The Schools of Pioneer Days— Traveling Schoolmasters—
The first Rude Schoolhouses— Description of Houses and Furniture— The Custom of
“Barring Out”— Only Three Studies Pursued— The School Law of 1834— Opposition to
Free Schools— Progress Early Schools in Each of the Townships of the County—
Names of Early Teachers Prominent Directors and Teachers under the Present
System— Borough Schools Statistics.
FULLY a quarter of a century elapsed after the formation of Bedford county before many
of the citizens began to make provision for the education of their children. But
after the dark days of the Revolution had ended and the settlers had in some
measure recovered from the hard times which succeeded, earnest and thoughtful
men began to exert themselves in behalf of the rising generation. Here and there
schools were organized, generally during the winter months, and placed in charge
of the best-informed man whose services could be obtained. Cabins which had been
deserted by their former occupants were converted into schoolhouses. The teacher
received a stipulated amount per term from each scholar. Not unfrequently
schools were organized by peripatetic schoolmasters, who tramped from place to
place, teaching a term in any neighborhood where a subscription sufficient to
pay their very moderate wages could be secured. Some of these traveling teachers
were fine scholars; others were broken-down soldiers and sailors, densely
ignorant, and of intemperate habits. Only reading, writing and arithmetic were
taught in the early schools.
Few, if any, schoolhouses were erected before 1800. The first buildings were
of unhewn logs, with clapboard roofs, huge stone chimneys and large fireplaces.
Greased paper served as window-lights; the seats were either of slabs or
“puncheons “; the writing desk, at one side of the room, was formed of a slab
fastened to the wall by wooden pins.
The age of the scholars ranged from six to thirty years. Discipline was
maintained with difficulty, and the rod was not unduly spared. Unless he was at
all times master of the situation, the teacher commanded no respect. “Barring
out” was universally practiced at the time of the Christmas holidays. The
process consisted in keeping the teacher out of the schoolroom until he was
forced to agree to provide a treat of apples or cider and cakes for his pupils.
All schools were conducted on the tuition plan until 1834. In that year a
state law was passed for the establishment of free schools, the adoption or
rejection of the system to be decided by vote in each election district. In many
townships the law was severely denounced, and several years elapsed before its
provisions were carried into effect.
The first established school in Bedford
borough was the Bedford
Academy, incorporated by
act of the legislature March 20, 1810. Jonathan Walker, Rev. Alexander Boyd,
Jacob Bonnett, John Moore, John Anderson, Josiah Espey, George Funk and Joseph
S. Morrison. The school received two thousand dollars from the state, one-half
to be applied in erecting buildings and purchasing apparatus, and the remainder
to be held as a permanent fund, the income of which should be devoted to the
education of poor children. Rev. James Wilson, a fine English and classical
scholar, was the first principal. The school became widely celebrated, and
attracted pupils from several neighboring counties, and from Maryland. Rev. Jeremiah Chamberlain,
afterward president of Oakland College,
Mississippi, was the next
principal. He was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Boyd, Mr. Omrod and Mr. Kinmont.
The latter was the last classical teacher who had charge of the institution.
Samuel Brown, a popular teacher, next taught a grammar school for several years.
In 1835 the academy was sold by the sheriff to Samuel Brown. The institution
then became of a private character and so continued until it closed.
Dr. William Watson, Dr. John Anderson, James M. Russell, Hon. Jonathan
Walker, Samuel Riddle and George Burd were active friends of education in the
early history of the borough. About 1835 Rev. B.B. Hall opened a classical
school, with a military department. He taught four or five years and was highly
esteemed. During his term the public school system was adopted. Charles
McDowell, James M. Russell, David Mann, D. Washabaugh, John G. Martin and
William Woodcock were the first directors elected. Thomas J. Harris was one of
the prominent teachers under the present system and among the first to introduce
a thorough classification. Thomas Jordan, George Hall and Rev. John Lyon taught
select schools at different times. Bedford has always evinced a lively interest
in schools. The public school building of the town is the finest in the county,
and is surrounded by beautiful grounds.
In Bedford
township Samuel Clendenin, John Montgomery, A.J. Howlett, John Bartell, John R.
Reed, Anthony Sloan, Thomas Allison and John R. Anderson were the principal
teachers prior to 1834. The free school system was adopted at the first election
held for that purpose. John Bridaham, John Amos, Daniel Sill, Daniel Wisegarver,
Jacob Ripley, John S. Ritchey, Isaac Imler, Michael Holderbaum and Adam Koons
were prominent school directors. Active teachers: Isaac Reighard, David Hyde,
William White, Henry Whitaker, John A. Miner, J.W. Lingenfelter, David
Shoemaker, Samuel and Daniel Diehl, Hall Hughes and John Williams. New
schoolhouses began to be erected about 1859. Uniformity of textbooks and general
classification were adopted in 1854 and 1856.
In Broad Top township John Griffith early taught in a log house. He was
succeeded by James Frazier, a severe disciplinarian, who had forty rules for
governing the school. For violating the first rule the penalty was one lash the
second, two; and the last, forty lashes. Samuel Krieger, who required all pupils
to study aloud, was the first teacher in a new schoolhouse erected in 1829.
Joseph Evans was for many years the leader among the friends of education in the
township. Free schools were adopted in 1835, the township being then included in
Hopewell. Sixteen dollars per month were the first
teacher’s wages. First directors of Broad Top (1838): Joseph Evans, Thomas
Speer, George B. Kay, George F. Steel, David Cypher and
James Lane. Classification and uniformity of
textbooks were introduced about 1858. The township now pays high wages and has
superior schools. Among the successful teachers have been Jacob Deavor, James
Dunlap, James Richardson, John and David Hamilton, Benjamin Osborn, William
Figard, Aaron, Levi, Jonathan and Lemuel Evans.
After 1818 schools were kept open regularly each winter in Colerain township.
Early teachers: James Dugan, George Riley, George Caldwell, William French,
James C. Newman and Jesse Ash. Free schools were adopted in 1836 and log
schoolhouses were at once built. Peter Morgart, William Metz, Philip Shoemaker,
Frederick Smith, Adam Exline and William Shaner were the first directors. James
M. Alexander, Alexander Henry, Asa Williams, John C. Morgart, William and George
Caldwell and Samuel Wilkey were the first teachers under the new system.
George
H. Tower
was afterward a very successful and popular teacher, and his influence for good
was very great. A general interest in educational matters has been manifested by
the citizens.
The leading teachers in
Cumberland
Valley prior to the
adoption of the free school system in 1838 were Michael Boor, Joseph E. Cotter,
George McCoy, Adam Easter, John C. Vickroy, Thomas Cheney, Henry Bruner, Richard
Harwood and E.M. Swift. First board of directors (1838): Michael Boor, John
Blair, George Bortz, George Elder, Campbell Hendrickson and William Boor. First
teachers: Samuel Barrick; James Rawlins, Charles McLaughlin, John and Frederick
Simons, John Blair, Josiah Bruner, J.B.B. Cessna, Daniel Defibaugh and Anthony
Smith. All were log schoolhouses until 1865.
John Padan taught a school in
Everett
in 1814. William Girard succeeded him, charging three cents per day for tuition.
Joseph Brown, Logan and Abraham were the next teachers. The first schoolhouse
was erected about 1837. It was used for twenty years, after which the Methodist
Episcopal church served as a schoolhouse until the present school-building took
its place in 1866. The schoolhouse is of brick, two stories, surrounded by five
acres of ground. First directors of the borough (1860): J.B. Williams, John C.
Black, P.G. Morgart, William Masters and John A. Gump. The first teacher was
J.C. Clarkson, succeeded by J. C. Long. The school is in a good condition.
At the time of the organization of Harrison
township in 1842 six schoolhouses were included within it. The early friends of
education, most of whom were afterward school directors, were John Metzger, John
McVicker, John E. Miller, George Elder, L.A. Fyan, Frederick Turner, B.V. Wertz,
George Mullin, John B. Hardman and G.S. Mullin. Early teachers: Abraham Miller,
Peter F. Lehman, Nathan Bullock, James H. Caton, James Dugan and William Ketring.
Principal teachers from 1845 to 1860: Jacob Miller, Banner Wertz, Josiah Border,
B.H. Williams, M.C. Miller, James and John Rawlins.
Thomas Nixon taught the first school in Hopewell township in 1790. Thomas Fannagan was
the next teacher. In 1810 Nicholas Bollman, a fine penman, began to teach and
continued for ten years. Grammar was first taught by Richard Harwood in 1827.
George Moreland and Dr. Otho Selby were among the teachers of that day. Dr.
Selby was among the best teachers of the day. The present school system was
adopted at the first election held for the purpose. First directors: John and
William Piper, James Lane,
George B. Kay, George Rhodes and Jacob Fluke. The teachers were Richard Harwood,
Henry S. Fluke, Simon Cameron and John Miller. Miller taught several years,
adopted general classification and held a successful normal school. Asa Williams
and Rev. John G. Howell also taught successfully. Stoves were first used in
schoolhouses in Hopewell
township in 1820.
First directors of Juniata township (1853):
Leonard Bittner, Michael and P.R. Hillegass, Solomon Leitig, Nathan Hurley and
John Gillespie. First teachers: P.T. Lehman, Caspar Stroub, James Dull, Lewis
Beltz, John Palmer, D.M. Wonders and Miss Younkin. Wages were twelve dollars per
month. Houses were poor, without desks, in 1854. Desks and blackboards were put
in in 1656.
The early history of the schools of Liberty
township is included in Hopewell.
Daniel Cypher, David Stoler and Samuel Shoupp were earnest friends of the
schools. Successful teachers : Jonathan and Lemuel Evans, Richard Harwood, David
Shreve, Samuel Moore, I.K. Little and Miss Moriah Brumbaugh. In 1848 wages were
eleven dollars and twelve dollars per month; term three months; three schools;
whole tax, one hundred and forty-eight dollars. Schools are in good condition.
Michael Porter taught a school at Cook’s Mill, Londonderry township, in 1820. Benjamin L. Dodge, Edward
J. Cotter and R.L. Jones taught at different times. There were then but two
schools in the township. Free schools were strongly opposed and adopted by only
a small majority. Cornelius Devore was a strong advocate of the system. James C.
Devore was one of the first and most successful teachers. There has been great
progress in educational matters of recent years.
The early history of the Monroe township
schools is included in that of Providence and Southampton. Among the prominent directors were the
following: Jabez Hickson, M. Murray, James Marshall, J. Shaw, Philip Snider,
Daniel Fletcher, Daniel Miller, Jacob Fletcher and Josiah Koons. Profitable
select schools have been held. Some of the best teachers of the county have come
from Monroe.
John Friend taught in Napier township in 1813. Joseph Potts and Lewis Writer
were also early teachers. The first schoolhouse was built about 1825. Free
schools adopted in 1834. Emanuel Statler, A.J. Snively, Jacob Adams, Mulford
Treadwell, Joseph Mortimore and William Nycum were the first directors. Sixteen
log houses were built and poorly furnished. Wages for several years were twelve
dollars per month. Benjamin Kinsey, Isaac Philson, Jacob Miller, John W.Bowen,
James Allison, Robert Miller, Henry Whitaker and G.S. Mullin were among the
first teachers. Uniformity of textbooks and general classification were secured
about 1857.
Among the early teachers of Providence
township (now East and West Providence) were
Francis and John Wilkins, John McLaughlin, “Master” Jaques, Edward Kerr, Peter
Jamison and Solomon and Asa Williams. Schoolhouses poor, and but little
classification until 1860. Steady progress since.
First directors of Pleasantville borough (1871): Adam Ickes, A.J. Kegg, Isaac
T. Bowen, Amos Harbaugh, Daniel Price and Joseph B. Smith. Further notice given
in the history of the borough.
For history of the Allegheny Male and Female Seminary, Rainsburg, see sketch
of that town. First directors (1856): Samuel Williams, John A. Gump, N.C. Evans,
B.F. Gump, V. Freet and B. Sheely.
Saxton borough has a good schoolhouse and a prosperous school. Prominent
school men and directors have been E.A. Fackler, John Fulton, E.H. Turner, David
Stoler, Dr. C.W. Moore, I.K. Little, E.J. Rauch and Messrs, Eichelberger.
Teachers : W.S. Brenneman, W. F. Hughes, S.B. Stoler, J.O. Smith and others.
First directors of St. Clairsville borough (1867): G.B. Amick, Rev. C.W.
Heilman, Rev. J. Peters, Abraham Corle, Josiah Imler and John Beckley. Rev. C.W.
Heilman, S.W. Keyser, J.G. Ake, Miss Ella McLaughlin, and others, have been the
teacher. (See sketch in borough history.)
Among the first directors of Snake Spring township (1857) : Michael Lutz,
Hon. J.G. Hartley, B.R. Ashcom, Henry Hershberger, M.C. Ritchey and William
Turney. Among the principal teachers: Isaiah Rawlins, Maggie McCleery, H.F.
Gump, Josiah Amos, W.W. Spanks, J.T. Jamison, Samuel Amos and O.G. McCoy.
St. Clair township (now East and West St. Clair) was formed in 1814. In 1820
there were four schoolhouses. Leading teachers from 1814 to 1836: John Kemp,
Mark C. Shepherd, James Smith, Levi Lamburn, Thomas and James Allison. Free
schools had few friends, and the system was not adopted until 1846. John B.
Potts, James and John Blackburn, Eli Miller, J. Gordon and Thomas McCoy were the
first directors. Henry Whitaker, Aaron Frazier, Jennings Oldham, Robert and
Martin Miller, Thomas Schooley, John Guyer, D. M. Wonders, Miss E. P. Blackburn,
J. Porter, J.A. Livingston, Adam Ickes and Austin Wright have been teachers
since the free system was adopted. Old methods of teaching were abandoned in
1858—60.
In Southampton township David Howsare, David
Sell, Simmons and Nicholas Cooper, Warman Johnson and Denton Stevens were the
principal teachers prior to 1836, when the free schools were opened. In that
year the township contained three schoolhouses, two of which were also used for
public worship. Thirteen log schoolhouses were then built. William Lashley,
Joseph Barkman, William Robinson, John Pendergast, George Blankley and Henry
Turney were the first directors. Strong opposition to free schools was made, and
in 1857 a board of directors which was chosen refused to serve, and there were
no schools. This state of affairs continued until 1866, when, by action of the
court, schools were re-opened. Good progress has since been made.
The citizens of Schellsburg have generally been zealous in the support of
schools. In 1825, a brick schoolhouse was erected by private contributions and a
graded school established. Samuel Clendenong, Peter O. Hagan and C.W.
Leffingwell were successful teachers before the free schools. The village became
a borough in 1838. First directors: John Garlinger, Benjamin Blymier, Jacob
Poorman, John Rininger, Isaac Mengle and Godfrey Yeager. First teacher: Patricia
Grant. Uniformity of textbooks was adopted in 1841. The schools have generally
had efficient teachers and have been highly prosperous. The school-building is a
fine one.
Union township, now Union and King, adopted
the free school system in 1843. Early teachers of subscription schools : Jacob
Klahn, Robert Bullard, Samuel Karn, Amos McCreary, William McDonald and Thomas
Vowel. Free schools were accepted through the efforts of Joseph B. Ake, Samuel
Karn, Joseph Imler, John Crist, Michael Wertz and William Griffith. First
directors: Frederick Stuffier, Michael Moses, John Crist, Jacob Cloas and Joseph
Imler. In 1858, classification and uniformity of text-books were secured.
First directors of Woodberry borough (1868): William Pearson, William
Simpson, D.R.P. Sweeny, C.W. Allen, Dr. C.F. Oelig, Samuel Beamer and Jacob
Brenneman. David Price was the first teacher. The borough has a good brick
school-building and an interesting school.
In Woodberry township, Philip Fishburn, Benjamin Griffith, William Pringle,
David Mixel, James Roche, Jacob Livengood and William Ralston were the leading
teachers from 1816 to 1834. English and German were generally taught. Free
schools were opposed and the law was not accepted for some time. First
directors: Dr. Samuel H. Smith, Samuel Buck, Frederick Washeim, John Keagy,
Daniel Holsiniger and Samuel Haffley. Among the friends of the schools were
Samuel Brown, Jacob Hipple, Jacob Long, Leonard Furry, Christian Sounder, Thomas
Brown and Daniel Snowberger. Henry Miller, John McDonald and Jacob Miller were
successful teachers under the present system.
South Woodberry was formed in 1844. In f848,
under a very progressive schoolboard, much interest in education was aroused.
The first institute in the county was held in this township in 1849. Among the
most active directors were Adam Haderman and Joseph B. Noble. Successful
teachers: John B. Fluke, J.B. Furry, J.R. Durborrow, D.C. Long and Daniel Reed.
The township has good schoolhouses and good schools.
Coaldale borough generally maintains good schools. John Taylor, Lemuel Evans,
Joshua Aurandt, Dr. Jenkins and others have served as directors.
The schools of the new townships—Bloom-field, West St. Clair, King and Mann
—are included in the sketches relating to the townships from which they were
formed. Many facts relative to borough schools are given in the borough
histories. Several of the townships have held township institutes annually,
which have had an important influence in improving the schools.
The present condition of the schools of the county will be seen in the
following statistics, which are taken from the latest report of the state
superintendent:
Whole number of schools in the county in 1882, 234 1/2; average number of
months taught, 5.52 ; number of male teachers, 202 1/2; number of female
teachers, 54; average salary of male teachers, per month, $31.41 ; average
salary of female teachers, per month, $25.41 ; number of male scholars, 4,889;
number of female scholars, 4,356; average number attending school, 6,485;
average per cent of attendance, 82; total amount of tax levied for school and
building purposes, $40,556.07; state appropriation, $7,016.21 ; total receipts,
$57,812.35; total expenditures, $55,607.64.
DR. F.C. REAMER.
Dr. F.C. Reamer was born near Sideling Hill, in the present county of Fulton,
Pennsylvania,
in 1821. He studied medicine with Dr. Francis B. Barclay, of
Bedford,
Pennsylvania, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia,
April 4, 1845. He began the practice of his profession at Hancock, Maryland.
In the spring of 1849 or 1850, he located at Bedford,
but a few months later removed to McConnellsburg, the then recently established
county-seat of the new county
of Fulton. It seems that
his anticipations were not realized there, however, for in the spring of 1854 he
again returned to Bedford,
where he resided until, his death, which occurred April 28, 1870, at the age of
forty-nine years. From September 16, 1862, to February 3, 1865, he served as
surgeon, with the rank of major, of the 143d regt. Penn. Vols. His wife,
formerly Miss Georgiana A., daughter of Abraham Kerns, of Bedford, died May 28, 1869.
Notes
* For most of the Information contained in this
chapter, the editor is Indebted to an article, by Prof. J.W. Hughes, on the
schools of Bedford county, in the
report of the state superintendent for the year 1877.
