History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 149

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 149

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"The predecessor of the Parkisons, whose name we have mislaid, on his arrival found the site on which this rapidly-growing city is located to be a dense forest of sugar- and walnut-trees, untouched by the hand of art or science. Contemporary with this set- tlement was the region around the old Horse-Shoe Bottom meeting-house filled with immigrants. Here the older Powers, Moodys, Colvins, McComas, Wither- ows, Rices, Fryes, and others founded their homes. This church, erected at the close of the Revolution, was the first in this region, and its organization gave at once new life and vigor to the settlers, and its force of character culminated in awaking a desire for more than a homespun education. The influence of that congregation rapidly grew into such magnitude as to make it a centre of a higher state of civilization. Its power attracted the immigrant on his way thither- ward in his search for a new home, which was found by many in the circle of country of which the church was the centre. So rapidly was this region taken up by new-comers that it for a time overshadowed the river settlements.

" From all information we can gather it is evident that the first school at which settlers of this city at- tended was located in an old log house that stood near where John Witherow's blacksmith-shop now stands, and is supposed to have been the original resi- dence of the older McComas. To add more to this influence, on the 19th day of October, 1796, Mr. Sam- uel Ralston, a licentiate from the Presbytery of New Castle, was called to preach to this congregation. He was a foreigner by birth and education. He was

" The history of education in this vicinity, in - common with other matters of local interest, is shrouded in uncertainty, only a few vague and gen- eral items being preserved. Looking upon our ances- tors from a present stand-point, they appear to have lived merely for their day only, caring little for the wants and desires of the future. They were content when satisfied that they and their offspring had ! a man not only filled with the Holy Ghost, but he whereof to eat, drink, and wherewithal to be clothed. In fact, their immediate necessities were so urgent as to call for the greater part of their time in efforts to secure for them what was termed in those days 'a

was adorned with the highest literary attainments found in the Old World. In his every-day life he ex- emplified the value of education, and impressed on the minds of his people that it followed hand in hand

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

with religion. The good of his teachings soon cropped out in the establishment of other schools. During the winter seasons another school was opened in the vicinity of the present residence of Dutton Shannon, another at Parkison's Ferry, in an old log house of primitive style,-by this we mean of unhewn logs. It was a dwelling once, used as such, situate in a grove of sugar-trees on the lot on which stands the residence of Michael Yohe, near the old Presbyterian Church, not far from the lot on which this beautiful house has been erected. Shades of the departed ! thy spirits may yet linger around this sacred spot whilst we' dedicate another temple to the god of science.

" Up to this time, and many years afterwards, there was no organized effort to establish a uniform system of schools, the first attempt in that direction being the assessment and collection of a poor tax on the richer to pay the schooling of the poorer class of citizens. This new notion had many disadvantages and not any virtues. It fixed at once a discrimina- tion in personal character which was then and is now distasteful to the full-blooded American.

"Schools were taught in several of the old-time houses besides the famous old log house already named. A Mrs. McKeever, an elderly lady, in 1819 had a school in an old house where the depot now stands. Among her scholars was Joseph Warne, well known in this vicinity. Edward Tower, father of G. H. and Theo. Tower, of Elizabeth, taught a school not long afterwards in the old red house that stood on the lot on which the People's Bank now stands.

" A Mr. Victor also taught in the same house. He also had Mr. Joseph Warne for a scholar. This teacher boarded with Mr. James Warne, who built and lived in the house so long occupied by the late Joseph Wilson, on Main Street. Orlando H. Gold taught about the year 1830 in the old red house on the river-bank, long known as the house in which the late Samuel Black kept his first store. The building has long since disappeared. Among his scholars were W. J. Alexander, the worthy president of the board of directors, Charles Beebe, Samuel C. King, Wash. Spence, Samuel Guthrie, Wm. Devore, Robert McGrew, Franklin Manown, and many other formerly well-known boys.

" Mr. Joseph Grieves, a man of delicate constitu- tion, who lived near the toll-gate up the pike, also taught in the old red house on the river-bank, the above-mentioned boys constituting many of his scholars. For some reason, during the progress of his school, he packed up his paraphernalia, consisting of rod, ferule, and dinner-basket, and moved his quarters to the red house where the People's Bank now stands, he, in common with his patrons, having a peculiar taste for a red house. In after-years no doubt many of them were gratified to see brick substituted, whether or account of the red color or not we can only have our

opinion. In a recent interview with Moses Arthurs, now of this city, he informed us that he taught a school in 1831 in an old house which stood on the river-bank on the upper corner of the lot on which the old Huston mansion then stood, above the old wharf. Mr. B. F. Bentley was one of his scholars, if we are not mistaken.

"In the year 1834, Mr. E. A. Talbot opened a school in the old Methodist Church, a part of which can still be seen near the new wharf, and Miss Clarke, an aunt of S. C. and W. H. Wilson, taught a school during the same year in the old house formerly known as the Dorcas Cooper house, opposite the present resi- dence of Richard Stockdale, on Main Street. To this school of Miss Clarke, Mr. Underwood first sent his children after his arrival in the place. Under her teaching my old friend and schoolmate, 'Uncle Abe,' learned his first lesson of wisdom, and perhaps to the early impressions of her rulings may be at- tributed the fact that to this day he has eschewed matrimony. Mr. Watson, well known among the boys as Blue Beard, also kept school in this house. It seemed in those days that no kind of a building except an old house could be used for a school-house. The idea of erecting a school-house was not even among the possibilities. Such, in a general way, was the condition of school matters in this vicinity prior to the adoption of the common-school system of 1834, and let it ever be to its credit that the township em- bracing Williamsport was among the first to accept the provisions of the law. By the act of Assembly dated March 28, 1781, the county of Washington was divided into thirteen townships, one of which num- ber was called Fallowfield, and included within its territory the district now known as Monongahela City. All schools to which we have alluded were within its limits until the formation of Carroll, Sept. 30, 1834. It will be noticed that Miss Clarke and Mr. Watson were the last to teach in the town whilst it was connected with old Fallowfield. Before the school system was organized Carroll township was formed, and Williamsport was within its limits and; under its jurisdiction for all purposes.

" The first election in the new township was held at the house of Joseph Hamilton, who kept the hotel now known as the Miller House, on Main Street. At this election a board of school directors was elected for the first time, and on this board devolved the duty of organizing the township for school purposes. This was no easy task. We can recall but the names of David Williams, uncle of your honorable secre- tary, Isaac Van Voorhis, my venerated father, and George Morrison, now residing in Uniontown, as members of that board. The board for the time being divided the township into convenient sub- districts, as required by law, using for school-houses whatever old buildings could be obtained.

" An old house on the hillside, to the left of the road leading from Yerty's Run to Galbreath's, fur-

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MONONGAHELA CITY.

nished one, in which a one-armed man was teacher. He being barred out at one time, at the approach of the holidays, forced an entrance through the clap- board roof, and soon settled the boys with a severe drubbing, as it was called. He was. a strict but suc- cessful teacher, introducing many new and practical ideas not dreamed of in old-time philosophy. This school was finally merged into the one in the stone house which Col. A. T. Gregg aided in building, and in which house he taught the first school, thus carry- ing into practice the homeopathic dogma, ' Similia similibus curantur.' On the hill above the present residence of William Blythe may yet be seen traces of a log cabin which, condemned by common con- sent as unfit for any other use, was selected as a suitable school-house. It was a retired spot, not even a road, much less a house, within sight; no wonder the proprietor was constantly complaining of the depredations of such boys as McCarty Wil- liams, Robert Phillips, James Stockdale, Robert Van Voorhis, and others, who, not alive to his finer feelings, displayed a good deal of faith in old- time Nihilism, having no disposition to ignore the doctrine, well cherished everywhere, that the boy had 'no pent-up Utica to contract his power' to roam undisturbed, not being met in those days at every crossing by the huge sign of danger as now, bearing the inscription, 'Trespassers beware,' or if by chance some such bugbear passed before them, it was quickly demolished by the finger-stone.

"The only thing that forced the old-time boy to a hasty retreat was the bumble-bee and yellow-jacket. In this school, as already intimated, our friend Robert Phillips was a scholar, and methinks I can see him yet as he sat cross-legged on a split log bench, with slate and pencil, intent on working out a sum in pounds, shillings, and pence, or proving to those around him, in his peculiar style, how he had solved the question, 'that if two and two make four, four and four would make eight.' In this waste cabin an Irishman named Lewis first taught ; he was succeeded by Sampson and Paul. Lewis was Irish indeed, and his pupils were very much inclined to imitate his twang, calling have, have, by sounding the a long instead of a short.

" The town was divided into two sub-districts, one being a double district. The upper end, including Catsburg, attended school in a frame house which stood on the island, near where the foundry now stands, being owned at that time by the heirs of Elias Watkins. For one term at least this school was taught by the late Thomas Collins, Esq. The lower end of town occupied the old Methodist Church for a time as a school-house. E. A. Tal- bot seems to have been the first teacher in this house under the new system. He was succeeded in 1835 by a Mr. Prescott. He was a relative of the celebrated historian, and was a man of more than ordinary literary attainments.

"After grave consideration the board of directore determined to erect in each district a brick or stone house. The houses built in town under this resolu- tion were the three-roomed house, of which the late Alex. Scott was contractor, still standing on the old Presbyterian church lot, and the one on the island long since passed into the river. In the latter house we think Thomas Collins was the first teacher. These houses were occupied for the first time in the winter of 1836, having been built during the preceding sum- mer. We feel almost certain that Nimrod Gregg, brother of 'Col. A. T. Gregg, taught one of the schools in the double house during this winter, and that a Mr. Dunn taught the other one. Mr. Dunn was a Yankee schoolmaster. He was fresh from Yankee land, and full of new ideas in the school business. He was soon impressed with the fact that he was in a strange land and surrounded by habits and customs requiring no little moral courage to break into, and as much physical nerve to introduce a new departure. He took in the situation readily. He came among them as Mr. not Master Dunn, and as such he would have them recognize him. He in- tended to teach, not keep school; that he only had one rule, and that was obedience to his will. His rule was founded, no doubt, on the moral lesson taught in the words of the poet :

"' I am monarch of all I survey; My right there is none to dispute; I make the little ones to obey, And manage the big ones to boot.'

Which, being translated, means that he would use the rod to the smaller and his boot to the larger scholars.

"Mr. Dunn's career as a teacher was a success. His scholastic attainment and gentlemanly deportment, together with natural kindness, won for him the es- teem of all with whom he came in contact. He was the first to introduce prizes as rewards of merit, and the first school prizes ever given were taken by three sisters of your worthy president.

"By the act of April, 1837, the town of Williamsport was incorporated into a borough under the name and style of Monongahela City, and thereafter the schools were placed under the control of a board of directors elected exclusively by the voters in the new borough. The late T. R. Hazzard succeeded Dunn as teacher, and carried out more fully new improvements in the art of teaching. He was a fine scholar, a kind friend, and a generous benefactor. To him more than any one individual is this community indebted for its well-known educational spirit, He taught the first classical academy in the town. Among his pupils were many who are now holding or have held import- ant positions in church and state. Under his teach- ings a new spirit on the subject of education seemed to take hold of the people, giving rise to a desire for an advance in the cause, with the selection of teachers of a higher order of literary worth .. Shortly after his

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

retirement from teaching in the old house the ques- tion of examining teachers as to their qualifications was raised, and to render the matter practical the late .Dr. R. F. Biddle and William Davidson, editor of the Carroll Gazette, were appointed a board of ex- aminers.

" Among the many other teachers in the old double house were Joseph S. Morrison, now a distinguished member of the Pittsburgh bar, and R. F. Cooper. Cooper had been among Hazzard's earliest pupils, at the age of sixteen having read at a public exhibition his masterly literary production entitled 'Mutability of all things.', To him and his teachings your speaker owes his earliest thirst for literature. As a teacher, penman, writer, printer, editor, and soldier, he had few equals. His criticism at the early part of the late war on the tactics of the United States army, as printed in the Philadelphia North American, elicited commendation from the highest military authorities of the nation. On the graves of Hazzard and Cooper let us not forget to strew flowers and shed tears of re- gret over their early demise. Friends, teachers, though dead, thy virtues live.

"The rapid growth of the borough soon necessitated the erection of a new school building. In the year 1852 the board of directors, consisting of our vener- able friend, Cyrus Underwood, as president, and the Jate Alexander Wilson as secretary, with Joseph Alex- ander, H. H. Finley, Wilson Thompson, and Alexan- der Scott as members, resolved to build a new school- house, which gave the town the brick house across the street from this house. The lot was purchased from Henry Fulton. The house cost seven thousand dollars. Johnson Baird and William Wilson did the stone- and brick-work; William Coulter did the car- penter-work. It was opened for school in the fall of 1853. Andrew Brown, now of the 'Forks,' and T. R. Hazzard, just returned from West Newton, were the first teachers, the former having been the last to teach in the old building. Too much credit cannot be given President Underwood for his untiring industry and foresight in moulding public opinion and carrying the enterprise to a successful issue. He was born in Baltimore, Md., Aug. 28, 1807. He first settled in this place in 1834, where he has resided ever since, excepting three years he served as recorder of the county. He and H. H. Finley are the only surviving members of that board of directors.

"The union school was organized in the fall of 1854, with James H. Moore as principal, and Miss Webster, Miss Beebe, and Miss Hodgson as assistants. Mr. Moore is deceased. His wife, formerly Miss Web- ster, is now principal of one of the public schools of Indianapolis. This union school, under the super- vision of a principal, was a new thing among the people, and for a time the plan had many prejudices to overcome, but ere the close of the first term it was pronounced a success by the bitterest enemy. Owing to many diversified circumstances the principal and

teachers were very often changed, a policy of ques- tionable propriety. Recently, however, the reverse obtains. We cannot recall the names of all who have in this building taught school. We record here that Professor Jennings was the last principal in that building, and that his reputation is such as to insure us in openly declaring that his career has been suc- cessful, and that the very walls of the old building join in echoing his praise.

"By the provisions of the act incorporating the borough into a city, its boundaries were considerably enlarged, adding thereby much to the population, and increasing the number of scholars in the public schools. This fact had much to do in originating the necessity of this grand edifice now under process of dedication. This building needs no eulogy from me; it speaks for itself in tones that will reverberate through generations yet unborn. When this valley with its hundred villages smoking with the fires of industry shall quake with the thunderings of the iron horse as it drives with lightning speed its human freight from ocean to ocean, this house will be pointed to as the proudest monument to science between the rising and setting sun. Long after the drapery of the grave shall have enshrouded them, the names of Wil- liams, Beaver, King, Hammond, Sheplar, Linn, Blythe, Teeters, Alexander, Coulter, Hartrick, and others connected therewith will have an abiding place in the future. The contractors, too, Neel, Blythe & Co., will not be forgotten when future gen- erations shall make up their jewels of rejoicing.

" We cannot refrain from turning aside for a mo- ment and pointing you to some interesting features in the life of our old friend and schoolmate, William Coulter. More than half a century ago we together attended the old Colhoon school, near the late resi- dence of the late Abe Hall. He has been so long identified with this community in all its interests, and especially in that of its public schools, that his nature has had much to do in moulding the disposi- tion and tastes of the people. He was born Nov. 11, 1817, in Catsburg, in the old house still standing on the corner of the street leading to the cemetery. He came on the stage of life, it will thus be seen, about the time in the history of that village when ' Biddy Caldwell' held queenly sway. He first attended school in an old house long since passed into the river near the residence of the late Judge Hill. His next school was that of Miss Burke, who kept in an old house on the Bollman lot, near the residence of the late Noble Woodward. Among the scholars were his brothers Ralph and Joseph Woodward. He also attended John Dunning's school, kept in the red house already named, where the People's Bank stands.

" In 1827 he attended school in the old house in the rear of the grocery of D. H. Williams, where Gabriel Silverthorn lived long ago. Early as 1828 he attended the old Colhoon school. In 1830 he went to

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MONONGAHELA CITY.

school to a man named Hepburn, who, with his two daughters, taught a semi-graded school in the old Dorcas Cooper house. Mrs. Margaret Sloan was one of the scholars, and has very vivid recollections of the teachers. After the adoption of the common- school system he was a scholar at the Irish Lewis school on Marshall's Hill. The last school he ever attended was taught by Moses Arthur, on the Yough River, near Robbin's Mill. At the close of this school he considered himself a graduate in the 'single rule of three,' and congratulated himself, no doubt, that after years of hard study in many schools of learning he had at length acquired sufficient proficiency in that rule as to qualify him for the carpenter trade. He began to learn his trade with a Mr. Kelly, but made poor progress, owing to the fact that Kelly did not have anything to do.

"This did not suit the young apprentice as well as it would boys nowadays, so he left Kelly and en- gaged with Amos Robbins to learn the millwright trade. It soon, however, struck William that curves, wheels, and spindles would not lead rapidly to wealth, so he suddenly, with rule and square, set out for himself on his first track, and how well he has pursued it ever since let the result of skill all over this neighborhood bear the testimony. He has been a school director in his native town back to the time to which memory run- neth not to the contrary. He has seen the old build- ing across the way come and answer its day. Although in appearance he looks hale and robust, a twinkle of the eye readily detects the fact that the weight of years is upon him. God bless you, William Coulter ! "Independent of the common-school system, the influence of the select and academical schools acted no little part in creating that educational spirit which has given your city so wide-spread reputation for its literary caste. Over half a century ago, Dr. Ralston, at his residence near Ginger Hill, heard the late Samuel Hair, Aaron Williams, and Samuel Williams recite their first lessons in Greek and Latin. Then followed the academies of Hazzard and E. S. Blake, in the old church on the river-bank ; of J. D. Mason, in the old church on the hill, and of J. P. Thompson, in the old carriage-factory, where your humble servant learned to decline 'Stella,' and conjugate the Greek verb Tupto, Tupso, Tetupha, Etupon. Then followed the schools of McFarland and the Morrison brothers, and the select school of Mary J. Cooper, now Mrs. Biddle, whose presence greets us to-night. There, too, was Miss Celia Gillet, daughter of the late Rev. N. H. Gillet, of Rehoboth. She, with her father and mother, have passed to the better land, whilst Miss Lizzie Lockhart is here with us. Miss Haines, a lady from Canonsburg, taught a select school for a time in the old church on the river-bank; so also did Rev. Samuel Hudson, now a distinguished minister in the Cumberland Church. Miss Haines had among her scholars Miss Eliza J. Warne, now the wife of John Watkins, of Missouri ; Miss Hindman and Miss Camp-

bell, of Finleyville ; Miss Rebecca Van Voorhis, now of Spearville, Kan., and many others whose names we cannot recall.

"From these schools in this vicinity were sent forth many who have taken an important part in the drama of life. J. W. F. White, once a pupil, is now a judge in Pittsburgh. A. H. Kerr is an able minister in St. Peter's, Minn .; John McFarland was a pioneer min- ister in Missouri, and died a few years ago near Greenfield, Dade Co .; J. C. Cooper is a prominent physician of Philadelphia; W. F. Hamilton is one of the most talented ministers in the Synod of Wheel- ing; John H. Storer and James H. Manown have long been prominent physicians of West Virginia ; A. J. Davis is a physician on the retired list in the East End; Joseph S. and A. P. Morrison are lawyers of high standing in Pittsburgh; James Fleming is a successful physician in Franklin, Ohio; George T. Miller is a wealthy coal dealer in this valley, near lock No. 2 (he is the father of Rev. Miller, of the Presbytery of Blairsville) ; Dr. W. H. King was one of the most distinguished surgeons and physicians in Western Pennsylvania (he died a few years since in the prime of manhood; his remains are sleeping calmly in the beautiful cemetery overlooking his native town); Francis Gardner remains in statu quo on the farm in the bend of the river below Elkhorn ; James' Scott, one of Hazzard's early pupils, studied medicine with Dr. Biddle in the little old office that stood where Hoffman's store now is. He first prac- ticed his profession in Greenfield, Pa., moved to Ohio, where, as physician and politician, he has always occupied a high position. For many years he was a leading member of the Ohio Legislature, was consul at Honolulu for a term, and is now again a member of the Legislature, where, as Nestor of that body, he is recognized as the leading spirit. He is a brother of the late Alexander Scott, of this city. Thomas Hodgson, grandson of the good old J. R. Shugart, is a talented and successful minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Cyrus B. King is a physician in Allegheny, and at this time one of the visiting sur- geons of the West Penn Hospital. George P. Fulton at the age of seventeen devoted himself to teaching, and has pursued it ever since except whilst in the. army during the late war. He has just been elected for the eleventh time principal of the Hiland Pub- lic Schools, East End, in the city of Pittsburgh. Thomas P. Gordon, son of the late Judge Gordon, was the first college graduate in the town, having graduated at Jefferson College in 1833. He was a minister, and died at his post of duty at Terre Haute, Ind. He was the only native of this city who ever received the honorary degree of D.D. He was a brother of Mrs. Sloan, who is a resident of this city. Thomas T. Williams was a school-boy at Blake & Hazzard's; is now a success- ful medical practitioner at White College, Greene Co., Pa., where for twenty-three years he has phy-

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 149

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 1216

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216