Harrison County, West Virginia - Harrison County Public Schools ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** The records for this work have been submitted by Valerie F. Crook, E-mail address: , May, 1999. ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** History of Education in West Virginia Prepared under the direction of the State Superintendent of Free Schools 1904, Charleston: The Tribune Printing Company, 1904 pg. 206-209 Harrison County BY L. WAYMAN OGDEN, SUPERINTENDENT In 1865, the free schools began in Harrison county. There were about 65 schools taught that winter, throughout the county. The term was three months, and the salaries paid teachers were low. The first frame school house was built on Sycamore Creek. The school records were kept and carried about in a meal sack by each county superin- tendent until James N. David's term of office. Mr. David transferred them to his successor in a box; now they are kept in an office provided by the county at the court house. Teachers went to the county superintendent, and, after being asked a few questions, were given a certificate. These grades ranged from No. 1 to 5. The following persons have served as county superintendents in regu- lar order: 1865-'67, Dr. Emory Strickler. 1867-'69, Dr. William Meigs (deceased). 1869-'71, Dr. D. C. Louchery. 1871-'73, Cruger W. Smith. 1873-'81, James R. Adams. 1881-'85, James N. David. 1885-'89, Jasper S. Kyle. 1889-'93, F. M. Harbert. 1893-'95, Joseph Rosier. 1895-'99, James E. Law. 1899-'03, Morton B. Newlon. 1903, L. Wayman Ogden. The first county institute was held at Lost Creek by Superintendent Dr. Emory Strickler. This institute was conducted by Rev. A. H. Lewis, of Shiloh, New Jersey. A county institute was held each following year by the county superintendent and teachers until the Institute law went into effect in 1879, in which the State superintendent acts as the official head in appointing instructors for each county. Before the adoption of the Institute law there was a regular organiza- tion, known as the Harrison County Teachers' Association. Many of the early teachers in Harrison county were graduates of colleges and academies. They set a high standard for the teachers. Those persons most active in carrying on the Teachers' Association were E. M. Turner, J. R. Adams, C. W. Lynch, James N. David, D. C. Louchery, B. F. Martin, P. N. Miller, de- ceased, Mrs. Naomi Everett, and Miss Belle Davidson. Most of the early teachers were men. The county schools were excellent in their beginning, and they have marched steadily on until the effect is noticeable among the young school children of our county. They are well informed on the branches which lay the foundation for a higher education, and we have grown in number from 65 to 250 free schools; in length of term from three months to five, and in many places throughout the county the length of the school term is 6, 7 and 9 months. In 1871, J. W. Young, J. W. Samples, R. A. Douglas and James N. David met at Romine's Mills and held a district institute, known as Elk District Institute. It was composed of the four teachers just named, and it became very popular before the winter was over and many attended this district institute. Now we have ten magisterial districts and there is an institute for each district. The average wages paid teachers, holding a No. one certificate is forty- two dollars. The majority of the school buildings throughout the county are in good repair, but much interest could be aroused by Improving the school grounds. We have an excellent corps of teachers in this county, who are keeping abreast with the times. ************************* pgs. 272-275 Salem College BY PRES. THEO. L. GARDINER Salem College is situated in the thriving town of Salem, Harrison county. West Virginia, on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, fourteen miles from Clarksburg and sixty-eight miles east of Parkersburg. It was estab- lished in January, 1889, under the auspices of the Seventh-Day Baptists. For several years, the pressing question at their annual gatherings, was that of higher education for the young people of Central West Vir- ginia. The fathers felt the need of better advantages for their children, than they had ever had; and a careful canvass of the surrounding country was made by the Rev. John L. Huffman. The people responded nobly, and men of all denominations joined the stock compnay [sic] for the purpose of erecting a college building, and establishing a school. While in practical workings the college is undenominational, and young people of all faiths are equally welcome to its balls, and to share in its advantages, yet its charter places it under the control of the Seventh-Day Baptist Education Society. While the college building was being constructed, Mr. Huffman opened the first term in a room hired for that purpose. And upon the completion of the new building, Prof. S. L. Maxon, A. M., of Wisconsin, became the first president, with Prof. Wm. M. Blair and Miss Elsie Bond as assistants. >From the very first, the people seemed to appreciate the college opportuni- ties, and the school soon became a wonderfully transforming power In central West Virginia. At the close of the school year in 1892, President Maxon resigned, and was followed by the Rev. Theodore L. Gardiner, A. M., D. D., who for nearly twelve years has stood at the head of the school. The faculty has increased from three to eight teachers, all of whom are teachers of experi- ence, and college graduates. The school has made wonderful growth, and for years our college building has been all too small. From a school without apparatus or a library twelve years ago, it has grown to be one of the very best equipped schools in the State in these lines. The physical and chemical apparatus, the 3,500 volumes in the library, the geological and archaeological cabinet, and the splendid magic lantern equipment with several hundred slides, make the opportunities of its class-rooms as good as the best. It has a record of which any school might well be proud. The enroll- ment each year runs to about 260 students in all departments. It is won- derful for such a school to do fifteen years of work, and accumulate such equipment; paying every debt for all purposes without any endowment. It has been a literal walk by faith. Thousands of dollars each year have come as free gifts from people scattered from Maine to California, to keep the good work going. Thousands of dollars have been paid for tuitions to help young people of all denominations onto their feet, where they could do something for themselves. The first three years we carried a full course in the Business Depart- ment; but we soon became convinced that such a school had no place in a college, and needing all our room, we put that department away. The college has a reputation for thorough work, and we mean to keep the standard high. Recently, a little nucleus for an endowment has been started, and we are hoping for a rapid increase in this permanent fund. The college has also inaugurated a scholarship plan of endowment, which enables the founder of a scholarship to name some one who may have free tuition from the income. The scholarship when fully paid amounts to $800.00, which must ever be kept on interest, the income only to be used. It becomes operative after the first $50.00 has been paid, and continues so year by year so long as $50.00 is paid each year until all is paid. This plan seems quite popular, and four such scholarships have recently been established. Aside from the regular classical and scientific courses in college work, the school has adopted the regular State Normal course, and makes a spe- cialty in this line of work. Her graduates in the Normal course receive State certificates upon same conditions as those required of students grauduating from State schools; and those who have gone out from Salem College are winning laurels as teachers, both at home and abroad. The present faculty stands as follows: Theodore L. Gardiner, A. M., D. D., President. Elsie B. Bond, A. B., Latin. Cortez R. Clawson, Ph. B., B. Lit., History and Greek. Samuel B. Bond, A. B., Sciences. Alice Clawson Gardiner, A. B., German and Literature. Harry G. Young, B. S., Mathematics. Beatrice Lowther, Instrumental Music. Ida C. Young, Voice Culture.