USA > Pennsylvania > Tioga County > History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations, portraits and sketches of prominent families and individuals > Part 73
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Previous to this, however, the propriety of changing the seminary to a State normal school had been dis- cussed. Hardly a term of court passed without the property being advertised for sale by the sheriff. Could the people pay the $10,000 indebtedness? Plainly and frankly they could not. What then was to be done? On the 2nd of July 1862 L. Beach jr. moved in the board of trustees the adoption of the following:
"Resolved, That the trustees of the Mansfield Classical Seminary now initiate measures to offer the said sem- inary to the State, to become a State normal school."
On the 20th of November 1860 the annual meeting of stockholders was held and the following officers were elected: Rev. N. Fellows, president; W. C. Ripley and J. A. Fellows, vice presidents; R. A. Drake, treasurer; A. J. The purpose of this resolution was carried out. Ap- Ross, recording secretary; C. W. Nesbitt and Abram plication was made to court for an amendment of the Young, corresponding secretaries; J. P. Morris, J. C. charter to make it comply with the act of Assembly. On Howe, N. Fellows, A. Pitts, I. P. Bennett and T. J. Berry, the 2nd of July R. Videan jr. resigned as secretary, and W. C. Ripley was appointed in his stead. Mr. Cochran was chosen principal in July, but declined, and Prof. Wildman was continued. Mr. Cochran was appointed to present to the M. E. conference the condition of affairs and ask its agreement to the separation, which he did, and reported that the conference regretted the occur- rence of circumstances which impelled us to take the step, but bid us "God speed." Rev. N. L. Reynolds was chosen a professor in the institution in July of that year. trustees. Only four of these officers had ever been con- nected with the institution before. It was the old fault over again of getting those connected with it who were not among us as citizens. The next evening Prof. Holt was elected principal. Prof. Wildman, who had been promised the place and cheated out of it, then made ar- rangements with Mr. Holt to carry on the school him- self. He was to conduct it on his own account and have its avails for his compensation. January 19th 1861 Prof. Holt resigned as principal, and Prof. Wildman was elect- ed in his stead. Wildman had opened school some time We have neglected to state that in June of this year the seminary was sold at sheriff's sale by Messrs. Wild- man & Johns. These gentlemen had purchased the judgments against it which Messrs. Drake, Videan and Howe had not. It was bid off by them June 4th 1862, for $2,000. June 5th the sale was set aside by the court, mainly on technical grounds. A narrow escape, truly. The fall term of school was opened in September. About 200 pupils were in attendance. in December previous. Mrs. H. P. R. Wildman was made preceptress, and Miss Anna E. Chase music teach- er. In June of this year Rev. R. A. Drake attempted to sell the institution at sheriff's sale, but was prevented. On the 24th of July he sccured the passage of a resolu- tion waiving stay of execution on a judgment he had purchased at 50 per cent. discount. He attempted to sell it again in September following, but was prevented through Judge Williams, the attorney for the seminary. Rev. N. Fellows resigned as president, and A. J. Ross was chosen to fill the vacancy. In September school was opened by Prof. Wildman and a good number were in attendance.
On the 18th of November 1862 an annual meeting of the stockholders was held, and Mr. Cochran was chosen president; WV. Hollands and S. B. Elliott, vice-presi- dents; W. C. Ripley, recording secretary; J. P. Morris and S. B. Elliott, corresponding secretaries; Philip Wil- liams, treasurer; S. B. Elliott, W. Hollands, W. C. Rip- ley, R. Videan jr., and Rev. N. L. Reynolds, trustees. On the tith of December the examiners appointed by the governor and State superintendent met at the building and examined the same, and made report that it con- formed with the requirements of the law. Whereupon Dr. Burrowes, State superintendent, officially declared it the State normal school of the fifth district of Pennsyl- vania. Here it began a new life. Its object was now broader and in new fields. Its mission was to prepare teachers.
But though it now had a State flag at its head it was by no means out of danger. Although recognized by the State it received at that time no aid. That was reserved for the future. Its debts were still pressing. Sheriffs' tracks were visible approaching it from all directions. But let us right here state a fact that should be known, to the everlasting credit of the original creditors, those with whom the debts were contracted. They never pressed or made trouble. It was done by those who bought up their claims, persons who bought them, or nearly all of them, at fifty cents on the dollar. In the . winter of 1863 the Legislature appropriated 85,000. This was paid in June, and the worthy H. C. Johns attempted to attach this money. He succeeded with only $150, however, thanks to Philip Williams, treasurer. This ap- propriation went at once to liquidate debts.
Professor Wildman ceased to be principal March 19th
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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
1863, by resolution of the board of trustees. Professor W. D. Taylor suceeded Mr. Wildman as acting principal, April 10th 1863. Miss Farnsworth was chosen precept- ress, L. A. Ridgway professor of languages, Miss Clarissa Clark principal of the model school, and Miss Frank Cochran music teacher. They were to have the receipts of the school for compensation.
May 24th 1863 was held the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the normal school. The following of- ficers were elected: W. Cochran, president; W. C. Rip- ley, vice-president; W. Hollands, recording secretary; J. P. Morris, corresponding secretary; P. Williams, treas- urer; W. C. Ripley, J. P. Morris, W. Hollands, W. Coch- ran, S. B. Elliott, N. L. Reynolds, P. M. Clark, A. M. Spencer, A. J. Ross, C. V. Elliott, J. B. Clark, C. W. Bailey, A. Clark, H. Davis, and H. Allen, trustees. Prior to this the trustees were elected for three years, and con- sequently only five were elected each year. These and all subsequent trustees were elected to serve one year only.
July 13th 1863 a contract was entered into with Pro- fessor Taylor, by which he was to be principal one year, have all the proceeds of the school, and pay Sioo rent. Rev. W. Cochran, having removed from the place, ten- dered his resignation as president October 31st 1863. W. C. Ripley, vice-president, filled the chair the remain- der of the year. The Legislature in April 1864 appro- priated $5,000. This was mainly used in liquidating debts. Previous to this, however, a loan of $6,500 had been secured of Hon. John Magee. Looking back it seems that this loan came just in time to save the school. Mr. Magee saw the necessity, and sympathized. He asked no personal guarantees as others had done. All honor to John Magee! A portion of the appropriation of 1863 was paid Mr. Magee, and there was something paid him out of the appropriation of 1864, so that there was left $3,000 due. This had run up to $3.332.50 when, on the Ist day of January 1867, he sent a receipt in full as a New Year's present.
At a meeting held April 6th 1864 the corresponding secretary was directed to correspond with Professor F. A. Allen with a view to his becoming principal. The stockholders' annual meeting occurred May 2nd 1864, but as the officers chosen then and all subsequent officers are recorded in the catalogues we shall here omit them. The time for which Professor Taylor was elected principal having expired, Professor Allen was chosen to that po- sition May 2nd 1864. Under him the school prospered. He brought furniture here with him, and the building committee had means for the first time at their command to make improvements.
Professor Allen remained principal the five years for which he was elected, building the school up and mak- ing it a success. Some of the other members of the faculty were: J. T. Streit, A. M., professor of Latin and Greek; Charles H. Verrill, A. M., professor of mathe- matics; and Miss Adelaide Ladley, preceptress.
In 1869 Prof. J. T. Streit, A. M., a graduate of Al- legheny College, was chosen principal, but in conse-
quence of ill health, which resulted in his lamented death soon after, never performed the duties of that po- sition. It would not be too much to say that as a teacher and a Christian gentleman Prof. Streit never had his superior in Mansfield.
Prof. Charles H. Verrill, A. M., a graduate of Bowdoin College, who had been acting principal during Prof. Streit's illness, was elected principal upon the latter's death, during the fall term of 1869, from which position he resigned four years later, in June 1873. Some of the faculty at this time were H. W. Jones, M. S., professor of mathematics; Lemuel Amerman, A. B., professor of ancient languages; Miss Frankie Cochran, preceptress; and Isaac G. Hoyt, professor of music.
We should have stated that in April 1865 the Legisla- ture again appropriated $5,000, while in the spring of 1872 it appropriated $10,000. This latter sum the State superintendent demanded should be expended mainly in the erection of new buildings, as the old one was no longer large enough to accommodate the school. So the new one was built and completed in time for dedication September ist 1874.
Prof. Verrill was succeeded by Rev. J. N. Fradenburg, A. M., who filled the place successfully two years. Francis M. Smith, M. E., was professor of mathematics, and Joseph C. Doane, M. E., was professor of natural science and English grammar. After Prof. Fradenburg came Prof. Verrill again, in September 1875, who re- mained this time two years, making six years in all as principal, besides four years as professor of mathematics -a longer term than any other professor has been con- nected with the school. He made a most excellent prin- cipal, and under his administration the school was always a success. His name is one which is intimately connected with the rise and progress of the State normal school; while in ability, and as a first-class man in every respect, he has been excelled by few if any.
In 1877 Prof. Fordyce A. Allen was again called to take charge of the school, having been elected for a per- iod of five years. He associated with him as principal during the first year John H. French, LL. D. His assis- tants were Joseph C. Doane, B. S., natural sciences; W. C. Bartol, A. M., mathematics; Dora N. Woodruff, pre- ceptress; W. S. Hulslander, B. S., vocal music; and others, whose names we have forgotten. Prof. Allen was serving his third year when he died, in the height of his usefulness, February 11th 1880. This unfortunate event was the worst that could have happened for the normal school, as well as for every interest pertaining to Mans- field. He was the head and front of everything in the line of progress, both as regards the school and the town. He had done more for both than any other man, and at the time of his death had built the school up to an unpre- cedented degree of prosperity. For a fuller account of this eminent man the reader is referred to the sketch of his life appearing on page 294.
Upon the decease of Mr. Allen Prof. D. C. Thomas, A. M., a graduate of Adrian College, was elected princi- pal, with J. C. Doane, B. S., as teacher of natural scien-
D.J. BUTTS
E.R.BACKER
311
SCHOOLS OF MANSFIELD-DYER J. BUTTS.
ces; W. C. Bartol, A. M., of mathematics; W. L. Penny, A. M., of languages; Miss Frances M. Wright, M. D., of physiology; W. S. Hulslander, M. S., of vocal music. and principal of the training school; Miss Dora N. Woodruff, preceptress.
Prof. Thomas, having been re-elected, is now (1882) at the head of the school, which, under his able manage- ment, is fully maintaining its great reputation as one of the best schools in the State. The following is a full list of the faculty at the present time: D. C. Thomas, principal, science and art of teaching, and mental and moral phil- osophy; W. W. Thoburn, natural sciences; J. T. Ewing, mathematics; Dora N. Woodruff, preceptress, history and civil government; H. Jean Johnston, literature and reading; Della J. Broadwell, languages; Frances M. Wright, geography and physiology; Mrs. W. S. Hulslan- der, English grammar and Latin; W. S. Hulslander, vo- cal music, and principal of training school; William Cramer, instrumental music.
The whole number of pupils now in attendance, in- cluding the training school, is 262. In the senior class there are 42. The first class graduated in 1866. The graduates now number 405. During the past year steam heating apparatus has been put in. The cabinet num- bers over 6,000 specimens. The buildings, grounds and furniture cost over $100,000.
Here we must close the long history of this enterprise, regretting that for want of space many things must re- main unsaid in regard to an institution which has not only made Mansfield a great educational center, but which is at once the pride and glory of our village, as well as of the entire county.
THE SOLDIERS' ORPHAN SCHOOL ..
This institution was opened October ist 1867, by the proprietor, Professor F. A. Allen, who had made appli- cation to the superintendent of soldiers' orphans for 25 boys and 25 girls. At the end of the first year the num- ber in attendance was 63. The school was at first kept in an old store, which had been fitted up for the purpose, but afterward other and larger buildings were purchased and erected, till there were accommodations for over 200 pupils. In 1872 a farm of 150 acres near the village was purchased, in order to give employment and instruction to the boys; while the girls were taught to do all kinds of housework and plain sewing. Upon the death of Profes- sor Allen, in 1880, his wife became proprietress-a po- sition for which she was admirably qualified. Vine R. Pratt has had charge of the school under Mr. and Mrs. Allen almost from its beginning, and made an efficient manager. The teachers are Josephine Stewart, W. S. Hulslander, Mary Lincoln, and Sadie Davis. There are now 200 pupils in attendance. Many hundreds of sol- diers' orphans have been educated here at the expense of the State. It is one of those institutions which have given to Mansfield its wide reputation as a center of in- telligence and education.
THE NEW GRADED SCHOOL
building was erected in 1881, at a cost, including grounds,
furniture, etc., of nearly $13,000. It is an elegant brick structure, heated by steam, with all the modern improve- ments, and occupies a beautiful location adjoining the park on the north. It is an ornament and a blessing to Mansfield-of which the people are justly proud; the number of pupils now in attendance is 246. The teachers are: N. S. Stone, principal; Laura E. Johnson, Olive El- liott, Ella Shaw, Fanny Davis, and Leda Hall.
THE MANSFIELD BUSINESS COLLEGE,
the youngest of our schools, was opened in the spring of 1882, and promises to become an important factor in the educational interests of Mansfield. Many young men are here receiving a practical business education, and the school is daily increasing in numbers and importance. It occupies a floor in the Pitts block, at the corner of Main and Wellsboro streets, and is the only school of the kind in the county. The officers are: Rev. J. T. Brownell, president; C. S. Ross, secretary; E. D. West- brook, principal of the business department; C. V. Freton, principal of the penmanship department; J. A. McCurdy, principal of the department of telegraphy; Hugh Ross, principal of the department of phonography.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES .*
DYER J. BUTTS.
Dyer J. Butts was born August 22nd 1829, at Norwich, Conn. His father, Lorin Butts, was born October 28th 1796, in Connecticut. His mother, Harriet Hyde, was born April 18th 1800, in Connecticut. They were mar- ried May 5th 1819.
Lorin Butts first came to Tioga county in 1820, pros- pecting, with a view of removing to this region. He re- turned to Connecticut, and in 1829 moved his family to Lawrenceville, Pa. He remained there about three years. He was the architect and builder of the Presby- terian church in Lawrenceville, supposed to be the first regular church edifice in Tioga county.
In 1833 he removed to Richmond township, selecting as his home a farm now in the borough of Mansfield, upon which were a small house and a log barn. In 1835 he built a frame barn. In 1854 he erected a house on the site of the old one, which is still occupied as "the homestead " of the family. He was engaged in religious, educational and social enterprises, being a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church, teacher in schools, and in- spector of teachers, as it used to be termed. He held various offices in the town, and was elected justice of the peace February 16th 1869. In the meantime he was clearing and tilling his farm. He died August 16th 1874.
His wife was a devoted Christian, gentle and charita- ble, a member of the Presbyterian church Her house was open for social meetings, and her heart and hand responded to the needs of others. She died when in the prime of life, being 37 years of age, leaving six children:
* These sketches were not written by Mr. Sherwood, the author of the foregoing history of Richmond and Mansfield
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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
Byrissa B., still living at the homestead; Harriet H., who died October 4th 1847: Jean M., now Mrs. Henry Allen, of Mansfield; Lucy A., now Mrs. McIntyre, of Blossburg; Dyer J., of Mansfield, and Lorin H., of Wilkes-Barre.
Dyer J. Butts was brought from Connecticut to Law- renceville in his mother's arms when about two months old. He remained with the family, enjoying such edu- cational privileges as a new country affords, until 1851, when.he went to what was then the west-Michigan, II- linois and Wisconsin -- to see if change of locality would suit him better. He soon returned.
When about 25 years old he connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal church. He at once became a zealous worker in church and Sunday-school, serving as superintendent until the summer of 1861. On receiving the news of the defeat of the Union army in the first Bull Run fight he said, "I must go down and attend to that myself." He immediately arranged his business, leaving E. R. BACKER. church and Sunday-school, and enlisted October 14th 1861 in Company B ioist regiment Pennsylvania volun- teers. He enlisted as a private, but soon afterward was made sergeant; re-enlisted while in the field, January Ist 1864; was examined and recommended for a commission, but was taken prisoner April zoth at the surrender of Plymouth, N. C., with the rest of the troops under Gen- eral Wessels. He was taken to Andersonville prison, Ga., where he remained till September 11th, when he was removed to Charleston, S. C. After about two weeks he was taken to Florence, S. C., where he remained CHARLES SHERMAN. till February 1865. While in this prison the prisoners were without a ration of meat for 95 days and the daily ration of cow-peas and cornmeal could be put into a pint cup. The Union forces under Sherman crowding the rebels, he with others was taken from the stock ade to Goldsboro, and marched off into the woods, where they remained a few days. They were then taken on the cars to Wilmington, N. C., and remained a few days; then were taken north and marched off into the woods. After a few days Wilmington was captured by our forces, when the prisoners were paroled and taken from the woods to near Wilmington. There they were met by Union troops. As they marched toward camp they were greeted with a view of an evergreen arch with the motto " WEI COME, BROTHERS." under which they were marched into camp, where they had the first full meal HIRAM HODGES. for over ten months. Remaining there over night some were taken on boats and others marched to Wilmington. Mr. Hodges has made farming his business, and still owns a farm of 137 acres in Sullivan township, though now living retired on a place of eight acres at Mansfield. He was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1Sio. In 1829 his father removed his family to the township of Sullivan, in this county; and there our subject remained until his removal to Mansfield, in 1874. He has been thrice married: first in 1838, to Miss Orilla Crippen, who Mr. Butts started with those who were to march, but being unable to make the march was taken up by an am- bulance and carried to a deserted house in Wilmington used as a hospital. It being announced one morning that any who could get to the boats might go home, he with others started and got on the boat; but, it being over- loaded, he and a few others were driven off at the point of the bayonet. He then went to a hospital, but was bore him one child, and died in 1874. His second wife, driven away. After lying in a deserted house two or three days he was taken on board a boat and brought to Annapolis and put in the hospital.
there about two weeks, and was then removed to the hos- pital at Baltimore. After a time he was granted a fur- lough of thirty days and came home. He returned to to Baltimore and was transferred to Summit Hospital, Philadelphia, where he was discharged. On the muster- ing out of the regiment he was commissioned captain of Company B by Governor Curtin.
On returning home he resumed his business, engaged again in church work, and was re-elected Sunday-school superintendent. He remained at the homestead till De- cember 17th 1877, when he was married to Miss Frances A. Cochran, youngest daughter of Rev. Wesley Cochran of the Central New York conference of the M. E. church. They established a home upon a farm which he had pre- viously bought, being a part of the homestead farm with adjoining lands. There they now live, with their daugh- ters Alice M. and Mary B.
Captain Backer is a native of Rutland township, this county, and was born January 6th 1840. Early in the civil war he raised a company of Union volunteers (Com- pany D 16th Pa. cavalry) and himself enlisted for three years' service. After his discharge he raised Company A 207th Pa. volunteers, of which he was captain until the close of the war. He married Miss Emeline Watkins, of Sullivan, Pa. He is a merchant at Mansfield, and also railroad ticket agent.
This gentleman, one of the leading representatives of the agricultural interest in Richmond township, is a na- tive of the State of Rhode Island. He was born in the year 1806, and in 1834 married Matilda Lake, of Tiver- ton, Rhode Island. In 1839 he came from his native State to Pennsylvania, locating in Rutland township, Tioga county, where he bought a tract of 100 acres. There he remained until 1872, when he removed to Rich- mond township. During his long residence in this county he has enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, who kept him in the office of magistrate during ten years and also entrusted him with the duties of other local offices.
who was Miss Sarah Kingsley, died in 1878. The present Mrs. Hodges was Ellen Buckbee. She was married to He remained | Mr. Hodges in 1878, and they have one child, a daughter.
Charles Sherman
Hiram Hodges
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES SHERMAN NEAR MANSFIELD, PA.
313
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-KNOXVILLE INCORPORATED).
ANDREW SHERWOOD.
Mr. Sherwood is a geologist of ability and repute, and one of the literary men of Tioga county. The quality of his prose composition may be judged from Chapter XII of this volume (pages 83-88) and the history of Richmond township and Mansfield borough, which were contributed by him; and'he is not a stranger to the " poetic impulse," though he has published no collection of his poems.
Mansfield is not only his present home but his native place. He was born July 16th 1848, and has resided here all his life. He is a son of Albert Sherwood, of whom a sketch appears on page 297. He was educated at the State normal school and in Chicago University, and has been assistant geologist in the geological surveys of New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania,
Mr. Sherwood married Miss Jennie I. Knapp, of Law- renceville. They have made their elegant cottage- " The Kot o' Kontent "-a home in the fullest sense of the word, a place to leave with regret and to return to with joy. The grounds, comprising about fourteen acres, are among the finest in the county.
Mr. Sherwood is a member of the New Era Manufac- turing Company, which is building a flouring-mill and wood-working factory at Mansfield.
THOMAS JERAI.D.
Thomas Jerald was born in Orleans county, Vt., in 1799. In 1830 he came from New York State to this county, and located on Corey Creek, in Richmond town- ship, where he bought the farm of one hundred acres on which he now resides. He married Miss Matilda Wilson, a native of Connecticut, by whom he had seven children. Three of these are now living.
THOMAS JERALD.
One of the sons of Thomas Jerald is William B. Jerald, who is one of the leading farmers of Richmond town- ship, owning 260 acres. He was born in this township, in 1834, and married Miss Eleanor Howe, also of Rich- mond.
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