USA > Pennsylvania > Juniata County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 36
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 36
USA > Pennsylvania > Snyder County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 36
USA > Pennsylvania > Union County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 36
USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
CHAPTER IV.
Educational Matters-Contests Upon School Measures- County Superintendents. 1
The first schools were taught in old, noceu- pied buildings, spring-hou-es and dwelling- honses. The earliest houses were constructed of logs, and roofed with clapboards. They were generally very small, some not more them fourteen by eighteen feet, and had ouly a few small windows, and were neither plastered nor ceiled. These built prior to 1534 had long desks along the wall and high slab benches, and
1 By Prof. Daniel S. Boyer.
1461
SNYDER COUNTY.
a large wood-stove in the middle. The benches for all sizes of scholars were of the same height and without backs. Nearly all the earliest teachers were Germans, cither native-born or foreigners. Those of European birth were generally well educated. Most of the English baching was done by persons who could not -peak the English language. Qualified teachers Wwing scarce, persons were urged to teach school who could barely read and write.
Some who tanght understood no arithmetic, and some could not read writing. As distilleries were very numerous, whisky-drinking was a common thing among the carly teachers of our county. Spelling and reading were the only branches at first taught. Writing was after- wards added for the boys, but was not consid- ered necessary for the girls. Next came arith- metic, but only for boys, who did not begin until they were fourteen or fifteen years of age. Occasionally a girl learned to write and cipher. Grammar and geography was only necessary for " lawyers, doctors and preachers." Many chil- dren pursued what branches they pleased.
The first task was to learn the a, b, c. Chil- dren were compelled to " say their lessons" until they knew them. Then came spelling, from one to eight syllables. Reading was reached through spelling. Teachers could give very little assistance in pronunciation. Copy- hooks were made of foolscap. The teachers wrote the copies and mended the pointed goose- quill. In 1854 the minimum free-school term was four months, and in 1872, five months. The monthly pay of teachers under the free school system ranged from twelve dol- lars to twenty-five, the teacher " boarding around " with the pupils. Nothing ever met with more determined opposition than the free- school system. The following account of an " anti-school " meeting, held at New Berlin, will explain the feeling in Union and Snyder Connties :
" ANTI-SCHOOL MEETING, 183 1.1
" Agreeably to public notice, the citizens of Uniou County opposed to the school law passed at the last session of the Legislature, met at the court-house, in New Berlin, ou Thursday, the 18th September,
when Henry Yearick, Esq., was called to the chair ; Robert Taylor, Esq., was appointed vice-president ; and John Montelius and John Snyder were appointed secretaries. On motion of the Honorable George Kremer, a committee of fifteen were appointed to draft preamble and resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting ; whereupon, the following persons were appointed, viz. :
"Goorge Kremer, Peter Richter, Doctor John C. Piper, Frederick Pontins, Abbot Green, John Boyer, Frederick Kremer, John S. Ingram, George Sehnable, John Zigler, James Madden, Henry Roush, Henry C. Eyer, John Snyder, John Reber, Jr.
"After retiring a short time, returned and reported the following, which were unanimously adopted :
" Whereas, The Legislature of Pennsylvania, at their late session, passed a law known as the common- school law, the principles of which we consider dan- gerous to our rights and destructive of our interests ; therefore, be it
" Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, it bchooves us to use every honorable means in our power to procure a prompt repeal of the law in ques- tion.
" Resolved, That the chair appoint two persons from cach township or borough in the county, as the case may be, whose duty it shall be to act as delegates for their respective districts, and bring with them the election returns, which will take place to-morrow, for the adoption or rejection of the school law, and report the same to this meeting.
" Resolved, That should a school man, by mis- take, be selected by the chair, he shall be rejected by the anti-school delegate of that district, &c., who shall have full power to supply his place with a man opposed to the school law.
" Resolved, This meeting adjourn to meet again at the court-house, in New Berlin, on Tuesday next, at one o'clock in the afternoon, and that the present officers are again requested to preside, to adopt further measures in relation to this oppressive law.
" The following-named persons were appointed by the chair, as delegates from the several townships, to meet in New Berlin, on Tuesday, the 23d instant, vix :
" East Buffalo .- Philip Ruhl, Peter Voncida.
" Lewisburgh .- William Hayes, Jacob Zentmire.
" Kelly .- Laird Howard, George Meixell.
" White Deer .- John Rank, Jacob Sypher.
" Union .- John S. Ingram, Michael Benter.
" Chapman .- Frederick Kremer, John Snyder.
" Washington .- John Boyer, Henry Hilbish. " Penn's .- Peter Richter, George Miller.
" Perry .- George Shetterly, Fr., Joseph Schnee.
" Centre. - George Kremer, Henry Bolender.
" Beurer .- John Highley, John Shipton.
" Centreville,-Stephen Bruce, George Weirick.
" Hartleton .- James Madden, George Rull.
" West Buffalo .- Robert Taylor, John Reber, Jr.
'From Lin's " Buffalo Valley."
-
1462
JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
" Mifflinburg. - Henry Yearick, John Montelius."- Times, September 19, 1834.
" ANTI-SCHOOL DELEGATE MEETING.
" At a meeting of the delegates appointed by the auti-school meeting of the 18th instant, held at the court-house, in New Berlin, on Tuesday last, Henry Yearick, Esq., presided ; assisted by John Montelius and Captain John Snyder as secretaries.
"The names of the delegates having been called, the following gentlemen were present, representing the different townships, as follows :
" Union .- John S. Engram, Michael Benfer.
" Hartley .- Jaunes Madden, Esq., George Ruhl.
" West Buffalo .- Robert Taylor, John Stees, Jr.
" Miglinburg .- Henry Yearick, John Montelius. " East Buffalo .- Philip Ruhl, Peter Voneida. " Lewisburgh .- George Sehnable, Jacob Zentmire. " White Deer .- Jacob Sypher, Samuel Baker. " Kelly .- John Hummel, Joseph Spotts.
" Chopman .- Jolm Snyder, Frederick Kremer.
" Penn's .- Peter Richter, George Miller.
" Perry .- George Shetterly, Joseph Schnee.
" Centre .- George Kremer, Henry Bolender.
" Beaver .- John Highley, John Shipton.
" Washington .-- John Boyer, Henry Hilbish.
" On motion of James Madden, Esq., a committee of nine delegates were appointed by the chair to draft a preamble and resolutions, expressive of the sentiments of the delegation.
" Whereupon, the chair appointed George Kremer, John S. Ingram, Peter Richter, Henry Hilbish, George Schnable, James Madden, Jacob Sypher, Philip Ruhl and John Reber, Jr.
" The committee retired a short time and reported the following, which were unanimously adopted :
" Preamble and Resolutions.
" FELLOW-CITIZENS : Your committee view with deep interest the law of our last Legislature, creating a system of education by common schools. They con- sider it as affecting the interests and encroaching upon the rights of the honest and industrious citizens of the Commonwealth. They view the system, as un- warranted by the Constitution, and at war with the interests of every useful member of the community ; as a system of education was only asked, and not one of unjust and unequal location. For these reasons, and others, we oppose the bill, urging our constitutional objections, and will merely here state its local effects upon the county of Union.
" The $75,000 appropriated for common school pur- poses, of which Union County will be entitled to abont $1100, is a fund arising from the unpatented lands in this Commonwealth. Owing to the scarcity of money, the law has, from year to year, been extended ; but as this amount is now appropriated, and will be drawn
out of the treasury, consequently, all those whose lands are umpatented will now be compelled to pay, as the finances of the Commonwealth will not warrant a longer eredit. All men know its enormous debt and embarrassed condition,
" By the law in question, Union County innst raise $2200, double the amount of the appropriation, to en- title them to the proffer made by the Legislature. To this add our already exorbitant State tax of about $3000, and we have upwards of $5000 to pay by tax- ation, for merely receiving the bill.
" Agreeable to the law, the six directors are to divide each township into as many school districts, and build as many school houses as they may think proper ; and this additional debt you will be bound to pay by taxation, which will amount to at least $80) for every township in the county, making a sum total of $17,000, adding the other taxes imposed by this bill.
" To this may be added the teachers. Suppose cach township have six teachers, who cannot be engaged at a less expense than $250 per annum, each, making a gross amount of $1500 per annum for each town- ship, the whole cost for this purpose in the county would be $22,500. Deduet from this the $1100 prof- fered by the Legislature, and the people have $21,400 to pay for teachers, $17,000 for buildings, $2200 for accepting the proffer-making a sum total of $40,601), all to be paid by the people by various taxations.
" Resolved, That five persons be appointed a com- mittee to draw petitions to be signed by the citizens of this county, praying the Legislature to repeal the school law for Union County.
" Resolved, That the chair appoint two persons in each township, who shall have authority to appoint as many more as may be necessary in each township to solicit subscribers to said petition.
"Resolved, That the chair appoint a committee of five persons, a corresponding committee to correspond with other committees in this Commonwealth to procure a repeal of the school law in this Commonwealth.
" On motion, George Kremer, John S. Ingram and Philip Rull were appointed a committee to prepare and publish a petition for a repeal of the law in ques- tion.
" The chair then appointed Peter Richter, John S. Ingram, George Kremer, George Schuable and John Reber, Jr., a committee of correspondence in accord- ance with a resolution of the committee of uine.
"On motion it was then Resolved, That the dele- gates of this convention act as township committees to circulate and procure signers to the petitions pray- ing for a repeal of the school law.
"On motion of John S. Ingram, the secretary was called upon to report the votes at the different town- ship elections held on Friday, the 19th instant, which was carried and the following result exhibited, viz :
1463
SNYDER COUNTY.
Against
For
Townshij s.
School.
Union
205
...
Hartley
30
West Buffalo
187
7
Mitlinburg
67
11
East Buffalo,
87
8
Lewisburgh ..
55
71
White Deer.
52
Kelly
70
- 1
Chapman
71
1
Penn's
198
55
Perry
...
Centre.
170
Beaver
192
...
Washington
85
. ..
1620
267
267
Balance os. school. 1353 votes."
Meetings were held all over the State pro- testing against the school law, which was at first burdensome. It was amended in 1835 and 1836, and was accepted by the people generally. I'nion County, then embracing Snyder, soon after 1836 accepted the law.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS. - When the office of county superintendent was established, in 1851, it was violently opposed in some parts of the county. At one of the school-houses in the county a meeting was called for the purpose of' explaining to the people the object of the office. No organization could be effected, and Daniel S. Boyer, who had just been elected county superintendent, was not permitted to speak. Before the expiration of his term he was cordially received in that locality, and held many educational meetings, and public senti- ment became changed in favor of the office.
and served to 1881; Wm. Moyer, 1881 to 1881; and William H. Dill, of Freeburg, elected 1881. Mr. Whitman received 8800; Mr. Boyer, $500; Mr. Alleman, $100; Mr. Moyer, $100, and $500 for six years; Mr. Noetling, $500; Mr. Scharf, $1000, which has been the salary fixed by law.
Mr. Heckerdorn moved to Union County, where he was elected superintendent in 1857. Ile died soon after the expiration of his term of service.
Win. H. Dill, the present county superin- tendent, was born in Warwick, N. Y., Angust 26, 18-12. At the age of sixteen he entered Rutgers College, N. J., where he graduated. He volunteered as a private when the war com- menced ; was soon promoted to a captaincy and major. He participated in many battles, the last one, Gettysburg, in our State. Prof. D. S. Boxer scenred him as a teacher in the Freeburg Academy, and he arrived in Freeburg on the evening of February 22, 1867, an entire stran- ger, and delivered an eloquent address the same evening. He was selected county superintend- out in the spring of 1884, and is now in office.
William Noetling was born in Union County ; graduated at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, was one of the instructors at the Missionary In- stitute, at Selin's Grove, and principal of the Female College at Selin's Grove, when elected county superintendent. He resigned the office of comty superintendent to fill one of the chairs in the Bloomsburg State Normal School, which position he still holds. He takes great interest in Teachers' Institutes and is a popular instruc- tor.
The office has been successively held by the SNYDER COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTE .- The first session of the Suyder County Teachers' Institute was held at Selin's Grove December 27, 1857. Daniel S. Boyer, then county superin- tendent, presided ; J. M. Stack, secretary. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, and male teachers were admitted by paying fifty cents admission ; females free. The session continued four days, and Prof. J. F. Stoddard was the principal instructor. The session of 1859 was held at Freeburg ; of 1860, at Adams- burg. The session of 1861 was held at Middle- following persons: J. S. Whitman, of Free- burg, from July 5, 1851, to August 1, 1855, when David Heckerdoru, of Adamsburg, was appointed August 10, 1855, and held the office to June 3, 1857 ; Daniel S. Boyer, from June 3, 1857, to June, 1860; Sammel Alleman, of Middleburg, from anne, 1860, to Jime, 1863 ; William Moyer, of Freeburg, from Ame, 1863, to June, 1872; William Noctling, of' Selin's Grove, from 1872 to 1877, when he resigned, and Win. P. Scharf was appointed to lill the unexpired term, and was elected in June, 1878, burg. Four annual sessions were held at Free-
-
٠١
1461
JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
burg, and also four at Selin's Grove. For a muiber of years the sessions have been held in the court house at Middleburg.
The twenty-eighth session was held at Mid- dleburg, December 7 to 11, 1885. One him- dred aud eleven out of one hundred and fifteou teachers responded. Regular annual sessions were held from 1857 to 1885. In former years it was customary for teachers to select the place of meeting, but the time and place of the
umele, General Philip Boyer, was sheriff of Montgomery County, and was the father of Hon. B. M. Boyer, president judge of the Mout- gomery County Courts, and for two term- a member of Congress. Professor Daniel S. Boyer was ouly eight years old when his father died, but he was left under the influence and guid- ance of a Christian mother. He was a pupil in the subscription schools at Freeburg, taught by Burge, Burr, Montelins, Naille and others, and
. 1 1 1 1
Daniel & Kym
recent meetings were selected by the county [also attended the Classical Institute at Berrys- superintendent.
DANIEL S. BOYER was born at Freeburg, July 9, 1827, the youngest of a family of three
sisters and three brothers. John Boyer, his toris. In 1857 he was elected county super- father, was born in Montgomery County; was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Mathias Shotz, and died in Freeburg, January 23, 1837. His grandfather, Philip Boyer, also came from Montgomery County and died at Freeburg, December 21, 1832, aged eighty-six years. His
burg, under the instructions of A. B. Sprout ; he commenced teaching school in his native town at the age of sixteen and continued ten successive intendent of public schools and served one term, during which term he conducted many local institutes in his county and delivered many ed- neational addresses. He next became assistant teacher in the Freeburg Academy. During 1860 and 1861, and npou the retirement of Mr.
1465
SNYDER COUNTY.
Millet, was elected principal, which position he Alled for ten years, during which time the school attained its greatest reputation, He has been president and secretary of the Freeburg Acad- viuy for twenty-one years, and owns a large por- ton of the stock of the institution. He is now wrving his fifth term as a justice of the peace-a period of twenty-four years. Mr. Boyer was five years secretary of the " Snyder County Ag- ricultural Society " and eight years president of the " Union Agricultural Association," is a stockholder of the Agricultural Society at Gratz, Dauphin County, and delivered the annual ad- dresses at that fair for five successive years. These speeches contained valuable information on the subject of agriculture. He is fond of agricultural pursuits, and knows how to work with his own hands in the various departments of farming.
When Hon. Isaac Slenker was anditor- general of Pennsylvania Mr. Boyer served at the military claims desk, at Harrisburg, as clerk. He was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention at Pittsburgh in 1874, and cast his vote for Judge Woodward. In 1875 he was appointed bank assessor for Snyder and Centre Counties by Anditor-General Temple. He has been a deacon, elder and secretary of the Lutheran Church at Freeburg for a number of years, and is well versed in the history of the Lutheran Church and general church literature. He has served as superintendent of the Sunday- school for thirty-two successive years, and takes an interest in the Sunday-school cause. He has written many articles, on various subjects, for the press, and for some time furnished local items for four newspapers in Snyder County, has written a series of articles on the life of ex- Governor Snyder, and, in May, 1885, prepared the historical address at the unveiling of the monument erected to the memory of the late Governor Snyder.
His oldest sister, Mary Ann, is the wife of F. C. Moyer, living in Freeburg. Polly, living in Berrysburg, Danphin County, is the wife of II. C. Beshler, M.D., a prominent phy- sician of that place. Sarah, living at Berrysburg, the widow of Simon P. Lark, whose son, IT. L. Lark, Esq., was a member of the Dauphin
County bar, but now a citizen of Peabody, Kas., where he is engaged in the banking and real estate business, and is intermarried with Loy- etta, a daughter of Colonel John P. Tressler, founder of the Orphans' Home at Loysville, Pa., Ilis oldest brother, Henry J. Boyer, now lives in Chicago, and is the father of Allen Boyer, one of the most noted short-hand writers of the West. William S. Boyer, Esq., a brother, lives in Gratz, where he is at present engaged in agriculture and served also one full term as a justice of the peace. In 1852 Professor Boyer married Miss Leah J. Snyder, of Berrys- burg. They had five children, all of whom died in infancy. Having no children to care for, yet Mr. and Mrs. Boyer take great pleasure in making happy the children who are frequent visitors to their home. They are given to hos- pitality, and many relatives and acquaintances are entertained beneath their hospitable roof. He is a close student, and devotes his tiine to reading, writing and giving information to his fellow-men, who frequently call on him for ad- vice and counsel. He contributes liberally to edneational and church purposes, and firmly believes that " it is more blessed to give than to receive."
CHAPTER V.
THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AND THE GRANGES.
SNYDER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. -This society was incorporated by the Court of Common Pleas of Suyder County at May term, 1860. There were three hundred and thirty names appended to the original constitution. The following signed the petition to court for articles of incorporation : Daniel S. Boyer, George HTilbish, Solomon Malick, T. Bower, Joseph Young, John Straub, John 1. Reninger, Theo. Swineford, John Hilbish, Henry Schoch, D. J. Bogar, Michael Diehl, J. W. Reninger, J. P. Cronimiller, R. W. Smith, T. J. Smith, J. Y. Shindel, HI. A. Smith, J. P. Bogar, I. Walter, J. Bolender, I. S. Herrold, J. C. Wal- tor, J. P. Smith, J. S. Hassinger, W. L. Has- singer, S. Alleman, J. A. Schoch, J. S. Hacken- berg and A. J. Peters. May 23, 1860, Thomas
1466
JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Bower was elected president ; J. S. Hackenberg, secretary, R. W. Smith, treasurer.
At a meeting held in the court-honse at Mid- dleburg, June 21, 1862, proposals were re- ecived from Kratzerville, Freeburg and Selin's Grove, cach offering twenty-five dollars, and Middleburg offered thirty dollars. Middleburg offering the highest bid, it was agreed to hold the first fair in that place Ist, 2d and Bd of October. In consequence of the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion and the unsettled condition of the country, no fair was held. This society lay in a dormant state for a period of nine years, until March 1, 1870, when a meeting was held in the court-house at Middleburg for the purpose of electing officers, which resulted in the election of Thomas Bower, president ; Damiel S. Boyer, secretary; T. J. Smith, corresponding secretary ; Allen Schoch, treas- urer; C. L. Fisher, librarian; J. P. Croni- miller, geologist ; T. B. Kantz, chemist. At a subsequent meeting it was decided to hold the first fair at Freeburg October 3, 4 and 5, 1870. The first and second the weather was favorable; the last day rainy. The receipts of the fair were $631.72. S. C. Wilt, of Hartleton, de- livered an agricultural address in Boyer's Hall during the fair.
The next annual fair was held at Selin's Grove October 2, 3 and 4, 1871. The citizens of Se- lin's Grove obligated themselves to pay three hundred and fifty dollars into the funds of the society. The receipts at this fair were $970.53. A. K. MeClure, of Philadelphia, delivered an agricultural address. The next annal fair was held at Middleburg October 1, 2 and 3, 1872. The citizens of Middleburg had obligated them- selves to pay three hundred and five dollars, fur- nish the ground and grade the course. The pro- ceeds of this fair were $760.70. The officers elected in 1870 were re-elected for four succes- sive years. This society then purchased five acres forty-seven perches of land from Albright Swineford for one thousand and forty-two dol- lars, and five acres one hundred and forty-one perches from Samuel Bowen, for nine hundred and fifty-eight dollars, in the borough of Mid- dleburg.
The fourth annual fair was held at Middle-
burg September 30, October 1 and 2, 1873, ou the grounds purchased, where permanent build- ings had been erected. At the election held Jannary 5, 1871, Jacob Gross was elected pres- ident ; T. J. Smith, secretary ; W. W. Witten- meyer, corresponding secretary ; John S. Has- singer, treasurer; Dr. A. M. Smith, chemist ; Dr. J. Y. Shindel, librarian. At the election held Jannary 4, 1885, William H. Beaver was elected president. M. L. Hassinger and the other officers who served the year previous were . re-elected. After the lands were purchased a considerable debt remained on the premises. In consequence of bad weather at the fairs held in 1874 and 1875, not a sufficient amount was realized to pay the current expenses. The grounds of the society were sold to pay the remaining debt. Daniel Bolender, Esq., became the purchaser, and he held several successful fairs, but finally abandoned it, and the ground is now used for agricultural purposes.
--
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY !!- The history of the Patrons of Husbandry of Suyder County is so intimately connected with the history of the order throughout the country that it would be impossible to give an intelligent history of the order, locally, without including a general re- view of the order. The order of Patrons of Husbandry was first established in the year 1867, at Washington, D. C. Its objeet was to unite the farming community in one common brotherhood ; to educate and improve the agri- cultural population by association, co-operation and a mutual discussion of subjects tending to improve and elevate the life of the farmer ; and this organization adopted for its name the word grange, which means a farm with buildings.
The first few years the order did not make much headway. But owing to an act of Con- gress, making national currency redeemable at par, the price of grain was brought to a gold basis while the laborer, mechanic, merchant and manufacturer still held their labor and goods at prices previously obtained in depre- ciated currency. The result was that co-opera- tiou in buying and selling, which was a second- ary object of the Grange, became its principal
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.