Allen County OhArchives History - Schools .....The First School Of Lima August 3, 1896
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Woerner judyw0113@yahoo.com May 8, 2006, 4:56 pm

Book Title: 

The Times Democrat, August 3, 1896

THE FIRST SCHOOLS OF LIMA
(Excerpt from an article entitled OpenedIs the Teachers Annual Institute of 
Allen County.)

The school was held in the north room of the old court house, which stood on 
the east side of Main street, between the square and Spring street, in the 
winter of 1832-33, it was of the subscription variety, term 66 days.  W. H. C. 
MITCHELL, of Traverse City, Mich; T. T. MITCHELL, of Lima; JOHN J. COLE, of 
California; S. H. WARD, of Paulding county; Mrs. D. MUSSER and Mrs. D. BREESE, 
of Shawnee, tp., are all that remain of the thirty-nine scholars of the first 
school of Lima.

Col. JAMES CUNNINGHAM, father of Mrs. J. N. HUTCHINSON, who is now, or was on 
the examining board, taught in 1833-34.  The scene of his labors being JACOB 
DOWNS log cabin on Water street, where the Schultheis tannery now stands.  Up 
to 1832 the law did recognize the school maam.  In December 1831, an act was 
passed providing that On the petition of the inhabitants of a district, and 
when the school examiners have granted such petition, the school directors 
shall appoint a female to teach spelling, reading and writing, only.  Miss 
MARGARET A. POAGUE saw her opportunity and grasped it.  In 1834 she taught a 
small school in ORAIN VALENTINES cooper shop.  As it was floorless, roofless 
and sideless Miss POAGUE necessarily taught in the summer time.

JOHN CUNNINGHAM, whose daughter, Mrs. O. W. SMITH, has been one of our 
successful teachers, was the next teacher.  In the summer of 1835, Miss MARIE 
HOVER taught in the Baptist church.  Two schools were taught in the winter of 
1835-36 by Rev. CHAFEE in the Baptist church, and JOHN THOMAS in the court 
house.

The first continuous nine months school was held in the Baptist church by 
LEMUEL H. IDE.  In 1855 the union school system was adopted by a vote of the 
people.  In 1856 the school was organized with Dr. W. W. LITTLEFIELD as 
superintendent,  They occupied the old Methodist church until 1858, when the 
west school building was opened under the superintendency of WM. A. SHAW.

The schools of Lima and of Allen county have always kept pace with or been in 
advance of the growth in other respects.


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