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FARMERSVILLE SCHOOLS.
For many years past, the Village of Farmersville
has been known throughout the County of Leeds
as an educational centre. The consequence has
been a large increase in the population, and the
erection of many beautiful residences, giving the
place an air of thrift and prosperity most gratifying
to all who take an interest in the improvement of
the Counties,
In the year 1860, the school section caused to be
erected the Public School House, an elegant and
commodious stone building, two stories in height,
and fitted up with the latest improvements, includ¬
ing seats, maps, chemical apparatus, etc. The first
Trustees of the Grammar School were Arza Parish,
Henry Green, Lemuel Cornell, John Kincaid, James
Demming, Harmonius Alguire, and Thomas Hayes.
The first teacher was John B. Holmes, M.A. This
gentleman had previously opened a select school in
the village, and to his efforts, ina great measure,
was due the impetus which was given to educational
matters. The seed thus planted has borne abundant
fruit—in fact, a score of lawyers, doctors, and other
professional men, owe their start in life to the
instuction received from Mr. Holmes. For many
years, the struggle of the Grammar School was a
severe one. The building cost over $6,000, which,
with the annual
heavily upon the ratepayers.
charges for teachers, pressed
But little assistance
was received from the Counties’ Council. In fact,
there are few instances in Canada in which the
people have shown such energy and determination
as was displayed by the citizens of Farmersville,
in building up and maintaining their schools.
that the difficulties have been surmounted, it is
universally conceded that the school has done a
great work for the County of Leeds, the majority
of the teachers at the present time engaged in the
public schools of the county having obtained their
training at Farmersville.
Now
In 1878, a contract was given out for the erection
of a new High School building (see illustration), to
Mr. Morton Arnold, and by him completed; the
structure is of beautiful blue limestone, main building
44x64 feet, with an entrance 16x24. The facings are
of white cut stone, the interior containing lecture
rooms, music hall, library and all the modern con¬
veniences. Thesituation is admirable, commanding
a view of an extensive stretch of country; the in¬
tention being to make the grounds equal to those of
any attached to a High School in the Province. The
Head Master is Allan Bowerman, M. A., a graduate
of Victoria College. Mr. Bowerman was for three
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nipeg, Manitoba. Since his arrival in Leeds County
he has done much towards maintaining the de¬
servedly high reputation of the school. At the last
examination for Public School certificates, twenty¬
three of his pupils were successful, several also
passing the Intermediate Examination. Mr. Holmes
Eyre, a well known teacher, acts as assistant, having
charge of the Mathematical Department, a position
which he is eminently qualified to fill.
In 1877, a Model School was established in the
Public Scliool Building at Farmersville, it being the
only Model School in the County recognized by the
Counties’ Council. " The Head Master is Isaac S.
Rowatt, Esq., a gentleman holding a first-class grade
"A" Provincial certificate. Mr. Rowatt is an ex¬
perienced and successful teacher, devoted to his pro¬
fession and well deserving of his established repu¬
tation. In the Public School (situated in the same
building), the teachers employed are Miss Beatty and
Miss Fulton, both well qualified for the positions
which they hold.
The schools at Farmersville, from the lowest
form to the highest grade, offer many indueements
to parents desirous of giving their children an
education. The situation is both central and
healthy, the society moral and exemplary, and the
village exempt from many of the temptations to
be found in large towns and cities. Hence it. is
a favotite resort for young ladies and gentlemen,
who are not content with the instruction given
in the public schools, but are desirous of securing
the advantages which may be had in Farmersville
at a trifling cost.
The Society of Friends (Quakers) erected one of
the first churches in the Township at Farmersville,
the building, a wooden one, still standing at the
eastern end of the village’ Previous to the build¬
cooper shop of Gersham Wing. The following
list contains the names of the majority of the
original members of the Society: Lyman Abel,
James Robeson, Samuel Olds, Turner Lillie, Joseph
Bullard, Philp Wing, Otis Smith, Thomas Robeson,
Abraham Palmer, Jedediah Wing, Harvey Derby¬
shire, William Church, Gersham Wing.
THE ALGuIRE FAMILY.
Daniel Alguire was the son of a United Empire
Loyalist, who resided near Albany, New York. At
an early date, Mr. Alguire removed to Canada,
settling in the vicinity of Cornwall, and serving as
an artilleryman in the war of 181 2—15.° In 1898. He
proceeded to the Township of Yonge, settling on
Lot No. 8, in the gth Concession, where he died
February 8th, 1832, in the 52nd year of hisage. He