SOLDIERS' ORPHAN SCHOOLS/HOMES
THE ANDERSONBURG SCHOOL
According to the book,
History of Perry County Pennsylvania; H. Hain; 1922
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Through the influence of Martin Motzer and
Alexander Blaine Anderson, during the fall of 1865, Dr. Thomas H. Burrowes,
Superintendent of Soldiers' Orphans' Schools, visited Mr. Anderson's building in
Madison Township, above Andersonburg. It was a large brick building, then
in use as an academy. Dr. Burrowes' said of it: 'This is a beautiful
location for a school; one of the best I have yet selected. This must certainly
be a healthy locality.' Mr. Motzer rented the building and took possession
in the spring of 1866. The first pupils arrived on September 20, 1866, and
on October 16th the school opened with Prof. William H. Hall as principal.
Miss Laura J. Milligan followed in a short time as assistant teacher. By
the close of the second year the number of pupils had increased to 117, and
another building, 35x50 feet, was erected. On December 1, 1872, Prof. Hall
became a joint owner, with Mr. Motzer, but retained the principalship. On
September 1, 1874, Prof. Hall purchased the interest of Mr. Motzer. Other
teachers were B. K. Hall, W. S. Hulslander, B. F. Hollenbaugh, and J. R. Runyan.
It was said that not a single complaint was made against this school to the
state authorities, a fact which they noted in a history of the schools.
This school was located in the famous Sherman's Valley, facing Conococheague
Mountain, a short distance east of Blain, surrounded by a territory that has an
historical interest. The main school building is now the property of W.
Scott Moose, who occupies it. The additional building stood until 1919,
when it was torn down and the timbers, where were still in good condition, were
used in St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Kistler."
The above information was extracted
from the book:
Hain, H. H.: "History of Perry County Pennsylvania". "Academies
& Public Institutions, The Orphan Schools." Harrisburg: Hain-Moore
Co, 1922. p. 350-351.
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