History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 73

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 73

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367

EDUCATIONAL.

Daniel Kraber, served as an active member of the school board, from the time of his first election until his death, a period of forty-four years. William Sayres was the first tax-collector under the law of 1834, and subsequently for a number of years a director.

Among those who taught private schools, previous to 1834, may be mentioned : Lewis Miller, J. Hartrick, Michael Bentz, Henry M. Skelton, Abner Thomas, Patrick McDermott, Emanuel Spangler, John Smith, James B. White and daughter, Robert W. Long, How- ard Gilbert, Mrs. Beard, Mrs. Davis, and Mrs. Montgomery. Very few schools at this time were taught by female teachers.

The teachers who were in service imme- diately before the adoption of the law of 1834, were at once employed under the new system, and the directors, in their respective wards, appointed the following teachers: Sarah Jones, Ann Love, Lydia Love, Sarah White, Jane White, Margaret Hunter, Joseph Mc- Pherson, Samuel R. McAlister, G. J. Joint and wife, Patrick McGuigan, Robert W. Long, Benjamin Ziegler, Malona Gowin.

Of these teachers, Miss Ann Love contin- ned in the employ of the board until Decem- ber 19, 1870, when her resignation was re- luctantly accepted, after a service of thirty- four years. In a graphic manner she nar- rated many interesting incidents in the edu- cational work of those early years. Patrick McGuigan taught in the public schools dur- ing thirty-two years (1836-1868), and died while in service.

DIRECTORS.

Beginning with 1837, the following appear in regular succession, as members of the board in North ward, down to the present time : George Lauman, John G. Campbell, Peter McIntyre, Rev. J. G. Capito, John J. Cochran, William Sayres, George A. Heckert, Thomas E. Cochran, Henry L. Fisher, W. Latimer Small, C. B. Wallace, Joseph Smy- ser, John M. Brown, Dr. A. R. Blair, Henry Lanius, Dr. E. H. Pentz, Rev. W. B. Raber, George Meredith, John Demuth, Samuel M. Barnitz, Rev. A. H. Lochman, Alexander J. Frey, George C. Stair, John Gibson, Israel Loucks, T. K. White, Rev. J. C. Smith, James Kell, W. H. Griffith, David E. Small, Clay E. Lewis, Dr. Jacob Hay, Arthur King, J. B. Rupp, Dr. C. A. Eisenhart, Dr. B. F. Spangler, Rueben Hildebrand and F. Beck.

Frederick Baugher served continuously from the first election, held in 1836, until 1859, a period of thirty three years.

Charles A. Morris, whose name is also found in the first board, served ten years

(1836-1846), and, on February 1, 1847, he was appointed superintendent of the schools of the North ward. He served in that ca- pacity, without compensation, during five consecutive years, and, on his retirement, re- ceived the very hearty acknowledgments of the board, for the efficient and faithful dis- charge of the duties of his office.

The following names constitute a list of members of board of directors in the South ward, who served in regular succession from 1847, to the present time : N. P. Buckley, Alexander Hay, Jacob Welsh, Dr. J. W. Kerr, P. Frank, Dr. W. S. Roland, Joseph Root, George Oaks, David Small, V. K. Keesey, David Laumaster, George A. Barnitz, W. C. Chapman, Hon. D. Durkee, William Beitzel, James Adams, William A. Good, Samuel D. Spangler, Abraham D. Forry, Dr. William Johnston, E. G. Smyser, Lewis Carl, Dr. T. N. Haller, Dr. Luke Rouse, William Frysinger, S. Oswald, G. K. Kane, Michael. Bentz, David F. Williams, Joseph Garretson, Joseph W. Jessup, Dr. A. R. Blair, Hon. R. J. Fisher, Rev. J. O. Miller, M. B. Spahr, John B. Welsh, Alexander Duncan, William H. Albright, Herman Noss, George W. Reever, Zachariah Dugan, George W. Strubinger, Jacob Erney, James G. Cameron, J. M. Deitch, W. E. Patterson, Alexander Spangler, F. F. Buckingham, Adam S. Pflieger, and Dr. S. J. Rouse. D. K. Noell, George P. Smyser and J. Frank Gable.

Many of the members of the board, both from the North and South wards, were re- elected a number of terms successively.

In the year 1849, efforts were made to secure a uniformity of text books in the borough.

On December 13, 1836, certificates of teach- ers were ordered "not to be received, unless they qualify themselves to teach geography and grammar."

As early as June 25, 1836, it was directed that the schools should be kept open nine months of the year.

On August 18, 1837, a separate school was established for colored children at the expense of the borough-both wards uniting for this purpose. This school has been continued separate and distinct to the present time, with James L. Smallwood as teacher, who has served continuously nearly twenty years.

SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

The first school buildings were rude struc- tures. In most instances, even in town, they were small, with unsuitable furniture and poorly ventilated. The board of education

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

did not own any school property until 1838. Before this time small rooms were rented wherever they could best be obtained. Previ- ous to 1870, many of the buildings in use were unfit. The Central School building, King Street, erected in 1850 at a cost of $2,200, was very acceptable. In 1868 Duke Street building was erected, at a cost of $5,100. The High School building, in 1872, costing $41,796; the same year, West King Street building, costing $11,868; in 1875, Cherry Street building, costing $11,500. Since then several other new and handsome school-houses have been erected. For the year 1884, the valuation of school property in York is estimated at $125,000. The expen- diture for school purposes were $34,513, and the State appropriation $3,593.

THE BOROUGH SUPERINTENDENCY.

From the time of passage of the act, crea- ting the office of county superintendent of schools in 1854, until the year 1871, the schools of York were under the supervision of that officer. The field of labor was too ex- tensive for him to devote much special atten- tion to York. S. G. Boyd, then the superin- tendent of the county, urged upon the York board of education the necessity of tak- ing advantage of the act allowing them to elect a borough superintendent, a part of whose salary would be paid by State appropriations. The board being com- posed of gentlemen of intelligence and enterprise, passed a resolution accepting the provisions of the act, and at once elected W. H. Shelly, borough superin- tendent, by a unanimous vote. He was formerly from York, but at that time was professor of languages in Albion College, Michigan, was thoroughly prepared to fill the honorable and responsible position, and has held it continuously, with great credit to himself and great benefit to the schools since his first election. The schools, fifty-five in number, are now thoroughly graded, and are under effective management.

THE HIGH SCHOOL.

The High School was organized in 1870 with the Borough superintendent as princi- pal, and Miss Mary Kell, assistant. She still occupies that position, and is a faithful and devoted teacher. Since its organization the following additional persons have occu- pied positions in this school in order named: George R. Prowell, S. B. Heiges, C. F. Chamberlain, Kolce Preston, A. Wanner and H. C. Brenneman. At present Mr.

Wanner is principal, Mr. Brenneman and Miss Kell, assistants. The school numbers 120 pupils, and graduates a class every year.

TEACHERS.

Since the year 1834, the time of the adop- tion of the public school system, about 250 different teachers have been employed. A number of them continued in the same posi- tion for many years. William Kraber, who served continuously for twenty-two years, for a long time teaching advanced grades, died in 1869. Miss Rebecca Welshans, who died in April, 1876, had taught in York thirty years. Miss Rebecca Kraber, who died in 1872, had taught twenty-four years. D. M. Ettinger, the surveyor and mathematician, did good service for fourteen years in York schools, and afterward was professor of math- ematics in York County Academy.

THE BOROUGH INSTITUTE.

One of the efficient agencies for promoting the cause of education in the community is the Teachers' Institute, which meets twice each month. At its sessions, topics pertain- ing to the science and art of teaching are discussed, and much benefit thereby derived.

THE YORK COUNTY ACADEMY.

At the foot of Beaver Street, in York, stands the historic old York County Academy, within whose sacred walls many incidents have transpired, dear to the hearts of a great number of persons of all ages and conditions in life. For nearly three-fourths of a cen- tury, it was the only educational institution, of any continued reputation in the county in which the higher branches were taught.

The land on which it is located was lot No. 636 in the original plat of the town of York. In 1777 Conrad Leatherman became the owner of it. In 1785 he sold it to St.

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EDUCATIONAL.

John's Protestant Episcopal Church of York. Rev. John Campbell, then rector of this church, obtained the sum of $5,000 toward building an academy on this lot and a rec- tory on the adjoining one. The academy building was erected in 1787. The same building, with a few slight changes, is still standing and continues to be used. On Sep- tember 20, 1787, it was incorporated with the Episcopal Church, to which the institu- tion was then attached. The distinguished Revolutionary soldier, Col. Thomas Hartley, was president of the board of managers; Robert Hettrick, secretary; Henry Miller, treasurer; Hon. James Smith, Col. David Grier, William Harris and Rev. Mr. Hender- son, visitors. March 1, 1788, Rev. James Armstrong, who afterward was rector of St. John's Church, became the first teacher of the English department and principal of the academy. He was required to teach reading, writing and mathematics. The price of tuition to the children of the town and county was 40 shillings; strangers and their children, £3 per annum. The corporation engaged to make up any deficiency in the gross proceeds below £70. Mr. Robert Hettrick was engaged at the same time to teach the Latin, Greek and French languages, rhetoric, experimental philosophy, geograplıy, astron- omy and history. Rev. John Campbell was appointed to teach moral philosophy and divinity. He was considered the principal of the school.

By a second act of the State legislature, approved March 1, 1799, the academy was tendered as a public school for York County by the rector, church wardens, and vestry- men of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in whom the property by the previous act was vested. By this second act, all right and title to said buildings and grounds were conveyed to and vested in " the trustees of the York County Academy." By specifica- tion in the act, it was established as a "school or academy for the education of youth, in the learned and foreign languages, in the useful arts, sciences, and literature."

Under the specifications of this charter, it became a representative institution for the education of the young of all denominations in the county of York, and twenty-one trus- tees were appointed as follows: Rev. John Campbell, rector of the York Episcopal Church; Rev. Jacob Goering, pastor of the York Lutheran Church; Rev. Robert Cath- cart, pastor of the Presbyterian Church; Daniel Wagner, Col. Thomas Hartley, Hon. James Smith, signer of the Declaration of Independence; Hon. John Edie, of York;

Gen. John Clark, Dr. Jacob Hay, Sr., Judge Jacob Barnitz and Sheriff Conrad Laub, of York; Hon. Jacob Rudisill, of Hanover; Elihu Underwood, of Warrington; William Ross, of Chanceford; Col. Michael Smyser, of West Manchester; William Pax- ton, of Newberry; Philip Gossler, of York; William McClean, William Scott, John Black and George Bard, of that portion of York now embraced in Adams County.

These were " declared to be one body politic and corporate, with perpetual succes- sion in deed and law, as the trustees of the York County Academy." The constitution can be changed by the legislature only. A grant of $2,000 was made by the State in the act of incorporation, and the sum was paid over to the trustees, November 10, 1800. A provision was made by the act that benefi- ciaries, not exceeding seven, should be admit- ted, on application, not to continue longer than two years.

Hon. James Smith served as president of the board of trustees until 1800, when, on ac- count of the infirmities of age, he resigned and John Edie was elected.

The funds granted by the State were in- vested in United States stocks, and, by judi- cious management, have afforded sufficient income to keep up the necessary repairs on building and ground to the present time.

On January 28, 1801, Mr. McMurray was appointed teacher in the academy at a salary of £130. Tuition per year, in common Eng- lish branches, $8; higher branches, $16. An invitation was published to poor people, to send their children gratis.

Robert Adrain was appointed teacher at this time, and girls were admitted as pupils. The following minute occurs, October 21, 1801, at the close of a public examination of the school: " The pupils exhibited evidence of great improvement, and the teachers, as well as the pupils, have obtained the appro- bation of the board." Examinations were held, first quarterly, then semi-annually, and afterward were continued annually.

The following-named persons, in addition to several charter members, served as trustees in regular succession to the present time: Henry Miller, David Cassat, Esq., Ralph Bowie, Dr. John Morris, Andrew Robinson, Josiah Updegraff, Dr. Maxwell McDowell, William Barber, William Nes, Thomas Taylor, George Small, J. Kelly, Rev. George Schmucker, Charles A. Branitz, Rev. Lewis Mayer, Dr. William McIlvaine, John Schmidt, C. A. Morris, W. Ash, Dr. John Fisher, Gen. Jacob Spangler, Rev. James R. Riley, H. Spangler, Philip Smyser, H. B. Wentz, Samuel Wag-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

ner, Hon. Daniel Durkee, James B. Webb, George S. Morris, Richard Rush, Philip A. Small, James S. Connellee, Jacob Emmitt, Jacob Barnitz, Charles Weiser, John Vogle- song, John Evans, Capt. Donaldson, Jacob Spangler, Peter McIntyre, Dr. H. Mc- Clellan, Solomon Oswald. Eli Lewis, Dr. T. N. Haller, Thomas E. Cochran, J. G. Campbell, Dr. Jacob Hay, Hon. A. J. Gloss- brenner, Rev. C. W. Thompson, William Wagner, Hon. R. J. Fisher, Rev. C. J. Hutchins, Rev. A. H. Lochman, D. D., Ed- ward G. Smyser, Rev. J. O. Miller, D. D., V. K. Keesey, Rev. Jonathan Oswald, Henry Lanius, William Denner, Gates J. Weiser, Charles S. Weiser, David E. Small, M. B. Spahr, Lewis Carl, Israel Loucks, Rev. W. Baum, George F. Leber, Rev. L. A. Gotwald, D. D., W. Latimer Small, Rev. A. W. Lilly, Jere. Carl, W. H. Welsh, W. H. Sonder, John J. Vandersloot, John W. Buckingham, Rev. E. W. Shields.

David Cassat, Esq., died in office, hav- ing served for twenty four years (1800-1824). His life was devoted to the public welfare, and his long usefulness in this community has perpetuated his memory to the present generation.

Among the trustees above mentioned, Rev. Dr. Cathcart died while in office, having served from the organization of the institu- tion (1799-1849), a period of fifty years. He served as president of the board during forty- five years, and almost completed a century on earth. Most tender and pathetic resolutions were offered by the board to his memory.

On May 7, 1874, Dr. C. A. Morris, having completed more than fifty years of service as a member of the board, departed from earth. A few months previous to his death, his semi- centennial in the cause of education was duly celebrated at his home, on which occa- sion the trustees and principal of the acad. emy were present as invited guests.

November 20, 1819, the name of Mr. D. B. Prince first occurs as a teacher. He contin- ued to serve with eminent ability, in the female department, with an absence of several years until July 18, 1866, a period of forty- five years. On his retirement, the male and female departments, which had been separa- ted during forty-three years(1823-1866), were again consolidated, and Prof. G. W. Ruby, who had served as principal of male department from 1850, was elected to the principalship of both male and female departments.

Prominent among the teachers who died while in the service of the institution. was Rev. Stephen Boyer, whose faithful labor

of twenty-five years (1823-1848), received a worthy tribute from the board of trustees.

On April 1, 1870, the female department was discontinued.

The following names occur among the teachers of an early date: Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, Messrs. Bacon, Carothers, Steen, Smith, James, Livermore, Beardsley, Morrills Blanchard, Skinner, Prof. Daniel Kirkwood, since known as the great astronomer Kirk- wood, Miss Coulson, and Mrs. Young.

Hon. Thaddeus Stevens here began his legal studies, and, as student and teacher obtained the necessary preparation for those positions of honor and trust to which he was subsequently called.

George W. Ruby, Ph. D., a graduate of Mercersburg College, occupied the position of principal of the academy for nearly thirty years, commencing in 1850, and served con - tinuously until the time of his death. Dur- ing that period he had under his instruction about 5,000 pupils prepared a large number for college, many of whom graduated and are now holding prominent positions in various professions and occupations. He was much beloved by his pupils and honored by the community. Upon his death, George W. Gross was elected, and served several years with success. C. C. Stauffer was elected principal in 1885.

THE LANCASTRIAN SCHOOL.

The "Lancastrian System," so called in honor of Joseph Lancaster, a native of Eng. land, who visited Pennsylvania about 1815, was based upon monitorial or mutual instruc- tion. It required that a school should be di- vided into several sections, according to the acquirements of the scholars; over each one of these sections, the head teacher appointed a "monitor," generally the most advanced pupil, whose duty it was to superintend the instruction of his companions in the section to which he belonged.

A school of this kind was opened in York, "on Water Street, in the house of Jacob Wampler," on April 1, 1816, by Abner Thomas and Amos Gilbert, two very intelli- gent members of the society of Friends. They were then both intimate associates of Thaddeus Stevens, who was a teacher at the academy. They taught reading, arithmetic, writing, English grammar, and the English classics, and furnished the pupils with books and paper. Amos Gilbert afterward became a noted educator. The school was moved to the building adjoining the Friends' meeting house, on Philadelphia Street. In 1820

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EDUCATIONAL.

Francis McDermot was teacher. It prospered for a number of years.

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.

This institution was founded by an act of the synod of the German Reformed Church at its session at Bedford, in September, 1824, and commenced its operations in Car- lisle on the 17th of May, 1825, the inaugur- ation of the professor having previously taken place on the 6th of April. It was removed to York in October, 1828, in pursuance of an act of the synod at its session at Lebanon, in September of the same year. The institution had a library of between 3,000 and 4,000 volumes, chiefly in the German language, among which are some rare works. There were two professors, viz. : L. Mayer, D.D., pro. fessor of Dogmatic Theology, and Rev. F. A. Rauch, D. P., professor of Sacred Literature.

A classical school under the auspices of the synod of the German Reformed Church was founded by a resolution of the sy- nod at Harrisburg in September, 1831. It was commenced in May, 1832. Mr. William Good of Reading, Penn., was ap- appointed teacher. In September, 1832, the synod at Frederick,. Md., appointed F. A. Rauch principal of the institution and pro- fessor in the theological seminary. Rev. John H. Agnew, formerly professor of lan- guages in Washington College, Penn., was subsequently appointed assistant, and upon his resignation in September, 1833, the board of visitors elected Rev. H. Miller his suc- cessor. Rev. Charles Dober, pastor of the Moravian Church in York, was also engaged as assistant in May, 1832, and in the spring of 1834, on the resignation of Mr. Miller, Mr. Samuel W. Budd, A. B., was appointed to the vacancy.

This institution, which was originated in York, prospered for a number of years, and af- terward was removed to Mercersburg College, where it remained for a time and was then taken to Lancaster. It is now connected with Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster.

Of the many students who attended the theological seminary while in York, there is now but one person living, the venerable Rev. Mr. Riegle, pastor of the Reformed de- nominations in and around Dillsburg, this county-who has passed his eightieth year, and is yet (1885) in the vigor of health.

The institution was located on the north- west corner of Market and Penn Streets.

YORK COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

This institution of learning is located on a very desirable plat of ground on the east

side of south Duke Street. From its observ- atory a most beautiful landscape view is afforded the observer. The cost of the building and ground was $50,000, and the present endowment is $70,000. Of these amounts $110,000 were the direct contribution of Samuel Small, Sr., the founder, the remain- ing sum of $10,000 having been donated by Robert H. Coleman, of Cornwall, Penn. The Cassat library was presented to the institute by Mrs. Small, in honor of her father, the late David Cassat. The philosophical de- partment and library are well furnished. The entire building, composed of brick, consisting of three stories with mansard roof, is supplied with all the modern im- provements in school architecture. It is warmed by furnaces, is well ventilated, con- tains a commodious chapel, recitation and li- brary rooms, gymnasium, etc.

The school was opened in 1873, with the following board of trustees : Samuel Small, president ; Rev. H. E. Niles, D. D., secre- tary, and Samuel Small, Jr., treasurer. The other members of the original board were Dr. James W. Kerr, David E. Small, John M. Brown, W. Latimer Small, Samuel S. Hersh, Jacob H. Huber, John H. Small, Revs., J. Y. Cowhick, C. W. Stewart and C. P. Wing. Rev. James McDougall, then pastor of a congregation at Babylon, Long Island, was chosen president of the Institute. He is a graduate of Princeton College and Theological Seminary, had several years of pastoral experience, and also for some time conducted a private classical school in New York City. S. B. Heiges, extensively and favorably known in this section as an educator, was elected professor of mathe. matics and natural science. The faculty was afterward completed by adding Miss S. L. Otis for English ; Rev. P. Anstadt, German; and Miss Mary E. Prince, music ; and on September 15, 1873, the institution was opened for students. The catalogue exhibits four courses of instruction, viz. : classical, scientific, ladies' and commercial. The classical and scientific courses take the students through two years of the regular college course. Many of the graduates of this institution have entered the junior classes at Princeton and Lafayette Colleges. The Phi Sigma Literary Society holds its meetings every week. There is a " Coleman Scholarship Fund " of $10,000, the interest of which is given to aid- such students as are recommended by the Presbytery of West- minster as candidates for the ministry, and approved by the faculty and trustees. Many of the students are of mature years. It is

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

not a sectarian school, and is patronized by various denominations. The president and the teacher of music have occupied their respective positions continuously since the origin of the school. A. B. Carner, a grad- uate of Princeton, in 1875 hecame professor of mathematics and T. H. Dinsmore in 1879 professor national science. Rev. H. Walker is the present instructor in German.

In 1885 S. M. Davis was elected to the position vacated by Prof. Dinsmore.

COTTAGE HILL SEMINARY.

This institution was started as a young

Heiges and W. H. Griffith conducted a nor- mal school in the building. For school pnr- poses it was last used by the Misses Thornbury and Mifflin, who had the " Young Ladies' Seminary of York" in this building for a number of years, until they removed to their present locality on the corner opposite St. Paul's Lutheran Church. At this place they have now a flourishing and well-conducted school, which is well patronized.

York County Normal School was orig. inated by county superintendent A. R. Blair. Its object is to train teachers of this county for the active duties of their profession, and

YORK COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

ladies, seminary by Rev. T. F. Hey of Baltimore. He at once secured the attend- ance of a large number of pupils, and the school prospered for a number of years. Rev. D. Eberly was his successor, and had a good attendance. It was under him a char- tered institution, in connection with confer- ence of the United Brethren in Christ, with the powers to confer degrees upon complet- ing a course of study. Several classes grad- uated during this period. For a time S. B.

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 73

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104