East Night High School - Rostrum Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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two trustees, one of Whom was Samuel Lewis, and the other Mr. Woodwardis nephew, Osmond Cogswell, for the purpose of iiforwarding and maintaining a free school for the education of poor children of the said City of Cincinnati, in reading, writing, arithmetic and English grammar. It is pathetic to note that the signature of Mrs. Woodward to this deed is made by her marketruly, she gave to give to others that which had never been given to her. A short time later, the Woodwards added to their former gift an acre of ground in the center of the square, bounded by Sycamore, Broadway, Woodward and Franklin streets, which was the site of the old school, and which is now partly covered by the present building. The first school edifice was a plain two-story brick, containing but four rooms with a belfry, the bell from Which is still preserved and adorns the auditorium in the present magnificent structure. Mr. Wood- ward drew away the first load of earth in excavating the cellar in this building. It was a great day for him, and a greater day for the educational history of this city, when on the 24th day of October in 1831, this building was first opened with appropriate exercises. It sometimes seems strange that more of our public benefactors do not adopt the wise plan of seeing the results of some of their good deeds during their lifetime, and not wait to have their plans carried out after their death. In 184-1, the city having grown considerably, :1 third story was added to the building of 1831 to meet the increase of the rapidly-growing school. In 1859, it was found necessary to construct a new edifice altogether, and that beautiful building which all of us remember and wllich some of us attended was completed and dedicated. It was considered the most remarkable example of Gothic architecture west of the Alleghanies, and was always an object of in- terest to visitors. So strong a place did it hold in the affections of its graduates, that many tears were shed in real sorrow when it was torn down a few years ago, to give way to the great structure which now adorns that spoteone which is really beyond the power of language adequately to describe, so dignified and pronounced in its architecture, so excellent in its construction, so complete in every detail. In our day benefactions for the good of mankind come thick and fast. in sums that bewilder the brain and stagger the intellect; we become accustomed to liherality, and generosity no longer surprises us. but we must remember that for those times, the gift of Woodward Was not only large in amount, but most unusual in characterefor that reason all the more honor to his great name. And what is the lesson of his life? It is the God-like spirit of unselfishness, the desire to help, to uplift, to bless; the doing of good deeds, not mere dreaming of them. His reward is not only a noble monument of imperishable bronze, not only this magnificent school bearing his name, but the perpetual influence of his life and works upon untold generations passed and yet to come. Yon his spirit ever lives, In the hearts to whom he gives Dearcr gifts than fame or gold, Rich with blessings yet untold; Royal benefactor thou, Loyal sons and daughters now, Hail thee dead yet living lnu; Honor thee vnvli year anew, Strive like thee some good to do. Woodward, Woodward. . ALBERT D. SHOCKLEY, Presndent oi' Woodward Alumual Association. IO

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Ohio River, near the city of the present City of Pittsburg, the journey was made by flat beat down the river, which the Indians called the ttbeantiful river? lined on either side by rolling hills, covered from their base to summit with the great forests aflaine with the royal colors of the autumn. It was only a short time before his arrival here that the name of the little settlement destined to become his home, had been changed from the artificial title of Losantiville t0 the more heroic name of Cincinnati, although the settlement itself comprised but a few 10g houses, on top of a bluff overlooking the river toward Kentucky. Mr. Woodward used the lumber from the flat boat which brought him down the river for the construction of his first home, and lived in it for several years. The year following his arrival at Cincinnati, he purchased a farm, which in- cluded the land now embracing the territory bounded by Hunt street, Liberty street. Main street and Broadway. It was part of this property which later he gave to the city for the establishment of that great school, which has ever since borne his name, and Which will continue for future ages. as a monument to his thoughtful unselfishness. In 1803, Mr. Woodward married Miss Abigail Cutter; she was several years his junior, being but seventeen at the time of their marriage. Her father, James Cutter. was one of the pioneer settlers in this Vicinity, and was the owner of a large tract of land known as Cuttefs Woods, on part of which the present City Hospital stands, and which extended as far west as Linn street. It was on this farm while at work that Mr. Cutter met his death at the hands 01' the Indians, leaving his daughter Abigail quite wealthy, as wealth was measured in those days. This added to the money which Mr. Woodward had made through successful farming, tanning and trad- ing, was the beginning of the really large fortune which Mr. Woodward amassed before his death. It was in 1816 that the old home, which he had first built, was given up for a commodious brick dwelling house, considered quite remarkable for its time and often spoken of as tiWoudwardis Palace? It was erected at the northeast corner of Main and Webster street, with the front facing Webster, having an ornamental porch across the front with a stone walk coming from the street, bordered with flowers and shrubs. This building is still standing, although its beauty has been sadly impaired by the flight of time, and additions and changes made on its exterior. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward had several children born to them, but unfortunately none lived beyond infancy. Who knows but what this fact may have had considerable weight in influencing their minds to make that great gift toward the cause of education, which has made their names memorable in the history of the city? We must remember too, that matters in educational lines in these days were vastly different from what they now are, and it is hard for us to realize conditions as they stood in those days. With us, public schools now occupy the foremost place in the land; in those days paid education in private schools was considered the thing, and free education was rather looked down on. As early as 1819, Mr. Woodward had plans for founding a school where poor children whose parents were unable to pay for their education, as was the custom in those days, might receive an education without charge, thus itlaking them better citizens and patriots. Mr. Woodward was fortunate in having a legal adviser, who was a man of great wisdom and sound judgment, and under the direction of Mr. Samuel Lewis, Mr. Woodward arranged during his lifetime for the beginning of his great wurk. At that time he was worth in the neighborhood of a quarter of a million dollars. which was a much larger sum in proportion then than it is now. In 1826. on the 21st day of November. Mr. Woodward conveyed seven acres of land on the east side of Sycamore street, north of what is now Hunt street to 9

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