USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > The history of Erie County, Pennsylvania > Part 13
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The "Girard Free Press" was first issued in 1845, being neutral in politics. S. D. Carpenter, editor. November 7th, 1854, T. C. Wheeler and Wm. S. Finch purchased the interest of L. F. Andrews in the "Girard Express," and 14*
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
commenced the publication of the "Girard Republican." The conservative character of the paper was indicated by the motto, " Independent on all subjects, rabid on none." As we have mentioned, Mr. Perley took charge of the paper in 1855.
In 1846 J. P. Cochran commenced the publication of the " Commercial Advertiser," which was Whig in politics. After his death it passed, in 1852, into the hands of A. H. Caughey, who continued its publication for a year and a half and then sold it to J. B. Johnson, who gave it the name of the "Constitution." In 1855 the press was de- stroyed by a mob growing out of the railroad excitement. The "Constitution" was continued by R. L. White, and for a few months was issued daily-being the first and only experiment of the kind. The " Daily Bulletin," as it was called, suspended issue in 1858. The large number of weeklies issued in Erie probably accounts for the want of success in daily or tri-weekly papers.
" The Herald," a monthly temperance paper in quarto form, was published at the office of the " Commercial Adver- tiser" during the year 1852.
In 1853 the "True American" appeared, Compton & Moore, editors. From the first this paper has given tem- perance and anti-slavery a large share of attention. In 1855 this and the "Erie Chronicle" merged into one; James Perley and Henry Catlin, publishers.
The "Unsere Welt," (Our World,") a German paper, was first published by Carl Benson, in 1851. Two years ago its name was changed to "Frei Presse." It advocated Fremont and Lincoln for Presidents.
In 1852 the "Zushauer" (Spectator) appeared; Mr. Scheufflen, editor. In 1855 C. Moeser took charge, and in 1861, Ernst Sturzneckle. This paper was at first Whig in politics, but is now Independent. Both the German papers are under Protestant influence.
In 1859 the "Express" appeared, with E. C. Goodrich
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editor ; this was soon merged into the "True American," now edited by H. Catlin.
The " Waterford Museum," Mr. Lewis, editor, changed its name to the "Enquirer" in 1857, Amos Judson, pub- lisher and editor ; in 1858 it suspended issue for a few months on account of the ruinous rates at which it was afforded; recommenced with Judson and Lynn, editors; afterward alone by C. R. H. Lynn.
The " Northeast Guard" was published for a few months in 1855.
Two newspapers were issued in Edinboro in 1855: the " Gem" expired in 1856, and the " Museum" was removed to Waterford the same year. The "Edinboro Express" appeared in 1859, at fifty cents per year; Henry Lick, editor; "independent on all occasions, neutral in nothing." Issued the last number 29th December, 1860, the materials having been sold to Mr. Clute, who was expecting to pub- lish a paper at Three Rivers, Michigan.
In 1851 the "Waterford Dispatch" was issued at Water- ford; Jos. S. M. Young, editor. In 1856 the paper was removed to Erie and called the "Erie City Dispatch." It is independent on all subjects, and is said to have a larger circulation than any other paper in Northwestern Pennsyl- vania.
In 1855 we hear of the "Native American," a monthly at Edinboro.
Schools .- April 2d, 1831, a law passed the Legislature of Pennsylvania introducing our present system of education for all. At that time it was shown that out of 400,000 children in the State more than 250,000 capable of instruc- tion were not within a school the previous year. This was not because no effort had been made in that direction.
In 1809 an act was passed to provide for the education of the poor, and in 1824 an act that it was hoped would prove effectual, but which was repealed in 1826.
In 1834 an act was passed designating the Secretary of the Commonwealth as Superintendent, and, including other
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
valuable provisions, stating that $546,563 had accumulated under the act of 1831.
Next came the act of 1836, "to consolidate and amend the several acts," to settle the mode of taxation, and the application of the whole for school purposes. The fund accumulated since 1831 was set apart, and a fund from the State treasury pledged for school purposes, and the system became a settled fact as a part of the policy of the State.
In 1854 the election for County Superintendents was pro- vided for in each county.
In 1848-49 the provisions of the law were extended over non-accepting districts, as it had been previously optional.
In 1849 an act to provide for the training of teachers for the common schools of the State was passed, and the State was divided into twelve normal school districts: Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Crawford, and Erie were made the twelfth district.
Wm. H. Armstrong, of Wattsburg, was elected to the office of Superintendent of Common Schools in Erie County, with a salary of $800, and was re-elected in 1857. In 1860 L. Savage, of Springfield, was elected his successor.
According to the seventh census report, Erie County had, in 1850, 7 academies, with 13 teachers, 375 pupils, and an annual income of $3357. Public schools, 293, with 308 teachers and 9928 pupils, and an income from taxes, etc., of $22,120. In 1857 the number of school-houses in the county was 276; 34 were well adapted to the purpose, 120 capa- ble of being improved, and 102 to be rejected. Erie had 3 graded schools, and Northeast 1.
According to the eighth census report, (which we have only in part,) Waterford Borough has 2 schools; Northeast Borough, 1; Girard Borough, 1, and 1 academy ; Watts- burg Borough, 1; Union, 2; Wesleyville, 1; Girard Town- ship, 16; Springfield Township, 15, and 1 academy; Frank- lin Township, 10; Fairview Township, 11, and about 500 pupils ; Summit Township, 8, and 160 pupils ; Mckean
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
Township, 11 schools, 511 pupils ; Le Bœuf, 11 schools, 258 pupils ; Washington Township, 14 schools, 642 pu- pils ; Greenfield Township, 8 schools, 342 pupils; Amity Township, 8 schools, 424 pupils; Venango Township, 10 schools, 488 pupils; Wayne Township, 12 schools, 504 pupils ; Union Township, 12 schools, 752 pupils; Concord Township, 9 schools, 417 pupils ; Harbor Creek Township, 17 schools ; Greene Township 8 schools, 450 pupils ; North- east Township, 16 schools, 1083 pupils; Waterford Town- ship, 15 schools, 450 pupils.
The State Superintendent of Schools reports, for the year ending June 4th, 1860, as follows : Erie County-
Whole number of schools 288
Number yet required. 6
Average number of months taught 6-8
Number of male teachers 157
Number of female teachers 232
Scholars learning German .. 167
Average attendance of scholars 8,195
Cost of teaching each scholar per month $0 51
Tax levied for school and building purposes .. $42,053 25 State appropriation. 3,922 70
Received from collectors 35,747 95
Cost of instruction. 35,696 44
Fuel and contingencies 4,040 25
Cost of school-houses
14,824 76
In Erie a fine school-house for the East Ward was com- pleted in 1859, at a cost of $20,000. In this building there are ten teachers and about five hundred scholars. German, algebra, geometry, chemistry, and philosophy are attended to among the higher branches.
The West Ward has, besides the principal school, a branch in the upper part of the city which is considered and num- bered as such. In this ward there are eight teachers and about five hundred and thirty pupils ; a library belongs to the school of three hundred and fifty volumes.
There is a school for boys attached to the German Roman
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IIISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
Catholic church, which is divided into two departments, English and German, and has at present over one hundred scholars.
A school for girls has been conducted for the last few years by the Sisters of St. Benedict, which in 1861 com- pleted their new convent in connection with the church. It has three school-rooms, well arranged and provided with maps, globes, etc., and four teachers, two being English and two German. The name of the Prioress is Sister Scholas- tica Burkhard. The ordinary English branches are taught, with Christian doctrine, sacred history, drawing, instru- mental music, embroidery, etc.
In August, 1804, the lot in Erie, No. 1378, where the East Ward school-house now stands, was purchased from the State for the use of Presqu'ile Academy, in the name of Jas. Baird. The only stockholders known were Daniel Dobbins, Thos. Stewart, and Samuel Hays. A school com- mittee was in existence in 1805-probably the same that erected the small log building many of the present genera- tion remember, and which has been three times superseded.
In 1811 Waterford Academy was incorporated. The Trustees appointed by the legislature were John Vincent, John Boyd, John Lytle, Aaron Himrod, Charles Martin, Henry Colt, and Amos Judson .* It was endowed with five hundred acres of land near the village, and fifteen in-lots; in 1816 eight other in-lots were added.
By an act of February 24th, 1820, the trustees were au- thorized to sell five hundred acres at a price not less than ten dollars per acre, and required to vest the proceeds in some productive fund, the interest to be applied for the com- pensation of the teachers.
* Mr. Judson held the office of Treasurer from the beginning to December 31st, 1858. He died in Waterford, November, 1860, aged eighty-seven, having resided there since 1795. Of him it was said with truth "that he lived a blameless life, and was honest, industri- ous, liberal, and devoted to objects of public utility."
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
The trustees erected their building in 1822, and in 1826 it was occupied as a school.
LIST OF PRINCIPALS.
John Wood. 1826.
R. R. Nichols 1843.
Irvin Camp. 1832.
Peter Wright. 1844.
William Boyden 1882.
A. O. Rockwell 1844.
R. W. Starr 1833.
Jas. C. Reed 1845.
R. W. Orr 1833.
A. Davidson 1846.
John Livingston 1834.
A. Davidson 1847.
E. R. Geary 1835.
W. R. Marsh 1848.
James Park 1836.
J. H. Reed 1849.
J. W. Miller. 1837.
C. J. Hutchins
1850.
Irvin Camp.
1838.
A. H. Caughey 1851.
William Benson, Jr
1838.
J. R McCaskey 1852.
F. A. Hall. 1839.
S. S. Sears.
1853.
L. S. Morgan.
1840.
J. R. Merriman
1854-1857.
Charles Woodruff. 1841.
J. P. Gould 1857.
R. T. Stewart. 1842.
J. A. Austin.
1857-1861.
The present officers are John Wood, President; William Benson, Secretary ; William Judson, Treasurer; C. C. Boyd, David Boyd, Miles Barnet, J. L. Cook, and J. M. White, Trustees. The permanent fund is $5170 18; the common fund is $1874 66.
Erie Academy was incorporated in 1817, with Rev. Rob- ert Reid, R. S. Reed, Robert Brown, Thos. Forster, Thos. Wilson, J. C. Wallace, Judah Colt, T. H. Sill, and G. San- ford, Trustees. Mr. Sanford is the only survivor.
In 1799, at the sale of reserved tracts adjoining Erie, Franklin, Waterford, and Warren, five hundred acres were set apart for the use of schools and academies. To this fund fifteen town lots and two thousand dollars were after- ward added-the latter to be collected by the trustees from debts due the State for lands in this vicinity. In 1821 other lots in town were added.
From 1819 to 1827 Erie Academy was conducted as an English high school by the following principals : Rev. Rob- ert Reid, John Kelley, A. W. Brewster, George Stone, E.
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
D. Gunnison from May, 1824, to October, 1825; for the next two years by A. S. Patterson and John Wood. In November, 1827, it became a classical school, conducted by the following as principals :-
A. E. Foster, A.M. November, 1827.
Richard Gailey, A.B. . April, 1836.
James Park, A.M. July, 1836.
G. R. Huntington, A. M. April, 1838.
James Park, A.M.
August, 1838.
Lewis Bradley, A.M.
March, 1841.
John Limber, A.M. February, 1842.
Reid T. Stewart, A.B. September, 1843.
Jas. C. Reid, A.B. October, 1845.
R. S. Lockwood December, 1847.
J. H. Black, A.B September, 1848.
J. A. Hastings, A.B. October, 1851.
Fayette Durlin, A.B December, 1851.
C. L. Porter, A.B. October, 1853.
W. B. Carpenter. December, 1854.
W. C. Bissel. August, 1855.
G. W. Gunnison, A.M April, 1856.
L. G. Olmstead, A.M
September, 1858.
E. W. Gale, A.M. September, 1860.
This Academy has had a fine library, and chemical and philosophical apparatus, and a telescope seven feet in length, magnifying six hundred times.
The number of pupils in attendance during the sessions of 1859-60 was two hundred and thirty-nine, of whom one hundred and fifteen were males and one hundred and twenty- four females. A Teachers' Department has been connected with it, in which a thorough preparation for the profession can be obtained.
In 1838 the Erie Female Seminary was incorporated ; Robert Reid, G. A. Lyon, T. H. Sill, G. Selden, C. M. Reed, Geo. Kellogg, A. W. Brewster, Wm. Kelley, and
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
James Williams, Trustees. For a few years the State ap- propriated three hundred dollars annually to the support of the institution. Miss E. D. Field, Rev. Wm. Fuller and lady, and Madame Sosnowski successively were teachers.
Springfield Academy, at Springfield Cross Roads or East Springfield, is reputed to be one of the best institutions in Northwestern Pennsylvania. B. J. Hawkins was the first principal. Scholars, if desirous, could be fitted for the second year in college. The officers in 1858 were L. W. Savage, Principal; William Holliday, Thos. Webster, Dr. G. Ellis, J. Day, J. Teller, William Warner.
West Springfield Academy was founded in 1853. The Trustees were Z. Thomas, S. Devereux, N. Gould, D. Mer- shom, S. Rea, Sr., G. Ferguson, J. Eagley, P. Brindle, G. Hurd. W. H. Heller was principal in 1857. In 1855 eighty-four males and eighty-one females were in attendance. The second year of the institution John A. Austin, with three assistants, had charge. Jas. H. Colt, of Waterford, held the office in 1858, and C. C. Sheffield in 1859. In this institution pupils have the privileges of a full college course at a moderate expense. In December, 1859, the building was destroyed by fire, with the furniture, books, etc. Efforts are now making to rebuild it.
Girard Academy was erected by a few enterprising citi- zens acquainted with the wants of the community. The building is of brick, finely arranged, and surrounded by spacious grounds. A students' boarding-house, with rooms partially furnished, has been provided. The school opened with one hundred and fifty scholars ; Mr. Pillsbury was the first principal, and N. J. McConnel succeeded, and in 1857 John A. Austin. In 1858 A. C. Walshe had charge, who was succeeded by Mr. Couse in 1859. There are at present three teachers and about one hundred scholars. The present Trustees are James Miles, Homer Hart, Henry McConnel, L. S. Jones, George Porter, L. Hart, G. H. Cutler, P. Os- born, and James Webster.
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
The Northeast High School, under the management of P. H. Stewert as principal, two female assistants, and Pro- fessor Heimburger, teacher of languages and music, at pres- ent offers rare inducements for those desirous of securing a thorough and finished education.
Edinboro has the most expensive school buildings in the county. Ten acres of land eligibly situated have been pur- chased, and commodious buildings erected at the cost of $25,000, contributed by citizens of the county. There are four buildings-assembly hall, academy hall, and two board- ing-houses. The assembly hall is sixty-six feet by forty-four, and two stories in height, and is occupied by the model or public school, now numbering one hundred and twenty pupils. The upper story is devoted to the purposes of a lecture hall, and will accommodate a large audience. Academy hall is forty by fifty feet, and two stories in height. The upper story of academy hall has seven recitation rooms, and a library valued at one hundred dollars. The two boarding halls are three stories in height, and have accommodations for three hundred students, the dormitories being partially furnished.
The Trustees of the Academy, in 1857, when the first frame was erected, were P. Burlinghame, E. W. Gerrish, F. C. Vunk, Lewis Vorse, C. Reeder, J. W. Campbell, and N. Clute.
The Board of Trustees of the Edinboro Normal School applied, on the 3d of December, 1860, to the Superintendent of Common Schools, for inspection and recognition, under the "act to provide for the training of teachers for the com- mon schools of the State." Hon. Joseph Ritner, of Cum- berland County ; J. R. McClintock, Allegheny ; H. L. Dif- fenbach, Clinton ; J. Turney, Westmoreland, were appointed Inspectors, and the several County Superintendents com- posing the Twelfth Normal School District were duly noti- fied to attend for the inspection and examination of the school, on the 23d of January, 1861. After a careful
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
inspection of its arrangements and facilities for instruction, the school was found to have fully complied with the pro- visions of the act, and was officially recognized as the State Normal School of the Twelfth District, composed of the Counties of Erie, Venango, Mercer, and Lawrence, by the name of the Northwestern Normal School; is to enjoy all the privileges and immunities, and be subject to all the lia- bilities and restrictions contained in the act and its supple- ments. The institution is under the guidance and control of Professor Thompson, and had reason to expect an ap- propriation of $10,000 from the State, and its scholars from the various sections of the district to which it belongs. The Legislature, however, appropriated to the institution but $5000.
The first Sabbath School in the county was established in 1817, at Moorheadville, in a log school-house, which was removed in 1857. Rev. Mr. Morton, now of Corning, New York, and Colonel Jas. Moorhead were the founders.
As Erie has now a dozen Sunday Schools and more than one thousand scholars, it is interesting to note the small be- ginnings of this excellent institution. Mrs. J. Colt, who had returned from a visit in New England where these schools were being introduced, suggested the subject in Erie. Mrs. R. S. Reed and Mrs. Carr were the first teachers, and the few girls constituting the school met alternately at the house of Mrs. Colt and Mrs. Reed. The brothers of the girls soon asked to be admitted. Fears were entertained that boys would be difficult to manage, but this was obviated, and the school rapidly increased in numbers. Colonel Fors- ter tendered for its use a vacant room on his premises, which was accepted. In order to systematize the matter and place it on a more permanent basis, a call was made on the citi- zens to assemble at the court-house, March 25, 1821, for the purpose of forming a Sunday School and Moral Society. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee to draft a constitution, to be submitted to an adjourned meeting,
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
viz .: R. S. Reed, T. H. Sill, and G. A. Elliot. The com- mittee reported as follows :--
" Whereas, the united testimony of all Christians confirms the importance of instructing the rising generation in the principles of religion, as they are contained in the Holy Scriptures ; and as the most happy consequences have re- sulted from the Sunday Schools established in Great Britain and America, and wishing to see one of these excellent establishments brought into ` operation among ourselves, therefore, we whose names are annexed to this paper do cheerfully unite and promise to adopt, as the basis of our union, the following articles," etc. The substance of the articles was as follows :__
That a committee of three persons be appointed to provide proper teachers and suitable books; that the school be opened and closed with prayer or reading a portion of Scriptures, and singing, if convenient. Though the teachers and man- agers are expected to render their services gratuitously, yet a small fund for the purchase of books, to be awarded by the committee to meritorious scholars, will be required. Chil- dren and adults are to be freely admitted without regard to denomination, sect or party, and parents and guardians requested to visit the school, and to exert themselves for its prosperity. Then follow the names of thirty citizens, with their contributions for the purchase of books, amounting to twenty-eight dollars and fifty cents.
From the first report it appears that the school com- menced in May, with sixty-four scholars ; that during the term of six months the average attendance was eighty-one, and the number of teachers eighteen.
The scholars had committed to memory and recited 16,525 verses of Scripture, 9453 answers in the catechism, 1625 verses of hymns, and the Lord's Prayer and Ten Command- ments by every scholar able to read. They reported also that among the scholars were twenty-one persons of color, whose attendance and recitations had been good.
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
The utmost harmony and good will had prevailed, and the efforts of all had been to promote the welfare of the school. The next six months (for the school for many years had an intermission through the winter) the number of scholars diminished, and the managers urged its importance with renewed vigor-and it would seem successfully, for the institution has continued and prospered to this time. One of the most interested and useful citizens in the cause, for thirty years, was Mr. George Selden. Horace Greeley, who was in the printing-office of the Erie Gazette, attended this school near its commencement, and was in the class of Mr. Jos. Chase.
Asa E. Foster, long principal of Erie Academy, and after- ward of a High School, has each Sabbath, for twenty-five years, been engaged in the Christian and self-denying work of giving instruction and distributing tracts to the criminals in the county jail.
To show what a wilderness was New York, and not less Pennsylvania, as well as to speak of the first Protestant missionaries in this region, we make the following extract :
" The Rev. Gideon Hawley, with Deacon Woodbridge, in 1753 (the year Fort Presqu'ile was built by the French) made a journey to Oquago, which is upon the Susquehanna, fourteen miles from the village of Binghamton; it is a beau- tiful valley, from three to four miles in length, and was the ancient dwelling-place of a tribe of Indians for a long series of years.
" Mr. Hawley had been solemnly set apart as an evangelist among the Western Indians; at Stockbridge he had a school attended by many Indians who wintered there. May twenty- second, he set out with Mr. and Mrs. Ashley, (the latter being an Indian interpreter,) and Deacon Woodbridge, upon the errand of planting Christianity one hundred miles be- yond any settlement of Christian people. Colonel Johnson, Indian agent, who resided near Utica, favored their mission, and kindly met them in person. But they were not always
15*
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
so favored. A drunken Indian, named Pallas, who was act- ing as guide, fired at Mr. Hawley when the party were in a boat, on pretense of aiming at a duck. Mr. H. providentially moved his head just at the moment and was saved. The missionaries showed the Indians their credentials, and among other things preached temperance to them, at which they appeared to be religiously moved, and even converted, and disclaimed the ill-behaved Pallas as a foreigner."
In 1767 we hear of the Moravian missionary, Rev. David Zeisberger, an unarmed man, of short stature, remarkably plain in his dress, and humble and peaceable in his demeanor, preaching to the Senecas at the month of the Tionesta, in Venango County. He built a block-house, planted corn, and gathered around him several huts of believing Indians. The surrounding tribes were said not to be equaled for wickedness and thirst for blood. Soon he retired from this hamlet called Goshgoshunk, fifteen miles farther up the river to the present site of Hickorytown. Here he built a dwell- ing and chapel, and suspended the first church-going bell in Northwestern Pennsylvania. In consequence of broils with the Cherokees, the station was removed to Butler County. In 1770 the Christian colony again removed, setting out in sixteen canoes for the mouth of Beaver Creek, and estab- lishing a station in the center of Beaver County, called Friedenstadt, or Town of Peace.
Sunday, the 2d of July, 1797, we have an account of probably the first religious service held in what is now Erie County. Mr. Judah Colt, in his manuscript "Life," says, "About thirty persons assembled at Colt's station, who gave decent and becoming attendance while a sermon was read from Dr. Blair's collection, 'on the importance of order in conduct :' Ist Corinthians, chapter xiv., 4th verse. 'Let all things be done decently and in order.' The selection of the subject, 'Order,' was suggested by circumstances. Imme- diately preceding, we find : " This season was one of much business, and, owing to the opposition of adverse settlers,
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