Henry County, Indiana - Chapter 5: The Schools of Henry County, 1884

Chapter 5: The Schools of Henry County

County. - Progress of Education. - Condition of Schools in 1830 AND 1810. - Influences Leading to Progress. - Text Books in Early Times. - The Hew Constitution. - The Building of School-Houses. - Steady Advancement. - Statistics of Educational Progress. - The Henry County Seminary. - Hew Castle AND Knightstown Public Schools. - Spiceland Academy.

In Henry County the progress of education has kept pace with the advancement in wealth and the development of material resources. As soon as the county was sufficiently settled to enable any neighborhood to open a school a school-house was provided and the services of a teacher secured. Often a room of a private house was occupied, and sometimes the deserted cabin of a squatter became a temporary school-room, in which the old-time masters, who worked "on the tuition plan," flourished the rod and taught the rudiments of reading, writing and arithmetic. The flrst school-houses built were structures of the rudest kind, such as no pioneer would be content to occupy as a dwelling. Built of logs, with floors and benches of puncheons, with a huge flre-place and a stick and mud chimney, they were little calculated for comfort or convenience. Window-2:lass was too expensive an article to be used in the construction of a school-house therefore greased paper was substituted for it. The writing desk was a notable feature in every school-house. It generally extended across one end or one side of the room, and was made of a slab, held in its place by wooden-pins. For architectural effect, probably - certainly not for convenience - it was fastened high upon the wall, and the pupil, in order to use it, must climb upon a high wooden bench and sit there without a support for his back or his feet. Of the qualifications of the teachers of those days, the less said the better, generally speaking. Many were accounted good teachers who in these days would be unable to secure a certificate even of the owest pade. Yet the most of them put to the best use the little talent they had, and succeeded in planting good seeds in the minds of their pupils. Some of the smartest men that Henry Count v has ever had received their whole school education in the log schoolhouses of the pioneer days.

According to tlie recollection of old residents, the first school taught in Henry County began in 1823 in a cabin which stood south of Church street and west of Court street, on or near the Berkshire lot in Hew Castle. Bichard Huff was the teacher, and the late J udge Elliott one of the pupils.

In 1830 there were several school-houses in the county, thouo-li but few neighborhoods were able to sustain a school regularly and never more than three months in a year. Many facts regarding schools and teachers of that day will be found in the township histories and need not be given here.

In 1810 nearly all of the school-houses were log structures, and about the only improvement which had been made in them was the substitution of a few 7 X 9 paries of glass for the old-fashioned paper windows. At that time the text books in common use were ae Hew Testament, Pike's Arithmetic, Comly's Spelling Book and Webster s Spelling Book. Writing books were generally made ot_ foolscap paper, or of leaves out of some old account book stitched together. The teacher wrote the copies, and made pens from goose-quills for the whole school. Sometimes evenin- writmg schools were held by some itinerant teacher of penma"nship ihese were attended by as many as could afford to pay the very moderate tuition fee. The young people derived much pleasure from these gatherings and gained some knowledge of penmanship. Debating societies were instituted early in some parts of the county with very beneficial results to the youth who took an active part in

By 1840 some of the townships had begun to have a small school fund derived from the sale of lands set apart for educational purposes. Though the amount of revenue was generally small sometimes not more than $2 or $3 for each school, yet this amount served as a nucleus and stimulated neighborhoods to maintain schools. Teachers were paid from $5 to $15 per month. Three months was an unusually long term; probably the average leiio-tli 01 school terms did not exceed two months. Erom 184o"to 1850 there was gradual progress in educational matters. Better teachers were to be had in the country schools. The Henry County Seminary had a noticeable influence in qualifying those who taught for their duties. At that time the best schools in the county were at Greensboro, Spiceland, Kich Square and Hopewell. From 1844, for several successive years, Thomas Keagan had charge of the Greensboro school, teaching grammar, algebra, natural philosophy and other high branches. About the same time John M. Macy taught advanced branches at Spiceland, and Thomas H. White at cents on each $100 worth of property was assessed for school purposes, according to law. Then, for the first time in its history, Henry County began to have school accommodations adequate to the wants of its population. School-houses were erected wherever they were needed, in every township, and a short term of free school taught in each. The greatest want was then found to be good teachers and there was great difficulty in securing such as were competent. The examinations as then conducted were simple and easily passed, embracing only reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and grammar. But gradually new methods were introduced, and Bie schools improved. That now indispensable feature in every school-room, the blackboard, made its appearance and with it came progress.

The system of county superintendency has had a most beneficial effect upon the schools since it was introduced. Township and county institutes have accomplished much good work, teaching the teacher, giving him a broader view of his vocation, and causing him to abandon old, worn-out and useless methods. Since 1878 the county superintendent has made out questions for township institutes and personally superintended such meetings. Today the people of Henry County may well take pride in the excellencies of their school buildings, the general intelligence and high character of their teachers, and the good management exhibited in all departments of school affairs. Although there is still room for improvement, magnificent results have already been accomplished by the free-school system.

In 1850, according to the census for that year, Henry County had seventy-two teachers and seventy-two schools, with 3,846 pupils. The school income was $3,749, of which amount $2,286 was derived from taxation and $1,463 from public funds. There were also three academies with four teachers and 130 pupils.

The following table will illustrate the growth of the common schools of this county since the adoption of the present State Oonstitution In the first item ( the number of school children), it should be remembered that prior to 1860 all children between the ages of five and twenty-one years were enumerated, and that, since that time, only those between the ages of six and twenty-one were included.

^ The Henry County^ Seminary, now a thing of the past, was an important institution in its dav, and gave training to many men afterward distinguished in public and private life.

In the early records of the Commissioners' Court, it is stated that Matthew Williams was appointed "Trustee of the Henry County Seminary," in 1824; John Smith, in September, 1825* Jacob Thornburgh, in July,1826; and Elisha Long, in November, 1827. By " trustee of Henry County Seminary" is meant trustee of the seminary tund. This fund was, according to the Constitution of the State then in force, derived from fines for the breach of law and commutations for military service. This fund had become sufficient about the year 1832 to warrant the erection of a small brick building in Hew Castle and the seminary was soon supplied with a teacher. The name of the first teacher is involved in oblivion, but the first teacher of prominence was a young man from Virginia, Wm. G-. Henry. He was a fine scholar and'^a teacher of excellence for that day, and during his principalship the seminary made commendable progress. He taught in 1835-'6, and perhaps longer. '

Zmas Rogers became IV.neipal in 1847. In 1850 a now seminary building was completed and the first school taught m opened in the fall of that year, in charge of .James S. herns mid R B Abbott. Both were noted as successful teachers, and lietore coming here had taught in the Delaware County Seminary for some time. The report for the first term under their charge showed that 185 pupils were in attendance. In the higdier >

The Constitution of 1852 provided for the sale of all county seminaries. The Henry County Seminary therefore became the New Castle Academy - a public school when the school would permit, and at other times a high school supported by

New Castle Public Schools

As already stated, the first school in New Castle was taught in 1823 by Richard Huff. Soon after, Abraham Elliott taught a term of school in a cabin which he had erected in the south part of town, near where Thomas .Jordan now lives. Jesse II. Healy was also a teacher in New Castle about 1824. The old log court-house (then new) was next made to servo the purposes of a school-house and there the late Judge Jehu T. Elliott taught a term or two as early as 1825. For many years the schools of New Castle did not ou - grow the usual state of village schools. Teachers were changed frequently, there was no system of grading and the work accomplished was far from satisfactory. We therefore omit ur mention of the early schools and pass on to a later pieriof the sale of the county seminary building, the school TOntinue doimr good work under the name of the New Castle Academy.

Mr. Abbott retired after a year or two, but Mr. herns remained at the head of the school until 1855, when he was succeeded by Thomas B. Redding and John Cooper. Mr. Redding taught one of bonds, amounting m all to $6,000, were made. The building was completed in 1869. It contains six large, well-ventilated ooms, besides reoitation-rooms, music-rooms, etc., and is canable

In June, 1875, the first class, consisting of two members, was graduated from the New Castle High School. The High School curriculum as now arranged embraces both English and classical courses. In the classical course Latin is a required study, and Greek an elective; while in the English course modern languages and the sciences are substituted for the ancient languages. The courses are excellently arranged. According to the school enumeration of April, 1884, New Castle now has nearly 900 children of school age. The actual enrollment at last reports was 685. The schools are in a very eflSicient condition, under the superintendence of Prof. C. W. Harvey, who is a man well fitted for the position which he holds. The Board of Trustees for 1884 is as follows: Adolph

Almeda Donahoo, Grade No. 1; Emma Shriner, Grade A 2; Carrie Goodwin, Grade B 2; Sylva Compton, Grade No. 3; Bella Moore, Grade No. 4; May Moore, Grade No. 5; Sarah Harvey, Grade No. 6; Georgie Lockhart, Grade No. 7; Ida Mullen, Grade No. 8; John Schurr, High School; C. W. Harvey, Superintendent. Miss Almeda Donahoo has been a teacher in the primary department for the past ten years, and is especially well adapted to her work. Mrs. Georgie Lockhart has been connected with the schools for several years, and is a very excellent teacher in the advanced grades. Prof. Schurr, of the High School, is a graduate of Asbury University, an experienced and thoroughly competent teacher.

Knightstown Public Schools

The people of Knightstown have always exhibited a marked interest in the cause of education. To-day they have one of the best schools in the State, and a public school building which cannot be surpassed by any town of similar size in the whole State.

The first school in the town was taught by Dr. Hiatt in a private house. The first school-house was erected in 1832, and is still standing, being now used as a dwelling. The house is a frame building, 16 x 20 feet, and was built on the corner of Jefferson and Jackson streets. Asa Heaton was the contractor. The first term after the house was built was taught by Henry Carroll. He was succeeded by Eliza Holman and others. The school-house also

In 1836 a stock company was formed for the purpose oi erecting a larger school-house. As a result the Knightstown Academy grew and flourished in a building on East Brown street, afterward Captain Steiner's residence. Here Profs. Hannum, Cooley, Hand, Misses Babbitt and Peas, and Kev. Kemper taught. In 1850 a large two-story frame building was erected by William Hatch and used until the brick school-house was erected. It was afterward used as a carriage shop.

In 1856 the School Trustees of the town - Robert Woods, Milton Peden and A.mos B. Fithian - determined to have better school accommodations, and in the following year the foundation of the o d brick academy was laid. The building was well furnished. Wil - iam Haughton taught the first term in it. ^he Present sohoo - building, one of greatest excellence, was finished in 18I' S' cost of about $31,500. Prof. Charles Hewitt has served as School Superintendent since 1870.

Spioeland Academy

This noted educational institution, which has won an honorable reputation abroad as well as at home, is rightfully an o ject pride to Henry County citizens. ^

The people of Spiceland early gave attention to education, boon after the Friends erected their first meeting-house, a log building (prior to 1830), a school was taught in it.

was one of the early teachers, and Solomon_^cy, still living, another. As time passed on, a larger school-house was deemed necessary, and a wooden building was erected on land purchase by the Monthly Meeting. This structure has since been enlarge , and is now one of the academy buildings. The school was conducted for many years on the tuition plan, giving instruction m t e higher branches to those who desired. Many able and scholar y men officiated as teachers, and many who have^ since made t eir mark in the world were students ot the institution.

Clarkson Davis, A. M., became Principal of the academy. . i this gentlem^t its head the school entered upon an era ot prosperity, and soon achieved a reputation equal to that of any sum ar instiLion. Mr. Davis acted as Principal, except when obliged by poor health to give his work to the care ot others, from un i 1881. He was then succeeded by Thomas Newhn, the present

Superintendent ot the institution. Mr. Davis died in 1883. To him more than to any other the present high standing oTtKe school is due. While under his care the school secured an endowment of $5,000, and was legally incorporated as an academy. A graded course of study was adopted, new buildings erected, and the influence ot the institution greatly extended.

The first class was regularly graduated in 1870, and consisted of two members. The graduates, including the class of 1883, now number sixty -eight. From the catalogue for the school year 1882- '83, we learn that the number ot' pupils attending the high school department was as follows: Seniors, four; second year, ten; first year, thirty-seven; normal department, forty-two. The academy receives and uses the public school money, and the town school of Spiceland is a department of the institution. The school needs a larger endowment, and it is hoped that its friends will soon be successful in securing it. The institution occupies three good buildings, two of them brick and one of them frame. It has been incorporated by the Society of Friends, and is under the care of the following Board of Trustees:

Jesse Gordrn, Solomon Macy, Elisha B. KatcliflF, Sarah E. Taylor, Henry W. Painter and Mattie A. White. The Board of Instruction for 1884r is as follows:

Timothy Wilson, acting Superintendent and teacher of natural science; Lndovic Estes, A. M., teacher of mental science, Latin and Greek; William T. Doggett, teacher of English literature and general history; Hannah E. Davis, teacher seventh and eighth years; Ella Bogue, teacher fifth and sixth years; Olive Wilson teacher third and fourth years; Ella Wilson, teacher first and second years. The several courses of study are the primary, intermediate, grammar school, high school and normal department Special courses are offered in the civil engineering and commercial departments.

There are three permanent literary societies connected with the school: The Lucernian, conducted by the ladies, and the Crescent and the Glisco, by the gentlemen. There are also literary societies in the intermediate and grammar schools. Three libraries, consisting of about 2,000 volumes, are under the control of the institution. Two of them belong to the literary societies and the other to the academy association.