The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-05

Prof. +. II. Green, principal of the
South Arlington township schools, read
a biographical sketch of James Pyle
Wickersham before the county teach
ers' institute Tuesday. 1t was as fol-
lows:
II well remember when he was
state superintendent of public instruc-
ton. l well remember the time of his
death. l have friends who have
known him personally. | have read
with pleasure and profit his works,
all which makes it almost seem as
though l have known him myself,
and as l have studied his biography
with reference to preparing this pa
per, l have felt that to have known
this great and good man must have
been a rare privilege.
James Pyle Wickersham was born
In Chester county March II, 1925. His
ancestors were Of the uncontaminated
blood of the early Quakers. They
came from England in the latter part
of the seventeenth century and set
tied in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Caleb Wickersham, father of James,
was one of the sturdy, intelligent far
mers Of the times. and his mother
was, before her marriage, a success
full school teacher
His early history is the same as
that of many other great men. In
summer he worked upon his fathers
farm, and at 16 was the best hand on
the place. He carried this same am
bilious spirit into all that he did and
who will dare say that this intelligent
energy which made him a successful
farm !aborer, applied in other walks of
life was not the Key note to his great
ness. In winter he attended the dis
triCt school, and was always at the
head of his classes. His higher school
education was somewhat limited. being
confined exclusively to six terms at an
academy taught by Jonathan Cause.
But in spite of all that he was a ripe
scholar, his pupils testify that his
knowledge Of all branches was unusu-
ally complete; his written works prove
him to have been a profound thinker,
and when Lafayette college conferred
upon him the degree of LID. no one
thought it to be uudeseryed.
ONLY ONE PUPIL.
when Wickersham was 16 years OF
age. . director of one of the ne;ghbor-
ing townships, went to the academy
where ne was attending school and
ask I'd the principal for a teacher. The
reply was, I have but one pupil
James Wick ,rsham. who knows enough
to teach your school, and he is too
young He was given the school in
spite of his youth and, according to q
resolution of the school board, taught
. s,, IDrn a
| ship. His success as teacher was
assured from that time. In 1S45 he
| took charge of an old broken down
private school. Under the able man
agement of the new teacher the school
prospered as never before.
He was one of the leaders in the
movement which resulted in the estab-
lishment Of the Office of county super
intendent, and, in 1854. shortly after
the passage Of the act was elected
| first superintendent of Lancaster
| county.
In 'iS he established at Millersville
| a normal school for teachers. Its
| marked success was one of the incen-
tives for the passage by the Legislature
| In 1851 of the normal school law In
| 1866 he resigned the county superin-
| tendency to accept the principalship OF
| the school ne had founded thus be.
| coming the first principal of the first
| state normal school in Pennsylvania.
Here he passed ter busy years
| remaining until 1866 when Governor
| Curtin appointed him state superin'
| tendent Of common schools. He held
| this position until 1851, being success
| lively appointed by Governors Geary
| Hartranft and Hoyt,
| During the years of his state
suRerintendency many importan
| changes in school laws and schoo
| management were made.
DEPARTMENT ORGANIZED.
"The department of public instrIc.
| tion was reorganized and its worn
made more effective; the right to take
land for the erection of school houses
was given tc school boards; county
institutes We're made compulsory anc
an appropriation was provided fol
| their support. Cities and boroughl