Click Here to Return to Milestones
Shortly after the appointment of Dr. Burrowes as State Superintendent of Soldiers' Orphan Schools, he made earnest efforts to find a competent person to establish and take charge of a school for this class of children in the western part of the State; but he failed for some time, because of the doubt and uncertainty of appropriations being continued, and because the work to be done for the orphans was double what was done in boaring-schools, and the compensation about one-half as much.
He was directed to Rev. Henry Webber, Principal of the North Sewickley Academy, a man of most humane and sympathetic heart, but in declining health; after pressing the case upon him, Mr. Webber consented to take a limited number, until other arrangements could be made. Accordingly, on May 5, 1865, he received his first soldier's orphan, and the number steadily increased, until one hundred and eleven were in attendance. But Mr. Webber felt his accommodations were not adequate to so large a number. He did for them the best he could under the circumstances; and he deserves the highest credit for the interest and venture he took at this early period of the work, and the great tax it laid upon his declining health, which was before taxed as much as it could well bear. He, feeling, by fourteen months' experience, the responsibility and labor to be too great for him, concluded to sell his interest, and did so to Mr. James Jackson.
Mr. Jackson took charge August, 1866, and continued four months when, finding the duties and difficulties so great and numerous, he sold the property to Rev. J. H. Mann.
Mr. Mann took charge December 1, 1866, having forty orphans, which number increased to sixty. Being an experienced teacher, he endeavored to push the work forward successfully; but he found the difficulties to be encountered very many. He was materially assisted by E. M. Alexander, Esq., of New Brighton, who showed the most substantial sympathy in his great work. After trying the experiment for six months, Mr. Mann declined to continue longer in the business. He found that the school was sinking about one hundred and fifty dollars per month, and the buildings not being adequate for a larger school, he resigned the principalship, and the school closed June 1, 1867, by the transfer of the children to Phillipsburg and Uniontown.
The persons employed at various times during the existence of this school were as follows:
Teachers:
Mr. R.E. Brown
Mr. M.J. Ingram
Miss Kate McBeth
Miss Olivia J. Smith
Miss M.E. Porter
Physician:
Dr. Witherow
Matrons:
Mrs. Elezan Cole
Mrs. Jackson
Mrs. Hattie B. Mann
Seamstresses:
Miss Koozer
Mrs. Bell Robinson