Fairfield County, Ohio - Chapter 14: Education, 1912

Chapter 14: Education

The Lancaster Public Schools - The Old Greenfield Academy - Fail-field Union Academy - Craiufis Institute - Boys' Industrial School - Joliii C. Hitc - Tozvnship and Village Teachers of Fairfield County - Boxwell - Patterson Graduates - Then and Nozv {Log and Red Schoolhouse Times) - The Old Spelling School - Enoch Berry Seitz - Geo. W. Welsh - IV. C. Brashares - Lancaster Literary Society - Historians of Fairfield County.

The Lancaster Public Schools

Lancaster has always been a town of the conservative type. New ideas are usually adopted here either after their usefulness has been demonstrated in other places or the demand for them thoroughly established by an expression of her own people. Advancement ineducational lines has been therefore slow. A school system has evolved and is still in process of evolution.

Eighteen years before the opening of a public school in Lancaster, Miss Flora Buttler, afterwards Mrs. King, opened a school to meet the demands which were at that early time being given expression. She and many others conducted successful private schools until the public schools were opened in 1830. Even after that time private institutions were successful here because of the limited opportunities offered in the public schools. John and William Tecumseh Sherman were educated in Howe's Academy. This fact and that of the education of many others caused a public demand for greater efficiency in the public schools. This perpetual dissatisfaction coupled with a determination to prove all things before their adoption is the characteristic most noticeable in the evolution of Lancaster institutions. With this in mind one can understand the very slow, but steady and permanent advancement of a system of schools which even today is a little behind others, but proud in the secure possession of all the best things of the past decades and making preparation to harvest for future use those that are now ripening.

In 1830 Samuel Carpenter, George Sanderson and Henry Dooble were elected the first school trustees of Lancaster. They employed William Charles at a yearly salary of $120 and Louis A. Blaire at a salary of $80 to take charge of two schools, which, until 1838, seem to have been the only educational provision for a growing population of about 3,000 people. In that year and at later dates facilities were enlarged and improved until in the year 1848 the citizens led by H. C. Whitman, W. Slade, Rev. Wm. Cox, P. Bope and others secured in the state legislature the passage of

As a result of this act an eight-room building at the corner of Broad and Mulberry streets was completed in 1849 and John S. Whitwell employed at a salary of $600 to act as superintendent. According to the terms of the law the "benefits and burdens" of this school were not shared by those living south of Main street, that district having decided by a vote to have no share in these. The next year however they voted to become a part of the system and John Reber, John D. Martin, Robert Reed, John L. Tuthill, Jacob Hite and J. C. Rainey were elected the first Board of Education for the town. Mr. Whitwell continued as superintendent and after the erection of a good building for the South district, thoroughly organized the schools of the city. He resigned in 185 1.

John Williams succeeded to the superintendency. This man was considered one of the great scholars of his time and in Scott's History of Fairfield County, one may find the following, "There are probably more men today who owe their success in their professions and other vocations in life to having been pupils of Dr. Williams, than to any one man living."

Mr. Williams was succeeded in 1856 by W. Nelson and he in 1857 by Rev. Daniel Risser. In 1861 E. E. Fish became superintendent and in 1862 Rev. J. F. Reinmund whose administration was one of the remarkable ones of this history. By his industry, honesty, scholarship, kindness of Heart and enthusiasm he won the love and respect of all teachers and pupils as well as that of the Board of Education and citizenship at large.

the high tone of whose character, scholarship and executive ability calls for an extended article elsewhere in this volume, was promoted from a teaching position to the superintendency. Mr. Welsh resigned in 1879 and S. S. Knabenshue succeeded. After three years Mr. Welsh returned to his old position, but owing to ill health remained but one year and was followed by J. J. Burns who after a single year of service became Superintendent of the schools of Dayton and made room again for Mr. Welsh, who then returned for a term of eight years.

Elijah Burgess became superintendent in 1892 and Mr. Welsh again in 1899. Early in 1903 it was found impossible for Mr. Welsh to continue and the high school principal, H. A. Cassidy, was chosen to succeed him. Mr. Cassidy served until 191 1 when S. H. Layton was elected for a term of two years.

At the present time the members of the Board of Education are, W. H. Radebaugh, President. R. M. Miller, Clerk, L. E. Ey-man, L. G. Silbaugh, R. M. Giesey, G. M. Bell and G. E. Miller. S. H. Layton is in charge as su- perintendent, W. C. Brashares is principal of the high school, C. L. Berry of the North school, Elizabeth O'Grady of the East, W. A. Kline of the South, C. J. Hughes of the West and Bess M. Outcault of the new school in South Lancaster.

The teachers of the High school are : Anna Davidson, History, L. D. Thomas, German and Music, Mabel Curtiss, Latin, Lacie Perfect, English, J. F. Hawk, Science, H. J. Scarborough. Mathematics, Prudentia Streter, Latin and German, Bertha Hunt, English, D. M. Hickson, U. S. History and Science.

The teachers at the North school are, Emma Cook, Seventh grade, Frances Kiger, Seventh, Mary Shutt, Sixth, India Wolfe, Sixth, Maria Shaeffer, Fifth, Katherine Rippman, Fifth, Inez Kraemer, Fourth, Sophia Geiser, Fourth, Annabel Kellerman, Third, Bess Hammack, Third, Marie Smith, Second, Mary Mechling, Second, F"loranelle Fosler, First, Ethel Ward, First, and Helen Benner, First.

At the West school are, Sallie Junkerman, Sixth grade, Iva Wells, Fifth, Martha Peet, Fourth, Alice Mock, Third, Evelyn Mack. Second, Grace Shue, Second, Bertha Kirn, First, Elsie Smith, First.

Aileen Townsley is the assistant of Miss Outcault at the new school in South Lancaster, Hazel Robuck, has charge of the music of all the eight grades, C. P. Zaner of the penmanship and Vera Webb and Florence Bowers serve as cadet teachers.

W. S. Eckert is superintendent of buildings and has charge of the following janitors : South Lancaster, Fred Young, West, Lizzie Cooper, East, Chris Rudolph, South, James Powers, North, Thomas Reap, High School. James Bloom. Without mention of Mr. Bloom no account of the Lancaster schools would be complete. He is known by every citizen and his reputation for keeping his building spotlessly clean is state wide. He has probably attracted more attention than any other employee of the present Board of Education.

The schools of Lancaster have never taken backward steps; they are therefore today in better condition than ever before. The common schools have grown to exceed the wildest guess of those in charge but a few years ago. Seven buildings are now in use and all are taxed to the extent of their capacity. In one quarter of the city. West Lancaster, a threeroom building was sufficient for school needs six years ago. An eight-room building has since been erected, the intention being to abandon the old. Now the new building is inadequate and both the old and new are in daily use. The broader meaning of the value of school property is being recognized and school property in out-of-school hours is being devoted to the public good. The beautiful parks in which the schools are located are being given over to the public for recreation. Boys are playing upon the beautiful lawns and under the green trees with the protection of a public officer. People young and old are being drawn to these beauty spots and thus thou-

The character of the teachers employed in these schools is better with each succeeding year. All of the later additions have been recruited from the Nonnal schools. These bring with them the latest ideas which soon permeate the whole school, it being frequently found that the older teachers can make better use of these than can those who introduce them. All are required by regular and systematic reading of the newest and best things in school literature and by attendance at state and county teachers' meetings to keep up to date and to meet the ever growing requirements of an increasingly intelligent citizenship. The teachers of this day are recognizing the real needs that can be supplied by the public schools. They are therefore teaching the things that are useful in socializing the children under their direction. Purely formal studies are being abandoned and time given to the things seen to be directly useful in the future life of the individual. There are now enrolled in these schools 1,965 pupils.

The high school moved into the beautiful new building Feb. 2.2, 1906. This building is one of the best in Ohio. A fine gymnasium. an auditorium to seat 550 people, first-class laboratories for Physics and Chemistry, lavatories of best marble finish, elegant offices, and large halls are added to the usual equipment of well furnished rooms for study and recitation. All of these are being used to make of the high school a true social center. The proj)- erty cost $70,000. It was designed to meet the needs of the school for a long time, but after only six years it is feared that it will soon be inadequate. More room even now would mean larger and better results.

as a minimum preparation graduation from a reputable college. Constant vigilance is exacted of them in order that all that is newest and best in education may come under their observation. They are therefore coming to look upon the school as a business institution in which the young life of the community is to be given the best possible chance. Little or no attention is given to unimportant formalities and teachers and pupils are learning to work together in the .same way as do foremen and workers in any other institution.

The pupils in 191 1- 19 12 number 315. This shows a growth of more than one hundred per cent in the last six years. This is remarkable in the face of the fact that Lancaster offers so many attractions in a business way to young people. A boy of high school age can earn in one of the shoe factories nearly $400 per year and there is employment of this kind for 1,000 people.

The high school building is being made as attractive as possible in order to compete with the attractions offered by these factories. Pupils are encouraged to give expression to whatever talents they possess. This year one group gave Tennyson's "The Princess," another a meritorious operetta "Sylvia," another a Dickens carnival in which moving pictures of David Copperfield were used. The school has one of the best high school choruses in Ohio and an excellent 15-piece orchestra. Basket ball and foot ball hold the interest of pupils and attract citizens to the school. All of these are kept subordinate to the real work of the school and as a proof that real interest in education is fastered here we point to the fact that fifty-nine graduates of this school are this year enrolled in the various colleges seeking an extension of the advantages they have here learned to prize. That the work of the school is done according to generally accepted standards is proved by the fact that it is ranked by the State Commissioner of Common Schools as of the first grade, that the school holds membership in the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and that such institutions as Case School of Applied Sciences, Vassar and others accept its graduates without examination.

Fifty-four classes have graduated from this school. In these there is a total of 745 members. In the first class, that of 1853, Mattie Connel, later Mrs. Sykes of Jamestown, New York, was the only member. In 1863 there were three graduates, in 1873 ten, in 1883 nine, in 1893 twenty-two, in 1903 twenty; the class of 191 1 numbered forty-two and the class of 1912 has now a membership of forty-five.

As to the work of the Superintendent and Board of Education, it should be said that there is excellent cooperation and that all are keenly alive to the needs of the schools and are working constantly to guarantee that these are met. This year free text books have been provided, and liberal appropriations have been made in many other lines. The youth of Lancaster are being well taken care of in an educational way, thanks to a hearty cooperation among school officers, teachers, pupils and parents.

The Old Greenfield Academy

About four miles north of Lancaster, on what is known as the Millersport and Infirmary road, is a small humble dwelling and a few acres of land, which was the home of one of the most distinguishel scholars and educators that have made Ohio renowned for its men of superior intellectuality. The writer refers to Dr. John Williams, author of the "Parsers' Manual," published by the American Book Company, and the "Readable and Topical Lexicon," published by A. S. Barnes & Co. His greatest work rests in silence, as it was not quite ready for the printer, when the Messenger called him from his labors. The work unpublished is an elaborate exposition of arithmetical, algel:)raic and geometrical problems. The design of the work was original with Dr. Williams, there being nothing like it in Europe or America.

The profundity of Dr. Williams' knowledge of foreign languages and his familiarity with the philosophies and governments of the people of the world was comprehensible to only a few people. Thus he was a prince and a mighty man in intellect. No one could look upon that massive brow, encircled with silver locks of age, without feelings of the most profound reverence for that seemingly endless fountain of the purest intellectuality. His intellect was as deep as it was mighty. No mere digging or scraping on the surface could satisfy him. He would find and be sure of the foundations of all conditions of things before he could be induced to build upon them. Every subject, whether it pertained to literature, to science, or to religion, had to be submitted to the crucible of his deep logical thinking. The grand result was evident to all who may have been favored with his acquaintance and had the intelligence to appreciate his thorough scholarship.

the hidden forces in the mind of a boy with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. It was only by the most self-denying and stupendous efforts on the part of himself that he succeeded in becoming the eminent scholar and the distinguished teacher that he was. No outward stimulus, no admonitions, entreaties and urgings of parents or teachers were ever needed by him or ever accorded to him to encourage him in the pursuit of knowledge. He had a great mind, and its cry for substantial food could not be repressed.

He was born in the state of Maryland, on the 8th of October, 1901. When but a small boy his books were his constant and favorite companions. After spending the day at hard work on the farm, he would spend the evenings in study. His parents, thinking that he ought to retire at the same time as themselves, were in the habit, not only of extinguishing the light, but of removing the candle, so as to compel him to go to his bed. But at such times he was wont to cause the firelight to serve him in the pursuit of his studies. He also carried his book in his pocket and when he went to rest he sat down to read.

He taught his first school at the early age of fifteen, before which time he had never been in any school as a student. He earned by this means money enough to sustain him for a term of six months in an humble academy in western Pennsylvania, known as the Canonsburg Academy. This was the highest school and the only school he ever had the privilege of attending.

About the year 1817 the Williams family came to Ohio and finally settled in Morgan county, not far from Zanesville. Here the young man continued his education, teaching school at intervals to provide himself with the necessities of life, and to support himself while studying medicine with Dr. Moore, a physician in Putnam and a graduate of Miami University. Here he made substantial progress in the Latin and the Greek languages. He attended a course of medical lectures in Cincinnati, after which he began the practice of medicine. For a short time prior to this he had read law with Judge Hanna, of McConnelsville, Ohio.

He was a marvel of learning by the time he was twenty-five years old, and becoming known as a man of more than ordinary attainments, he was honored by having conferred upon him the degre of Master of Arts, as a well merited honor, by the University at Athens, Ohio. Although he was never permitted to enter a college or university, he thoroughly mastered all the departments of learning usually taught in them. He was a thorough linguist in both ancient and modern languages, a successful student of the natural sciences, an able historian, an extraordinary mathematician, and, by his strength of intellect and persistent effort, he became a most profound scholar in almost every department of learning.

He peacefully and quietly ceased from his labors August 10, 1879, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. The remains of this distinguished man rest in Fairfield county, in what is known, as the German Lutheran and German Presbyterian Cemetery.

Fellow teachers and students of Ohio, have we not in this prince of intellectuality, this self-taught man, an encouraging and advantageous lesson? True, we cannot all be Dr. John Williamses, but his eventful life is certainly helpful to any thoughtful student. Permit me space to give you a hint of the instruction which he received in mathe- matics. While he was a member of Canonsburg Academy, he became on a time somewhat concerned about the correct solution of a problem in algebra. He had never as yet gone to any person or teacher for assistance. The hour for recitation was nearing. His face flushed with shame to solicit aid, l)ut feeling that he must be master of his work before recitation, he finally went to the instructor and asked for a word of explanation. The instructor looked at the problem for a moment and then said : "John, that is a difificult problem, and as the class will not recite till this afternoon, I will work it out for you at the noon hour." John thanked his teacher and went to his seat a happy boy. But he solved the problem himself long before he returned to the school from his dinner, and thus saved the head master in mathematics the trouble. This is all the information he ever personally received from any instructor in mathematics. He mastered all departments of learning in the same persistent way.

Dr. Williams was the founder of the old Greenfield Academy in Fairfield county, where many distinguished scholars and renowned people of Ohio were educated. A few of these may be cited: - Judge Silas H. Wright, Hon. John M. Connell, Judge John S. Brasee, Newton Schleigh, Hon. Thomas Ewing of New York City, the late Theodore Tallmadge of Washington, D. C, Mrs. Samuel A. Baxter, mother of Samuel A. Baxter Jr., banker of Lima, Ohio, Dr. Joseph Freeman, Prof. A. Freed, the naturalist and distinguished scholar of Fairfield county, George W. Beery, a distinguished lawyer of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, O. E. P. Ashbrook, of Windsor, 111., Rev. Isaac Bookwalter, Dr. David Carpenter of Chicago, Oliver P. Chaney, Dr. M. P.

W'agenhals, a distinguished physician of Lancaster and later of Columbus, and last, but not least, Mrs. Elizabeth Freeman Thompson, a superior grammarian and mathematician, the lamented wife of the writer.

It has often been said and is generally believed that James G. Blaine, the great statesman, and John Sherman, the nation's financier, were students of Dr. John Williams, but this is a mistake ; they were not. The writer heard Judge Silas H. Wright say, on one occasion, that he personally knew and could name an active judge on the bench in almost every state in the union, who had been students of Dr. John Williams. Truly this man of mighty intellect and great attainments would have done honor to any seat of learning.*

- One of the first texts used by me in college was "The Parser's Manual." and later, "The Readable Lexicon" by Dr. Williams. The power of these texts Inspired new life and strength in every student. Dr. Williams was a benefactor of his race. - The Editor.

Text Books

Boullion's English Grammar, Ray"s Arithmetic. Mitchell's Geography, Comstock's Philosophy, Comstock's Chemistry, Ruschenberger's First Books of Natural History, Mrs. Lincoln's First Principles of Botany, Eaton & Wright's Xorth-.American Botany, Preston's Book-keeping, Young's Science of Government, Newmann's Rhetoric, Olmsted's Astronomy, Davies' Mathematical Course, Boullion's Latin and Greek Grammars and Readers, the usual Latin and Greek classics (Anthon's series, so far as published).

Notice

rooms; in the south were rooms for students, It will be impossible in this short space to reading-room and boarding hall. When the mention all the worthy teachers who at some school first opened in the fall of i860, it was time in the career of this noted school inlocated in the Odd Fellows' Building and structed the young people who gathered there Prof. George Fleming was principal. Prof, as students. Prof. Darlington J. Snyder was Fleming was a highly cultured man, a classi- one of the earlier teachers. He was full of cal graduate of an eastern college. He enthusiasm and his intense energy lent to his seemed to know Bullion's Latin and Greek work an interest that few men can command, grammars as well as the author did; Latin He is now (1912) one of the leading physiand Greek were as familiar to him as Eng- cians of the city of Columbus, lish. His strong forte was mathematics, and Prof. J. J. Wagner was also one of the in scientific research he was fully abreast of young teachers in this institution, whose good his time. work is still remembered, but whose life work

Other teachers were Miss Edgar, D. J. Sny- accurate knowledge of the sciences, particuder, J. W. Barber, Prof. Brown, T. C. Reade, larly of archaeology; and his keen insight into beautiful country home attracted the attention of scientists the country over. Though a sufferer from ill health, he was companionable, interesting and always cheerful, beloved by his pupils and respected by men in authority everywhere. His keenness of intellect, his wonderful power of illustration and the great breadth of his knowledge, made an impression on the writer that will ne\er be forgotten.

Prof. J. C. Harper took charge of the institution when its business affairs needed the closest attention. He brought the school to a high standing in a literary way - improved its finances and advertised it widely. Prof. Harper had had a wide experience in public school work before he took charge of the Academy. This made him popular with the teachers and enabled him to do them much good by Normal training.

The scholarly Knabenshue did not remain long at the head of the institution, but he left his mark upon all who came within the circle of his influence. He posessed a keen mind and vigorous energetic methods of teaching. Later this distinguished scholar was sent by the President of the United States to represent his country at a foreign court. Prof. Knabenshue's son Roy has become famous as an aviator, and has added much renown to his home, the city of Toledo.

One of the last of the distinguished principals was Prof. John F. Alford, whose quiet, unassuming manner, but scholarly and dignified work day by day revived the life of the decadent institution and, for a time, gave it new strength, vigor and renown. He brought the attendance up very closely to what it was in the hey day of its history.

her brightest and most hopeful days, it is a sad commentary on the changes wrought by time to know that the school is no more, and that the buildings, neglected and alone, are crumbling back to Mother Earth. The owl and the bat make their home where once was heard the sound of music, instrumental and vocal, and the trained voice of the orator and debater. But such are the changes time will bring, a thought so beautifully expressed by one of the Academy's most noted pupils (now deceased). Dr. O. P. Driver: -

Crawfis Institute

Berne Township High School, or Crawfis Institute, owes its establishment to the benevolence of a former citizen of the township, Mr. John Crawfis, after whom it is named. Mr. Crawfis was born in Berne township, Fairfield county, Ohio, but in early life removed to Putnam county, Ohio, where he lived until his death. Having accumulated a large fortune, he bequeathed at his death certain lands to Berne township for the express purpose of establishing an institution of higher education, especially that of normal training for the people of his native township and such others of neighboring vicinities as would avail themselves of the opportunity. Mr. Crawfis's generosity was not alone for

Fairfield county, the place of his birth, but it was extended equally to Putnam county, the place of his adoption. He therefore left a like amount for the establishment of a similar school in Putnam county near his home, where a flourishing school is to be found today.

With the proceeds of the sale of these lands, the Berne Township Board of Education, in 1889, erected a college building in the central part of the township, on a beautiful elevation, three miles southeast of Lancaster, Ohio. This beautiful elevation upon which the institution is situated overlooks a large scope of the picturesque and fertile region of the Hocking river, together with a large portion of the business part of the nearby city, making it one of tlie most pleasant and desirable places in the state.

During the year 1889-90 it was used exclusively as a township high school ; but in 1890 and '91 two dormitories were built and the school was organized upon broader plans, carrying out the expressed wishes of its benefactor. During the superintendency of Prof. D. C. Arnold, the attendance grew very rapidly and the school became very popular. In 1892 an addition was built to the girls' dormitory, containing sixteen student's rooms with a large kitchen and dining-room in the basement.

Unfortunately for the people of Berne township, however, the energetic and successful instructor resigned his position in 1892 to accept a more lucrative one in the city. Prof. A. B. Kiefaber, who was elected to succeed Prof. Arnold as manager of the institution, entered upon his duties in September, 1892, with flourishing prospects. Gradually the school grew in popularity and attendance until extensive improvements had to be made exceeding those of all previous years. Political affiliations and aspirations brought about another change in the management at the end of three years and Prof. W. J. Dum was appointed as successor in 1895.

By this time the people of the township had come to esteem their higher institution more dearly and the Board of Education had learned the value of cooperative efforts. A new impulse was given the school and such rapid strides were made in her progress that she soon became the most popular institution of the county. The good work thus moved on for some years under the leadership of the energetic superintendent; but in 1901 and 1902 new (Boxwell) high school laws were enacted by the State Legislature, and public sentiment was everywhere aroused in favor of high school education. Villages and townships vied with each other in rank. This, caused a decline in interest and attendance at Crawfis College.

Prof. Dum now resigned and a new and active man. Prof. William Walter, was placed at the head. Tremendous efforts were put forth by the management to attract public attention. The courses were revised and enriched ; the school building and dormitories were thoroughly renovated, painted, and made comfortable and pleasant; a thorough gas plant was established, thus affording the most convenient, comfortable and cheapest fuel for light and fire; a new well was drilled at the most convenient place on the premises, in which the water issues from the solid rock and rises nearly to the surface, thus supplying the institution, not only with an inexhaustible supply of water, but also with the coolest, the clearest, and the purest available anywhere; the railroad company was induced to stop the passenger trains twice a week for the students; and the surroundings were so improved as to make the scenes both attract- ive and comfortable. At the end of the first year it was already felt by the friends of the institution that she was regaining some of her former glory. Year after year the whole life of the management was thrown into the building up of the institution and rapidly the occupation of the Board of Education, teachers, and public came to the aid and all doubt of establishing her former prominence vanished. Often obstacles were thrown in her way, but the management worked on undismayed, surmounted these, and gradually lifted her above the heads of all her sister institutions of the county, even winning some state recognition.

The third year the enrollment had grown to such an extent that an addition had to be built to the boys" dormitory and a third instructor employed. A new schoolroom was fitted up and agriculture was introduced as a regular and required branch. The fourth year the school had again increased in numbers and prospects and it became necessary to provide new quarters for the boarding department. The basement of the girls' dormitory was accordingly prepared for the purpose and its management placed in the hands of responsible parties, whose duty it became to wait upon this department alone. The matron of the institution was thus relieved of the responsibility and the accommodations were made more commodious and convenient for the students.

Again the courses were improved and lengthened. Two parallel high school courses, of four years each, were put in operation. The one is an English course, requiring neither Latin nor German, while the other requires either Latin or German or both. The term was extended from eight to nine months and the school was raised to first grade, thus giving graduates from these courses the highest honors or credit that any high school in the state can give. The teachers' course was also lengthened one year because of the prevailing opinion that soon a high school education would be required for a teacher's certificate. Additions were made to both library and laboratory, so as to enable instructors to do their work more efficiently and more exhaustively.

These changes, with the increased interest in agriculture, necessitated the employment of a fourth teacher. With such a faculty, all of whom have had college training and are bent upon progress, the question of the growth and rank of the school will be removed for years to come.

No institution can show a better record in literary work. Crawfis institute stands second to none in this department and her members are sure to make themselves felt sooner or later as citizens and statesmen.

Superintendents And Principals John Crawfis

John Crawfis was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, August I, 1809, and died at his home in Blanchard township, Putnam county, October 9, 1880. He removed to Putnam county in the year 1834. Mr. Crawfis married a native of Fairfield county, but they had no children. In his will he provides for his wife during the remainder of her life and leaves her dower interests in some real estate during her life time, and at her death the lands go to the board of education of Berne township, Fairfield county, and Blanchard township, Putnam county. The bequests were as follows : To Berne township, four hundred and twenty acres of land, which he valued at $25,000. To Blanchard township, two hundred and forty acres of land, and notes and mortgages to the amount of $1 1,000, the total value of which he gives at $25,000. He also bequeathed to Ottawa Lodge No. 325, F. & A. M., the sum of $1,000. The residue of his property, if any, was to be divided equally between the board of education of Berne township, Fairfield county and the board of education of Blanchard township, Putman county, for the purpose of providing public libraries for the schools which he endowed.

The Boys' Industrial School

It was a fortunate change by which '"The Ohio Reform Farm" became known as "The Boys' Industrial School." This was accomplished at the suggestion, and by the efforts of Supt. J. C. Hite. The world likes the word industr3^ It has the right ring. It means everything to the boys. It is wealth and happiness to the masses of mankind. Industry has done, and is doing the world's work. But there is needed one strong word just before the word "industry" to give it its full meaning and strength - the word "intelligent" must be placed there, for "intelligent industry" today creates the world's finished product.

At the Boys' Industrial School the head, the hand and the heart are trained - made intelligent. These boys have ample training in the school room, where lessons are learned and problems solved just as in the best schools of the cities of our state. Then their hands are made to follow glibly the lines of the manufactures of the various trades of life.

Vocational Training is the cry and call today from workshop, factory and counting house. Train the boy to souic useful kind of zvork. This is the great demand of the age. The Boys' Industrial School has been doing this work in vocational training for many years and the institution has turned out men who are an honor to any profession or trade. It is well that this is true, for it gives these boys in this institution an equal chance in the race of life with every other boy. The present man- agement is efficient and thorough. The following account will be read with interest and pride, not only by citizens of the county, but by every boy who has made the Institution his home.

The Boys' Industrial School is situated six miles south of Lancaster, Ohio, in Fairfield county, and contains twelve hundred and thirty acres of land, located in the townships of Hocking, Berne and Madison. It is connected with Lancaster by trolley and a good public road. The superintendents since 1859 have been as follows :

Maj. F. C. Gerlach

This great institution with its varied interests, is under the direct management of Maj. F. C. Gerlacli, who is giving it his solicitous and undivided attention.

This school is divided into three general divisions, viz: Military, Educational and Industrial, and there are subdivisions under each. It is a school for the general education of delinquent youth and has been in existence for fifty-four years. It has no high fences, walls or bars to restrain the boys from escaping, but depends rather upon kind treatment and judicious management for its success.

Into this school, through the juvenile courts, come the delinquent youth of the state to be educated, taught means of earning a living, developing physically, mentally and morally, finally to be returned to their places in the communities from which they were sent.

In 191 1 the buildings consisted of the new main building, the administration cottage, industrial building, laundry, bakery, telegraph office and detention hospital, dairy barn, slaughter house, blacksmith shop, two school buildings, conservatory, plumbing and tinning building, central steam plant, store room and tailor shop buildings, two horse barns, carriage barn, armory, chapel, hospital, two dining halls, the old main building, gardener's residence, garbage building, pumping station, implement and tool house, and the Maumee, Union, Harmon A., Harmon B. Nash, Scioto, Cuyahoga, Pattison, Harris. Muskingum, Hocking, Lagoda, Bushnell, Herrick, Highland and Ohio family cottages.

Military Department

Military discipline is maintained throughout the institution, yet in no part is it so rigid but that all can fulfil its demands easily. Capt. J. C. Houser has charge of this department and has brought it up to a high degree of efficiency. There are two regiments of sixteen companies. The sixteen companies, composed of forty of the best drilled boys in each family, are officered completely by those boys who have mastered the art of military training. The majors of battalions, and all other officers, are commisioned by the superintendent of the institution.

Each company is under the direct charge of the military instructor two hours each week, and drills one half hour daily, under the charge of the captain, supervised by the family officer.

The training includes all close order work, as laid down in the U. S. Infantry Drill Regulations of 1904. and amendments thereto to date. The boys are taught the complete Physical Rifle Drill, compiled by Capt. Edmond L. Butts, U. S. army. The larger boys are equipped with Springfield rifles, model 1884, while the smaller boys are provided with modified Springfield rifles, model 1863. The uniform worn is the same as that of the U. S. army.

The cadets are inspected on Sunday morning of each week, and the company receiving the most "special mentions," as regards cleanliness, neatness of clothes, care of arms and equipments, for one year, is awarded a medal donated by Capt. George L. Converse, commandant of cadets at Ohio State University, which is worn by the captain of the winning company on all special occasions.

One day of each year is set apart as a military field day, in which competitive drills are held, all the companies competing. These drills are judged by U. S. army officers, and the company of cadets winning the prize drill contest is awarded a money prize and a regulation saber, which is worn by the captain of the successful company at all ceremonies. A money prize is also given to the second and third best drilled companies.

The School Of Letters

This department is under the supervision of a superintendent of schools, ably assisted by a corps of twenty competent teachers. The schools are classified into eight grades and a high school. The latter is separated into two divisions, under two instructors, and covers two years' work. Those completing the course of instruction in these schools ,are well qualified to take up the third year high school work in the city schools of Ohio.

Every boy in the institution is required to attend school one half of each day, while the other half-day is devoted to learning some useful trade in the various industrial or mechanical departments.

Shortly after a boy is received at the institution he is taken before the superintendent of schools, who gives him a thorough examination and decides what grade work he is capable of doing. The boys are advanced in the grades as rapidly as their ability permits. The grades are practically the same as those in the public schools of the state, while in the high school grades, physical geography, commercial arith-

Superintendent O. C. Larason has been at the head of this department for the last two years. Within this time the first printed course of study has been published and the first "educational week" (the first week of April, 191 1 ), observed. During this week prizes were awarded for the best work in all the grades in all the branches. The boys had been preparing for these tests for several months and it created such an educational awakening that they will be continued in the future. All these tests were held in the various school rooms, except for special prizes in declaiming and spelling, which were held in tlie chapel. The educational department is certainly the most important one of the institution.

Library

There are about twenty-seven hundred volumes in the stationary library in the Central school building. These books are given out daily to the boys, who take them to their cottages to read, and are sometimes used as supplementary reading in school. A circulating library of two hundred and twenty-five volumes are put in circulation during the winter season ; these books are made up in sets and moved from cottage to cottage every two weeks. Mrs. O. C. Larason is librarian.

Music Department

This department consists of a band and a choir, composed wholly of boys, under the direction of a music instructor. The industrial school band is made up of forty pieces, instrumentation as follows : Five cornets, six clarionets, one piccolo, four mellophones, four slide trombones, one bass drum, three bass horns, four snare drums, one bass drum, one pair cymbals, and nine trumpets. The boys are in the band school every afternoon and master with ease many of the difficult selections played by professional musical organizations. The band furnishes music for chapel services and for the many entertainments given throughout the year for the amusement of the boys. Prof. F. H. Sebach is the efficient instructor in this department.

Religious Feature

In the observance of the Sabbath we have evidence of the success of the institution. In no home or village of the state are the sacred hours of worship and improvement more appropriately and profitably spent. Sunday school is held at 10:15 a. m. and the chapel service at 2:15 p. m. The Sunday school is always attractive and interesting, and the study of the lessons systematic and thorough. The chapel service presents an appreciating, reverential and interesting congregation devoutly worshiping our Creator. Boys belonging to the Catholic church attend mass held in chapel every Sunday morning.

The Sunday school is under the charge of the superintendent of schools, and the leading ministers, professors, superintendents of schools and leading men in their profession throughout the state are called to speak at the afternoon exercises. Quite often some of the boys speak at these chapel exercises. Maj. F. C. Gerlach, the general superintendent, always presides at these meetings.

The Hospital

One of the most beautiful and well arranged buildings in the institution is the hospital. This building has a large well ventilated ward of thirty beds, several smaller wards of two and three beds, a solarium, a well-equipped operating room, a disi>ensary, a diet kitchen and a dining-room. The hospital is in charge of a resident physician, assisted by a graduate nurse. When a boy is received into the institution he is taken to the hospital and examined as to his physical condition, thus preventing infectious diseases with which many boys come into contact before entering the school. If he is in good condition he is sent to the family to which he is assigned, and if not, he is retained in the hospital until he has recovered from the ailment with which he is afflicted. In addition the second floor of the old hospital building is used for the treatment of contagious diseases. Dr. J. G. Stammel, the resident physician, looks carefully after the general health of the boys, the prevention of contagious diseases, and the immediate checking of the latter at its first appearance. He is ably assisted by Miss Flora T. Conner, a graduate nurse.

Industrial Department

The industrial department is divided into several divisions, viz: farming, gardening, laundry, shoe shop, tin shop, plumbing, cabinet shop, paint shop, blacksmithing, bakery, barbering, canning, floriculture, electrical, carpentering, sewing, mending, tailoring, telegraphy, dairy, equestrian, poultry, printing, etc. Each of these subdivisions is under the charge of a competent officer.

The boys' Industrial Scliool Journal is published the second and fourth Fridays of each month by Hon. W. B. Taneyhill, officer in charge, assisted by a number of boys who are anxious to learn the printing trade.

The gardens consist of about forty acres of land under a high state of cultivation. Rotation of crops is regularly practiced and enough fresh vegetables are raised the year round to supply the entire institution. Early potatoes, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, melons, tomatoes, sugar-corn, beans, celery, beets, radishes, asparagus, rhubarb, and a great many other varieties of vegetables are raised. A number of hot beds are in use for the forwarding of plants and the forcing of winter and spring vegetables. A large number of boys - often as many as one hundred - find pleasant employment in the gardens daily.

The conservatory is built with four wings, filled with a variety of plants, such as palms, banana trees, rubber trees, tree ferns, tropical ferns, carnations, roses, fancy chrysanthemums, etc. About twenty-five thousand plants are grown annually for bedding purposes. Sixteen boys are regularly employed in taking care of the plants, propagating, etc. A large collection of miscellaneous plants afford boys an opportunity to study the habits and requirements of plants under their care.

Cut flowers and potted plants furnish material for decorations in the chapel, diningrooms, cottages, and the hospital. The conservatory is supplied with water, electric lights, and steam heat from the central power plant.

The gardens and greenhouses are under the direct management of Mr. J. R. Starke, an expert in this line of work, who has been connected with the institution for the last eleven years.

Farming

While the land is rather rough and stony and the soil not the best adapted to farming, it is surprising what an amount of corn, potatoes, hay and other farm products are annually produced. There are twenty acres in apple orchard, twenty-five acres in the peach orchard, two acres in pears, three acres in cherries, ten acres in small fruits, berries, etc., and twentyfive acres in grapes. Assistant Superintendent D. E. Roberts gives this department his closest

Finance

In an institution of this kind there is a vast amount of material to be purchased each year, such as horses, farm implements, school supplies, groceries, hats, cloth, etc. Hon. P. H. Bruck is the financial officer and watches closely the finances of the school.

The Merit System

The standing of a boy is ascertained by means of the merit system. Upon entering the institution he is debited with a number of demerits, according to the ofifense which he has committed before being sent to the school, five thousand demerits being the minimum number given, and eight thousand the maximum. For each day of exemplary conduct, satisfactory work in the department in which he is employed, and diilgence in school, he receives a credit of ten merit marks, and for every three months that he manifests a desire to do well and is gentlemanly in his deportment he receives, in addition to the ten merits allowed each day, an extra three hundred merits.

As an incentive to neatness in dress and the proper care of arms and equipment, one boy is selected from the companies, inspected on each Sunday, to act as orderly to the superintendent for the day and receives three hundred merits. For misconduct a boy is demerited, according to the seriousness of the offense.

When the number of merits a boy receives for his deportment here balances the number of demerits he was given when he was admitted, his home conditions and surroundings are investigated, and if found proper the boy is paroled and sent home, the institution providing him with new clothing and other wearing apparel.

The Parole System

The parole system deserves mention here, from the fact that after a boy is released from the institution, he is regularly visited by the parole officers and is under jurisdiction until he arrives at the age of twenty-one. The two parole officers travel over the state, securing positions for paroled boys, find homes for homeless boys, inquire into their habits and lend a helping hand whenever needed, returning to the institution boys who have violated their paroles. It is due to these men that many boys are kept at work earning an honest living and prevented from going back to their old habits and mingling with the associates that have caused them to be delinquents. The system has pro\ed a success from its installation and the boys under the care of the parole officers look forward with pleasure to the regular visits made them.

At the present time (May 13, 191 1) there are twelve hundred and twenty boys and one hundred and forty officers in the institution. The general public can form no adequate conception of the daily work in detail at this institution, and the food and clothing required. For instance, an ox weighing one thousand pounds on foot, will be eaten in one day. In the autumn, for the same time, it requires a wagon load of cabbage and two hundred dozen roasting ears. The kind of food varies, of course; if they have beans, it requires two hundred and fifty pounds; if potatoes, ten bushels. Of the continuous food used daily, one hundred pounds of butter, eighty gallons of milk, a large tank of coffee, and one thousand loaves of bread is a part of the food required to satisfy the hearty appe- tites of the boys and officers. It can be seen that the producing and preparation of this food is a matter of no small concern. Neither is the making and mending of clothes, shoes, laundry, etc.

To enumerate all the features of this large institution would require page after page, but from the foregoing brief description the reader can form an idea of what a great work the Boys' Industrial school is doing for the betterment of the juvenile delinquents of the state of Ohio. With regular habits of industry, combined with judicious, moral and intellectual training, we have produced the most gratifying results, and we earnestly invite every citizen of Ohio to visit our institution and obsers'e our methods.

Hon. John C. Hite

John C. Hite was a native of Pleasantville, Fairfield county. He was a school teacher in his early manhood, and was largely instrumental in the erection of Fairfield Union Academy. He was the first director and secretary of that school. In 1865 he was elected colonel of the Fourth Ohio Militia.

In 1868 he removed from his farm to Lancaster, and purchased the Tuthill and Rigby book store; after two years he sold his book store and bought a half interest in the Ohio Eagle which was conducted by Thomas Wetzler. In 1873 he was elected auditor of Fairfield county and held that office two terms. In 1878, Colonel Hite was appointed superintendent of the Ohio Reform Farm by Governor Bishop and was reappointed by Governors Foster, Hoadley and Campbell, serving in all six and a half years. Colonel Hite was instrumental during his administration of having the name "Ohio Reform Farm" changed by an act of legislature to "Boys Industrial School."

Industrial School was not only superintendent but teacher as well. He was always interested in educational affairs, not only of the county but of the state.

Mr. Hite had a strong personality. He made friends, and held them to the end of life. He was always a friend of the struggling beginner, and of those who needed help in all the walks of life. As an editor he was vigorous, keen and direct. He was scholarly, neat and commanding. His influence upon the boys at the Industrial School was marked, many of them rememljering him through life. His kindness helped them to forget their troubles and to live for better things.

By A. D. Groves A. D. Groves was born in Walnut township, Fairfield county, Ohio, February 17, i860. He attended the district schools and afterward took a course at Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville, Ohio. Since the age of sixteen he has either been teaching or attending school each year continuously. Most of this experience has been with the country schools. He was for some years superintendent of the schools of Carroll, Ohio. He has for the last five years been superintendent of the Pleasant township schools of this county and continues in this capacity at this time. He has held both elementary and high school professional certificates for many years. He was appointed by Judge E. F. Holland to serve as a member of the county board of school examiners for a term of three years.

Then And Now

Along about 1856 was a time for many developments. I remember that an old grayheaded minister in conversation with my father made this remark, 'Well Henry, if the next fifty years produces as many changes in way of advancement as the past fifty years have, I would just like to be here and see the change.' They have both long since, passed over to 'the beyond.'

"It is just fifty years since that conversation took place. I, then a small boy, heard it and am here today to see what they would like to have seen. About this time, (1856) steel pens made their appearance and the goose-quill was doomed as an article for writing purposes. However the change was not made at once, from the fact that steel pens when first put on the market, sold at five cents each, later at three cents, or two for five cents, but within three years from the time they were first used in this vicinity they were selling at a penny.

"Goose-quills could be bought in the stores at ten cents a dozen, no sale for turkey quills as they made poor pens. Buzzard quills brought twenty-two cents a dozen very readily, as they were very superior for pen purposes.

"About this time there were taxes levied for school contingent purposes as' well as for tuition. This was done by school districts which enabled districts to be economical or extravagant as they chose, however, then as now, there was a law limit. Instead of the patrons furnishing the wood for fuel gratis there was sold at the time of holding the annual district school election to the lowest bidder the privilege of furnishing fuel for the next winter school usually at a price per cord of wood.

"In 1856 District No. 11 built a beautiful new frame school house, the best country school house in Liberty Township up to that date. District No. i, original district No. 2, having built frame houses several years previously. The house that District No. 1 1 built was sold and moved to Basil during the 'Brick School House Craze' and is now owned and occupied by Mr. Henry Bigony.

"In 1857 the patrons of District No. 12 decided by vote to purchase school ground and build a school house a little better than any yet erected; a tax was levied on all the taxable property in the school district; not a township tax. I do not know what the rate was, but I do know that the school tax on one hundred and sixty acres of land was thirty dollars in 1857.

"Mr. Jacob Roley of the school district, a carpenter and contractor than whom there never was a more honest contractor breathed the pure air of Liberty township, took the contract to erect the building and furnished it for the sum of five hundred and ten dollars. The same year he erected a frame church building for the St. Michael's Reformed church for the sum of eight hundred dollars. This same building is now used for residence purposes and owned by Mr. Osbourne, north of Baltimore. The new school house in District No. 12 was built twenty-six feet square, of good material, the wainscot, desks and rostrum were all made of the best walnut lumber; two doors for entrance, one for boys and one for girls and a black-board that extended from door to door. What a contrast from the one 2x4 in the old log school house which we were now about to vacate. The house was painted a bright red.

"There were no planing mills in the vicinity then, so that nearly all the work had to be done by hand which delayed the completion of the house until about Dec. 15th, which was the date named for the school to move across the road into the new building and a gala day it was. As an advance step was now about to take place, adding 'two Gs' to the 'three Rs.' The teacher decided to have special exercises that afternoon. Patrons were invited to be present to inspect the 'Grand Structure' and see and hear their children 'speak their pieces.' The orator of the day was a large overgrown boy who took his place behind the high rostrum on the platform and commenced by saying 'Not many generations ago, where you now sit encircled with all that exalts and embellishes civilized life, the rank thistle nodded in the wind and the wild fox dug his hole unscared. Here lived and loved another race or beings. Beneath the same sun that rolls over your head, the Indian hunter pursued the panting deer, gazing on the same moon that smiles for you, the Indian lover wooed his dusky mate. Here the wigwam blaze beamed on the tender and helpless and the council fire glared on the wise and daring. But what now? why sirs! the scenes are so changed that we this day have moved across the highway from a log cabin school house, into a commodious frame building, beautifully finished interior, as well as exterior.'

"He continued in this train of thought for some time when at last he made his big bow to the audience and left the platform amidst a shout of applause. It must be understood that in those days the 'Literary shops' were not so filled with 'Literary wares' as is the case at the present time.

"The* gems of oratory then were such as 'I Met a Little Cottage Girl,' 'Oh Were You Ne'er a School Boy,' 'The Boy Stood on the Burning Deck,' 'Lazy Sheep Pray Tell Me Why,' 'I Like to See a Little Dog and Pat Him on the Head,' and never-to-be-forgotten 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,' and many more of like calibre. Having now been provided with a play ground, it would not be amiss to name some of the games played, which were with ball, bull-pen, sockball, town-ball, ante-over and Rolley-holey. Also, blackman, prisoner's base. Pussy wants a corner, poison, ring and sling, and no doubt others that have passed from my memory.

"When the weather was too inclement to play out doors, 'a good teacher' allowed the more quiet games played in the house such as blind-man's bufT, button, oats, peas, beans and barley grows. Sometimes a mischie- vious boy would place red pepper and snuff on top of the plate stone, which set scholars and teacher to sneezing and usually broke up the game. About that time the teacher 'got busy' to find the culprit who committed the act, but the task proved to be almost as hard to find the guilty one as Roosevelt had to find who the guilty soldiers were that 'shot up' Brownsville, Texas. The patrons of the district were ordinary farmers wdio never had the privilege of attending a farmers' Institute."

Seven o'clock, the hour for spelling, having arrived, as well as the scholars dressed in their best, - the girls with their hair curled so tight they could scarcely close their mouths and with their highly colored plaid shawls and clothing heavily laden with the perfume of burgamot and musk that made them quite enchanting by the dim light of the candle power.

The young man then cutting the greatest figure was the one having the most hair oil on his hair. . There was no chewing gum there, but the girls chewed cinnamon bark, clover, wintergreen or parched corn, while the young man that could munch candy cut quite a figure. This was the place of all places to get a beau, which truth made some young man very bold with his attentions, so much so, that he went home with "a mitten" for both hands, while the other fellow trotted along by the side of his girl with a lordly air, as you must remember they all walked to these places, which made the journey last longer.

Then the persons previously chosen to choose up, took their places in the middle of the room on the high seats which extended around on the three sides of the room. As the captains would choose and call the name of the person chosen, he or she would take their place and this continued until the supply was exhausted. Then the battle of words began, usually with "balcony" or "bacon," the teacher standing out in front holding a candle-stick in one hand and the spelling-book in the other, pronouncing the words. At the evening spellings, two were chosen to keep tally of all the words missed and after spelling in this way for quite a while, a report was made of which side beat, then recess came.

This was the drawing card, as everybody went out to play ring for one half hour or longer. Sometimes they appointed a committee to call on the teacher to have the time extended when they were having such a fine time. I need not stop to explain the game of ring, as every little child fully understands it. Then, after recess, order having been restored, they were asked to take their places on the floor just as they had been chosen, and then the crossfiring in spelling began in earnest, after having been told to pronounce each syllable, though the word might be such a one as incommunicability. The "spelling-down" sometimes lasted until quite late. This having been accomplished, the patrons in attendance were called on to make some remarks, after which the spelling school came to an end, which was one of the most interesting events of a country scholar's life.

Exoch Berry Seitz

This renowned son of Fairfield county was born near Lancaster in 1846. He was the son of a farmer and was educated in the country schools, and in 1870 completed a course at the

Ohio Wesleyan University. He early showed an aptitude for difficult problems in mathematics. His friend, Prof. John S. Royer, says of Mr. Seitz, "Having a fondness for mathematics, he devoted his leisure hours to the broad fields and hidden beauties of its higher branches, delving deep into the mine of original investigation, and astonishing the world by the aptness with which he unfolded the beautiful and mysterious relations of numbers.

"Years ago he was a subscriber to the School- Day Magazine, which had a mathematical department edited by the great mathematician, Artemus Martin. He displayed great ingenuity and ability in solving difficult probability problems, and when asked what works he had on that difficult branch of mathematical science, Mr. Seitz, to the great astonishment of his friend, replied : 'I have no books on that subject, but what I know of it I learned by studying the problems and solutions in your magazine.' Here was the secret of his success. He first studied the principle, laid a sure foundation, upon which he afterward reared the magnificent edifice. He furnished over five hundred model solutions to the 'School Visitor,' which evinced those striking characteristics of his mathematical work - originality, accuracy, beauty. Many readers have gathered inspiration and taste for the science by his labor of love in this behalf. He was also a regular contributor to the Analyst, the Mathematical Visitor and the Educational Times of London, England. The latter has a department sustained by the greatest mathematicians in Europe and America. In this everything is found star light, but our lamented friend represented a most brilliant star, standing upon the eminent plane side by side with Woolhouse, England's acknowledged mathematical champion, and in his especial branches. Professor Seitz had no superior in the world."

In 1880 he was elected a member of the London Mathematical Society, being the fifth American so honored. He became professor of mathematics at the State Normal School of Kirksville, Missouri, and at the early age of thirty-seven, in 1883, he died, leaving an enduring monument in the work that he accomplished. He was buried at Greenville, Darke county. Ohio.

George W. Welsh

George W. Welsh, for many years the efficient superintendent of the Lancaster public schools, was first appointed in February, 1869. Mr. Welsh had been a popular and successful teacher in the grammar school for the preceding two years. His high moral character, liis kindness and unobtrusive manner, and his ambition to excel in his chosen field of labor, strongly recommended him to the board of education as a suitable person for superintendent of the schools. He was therefore elected to that position by a unanimous vote of the board. His successful management of the schools and the advancement and proficiency of teachers and pupils indicate the wisdom of the board in his election. Impressed with a sense of the responsibility of his charge, he exerted to the utmost all his energies in qualifying himself for the duties imposed upon him. Possessing an ardent love of literary and scientific pursuits, he, by assiduous study, attained an eminence as an educator, alike honorable to himself and the schools under his charge.

Professor Welsh loved the study of science. He would risk his health to secure specimens of animal and vegetable life from marsh and rugged hillside. He loved astronomy and was a constant student of the glorious heavens. Lender his administration the schools steadily advanced.

Mr. Welsh resigned in 1879 to accept a position with the publishing house of Harper Brothers of New York. He remained with this firm one year and then resigned and was elected superintendent of the schools of Xenia, Ohio. After two years of successful work in the Xenia schools, he resigned to accept again the superintendency of the Lancaster schools, succeeding Mr. Knabenshue, who had efficiently filled the place since February, 1879. After one year's service, Mr. Welsh's health having failed, he was succeeded by Mr. J. J. Burns, former state commissioner of the common schools. In 1884 Mr. Burns resigned to accept the superintendency of the schools of Dayton, Ohio. Superintendent J. J. Burns was one of Ohio's most gifted school men. He died at his home in Defiance in the autumn of 191 1. Mr. Welsh was appointed as his successor and remained in charge of the schools for eight years. In 1892 he was succeeded by Mr. Elijah Burgess, who held the position until 1898. For one year following the principal of the high school, Mr. F. C. Coates, was acting superintendent. In 1899 Mr. Welsh was again chosen to take charge of the schools.

Mr. Welsh was born at Royalton, August 19, 1832, and was reared in Fairfield county. He was married in 1852 to Miss Sarah A. Clemens of Pickaway county. At the beginning of the Civil war he was teaching in Royalton, the place of his birth. In July, 1862, on the recommendation of the military committee of this county, he received a lieutenant's commission from Governor David Tod and with Alvah Perry and J. M. Sutphen recruited a company for the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His regiment was sent to Kentucky in August, 1862, and was attached to the Army of the Cumberland, with which it marched and fought until the close of the war. Mr. Welsh was severely wounded at the battle of Stone

Mr. Welsh served on the board of county examiners for a number of years, and his kindly helps and encouraging smile will not soon be forgotten. No one in Lancaster had more friends and no one deserved them more than he did.

Professor Welsh and wife reared an interesting family, consisting of Dr. Millard Welsh, a successful physician of Columbus, C. E. Welsh, Misses Clara, Maggie (who is Mrs. Dan Danehy of New York city), Flora and Maude.

The writer of this sketch in his boyhood was honored by the friendship of Professor Welsh, and all through the years he has not forgotten his kindly interest. Professor Welsh died in Lancaster, May 2, 1904.

Mr. W. C. Brashares, the principal of the Lancaster high school, was born in 1876 in the little town of Gibonsville, Hocking county. His father was a minister, and lived in Rushville, Fairfield county, from 1886 to 1888. Mr. Brashares attended Otterbein University for several years, then taught for two years at King's Creek, Champaign county. Following this, he attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and received the B. A. degree from that institution in 1901. After graduation he served one year as superintendent of Salem township, Champaign county, one year in the high school at Miamisburg, three years as teacher in the high school at Lancaster and six years as principal. He married Miss Mayme Ambrose and they have two children. (See article on Lancaster schools in this chapter.)

that famous old Literary Society of Lancaster - almost as famous as "The Literary Club" of Dr. Johnson, Garrick, Goldsmith, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Boswell.

But we are unable to find the roster of that distinguished group of people before whom, in 1844, General George Sanderson delivered his famous address - the basis for so much of Fairfield's early history. General Sanderson wore a wig, with hair in long cue, full dress, high collar and stock - was tall, stately and of military bearing - he must have been an interesting and imposing sight as he appeared before that literary body. It is reasonable to suppose that the society was composed of the leading men of Lancaster and of the county - such names as Hocking H. Hunter, John T. Brasee, Newton Schleigh, John M. Connel, P. Van Trump, Thomas Ewing, Henry Stanberry, Thomas Ewing, Jr., and the two Shermans - John and William T. - and a long list of other distinguished members, and guests of the evening.

On one occasion, it is related, the society devoted the entire evening to the discussion of the question "What is the most beautiful single sentence in the English language?" As the members had made ample preparation, the discussion was animated, earnest' and eloquent. Each member argued for the merits of some sentence that had enlisted his interest and charmed his fancy. The final decision was in favor of Dr. Samuel Johnson's "Rassclas." For those who may not be able to refer conveniently to the book, w'e give the sentence which reads as follows : "Ye who listen with credulity to the whispers of fancy, and pursue with eagerness the phantoms of hope; who expect that age will perform the promises of youth, and that the deficiencies of the present day will be supplied by the morrow ; attend to the history of Rasselas, prince of Abyssinia."

The author of this volume would be ungrateful indeed, were he not to acknowledge his indebtedness to those who have written the history of the years long gone by. All honor to those men who rescued from oblivion the names, the deeds and the very lives of those noble pioneers who felled the forest and bridged the stream, and who made mountain plain and valley bring forth the fruits of the earth.

These early writers worked under very great disadvantages. They had no turnpikes, railroads, telegraphs or telephones ; neither libraries nor books of reference, yet their achievements have placed all succeeding generations under obligations to them. In this connection, especially helpful to the writer have been the Historical Notes of Gen. George Sanderson, who was himself a part of all he describes, and

Henry Howe

The pioneer of historians of Ohio was the well known and well beloved Henry Howe. His histories were most remarkable in that the first was written in 1847 in the vigor of his young manhood after having spent more than a year travelling over the eighty-eight counties of Ohio in company with John W. Barber who assisted in this early history. The second was written forty years later when Mr. Howe was seventy years old. He travelled over the same ground, made sketches of the same scenes, and what a contrast there was in everything in forty years ! This second edition was published in 1889 and is so valuable to Ohio, that the plates were purchased by the state, and each legislature has the right to print as large an edition (usually ten thousand) as they see fit. These books are distributed over the entire state through the senators and representatives, an effort being made to reach every school district in the state, thus fulfilling the dream of the author that a copy of his history should be available to every child in Ohio.

Dr. Hervey Scott

Fairfield County and it was a work of much merit. A sketch of Dr. Scott will be found in Chapter XII. This history appeared in 1876 and it was much appreciated by the people. He had a most wonderful memory for incidents and events of his early life - and having come to Fairfield in 1836, he was well fitted to be the historian of the people. The book is full of interesting reminiscences of the early day, for Dr. Scott was a resident of the county for more than forty years and he was, therefore, not only an eye witness of many of the events, but was himself a ])art of them.

A. A. Graham

A. A. Graham wrote a history of Fairfield county in 1886 and this was published in the same volume with a history of Perry county. This history is correct, well composed and is valuable to the citizens.

C. M. L. Wiseman

C. M. L. Wiseman, a prominent citizen of Lancaster and former postmaster, in 1898 wrote the volume called "Centennial Lancaster," in which there are found very excellent biographies of the many noted citizens Lancaster has given to the nation. Mr. Wiseman is also the author of a "History of Fairfield County," written about the same time.