SCHOOL HISTORY: 1877 Common School Report, Union County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/union/ _______________________________________________ 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 UNION COUNTY. - A. S. Burrows. 542 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, The county of Union was formed from Northumberland, in the year 1813. Snyder was taken from Union, March 2, 1855. The present limits comprise three notable and beautiful valleys, viz: Dry valley, Buffalo valley, and White Deer valley, of which Buffalo is by far the largest. The school law of 1834, met with much opposition, only two districts of the county adopting it, viz: Lewisburg and White Deer. A meeting of citizens was held at the court-house in New Berlin, on Thursday, the 18th of September, 1834, when resolutions were passed condemning the bill, and petitioning the Legislature for its repeal. White Deer. White Deer township was set off from Buffalo, in the year 1777. (The name of White Deer originated from the fact that at an early date a few white deer were taken or killed along the stream now called White Deer creek.) The first school established in the township was about the year 1800, and located two and a half miles north-west from New Columbia, near the present residence of S. B. Pawling. It was taught by John Davis, a one-armed man. The building was an old log-house, with a large chimney in the rear. About this time another school was opened half-way between White Deer Mills and New Columbia, but the country being thinly settled, the two schools were never open at the same time. Mifflinburg. Mifflinburg was laid out by Mr. Elias Youngman, grandfather of George Youngman, Esquire, in 1792, and incorporated April 14, 1827. The school history of Mifflinburg is also the history of West Buffalo township up to the time of the incorporation of the former as a borough. The first school of which I can find any trace was kept in an old log-house on Walnut street. This was taught by a man named Haslitt, about 1808. A Miss Daring taught in an old building on Chestnut street, in 1810. A Mr. John Hubbs, said to have been a very bright teacher, but cruel and fond of his " bitters," taught about 1814. He was succeeded by John Coverly, a Yankee, and he, in turn, by Mr. Hesser, in 1818. In 1819, Mr. Young taught a German school in what was then known as the Upper district, in the house now occupied by Josiah Henry. He was followed, in 1825, by Henry Hickok, father of Honorable Henry C. Hickok, now in the United States Mint, formerly State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He was one of the most thorough and successful teachers in the county. Ex. Doc. UNION COUNTY. 543 In 1827. Mr. Adam Gemsel taught. He was succeeded, in 1830, by Reverend N. Todd, a Presbyterian minister, who taught a private academy in what was then known as the Franklin school-house. One part of this house was used for the academy, and the other part for a public school. George Lehman taught about 1830, and several years after, in both upper and lower districts. He was considered a good teacher, but took too much fire-water, and practiced some singular methods of punishment, as many of our citizens recollect who had experience in riding the triangular wooden horse. He was a fine penman, and did much writing for the people. Mifflinburg Academy. April 14, 1827, the Legislature of Pennsylvania incorporated the Mifflinburg academy, which was the first regularly established school in the county, that aimed at giving higher instruction to its pupils. The school was opened in the Old Franklin school-house, under the government of a board of trustees, by whom Reverend Nathaniel Todd was appointed principal. This gentleman remained at the head of the institution for several years, and was succeeded by James Hamilton and Edgar Todd. The first trustees, were Henry Yearick, James Appleton, Jacob Meizner, James Merill, John Foster, Joseph Musser, Michael Roush, Thomas Van Valzah, and John T. Wilson. The sum of $2,000 was, by the same act, appropriated for the erection of a suitable building, which was completed in the year 1839, and the school again started on a career of prosperity by the election of James McClune, principal, who held this position for five years, when he resigned to accept a position in the Philadelphia High School. Mr. H. G. McGuire succeeded to the principalship, about 1845. The school continued under his able management several years, during which time it had an uninterrupted tide of success. Literary Societies. No accuracy as to the date of the establishment of the first literary society can be reached. Tradition places it between the. years 1825 and 1833. The following named persons appear on the list of debaters: Joseph Musser, James Appleton, Henry Yearick, Elias Youngman, William Gutelius, Colonel Samuel Barber, Doctor Robert VanValzah, Captain John Forster, and Reverend Henry Fries. Among the questions discussed was, "Is there such a thing as witchcraft, charm, or spell?" Decided in the affirmative. The following members of this debating society, Reverend Mr. Fries, Colonel Samuel Barber, and Messrs. Appleton and Musser also discussed the tariff question with General Green, Doctor Thomas VanValzah, Doctor Joice and a Mr. Nesbit, of the Lewisburg Debating Society. John Hoyt Hickok. Prominent among the pioneer teachers of the county was John Hoyt Hickok. He was born and reared on his father's farm, near Norwalk, 544 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, Connecticut. Taking charge of the district school for one winter, at the age of twenty, to oblige the neighbors, he discovered that teaching was his born vocation, and followed it, with but one brief interval, until the close of his life. He was remarkable for the thoroughness of his teaching, and his efficiency and success in government. His pupils are widely scattered, and many of them prominent and influential in- public and private life. His temperament was nervous, with great physical strength and power of endurance, seldom needing more than four hours sleep in twenty-four. After leaving Union county, he had charge of the academy at Lewistown, Mifflin county, for nearly ten years. He died at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in January, 1841, at the age of forty-eight, from the effects of a railroad accident. His grave is in Mt. Kalma cemetery, at that place. Henry C. Hickok, ex-State superintendent of common schools, was his second son. Hartley. Hartley begins its history as a separate township of Northumberland county A. D. 1811, two years before the organization of the county of Union. It then embraced all of the township of Lewis and the borough of Hartleton. Lewis township was taken from Hartley in 1856, and the borough of Hartleton a year or two afterwards. In the earlier history of Hartley there were but three school-houses, one where the school- house now stands, near the Dunker church, one at Hartleton, and one at Laurel run. The act of 1836, was uniformly rejected until the spring of 1842, when "schools " carried the day by a small majority. On the 2d day of April, 1842, the first school board of Hartley town- ship, under the common school law, met, organized, made arrangements for building additional houses, and putting the " free " schools in operation. That first board consisted of Solomon Knauss, Melchoir Smith, John Spigelmyer, Henry Roush, Alexander B. Cummings, and John Smith, of whom the last named alone is living. The board bought two of the best of the old school-houses, and awarded contracts for the building of ten new ones. Contract price for each being less than $200. In 1854, the township was divided, Lewis and the borough of Hartleton being taken from the old district. The first board of school directors adopted the meritorious principal of fixing the wages of its teachers according to his literary acquirements and skill in teaching. The board called to its assistance as an examining committee, Messrs. Samuel Haupt, Thomas Weirick, and Robert P. Maclay. The first named was a teacher of many years' experience. The second, a physician, in extensive practice, and a friend of the free school. The third, an ex- State Senator, and a man of culture. New Berlin. New Berlin was laid out in 1794, and incorporated May 16, 1837. The Ex. Doc.] UNION COUNTY. 545 valley in which this town is located, began to be settled about 1780, by Scotch-Irish, prominent among whom were the Templetons, Beattys, St. Clairs, Sullivans, &c. Tradition informs us that the first school-house here was an old log- building, long since demolished, located on the north-east corner of Main and Second streets. George Malick occupied it as teacher about the year 1800. He was succeeded by McCord in 1804; John Beckman, in 1806; Doctor Charlton, 1808; Epler, 1812; Joseph Stillwill, 1817 or 1818. He was probably succeeded by John Malick, in 1822, who was followed by A. D. Hahn and Field. About 1820, a stock company erected a frame-building on a lot belonging to the county, back of the court-house. The first teacher was Henry Hickok, who taught the classics first in New Berlin. Next followed Mr. Pratt and J. G. Armstrong, from 1825 to 1829. In 1830, a Mr. Hoge was teaching in this building, who was succeeded by George A. Snyder, who taught prospective and drawing in water colors. About 1834, a Mr. Parvine succeeded Mr. Snyder, but only taught a term or two, and was followed by John St. Clair, who was probably the most learned man that ever taught in the place. From 1834 to 1839, the respective teachers were Henry A Zellars, M. H. Weaver, Hopewell Cox, Thomas Stillwill, David Hayes, and Absalom Townsend. The school-house, on the German Reformed Church lot, was built by subscription in 1824. Its first teacher was Thomas Grier, a brother of Reverend Doctor Grier and of Judge Grier, deceased. From 1829 to 1836, the teachers were S. Strawbridge, David E. Garman, and Catharine Kessler. The following taught in private rooms, from 1827 to 1835: Lewis Bartram, Lucretia Moss, Mrs. Grove, and her daughter, Sophia, and a Mr. Crosby, who was a fine scholar but a great rascal. Union Seminary. In 1854, the Western Pennsylvania Conference of Evangelical Methodist Church resolved to establish an institution of learning within its bounds, to be named Union seminary. The following year, the work of building was commenced. A large three-story brick-building was erected, in a central position, on a lot of six acres, a little north of New Berlin. The institution was opened for the reception of students in January, 1856. During the first year, there were two hundred students, under the instruction of five professors and three teachers. There were four departments - classical, scientific, English, and primary. During the first five years, there was an average annual attendance of two hundred and twenty-two. From that time up to the present, only an approximate average can be arrived at, owing to the loss of some documents, but it would probably not exceed one hundred and twenty annually. The financial basis of this institution was unsound, no provision having been made for the payment of teacher's salaries, other than that arising 546 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, from tuition. The receipts from this source were small, as by far the greater number of students owned, or procured at reduced rates, scholarships. The only resource left the conference, was to send and keep in the field, an agent or collector, to secure the requisite funds, either by subscriptions or the sale of more scholarships. For awhile it was successful, but at length it proved too great a burden for the conference. Near the close of the war, it passed into the hands of the Educational Society of the Central Pennsylvania Conference, composed of ministers and laymen. This society leased the property to Professor Hoffman for a term of years. He, however, resigned before the expiration of the term, and it was leased in 1869, to Professor D. Denlinger, for a term of five years, and at the expiration of his lease, to Professors F. M. Baker and J. W. Bentz, who are now in possession of it. Under their management, it has met with success, and the prospects for the future are encouraging. Young men and women are prepared for teaching, for business, and for college. Literary Societies. Soon after the organization of the seminary, two societies were started, which have been maintained successfully. Gregg. The first school of which we can find any account, was a night school, taught by William Schooley, senior, in a house situated north of Spring creek, on land now owned by the heirs of John Haag. Another school- house was owned by Daniel Folmer, Esquire, in which Edward Beech taught, and a third was situated on land owned by the heirs of Gersham Biddle. These buildings were used for school purposes between the years 1790 and 1808. The next one was built on land now owned by Peter Ludwig, about 1807. In this house, an Irishman by the name of Cochrane, was the first teacher. He was succeeded by Moses Wheeler, a Yankee, who, in turn, was followed by Isaac Sedam, (lately deceased.) The fourth teacher was Noah Wilson. There was another school-house where George Irwin's house now stands. The teachers here, were James and George Gray, George Nelson, Jacob Blaisdell, John Brady, Darius Black, Thomas Kennedy, Charles Mason, Charles Schriver, M. D., W. T. Thorpe, and several others. Another school was built on land now owned by Mrs. King. Teachers, were Carpenter, Quinn, Diffenbacher, Honorable Isaac Slenker, and others. About 1826, Miss E. Grier, sister of Justice Grier, taught in the old Baptist church. West Buffalo. We find it difficult to collect much early history of the schools of this township. There were three subscription schools in this part of "Old West Buffalo School District," about the year 1800. Two teachers are named as con- Ex. Doc.] UNION COUNTY. 547 nected with these schools, viz: Robert Taylor and a Mr. Evans. One school-house was on the farm now owned by Mr. Joseph King; another occupied by Charles Shoemaker, and still another at Forest Hill - all log, with rough benches. In 1837, the schools were put under the "free school law." The Pike, Kauffman, and Forest Hill houses were built. about the same year. Red Bank had been built earlier, but was;hen rebuilt. The free school system was voted down in 1839, but was again accepted in 1841. Union. The history of the schools of Union begins with the year 1803, at which time a German school was taught by a Hessian, in a part of the house owned by Samuel Slear, near Winfield. The first English school was taught some years after, by Mr. Cunningham, and another soon after by Mr. Sullivan, both of whom held their school in their own dwellings, during the winter months only. The first house erected solely for school purposes, was built about 1815. Another was built some years after, about half way between Winfield and New Berlin, called the Grier school-house. The following is a partial list of the teachers of that time: Reverend Henry Neible, Samuel Creamer, Honorable James Marshall, Jacob Slear, and John Fisher. Kelly. Kelly township was erected in 1824. Its school history commences on or before 1800. Some of the most scholarly and devoted teachers were found in the little log-cabins used for school purposes prior to 1820. Flavel Roan, a relative of the Clingan family, heads the list of teachers. He taught first in Northumberland, in 1790; in Lewisburg, later, and finally in Kelly, in a log school-house, at James Wilson's, now G. A. Stahl's, where he remained until the spring of 1813. In the same house, Linn taught about 1818; John Dunlap, in 1425, and Peter Hursh, in the winters of 1832, 1833, and 1834. Another school-house was built on the western side of Thomas Howard's farm. Mr. Josiah Candor taught in it about 1809, and at the same time constructed an" arithmetical wheel," for which he received a patent. Train also taught here, and in a new school-house, on the eastern side of the farm. Reverend Thomas Hood taught the classics, south of Kelly Point, near the bank of Buffalo creek, in 1805. Among his scholars were Doctor James S. Dougal, now of Milton, Pennsylvania; Doctor William Wilson, of Centre county; Doctor Thomas Smiley, of Park avenue, Philadelphia, author of "Smiley's Geography." January 14, 1809, Mr. Hood had a public exhibition, largely attended. Free schools were established in 1837, and the following named persons were elected directors: George Meixel, Joseph Spotts, John Hummel, Jacob Baker, G. Bennage, and Daniel Kaufman. 548 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, Among the teachers are the following: J. D. Gordon, now Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; William Leiser, Delos Height, J. M. Mack, Mr. Steninger, and many others, whose names want of space pre- vents our giving. One of the "arithmetical wheels," invented by J. Candor, and a pamphlet of instruction for its use, by Andrew Kennedy, printed in 1809, are now in the possession of Mr. Scott Clingan. The instructions tell how to reduce vulgar fractions to decimals by turning the wheel, and how to do cross-multiplication, how to reduce dollars to pounds, shillings, and pence, and other rules. Lewisburg. In March, 1785, Ludwig Derr laid out the town of Lewisburg, and in March, 1812, it was incorporated by an act of the Legislature. Prior to 1800, we have but little knowledge of schools or teachers. Mrs. Jane McClellan, Flavel Roan, and others taught in private houses. "The Log Cabin Academy" was built by subscription in 1805. It occupied the present site of the parsonage of the Presbyterian church. From 1805 to 1813, Joseph Stillwell, Flavel Roan, Jonas Butterfield, and others, occupied the two buildings then used for school purposes, the one called the English school-house, on Market street, the other, the German, on the present site of the Lutheran parsonage. Among the teachers in the English school-house, were James B. Forest, from 1813 to 1814; Joseph Kerr, 1816 - 17; Daniel C. Ambler, James Aiken, and John Dunlap, from 1818 to 1824. The grammarian, Samuel Kirkham, was a pupil of James Aiken, of whom he learned the rudiments of English grammar. Mr. Kirkham commenced teaching in Lewisburg in 1820, and taught there several years, mostly in private houses. Daniel Breyfogle, John Reese, Doctor T. S. Beck, and John Dunlap, taught at various times in the German school-house, from 1813 to 1823. The school law of 1834, was adopted by a vote of seventy-one for schools, and fifty-five against them. Two schools began on the 9th, and one on the 23d of November, 1835. State appropriation, was $520 12; number of scholars, two hundred and fifty. The first president of the school board was James Keely, and the first secretary, John Houghton. Among the teachers under the free school system, were John Porter, A. S. Goddard, Captain Owens, C. V. Gundy, Emma Pardoe, Annie Reish, and Wesley Cramer, the last named having been teacher of the "Boys' Grammar School" thirteen years. Among the names of school directors, were Honorable John Walls, Honorable James F. Linn, Honorable Eli Slifer, Charles B. Linn, Professor C. M. James, Reverend Henry Dill, William Jones, Esquire, Mrs. W. Roland, J. P. Miller, and others. Lewisburg Academy. The Lewisburg Academy was organized in 1836. It occupied an old Ex. Doc.] UNION COUNTY. 549 building on Second street. This was replaced in the fall of 1838, by a fine, new brick-building, containing a large hall capable of accommodating sixty pupils, and two rooms for apparatus and study. The first trustees, were William Nesbit, H. A. Graham, and James F. Linn. The school began with only five students, but increased within two years to fifty, under the able management of James McClune, the principal., The new building cost about $1,300. Literary Societies. Literary societies were started at a very early day. A debate was held March 28, 1828, at which the following question was discussed: " Will the present government of the United States decline and fall ?" Affirmative, Isaac Slenker, J. T. Linn, and Jackson McFadden; negative, James Aikin, Doctor William Joyce, and W. M. Nesbit; president judge, Reverend George Richmond. Limestone. Limestone was organized in 1850, from parts of West Buffalo and Union. A part of its school history is, therefore, included in that of the above named townships. The early educational advantages of the people of this township did not differ materially from those districts already described. It is the same old story of log huts and slab benches; teachers being good, bad, and indifferent. There were, at an early day, probably about 1830, three schools kept up by subscription - one at White Springs, one in an old still-house, at John Seebold's, and a third, in an old house on the farm where Widow Harmon now lives. Names of teachers, were J. Hunt, Isaac Moore, William Dersham, John Dunn, Joseph Eylert, William Richert, John Ettinger, Howard Swineford, George Lehman, 1834; Mr. Capus, John Crossgrove, 1836; Henry Zellars, 1827, and David Crossgrove. Henry Hoyt Hickock, of whom mention has already been made, commenced his career of teacher in the county, in the old Union school-house opposite William Barber's, in the year 1820. Buffalo. Buffalo township was one of the seven townships belonging to the old county of Northumberland, and was formed in 1872. It then included a large part of Centre and Snyder, all of Union, and a great part of Lycoming. The first settlement was made about 1769 or 1770, and the first church organized was the Driesbach, in 1772. We find traces of schools at a very early date. Mrs. Jane McClellan, grand-daughter of Colonel Chambers, of Chambersburg, taught at Derr's old mill as early as 1790 and 1800. About 1804 she taught all the English branches, besides painting drawing, wax-work, and sewing. Kimber Barton taught at Pontius' near the ridge, in 1800 and 1801. Phillip Callahan is mentioned as one of the principal teachers of 550 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, the valley, but he is said to have had a large account at Henry Spuyker's store for whisky and tobacco. John Betz taught at the Driesbach church school-house about 1800. He and his wife were celebrated as a very handsome couple. - Linn's History. East Buffalo. Prior to the adoption of the free school system, the educational wants of the district were partially supplied by the ordinary private or subscription schools. These were considered good for the time, and are said to have compared favorably with those of other districts. The first election for the adoption of the free school system took place in 1834. At this election the system was rejected by a large majority, only three votes being cast for it, and eighty-seven against it. At a subsequent election, it encountered much opposition, but was adopted by a large majority. The precise time of its adoption cannot be determined from the county records, but it was between 1834 and 1838. Jacob Gundy, Robert H. Laird, Samuel H. Laird, Jacob Mertz, Philip Frederick, and John Snook, were the directors of the district in 1838, three lots having been deeded to them this year, and school-houses erected thereon. Two others were subsequently added to the number. These first houses were replaced by substantial brick-buildings, in the years intervening between 1863 and 1873. Teachers' Institutes. The first institute under the law of 1854, was held at Miffiinburg, November 6, 1855, it being a joint meeting of the counties of Union and Snyder. D. Heckendorn, the superintendent of Union, was chosen president, and L. W. Anspach, secretary. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws. The main points of the constitution are as follows: 1. The association shall be called the " Union County Teachers' Institute." 2. The officers shall be a president, two vice presidents, one recording and one corresponding secretary. The object shall be to engage the interest, secure the influence, and promote the advancement of education. The following year the institute met at Selinsgrove, with Professor Sweet as principal instructor. The third meeting was held at New Berlin, October 20, 1856. No minutes were recorded of this meeting. The fourth meeting met at Freeburg, January 27, 1857, with McFarland in the chair, Professor Stoddard, author of Stoddard's Arithmetic, instructor. At this meeting, a resolution was passed, recommending the use of blackboards in the school-room. At the annual meeting of the Northumberland Baptist Association, held in 1845, in the Shamokin Baptist Church, the committee on education reported that they had "endeavored to discover the cause of the lamentable lethargy on this subject which seems to pervade the Pennsylvania Ex. Doc.] UNION COUNTY. 551 churches, and are inclined to ascribe it, in great part, to the fact that our literary institutions are in other States, and that young men educated elsewhere, cannot act as efficiently upon the population of our State, as could those educated among us . . . ." After due consideration of the matter, the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That we esteem it desirable that a Literary institution should be established in central Pennsylvania, embracing a high school for males, another for females, a college and also a theological institution, to be under the influence of the Baptist denomination. Growing out of this action, an organization was subsequently effected under the name of " The Baptist Literary Association of Pennsylvania," the object of which was to prepare the way for the establishment by law of such an institution as was desired. In the fall of the same year, the services of Professor Stephen W. Taylor were secured in the interests of the enterprise. He had lately been connected with Madison University, in the State of New York, and was a man of clear views, sound judgment, and rich experience as a teacher. He was, therefore, eminently qualified to lay the foundations of an institution which in so few years was destined to attain such large proportions. He prepared the charter which was presented to the Legislature and passed by that body in 1846. Though the university was founded by the Baptists, whose main object in establishing it was to provide the opportunity of giving a liberal education to their children and to the candidates for their ministry, yet, in regard to religious belief, the provisions of the charter are most liberal. While it is required that the board of trustees, as the responsible custodians of the institution, shall be members of Baptist churches, yet no denominational views are to be allowed to operate as a disability in the selection of teachers, or to interfere with the attendance and the privileges of pupils. Thus far, in the history of the university, many of the teachers, and a large number of the pupils, have been connected with other religious bodies. In several instances, the prizes for scholarship, and--as at the late commencement - the highest honors of the institution at graduation, have been awarded to persons who are not Baptists. The course of the trustees and of the faculty, in this respect, has been most unexceptionable. The university is under the control of two boards--the trustees and the curators. The board of trustees, limited to twenty in number, besides being entrusted with the property and the financial management, also appoint the teachers, determine the courses of study, and, in general, are responsible for the administration of the institution. They are prohibited by the charter from allowing the accumulation of any debt, and so faithfully has this provision been observed, that to-day there is no liability against the university which cannot be met with the annual income of the endowment fund. The university is easy of access from all parts of Pennsylvania, and 552 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, being situated nearly in the geographical center, and with a large region of country around thickly populated, there is before it the bright prospect, through its several schools, of accomplishing much for the advancement of sound learning and religion among the rising generations of the State.