Central High School - Central Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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Andrew JFrrrar Miter‘i Sole: Tht foittfii g tiaty um» extracted from (A II. S. i unllily t, October, JO .- Tfie articif u,u imllfn 6ji Kltirrt Pttli, VMS. For it good many years past, on pleasant sunny days, all met on the street a kindly looking old gentleman, neatly and somewhat quaintly dressed in the style of forty years ago. He walked slowly and with a cane, stopping now and then to speak with a child or watch the workers on a new building, as an old man will. Oftencst, in spring and fall, the end of his little walk would he a nearby schoolhouso. He was alwuytt welcomed by the teachers and, carefully laying his silk hat and cane on a chair, would listen for a time as the pupils recited or would set a problem in fractions for them to solve. Sometimes he talked a little, telling of his boyhood days in Maine or the big trees he once had seen where now the school house stood. Then in a trembling but cheery voice he would bid the class •'Goodbye’” and they would nnawer Goodbye, Mr. Freeze! and would go. Everywhere he was loved and respected and spoken kindly of. Thus passed in gentleness and honor the sunny winter time of the life of n good man, who had worked and studied liurd in bis youth, and in the prime of his life had wrought many good works for his fellowmen. In the year 184(1, a young man came to Cleveland, bringing with him a hard' earned college diploma, a few books and an unchangeable resolution to succeed in his chosen profession of teaching. He applied to the Board of School Managers for a position and was given one. In the school record of that year, accordingly, we find the name of A. Freese entered ns teacher of the xenior boy department of the Prospect Grammar School. He soon was recognized os the leader among Cleveland touchers, and when Mr. Charles Bradhurn, whose portrait, with that of Mr. Freese, hangs on the south wall of the otlico, secured legislation providing for the establishment of a high school, Mr. Freese was selected us the first principnl. Central was the first free high school in Ohio. The school was opened July 13, 1816, in the basement of a church on Prospect Street. Even in this dark and unhonlthful place, Mr. Freese's strong personality and earnest effort overcame every difficulty and the infant school soon equalled enthu-aiasm in efficiency with older brothers in the east. He taught his boys the vnlne of good books, how to write, and how to talk in public, and the enreere of his pupils show how sucessful his efforts were In 1854. the office of Superintendent of Instruction was created and Mr. Freese was the first to fill it. Here he evolved beauty out of chaos. Hi customary energy and intelligent industry so strengthened anil systematized the

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schools that in h short time they were looked on as models by educators of national experience. For seven years Mr. Freese labored at the works he loved, but so greutly impaired his health that in 1861 he was compelled to resign. Several years later he was persuaded to resume his old duties os principal of Central High School, but his ill health hardly permitted him to finish the year. His final withdrawal from the schools waa accepted by the Board of Education with reluctance, and resolutions of regret and appreciation were passed. After that time Mr. Freese was not oftleioly connected with the schools, though he viewed their progress with interest and pleasure. In 1S76, at the request of the Board, he wrote an Early History of the Cleveland 1’ublic .Schools. After more than a quarter of a century of peaceful quiet old age in the family of hia daughter, he pawed away on the aec-ond of September, at the age of eighty-eight year . After the name of Andrew Freeze will be written in the Golden Book. Not for himself he labored, but for hia fellows. Hie life teaches a leaaon for which, in these days of wealth and strenuoaity and display, we have great need. To be reapeeted is better than to be envied; to be loved is better than to be held in awe. Mr. Freese was not a great soldier, not a statesman, not a financier, but he gave the prime of his life and health for the benefit of others. That is the glorious keynote of his life—perfect altruaion. Blessed is the man who loves his neighbor as himself. Blessed is Andrew Freese.