USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 15
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About 1857 the half dozen families living in the western part of Fairfield decided to erect a school building. The present site of number four was chosen and the name "Prairie Flower," suggestive of its environment, was applied. It was about a mile and one-half east of the station of Wald. It has since been replaced, as all are finally, and its humble office later. was to serve as a granary on the Monahan farm. It is not now a "prairie flower." About the same time the Bunker school was located, but not at that time in this township. Number five, known as "Dublin," also suggestive, came about 1869, and "White Cloud" in 1870.136 Others followed until the stated number "nine" completed the list. Now some are abandoned and their history is completed.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
About 1846 the first school was established in Linn township, located in sec- tion fourteen just west of the home of Samuel Rhoads, Jr. It was held in a log dwelling house moved there for the purpose. Pupils came from several miles distant, some boarding in the neighborhood for convenience. The larger boys furnished the wood as needed. Among the early teachers were Thos. Gracey, who taught the first school in Tipton, and Mr. Buchan. Salaries were raised by subscription from patrons and boarding around was the custom. The term was three months during the winter. An amusing incident is related by Hon. Alex. Moffit. At that time the teachers were examined by the board of trustees, who asked some very difficult questions. One teacher after completing the examination requested that he be permitted to ask a few in return, and was politely told that he could-when he became a trustee. In '51 or '52 the school in number three was begun in a dwelling occupied by Mr. Ferguson, his wife being the teacher. The first building for school only was erected in Linn in 1854 or '55. This was known as the Park school, located on the south part of section two. The site was changed a few years later. Children from Linn Grove attended the first school and the first teacher was probably Miss Annis Armentrout. The salary was ten dollars per month and raised by subscription. Miss Mary Cochran 137 taught in 1858 and was paid fifteen dollars per month. The first building in number one was erected in 1857. This site was changed also. A second house was built here in '82. It burned in '94. In 1849 another log cabin school began in western Linn near the center of section eight on the farm now owned by F. W. Dance. Among the first teachers were Mr. McQueen, Miss Martha McClaskey, Mr. Cotton and Walter Goodhue. The first of these taught but a short time when death called him and on Christmas day, 1855, he was buried. In '56 a frame building took the place of the log one and the usual custom of employing teachers by subscription continued, a very unsatisfactory method as it proved. This frame building was moved where number three, Linn, now stands. The present building was erected in 1880. Among the first teachers in number four was Miss Mary Cochran, who lives near Buchanan.
The following letter is from Mrs. Henry Emerick, the oldest living teacher of Linn township: "Your letter was a surprise to me since I had almost forgotten my teaching days. My eyes are dim and hands shaky and I now write with difficulty. My first term of school in your township began in 1862, May 7. I also taught the winter term beginning the next January. My wages in winter were twenty-two dollars, but less in summer. I paid two dollars per week for board. My account was given to the sub-director and he drew the money from the treasurer. At that time the teachers were paid in gold. My winter term at 'Coon Creek' was during the war. Your grandfather (Maj. John Dance) came to our school and drilled some of the larger boys for a company. He also gave testaments to those who had none and we read from them. I think I took my examination from Hon. Wm. Wolf. Our first county superintendent was Dr. Maynard, an old gentleman. Institute was held at the old school house." In 1880 a new building was erected in number four. I. G. Fairbanks was the first teacher. This was burned recently and a new one is nearing completion.138
The first school building in Pioneer was in a portion of Pioneer Grove. A man by the name of Madlock was the first teacher. Pupils came from various
TIPTON HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING ABOUT 1880
TIPTON SCHOOLS
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
distances, one who was a pupil stating that she walked three miles. She is still able to tell that this teacher used to lie down on the long benches to rest. The oldest school building remaining in this township, probably about fifty years old, is now called number four. It was built in 1859 by Martin Bucher, and Mary Ellen Hyde was the first teacher. On the site of the Union church in the southwestern part of the township an old frame building once stood. It was used like many others as a church before it was much worn by school children. Some of these old buildings stood in the trackless woods, no roads leading to them-only a path over which they came for long distances filling the little house full in marked contrast to the present numbers who attend the district school.
"In 1861 a dilapidated looking old frame building stood on this spot. The siding and roof were brown with age. It showed hard usage. A window light was gone and a board replaced it. New panels were in the door. No paint disfigured it, nor whitewash marred it. A rail fence right in front, and enclosed in a sixty-acre field with no evidence that it had ever been separated from the general ground of the farm. No tree, shrub or grass to break or relieve the utterly wild surroundings. Such was known as the 'Week's School.' The site was something splendid-just as the prairie broke toward Clear Creek with the landscape undisturbed. The great tornado of 1861139 passed very near to it and two dwelling houses within the radius of a mile were torn in pieces, while the adjacent prairie was strewn with wreckage. Fortunately this notable June 3 came on Sunday or there might have been serious results at the little frame house. But time passed and decay occurred until the larger boys enjoyed the fun of poking sticks through its walls and roof, leaving them there through more than one term. The taxpayers then, as now, hesitated long before voting a tax to rebuild, or build anew. Mr. Joshua Owens related how in Pennsylvania when he went to school a log on the side of the house had been sawed out and this space covered with greased paper as the only means of admitting the light. He went on to say that the cats would tear through and that the window often needed mending. He thought the old good enough with a little fixing. Old Mr. McAllister, smarting under the usage of the 'Weeks' school house, declared that he would vote money only on one condition-that there be built a dungeon under the new one, and that all unruly boys of the school be thrown into it and fed on bread and water. But the progressives won out (there were progressives in those days) by voting a tax of six hundred dollars for the building of the house known as number two Pioneer. Mr. Guthrie, the builder and architect, thought a tornado could never tear it to pieces, but might roll it over.
"No finer location for such a building can be found in all the land in any of the great states where schools are fostered ; no more quiet, squestered spot, sur- rounded by fine old trees, ample grounds, provided with a well of never-failing water, and in one of the best communities in all our good state."140
Mechanicsville was formed into an independent district in 1866. Some oppo- sition was aroused and it required a suit at law to determine the conclusion. An account in the history of 1878 reads as follows: "A meeting was called at the Presbyterian church June 9, 1866, to act upon the erection of a district. The vote stood 44 affirmative and 5 negative. Then two of the trustees, T. C. McClelland and Samuel Gilliland, refused to call a meeting of the electors for
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
the election of the officers of the school board, basing their action on the point of illegality of the meeting. In July following a writ of mandamus was issued from the circuit court to compell the call of the meeting. An appeal was taken to the supreme court of the state by the two trustees mentioned and the decision of the lower court was affirmed. Election then followed as required. The first building was of wood. In 1875 the building preceding the present one was erected. This is one more illustration of the trials that made educational progress a matter of court concern, as it was elsewhere in the county. In Mechanicsville there was formerly a small frame building just west of the C. W. Johnson property. The Wm. Rate house was once used for school purposes. The location of the school house has varied, as it must in most places not yet fixed in permanent form.141
"The old building of 1875 was declared no longer fit for use in the inde- pendent district of Mechanicsville and in 1908 public opinion was ready to approve of a new one. The women improved their opportunity to use the ballot, assuring the necessary two-thirds vote. The structure was occupied in 1909 and furnishes a modern equipment at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. The officials concerned in this are mentioned in a complimentary spirit, and like so many others who give their time and service freely to the public are deserving of great praise for executing the will of the voters in a creditable way in such a a short time."
The first school building in Fremont township was erected in 1858 and was located on the east side of section twenty. about the middle of the southeast quarter. It remained there until the independent districts were organized as at present. A typical rude log building furnished as its neighboring ones in ad- joining territory, no other equipment beyond the rude seats and shelf against the wall, except the black space, the only painted spot, called the blackboard.142
Stanwood displaced its old building with a new one in 1902. The first school here was begun in 1869. John B. Ingersoll was the teacher. In 1872 the first building was erected and a second one was built in 1876. It has a parochial school of St. Paul's Lutheran church, which enrolls approximately ten pupils annually. The school was established in 1908 in connection with the church property.
The early school in Dayton township is described in the first part of this chapter by reference to a letter from Mrs. Eunice Frink Cartwright. This was in 1853, among the earliest if not the first in that part of the country. The present building in Clarence was erected in 1858. Changes may have been made, but no new building erected since that date. There is a parochial school here con- ducted by the Evangelical church, which will be found under church history. It was founded in 1882.
The Centre school was the first one built in Massillon township. No record of the early teachers seems available, but the following is pertinent: F. A. Gates, a graduate of Columbia University, Washington, D. C., 1837, was engaged in teaching in this township, coming here in 1853.
An announcement of the first county superintendent of schools reads as fol- lows: "We are happy to announce to the public that our office is removed from the streets to the Tipton Union school house. By the kindness of the board of
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
directors of the district we have been permitted to occupy a vacant room in the school house, where we can be found on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to attend to examinations and other official business. If teachers who have not engaged schools and desire to do so would send us their names and post office address, it would be very easy for sub-directors to employ teachers and for teachers to secure a situation by applying to me.
J. McCLUNG, Co. Supt.
"May 7th, 1860."
This is the first county superintendent's official announcement of his office.143
The office of county superintendent of schools was created by act of the Gen- eral Assembly of Iowa in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-eight. By this act it was ordered that such officer should be elected in each county at the general election held on the second day of October, eighteen hundred and fifty-nine. This election resulted in a choice of James McClung as county superintendent of Cedar County for the years 1860 and 1861.
The late Hon. Wm. P. Wolf was the next incumbent and held the office during the years 1862 and 1863. Short sessions of the Teachers' Institutes were held each fall and examinations for certificates were conducted publicly and pri- vately. The supply of teachers was not equal to the demand, owing to the enlistment of many young men into the army during the Civil War.
C. A. Pound, who was the principal of the Tipton High School during the years 1864 and 1865 held the office of County Superintendent at the same time. His wife, Mrs. C. A. Pound, conducted examinations at their home when her husband was otherwise employed.
E. C. Rigby was the next superintendent and served during the years 1866 and 1867. E. L. Bassett was elected and held the office during 1868 and 1869, a deputy filling the place.
A. B. Oakley was the next incumbent and served during the years 1870 and 1871.
C. W. Rollins, who was the first superintendent to hold the office more than one term, was elected in the autumn of 1871 and began his work January, 1872. The office records have nothing to show that any official acts were performed, not even an annual report to the State Department, until the year 1873. The salary at this time was $1,000 annually and made it possible to devote all one's time to the work.
Mr. Rollins served four years, from 1872 to 1876, and was followed by Miss E. E. Frink, of Clarence, who served six years. This period may well be termed the reconstruction period of the schools of Cedar County. Many con- ditions existed that required tact and judgment to change for the betterment of the schools. Not least among these was the sifting of the uunqualified from the ranks of teachers. This was done by examinations of all who aspired to teach in the county, regardless of qualifications or credentials. This resulted in rais- ing the standard of qualifications of the teachers and was a revival as well as a "survival of the fittest." Teachers' conventions were held and well attended ; enthusiasm in the work was created not among teachers only but school officers and patrons realized that something was being accomplished. The County Superintendent's time was all devoted to the work and school visitation meant
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
becoming acquainted with the teachers and their ability to instruct and govern, aiding those who needed it by suggestions, and getting and keeping in touch with the patrons and school boards on conditions relative to each school district. Each year marked advancement and the six years administration of Miss Frink will stand as an example of honest, efficient service. This brings us to the close of the year 1881, when Miss Virginia Robbins, a teacher in Tipton, was elected to the office. Normal Institutes were cut down to two weeks' duration during the latter part of the former administration and were held three weeks each year of '81 and '82. Miss Robbins was active and industrious and maintained the established standard during the two years of her incumbency. In the autumn of 1883 Mrs. A. N. Filson of Tipton was elected to this office and twice re- elected, making her term six years. She had been a popular and profitable teacher in the schools of this place for eleven years, and it was with regret on the part of patrons, pupils and school board that her position was made vacant.
Teachers' Conventions took on new life, enthusiasm prevailed everywhere. Normal Institutes were well attended and beneficial. The teachers and schools of Cedar County ranked second to none in the State. Through the efforts of the County Superintendent Welch's Classification Register was purchased by the Board of Supervisors for every rural school in the county. The grading and classification of these schools placed the work on a foundation that made it possible for graduates from this course to enter any high school in the county without further examination. This system proved to be a great advantage and is still in use.
School visitation was optional with the County Superintendent at this time, but the benefits derived from such visits were so marked that it was followed as under the former law. Special attention was given to the primary work of the teachers, not only during the Normal Institute but by individual attention to the work done in schools. In 1889 W. L. Etter, a teacher in this county, was chosen for this office. Following fourteen years of work performed by ladies, it is not to his discredit to say it required painstaking labor to meet the demands of the public. This he did and served six years in this capacity. J. W. Marker, principal of the Lowden schools, was next elected to this office and served two terms, from 1896 to 1900, when the late Miss Aurora Goodale was elected and served two terms. During this time a daily register was introduced to be used in connection with the Classification Register. A system of "card reports" of attendance and punctuality was also introduced. This has done. a good work in raising the per cent of attendance. Of Miss Goodale's work we would say,- she faithfully and conscientiously performed the duties of this office and without fear or favor worked for the best interests of the schools. Her interest in boys and girls whose advantages and opportunities were limited was a marked char- acteristic and highly commendable feature of her work. Her second term ex- pired January, 1904, when the present incumbent, Geo. H. Kellogg, took his place. Among the many new additions to the equipment of the County Superin- tendent's office introduced by Supt. Kellogg we find a Card Index of the Teach- ers, School Officers and Eighth Grade Pupils of Rural Schools. A Normal Institute Register has also been used for several years and serves the purpose of recording the names of all who attend the institute, their attendance and other
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
important information. A County School Officers' Association was organized and meets in Tipton annually. At these meetings the question of teachers' sala- ries and the latest and most approved methods of doing any work required of such officers are discussed and have resulted in raising salaries and enlightening officers as to their duties.
Modern heating and ventilating plants are being introduced and modern and sanitary school buildings are taking the place of worn-out buildings. Mr. Kellogg is distinctly a school man and progressive in his ideas. His third term of office expires with this year and will end a very successful administration.144
During Miss E. E. Frink's (Mrs. Cartwright's) term of office the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution requiring an annual report from the county superintendent of schools. Spread upon the records of the Board sessions dur- ing the remainder of her term in compliance with this demand are complete and exhaustive reports from that time regarding the school work of the county, the plans for improvement, the institutes held, the associations conducted and the financial condition of the office, a business record of all situations confronting the officer in charge. Court sessions came early in the history of this official, she having to pass upon the location of the site for the new building in Tipton during her administration.145 These reports were continued in a masterly way by Mrs. A. N. Filson and these two women have a lasting record upon the official books of the county that indicates the efficiency of management under their terms of office. The latter made a special mention of the teachers in one report of the winter of 1884-5, stating that there were then 45 male and 123 female teachers in the county. The attendance was less than 50 per cent in regularity. At present in this county there are not one-fourth the number of men teaching.146
SECTION V.
THE CHURCH AND ITS ORGANIZATIONS.
One of the most impressive features among the early settlers of this county is the personal attempt to keep alive the teachings and customs of their former homes in the religious sense. Their absolute dependence upon the divine favor and support in all their undertakings, speaking generally, shows itself in their very early movements to establish church services and religious training for the young of the families. This was before the time of such pressing affairs of business and intensity of labor that occupies such a prominent place in our present daily struggles, and before men had placed other affairs in advance of their religious obligations. True, there were many indications of the wild fron- tier with its accompanying lawlessness and roughness, but it is not necessary to make a nice line of distinction to establish the general principle of the chapter under discussion. As one of the earliest comers refers to those times in the following language: In the midst of the innocent pleasures of these days God was not forgotten. The people came for miles to attend services in some log school house, some humble dwelling of similar construction or in the groves in the summer seasons. They sang the old songs familiar to the entire country then but, alas! forgotten now.147 The pioneer preacher was on the ground, himself a settler. It is affirmed by those who should be good authority that Rev. Martin Baker preached the first sermon in this county. He is said to have been a zealous Christian worker, a man who scorned wrong-doing and who fought for the right amidst the greatest difficulties. Col. Henry Hardman's house in Rochester township was the very earliest house in the county to be used for both church and educational purposes. For all good purposes that seems to have been a center. Here Chauncey Hobart organized his flock. Solomon Ingham traveled up and down the Cedar Valley, a hero of the Cross among the pioneers, and died only within the decade in Tama County. Rev. Robert Porter was among the early ministers of the Presbyterian church. Robert Carothers, who followed him, became the superintendent of the college for the blind later in life. The Congregational church was the first to have a settled pastor, Rev. Alden, a member of the home missionary society.148 All these successors will appear in the individual histories of the county church records.
184
Friends' Meeting House Friends' Church and Parsonage Methodist Episcopal Church
Presbyterian Church Danish Lutheran Church
WEST BRANCH CHURCHES
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
The first meeting in behalf of a Presbyterian church in Cedar County was held at Red Oak Grove, March 1, 1841. At that time one was organized by 1 Rev. M. Hummer, an itinerant missionary, with ten members and two ruling elders, under the title of "The Presbyterian Church of Red Oak Grove." From March, 1841, to October, 1847, the number of communicants was increased by occasional ministerial supplies to twenty-two. Then for more than three years the church seemed to be stationary, having no services.
On January 26, 1851, public notice was given in the M. E. church at Tipton, that those favorable to the Presbyterian church would meet at the court house February 8th, at 2 o'clock p. m., to organize a Presbyterian Society, to purchase a lot and erect a house of worship. During the year twenty-seven members were added to the organization.
From September 1, 1851, to May 1, 1858, a period of nearly seven years, Rev. Geo. D. Porter, by invitation commenced and continued his ministerial labors as a stated supply for the united congregations of Red Oak and Tipton. During this period ninety-two persons were added to the church, seven upon examination and eighty-five upon certificates, about thirteen annually. June 25, 1854, the new brick church which had been built in Tipton was dedicated. In the meantime the session of the church had been occasionally enlarged also as the necessities of the church required. About seven baptisms were annually performed, and $250 annually raised. From May, 1858, to June, 1860, the church was again without a minister.
After this the Red Oak and Tipton congregations were divided. We find the following resolution recorded under date of February 27, 1860, at a con- gregational meeting of the church at Tipton: "Resolved, that instead of a united call from the Tipton and Red Oak churches for the pastoral labors of Rev. Robert Carothers, the call be from the Tipton church, and that we request Pres- bytery at its next session to apportion the time of preaching between the two churches."
Rev. R. Carothers being thus called, and having accepted the call, commenced his labors at Tipton in June, 1860, was installed as pastor of the church at Tip- ton July 14, 1860, and continued his pastoral labors until June 26, 1866, a period of six years, when he resigned his charge. During this period sixty-two persons were added to the church, twenty-six on examination and thirty-six on certifi- cate, or about ten annually; forty-two baptisms were performed, or seven annually ; and $4,358.50 were raised for various religious objects, at home and abroad, or $726.41 annually.
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