Stranica 100 [100]
OCR
Bo 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, including 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 conveniences. Thesituation is admirable, commanding a view of an extensive stretch of country; the intention 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 | nipeg, Manitoba. Since his arrival in Leeds County he has done much towards maintaining the deservedly high reputation of the school. At the last examination for Public School certificates, twentythree 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 experienced and successful teacher, devoted to his profession and well deserving of his established reputation. 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 buildcooper 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 Derbyshire, 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
