SCHOOL HISTORY: 1877 Common School Report, Mifflin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/mifflin/ _______________________________________________ COMMON SCHOOLS OF PENNSYLVANIA REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 1, 1877 Harrisburg: Lane S. Hart, State Printer, 1878 Ex. Doc. MIFFLIN COUNTY. 411 MIFFLIN COUNTY. - W. C. Gardner. This county was first settled about the middle of the last century, principally by Scotch-Irish and Irish, and their descendants from the more eastern counties of the State; a class of men who, whenever a sufficient number of them were found in a settlement, soon founded churches and school-houses. Mifflin county was formed September 19, 1789, from parts of Cumberland and Northumberland counties. We have no records of schools previous to that time, nor for some considerable time afterward. But schools there certainly were in different parts of the county. The character of the settlers, and their subsequent history, forbid us to think otherwise, though doubtless they were few and 412 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, far between. Though the schools and churches were closely associated in the minds of the people - the same house sometimes serving as both church and school-house - yet the schools were not sectarian or parochial, but were free to all who were able and willing to subscribe and pay. There was also provision made for those who were unable to pay. Thus the foundation of the schools of this county was laid broad enough for all, and the same liberal spirit continues to this time. The earliest record that I have met with, is a deed for a lot of ground in what was then Wayne, but now Oliver township, dated January 25, 1820, conveying the property to the following named persons and their successor, as trustees, to be used for a day school, for singing school, and preaching by any denomination. The house seems to have been built and occupied, previously, for these purposes; but now, secured more permanently. The names of the trustees are John N. Graham, John Horning, John Robison, John Oliver, William Marsden, William Wakefield and George Wakefield. This house, situated in the eastern part of Oliver township, is the only one of which I can find any written record, previous to the passage of the school law of 1834. But from some of the aged persons of the county, whose memories are good, I have obtained additional information. One aged man says he attended school in Union township, about the year 1801, he thinks, in the first school-house built in that township. The teacher was an Irishman by the name of Robert Knox, a good teacher, who remained teaching three or four years in the same house. His successors were, in order, Samuel Sample, William Kennedy, and George Davis. Another man says he went to school in a house in Wayne township, during about the same time, and describes the house as built of unhewn logs, roofed with clap-boards; the ground for a floor, and windows made of paper, fastened over an aperture, made by removing a log from the side of the building. Sometimes, in order to have it more transparent, the paper was greased. When this was done, the mice often became troublesome by gnawing holes in it, which, though it promoted ventilation, added discomfort on cold, windy, rainy days. Sometimes, instead of building a house for school, some old dilapidated shop or old untenanted dwelling was used for keeping school in. The furniture and apparatus were cheap and simple. Benches for seats were made of slabs from the saw-mill. Writing tables were made of boards, fastened to the walls around three sides of the house, in such a manner that when the scholars were seated at them, their faces were towards the walls of the house and their backs towards the teacher. The intention, possibly, of this arrangement, was that the master might by times approach unobserved, and notice the employments of the scholars. These houses were heated by burning wood in a large fire-place, which often extended across the end of the house, opposite the master's desk. Many children had several miles to travel to get to their schools in those days, and roads often bad, and snow deep. The branches usually taught were reading, writing, and ciphering. Many of the teachers were well Ex. Doc. MIFFLIN COUNTY. 413 educated. Surveying and English literature were not strangers in those schools. On inquiring in regard to the character of the teachers, the most common answer is, he was a good teacher, but often drank too much, then was cross. Though not all were so - some were entirely temperate. One of these, whose memory is cherished still by the very old people, was old master Arnold, who taught (in what was then Armagh, but now Brown township) for many years. Teachers were paid by subscription. Tuition was from two to three dollars per quarter, while those who were unable to pay, were allowed to attend school, and the tuition was paid by the county on application to the commissioners. But this was not often done, as there was a supposed humbling about it not easily overcome. Thus it was objected to by the ones it was intended to benefit. Education, while it was appreciated highly by many, was not by all. So we find the common school law was accepted at the proper time, but not without some opposition. The different districts accepted the law in the following order: Derry, Wayne, and Lewistown, October 10, 1836; Decatur, October 16; Oliver, October 21; Armagh, October 22; and Union, in November. The number of taxables at that time in the county, according to the first report of schools, was two thousand one hundred and twenty-two, and amount of State appropriation for the county was $625 52. There were forty-nine teachers, and the same number of houses in the county. Forty male, and nine female teachers. Average salaries of males in the county was $19, and for females $16 per month. The number of male scholars 1,262; of females l,038; this does not include Armagh, which was not reported. The amount of tax voted May 2, 1836, for the county was $4,308,28. The schools seem to have been at that time more of county than township schools. We have the names of some of the directors, who first organized the schools under the law of 1834. In Armagh we have the names of D. C. Miller, James Alexander, and Samuel Maclay. In Decatur, John McCauley, and J. H. Bell. In Lewistown, William Culberson. In Oliver, B. McClellan and D. Zook. In Derry, George Davis; and in Union, Joseph Haffley and David Zook. The early friends of the common schools seem to have made a judicious selection of leaders, in the cause of education. Each of these men were prominent in their districts. Their aim was to make good citizens out of the youth of the country. For, in the commencement of this system, the prevailing idea was to teach obedience, politeness, and patriotism, with the various branches of book learning. Possibly these traits which were prominent in these days of school-masters and school-mistresses, are too much neglected in these later days, when so many ologies have gotten into the schools. Lewistown. At the time of the introduction of the common school system, and for some time afterward, the schools of Lewistown were kept in rented rooms, changing about from time to time wherever a suitable room could be 414 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, obtained. The first board of directors under the new system was composed of Charles Ritz, Andrew Keiser, and Abraham Blymyer. The old school-houses, still standing were built in 1839, on lots 146 and 147, given for the purpose by Isaac Weily, father of Bishop Weily. These houses were for a time unoccupied, but are now (1877) being fitted up for a select school. There were other houses for schools in town. The two highest grades of the schools were kept in a frame building on the opposite side of the street from where the present large union school building is erected. There were two other brick houses, one on Logan street and another on Elizabeth street, now unoccupied. The present building was erected in 1872, at a cost of $33,000. It is an excellent building for school purposes, built of brick, having two stories, with six school-rooms each, and a basement story, in which lives the family who take care of the building, keeping it in order, together with the yard, &c. All the teachers are females since this building has been occupied. Under the superintendence of Miss Mary McCord as principal, the schools are progressing rapidly, and have attained an efficiency equal to any in any of the neighboring counties. There is a school for colored children in the west end of town. It has been in operation for more than twenty years. At present it has not as many pupils as it had formerly. The house is not a very comfortable one. Lewistown Academy was chartered in 1814. The first directors were Doctor J. S. Woods, James Milliken, and Francis McCoy. The old academy building was not erected till 1826-7. Previous to this time, Reverend James S. Woods taught a select school in his own private house, from which the school was transferred to the session house of the Presbyterian Church. The first teacher in the academy building was John H. Hickok. Then Doctor Woods took care of it as its principal for a time. Then followed Washington McCartney, . . . Van Horn, . . . Beggs, and . . . McKim. According to the first published report, that for 1835-6, Lewistown Academy had ninety-two students - four preparing to teach in the commonschools. It seems that it was a requirement to have at least two students whose object was to teach, and whose tuition was free. Average tuition per year, twenty dollars, fuel and contingencies, one dollar extra. Buildings valued at $3,000. In report for 1839, we find there are four students preparing to teach, and average tuition of students same as in 1835-6. Twenty-five pupils being taught Latin, Greek, mathematics, and English literature. Number of classes, five; expenditures for salaries, $102; revenue from State, $400; property valued at $3,000. The buildings of this institution were remodeled a few years ago, under the superintendence of Professor Browne, who has been principal for several years past. Ex. Doc. MIFFLIN COUNTY. 415 The Apprentices' Literary Society of Lewistown, has been the means of great good to many. It was established in 1843, H. J. Walters being the first president. It has a library of about eight hundred volumes. Some eminent men have been active members of this institution. McVeytown. McVeytown was chartered as a borough April 9, 1833. Previous to that time the schools were kept in the old stone school-house, an octagonal building, called the Union school-house, a good one for its time. It was built in 1829, on a lot purchased from Samuel Holliday, for $159 50. House cost $310. D. Lusk and Robert E. Wills, were the builders. The corporate limits of the town were enlarged in 1841, and it was made a separate election district. Then it became necessary for larger accommodations for schools, so that in 1844, a new and larger building was erected on the site of the old stone-house. Among the directors of that time, we find the names of Doctor Rothrock, Frank McCoy, William Macklin, George A. Lyon, William Davis, and William Hardy. A Mr. Bogle was the contractor to build the new house, for the sum of $1800, receiving afterwards, $200 for extras, making in all, $2,000 for the building. Among the teachers, we have the names of William Jacobs, who had charge of the school in the year 1844. He was superseded by Mr. Clark, who had, as a punishment for bad behavior in school, the wearing home in the evening of a large tin ball painted red, and attached by a string to a circular piece of tin also painted red; it was much feared by the pupils. J. H. Vincent was teacher of this school at one time. He is now a celebrated sunday School worker. Among others, we have the names of . . Dawson, Doctor Hudson, in later years; Solomon Z. Sharp, (now in Tennessee,) W. Owen, J. R. Wirt, E. Zook, and the present incumbent, Adam Rupert. These were principals. There are four rooms in the house and four teachers till 1876, when they were reduced to three. The present assistants have been in their places for a number of years. There is also a select school in the borough, though it is not permanent, but has been in operation for several years. Milroy. Milroy, though not an incorporated town, has graded schools, at present, five departments. There are two buildings, one a frame with two rooms, the other a brick-house with four rooms. Only three, however, yet finished for school purposes. The brick building was put up in 1872. The teachers since then have been Mr. Wagner, Mr. Brower, and the present principal, Mr. McClenahan. Kishacoqulllas Seminary. This institution was chartered in 1854, and the building erected the same year, though the school had been in operation for several years previous. 416 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, Miss Sarah Black was the first teacher of the school that grew into this seminary. She first taught in a small building, which was situated a short distance north-west of the present site. As the school grew, a new building was erected on a site at about the same distance east of the present one, as the first was north-west. The successive teachers were, after Miss Black, Mr. Dobbins, when it was changed from an exclusively female, to a mixed school, for both sexes. Then Mr. Simon Mercer taught about the years 1853 and 1854. It was he who agitated the putting up of more permanent buildings, and having the schools chartered, all which was done during that time. Among the principals since then, we have the names of Mr. Nelson, Mr. H. Alexander, Mr. Grier, Mr. P. Willard. During the year 1861 the school was suspended, when it was revived again, Mr. Solomon Z. Sharp having purchased the property, and started the school with renewed energy. A new life was infused into it. Since then it has gone on successfully. After Mr. Sharp retired from it, Mr. Martin Mohler took charge of it; he remained about four years, when Mr. J. M. Bell, the present proprietor, purchased the property. It is now in a flourishing condition, nine graduates having received their degrees at the close of last session, June 27, 1877, three ladies and six gentlemen. The history of the schools of this county is marked by steady progress, from the primitive schools kept by the master in the log-cabin school-house, of last century, till at present we can vie with any in central Pennsylvania. May this progress continue till they will be capable of imparting such a training and culture to every child, under their influence, as shall fit them for the effective and graceful accomplishments of every duty which it may be incumbent on them to perform.