CHAPTER VII INTRODUCTORY: THE FIRST FREE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACT (1842) The history of the free public schools from their inception in 1842 to the present time may be considered in four periods. These are: 1842-1863 The Period of Establishment and Organization, 1900-1919 The Transition Period, 1919-1922 Reorganization and Development. A number of public-spirited citizens had been dissatisfied with the district system from its organization in 1838 and were constantly groping about for a more perfect system of schools. After securing free public school legislation, they were instrumental in placing upon a firm foundation the system they had fought to establish legally. Among these were Dr. Zina Pitcher, who wrote the original legislation and who has sometimes been called the founder of the Detroit public schools; Douglass Houghton, the public school candidate for mayor and president of the first Board of Education; Samuel Barstow, the clear minded lawyer whose untiring efforts helped the young institutions through the early part of the formative period; D. Bethune Duffield, who organized the early instruction; and Levi Bishop, the builder of the early schools. Of these five men a few words are necessary. Zina Pitcher. Dr. Zina Pitcher (1797-1872) was born in a rural section of Washington County, New York. His mother, early a widow, had a keen appreciation of the values of education, and made every effort to secure its advantages for her children. She sent the boys to the district school and the county academy. At 21 Pitcher started to study medicine, receiving the M. D. degree, in 1822, from Middleburg College. After serving as assistant and full surgeon in the American army until 1836, he came to Michigan in time to engage in the legislative DR. ZINA PITCHER activities coincident with uni versity organization. He served as regent from 1837 to 1852, in which capacity he was responsible for the organization of the university medical department. He was mayor of Detroit in 1840, 1841, and 1843. He influenced the council to pass the resolution requesting of the legislature the formation of free public schools and always considered this the greatest achievement of an active public life. Douglass Houghton. Dr. Douglass Houghton (1809-1845) was born in Troy, N. Y. He was graduated at the Van Rensselaer school in 1828, and was brought to Detroit in 1830 by General Cass and Major John Biddle to deliver a course of lectures on chemistry and geology. He practiced medicine in Detroit from 1832 to 1836 without relinquishing his early scientific enthusiasm. In 1837 he was appointed state geologist and as a result of his constant research the minearl wealth of Michigan became early known. In 1842 he ran for Mayor on a public school platform and under the new law became the president of the first Board of Education. In 1845, at the age of 36, he was drowned in a winter gale on Lake Superior near Eagle River. SAMUEL BARSTOW Samuel Samuel Barstow. Barstow (1813-1854) was born in Nicholas, Tioga Co., New York. He was a Yale graduate in law. In 1838 he came to Detroit and began the practice of law, which he continued until his death. He believed that in a country governed by public opinion it is the duty of every enlightened citizen to take a personal interest in public affairs and to use his influence and efforts in forming and directing public opinion. He believed in popular education as the only means of bringing the masses of the people to the position the constitution expects them to occupy. He was an able expositor of his beliefs; for years his name was intimately associated with every movement that had for its object the moral, educational, or political advancement of his fellow citizens. Samuel Barstow was largely responsible for the movement that resulted in free public schools. He was a member of the Board of Education from 1842 until his death. His untiring efforts in behalf of the free public schools were largely responsible for their maintenance under strong adverse conditions, and his loyal support helped them until they reached the point where the public received them as an indispensable part of the general scheme of public activities. D. Bethune Duffield. D. Bethune Duffield (1821-1891) was a son of Rev. George Duffield, Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church. He was born at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. When 12 years old he had completed the preparatory course at Dickinson College. Later he was a student at Yale University. He came to Detroit in 1839 and was admitted to the bar in 1843. In 1847 he was elected to the Board of Education where he served almost continuously until 1860. He recast the entire course of study for the grades, providing for the regular progression or promotion, of the pupils. He was so active in serving the establishment of the high school that he was frequently referred to as the "father of the high school." He also took a leading part in the attempts to secure for the library the money collected in the city criminal courts and so helped establish this essential institution. D. BETHUNE DUFFIELD Levi Bishop. Levi Bishop (1815-1881) was born at Russell, Mass. He was apprenticed as tanner and shoemaker and pursued this trade after coming to Detroit until he lost his right hand in 1839 when a blank cartridge exploded prematurely while a salute was being fired. Dr. Zina Pitcher amputated the hand and urged him to study law. In 1842 he was admitted to the bar and in 1846 was elected to the Board of Education. He served on the board 12 years during the trying time when religious interests sought for a division of public school funds. These attempts he successfully fought. He was interested in school architecture and developed the type of build LEVI BISHOP |