Springfield Township (part 5 of 69)

No definite date of the organization of the society, presently known as the United Presbyterian Congregation of Springfield, can be obtained. The persons who formed the nucleus of the congregation emigrated from Bourbon County, Ky., in the early part of this century, and brought their religion with them.

Before the erection of a church building, they met for worship in the second story of William MoelIntire's distillery - rather a strange place in which to worship - but they could do no better. The first church building was erected on Lot No. 1, Demint's Plat, on the east side of Limestone street, near Buck Creek. No date can be found of the erection of the house. The deed of the lot is dated March 27, 1819. The main part of the building now occupied was built in 1839. The society was first organized as a congregation of the Associate Reformed Church, and, with a sister congregation of Xenia, Ohio, extended a call to Rev. John Steele, of Bourbon County, Ky., who accepted the united charge, and was brought, with all his earthly possessions, from his former home to Xenia by members of his new charge in their wagons.

A call was made by the Springfield congregation in 1837, for the services of Rev. James F. Sawyer, for the whole of his time, and he was installed as Pastor in 1838. Mr. Sawyer resigned his charge in May, 1848, after a service of ten years.

Rev. Robert Henry was the next Pastor, taking charge of the congregation December 17, 1850, and continuing his labors as Pastor until the middle of the year 1853.

Rev. Joseph Clokey, D. D., began his ministry in the congregation March 1, 1855, and retired March 1, 1875, having been Pastor twenty vears. During his pastorate in the year 1858, the two ecclesiastical bodies known as the Associate and the Associate Reformed Churches, united and formed the United Presbyterian Church, and soon after the congregation took the name by which it is at the present time known. The present Pastor is Rev. Joseph Kyle, who

The First Baptist Church of Springfield was constituted on the 29th day of January, 1836, with the following-named persons as members: Edward J. Nugent, William T. Young, John Young, William J. Card, Thomas H. Howard, Mary Hill, Jane Mareness, Mary Steinbach, Sarah Ann Downing, Lydia Card, Rachel Young, Mary Ann Nugent and Sarah Howard. The Gospel union of the Mad River Association met with the church, and the ministers and brethren in attendance assisted in the organization. On the 7th day of May, in the same year, steps were taken for the establishment of a Sabbath school in connection with the church. On the 23d day of May, a call was extended to Rev. D. A. Nichols, which was not accepted. Rev. E. D. Owen accepted a call to the pastorate July 12, 1836, and, on the 11th of August following, the church was admitted to membership of the Mad River Baptist Association. The following year arrangements were made looking toward the purchase of a lot for church erection purposes. On January 17, 1838, Rev. James Elliott, of New York, was called to labor one-half his time as Pastor. May 26, 1840, Rev. H. D. Mason became Pastor, during whose term of seven months' service a branch consisting of seven members in Clifton was added to the church. March 29, Rev. Enos French was called to the pastorate, at a salary of $400. On the 26th day of June, A. D. 1841, Messrs. Gallagher, Young, Halsey Cotes and Mareness were appointed a committee to secure a site for achurch building. The first election of Deacons was held October 25, 1841, and J. M. Gallagher, E. J. Nugent and J. S. Halsey were elected. The church was organized under an act of incorporation June 15, 1843, and Messrs. Nugent, Cotes and Halsey were elected Trustees. On the 8th day of September, 1843, Rev. Mr. French resigned the pastoral office to take effect at the close of that year. The lot on the northeast corner of High and Limestone streets was purchased on the 4th day of March, 1844, for church purposes. Rey. Mr. Syms was chosen Pastor Apri! 8, 1854, and continued as such for three years and three months. The church building was commenced during his pastorate, but no part of it was ready for occupation until September of 1847, when services were held in the lecture room. The entire building was ready for use and was formally dedicated February 12, 1852.

On the 6th day of April, 1868, fifty-two members withdrew from this church by letter, in order to form a new society, which they accordingly did under the name of the Trinity Baptist Church of Springfield. A

This society in April, 1881, sold the church building and lot for $25,000 to Ross Mitchell. They propose to build a handsome edifice elsewhere.

In the vestry of the First Baptist Church of Springfield, on the night of March 28, 1868, a small number of Baptists met to organize a new church. They realized that with the rapid growth of population and wealth came a necessity for a division of labor. '

Much of the outlying territory of the city was far removed from places of worship, and it was to meet this want by organizing another Baptist congregation and erecting a suitable place of worship was the object of this conference. At a subsequent meeting held at the same place on the night of April 9, the organization was perfected, under the title of Trinity Baptist Church of Spring- field, Ohio, with the following official board: Pastor, Rev. J. R. Baumes; Clerk, J. J. Tuttle; Treasurer, McClung Huffman; Deacons, A. O. Hayward and J. J. Tuttle; Trustees, Lewis C. Huffman, Jacob Gram and J. J. Tuttle.

For a brief time the young church occupied the city hall, the use of which had been granted by the City Council, the first service being held on Sunday, April 12. Subsequently, a lease was secured of Central Hall, on Market street, which was occupied until January 22, 1871. On August 14, 1868, the Council of Recognition, composed of delegates from the various churches comprising the Miami Baptist Union Association, met in Central Hall for the purpose of recognizing and receiving the church as a component part of the association; the Rev. S. Williams, of Springfield, Ohio, preaching the sermon, and Rev. J. N. Weatherly, of Casstown, Ohio, extending the right hand of fellowship. Closely following this, a Building Committee was appointed, who purchased the present church lot, on the southwest corner of Limestone and Mulberry streets, and, on the 7th day of August, 1870, broke ground for the present chapel. The building was completed, and, on Sunday, January 22, 1871, was dedicated. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. H. S. Colby, of Dayton. The chapel is of the Gothic style of architecture, with a front of fortytwo feet between the towers; and a depth of sixty feet. The audience room had a seating capacity for 300 persons, and also contains the library. The upper story has a large room suitable for social gatherings, with the Pastor's study annexed.

The Free-Will Baptist Church is located on Clifton avenue,Springfield, Ohio. The church building is of brick, a large and handsome structure, with an imposing and picturesque steeple, and of excellent architectural design. It was constructed by the Pleasant Grove Free-Will Baptist Church Society, of Green Township, Clark County, and was completed in 1876, at a cost of about $7,500. The church was dedicated with the usual ceremonies by the society in February, 1877, and, in March following, the religious society that now occupies the church was organized, and placed in the charge of Rev. R. J. Poston, who served the congregation acceptably for two years. He was succeeded by the Rev. C. A. Gleason, but the society has for some time past been without a Pastor.

They have a flourishing Sabbath school of about one hundred attendants. Prof. Coates was the first Superintendent, and William Pearson is the present Superintendent. A large baptismal font has been constructed beneath the pulpit of the church, and the usual appliances for the comfort and convenience of a thriving congregation are to be found within this admirable building.

The Second Baptist (colored) Church is on Market street, between Pleasant and Kiser streets. The date of the organization of this church society, from the best information attainable, was about 1858, when the services were held in Black's Hall, on Main street, and sometimes in the court house or at private residenees. The congregation was then very small, probably not more than seven or eight being aetive members. Elder George Dowdus was the first regular Pastor, and bad charge during the period when meetings were held in Black's Hall. Services had been conducted by Elder Bryant, who came from Xenia for that purpose about once a month: also by Rev. Shelton, an itinerant, and Elder Moss. In 1865, the society purchased the lot now oceupied by their church. on Market street, and constructed a comfortable brick building at a cost of about $3.000. Elder Williams was the second regular Pastor. who served about a year, and during his pastorate was mainly instrumental in clearing the church of a debt of $1,000. Elder John Allen served about one year (1870). Elder Powell one year, Elder Meredith one year, Elder Carey about two years, Elder J. Meeks about two years and Elder J. Reckmau about a year. The present Pastor is Elder Bonner, who took charge in September, 1579. This church received considerable aid from white citizens and the other churches. It now numbers over two hundred members, and is in a prosperous condition.

On the 12th of December, 1834, a meeting of the parish was held, with the Rev. Alexander Varian, who had been most influential in establishing the church, in the chair; and at this meeting the election of Vestrymen was as follows: Joseph T. Thorpe and Joseph Sprague, Wardens; H. Vinal, George Mortimer, Peter A. Sprigman, H. Diffendaffer, Joseph Perrin, C. T. Ward, Samson Mason, D. Gwynne, E. C. Ross and John Cook, Vestrymen. The Rev. Alexander Varian was invited to take charge of the parish as Rector.

In February, 1835, a lot on the southwest corner of High and Limestone streets was purchased for the church, and a building on the south part of the lot was fitted up and used temporarily as a church. Soon after, a new building was erected on the north part of the lot, and consecrated by the Bishop November 28, 1544. This building was used for worship until the erection of the new church, on the corner of High and Linden avenue, which was consecrated May 5, 1874. The total cost of the new church was $38,000, and was all paid for before its dedication. The parish continued under the original name "All Souls' " until 1842, when by act of the Legislature it was changed to * Christ's eha 2 as August 11, 1835, the Rev. A. Varian resigned, and was followed by the Rev. Henry Payne, who continued until December, 1899. The next Rector was Rev. Willard Presbury. Mr. Presbury resigned in 1548, and was succeeded by Rev. A. T. McMurphy, who resigned his pastorate November 10, 1546. By request of the Vestry. Rev. Edward H. Cumming and afterward Rev. James Stephenson filled the pulpit temporarily until the Ist of November, 1545, when Rev. Richard Killen accepted the charge. Mr. Killen remained in charge but a few months, when Chandler Robbins was selected to assume the positicn as Deacon and Lay Reader, and afterward on December 11, 1848, as Rector. Mr. Robbins resigned October 1, 1804. April 2, 1855, Rev. John T. Brooke was elected Rector, and continued to August 19, 1861, when H. W. Woods became Rector, and resigned in 1862. The next Rector was Rev. Charles McIlvain, called June 8, 1863, and vacated the charge November 12, 1865. May 24, 1866, Rev. John G. Ames was elected Rector, and resigned December 7, 1869. He was followed by C. B. Davidson, D. D., November, 1870, who resigned February, 1873. May 3, 1874, Rev. H. H. Morrell entered upon the charge and continued until May 1, 1879. In November, 1879, the Rev. John T. Rose accepted the call, and still continues Rector in charge.

During the year 1849, a few members of the now First Presbyterian Church met together from time to time at the Recorder's office for prayer, and talking over the best plans for forming a new religious society. After these consultations a publie meeting was called at the house of Henry E. Smith, Esq., on Wednesday evening, February 28, 1850. At this meeting, the following resolutions, among others, were adopted: Resolved, That it is expedient to organize a new church in the city of Springfield, and, Resolved, That the new church be called the First Orthodox Congregational Church of Springfield.

During the month of March, this little flock secured the services of Rev. J. C. White, who was their first spiritual guide. He continued with them until October, 1854. On the 27th of April following his call, an Ecclesiastical Council, called by the church, decided unanimously in favor of organizing a Congregational Church, and proceeded the following day (Sabbath) with appropriate services.

In 1851, a lot was dedicated to the church by W. M. Spencer, on which a building was erected for $3,700. The church entered the basement of their new editice October 31, 1851; previous to that time they had held their meetings in the city hall. The church was dedicated April 28, 1853, by Rev. Boynton, of Cincinnati. A debt of about $3,500 was incurred in remodeling the church. It was canceled in July, 1856, by a noble effort on the part of the church and society, aided by friends from abroad and by Granville Moody, a Methodist minister, who made a humorous appeal to the people, saying he had come to put the "finishing touches" on the new church. This was during the pastorate of Rev. Hugh McLeod, who served from May, 1855, to December, 1857. His successor, Rev. Edward W. Root, served from October, 1859, to October, 1865. Rev. A. H. Ross served from February, 1800, to January, 1873. During his term, the interior of the church was remodeled and greatly improved at an expense of $3,000. Rev. Joseph L. Bennett was called April, 1873, and served until December, 1871. He was followed by the present Pastor, Rev. William H. Warren, in September, 1875. The church began with thirty-nine members, now has a membership of 350.

The building is a two-story brick with a square belfry about sixty-five feet high. It has-on the first floor one Sunday school and two smaller rooms, and up-stairs the auditorium capable of seating 600 people. The church is in a very flourishing condition.

The English Lutheran Church was originally organized May 7, 1841, by Rev. John Leiman, with about forty members. The first officers of the church were Jacob Shuman, Elder; Jacob Cook and Daniel Reifsnider, Deacons. Rev. Leiman resigned his pastorate in 1844, and the church was allowed to perish. It was, however, re-organized in 1845 by Dr. Ezra Keller and three other men, whose names were Kurtz, Filbert and Cook, in the house of Jacob Strager. The first communion service was held January 11, 1846. In 1845, immediately after re-organization, the subject of building began to be agitated. Previous to this, the services were held in the court house. Shortly afterward, a lot was purchased, 100 feet deep by 100 feet front, of Peter Murray, for $250, and on the 14th of June, 1845, the corner-stone of the church was laid, the services being held in the Universalist Church by Dr. Keller. It is impossible to ascertain the cost of building this church, as it was built by piecemeal, and it was a long time before it was finished. It was remodeled and partially rebuilt in 1869 and 1870, $20,000 being expended for that purpose. In 1873, the spire, which was 161 feet high, was struck by lightning and destroyed. The value of the church property is estimated at from $40,000 to $45,000. It is located on the corner of High and Factory streets, is a two-story brick, sixty-four by ninety-four feet, and is furnished with an $1,800 pipe organ and a very large bell. The first floor is taken up by one large Sunday-school room, with a seating capacity of 650. The second floor comprises the vestibules and the large auditorium, capable of seating, with the gallery, 750 persons. The following is a list of the ministers of the church from its first to the present, as gleaned from an old and very incomplete record: Dr. Keller, 1845 to 1849; Prof. Diehl, January to June, 1849; Drs. Sprecher and Conrad, June, 1849, to 1854; Rev. A. Esick, 1854 to 1856; Rev. A. J. Waddell, 1856 to 1857; Rev. J. H. Heck, 1858 to 1862; Rev. Officer, 1862 to 1863; Rev. M. Titus, 1863 to 1868; Rev. J. B. Helwig, 1868 to 1869; Rev. M. W. Hamma, 1869 to 1878; Rev. M. J. Firey, the present Pastor, was called January, 1878.

The church owns, or will own, a beautiful two-story brick parsonage on the corner of Center and Clark streets. It is valued at $5,000, and is held by them on the following conditions: The church is to rent it of the present proprietor for three years, at $300 per year, at the expiration of which time they can have it for $2,000. They have commenced the rental, and have the money in bank to complete the purchase, so that now they virtually own it.

Augsburg Chapel was built by the English Lutheran Church in 1879, at a cost of $800, on ground purchased by them for $800. It is situated on West North street, and was built for missionary purposes. It is a one-story frame, comprising one room capable of holding 400 people, in which Sunday school is held every Sabbath.

The Sabbath school of the English Lutheran Church is one of first importance in point of numbers in the city. It was organized November 12, 1845, with the following officers: A. R. Howbert and Mrs. C. Keller, Superintendents; D. Harbaugh, Secretary and Treasurer; and sixty-four members. It continued quite small until 1866, at which time it numbered 300 scholars. Since then, it has continued to increase in numbers and interest until the average enrollment now is 000. They at one time had over 900 enrolled, and tried hard to make it 1,000, but failed. The present board of officers is: P. A. Schindler, Superintendent; B. F. Prince, Assistant Superintendent; R. T. Nelson, Secretary; B. F. Funk, Treasurer; Frank Rightmyer, Biographer; Robert Remsberg and L. H. Pursell, Librarians; A. Studebaker, Usher; Mrs. Breckenridge, Superintendent of Primary Department; A. L. King, Assistant; W. J. Dixon, Secretary; Finance Committee, Messrs. Rightson, Hosterman and Grove. There 1s in the school a gentlemen's Bible class of 100 members, and a ladies' Bible class of thirty-five members. Len

The German Lutherans, for some time previous to 1545, held meetings in the court house, in private houses, or in any room that could be obtained, being addressed by any minister passing through the city or coming on invitation. In 1845, they were organized into a church, with a membership of seventy-five, by Rey. Schladerm, as St. John's Lutheran Church, who served them as Pastor until 1849, when he was succeeded by J. C. Schulze, He in turn was succeeded by Rev. Charles Stroud in 185%. After a pastorate of nineteen years, Mr.

Stroud was, in 1870, sueceeded by Rev. C. Betzler. Rev. T. A. Polster was then called in 1873, after which the present Pastor, C. W. Knuth, succeeded, in Sep tember, 1875. The church has a membership of 400 now. It is under no synodical body, being what is termed an "independent charge." The church is built on a lot purchased in 1849 for $200. It cost originally $6,000 in construction, but has recently been enlarged at an expense of $5,000. It is now valued at $20,000. It is a two-story brick, with the usual complement of rooms for church and Sunday school services.

Owing to a disagreement among the members of 5t. John's Lutheran Church, twenty-three families separated themselves from the church in 1851, and formed Zion's Lutheran Church. They were headed and organized by Rev. J. C. Schulze, who was Pastor of St. John's Church at the time of the split, and, espousing the cause of the discontented members, became their first Pastor. The church is under the Joint Synod of Ohio. They held their meetings in the court house for about two years after their organization, when they purchased a small church on North street, between Limestone and Spring streets, of the Methodists, giving therefor $800. They worshiped in this building until 1867, when they sold it to the African Methodist Episcopal Church for $1,200, and built their present house at a cost of $22,000. The ground on which it stands was dedicated to the church by Mrs. Margaret Burger. The church was dedicated in 1867, Rev. Loy preaching the English dedicatory address, and Rev. Layman the German. Rev. Schulze was followed in the pastorate of the church by Rev. Lorenz; he by Rev. H. Hinkle in 1869. The present Pastor, F. W. Althoff, succeeded in November, 1872. The church building is a two-story brick, with belfry not yet completed. 'It has on the ground floor a Sunday-school room, a day school room and three rooms in which the sexton lives. Up-stairs there is the main auditorium, capable of seating 400 people, and the vestibules. The property is now valued at only $20,000, having cost considerably more on account of its being built just after the war. There is now an actual membership of 150, and 375 communicants.

Connected with the church is a Sunday school of 150 scholars, which has been in existence since the church was organized.. It is, and always has been, superintended by the Pastor. There is also a day school of about seventy scholars connected with the church. It is supported by tuition paid by the scholars; is taught by the Pastor, and is under the supervision of the Church Synod.

Previous to the year 1837, the believers of the doctrine of Universalism had no church society formed here, and no stated meetings. They had services once in a great while, by ministers passing through the town, or near it, who would, on invitation, preach for them. These meetings were first held in the schoolhouse, and were largely attended by members of all churches, out of curiosity. They were afterward held in other churches, courteously opened to them. The first minister who ever preached the doctrine here was Rev. Mr. Fisk, of New Jersey, about 1833. Four years after this, John Wynn, known as Father Wynn, conceived the idea of establishing a church here, and to this end he headed a subscription paper with $1,000, and started out personally to raise more. He succeeded in getting enough to build the church, and, in March of the same year, 1837, John Lowry donated the lot on Washington street, between Factory and Center, where the church now stands. . The contract for building the church was awarded to Mr. Wynn, at from $4,000 to $5,000. It is a one-story brick building, of very ordinary appearance, but is said to have been, when built, the handsomest church in town. About the time the contract for building was awarded, the church society was organized, and Rev. George Messenger chosen Pastor. He preached the dedication sermon in the summer fol- lowing. Among the first to join the church were Mrs. Messenger. the Pastor's wife, John Wynn, Rufus Pearce, Mr. Bancroft and Mrs. Bancroft, the latter coming from the Presbyterians. The ministers who have presided over the church from its beginning are: Rev. George Messenger, Revs. Pingrew, Emmett, Biddlecum, Waite, Lionell, Weaver, Turner, Demorest, Bossaman, Tomlinson, Henley, Carlton, George, Ashenfelter, and the present Pastor, Rev. Guthrie. The order of these Pastors may be broken, as the records are all lost, and the memories of very old people have to. be relied upon for the facts.

It is the custom of the people of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church to hold tent meetings during the tenting season, and, in August, 1878, such a meeting was in progress in this city under the charge of Elders Wagner and Stone, sent thither by the Ohio Conference. At the close of these meetings, some sixteen people of the city and vicinity commenced a series of meetings, and, on the 11th day of December of that year, effected the organization of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Springfield. Its membership then consisted of the following named persons:

They first met and held service at Allen's Hall, on West Main street; are now at 254 East Main street, second floor. .The first Pastor was Elder H. W. Cottrell, who was succeeded by William Cottrell, the present Elder. The church has now a membership of thirty.

The Christadelphian society was formed in 1868, with a membership of thirty. There has been a division of their number, and now there are but fifteen. They meet in Central Hall, corner of Main and Center streets. They have no ministers. All are on an equal footing, and any one can expound the Scriptures who desires so to do, but the principal leader of the society is Dr. Reeves, Market street. As the society is somewhat new, we will say they believe, among other things, that " eterna) life" is this life prolonged to eternity, and that Christ's coming will be a literal coming, and that He will establish a physical kingdom here, reigning Himself while in the flesh.

The Disciples of Christ was a Campbellite society (now extinct), organized by Edmund Pimlott, in Black's Opera House, in 1869. There were but twelve or fifteen members at first, but had increased to twenty-five at the time of disbanding, which was in September, 1879, and on account of Rev. Pimlott resigning, and of some misunderstanding with the Tenth District Missionary Society, under which they were working.

The K. K. Oher Zecdukah (which, being interpreted, is " The Holy Congregation of Benevolent Men") is a Hebrew congregation, formed in 1567 with ten members. They formerly met in private houses, but now meet in King's Hall, No. 24 South Limestone street. There is a membership now of over forty. They were first presided over by Rabbi Myers, in 1868. He was followed by Rabbi Strouse in 1871. He by Rabbi Freedman in 1872, and he by the present incumbent of the office, Rabbi Greenbaum, in 1874.

The present officers of the society are as follows: President, Samuel Waldman; Vice President and Treasurer, S. Lessner; Secretary, I. Isaaco; Trustees, L. Adler, L. Stern and M. M. Kaufman. ;

The Catholic Church of Springfield. - The history of Catholicism* in Clark County is identical with its record throughout Ohio - a missionary priest visiting a settlement once or twice a month, seeking out the Catholics, ministering to their spiritual wants, and finally forming a congregation from the few families scattered over a county, and the synopsis of its history is told.

It is true that, long before the advent of the whites to the great Northwest Territory, the Catholie missionary, braving death in every form, traveled throughout its trackless forests and navigated its then unknown rivers, preaching the word of God to the red man, teaching him the great truths of the Gospel, and often yielding up his life at the hands of those he came to save. -

Those intrepid priests thought nothing of the dangers to which they were exposed, being wrapped up in the salvation of souls, and all the great discoveries in the Northwest were the result of the zeal of those missionaries in behalf of Christ and His church.

Sixty years ago, Catholics were scarce in Ohio, and in 1817, at the first mass celebrated in Cincinnati, the Rev. Dominick Young officiating, seventeen Catholics were present, all that could be found in Cincinnati at that date, to attend divine service.

In 1822, the Rt. Rev. Edward Fenwick was appointed Bishop of the Cincinnati Diocese, at which time there were probably not more than 100 Catholics in the whole State.

Bishop Fenwick was one of the early missionaries of Ohio, and was known throughout several States for his ardent zeal in behalf of God's children. He died in 1532, and in 1833 the present Archbishop, the Most Rev. John B. Purcell, was appointed to fill the vacancy.

The diocese then comprised Ohio, Michigan and a portion of Kentucky, but in due time the two latter States were cut off and formed into other sees. Cleveland was made an Episcopal see in 1847, and Columbus in 1868, and both have grown to be flourishing dioceses, but Clark County still remained in the Diocese of Cincinnati.

St. Raphaels Church. - It may be asserted with safety that in 1830 there was not a single Catholic family within the borders of Clark County, but, along about 1835, and the following ten years, a number of Catholics located in Springfield and immediate vicinity, among whom were Patrick Rockett, Timothy Reardon, William Gribblenhoff, Nicholas Spangenberger, Wendling Poppert, L. Cuymus, Joseph Bauer, John and Francis Creighton, John Doyle, Mr. Barmot, Michael Kelly, Adam Hyle, Henry Quinn, John A. Shuette, David Clancy, Francis Shrimp, John Connors, Joseph Lebold, Michael O'Brien, Michael Kennedy, Mr. Metsinger, Mrs. Lemon, and perhaps a few others, most. of whom had families.

From 1845 to 1850 came John, Patrick and James Hennessy, Peter and Thomas Lynch, Francis McConnell, Simon Quills, Mathew Green, Michael Condron, Mathew Bolan, Sylvester Degan, Anthony Cavanaugh, James Quinn, Patrick Clark, William Burns, Hugh Farvy, Patrick Casey, Patrick Meehan, Jeremiah Foley, Bartholomew Doyle, James O'Brien, Mrs. Bridget Henry, Patrick and Daniel Doyle, James, Owen and Thomas McBreen, Patrick and Charles Biggins, Henry and Martin Gibbons, John Flannigan, Mathew and Patrick Carlos, Peter, Luke, Patrick and John Case, John Douglas, Andrew Meehan, Patrick Shinoers, Thomas McLane, Lawrence Hays, Michael Murphy, John Bellow, Thomas Carroll, Michael Dillon, John Sullivan, Hugh Sweeney, John Kinney, Michael Ging, Dennis and John Shea, Dennis Clancy, Patrick Dillon, Eugene McCune, Thomas Conway and Michael Hart.

Francis Dougherty, James Bucke, Jeremiah Cronin, Hugh Hart, Peter Madden, Michael Madden, Joseph Gunder, Andrew Haas, John Carr, John Milan, Michael Dargen, Michael and John Hughs, Martin Quaid, Patrick and Daniel Tehan. Thomas Shaw, Mr. Ford, Richard Walsh, Anthony Ray, and perhaps a few others, whose names we have been unable to obtain; but those mentioned were the nucleus around which gathered the present large Catholic population of the county.

The first priest visiting Clark County, as far as known, was the Rev. Henry Damian Juncker, a German priest from Dayton, who celebrated mass in the house of William Gibblenhoff, which was the first divine service of the Catholic Church held in the county.

From this time, the Catholics had servcies at irregular intervals of from once to twice per month at the private houses of members, and sometimes at small publie halls, whenever such could be obtained for this purpose.

He was followed by his brother, Rev. Patrick O'Maley, and he by Father Cahill, of Piqua, who was an earnest, eloquent divine, and did much good.

Other priests came at different times, whose names were not known, or, if so, forgotten, but all were merely transient, and came as often as they could to hold divine service and preach God's word to the faithful few who gathered to listen to the teachings of the ordained servants of Christ, and worship at the rude and hastily erected altar of the Most High.

It was not, however, until August, 1849, that Springfield had a resident priest; but at that date, the Rev. James F. Kearney was appointed resident Pastor, and remained about one year, when failing health compelled him to resign his charge.

He was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1820; at the age of fifteen, entered St. Xavier's College, Cincinnati, afterward studied theology at the Diocesan Theological Seminary, then located in Brown County, Ohio, and was ordained a priest December 20, 1834.

His first mission was Steubenville, his second Springfield, his third Hamilton, and his fourth and last Urbana, Ohio, where he labored until his death, February 10, 1878.

He was noted for his generous hospitality and unaffected piety: was popular among his clerical brethren, and seldom failed to win the esteem and contidence of all with whom he came in contact. He was earnest in God's service, and did good and lasting work for the church throughout the scenes of his labors.

Some time before Father Kearney took charge of the Springfield mission, ground was purchased and a chureh erected by Michael P. Cassilly, a zealous Catholie of Cincinnati, who presented it to the congregation solely for church purposes, but he was afterward compensated to some extent for his noble and timely generosity.

It was a good while, however, after the erection of the church before it was fully finished, and up to this period service was held in the basement.

The first regular parish register was opened in August, 1849, by Father Kearney, as before that date, there being no resident Pastor, the record of births, marriages, etc., was probably carried to the point from which the visiting priest came.

dained in Cincinnati, by Bishop Purcell, October 23, 1842, and was appointed to a mission in Wayne County, Ohio; afterward attended the following counties: Ashland, Richland, Crawford, Medina, Summit, Portage, Mahoning, Tuscarawas, and part of Stark and Huron, up to February, 1846, in that year going to Cleveland, and attended Lorain, Lake and Geauga Counties until October, 1847, remaining in Cleveland until January, 1948, at which time he took charge of Tiffin, Seneca County, attending Wyandot, Sandusky and part of Huron, until coming to Springfield in May, 1850.

For thirteen years, Father Howard watched over his flock, laboring hard and earnestly for his people, and during his ministry the church was finished and dedicated, receiving the name of St. Raphael, the ceremonies being performed by Father Howard and an assistant, the Bishop not being able to be present on that day.

He also attended Greene, Madison, Champaign, Logan, Hardin, Warren, and parts of Delaware and Montgomery Counties, and, in February, 1864, was transferred to Galesburg, Knox Co., Ill, attending several counties in that vicinity, and in 1878 went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he is now in charge of the church of St. Francis De Sales.

In 1863, the Rev. D. J. Cogan became Pastor of St. Raphael's, remaining but a few months, and in January, 1864, the Rey. J. N. Thisse took charge.

He was born in Lorraine, France, April 12, 1832, made his preliminary studies at Tout A'Mousson, in the diocese of Nancy, and, about 1850, came to Cincinnati, finishing his classical course at "St. Mary's of the Barrens," Missouri, and his theological studies at "Mt. St. Mary's Seminary," Cincinnati, where he was ordained in 1855 or 1859; soon after ordination, was appointed to Chillicothe, Ohio, went from there to Piqua, thence to Circleville, and lastly to Springfield.

His zeal and liberality, however, exceeded his financial judgment, and his over-confidence in humanity made him an easy victim of unscrupulous men; therefore, his management of the financial affairs of St. Raphael's was poor, and bore hard upon the congregation, which, at his death, was deeply in debt. Yet he was well liked by his people and the citizens generally for his whole-souled and generous nature, and his sád death was a calamity for which all sincerely mourned.

On the 29th of May, 1873, while returning from a sick call, his team took fright, ran away and threw him from his buggy, killing him almost instantly, he having lived but an hour after that terrible accident.

Besides those priests mentioned, in the first portion of this history, who ministered to the Catholics of Clark County, the following came transiently and officiated: Father Duffy, in 1848; Rev. Thomas Blake and Rev. Thomas Boulger, in 1850 - the latter of whom is now in Urbana; Rev. C. A. Doherty and C. F. Shellhamer, in 1868; Rev. N. B. Young and J. H. Jutting in 1809; Father De Cailie in 1873; and perhaps a few others.

Up to the year 1868, there was but one priest for St. Raphael's, but the growth of Catholieism throughout the eounty made it necessary to have an assistant who would be able to attend to the missions of South Charleston, Tremont, Plattsburg and Enon in Clark County, and Yellow Springs in Greene County; so, early in that year, the Rev. J. A. Maroney became Assistant Pastor of St. Raphael's, but in 1872, he was appointed resident Pastor at South Charleston, and his successor in Springfield was the Rev. J. A. Burns, who remained until January, 1876, when he was sent as Pastor of Yellow Springs Chureh, and the Rev. C. M. Berding became Assistant, remaining until the fall of 1877, at which time Rev. T. A. Conway was appointed as his successor, and he, in May, 1878, was succeeded by the Rey. Francis Mallon, who was followed. in September of the same year, by the Rev. J. D. Dickhous, and he, in January, 1879, by the Rev. Michael Ahern, who remained until March, 188i, when the Rev. William B. Miggeel became Assistant, and he is the present one.

The priests residence was in the rear of the church, in a few rooms fittea up for that purpose. until 1865, when Father Thisse purchased a residence across the street from the present school building, but, the title being made in his own name, the property was sold by his administrator after his death.

The church was remodeled in 1865 and 1806 by Father Thisse; is located on East High street, and is a large brick and stone structure, 40x125, with a seating capacity of about 700. The main tower is surmounted by a handsome gilt cross, the emblem of Christ crucified, and is furnished with a bell weighing 1,600 pounds. The building and ground are valued at $30,000.

Its main altar is a handsome piece of carved and gilt wood-work, containing a number of spires, the central one of which reaches to the top of the nave in which the altar stands, and over the sanctuary is placed the crucifix, emblematical of Catholic Christianity.

Near the summit of the nave is a round window of stained glass, that casts its shaded light over all, in the center of which is a large eye, symbolical of the all-seeing eye of God.

On either side of the main altar stands the lesser ones of St. Mary and St. Joseph, of the same design and finish as the central ones, only smaller.

The church windows are all of stained glass, the whole interior presenting a finished appearance, and is heated throughout by hot.air furnace.

The first Catholic school was taught in the basement of the church during the pastorate of Father Howard; afterward, a frame building was purchased by Father Thisse, which stood on the site of the present school building, and which served for school purposes for several years.

The present Pastor of St. Raphael's, the Rev. W. H. Sidley, is a native of Geauga County, Ohio; began his studies at Notre Dame, Ind., where he spent two years; went thence to St. Mary's Seminary, Cleveland, Ohio, remaining there seven years, afterward spending one year at Mt. St. Mary's, Cincinnati, where he was ordained in June, 1870, and immediately sent to Sidney, remaining there until June, 1873, at which time he became Pastor of St. Raphael's.

On taking charge, he found a debt of $7,000, a small frame school building, and no residence for the priest; but, with a brave heart, he almost immediately began the erection of a priest's house, which was completed June 1, 1874, at a cost of $7,000.

Not contented with the school, and ambitious to have a building that would favorably compare with other public educational institutions of Springfield,-Father Sidley, in 1876, began to build the present imposing structure, and so perseveringly did he prosecute the work that it was opened for scholars in September, 1877. It is 45x92, three stories high, containing eight schoolrooms, besides a hall in the third story the full size of the building, which is used for exercises, lectures, fairs, and for the general use of the congregation.

Dennis C. Lehan. assisted by nine Sisters, has charge of this institution, with an enrolled scholarship of over 600: all the common branches are taught,

This school is supported by St. Raphael's congregation, at a cost of $3,000 per year, besides paying their share of the taxes toward the support of the publie schools of the county. . « ens

There is not, perhaps, in Ohio, a Catholie congregation of its size whose financial condition ean compare with St. Raphael's, owning as they do nearly $60,000 worth of property, free from debt, and $3,000 to their credit in the bank, which facts and figures speak louder than would mere praise of the Pastor or congregation --which to-day numbers about 3,500 souls. à

St. Bernard's Church. - In September, 1861, the German Catholics of Springfield, desiring to have a church where the German language would be preached at all times, organized a congregation, which met at 166 and 168 East Main street, in a building which was bought for that purpose by Nicholas Spangenberger, Joseph Bauer and John A. Shuette, the building being fitted up and used for church, school and residence.

Father Volmer ministered to the Germans for awhile, but the first mass was celebrated in this building November 1, 1861, by the Rev. Father Manclerke, who came from Dayton for that purpose, coming afterward once or twice per month.

In 1863, Rev. William Deiters, a native of Germany, where he was also edueated and ordained, was appointed Pastor, he being the first regular Pastor of his ehurch.

He remained until 1866, and, in February of that year, was succeeded by the Rev. J. Weissenberger. who began the present church building, laying the foundation in the fall of 1867, when the work was abandoned.

In 1868, the Rev. J. H. Jutting became Pastor, and was succeeded, in, June, 1860, by the Rev. B. H. Engbers, who remained but a few months, though in the meantime he began to go forward with the building, letting the contracts for the work.

He was succeeded, July 9, 1869, by the Rev. John M. Schuchardt, who immediately tóok in hand the erection and completion of the present handsome and commodious church, which was finished early in 1870, and dedicated July 3 of that year by the Rt. Rev. Sylvester H. Rosecrans, of Columbus, the Archbishop being at that time in Rome, Italy, attending the Ecumenical Council.

The church is 60x130, is located on the corner of Columbia and Lagonda avenues, will seat about 900, and cost $24,000. The interior is very beautiful, being handsomely frescoed throughout, and in the nave over the altar is a soulinspiring painting of the crucifixion. In fact, St. Bernard's will favorably compare with most city churches in design and finish.

At the same time as the church, a two-story brick was erected in the rear of the church for the Pastor's residence, and in 1874, Father Schuchardt built a school which cost $3,000, and is taught by three Sisters, with an enrolled scholarship of 115.

Father Schuchardt was born in Dusseldorf, Germany, there educated, and, in 1862, ordained in Baltimore. Md., where he remained a short time, then came to Covington, Ky., and from there to Springfield.

In reviewing the history of Catholicism in this county and State, we are forcibly struck by its rapid and steady growth. and where fifty years ago not a single Catholic family existed in Clark County. to-day their numbers reach nearly 5.000. In 1817. at the first mass celebrated in Cincinnati, seventeen Catholics were all that could be found to attend divine service: to-day, the dio- cese contains eighty schools, 18,000 scholars, 213 priests, and 150,000 Catholics; and the whole State, 219 schools, 44,128 scholars, 453 priests, and 350,000 Catholics, besides societies innumerable for the propagation of faith and the encouragement of social intercourse, temperance and reform, nearly every church having a number of such societies that work in harmony with the Pastor and assist him in his labor of duty and love.

Education

The schoolhouse dates almost as far back in Springtield as the " earliest inhabitant." In 1804, there were but eleven houses, most of them built of hewed logs; yet, in 1806, we learn that there was a church organized in Nathaniel Pinkhard's Schoolhouse, on the northeast cornerof Main and Market streets. In this house the owner taught the first school in the town. From 1812 to 1824 or 1825, Samuel Smith taught the principal school, first in the New-Light meeting house - southwest corner of Main and Center streets - afterward in a house owned and built on a lot owned by him on the north side of Main street, west of Mill Run.

In the year 1819 or 1820, a Mr. Higgins opened a school in a frame house - south side of Main street - on or near the lot where John P. Allen's jewelry store is now located. A little later Mrs. Minter, wife of a lawyer resident in the town, had a school on Main street, in a small brick house on the lot known as the homestead of the late John Bacon, Esq. Mrs. Minter was succeeded by Mrs. Foster, who occupied the same small brick building. Isaac Teller, Esq., was a teacher of note, who taught about the year 1830, in a frame house, north of Main street, on the grounds known as the Seibert stand, now owned and occupied by William Burns' liquor store. Mr. Teller was left-handed, and his surviving pupils say he was rightly named, for with that left hand he made his strokes *«tell" with lively effect. One of his pupils says that he was seldom free from marks so inflicted. A little later, two schools were taught in the old Methodist Episcopal Church, situated on the northwest corner of Market and North streets - one by Napoleon Platt.and the other by Miss Eliza Cary. The building was an old style frame house, a part of which is still standing. In the autumn of 1824, James L. Torbert located in Springfield and opened a school He was a man of fine classical education, and while he taught mainly the common English branches to meet the demand of the times, he took great pleasure in bringing up a number of his pupils into the higher branches, both in mathematics and the ancient languages. In the latter he was particularly proficient. He taught a number of years and was admitted to the bar, practiced law many years, was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and afterward Judge of the Probate Court. Reuben Miller was also a teacher of note from the year 1828. He and Judge Torbert taught in the same school, on the northeast corner of Market and North streets, for a time. He acted a part of the time as County Surveyor. He taught a number of years and afterward served as County Auditor for eighteen years. But as the town increased in population and schools and teachers became more numerous, it is now difficult to name the teachers, their location, etc. Following the two teachers last named, from about the year 1838, we find the names of Cheshunt, Lancey, McWilliams, Stimson, Robert Black, William King, William Reid, Jane Reid, Richard Morris, Miss Brown, Miss Lee as teachers, extending over a period of ten or twelve years, up to 1848 or 1850. A cotemporary says, that " schools were kept in a little frame house, corner of Spring and Columbia streets; a one-story brick, between Factory and Mechanic streets on Columbia; in the basements of the Universalist and Associate Reform Churches, and up-stair rooms." They were called subscription schools, by which it was meant that the teachers were paid by the voluntary subseriptions of the parents and guardians of the children. This was entirely so during the first years of the schools, and largely so up to 1838, and to some extent thereafter.

It should here be stated that no record can be found giving any information touching the public schools of the town before the year 1850. Al the facts given have been obtained from those left among us, whose lives commenced with the early years of the century. We have, therefore, been the more careful to put in permanent shape this small gleaning of early school history, from the fact that up to tbe time when the town of Springfield was merged into the city of Springfield, no record whatever is left showing even the existence of schools in the town, much less their character. But this will appear less remarkable when it is stated that no record can be found showing that the town of Springfield had any legal existence. any town council or municipal organization whatever - while it was a town only. But when it became a city, at once it seemed to realize its new importance, and commenced to keep up its own biography. And it is from this journal record of the City Council that we find any written recognition of the existence of our schools. The first meeting of the City Couneil occurred May 18, 1850. The first notice of the schools appears in the journal of the City Council of December 25, 1850, as follows: "On motion, Robert Black and John Ludlow were appointed managers of the public schools, and it is agreed that said managers receive as compensation for their services $1 each per day, for the time actually employed in said schools, provided the services so charged, do not exceed $15, each, for six months."

Up to this time, it does not appear that the teachers were employed by a Board of Directors, but that each teacher furnished his own school room, and that parents and guardians "subscribed" the number of pupils, each, that they desired to send to his school, and that the managers appointed by the Town or City Council, twice a year, took the number of pupils attending each school, and, upon this basis, made an estimate of the amount to which each teacher was entitled to be paid out of the public funds, and reported accordingly. And whatever additional compensation was received by the teacher, was paid by the parent or guardian according to the number of children sent to the school. The schools appear to have been kept six months each year, and the reports of the managers were made for the first and second quarters, as no report can be found of the third and fourth quarters.

The journal of the City Council of April 2, 1851, contains the following record, viz.: "Robert Black and John Ludlow, managers of common schools, presented the certified account of the teachers of public schools for the first quarter; thereupon said account was audited by the council and found to be correct, and the Recorder ordered to draw orders in favor of said teachers on the school fund for the amounts respectively due them as follows: Samuel Wheeler, $60.13; Sarah Ann Foos, $40: William King, $46.27; Messrs. Reynolds & Co., $105.50; J. C. Scholze, $43.12; William Reid, '$78.54: Emily Osborn, $40.41; Alvina H. Woods, $44.37: Caroline G. O. Heal, $30.14; Virginia Peters, $25; Sarah J. Rea, $28.12; Marie Johnson, $34.37: E. Parker, $57.70; making a total of $643.67, expended for first quarter." A like report was made by the managers, twice a year, up to June 12, 1853. In the meantime the subject of building schoolhouses at the public expense began to be agitated, and, on the dth of February, 1851, the City Council passed an order directing the "Mayor to give notice to the householders and resident tax-payers to vote at the annual election for or against a tax to purchase one lot and build two schoolhouses, for the purpose of common schools." On the following March 4, the journal shows the following result: 372 votes given for a school tax and 86 votes against a school tax, and it was declared to be carried." The Council pro- ceeded very leisurely, and, February 23, 1853, Alexander Downey and W. A. Kills, the Building Committee, reported the purchase of a lot in the east part of the city for $2,000, and one in the west for $1,452.29, and the report was confirmed. These lots are the present locations of the Eastern and Western Schools. The same "committee, January 23, 1854, presented a draft for the schoolhouses now needed by the city, which was accepted, and notice to receive proposals to build said houses was ordered." Contracts were executed for the construction of two schoolhouses according to the plans presented by the Building Committee. The buildings were to be of the same dimensions - about sixty by one hundred feet, two stories high. They had what were called "flat roofs" of tar and gravel, and altogether their external appearance was, to say the least, not attractive. In point of convenience and adaptation, the internal arrangement was no greater success than the external Standing distant from any other buildings, their flat, invisible roofs, and square tops gave the whole a nondescript aspect, which we must leave to the imagination. When the Board of Education took charge of these houses in 1855, it found their roofs leaking badly, and, to remedy this, and to give them a more sightly exterior, the board immediately made contracts for raising the walls about four feet higher, and for putting on shingle roofs, as they now have.

The first Board of Education in the city of Springfield was elected April, 1855, consisting of three members, viz., Chandler Robbins, Joseph Brown and C. H. Williams. The board organized April 28, Charles H. Williams, President, and William Anderson, Clerk. Probably Springfield has never had a better Board of Education than its first. They were men of liberal education and practical knowledge in school matters, and two of them had large experience as teachers in the higher branches. The schools were therefore organized intelligently and with good judgment, and did good work from the beginning. F. W. Hurt was elected Superintendent at a salary of $80 per month; John Fulton, Principal. of the Western, and, Daniel Berger, Principal of the Eastern School, at a salary of $55 per month. R. W. Morris and Samuel Wheeler were elected assistants at a salary of $40 per month. Also the following teachers: Misses Minerva E. Criley, Virginia Miller, Clara Gallagher, Carrie Smith, Lizzie Crooker, Ellen A. Whiton, Elizabeth Cummings, Sarah A. Bruseup and Eliza Norton - salaries $25 per month. The janitors were allowed the same salary. M. V. Satis was employed as teacher of German. But the crowded condition of the schools made it necessary to obtain additional school rooms. Rooms were rented in the basement of the Congregational Church, in which was established the Central School, which soon after took the character of the high school, John Fulton, Principal, S. M. Wheeler taking his place as Principal of the Western School One circumstance created quite a breeze in the community this first year. The Superintendent complained to the board in regard to the deportment of one of the Principals toward him. The board took no action in the case. A week after - November 12 - the Superintendent renewed the charges against the Principal. The board considered the matter, and, on motion, laid the whole subject on the table. The subject came up again January 18, and the board "earnestly exhorted the two gentlemen to lay aside their hostility, and engage heartily in mutual efforts to promote the interests of the schools." The following month the Superintendent was arraigned before the civil authorities on a charge of inflicting punishment upon certain pupils, unnecessarily, and unwarrantably severe. The trial was held in a crowded court house. The result of the trial is not remembered, but, for the same cause, the board requested his resignation, and failing to resign April in the board declared the office of Superintendent vacant. The services of a Superintendent were dispensed with for the remainder of the year.

At the spring election the Board of Education was elected under the provisions of the act of 1853, and was composed of six members, viz., Chandler Robbins, Joseph Brown, C. H. Williams, Harvey Vinal, E. G. Dial and Richard Beebe. The succeeding year the board did not employ a Superintendent, but had his services performed, as well as practicable, by appointing one of their number as "managing agent" from time to time. But the following year, August 4, 1857, James Cowles, a graduate of Yale College, was elected to the Superintendency. He was a fine scholar and upright, Christian gentleman, but for reasons not now distinctly remembered, he failed to secure harmony and confidence between himself and the teachers, and, at the end of the year, a resolution was passed, *that, for the present, the services of a Superintendent be dispensed with." A few weeks afterward, Chandler Robbins was elected to the office of Superintendent, and served with great acceptance and profit to the schools for one year. At the end of the year he was re-elected, but he declined to serve longer on the terms of the past year. On the 17th of February, 1858, the Western School building was destroyed by fire. And eighteen months after, the Eastern building was damaged by a storm to the amount of several thousand dollars. These two incidents were detrimental to the schools, in that no adequate accommodations could be had while the re-building was going on.

It should have been stated that the first action of the first Board of Education of the city of Springfield was to pass an order "to continue the colored schools." In 1848, a law was passed to provide schools for colored children. This was the first provision made in Ohio for that purpose. The law went into effect soon after its passage, as when the publie schools were organized in this city, we find the colored school in existence. A building was rented for these schools for a number of years, and, when this was found insufficient, the board purchased a beautiful lot on Pleasant street, and put up a substantial brick house, equal in character and adaptation to any of the school buildings of the city. It has been the design of the board to make the colored schools equal in all respects to the others. An effort was made some years ago by colored parents and others, to have the board remove all distinctions in this regard, but the board has held to the idea, that it is better for all concerned that the colored schools be kept separate from the white, but that no further distinction should be made - the colored schools to receive equal attention, and to be made equal to the white in point of school accommodations and institution. And when colored children are sufficiently advanced in scholarship to enter the high school classes, they are permitted to enter such classes on an equal footing with the white children.

As numbers increased, the Board of Education, from time to time, made additional provision for the accommodation of the schools, by erecting or renting small buildings or both. But, in 1867, it was found necessary to provide large additional accommodations, and accordingly, a school building was erected the following year on beautiful ground on South Limestone street, as. large or larger, than either of the existing houses, and, at once, every room was occupied. Again in 1871, the board purchased of Rev. J. L. Rogers the female seminary building and grounds for the sum of $27,150, to be used for school purposes.

But the improvement surpassing all others was that of the high school building, situated on the corner of High and Factory streets, built in the year 1875. Its reported cost was $70,803.51. The President's report says: "There has been but one opinion expressed by the educators of the State who have examined the building, and that is, that, it is a model schoolhouse."

The exterior of the building is very fine to look upon, its stories. are very high, and its halls are so broad as to occupy a large portion of the house - prob- ably one-third or more. In point of show, it is certainly a grand success. In regard to the fitness and adaptation, it is perhaps equal to like buildings in other cities erected under like circumstances.

"The schools of the city occupy six buildings. The central or high school building has eleven assembly rooms, one recitation room, library room, and Superintendent's office. It furnishes sittings for 743 children. Two assembly rooms and the recitation room, in this building are occupied by the high school.

* The north building has seven assembly rooms occupied, and two unoccupied, besides' several rooms not adapted to school purposes. It furnishes 323 sittings.

The Pleasant street building - the colored school - has been recently enlarged to the extent of double its former capacity. "The bdildings are all in good condition, and the furniture of the modern and improved style."

Within the year, 1880, a school building has been erected in the northwestern part of the city of a capacity equal to either of the other buildings except the high school, and it is now nearly completed. This building will afford 350 to 400 sittings, making an aggregate of over three thousand sittings. Thus it will appear that Springfield, like most other cities in the State, has been most liberal, not to say profuse, in providing the material part of school accommodations for our youth.

The advancement of our schools will also appear by a statement of the number of teachers employed at periods running back a quarter of a century. In 1855, there were fourteen teachers employed in the schools including Superintendent and Principals. In 1860, there were eighteen including the same. In 1865, there were twenty-four teachers. In 1870, there were thirty-four teachers. In 1875, there were forty-two teachers, and, in 1880, there were sixty-two teachers, including Superintendents, Principals and teachers of all the

M dot MU e tb Maie sofa: ctm ies hu, 8D j The expenditures for all purposes - including tuition, janitors, salaries and incidental expenses, amount paid on building and interest on bonds - for the last six years, is as follows:

When the debt incurred for building purposes shall be paid off, it is believed that the annual expenditures may be materially diminished, without in any respect detracting from the efficiency of the schools. à;

First Year - First Term--Ray's New Elementary Algebra, Hutchinson's Physiology, Hill's Elements of Rhetoric and Composition, Harkness' New Latin Reader and Grammar, Worman's German Course. Second Term - Ray's New Elementary Algebra, Hutchinson's Physiology, Harkness New Latin Reader and Grammar, Worman's German Course. Third Term - Ray's New Elimentary Algebra, Wood's Object Lessons Botany, Harkness' Latin Reader and Grammar, Worman's German Course.

Third Year - First Term - Thalheimer's General History, Steele's New Chemistry, Virgil - /Eneid, Klemm and Select Classics. Second Term - Shaw's New History of English and American Literature, Davies' Trigonometry, Mneid, Klemm and Select Classics. Third Term - Wayland's Inteilectual Philosophy, Æneid, Klemm and Select Classics.

Latin or German is taught throughout the high school course, the language to be studied being selected upon entrance to the high school. One-half day in each week, in the high school is devoted to rhetorical exercises.

The history of the public schools from their inception is necessarily incomplete, because as already intimated no record has been kept, but the above sketch from Hon. E. G. Dial who has been more or less connected with our schools during his life may be relied upon as accurate.

The Springfield High School

On the Ist day of March, 1834, the General Assembly passed an act to incorporate the Springfield High School in the town of Springfield, Clark County, Ohio. The town at that time contained a population of about thirteen hundred inhabitants, and is noted as a brisk, enterprising village. The question of improved school facilities had for some time been agitated, and the matter was then taken up and put in tangible form. Little idea can now be had of the interest which this movement awakened in the village; nor of the magnitude of the work to a community in which as yet there was little wealth, and the country around was yet but sparsely settled. It was the question of the day, and men of all parties and religious denominations, united heartily in this measure, and worked harmoniously together. Among them we find the names of Gen. Mason, Gen. Anthony, Judge William A. Rogers (long Secretary of the board), Dr. R. Rodgers, Dr. B. Gillett, Jeremiah Warder, Edmund Ogden, Reuben Miller, James S. Halsey, Levi Rinehart, John Bacon, Charles Cavileer, Henry Bretney, Samuel and James Barnett, William Werden, John Whiteley, james Reid, Rev. Edward H. Cumming, Rev. John S. Galloway, and John M. Gallagher (editor of the Republic), nearly all of whom are still represented by families in Springfield.

Under the above-mentioned law, a Board of Trustees immediately organized, and in a short time purchased a lot on East High street, the present site of the Springfield Seminary, of Peter A. Sprigman, and proceeded to solicit subscriptions for the erection of a high school building; An amount was soon obtained to justify the commencement of the work, and the same was prosecuted vigorously to completion. In the year 1835, the high school was organized under Milo G. Williams as Principal. A considerable amountof apparatus was obtained as soon as possible, and a nice little library, as well as the commencement of a cabinet. The plan of the school was to make it preparatory to a collegiate course when desired, and not only preparatory, but to pursue the collegiate branches as far as the junior year in college. This not only furnished the youth of Springfield the means of obtaining a partial collegiate education at home, but it brought in young men from the country and from the surrounding counties, who desired to lay the foundation of a liberal education. And if early catalogues of the high school were in existence, names would be found therein that had since graced the country's history. Among them, Hon. Samuel Shellabarger, Judge William White, of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Hon. R. A. Harrison, Hon. William D. Henkle, Judge A. F. Hume, of Hamilton, Ohio, Hon. John S. Hume, late editor of the St. Louis Democrat, Rev. George W. Harris, Drs. Joseph and James Stout, Dr. George H. Bunyan. Some of these went from the high school' to Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio. Some to the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, entering the junior class in each institution, and one to Union College New York, while others completed their academic education in the high school But while the high school thus afforded such facilities for commencing and pursuing the higher studies, it also had a primary and intermediate department which received a large attendance from the town. Mr. Williams resigned his position in the school in 1841, and was succeeded by Chandler Robbins, an educator of equal ability with his predecessor Mr. Robbins, with one or two assistants, eontinued the character of the school as above stated, and, while the elementary English branches were thoroughly taught, also Greek and Latin, algebra, geometry, surveying, and the like, were thoroughly taught, and the more so, that no more studies were allowed to be pursued at the same time than could be thoroughly mastered. Mr. Robbins continued Principal of the high school until 1845, when he resigned to accept a professorship in Augusta College, Kentucky. Thus in the first ten years of the existence of the high school, it had become one of the most prominent academies of the State, and its reports and proceedings were published in the leading newspapers of Ohio. ar

In the meantime, it was proposed to transfer the school and all pertaining to it, to the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. And such a proposition was made to the conference at its session in Urbana in September, 1841, and accepted by it, and, on the 7th of March, 1842, an act was passed by the Ohio Legislature "To incorporate the Ohio Conference High School in the town of Springfield," with the following persons as Trustees, viz.: James B. Findlay, Zachariah Connell, William Young, Reuben Miller, John Bacon, James Barnett, William Werden, Levi Rinehart, Henry Bretney, Lemuel Reynolds, Joseph S. Carter, Edmund Ogden, Samson Mason, David Gwynne, Edward H. Cumming, Robert Houston, William M. Murdoch, William A. Rogers and

Prof. Robbins was succeeded by Rev. Solomon Howard, as Principal of the school in 1845, and then for the third time it became a "mixed school," admitting girls as well as boys. The public schools were taking character, and, in order to sustain the high school, a broader patronage was sought, without changing the character of the school in other respects. And the school continued successful under the conduct of Prof. Howard, who was energetic and thorough-going, and was especially proficient in mathematics. He resigned in 1852, to accept the Presidency of the Ohio University at Athens, and was succeeded by Rev. John W. Weekly as Principal. E

In the year 1854, an addition was made to the high school building, more than doubling its proportions, and made with the design of converting it into a girls' boarding school And a new charter was obtained under the name and title of the " Female College and Springfield High School" Mr. Weekly continued at the head of the institution until 1860, when he resigned and was succeeded by E. G. Dial, who continued for four years and resigned. He was succeeded by Revs. W. J. Ellsworth and J. W. Herron, the former resigning at the end of one year. Mr. Herron was President of the institution up to 1869, when he resigned and had no successor. The Board of Trustees after waiting for a few weeks and receiving no application for the position, and finding no one who would take charge of the institution, finally executed a lease of the property to the Board of Education of the city of Springfield for five years, the same to be used for the public high school. A little before the expiration of this lease, the Board of Trustees executed another to a corporation newly formed, under the name of the * Springfield Seminary." The boarding school had been abandoned, and the design was to establish a school for girls without reference to patronage from abroad, and to be entirely undenominational in its character. Accordingly Mrs. Ruth A. Worthington was employed as Principal of the seminary, with competent assistants. This board of instructors does not undertake to do more than it can do well The Principal is exact and thorough in all her work, both as to discipline and instruction, and the assistant teachers catch the same spirit. The course of study is liberal. Mathematics and natural science are taught as thoroughly here as in any girls' school within our knowledge. So is Latin, French, English literature and the other branches. The school numbers about sixty pupils, all residents ofthis city. It is doing an excellent and a most indispensable work. The building needs to be enlarged and additional apparatus and library. It is difficult to see why al] these needs are not supplied, where the means are so abundant to put the institution on a permanent basis. It in no way conflicts with the publie schools, but supplies a demand which would be sought elsewhere, if not found at home. Every kind of enterprise in the way of manufactories is in a glow of prosperity and success, yielding splendid returns, while a school whose returns are of more value to its youthful recipients thau all the golden profits, "lives on through all ills," because of its own inherent vitality.

One of the most prominent educators of the city was Rev. Chandler Robbins, A. M., Principal of the Greenway Boarding School. He was born in Jefferson County, Va., February 20, 1818; was educated at Kent's Hill Academy, Maine, and Wesleyan University, Middleton, Conn. By invitation of the Board of Trustees of the Springfield High School, he came here in the autumn of 1840, took charge of that school, and continued it successfully for five years. In 1845, Mr. Robbins accepted the professorship of Latin and Greek of Augusta College, Kentucky. Three years thereafter, he returned to Springfield and established a select school for boys, under the name of the Greenway Boarding School. The same year of his return, he was admitted to the order of Deacons in the Protestant Episcopal Church, by the Right Rev. Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, and to the full order of Presbytery, A. D. 1849. He became Pastor of Christ Church immediately upon receiving orders, and continued in that position until the year 1855. About that time, he induced the Vestry of his church to accept his resignation, as he insisted that the interests of the church demanded the exclusive attention of its minister, which he could not give. Rev. John T. Brooke, D. D., succeeded him. Mr. Robbins was very successful as an educator. The institution over which he presided had an extensive reputation. Among those who studied within its walls were Gen. Wager Swayne, of Toledo, Ohio; Gen. John Mitchell, of Columbus, Ohio; J udge William White, of the Supreme berch, and Hon. R. A. Harrison, of Columbus. Mr. Robbins died in this city May 8, 1871.

In the year 1849, Rev. Jonathan Edwards, now of Danville, Ky., had charge of a small select school for ladies. This school was held in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church. It was of a classical nature, and all the branches of a modern seminary were taught with efficiency. The school received great encouragement from its patrons, who subscribed for its support. It was conducted for several years by Mr. Edwards, and, in 1852, he was succeeded by John A. Smith, a gentleman of education and enterprise. Prior to the time that Mr. Smith had charge of the school, an effort was made to establish it on a broader basis, and with greater facilities under the charge and support of the Presbyterian Church. A number of citizens in 1852 took an active interest in this educational venture, among them Dr. Robert Rodgers, James Barnett, Isaac Ward, William Cooper, Dr. N. C. Burt and James S. Christie, who organized a company, and in that year obtained a charter for the Springfield Female Seminary. They selected John A. Smith as Principal, and made a further effort to induce the Presbyterian Church to assume the responsibility of the support of the institution, but nothing more could be accomplished than a recommendation of the seminary as an advantageous school for young ladies. The company which organized the seminary held controlof its interests, and managed its affairs, selecting the Principal and the corps of teachers. The building erected was commodious, and located on the site which from an elevated position overlooked the city and surrounding country. The grounds were ample, containing an area of more than four acres.

The buildings were erected for the purpose to which they were for twenty years assiduously devoted. Special attention was given to secure thorough ventilation, and to provide every other appliance necessary for the comfort and health of the pupils. The rooms were carpeted and neatly furnished, and the whole establishment lighted with gas, and heated by the most approved steam apparatus.

The noble purpose of the founders of this institution was to establish a school of the highest grade; a school where religion should have a prominent place, where the heart should be cultivated in connection with the intellect - where the daughters might receive an education which would fit them for the proper discharge of the important duties awaiting them in active practical life.

Rev. L. H. Christian succeeded Mr. Smith as Principal in 1854, who was followed by Rev. Charles Sturdevant in 1855. During the administration of the latter the institution became embarrassed, and heavilyin debt. An arrangement was made with Mr. Sturdevant, and the Board of Trustees, by which the former assumed the liabilities, and the company conveyed their interest to him. In 1857, Rev. James L. Rogers purchased a one-half interest in the institution from Mr. Sturdevant, and was associated with the latter in the management of the seminary and in the instruction of the scholars. In 1860, Mr. Sturdevant sold his remaining interest in the seminary to Rev. Henry R. Wilson, D. D., who became the Principal, and five years later Mr. Rogers purchased the inter. est of Mr. Wilson, and became sole owner and head of the institution. During the years 1865 and later, the seminary attained its highest degree of efficiency. It sustained a high reputation throughout the State. Its high moral tone, its

It continued its successful career until the year 1871, when the grounds and building were sold to the Board of Education of the city of Springfield, for the sum of $27,150, and Springfield lost an institution which for years had been a prominent and attractive feature. At the time the institution was closed, the following was the corps of instructors: Principal. Rev. James L. Rogers, A. M.; teachers in the literary department. Miss H. V. Haas, Miss M. E. Mackintosh, Miss E. M. Sawyer, Miss S. J. Turner. Miss S. E. Goble; teachers in the musical department, Prof. Ed Hardik, Miss Helen d. Macbeth; teacher of French, Prof. John Barthelemy; teacher of painting and drawing, Miss Rebbie

Wittenberg College

For beauty and healthfulness, the location of Wittenberg College is not surpassed by that of any other college in the State, or in the entire country. The college with the residences of its professors constitute one of the suburbs of the thriving city of Springfield. The college building proper occupies an elevated situation, comprising as its campus, forty-two acres of ground, skirted by the beautiful stream and valley of Lagonda. and finely shaded with sugar, oak and elm trees of the natural forest. thus rendering the situation of the college perfectly unsurpassable for both beauty and variety of scenery. Wittenberg College was chartered on the llth day of March, A. D. 1845, by an act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, which provided that John Hamilton, of Stark County; William G. Keil, and David Tullis, of the county of Guernsey: John B. Beck and Solomon Ritz, of the county of Tuscarawas; George Leiter, of the county of Richland; John H. Hoffman and Jacob Roller, of the county of Columbiana; Elias Smith, of the county of Wayne; Presley N. O'Bannon, of the county of Licking; John N. Kurtz. of thecounty of Clark; Philip Binkley, of the county of Greene; David Porter Rosemiller, Frederick Gebhart and Peter Baker, of Montgomery County, and George Sill, of the county of Preble, members of the Board of Directors appointed by the English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio, and Miami Synod. to establish a college at some suitable point in Greene or Clark Counties, State of Ohio, are hereby created a body corporate and politic, by the name, style and title of the Board of Directors of Wittenberg College, and they and their successors in office, as such, have power to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, to defend and be defended, in all courts of equity; to have a common seal, and to alter it at pleasure; to hold all kinds of estate which they may acquire by purchase or donation to any amount necessary to accomplish the objects of the institution, and to have and to convey at discretion; to form a constitution and by-laws for their perpetuation and government; to make all necessary regulations for the management of their fiscal concerns; to admit, exclude and expel members; to appoint officers. and to do such other acts as may be necessary to effect the promotion of theological and scientific knowledge; provided. however, that said constitution, by-laws and regulations, shall be consistent with the Constitution of the United States and the State of Ohio.

Officers - Rev. G. W. Keil. President: Rev. John Hamilton, Secretary; Rev. John B. Reck, Rev. C. C. Guenther, Rev. T. J. Ruth, Rex. George Leiter, Judge D. Tullis, Judge J. Roller, J. Lawrence, E. Smith and George Welty, from the Synod in which the institution originated.

The institution is in connection with that branch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, represented by the " General Synod of the United States."

Under that twofold necessity, the promotion of higher education and the practical Christian piety in the Lutheran Church, the ministry and laity comprising the members of the English Synod of Ohio, at. a convention held in Washington, Guernsey County, in the month of November, 1842, Resolved, That in reliance upon the Triune Jehovah, and alone for His honor and glory we do now establish a Literary and Theological institution.

The district Synods represented .in the Board of Directors are: The Synod of East Ohio, the Synod of Miami and the Wittenberg Synod, comprising the territory of the State of Ohio, and the Synods of Northern Indiana, and Olive Branch, in the State of Indiana. The Directors of this institution may, however, be elected by any Lutheran Synod in connection with the Evangelical Lutheran General Synod, which shall adopt the constitution of the college and pledge itself to its support. The representation from each district synod in connection with the college is as follows:

Two Directors for every ten clerical members of synod; four for fifteen; six for twenty; eight for twenty-five; ten for thirty;.and twelve for forty or more members; provided, always, that one-half are laymen, and that one-half the representation of each synod retire from office at the same time.

The members of the Board of Directors are elected for four years, and are eligible to re-election. The present board is comprised of thirty-six members; thirty-four of whom are from the synods above named; and two from Clark County. Those at present from Clark County are Hon. 8. A. Bowman and Mr. Ross Mitchell.

The Rey. Ezra Keller, D. D., a graduate of Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania, with the Class of 1835, was the first President of the college.

Dr. Keller opened the grammar school of the college on the 3d day of November, 1845, in the lecture room of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Springfield, Ohio. The attendance, on the first day of the session, was eight students and a Faculty of one professor and two tutors. This was increased to seventy-one before the close of the first year, and to 143 during the second year. Three years of steady progress passed away without any unusual oceurrence in the history of the institution, but the fourth year opened with an event which filled the hearts of the friends of the infant college with deep anxiety and profound sadness. After a brief illness, the summons of death came to the first President of the institution, in the midnight hour of the 29th day of December, 1848. He was called away frum the most of his arduous labors, and in the vigor and prime of his life He died in the thirty-seventh year of his age. E Mr. Joseph Welty, of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and Mr. Sauerwine, were associated with Dr. Keller during the first term of the institution.

Upon their withdrawal in the month of March, 1846, H. R. Geiger and Michael Deihl, also graduates of Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania, were chosen as professors in the institution.

After the death of Dr. Keller, Rev. Samuel Sprecher, then Pastor of the First English Lutheran Church at Chambersburg, Penn., was elected to the Presidency of the institution. ; fea é

In the year 1850, Isaac Sprecher, nephew of Dr. Sprecher, became connected with the institution, first as Principal of the Preparatory Department, and later as Professor of Ancient Languages, the chair of which he resigned at a regular meeting of the board held in the month of June, 1871.

To Dr. Sprecher, Prof. Geiger, Prof. Deihl and Prof. Isaac Sprecher - four teachers long identified with the Wittenberg College, two of whom still remain - Drs. Sprecher and Geiger - the Lutheran Church and the patrons of the college at Springfield and elsewhere, owe a debt of gratitude for their devotion to the cause of higher education, and to the general interest and welfare of Wittenburg College through its darkest hours, and its long years of struggle and weakness. Only those who, with their families, have had the experience can appreciate the toil, privation and trial, connected with the establishment of an institution of learning. Meager salaries, as a rule, in proportion to what the professors and teachers could realize elsewhere, and hard work, is the common lot-of the teacher and professor in a Western college. |

After the lapse of scarcely a year, he was borne to his burial, honored, beloved and lamented by all who knew him. Having been so long connected with the institution, his influence extended far beyond the college and the city, and his moral worth and spiritual power were above estimate.

From October, 1873, to the collegiate year ending June, 1880, Rev. J. H. W. Stuckenburg, D. D., a graduate of the college with the Class of 1859, was associated with Dr. Sprecher in the theological department. Upon the resignation of Dr. Stuckenberg, Rev. S. A. Ort, D. D., a graduate from the college in the Class of 1868, and, at the time of his election, Pastor of the St. James Lutheran Church, New York, was chosen to the chair of sacred philosophy, vacated by Dr. Stuckenberg.

Among those associated with the faculty of the college, in the past history of the institution, we find the names of Rev. J. G. Harris, T. A. Burrows, Morris Officer, A. J. Imhoff, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D.,the present editor of the Lutheran Observer, then for a period of five years from 1849 to 1854, Professor of Sacred Rhetoric, Pastoral Theology and Modern Languages. Also Rev. A. Essick, A. M., Professor of Natural Sciences, Rev. Joel Swartz, D. D., Professor of Church History, Homileties and Pastoral Theology.

Rev. S. A. 'Ort, at present Professor of Sacred Philosophy, was at a former period assistant professor in the mathematical department of the college. Upon his resignation of that department in October, 1874, Rev. S. F. Brackenridge, of the Class of 1860, entered upon the duties of Professor of Mathematics, to which chair he was duly elected at the next regular meeting of the board in June, 1875.

Henry G. Rodgers, of the Class of 1864, was first tutor, then Principal of the Preparatory Department for a period of years. Prof. Rodgers and wife returning from the East, on their bridal tour, were among the victims of the fatal Ashtabula disaster.

Prof. Rodgers was a capable teacher, and above all, also a noble Christian man. Prepared for the messenger of death as he and his Christian wife doubtless were, it will nevertheless always be a sad thought that their departure had to be associated with such a horror.

The following persons have also been engaged in teaching in the Commercial and Preparatory Department of the institution: A. S. Kissell, Edward Harrison, W. B. Yonce, Maurice Kirby, John A. Ruhl, William I. Cutter, T. F. Reinmund, John F. Mitchell, J. W. Goodlin, Thomas Hill, Charles L. Ehrenfeld,, at present State Librarian of Pennsylvania, George S. Sprecher, son of Dr. Sprecher, J. Krediel, B. F. Prince, W. W. Evans, Dr. A. H. Shultze, George H. Young, W. S. Hoskinson and F. D. Altman. For several years past, Prof. P.

Pleasant Tp

After a quarter of a century of arduous and successful labor at the head of the institution, Dr. Sprecher resigned its Presidency, in order to devote his time more fully to the writing of theological works, long contemplated by himself, and as constantly urged by his friends, and long also a felt want in that branch of the Lutheran Church in which he is, beyond question, the profound theologian and the eminent teacher. Upon Dr. Sprecher's resignation, at a regular meeting of the College Board in the month of June, 1874, the Rev. J. B. Helwig, then Pastor of the First English Lutheran Church, Dayton, Ohio, and a member of the Class of 1861, was elected to the Presidency of the college.

At the writing of this sketch, the following persons comprise the Faculty and instructors at Wittenberg College: In the Theological Department, Samuel Sprecher, D. D., LL. D.; Frederick Gebhart, Professor of Systematic Theology; S. A. Ort, D. D., Culler Professor of Sacred Philosophy; in the college, J. B. Helwig, D. D., President and Professor of, Moral Sciences and Political Economy; S. A. Ort, D. D., Professor of Mental Philosophy; H. R. Geiger, A. M., Ph. D., Professor of Natural Sciences; B. F. Prince, A. M., Professor of Greek and History; S. F. Breckenridge, A. M., Professor of Mathematies and Logic, also teacher of Latin; Chair of English Literature, vacant; Chair of Latin, vacant; Prof. Haake, teacher of German; G. H. Young, A. M., Principal of the Preparatory Department; W. S. Hoskinson, A. M., Tutor; F. D. Altman, A. B., Teacher of Penmanship; instruction in elocution by Prof. P. Robertson, Dayton, Ohio; B. F. Prince, Librarian.

Dr. Helwig, Profs. Breckenridge and Young, for a period of seven years each. Prof. Hoskinson, two years. Dr. Ort, in his present position, from the opening of the present collegiate year. ;

The attendance of students upon the instruction in the various departments of the institution during the collegiate year of 1879 and 1880 was 175, an increase over any of the ten preceding years. "These were distributed as follows: Theologians, 18; collegians, 68; electives, 18; preparatorians, 71.

The full preparatory course now comprises three years. The collegiate, either classical or scientific, four years, and the theological course two years.

Fifty-five from the alumni of the college have entered the legal profession. Of this number now in the city of Springfield are the following, namely: 8. A. Bowman, J. J. Snyder, A. H. Gillett, George C. Rawlins, Oscar T. Martin, Amos Wolfe, W. L. Weaver, C. R. White, Milton Cole, J. F. McGrew, James Johnson, Augustus N. Summers, Charles S. Bogle, J. L. Zimmerman, and others. .

Other graduates have entered the medical profession, while others still are occupying professors' chairs in the colleges and theological seminaries. A large number occupy prominent positions as principals and superintendents of public schools and academies, while not less than four hune have been engaged as i e various departments of our common schools. ilic t three quen societies connected with the institution - the Excelsior and Philosophian for the gentlemen, and the Hesperian or the Ladies' Societ A . * 2 j These societies meet every Wednesday afternoon for exercises in composi- tion, declamation and debate; and they occupy a very important place in promoting the literary culture and ability of their members. The libraries of the college and societies contain 800 volumes.

A reading-room, under the control of the students, was established a few years ago, in which are found the leading papers and magazines of the day.

The college cabinet has many valuable geological specimens, collected and arranged for the purpose of illustrating lithological and historical geography. It has also been recently well supplied with minerals and curiosities from the Pacific coast and the Sandwich Islands. '

In 1874, the college was opened to women. Since that time, at least fifty young ladies have availed themselves of its advantages. Two have been graduated from the college, while nearly all the classes in the institution have those who are pursuing the regular college course. Students are matriculated at fourteen years of age. L i

Her alumni have been graduated chiefly from the classical course. The scientific course, arranged a few years ago, has been made equivalent, in time and work, to that of the classical.

The prevailing political sentiment at Wittenberg College has been antislavery; and in the country's peril, during the civil war, she had honorable representatives in the army and navy for the Union. The young men of Wittenberg have not been studious only, but patriotic as well.

Wittenberg College was founded in prayer and religious consecration, and; from its origin to the present day, services pertaining to the Christian religion have been steadily maintained in the institution. And, while the aim has been to maintain religion and morality as positive factors of influence in the college, yet the religion taught has been in no sense sectarian. The broad and fundamental principles of the Christian religiou, combined with those moral precepts which are practically helpful to a useful life, and which enter into the formation of an incorruptible character, are inculeated in the college, rather than any denominational doctrines or characteristics.

Nearly all the religious denominations have been and still are, from time to time, represented among the students, and. with no detriment or injury to any denominational preferences which they hold.

At the daily chapel service, at which those rooming in the college are expected to be present, the exercises cousist of the reading of Scripture, singing and prayer. These exercises are conducted by members of the College Faculty. On Thursday evening of each week is held the regular college prayer-meeting, "pon which students are invited and urged to attend, but beyond that, their attendance is voluntary.

Although nearly all the parts of our country have been represented by students in Wittenberg College - as, for instance, over one hundred thus far from the State of Pennsylvania - yet the four great States, viz., Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky, comprise the special field in the branch of the Lutheran Church, as represented in the General Synod, from which Wittenberg College chiefly draws her supplies of means and of students. Her Board of Trustees are residents of these States. With sufficient means to provide additional and still advanced facilities for education, no institution of learning in this country has a more promising field and future than has Wittenberg College.

Industrial Interests

The industrial interests of Springfield are of such vast importance that it has been deemed advisable to appropriate a separate chapter to the history of that feature. This chapter has therefore Leen prepared by Thomas F. McGrew. Jr., who has elaborately and faithfully portrayed the origin, growth, development and present magnitude of our manufacturing interests.