The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-02-12
THE OLD ACADEMY.
Memories That Cling Around That Well
Known Edldoe.
History of the now Defunot High School
Building on.Wsat Tusoarawas Street
---TOaohern and Pupils OF
Forty Year ago.

In lsd2 or l843 (may be parts Of both
years) the Academy was erected. The
Evangelical Lutheran congregation at
that time had no church or regular place
OF holding religious service. The con-
gregatiOn, therefore, proposed 10 the
School direc'0rs or Trustees 10 cOntTi- |
butte $500 toward the building, prOyl. |
ded the large room down stairs, as plan |
ned, should bspet apart for their use 90 a |
church. The proposition was accepted
aud the agreement carried out. Meet
ings continued until the church on
West Tnscarawas street was finished
some time In the Afties.
Abraham Lind Was the contractor of
the new Academy (the old b1ilding that
stood on the same site had the like name)
He was assisted In his work by his son
jeremiah, yet living, The ceremony,
according TO recollection, Of laying the
corner stone was conducted by Tho Rev,
John Hamilton, Evangelical Lutheran
minister.
The building was lrst named the
Canton Mae Seminary 10 distinguish 1t
from the Female Seminary, a building
yot Standing at the corner Of Eighth and
aud Plum streets, now the ~re'idence OF
John Buckius. IL may not be out OF
place here to say that the Canton Female
Seminary In the fortieg, under the tutel-
age Of Rev, GOshorn aud lady was q
lourishiog Institution, They were sue
ceeded by Rev. 8. A. Mealy and Rev, II.
Buckingham and lady In after years.
JAmes C0wles was the first teacher In
the new Academy, M II was thea com
monty termed the Male Seminary. He
came from the Reserve; was a good teach
or and religious man. School was open
cd by reading @ pasaa 90 from the script.
ure, praying and singing. George II.
Fry, now Of Springfield, Ohio, assisted
Cowles In what Ia known as the High
School, q room that Cowles finished.
He also made and put up the Old heavy
stairway; was industrious, and would
/! work between times OF school and by
candle-light In winter. Assisted by the
| boys, he made and put the fret fence
around the premises. He and the larger
boys brought from the Reynolds farm
beyond the Junction OF the south creeks
small trees, which he and the larger
| scholars planted. They are the broad and
stately elms now fronting the old School
square.
The writer at present can only remem.
Der John Lahm. Joseph 8. saxton, j. A
Meyer, l.. v. and Charles Bockius and Jos
Reed OF those now residing In the city
who attended James Cowles's school. A
teacher, Rev. Bierdeman taught O Ger
man school at the same time In the cas-
wing OF the Academy.
In the Spring OF lSi7 and winter o
l848, John hcGregor, father Of A
NcGregor, had q school In the Higl
School room. A hcGregor ut the sam,
time taught the pupils not 80 far ad
yanced 10 the east wing. John McGrego
was IN excellent teacher. He came I,
Canton from Wads worth, Medina county
Ohio, where he had for years successful,
conducted Wadsworth Academy. HI
was a learned anu genial man, q gradu
ate OF Glasgow, (~Scotland) University
IL waa both pleasure aud profit, social.
and intel 'eciually TO bs In JohI
McGregor's company. He will be eve
remembered by the writer, n OF hi
pupils. In the Spring Of i8i8 he returned
10 Wadsworth, but In May, l84S he AM
his son. A. McGregor purchased the Star
County Democrat from Carney an
Letter.
In September Of that year he died a
WadswOrth. A. hcGregor had estab
lished q reputation an q successful teach
or for eeyeral years prior to lSiS, hayinJ
had n school In Canton as early az lSig
Ira NJ. Allen took charge OF the sch0o
when A, McGregor went Into the paper
In the Spring Of 1850 Ira N. Allen
now OF the Charity scrool at MassilloI
became principal OF the new name Of
Canton Union School, organized undel
what was called the Akron Law System
which IL substantially atill In vogue
IL was considered quite an improve
ment over the old system OF teaching
Allen had previously taught on the sit,
OF he present Monitor block In u one
story frame, which the boys christeneC
the Cation College. He was quite {
thorough teacher aud very strict In IN,
school room; outside, ~ he In 10 dav
genial and friendly. He WAS asslstet
In the Union School by Miss Bels,
Cowlts, a very popular teacher with hel
pupils. In deposition che was amiqble
had winning way which attracted Il
her endeoring friends and lovabl,
scholnrs. Mss Frances A. Lynch, row
Mrs. Banning, Of San Francisco, Call
fornla, Uslated IN thu High School dur
lug Mr.. Alleu's SperintendencH,
II. 3, Marlin immediately succeeded
Mr.. Alien, a%asistec by Nj Cowles ant
Mias Frank Lynch, and part of his tim
by Miss Alexander. A gentleman name,
Leland filled the iDteryl between Mr.
Martins timshnd Daniel Worley's, whlcl
was brief, Mr.. Wofley'aassiatanta In Tn,
HIGH School were vi s Mary Lynch dur
lnR nj entire time. ana Miss Alexlnde
part of his time aud NJ. A. Troutman.
But | have rear he'd tho period to nam
thu present popular superintendent
j. II. Lehman. A school building 4
now In every part Of lhe city with NJ
efficient corps OF teachers IN all Tho do
partments, In keeping with the growil
OF thu city and educational progress
A fine aid c0tsly ediDce will ers lonJ
stand upon the slle OF tn old Academy
the remains OF which VIII soon hayv
passed way, but fond memory will stil
love to linger around the walls Of gu
dear old ALMA N NER.
About 1856 or 1855 he wings of IN,
buildilg we're enlarged and an addition
OF about seventy frot added TO the trouto
the m In bui ding Az The same time
beifry was put up and tho present bel
purchased. The rooms we're also 70
modelled, all 10 accommodate tho schoo
1 49, a. AZ A -. "a. Lei