American Balance, Akron, Ohio, January, 17, 1839, 3:4

Akron Select School.

The Akron Select School has been removed to the schoolroom formerly occupied by Mr. S.L. Sawtell, over B. W. Stephens store.

Terms of Tuition. - Common English studies, $3.00; Philosophy, Astronomy, Chemistry, Algebra and the Greek and Latin languages, $4.00 per quarter.

One evening per week will be devoted exclusively to the improvement of the scholars in Penmanship, and one evening to lectures on Philosophy, chemistry, Astronomy, &c.

The afternoon of each Wednesday will be set apart for exercises in composition and declamation. Francis Dexter. Dec. 5

American Balance, Akron, Ohio, January 31, 1839, 1:4,5.

COMMON SCHOOLS

Second Annual Report of the Superintendent of Common Schools, made by the thirty seventh General Assembly of Ohio, December 24th 1838, By S. Lewis

This report contains 74 pages of valuable information, and bears ample testimony to the fidelity, capacity , and industry of the Superintendent. Indeed it is such a report as we have seldom had the pleasure of receiving from any of the State officers. The office Mr. Lewis holds is an honorable and useful one; but which attracts the favor of the people less strongly than those which are the mere stepping stones of political demagogues.

The report is not perfect, only because the condition of common schools is not perfect. It contains much to encourage our hopes, but more to abase our pride. 

We are advancing but we have much ground to pass over before we reach the level of a highly intelligent people.

Mr. Lewis has no doubt, from his information that A large majority of the people are in favor, and but a comparatively few against the present law. Trustees have generally complied with the law, in respect to laying off school districts.

Character of instruction. This is much lower than it should be. The old defect of relying on memory and repetition still continues.

Female education is on Ohio decidedly low; and is not generally adapted to the sphere of life in which women have to move.

School House.  At least 1000 have been built, or building during the year, mostly brick or frame. Many of the country towns have voted to raise from $3000 to 6000 for school houses, and are progressing on the best system. It is proposed that the State should borrow the money to build school houses, as they have for Internal Improvements, and levy a tax on the districts which pay the money for the interest.

Corporate Towns. In Cleveland, Warren, Newark, Portsmouth, Dayton, Chillicothe, Lebanon and other towns, the people have voted to money to erect commodious school houses.

School Books. The difficulty arising from various kinds of school books is very great and it is recommended that the state adopt some measure on this subject. A premium for the best books recommended. -- Cin. Chron.

Summit Beacon - Akron September 29, 1841

COMMON SCHOOLS

An examination of Teachers for the winter schools of Summit County will be held in the court room in Akron, on the 15^th of October, and at the Academy in Hudson on the 16^th . . .  As the examination is conduced by classes, it is highly important that all who wish to be examined on those days should be punctual. Each applicant is expected to be furnished with written testimonials of moral character; and in no case to engage in a school before receiving his certification according to the statute. . .

Rufus Nutting Sec. Of Ex. Com.

Summit Beacon - Akron November 24, 1841 3 6

ADVERTISEMENT

Middlebury Select School

Mr. J.B. GLEASON presents his compliments to the inhabitants of Middlebury and vicinity, and informs them that he will open a school in the basement story of the Congregational meeting house, in Middlebury on the 8^th day of November for the instruction of young ladies and gentlemen in those branches usually taught in academical schools and he pledges himself that there shall be no want of attention on his part to render the school interesting and profitable to all who may favor him with their pupilage. 

TUITION

For 12 weeks in common branches       $3.00

For A     @       A   Higher branches       4.00

During a recess of the Teachers examination held at the Court room in Akron, on the 10^th inst., a meeting of Teachers was organized by appointing N. Fay, Chairman and J.C. Berry, Secretary [Joshua C. Berry, later on APS School Board, founder of Mechanics Library and a Sheriff Portage Township 1848-51.] The object of the meeting having been stated to make arrangements for the organization of a Teachers Association a Committee of three were appointed, viz; H. K. Smith, J.B. Gleason [moved in Gold Rush to CA in 1850] and O.P. Barney [served in Mexican War 1846-48 and Civil War,] to draft a constitution for said association. On motion, this meeting adjourned, to meet at the same place at 3 o'clock P.M.

In pursuance of adjournment the meeting convened and adopted the following preamble and constitution, after some slight amendments, reported by the above committee.

Preamble - Experience has fully demonstrated that knowledge is indispensable to the proper discharge of the duties which devolve upon every citizen, under a republican form of government, and that do other means has been or can be resorted to, to reach the universal mind, but through the agency of common schools. That the standard of common school education is at this time far below what it should be, to accomplish the desirable object - the enlightenment of every mind - needs no argument to prove; the means to remedy the defect is not to all minds so apparent.

For the purpose of elevating the character of our common schools, and making them what they should be, by bringing together the experience and observation of practical teachers, the undersigned citizens of Summit co. Do hereby form ourselves into a society to be governed by the following constitution:

Art 1.  This society shall be called the Teachers Association of Summit co.

2d. The officers of this association shall be President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer, who shall discharge the various duties usually devolving upon such officers. Said officers shall constitute a board of directors for the examination of all members of the society, with a view to their qualifications as teachers, and shall issue certificates of such qualification as follows, to wit: Those who are qualified to teach all the branches usually taught in our common schools, in the best manner, shall be marked No. 3; those of a lower grade, No. 2; those of a still lower grade, No.1

3d.  Any person of a good moral character, who is or has been, or intends to be a teacher, may be a member of this association.

4^th.  The annual meeting of this society shall be held on the 3^rd Saturday of November, at such a place as shall be designated by the board of directors; notice of which shall be given in all the newspapers of the county for three weeks previous to such meeting. The board may call special meetings at their discretion by giving similar notice.

5^th This constitution may be altered or amended at any regular meeting if the society, by a vote of two thirds of the members present.

In pursuant of the constitution, N. Fay was elected President; J.B. Gleason, Vice President; J.C. Berry, recording Secretary; H.K. Smith corresponding Secretary; and A.C. Page, Treasurer. [no info on A.C. Page.] Said officers to hold their office until the 3^rd Saturday in November, 1843, and until their successors are chosen. On motion, J. B. Gleason was appointed to report a selection of school books at the next meeting, proper to be recommended to common schools. On motion, a committee of 5 were appointed to deliver at the next meeting dissertations on the following subjects, to wit: Government, the best manner of teaching arithmetic, grammar, geography and orthography. J.B. Gleason was appointed to deliver a dissertation on grammar, D.B. Hadley on geography [Daniel B. Hadley; founding member of the Akron Literary Association, Portage County Sheriff 1852-55, became a lawyer, in 1853 referred to as Justice] and J. C. Berry on orthography.

On, motion that the proceedings of this association be signed by the President and Secretary, and be presented, together with the constitution, to the editors of the newspaper of this village, and requested for publication, and that the editors of the several papers of the county be requested to copy and publish same. On motion, adjourned, to meet on the first Saturday of November next, at the Court-room in Akron, at 10 o'clock A.M. NAHUM FAY, Chairman, J.C. Berry, Secretary.

For Arithmetic - Rays and Colburns mental and Adams arithmetic

On Grammar - No Selection was made.

On motion, the said report was adopted.

On motion, a committee of four were appointed to give dissertations on various subjects at the next meeting; J. B. Gleason, N. Fay, S. B. Axtell [Samuel B. moved to CA in 1850 Gold Rush, served 2 terms in Congress representing San Francisco 40^th and 41 sessions, Governor of the New Mexico Territories 1875-1885, also was a Judge, visited and kept family home in Richfield, O.]  and B. V. Burroughs [unknown,] were appointed said committee.

On motion adjourned to meet at the Court-room in Akron on the first Saturday of December next, at 10 o'clock A.M., at which time examination of teachers will be held agreeable to the constitution.

Nahum FAY, President - J.C. Berry, Secretary

Summit Beacon - Akron December 7, 1842 

ADVERTISEMENT

AKRON SELECT SCHOOL

This school will again be opened for the reception of young ladies and Gentlemen, in the Post Office building on the 12 inst.

Tuition per term of 12 weeks

Common English Branches,       $3.00

Higher branches                         4.00

Languages                                5.00

It is very desirable that those who intend to enter this school, be present the first day of the term.   R Rogers

E. Chapman & Co.

Are now opening an extensive assortment of Groceries for family use, which have been recently purchased in New York, for cash, and will be sold at wholesale or retail, at prices to suit the times, for cash or many kinds of country produce.

Market street, (nearly opposite the Exchange Hotel) N. Akron

THANKSGIVING - Many of our good folks began to think that Gov. Corwin had forgotten to give us a thanksgiving this year, but it will be seen that he named the 22^nd as the day, and as that is the day, and as that is the Anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth rock, none can say that it is inappropriate or ill timed.

Summit Beacon Akron February 15, 1843 3:4

THE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Met at Middlebury on Saturday, according to appointment. The dissertation on health was deferred till next meeting. Mr. Gleason proceeded with his geographical illustration, which like all his productions, were highly interesting. Many correct ideas were advanced which were entirely new to all present. Mr. G. is probably as well or better qualified for teaching them than any other man in the county - he has all apparatus necessary for illustrations. At our next meeting we will have dissertations from Mr. Page on Arithmetic and Geometrical Progressions - this is a subject not generally well understood and will therefore be useful to many Teachers; and a lecture by H. K. Smith on Orthography, that much neglected branch of common school education. Mr. Smith is undoubtedly the best teacher of orthography in the county. This is a branch that ought no longer be neglected in any school. Females who intend to teach summer schools should avail themselves of this source of information.  The next meeting will be the 11^th day of March next. Our numbers increase at every meeting.

A. M. McBride, Sec. Pro. Tem. [unknown]

Summit Beacon Akron April 12, 1843 2:6

THE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Convened pursuant to adjournment on Saturday the 8^th inst. After preliminary transactions, the association was entertained in a very interesting manner, by a dissertation on Arithmetic and Geometric Progression by Mr. A. C. Page of Copley. The association was also favored by a continuation of Mr. H. K. Smiths lecture on orthography and the best manner of teaching that important, but neglected branch of education. Mr. C. A. Storrs dissertation on reading was deferred to next meeting, and will then be first in order. Appointment for next meeting: Mr. J. B. Gleason on moral influence to so exerted by teachers and Mr. Rogers on the best method of teaching arithmetic.

On motion, the association adjourned to meet again at the school house in N. Akron on Saturday May 6^th.  A. McBride, Secretary pro tem

On motion, Geo.. Sumners  was appointed to give a dissertation at the next meeting on the best method of teaching penmanship; also R. Rogers on the best method of teaching reading. The following resolution was presented and passed.

Resolved, that the society award to any young lady a complete set of school books such as shall be recommended by this society to the common schools in this county, who will present the best essay of her own composition upon some branch of education to be read at the next meeting.

On motion, adjourned to meet Middlebury on the 1^st Saturday of September, next at 1 oclock, P.M.  J. C. Berry, Secretary

Summit Beacon - Akron September 13, 1843  2:4

NOTICE TO SCHOOL EXAMINERS.

We are authorized to give notice that a Convention of Common School Examiners from the Counties of Cuyahoga, Lorian, Erie, Medina, Summit, Portage Stark, Wayne and Lake, will meet at Akron on the fourth Friday of September inst. For the purpose of adopting measures to raise the standards of Common School Education. The modes of examining teachers will be discussed, and if possible, reduced to a uniformity; the character of books now in use, the qualifications of teachers, defects in our school laws, &c., &c. Will also be subjects for consideration.

John McGregor, Esq. Of Medina, Principal of the Wadsworth Academy, will on that occasion, deliver an address. The attendance of all Examiners is particularly requested and as many Teachers as can make it convenient are also requested to be present. - Medina Watchman

For petitioning the Legislature to appoint a committee of one from each Congressional District, who shall meet once in 3 years to determine upon what books shall be used in the schools of the State. To revive the office of State Superintendent. To dispense with two in each of the boards of County Examiners, and have the remaining one elected by the people once in 3 years - and whose duty it shall be to make all reports to the State superintendent, to visit each school in the county semi-annually, to hold a sufficient number of days for public examination of Teachers, but to make no private examinations - and be paid for all this service at the rate of $-- per day to be paid half yearly out of the county Treasury.

A committee of 3 was appointed to circulate a petition to the Legislature for the above objects.

The thanks of the Convention voted to J. McGregor for his excellent Address.

Adjournment to meet on the 3^rd Saturday of March next at the old Court Room in Akron at 1 o=clock, P.M.  J. B. Gleason, Chairman.  H. K. Smith, Secretary