USA > West Virginia > Monongalia County > History of Monongalia County, West Virginia, from its first settlements to the present time; with numerous biographical and family sketches > Part 29
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Began. Conductor. Began. Conductor. 1879, August 4-F. H. Crago. 1880, August 10-James Fowler. 1881, August 22-D. B. Purinton. 1882, August 7-F. H. Crago. 1883, July 25-U. S. Fleming.
.
381
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
The attendance at the Institute in 1880 was but 53; but the next year 107 teachers were enrolled, and the average - daily attendance was 95. Of these 107 teachers, ten had taught 60 months or more, thirty had taught twelve and less than sixty months, 42 had taught less than twelve months, and 25 had never taught at all.
The enrollment at the Institute of 1882 was 112; average daily attendance, 98; number who had taught ten years or more, 4 ; five and less than ten years, 8 ; one year and less than five years, 56; less than one year, 23; never taught, 27.
In the exhibit of West Virginia at the Centennial Exhibi- tion at Philadelphia, 1876, were a "Pencil Drawing of Rev. H. W. Beecher, by Perry Morris ; Pencil Drawing of H. L. Cox, by W. C. Shaffer"-from the "Free School, Morgan- town."
During the school year of 1882-3, State Superintendent Butcher offered a prize for the best drawn map of West Virginia by a pupil of the free schools of the State. The prize was won by Gilbert Stewart, son of S. C. Stewart.
STATISTICAL.
1830-The census reports for this year place one academy in Monongalia, having 14 scholars; 28 primary and common schools, having an attendance of 629; pupils educated at public charge, 169; and there were in the county 2,132 persons over 20 years of age who were unable to read or write.
1850-Eight public schools in the county, employing eight teach- ers, having an attendance of 152 pupils, and an annual income of $805. There were two academies, employing six teachers, having 109 pupils, and an annual income of $3,334. Number of pupils at- tending all kinds of schools, 2,319 white, and 2 free colored. There were 1,215 white persons (males, 350; females, 865) in the county above the age of 10 years, who could neither read nor write. A record is made of one school library of 150 volumes.
382
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
1860-The returns of the census, this year, upon this subject, are not given by counties.
1870-Number of 10 years of age and over who cannot read, 679 ; number of same who cannot write, 1554. These numbers include the colored persons, who were excluded in the former reports, they being slaves then.
Of the statistics of the "primary" school system, follow- ing are such regarding Monongalia County as were ob- tainable :
In 1847, there were in the county 84 schools; poor children in the county, 800; number sent to school, 534; total number of days these poor children attended school, 42,189, at a cost of 2} cents per day; $1,013.76 due the county from the Literary Fund.
1848-Number of schools, 76; number of poor children 1,335, of whom 725 were sent to school for a total of 46,076 days, at a cost of 2} cents per day; amount due the county from the Literary Fund, $1,013.76.
1855-Number of poor children sent to school, 750; average num- ber attending, 560; average number of days each attended, 75; av- erage cost per pupil, $2.28; amount due from Literary Fund, $1,080.48.
The statistics of the Free Schools, except such as are elsewhere given, are presented in the table on the following page. Few statistics for Monongalia appear in the three reports of the State Superintendent previous to 1868.
TABLE OF FREE SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR MONONGALIA COUNTY.
YEAR.
Schools.
School Houses.
Value of all School Prop-
Youth between 6 and 21
Enrolled in School.
Daily
Months Taught.
Average Age of Pupils.
Teachers employed.
Average Wages of Teach-
received from
Total amount of District
Total expenditures out of
, Total expenditures out of
' Average Levies for both Funds on each $100
Cts.
1868
58
37
18,924
4205
4776
2325
301
11.75[
79
40.00
4,120.90!
21,879.87
13.675.25 55
1870
74
62
52,322
4858
3186
2195
336
12.32
76
36 50
4.120 90
22,355 23
14,264.91 55
1871
76
63
48.236
4787
3715
2640
335
12 12
79
34 70
7.041 97
+15,636.92
13 790.32 13,502.70 11 789.70
7.260.53 24.15
1872
80
80
56,838
4818
3582
2587
345
12.37
84
34.94
4.862 72
19.185.77
16.812.55
8,538.45
8,565.53
2,582.08 25 25
1874
80
79
61,510
4948
3479
2362
2682
12.05
87
11.6
82
34 60
5,747 98
8.369.43
11,644.00
1,969 11 20
1876
79
78
53,833
5089
3798
2573
385
11.5
83
33.21) 5.747.18
10 672.41
13.261 96
2,879.71 27.5
1877
83
82
51.763
5089
3845
2543
386
11
88
33.00 5.261.59
13.112.59
13,370.08
5,141.46 27.5
1878
83
82
54,613
4984
4110
2804
381
11
88
30 25|
4,721.17
10.304.24
11,535.84
2.369.70 21.7
1879
86
85
48,567
5032
3951
2839
404
11
94
27.78 5.777.00
10,688.14
11,863.41
4,355.11 26.3
1880*
1881
90
89
51,018
4860
3886
2637
404
11.5
97
26.60
4,944.60
10,751.71
10,825 27
3,358.97 23
1882
93
4 ..
92
51.863
4852
3938
2508
407
100
-
4,059.06|
11,464.65 11,268 89
3,933.641
--
--
--
No.
No.
$
No.
No.
No.
Years.
$
$ 5 889 80
$ 15,118.47
$ 5,869 59 14,751.73
$ 6,962.67 .
1869
77
. 57
44.607
4743
4818
3522
2371
320
12 05
87
34 01
6.515.73
32.00
6,317.03
78
78
58,926
4948
3627
2472
338
11.1
No. 40
ers per month.
Amount
State.
Levies.
erty.
Years.
Average
ance.
Building Fund.
+3,986 85 41.4
1873
81
78
64,12%
* County Superintendent failed to send report in time for publication, except of the items given.
t Marked "incomplete " in State Superintendent's report.
383
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
5 070.75
11,117.00
4891
Attend-
Teachers' Fund.
5 437.61|42.5
1875
384
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
As regards the foregoing table of statistics, it is proper to remark that it is compiled from the reports of the State Superintendent for the several years named. That the figures are only approximately correct is owing to several facts. Some of these reports of the State Superintendent seem to have had very careless proof-reading; and their trustworthiness is thereby much impaired. They are, too, made up from the scanty and almost always incomplete reports of the minor school officers. Indeed, it is very seldom, even now, that a County Superintendent receives a perfectly full and correct report from the district officers. The failure of one of these minor officers to submit a full report, or a mistake in such report, must impair, to a greater or less extent, the statistical report for the entire county. A standing complaint of the State Superintendent and of the County Superintendents, in the earlier years of the system, was not only the incompleteness of the reports received, but the failure to get such reports at all.
Perhaps the most untrustworthy column of figures in the table is that under the heading of " Value of all School Property." For several years, an increase in the number of houses, to say nothing of the necessary corresponding in- crease in the lots of land, served only to make a decrease in the value of school property. The value of this property is greater in 1870 with sixty-two school-houses, than in 1882 with ninety-two buildings. The estimating of this value, we believe, is done by the Trustees ; and the system is guess-work, and not very particular guess-work at that. Besides, the same Trustee seldom guesses at the value of the same property for two consecutive years. In the mul- titude of guessers there must be great fluctuation. It is to be considered, however, that the value of 1870 is given in
JALUI
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING, MORGANTOWN. FORMERLY MONONGALIA ACADEMY. SEE PAGE 303.
385
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
an inflated currency. In compiling the table the endeavor has been to give much in little. Thus, the total expendi- ture in the county for any given year may be had by adding together the total expenditures out of the Teachers' and the Building fund. That sum divided by the number of youth in the county, will give the cost per youth based on the enumeration ; divided by the number enrolled in school, will give the cost per pupil; and divided by the average daily attendance, the quotient will represent the cost per pupil on that basis.
The Free School System did not go into general effect in Monongalia County until 1865. It is said that Grant Township was the first to open free schools, and that Cass and Clinton were the next to follow. The want of school- houses and competent teachers, the natural disinclination to such radical change, the considerable taxation required to build houses and pay teachers, the opposition "from notions of caste" (as the State Superintendent expresses it in his second annual report), "a general apathy to intel- lectual culture," the sparseness of the population, the distracting influences of the civil war and of the exciting political questions arising out of and following it, and the crudities of the free school law,-all these operated in Monongalia, as they did in almost all the other counties of the State, in retarding the uniform and smooth operation of the system.
Monongalia County was and is divided into eight school districts, namely, Battelle, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Grant, Mor- gan, Union, and the Independent District of Morgantown. Notwithstanding her proud eminence in educational matters, 25
-
386
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
when the Free School system was adopted in 1863, there was but one school-house in the country districts that the school officers deemed fit to remain such. This one was at Fort Martin, in Cass District. The first Superintendent did not serve, and it was not till September, 1864, that another was appointed. And after his appointment, Mr. Sturgiss was kept from the duties of the office by acting as pay- master's clerk till after the school term of 1864-5 had passed. But when he was released from these services, he threw his whole being into the work; and, notwithstanding the very considerable opposition, comparatively rapid progress was made. Mr. Sturgiss went out among the people and addressed them, explaining the new system, answering objections, pointing out the great good that must result from a compliance with the spirit of the new institu- tion. He was present, as far as possible, at the township meetings, and urged the voters there assembled, to make the necessary levies to build houses and pay teachers, in- structed the officers in the discharge of their duties ; and, later when they had opened, he visited the schools of the county and held educational meetings at night. No report, statistical or other, appears in any of the printed reports of the State Superintendent until 1868.
In 1865 Monongalia County received $4,330.72 from the State fund; her share of this fund for 1866 was $4,052.02; and for 1867 it was $5,187.10. The pay of the County Superintendent for the first of these years was $400; for 1867 it was $350.
Superintendent H. L. Cox, in his report for 1868, says, "We are making much progress." Fifteen school-houses were built during the year; seven of which were in Cass Township-" excellent houses, 26x30 feet." "The building
2
387
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
formerly known as the [Monongalia] 'Academy Building,' in Morgantown, has been purchased by the district commis- sioners at a cost of $13,500, for the purpose of a town or district school." "Heretofore there has been a large oppo- sition to the system, and, indeed, there are many yet who oppose it, but I am happy to say that such feelings are: giving away, and a more liberal and appreciative spirit is manifest. The school question is ceasing to be made a party question." Some of the opposition, we are told, came from those who held that educational interests are best promoted by private effort, and "that the State is not the proper guardian of such interests. Others seem to be shrouded in a kind of conservatism," which, dreading changes, clings to the old system "because it is old." The number of certificates granted was 24, of which four were grade number one. Allowance to County Superintendent, $300.
In his report for 1869, Mr. Cox says that Battelle Township is divided into thirteen sub-districts, "in nine of which new school-houses have been built," and that the average length of the schools was a "little over three months to each district." "Insufficient salaries of teachers" is one of the "great barriers" named in this township, in which 502 youths attended school that year. In Clay there were twelve schools taught, of an average length of 3ยช months. Seven new houses had been built, "yet the subject of schools has not been appreciative." Attendance, 436; average daily attendance, 304. "Cass Township is deserving of much praise for having supplied each of the school districts with a good house." Ten schools had been in operation in Cass "for many years"; and numbers of Pennsylvania teachers were employed; attendance, 382;
388
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
average daily attendance, 263. In Grant Township, Mr. Cox says, "the people in general are much attached to the school cause." Eight new school-houses had been built in all; 12 schools were taught, of an average length of over 5 months, attended by 557 youths ; average daily attendance, 331. In Clinton "the people seemed anxious to embrace the opportunity to educate their children," though the levies were "quite burdensome" on the people in the mountainous part of the township, "the wealth being mainly in a narrow strip on one side." In Morgan there were seven school districts and six new houses ; attendance, 300 ; average daily attendance, 245. Union is, says Mr. Cox, "perhaps the banner township in the county in school matters. Each of its nine districts has been supplied with an excellent house"; schools of an average length of four months, were taught in each district; attendance, 594'; average daily attendance, 405. "Why have we not a very superior school" in Morgantown Independent District? asks Mr. Cox in his report, and answers, because of the want of efficient and faithful teachers. The school was in session 10 months, with an average daily attendance of 151. The names of 59 teachers appear in Mr. Cox's report, with the grade of certificate granted each ; five of which number held number one certificates, 8 held certificates between number one and two, 17 held number two, 17 between number two and three, 6 held number three, one held a No. 33, and one held a No. 4. Allowance to County Superin- tendent, $300.
In closing his report, Mr. Cox says : "A county teachers' association was organized in this county about three years ago, and has since met semi-annually. The last meeting was held on Saturday, October 16th, at which time you
389
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
[the State Superintendent] honored us with a visit. Forty- two teachers were present at this meeting. . . . I believe the teachers of Monongalia will compare favorably with those in other counties. . . . We are taking steps to estab- lish teachers' institutes in each township. ... I believe more educational papers are taken and read by the teachers of Monongalia than by those of any other county in the State."
In his report for the year ended August 31, 1870, Super- intendent H. L. Cox notes "a marked improvement in our teachers"; commends the "promptness and energy with which the school officers are doing their work," remarks that the levies are promptly made and that schools are taught in nearly all the sub-districts, and declares that " our people, with some exceptions, are proud of our school system:" The names of sixty-two teachers and the grade of certificate granted each are given in the report, of whichi six received No. 1 certificates, 13 received certificates be- tween one and two (1}, 1} and 12), 21 received No. 2, 10 received between two and three, 10 No. 3, and 2 received No. 3}.
Superinten dent Cox says in his report for 1871, that he think's the system is gaining favor with the people, though "it is true that there is on the part of some a strong opposi- tion to the main features of the free school law, and there are others, no doubt, who seek its entire overthrow, yet in general the opposition manifested is less violent than at first, while the friends of the system are daily becoming more firm and earnest in its support." Mr. Cox remarks that, "when we take into account the radical difference between the present system and that which preceded it, as well as the extremely unfavorable condition of public affairs at the time of its introduction, it is, indeed, a matter
390
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
of surprise that so much has been done." He refers to "fears entertained that an attempt will be made in the approaching State Convention [Constitutional Convention of 1872] to abolish the free school system." Sixty-two teachers were granted certificates this year, as follows :
4 granted No. 1 3 granted No. 13 17 No. 1} 4 No. 1}
16 No. 2 9 No. 2}
7 No. 3 2 66 No. 4
"The year ending August 31, 1872, was one of unusual success in the free schools of this county," writes Mr. Cox in his report as County Superintendent. Better attendance, more enthusiasm among the pupils, and more solid progress by them ; a growing appreciation of the people, and a more general co-operation by them, and the improved qualifica- tions and better work of teachers, are noted. A school was taught in every district, except one. Mr. Cox did not visit the schools this year, because the Board of Supervisors fixed his "compensation so low that it almost amounted to prohibition." Forty-five certificates were granted, as fol- lows: No. 1, 18; No. 2, 24; No. 3, 3.
The report for 1873, Superintendent Cox declares "that there is no longer a question as to whether the people de- sire schools." The attendance was small, and the school term short, this year, in many parts of the county, owing to the prevalence of the measles and other diseases. Forty-eight teachers were granted certificates, as follows :
1 33 granted No. 2 6 8 granted No. 1 ..
66 No. 3. 1 No. 4
Allowance to the County Superintendent, $75.
In the year 1874, the total enumeration of the county was 4,948, of whom 3,443 attended school ; average daily attendance, 2,337. Mr. Cox points out that the average
391
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
daily attendance was less than 50 per cent of the enumer- ation, and declares that "here lies the great obstacle to our success." Being Principal of the Morgantown Gra- ded School, Mr. Cox employed Alexander L. Wade to visit the schools. He held some thirty-one ed- ucational meetings, which were well attended. This year the Board of Examiners offered a copy of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary as a prize to the shool which should show the highest per cent of average attendance on the enrollment. Forty-six teachers received certificates; 13 No. 1, and the rest No. 2. Paid to the County Superin- tendent, $169.
"The school work of Monongalia County for the year ending August 31, 1875, has been, I think," says Superin- tendent Cox, "more successful than that of any other year since the establishment of the system." Mr. Wade again visited the schools and held educational meetings, and the dictionary prize was again offered. The result of the school election in Clinton District not having been returned within the time prescribed by law, an act was passed on the 23d of December, 1875, legalizing the election. Seventy-eight teachers were granted certificates-49 No. 1, and 29 No. 2. Salary of County Superintendent, $201.50.
The report of Superintendent A. L. Wade for 1876 is elaborate. He visited every school, and held forty-three educational meetings at night, in which he was assisted by "representative men, professors in the University, teachers, ministers, physicians, farmers and mechanics." Three houses were built, and one burned down. Certificates granted-63 No. 1's, and 38 No. 2's. In this year Mr. Wade began his graduating system. Salary of County Superin- tendent, $298.50.
392
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
Of the eighty-seven teachers employed in 1877, six were from Marion County, and five from Pennsylvania. Mr. Wade argues in the report of this year, as also in that of the preceding year, against the expediency of a compulsory attendance law, and advocates the plan of making the teachers' wages " depend, in a large degree, upon the per cent of attendance and progress of his pupils." Eighty- seven certificates were granted, of which eight were No. 1's, five No. 2's, and the remainder were between those grades. Besides these, there was one teacher who held a State Certificate, and nine who held Normal Diplomas. Amount allowed Superintendent, $300.
Mr. Wade, in his report for 1878, explains at length his Graduating System. Of the 88 teachers employed, 66 were males, 22 females; 13 married, 75 single; 84 were residents of the county, and the rest were Pennsylvanians; four were graduates of Morgantown Female Seminary and three of Fairmont Normal School; 15 had never taught before. The average per cent of attendance in the county was 60; by districts, it was: Battelle, 61; Cass, 61 ; Clay, 55; Clin- ton, 60; Grant, 61; Morgan, 53; Union, 67. Mr. Wade held fifty educational meetings during the school-term. One hundred and eleven certificates were granted this year : 33 No. 1's, 73 No. 2's, and 5 No. 3's. Salary of County Superintendent, $450(?).
One hundred and sixty-two certificates were granted in 1879-50 No. 1's, 105 No. 2's, and 7 No. 3's. Amount paid County Superintendent, $300.
In 1880, certificates were granted to 107 teachers; 18 No. 1's, 72 No. 2's, and 17 No. 3's. Allowance to County Su- perintendent, $292.50.
393
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
Certificates granted in 1881: No. 1, 31; No. 2, 66; No. 3, 7 ; total, 104. The amount paid County Superintendent in 1881 was $125.
In 1882, thirty-two No. 1 certificates were granted, 65 No. 2, and three No. 3, a total of 100.
Such is the history of the establishment and progress of the Free School System in Monongalia County. It is a noble record. With but one school-house a score of years ago now they stand to greet us beside every highway. This is a revolution that can not go backwards. It creates its own momentum. It moves by a power within, which in- creases as it moves, and which strikes out the light and heat of its own vitality. An average of the estimates made by many large operators, working many thousands of hands, gives, as a result, that a knowledge of only the elements of a primary education adds twenty-five per cent to the value of man, as a simple laborer. This fact teachers that to educate the rising generation is the most practical way to utilize our resources. The wealth of our hills and valleys, and the number of our population, will be but barren blessings, if we add not the intelligence and the virtue which make the true glory of a State." "We must edu- cate! We must educate! or we must perish by our own prosperity."
MONONGALIA ACADEMY.
We come now to chronicle the introduction and history of higher education in the county. It is said Colonel John Evans brought a tutor from Loudon County to instruct his sons in the higher branches. Before the year 1814 efforts were made to establish an academy, which was incorporated
* W. K. Pendleton, in the State Superintendent's report for 1872, p. 37.
394
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
November 29, 1814, by the name of "Monongalia Academy." Thomas Wilson, Augustus Weringer, John Evans, Jr., Ralph Berkshire, Dr. Enos Daugherty, John Shisler, Rawley Evans, George Dorsey, Col. James Scott and Col. Dudley Evans were appointed trustees, and one-sixth of the fees received by the County Surveyor of Mon- ongalia was ordered to be paid to the Academy. This Academy building must have been finished by 1816, for in that year Thomas Wilson advertised in the Monongalia Spectator for a tutor."
None of the proceedings of the trustees can be found further back than 1827. The Academy stood on the site of the residence of Thomas R. Evans, in Morgantown. Fred- erick A. Dering, the present Postmaster at Morgantown, attended the school, and says it was a long, one-story brick building, divided into two school-rooms. Among the earliest teachers he can recollect was a man by the name of Campbell, who taught the small pupils (about 1810-12); one Woodrow, an assistant; Simeon Glisson, who was educated for a Catholic priest, a fine classical scholar, who was in charge of the Academy, and who generally heard his Latin classes without a book; one Marshall, who was principal, and a Mr. Vanzant, an assistant; Dr. Ashbel Fairchild, who was principal, and after him W. G. Henry, Elijah Moss, and Horatio Martin, whom, he thinks, were assistants. The Rev. Dr. Fairchild was principal (or "tutor") between 1822 and 1827. From the records it appears that William Thompson was tutor in 1827 and that the Rev. John F.
"A TUTOR IN THE MONONGALIA ACADEMY WANTED .- The Tutor of said Academy shall attend to the instruction of about twenty-five scholars in the several branches usually taught in schools and Academies; for which the Trustees of said Academy will pay said Tutor four hundred dollars per annum, by quarterly installments." The foregoing is an extract from the proceedings of the Trustees of said Academy. March 9, 1816.
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