History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 98

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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542

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

should elect three "schoolmen" who would

Commissioners-Jacob Dietz, Samuel superintend the education of poor children Harnish, John Shultz.

in their respective districts. But each county might authorize the "schoolmen" to divide the township into school districts, and to establish schools at the expense of the township, in which all the children be- longing to the districts, might be taught for three years, at any time between the ages of six and fourteen. This law was applica- ble to the whole State, with a few excep- tions. A few of the English speaking town- ships of York County accepted the provi- sions of this act.

It was repealed in 1826, and the act of 1809 revived. By the act of April 2, 1831, the basis of a more efficient system was laid, under which certain moneys and powers were placed under the direction of the Sec- retary of the Commonwealth, the Auditor General and Secretary of the Land Office.

The act of 1834 establishing the

Free free system of public schools

System.

School caused an exciting discussion in the legislature. Its final passage was considered a triumph by its advo-

cates. This act was passed and signed through the influence of George Wolf, Gov- ernor of Pennsylvania, and Thaddeus Ste- vens, who then represented Adams County in the state legislature. It was entitled "an act to establish a general system of educa- tion by common schools."

A convention of delegates assembled in York on Tuesday, November 4, 1834. Jacob Dietz was president and Daniel Small sec- retary. "Will this convention accept the provisions of the school law as passed in April of this year, and shall a tax be laid for the expenditures of each district?" was

brought up for consideration.

Some of the delegates were sent to the convention by certain townships, with the special purpose of preventing its acceptance. The following named persons voted in the 'affirmative, in the order given: Samuel Prowell, representing Fairview; Luther H. Skinner, Hanover; Jacob Emmitt, South Ward, York; Godlove Kane, North Ward, York; James H. Smith, Chanceford; Robert Gebby, Lower Chanceford; John Living- stone, Peachbottom ; yeas, seven.

The county commissioners and the fol- lowing named delegates voted in the nega- tive:

Delegates-Christian Snyder, Manches- ter ; John Walker, Warrington; Jacob Emig, Dover; Ezekiel Williams, Paradise; Wil- liam Foster, Newberry; Jacob Weltzhoffer, Hellam: Jacob Feiser, Shrewsbury; Hugh McMullin, Monaghan; James Wallace, Hopewell; Thomas Brooks, Fawn; Abra- ham Burkholder, Franklin; Charles Diehl, .Windsor; Samuel Johnston, Springgarden; Henry Bowman, Heidelberg; Henry Berk- heimer. Washington; John Wentz, Man- heim; John Fitz, Sr., Codorus; John Kre- ber, Carroll; Henry Stover, Conewago; nays, twenty-two.

On motion it was then resolved by the delegates who voted in the affirmative, that the sum of $1,300 be raised by tax agree- ably to the provisions of said act, to be ap- portioned among their respective districts, as follows :

York borough south ward ... . . $303.99 York borough, north ward .. 223.74

$528.28

Hanover

122.74

Chanceford

173.03

Lower Chanceford. I 38.50

Peach Bottom. 81.52

Fairview 254.33

$1,300.00

Resolved, That Saturday, the 22nd, be the day in which the people meet in their respective districts, and decide by a majority of votes whether they will raise for the current year a sum in addition to that determined on by the delegates, as above stated.

On Thursday, May 28, 1835, a

The similar meeting of delegates was

Second held in the commissioners' office,

Meeting. which resulted as follows :

Frederick Baugher, North ward; Israel Gardner, South ward; Henry Wirt, Hanover: Andrew Clarkson. Chanceford; John Livingstone, Peach Bottom; Stephen McKinley, Lower Chanceford; Dr. Benja- min Musser, Fairview; Joseph Mills, New- berry; Jesse Wheeler, Fawn ; yeas, nine.

Commissioners-Jacob Dietz, Shultz, Christian Inners.

John

. John McAllister, Hopewell; Henry Stover, Conewago; Henry Peter, York; nays, six. Some districts were not repre- sented.

Monday, May 2, 1836, the annual con- vention of the county commissioners and school delegates assembled at the Court

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EDUCATIONAL

House. The following delegates attending and opposition was manifested to the efforts produced their credentials and took their seats :

Commissioners-John Shultz, Christian Inners, Joseplı Small.

Daniel Kraber, North ward; Joseph Mc- Pherson, South ward; John Stickel, War- rington; P. Williamson, Peach Bottom; John Thompson, Fairview; Joseph Mc- districts of this county." Heidelberg did not, however, accept until 1857; West Man-

Creary, Newberry; James E. Mifflin, Hel- lam: George Klinefelter, Shrewsbury; John heim in 1858, and Manheim in 1870. At- Bush, Dover; Joseph Parks, Monaghan; tempts were made to vote down the system in some of the German townships. As time passed on, the new system was received with more favor. The examination of teachers was very imperfectly conducted by the school directors or some person selected by them. William Allison, Hopewell; Robert Ander- son, Fawn; Martin Carl, Franklin ; Michael Paules. Windsor: Henry Leib, Heidelberg ; John Griest, Washington : Daniel Bailey, Carroll; Luther H. Skinner, Hanover ; Sam- uel Bear, West Manchester; Andrew Clark- son, Chanceford; Matthew McCall, Lower Chanceford. THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENCY.

On motion of Daniel Kraber it was then

In accordance with the act creating the Resolved, That a school tax be raised agreeably to the act of assembly, entitled an office of county superintendent of schools, the incumbent to be elected for the act to establish a general system of educa- term of three years by a majority of the tion by common schools, and the supplement thereto. school directors of the county assembled, the first meeting was held in the Court The question being taken by yeas and nays, the vote was as follows : House June 5. 1854. There was a fair rep- resentation of the directors from those Joseph Small, Daniel Kraber, Joseph MePherson, John Stickel, John Thompson, Joseph Parks, Joseph McCreary, James E. Mifflin, George Klinefelter, William Allison, Robert Anderson, Daniel Bailey., Luther H. Skinner, Jacob Feiser, Andrew Clarkson, Matthew McCall ; yeas, sixteen. townships which had accepted the common school system. Daniel Kraber, of York, was chosen president; J. H. Watkins and Jacob Greenfield, vice-presidents ; John Fin- ley, of Lower Chanceford, and A. H. Glatz, of Hellam, secretaries. There were four candidates named for the position: Jacob John Shultz, Christian Inners, John Bush, Martin Carl, Michael Paules, Henry Leib, John Griest, Samuel Bear; nays, eight. Kirk, Andrew Dinsmore; C. B. Wallace and D. M. Ettinger. The law gave the school directors assembled the power to establish the salary, which on this occasion was fixed at $500, whereupon all candidates withdrew, except Jacob Kirk, of the village of New Market, Fairview township, and he was unanimously elected. Mr. Kirk was an ex- emplary man, representing an intelligent Quaker family of the upper end. He had not been a teacher for a number of years previous to his election, and was not spe- cially prepared to surmount the obstacles in the way of establishing the school system in the county.

It will be observed that the common school system was not generally very popular. Of the nine votes cast by the county commissioners, at the three conven- tions, there is but one affirmative vote, that of Joseph Small. The delegates of the fol- lowing districts voted to accept the system : Fairview, Hanover, Chanceford, Lower Chanceford, Peach Bottom and York bor- ough. The next year Newberry and Fawn townships were added to the list. At sub- sequent conventions many districts refused to send delegates. At the third convention Warrington, Hellam, Shrewsbury, Mona- ghan, Hopewell, Carroll and Springfield ac- cepted.

In many places bitter controversies arose,

to establish schools. Most of the remain- ing townships did not accept the system until after the passage of the act of 1848, which contained the following conditions : "That from and after the passage of the act, the common school system shall be held and taken to be adopted by the several school

Two reports were made by him to the sec- retary of the commonwealth, which officer then filled also the position of State Super- intendent of common schools. Mr. Kirk's first report was dated December 8, 1854, in

544

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

which he felt encouraged to say that "the adopted a uniform series of school books; cause of common school education is becom- outline maps were used in 124 schools and ing so interwoven with the interests and feelings of our people as to insure its pros- perity." He suggested that the law be so amended as to authorize the school direc-

twelve districts held institutes twice a month. The entire number of schools in the county was 310; average length of school term, four and a half months. York tors to purchase suitable books with the had a nine months term, Hanover eight, Lower Chanceford and Springgarden six months. The law required but four months and most districts did not exceed that num- ber. The amount of tax levied was $42,235 for the county. During this term the York County Normal School was started.

district funds. There were then 247 schools in the county under his supervision, 223 male and thirty-seven female teachers; average salaries of males, $19.17; of females, $13.00. Number of pupils in all the schools, 13,652. There were twenty graded schools in York and six in Hanover. His second report was made to Andrew G. Curtin, sec- retary of commonwealth and superintendent

The third convention for the election of a county superintendent was held May 7, 1860. V. K. Keesey, of York, was called of schools, dated "New Market, August 13, to the chair. The salary remained un- changed and the incumbent in office, Dr.

1855." There were then 279 schools, and Mr. Kirk had visited 240 of them. The av- Blair, was re-elected on the first ballot over erage school term in the county was a little four competitors ; at this session all directors more than four months.

were present. In 1862 Superintendent Blair The teachers generally, he said, "were at- tentive and industrious, but there are some painful exceptions." The highest average salary, $28.75 per month, was paid in Wrightsville. Mr. Kirk resigned the posi- tion, after having served about one year, and entered the Union army as a surgeon and Daniel M. Ettinger was deputized to fill the balance of the term. In many townships in the year 1860, district superintendents made reports to the county superintendent. Among those who reported encouraging George Christopher Stair, editor of the progress were W. H. Bond, of West Man- People's Advocate of York, was appointed chester; Henry Mosser, of Fairview; to the position. He was familiarly known Charles Mitzel, of Codorus; William Line- among his friends as "Neighbor Stair." He baugh, of Paradise; Daniel Rhodes, of Man- chester, and Peter Heiges, of Monaghan. Most of these gentlemen were the secre- taries of their respective school boards. In 1863 Joseph Wickersham, of Newberry

was an ardent supporter of the cause of ed- ucation, having used the columns of his paper to advance its interests. At the ex- piration of fifteen months, on account of failing health, he resigned, and Dr. A. R. township, reported that the district super- Blair was appointed to fill the unexpired term.

The second triennial convention was held May 4, 1857; Judge Robert J. Fisher was elected president, and Dr. G. L. Shearer, of Dillsburg, and Dr. H. G. Bussey, of Shrews- bury, secretaries. There were fifty-six di- rectors present. The salary was raised to $1,000 per annum, and Dr. Blair was elected. During this administration Heid- elberg and West Manheim townships ac- cepted the school system, leaving Manheim the only non-accepting district.

In the year 1858, Hanover borough, Hel- lam and Dover townships organized district institutes and a union institute was formed by the teachers of Manchester, West Man- chester and North Codorus.

Twenty-three districts in the county had

intendency "had done much to improve the condition of our fifteen schools. A spirit of emulation had thus been encouraged."

The fourth convention assembled May 3, 1863 .. Judge Fisher was chairman, C. B. Wallace and Dr. S. J. Rouse, secretaries. The salary remained $1,000. One hundred and six directors were present. D. M. Et- tinger, S. G. Boyd and S. B. Heiges were nominated; Mr. Heiges received the major- ity of the votes and was declared elected. He had been for a number of years previ- ously a successful teacher in the county. For the year 1867 he reported as follows : public examinations, 45; applicants exam- ined, 377; schools visited, 130. During the Civil War many of the most efficient teach- ers entered the Union army. In the year 1867 about seventy pupils attended the Nor-

545

EDUCATIONAL

mal school conducted during the spring and that Spring Garden had the best built and summer months by county superintendent best furnished school houses in the county. S. B. Heiges, S. G. Boyd and George W. Fairview ranked next. In 1876 there were Heiges. At the next election, held in May, 410 schools in the county, average salary 1866, Mr. Heiges was unanimously re- paid to male teachers was $33.50 per month elected and the salary raised to $1,500. In and to female teachers $31.50 per month. 1868 on account of sickness, he deputized George W. Heiges to serve the balance of the term.

There were 20,500 pupils attending public schools in the entire county, with an average attendance of 13,115. State appropria- tions, $19,025; amount raised by taxation, $127,482. The amount paid for teachers' salaries $73,381. Of the teachers 290 males

The sixth convention assembled in May, 1869. Dr. B. F. Porter, of Chanceford, was elected president. At this meeting S. G. Boyd, who had been an energetic teacher, and 120 females. was elected county superintendent without The ninth convention was held May 8, 1878. At this meeting Lemuel Ross, of Dillsburg, was made president, and Captain Frank J. Magee, N. Z. Seitz, C. R. McCon- key, Millard Blackford and Dr. James Gerry, secretaries. There were seven candidates nominated. D. G. Williams was elected. Two hundred and six directors were pres- ent. During the previous winter the state opposition at a salary of $1,500. In his first annual report Mr. Boyd announced that Wrightsville in 1870, built a brick school building at a cost of $22,000, including fur- niture and the lot on which it stood. Dur- ing this year, Manheim township accepted the school system and took advantage of the benefits which accrued from the State appropriation. He held that year in the legislature had passed an act allowing the county twenty-two institutes, each two days county superintendent a fixed compensation in length. In the year 1871 the borough of for each school under his supervision in the York, taking advantage of the act of 1870, county. At the time of his election, there were 380 schools, exclusive of York bor- ough. The area of the county is 921 square miles, making the salary $1,671 per annum. and seeing the necessity of better local su- pervision, elected W. H. Shelley, borough superintendent, and after this the county superintendent had no further supervision of the York schools. In 1871 Mr. Boyd was elected president of the Peach Bottom Railway and W. H. Kain was made deputy county superintendent.

At the seventh convention, held May, 1872, ninety-seven directors were present. A. H. Glatz was chosen president; Wilson Grove, W. J. Arnold and Henry Forten- baugh, secretaries. The salary was reduced to $1,200 per annum. elected over two competitors. He was a

At the ninth triennial convention which assembled in May, 1881, Captain Magee, of Wrightsville, was chosen president; H. C. Smyser, of Dillsburg, and A. D. Thompson, of Hopewell, secretaries. One hundred and sixty-eight directors formed the convention. The candidates were D. G. Williams, S. J. Barnett, J. P. Hays and Daniel Simon. Mr. Williams was re-elected.

In May, 1884, the tenth convention was W. H. Kain was presided over by B. Frank Koller, of Shrewsbury, with William Heltzel, of Han- graduate of Pennsylvania College and well over; H. C. Smyser, of Dillsburg, and Cap- fitted for the position. On March 28, 1873, tain Magee, of Wrightsville, as secretaries. One hundred and eighty-five directors voted. The candidates were D. G. Wil- the legislature passed an act requiring the county commissioners of York County to provide and furnish an office for the use and liams, H. C. Brenneman, S. J. Barnett, D. H. accommodation of the county superintend- Gardner, J. P. Hays and Jacob Smith. Mr. ent.

Williams was again re-elected.

The eighth convention met in May, 1875,

In 1887 when H. C. Brenneman was Rev. T. M. Crawford presiding, W. J. Ar- elected county superintendent there were nold and Dr. B. F. Porter, secretaries. The number of directors ninety-five. The nom- inees were W. H. Kain, A. W. Gray and George R. Prowell. Mr. Kain was re- elected. In his first annual report he stated 477 schools in the county. The attendance was 14,650 pupils. The state appropriation for that year was $23.300. There were 319 male and 177 female teachers, in all 496 teachers in the city and county of York.

546

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Brenneman served two full terms, dur- Wrightsville for many years. In 1904 there ing which period there was a general ad> were 301 male and 203 female teachers, in all 504, in the county. In the city of York

vancement of the cause of public education throughout the county. In 1893, during there were twenty-eight male and 109 female the last year of his superintendency, the teachers. The state appropriations for city state law furnishing free text books to all and county purposes amounted to $114,497. pupils in the public schools, went into effect. The entire amount of money raised by taxes The state appropriations were largely in- for school purposes in York County was

creased and during that year York County received from the hands of the state treas- urer $109,780.

David H. Gardner was elected county

that there were 457 teachers in the county exclusive of the city. In 1893 the High School of the Borough of Hanover gradu- ated its first class of nine students. During Mr. Gardner's administration the cause of education made encouraging progress throughout every township and borough of the county. In 1897 by act of assembly the minimum length of the school term was oughs have a nine-month term. As early as 1865 patented desks were introduced in a few of the county schools and within recent years the old fashioned wooden desks have all disappeared. The improvements in County school architecture have kept pace with the Institute. advancement in any other section of Penn- sylvania, and a system of graded schools has been adopted in the boroughs.

In 1899 the school board of Spring Grove erected a large building with six rooms. This building cost about $27,000. Of this amount $5,000 was paid by the district and the balance by Philip H. Glatfelter, owner of the paper mills in that borough. In 1897 Captain A. W. Eichelberger, a philanthropic citizen of Hanover, erected a large six-room building in which the Eichelberger Acad- emy was conducted for two years. In 1900 Captain Eichelberger presented this build- ing to the borough of Hanover for use as a public high school. Its value including a retson, Spring Garden; William Diehl, tract of four acres of land on which it is situated is $30,000.

Large and commodious school buildings of modern architecture and furnished with the best of school appliances have recently In the absence of the county superintendent, been erected in Hanover, Jefferson, Red Dr. Roland was called to the chair : William Diehl and David Smyser were chosen vice- presidents : J. W. Graham and Dr. A. R. Lion, Dallastown and other boroughs of the county. A graded system of schools with a High School has been in operation in Blair, secretaries. The institute passed an

$298,000.

In 1905, Charles W. Stine, who had served as principal of the schools of Dallas- town, was elected county superintendent.

superintendent in 1893 and filled that office He entered upon his duties June I, of that four successive terms. In 1894 he reported year. In his first official report to the school

department at Harrisburg, he stated that in 1906, there were 523 schools in the county exclusive of the city. Efforts were then be- ing made for the establishment of township high schools, in three or four of the districts of the county. The Codorus Township High School at Glenville has been in suc- cessful operation for several years.

The history of the public school system fixed at seven months. Several of the bor- of York County has been a constant growth and development. The detailed account of the schools of York will be found in the history of that city in this volume.

The first session of the county teachers' institute assembled in the Court House, in York, on Saturday, December 23, 1854. According to an account of this meeting in the York Gazette, the following teachers and directors were present : Teachers-John Taylor, Daniel Klinefelter, Solomon Mey- ers, J. N. Taylor, Ephraim Trimmer, Aaron Trimmer, Jonas Deisinger, George M. Et- tinger, J. M. Aldinger, W. H. Jordan, L. Haney, S. S. Mathews, John Keller, E. Kel- ler, J. E. Kline, Daniel Beitzel, W. F. Davis, C. A. Ebert, G. Scheffer, W. H. Bond, J. M. G. Wiseman, Zachariah Rudy, Michael Gal- ligher, Charles Alexander, Henry S. Bear, Martin L. Duhling, and John Conoway. Directors-Jacob Dehuff, Windsor; E. Gar- Seven Valley: Jacob Falcomer, Pine Hill; David Smyser, West Manchester ; Dr. W. S. Roland, Alexander J. Frey, J. Jessop, Wil- liam Sayres, and Dr. A. R. Blair, all of York.

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EDUCATIONAL

elaborate set of resolutions, with an ex- organizing meetings in York and in the haustive preamble, complaining bitterly of county, and at once received the hearty en- the evils that then beset the system. In couragement of most of the influential cler- gymen. While yet in the practice of the law, he began the study of theology, and in 1817 was ordained by Bishop White as a deacon in the Episcopal Church. Mr. Bacon was a man of striking individuality and great force of character. was resolved to call another county con- vention of teachers and directors on Thurs- day, January 25, 1855, which meeting lasted till Saturday noon, of the same week, and was addressesd by Hon. Thomas H. Bur- rowes and Rev. Charles Martin. From this small beginning the county institute has The York County Bible Society The First became the same year "The Bible Sunday Charity and Sunday School Soci- grown in importance and influence. It is now acknowledged to be a strong lever in supporting and encouraging a healthful ed- ucational feeling in the county.

Since the legislative act has been passed requiring all boards of education of the pub- lic schools to allow the teachers full time for attending the institute, nearly every teacher in the county is regularly in attend- ance for the entire week. The sessions are held annually, and continue for five days. Some of the ablest instructors and lecturers on educational topics in America are se- lected.

School. ety'of York County," and, under a charter granted by the legisla- ture, was permanently organized by electing Rev. Samuel Bacon president, on August 10. 1817. From that day dates the origin of Sunday School work in York County. This meeting was held in the building immedi- ately west of the Friends' Meeting House on Philadelphia Street. The first meeting to discuss the question of organizing such a society, was held in the Academy.

All protestant denominations were invited A large number of the citizens of York city and the county attend these annual meetings, and institute week is looked for- ward to with great interest. The State an- nually appropriates $200 to its benefit. to lend a helping hand, and a school was es- tablished in this building, which was used by the afterward celebrated Amos Gilbert, a teacher of the Lancastrian school. He and Abner Thomas, both members of the SUNDAY SCHOOLS. Society of Friends, conducted such a school in this building at that time. They assisted in the first Sunday School. The personnel of this, the first Sunday School, cannot now be given. Under the protecting care of its active superintendent it prospered. It was not many weeks until more than 100 pupils attended. The clergy of York in general and many laymen assisted, and others gave encouragement. In the month of April, 1818, the number of pupils had increased to came to York from Lancaster, Pennsylva- 300, and the school was removed to the

The York County Bible Society, an or- ganization tributary to the American Bible Society, was formed in York on August 7, 1817. Its object was "to distribute the Sacred Scriptures, without note or com- ment, in all sections of the county." The guiding spirit in effecting this organization was Samuel Bacon, who was born in Stur- bridge, Massachusetts, July 22, 1782. He nia. after graduating at Harvard College. York County Academy, and all of the differ- ent rooms used. He was principal of an academy, which af- terward became Franklin College. Being During the summers of 1818 and invited to York to teach the classics in the County 1819. Rev. Bacon used extraor- York County Academy, he came here when Schools. dinary efforts to establish Sunday Schools in York County, and, ow- ing to his exertions, during those two years he succeeded in organizing twenty-six schools in the villages and thickly settled country places of the county. In Septem- ber. 1819. their combined membership num- bered 2,000 pupils. . A writer of the time said that "Mr. Bacon became the admiration still a young man. During the war of 1812 he went to Washington, and entered the military service as an officer of marines. In the year 1815 he returned to York and be- gan the practice of law, having been admit- ted to the bar at Washington. At once he became a public spirited citizen. Having seen elsewhere the successful operations of the American Bible Society, he assisted in of all who knew him." Robert Foster, in

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 98

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372