HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 275 the lowlands of the Perkins estate and the Quinby Hill. The business houses crowded this later, so that the outlook was not attractive. When the excavation for this building was begun it was found to have been an old cemetery, then supposed to have been Indian, but it may possibly have been white men, as later investigation has shown that like cemeteries in other parts of New Connecticut were probably cemeteries for white people. This church was dedicated November 9, 1837, the preachers on the circuit being Arthur M. Brown and John Crum. Rev. John Luccock, D. D., a former circuit rider, preached the dedicatory sermon. The building committee for this first church consisted of Benjamin Stevens, Albert Van Gorder, George Hapgood, A. B. Reeves and Isaac Van Gorder. William Logan and William D. Crawford were the contractors. In 1839 Warren was made a station and for the first time had a regular minister. He was Rev. L. D. Mix. He received as his salary the first year, $115, apportioned to him as follows : Rent, $40; wood, $25; table expenses, $50. The membership at this time was about 125. This building was sufficient until 1866, when preparations were begun for a larger church. The old church was built somewhat after the lines of the First Presbyterian church, but neither the steps nor the steeple were as high. The choir sat in the gallery at the back part of the church, and during the singing the congregation turned about and faced the choir. The interior was as plain and lacking in ornamentation as was the First Presbyterian church, but either the writer had grown in size or had become accustomed to high walls; at any rate, the ceiling did not seem so high, nor the windows so tall. Some very eloquent, stirring sermons were preached in that old house, and the women of that church for many years labored incessantly to raise money for the new church. The quilting which they did was of such nicety as to give them a reputation which has lasted through three generations. The ministers of this church were very outspoken during the war times, and some of their members who sympathized with the South, or who considered that politics should not be preached from the pulpit, severed their connection with this organization and went to other churches. Because the first preachers were circuit riders, and because 276 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY the Methodist church believed in the itineracy of its ministers, early records were not made and there is no complete list of the men who have served as ministers in the First Methodist church of Warren. Among the fourscore or more were such noted men as Dr. Charles Eliot, theologian, editor and author ; the eloquent William Seahon ; Dr. William Hunter, the Methodist hymn writer ; John J. Steadman, the orator and great debater ; Gaylord B. Hawkins, the accomplished scholar and educator; Dr. John Peet, the eloquent and fearless wartime preacher. The present minister is Rev. W. B. Winters. The Warren Methodist Episcopal church has entertained five annual conferences, large and important bodies of the denomination, namely : The old Erie conference, held July 28 to August 4, 1841, Bishop R. R. Roberts presiding. Albert Van Gorder, in the Warren Chronicle, calls the different church choirs together to prepare for the conference music. July 9-16, 1851, Bishop T. A. Morris presiding. July 15-21, 1868, Bishop C. Kingsley presiding. East Ohio conference, September 22-28, 188O, Bishop Thomas Bowman presiding. This was a memorable session of the conference; and attracted an immense gathering of Methodists in Warren on account of the great Grant-Conkling meeting, which was held here during the session of this conference. The last annual conference entertained by the church was held September 19-24, 1894, Bishop J. M. Walden presiding. In 1851-52 this church was remodeled at an expense of one thousand dollars. Rev. G. B. Hawkins was pastor of the church then. At that time a new altar rail was put in and the church carpeted. Rose Hawkins, now Mrs. Leet, the daughter of the pastor, remembers playing in the basement of this church when the repairs were being made, and how she admired the half-spheres which were used in making the balls which ornamented the new cupola. Among the influential and early citizens who attended this church we find the names of Stevens, Van Gorder, Hunt, Allison, Stull, Marvin, Tayler, Potter, Gilmore, Hoyt, Patch, Hawkins, Jameson, Hall. The new church standing on High street, between Pine and Park avenue, was dedicated in June, 1874. The cost, including the lot, was $55,000, $7,500 of which was raised in three hours' time the day the building was dedicated. In 1878 a fierce wind HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 277 of the nature of a cyclone cut a path through Warren, doing much damage as far as trees and chimneys were concerned, and lifted the roof of the new Methodist church from its position. When this was replayed, slight changes were made in the interior, drop beams supplanting the plain ceiling. This building is 110 feet long, 75 feet broad, with a front elevation of 65 feet. For many years the steeple of the Methodist church was not completed. This was done at the same time these other repairs were made. The founders of the church recognized the importance of the religious training of the children, and immediately planned for the formation of Bible classes. The Sunday school proper was organized in 1827, under the direction of a board of managers composed of the following persons : Richard Brooks, Josiah Soule, L. M. Reeves, Alexander Anderson and Benjamin Stevens. One of the early day superintendents of the school was Judge Rufus P. Spaulding, who later became one of the prominent lawyers of Cleveland. At that time, the records inform us, there were "40 male scholars" and "63 female scholars" ; and 16 teachers—"7 males" and "9 females." Happily society has outgrown the use of these terms applied to members of the human family. To-day the Sunday school is a large and flourishing institution, with an average attendance of 6OO. In the '80s the Methodists had the largest congregation and, the writer thinks, the largest Sunday school in the city. But of late years the Christian church has equaled if not surpassed it in both directions. The membership now numbers 902. The officers of the church at present are : OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES. Trustees—J. W. Masters, B. J. Taylor. K. O. Brainard, W. J. Masters, C. E. Inman, Martin Hecklinger, R. T. Izant. A. E. Wonders, T. M. Sabin. Stewards—John Pew, J. H. Ewalt, F. B. Gilder, S. B. Craig, George Warner, C. C. Clawson, District Steward; B. J. Taylor, Recording Steward; Jay Buchwalter, Homer Robins, James Mahan, W. W. McFarland, J. F. Dutton. Class Leaders—E. H. Masters, N. Lang, H. L. VanGorder. Leaders (confirmed as members of the Quarterly Conference, therefore members of the Official Board)—William Southwick, D. M. Frum, Frank Mahan, L. K. Latimer, Charles Pew, R. B. Royce, Noah Dibble, L. G. Lease, Charles H. Adams, M. F. Gleason, George Hapgood. Among the members of the Methodist church who were workers for many years were Mr. and Mrs. John M. Stull. Mrs. Stull was Florilla Wolcott, of Farmington, and a woman of 278 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY unusually strong, sweet characteristics. She was a Presbyterian, but when her husband became interested in the Methodist church she went with him. They were both fond of fun and they enjoyed a joke on each other quite as well as on outsiders. One day in a church meeting, when they were talking of the missionary work, Mr. Stull arose and said that one of their missionaries, Miss , had not been mentioned in the list of workers and that for his part he wished to commend her to the church members. He said he thought any woman who went to a strange country and worked for the church should receive some recognition, and in the case of Miss he felt this was particularly true, since her services were being rendered in such a hot country (he referred to India.) Hearing a snicker, he looked about and saw Mrs. Stull convulsed with laughter. Speaking outright, he said, "Frill, what are you laughing at?" Mrs. Stull replied, "Your remarks are rather pointed, since Miss has been dead for years." St. Mary's Church (Roman Catholic). Rev. Patrick O'Dwyer was the first priest to visit Warren. He came at long intervals. He was stationed in Cleveland from 1837 to 1839. Rev. John Conlon, pastor of Dungannon, visited this city as a station in 1849. From that time on "the spiritual interests of the few Catholics of Warren were looked after by the resident pastors of the following places : Randolph, Akron, Summitsville, St. Columba, Youngstown and Niles." In 1858 Rev. W. O'Connor bought a lot for a church on Quinby Hill, near where the canal afterwards ran. In 1862 Rev. E. M. O'Callaghan, who had succeeded Father O'Connor, found the lot undesirable and sold it. In 1864 he bought the property which had belonged to the Protestant Episcopal church, remodeled the building suitable for the Catholic services. Prior to the buying of this church mass had been celebrated in several private houses. In 1868 Rev. E. J. Conway was given this charge, and he was the first resident priest. He built a house for the accommodation of the priest at a cost of $1,000. He only served until 1869, when Warren was made a mission of Niles. In October, 1870, Rev. E. J. Murphy had charge of the parish. He enlarged the priest's house and made other im- HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 279 provements. During his time there was a parish school, but upon his removal, in March, 1873, it was discontinued. In 1873 and in 1876 Warren Catholics were under the supervision of the Niles church. In 1873 Rev. A. Paganini was resident priest, remaining two years. He went to Italy for a visit, and his cousin, J. Paganini, attended to the duties of the parish. Upon the former priest's return, in 1876, he took charge. While he was gone the cousin had improved the Church property without authority, and plunged the parish into debt. The church was sold in 1876, while Bishop Gilmore was in Europe. The bishop was greatly distressed over this state of affairs and he raised money by loan to pay off the indebtedness, and the loan was repaid by the parishes throughout the diocese and also by several fairs at Warren. This is the only time that a parish in northern Ohio ever defaulted its financial obligations, and in this the people were not to blame. Rev. A. Paganini was removed in March, 1876. He was succeeded in a few months by Rev. B. B. Kelley, who remained in charge until February, 1877. Since that time the pastors have been Rev. M. J. Murphy, 1877-1879; Rev. W. J. Manning, 1879-1882 ; Rev. F. M. Scullin, 1882-1884; Rev. D. O'Brien, from February to September, 1884; then the church became a mission of Niles until 1886. This was the fourth time that the Warren church had been put under the management of the Niles church. This was because there were few Catholics in Warren and because the town grew largely from the county, and the rural districts of Ohio are not, as a rule, Catholic districts. In 1886 Rev. Ambrose A. Weber became pastor of the church. Father Weber was a German and greatly beloved by his people. He was gentle and conscientious. During his time the old church was improved somewhat, and his residence as well. He bought the large bell now in use, supplied the church with stations, neat furnishings, and a goodly supply of vestments. He bought, in September, 1895, for $1,700, six acres of land for a parish cemetery. This adjoins the city cemetery, on the Niles road, and is a great convenience to the Catholics of Warren, because before that they had to go to Niles for interment. In May, 1891, he purchased a lot 70 feet by 202 feet, on High street, at the cost of $3,000. The last payment was made in February, 1900. In 1900 Father Weber bought the Park 280 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY Avenue school property from the Warren city board of education for $3,500. He intended to have a parochial school here. When Father Weber had hold of the parish there were only thirty-five families connected with it. Rev. P. C. N. Dwyer succeeded Father Weber as pastor of the church. He began his services in July, 1901, and it is largely due to him that St. Mary's has such a commodious and substantial building. In March, 1902, this new church on High street was begun. The corner-stone was laid on July 20, 1902, the church was enclosed the same year, and in 1903 the first mass was said in the basement at Christmas time. The dedication of the church was held on July 20, 1907. The total cost of the church property, including church building, lot and parsonage, with all furniture and fixtures, was $60,000. The present officers of the church are Peter Boyle, John Mock Jr., M. J. Ryan and Charles Mortz. The present membership is about 600. Zion Reformed Church. Zion's Reformed church was organized October 26, 1894. The present building was erected the following year, the cornerstone being laid July 30th. For many years St. Paul's Lutheran church, standing on Vine street, near Market, was used by a congregation under the same title, that is Zion Reformed church, in conjunction with the Lutheran congregation. This church was burned, and the two congregations separated, the first Zion Reformed church disbanding. This first church purchased a lot on which the present Zion church stands. They held their last communion on the 25th of August, 1872. After a time the trustees turned a lot which occupied about the same position on Pine street that the old church had occupied on Vine street over to the present organization. This new church cost $3,000. It had twenty-six charter members. The congregation was organized by Rev. C. W. Brugh, who served until 1896. He was followed by Rev. E. H. Laubach, who served two years. Rev. J. J. Gruber served eight years, that is, until 1904. Rev. George Th. Nevin Beam, who served five years, followed. The present pastor is Rev. Range. The membership is 165. The elders of the church are Messrs. Martin Schneider, J. J. Deitz, Julius Ziegler ; the deacons, Joseph S. Morrison, Charles E. Gilbert, John C. Schmidt. HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 281 The Sunday school in connection with the church was organized by Rev. J. C. Horning in 1894. The first meeting was held in the Y. M. C. A.; after that in the third floor of the old Opera House block ; later in Odd Fellows hall, until the church was dedicated. Tod Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. The Tod Avenue Methodist Episcopal church was established in 1897. L.W. LePage was appointed minister for West Warren at the conference held in September of that year. In 1898 the following men were elected at the conference of the First Methodist church, as trustees : B. F. Wonders, R. P. McClellan, A. R. Moore, C. L. Bailey, A. F. Spear and J. F. Wilson. These trustees purchased a lot at the corner of Tod avenue and Buckeye street from James M. Quinby and wife for $900. The building committee consisted of Rev. Mr. LePage, B. F. Wonders, A. R. Moore and J. F. Wilson. The erection of the church began- in April, 1898, and was dedicated in August of the same year. It cost $4,000. The pastors have been as follows : Rev. L. W. LePage, 1898-1900 ; Rev. W. H. Talmadge, 1900-1901; Rev. H. H. Scott, 1901-1904; Rev. S. L. Boyers, six months ; Rev. L. C. Hallock, frnished out Mr. Boyers' term of six months and served an additional year. Rev. F. H. Hill took charge in 1906 and still serves. A parsonage was built in 1904, costing $2,700. The present trustees of this church are A. L. Tayler, F. S. Gould, S. E. Wanamaker, Jesse Diehl, R. D. McCauley, B. F. Wonders, A. R. Moore, Mrs. Anna Hurd, Lewis Durst. So far as we know, Mrs. Hurd is the only woman holding a church position of this kind in Warren. The present membership is 260. Christian Science Church. In 1901 a Christian Science Society was organized in Warren, the members meeting in private homes. On January 5, 1902, the first public services were held in a room over the First National Bank, with Miss Ella Phelps as first reader. On Miss Phelps leaving town some six months later, Miss Lucie B. Ohl was elected first reader and Charles S. Adams, second reader. In October, 1903, meetings were discontinued, but were resumed a year later in a private house on High street. In 282 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY October, 1906, Mr. Adams was chosen first reader and Miss Matilda White, second reader. In November, 1906, the meeting place was changed to a room on the second floor of the Gillmer-Wallace Block, on Main street. In the following June Miss White moved to Youngstown, and Miss Jennie A. Terry, of Cortland, was chosen to fill her place. In December a front room on the first floor of the Opera House block was secured and services held there and reading room kept open every afternoon except Sunday. The first reader now is Charles S. Adams, and the second, Mrs. Amelia Sommers. Though at present organized as a society, a church will eventually be formed under the name of First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Warren, Ohio. Mr. Adams is a great-great-grandson of Mrs. Rowe, the first Episcopalian and a son of Whittlesey Adams, the oldest Presbyterian. Grace United Evangelical Church. In 1902 the Ohio Conference was urged to take up missions of the above church in cities. The conference appointed Rev. S. E. Wright, Rev. T. R. Smith, Rev. J. A. Grimm, and lay brethren, Herman W. Masters, M. B. Templin, G. W. Ripley and Levi Bear, to look after the interests of the mission in Warren. The only local man was Herman W. Masters. This committee secured a lot on Belmont street for $700. In April, 1903, Rev. H. D. Schultz was appointed to take charge of this mission. This church organization started, as did many of those of the early days, with a meeting in the courthouse. The school board granted them permission to use the wooden building then on Mercer street as a temporary place of meeting. The first services held there were the last Sunday in May. At that time a Sunday school of twenty-eight members was organized, H. Blake Masters being the superintendent. When the church organization was perfected the establishing members were Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Masters, G. W., Blake, John, Charles and James Masters, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Morrow, Miss Sadie Morrow and H. D. Schultz. In June, ground was broken for the new church, and on the 23rd of August the corner-stone was laid. Those assisting in this ceremony were the Rev. Mr. Jester and Scott of the Methodist churches, Rev. Mr. Bates of the Disciple, Rev. Mr. Ralston of the Baptist, and Rev. Mr. Crowe of the Presbyterian. Three hundred and eight dollars HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 283 were secured on this occasion. The church was dedicated on November 22nd, by Bishop R. Dubbs, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is a pretty little church, well heated, lighted and carpeted. The brethren in Reading,. Pennsylvania, gave a bell, and Elmer Harold, of Leetonia, a pipe organ. The cost of the church was about $6,200. Rev. H. D. Schultz continued his pastorate for two years and a half. He was followed by J. H. Elder, who served one year. Rev. J. H. Schweisberger was in charge two years, and the present incumbent is Rev. J. Howard Sloan. Second Christian Church. In 1906 it was decided to erect a Christian church on the west side, in order that the members living on that side might not have so far to walk, and because the Tod Avenue church, Methodist, was interesting the children in its Sunday school, as well as some of the members in the church itself. Therefore, in 1907, the second Christian church, corner West Market and Mulberry, was erected at a cost of $11,000, and was dedicated April 14, 1907. The charter membership was composed of 216 members of the Central Christian church, who voluntarily left the home church they had helped to build for the new one all had united in founding. Rev. C. O. Reynard, the present pastor, began his work on dedication day. The membership at this date, March, 1909, is: Resident, 384; non-resident, thirty; total, 414. A Bible school with a weekly attendance of 300, strong missionary and social organizations, together with a harmonious, progressive spirit in the entire membership, are factors that promise large usefulness for this church. CHAPTER XIX—SCHOOLS. SCHOOL LANDS IN WESTERN RESERVE.-FIRST SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS IN WARREN.-WARREN ACADEMY.-SCHOOL DIS- CIPLINE.-SELECT SCHOOLS.-BEGINNING OF PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.-EARLY TEACHERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.- REMINISCENCES.-UNCOMFORTABLE SCHOOLHOUSES.- OLD-TIME PEDAGOGY.-WARREN SCHOOLHOUSES FOR FIFTY YEARS.-PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACH- ERS.-BOARD OF EDUCATION.-SUPERIN- TENDENTS.-ALUMNI OF WARREN HIGH SCHOOL. When Connecticut passed laws in regard to the selling of its western lands it provided that in every township 500 acres of land should be set apart for the support of schools. This act, however, was never effective, because only the Salt Spring tract was disposed of by Connecticut itself. When the state later authorized the sale of the land, it provided that the money arising from that sale should be held in the perpetual fund which should be used for the payment of ministers' salaries, the erection of churches of all denominations, and for school purposes. This action was disapproved of strongly, and finally, when the land actually was sold, the entire sum, as we have seen, was kept for the use of Connecticut schools. This was invested in such a way that the $1,200,000 became $2,500,000. This was a large sum for the early days, and all teachers and most text books pointed out this wonderful act of a conscientious and progressive people. The generosity in regard to schools, however, applied only to the mother state. Either accidentally or purposely Connecticut sold the Western Reserve without providing any kind of school fund, which was a drawback to colonization. Many old residents today testify that their mothers who came into this wilderness nearly broke their hearts, not at the thought of bringing their children into the wilderness, but - 284 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 285 that there was no chance of educating them, when they were here. The state of Ohio had made proper provision for its schools, but this provision did not apply to three reservations, the Western Reserve, the Virginia Military district and United States military bounty lands. It is easily seen, then, that these important reservations were at a disadvantage. In 1807 Congress appropriated eighty-seven and one-half square miles in Tuscarawas and Holmes counties for schools of the three above mentioned districts, and fifty-nine square miles more in 1834. This last appropriation came from the northwestern part of the state. The Western Reserve therefore had 93,760 acres of land, the proceeds of which could apply to the maintenance of schools. It was found very hard to lease these lands, and consequently the legislature sold them in 1852. The result brought a quarter of million of dollars for the support of schools in the Western Reserve. This is known as "The Irreducible School Fund," and is still used for the purpose which it was intended. All school treasurers report each year a certain sum, insignificant, to be sure, in comparison with the general fund, but still a contribution. For instance, in Warren for the school year 1908-09 it amounted to $158.96. The first schoolhouse in the city of Warren stood on the present Monumental Park. It was of logs, as was also the second one, which was located in the neighborhood of the Park Hotel. The third schoolhouse was a frame one, built north of the first structure. Mr: George Parsons was the first teacher in the first schoolhouse. Mr. John Leavitt was probably the first teacher of the second schoolhouse. This building soon became a dwelling house. So far as is known, the first woman who taught school was Miss Mary Case, the daughter of Leonard Case, Sr., and the mother of Misses Mary and Harriet Stevens. She was a very talented woman, had a sweet voice, sang in the early choirs, was a devoted student and brought her family up to love study and culture. She married Mr. Benjamin Stevens, and together they lived a long, useful, happy, loving life. The second woman teacher was Miss Nancy Bostwick. She was the aunt of Mrs. Mary B. Harmon and was the sister-in-law of Oliver Patch's mother. Her school was known as "A Young Ladies' Seminary." It was held in the third story of Castle William. It is recorded that "she gave 286 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY at least one public exhibition, at which young ladies read essays and performed in general, as is usual upon such occasions." Some of the early men teachers were George Parsons, John Leavitt, Alexander Sutherland, Samuel Forward, Colonel Cyrus Bosworth (who married Sarah Case) and a Mr. Olcott. The school of the latter was in existence about the time of Miss Bostwick's and was taught in a house which stood between the present McConnell's eating house and Perry's printing place. Mr. Olcott was a Yale graduate and a good teacher. On November 10, 1818, an advertisement appears in the Western Reserve Chronicle, of the grammar school to be opened in Warren in which Latin and Greek, English language, geography, arithmetic, geometry, philosophy and logic will be taught. Mr. Reed was teacher. The tuition for Latin and Greek and higher branches, $5 for arithmetic, grammar and geography, $3. The committee was Adamson Bentley, J. B. Harmon, Jeremiah Brooks, Ephraim Quinby. In the early '20s Mr. Tower had a school in a frame building which stood where the Warren dry goods store now is, but faced Park avenue. About this time Miss Norton, afterwards Mrs. General Curtis, of Sharon, taught in a building on East Market street that had been used as an office by Judge Calvin Pease. Here Miss McNeal also kept school. In 1837-38 a select school was held in a large frame building where the machine shop belonging to W. C. and Austin Pendleton now stands. Mr. Daniel Jagger was the teacher. He was a resident of Windham, and taught here again in 184O in a store room which stood on the east part of the lot now owned by the Warren Packard estate, corner of High and Mahoning. In 1819 L. Andrews opened a school on Main street. About 1818 the Warren School Association was formed. The original trustees were James Quigley, Richard Iddings. Samuel Leavitt, Francis Freeman and George Parsons. These trustees erected the academy about 1820. There were four departments, two primary departments, one for girls and boys, and two high schools, one for girls and boys. However, the boys and girls did not long stay separated, although the schools —the primary and high schools—were separate. An advertisement for the Warren Academy, April 22, 1828, says that the summer term will begin on the 12th day of May, and the department for boys will be about as it was before. HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 287 "In addition to this, arrangements have been made whereby an apartment in the building will be appropriated exclusively for the accommodation of girls, in which will be taught all the useful and many of the ornamental branches of education." The first teachers were Messrs. Cunningham and Johnson. After that Rufus P. Spaulding, Reuben Case, Jacob Osborne, Captain Thompson, Miss Clarissa Norton (Mrs. General Curtis), David L. Cole, Ralph Hickox, Irene Hickox (Mrs. Scranton), John Crowell, Mr. Babbitt, Selden Haines, A. Cadwalader, Mr. Harlow, Anderson Dana, Morris Iddings and Francis Gillette. The early accounts of this academy never seem to discount the ability of these teachers to teach, but a great deal is said about their ability or inability to govern. The right of people in authority to domineer over those under them in the state, in the school, in the home, was never for a minute doubted. In a history published by Williams & Brothers, in 1882, we find the following: "Corporal punishment was at that time not only the usual, but the necessary way of enforcing obedience, even though it was an academy. Along one wall there was a bench about eighteen inches from the floor. Boys were punished by being required to kneel and place their heads under this bench. A whole row might sometimes be seen thus bowed down and resting on their hands and knees. Vigorous and unexpected use of a long ruler as the master walked back and forth among the repentant line sent one head here and another there, thumping against the wall. Anderson Dana, the father of Junius, bore the reputation of being one of the best of teachers." Francis Gillette was rigid in his discipline. He required perfect recitations. For one error in reciting, a pupil received one stroke of the ruler. For the second, two, and so on. History records that John B. Harmon reached as high as sixty-four raps. Discipline grows less strict in each succeeding year. In the report of 1875, under the paragraph "Punishment" of the rules and regulations, we find: "In inflicting corporal punishment—which should be resorted to only in cases of extreme necessity arising from flagrant and persistent disobedience—no other instrument shall be used but a common rod. The hands and head shall be exempt." While nowadays, if a teacher whose 288 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY pupil is most disobedient uses a ruler or a stick on his hand, or if he shakes a girl or slaps a boy, parents are outraged. Papers in the possession of old residents of Warren show that in the early days of the academy studies were paid for separately. Bills still kept by descendants of the original parents who sent children to school read : Arithmetic, so much; Geography, so much ; and so on. They were also credited with cord wood, because the pupils were obliged to furnish the fire. Mr. Lewis Morris Iddings, in "Sketch of the Early Days of Warren," says : "When the academy was completed, one of the first applicants for the position of head master was W. H. McGuffey, afterward celebrated as the compiler of Eclectic series of reading and spelling books and as president of Miami University, but then a young man living at Coitsville. He presented himself before Dr. Eaton, George Swift and Mr. Olcott, who comprised the board of examiners. Mr. Swift, as well as Mr. Olcott, was a graduate of Yale College, and the examination was quite severe. Mr. McGuffey failed and was rejected. He afterwards said the mortification he felt acted as an incentive for further study, to which he attributed his success in life. * * * * * We can learn but little of the course of study pursued. It probably comprised the ordinary branches of an English education, with small Latin and less Greek.' " This academy was a successful school, and many of Trumbull County's first citizens obtained their education there. Hon. T. J. McLain Jr., who spent most of his life in Warren and was one of the most respected and beloved citizens of that city, wrote a "Historical Sketch of the Schools of Warren," a copy of which is now possessed by the city school board. Mr. McLain attended these schools, afterwards was connected with his father in the banking business, was a member of the boards of education, vestryman in Christ church, and was for many years consul at Nassau, the Island of New Providence. He says : "During the decade immediately preceding the organization of the present graded schools the principal instructors in Warren were Junius Dana, Prof. Bronson, William HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 289 G. Darley, Martha Calendar (Mrs. E. E. Hoyt), Martha and Fannie Dickey, Lucy Clark, S. D. Harris, Dr. J. R. Woods, and a Baptist clergyman named Brown, who, by his persistent and merciless use of the rod, strap and ferule, acquired a reputation for brutality which has never been equaled in the history of our schools. Being now dead, we will say to his remains what he never said to a pupil, ‘Requiescat in pace.' "About 1844 Prof. Bronson established an Episcopal Female Seminary." This stood on the west portion of the lot now owned by Mr. Judd, on South street. "The project, however, not proving a success, he soon abandoned it, and opened a select school for boys and girls in the basement of the old Methodist Episcopal church, on the river bank. "Junius Dana, who was the leading educator from 1840 to 1848, generally taught a select school in summer and a district school in winter, part of the time alone, and on several occasions in connection with Daniel Jagger. The select schools were held in the McFarland block, in the academy, and in King's brick block on Main street. " Wm. G. Darley, an English gentleman, also taught a select school in King's block [now the Wallace-Gillmer block] from 1846 to. 1849, which was largely attended and quite successful. "In 1844-45 three small frame schoolhouses for district schools were built, one on the corner of School and Prospect streets, another on the north side of East High and the third south of the Canal, and were at the time regarded as an important adjunct to the educational facilities of the village. "Under the system of district schools then extant, the school taxes were not collected, as now, by being placed upon the duplicate, but the directors were empowered to collect them, and in case of refusal to pay they were authorized to sue as in any other case of indebtedness. This gave rise sometimes to considerable litigation, and amusing instances are narrated in connection with such proceedings. At one time three of the wealthiest citizens in the village, dissatisfied with the schools, refused to pay their taxes ; whereupon the directors levied upon the harness of one, Vol. I-19 290 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY the fat calf of another, and the wagon of the third, exposing these articles at public sale, at the court house door to the highest bidder, to the infinite amusement of those taxpayers who had cheerfully responded without process of law. This summary example, it is said, was potent for a long time in facilitating the collection of school taxes. "The studies pursued in the select and district schools of this time were reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, grammar, geography, history, algebra, geometry, astronomy, natural philosophy, chemistry, botany and geology, with a moderate amount of Latin and Greek ; the higher branches were mostly taught in the select schools. "About this time important changes were being made in the public school system of the state, with special reference to the better regulation of schools in cities, towns and villages. And on February 21, 1849, a general act was passed by the legislature, the provisions of which seemed to meet the approval of many citizens of Warren. John Hutchins delivered a public lecture upon the subject, and on March 31, 1849, a legal call was made for an election to decide whether the village should adopt the above mentioned act. This call was signed by six resident freeholders, namely, Mathew Birchard, Leicester King, John B. Harmon, R. P. Ranney, Milton Graham, L. J. Iddings. "The election was held at the court house on April 10, 1849, B. F. Hoffman acting as chairman, Joseph Perkins as assistant chairman, and I. L. Fuller as clerk. The vote stood, for the law, 134; against the law, 22. So the law was adopted. On the 23rd of the same month, at an election, R. P. Ranney and George Tayler were elected to serve as members of the board of education for one year. M. Birchard and B. P. Jameson for two years, Joseph Perkins and John Hutchins for three years. The board organized on April 30th by choosing M. Birchard for president, John Hutchins for secretary, and George Tayler for treasurer. School examiners were appointed as follows, namely : Julian Harmon for one year, Jacob Perkins for two years, Rev. W. C. Clark for three years. "After a very brief delay the board proceeded to organize a school under the law. A high school was established, under the charge of Miss Martha Dickey, in a two- HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 291 story frame building, which stood on the site of the present brick structure on Monroe street. [By the "present structure" Mr. McLain meant the high school building which was torn down in 1882 to make room for the present building.] The several frame school buildings, the property of the respective sub-districts under the old system, were utilized by the board, and other rooms were rented, so that six primary and secondary schools were opened during the summer months, taught respectively by Fannie Dickey, Mary Brown, Amanda Brown, Elizabeth A. Tuttle, Mary Tillotson and Francis James. The salaries paid the teachers at this time were $4 per week in the high school and $3.50 in others. The price of tuition for foreign scholars was fixed at $3 per term in the high school and $1.50 per term in the primary. "The following course of study was established: For primary and secondary schools—Eclectic Spelling Books, Eclectic First, Second and Third Readers, Wells' Elementary Grammar, Thompson's Mental and Practical Arithmetic, Parley & Morse's Geography, and Wilson's History of the United States. "For the high school—McGuffey's Fifth Reader, Mandaville's Course of Reading, Morse's Geography, Wells' School Grammar, Thompson's Practical and Higher Arithmetic, Lumas' Algebra, Davies' Legrende Geometry, Davies' Surveying, Smith's Illustrated Astronomy, Parker's Natural Philosophy, Gray's Chemistry, Ackerman's Natural History, Cutler's Physiology, Wood's Botany, Wilson's American History, Hitchcock's Geology, Olendorff's French Grammar, Arnold's Latin and Greek series. "During the summer arrangements were perfected so that upon the 1Oth of September, 1849, the first regular session of all the schools opened with the following corps of teachers, namely : M. D. Leggett, superintendent and principal of high school, with the salary of $7OO per annum; Miss Lucretia Wolcott, assistant in the high school, with a salary of $2OO per annum; Miss Lucretia Pomeroy, principal of the grammar school, with a salary of $175 per annum; Martha Dickey, M. A. Booth, Lucia Cotton, Francis Jane, Amanda Brown, Marietta Leggett, in the primary and secondary schools, at $3.5O per week. 292 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY "At the close of the first year M. D. Leggett [who later was commissioner of patents] resigned the superintendency of the schools, and J. B. Cox was elected to fill the vacancy, entering upon his duties September 1, 1851, and serving for three years at a salary of $600 per annum." In 1853 there were nine teachers employed in Warren in the schools, and the attendance was 542. "On September 1, 1854, Rev. James Marvin assumed charge as superintendent, occupying that position for eight years, at a salary of at first $900, then $1,000, and finally $1,200 per annum." Mr. Whittlesey says : "The building occupied by the high school was built originally for a two-story carpenter shop, located on the south side of Monroe street. After it had been occupied a short time it was divided into two buildings to be used as dwelling houses ;" one of these parts is now owned and occupied by Mrs. Mae B. Camp; the other half was moved to the east side of North Park avenue and owned by Mrs. A. J. Hart. In 1839 the boys who attended Mr. Calendar's school were Samuel L. Freeman, Jefferson Palm, James McMillan and George Seely. In the early schools the ordinary branches were taught, but there were no special teachers. Music, drawing and penmanship were taught in special schools. Eunice Towne, the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, taught drawing and painting. In 1844 M. J. A. Severance had a writing school, and the editor of the Chronicle says: "We would advise all who are deficient in the use of the pen to avail themselves of the opportunity now presented to learn to write an elegant hand at a very small expense." About this time Mrs. L. L. Chamberlin opened a school in Warren to teach "all the accomplishments necessary to female education." Samuel Quinby, John Hutchins and Edward Spear are given as reference. The year before--1843—Miss M. J. Reynolds opened a school for "Young Ladies." In 1845 Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Bronson opened a school for young ladies, advertising that, "Foreign pupils may reside with his family. Term 16 weeks. $100 per year, including board, washing, fuel, lights and ordinary English education. All will be taught useful and ornamental branches." HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 293 Martha and Frances (commonly called Fannie) Dickey were among the early teachers. In the fall of 1845 these two young women had a school of sixty scholars. Their mother says in a letter written to relatives east : "Martha teaches in the village and boards at home. Mrs. Mason says her talent ought not to be wasted in the kitchen. Frances went seventeen weeks to Mr. Dana, he is a very good mathematician." One sentence which this mother writes to interested friends applies so directly to the teachers in our own school today that it is quoted : "Martha and Frances are busying themselves this summer in altering their dresses and making new ones. * * * * " Martha looks much better since school closed." At the time that J. D. Cox was superintendent of the schools he resided on Elm street, near the Lake Division of the B. & O. railroad. He was supporting himself and his family on the magnificent sum of $600, and owned no overcoat. He used to wear a cape about his shoulders. There was no street lighting at that time, at least not on Elm street, and the trees were so thick that when he got in the neighborhood of Scott street (that street was not cut through to Elm in those days) he was obliged to feel his way, by the rail fence on the west side of the street. Mr. Cox was afterwards general in the army, governor of the state and secretary of the interior under Grant. Mrs. Ira Fuller, whose father, Horace Stevens, lived for some time in the house which stood on the present lot of the Misses Hall's home, said she remembered attending a school taught by Miss Lathrop in the academy. She was led to school when the roads were dry, taken on horseback when it was not. It seems incredible that children living on Mahoning avenue would have to ride to school as near as the present public library. However, then there were no sidewalks, no pavements, and in spring the mud was deep enough to mire a child. Mrs. Fuller said she cherished a dainty needle book which Miss Lathrop gave her the day she went away to be married. She received a reward of merit card signed by Rufus Spaulding when she attended his schools. Among her childish friends were Emily Spaulding, Olive Freeman, Elizabeth Van Gorder, Elizabeth Courtney, Elizabeth Collins and Mary Stevens. The last is the only one living; she resides almost next door to the old home of her cousin, Mary Stevens (Mrs. Fuller). Selden Haines, one of the early teachers of the old academy, 294 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY in writing to his great-nephew, Judge D. R. Gilbert, under the date of October 21, 1882 (Mr. Haines was then eighty-two years old), gives some facts which we quote here : "My father left Connecticut in the fall of 1818 and settled in Vernon, where he died in 1849, aged eighty-five. In the summer of 182O I began the study of Latin with Reuben Coe. In September, 1821, I came east to Granville, Massachusetts, and spent a year preparing for college. I was graduated at Yale College in 1826, in a class of 1O6—the largest class that ever graduated at any American college prior to the year 1837. I began the study of law in the office of Hooker & Talmadge. Talmadge was United States senator in after years. I was married in 1828, though `poor as a church mouse.' We landed at Vernon with nothing to do for a living, and nothing to do with. In the course of a few weeks I was engaged to teach in what was called Warren Academy—being nothing but a miserable brick shanty with two school rooms. In the meantime I pursued my study with John Crowell, since called Gen. Crowell, of Cleveland. I tried my best to give universal satisfaction with my pupils, and at the end of six months a majority of my patrons were grumbling. Judge Pease [Calvin], a prominent citizen, came to my rescue. He advised me not to try to please anybody but myself. The result was that I became quite popular with the pupils. I occupied the position about eighteen months and was succeeded by Hon. Francis Gillette, of Hartford, Connecticut, who was afterwards United States senator. He was the father of Gillette, a greenback member of Congress from Iowa. Among my pupils were four sons of Gen. Perkins ; also Miss Maria Smith [Tod] and Miss Cornelia Pease [Kinsman], and Mrs. Simon Perkins, of Akron." The schoolhouses referred to by Mr. McLain as being an improvement on what preceded were the most dismal, uncomfortable sort of buildings. The one which was on Prospect was moved off in 1870 or 1871 onto the lot owned by Mrs. Eunice Hawkins, which adjoined on the north the school property. It was remodeled and has been used ever since as a dwelling. The first teacher at Prospect school was George Maltby, of Southington, and the second, S. D. Harris, who was lay-reader HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 295 in the Episcopal church and afterwards was editor of the Ohio Farmer. He moved to Columbus. George Hapgood, Sr., many years editor of the Chronicle, taught here in 1846. One of the other schoolhouses was moved onto Clinton street, and it is now used as a residence. The author of this volume attended three of these schools. None of them were comfortable, but the one on Prospect street was the least inviting. It was set flatly on the ground, with no cellar, and consequently the floor had the same temperature as existed outside, with additional dampness. Scholars huddled around the old cannon stove in the corner, burning their copper-toed shoes and scorching the fronts of their clothes, to return to their seats and in a few moments be as cold as ever. Small jackets and shawls were worn by the children and the outer garments which hung in the entry were so cold that they had to be warmed at the fire before putting them on. The windows were purposely made so high that children could not see out when standing by them. The seats were very low and uncomfortable. So down in this pit, shivering and disconsolate, the little folks of the north part of the town had to turn up their faces to see a bit of sky, and to relieve themselves of the thought they were in prison. However, in this half-cellar, many young people learned to read and write, who afterwards went out into the world and became not only useful, but famous. Notably among these was Kenyon Cox, the great artist. In one of these uncomfortable seats he studied just enough to keep from being punished, and spent the rest of his time drawing pictures for the amusement of those who sat near him. The only things the writer can remember as being bearable about that "old north school" was the playground and the teacher. Her name was Hall, and she was a conscientious, tender developer of children. The High street schoolhouse, which stood on the lot where General Ratliff built a home, which is now owned by Charles Wood. It contained two rooms for the primary and secondary grades. The windows here were not so high, and the sun seemed to get into the building. It was not nearly so cheerless. Among the teachers who served for some time there were Gen. R. W. Ratliff, Miss Julia Stevens, a sister of Mrs. Ira Fuller (who married Mr. Snook, a teacher, and whose children reside in Seattle, Wash.) ; and Mrs. Kennedy Andrews, who at that time was Miss Kennedy. 296 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY Mrs. Andrews' daughter has a picture of some of her mother's pupils, which was always cherished. Mrs. Frank J. Mackey, now residing on Park avenue, as Carrie Shaler, was a successful school teacher and remembers all of the scholars she taught and has followed the lives of a great many of them. In these schools were held spelling matches, and the classes stood to recite in front of the teacher. Scholars who missed words in spelling were obliged to step down and let the successful scholar go ahead of him. The pupil who stood at the head of the class each day received a mark and on the following day began at the foot of the class to work his way up to the head again. At the end of the term the child having the largest number of "head marks" was given a prize. One of these spellers, now in business in Warren, who received a. number of these rewards for excellence in spelling, is noted for his incorrect spelling today. The morning sessions of these schools were opened with Bible reading, singing and prayer. In most cases, the teacher, turning her back to the pupils, knelt on the floor, with her elbows in the wooden chair, as she asked the Father's blessing on the saints and sinners alike over whom she exercised jurisdiction. During this morning hour, because of the position of the teacher, the small boy was more largely tempted than at any time during the day, and many were the wet paper wads and other light missiles which were thrown at the praying teacher. Be it to their credit, few girls indulged in this undignified proceeding. But they giggled, sometimes out loud, and the gigglers were always equally punished with the real offenders. The water was brought from a near-by well, and stood in the pail during the session. The "teacher's pet," or the pupil in good standing, was allowed, in the middle of the morning and again in the afternoon, to pass this liquid refreshment in a long-handled dipper. The only advantage these dingy, dark school rooms had over the later schools was that the aisles were necessarily short, and the terror which overtook a pupil when on Friday afternoon he made his way to the platform to "speak his piece" was of short duration. In the intermediate department of the old high school, where the aisles were interminable, a pupil had time to have one or two attacks of "blind staggers" before he or she reached the platform to recite "Gray's Elegy" or read. HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 297 an essay on "Spring." After more than half a lifetime, with its sorrows of many kinds, the author still shivers at the thought of Friday afternoon, and when she sees the pupils of today, unconsciously and naturally, without getting white and red by turns, without putting their fingers in their mouths, or twisting up the corners of their aprons, recite and sing and read, she wonders what was the matter with the old method which was persecution and crucifixion. In 1854, May 19, a meeting was held in "Empire Hall," Iddings Block, the lower part of which is now occupied by Albert Guarnieri, to provide, by taxation, for money to build schoolhouses. Six thousand dollars was considered a sufficient sum. A month or two later the lot on Monroe street,. together with the old building, was bought from Joseph Perkins for $1,400. (Whether Mr. Perkins had allowed the old trustees to put a building on his lot, or whether he was acting in an official capacity, is not certain.) The lot upon which the present Tod Avenue school stands was bought of Anna J. Gordon for $500. A year later, Edward E. Hoyt & Co. sold for $900 the lot upon which was a frame building, on Park avenue, lot now owned by William Henderson Company. The first building was repaired and made into two schools. The first school held on Quinby Hill (West Side) was in the dwelling of Peter Gaskill. His wife, Dorcas, was the teacher. Her father was an educated Irishman, who taught the first select school in New Castle in 1825. Dorcas attended the early Warren schools, receiving instruction from Eunice Towne, Daniel Jagger and Junius Dana. She first taught at the age of thirteen. One of the first buildings she occupied as a schoolhouse was on the property later owned by the first St. Mary's church. When the home of Edward Spear, Sr., stood where the Methodist church now is, she had a school there. At different times she taught in the session room of the old Presbyterian church, in the session room of the Methodist church, in the Odd Fellows' Hall, in the King Block, and later in a number of private dwellings. She was never sarcastic to her pupils and never critical of pupil, parent or condition. She lived until 1908, and never ceased to have an interest in the schools of the city. She taught about fifty years, and had the record for longest teaching, with 298 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY the exception of Miss Lottie Sackett, who taught thirteen years in colleges and academies and forty years in the public schools. Miss Sackett is the daughter of one of the pioneers of Canfield, and spent most of her life in the family of her sister, Mrs. Harmon Austin, and is now retired as a teacher and makes her home with her niece, Nellie Austin Pendleton. Through her acquaintance in school and church, she probably knows more people in Warren and vicinity than any other one person. She began her teaching in the Warren schools under J. D. Cox, though she first taught in the family of Mr. Henry, in Austintown. She taught under Mr. Leggett, Mr. Marvin, Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Moulton. For some time she had a private school at 301 High street. She also taught in Youngstown, in Alliance, in the Girls' Seminary at Mount Vernon, and in Hiram College. In 1855 $8,000 was raised by taxation, and a brick high school building was begun. Richard Craven and Soule & Johnson were awarded the contract for the building and it was finished the following year. The Gibson family, for several generations, have been bricklayers, plasterers and contractors, and Robert Gibson helped make the brick for this first schoolhouse. In 1857 the first diplomas were granted. A picture of this first school building, published in the Chronicle, speaks of the elegance of the building, its beautiful location, its apparatus for natural sciences, its splendid teachers states that the academic year will consist of three terms of fourteen weeks each and that at the close of the first and second term there will be a vacation of one week. "The second day of the county fair, Thanksgiving day, the 25th of December and the 1st of January will be regarded as holidays." In 1859 the Warren school district was enlarged, taking in some of the township of Howland, and some of the district of west Warren. In 1864 a two-story brick schoolhouse was erected on the lot bought of Anna Gordon, and upon which the present Tod Avenue building stands. The amount voted for this building was $3,500. In 1862 the average monthly wages of the teachers in the state of Ohio was : males, $27.81; females, $16.05. So much interest and pride was there in the early schools that the pupils of those days always speak with the greatest deference and reverence of the first three superintendents, Gen- HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 299 eral Leggett, General Cox and the Rev. Mr. Marvin. The latter resigned in 1862, when he becames a professor in Allegheny College at Meadville. Hugh J. Caldwell became superintendent in '63, serving three years. He received the highest salary the third year of any of the four, was a good superintendent, later moved to Cleveland, where he became judge and where he still resides. The first three superintendents served before the author's time, but Mr. Caldwell waR the first superintendent under whom she studied. She remembers him as a large, pleasant, firm man, who frightened herself and her companions nearly to death when he visited the schools. It was the same kind of fright as a child of today has of a policeman. After he had been in the room a little time the fear wore off, and then she laughed at him in her heart, and sometimes out loud, because he was so fat that it was hard for him to cross one leg on top of the other. If this pupil and that superintendent were to meet today the laugh would be on the other side. One of the early teachers in the high school was Frances York, now Mrs. William T. Spear. There never was a better teacher in the high school force. When one of her sons entered college, his examinations were so perfect in English that the professors asked who his teacher had been and he proudly and quickly replied, "My mother." Miss York had exceptionally good health. Her fair complexion, her red cheeks, were attractive, and at a late Alumnae Association meeting one of her old pupils, a man, said that when the fire needed replenishing Miss York did not take the time of the boys to bring in the coal or replenish the fire, but did it herself. "I can see her now," said he, "walking down the aisle with a full pail of coal on her arm, teaching as she went." She afterwards married William T. Spear, a sketch of whose life is given elsewhere, although he has been a successful man, Mrs. Spear is just as strong a character as he, and would have been able to do just as much as he has, had she been a man. How do we know that the work which is known as "woman's work," known as the "small work," will not some day hold as exalted a place in the eyes of the world as the man's work, now known as the "greater work." Another teacher under Superintendent Caldwell was Roxy Wilcox. She taught here eight years, and endeared herself