USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania > Part 9
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the benches of the olden times have been replaced by others and you could not guess its age from the weather boarding on the exterior nor from its plastered walls and ceiling.
There also stands at Newburg, Cumberland County, an old octagonal school house that is over one hundred years old and is now used as a dwelling house.
DICKINSON COLLEGE
Dickinson College, located at Carlisle, was chartered in 1783 being the twelfth college chartered in the United States. Doctor Benjamin Rush was the principal agent in founding Dickinson College at Carlisle, and was chiefly instrumental in bringing from Scotland Doctor Nesbit, who for several years presided over that institution. The first or "Old College" building, stood on the south side of Liberty Alley. The first building on the present grounds was erected in 1802 but burned down in 1803, was rebuilt in 1804, and is now known as West College, to distinguish it from East College, built in 1836-37 and from South College reconstructed the following year.
Reverend Charles Nesbit, D. D., was its first president, which position he held until his death, in 1804. From 1804 to 1809 Rev. Robert Davidson, D. D., a member of the faculty, was president pro tem. He resigned and was succeeded by Rev. Jeremiah Atwater, D. D. In 1815, he resigned and Rev. John McKnight, D. D., served as president for one year. Afterwards the operations of the College suspended until 1821 when Rev. John Mason, D. D., was chosen president. He resigned in 1824 and was succeeded by Rev. William Mill, D. D., who resigned in 1829. His successor was Rev. Samuel B. Howe, D. D., who resigned the position in 1832 when the College again suspended operations. In 1833, the College, which had been under the Presbyterian Church, was transferred to the control of the Methodist Episcopal Church, by the resignation, from time to time, of old trustees, and the election of others. The first president under the transfer, was Rev. John P. Durbin, D. D., who filled the position until 1845 when he was succeeded by Rev. Robert Emory. He died in 1848 and was succeeded by Rev. Jesse T. Peck, D. D. Upon his resignation, in 1852, Rev. Charles Collins, D. D., was chosen to fill his position and he resigning in 1860, Rev. H. M. Johnston, D. D., became his successor. In 1868 he died and Rev. R. L. Dashiell succeeded him who was the first graduate of the institution that at- tained to its presidency. At this time all the members of the faculty were alumni of the College. His successor, Rev. J. A. McCauley, D. D., was also an alumnus of the institution. Rev. J. A. McCauley, D. D., was followed by Rev. Charles F. Himes, D. D., as acting presi-
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dent pro tem from June 1888 to April 1889, and he was followed by Rev. George Edward Reed, D. D., from 1889 to 1911, who was fol- lowed by Rev. Eugene A. Noble to 1914 and J. H. Morgan the acting president from 1914.
The College has a permanent endowment fund, fine buildings and a library of thousands of books, among which are many that are rare and valuable.
As early as 1781, mention is made in the records of the Carlisle Presbytery, of select or classical schools in Chambersburg and Car- lisle. Presbytery was also asked to appoint a committee to visit the schools three times a year. In 1782 the committee was appointed to examine the grammar school at Carlisle, and in 1784 to examine at East Conococheague (now Gettysburg), in 1786 to examine a Latin school at Hagerstown, another to examine a grammar school at Chambersburg and Mr. Cooper, Mr. Craighead and Mr. Waugh to ex- amine a grammar school at Shippensburg. A classical school was in oper- ation in Carlisle, prior to the Revolutionary War. In 1776 it was broken up in consequence of the war, a number of the students and the principal having enlisted in that patriot army. At this time it was in charge of the Rev. Mr. Mckinley.
METZGER COLLEGE
William George Metzger died in 1879 and by his last will devised to certain trustees a sum of money to be expended in building an in- stitution for the education of females, and also created an endow- ment fund. The executors of his estate were Hon. R. M. Henderson and John Hays, Esq., and a building was erected and the school in- corporated under the name of Metzger Female Institute. It opened in the fall of 1881 under the management of Miss H. L. Dexter Prince who continued there until 1895. In that year the corporate name was changed to Metzger College and Wallace P. Dick, A. M., became the president who continued until 1898 when William A. West suc- ceeded him and in 1901 Miss S. K. Ege became president of the Col- lege. Miss Ege remained as such until the summer of 1913 when an arrangement was made between the Board of Trustees of Dickinson College and Metzger, whereby in consideration of turning over to Dickinson College the greater part of the income of the endowment fund of Metzger College, Metzger was to be operated as a part of Dickinson. This agreement can be terminated at the end of any year upon three months notice to either party. The arrangement is con- sidered to be carrying out in principle the wishes of Mr. Metzger, as expressed in his will and is of great benefit to the co-educational department of Dickinson College.
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The Mary Institute, located at Carlisle, was founded in 1860 under the auspices of the Episcopal Church. It was devoted to the education of young ladies, and was chartered by the Legislature of Pennsylvania in' 1865. It was in charge of Rev. Francis J. Clere until the fall of 1866, when he was succeeded by Rev. William C. Leverett. His successor was Mrs. Mary W. Dunbar, under whose charge the institution remained until it was closed.
Henry Duffield organized the "Carlisle Institute," a classical school in 1831.
Some years prior to 1853 Mr. F. M. L. Gillelen opened a select school in Mechanicsburg. The venture proved successful and was afterward known as the ''Cumberland Valley Institute." Rev. Joseph S. Loose, A. M., Mr. I. D. Rupp and Messrs. Lippincot, Mullin, Reese, Rev. O. Ege and son were some of its principals and teachers.
IRVING COLLEGE
In 1856 Mr. Solomon P. Gorgas, founded Irving Female College, situated in what was then known as Irvinton, lying east of Mechan- icsburg and now embraced within its limits. It was incorporated by the Legislature of Pennsylvania in 1857 and empowered to confer de- grees. The first president was Rev. A. G. Marlatt who continued until his death in 1865. Rev. T. P. Edge was another president. Mr. Campbell was president of the school until 1914 when it was taken over by Rev. Reaser, who was the president for two years. It is again (1917) under the charge of Mr. Campbell. The literary so- cieties are the "Ivy Leaf" and "Olive Branch."
In the fall of 1848, a select school was opened in Kingston of which the first president was Mr. A. W. Lilly. The history of this school covers a period of from two to three years when it ceased to exist.
In 1835, a Mr. Casey opened a classical school in Newville, which continued in operation for a number of years. Nine years later Mr. R. French organized a classical school which he maintained for two years. He was succeeded by Mr. Kilbom. Three years later Mr. W. R. Linn took charge of the institution from which time it was known as the "Big Spring Academy." In 1852 Mr. Linn associated with him Rev. Robert McCachran and it remained under their joint charge until it closed some years later.
SHIPPENSBURG ACADEMY
Shippensburg Academy, located in Shippensburg was opened for the admission of pupils, Oct. 6, 1861, by Mr. D. A. L. Laverty, who was principal during the first year. The next year Mr. Laverty associated with him Mr.D. A. Stroh. Rev. Wells of New Jersey, acted
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as principal the next year and was succeeded by Mr. D. N. Thrush; Rev. James Calder followed and was succeeded by Robert L. Sibbett, the last principal of the school.
HOPEWELL ACADEMY
Hopewell Academy, although not an institution of the Middle Spring Church, was closely connected with it, and exerted a great influence in the enlightment of the young people where it flourished. This school as far as can be ascertained, was established by John Cooper in the fall of the year 1810, and took its name from the town- ship in which it was located. The school building was an oblong structure, of hewn logs, with a single entrance, sliding doors and a gable projecting over the end towards the road. It stood to the east, near the mansion house, which is still standing, on the farm owned by Albert Foglesonger. The road from Shippensburg to Newburg runs directly by the Academy buildings. John Cooper, the founder and only teacher of the school, was the son of Rev. Dr. Cooper, pastor at that time of Middle Spring Church. He was a graduate of Dickinson College, and studied for the ministry, but on account of poor health, had to give up the ministry and take up farming. After farming for a time he decided to start a classical school. For this profession he was well suited and was universally and very justly esteemed one of the best linguists of the day.
The Log Cabin School at Middle Spring on the Asper farm, Blair's Academy on the Zeigler farm, the McKee school on the Hender- son farm, were the very earliest in the Valley (1804) and many people from a distance attended these schools in preparation for the Hopewell Academy.
Some other early Academies were the Big Spring Academy con -. ducted by Professor Linn at Newville, the Plainfield Academy at Plainfield and a short distance below, the Elliottson Academy. A very noted preparatory school that took many young men from our valley was the one in Shade Gap. It was widely known and men re- siding in the valley today received their education in this school.
THE SUNNYSIDE SEMINARY
The Sunnyside Female Seminary was opened in the borough of Newburg in the fall of 1858, under the management of a board of trustees with Mrs. Caroline Williams, a lady of fine accomplishments and full of energy, as the principal. It was chartered by the Legis- lature and issued diplomas to graduates. It was in existance for
SUNNY SIDE SEMINARY, NEWBURG, PA.
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ten years. Sunnyside was started by Rev. I. N. Hays who was pastor of Middle Spring Church. The principal, Mrs. Williams, was a widow from Pittsburgh but while at Newburg she married again, her husbands name also being Williams, a Welshman. Mr. Morrison succeeded Mr. and Mrs. Williams as principal of the school for two years when the institution was closed.
THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
The earliest action looking to the establishment of a Normal School in the Cumberland Valley is to be found in the Act of Assemb- ly approved April 1, 1850, authorizing the board of school directors of Carlisle to establish a Normal School. The Carlisle School Board issued a call to the other directors asking each to send some delegate to a convention held May 7, 1750 to formulate a plan for said school. The attendance at this convention was not sufficient to warrant opening a school, and nothing more was done looking toward its establishment. The next movement in this connction originated with the teachers institute, held at Newville, Dec. 23, 1856, where it was agreed that a director from each township be appointed as a com- mittee to take into consideration the establishment of a Normal School in the Cumberland Valley. This committee met in "Educa- tional Hall" Carlisle, January 13, 1857, eighteen districts being re- presented, and it was decided to open a Normal School and locate it in Newville. The school opened for a three months term in April 1857 with Daniel Shelly principal, George Swartz being principal of the Model School. In the Normal School there were ninety one students and in the Model School one hundred forty pupils. The school had sessions until 1860.
In 1865, the first attempt was made towards securing a State Normal School of the seventh district. The initiatory steps to locating the school at Shippensburg were taken in the spring of 1870. A public meeting was called and Hon. J. P. Wickersham was invited to address it on the subject of establishing the Normal School at Shippensburg. Subsequent meetings were held and application was made to the court for a charter, which was granted April 1871. The corner stone was laid with masonic ceremonies May 31 1871. The cost of the building, including grounds, steam, gas, etc., was about $125,000.00 and the furnishings $25,000. Its first session opened April 15, 1873, under the principalship of George P. Beard, A. M. He remained at the head of the institution until July 1875 when he resigned; he was succeeded by Rev. I. N. Hays, followed by Mr. Potter, Mrs. S. B. Heighes, Dr. McCreary, Dr. G. M. D. Eckles, Dr. S. A. Martin and Dr. Ezra Lehman.
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CHAMBERSBURG ACADEMY
In the year 1796 Benjamin Chambers set apart two lots in the plans of the town of Chambersburg, and donated them for educa- tional purposes. On the 23rd of August 1797 a charter was obtained from the State and on March 28, 1799, Chambersburg Academy was opened under James Ross. About the year 1799, the Academy re- ceived an appropriation of $2,000.
Rev. David Denny, pastor of the Falling Spring Presbyterian Church, had charge of the Academy from 1800 to 1826. Reverend Denny McLean afterwards president of Lafayette College, was his successor. Rev. Dr. Crawford had charge of the classical depart- ment for several years, until the winter of 1830, when he was called to a chair in the University of Pennsylvania. Rev. James F. Ken- nedy was principal from 1850 to 1855. The building, archive library, and scientific aparatus, with all the records of the teachers and pupils were destroyed by the rebels in the great fire, 1864, under Gen. McCausland. Rev. James F. Kennedy, D. D., conducted a private school for boys until 1867 when his assistant, Oliver Green, concluded to go as missionary and closed the school, then Mr. John McDowell took the school given up by Dr. Kennedy and carried it on until 1868. A new building was completed in 1868, and school open- ed under the principal, Dr. J. H. Shumaker, in September of the same year, and continued as an institution of learning until 1909 when it was turned into a High School. The Chambersburg Academy, under M. R. Alexander and Dr. A. Edgar Rice, who were its principals, has a record of which any institution may be proud.
ROSEDALE SEMINARY
So far as can be learned, the first school to be established for young ladies in Chambersburg, was that of Madame Capron, a French lady, who, it is said, came here from the West Indies and opened a boarding school. One of her assistants was Mrs. Elizabeth Bunts, who subsequently opened a school of her own on West Market street -now Lincoln Way West-at Hood Street.
Mrs. Bunts continued her work until far advanced in years. She sleeps in the rear of the Falling Spring Presbyterian Church. The plain slab which marks her resting place bears this inscription : "Mrs. Elizabeth Bunts died in 1840, aged 90 years .- For more than forty years an accomplished and successful teacher of young ladies."
But a far more important and potent factor in the intellectual development of this community, was Rosedale Seminary, which was located on the lot now occupied by the Rosedale Building. The
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history of the school and the ground upon which it stood is most interesting. In 1787 Capt. Benjamin Chambers, son of Col. Ben- jamin Chambers, founder of the town, erected a large stone mansion far back on the Rosedale lot, near where Spring street now is. It stood a short distance southeast of the wollen mill, which site was then occupied by Chamber's Fort. Capt. Chambers was very promi- nent in the early history of Franklin County. He was born at the fort in 1755, and died in the stone dwelling (afterward Rosedale Seminary) Dec. 29, 1813. Although but twenty years of age when the Revolution began, he enlisted and participated in many battles. After his return from the war he succeeded his father, who was then old and feeble, in the management of the Chambers' property and laid out that portion of the town lying west of the Conocoheague.
It was through his efforts that the first bridge across the creek at Lincoln Way was built. It was he, too, who donated the ground at Queen and Third, where the High School now stands, stipulating that it should be used perpetually for educational purposes.
He married in June, 1783, Sarah Brown, daughter of George and Agnes (Maxwell) Brown of Brown's Mills.
Surrounding Rosedale were extensive grounds, shaded by native forest trees and many tall, dark pines, which seemed to whisper to each other with every passing breeze. The house was a gloomy structure of Colonial architecture, with tall chimneys, deep dormer windows and its walls covered with ivy. A wide doorway gave en- trance to a spacious hall which extended the entire length of the dwelling. After Capt. Chambers' death the house was remodeled and used for a school, known as Rosedale Seminary, which became the leading school for young women in southern Pennsylvania. It was founded by the Misses Mary, Elizabeth and Eunicia Pinneo, daughters of a New England clergyman. Their brother was the author of "Pinneo's Grammar," once a widely-used text-book in our schools. These ladies were tall, prim, precise and stately, worthy descendants of their Puritan ancestors, and like them, permitted of no compromise with wrong-doing. They were cultured gentlewomen of the olden time, who taught their pupils carefully and thoroughly not only knowledge from books, but manners and morals as well. They opened their first school in a building on East Market street, which stood where Mrs. Thomas B. Kennedy's residence now stands. Later it was removed to Rosedale.
After the retirement of the Misses Pinneo, the Rev. Mr. Jones took charge of the school and remained about four years. He was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Reeves who served as principal until that memorable day, July 30, 1864, when the men in gray, under Gen.
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McCausland, burned the town and forever terminated the existence of Rosedale Seminary.
DRY RUN ACADEMY
was located in the extreme northern part of Franklin County, at Dry Run. The building was erected in 1874, at a cost of $3000, was of ample size, and well arranged for school purposes. It was owned and controlled by men of different denominations, and was non-sectar- ian. The enterprise was principally due to Rev. S. C. Alexander, Dr. J. H. Flickinger, Samuel Holiday, David J. Skinner, W. G. Kirk- patrick and John Alexander. The school was opened in April 1875, by Rev. S. C. Alexander, who continued to teach until June 1876, when he was succeeded by A. A. Richards, who remained until 1878. He was followd by S. F. Snively, who remained for one year. Mr. Snively was followed by P. C. Richardson, who taught for several years. The following were some of the men who served as teachers : E. E. Pauling, Charles Doux, J. W. Mowery, Wm. McClure, Geo. S. Hom, Wm. Mckenzie, Mr. Killian, Mr. Farguhar, John Reaser, Mr. Helman, J. Freet, Mr. Anderson. The Academy became the Dry Run High School in 1908.
THE FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY
was opened by Rev. Joshua Kennedy, pastor of the Reformed Pres- byterian congregation, as a select school, for both sexes, in a log school house in the spring of 1852. He was assisted by Prof. W. Witherow, a teacher of merit. The school met with such great suc- cess that, on the first of September of the same year, Mr. Kennedy opened the fall term in a new building, which had been erected for the purpose. The school was then the Fayetteville Academy and Seminary. At the close of the first year the female department was suspended for a time, until a larger building was erected on the same ground by a company of stock holders. The school was continued until the year 1860 when Mr. Kennedy left, and the school suspended. The building was sold and is now used as a hotel.
MARSHALL COLLEGE
so called in memory of the Chief Justice of that name, grew out of the High School, which was established in connection with the Theo- logical Seminary of the German Reformed Church, at York, Pa. This school was removed to Mercersburg, Penna., in the year 1863, and at once became a college, under a charter obtained from the Legis- lature of Penna. Although founded by the Reformed Church its constitution was liberal and free. Dr. Fredrich A. Rauch was elect-
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ed its first president. Dr. Rauch had a complete education in a Ger- man University and in point of personal dignity, scholarship and general culture, few men could be found who were his superiors. He died in the year 1840. Dr. J. W. Mervin was elected his successor. The faculty consisted of four professorships at this time and in a short time German language and literature was added, which was filled by Dr. Philip Schaff a professor in the Theological Seminary. The college remained at Mercersburg until 1853 when it was removed to Lancaster, Penna., and consolidated with the Franklin College, under the name of Franklin and Marshall College. The Theological Seminary, in view of a liberal offer made by the citizens of the place was removed to Mercersburg a year or two after the college. This institution remained at Mercersburg until 1871, when it was also re- moved to Lancaster.
After the removal of Marshall College, the preparatory depart- ment under Rev. Samuel Wagner and Clement Weiser, continued for two years longer, and then followed the college to Lancaster. A private school was then opened under Rev. John Kooke. When Mr. Kooke left in 1857, the citizens of Mercersburg formed a stock com- pany, under the name of Mercersburg College Institute. The prin- cipal of the school was Rev. Joseph Loose who was followed in 1862 by A. A. Kemble. Mr. Kemble died in 1863 and was succeeded by his daughters. The last to lease the school was Charles Fisher.
In October 1865, the property was bought by the Classis of the German Reformed church and the Collegiate Institute developed into the Mercersburg College. The chartering of this college in 1868, was largely due to the efforts of Dr. Harvey Harbaugh, President of the Theological Seminary. Prof. Charles Apple of the Seminary became its first President and remained in this capacity until 1871, when he went with the Seminary to Lancaster. He was succeeded by Dr. E. E. Higbee. As colleagues to the two presidents were Profs. Kieffer, Jacob and Joseph Kenabiner, Bechdolt, Abbot, Garver and Mull. They continued this vigerous institution until 1880, when financial embarrasment obliged it to close its doors, to be opened again the next year by Dr. G. W. Aughinbaugh, who started an academy and kept it running until 1893 when, owing to old age and declining health, he resigned. Dr. Wm. M. Irvine was then elected Head Mast- er and has conducted the academy ever since, meeting with remark- able success. The first year the school did all its work in one building; today about one dozen buildings are in use. The campus then con- tained four acres, today the Academy controls over 120 acres. En- rollment has grown from 78 to over 400. First year, faculty num- bered four and now twenty.
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The education of the girls of Mercersburg was not neglected. Mrs. Young's select school for girls, which had been located at York, followed the high school and seminary and removed to Mercersburg. Mrs. Young's sisters, Mrs. Ranch, wife of Dr. Ranch, and Mrs. Traill Green, were at different times identified with the school, which was called Locust Grove. In 1848 the principals of the schools were E. Dean and Susanna Dow, in 1850 A. F. Gilbert was principal and in 1857, J. E. Alexander. This institute or female seminary as it was later called, was the property at the north end of Mercersburg, now owned by Mrs. Johnson Rankin. It was used for school purposes until about 1850, when it became a private residence.
WILSON COLLEGE
This college is so called after Miss Sarah Wilson, who contribut- ed $300,000 to its funds. It is located at Chambersburg, Pa., and was organized under a special charter from the State of Pennsylvania, giving it full collegiate powers and privileges. The object of this college is the higher education of women. The buildings are large and handsome, with all the modern conveniences, and every thing is adapted to the wants of a school. Rev. W. T. Wylie was elected president of the college in 1876. Rev. Caldwell, pastor of Central church Chambersburg, acted as president of the college for some time, followed by Dr. John Edgar, who by his strenuous efforts and fine personality made Wilson College a flourishing school. He was followed by Dr. Samuel Martin, President Reaser, Dr. Anna McKeag, and Dr. Warfield who is now the efficient President.
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