to the treasurer of the academy two thousand dollars, to be used to-
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ward the erection of suitable buildings, and the purchasing of a necessary library, mathematical, geographical and philosophical ap- paratus for the use of the academy, on condition that one thousand dollars be contributed by those interested. Robert Finley was em- ployed as principal in May, at four hundred dollars per annum. "The barracks" then became the temporary home of the academy, the trustees agreeing to rent from John Smith, the owner, one-half of the building, for which they were to pay him $21.29 and taxes for the year, for the use of the same from May 21 until April I of the next year. Arrangements were at once made for desks. benches and chairs, and on May 21 the term began. The school- room was the one in which Mr. Finley had started the seminary and was in use until 1840, when the brick academy building was completed. The hours were fixed at from 8 to 12 a. m., and from 2 to 5 p. m. Instruction was to be given in the following branches :
First class-Geography, English grammar, bookkeeping, arithmetic, and modern history, at three dollars a quarter.
Second class-Natural history, natural philosophy, ancient history and algebra to quadrated equasions, at four dollars a quarter.
Third class-The Greek and Latin languages, chemistry, astronomy, rhet- oric, logic, the higher branches of mathematics, mental and moral phi- losophy, and evidences of Christianity, at five dollars a quarter.
On August 3 the first quarter ended, twenty pupils having been in attendance. An examination was held that day, also an election of trustees at which the following were chosen: Robert Elliot, John D. Creigh, Thomas Patterson, John Gotwalt, J. R. McClin- tock, and B. MeIntire.
On August 18, 1838, at a meeting of the trustees the following resolution was passed :
Resolved, that the trustees will receive proposals from persons who have sites to locate the building for the academy, and request them to state par- ticularly the location, boundary, quantity and terms upon which it can be had; that the proposals be handed to the trustees on or before ten o'clock a. m. of the first of September next. JOHN D. CREIGH, Secretary.
In answer to the resolution propositions were received from George Barnett (two), John D. Creigh, William Power, and Jere- miah Madden. Later others were received from Mrs. Miller and Messrs. Mehaffy, Ickes, Klinepeter, and Clark. At the meeting of the board on September 21 one of those proffered by George Barnett, was selected. The site then selected was on a knoll east of the Barnett homestead. Evidently with the history of the selec- tion of the county seat and its petitions still fresh in their minds a petition was gotten out requesting that the site be changed to one at the west end of the borough, in consideration of which a further contribution of $241 was pledged. The request was not granted, but the supporters of the west end plan continued the
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HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
agitation with the result that, at a meeting of the trustees on March 1, 1839, the following action was taken :
"WHEREAS, the sum of one thousand dollars has been subscribed by in- dividuals to aid the funds of the academy, a part of which is subscribed on condition that the site of the academy be removed to the north end of Carlisle Street; therefore,
"Resolved, That the present location of the site for the academy be and the same is hereby changed to the north end of Carlisle Street, and a committee be appointed to enter into a contract with Mr. George Barnett for four acres of land at said place, on such terms as they may agree upon.
"Resolved, That public notice be given by advertisements, that the trus- tees will receive proposals on the 14th of March for building a house of brick or stone, to be thirty feet by sixty feet from out to out and twenty- three feet high from top of foundation, to have a cupola and also a por- tico or vestibule in front of steps.
The contract having been let to Dr. Jonas Ickes he immediately began work, and it was completed and occupied in 1840. By pri- vate subscription a bell was purchased in Philadelphia, at a cost of $65.60.
In 1842, owing to a demand, a steward was appointed and it was opened as a boarding school for both teachers and pupils. In September, 1850, the trustees appointed two of their number to confer with the Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in refer- ence to selling the property and academy to that denomination. The movement was unsuccessful. In 1852 the trustees decided to apply to the legislature for the enactment of a law enabling them to transfer the real estate and property to the commissioners of the county and that it be a county institution, the county to assume the indebtedness. On petition to the legislature such an act was passed and signed by Governor William Bigler, a Perry County native, April 1, 1852, providing that the commissioners with others appointed by the court act as trustees. On December 4, 1852, by resolution of the trustees the president of the board was author- ized to transfer by deed all the real estate belonging to the acad- emy, which was done January 3, 1853. Under the county's man- agement the school took on new life, and in January, 1854, the county grand jury recommended that an additional building be erected for the better accommodation of the pupils.
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