USA > Virginia > Rockingham County > Rockingham County > A history of Rockingham County, Virginia > Part 24
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
and such schools were in actual operation from the beginning of the 19th century up to the civil war. To be sure, these public free schools were inadequate to the general need: they were intended for the poor, and in most cases were used only by the poor. This fact will explain some of the prejudice against free (public) schools in more recent times.
A few statistics from different periods will illustrate gen- eral conditions. In 1824-5 the number of free schools in 98 counties and towns of Virginia was 2450; the number of "poor" children was 21,177; the number sent to school was 10,226; the amount expended for their tuition was $49,222.22. Eleven counties made no report.11 In 1826 $45, 000 was appro- priated for schools in the different counties; Rockingham's share was $942.12.
According to the census of 1850, there were in Rocking- ham 2765 persons who could neither read nor write, in a total white population of 17,500. Rockingham's share of the school fund this year was $1399.12
The increased allotment ten years later, and its distribu- tion among the several districts of the county, are shown in the following table:
SCHOOL FUND QUOTAS
For Rockingham Co., for the Year 1861.
The following is the apportionment made by the Superintendent of the Literary Fund for Rockingham county, for the year ending Septem- ber, '61:
Dist. No. 1 C. A. Sprinkel,
Commissioner,
$180 00
2 J. W. C. Houston,
130 00
3 B. F. Lincoln, 140 00
4 P. P. Koontz,
130 00
5 Wm. Sellers,
100 00
6
Madison West,
130 00
7 Jos. H. Conrad,
170 00
8 Wm. B. Yancey,
120 00
9 Y. C. Ammon,
66
150 00
11. From a Virginia almanac of 1827.
12. From a Virginia almanac of 1852.
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A HISTORY OF
Dist. No. 10 Geo. W. Kemper,
Commisioner,
$140 00
11 Jos. Beery,
120 00
12 Geo. P. Burtner,
120 00
66
13 Jacob Byerly,
170 00
14 M. H. Harris,
130 00
15 Peter Wise,
50 00
16 Wm. Beard,
140 00
17 G. R. Harrell,
140 00
66
18 F. M. Ervine,
200 00
19 Jesse Ralston,
80 00
20 Arch'd. Hopkins,
230 00
66
21 Jno. Q. Winfield,
130 00
66
22 Henry Neff,
130 00
23 Benj. Trumbo,
160 00
24 Jacob Caplinger,
140 00
CHAS. A. SPRINKEL,
County Sup't of Schools for Rockingham County.
From the Rockingham Register of Dec. 14, 1860.
In the same issue of the Register the school teachers of the County are notified that all claims against the Board of School Commissioners must be presented each year by the October Court; the notice being signed by M. H. Harris, president, and Chas. A. Sprinkel, clerk.
Although there was less prejudice against the free school system of 1870 and following years in the Valley than in most other sections of Virginia, many even in Rockingham looked upon it with misgiving, fearing an aggravation of the race problem, a weakening of the moral code, and various other undesirable things. On this point Rev. W. T. Price, of Mar- linton, W. Va., for 16 years a prominent citizen of Rocking- ham, said in a recent letter:
When the public school system [of 1870] was first mooted, the feeling quite prevalent among the more influential people was that the effect would be a very serious one upon the religious interests of the people, through secular education. The first superintendent of schools [in Rockingham] was the Rev. Mr. Loose. He favored all efforts to have the teachers realize their moral responsibility. The result was that a pre- dominating element of officers and teachers were in control of the system who realized this. The institutes were opened with prayer, the Bible was read in all the schools as a preliminary exercise, and in numerous in-
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
stances the school would be lead in extempore prayer, or the Lord's Prayer would be recited in concert. As time passed it was to be noticed that the moral and religious features became more evident, and the bane- ful effects of mere secularism were in great measure prevented.
In January, 1871, it was reported that there were 7663 white and 965 colored persons in the county of school age, 5 to 21; that over 60 free schools were in operation in the county, with more than 2000 children in attendance. There were at this time two free schools in Harrisonburg for col- ored pupils, but as yet none for white children.
In November, 1874, there were 112 teachers of free schools in Rockingham, and about 90 were present at an institute in Harrisonburg.
The following statistics are copied from the county super- intendent's report, published in September, 1876, for the year ending July 31, 1876:
Total school population, aged 5 to 21, 9815.
Total number of public schools, 157.
Average number of months taught, 4.85.
Average number of pupils enrolled monthly, 5060.
Average daily attendance, 3897.
Total enrolment for the session, 6446.
Average monthly salary of teachers, $32.56.
Amount received from the State, $10,165.
Amount received from the county, $8809.17.
Amount from district tax, $5818.95.
Amount of supplements paid teachers, $5050.50.
Value of school property owned by districts, $8985.
Number of school houses owned by districts, 24.
In 1889, 203 schools were open to white and 16 to colored pupils; 7348 white pupils and 617 colored were enrolled; 118 men and 85 women (white), 6 men and 10 women (colored), were employed as teachers; the total amount expended in the county for school purposes was $42,833.78; the total value of school property was $78,144.
According to the census of 1905, the school population of the county was 9470; the number of illiterates, 443.
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A HISTORY OF
The present widely recognized excellence of the Har- risonburg public schools is mainly due to the efficient and ener- getic principal, William H. Keister, who came here in 1894. He has been here continuously since that time, and has built up one of the best school systems, beginning with a kinder- garten and ending with a high-school following eight grades, in the State. He has stood by the school, and the progressive school board has stood by him. The people have stood by both.
In 1911 Harrisonburg and the several districts of the county voted for compulsory school attendance by large ma- jorities-Rockingham being the second county in Virginia to adopt the compulsory rule. This year (1912) the school board of Harrisonburg has secured an aid of $250 a year for five years from the Slater Fund to introduce industrial training into the colored schools of the town.
The year 1911 also marked the opening of the splendid Waterman School in the northern section of Harrisonburg, providing for a second kindergarten and a number of the lower grades. In 1910 Mr. Albert G. Waterman of New York gave the town a fine lot of three acres or more for a school site; and the town at once erected thereon a stone building, with most approved equipment, for a school of the sort contem- plated. The site commands a wide view of the town and sur- rounding country, and is only a few hundred yards south of the old Waterman homestead, where the house and farm buildings burned on the night of July 13, 1868.13
The Harrisonburg school board, composed of Messrs. W. J. Dingledine, Wm. Dean, and P. F. Spitzer, are setting a pace which, if generally followed over the State, will soon
13. Dr. Asher Waterman, already mentioned in this book, was a sur- geon in the Revolution. He came to Harrisonburg about 1783. August 30, 1787, he married Sarah Lochart of Augusta County. Albert G. and Augustus Waterman were his sons, the latter probably living at the old homestead above mentioned. Annie and Isabella were his daughters, the former marrying Chas. Douglas, the latter Robt. Gray. Albert G., born at Harrisonburg, about 1800, went about 1827 to Philadelphia, where he
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Josephe Salgan do
(Pages 288-292, 328) Engraving loaned by Henkel & Co. New Market, Va.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
place Virginia in the front rank of educational progress. Other recent members of the board were Hon. A. H. Snyder (1863-1910) and Dr. T. C. Firebaugh. Dr. J. M. Biedler de- serves special mention for the work he has done in forwarding medical inspection in the schools of Harrisonburg and Rock- ingham County.
Rockingham County has had a notable history in the normal school work of Virginia. In August, 1870, E. Arm- field Legg was advertising the "Harrisonburg Normal School," the next session of which was to begin the first Monday of September, in the basement of the Lutheran Church, and close the last Friday of June, 1871. Teachers' institutes were held in the county before this time, and many short summer sessions have been offered to teachers of the county for many years. From 1884 to 1891 summer normals were held at Harrisonburg under provisions of the Peabody Fund, as many as 300 teachers being in attendance at one time. From 1882 to 1884, and thereabouts, the institution now Bridgewater Col- lege was called the "Virginia Normal School."
Of all the early movements for the professional training of teachers the most notable in Rockingham, perhaps in Vir- ginia, was carried on at Bridgewater from 1873 to 1878 by Alcide Reichenbach, 14 J. D. Bucher, 15 A. L. Funk, 16 Miss Vir-
died February 16, 1862, highly honored as a citizen and benefactor. For 24 years preceding his death he was on the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind. His son, Mr. A. G. Waterman, Jr., is the honored patron of the Harrisonburg school bearing his name.
14. Alcide Reichenbach, A. M., was born in Switzerland in 1845, and enjoyed excellent advantages for training in both Europe and America. For a number of years he has been a professor in Ursinus College, Col- legeville, Pa., where he still lives.
15. Dr. J. D. Bucher, still a resident of Bridgewater, was born in Penn- sylvania, and has been identified for many years with various phases of educational and professional work. He had received a 4-year course of training in the Pennsylvania normal schools.
16. Prof. A. L. Funk, with Prof. G. H. Hulvey and others, continued
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A HISTORY OF
ginia Paul, 17 Miss Laura O'Ferrall, 18 and others. In outlining® professional courses for teachers, one covering two years, another four, catalogues of the best American and German normal schools were consulted. A model school for observa- tion, etc., was conducted. State Supt. Ruffner, Maj. Jed Hotchkiss, Prof. S. T. Pendleton, of Richmond, Prof. E. V. DeGraff, and others were secured as special lecturers. Stu- dents were in attendance from a number of counties of Vir- ginia, from West Virginia, and Ohio. Some of the pupils that have since become prominent in education and related work are: S. F. Lindsay, Mrs. G. B. Holsinger, Miss Fannie Lowman, Miss Fannie Speck, L. J. Heatwole, J. S. McLeod, G. R. Berlin, Cyrus H. Cline, and Rockingham Paul. In 1875 Supt. Ruffner wrote to the principal:
Your normal school has been a most useful institution, and I am greatly pleased that you intend to continue it. You are offering advan- tages to teachers such as are hard to find anywhere else in reach of them. They could well afford to spend a large portion of their earnings in at- tending upon your school.
A detailed history of the Valley Normal School should be preserved in the educational records of Virginia. It was per- haps the first in the State to do real normal school work.
Shenandoah Normal College, G. W. Hoenshel, 19 princi-
normal teaching at Bridgewater and other places. He was principal of the Harrisonburg high-school in 1878-9.
17. Miss Virginia Paul, daughter of Peter Paul, sister of Judge John Paul, was a graduate of the State normal school at Trenton, N. J. She taught in the Valley normal school at Bridgewater from 1876 to 1878. She died at Ottobine, Nov. 14, 1879, aged 26.
18. Miss Laura O'Ferrall was a sister to Hon. Chas. T. O'Ferrall, gov- ernor of Virginia, 1894-8.
19. George W. Hoenshel was born at Mendon, Pa., Dec. 11, 1858. After graduating from the Danville, Ind., Normal School, he took steps toward organizing a similar school in Virginia. First at Middletown, then at. Harrisonburg, afterward at Basic City and Reliance, he did a helpful work for the teaching profession and the cause of education. His wife was Miss Carrie Moffett, of New Market. He died at Reliance, April
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
pal, was located at Harrisonburg, on W. Market Street, from 1887 to 1890. Other members of the faculty were A. P. Funkhouser, I. M. Groves, J. J. Cornwell, Mrs. Minnie Funk- houser, and E. U. Hoenshel. Some of the students in 1888 were D. R. Good, I. S. Wampler, T. O. Heatwole, and Orville Dechert.
When, in 1904, definite steps were proposed in the Vir- ginia Senate for establishing another State normal school for women, Harrisonburg formally entered competition for the said school. The town council offered an appropriation of $5000, the county supervisors one of $10,000. The same year a committee of the General Assembly visited Harrisonburg, among other places, to compare the claims of the respective localities. It was not, however, until March 14, 1908, that Harrisonburg was designated, by Act of Assembly, as the place for a new State normal. April 15, 1909, the corner stone was laid; and on September 28, following, the first ses- sion began. At present (1912) there are four buildings, three of stone, one of brick, not counting several smaller structures. In all, 1343 different students, representing over 90 counties of Virginia, with a number of States outside of Virginia, have been enrolled. About 70 full graduates have been sent out- two years of work upon the basis of a 4-year high-school course being required for graduation. Two literary societies (the Lanier and the Lee) are maintained by the students, who publish a splendid annual, "The Schoolma'am." A Y. W. C. A., an athletic association, and an alumnae association are kept up, and the student body has adopted an honor system. Julian A. Burruss, formerly of Richmond, is the president and efficient organizer of the school, to whom is due the chief credit for its phenomenal success. He is assisted by a corps of 20 specialists, as instructors and administrative officers, together with a number of student assistants. Hon. Geo. B. Keezell is president of the board of trustees; Hon. Floyd W.
12, 1896. Among his published works is a 149-page volume entitled "X-Talks and Other Addresses." Dr. E. U. Hoenshel of Dayton, Va., well known as an educator, traveler, author, and lecturer, is a brother.
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A HISTORY OF
King is vice-president; Hon. Geo. N. Conrad is treasurer. The late Hon. A. H. Snyder was a most helpful member on the original board of trustees.
Two sons of Rockingham who long ago became famous as educators were Henry Tutwiler and Gessner Harrison, both born in Harrisonburg in 1807, one the son of the post- master, Henry Tutwiler, the other the son of the doctor, Peachy Harrison. They both entered the University of Vir- ginia in 1825, where, in due time, Tutwiler got the M. A. and Harrison the M. D. degree. It is said that Tutwiler was the first to receive the coveted Master's degree from the new in- stitution. Later he went to Alabama, where his life work was given, with eminent success, to educational work. His daughter, Julia Tutwiler, is to-day accorded first honors in Alabama among the teachers and leaders of her sex. Henry Tutwiler lived till 1884.
Gessner Harrison became a professor in his alma mater, and was chairman of the faculty a number of years. He pre- pared serviceable text-books, and taught with the inspiring word of a leader. His motto, "Trust God and work," explains his life and character. He died in 1862. The sons of Mars dinned men's ears at the moment, but upon the quiet lawn, and among the arcades where the scholars linger, his voice is still heard.
Among the men and women, native or not, who have made notable contributions to Virginia's schools, may yet be mentioned the following: Geo. A. Baxter, of Rocking- ham; president of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University, 1799-1829; Hugh Tagart, first a Catholic priest, then a school-master, who died at Harrisonburg about 1840; Wm. S. Slusser (1836-1898), 40 years a teacher in Rockingham and Augusta; R. H. Sheppe, lately deceased, prominent first as an educational leader in Rockingham, then in the State at large; C. E. Barglebaugh, long well known as a teacher in the county, and still in active life; Miss Belle C. Hannah, long a favorite teacher, now the wife of Sen. G. B. Keezell; Chas. G. Maphis (1865-), a native of Shenandoah,
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
but from 1887 to 1890 principal of the Harrisonburg schools; now professor of education in the State University; H. M. Hays, a son of Rockingham by long residence, now on the faculty of the University of Missouri; W. T. Myers, a son by birth, now on the faculty of the University of Virginia; I. N. H. Beahm (1859-), another native, a founder of schools; H. S. Hooke, long in Harrisonburg, now in Roanoke; J. J. Lincoln, well known in the State; J. W. Basore, of Broadway and Princeton; and last, but not least, our veteran superintendent, Geo. H. Hulvey, a son of Rockingham by birth and service.
References have already been made to the colored schools of the county and county-seat. As early as December, 1866, Mrs. M. W. L. Smith, Miss Phoebe Libby, and Miss Ellen Crockett, from Maine and New Hampshire, were conducting a school in Harrisonburg for colored children: 82 being in at- tendance during the day, 100 at night.20 They were teaching, it was said, in the new colored church. From time to time the school seems to have been taken from place to place. Sometimes it was held in the basement of the church (North- ern Methodist, later Catholic) that stood opposite the B. & O. station; at another time it was in a back room, somewhere, upstairs, and the boys and girls to reach it had to "climb, jump, and stoop." But they did it all gladly.
In the fall of 1868 Watkins James, an agent of the Freedmen's Bureau, established a colored school at Bridge- water. Just before Christmas a lot of white fellows wrecked the furniture, but the better people condemned the act.21
Within the last year or two the colored people of Har- risonburg have taken notable part in repairing and enlarging their school building, which is now a handsome and com- modious structure. The efficient principal is Mr. H. A. M. Johns, formerly of Hampton, who has been here since 1908. Under his direction the work is making fine progress.22
20. R. Register, Dec. 13, 1866. 21. Old Commonwealth, June 6, 1869. 22. I am indebted to Prof. U. G. Wilson for a most interesting paper on the Harrisonburg colored schools; it is withheld from publication here only for lack of space.
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
As early as 1822 there was in Rockingham an auxiliary colonization society, endeavoring to raise money to establish and support an "Infant Colony" at Cape Misurado, on the African Coast. Robert Herron was treasurer. This society was still in existence in 1825.
The civil war of course produced many needs for charity, and was marked throughout by organized movements aiming to supply those needs. Early in the war a soldiers' aid society was organized in the county. At a meeting in Har- risonburg, September 24, 1861, the following officers were elected:
President-Miss Jeannetta Conrad.
Vice-Presidents-Mrs. Amanda Keezle, Mrs. Strother Effinger.
Recording Secretary-Miss M. Byrd.
Corresponding Secretaries-Mrs. Harriet Ruffner, Mrs. M. Harvey Effinger.
Treasurer-Mrs. Harriet Warren.
The following were chosen managers:
Mrs. James Crawford
Mrs. Margaret Wartmann
Mrs. Rebecca Newman
Mrs. Dr. Dinges
Mrs. Henry Ott
Mrs. Nelson Sprinkel
Mrs. Annie Kenney
Mrs. Geo. Christie
Mrs. Lucy Effinger
Mrs. Col. Hopkins
Mrs. Juliet Strayer
Mrs. A. Lincoln
Mrs. Mary Kyle
Miss Anna Strayer
Maj. L. W. Gambill
Miss Rebecca Davis
Mr. Peter Woodward
Miss Annie Jennings
Mrs. Lizzie Hudson
Miss O'Brien
Mrs. Susan Bear
Mrs. L. Bryan
Mrs. Malinda Kite
Mrs. G. Kratzer
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
Most of the ladies named lived in Harrisonburg and vicinity; some were from other parts of the county. At another meeting held in Harrisonburg, October 29, the fol- lowing were added to the list of solicitors for the county:
Mrs. Bramwell Rice, Rushville;
Mrs. E. Bear, North Mountain;
Mrs. Fannie Hopkins, Mt. Clinton;
Mrs. Kieffer, Mountain Valley;
Mrs. Mary Lincoln, Linvill's Creek;
Mrs. A. Brock, Linvill's Creek;
Mrs. Jane Burkholder, Linvill's Creek;
Mrs. Christian Coffman, Linvill's Creek;
Mrs. D. C. Byerly
Mrs. Huldah Heiskell
Mrs. Jacob Byerly
Mrs. Priscilla Miller
Mrs. Lenion Harman
Mrs. Rankin
Miss Mary Lewis
Miss Dolly McGahey
Miss Sarah Weaver (Mrs. Fannie Hopkins)
The object of the society was to provide supplies of various kinds for soldiers in the field and in the hospitals.1
In June, 1862, C. Clinton Clapp, a Harrisonburg mer- chant, made the first subscription ($50) to a fund for the pur- pose of erecting a monument upon the battlefield where the lamented Turner Ashby fell.2
On April 30 and May 1, 1863, the ladies of Bridgewater gave an entertainment in the M. E. church, the proceeds to be used for the benefit of sick and wounded soldiers. In the spring of 1864 they sent 30 pairs of socks to Co. D, 10th Va. Infantry.
In February, 1864, the Misses Ewing, of near Harrison- burg, furnished an abundant supply of warm, woolen socks to Co. A, 1st Mo. Cavalry. This was the famous Woodson's Company, McNeill's Battalion, partisan rangers. About the same time D. M. Switzer offered to cut garments free for private soldiers of Rockingham in limited circumstances.
1. See Rockingham Register, Oct. 4 and Nov. 1, 1861.
2 See page 179 of this book.
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A HISTORY OF
The physicians made special provisions for such soldiers and their families. Some of the mills in the county did grinding for soldiers' families, free of toll.
At a meeting held in McGaheysville February 21, 1864, residents of the village and neighborhood contributed $1700 for the aid of soldiers. The meeting was addressed by Rev. J. L. Stirewalt, of New Market, who was soliciting funds to be used in purchasing artificial limbs for maimed Confederates.
November 28, 1864, at a special meeting in the M. E. church, Port Republic, conducted by Rev. J. Stirewalt and Pastor J. P. Hyde, $894.66 was taken up for the help of wounded (maimed) soldiers.
After the battle of New Market, May 15, 1864, the people of Harrisonburg and vicinity sent a lot of carriages to the battlefield, specially for the purpose of bringing the wounded men of Woodson's company to Harrisonburg, where many of them were cared for in private families.
In 1865-6 the merchants, lawyers, doctors, and mechanics of Harrisonburg formed a Thespian society, for the relief of widows and orphans of Rockingham soldiers. In May, 1866, a Thespian society was formed in Bridgewater.
In the summer of 1866, a Rockingham Memorial Associa- tion was organized by the ladies of Harrisonburg. This was probably the beginning of the Ladies' Memorial Association mentioned on pages 159, 169, 170, above. In the Old Com- monwealth of November 28, 1872, appeared a tribute to Mrs. C. C. Strayer, president of this association.
In 1878 liberal contributions were sent from Rockingham to the yellow fever sufferers in the South. Up to October 17, $715.24 had been contributed in the county to this cause. Early in 1880 a meeting was held in the Court House to organize relief for the victims of the famine in Ireland.
A work of benevolent character that must not be over- looked in this connection was organized and led for many years by Mrs. Lucy G. Chrisman, in cleaning up, beautifying, and caring for the cemeteries of the county. This work
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Post Office and U S. Court House, Harrisonburg
Rockingham_County Alms House (Page 313)
Rockingham Memorial Hospital (Pages 314, 315)
Old Folks' Home (Page 313)
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
probably centered at New Erection, but has extended far and wide with most beneficent results.
The remainder of this chapter will be devoted to five particular institutions, which typify different lines of benev- olent enterprise: (1) the Harrisonburg almshouse, (2) the county almshouse, (3) the Old Folks' Home, (4) the Orphans' Home, (5) the Rockingham Memorial Hospital. The chief benevolent institution of Rockingham is the good will of her citizens; but this has crystalized in various definite forms.
The almshouse for the town of Harrisonburg is located on the Valley Pike, a short distance southwest of town, near the toll gate. It is under the supervision of a committee of three of the town council, who, with the chief of police, look after the poor of the town. The inmates usually number only five or six. The present chief of police is Frank L. Dovel; the superintendent of the almshouse is David Landes.
The almshouse for the county was formerly located near Keezletown, but for the past thirty or forty years it has been at the present site, one mile northeast of Pleasant Valley. It is on a fine farm of 323 acres, 185 acres of which are under cultivation, the balance being in timber. The number of persons cared for here is usually 46 or 47. The popular superintendent is C. W. Pence, who has had charge of the place for the past seven years.
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