Wesley Academy

Source: Lafayette Journal-Courier Thu 5 Nov 1936 p5

Waynetown, Nov 5 – A centennial anniversary observance of the Methodist Church here was held last Sunday the third of a series of celebrations by four churches comprising the Waynetown-Wesley Parish, which were included in the organization of Coal Creek mission, a group of 20 churches with one pastor. The morning sermon was by Rev. EF Prevo, Mulberry, a former pastor. A basket dinner was featured by a decorated cake brought by Miss Pearl Runyan, Lafayette, a former resident. The cake was served by Mrs. Martha Thompson, member of the church the longest of the present congregation.

Record of Pastors -

A record of the 100 years’ pastors of the church was read by Rev. Guy E. Tremaine, present pastor and the church history was read by Mrs. Thompson. The first Methodist Church in Waynetown, then Middletown, was organized in 1835 and the first church building was on the lot where the home of Miss Pearl Parker now stands. Prior to that time preaching was conducted in homes and in camps by preachers such as Casseborn, Sewell, Dillon, Hargrave and Campbell.

Mission Formed

In 1836 the Waynetown Methodist Church with 19 other churches was organized into Coal Creek mission with Rev. Daniel DeMotte as pastor. One of the early ministers were the Rev. James B. Gray, father of Mrs. Cooper Gray. Charter members are not known. Sunday school was organized and held in afternoons. The Methodist Church has the distinction of having the first organ in any church in Waynetown and the first organist was Mrs. Charles Dwiggins, till a Waynetown resident. Singers were trained in a singing school in the church. One teacher was John Dolstrum. In 1876 the church was moved to its present location. Dr. George Green gave a lot and the church was moved there and remodeled. David Thompson, John R. Thomas and George Green furnished funds to move the church and furnished all the chairs.

NEW CHURCH BUILT

In 1897 Sunday School was changed from afternoon to a morning school. After the old church had ben repaired several times, erection of a new church was begun in 1914 on the same lot, under the pastorate of the Rev. George B Jones, and was dedicated the first Sunday in October 1915 with the Rev. Mr. Tremaine pastor. The new building cost $10,000 including old material and donated labor, all raised on the day of dedication with a surplus. The Ladies’ Aid society paid $1600. Many preachers who have served the church have become quite noted and three of its boys, VE Fruits (deceased), James Simms and Russell Rice became ministers.

Attending the celebration from a distance were Prof. and Mrs. LV Ludy, West Lafayette; Mr. and Mrs. Ira Meharry and Miss Anna MeHarry Wingate; Mrs. Sue Shaw, Mrs. Henriette Rice, Mrs. Anna Freeman, Crawfordsville; Mr. and Mrs. Irving Ripley and family, Hillsboro and Miss Mary Lokey, Birmingham, ala. The four and last observance of the parish centennial will be at Wesley Chapel Sunday Nov 8 with similar all-day services.

ACADEMY RECALLED

Included in the reminiscence at the observance was mention of the Wesley Academy. A catalogue of 1862 of that institution tells of a “meeting of the citizens.” Feb 17, 1858 in the vicinity of Wesley Chapel for the purpose of taking measures for the erection of a school house “somewhere” near that point on the Covington Road.” George Bratton, who served on the firstschool board of Wayne township in 1853 was one of the building committee. March 8, 1858, the committees met and agreed that the size of the school house should be 40’ wide by 50’ long and two stories high. On Monday morning, May 31, 1858, the people of the immediate neighborhood assembled upon hearing that a storm the night before had blown down the frame of the new school house and it was unanimously voted to rebuild upon the first plans of better material if possible and that “each subscriber would bear his part of extra expense in proportion to his subscription to the building. The meeting adjourned to meet in the adjoining woods at 1 o’clock to get out a new set of timbsers for the house.

MEMBERS OF BOARD

On July 10, 1858 an election was held at Wesley Academy to elect five trustees, the board increasing until in 1863 it included 17. John S. Gray, pres; George Bratton, sec; the Rev. John N. Holloway, treas; the Rev. John B. Gray, agent; Gabriel Hutchings, Charles Bailey Sr, John Stout and AK Miller, Wesley; John A. Cooley, Prairie Edge; James Heaton, Crawfordsville; Dr. JS Green, Waynetown; Miloe Gookins, Steam Coroner; Daniel Yount, Yountsville, James Stubbins, Alamo; AS Frankfield, Newtown; Mathias McClure, Pleasant Hill and Joseph Coats, Chambersburg. Professor Nutt delivered an address at the deciation of the academy and JE Rhodes was principal in 1859-60. IN 1862 the board of instructors included the Rev. WC Gerard, principal and natural science; the Rev. Mr. Holloway, AB, Mathematics and languages; Prof. Thomas Kerr, instrumental and vocal music; Laura Cooley and Mary Young, assistants. Courses of study included primary, intermediate and academical departments, the latter including Latin, analytical English and Latin grammar; algebra, natural history, Caesar’s commentaries, philosophy and music. In 1862 there were listed 120 gentlement and lady students from several places in Montgomery and Fountain counties, Evanston and Peoria, Ill and Iowa.

CHEAP SCHOOLING

A boarding house in connection with the academy was in charge of Colbreth Hall. It could accommodate 35 students with board and with wood furnished for their rooms at $1.75 per week. Board could also be had in the neighborhood at $1.50 per week. About $35 was all that was required for a term of 13 weeks unless the student “takes some of the ornamental branches.”

The academy building was sold to Wayne township in 1885 and was used as a township school building until 1910 when it was replaced by a brick veneer building in which was utilized the frame of the old building. At present it is used as a community building in which many church supers and annual family reunions are held. The boarding house was raised in 1929 after being used as a barn many years. Prairie Edge, a crossroads postoffice, is no more; Chambersburg was immediately north of Sterling, near Veedersburg and Pleasant Hill is now Wingate.

Source: Tipton Daily Trib Thu 4 May 1967 p 6

“History of Indiana’s Educational Program Reveals Seminaries, Academies, Colleges

The Presbyterians ran … Waveland Academy in Mont Co 1849-1879.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) operated Haw Creek Academy near Ladoga in Mont Co in 1838-39 and then Ladoga Academy from 1858-1867.

Methodists operated Wesley Academy in Mont … early county seminaries include Montgomery at C’ville and Putnam – Greencastle 1831 – academies served not only as educational units available to all citizens of a county but also as community centers and sometimes for religious services. They were not free but the tuition fees were moderate and fairly uniform. These county academies all shared hardships and many ups & downs. IN 1905 MADAM BLAKER’s SCHOOL was chartered as Teacher’s College of Indianapolis.

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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 19 Nov 1868 p8

We learn that Mr. ZM Ball of this city has received and accepted the appointment as Principal of Wesley Academy and will enter upon his duties next Tuesday. We also learn that Daniel G. Roderick of the Public Schools of this city has been tendered the charge of Alamo Academy.

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VARIOUS GRADUATES

Source: Indianapolis News Mon 12 Dec 1938 p 4

Crawfordsville – Mrs. Frances L. Steele, age 77, prominent Crawfordsville resident, died yesterday following an extended illness. She was the widow of George W. Steele, druggist. She attended Wesley Academy.

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Source: Waynetown Despatch, 25 July 1930 p 7 (picture but doubt I could get a very good copy of it – okay, I TRIED to get it saved at least decently 😊 )

The beginning of the Wesley Academy was in 1858. The following was copied from the original minutes of the secretary's book of the Wesley Academy. "At a meeting of Januuary 17, 1858, in the vicinity of Wesley Chapel for the purpose of taking measures for the erection of a school house somewhere near the point on the Covington Road, John Stout was called to the chair and George Bratton was appointed secretary several sites being proposed to erect said house upon. James B. Gray proposed to give one acre of ground adjoining to the meeting house lot for the use of said schoolhouse, and John S. Gray, John Stout and George Bratton was chosen as a building committee, and said committee, was instructed to get all the information they could as to size and plan for the house and then call those interested together and lay their plan before them for their approval or rejection also that the committee should advertise tho letting of the job of building the house and adopt their own plan for furnishing materials. On motion the meeting adjourned to meet on this night, two weeks, at this place."

"March 8, 1858, committees met and agreed that the size of the school house should be 40 feet wide by 50 feet long and two stories high. Adjourned to meet next Thursday morning to clear off the ground.

"On Monday morning, May 31, 1858, the people of the immediate neighborhood assembled, upon hearing that the storm last night had blown down the frame of the new school house. After discussion "as to whether the building be abandoned or reerected" the vote, was unaninimous to rebuild upon the first plan of better material if possible and that each subscriber would bear his part in proportion to his subscription of the extra expense of the building. Meeting adjourned to meet in the adjoining woods at 1 o’clock to get out a new set of timbers for the house.

On July 19th, 1858, an election was held at Wesley Academy to elect trustees and James b. Gray, John Stout Archibald K. Miller, Harrison Matheny and George Bratton were elected; which board was increased until in 1863, it consisted of the following persons: John S. Gray, president; George Bratton, secretary; Rev. John N. Holloway, treasurer; Rev. James B. Gray, agent Gabriel Hutchings, Charles Baily, Sr., John Stout, A. K. Miller, John A. Cooley, James Heaton, Dr. S. J. Green, Miio Gookins. Steam Corner, Dan Yount, James Stubbin, A. S. Frankenfield, Mathias McClure, Joseph Coats.

Board of visitors: Rev. C. Skinner and Rev. GN Stefford.

Professor Nutt delivered an address at the dedication of the Acadmey, and J.E. Rhoades served as principal of the school in 1850 and 1860. The board of instruction in 1862 was-as follows: Rev. John N. Halloway, A. B. Mathematics and Languages; Prof Thomas J. Kerr, Instrumental and Vocal Music; Misses Laura Cooley and Mary Young, assistants. Course of study as outlined covered the primary intermediate and academical departments, the latter including Latin, Analytical, English and Latin Grammer, Algebra, (Bourdon's), Natural History. Caesars Commentaries, Philosophy and Music. In 1862 there were listed 120 gentlemen and lady students as follows:

STUDENTS ENROLLED

Gentlemen: Archer Bailey, Wesley; Martin Bailey, Wesley; Charles Bean, Crawfordsville; John Baldwin, Crawfordsville; Wm. Baldwin, Jr, Wesley; Wm. Baldwin, Sr, Wesley; D. Baldwin, Wesley; G. Baldwin, Wesley; HM Billings, West Lebanon; Wm. M. Doctorman, Wesley; Francis M. Dice, Chambersburgh; John Ellis, Peoria, Ill; Wm. Freeman, Wesley; John Freeman, Wesley; Albert Freeman; George Freeman, Wesley; Ben TR Gray, Wesley; Ellis Gray, Wesley; John Gray, Wesley; Willie Gray, Wesley; P.S> Gray, Wesley; Thos. C. Green, Waynetown; Jas. Harlow, Wesley; Jac. Harlow, Wesley; Dennis Heath, Wesley; John Heath, Wesley; John Hutchings, Wesley; Wm. J. Hall, West Lebanon; Nathan Hamilton, Pleasant Hill; MVB Intersoll, Alamo; JD King, Crawfordsville; S. Logsdon, Hillsboro; Orange Moore, Wesley; S.W. Moore, State Line; Dan McIntire, Wesley; John McIntire, Wesley; William Miller, Wesley; SC Miller, Wesley; Edward McHenry, Wesley; C. Maxwell, Crawfordsville; Patrick Noonray, Wesley; Henry O’Harrow, Wesley; George Osborne, Wesley; JH Peters, Decatur, ill; J. Pierce, Wesley; James Quillen, Crawfordsville; JG Richestine, Mechanisburg, Ia (Ind or Iowa?); John Robinson, Wesley; FN Stout, Wesley; John Stout, Wesley; JN Stout, Crawfordsville; BF Stout, Crawfordsville; FM Sutton, Wesley; Wm. Switzer, Wesley; John N. Vance, Prairie Edge; John Walters, Wesley; Johnny Walters, Wesley; Lewis Walters, Wesley; James Watlers, Wesley; JN Zuck, Wesley; John S. Zuck, Wesley; Wm. Zuck, Wesley; A. Zuck, Wesley; George Zuck, Wesley.

Ladies: E. Armstrong, Wesley Malissa Bratton, Wesley Annie Broderick, Wesley Maggie Broderdick, Wesley Mary Broderick. Wesley M. J. Baldwin, Wesley Jennie Bailey, Wesley Laura Cooley, Prairie Edge; Annie Cooley, Prairie Edge; Olive Cooley, Prairie Edge; Jane Dickey, Wesley Maggie Dickey, Wesley L. J. Doctorman, Wesley Lizzie Freeman, Wesley Lydia Freeman, Wesley Rebecca Freeman Wesley P. Freeman, Wesley; Laura Gray, Wesley; Mollie F. Gray, Wesley; Mattie Gray, Wesley Emma Gray, Wesley Fannie Gray,vWesiey Maggie Gray, Wesley E. Gerard, Crawfordsville Mai'y Huitchings, Wesley L. A. Harlow. Wesley M. J. Harlow, Wesley Mattie Halloway, Indian Hill Maggie Heath. Wesley Etta Hall, West Lebanon M. E. Jones, Crawfordsville Emeline Keys, Wesley S. E. Milier, Wesley Mary Miller, Wesley J. Miller, Wesley S. A. Miller, Wesley A. E. filler, Wesley H. Mclntire, Wesley Emma Mclntire, Wesley S E. Mclntire, Wesley Noamai Newkirk, Wesley M. C. Osborn, Wesley M. A. Osborn, Wesley E. Thomas, New Richmond E. Vaugh, Wesley Maggie Walters, Wesley S. J. Walters, Wesley S. Walters, Wesley Clara Young, Evanston, 111. M. E. Zuck, Wesley C. J. Zuck, Wesley.

Summary: Glentlemen, 68 Ladies, 53 total 121.

Observations on the Course of Study

It has been the desire of the founders of the Institution to make education in our land more thorough and general. To meet this end they have spared no pains, no efforts, no means, to give to every student of the Acadmey all the facilities for learning. And it has been the great effort of the Board of Instructions in prescribing a course of study, to carry out the same principle. We have, therefore, since Academies afford many advantages over colleges for the young students, established a Preparatory Collegiate Course, which," after a person has completed will fit him for the Sophomore year in any college of the west. We would earnestly entreat all who can finish it to take this course.

But for those who can never have the privilege of going off to college, and for those who would rather remain with us from choice, we have established a thorough scientific course of study, which will, we think equal any pursued by the different schools in the state.

But we, unlike our sister Academies, although we know that we possess all the advantages for a thorough education that they do, can not think that it is our place to graduate. A student, however, completing, the course of study here prescribed, shall receive, in testimony to that fact, a certificate, signed by the President, and Secretary of the Board of Trustees. All the diplomas in the world will not make a person a whit more learned.

The boarding house, in charge of Colbreth Hall, was built, which would accomodate 35 students; board could be had for $1.75 per week, with wood furnished for room. Board could be had in neighborhood for $1.50. About $35.00 is all that is wanted for one term (of 13 weeks) unless student takes some of the ornamental branches. Government is mild and persuasive, yet strict in uniform. It is expected that all in academical department attend some church on Sabbath morning and lecture in afternoon in Soriety Hall. The old school building, sold to Wayne Township, November 23rd, 1885 served as one of the township school buildings until 1910, when it was replaced by a brick veneer building, making frame out of material from the old building. On December 13, 1922, the school property was sold to the Wesley Cemetery Association for $515.00. At the present time being used as a Community building. The boarding house, which was used as a barn for years, was torn down to 1929.

The accompanying picture was taken in 1895 when the building was used as a township school. Those in the picture are:

First Row: Bert Bennett, Will Brown, Ethel Shine, L. J. C. Freeman, Ermine Bennett, Will Freeman, and Omer Freeman.

Second Row: J. N. Gilkey, teacher Maude Bratton Chesterson, Forest Harlow Cox, Lota Bennett Fruits, Clara Bennett Risk, Nettie Heath William, John Bailey and Ed Brown.

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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 23 Jan 1862 p 2

The Faculty of Wesley Academy six miles west of Crawfordsville have made arrangements for giving a couse of scientific lectures, at a cheap rate of admission, with a view of purchasing scientific apparatus for the Academy with the proceeds. This is a commendable enterprise, and should receive liberal support from the friends of the Institution. The first lecture of the course was delivered last Sat eve by Prof. Tingley of Greencastle – was highly interesting and instructive and was listened to with marked attention and approbation by the large audience present. The second lecture by Prof. Tingley on the “Eye and Light,” will be delivered next Saturday night and will be illustrated by a gigantic model of the Eye, and by numerous interesting optical experinments. He will also explain, upon scientific principles some of the mysteries of the ”black art,” and at close of his lecture will exhibit a series of dissolving views and moving paintings. Single admission 15 cents; lady and gent 25 cents.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 16 Jan 1862 p 3

Prof. Tinley of Greencastle will deliver two highly interesting scientific lectures at Wesley Academy, six miles west of Crawfordsville on Fri & Sat eves, Jan 17 & 18. First evening – the first lecture will be upon the subject of “Astronmy,” illustrated by appropriate apparatus and paintings.

Second Evening – the second, upon the “Eye and Light,” illustrated by a gigantic model of the eye and by numerous interesting optical experiments. At the close of each Lecture, Prof. Tingley will give an exhibition of a series of beautiful dissolving views and moving paintings, the work of the best artists of London. The exhibition of these painting alone is worth twice the price of admission.

Admission, 20 cents.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 26 Dec 1861

Wesley Academy – the second session of this school will commence Nov 26, 1861. Boarding from $1.50 to $2.00 per week can be had at the Boarding house or in private families. For circulars & c. address at Wesley, Indiana W.C. Gerard – Nov 21, 1861

Source: Crawfordsville Review 2 Oct 1858 p 3

Wesley Academy - The Trustees, having succeeded in engaging the services of a competent practical teacher with able assistants, take pleasure in announcing that this new and splendid institution, six miles west of Crawfordsville will be open for the reception of pupils about the middle of October, the school being in progress at present in the church, adjacent. The school building will be furnished after the latest and most approved style and will pleasantly accommodate a large number of scholars. The facilities for boarding will be ample and convenient and upon the most reasonable terms. By Order of Trustees

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 5 Sept 1861 p 2

We wish to call the attention of those feeling an interest in the schools of our county to an institution recently organized in this vicinity under the aboe title (Wesley Academy). Its advantages as an institution of learning and the importance of lending it that aid necessary to make it self-sustaining. This Academy is situated some six miles west of this city in a community distinguished for intelligence and morality, giving every assurance to parents that while connected with this school their children will be surrounded by influences highly favorable, both mentally and morally. The buildings are all new and in perfect order, the boarding house is large and commodious, affording ample room for the accommodation of near 200 students. This department is under the care of Dr. CC Hiatt and lady. Boarding, and all else necessary for the student, save lights can be obtained at the low price of $2 per week. Parents, therefore, wishing to send their children to school where they will be free form the evils and temptations of town or city life, will do well to avail themselves of the advantages of Wesley Academy. Any information desired in reference to this institution can be had by addressing Rev. WC Gerard, the principal or Dr. CC Hiatt. The first term of the Academic year has just opened.