The Mercer Soldiers' Orphan School was established
January 1, 1868, in the eastern part of the borough of Mercer, county-seat of
Mercer county. The situation is a beautiful one, and as well adapted to this
purpose as any that could have been selected. A spring of soft, pure, cold water
gushes from the base of Bald Hill, on the east; the west is fringed by a winding
stream, the excess of waters from numerous springs. A beautiful natural grove
ornaments the property and affords an excellent and delightful play-ground for
the children. Nature's sweet and varied songsters, in season, inhabit this
grove, and appear intent on giving culture and refinement to the nation's
orphaned children.
To the natural beauties of this place, the hand of Art
has added its attractions. Maple-trees surround the buildings of the
institution, and a line of the same bounds the property. Fountains have been
constructed on the ornamental grounds, the water being supplied by the spring
above mentioned. This spring supplies water for all the seven buildings of the
school; the water being conveyed in pipes to whatever point it is needed. The
buildings mentioned are commodious, attractive, airy, and ample for the
accommodation of over three hundred children, in school-rooms, chapel,
play-rooms, laundry and wash-rooms, dining-room, and dormitories. The farm
connected with the institution is productive, and cultivated to great advantage,
through the labor-system of the school. Messrs. George Reznor
and J. G. White
were the first Proprietors--the former having charge of the business, and the
latter of the educational department. Mr. Reznor retired at the end of the first
year, and Mr. White continued as Proprietor and Principal until March 1, 1874, when
Messrs. G. W. Wright, R. R. Wright, S. F. Thompson, and John I. Gordon
became
Proprietors, and still continue such.
Of the first hundred children admitted to the school,
few were over eight, and a number under four years of age. This was called one
of the juvenile schools of the system; but, in 1871, it was discovered that the
division of families, occasioned by placing those under ten and those over ten
years of age in different institutions, often widely separated, was very
unsatisfactory to mothers and guardians, and primary schools are no longer
known.
It was an arduous task to care for so many little ones
during the first two years, and this was especially so to those who had direct
charge. Mrs. Jane Findley, of Erie City, was the first matron employed. This
lady was the widow of a distinguished minister, and was possessed of excellent
culture and fine executive ability, and brought to bear, in the discharge of her
duties, the best qualities of head and heart. Her name is still cherished by the
children whom she cared for so efficiently, and by her co-laborers whom she so
greatly assisted by her knowledge, prudence, and sagacity. Mrs. Findley was
obliged, on account of failing health, to resign her position in the year 1870.
She was succeeded by Mrs. Wm. F. Dickson, a woman of remarkable talents and
culture, and who made promise of great usefulness in this position; but she was
obliged to leave her place on account of the ill health of her husband, Rev. Wm.
F. Dickson, who acted as Principal for a few months in the year 1870.
Mrs. Mary C. Galbraith was the next matron of the
school, and held the position for over four years. She was one who had no
superiors--intelligent, prudent, systematic; and although the machinery by which
her different departments were conducted was complicated, everything was
harmonious. She was a model of order, ever busy in superintending the work of
the girls, correcting bad habits, giving good advice, teaching cleanliness and
neatness, and by her uniform bearing affording a living example of a true lady
and Christian mother. The present matron is Miss Jennie Martin, a young lady of
large experience in connection with this system of schools, having filled
responsible positions at Dayton Soldiers' Orphan School; and notwithstanding her
youth, she performs her work in a most satisfactory manner. The above-mentioned
matrons have had for their lieutenants, Miss Lizzie Foust, Miss Dougan, Miss
Maria Beggs, now deceased, Miss Maggie White, Mrs. Martha Fowls, and Mrs.
Elizabeth Johnston, who still remains, and is the mother of
three of the children of the school. These persons performed well their part
during their respective terms.
The educational department has been one of peculiar
interest, and a brief history of it may not be improper, as it is here the
foundation is laid for the great superstructure of practical manhood and
womanhood. Teachers, as a general rule, have been retained for a long time, some
being still with the school who began their services here with its origin in
1868.
Mr. J. G. White, the former Proprietor, was first
Principal, but other duties required him to fill his place with another who
could devote his time to the educational department. Rev. Wm. F. Dickson, a man
of high intellectual attainments and a teacher of large and long experience, was
employed. After a few months of earnest and faithful labor, he was obliged to
resign on account of ill health. He was succeeded by Miss Sarah Pew, who
remained two years. Under her instruction the school made rapid and thorough
progress, and her excellent discipline soon brought incongruous and disorderly
elements under the rule of almost perfect law and order.
Prof. Wm. Bogle succeeded her, and is still the
Principal. Mr. Bogle has displayed a peculiar fitness for this place. He is a
man of thorough scientific and classical education, of large experience, and of
the highest type of moral character. How well, not how much, is his motto. It is
earnestly hoped that Mr. Bogle may remain at his post until this system of
schools expires by legal limitation. The assistant teachers have been as
follows: Miss Mary E. White, Miss Josephine C. Smith, Miss Annie Williamson,
Miss Bell Orr, Miss Elmira Marsteller, Miss Amelia Leech, Miss Sadie Leech, Miss
Russell, Miss Hattie Pettit, Miss Allie Bogle, and Mrs. Wm. Bogle,
wife of the
present Principal. Space will not allow a detailed history of the services of
each of these teachers; but we must say that all have done well, and to them the
school is indebted, to a very great degree, for the most enviable reputation it
has achieved. Mrs. Bogle has no superior as a juvenile teacher, and deserves the
especial thanks of the proprietors and patrons of the school, while the others
mentioned deserve to be ranked as our best educators.
Schools of this character cannot be conducted without
an army of other assistants, such as seamstresses, washwomen and laundresses,
cooks and bakers, farmers, and general managers. Mrs. Armstrong, Miss Nannie
Beggs, Miss Maggie Blair, Misses Reed, Miss Black, Miss Carmichael, Mrs. Crawford, J. B. Nickum, and a
few others whose names we fail to recollect, all did good service, and added
greatly to the morale, good order, and efficiency of the school.
Messrs. Chas. H. White and John Black have been the
local managers or male attendants, Mr. Black being the present incumbent. These
gentlemen have both shown that they were fully able to discharge their arduous
duties in a satisfactory manner. S. F. Stewart, Timothy Thomas, D. A. Eberle,
and Warren Crooks have each acted as assistants to the above-named gentlemen.
The department for manufacturing and repairing shoes
has been conducted by H. C. White and Mr. Ross, the latter-named gentleman still
continuing to peg-away.
Pennsylvania's Soldiers Orphan School by James Laughery Paul, Chief
Clerk of the Department of Soldiers' Orphan Schools, 1876, pages 466-469.