Knox County, Ohio - Chapter 40: Mount Vernon - Continued, 1881

Chapter 40: Mount Vernon - Continued

HE town of Mount Vernon was incorporated February 22, 183c, and placed under the government of a mayor, recorder, and a board of trustees, now better known as the common council.

From 1830 up to April, 1880, the following were elected to the different borough, town, and city offices, and includes the names of all elected during that time except for during the years between 1835 and 1845, when the records were lost or mislaid. This loss, for the sake of a continuous history, is much to be regretted.

1835 - S. W. Hildreth, mayor; S. W. Farquhar, recorder; Jacob Andrews, Johnston Elliott, Eli Miller, Jonathan Beach, Hugh Oglevee, members of council. P 5 The act incorporating the town of Mt. Vernon, divides the town into wards, and allots one councilman to each ward, and provides for the election of other town officers, viz: one treasurer, one marshall, and one street commissioner.

1845 - Isaac Davis, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder; first ward, Johnson Elliott; second ward, Job Evans; third ward, Rollin C. Hurd; fourth ward, Henry B. Curtis; fifth ward, Charles Cooper, members of council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Charles L. Bennet marshal; James L. Young, street commissioner.

1846 - Jacob B, Brown, mayor; James 'Smith, jr., recorder; first, James E. Woodbridge; second, Hugh Oglevee; third, Rollin C. Hurd; fourth, Sewell Gray; fifth, Hosmer Curtis, members of council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Clark L. Bennett, marshal; James L. Young, street commissioner.

1847 - Jacob B. Brown, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder; first, James Relf; second, NN. Hill; "third, \W. R, Sapp; fourth, Sewell Gray; fifth, Daniel Axtell, members of council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Clark L. Bennett, marshal; Adam Glaze, jr., street commissioner.

1848 - C. P. Buckingham, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder; first, James Lafever; second, H. McFarland; third, D. Clark, fourth, Horatio L. Miller; fifth, Daniel Axtell, members of council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Clark L. Bennett, marshal; Johnson Elliott, street commissioner.

1849 - Joseph S. Davis, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder; first, Benjamin Giles; second, Henry W. Ball; third, D. Clark; fourth, Horatio S. Miller; fifth, Charles Cooper, members of council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Abraham Emmett, marshal; David Morton, street commissioner.

Norton; fourth, John A. Norton; fifth, Charles Cooper, members of council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Joseph S. Martin, marshal; one street commissioner elected by each ward; one police officer elected by each ward.

1851 - Joseph S. Davis, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder; first, Benjamin Giles; second, Merrett M. Beam; third, A. Banning Norton; fourth, Sewell Gray; fifth, Thomas Evans, members of council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Russell Crandall, marshal; one street commissioner elected by each ward; one police officer elected by each ward.

1852 - Joseph W. Vance, mayor; James Smith, Jr., recorder; first, Benjamin Giles; second, Milton L. Mills; third, Charles G. Bryant; fourth Nathaniel McGiffin; fifth, Casper Fordney, members of council; Alexander C. Eliott, treasurer; Squire McDonald, marshal; one street commissioner elected by each ward; one police officer elected by each ward.

White; fourth, William M. Mefford; fifth, Casper Fordney, members of council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Jacob Capel, marshal; one street commissioner elected by each ward; one police officer elected by each ward.

1854 - Jacob B. Brown, mayor. died September 1, 1854; James Smith, jr., city solicitor; Alexander C. Elliott. treasurer; H. K. Robinson, marshal; (two from each ward) first, Samuel Davis two years, A. A. Stoughton one year; second, Job Evans two years, E. S. S. Rouse, jr., one year; third, John W. White two years, George B. White one year; fourth, Benjamin B. Lippitt two years, W. M. Mefford one year; fifth, Joseph Gardiner two years, Casper Fordney one year, members of council; one street commissioner elected by each ward; one police officer elected by each ward; Joseph S. Davis, city clerk, elected by council.

1855 - Thomas Cooper, mayor; James Smith, jr., city solicitor; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; H. K. Robinson, marshal; first, A. N. Stoughton; second, William Sanderson Sr.; third George B. White; fourth, W. M. Mefford; fifth, David Martin one year, Joseph Scarbrough two years, members of council; one street commissioner elected by each ward; one police officer elected by each ward; Joseph S. Davis, city clerk, elected by council. '

1856 - Thompson Cooper, mayor; William McClelland, city solicitor; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Thomas S. Jacobs, marshal; John People, street commissioner; first, George W. Hauk; second, Job I-vans; third S. W. Farquhar; fourth, Joseph Mahaffey; fifth, Dennis Smith one year, Joseph Wolf two years, members of council; Joseph S. Davis, city clerk, elected by council.

1857 - George W. Steele, marshal; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Frederick Bumpus, street commissioner; Samuel Israel; J. Ee McFarland, board of education; first, Benjamin Giles; second, W. M. Bunn; third, George B. White; fourth, Nathaniel McGiffin; fiith Dennis Smith, members of council; Joseph S. Davis, city clerk, elected by council.

1858 - Thompson Cooper, mayor; Charles B. Church, marshal; William McClelland, city solicitor; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Russell Crandall, street commissioner; Edward Calkins, S. L. Taylor, board of education; first, Jonathan Graff; second, Job Evans; third, John W. White; fourth, B. B. Lippitt; fifth, John H. Roberts, members of council; Joseph S. Davis, city clerk, elected by council.

urer; James Worley, street commissioner; William L. King, Levi B. Ward, board of education; first, Benjamin Giles; second E. S. S. Rouse. jr.; third, G. B. White; fourth, N. McGiffin; fifth, Dennis Smith, members of council; Joseph S. Davis, city clerk, elected by council.

1860 - Thompson Cooper, mayor; Timothy M. Bartlett, marshall; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; William McClelland, city solicitor; James Worley, street commissioner; Samuel Israel, J. H. McFarland, board of education; first, John Ponting; second, Henry W. Ball; third, A. Ehle; fourth, B. B. Lippitt; fifth, John H. Roberts, members of council; Joseph S. Davis (elected by council), city clerk.

1861- - Columbus F. Johnson, marshal; Alexander C. Tlliott, treasurer; George Black, street commissioner; Edward Calkins, Joshua Hyde, board of education; first, E. W. Cotton; second, C. H. Miller; third, George B. White (two years), W. R. Hart (one year); fourth, W. B. Brown (two years), William T.. Smith (one year), members of council; Joseph 5. Davis (elected by council), city clerk.

1862 - Thompson Cooper (resigned), W. C. Cooper (by council), mayor; George W. Steele, marshal; William McClelland, city solicitor; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; George Black, street commissioner; William J.. King, E. W. Cotton, board of education; first, John Ponting; second, H. W. Ball; third, H. Ransom; fourth, W. L. Smith; fifth, John H. Roberts, members of the council; Joseph I.. Davis (elected by council), city clerk.

1863 - William C. Cooper, mayor; Calvin Magers, marshal; George Black, street commissioner; Henry W. Cwen, Jared Sperry, board of education; first, John I*. Phillips; second, William Bergin; third, George B. White; fourth, William B. Brown; fifth, Dennis Smith (resigned); W. A. Bounds, members of council; Joseph S. Davis (elected by council), city clerk.

1864 - Edmund V. Brent, mayor; Calvin Magers, marshal; William McClelland, city solicitor; George Black, street commissioner; Joseph Muenscher, Joseph S. Davis, board of education; first, Henry Errett; second, John Hildreth; third, Henry Ransom; fourth, William L. Smith; fifth, John H. Ransom, members of council; Joseph S. Davis (elected by council), city clerk.

1865- - -Calvin Magers, marshal; George Black, street commissioner; William L. King, Frederick D. Sturges, board of education; first, H. H. Greer (two years), Benjamin Giles (one year); second, James Rogers; third, George B. White; fourth, John N. Lewis; fifth, William A. Bounds, members of council; Joseph S. Davis (elected by council), city clerk.

1866 - Edmund V. Brent (resigned); Joseph S. Davis (by council), mayor; Allen Ingram (resigned); Calvin Magers (by council), marshal; William McClelland, city solicitor; G. M. Bryant, street commissioner; Charles Cooper, Jared Sperry, board of education; first, E. W. Cotton; second, Dennis Corcoran; third, Henry Ransom; fourth, W. L. Smith; fifth, John H. Roberts, members of council; Joseph S. Davis (elected by council), city clerk.

1867 - Joseph S. Davis, mayor; Calvin Magers, marshal; D. W. Wilson (resigned), street commissioner; W. H. Smith (resigned); D. W. Chase (by council); Joseph S. Davis, board of education; first, H. H. Greer; second, W. L. Simons; third, George B. White; fourth, John N. Lewis; fifth, Ephraim Hogle, members of council; Oliver F. Murphy (elected by clerk), city clerk,

1868 - Joseph S. Davis, mayor; William McClelland, city solicitors; Calvin Magers, marshal; Frederick D. Sturges, William L. King, board of education; George Black, street cummissioner; first, G. B. Potwin; second, Shomas W. McKee; third, Henry Ransom; fourth, Silas Cole; fifth, John H. Roberts, members of council; Oliver T. Murphy (elected by council), city clerk.

1869-- Calvin Magers, mayor; Jerome Rowley, street commissioner; T. E. Monroe, Charles Cooper, board of education; first, Samuel Sanderson; second, C. M. Hildreth; third, John W. White; fourth, G. E. Raymond; fifth, /phraim Hogle, members of council; Oliver F. Murphy (elected by council), city clerk; John N. Lewis (elected by council), civil engineer.

1870 - Joseph S. Davis, mayor; William McClelland, city solicitor; Oliver I. Murphy, city treasurer (office abolished) ; Joseph S. Davis, D. W. Chase, board of education; first, G. W. Wright; second, John Fry; third, W. J. S. Osborn; fourth, Silas Cole; fifth, John H. Roberts, members of council; C. 5. Pyle, city clerk (elected by council).

1872, - Joseph 8. Davis, mayor; William McClelland, city selicitor; A. R. McIntire, H. Stephens, W. S. Lrrett, board of education; first, G. W. Wright; second, H. H. King; third, Noah Boynton; fourth, Nathaniel MeGiffin; fifth, William Bb. Brown, members of council; C. S. Pyle, city clerk (elected by council); D. C. Lewis, civil engineer (elected by council).

1874 - Thomas P. Frederick, sr., mayor; William McClelland, city solicitor; Hezekiah Graff, William P. Bogardus, board of education; first, John Ponting; second, H. H. King; third, N. Boynton (resigned); George Winne; fourth, N. Mc- Giffin; fifth, W. A. Bounds, members of council; C. S$. Pyle, city clerk (elected by council); D. C. Pyle, civil engineer (elected by council).

1875 - Calvin Magers, marshal; William McCielland, city solicitor; Benjamin Grant, A. R. McIntire, board of education; Lyman W. Marsh, street cornmissioner; first, James M. Andrews; second, A. B. Moore; third, Jefferson C. Sapp; fourth, G. E. Raymond; fifth, John Moore, members of council; C. S. Pyle, city clerk (elected by council); D. C. Lewis, civil engineer (elected by council).

1876 - Thomas P. Fredetick, sr., mayor; William M. Koons, city solicitor; William B. Russell, Joseph S. Davis, board of education; first, John Ponting; second, C. M. Hildreth; third, G. W. Bunn; fourth, C. G. Smith; fifth, Christian Keller, members of council; C. S. Pyle, city clerk (elected by council); D. C. Lewis, civil engineer (elected by council).

1877 - Calvin Magers, marshal; Otho Welshymer, street commissioner; W. P. Bogardus, Hezekiah Graff, board of education; first, Wood Fuller (resigned), W. A. Forbes; second, S. L. Baker; third, O. G. Daniels; fourth, S. H. Jackson; fifth, John Moore, members of council; C. S. Pyle, city clerk: (elected education; tirst, James M. Andrews; second, .Arthur Adams (two years), Hl. Young Rowley (one year); third, G. W. Bunn; fourth, Silas Cole; fifth, Christian Keller, members of council; CLS. Pyle, city clerk (resigned), Joseph S. Davis (both elected by council); D. C. Lewis, civil engineer (elected by council).

Otho street commissioner; A. R. McIntire, Joseph S. Davis, board of education; first, J. H. Branyon; second, Hl. Y. Rowley; third, H. Lauderbaugh; fourth, Samuel H. Jackson; fifth, John Moore, members of council; Joseph 3.

1880- -William B. Brown, mayor; John B. Waight, city solicitor; W. I. Baldwin, John M. lewalt, board of education; first, James C. Irvine; second, John Kelly; third, 1). W.. Chase; fourth, Silas Cole; fifth, Christian Keller, members of council; Joseph S. Davis, city clerk (elected by council); Austin A. Cassil civil engineer (elected by council),

The Press Of Mount Vernon

Samuel H. Smith was the proprietor of the town of Clinton, and John P. McArdle was a good practical printer. McArdle emigrated from Ireland, March 17, 1801, and came to this county in 1809.

After two years of tribulation the office was transferred to Mount Vernon, where the /egtster was first issued, on the twenty-fourth of April, 1816, bearing the following motto: 'Aware that what is base no polish can make sterling." Dr. Burr is the possessor of a bound volume of this little eight by ten paper, containing its first issue.

In its first editorial after removing to Mount Vernon, the editor says that the Register shall not be a receptacle for party politics, or personal abuse.

October 15, 1817, the first six months of the second volume of the Register having been completed, the editor calls upon subscribers to pay up

For without this one thing necessary, it is impossible to expect that we can live; money would be preferable, but if that is scarce with you, rags, wheat, rye, corn, and almost all kinds of market produce will be taken in payment.

On the fifteenth of April, 1818, volume 1, No. 52, was issued. 'Those who were in arrears and so often and so politely requested to call and settle, did not do so; the large quantity of paper could

From this period until 1844 no paper was published uninterruptedly as long as the Ohio Register. Various new papers were started and the editors became dissatisfied, the publishers discouraged, and, after a little experimenting with journalism, : went to some more profitable business, engaged in some new enterprise, or left the country.

luring this time the ablest men who were connected with the press, and the most violent in opposition to each other, were Charles Colerick and William Bevans. 'They were arrayed against each other as candidates for office, and each for several terms held the position of sheriff of the county. Both were from western Pennsylvania - Bevans from Fayette, and Colerick from Washington county and were well skilled in political wire-working and manoeuvring. In the division of parties the former was for Adams and the latter for Jackson. 'The great bone of contention, however, was the county printing, and that might, with much truth, be said to have been the only principle at issue between them.

About 1822 Charles Colerick, with his brothers, John and Henry, made their appearance in this county, while Bevans was sheriff, and established a small printing office.

In 1824 Edson Harkness, a printer, surveyor, and school teacher, emigrated from 'down east" to Mt. Vernon, and in 1825 started, in company with John Barland, a newspaper, which he styled The Knox County Gazette. After publishing it two years, he sold out, in 1827, to James Harvey Patterson, from FTayette county, Pennsylvania, and

William Smith, from Washington county, same State, who, under the firm of Patterson & Co., continued its publication until 1829, when they transferred the establishment to William Bevans, who carried it on under the name of Zhe Western Aurora, until 1831, when he disposed of it to William BP. Reznor, who had learned his trade in the office and lived br (1833) Ca? Bronson became associated with him, and for a time the paper was published by Bronson & Reznor. In October, 1833, Dan Stone bought out the concern and carried on the business a few months alone, when Dr. Morgan J.. Bliss became his partwith Bevans.

ner and the business continued under the firm name of Stone & Bliss, until November 29, 1834. On account of severe and protracted illness Mr. Bliss withdrew, and Dr. Lewis Dyer became connected with the paper aseditor. In January, 1835, Dyer was succeeded by Dr. John Thomas, who, being like his predecessor, of a philosophical turn of mind, and inclined to treat upon physiology, hygiene, temperance, and the laws of health, found the age unsuited for moral reform, and suddenly abdicated the tripod, leaving Dan Stone alone in the business. Mr. Stone continued the publication until May 16th, when he published his valedictory, and soon after the paper went out of existence. This office was first established in a small frame house where Mrs. Dr. Thompson's residence now stands, on lot No. 113, Main street; subsequently it was on the lot where General Jones formerly resided, on the west side of the public square, and from thence was moved into the second story of the market house.

In 1838 a new office was established here, anda paper issued called Zhe Western Watchman, by Samuel M. Browning. Teesdale was connected with this paper as editor, and was about purchasing the establishment; but, being a philanthropic Englishman, he happened to insert an abolition article, and found it advisable to leave suddenly. In October, 1839, the paper was published by S. Dewey & Co., but for a very short time. A new candidate for public favor called Zhe Family Cabinet made its appearance and was published a few weeks only. This brings the history of the press representing one party up to 1840; the other side follows.

The Colericks, as heretofore stated, came from Washington, Pennsylvania, where their father had a printing office at a very early day, and they had been brought up to the business. They were intelligent and energetic men and labored under great disadvantage for many years, as did other newspaper men in this county. In 1827 their paper was called Zhe Democrat and Knox Advertiser. In March, 1831, Samuel Rohrer purchased the office and published the paper. In October, 1832, F. S. & P. B. Ankeny became proprietors, enlarged its size and called it Zhe Mt. Vernon Democrat and Knox Advertiser. The name was changed the next year to Looking Glass and Whig Refiector, This printing-office was also migratory in its disposition, having been, during its existence, on Mulberry street, on the lot where the late H. W. Ball resided; on the old Jeffries' lot where Hoover's marble factory is, and in the second story of the frame where Bird's store now is, on South Main

In June, 1835, Charles Colerick established Zhe Day Book, which was conducted by him with much energy and spirit until he volunteered as a soldier and went to Texas, when the office was bought by Delano & Browning, and the paper was continued by William Byers until in the winter of 1837-8, when it was transferred to S. M. Browning.

When the campaign of 1840 opened, the Whigs, who had become dissatisfied with the abolition sentiments of John Teesdale, and caused him to give up the publication of that paper, found it necessary to pass resolutions in their county convention, inviting Whig editors to view this location; and appointed a committee to advertise in the leading Whig journals in the State for some one to come on and publish a paper. Under this call James Emmet Wilson, a son of Judge James Wilson, of Steubenville, came, and started Zhe Knox County Republican. About six months afterwards he associated with himself as publisher, Milo Butler, his brother-in-law. This paper was started under most favorable auspices in: the triumphant campaign of 1840, yet in the fall of 1841 it was discontinued by reason of the inability of the said Wilson and Butler to give the patrons a "live Whig paper." Wilson and Butler went to preaching. In 1842 William H. Cochran, who was teaching school in Newark, came up, rented the office, and issued Zhe Times; and from that office has been continued a paper, under different names, editors and proprietors, until the present day - The Mt. Vernon Republican ends the list. This paper has been known to its readers as The Times - The Republican Times - The Ohio State Times, etc., and has been conducted by Cochran and Silmon Clark, G. E. Winters, O. B. Chapman and James F. Withrow, J. W. Shuckers, the Republican joint stock company, H. M. Ranney, W. C. Cooper, Rev. J. H. Hamilton, Wilkinson & Knabenshus, C. Wilkinson, and Harry G. Armstrong & Co. The present editors and proprietors are Messrs. Baldwin & Taylor, who purchased the concern February 10, 1881. Names may have been omitted of other persons who, for short periods, edited the paper.

After Zhe Day Book office had been purchased and merged into Zhe Western Watchman, an effort was made to establish another paper, and Zhe Democratic Banner was started in April, 1838, by Chauncey Bassett and Joel Robb. During the summer it was edited by C. J. McNulty, but upon its sale to Edmund I. Ellis, it was continued without an editor during 1839, and, until it was sold to John Kershaw in 1841, was issued without an editorial, except as some partisan would furnish it anarticle. Kershaw edited and published it until in June, 1844, when he sold it to E. I. Ellis. .It was then edited by G. W. Morgan until 1845, when it was sold to David A. Robertson, who after a short time resold it to Ellis, who continued

William Dunbar. The latter had associated with him in its publication for some six months, George W. Armstrong. For the remainder of his time Mr. Dunbar edited and published it himself until 1852, 'when he resold it to E. J. Ellis. In December, 1853, it was purchased by Mr. Lecky Harper, then of Zhe Pittsburgh Post, who has since edited and published it. During Mr. Dunbar's management, a daily Democratic Banner was published in the winter of 1852, for thirty days.

Upon the nomination of General Taylor to the presidency, in 1848, the editor of Zhe Times refused to support the Taylor and Fillmore ticket, because Zachary Taylor lived south and owned slaves; whereupon another pprinting-office was opened in Mount Vernon.

The new paper was styled Zhe Mount Vernon True Whig, and was published seven years. It was edited during the campaign of 1848 by Joseph S. Davis; in 1849-50-51-52, by John W. White, and the remainder of its existence, by A. Banning Norton. For three years Worton's Daily True Whig was published with the motto of David Crockett - ''Be sure you're right, then go ahead." Its support was almost wholly derived from the purse of its editor, who bore it until the "pressure" became too heavy, when its publication was discontinued, in March, 1855.

Several short lived newspapers have made their appearance in the county. Zhe Rainbow, edited by the Rev. A. Sanback, was published a short time in Mount Vernon, and then removed to Fredericktown, then to Bellville, and from thence to Tiffin. The Lily, edited by Mrs. Amelia Bloomer, of the Bloomer costume notoriety, was published here about a year, and then taken to the far west. Zhe Western Home Visitor, established in Mount Vernon by E. A. Higgins and edited by E. S. S. Rouse, esq., was a well conducted paper, but too large for its price. Soon after it started a half interest was sold to David C. Bloomer, and in about six months Bloomer became sole proprietor. After two years The Visitor was taken to Columbus. Then came The National, with Agnew & Ragnet, publishers, and William C. Gaston, as its editor. It championed the cause of the '' Iecomptonites" but after its defeat it went out of existence. Zhe Knox County Express was started by Agnew & Tilton, in December, 1860, and in 1862, was published by C. M. Phelps & Co., and edited by Judge S. Davis. The Express was finally merged with Zhe Mount Vernon Republican then in the hands of the Mount Vernon Republican Publishing Company.

During the early stages of the greenback excitement in 1877-8, several new papers sprang up throughout Ohio in advocacy of that doctrine. Two made theirappearance in oneweekin Mount Vernon, viz: Zhe Knox County National Advocate, edited and published by Joseph H. Watson and William A. Agnew, two of Mount Vernon's young typos, and The Knox County ational, edited and published by John Lennon, a young member of the Knox county bar. It soon became evident that one paper was all the new party could support, and the latter withdrew from the field. Both papers appeared on the new plan prevalent throughout the west - that is, both had patent "insides," the second and third pages being edited and printed at Cleveland, while the first and fourth pages were edited and printed in Mount Vernon. Zhe National Advocate, after one year's existence, finding its support insufficient, was turned into a Republican paper by dropping the word WVational. The plan did not seem to work for after a short struggle Zhe Advocate suspended. During the exciting local campaign of 1878, Watson & Agnew, and seed store, and is intended as an advertising agent. The Broadax, a temperance edited by an advocate of that cause, was published about a year.

John P. McArdle, the first practical printer, removed to one of the northwestern counties, where he resided many years, honored and respected, and where he died a few months since at an advanced age.

Charles Colerick died after having served a campaign in the Texan war of independence, where he assisted in achieving, though he did not live to behold the recognition of her independence.

John Thomas was a very singular genius, well read, particularly in anatomy, geology and other ologies, but was subject to the "blues," and did not enjoy life. He would not drink out of a cup or saucer that had a crack or flaw in it, nor eat with a knife that he did not see scoured bright- - consequently he worried himself out of the world before his time.

Reznor removed to Illinois. His fate is unknown, as is also that of Harkness, who, some twenty years ago, also resided in Illinois, and was noted for his large nurseries of excellent fruit trees,

1D. A. Robertson was appointed United States marshal for Ohio in 1844, which office he held four years. In 1850, then a resident of Lancaster, he was elected a member of the Constitutional convention of Ohio from Fairfield county, and resigned after holding the office three months to accept the appointment of United States marshal for Minnesota, taking up his residence in 1850 at St. Paul. December 10, 1854, he issued the first number of the Minnesota Democrat, which became, paper in the then territory. In 1856-7 he visited Europe. He was a member of the Minnesota house of representatives in 1859-60, mayor of St. Paul in 1860, and sheriff of Ramsey county in 1863, serving in this office two years. He is dead.

C. J. McNulty, one of the most brilliant attorneys of his day, represented Knox county in the Ohio house of representatives during the sessions of both 1841 and 1842, and was afterwards clerk of the Lower House of Congress. In 1846 he volunteered as a private soldier in the Mexican war, died en route to the scene of strife, and was buried at Helena, Arkansas, by his comrades.

Those living in Mt. Vernonat this time are Hon. Columbus Delano, General G. W. Morgan, Hon. Lecky Harper, Judge J. S. Davis, C. Wilkinson (who lives a retired life on a farm a short distancs from the city, while his late partner, Knabenshue, is superintendent of the Lancaster schools), J. A. Tilton, Benjamin F. Agnew, Harry G. Armstrong, and John W. White.

birth a visit once or twice a year. He has held several important official positions in his adopted State. At present he is one of the Federal circuit judges of Texas, a position he held once before. He edits and publishes a paper styled Morton's Union Intelligencer.

The first book printed in Knox county was The American Revolution, written in scriptural or ancient historical style, printed by Smith & Mc- Ardle at the office of the Ohio Register, in Clinton in 1815. The second book, from the same press, was The Columbian, a poem on the American war, in thirteen cantos, by Richard Snowden, thirtyeight pages. The next was James Smith's Vindication. There was also published at the Ofio Register office A Caveat against the Methodists, by a Gentleman of the Church of Rome.

In 1830 C. & J. Colerick published a Directory of Knox County, compiled from the tax list by Edson Harkness. In 1835 the Laws and Ordinances of Mt. Vernon were printed by the Day Book office and bound. In 1852 the Charter and Ordinances of Mount Vernon were printed by the 7rue Whig office, and bound, making a work of fifty pages. In 1879 was issued from the Republican office, Revised Ordinances of the City of Mount Vernon of a General Nature. This work contained ninety-four pages and was bound. In 1878 the same office published The History and Rules of the Mount Vernon Public Schools, by Joseph S. Davis, A. M., forty pages. An Essay on Justification by Faith, with Particular Reference to the Theory of Forensic Justification, by Joseph Muenscher, A. M., rector of St. Paul's church, Mount Vernon, sixty pages, was issued in 1847.

In 1858 John W. White published George Seymour, or Disappointed Revenge, a drama in three acts, and the same year, The Book of Chronicles, humorously illustrated, being A History of the Dissensions among the Harmonious Democracy of Knox Countyuponthe Kansas Question. A fewyears later Mr. White issued from the press of the Ofzo State Journal The Ambitious Shoemaker - A Farce without a Plot - One Act. In 1876 he published his Mount Vernon Directory for 1876-7, from the press of the Gambier Argus, one hundred and sixty pages.

Commentary on the Book of Proverbs, four hundred duodecimo pages; and also A Treatise on Biblical Interpretation, three hundred and fifty pages, duodecimo.

From the Acland Press, Gambier, a number of pamphlets and small works have been issued pertaining to church and college affairs. Among others, Tissue's Greek Forms, a valuable book, by one of the professors.

A few years prior to the death of the late Judge Hurd he published his standard law book On Habeas Corpus, which has already been supplemented by a second edition under the immediate supevision of his son, Hon. Frank H. Hurd, now of Toledo, who followed with one of his own On Homestead and other Exemptions. Hon. Charles H. Scribner, then of Mount Vernon but now of Toledo, was the author of a valuable work entitled Treatise on the Law of Dower. A copy of these three law books can be found in almost every law library in the State as well as in other States and are valued as standard works.

In 1862 A. Banning Norton issued from the press of Richard Nevins, Columbus, Ohio, A History of Knox County, it being the first work of the kind ever published relative to the early history of the county. The book contained four hundred and twenty-four pages.

The Schools Of Mount Vernon

In attempting to write even a brief history of the schools of Mt. Vernon, we labor under some difficulty, from the fact that in the earlier schools no record of their proceedings, plan of government, or mode of education, was kept; or, at least, if any record was kept, it has not been preserved.

school was established, but this is not material, since the time fixed is near enough to the true period for all practicable purposes. We deprecate a resort to tradition, which might be amusing, but not instructive or satisfactory, and direct our attention to the collection of well authenticated facts, and to their proper arrangement in chronological order. In the year 1805, the town of Mt. Vernon was laid out by Benjamin Butler, Thomas Bell Patterson, and Joseph Walker, and a plat thereof filed for record in the recorder's office at Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio. In the year 1808, by an act of the legislature, the county of Knox was carved out of the territory of Fairfield county, or ganized, and Mt. Vernon selected as the county seat.

affording their children some opportunity and accommodation for acquiring at least the rudiments of an education, determined to make some provision for this important object.

The result of this determination was the erection of a smal] log school-house on the southwest quarter of the public square, near the line of High and Main streets, in size about fourteen by sixteen or eighteen feet, one story in height, covered with clapboards nailed on, lighted by small windows, and heated by a large old-fashioned fire-place, with no furniture but the teacher's chair, rough slab benches for pupils' seats, desks made of boards attached to the walls, inclining inward and a little downward, on which the pupils placed their books, slates, and materials for writing. The benches and desks were so arranged that the pupils all sat with their faces toward the wall, and backs to the teacher, except the primary class, which was being instructed in the mysteries of the English alphabet.

This rude, humble, primitive structure was the first schoolhouse built in Mt. Vernon; and, in its day, answered an excellent purpose, although its rough walls were not adorned with any charts, maps, pictures, or other modern contrivances, to attract the attention and instruct the mind of the pupils,

The only ornament that relieved the unbroken and monotonous view of rough log walls, was a map of the town of Mt. Vernon, drawn by the teacher with his pen, to exhibit his skill and dexterity in wielding that little instrument. On this map was delineated the buildings that had been erected in town, and most prominent among which was this humble educational edifice, In the southwestern part of the town plat was graphically portrayed the tall wild grass, the thick undergrowth of the native forest, with a few large trees, and upon a branch of one of these perched a lonely owl, in all his silent, solemn wisdom, overlooking, like a guardian angel, the rise and progress of the town, embryo city, of Mt. Vernon, and the beautiful stream bearing his name.*

The many worthy men who taught school in this humble edifice have gone to parts unknown, and most, if not all of them, to their final account. But the descendants of two of them are yet quite numerous in this country. Thomas Irvine, a native of Ireland, located in Mt. Vernon in the spring of 1811, and was induced by his neighbors to assume the character and occupatiou of a pedagogue, and tiught the children of the town in this humble building very acceptably to his patrons. Also John Roberts, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, moved to and settled in Mt. Vernon in 1816, and taught school two successive winters in this school-house upon the public square. Both these gentlemen were afterwards honored by their fellow-citizens with an

* There is little doubt that this is the same map that appears upon the records of Fairfield county, a cut of which is here given. The only contradiction to this view of the origin of the map is the date (1805), which may have been placed there by mistake. That it appears upon the records as here given, the following is evidence: ;

""The county recorder and myself have this day carefully examined the records of this county in reference to the above plat of Mt. Vernon and find the same correct, the date being July 16, 1805.

The date is evidently an error, as the town was laid out July 16, 1805, the date of the map, while the map itself shows a town several years older.

Henry B. Curtis, esq., informs us that he remembets this school-house very well, and describes it as an old dilapidated building in the spring of 1817.

No doubt time and neglect had so far wrought the work of decay upon this building that its days of usefulness for school purposes had passed, and it waspermitted to disappear. Its removal afforded a site fur the erection of a new and more imposing structure, generally known as the market house, in which the physical wants of the people were supplied. But, in the lapse of a few years, the market house had to yield to the inexorable law of public opinion, and be removed from the square. The population of the town having largely increased, more extensive school accommodations were required than this primitive structure afforded, even had it been thoroughly repaired and properly cared for.

At a public town meeting, called for the purpose, subscriptions were made, and a committee appointed, with full power to collect the same, and procure additional means by voluntary contributions sufficient to purchase a lot and build a new school-house.

The committee thus appointed entered immediately upon the discharge of the trust reposed in them, and purchased two lots on Mulberry street from John Williamson, of Lancaster, Ohio, and on the twenty-third of August, 1817, John Williamson and wife conveyed said lots, Nos. 166 and 167, in the town of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, by deed of general warranty, as a site for a school-house, to Joseph Brown, James McGibney and Robert D. Moore, trustees of the school-house in Mt. Vernon; and their successors in office. By the vigorous and united efforts of the school trustees, the citizens, and the masonic order of the town, a very respectable two-story brick building was erected on these lots in the year 1818.

The masonic order, under some agreement or arrangement with the school trustees, built, finished and occupied the second story of said building as a lodge-room, while the first story was prepared and used for school purposes.

The means raised having been exhausted in putting up and enclosing the walls, the room remained unplastered, but was furnished with slab benches for seats, and rough board desks placed against the walls, similar in style and arrangement to those used in the original school-house on the public square. This was the second school-house erected in the town of Mt. Vernon. Joseph Chapman, a brother of the late Judge Chapman, of this county, taught school successfully a number of terms in this building. It was occupied on the Sabbath for religious services by the different denominations of Christians who had no church building in town, and also the meetings of a literary society were held therein.

About the year 1824 the citizens of the town resolved to finish this school-room, and Henry B. Curtis, esq., having taken a very active part in soliciting and procuring the means, was appointed, by a public meeting, a committee of one to design the changes and superintend the completion of the same. Under his good judgment and management the room was neatly plastered, and re-seated, in a more comfortable and modern style, entirely changing the whole internal arrangement - by placing the seats against the walls and the desks in front of them, so that the scholars would face the teachers. The central part of the room was an open space, occupied by the teacher, and the classes when called up to recite.

After the passage of the general law establishing free common schools in the State of Ohio, the schools of this town were under the management of the Clinton township trustees, and so continued until the year 1845. But they were slow in growing into public favor, on account of the prejudices of caste, and reluctance on the part of many of the best citizens to patronize them. Some of the more wealthy and refined, fearing that evil consequences might result from the mingling of the children of all classes of society in the free common schools, preferred to send their children to private select schools. To overcome this prejudice, and to improve, develop, and perfect the free common school system, so as to gain the confidence and support of the public, was the work of many years.

In the meantime private schools were well sustained. Rev- R. R. Sloan established a school and academy, which was successfully conducted more than twenty years, in which a high educational standard was maintained, and the youth of the town, both male and female, were well trained and liberally educated. This high school, taught by Mr. Sloan, assisted by his estimable wife and such male and female teachers as he found it necessary to employ, prospered until the free graded school system grew into public favor. It was then converted -into a female seminary, which flourished for a time, and began to decline, and finally, for the want of sufficient patronage, was closed up.

town of Mount Vernon, in Knox county, Ohio, was incorporated. In the charter thus granted the town was divided into five wards by metes and bounds, and authorized to elect one councilman for each ward, and among other provisions the following is made in reference to the schools: Each ward shall constitute a separate sub-school district of said town, subject to the regulations hereinafter provided. The mayor and common council of the town of Mount Vernon shall have the control and regulation of the school districts within said town, in the same manner as the same is now held by the trustees of the township; and shall also be a board of school directors for said town, subject to all the regulations and requirements of the act for the support and better regulation of common schools, except as hereinafter provided. Each councilman, by virtue of his election as such, be a special school director for the ward in which he resides and the election of school directors, as provided for in the thirty-second section of said act, shall, so far as this corporation is concerned, be dispensed with; all taxes for building, purchasing, repairing or furnishing school-houses and lots shall be equally assessed upon all property in the sub-district where such expenciture shall be required, and shall be expended for the benefit of such sub-district only ; and such sub-district shall have in all respects the same power to purchase lots, build, repair, or finish school-houses, and assess taxes therefor, and do all other acts that other school districts can lawfully do; and the mayor and common council, acting as a board of school directors for said town, shall appoint a district treasurer, other than the treasurer of the corporation, who shall give bond and security, and perform 'all the duties required of him by law.

According to the directions of this act, an election was held on the seventh day of March, 1845, and the officers therein provided for were elected. On the eighth day of March the mayor, recorder, and councilmen-elect, met and formally accepted the said charter, organized thereunder, and, as they constituted the

Isaac Davis, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder; Johnston Elliott, First ward; Job Evans, Second ward; Rollin C. Hurd, Third ward, Henry B. Curtis, Fourth ward; Charles Cooper, Fifth ward; members of council.

On motion, resolved that George B. White be and he is hereby appointed school treasurer for the school district of this town, and required to give bond and security according to law."

Resolved, That the recorder act as clerk of such school district, and that he cause to be taken an enumeration of the youth of said district, distinguishing between the children of the different wards.

Resolved, that the general compensation of school teachers for district schools in said town (to commence, as near as may be, on or about the first Monday in November next) shall be twenty-two dollars per month - each to provide him or herself a suitable room, fuel, and furniture, to be approved bv the directors; and when the directors furnish room or stove, or either, a reasonable deduction to be made in the above named compensation.

Resolved, That in each and every engagement of a school teacher the directors reserve to themselves the right of visitors, with power to dismiss such teacher for such cause as to them shall seem right and proper.

It will be observed by the adoption of these resolutions the mayor and common council, acting in the capacity of a board of school directors, exercised great caution in the employment of teachers, by inserting in their contracts a clause reserving the right to visit the schools, and the power to dismiss the teacher for any cause which to them might seem just and proper. It is presumed this precaution was taken to avoid any vexatious litigation in case a teacher was so unfortunate as to be dismissed for apparent, if not real, deficiency in either morals, government, scholarship or skill to successfuJly impart instruction. An agreement containing such a clause was, in all probability, suggested by and owing to the legal acumen of two distinguished lawyers, members of the council, and when signed by the teacher transferred the jurisdiction and power of determining the justice and propriety of his removal from the judicial tribunals of the country, and vested the same solely in the board of school directors.

At this time, the only public school-house in the town was the old two-story brick on Mulberry street, in the Fifth ward, and by neglect it had become so dilapidated as to be unfit to be occupied for school purposes, without thorough repairing. In this condition the school directors and Mount Zion lodge, No. 9, Free and Accepted Masons, of this town united in executing a lease of said school-house for the term of fifteen years to R. R. Sloan and John K. True for educational purposes, upon condition that they should repair and build an addition to said school-house. It appears incredible that competent teachers could be procured at the price above specified. The meagre sum left, after paying rent for a suitable school-room, and providing furnitnre and fuel, was a very small compensation to the teacher for his services, showing that the labors of the teacher in the common free schools at that time were not esteemed very valuable. and certainly they were not very lucrative.

Fifth Ward School Building

Yet some very worthy and competent persons were employed, and taught the public schools of the several sub-districts of the town in the winter of 1845-6 - such as D. M. Camp; Charles Conklin, A. Spaulding, G. W. Stahl, Lafayette Emmett, afterwards a judge of the supreme court of the State of Minnesota, Mrs. P. A. Nicholas, Miss Helen Curtis, Miss Louisa Burgess, and others.

Our citizens not being fully satisfied with the tardy progress of the schools under the existing laws applicable to the town, became anxious for a change, and being favorably impressed with the report of the successful working of the Akron system of schools, desired to have the same adopted in Mt. Vernon.

The law entitled, ''An Act for the support and better regulation of the common schools in the town of Akron, passed Feb- Tuary 8, 1847, authorized the election pf six directors of the common schools who shall meet and organize by the election of a president, secretary, and treasurer, and shall be a body politic, and corporate in law by the name of the board of education of the town of Akron, It shall have the entire management and control of all the common schools in the said town of Akron, and all the houses, lands, and appurtenances already provided for school purposes, as well as those hereafter to be provided. Said town shall, in law, constitute but one school district, and all moneys accruing to said district for school purposes, under any law of the State, shall be paid over to the treasurer of said board of education.

'"The board to certify to the council the amount of money necessary to erect buildings, and the amount necessary to be raised, in addition to the money accruing to said town under the general school laws of the State, to defray all other expenses of said school system during the current year. And thereupon the town council shall proceed to levy a tax sufficient to meet such expenses of building and repairing schoolhouses, and for the maintenance of free schools in Akron during the whole year, customary vacations only excepted."

These are the provisions of the law, which formed the basis of the school system sought to be introduced into our town. And, by virtue of the law passed February 14, 1848, the provisions of the Akron school law could be extended to any incorporated town or city in the State, whereupon two-thirds of the qualified voters thereof shall petition the town or city councilin favor of having the same so extended.

"To the mayor and common council of the town of Mt. Vernon. The undersigned, legal voters of the town of Mt. Vernon, petition your honorable body to have the provisions of the act entitled 'An act for the support and better regulation of common schools in the town of Akron,' and the amendatory acts thereto, passed by the Forty-sixth general assembly of this State, carried into effect in this corporation, as provided for in an act passed February 14, 1848."

"On examination the council find that petitions are now presented in the form aforesaid, signed by three hundred and thirty-three of the qualified yoters of this town; and further, that at the last election for officers of this corporation, the whole number was four hundred and sixty-one who voted at said election, and that, taking the sameas the basis upon which to determine the number of qualified voters, it is declared that two-thirds of the qualified voters aforesaid have petitioned the town council in favor of having the provisions of said act extended to the town of Mt. Vernon. Therefore, in pursuance of the statute in such case made and provided, it is hereby declared by the mayor and common council of the town of Mt. Vernon, that the provisions of 'An act for the support and better regulation of common schools in the town of Akron,' and the several acts amendatory thereto, be extended to the said town of Mt. Vernon."

It was further resolved that the recorder give notice, as required by law, to the legal voters of the town, to meet in their respective wards, at the usual places of holding elections, on the first Friday of March next, and then and there to elect, in addition to the other corporation officers, six directors of the common schools of said town, by general ticket.

At the annual corporation election, held March 2, 1849, and in pursuance of said notice, C. P. Buckingham, Abel Hart, Job Evans, Jonathan N. Burr, James L. Young, and Samuel Israel were elected school directors.

On the eighth day of March, the school directors elect met, and organized by the election of C. P. Buckingham as president, James Smith, jr., as clerk, and Samuel Israel as treasurer. On the same day, the council appointed William Dunbar, Sewal Gray, and Rolin C. Hurd school examiners for the common schools of said town.

April 3d Henry B. Curtis, esq. was, by a unanimous vote, chosen a director of the common schools of said town, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of James L. Young.

All the offices being now filled, the whole machinery of the Akron school system was in working order in the town of Mt. Vernon. The board of education, after estimating the amount of money necessary to be raised for building school-houses, and continuing the schools during the current year, certified to the council a tax of - mills, to be levied and collected according to law, and proceeded to procure and adopt plans, specifications and estimates for the erection of the necessary school buildings, iucluding a grand central building in which instruction in the higher branches was to be given. » The people, now comprehending more clearly the extent of the provisions of this law, and the power of taxation. conferred upon the board of education, became dissatisfied and alarmed at the heavy expense this system would entail upon the town, fearful that the advantages to be derived from the system could not fully compensate for the great burden of debt it would necessarily impose on them, and which they felt illy able to bear - they therefore determined to appeal to the legislature for relief, and on the - - day o' ; 1850, an act was passed exempting the town of Mt. Vernon, in Knox county, Ohio, from the provisions of the Akron school law. Thus, before the contracts for building school-houses were let, and the schools fully organized under said law, the same was repealed. The schools again reverted to, and continued under the management of the mayor and common coun~ cil of the town.

The agitation consequent upon the adoption and repeal of the Akron school law increased the spirit for educational progress, and the desire for greater efficiency in the common school system. The necessity for some better accommodations, in the way of school buildings, was still more apparent.

The treasurer of the board of education was, by law, on request of the council, required to transfer to the town treasurer all school funds collected, and unexpended by said board. The same, amounting to $2,879.57, was, under direction of the council, distributed to the several wards, or sub-districts, as follows: First ward, $756.12; Second ward, $468.00; Third ward, $641.47; Fourth ward, $586.41; Fifth ward, $427.66. With this fund on hand, it was thought advisable to add thereto, by local taxation, an amount sufficient to build a comfortable school" room in each of the sub-districts; and, in furtherance of this object, the council, on the twenty-fourth day of April, 1850 recommended the holding of school-meetings, and ordered tha notice thereof be given, as follows: ''The qualified voters o¢ the town of Mt. Vernon are notified to meet in their respective wards, on the eighteenth day of May, 1850, at three o'clock P. M. Those qualified to vote in the First ward, to meet at E. WwW. Cotton's law office; those in the Second ward, at the shop of Henry W. Ball; those in the Third ward, at the Kremlin; those in the Fourth ward, at the court house; those in the Fifth ward, in the basement of the Congregational church; and then and there, for their respective wards, forming sub-school districts, to determine by vote upon the purchase of a lot or lots; and also in like manner, to determine how much money shall be raised for such purchase, and the erection of such school-house, and the furnishing of the same, in and for their respective wards and districts," etc., etc.

to be raised for such purposes, were all determined in the affirmative by the vote of a majority of those present. The pro" ceedings of these meetings were promptly rcported to the town council, and accepted. Thereupon, it was ordered that a tax be levied to raise the amount of money recommended; that lots be purchased in the First, Second, Third, and Fourth wards, as sites for school-houses, and that suitable school buildings be erected thereon. Committees were appointed to carry out the object of this order. ots were purchased designs for schoolhouses adopted, contracts for building the same let, in the First ward, July 1, 1850, to Carden and Madden, masons, and E. Armstrong, carpenter; in the Third ward, September 2, 1850, to John Jennings, mason, and Daniel Clark, carpenter; in the Second ward, May, 1851, to Solomon Smith, mason, and J. W. Rumsey, carpenter; and in the Fourth ward, to John Jennings, mason, and J. W. Rumsey, carpenter. The erection and furnishing of the buildings, the grading and enclosing the lots with good substantial fences, were completed under the direction and supervision of Benjamin Giles, in the First ward; M. M. Beam, in the Second; A. Banning Norton, in the Third; and Sewal Gray, in the Fourth ward. In the Fifth ward, it was determined by the citizens to purchase the lease of R. R. Sloan, repair, reseat, and occupy the old brick school-house on Mulberry street.

By the latter part of the year 1851, each of the five wards of the town, for the first time in its history, was provided witha public school-house, with ample and convenient accommodations for all the children of school age.

New life and vigor were infused into the teachers and school authorities, means were provided by taxation to continue the schools in session at least seven months during each year, divided into two or more terms, as circumstances might require. Rules were adopted for the government of teachers and scholars. The schools gradually increased in usefulness, and prospered as well as schools of the same grade in other portions of the State.

But, up to this time, only the ordinary branches of a come mon school education were taught in the town schools, such as are taught in the common schools of the rural districts.

In 1854, the incorporated town of Mt. Vernon was advanced to the grade of a city of the second class, under the general law of the State, entitled ''an act to provide for the organiza tion and government of municipal corporations," and authorized to elect two trustees for each ward, who became the school directors for their respective sub-school districts of the city.

The spirit of progress was prevalent, and to keep step with this advancement, greater improvement in the public school system was demanded. Petitions were presented to the city council for the establishment of graded schools, including a high school, and the introduction into the same of the higher branches of education. The school directors, taught prudence by experience, and caution by sad failure in the introduction of the Akron schoo! system, long hesitated as to the propriety of making such a radical change.

But petitions of like character continued from time to time to be presented with more earnest entreaty, convincing the city council that higher and more extended educational facilities were not only demanded, but would be sustained by the enlightened voice of a large majority of the citizens. These petitions were respectfully received and considered, but favorable action thereon was delayed until the twenty-eighth day of March, 1856, when the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and the following ordinance duly passed by the city council :

SECTION 1. Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Mt. Vernon that the board of education for the public schools of said city shali consist of six members; that at the first regular meeting of the city council for the month of April, in the year of our Lord 1856, the city council shall appoint the members of said board, who shall have the qualifications of electors resident within said city - two of whom shall hold their offices for one year, two for two years, and two forthree years, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified; that the qualified electors of said city meet in their respective wards, on the first Monday in April, in the year of our Lord 1857, and each and every year thereafter at the place designated or provided for holding municipal elections therein, and elect by ballot two members of the board of education for said city, having the qualifications aforesaid, to serve for the term of three years, and until their successors are elected and qualified.

SEc. 2. That in case of a vacancy in said board of education, by death, resignation, or removal, it shall be the duty of the city council, within sixty days thereafter, to appoint some suitable person, having the qualifications aforesaid, to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term of such deceased, resigned, or removed member.

In compliance with this ordinance, on the ninth day o April, 1856, Walter H. Smith, Samuel Israel, Henry P. Warden, Mark Curtis, Levi B. Ward, and Jacob W. Lybrand were, by the city council, duly appointed a board of education for the city of Mt. Vernon. And afterwards, to-wit: on the fourth day of February, 1857, the term of office for each member of said board was fixed, by resolution, as follows: For one year, Messrs. Smith and Israel; for two years, Messrs. Warden and Curtis; for three years, Messrs Ward and Lybrand.

Following are the names of the teachers from 1845 to 1857: Adam Randolph, Hull Bixby, Benjamin Magers, Gilman B. Stilley, Lewis L. Murphy, David Galusha, Caleb D. Hipsley, Henry Graham, John M. Taylor, Samuel Glenn, John M. Andrews, B. A. F. Greer, E. W. Muenscher, Mrs. Rebecca Howard, Mrs. Lucinda Andrews, Mrs. Polly Ann Nichols, Sarah W. Burgess, Hannah J. Dunn, T. M. Cannon, Lucena P. Curtis, Clarinda Curtis, Hannah L. Conger, Kate Opdyke, Mary E. Rogers, Felicia H. Scott, Delia A. Galusha, Elizabeth Moore, Harriet N. Kerr, Jennie Kerr, Hannah C. Morrison, Sue Forsythe, Deborah Day, Mary P. Fister, Mary W. Evans, and Mary Mitchell.

The members of the board of education appointed by the city council met at the law office. of Delano, Sapp & Smith, on the fourteenth day April, 1856, accepted the position and trust, and were duly qualified, as required by law. Samuel Israel, esq., was chosen president of the board, and Joseph S. Davis, by virtue of his office as clerk of the city council, was by law made the clerk of the board of education.

The board immediately proceeded to transact the business entrusted to its care, and commenced to carry out the objects contemplated in its formation. But it will be observed that its progress was without any apparent haste, cautiously teeling its way step by step, and closely watching the movement of the public pulse at each onward step, until the final consummation of the plan was secured beyond doubt. Messrs. Curtis, Warden, and Lybrand, under instruction from the board, examined and suggested several suitable sites for a union school-house, ascertained the price at which they could be purchased, and furnished an estimate of the probable cost of building. The following preamble and resolutions, introduced by Walter H. Smith, esq., were adopted:

''WHEREAS, In the opinion of this board, it is necessary and proper to provide a central or high school for the city of Mt. Vernon; therefore,

'Resolved, Thata special meeting of the qualified electors of said city be holden on the second day of June, A. D. 1856, at 1 o'clock Pp. M. of said day, at the council chamber in said city, to decide any questions which may be deemed important in relation to the cost and location of the building or buildings for said school, and the amount of city tax to be levied for that purpose, and any other provisions necessary for the establishment of said schools.

Due notice of the meeting was given, and the qualified electors of the city assembled at the time and place mentioned and organized by the appointment of Samuel Israel, esq., chairman, and J. S. Davis, clerk. The object of 'the meeting was briefly explained that, as the board of education of the city estimated the probable cost of erecting a central school building at the sum of ten thousand dollars, and as several written propositions have been submitted, it is for this meeting to determine by vote the location and the amount of tax to be levied for the purchase of site, and the erection of said central school building. Hosmer Curtis, esq., offered a resolution, which was adopted, ''that it shall require a majority of all the votes given at this meeting to eration." The vote was then taken, and, after the same had been carefully counted, it appeared that five hundred and thirtyeight ballots had been cast, of which number five hundred and six were in favor of the proposition to raise by tax ten thousand dollars for buildings, and the George W. True site, socalled, at four thousand five hundred dollars, was selected by a very decided majority over all others. The result of this meeting of the citizens was reported to the board of education at their meeting held June 2, 1856, when the following resolution was offered by H. P. Warden, and adopted:

"WHEREAS, This board is satisfied that due notice was given of the object, time and place of holding a special meeting of the qualified electors, resident within said city at least twenty days previous to the holding thereof, and that a majority of electors at such meeting assembled did then and there vote for the assessment of a tax of ten thousand dollars for the erection of a central school building, and did select by vote the George W. True site, so called, at four thousand five hundred dollars, and authorized the levy of a tax for the payment thereof; therefore,

"Resolved, That the sum of fourteen thousand five hundred dollars be and the same is hereby assessed on all taxable property, both real and personal, within the limits of the city of Mt. Vernon for the purpose of purchasing a site and erecting central or high school buildings thereon - five thousand of which is to be levied this year and the balance in the years 1857 and 1858, and that the same be forthwith certified to the auditor of Knox county, Ohio."

W. H. Smith and H. P. Warden were authorized to investigate the title, and, if found satisfactory, to complete the contract with George W. True for the purchase of school-house site, consisting of eight lots lying on the west side of Mulberry street, between Hamtramck and Burgess streets, Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

The special care and control of the school in each ward was conferred upon the member of the board from the same, with power to employ teachers, provide light, fuel, etc., and the maximum price to be paid male teachers was fixed at forty dollars, and female teachers at twenty-five dollars per month of twentytwo days. This shows a considerable improvement in the matter of compensation to teachers, and indicates a better appreciation of their labors. A higher grade of school was established in a rented room in the Kremlin, as the beginning of a graded school system, and the most advanced scholars in the different ward schools were selected and placed therein.

The estimate heretofore made of the probable cost of a central high school building was wholly arbitrary, and without reference to any particular design or plan, or whether there should be erected one or more buildings; but the ideas upon this subject now began to assume shape and some degree of certainty, as will appear by the passage of resolutions May 4, 1857:

'Resolved, As the sense of this board, that it is expedient to erect a school edifice sufficiently large to accommodate all the scholars of the city, should it hereafter be thought for the interest of the city to concentrate the entire system in one building. 2

"Resolved, That it is expedient to proceed at once to mature a plan, and, after sufficient notice, to enter into a contract for the erection of such a school edifice as is contemplated by the other parts of the State, and with the advice, suggestions, and assistance of some members of the board, designed a plan for the union school house in Mt. Vernon, furnished drawings and specifications for the same, which were, after careful inspection and due deliberation, adopted by the board. ° Notice of the letting of said work was given by publication in the newspapers of Mt. Vernon, and printed copies of the specifications made for such building were extensively circulated, and mailed to professional contractors in other cities of the country. On the twenty-sixth day of October, 1857, the bids were opened, and out of the eight competitors for the job, the bid of Henry Haller and Joseph Gardner was accepted, and the contract for building the Union school-house awarded to them, on condition that they would enter into a written agreement, such as the board of education shall approve, containing a bond in the pe~ nal sum of twenty thousand dollars, with good and _ sufhcien security, to the satisfaction of the board, for the faithful per_ formance of the work, and the completion of the same on or before the first day of August, 1859.

The Union school building and furniture, the site and the improvement of the same, cost about thirty thousand dollars double the amount at first contemplated. To meet this in' creased expenditure, the board found it necessary to levy foy building purposes each year for a number of years, the full amount authorized by iaw, in addition to the special levy authorized by a vote of the citizens.

Samuel Israel, esq., president of the board, superintended the erection of the central school 'building, and the improvement of the grounds thereto appertaining, being at all times subject to the direction of the board of education.

The year 1859 marks a new era in the history of the public schools of the city. "The new union school building now approached completion, and the three years spent in its construction had been advantageously occupied in preparation for the radical change. The old free common schools of the city gradually emerged into the new, better systematized, and more expanded system of graded schools. In the summer of 1859, the board of education employed William Mitchell, esy., an experienced and successful teacher, to take charge of, and superintend the city public schools. He was an industrious, energetic man, possessed of great firmness, good executive ability, and a rigid disciplinarian. His services proved invaluable to the board in preparing, organizing, and inaugurating the new system. Four grades of schools were established - primary secondary, grammar, and high school. The scholars of the city were examined, classified, and placed in the grade of school their scholarship justified. "A course of studies and text-books necessary and appropriate for each grade of school, were carefully selected and adopted. A well digested series of rules and regulations for the government of the city schools, setting forth the duties and obligations of teachers as well as pupils, was prepared and printed for use and distribution.

It was determined that the school year should consist of ten months, of four weeks or twenty days each, and be divided into three terms, with a vacation of one week intervening between them - the first term to commence on the first Monday of September, and continue four months; the second and third terms to be three months each, then a long vacation during the months of July and August. A full corps of teachers, thirteen in number, besides the superintendent, was employed, consisting of Misses Ann V. Scott, Malinda Ward, A. D. Yale, J. Hubbard, and Minerva Laughrey, for the primary schools located in each of the five ward school-houses; Misses H. M. Whitman, E. J. Dawson, C. E. Yates, and Mrs. C. Curtis, for the four secondary schools; Mr. George Mitchell and Miss Theresa Thrall, for the two grammar schools; Mr. John N. Cassil and Miss A. Hubbard were the assistant teachers in the high school. All the schools of the city, except the primary, were concentrated in the new Union school building, under the immediate control of the superintendent. This new building is heated throughout by steam, the rooms well ventilated, and furnished with the latest and most approved style of furniture, and every convenience for the comfort of the pupils, and every facility for acquiring a thorough knowledge of the branches studied, was provided. Thus was the graded school system, including the high school, introduced; and, by the first day of November, 1859, was in full operation in the city of Mt, Vernon, working to the satisfaction of all persons interested. ~

The schools prospered from the start, and soon attained a high rank, and continued to grow in popularity and usefulness, until ina short time they were recognized and considered by eminent educators equal to the best conducted schools in the State. They have been successtully managed, and have maintained their superior position and good reputation to the present period.

In 1867, the course of studies and the rules and regulations were thoroughly revised and improved. At different times, when the best interest of the schools seemed to require it, certain text-books have been dropped, and others more modern and better adapted to school-work substituted.

Cther changes have taken place. Three schools of an intermediate grade between primary and secondary have been established, and one unclassified school, all located in the ward school-houses, and doing profitable work. A writing and commercial department, under the management of Captain H. Stevens, has also been established.

A substantial two-story brick school-house, with four large, comfortable rooms, was cominenced in 1873, and completed in 1874, situated onan elevated site at the west end of North street in the Fifth ward of the city, purchased of Dr. J. W. Russell, and three schools are now being taught therein. Fowler and Armstrong were the principal contractors.

In the summer of 1877, a very neat and substantial two-story brick school-house was erected in the Second ward, southeast corner of Scott and Vine streets, and a primary school is being taught therein. O. W. Hubbell was the contractor. 'The completion and furnishing of the building, the grading, improying, and fencing of the lots, was done under the direction and supervision of the committee on buildings and repairs.

The city public schoo!s have had four superintendents. Captain William Mitchell, the first, was employed by the board for six consecutive years, and great credit is due to him for the high standard of order and proficiency the schools attained during his term of service. His successor was Colonel P. C. Hayes, who served faithfully, without anything remarkable occurring, for the term of one year, at which time his connection with the schools terminated. The third, Charles A. Baker, was a graduate of Dartmouth college, New Hampshire. So far as scholarship is concerned, he was apparently fully competent for the position, but he unfortunately failed in government, the most important qualification of a good superintendent, and resigned after a service of five months. Richard B, Marsh, the present incumbent, is the fourth, an alumnus of Kenyon college, an accomplished scholar and experienced teacher, who, by invi- tation of the board of education, took charge of the city public schools in the year 1867. He has ever since superintended and controlled them with uniform success, gradually elevating the standard of scholarship, and more than maintaining the deservedly high and enviable reputation of the schools. He has devoted himself with great earnestness to the cause of education, to advance the best interests of our schools, and performed the duties required of the superintendent with scrupulous punctuality and fidelity.

The graded school system has been in operation about twenty-two years, and during that time many changes have taken place in the members of the board of education. After the appointment of the first board, the following named persons have been elected, and served at different times as members of the same, viz.: J. H. McFarland, S. L. 'Taylor, E. Calkins, William L. King, Joshua Hyde, E. W. Cotton, Jarred Sperry, H. W, Owen, Rev. Joseph Muenscher, Joseph S. Davis, F. D. Sturges, Charles Cooper, Rev. 'T. FE. Monroe, D. W. Chase, William B.- Russell, Henry Errett, J. M. Byers, H. Stephens, W. S. Errett, A. R. McIntire, H. Graff, W. P. Bogardus, Benjamin Grant, We C. Gordon, and W. I. Baldwin.

It is more than seventy years since the first school was opened at Mt. Vernon, and now behold the contrast! In the beginning, a log-cabin school-house, illy lighted and heated, rough walls, chinked and daubed; rude slab benches and desks, witha single teacher only, engaged in the work while preparing for some other occupation, and often only partially qualified to instruct in the simple primary branches. To enjoy these scant and lim_ ited school privileges, the pupil was required to pay tuition for each term attended. At present, witness the large, commiodio us brick buildings, well finished and furnished, with pleasant and beautiful surroundings, school-rooms large and airy - well lighted, héated, and ventilated; seats and desks the most comfortable and convenient; teachers well educated and trained, who devote their entire time to the work, and make teaching a profession, fully competent to instruct in all of the branches, from the primary to the most advanced studies taught in the highest grade of schools, and with ample provision for continuing the schools ten months in each and every year. These splendid school advantages are within the reach of every person of school age in the city, without money and without price, free as the air we breathe, yet how few of the many children enrolled in the public schools receive the full benefit of instruction in al) the grades. Scholars may be observed dropping out and drifting away at all stages of the course, from the primary to the last year of the high school. Perhaps not over ten per cent. of those who enter the high school ever complete the full course, and graduate. What is the remedy? What measures can be adopted to enlist the feelings of these wayward, straying children, and enable them to appeciate these superior school privileges, and embrace the golden opportunity of profiting by them? What plan can be devised to induce parents to more earnestly cooperate with the school authorities in securing a larger attendance in the public schools, and for a greater length of time, so that a higher percentage of instruction, with greater mental culture, can be obtained? These are questions worthy of serious consideration by all citizens who feel a deep interest in the welfare of their children, their school, and their country.