The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-02-15

history is the following compilation OF our
statistics by w. II. Snyder, our County Su-
perintendent. For want of space we reserve
remarks:
Being only alowed a certain amount of
space in this report, it will be necessary to
be as brief as possible in giving the sketch
es of the earliest elementary schools in the
county.
These schools, with but one exception were
supported by subscription, and houses were
generally built in the same manner up to
1884, when the public schools were estab.
lished. The branches usually taught in
them were reading, writing and written ar
ithmetic. A pupils outfit was a very mod
est affair A Webster's spelling book, an
English reader, or Testament, a Daboll's
arithmetic, slate, a goose-quill, and a few
sheets of paper, covered the entire range of
known material tor winter after winter as
long as he might go to school.
After public schools were established Malte
Bruins geography, Smiths grammar, on the
productive system were soon adopted. Seeing
the numerous algebras, geometres, histories,
rhetorics, PHILOSOPHERS, physiologies, copy
books, drawing books, language books, etc,
in the schools at the present day, one eau
scarcely realize the vast Improvement.
How much higher and broader the schools
shall be elevated is only question of time.
BedUer,-The first school in Beaver, was
aught in Mr.. Kostenhaders grist-mill by
Isaac Davisi in 1921. Four years later, Mr. Da-
Wis opened another in his pirate dwelling, or
residence, we shall omit the word "private," ,"
hereafter.
In 1925, Henry Schell taught in dwelling
which stood near where the church now
stands, by the road leading from Beaver to
Mainville, and Adam Houchcr, in similar
building which was located on the land now
owned by Charles Michael.
After teaching several terms which were
usually taught during winter, Mr.. Schell per-
manently closed his school, when another
was opened in a dwelling which was situated
on the land owned by Joseph Lehr The
instruction in these schools was principally
in German.
Benton.-During the year 1899, there were
but two families living in the vicinity where
the village of Benton now stands. Here Is
aac Young opened the first school in apri.
vate dwelling. After it permanently closed
another was opened in similar building
which stood where Eli Mendenhall's barr
stands above the village. As the pine fores
fell before the sturdy axman, a small log
house was built on West creek, above, anC
another below Benton, where Stephen Laza
rus now lives.
Hon. Alexander Colley, aged ninety yon'
years, is the only surviving member Of tn,
, first public school board. 1t was chief,
through bis influence that the school Law
met with appreciation in this section Of th
country.
, BerWick.-A mist enshrouds the earl,
) school history of Berwick. Before 1900 Ber
wick had its schools, but under what teach
! Grand what characters nothing is known.
c From 1900 to 1887, it was customary t
c hold school for a few months in each yeal
: Prominent among the teachers of This perio
c were Mr.. Holloway, David +. Owen, son o
{ the founder of the town Doctor Dultor
c David Jones, Doctor Roe and lanes Dilvar
c These men taught between the years $50
e and 1878, and were, without exception, me
&c of education. The prominent teachers frol
'Sc 1900 to 1887, were Messrs, Comstock, Hoy
SS Richards, CROSBY, and Simon Haiks.
&c The market-house and Quaker churc
,c were the only school, buildings during til
u time, In 1887, on the site of the marke
house, the academy was erected.
This was prominent step for Berwic
- Among the distinguished teachers who taug
in it were, Reverend Rittenhouse, Geor!
Waller, Joel f. Bradley and Mr. Runk. tt
school aourished for several years, but
nally, the building was sold for public scho
purposes, which has since been torn dow
In lS72a splendid brick structure W
erected, which cost, including all necessai
equipments, $4,000
notwithstanding had her early schoo
but as to their whereabouts, and by who
taught nothing is definitsly known. III
first school of which there is any recollectit
was taught about the year 1902, by Geor
Vance. in small og-building which W
located where the Episcopal church nc
stands. Finally this house was torn dow
and frame one erected in its place, in viii,
William Love taught for some time II
highest branches taught in this school, We
!, reading, writing, and arithmetic. The a
!. yanced reading class read in the Bible, al
the second class in the New Testament
The next school was established at Il
l. lower end of town, in building which W
!. located near where Mr.. Joseph Barley
h cabinet shop now stands ; Robert Fields W
e its first teacher. Messrs. Love and Fiel
e were succeeded by William Fergerson, Mt
n ray Manvill, and Joseph Warden.
i About the year 1880, Hiram W. rhornt
i opened one in a chair or wagon-shop, viii
a was located where William Meals reside1
a now stands.
n The old academy, which was erected
the site of DIR. Evans residence, and open
j. for school purposes in the spring of IS
was a monument of zeal in the cause
It education, at time anterior to the introdl
D. ton Of the public school system. The sti
st dard of instruction was elevated, if judg
'e by the advertisement of the first teacher
IS, give instruction in the Hebrew langua
~ which was not extensively pursued at Il
We early day in Bloomsbury. But the teacht
4 literary reputation dwindled when, on
i. rusing copy of Shakespeare, he inqui
y whether that was the celebrated author
that name, and what were his princ
10 works and evinced his artonsment in
F" question "'what these dialogues p"
ID building contained four school rooms, 8
a: was occupied for public school purposes
ll.I