USA > Iowa > Cherokee County > Biographical history of Cherokoe County, Iowa : Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state ; engravings of prominent citizens in Cherokee County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the county, the cities, and townships > Part 24
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Larrabee, located on the northeast quarter of section 22-93-40, was platted November 25, 1887. A. H. Meservey and J. P. B. Prim- rose, proprietors.
261
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
POLITICAL.
CHAPTER VIII.
HE political history of a country is always one of general interest, and especially is this true in a free land, where in the eyes of the law all are upon an equality, where it has been shown that even the humblest-the rail-splitter or the tow- path boy-can attain the highest honor within the gift of the American people. We delight to see merit rewarded; we are pleased with the onward progress of one from the humblest walks of life, as step by step he mounts the ladder of fame. Every citizen has a kind of political ambition, and while he may never reach the highest pinnacle, there is a possibility that his children may.
There is an excitement about a political campaign which nearly every American citi- zen rather enjoys, and although personalities are often indulged in, as a general thing all yield gracefully to the verdict of the people, a majority vote, and submit themselves to the "powers that be."
The political history of Cherokee County is more fully and much more authentically shown in giving the abstract of votes for the varions years than in any other manner. The county has been Republican by large 22
majorities ever since its organization; yet at times Democrats and Independent nominees have been elected by virtue of their own popularity, or at times by cross-fights be- tween regular candidates in the county con- ventions.
It should here be recorded that with but few exceptions the Government affairs of Cherokee County have been well adminis- tered. The bleak, wild prairies of 1856, when the Government survey was completed, have been developed; the angry and de- ceiving streams, which so greatly harrassed the early settlers, have been bridged at numer- ous points; over 100 school buildings adorn the landscape and add value to the county; over 2,000 acres of artificial timber have been successfully planted and cultivated; railroads have crossed and re-crossed the territory. The prairie wilderness has been dotted with enterprising towns and cities, until to-day, standing thirty-three years distant from the landing of the pioneer colony, we look out upon a fruitful, valuable landscape of agri- culture, and observe the coming and going of upward of 16,000 prosperous and contented people.
262
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
OFFICIAL VOTE.
In this connection is presented the official vote of Cherokee County for every general and special election from 1857 to 1888, in- clusive, so far as conld be ascertained from the county records.
The following is the record transcript of the elections during the period mentioned, the figures on the right hand denoting the majorities of the successful candidates.
ELECTION OF 1857 .* County Judge.
H. P. Thayer
Prosecuting Attorney.
Carlton Corbett .
Treasurer and Recorder.
George Lebourveau
Sheriff.
Samuel W. Hayward.
District Clerk.
Benjamin Sawtell
George Killem
Surveyor.
OCTOBER, 1858. County Judge.
George W. Sherwin
18-
17
George Coonley .
Clerk of Courts. 13
Benjamin W. Sawtell.
11
Chester Banister 1
James A. Brown. 1
Sheriff.
George W. Banister
18-
17
Albert Phipps .
1
Superintendent of Schools.
George Coonley
12 -- 10
James A. Brown
2
OCTOBER, 1859. County Judge.
George W. Sherwin .
19
*No record of the first election is found, but beyond doubt the above were the officers elected.
Treasurer and Recorder.
Lemuel Parkhurst. .
11
Drainage Commissioner.
George W. Lebourveau
17- 15
G. W. Sherwin .
1
Enoch Taylor
1
County Surveyor.
George S. Killem
20
Superintendent of Schools.
Orange S. Wright
12
Sheriff.
George W. Banister
20
Coroner.
Albert Haynes
19- 18
Albert Phipps
1
Justice of Peace for County.
Charles Webber
10-
2
Carlton Corbett
8
Chester Banister
1
August Alber
1
Jacob Miller
1
1
Albert Phipps
NOVEMBER, 1860.
County Judge.
Orange S. Wight
9
Clerk of Courts.
Benjamin W. Sawtell.
11
County Supervisor.
Albert Phipps
7-
-
4
George S. Killem
3
Justice of Peace.
9_
-
7
E. M. Wilcox .
James A. Brown.
1
O. S. Wight
1
Coroner.
B. W. Sawtell
5
OCTOBER, 1861. County Judge.
O. S. Wight.
10-
9
George S. Killem .
1
Treasurer and Recorder.
Carlton Corbett
7-
5
Lemuel Parkhurst
2
1
263
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Sheriff.
G. W. Banister
9-
1
B. W. Sawtell
Surveyor.
George S. Killem 9
Superintendent of Schools.
O. S. Wight.
10
9
Lemmel Parkhurst
1
Supervisor.
Albert Phipps .
G. W. Banister
3
6-
-
3
Six-mill Court-House Tax.
For the levy
7.
-
4
Against "
3
OCTOBER, 1862. Clerk of Courts.
B. W. Sawtell
15-
14
G. J. Hoffman
1
Sheriff.
Robert Perry
14
Supervisor.
Albert Phipps (T. P.)
16
O. S. Wight (at large)
15
J. A. Brown (at large)
15
Justices of Peace.
George Killem
15
J. A. Brown
15
OCTOBER, 1863. Governor of State.
William M. Stone 6
James W. Tuttle. 1
County Judge.
Orange Wight. Treasurer and Recorder.
Carlton Corbett
Albert Phipps
Sheriff.
Robert Perry .
School Superintendent.
Orange Wight .
6
Supervisor.
7-
Albert Phipps.
Thomas Scurlock .
6
Court-House Tax.
For the tax.
7
Against the tax
NOVEMBER, 1864. President of United States.
Abraham Lincoln.
8-
7
George B. McClellen
1
Clerk of Courts.
Orange S. Wight.
6
Recorder.
Carlton Corbett.
6
Superintendent of Schools.
Joel H. Davenport.
6
Surveyor.
Joel H. Davenport. .
6
Supervisor-District No. 1.
James Brown . .
8-
1
George W. Lebourveau
7
OCTOBER, 1865.
Governor of State.
William M. Stone
22
14
Thomas H. Benton
County Judge.
8
Fletcher Mills
16
14
James A. Brown
2
Treasurer.
Carlton Corbett.
18
Sheriff.
Frederick Steles
16-
14
Albert Phipps
2
Surveyor.
Joel H. Davenport.
18
School Superintendent.
George E. Fisher
19
Drainage Commissioner.
Robert Perry .
14
Coroner.
O. S. Wight
14
Supervisor-At Large.
1
George W. Lebourveau.
14-
7
Thomas Scurlock
7
5
6
-
5
6
1
6
8
264
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
OCTOBER, 1866. Clerk of Courts.
Elisha Kingsbury .
29
County Judge ( Vacancy).
George W. Banister.
22- 20
2
Luther Phipps.
16- 12
D. T. Gearhart
3
E. Kingsbury
1
Surveyor.
Coroner.
Joseph Scurlock.
1
OCTOBER, 1867. County Judge.
George W. Banister
40
9
D. T. Gearhart.
Treasurer.
Carlton Corbett.
44- 38
George Fisher
6
Sheriff.
Samuel T. Miller
32- 14
George Fisher
18
Surveyor.
J. H. Davenport.
43
School Superintendent.
George E. Fisher
47- 46
O. S. Wight.
1
Coroner.
Z. B. Parkhurst.
45
NOVEMBER, 1868. President of United States.
U. S. Grant.
64-
48
Horatio Seymour
16
Secretary of State.
Republican
64- 48
Democratic .
16
Recorder.
E. Kingsbury .
50 -- 22
George E. Fisher
28
OCTOBER, 1869.
Governor of State.
Samuel Merrill
181-151
County Auditor .*
J. Armstrong
125- 40
G. W. Banister
85
Treasurer.
D. T. Gearhart.
120- 41
M. D. Butler
79
Sheriff.
George Filer
106
3
R. I. Smith
103
A. F. Potter
108- 10
C. F. Biddle
98
School Superintendent.
O. Chase.
94-
- 8
31
E. C. Combs
86
Coroner.
Levi Rogers
199
OCTOBER, 1870.
Recorder.
Carlton Corbett ...... (majority)
37
Clerk of Courts.
C. F. Biddle.
. (majority)
31
Supervisors.
J. H. Graves (one year).
George Hopkins (two years).
W. Nettleton (three years).
OCTOBER, 1871.
Governor of State.
C. C. Carpenter
393 -- 290
J. C. Knapp
103
County Treasurer.
James Henderson
252- 15
D. T. Gearhart.
134
J. D. F. Smith.
103
Auditor.
M. Baumgardner
390-292
Perry Vebber
98
Sheriff.
N. Bell
352
Scattering
201
E. B. Baily
141
* At this date the office of county judge was dropped and the new office of auditor created.
George Gellespy
30
William Crooks
Recorder.
265
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
School Superintendent.
J. E. Sanders.
367-247
E. C. Herrick
120
Supervisor.
D. J. Hays
333 -- 179
John F. Potter.
154
Surveyor.
H. W. Bowman ..
349 -- 101
W. H. Michael
94
J. H. Davenport.
44
Proposition to Locate County Seat at New Cherokee.
For the relocation
367 -- 291
Against relocation
76
NOVEMBER, 1872. President of United States.
U. S. Grant.
Horace Greeley Clerk of Courts.
C. F. Biddle.
310- 51
F. E. Whitmore
259
Recorder.
John E. Davis .
335 -- 76
Carlton Corbett.
259
Supervisors.
J. W. Tilden
556-209
Alvah Potter 347
E. I. Carr.
309
-66
E. B. Baily .
243
Sheriff.
William M. Whipple
297 -- 16
William McKay ..
281
Coroner.
Z. A. Wellman
555-545
B. Sweeney.
10
OCTOBER, 1873.
Governor of State.
C. C. Carpenter J. G. Vail
472-464
8
Auditor.
M. Baumgardner
580-579
Treasurer.
James Henderson
546-536
Caleb Chase
5
Scattering
5
Sheriff.
William Whipple
288-
11
Oscar Chase. .
267
School Superintendent.
W. F. Harriman
319 -- 90
E. C. Combs
229
Surveyor.
J. H. Davenport
560
Coroner.
Watson Pelton
581-579
2
Scattering
Supervisor.
C. W. Gillman .
558 -- 536
E. A. Caswell
22
Six Mill Court-House Tax.
For the tax
109
Against the tax
376 -- 267
OCTOBER, 1874. Secretary of State.
Josiah T. Young
545-308
237
David Morgan.
Clerk of Courts.
O. Chase
420 -- 67
C. F. Biddle
266
E. W. Parker
85
Recorder.
J. E. Davis
736
Supervisors.
E. A. Caswell (Dist. No. 2).
44-
4
40
Richard Gilbert
John Gilbert
18
H. J. McMannus (Dist. No. 4).
40 --
11
Elias Duber
29
A. J. Simmons 24
D. J. Hays (Dist. No. 5).
77-33
G. W. Prescott
44
OCTOBER, 1875. Governor of State. Samuel J. Kirkwood 536-332
Shepherd Leffler
John Hogarth Lozier
6
204
William McKay
1
.
266
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Auditor.
William B. Chick
721-
714
Scattering
7
Treasurer.
Morgan Baumgardner
456-
181
S. F. Russell
275
Sheriff.
Leon Moore
558-
379
J. A. Hickey
179
Surveyor.
J. H. Davenport.
723
716
Scattering
7
Coroner.
W. Pelton
432-
127
G. W. Peck
305
Supervisors.
R. Ruthford (Dist. No. 3). .
..
102-
83
Alvah Potter
15
William Crouch
19
H. J. McMannus (Dist. No. 4). 82
J. A. Warburton
43
NOVEMBER, 1876. Clerk of Courts.
Oscar Chase.
766-
350
R. M. Smith .
416
Recorder.
J. E. Davis.
1,034- 881
G. C. Conant.
153
Supervisors.
Albert Phipps (Dist. No 1) ...
264-
172
George W. Lebonrveau .
92
OCTOBER, 1877. Auditor.
William B. Chick
1,100-1,099
Scattering
1
Treasurer.
M. Baumgardner
-
160
Carlton Corbett
476
636-
Sheriff.
L. H. Moore
702-
404
W. D. F. Holly
398
School Superintendent.
W. S. Rose
443-
84
R. L. Robie
359
F. Hard
304
Emma Richards.
6
Surveyor.
J. H. Davenport
562
19
W. C. Adsit .
- 543
Coroner.
E. B. Bailey
567-
31
W. Pelton
536
Supervisors.
E. A. Caswell (Dist. No. 2) ...
61-
8
G. Braasch .
53
William Cooks
28
J. C. West.
107
21
Joseph Umhalfer
86
OCTOBER, 1878. Clerk of Courts.
Oscar Chase.
446-
33
M. E. Hinkley
413
C. R. Pomroy
65
Recorder.
J. E. Davis
1,089-1,072
Scattering
17
Surveyor (Vacancy).
W. C. Adsit ..
621-
123
J. H. Davenport
498
Supervisors.
George Cline (Dist. No. 3). ..
112
29
E. Eshleman .
83
Charles Millard
22
Daniel Unger (Dist. No. 4) ...
156-
101
H. J. McMannus
55
OCTOBER, 1879. Governor of State.
John H. Gear
860- 489
David Campbell
371
H. H. Trumble
116
Auditor.
William B. Chick
970- 610
Frank A. Foster
360
Treasurer.
Eli Eshleman .
669
-
2
M. Baumgardner
667
39
267
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Sheriff.
L. H. Moore.
703-206
F. D. Yaw. 597
School Superintendent.
H. B. Strever
784-251
W. F. Rose
533
Surveyor.
W. C. Adsit.
796-270
J. H. Davenport.
526
Coroner.
L. Rogers
787-268
G. Braasch.
519
Supervisor.
Cyrus Snyder (Dist. No. 1).
.
202- 69
E. B. Bailey
133
NOVEMBER, 1880. President of United States.
James A. Garfield . 1,118-706
W. S. Hancock
412
James B. Weaver
100
Neal Dow
10
Secretary of State.
A. B. Keith
411
G. M. Walker
100
J. A. T. Hull
1,128-717
Clerk of Courts.
W. C. Bundy
895-154
Oscar Chase
741
Recorder.
E. Miller
892-150
D. W. McNeal
742
Coroner.
Elias Duber
1,111-622
P. Donovan
489
Supervisors.
Richard Gilbert (Dist. No. 2). . 167- 49
E. A. Caswell
118
J. H. Wilder (Dist. No. 5)
153-
7
M. B. Whisman
146
NOVEMBER, 1882.
Secretary of State.
Constitutional Amendment.
For striking out words "free white" 488-152 Against " 326
OCTOBER, 1881. Governor of State.
B. R. Sherman
919-723
L. G. Kinnie
192
D. M. Clark.
196
Auditor.
R. L. Robie
851-610
E. K. Walbridge
241
W. P. Miller
211
Treasurer.
Eli Eshleman
897-693
E. I. Carr.
204
R. B. Taylor
186
Sheriff.
R. J. Smyth.
661-239
C. A. Durkee.
422
R. C. Opil.
121
H. Kennedy
68
School Superintendent.
Eli M. Slater.
738-411
J. V. Ward.
327
F. M. McHoes
202
Surveyor.
J. H. Davenport
852-404
L. E. Parker.
448
Coroner.
E. Duber
908-724
B. Spinhamey.
184
J. O'Donnell.
15
Supervisor.
Daniel Phelan (Dist. No. 3).
123- 27
A. F. Rigby. .
96
F. M. Langly (Dist. No. 4).
107-
9
S. W. Lyman .
98
Court-House Proposition.
For building.
422
Against "
865-443
JUNE, 1882 (SPECIAL). Prohibition Amendment.
For Amendment
1,151-799
Against
352
J. A. T. Hull.
1,261-891
F. O. Walker.
370
268
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Clerk of Courts.
W. C. Bundy ...
. 1,032-
306
Morgan Baumgardner.
726
Recorder.
Ed. Miller
1,091- 420
C. R. Pomroy .
671
Supervisor. Cyrus Snyder (Dist. No. 1) ... 465
Court-House Proposition.
For building court-house. .
.. 420
Against building court-house . . 1,096-
676
OCTOBER, 1883. Governor of State.
B. R. Sherman
1,115-
557
L. G. Kinnie.
558
J. B. Weaver.
198
Treasurer.
William B. Chick.
1,164-
702
Eli Eshleman. .
229
Joseph Umhoefer
462
Auditor.
R. L. Robie.
885
367
F. A. Willis .
518
Benjamin H. Hayden.
429
Sheriff.
R. J. Smyth
1.428
997
J. F. Potter
431
School Superintendent.
H. B. Strever
1,157-
491
J. V. Ward .
666
Coroner.
Elias Duber.
1,358-
863
Patrick Donovan
495
Surveyor.
J. H. Davenport.
1,669-1,484
L. E. Parker
185
Supervisors.
A. Mckinney (Dist. No. 2) ...
186-
58
Jacob Hopkins
128
Daniel Metter (Dist. No. 5).
236- 92
J. C. West.
144
NOVEMBER, 1884. President of United States.
James G. Blaine.
1,651-759
Grover Cleveland
892
John P. St. John.
23
Secretary of State.
Frank T. Jackson
1,676-787
J. Dooley.
889
Clerk of Courts.
Charles E. Moore
.1,260
J. H. Butts
1,286- 26
Recorder.
Orson Gage
. 2,522
Surveyor.
D. H. Finch
.1,517-487
Robert De Lass.
1,030
Supervisors.
W. C. Marsh (Dist. No. 3).
244- 75
Daniel Phelan.
169
F. M. Langley
162- 59
G. W. Banister
103
Amendment as to County Attorney.
For creating the office.
342-239
Against creating the office ..
103
Proposition to Build a $40,000 Court-House.
For building court-house and jail. 821
Against building court-house and
jail.
1,544-723
NOVEMBER, 1885.
Governor of State.
William Larrabee.
1,343-512
Charles E. Whiting.
835
Treasurer.
William B. Chick.
2,179
Auditor.
L. W. Beal.
2,173
Sheriff.
R. J. Smyth
1,446-712
P. M. Price.
734
-
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
269
School Superintendent.
H. B. Strever 2,177
Surveyor.
D. H. Finch .
1,350-528
R. De Loss
822
Coroner.
W. Pelton
2,164
Supervisor.
L. A. Hunter (Dist. No. 1) ....
491
Poor Farm Proposition.
For Poor Farm
1,084-753
Against Poor Farm
331
NOVEMBER, 1886. Secretary of State.
Frank D. Jackson
1,438-697
Cato Sells
741
Clerk of Courts.
A. C. Hobart .
1,117- 35
J. H. Butts
1,082
Recorder.
Orson Gage
2,090
Supervisors.
Frank Barnes (Dist. No. 2)
313- 79
J. P. Foster .
..
234
J. H. Baker (Dist. No. 5)
251
Dan Melter
89
County Attorney .*
A. R. Molyneux
2,057
NOVEMBER, 1887. Governor of State.
William Larrabee
1,413-610
T. J. Anderson
803
Auditor.
L. W. Beal
1,449-659
John Donovan
790
Treasurer.
William B. Chick
2,210-2,203
Scattering
7
* This office was created at this date.
Sheriff.
Daniel Unger
1,220-1,211
Daniel Phelan
.1,009
Superintendent of Schools.
Eva L. Gregg
2,182-2,175
Scattering
7
Coroner.
M. Z. Sawtell
1,436-1,419
Scattering
17
Supervisors.
James Archer (Dist. No. 1) .. .
305-
39
A. A. Terrell
266
Moses Hummert (Dist. No. 3).
215-
208
J. C. Marsh
207
J. M. Duncan (Dist. No. 4) ...
183-
88
Levi Pearson
95
JULY, 1888 (SPECIAL).
Proposition to build Court-House to cost
$50,000.
For building court-house and jail 897
Against "
66
"
1,449- 552
NOVEMBER, 1888. President of United States.
Benjamin Harrison .
1,961- 799
Grover Cleveland
1,162
Secretary of State.
Frank D. Jackson.
1,971-1,521
Walter McHenry
450
J. B. Van Court
74
Recorder.
Orson Gage
2,057- 913
J. W. Dywer
1,144
Clerk of Courts.
O. B. Fobes
1,640-
45
H. A. Skarlan.
1,595
County Attorney.
A. R. Molyneau:
1,665- 134
J. D. F. Smith
1,531
Coroner.
Watson Pelton
1,956
Supervisor.
George Johnson (Dist. No. 1). 817
270
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
PROHIBITORY LIQUOR AMENDMENT VOTE.
At the special election held June 27, 1882, the question as to whether the following should become an amendment to the State constitution of Iowa was voted upon:
No person shall manufacture for sale, or sell, or keep for sale, as a beverage, any in- toxicating liquor whatsoever, including ale, - wine and beer.
The subjoined table shows the vote of Cherokee County, exhibited by townships- the same being a creditable reflection upon the moral sentiment of this most highly pro- gressive people:
TOWNSHIP.
For .....
Against.
Spring.
14
11
Cedar.
27 18
Liberty
57
6
Marcus
91
37
Amherst
71
4
Sheridan.
76
36
Cherokee
291
88
Afton
66
26
Pitcher
75
16
Pilot
60
17
Rock
21
40
Tilden
30
11
Grand Meadow
28
3
Willow
44
16
Silver
53 21
Diamond.
61
2
Total
1,065 361
271
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
EDUCATIONAL.%
CHAPTER IX.
S well informed as scholars are in this the noon-day of the nineteenth century, none are well enough versed in ancient day history to trace out the first school sys- tem (if such it may have been styled), that at the very dawn of civilization and human intelligence undertook to instruct the young. It appears like some fixed star, which has been for ages lost in the far-away sky of my- thology and is to-day obscure in the shadows of the dim and misty past. We know some- thing of the history of the schools of old Babylon, at least 3,000 years before the ad- vent of the Christian era -- schools of medi- cine-schools of science-even in the Chinese Empire. We have a fair idea of the schools of Egypt in Moses' time, and the schools and lyceums of Greece, back to the siege of Troy. However, but comparatively little is now known of the mode of teaching in those earlier days, and not until the fifteenth century does it appear there was much in the way of intel- ligent effort toward the instruction of the masses.
In our own time and country the history of education has been a varied one. The Puritans had no sooner landed and established themselves on the wave-washed and stormy
coast of a wild New England shore than they planted the precious seeds, the germ of which is the vital part of our great free pub- lic-school system. These seeds were sown deep, and roots were far-reaching and suf- ficiently strong to enable them to endure the stormns and trials of two and a half centuries, yet unshaken, not disturbed or interrupted in its onward course, or in the least caused to lessen its grip on the free and native soil.
This system, with such modifications as time and surroundings dictated, was brought from that far-away shore-the land of our forefathers, where they turned their faces toward the setting sun; and some of these precious seeds, thus sown, have found lodge- ment in this the great State of Iowa, which to-day ranks first in point of education among the galaxy of forty-two brilliant State-stars, now comprising our Union!
It is conceded by all thinking minds that the safety and perpetuity of our highly prized republican institutions depend upon the diffusion of intelligence among the masses of the people-for we are a self-governed peo- ple. The statistics from prisons and alms- houses throughout our American domain furnish the most abundant proof that edu-
272
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
cation is the best and cheapest cure for crime and pauperism. Again, education is the great equalizer of human rights and conditions. It places the poor and the rich on a inore even footing, both socially and legally. It sub- jects the evil passions and morbid appetites of the rich to the restraint of sense and rea- son, and thus prepares the two classes for positions of usefulness and honor. Every consideration, therefore, impels us to sustain and improve our common-school system to the highest possible degree of efficiency.
Not unlike their Puritan ancestors, the little band known as the Milford Colony, to- gether with the Ohio Colony, who effected the first settlement in Cherokee County, forgot not the benefits of the public schools, but at once established the same here in Iowa.
They came to the State when every act of the Legislature, for a series of years, tended to foster and encourage the public schools.
The Twelfth section of the act of Congress, establishing the Territory of Iowa, declares " that the citizens of Iowa shall enjoy all the rights and privileges hitherto granted to the domain of Wisconsin, from which it was taken." This then brings us within the rights given by the third article of the ordi- nance granted by Congress July 13, 1787- " That religion, morality and knowledge be- ing necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and all the means of education shall be forever en- couraged."
The people of Cherokee County have ever been in accord with these broad and liberal views concerning educational matters, as will be observed by the following report and table concerning the public schools, given by town- ships.
SCHOOL REPORT FOR 1888.
(The following is a partial transcript from School Superintendent Miss Eva L.
Gregg's Annual Report made October 31, 1888:)
TOWNSHIP-DIST.
Graded Rooms.
Ungraded Schools.
Male Teachers Dur-
Female Teachers
During Year.
Total Enrollment.
Cost per Pupil.
Number of Trees on
School Grounds.
Afton ..
9
6
11
246
$2.16
62
Amherst
9
2
9
185
3.62
204
Cedar.
8
3
13
182
2.80
41
Cherokee
7
4
16
123
3.12
261
Diamond ..
9
4
16
138
4.33
127
Grand Meadow
8
3
13
152
3.16
16
Liberty
9
3
10
181
2.63
25
Marcus
7
4
7
133
3.41
Pilot
8
6
13
145
3.50
Pitcher
8
5
6
212
2.18
Rock
8
5
13
178
3.03
68
Sheridan
8
8
8
158
4.30
Silver.
9
8
14
251
2.55
85
Spring
9
14
134
3.32
15
Tilden.
7
2
12
186
2.79
110
Willow
6
4
8
135
2.49
...
Aurelia (Ind.).
4
1
3
145
1.75
164
Marcus (Ind.).
4
1
4
201
2.01
198
Meriden (Ind.).
2
1
1
112
.89
50
New Cherokee(Ind)
9
1
10
655
1.39
48
Total
19 130
67
201
3,802
$2.77 1,474
At the above date of compiling, there were 2,383 males within Cherokee County between the ages of five and twenty-one years; 2,272 between the same ages of females.
The county was provided with 132 frame and two brick school-honses, making total of school buildings 134, which were valued at $92,555. Apparatus, $3,961.
Indeed this is a true record, which any county in the Union of forty-two States can- not excel and of which any may well be prond
" A school house on every hill-top and no saloon within the valleys!"
Great has been the change and material improvement in educational facilities in lowa since Cherokee County was first settled. And it is a pleasing fact to record, that the lady teachers are ardent, successful competitors in the race as instructors. Woman's value was seen and impressed on the mind of our Gen-
...
...
...
. .
·
ing Year.
273
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
eral Assemblies years ago, and finally cul- minated in that enactment which grants woman the next right to that of casting a ballot-namely, the right to be ballotted for. In Iowa, now, a lady can hold the important offices of recorder of deeds, school superin- tendent, school director, etc. In justice to her sex it should be said that the books of record, reports, etc., of the ladies who have been elected to such offices, have been espe- cially well kept. Iowa has been generous in enacting laws for the advancement of women, and now woman is doing her part nobly toward purifying politics. It will be observed by a glance at the report given above, that all the teachers in the hundred and thirty odd schools in Cherokee County are women, except sixty-seven. Two hundred and one ladies teaching in the public schools of this county !
Again, no finer set of county records can be found in all Iowa than those now being kept by Miss Eva L. Gregg, the efficient lady superintendent of schools in Cherokee County, whose efforts are advancing the educational Inatters of the county to a high degree.
THE NORMAL INSTITUTE.
By an act passed by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa in 1873, the county su- perintendents were required to commence and each year hold a teachers' institute at some convenient point in each county, for the drill of those who were teacliers or who intended to teachı. The design was to fur- nish teachers an opportunity to review and enlarge their knowledge of the branchies to be taught, to acquaint themselves with im- proved methods of instruction, etc .; also to awaken an increased desire for self-improve- ment in knowledge and skill and power to control others, and to give them more conti-
dence and ability in managing the affairs of the public schools. For the purpose of de- fraying the expenses incident to such gather- ings, the institute fund was created, to which the State pays $50 a year, the balance being made up by the $100 examination fees paid to the superintendent. While there is no law compelling teachers to attend these Nor- mal Institutes, yet eaclı applicant for a teaclı- er's certificate is required to give good and sufficient reason for not being in attendance.
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