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234 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY CHAPTER XVIII SANDUSKY CITY SCHOOLS While much of the school history of Erie County as a whole can be found in the following chapter, the reader should also consult the index for references to the educational affairs in the other townships and communities of the county. As proof that there was school in Sandusky between 1820 and 1835 the following facts are adduced: 1. The record of the first election in the city on the first Monday of May, 1824, states the election was held in the schoolhouse. 2. The Clarion of November 5, 1823, contains the following: Notice To the Patrons of Sandusky City Schools: All those indebted to me for teaching school are requested to settle the same immediately, and save the cost of agency. FRED DEVOE. 3. The Clarion of December 8, 1827, announces the school of A Cooke (the father of Charles E. and Geo. A. Cooke) in the second story of E. Clemons house, to be opened December 12, 1827. Mrs. Mary Dewey, the daughter of E. Clemons, states that this house stood on Market Street. It may, at some future time, be the pleasant duty of the historian to trace the educational progress in our country through the 'century in which we live, and perhaps onward through other centuries. If this labor should ever be undertaken, it will be found that, from about the year. 1830, the Conviction grew rapidly stronger and deeper that there is an inseparable connection between good government and universal education, and that the best security for the prosperity of any country or people lies in providing all practicable means to make the whole people both intelligent and virtuous. Not only the legislatures of the older states steadily and largely increased their appropriations for school purposes, but the older and more wealthy cities from about the same period taxed themselves most liberally for the same object. Many of the less-favored cities and smaller towns also acted in the same spirit and with the same enlightened zeal to secure the direct and immediate benefits of the best possible training for all the children. Though below several of the cities of Ohio in wealth, population and prosperity, still the records of expenditures for the support of schools for the last thirty-eight years must show that Sandusky has kept at HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 235 least in even line with other cities of equal population in the steady and liberal support she has given to her public schools. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FROM 1838 TO 1848, AND ANTECEDENT TO TEE GRADED SYSTEM It is usually said that in 1818 on lot No. 1 on Wayne Street, there was a log, school building kept by Sallie Stimpson as a teacher, and in 1819 Jennings & Darling built a school building on lot No. 7, Washington Row, which was used until the lot was sold by the town proprietor. On November 5, 1823, the Clarion contained the following notice : "To the Patrons of Sandusky City Schools: All those indebted to me for teaching school are requested to settle the same immediately and, save the costs of agency.—Fred Devoe." The Clarion of December 8, 1827, contains an advertisement that A. Cooke (father of George A. and C. E. Cooke) would open a school in the second story of E. E. Clemons' house on December 12, 1827. E. E. Clemons was an early constable here, the father of Mrs. Mary Dewey, and lived on Market Street. In 1833 Mrs. Bois had a school in a frame building near Butts' hardware store, and in 1836 Mrs. Elizabeth and Mary McNeal had a private school in the old courthouse, which was later kept by a Mrs. Brown. In 1837-38-39-40 Quincy Adams, B. F. Spaulding and B. F. Hickox taught a pay school in the basement of Grace Church. Previous to the year 1838 we find few evidences of general interest in the public schools in Sandusky. On the 10th day of September, 1838, the following entry was made upon the school records of the city : "To Amos Earl, Recorder of the Town of Sandusky : "Sir : You are hereby notified that on the 10th day of September, A. D. 1838, I appointed Lucas S. Beecher, S. B. Caldwell and Morse Farwell school directors for the school district comprised within the limits of the corporation of Sandusky, with full powers as such to act until their successors are duly elected and qualified. (Signed) "JOHN F. CAMPBELL, "Superintendent of Common Schools." The school records show that this new board on the day of appointment (September 10, 1838) met with the school directors of Portland Township, namely, William Marshall, Moors Farwell, John G. Camp and Charles F. Drake, and, in accordance with the law providing for such cases, annexed the entire territory of Portland Township to the corporate Town of Sandusky for school purposes. At an election held by the people, September 21, 1838, Oran Follett, Francis D. Parish and Samuel B. Caldwell were chosen directors. In a letter published July 21, 1868, in the Register, Mr. F. D. Parish says : "That the first frame building in Sandusky, known as the old White Store, was on the north side of Water Street, next door west of the 236 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY premises now occupied by the Wells-Fargo Express Company. He further says the first school house was built on the west end of the lot later occupied by the residence of Eleutheros Cooke (where tie Star Theatre is now). This building was fitted up as a residence and occupied by Col. H. H. Wilcoxon for several years on the same spot where it was erected. Col. Wilcoxon was a prominent business man at an early day. "About 1826-7 Isaac Darling built another school house on the ground now occupied by Grace Episcopal Church, which was removed later to lot '50 Wayne Street, and was torn down in 1868." October 10, 1838. At a meeting of the directors, present, F. D. Parish, O. Follett and S. B. Caldwell ordered that there shall be two male teachers hired for three months from the 1st of November, next, and that two female teachers be also employed from the 1st of November, and that suitable rooms for said schools be engaged in such parts of the district of Sandusky as will best accommodate the same. (Signed) F. D. PARISH, Chairman. In pursuance of the above order, Mr. Orlando Ransom and Miss Ann Gustin and Miss E. Hendry were employed as teachers for the winter of 1838-39. The expenditure of wages for teachers, rent of rooms and fuel amounted, for this school year, to $355. Nothing appeared on the school records until some years later of the number of children in the district, or of their attendance upon the schools. October 10, 1838, J. N. Davidson, William B. Smith and Henry F. Merry were elected school directors. November 9, 1839, it was resolved by the board of directors to rent three rooms in the Methodist Chapel, one room of a brick building in the Western Liberties; one room in the Presbyterian Church, and two rooms in Grace Church, for the use of schools from 1838 to 1840. December 4, 1840, Z. W. Barker was elected school director. The teachers for the winter of 1839-40 were Mr. D. Higbie, at $30 per month; Mr. Noah Merrill, at $25 per month ; Miss Mary L. Brown, at $24 per month; Miss Ann S. Gustin, $14; Miss Sarah A. Brown, $14, and Miss Martha J. McElwain at $15 per month. During the winter of 1840-41 there was one male teacher, Mr. Charles Cochran, and there were five female teachers at salaries of the previous year. No record of any summer school for this year. September 17, 1841, Earl Bill, Zenas W. Barker, and William W. Wetherell were elected school directors. October 11, 1841. The foregoing named directors-elect, failing 'to take the oath of office as required by law, Charles W. Cochran, then acting school superintendent, appointed William. W. Wetherell, Zenas W. Barker and Foster M. Follett, school directors. During the winter of 1841-42 two male teachers, Rev. B. H. Hickox and Mr. S. Jefferson, were employed, the former at $30, the latter at $28 per month, but Mr. Hickox was to ring the church bell for the assembling of scholars, which perhaps accounts for the difference in their wages. There were five female teachers also employed during this term. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 237 In the school report made September 16, 1842, by A. Root, we find there had been enrolled during that year, in all the schools, 193 males and 184 females, total 377. The following item is from the same report : "There being no school houses in the district, we rented school rooms and incurred other expenses in support of the schools to the amount of $174. We were also under the necessity of purchasing a stove at a cost of $12, and a writing table which cost $4, both of which are now on hand and will be useful in furnishing the school houses hereafter to be built." So it seemed that the first public school property of the City of Sandusky was a stove and a writing table, together valued at $16 ; that the title to these was acquired in 1842, and that the hope was then cherished that these would "be useful in furnishing the school houses thereafter to be built." The same report states that a tax of 2 mills on the dollar was levied on the property of the district for school purposes, and that this levy produced $242 ; that $175 of this was then collected, the balance being delinquent. (By reference to Haskell and Smith's Gazetteer of the United States, we find that Sandusky at this time contained about 300 dwellings and 1,200 inhabitants.) September 16, 1842. A. H. Moss, F. M. Follett and Z. W. Barker were elected school directors. There were two male teachers and four female teachers employed during the winter of 1842-43. The branches taught were "Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography and Philosophy." School funds received from all sources this year, $349.09. September 19, 1843. Henry F. Merry was elected school director. ERECTION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS October 14, 1843. At a meeting of the voters of the school district it was, on motion of Eleutherous Cooke, "resolved, that a Committee of three be appointed to prepare and present a plan for the erection of one or more school houses in the town of Sandusky, to ascertain the plans of the said Directors for such school house or houses, and the probable expense of building them ; to inquire into the expediency of locating one or more of said buildings in the Public Grounds, or of purchasing one or more lots for that purpose, and to report the result of their labors and inquiries at an adjourned meeting, together with their opinion of the expediency of erecting at present such building or buildings." On motion, Moors Farwell, Alexander M. Porter and Zenas W. Barker were appointed such committee. February 21, 1844. The above committee reported in favor of purchasing lots near the east and west markets and another in the "Western Liberties" on which to erect buildings, and concluded by saying: "Your committee suppose that the proper site for the High School is the Public 238 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Square, and the plan of the building should be such as will be both creditable and ornamental to the town." The qualified electors of the town assembled, .pursuant to notice, to hear the report of the committee, approved the same and voted to have the buildings erected. Winter of 1843-44. Three male and four female teachers were employed in the schools. September 20, 1844. Foster M. Follett was re-elected school director. The expenses of the schools for this school year were $535.22 and the branches taught were reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar and geography. During portions of the year 1844-45 we find Mr. Homer Goodwin, Mr. A. W. Nason, Mr. John R. Johnson and Mr. E. P. Jones making the list of male teachers, and Miss L. A. McElwain, Miss Ann Gustin and Miss Mary E. Goodwin the list of lady teachers. The branches taught were reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, Latin and philosophy. Cost of sustaining the schools, $519.24. Charles B. Squires was elected school director September 20, 1845. The several school buildings, voted by the people February 21, 1844, were completed and occupied a part of this year, 1845. Cost of the four buildings, including three lots, fences, desks and other furniture,' with interest on money loaned, $6,050. School year of 1845-46. November 1, 1845, the following appointments of teachers were made by the directors: A. C. Heustis, principal of high school, $45 per month; A. W. Nason, assistant, $30 per month; Miss L. A. McElwain, preceptress, $18 per month, and Mr. E. P. Jones, Mr. E. Merry, Jr., and Mr. J. B. Johnson, for the district schools in the other parts of town, at $26 per month each. Also Miss Smith, Miss White and Miss Latscha at $14 per month each. In September, 1846, the annual school report showed an attendance of 371 scholars in all the schools. The branches taught in the 'high school were reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, Latin, French, philosophy, chemistry and physiology. Tuition expenses for the school year $808.61. H. F. Merry was re-elected school director, September 18, 1846. The following teachers were appointed for the winter of 1846-47: Males—A. C. Huestis, A. M. Barker, E. P. Jones, James W. Shankland, James Evers. Ladies-L. A. McElwain, L. M. Jones, D. R. Whipple, L. B. Sprague, A. D. Latscha, M. Strong and E. Brewster. February 15, 1847. Cuyler Leonard was appointed school director by the township clerk to fill the vacancy caused by the death of C. B. Squire. July 19, 1847. A. W. Nason was elected principal of the high school at a salary of $35 per month ; July 29, 1847, Miss Eliza Moore was elected teacher at $14 per month ; August 26, Miss M. Johns was elected teacher at $15 per month ; September 6, 1847, pupils enrolled during the year, 490. Branches taught, same as previous year, with algebra and astronomy added. F. M, Follett re-elected school director. The teachers HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 239 for the winter of 1848 were Mr. A. W. Nason, principal of the high school; other teachers and for other schools, Mr. H. Goodwin, Mr. E. P4 Jones, Mr. H. P. Hall. Ladies, Miss M. Johns, Miss. L. A. McElwain, Miss L. A. Jones, Miss E. Moore, Miss L. A. Sprague, Miss S. Irvin, Miss D. R. Whipple and Miss E. C. Cooper. During the first part of the fall term of 1848, Mr. S. Minor acted as principal of the high school; during the last part Mr. Homer Goodwin was employed. Miss Helen Follett, Miss E. Lewis, Miss M. Barrett, Miss H. M. Hoyt and Miss L. Barney were elected as teachers for the fall term of 1848. It will be observed from the foregoing sketch that the money and labors of the school directors were mostly expended upon the winter schools. There are, however, allusions to summer schools, supported partly by public funds, helped through by rate bills, or sustained entirely by rate bills. It is due to the liberality of the public school managers of the period just passed over to state that none were ex- eluded from the schools sustained in any part by public funds, and that bills for tuition or current expenses were never presented. to such as were not entirely able to pay. Before proceeding to speak of the adoption of a more full graded system, next in order, it is proper to refer to THE FIRST TEACHERS INSTITUTE 1N OHIO It is due the memory of a few persons and is also but simple justice to the public spirit of this city at that early day of educational efforts to state that the first teachers institute held in Ohio, specially intended to benefit teachers of all grades of schools, was organized in Sandusky, September 2, 1845. Hon. E. Lane, Rev. L. Hull and C. B. Squires were particularly active and earnest in procuring instructors and lecturers and in securing the attendance of teachers from Erie and surrounding counties, and in other ways contributing to make the institute, then an experiment, a most undoubted success. While they soon had the satisfaction of feeling that they had judged correctly and acted wisely respecting the local and immediate value of a teachers' institute upon the schools of the city and county, they, proudly, little suspected what radical changes in school laws and school instruction in Ohio might result from this first right beginning. Ninety-seven teachers were enrolled as members of this first institute. The instructors were Hon. Salem Town of New York ; Asa D. Lord and M. F. Cowdery of Ohio. Lectures on special subjects were given during the session by Hon. S. Town, Hon. E. Lane, A. D. Lord, C. B. Squires, Lyman Preston and M. F. Cowdery. The session continued one week and closed with a general and cordial expression of opinion that such meetings of teachers for the discussion of questions of practical value in the schoolroom were deserving of the highest commendation. 240 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY ADOPTION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE GRADED SCHOOL SYSTEM In November, 1848, the three school directors of Sandusky, Foster M. Follett, Henry F. Merry and Cuyler Leonard, elected, and then acting under the general school law of the state, employed the writer of this sketch to take the supervision of all schools of the city and to adopt such classification of pupils as the condition of buildings and other circumstances would permit. On the first Monday in December, 1848, in pursuance of notice previously given, the pupils of the several schools assembled at the high school building to be examined in their several studies and distributed into four distinct grades, according to proficiency. The names of grades then adopted were primary, secondary, grammar and high schools. At the end of the first week four primary schools, with an average of about sixty-five pupils each; three secondary, with about sixty pupils each; two grammar schools with about eighty pupils each, and one high school with about sixty pupils, stood in place of the several hitherto unclassified district schools of the city. In view both of the very radical character 'of this change and of the very limited number of classified schools in Ohio, or elsewhere, that might be referred to as precedents, there was a', far. more prompt and cheerful acquiescence on the part of the public than was anticipated by those having the work in charge. The board of school directors, by whose express permission and under whose special direction the public schools were first graded, consisted of Foster M. Follett, Henry F. Merry and Cuyler Leonard. The teachers first placed in charge of these graded schools were: Miss Fanny B. Stone, Miss Matilda Barrett, Miss L. Barney and Miss Almira Smith, of the primary schools; Miss Eliza Lewis, Miss H. M. Hoyt and Miss E. Moore, of the secondary schools; Miss Helen Follett, Miss E. Barker, Miss A. Osborn and Mr. W. H. Nye, of the grammar schools. Mrs. M. F. Cowdery and Miss L. A. McElwain were appointed assistant teachers in the high school, and Mr. M. F. Cowdery, principal of the high school and superintendent of all the schools. A few weeks of patient labor sufficed to satisfy both teacher and the public that the change to the graded plan was a step in the right direction, but to those having the schools in charge it was but a single step. The act itself of establishing the grades involved many other questions which must be at once considered, some of them very speedily decided. How many classes shall there be in each grade? What work shall these classes, in a given time, be expected to do ? How long will these pupils remain in the grade in which they are now placed? How will the proficiency of the classes be tested when such are candidates for promotion? In what particular respects is more thoroughness to be sought in graded schools than under the former ungraded plan, with the youngest pupils? What can children from six to eight years of age, safely, cheerfully, healthfully, thoroughly learn? What from eight to ten? What from ten to twelve ? How much attempted in the high school ? How much of the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 241 high school, as a feature of the system, had not now many evolved and bitter enemies and doubting friends? And how much can be wisely attempted in the then state of public opinion? What are the very best methods of teaching reading, spelling, geography and arithmetic ? What must be done with tardy pupils, with all sorts of delinquent pupils? What shall be done with profanity, falsehood and outcropping depravity generally, and what rewards shall be promised to the industrious and obedient ? Can the young be won to a noble and virtuous life by any human skill or persuasion? And, further back still, is the formation of character at all included in the duties of the teacher ? PICTURE OF S. S. COTTON Many of these questions have, of course, received attention in former schools and under widely different circumstances, but a fresh and deeper significance was given to each of these problems as new possibilities in instruction seemed to be dawning with the adoption of graded schools for all the children. As the school work went forward, some of these difficulties disappeared from the list, with little direct conscious effort on the part of those chiefly concerned, while others were only to be vanquished by the gradual approaches, the deep trenches, the persistence and courage by which alone strong fortresses are reduced. Noting events chronologically it should be here stated that the "act” for the better organization of the public schools in cities, towns, etc.," Vol I -16 242 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY was passed by the Ohio Legislature in February, 1849, and during the first term of the schools of this city under the graded system. As soon as an authenticated copy of the law could be procured from Columbus, the required "written notices were posted up in three public places," calling upon the qualified electors to assemble at the expiration of ten days and vote for or against the adoption of the special law. When the election occurred, the law was adopted without a dissenting vote, and, with scarcely a word of change, remained the school law of the city until superseded by the codified school laws of 1873. The adoption of this law at this time gave a new impetus to what had already been begun. Increasing the number of directors from three to six, enlarging and defining the powers of the new board, and, best of al], providing by equal taxation upon all the property for the maintenance of good schools, open alike to the poor and the rich, and free to every nationality and every race. Although the adoption of the special law at this time did not directly aid in solving the more professional problems before alluded to, it was exceedingly inspiriting to teachers to feel that a fairer day was dawning upon their labors and prospects than they had ever before known. The new members elected under the special. law, Earl Bill, David Souter and F. T. Barney, cordially concurred in. the grading of the schools as they found them organized under the former members, F. M. Follett, H. F. Merry and Cuyler Leonard, and now, together, constituting the new board. During the latter part of 1850 there was added to the foregoing grades an unclassified school. It Was found after a year of experience with four grades, that pupils most regular in attendance and most industrious in their studies, were continually interrupted and hindered in progress by accessions to the classes of pupils who were many months behind them in attainments. Many children were sent into the schools with the full knowledge that they would remain but the winter months, or for less time, and were exceedingly reluctant to undertake the regular work prescribed for the grades. Further, if proficiency in the studies was rigidly made the basis of admission or assignment to grades, a great diversity of ages would be brought together-children, unlike in sympathies, must be placed side by side, thereby seriously increasing the labors of the teacher both with reference to the discipline of the school and the instruction of classes, and, at the same time, abridging the value of both, Further, wherever a thousand children are collected from the entire population, there will be cases of exceptional home training, or lack of average gifts to master all the studies, or of strong and deep hostility to wholesome authority, which are far better managed in a special school under a teacher with special ability for such varied duties. The state recognizes the same general principle in establishing separate schools for blind, mute and imbecile children. Blameless, yet unfortunate, these children are so unlike those in the schools at home that they cannot there be profitably instructed, and are so unlike each other that special instruction must HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 243 be provided for each class. An unclassified school was therefore added to the grades and was found to be of such practical value in relieving* the other grades of transient pupils and of conferring far greater benefits upon the same pupils while they did remain, that a single school of this character was continued until 1871, or later—twenty-one years or more. THE SANDUSKY HIGH SCHOOL It will be remembered that the building intended for the high school was first occupied for this purpose in 1845. Nothing appears upon the records of the qualifications for admission, or the studies to be pursued, but the school report for that year shows that, in addition to the common branches, classes were taught in "Latin and Philosophy." In 1846, the sciences taught, besides the common branches, were philosophy, chemistry, physiology, and the Latin and French languages. In 1847, algebra and astronomy were added to the above list, and 140 pupils enrolled as members of the school. While there was much gratification felt among parents that Sandusky had, at last, a high school for her own where something more than elementary branches could be studied without sending their children from home, still the school directors found that such a school without any fixed and known rules' and conditions of admission, and without a regular course of study, made their position a very awkward and embarrassing one. Hence the grading of all the schools at the close of this year, 1848, and the adoption, a little later, of such a course of study for the high school as the wants of the public seemed to require. It is believed that one of the most delicate and difficult duties which superintendents of school boards have had to perform in Ohio for the last twenty-five years has been to make up the best possible course of study for their respective high schools. For it is to be remembered that no human wisdom can frame a course of study for a public high school that would be suited to all tastes, or adapted to all localities. And it is also to be remembered that twenty-five years ago the high school, as a component part of the common school system, was an experiment and a problem to be solved, and that it was necessary to proceed with great 'caution in introducing sciences or extending studies that involved an additional tax upon the public treasury. In our own city, the study of the languages had fallen into such disfavor that a resolution was adopted at a public meeting of the taxpayers and qualified voters of the city, April 8, 1848, "That all of the school houses now in the district, and now proposed to be built, shall be used only for common school, excluding all except the English branches." It was necessary, therefore, in preparing a course for our high school, not only to omit the Latin, always and everywhere so essential to good scholarship, but also the Greek and modern languages. The natural sciences and mathematics must be extended considerably out of proportion to meet this, then, popular prejudice. The early graduates, 244 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY or many of them, made a pleasant acquaintance with several Latin authors by means of private instruction. Al the end of about twelve years, March 14, 1860, on petition of the board of education, signed by R B. Hubbard and twenty-seven others, "praying that said Board would authorize a class to be formed in the High School for the purpose of teaching Latin and Greek, and that each scholar joining said class be charged with their proportion of the increased expenses of the same," this restriction upon the languages was removed and they were gradually included in the course of study, and portions of mathematics omitted. As with other high schools then, it was necessary while providing for four years of regular attendance, to keep in view the fact that probably one-half of the pupils would not remain longer than two years, and that, in three years, at least three-fourths would have disappeared from the school room. Studies most essentially profitable to everybody must therefore fill the first two or three years of the course. Under such circumstances, our public high school, was proposed to become a permanent feature of the common school system. Offered, as it was, to a community just passing out of the age of rate bills and into that of free education, to be sustained by tax upon all the property and to so many who had been accustomed to regard a high school as an expensive luxury, rather than a prime necessity, it will be easily understood that great solicitude was felt by its friends as to its final success. From 1848 to 1852 this school seemed to be regarded with equal favor with the other grades, though the question of its permanence was yet to be decided. It was only under the long and able administration of Mr. S. S. Cotton as principal, extending from September, 1852, to July, 1867, with his accomplished lady assistants, Miss A. A. Breck and others, that the high school came to be regarded as an indispensable part of the free school system. From the first it has commended itself to the kind regards of our citizens, not by sending out a very small number of very accomplished scholars, but by affording to a very large number, one, two and three years of instruction in such sciences as are requisite to success in ordinary mechanical and business pursuits, and by such development of self-respect and self-reliance as has excited high hopes of an honorable and useful life for its pupils. During the past years of the existence of a high school, many expressions of confidence in its usefulness have appeared in the public press and in various other ways, but the strongest testimonial of its value has been given in the erection of the new high school building during the years 1866, 1867, 1868 and 1869. The cornerstone of this building was laid November 27, 1866, and the rooms were first occupied for school purposes in September, 1869. The cost of the building, with the furniture ready for use, was $85,510.88, exclusive of interest on money loaned while in process of erection. There was paid for interest $6,531.41, making a total of $92,033.29. It should be stated here, however, the cost of nearly all material HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 245 entering into the construction of any building was very much greater from 1864 to 1870 than for preceding or succeeding years. The Fourth Ward School was built in 1872, and on July 17th of that year U. T. Curran was chosen superintendent. The Fifth Ward School building was erected in 1874, at a cost of $22,778, and in December, 1874, the old courthouse, which had been abandoned by the county officers, was fitted up with six school rooms. This continued to be occupied till August 6, 1886, when it was sold to Samuel C. Wheeler for $30, conditional upon his removing the building, which was done. The Seventh Ward School building was erected in 1890, and in that year Mr. Ulrich Zuercher was chosen truant officer and has 'held the position ever since. The Ninth Ward School building was erected in 1894. The new high school building was finished in 1915. MEMBERS OF BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM 1849 TO 1871 INCLUSIVE By the school law under which the schools were maintained for the period above named, the Board of Education consisted of six members, two of whom were annually elected by the people for the terms of three years. MEMBERS OF BOARD OF EDUCATION 1849 Henry F. Merry, David Souter, Earl Bill, Freland T. Barney, Foster M. Follett, Thomas Hogg, 1850 F. T. Barney, D. Souter, Thomas Hogg, H. F. Merry, F. M. Follett, E. Bill 1851 F. M. Follett, H. F. Merry, John G. Pool, F. T. Barney, E. Bill, T. Hogg, 1852 E. Bill, F. M. Follett, H. F. Merry J. G. Pool, T. Hogg, F. T. Barney 1853 F. T. Barney, E. Bill, J. M. Root, H. F. Merry, J. G. Pool, F. M. Follett
246 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 1854 F. M. Follett, E. Bill, J. G. Pool J. M. Root, M. F. Merry F. T. Barney 1855 Walter F. Stone H. F. Merry, F. M. Follett, J. G. Pool, Christopher C. Keech E. Bill 1856 Earl Bill, F. M. Follett, Horatio Wildman, J. G. Pool, W. F. Stone, C. C. Keech 1857 J. G. Pool, H. Wildman, F. M. Follett, W. F. Stone, C. C. Keech, E. Bill 1858 W. F. Stone, F. M. Follett, Henry Converse, H. Wildman, C. C. Keech J. G. Pool 1859 A. H. Gale, F. M. Follett, J. G. Pool, C. C. Keech, Adam Bauer, W. F. Stone 1860 J. G. Pool, W. F. Stone, A. H. Gale, A. Bauer, F. M. Follett, C. C. Keech 1861 W. F. Stone, F. M. Follett, A. Bauer, R. B. Hubbard, C. C. Keech, A. H. Gale 1862 R. B. Hubbard, Geo, W. Smith, F. M. Follett, A. Bauer, W. F. Stone, J. G. Pool 1863 W. F. Stone, Geo. W. Smith, A. Bauer, C. J. Parsons, J. G. Pool, R. B. Hubbard HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 247 1864 W. F. Stone, Geo. W. Smith, J. G. Pool, A. Bauer, R. B. Hubbard, C. J. Parsons 1865 J. G. Pool, W. F. Stone, R. B. Hubbard A. Bauer, Geo. W. Smith, C. J. Parsons 1866 W. F. Stone, G. W. Smith, R. B. Hubbard, C. J. Parsons, J. G. Pool A. Bauer 1867 R. B. Hubbard, Philander Gregg, J. G. Pool, A. Bauer, G. W. Smith, C. J. Parsons 1868 J. G. Pool, John T. Johnson, R. B. Hubbard, A. Bauer, P. Gregg, C. J. Parsons 1869 R. B. Hubbard, P. Gregg, J. G. Pool, A. Bauer, J. T. Johnson, C. J. Parsons 1870 R. B. Hubbard, P. Gregg, J. T. Johnson, A. Bauer, J. G. Pool, C. J. Parsons 1871 J. G. Pool, J. T. Johnson, R. B. Hubbard, C. J. Parsons, P. Gregg, A. Bauer Mr. M. F. Cowdery, superintendent from November, 1848, to July, 1864. Mr. T. F. Hildreth, superintendent from September, 1864, to April, 1865. Mr. M. F. Cowdery, superintendent from April, 1865, to July, 1871. N. T. Cunan, Alston Ellis, H. A. Balcam, E. J. Shives, H. F. William and J. T. Begg are the later superintendents. PRINCIPALS OF HIGH SCHOOL Mr. H. C. Heustis, 1845 to 1847 ; Mr. A. W. Mason, part of 1847 ; Mr. Homer Goodwin, part of 1848 ; Mr. S. Minor, part of 1848 ; Mr. M. F. 248 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Cowdery, 1848 to 1852 ; Mr. S. S. Cotton, 1852 to 1867; Mr. A Phinney, 1867 to 1869; Mr. N. S. Wright, 1869 to 1871. ASSISTANT TEACHERS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL Mrs. M. F. Cowdery, 1848 to 1852 ; Miss L. A. McElwain, 1848 to 1851; Miss A. M. Cook, 1849 to 1850 ; Mr. A. M. Stacy, 1852; Mrs. Christian, 1852 ; Miss H. W. Morrison, 1852 ; Miss M. J. Studley, 1852; Miss A. A. Brack, 1853 to 1860 ; Miss S. Root, 1854 to 1858 ; Miss M. King, 1858 to 1860; Miss S Skinner, 1860 to 1861 ; Miss F. Estabrook, 1859 to 1862 ; Miss M. Hubbard, 1862 to 1866; Miss M. A. McGee, 1862; Miss H. Marshall, 1864; Mrs. L. J. Marcy, 1866 to 1867; Mr. D. Carlton, 1866 to 1867 ; Mr. A. Keefer, 1867; Miss H. L. Rowe, 1867 to 1879; Miss S. Ainslie, 1867 to 1871. |