Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-12-14

HIRAM ORourT, A. M.-The following
biographical sketch we copy from Bar
nard's American Journal of Educa-
tion:n
Hiram circuit, one of the originators
of the Vermont Teachers Association,
and prominent schoolman of the state,
was born at Acworth n. H., Feb. Sd,
1916, Though all the Influences that
surrounded him, direct and indirect,
were opposed 10 it, and although for
the first eighteen years of his life he en-,
joyed no advantages for study except
such as were afforded by poor district
school for three months of the year,
while his opportunities for reading were
confined 70 the American Reader the
Bible and an inferior weekly newspaper,
yet he early determined upon q course
of liberal studies. He resorted to teach
ing to defray his expenses, and assumed
charge of his first school after having
attended Chester (Vt Academy for one
term. He afterwards attended Meriden
IN. H. Academy, and Phillips Academy
at Audover, Mass, for two years, when
he entered Dartmouth College in 1888,
graduating in 1912, In the meantime
he had taught at Rockingham, Vt, at
Welfiect on Cape Cod for five winters in
succession, and afterwards at Barre,
Vt. and Andover, Mass making in all
nine terms in district schools, for com
pensation varying from eleven to thirty
dollars month and board. He also
taught "high schools for three terms
while in college. There was thus de-
veloped a love for the business and an
estimate of its great importance
which determined his choice of pro-
| fession.
For nearly year after graduation
Mr.. Orcutt taught at Hebron, n. H., as
principal of the Hebron Academy. For
the twelve years following he had charge
| of the Thetford, Vt, Academy, and in
1855 was elected principal of Ladies
! Seminary which had just been estab-
lished at Granville, N. Y, and which
soon attained to most fiourishing con-
ditiOn. In 1860 he opened the Glenwood
! Seminary at West Brattleboro. VT, as
a private enterprise, taking with him
his full board of experienced teachsrs,
who had all been educated and trained
under his care. The school was filled
to its utmost capacity during the first
week, and has continued to have an
average attendance of 100 pupils from
many different States. In August, 1864,
he was elected principal OF the Tllden
Female Seminary, at West Lebanon, n,
H., while still retaining his position at
GlenwOOd, and now has under his care
both institutions, with all their educa-
tional and financial interests. About
go Young ladies have graduated from
these Summaries during the past ter
years, among whom many who would
otherwise have been unable to acquire
an education, have been aided and en-
couraged by Mr.. Orcutt through a full
course of study, have been secured stu
atoms as teachers, and have taken i'm
pOrtant positions in lie.
Mr.. circuit, an approved and success
ful teacher has thus received no profes
sional training except In the school
room and in connection with practica
teaching. His best schoolmaster ha
been poverty, and to. the necessities o
early life and the resultant habits o
industry, economy, and perseverance, Il
due much of the success that has at
tended him. He has, moreover, Away
been active in sustaining Teachers In
stitutes and educational convention
and associations. He was one Of tn
few who organized the State Teachers
Association, and has delivered severa
lectures at it's meetings. He has 70
two years been superintendent OF tn
public schools of Brattleboro, Vt, an
, has been, since 1861, editor and propr
etor Of the Vermont School Journa
His Hints to Teachers, Parents an
Pupils, or Gleanings from School-Lii
Experience has passed through sewers
/ editions. In connection with Mr.. ]
+ Richard he has also published a "Clas'
book OF Prose and Poetry" of the se'
eral editions of which some $4,000 COZ
! les have been sold