Huntington County, Indiana - Chapter 6: By A. D. Mohler, A. M, 1887

WHEN the members of che Continental Congress passed the celebrated " Ordinance of 1787 " for the government of the Nortb west Territory they, surely, had no adequate idea of the great possibilities of the vast tract for which they were legislating. The following utterance, therefore, must have been of the nature, almost, of inspiration, for it is not a product of anything that had ever before been given by any of the governing powers of the world. In that memorable document these words are found: " Religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools, and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." This idea seems to have taken root in the soil and that other idea in the " Ordinance," that of liberty, joined with the educational, has made the entire Northwest Territory a veritable "land of promise."

In the development of this idea Indiana has borne no small share. From her first Constitution this section is taken : " It shall be the duty of the General Assembly, as soon as circumstances will permit, to provide by law for a general system of education, ascending in regular gradations from township schools to a

State University, wherein tuition shall be gratis and equally open to all." In the second Constitution substantially the same enactment was made, thus recognizing the inestimable value of general education.

The early settlers of Huntington County were not laggards in the cause of education. They were fully impressed with its value. Hence, though no provisions had been made for free tuition, schools were established so that the children might receive instruction even though the fathers had moved into what was but little better than a wilderness. One or two of the early settlers were so fully alive to the value of educational privileges that they went to the expense of hiring teachers for their families alone.

The first school in the county was taught by William Delvin, in the winter of 1834-35. It was held in a tavern kept by Jonathan Keller, west of where the American House now stands. The next winter, that of 1835-36, a new log school house was used. It stood a few rods west of the American House and the school was taught by C. H. McClure. In the same year, 1836, a

McClure. From this time the history of the school properly becomes that of the town school and will be discussed in another place. It will be well here to continue the history with respect to Huntington Township. From time to time school facilities were furnished the citizens of the township as the increase of population demanded until there were twelve school districts whose buildings accommodated a large attendance of pupils. Owing, however, to the extension of the corporate limits of the city of Huntington, and the consequent re-arrangement of the districts this number has been cut down to ten schools. Seven of the houses are excellent brick edifices, having been but recently built. The enumeration of children of school age in the township is 321 males and 185 females. The enrollment for the school year of 1885-86 (the latest report) was 343. Thus it will be seen that education has kept pace with the march of time.

Salamonie Township comes very nearly having the honor of the first school in the county. In September, 1833, Samuel Jones came from Highland County, Ohio, with his family, and settled in this township, being the first settler. Others followed, and among them John McGrew. Soon after his arrival in the settlement he was employed as a private tutor in the family of Samuel Jones. This work was soon observed by the other members of the settlement, and at last public sentiment was aroused suflSciently to warrant the engaging of a building for a private or " subscription " school. This building, like the other school buildings of that day, was a log cabin, but none the less were the seeds planted that has made the community an intelligent and prosperous one. The private schools increased in number, and a good start in educational affairs had been made when the free schools were established. Since then the schools of this town- ship have made rapid progress. The township has at present nine schools, all the buildings good, substantial brick houses (the only township in the county having all the buildings of brick), with a good line of appliances for successful teaching. The school enumeration is 233 males and 189 females, and the enrollment at the last report was 350. This does not include the town of Warren, which is situated in this township. In 1879 the town of Warren was incorporated, and since that time the town school has been under the management of a special school board. The school has been thoroughly graded, a High School course of study adopted, and, under the efficient management of the principal. Perry H. Tracy, a class of four students graduated this year, being the first High School graduating class in the county schools outside the city of Huntington. The school enumeration in the town is 144 males and 139 females, and the enrollment at the last report was 273. Four teachers are employed in the schools and the citizens of the town are fully alive to the benefits to be derived from an unqualified support of their schools.

In 1837, in a " shanty," formerly occupied by laborers who constructed the Wabash & Erie Canal, a Mr. Stevens opened the first school in Union Township. The teacher was induced to settle in the township by John Lewis, and in consideration that he would open and conduct a school, was given a tract of land. Mr. Stevens also filled the position of minister, and during the time he taught he also preached to the few then living in the township. In the same building in which tl^e school was taught and in the same year, he conducted the first religious meeting held in the township. The first building put up distinctly for school purposes was erected on Section 3.'. The date of building and the name of the first teacher cannot now be definitely ascertained. This school was supported by private subscription, and it was not until 1847 that the schools became " public," by the establishment of the free school system. One house was sufficient for the children of the township for some time, though the districts had been established. The increase in the number of buildings has progressed as the number of scholars has increased, until there are now nine school-houses in the township, six of them splendid brick buildings,with ample grounds and good out-buildings. The number of pupils enrolled at last report was 359. The enumeration of school children is 292 males and 233 females. The length of the school term is from five to six months in each year.

One of the pioneer teachers of the county was Miss Nancy Hildebrand, who taught in several of the townships. In 1838 she taught the first school in Lancaster Township, it being a "subscription" school. From the reports obtained of her work, she was highly successful as a teacher and deserves high honor as a pioneer teacher. In 1840, at Mt. Etna, was erected the first school house in the township. This was also supported by private funds as indeed were all the schools in the township, until the advent of the free school system of the State. At present the number of schools in the township is eleven. The old frame houses are rapidly being replaced with splendid brick buildings^ and the school work has advanced to such a decree that the people demand the ablest teachers. The schools are in session six months of the year with an enrollment of 520 children. The school enumeration is 3Vi males and 304 females. In 1874 Mt. Etna was incorporated and thus its school was separated from the rest of the township and placed under the control of a board of trustees. An excellent brick building was completed in 1886 and the school made quite an advance. The enumeration is 69 males and 58 females, while there were enrolled in the school over 100 pupils during the last year.

Miss Hildebrand also taught the first school in Wayne Township. A cabin originally built for a cooper shop, was utilized for school purposes and here this pioneer teacher gathered her juvenile band. This cabin was situated on the farm of John Buzzard who had settled on the southeast quarter of Section 1-z. In 1839 the first building erected distinctively for school purposes was built on the Leverton farm, being 'the northeast quarter of Section 12. This was indeed a primitive building. EouDd logs, puncheon floor and benches were the characteristics of its construction. But what matters the surroundings when the mind is filled with the desire for education! The true school is where the mind grapples with thought and where it is filled with noble incentives to worthy actions. Stately edifices and costly libraries are not absolutely necessary for a true education. This school was taught by William C. Parker and sustained by private funds. When the free school system was introduced, in 1851, a school house was built in District No. 1, known as the "Fisher school." Next a house was built for District No. 4. This is known as the "Hollowell school" and is two miles south of No. 1. As this township is but four miles wide, there are only six schools. These, however, enrolled 291 children out of an enumeration of 190 males and 167 females.

The early settlers of Jefferson Township were not slow in adopting the means of education. One of the first settlers in the present territory of Jefferson was David C. Little, who, in 1838, taught a subscription school in a log cabin situated south of the Salamonie River. In 1840 a log school house was erected on the farm of William Purviance. This school was also under the care of Mr. Little. The free school system was placed in operation in this township in 1854, and from that time until the present the schools have been on the up grade. Jefferson Township has the honor also of being the first township in the county to have a class of pupils graduate from the district schools. A class of four young ladies, belonging to school No. 6, under the supervision of the County Superintendent, passed an examination prescribed by the State Board of Education, and on the evening of April 13, 1887, were awarded diplomas. This event marked an epoch in the schools of the township, and the exer- cises which were conducted at the school house were witnessed by a large and intelligent audience. Many of the old settlers of the township were present and the contrast between the school privileges of the present and those of the earlier history of the township was clearly marked, and great satisfaction was expressed over the advancement made. At present the township supports ten schools with an enrollment of 402, the enumeration being 256 males and 254 females.

The honor of teaching the first school in Polk Township is to be given to Hugh Anderson who, in the winter of 1838, taught a " subscription " school in a cabin on Section 25. This school, as were the schools of that early day, was in session about three months, that being all the time that could be spared from the labors of clearing the wilderness. Teachers were scarce, and sometimes two or three years would elapse between sessions of the school. Mr. J. T. Jeffrey was one of the pioneer teachers of this township, if we have been correctly informed, and a son and two daughters have followed the footsteps of their father engaging in the noble work, the son doing most eflBcient work in the schools at Andrews. Polk Township very early availed itself of the privileges of the free school system, and we find in 1844 the establishment of the first free school. At that early day we did not have the munificent school fund we now have, and the portion due this township was too small to maintain the schools a proper length of time. The citizens, however, knew the value of education, and made up the deficiency. The township at present is divided into seven districts. Monument City having a building for a Township Graded School. Five of the school buildings are brick having been recently erected. At last report there was an enrollment of 300 pupils out of an enumeration of 181 males and 153 females. This township, like Wayne, is but four miles in width.

As early as 1839, Abraham Binkley taught a term of school in Clear Creek Township in a house on the farm of J. R. Emly. This school enrolled some eighteen or twenty pupils. He was a good teacher for those times, and his work is highly praised. The house in which the school was taught was a small log structure, and was also used for religious meetings. It stood for a number of years and was replaced afterward by a frame building. Among the early teachers of the township were Lewellen Boles and a Mr. Anderson, the latter quite an old man. Early in the history of the township a log school-house was built on Section 31 in which school was taught by James Delvin. Also a log house was built on Section 16. About 1865 the township was laid off into districts under the operation of the free school system. The citizens of this township have always taken a great interest in schools and school work. This is shown by the cheerful and willing compliance with every effort put forth for the advancement of the schools. As a consequence no township in the county is better supplied with apparatus and the ap- pliances for successful teaching. The houses and grounds are in good condition and the schools are held in their proper sphere, as something to be first considered. Taxes for school purposes are cheerfully paid, and the citizens are now arranging for the establishment of a Township Graded School. Nine buildings, seven of them brick, accommodate the pupils, who enumerate 354 males and 239 females, out of which the latest report gave an enrollment of 418.

In 1840, as near as can be ascertained, a school building was erected in Warren Township near the Whitley County line, but being inconveniently situated was soon abandoned. In 1841, a building was erected on Section 11 at what was known as "Altman's Corners." This building was erected by the citizens for miles around, and John W. Funk was placed in charge of the school. In the winter of 1842-43 the school was attended by fortyeight pupils who came four and five miles from Clear Creek Township and from Whitley County. The majority of the pupils were young men and women. The teacher received the munificent stipend of 813 per month and board. The second teacher in this building was a Mr. Anderson who taught one summer and two winter terms. He was a good teacher and was successful in his schools. There was no other school- house erectea for several years. The first house built by the township stood in the eastern part where the Slusser Church now stands on Section 13. It was a hewed log building being somewhat better than most of the houses of that early day. Among the early teachers of this township was Thomas Gilmore, who taught a term in a little log cabin built by the neighborhood on the Bolinger farm. Samuel Purviance was also an early teacher in this house. There was also a log building erected where West Point now flourishes; it was used but a short time, however, and the name of the first teacher is forgotten. Warren Township now has within its borders six schools, the township being but four miles wide. The enumeration of pupils is 201 males and 191 females. The enrollment at last report was 280 pupils. The length of school term is six months.

In a cabin on Section 3, in Eock Creek Township, in the year 1839, Thomas O'Thigh taught the first school, a " subscription school." In the next year on Section 31, the first school house was built. One of the early teachers in this building was Dennis Little who taught a subscription school at the rate of $1.50 per scholar for three months. The school was a small one so that the teacher's remuneration was no fortune. Other early teachers in the same school were James Bonewitz, and Isaac Goodwin, the house having been destroyed by fire during the term of the latter. In 1842, the township was divided into school districts, and free schools established. About the second building in the township was erected at " Yankeetown," on Section 34. This was a log structure that stood for a number of years, then replaced by a frame, and in 3 886 by an excellent brick edifice. One of the early teachers was Mrs. Jethro Boyd, having had charge of summer and winter schools in various locaUties in the township in its early history. Among the first school houses were those known as the "Cupp" school on northwest corner of Section 24, the "Buckeye" school on the northwest corner of Section 36, the "Barrett" school on the southeast corner Section 4, the "Weimer" on the northwest corner of Sections, the " Fellabaum " school on the southwest corner of Section 17, and the "Centre" school on Section 16, all log-houses. In 1870 the township trustee erected a one-room building in Markle, thus making the village a district. The town increased to such an extent that in 1875, an addition of one room was added, and in 1884 a two-story fourroom, brick building was built to accommodate the rapidly growing town. Including the town of Markle there are eleven school buildings in the township, managed by thirteen teachers, enrolling 658 pupils out of an enumeration of 371 males and 311 females. The schools are in session six months each year.

In the Mahon settlement, about 1843, was taught the first school in Jackson Township. Two years afterward, at Wesley Chapel, two miles north of Roanoke, a building was erected in which William Allen, a most excellent pedagogue, gave instruction to the children of that neighborhood. These schools were private or "subscription" schools, but as soon as it was practicable, free schools were established. This township has not been behind the rest of the county in educational matters. Indeed, it has been, owing to the fact that Roanoke Seminary is in its boundaries, a kind of educational centre. For many years this portion of the country was the shrine to which those educationally inclined directed their footsteps. Around Roanoke persons settled who came because of the school facilities, and in this way was built up a highly prosperous and very intelligent community. The schools increased in number, districts were formed and buildings erected until there are now eight brick buildings, one frame, which contain a good line of apparatus for illustrative teaching. In these schools an enrollment of 352 is reported out of an enumeration of 221 males and 185 females. The length of the school term is six months. The town of Roanoke is not included in the foregoing statement, for in IS 74 its schools were separated from those of the township by the incorporation of the village, and a board of trustees manage the schools. Two teachers are employed in the building, an excellent frame, and the enrollment reaches the number of 175 pupils out of an enumeration of 132 males and 94 females. The schools are in session nine months of the year.

In Dallas Township the first school was taught by EUzabeth H. Edwards in 1844-45, in a building erected by the Society of Friends for a " meeting-house " on Section 3. The friends always manifested a great interest in the success of their school, not sparing any pains to make it profitable, and giving it a willing and hearty support. Their influence permeated the entire com- munity, and the settlement was noted for its superior educational advantages and zeal. Debating societies and literary work were made prominent features, and many most excellent teachers came from the ranks of this school, known now as the Maple Grove school. This is another one of the narrow civil townships, hence the population is not so great as those of full size. The township maintains, however, six schools, with an enumeration of 155 males and ] 16 females, out of which were enrolled 319 pupils. In 1867 the town of Antioch, now Andrews, was incorporated, and the schools of that town passed under the control of the school board. The trustee of Dallas Township having erected a onestory brick school house, a second story was placed thereon by private parties, and in 1869 the corporation purchased from the township its interest in the building and also a part of the second floor. The school did not make any material advance until 1874, when the school term was extended from four to six months of the year. In 1877 the school was graded, and from that time onward has been an excellent school. When the Wabash Railway located its shops adjoining the town, in 1882, it was soon found that the schools needed more rooms to accommodate the children of the rapidly growing town. Accordingly, in 1883, the trustees erected a fine two-story building containing four rooms, and this was soon filled with eager pupils. Two rooms of the old building are used in connection with the new building, and the six teachers reported an enrollment of 342 pupils, out of an enumeration of 218 males and 202 females. The schools are in session eight months of the year.

No county in the state has made more solid advancement in school matters. There may be some counties whose schools are in better condition, but they have been settled a much greater length of time and the schools are much older. But taking the reports of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, we find that this county is above the average and also far in advance of her equals in age. From the humble beginnings enumerated above, the schools of the county have grown until they now have become of the first importance in the affairs of the county. After the adoption of the statute of 1865, the schools received an impetus which was highly accelerated by the County Superintendency law of i873. No one measure has done so much for the schools of the State as that law, and Huntington County has also enjoyed the benefits of supervision. A few statistics may not be out of place. The number of teachers employed in the county is 140. We expend as salaries to teachers, $34,300.35. This amount is from the tuition fund. From the special school fund, which is used for the expenses of the schools outside of tuition, we expended by the last report, $19,607.97, making a total expenditure for school purposes of $53,90s.32. We have 103 school houses, seventy-one brick, and thiry-two frame. The enrollment for the county, including the city of Huntington, was 6,331. These figures are from the report of 1886, the latest made.

The enumeration taken this spring is 8,381. The value of school property in the county is -?177,506.75. The Congressional fund of the county is §-.39,430.70. The common school tund, held in trust by the county, is S3 4/376. 24.

In 1865, the office of School Examiner was made more prominent than ever before. Among those who served in that capacity before tnat time were Dr. A. M. Lewis, Dr. F. W. Sawyer and F. S. Reefy. From 1865, until June, 1871, Rev. Richard A. Curran, a man of extensive. learning, performed the duties of the office. In June, 1871, Morris L. Spencer, now an attor : ney of the city, received the appointment. He resigned in March, 1874, when Francis M. Huff, was appointed, and continued in office until June, 1879. He was succeeded by Marion B. Stults, who held the office for one term, or until 1881. In June of that year, Edward A. McNally received the appointment, holding the office for four years. In 1885, Alonzo D. Mohler was appointed.

Since 1873 the officer has been designated as the County Superintendent of Schools, and the duties are such as to demand the entire time of the officer. He has the entire supervision as regards grading and instruction, of all the schools in the county, except those in the city. In connection with the county board of education, which is composed of the township trustees, and the presidents of the school boards of the towns and city, all school matters are brought under his immediate notice. In this way great good has been accomplished in the schools of the county. They have been graded, arrangements are being made for district graduation. Township graded schools are being established and the thorough mental training of the youth of the county is the result. The future of the schools looks bright, and the earnest desire of the writer is that in the years to come, when another history may be written, Huntington county may be in the front of educational progress carrying proudly the grand banner of learning at the head of the ranks.

Huntington Public Schools* - No history of the city would be complete without a chapter devoted to the public schools. The school teacher was abroad in the land at a very early date.

The present generation, with its palatial school building, containing all the paraphanalia that ample naeans, science and an enlightened public opinion can command, to aid an able and eflBcient corps of teachers in that most important of all secular pursuits, training and giving character to the minds and lives of the future citizens and rulers of the Republic may effect to despise the log cabin and slab bench school, presided over by a " master " who could " cipher " to the " single rule of three; " yet it was from these small beginnings that our whole system of public schools has grown, and as a matter of local historical interest we have endeavored to give the names and in some instances a short account of the principal teachers of our city schools, together with such other items of interest as we have been able to obtain,, for be it known that there is no record of the early schools, and we have been compelled to seek our information from other sources, and in which we have been very materially aided by the labors and researches of the present able and efficient principal of the schools. Prof. John W. Caldwell.

From the best source of information we can obtain, we learn that the first school in Huntington was opened in December, 1834, in a. part of the hewed log hotel lately erected by Jonathan Keller. The location was a little west of the American House. William Delvin was the first teacher. He was a native of Ireland, bu^ had emigrated to this country with his parents when quite young and had been educated at Hagarstown, Maryland. He was surveyor of the county for several years after its organization and died in the city January 29, 1841.

In the winter of 1835-36, C. H. McLure taught in the new log school house used for both school house and court house. It was situated on West State street on the present site of the frame house built around a tree. In 1836-7 the school was taught by Jonathan Sargent. He was noted for his piety and scholarship; he boarded around among the pupils, but stayed the most of the time with the family of Mrs. Roche, for the reasons as he gave them, " that Mrs. Roche baked good, palatable corn pone, and her boys did not swear."

Mr. Sargent has the credit of organizing the first Sabbath School in the city, supplying the books therefor from his own private means. But feeling that his efforts were not properly appreciated he stayed but a short time.

The late Gen. James R. Slack taught the winter school in 1840-1; he taught in the new frame building situated near where the Wabash Elevator now stands. The old school house is still in existence and stands a short distance east of its first location. It is now occupied as a residence by Mr. Rodabaugh.

In 1845-6, E. P. Washburn and Miss Rose Ferry, were the teachers. Their joint efforts at school teaching were so succesful that they were joined together "for better or for worse "at the close of the term.

$1.50 per pupil for the term of three months; that he had seventy-five pupils and about fifty classes, as very few of the pupils brought the same kind of books.

The schools were taught from 1831 to 1853 by Mr. Walter Richards and his wife. They were the first teachers in the new brick school house, on the hill near the Catholic Church. The brick building had two rooms and was used for school purposes until 18G>. It is now owned and occupied as a residence by Mr. Jacob Walter.

In January, 1853, Benjamin Orton, Joseph W. Parviance and F. G. Fraine, were appointed by the Town Council the first School Trustees of the town.

The statutes authorizing the levying of a school tax for public schools having become a law a short time prior to the appointment of said trustees.

Joseph Z. Scott, still residing in the city, and Miss Lizzie Tyson, a lady of fine scholarship and address, were the teachers from 1857 to 1859.

In 1862 the School Board sold the brick building on the hill and purchased the old "Rock House," an old stone hotel building that had been built by Gen. John Tipton in 1835, situated on the southeast corner of the present school property in the Second ward. The cost of thi? building and four good lots was $1,800, and its purchase by the Board produced some severe criticism at the time, but time has shown that the Board were wiser in the purchase than their critics.

Rev. R. A. Curran, J. 0. Packard, Miss Mary Oliver and Mrs. Butler, mother of Thad Butler, Esq., of the city, were the first teachers in the Rock House, in 18G3-3.

The same year Mr. B. F. Ibach, still a resident of the city, and Miss Fidelia Anderson taught the first school in the brick school house in the Third ward.

William Weaver closed the term of 1866-7 and for a part of the term of 1867-8, and R. S. Gregory in 1867-8. Prof. Gregory's teaching was very acceptable and it is probable that the demand for better school accommodations and a better system of teaching that afterwards led to the building of the present school houses of the city grew out of his work while Principal of the schools.

In 1868-9 James McAfee was Principal. In 1869-70 H. J. Blanpied was Principal and also for the following term of 1870-71. In 1871-2 C. W. Church served as Principal, and in 1873-3 James W. Gusman was Principal.

The first decided movement toward a graded system of schools in the city was made in 1872 by Mayor S. F. Day, Dr. A. H. Shaffer and William C. Kocher, Esq., although there had been a growing demand therefor for several years, who were at that time the Board of School Trustees.

To them belongs the honor of planning and constructing the present Central school building, a building which for comfort and convenience is nowhere excelled.

In 1873 the building was ready for occupancy, and the schools were organized under one general system and management, by Prof. James Baldwin, the first Superintendent under the new ' organization. Prof. Baldwin was Superintendent of the schools from July, 1873, to June 30, 1883, and was a very successful and efficient manager of the schools. Prof. Morgan Caraway was Superintendent from 1883, to June 30, 1884, and Prof. John W. Caldwell, the present efficient Superintendent, has filled that position since July, 1884. It is worthy of note that the present wife of Hon. Frederick Douglass, of Washington City, D. C, was a teacher in the public schools in the years 1874-5, and 1875-6. Her name was at that time Miss Helen Pitts.

The course of study adopted by the School Board in 1873, and revised from time to time, while rejecting those branches usually regarded as ornamental, has spared no pains to secure thoroughness in all the essentials of an English education. Many of the pupils, whose education ceased in the Grammar School, hold licenses from the County Superintendent, and have done efficient and satisfactory work as instructors in the district schools, while the graduates have had no difficulty in finding ready admission to the best colleges.

The cost of text books to parents has been reduced to the smallest possible amount. In the first three grades it is nothing at all, since all the necessary books are supplied free.

There has been throughout the school a mutual feeling of kindliness and confidence between teachers and pupils, which, more than any repressive measures, has secured the best of dis- cipline in every department. A continuance of the liberal methods of school government pursued during the past, will no doubt, secure a lasting prosperity to the schools.