Woodward High School - Treasures Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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,. TT 5th. '1? H'ILLIAM XVOODKVAHD'S HOME IN ClNClNNATI school. Projects for the utilization of the grants of land that had been made by the government for educational purposes, as well as schemes for securing the aid of the State in the matter were being seriously considered at this time by the people of Ohio. While such projects were being discussed, Mr. Woodward was maturing his ideas. In November, 1826, Mr. and Mrs. Woodward signed a deed of gift to the trustees Mr. Woodward had chosen: Samuel Lewis, his most trusted friend and adviser in all matters, and Osmond Cogswell. This deed conveyed to them about seven acres of land located on Sycamore Street north of Hunt Street. Gifts of land were added from time to time, and several years later Mr. Woodward gave more than an acre for a school-house. In 1830, work was begun on the lot 011 Franklin Street, now Woodward Street. On October 24, 1831, this school of four rooms was opened, With three teachers and forty-two pupils, all boys. Mr. Woodward was spared to see his plans practically formulated and put in successful operation by the inauguration of a good school that promised, through the increase of its income and judicious management of it, to fulfill his cherished hopes. William Woodwardls work has not yet been finished, nor will it be finished while there remains a just appreciation of the benefits of education. His gift will bring pleasure, and his noble purpose will inspire our boys and girls as long as the spirit that actuated him is kept alive among the American people. May his memory be forever cherished by all, especially by the students and grad- uates 0f the school which so proudly bears his name. ELAINE KURSBAN, 81. T: n

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THE XVOODXV'ARD HOMESTEAD IN CONNECTICUT his wife, and in her estate, no doubt, he had the foundation on which he built his fortune. Mr. Woodward led a busy life as a farmer, tanner, and owner of a large estate. Although he had no practical knowledge of tanning, Mr. Woodward estab- lished a tannery on his farm on the outskirts of the town. This he managed with profit for many years. Real estate operations proved successful and made secure his acquisitions, which at the appraisal of his property in July, 1833, a few months after his death, were found to be $179,675 in city real estate, $28,088.15 in person- alty. There were also tracts of land of considerable value outside the city, which swelled the aggregate value to about $230,000, a fortune acquired in his forty-two years of residence in Cincinnati. The humble 10g house first built upon Woodwardts farm, which included most of the land between Woodward and Liberty Streets, Main and Broadway, was re- placed by a commodious, substantial brick house, constructed under his direction and with much of his personal labor in 1816, on the corner of Main and Webster Streets. This old home is still standing, but all its surroundings have been changed, so that it is not easy to picture the neighborhood as the heavily timbered wilderness it once was. Mr. Woodward was a man of plain, simple ways. He was industrious, economical, frugal, exact in his habits which he inherited from his Puritan ancestors. It was his custom to retire at nine o'clock at night and to rise at four otclock in the morn- ing, and he always read a chapter of the Bible before retiring. He was very fond of music, especially of vocal music, and late in life attended a singing-school taught by the choir-master of the First Church. As early as 1819, Mr. Woodward gave expression to his desire of founding an educational institution. A contribution for Lane Seminary was asked of him. He named the sum that he would give, and the solicitor intimated that it was small. Mr. Woodward replied that he had another plan for assisting in education, and that he would not increase his donation. Another plan was the providing of facilities for education of children whose parents could not afford the expense of a private Nine

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Everyday Life in Cincinnati of I83l INCINNATI, in 1831, was a flourishing little town with bright hopes for the future. Even at this early date, considerable business was carried on. The most outstanding feature of the Cincinnati of 1831 was its market. This, it seems, was famous for the abundance and cheapness of its supplies. As there were no shops for the sale of food except bakeries, everything for breakfast, dinner, and supper had to be purchased at the market. Accordingly, the gentlemen 0f the city were accustomed to attend to the marketing. They would arise early and with capacious baskets sally forth in search of meat, butter, eggs, and vegetables. Even Mrs. Trollope, our archcritic, says that the beef, then only four cents a pound, was excellent. The poultry, mutton, and veal also were exceptionally good An abund- ance of good fish was always to be found in the market at very low prices, as well as an excellent supply of butter, eggs, and. vegetables. Tomatoes of the highest perfection were to be found from June to December, and a great variety of beans was available. The fruit on sale seems to have been inferior. At this time, there was an almost total want of pasturage near the city, and it is difficult to understand the source of the abundant milk supply. Evidently there were more ways than one of keeping a cow. Many a family in town, particularly of the poorer class, kept a cow, though apparently without pasture. These cows were fed morning and evening at the door of the house, and while they ate, they were milked. When this operation was completed, both the milk pail and the meal- tub were taken into the dwelling, leaving the cow to finish her meal on the neigh- boring hills or in the gutter, as might suit her fancy. The wife and daughter of the family usually had to work very hard. They were, virtually, domestic slaves. The women were broken and prematurely aged at a time when they should have been in the prime of life. The girls married at a very early age and took upon their shoulders the added cares of married life. The average wage of the laboring man was about ten dollars per month with lodging, board, washing, and mending. If the workman lived at his own expense, he was paid a dollar a day. Among the men, the use of tobacco and whiskey was almost universal. Some used both moderately; some, excessively; a few, not at all. At this period, the absence of public amusement was most noticeable. There were no concerts or dinner parties, no public balls except during the Christmas holidays. Billiards and cards were forbidden by law. The only place of public . amusement was the one small theater. Plays were poorly attended. Ladies were rarely seen there, and by far the larger proportion of them considered it an offense against religion to witness a play. It was in the churches and chapels of the town that the ladies were to be seen, in handsome costumes. The proportion of men ' attending these evening meetings was very small. The ladies were too actively em- ployed within their homes to permit much morning visiting. Had it not been for public worship and private tea drinkings, all the ladies of Cincinnati would have been in danger of becoming recluses. Mrs. Trollope says that on the Fourth of July alone, the Americans appeared to be amiable people. It is then that ttthey awake and appear high spirited, gay, sociable, and generous. The women had but little to do with the pageantry, the splendor, or the gaiety of the holiday, but the men made it a glorious celebration. The many growing industries of the city made for a constant year-round activity and prosperity. This steady whirl of every-day life was of special interest to the outsider. Although Cincinnati was not a full-grown city in 1831, it was, indeed, a very promising one. ANNA MAE LUNSFORD, '31 Eleven