Ladoga Female Academy-Central Normal - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The Missionary Baptists have recently established a Female Seminary at Ladoga in this county under the care of Rev. Mr. Williams, a Minister of that Church, who together with his daughters, and Misses Elliott, Grain and Ford, constitute the Board of Instructions. Of the qualifications of Miss Emily Williams, we have read the most ample and satisfactory testimonials from those who had formerly employed her and from the HS both of NY and this state in which she has taught. From our acquaintance with the Superintendent and teachers, we have no hestitation in recommending the school to those who desire a thorough and liberal education for their daughters.  

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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 12 March 1857 p 4

C’ville Fem. Seminary 3 sessions 13 weeks each.  1st begins on Wed after the 3d Monday in Sept each year. 2nd on Wed after the 1st Mon of Jan. The 3d begins on Wed after the 3rd Monday or April.

Board of Instruction – John M. Butler Principal./ prof of Math, Philsophy and Astronomy. Rev. James H. Johnston Prof of Moral … Miss R. Stevens, First Asst; Miss Catharine Twining, German; Miss Frances Ford French, Painting. Miss Sue Jennison Music, Vocal & Piano. Miss Lucy Little, Music, Guitar.  $3-7 depending on studies persued. French, German $5. Latine and Piano $2; Latin & Piano $2. Lessons on Piano-Forte and painting each extra $10. No deduction made for absence except when caused by protracted illness.  Board at large and commodious Seminary building – charge $50 per term.  Mr. OP Jennison has charge of boarding the Ladies attending the Seminary.

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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 5 May 1859 p 2

Ladoga Seminary to be removed – we stated yesterday that the Underhill property on the NE corner of PA and Mich streets had been purchased for the purpose of a female seminary., We have since learned the trustees of the Ladoga Female Seminary are the purchasers of the property and that it is the intention to remove that institution to this city. The price paid for the property sold which embraces the dwelling house and the larger portion of the south half of the lot was 816,000 ? The Ladoga school, hither to very flourishing will receive new impetus on its removal to this city. It is under the patronage of the Baptist Church… Ind Journal

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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 24 July 1862 p 3

Ladoga Fem Seminary – Stockholders Meeting – Notice is hereby given that the stockholders of Ladoga Female Seminary will meet at the Seminary Chapel in Ladoga on Sat the 9th day of August 1862 at 2 o’clock p.m. The object of this meeting is to consider the propriety of so changing the articles of association of stockholders as to afford instruction to male pupils in the above named institution and if demed advisable to make such change. By order of the Board of Turstees, Mark Bailey Pres; EH Cunningham, Secy.

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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 12 May 1859 p 2

We copied into our paper last week from the Indiana Journal, a short article stating that this popular institution of learning, located in the pleasant village of Ladoga in this county was to be removed in a short time to Indianapolis. We had some doubts at the time of the correctness of this statement not having heard anything of such a move in our community and have since been requested by the friends of the Institution to state that there is NO such thing as removal in anticipation nor ever has been.  We however learn that it is probable that a purchase of property has been made at the Capital as stated in the article referred to and for school purposes and it may be under the patronage of the Baptist Church but of this we are not fully advised. The Ladoga Seminary may therefore be set down as one of the fixed institutions of our county. Her patronage is too extensive, her popularity too general, her future prospects too flattering to allow her directors to remove to any unknown and unexplored field. Nevertheless, Indianapolis is considerable of a town and doubtless needs the good influences of a few such schools as that of Ladoga and would probably give them liberal patronage. We trust they may secure the location of such in their midst.

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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 26 Aug 1858 p 2

The advertisement of this popular female college, located in the pleasant village of Ladoga, in this county, appears in today’s paper. This Institutition under the superintendence of Rev. Gibbon Williams, and from what we learn of the manner in which it is conducted, we judge it to be inferior to no institution of the kind in the Wabash Valley. We clip the following notice of the late examination of this Institution, from “The Witness” of July 14, 1858.  

Ladoga Female Institute – We were unable to be at the examination and anniversary of this Institute. We were greatly disappointed. Ladoga is a favorite with us. Everything is so well managed, the young ladies are so thoroughly and carefully trained, and the moral and social tone is so excellent, that it is a delight to all the friends to visit the institution. We take the liberty of inserting a private note from the pen of Prof. Bailey who was present. It is a fine tribue and is well deserved. Ed.

Dear Bro. Clarke: I had the pleasure of attending the examination at Ladoga and was highly gratified with all I saw. The Institution seems to want nothing but funds and scholars who will stay long enough to receive the mark of the Institution. The examinations and exhibitions impressed me with the idea that much seed had been sown into good ground. All the pieces spoken at the exhibition breathed a good, chaste, moral tone and some of them the deepest piety. One could hardly help praying that the benefits of the Institution might be largely enjoyed by the young ladies of the state in order that they may, like Solomon’s excellent  woman, open their mouths with wisdom. Yours in haste, M. Bailey, Franklin, July 5, 1858

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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 5 June 1856 p 2

On last Fri and Sat we had the pleasure of sojourning in the pleasant and thriving village of Ladoga, and of enjoying the hospitalities of its intelligent and enterprising citizens. According to previous notice the Convention of teachers assembled in the Baptist Church and organized, but on account of an exhibition of the Students of the Ladoga Female Seminary, the Association adjourned to attend it and to meet at early candle-lighting. A full account of the preceedings of the Association will be found in our next week’s issue. On adjourning we repaired to the very large and tastefully arranged Seminary, erected by the unitiring enterprise of the Baptist Church and the no less vigilant citizens of Ladoga and community. The Seminary occupies a beautiful and commanding site in the western part of town, overlooking almost the entire village. It is constructed of strong brick work, commodious and well arranged, capable of accommodating more than 100 students. The Boarding House which stands immediately to the left, is a very large and handsome building, occupying a still finer view of the town. The grounds surrounding the building are as yet unadorned by artificial shrubbery but a beautiful green carpet, natures own handy work o’er spreads the whole grounds, beautifully shades in many places, with the natural forest trees, which have luckily escaped the ax of the hardy pioneer. But for want of space we must pass from this brief description of the Seminary buildings and grounds to notice perhaps as briefly, the exhibition of the students, which eminently deserves a lengthy notice and had we room we would gladly avail ourself of the opportunity.  Having been conducted into the Chapel, by our worthy friend, Rev. Mr. Williams, Superintendent of the Institution, we found it crowded by good looking and intelligent girls whom we supposed to be students, and a goodly number of the citizens of Ladoga.  The exercises consisted chiefly of essays, declamations and colloquies, interspersed with charming Piano music by Miss Mary A. Crain, Teacher of music and drawing, and by several of her students, who by their delicious strains evinced a superior knowledge and skill in this most elegant science.  The Essays read by the young ladies were generally audibly delivered and appeared to be purely original of a high toned character, showing that their minds were well drilled and carefully disciplined by a thorough moral as well as mental training. ,In a word the exercises were all highly interesting and passed off in a manner pleasant and entertaining to all present, much credit we think is due the superintendent and teachers of the Academy for the high moral and mental training evinced by the students of their school. We learned that some 90 students are in regular attendance during the present session. From all appearances we believe the school is now established on a firm basis and bids fair to become a star school. We wish it all possible success.

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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 10 July 1862 p 2

Ladoga, July 8th, 1862 – Ed. Journal – The exerices of the graduating class of the Female Seminary of this place were held on Wed evening last in the church near the Seminary buildings. The audience was very large – indeed uncomfortabley so as the church is not one of the most commodious. A large portion of the congregation were obliged to stand outside taking their chances of getting near enough to a window to hear or see the performances. It is to be hoped that ere many more “commencement season” roll around this institution will be provided with a larger room for holding its exhibitions. Prof. Bailey opened the exercises with a short, earnest prayer – long enough, however, to cover the whole ground and well suited to the occasion. “Religion,” by Miss Jenny Webb was the first essay read and the composition did great credit to the fair authoress. It were useless for me to attempt a sketch of it, as I could only give a few of the many nice expressions embodies; and such a dissection would likely be condemned by those who heard it read, as detracting from the merit of the original. Suffice it to say that I created great satisfaction among the auditors, and was listened to with unusual attention. With the except of a very slight quiver in the voice, the delivery was excellent. The “Valedictory,” by Miss Clara Perkins was a well-written, well-delivered address, free from anything like affectation and replete with sound sentiment and heartfelt emotions of mingled joy and sorrow such as every student must feel at parting with Alma Mater and going forth to battle with the world single-handed. Miss P. closed with an affectionate farewell to tutor and fellow student. Taking this production as an index, it is my impression that she would make her mark as a writer, should she include to do so. The conferring of degrees by Prof. Bailey was next in order. It was very evident that the Professor is not in the habit of making speeches as he did not tax his lungs sufficient to make himself heard by all.  I hope he will pardon me if I suggest that he practice a louder tone of speaking, as it is very uninteresting to an audience to know that something is being said and not be able to hear it.  The music (vocal with piano accompaniment) was very good, but a little too weak, owing to the fact, I suppose that the people were listening. Allow me to say, ladies, that if you had sung as you did while practicing, it would have been much more entertaining. The levee at the Seminary after the exhibition was a very pleasant affair, a “goodlie” companie” of the friends and members being present; joining for a few hours in a social and intellectual reunion. Thus ended one of the most pleasant anniversaries which we Ladogians have ever been permitted to enjoy…Squire

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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 5 July 1855 p 2

Great Jubilee at Ladoga – The much wished for 12th came at last, a happy day to our state – nor can Indiana boast of sons and daughters who hearts were warmer in hailing the great day than those of the Temperance party at Ladoga. Early in the day, the young people were actively preparing for the afternoon in the decoration of the Academy Chapel and table for the dinner. At one o’clock Rev. Gibbon Williams, President of the Ladoga Female Seminary at the head of a band of about 80 young folks, the members of his school lea don the procession. These were followed by a very long train of the Sons of Temperance and the Temperance party of Ladoga and vicinity. Th neat and orderly appearance of the procession showed how much interest was taken by all in the occasion of the day. They moved down the principal street and returned to the Baptist Church where as many of the procession entered as could get in till the house was crowded. Mr. James Knox was chosen Chairman and Mr. Wm. A. Purse to act as Sec. The following resolutions unanimous adopted: “Whereas, we, the citizens of Ladoga and vicinity, having noticed with much interest the rise and progress of the Temperance reformations, greatly rejoice in view of its present honorable and elevated position in our beloved State; being under the entire control and restriction of the land. Although much has been done,  yet we deem the work unfinished and a continuous effort necessary to the thorough prosecution of the great reform, which our hearts and hands have thus far found necessary to promote. As we consider the present crisis of the cause one of the most vital importance therefore, Resolved, that we hail with delight the 12th of June, when the Indiana Prohibitory Liquor Law is to take effect.  Resolved that we are entirely satisfied with the provisions of the law, as a prohibitory law and believe it well calculated for the attainment of the object of our efforts in the cause. Resolved that in the prosecution of the law with the temperance party of the state our cooperation will leave no lawful means untried. Resolved, that form the vaunted opposition and heavy provisions of liquor laid up in store by the enemies of the cause we may expect to meet with a fiery foe and the ravages of intemperance yet by perseverance we hope soon to see the dawn of that day when the blighting curse shall be known no more. After the singing of the Temperance songs by the young Ladies of the Academy the audience was addressed by Rev. G. Williams, upon the rise and progress of the Temperance cause up to the present period, showing how necessary were the first feeble steps. Yet suited to the times, the work gradually progressing, till now the prospect of the most sanguine are more than fulfilled. Another song having been sung by the choir, the audience were entertained by an animated and appropriate address form Rev. Thomas g. Smith upon the present position of the Temperance party in the state, the nature and necessity of future effort, etc. The address from the young speaker was truly an intellectual treat and certain none the less acceptable from the emphasis of his native Scotch accent. Rev. A. Hills, followed with a well conducted argument upon the influence of our present law upon education.  Every one seemed highly delighted, and each heart o’erflowed with joy. Mr. James Knox, a faithful man in the cause could not resist the temptation of open congratulation. He poured forth his soul in a short but pithy address which had its effect. At 4 o’clock the procession marched in order from the Church to the Chapel of the Seminary where the Ladies of the town had prepared ample refreshments. The tables were indeed beautifully decorated, just in keeping with the good name of Ladoga. Thus closed the day, a welcome day, a day of joy for blessings rare, full many a heart was borne away to God, the answerer of prayer, that still He’d turn and ever turn, till none a drunken friend can mourn! WA Purse, Sec’y Ladoga, June 12.

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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 23 Aug 1860 p 3