USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 14
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Mr. Smith taught several years in this county and then was elected county judge.119 During his period of teaching and long afterward the books used were the elementary speller, McGuffey's readers, Smith and Mitchell's geog- raphy, and Kirkham's grammar. Every Friday afternoon a spelling match was held and pieces spoken. As a social diversion spelling schools were held several times during the winter with other schools, parents and friends often joining in these contests which, while friendly, often aroused the liveliest enthusiasm. It was quite customary for geography to be taught in rhyme and song, teachers sometimes going about the country doing this as a specialty.120
The first school building in Center Township was of logs and located about one mile west of Tipton on what is known as the Lunschen farm in 1839.121 The first teacher here, George Smith, had a large school and was paid thirty dollars per month, very high wages for that time. Mr. Montgomery Fraseur went to Chicago for the stoves, buying two, one for the school and one for their home. This first teacher met death by accident in later years. There was a log house before '53 on the farm now owned by Ray Ochiltree. In that year the Rock Creek house was built and was known as a plank house. Number thirteen was built in 1854. In 1857 the people were entertained at number thirteen with an exhibition given by teachers of two schools. John Reeder and James Mc- Cauley.122 The Tipton public schools were organized in 1856, but the first schools here began in the winter of '41-'42, Thomas Gracey, from Philadelphia, being the first teacher. According to historical record there were eight pupils in this first school and their descendants now reside in Tipton. The old log house first used, located where the National bank now stands, was replaced by a frame one in '43-'44, and this was used until 1853, when part of it became a private dwelling. During this year the brick house standing south of the monu- ment square was built, the brick work under the direction of John Godden, who lived in Tipton for many years. In 1856 this house was enlarged by the adding of an "L" on the west, somewhat larger than the old original. This old building now is in a state of decay. It is occupied by transient families and is fast going to ruins. Once the members of the "Old Union School" proposed to preserve it, but the chance of preservation is long since passed. The old bell that called the industrious ones of that period now stands on the rostrum of the present high school building, where it has had an honorable place since 1903. In the spring of 1866 a small brick building was erected in the north part of town for the accommodation of the younger children. This stood where the parsonage of the Reformed Church now stands, and the brick which composed it are in the foun-
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
dation of the parsonage. Of the present buildings one was built in 1879, and the high school building in 1895. The history of this school in its beginning is the history of one man, C. C. Nestlerode, who organized the Union School in 1856. It was made conspicuous in many ways and became a center of influence for this part of the state. The free school idea was still unripe and the contest for a law in this state to secure support for schools by public taxation had to be fought out. This vicinity engaged in this controversy and some stirring events occurred here. During this discussion Mr. Nestlerode was instrumental in form- ing a new law in connection with members of the assembly from this county, and after the constitution of 1857 was adopted by this state matters became permanently settled. The law of 1858 made provision for support as mentioned, but an anti free school party sought to destroy the effect of the law by injunc- tion. Mr. Nestlerode resigned to await the effect of the suit and a new election of officials. He was recalled and began his plans for a model school. This had many features that were far ahead of the times and, as mentioned elsewhere, the school became a training ground for teachers of other schools. In December, 1856, the first teachers' institute was held in this county under the direction of Mr. Nestlerode. It is said about thirty teachers responded, and mostly young men, which number was increased to forty-five during the week as a result of the success of the enterprise. Dr. Joshua Maynard, president of the board then, was a leading factor in encouraging such gatherings. At the close of the winter term, 1857, teachers from all parts of the county, students at select schools and Mount Vernon Seminary made application for admission to the Union School. Teachers' institutes were held annually, alternating between Tipton and Spring- dale. The school of '59 enrolled about 278 pupils, with five teachers.123 Another puts it in this way: "I think I do not err when I say that the Tipton schools and the Springdale schools stood at the very head of the schools in the county at that time.124 In 1859 the state teachers' association met in Washington, Iowa. Mr. Nestlerode was made chairman of the Executive Committee and as such edited and published, with the assistance of his teachers, the Iowa Instructor, a bound volume of which is found in the public library. The following account is found there.125
Extracts from the minutes of the Iowa State Teachers' association, session of 1860. From the "Iowa Instructor" published by the executive committee and edited by C. C. Nestlerode, chairman.
The meeting at Tipton in August, 1860, was decided upon at the meeting in Washington in 1859. There were eighty-six members present at the meeting in 1859 and 217 in 1860. No programmes were distributed broadcast then, but the little journal published the order of exercises in the August number and the pro- ceedings are found in the September number.
The meeting was called to order in the M. E. church (long ago out of ex- istence) by President D. F. Wells of Iowa City, at 7:30 p. m., Tuesday, Aug. 28, and on motion the constitution was read. The chair appointed C. C. Nestlerode, E. D. Hawes and M. Ingalls to wait on the audience and obtain the names of those who wished to become members of the association. Then follows a list of names that were added to the constitution.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
The chairman of the executive committee reported the order of exercises, which was adopted.
On Wednesday morning Rev. M. R. Cross on behalf of the citizens of Tipton welcomed the association. The president returned thanks for the association. Dr. Maynard moved that a committee consisting of one member from each county be appointed to name persons for permanent officers for the following year. M. Ingalls read a report on "Prizes in Schools." C. C. Nestlerode read a report from railway superintendents that the usual reduction of half fare by public convey- ances was refused to persons attending this association by all companies except the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska railroad and the stage companies. The report was tabled. (The road mentioned is the C. & N. W.)
On motion T. H. Benton, Jr., A. S. Kissell, M. Ingalls, J. K. Sweeney and J. Enos were appointed to take into consideration the subject of appointing a state agent to lecture and hold institutes in the various counties of the state.
The report of the committee on nominations shows that twelve counties were represented at this meeting. Miss Humphrey read an essay entitled "How Shall We Teach." L. F. Smith of Keokuk made a verbal report on "English Gram- mar." Mrs. M. A. McGonegal read a report on the "Range of Studies Demanded by Our Public School System." Dr. Reynolds made a report on "The History of Education" and "Educational Textbooks." C. E. Hovey of Normal, Ill., ad- dressed the meeting on "How Can Teachers Acquire and Maintain Respect- ability as Citizens?" Prof. F. Humphrey offered the following :
Resolved, That a normal school ought to be established in each state.
The resolution was discussed with much interest and, by vote, was made a special order for the next morning at 9 o'clock. G. B. Dennison of Muscatine was appointed to transcribe the proceedings of all previous meetings of the asso- ciation in a book provided for that purpose, and for such service the committee determines the compensation.
The chairman of the committee on state agency made a report, which was discussed and adopted. It read as follows :
The committee beg leave to report in favor of such an office provided it can be done without involving the association in any additional expense.
On motion of Rev. M. K. Cross, a report on "Music" was read by the Rev. Mr. Jones of Columbus City. Lizzie S. Gregg read an essay on "The Elegance of Diction." J. L. Enos then spoke on "The Power of the Teacher and How to Use It." Hon. Thomas H. Benton, Jr., delivered an address on "The Qualifica- tions of the Teacher." The question of a school journal produced a minority report. Members were allowed one speech of ten minutes.
Hon. Jas. Harlan addressed the convention on Thursday evening, and a vote of thanks was tendered the senator for his able address. On the same evening after music Miss M. A. Washburne read a poem on "Common Schools" by re- quest of the association.
On Friday, C. C. Nestlerode made the following report: Your committee appointed at Dubuque in 1857, to memorialize the legislature to establish a re- form school for juvenile offenders ask permission to report again. We have memorialized, petitioned and urged both the board of education and the legis- lature at each of their meetings since appointment, for the consideration of the
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object designed, but have been unable to accomplish anything for the juvenile offenders of the state .. The committee believes that the association should con- tinue its efforts until a reform school is established and in successful operation.
The association passed the following resolution: Resolved, That we learn with pleasure that our old and experienced colaborer in the educational cause, Dr. Reynolds of Iowa City, is about to commence an educational tour through the state. He designs lecturing particularly on the science of geography, political, physical and mathematical, and is well furnished with all the necessary apparatus to illustrate the truth on this subject. It was further resolved that the doctor was able to do that kind of work to the satisfaction of all concerned.
The chair appointed a committee to wait on the audience and secure names of all who wished the bound volume of the Iowa Educator.
There is an exhaustive resolution condemning the action of the board of edu- cation in its action in regard to the county superintendent not being required to visit the schools of his county twice during each year, and it concludes with the determination that the salary of the county superintendent ought to be a fixed sum.
On motion Senator Harlan was elected an honorary member. The committee on resolutions reported before adjournment on Friday and their report includes the following: That this annual reunion has afforded us much gratification and benefit ; that the unity of feeling and harmony of action that have marked the proceedings of the association on this occasion will be cherished among our most pleasant recollections ; that the thanks of the association are due the executive committee for the able and tasteful manner in which they have conducted the "Iowa Instructor ;" that our grateful acknowledgments be tendered to the citi3 zens of Tipton for their generous hospitality in providing for the entertainment of this association, and to Mr. Elliott for his efforts to secure for us pleasant homes during our stay.
The railway company is thanked for courtesies which are taken as unmistak- able evidence of the interest in education in which we are all laboring; thanks are tendered to C. D. Curtis for free return tickets by hack line to the railway stations (some miles distant) ; thanks are due to Miss Maynard for the use of her melodeon.
At this meeting one was present from Polk county and three from Pottawat- tamie including T. H. Benton, Jr. E. D. Hawes was the member from Polk county. Cedar county furnished 123 and C. C. Nestlerode was the leading spirit of the association.
The meeting closed with the "Doxology."126
The following is taken from an address of Mr. Nestlerode: "Had I time I would hold up in review the history of the old Union School which began on Dec. 1, 1856, and closed March 28, 1862. I would gladly narrate its triumphs and its defeats, its struggle with the school-killers and its final triumph over all opposition. * It will be remembered by some here present (June, 1887) that the Tipton Union School was the first regularly graded one west of the Mississippi river. That at the time of its founding there was no free school law in Iowa and no law for graded schools, and consequently such a law was an absolute necessity. I commenced at once to write a law for that purpose and
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my nights during December, 1856, were occupied in that work. I owe it to the revered memory of Dr. Maynard, to Rev. M. K. Cross, and to the graded schools of Iowa to state that Dr. Maynard and Mr. Cross were my counselors while performing that sacred duty. S. S. Daniels was a member of the board that invited me to come to Tipton and at the session of 1856 of our state as- sembly was sergeant-at-arms of the senate. J. W. Cattell was a member of the Senate from Cedar County and Ed Wright was our member of the House. I sent the act I had prepared to Mr. Daniels and he lost no time in placing it in the hands of Messrs. Cattell and Wright and in less than ten days it had passed both houses and became a law. We lost no time at Tipton in taking the neces- sary steps for its adoption, which we succeeded in doing in 1857. During the fall of 1857 the people of Iowa adopted a new constitution and, unfortunately for the Union School, on the adoption all school laws in Iowa became null and void. Our school was in session in all its departments and orders were to con- tinue until the close of the year, and we did, notwithstanding many of our people refused to pay their school tax. In May, 1858, a meeting was called in oppo- sition and the school voted down. * * Some months later by almost unan- imous vote the board was instructed to reopen the Union School and to employ me to take charge of the same. * From 1857 to 1861 the collection of the school tax was being contested in the state of Iowa through the courts. Most of these years school orders went begging and often would neither com- mand money, buy clothes or pay board. * * Judge Tuthill tendered his services to the school board and prosecuted the school-tax collection to a suc- cessful issue." The teachers of the Union School presented the judge with a silver cup in token of their appreciation.
Since 1856 twenty-two men have been in charge of the public schools of Tipton with an average service of about two and one-fourth years. The longest period is seven years. The first graduate was sent out in 1875 and since then classes have gone forth at regular periods from the high school. It is a fully accredited school. In 1907 the fiftieth anniversary of the graded schools was remembered and the minutes of that meeting are included in a bound volume found in the public library which is made up of addresses and reports from mem- bers of this school fifty years before. Many names are recorded there of men who became leaders in their day and whose sons and daughters now hold places of prominence.
More than thirty surviving members of the old Union School assembled at the last reunion. They are scattered over the entire country, letters being read from many who could not be present. Of the teachers then only one remains in Tipton, Mr. J. W. Reeder. He remembers his early experiences well and is a strong friend of education, supporting with his presence all that has to do with the keeping alive the former struggles for the free schools.
Mrs. S. W. Rathbun, wife of Capt. Rathbun, of Marion, formerly of this county, was a primary teacher in the old school south of the library and writes entertainingly, always, when questioned on this subject. Mrs. Fred Hecht, of Clarence, recalls the visit of John Brown to the room when she was a pupil and describes his appearance at that time. The reunion of these former pupils and teachers are certainly unusual and probably no county in Iowa can duplicate
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Durant High School
West Branch High School
Clarence High School
Springdale High School
Downey High School
GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL BUILDINGS
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
the history of this county in its educational history-noting especially the schools of Springdale and Tipton in their efforts to keep their first days before the pres- ent generation.
An item of concern to the educational interests of long ago was the apparent rivalry among the new high schools, or graded schools, as they first grew into prominence.
The Mt. Vernon News of Nov. 15, 1860, uttered the following sentiment : "The meannesses shown up by our correspondent 'Sigma' are of a piece with a petty, narrow exclusiveness-unjust partiality -- which has for some time marked the policy of Mr. Nestlerode and the Tipton high school. (High school! Pshaw !)
An instance which occurred a year or two since is in point. A young man from this place applied for that same 'High School,' and would have received it but for an old public functionary there, who had two objections to him-one - that he was not from Oberlin and the other that he was from Mount Vernon.
We wonder if they expect to make anything by such nice discriminations! Let the 'long run' show."
Witness the answer in part: "We are sorry that Cornell College is so jealous of and so much affected by our Union School as to call for such an exposé of the feeling in that vicinity. That we have a little the best public school in the state is true, but we had no idea that it had come into competition with a college of the known standing of Cornell. We are not aware that any of the citizens even asked any aid of Mount Vernon or tried to get any of its students to enter our 'High School.'" 128 This apparent rivalry was not ended here but this is sufficient to illustrate the times educationally.
The transfer of furniture and equipment from the old building south of the library to the grammar building or west building as commonly known on the present grounds happened in the winter of 1880. This building was finished by the contractor, a Mr. Schnell of Rock Island, at this time and the move was made somewhat of a celebration. Pupils were assembled at the old building and the members of the first Union School invited to join them in the march. At ten o'clock in the forenoon on Monday, Feb. 23, 1880, the procession moved with board of education at the head and pupils following in order of rank. Many of the old school were present. The entire forenoon was spent in social matters and inspection of the new building, considered then of very excellent proportions.
Immediately the question arose of the disposition of the old building and many suggestions of use were made. Some said a canning factory, a chair fac- tory, anything to make use of the building so that it would not be idle. Once it was proposed to preserve it untouched as a relic of what was. None of these things happened-only the old bell through the watchfulness of the former pupils and teachers, among them the prime movers being John W. Reeder and Hubert Hammond, was saved and occupies a post of honor.
A Seminary for the instruction of young ladies was opened in Tipton by. Grace Episcopal Church in 1873. This was in the house formerly occupied by John Starr and was under the supervision of Rev. and Mrs. Allen, with the as- sistance of a lady principal and competent instructors in the subjects provided in the curriculum-French, German, Drawing and religious instruction usually
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
found in such private schools. The Post,129 a paper published in the county seat at that time, rather objected to the coming of any school of the kind into this particular field and rather favored a state institution. Mr. C. L. Longley, then editor of the Advertiser, favored and encouraged all such undertakings.
Miss Scribner became the first principal of this boarding school. She was succeeded in the fall of the same year by Miss Rice. The following advertise- ment appears for August 13, 1874 :
TIPTON SEMINARY
for YOUNG LADIES Tipton, Iowa Miss E. Scribner, Prin.
THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION embraces all the higher branches of English Education with Latin, French, German, Music, Drawing, Needlework and other accomplishments.
TERMS:
Tuition in English branches per term. $10.00
Board per week 4.00
Laundress, per week .50
Vocal and Instrumental Music, each per term.
10.00
Drawing and Painting, per term 10.00
Languages, per term 5.00
Instruction in Wax Flowers
5.00
Use of Piano one hour daily, per term.
2.00
NOTE .- Bills payable in advance.
The seminary begun as favorably as one could expect came to a sudden ter- mination one dark day when the accomplished principal took a sudden and, to many creditors, mournful departure. A rather ironical writer said that the de- parture in the early morning was made to go under the guise of a funeral and it was much of a funeral at the time to the ones to whom some four thousand dollars in bills were owing. This was the Miss Scribner of Seminary fame.
After a lapse of some weeks the lady returned and through the financial as- sistance of Mr. Moses Bunker, she was enabled to arrange the financial matters and continue the instruction but not the financial management, this being under competent direction of a financial agent. In 1850 a select school was conducted by Mrs. Keith, wife of the Congregationalist minister on the corner where the home of S. M. Murray now stands. This was the first select school in Tipton.
Mr. John H. Starr once offered to donate one block for the Presbyterian Seminary proposed to be located here, and also one-fourth of every other block to be disposed of to aid in its erection. There was much objection then to pri- vate schools of this kind and while it was considered for some time by the officials of the church no definite action in the matter was taken.
In 1850 there was a log school house in Inland Township near Posten's Grove. A small building seated and furnished as the type mentioned previously, slabs for seats with pegs in the rounded sides and the desk against the wall fur- nishing an uncomfortable back to the seat when facing inward. It was the only school house at that time in the township and one of the first in the county. In
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
the summer of '54 a frame house was built in district number one. George Willey was the contractor. The father of the writer (H. A. Curtis) helped in the work. At that time the pupils furnished their own seats and desks or tables. .
I still retain the table my brother and I used. Among the early teachers are mentioned C. A. Pound, Amos Dean, Mrs. Dr. Clark, Charles Baker and S. H. Grant.130 Bennett has been an independent district since 1891. It has recently voted to build again and will be provided with a modern equipment in 1911, unless objections are sustained. The German Evangelical church maintains a school here established in 1907 enrolling about fifteen.131
The first school building in Springfield Township was at Posten's Grove, built of logs of the usual dimensions and equipment. This was in 1848. Wm. Henry from Ohio was the first teacher here. The name "Posten's Grove" comes from the settlers by that name, Jim and Chas. Posten.132
In April, 1853, Mr. Jacob Geiger boarded with Mr. Walker and taught school in a log house on Henry Conrad's farm. Before that time, however, James Huff had conducted a school now number one, which was built in 1853. In 1855 a frame building was erected where or near where the Fairview church stands, and was taught by Mr. Geiger. In this house the elections of the town- ship were held up to 1864 inclusive. At Fairview the school house was removed in 1867 to one-half mile southwest and a new one erected now number three.133
A building was rented in Lowden in 1859 and a school was taught by Miss Huldah Monroe, this being the first school in the village. In 1860 the first building was erected, a one-story frame, near the site of the German Evangelical church. It was afterward enlarged and sold to the church society when a new building of brick was erected in 1874. The frame building was divided and part of it is now used by the parochial school of the Zion Evangelical church. The other portion was sold to Mr. Reid and was finally burned. The present four-room modern building of Lowden was built in 1909. It occupies roomy grounds on an excellent location.134
There are two parochial schools in Lowden. The Lutheran established in 1871 having an enrollment at present of about seventy-five, the German Evan- gelical, 1880, enrolling about forty.135. "Towhead" school, in what is now Red Oak township, furnished the families residing in Fairfield with their first school privileges. It was located in the neighborhood known as Shiloh, or near where the Presbyterian church now stands. The land is now owned by Wm. Penning- rath. The house has long since been torn down and the site is covered by bushes.
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