The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1876-05-25
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Written for the Ohio Centennial Memorial School
Volume by H. S. Doggett.l
SKETCH Of THE RISE AND PROGRESS
Common Schools of HiIlSbOrO.
Highland County, Ohio.
[coNCLUDEDl
In the year 1885 the old log school house. built in
1915. gave place to one-story brick school house,
erected on the same site. The first school in this
house was taught by Matthew Simpson, who was af-
terward succeeded in surn by George McMillen, S.
D. Beal and d. Ruckman. At this time the inter-
ests of the Public Schools were in manner over
shadowed by those of the Academy and Seminary
Still the rapidly increasing number of children
quring Primary instruction demanded more room
for the schools, and in 1916 two-story building,
known as the Walnut Street House, was built.
The schools reopened in 1s47, with David Heron
and Amanda Wilson as teachers in the Walnut
Street House, and William Heron and Mary
Muntz in the old Main Street House. About $50
were enrolled and the schools gave good satisfac-
| ton for the next year or two.
| year loOO OdIue CdDcu tii0 dtlcl-
tion of the people to the benefits likely to accrue
the youth by an organization under the law of
1s49, known as the Union School Law. This was
ably advocated by James Brown, of the Nelcs, and
Mr.. Emrie, of the Gazette, and was resolved upon
| by popular vote, and in the spring of 1851 a
Union School Board of Education consisting of D.
J. Falls, John NJ. Johnston, j. R. Emrie, R. H.
Ayres, Benjamin Barrere and Washington Doggett,
i,
the year, and in the autumn the Union schools
opened, with Henry NJ. Shockiey as Superintendent.
The schools comprised three grades, Primary,
Secondary and Grammar, and in the latter a faw
High School branches were to be taught by the
Superintendent, if there were any pupils qualified
| to pursue them. The enrolment the first year
about 230, and the second 2I5.
| In 1853 the use of the Academy building was
given to the Union Schools by that corporation,
and in May, 1858, the Grammar department was
moved to that house, under the charge of Mr.
ShOckley and Eli link. At the close of the school
year in 1853 Mr.. ShOckley resigned, and Rev Z.
Mckinney appointed to the position of Super
intendent 1t was determined at this time to add
High School department, to be taught by the
Superintendent, assisted by Prof. Sans, whose
services for half of each day were secured. The
schools were in charge of Mr.. Mckinney until
1856, when he was succeeded by Mr.. Sans, who
mained in charge until 1885, During these last few
years the system found favor, and it was believed
by those interested that it would in time supplant
| all other schools.
The schools opened in 1855 with Lewis McKibben
as Superintendent. In December of this year the
old Academy building, in which three grades were
taught, was destroyed by fire. For the next eight
years the schools were without good accommoda-
tions changes of teachers were frequent, and they
lost much of the ground they had gained in the
few years before.
! In 1862 Mr.. McKibben was succeeded as Superin-
tendent by John Edwards, and in 1854 he was sue
ceeded by L. McKibben. For various reasons no
Superintendent or "a" Grammar teacher were EN-
ployed for 1865, and the school, including the lower
Grammar and the grades below, was continued in
charge of B. e. Colburn, of the Grammar grade
| The Board and the people had been convinced of
the absolute need of good building, which would
accommodate all the schools under one roof They
had in 1868, purchased fine lot on West Walnut
street for $3.50. The purchase was confirmed by
the vote of the people, and preparations COM
menced for erecting a commodious Union School
House. Some delays occurred in commencing it,
for the present building These articles and plans
differed materially from those of the log house of
1915, which was, by the terms of the article of
agreement, to be "chunked and daubed."
The contracts for building the new house were
let in 1866, and the construction pushed for
ward during that year and the next two. Some op-
position was made to the project at the time, but
now the entire intelligent portion of the communi-
| t,,a tko Doa- II -k0so
auspices the house was built consisted of C. S.
Bell, James S. Murphy, Washington Doggett, N
Rockhold, J. C. Gregg and J. II Mullenix. =
The old school houses and lots were sold at pub
lie sale The Main street lot sold for s2OOO This.
have seen, was bought in 1875 for 5000, big price
at the time.
AT the beginning of the school year in 1866 the
Board resolved to restore the two grades that had
been dropped, and to employ Superintendent and
Grammar grade teacher. Accordingly, II. S.
Doggett was employed Superintendent and E.
G. Smith for the Grammar grade. Although the
schools had poor accommodations, they gradually
increased in enrolment and favor with the people
until the year 1885, when the three-story build
ing was completed and ready for occupancy.
The schools were opened on the 9th of Septem-
Der in the new house, with the following corps of
teachers:
H. s. Doggett, Superintendent; L. McKibben,
High School teacher; E. G. Smith, A Grammar;
Mary Doggett, B Grammar Maggie Richards and
Mary Ellis, intermediate; Serena Henderson, Ma
tilda McFadden and Sarah j. Lambert, Primary.
revised course of study and Code of Regula-
tiOHs reported by the Superintendent and
adopted by the Board At tie start 41O pupils were
enrolled. These examined and classified in
their proper grades. Soon after the opening anoth-
er Intermediate teacher was required and Miss
Ellen Eckley was employed. 1t was also determined
to employ a teacher for the German language, and
Gustav Chatcaubriand was employed. In 1869 Miss
Caroline Caywas chosen to this position, which she
has filed credtably ever since. regular High
School course of study was adopted at this time,
which, in 1S72 was revised and extended, and
ranged for three years study. From that time
forward the Board determined to give diplomas to
those pupils who satisfactorily completed the
course. Pupils completing this course are prepar-
ed to enter College, qualified for the active busi-
ness of life. We give the names of the graduates.
| CLASS OF 1875.
W. A, Brouse, Edward Holmes, W. C. Nelson,
Wyatt Farrar, N. Rockhold, jr, Matilda Roads,
verda Eckley, Amelia Clay.
| CLASS OF 1874
Mamie Hanley, William r. Patterson, Thomas
H. Langley, Joseph Med. Mathews, jr.
| CLASS OF 1875.
John Higgins, Julius Pangburn, Emma Conard,
Bertha Reckly, Callie Shepherd, Mary F. Fallon.
Two of the graduates and three other pupils,
who finished their course in the schools before
diplomas were given, now teachers in the
schools. Several others are teaching in other
places, or engaged in business. Every year young
men and ladies from the country attend the schools
and qualify themselves for teachers. Many of
these are doing good work in the country schools.
The number of pupils enrolled at the beginning
of the present term in the white schools was 523,
and in the colOred 70. This latter department is
taught in a commodious and convenient brick
school house of two rooms, erected by the Union
School and township Boards. Two teachers are en-
ployed for the colored school, and good results
have already accrued from their labors.
The Union schools held in great favor
and appreciation by the youth and citizens of the