Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Part 58

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1192

USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania > Part 58

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In 1830 Samuel P. Reynolds, author of a system of arithmetic, opened an academy in Robinson's Row, in Allegheny, where all branches were taught. In April, 1828, I. I. Gurnsey opened the St. Clair Female Seminary and began teaching all English branches, French, Latin and the classics. He announced that the attendance would be limited to twenty-five pupils, and that in case of incorrigible conduct on the part of any student he would pursue the following steps: First, private admonition; second, public repri- mand; third, reference to parents or guardians; fourth, expulsion. He an- nounced that a specialty would be made of penmanship. In April, 1830, John Winter opened an academy on Fourth Street, near the ferry, but a little later established himself in the old Gurnsey room, where he advertised a full academic course.

In 1830 G. and J. Smith opened an evening school and a day seminary at No. 73 Third Street. In 1830 a Miss Parry opened the Pittsburg Sem- inary for Young Ladies at the corner of Grant and Second streets and for a half-dozen years or more conducted the institution with great success. In 1830 Michael McSharry opened what he called an "Academic Seminary," in Gray's Row, on St. Clair Street, and began giving instruction in all the higher branches. About this time, also, a gymnasium was opened here and an instructor secured for physical development. In 1832 N. R. Smith opened a mercantile academy, where the first instruction in Pittsburg upon commer- cial studies exclusively was given.

In September, 1832, the Western Female Collegiate Institute, which after- ward became one of the most popular schools in the West, was established one mile east of Pittsburg, on Erin Hill, by Rev. William B. Lacey, assisted by Miss Elizabeth H. Smith, governess. A full course of instruction in all branches of learning was afforded. This institution was conducted with great success until 1837, when damaging reports having been circulated concerning the moral character of the principal, the institution suffered a period of deca- dence. In 1832 the Washington Strect Commercial Academy was founded by William Staunton, with Mrs. Haywood as assistant. In connection with a full commercial course they advertised to teach reading in English. In 1832 Misses E. and B. Gallagher opened a female seminary at No. 130 Wood Street, and for several years conducted it. It was the custom at this time for the leading instructors here to deliver lectures upon various scientific

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and moral subjects. Samuel P. Reynolds was an enthusiastic student of astron- omy and was often secured to lecture upon that subject.

In 1833 H. Williams opened his writing academy, where, so far as can be learned, the first instruction in Pittsburg in shorthand or stenography was given. His advertisement reads that he would give instruction in "long and short hand writing." In 1833 Eliza W. Logan conducted here a school for young ladies. In 1834 what was called the Pittsburg High School was opened in the basement of the Third Presbyterian Church by George L. Crosby, assisted by Mrs. Crosby and Mrs. S. E. Taplin. About this time, also, George Smith conducted an academy on Seventh Street, and H. Suther- land a seminary on Sixth Street.

In 1833 Daniel Stone opened a literary and scientific institute for boys on Prospect Hill. All were required to dress in uniform consisting of cap, blue roundabout with metal buttons and blue pantaloons. The tuition was $200 per year, with all necessaries furnished. In February, 1833 William H. Van Doren opened an eclectic school of English, French, Latin and Greek. About this date Miss Milroy began teaching young ladies English, French, music, drawing, etc., in Roger's Row, in Allegheny. In April, 1834, Timothy and Mrs. Alden opened the East Liberty Academy in a brick building about four miles from the Courthouse, where they advertised to teach Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, French, Spanish and English. They soon connected with this academy a young ladies' institute. The president of the board of trustces was Harmar Denny, the other members being T. B. Dallas, F. G. Bailey, H. F. Gore, D. R. McNair, Daniel Negley, B. A. Fahnestock, J. M. Davis and Thomas Davidson. In August, 1834, J. Fletcher opened a gymnasium or school for athletic exercises, or, as he phrased it, "an arena for gladiatorial and athletic exercises after the manner of the ancient Greeks and Romans." He charged $2.50 per quarter and his institution was located "on Fiftlı Street at the building formerly occupied as a circus." Mrs. S. Thidford conducted a school of elocution, drawing and painting about this time, and charged a tuition of from $3 to $5 per quarter. About this date Mrs. McGowan and Miss Preble werc successful teachers here. In 1836 Mrs. Barlow, assisted by Mr. S. G. Olmstead, conducted a boarding-school two miles below Pitts- burg on the Ohio River. Mr. Will and Mr. E. S. Blake opened classical schools about this time.

In 1836 Professor E. S. Blake opened an English and classical school, which he conducted with varying success for about ten years, when he changed the location to Manchester and continued it as a female institute, where a complete education in belles-lettres and the useful branches was afforded young ladies for $10 per quarter. He ran an omnibus from his institute to the city and announced that its use would be given the students for $8 each per quarter.

In April, 1836, Rev. Nathaniel Todd, who had previously been con- nected with the educational institutions of Washington, Pennsylvania, estab- lished here the Pittsburg and Allegheny English and Classical Seminary, and located the same on Federal Street, two doors north of the canal. He adver- tised a complete course in the classics and in mathematics.

About 1836 the St. Clair Seminary for Young Ladies, conducted on an eminence near Pittsburg by French nuns under the superintendence of Rev. Charles B. McGuire, had attained a high degree of importance in this vicinity. Thorough instruction in all branches was given, and the tuition and board- ing per year were placed at $100; music, $20 additional; drawing and paint- ing, $10 additional; embroidery, $10 additional. Students in the boarding school were required to dress as follows: Each young lady must have two black bombazette frocks, one white one, two black capes, two white ones,

HISTORY OF PITTSBURG. 5II

two black bombazette aprons, handkerchiefs, towels, combs, brushes, wash- bowls, etc., all furnished at the charge of the parents.

In 1838 S. J. Bulfinch conducted a select school in the lecture-room of Trinity Church, and charged from $5 to $10 per quarter. Mrs. S. E. Taplin, who had formerly been connected with Crosby's High School, opened a select school for young ladies on Third Street, next door to the United States Bank. In 1838 Mrs. O'Madden opened a seminary for young ladies at No. 26 Fourth Street, where she advertised a thorough ornamental edu- cation-drawing, painting in oil and water colors, music, English literature, French, etc. In 1838 Mr. M. J. O'Conway opened a school of languages exclusively, where French, Spanish, Latin, Italian, Greek and English were taught. In 1838 Raub & Brown conducted a school of bookkeeping, pen- manship and painting for a few months. Jason Holmes and D. C. Holmes, in 1838, conducted a seminary for young ladies, in the basement of the Third Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Third and Ferry streets. The school was select and confined exclusively to young ladies. Mr. and Miss Leech, who had previously conducted a seminary for females at New Brighton, removed their institution to Allegheny in 1838, and advertised a boarding- school for young ladies for $90 per session. They gave instruction in useful and polite literature, and announced two sessions of five months each per annum. Although the institution was a boarding-school, yet day scholars were admitted for from $15 to $18 per session. About 1838 Mrs. Whittier and Miss Washburne established a select school for young ladies on Smithfield Street between Second and Third, but had previously for a short time con- ducted their school at Concert Hall, on Penn Street. They advertised that instruction would be given in drawing, painting and needlework, beside the English branches.

One of the most important of the early educational schools here, and one which is yet in existence after more than half a century of usefulness, was Daff's Mercantile College. It was established by Peter Duff in 1840, and was then called Duff's Academy, for the instruction of youth in mercantile affairs. The institution was incorporated in March, 1851, and the trustees at this time were Peter Duff, president; John B. Warden, William Kerr, Joel Moore, John H. Mellor and Thomas Shinn. The academy from the outset became one of the most prominent in the West, owing to the thoroughness of the course of instruction afforded by Professor Duff. He employed competent assistants in penmanship, bookkeeping, mathematics, commercial science, com- mercial law, and the classics, and from the start enjoyed an excellent patronage. It is claimed that this institution was the first regularly organized business college in America, though this is probably a mistake. At any rate, it was the first regularly organized commercial school here, although instruction in commercial affairs had been given in previous institutions. Professor Duff must be given great credit for the success which has attended his institution from 1840 to the present day.

In 1840 Rev. Dr. Wilson, assisted by James Neal, conducted the Alle- gheny Institute on Federal Street, above the North Common. About the same time Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy opened a select school for young ladies on Penn Street, near Irwin. Rev. William J., Mrs. and Miss Bakewell, in 1840, conducted a day school for young ladies on Penn Street, near Irwin.

In February, 1846, James H. Teasdale managed the Pittsburg Institute for Boys in the basement of the Grant Street Baptist Church, and limited the number of pupils in attendance. In 1847 Professor Thompson opened a young ladies' seminary here, which he conducted with success for eleven years, and then removed to Wilmington, Delaware. In 1847 W. W. Metcalf

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established a young ladies' seminary on Federal Street and soon had in suc- cessful operation one of the most excellent schools of the time. Rev. J. M. Goshorn conducted the Pittsburg Female Institute at No. 52 Liberty Street, in 1849. At this time Mr. Davis taught a select school for young ladies on Wylie Street.

In 1848 Louis Bradley conducted an English and classical school on Federal Street, in Allegheny. In February, 1850, J. F. Gregg taught a grammar school in the Davis Block on Federal Street, Allegheny, and charged. for tuition $20 for the term of five months. Some time during the decade of the forties, O. K. Chamberlain, assisted by John Fleming, opened a com- mercial college, which by 1851 was enjoying a high degree of prosperity. In 1851 J. M. Smith conducted Penn Institute in the Fourth Ward, at the corner of Penn and Hancock streets, where, for the tuition of $10 per quarter, and to a select and limited attendance, he gave instruction in English, mathemat- ics and the classics. A Mr. Harbordt was employed as instructor of vocal and instrumental music in Mr. Smith's institute. In 1851 Mrs. Gregory man- aged a young ladies' seminary at 246 Penn Street, where the English branches and French were taught. In April, 1852, the Wilkinsburg Academy, for instruc- tion in the higher branches, was established and incorporated; and soon . became one of the most prominent educational institutions in the vicinity of Pittsburg.

In 1855 the Iron City Commercial College was incorporated, the first principals being Miller & Bro. Before the institution opened its doors one hundred students signified their intention to attend. The Miller brothers were instructors in plain and ornamental penmanship, John Barry in bookkeeping, John Fleming in accounts, and James H. Hopkins in commercial law. The Miller brothers, in connection with their college, conducted night classes for the benefit of those who could not attend during the day. They seem to have sold the institution, or at least severed their connection with it, because in the fall of 1857 the principal was J. W. Jenkins! Unquestionably this college was one of the most prominent established here up to that time. A Mr. Hitchcock acquired an interest in the institution about the time Mr. Jenkins assumed control. It may be related as a notable circumstance that in 1897 the widow of one of the Miller brothers, then residing in Baltimore, claimed that a balance of $2,400 was due her from the sale of Iron City College by her husband in 1857.

Professor Thompson, who had established a seminary here during the decade of the forties, was succeeded about 1857 by Miss Dickson, a sister of Professor Dickson, of the High School. Her school stood on Sixth Street nearly opposite the St. Clair Hotel.

One of the most prominent of the early schools was the Pittsburg Female College, which was incorporated by the Legislature in February, 1854. The incorporators were: Allen Kramer, Edward Hazleton, James B. Woodwell, A. Bradley, Jonathan Kidd, Francis Sellers, W. J. Kountz, J. B. Canfield, Benjamin Glyde, Dennis Leonard, W. B. Pusey, W. W. Wallace, H. D. Sellers, A. M. Bryan, William M. Wright, E. Rahm, S. M. Kier, N. Holmes, H. D. Riddle, Christopher Zug, W. B. Scaife, James Bensey, Homer J. Clark, George R. Riddle and William Bingham. This institution was placed under the management of Professor S. L. Yourtee, A. M., and was divided into three departments-primary, academic and collegiate. The primary department was divided into two classes, first and second; the academic into four classes, first, second, third and fourth; and the collegiate into three, senior, junior and third. This institution was conducted under the auspices of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and it was specified in the act of incorporation that

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at least two-thirds of the trustees should be members of that denomination. The institution was incorporated with two hundred shares, but could increase the number to one thousand. It was further provided that the annual income should not exceed $5,000. This act also stipulated that while the institution should be under the control of the Methodist Episcopal Church, it must like- wise be kept open for students of all religious denominations. By March, 1854, $12,000 had been subscribed by the citizens toward the stock of the institution, and a lot had been procured, and the building was in progress of erection. It was located at the corner of Penn and Hancock streets, adjoining the Methodist Episcopal Church. By May, 1854, $18,000 in shares of $100 each had been subscribed. On July 2, 1857, occurred the first com- mencement of this college, on which occasion two young ladies, Miss Ada Hoffstott, of Allegheny, and Miss Mary McKee, of Birmingham, graduated. An enrollment of 153 students was exhibited by the institution for the first year. There were nine members of the faculty, and instruction was given in all branches of English, mathematics and the classics. At the time of the organization of the college Dr. H. D. Sellers was president of the board of trustees and Rev. F. S. De Hass was secretary. In 1857 Rev. L. D. Barrows was principal of the college. In December, 1862, J. C. Pershing, D. D., was principal, and at this time the institution employed seventeen teachers and had an enrollment of 221 pupils. A literary adjunct of the college at this time was a Browning Association. Since its establishment the Pittsburg Female College has been one of the most useful and successful of all the private schools established here.

During the early part of the decade of the fifties Professor S. Caton conducted the Cottage Hill Academy, twelve miles from Pittsburg. At this time the principal educational institutions here were the University, the Pitts- burg Female College, Duff's Mercantile College, Iron City Commercial College, the High School, Locust Grove Scminary, Cottage Hill Academy, Edgeworth Female Seminary and Wilkinsburg Academy.

In 1853 the Locust Grove Seminary was established in Lawrenceville by Rev. William H. Clarke, A. M., as principal, and on the first day was attended by forty-four young ladies of the most prominent families of Pittsburg and Alle- gheny. From the start this institution attained a high rank of importance and was confined exclusively to young ladies. Great care was taken to admit only young ladies of the highest degree of respectability. Rev. George T. Rider succeeded Mr. Clarke as principal. The seminary was located two and a half miles from Pittsburg, on a tract of ground adjoining the arsenal.

In October, 1855, a Catholic Theological Seminary was founded here by Bishop O'Connell, who issued a pastoral call to the members of his diocese for subscriptions to aid the institution. A gentleman of his church donated sufficient land for the purpose, and in a short time the building was crected and school was begun. In November, 1855, the Associate Reformed Theological Seminary was' opened in Allegheny, with an attendance of thirty students. About this time a seminary conducted by Miss Worthington was in a flourish- ing condition. The Scwickley Academy for boys, under Rev. Mr. Travelli, was managed with much success at this date.

In 1858, at a time when many cducational reforms were instituted, and when industrial fcatures were presented and discussed with much carnestness, there was founded here what was called the First Industrial School for Girls. It was first instituted in the Good Intent House on Wylic Street, and was designed solely for the aid of poor children. Rev. Mr. Sinclair was the founder of the institution. The children were called together every Thursday in the University building, where many prominent ladics of the city repaired to

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instruct little girls in sewing, housekeeping, etc., and to aid them in mental and moral improvement. In a short time over 160 small girls were in attendance, and eleven teachers were employed. During the first year of its existence the institution was attended by about 600 children, and as high as 35 teachers were engaged at one time. During the first year over 800 garments, a large number of shoes, and numerous other useful articles were either made or solicited for distribution among the poor.

In 1818 Robert Smith announced that, actuated by motives of commisera- tion, he would commence a school for the instruction of colored children, and that no tuition would be charged for his services. Later he was continued as instructor of colored children, but was paid a small tuition from the poor fund by the overseers of the poor. Unquestionably his school was the first in Pitts- burg, and, perhaps, in Western Pennsylvania, for the exclusive instruction of colored children. He was actuated by pure philanthropy, and he used no artifice nor evasion to conceal the zeal with which he served the colored people.

In February, 1832, the colored people of Pittsburg and vicinity met in the African Methodist Episcopal Church to organize the Pittsburg African Education Society, to adopt a constitution and to make arrangements for open- ing schools of their own. The officers elected were John B. Vashon president, Louis Woodson secretary, and A. D. Lewis treasurer. A board of trustees was also appointed to manage the affairs of the society. Pursuant to the action of this meeting, one colored school was put in successful operation, but flourished for only a short time, and then seems to have been abandoned, owing to lack of funds.

In January or February, 1837, a joint meeting of the school directors of Pittsburg was held to take action in regard to the formation of the colored school, on which occasion it was determined that the colored people were entitled to their pro rata share of the public fund, and should have established at once their own separate schools. On February 6, 1837, the colored people met at their own church, and appointed a committee to ascertain the number and residence of all colored children, and to report the same to the Pittsburg school directors. Under this action at least two schools were opened, one being on Robinson Street. By April, 1839, excellent progress had been made in the colored schools in reading, writing and arithmetic, and a visitor, who had been in attendance thereto, a correspondent to a local newspaper, expressed surprise that the colored children showed so great an advancement, and generally such proficiency in their studies. At this time Mr. Templeton was their instructor. In 1844 they were removed to a room on Sherman Avenue, and in 1846 to Avery Street. In February, 1848, the white schools of the city were so numerous and so thoroughly efficient, while the colored schools were so notably neglected, that the newspapers criticised the school directors for not affording the colored people the educational facilities to which they were entitled. Two or three such schools were in progress, but at this time the colored people did not possess a single schoolhouse, and their principal room was the cellar of the African Methodist Episcopal Church on Wylie Street, and was damp, dark, and wholly unfit for the occupation of children. It was argued that the colored people paid their taxes and submitted to law; and should, therefore, be furnished with the school facilities lawfully due them. It was admitted that they had a right to demand their pro rata share of the school fund provided by the laws of the State. It was generally conceded by both the colored and the white people that it was out of the question for colored children to be sent to the white schools.

In November, 1848, at a meeting of the Pittsburg Educational Associa- tion in the chapel of the University, it was urged upon the members present, to the shame of about 100 ministers of the gospel and nearly as many houses of

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public worship, that little more than nothing had been done here to ameliorate the condition and educate the children of colored families. At this time the presidents of the several boards of school directors acted as a board for the colored schools by common consent rather than by virtue of any specific law. They had made several attempts to secure a location where the greatest number of them could attend without much inconvenience. The Third, Sixth, and Ninth wards each contained more colored children than all the other wards put together. Under the law, each ward must provide for the education of its own children. This meeting made preparations for the permanent opening of satisfactory colored schools. In October, 1849, the colored people, who had again been neglected, employed Attorney George W. Layng to represent them in an attempt to secure their rights to public funds and facilities under the law. The colored people asked for nothing but their rights. The law was fully explained by Mr. Layng to the fourteen directors present out of the fifty-four in the city who had been called together, and after such explanation, a com- mittee was appointed to prepare a plan that would aid the colored people in securing their rights. Rev. Samuel Williams stated that in the Sixth Ward $50 per quarter had been appropriated for some time for the use of colored schools, and that thirty or thirty-five colored children of school age resided therein, but that a school which had been in progress there had been lately suspended, owing to the dampness of the schoolroom. He further stated that the Sixth Ward had paid, during seven or eight years, $200 per annum for the education of colored children. At this meeting two colored men delivered creditable speeches, and urged their claims upon the consideration of the white directors. Mr. Templeton at this time was the teacher of colored children in the Sixth Ward.

But the colored children were destined to receive aid from a princely and wholly unexpected source. Rev. Charles Avery, a man of broad intelligence and unusual purity of purpose, and one of the first abolitionists in this vicinity, determined to found a colored college, and accordingly secured the incorpora- tion of the Allegheny Institute and Mission Church in March, 1849, the object of which was to promote and elevate the moral and educational status of the colored people. The incorporators were Charles Avery, Joseph P. Gazzam, William M. Shinn, Samuel Johnson, John Peck, Morrison M. Clarke, David Stevens, Spencer Watts, and Edward R. Parker, who were likewise the first trustees. The law provided that such institute or college should be managed by a board of nine trustees, one-third of whom, at least, should be white; that the yearly income should not exceed $5,000; that the buildings or apartments built or secured by the incoporators should be for the use of that congregation in Allegheny City which was a branch of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America; that diplomas should be granted; that the necessary teachers or tutors should be employed; and that the college should be non-sectarian. In accordance with the purposes of the institute, a new building was erected in Allegheny, consisting of three stories, the first and second devoted to education, and the upper to religious exercises, the building being 75 by 55 feet. The educational stories were divided into two departments, one for males and one for females, and furnace heat rendered the building comfortable in cold weather. The building was said to have cost Mr. Avery about $30,000. The first instruct- ors were Rev. Philotus Dean, white, senior professor, and Martin H. Freeman, B. A., colored, junior professor. This institution soon became one of the most noted for the education of colored youth in the country and reflected upon the founder the highest credit. In January, 1858, when Rev. Mr. Avery died, his will provided that $25,000 should be given to the colored institute, and in addition that $5,000 should be given to Passavant Infirmary; $5,000 to the

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Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Part 58

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co. Number of Pages: 1192

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1192