USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 16
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 16
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
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ally. Of course the organization of the University at Iowa City was impracticable, so long as the seat of government was re- tained there.
In January, 1849, two branches of the University and three normal schools were established. The branches were located at Fairfield and Dubuque, and were placed upon an equal footing, in respect to funds and all other matters, with the University at Iowa City. At Fairfield, the Board of Directors organized and erected a building at a cost of $2,500. This was nearly de- stroyed by a hurricane the following year, but was rebuilt more substantially by the citizens of Fairfield. This branch never received any aid from the State, and, Jan- uary 24, 1853, at the request of the Board, the General Assembly terminated its rela- tion to the State. The branch at Dubuque had only a nominal existence.
The normal schools were located at An- drew, Oskaloosa and Mt. Pleasant. Each was to be governed by a Board of seven Trustees, to be appointed by the Trustees of the University. Each was to receive $500 annually from the income of the Uni- versity fund, upon condition that they should educate eight common-school teach- ers, free of charge for tuition, and that the citizens should contribute an equal sum for the erection of the requisite buildings. The school at Andrew was organized No- vember 21, 1849, with Samuel Ray as Principal. A building was commenced, and over $1,000 expended on it, but it was never completed. The school at Oskaloosa was started in the court house, September 13, 1852, under the charge of Prof. G. M. Drake and wife. A two-story brick build- ing was completed in 1853, costing 82,473.
The school at Mt. Pleasant was never or- ganized. Neither of these schools received any aid from the University fund, but in 1857 the Legislature appropriated $1,000 for each of the two schools, and repealed the laws authorizing the payment to them of money from the University fund. From that time they made no further effort to continue in operation.
From 1847 to 1855, the Board of Trus- tees was kept full by regular elections by the Legislature, and the trustees held fre- quent meetings, but there was no actual organization of the University. In March, 1855, it was partially opened for a term of 16 weeks. July 16, 1855, Amos Dean, of Albany, N. Y , was elected President, but he never entered fully upon its duties. The University was again opened in Sep- tember, 1855, and continued in operation until June, 1856, under Professors John- son, Welton, Van Valker burg and Griffin.
The faculty was then re-organized, with some changes, and the University was again opened on the third Wednesday of . September, 1856. There were 124 students (83 males and 41 females) in attendance during the years 1856-7, and the first regu- lar catalogue was published
At a special meeting of the Board, Sep- tember 22, 1857, the honorary degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred on D. Franklin Wells. This was the first degree conferred by the University.
The new constitution, adopted in 1857, definitely fixed the Capital at DesMoines, the State University at Iowa City, and pro- vided that it should have no branches. In December of that year, the old capitol building was turned over to the Trustees of the University. In 1858, $10,000 were
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appropriated for the erection of a board- ing hall. The Board closed the University April 27, 1858, on account of insufficient funds, and dismissed all the faculty except Chancellor Dean. At the same time a res- olution was passed excluding females. This was soon after reversed by the General Assembly.
The University was re-opened Septem- ber 19, 1860, and from this date the real existence of the University dates. Mr. Dean had resigned before this, and Silas Totten, D.D., LL D., was elected President, at a salary of $2,000. August 19, 1862, he resigned, and was succeeded by Prof. Oli- ver M. Spencer. President Spencer was granted leave of absence for fifteen months to visit Europe. Prof. Nathan R. Leonard was elected President pro tem. President Spencer resigning, James Black, D D., Vice-President of Washington and Jeffer- son College, Penn., was elected President. He entered upon his duties in September, 1868.
The Law Department was established in June, 1868, and, soon after, the Iowa Law School, at DesMoines, which had been in successful operation for three years, was transferred to Iowa City and merged in the department.
The Medical Department was established in 1869. Since April 11, 1870, the gov- ernment of the University has been in the hands of a Board of Regents.
Dr. Black resigned in 1870, to take effect December 1; and March 1, 1871, Rev. George Thatcher was elected Presi- dent.
In June, 1874, the chair of military instruction was established, and Lieuten- ant A. D. Schenk, Second Artillery, U. S.
A., was detailed by the President of the United States as Professor of Military . Science and Tactics.
In June, 1877, Dr. Thatcher's connection with the University was terminated, and C. W. Slagle was elected President. He was succeeded in 1878 by J. L. Pickard, LL D., who is the present incumbent.
The University has gained a reputation as one of the leading institutions of the West, and this position will doubtless be maintained. The present educational corps consists of the following, besides President Pickard: in the Collegiate De- partment, nine professors and six in- structors, including the Professor of Mili- tary Science; in the Law Department, a chancellor, two professors and four lec- turers; in the Medical Department, eight professors and ten assistant professors and lecturers.
No preparatory work is done in the University, but different high schools in the State, with approved courses of study, are admitted as preparatory departments of the University, whose graduates are ad- mitted without examination. Common schools, high schools and university are thus made one connected system.
The present number of students in the Collegiate Department is: males, 163; females, 69; total, 232; in Law Depart- ment, 140; in Medical Department, 195.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
This is located at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk county, and was opened in 1876. The institution trains teachers for our schools, and is doing excellent, thoughi limited, work. What is wanted is more
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
room and increased facilities of every kind. Other institutions of a similar kind should also be established throughout the State.
STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The State Agricultural College and Farm were established by act of the Gen- eral Assembly, approved March 23, 1858. The farm was located in Story county, at Ames. In 1862 Congress granted to Iowa 240,000 acres of land for the endowment of schools of agriculture and the mechani- cal arts. In 1864 the Assembly voted $20,000 for the erection of the college building. In 1866 $91,000 more were appropriated for the same purpose. The building was completed in 1868, and the institution was opened in the following year. The college is modeled to some extent after Michigan Agricultural Col- lege.
Tuition is free to pupils from the State over sixteen years of age. Students are required to work on the model farm two and a half hours each day. The faculty is of a very high character, and the institu- tion one of the best of its kind. Sale of spirits, wine and beer as a beverage is for- bidden by law within three miles of the college. The current expenses of this institution are paid by the income from the permanent endowment. A. S. Welch, LL. D., is President, and is assisted by twelve professors and eight instructors. Whole number of students admitted, 2,600; present number, 240. The college farm consists of 860 acres, of which 400 are under cultivation.
Besides the State University, State Agricultural College and State Normal
School, ample provision for higher edn- cation has been made by the different religious denominations, assisted by local and individual munificence. There are, exclusive of State institutions, 23 universi- ties and colleges, 111 academies and other private schools. All these are in active operation, and most of them stand high. A list of the universities and colleges, and a brief notice of each, is herewith given:
Amity College is located at College Springs, Page county. S. C. Marshall is President. There are 6 instructors and 225 students.
Burlington University is located at Bur- lington, Des Moines county. E. F Stearns is President of the faculty. There are 5 instructors and 63 students.
Callanan College is located at Des Moines, Polk county. There are 14 in the faculty, of which C. R. Pomeroy is Presi- dent, and 188 students are enrolled.
Central University is located at Pella, Marian county, It is an institution of the Baptist denomination. Rev. G. W. Gard- ner is President of the faculty, which numbers 7. There are 196 students.
Coe College is located at Cedar Rapids, Linn county. S. Phelps is President. There are 10 in the faculty and 100 students.
Cornell College is located at Mt. Vernon, Linn county, and is under the control of the M. E. Church. W. F. King is Presi- dent. There are 20 instructors and 400
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students. This college is one of the highest in character, and has a large at- tendance.
Drake University is located at Des Moines, Polk county. G. T. Carpenter is President, and is ably assisted by 25 in- structors. There are 125 students.
Griswold College is located at Daven- port, Scott County, and is under the control of the Episcopal Church. W. S. Perry is President. There are 7 instructors and 80 students.
Iowa College is located at Grinnell, Po- weshiek county. G. F. Magoun is Presi- dent. There are 14 instructors and 359 students. The institution is one of the leading colleges in Iowa, and is perma- nently endowed.
Iowa Wesleyan University is located at Mt. Pleasant, Henry county,. W. J. Spaulding is President. There are 6 in the faculty, and over 160 students in at- tendance. The University is under the auspices of the M. E. Church, and enjoys a high degree of prosperity.
Luther College is situated in Decorah, Winneshiek county. L. Larson is Presi- dent of the faculty, which numbers 10. There are 165 students in attendance.
Clin College is located at Olin, Jones county. C. L. Porter is President.
Oskaloosa College is situated in Oska- loosa, Mahaska county. · G. H. McLaugh- lin is President. The faculty numbers 5,
and the students 190. The college stands very high.
Penn College is situated in Oskaloosa, Mahaska county. B. Trueblood is Presi- dent of the faculty, which numbers 5. There are 175 students in attendance.
Simpson Centenary College is located at Indianola, Warren county. E. L. Parks is President. There are 9 instructors and 150 students.
Tabor College is located at Tabor, Fre- mont county. Wn. M. Brooks is Presi- dent. The college was modeled after Oberlin college, in Ohio. The faculty consists of 6, and there are 109 students.
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Upper Iowa University is located at Fayette, Fayette county, and is under the control of the M. E. Church. Rev. J. W. Bissell is President. There are 11 instruc- tors and 850 students. This University stands very high among the educational institutions of the State.
University of Des Moines, at DesMoines, has 5 instructors and 80 students.
Whittier College was established at Salem, Henry county, by the Friends. J. W. Coltrane is President. There are 4 instructors and 105 students.
-Riverside Institute .- This school is located at Lyons, on a beautiful elevation overlooking the Mississippi river. Rev. W. T. Currie is the Principal of this Academy.
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DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE.
By an act of the Legislature of Iowa, approved January 24, 1855, the Iowa Insti- tute for the Deaf and Dumb was estab- lished at Iowa City.
In 1866 a great effort was made to re- move the Institute to DesMoines; but it was finally permanently located at Council Bluffs, and the school opened in a rented building. In 1868 Commissioners were to locate a site, and superintend the erection of new building, for which the Legisla- ture appropriated $125,000. The Com- missioners selected 90 acres of land two miles south of the city.
In October, 1870, the main building and one wing were completed and occupied. In February, 1877, fire destroyed the main building and east wing, and during the summer following a tornado blew off the roof of the new west wing and the walls were partially demolished. About 150 pupils were in attendance at the time of the fire. After that, half of the class were dismissed, and the number of pupils re- duced to 70.
The present officers are: B. F. Clayton, President, Macedonia, term expires in 1886; A Rogers, Secretary, term expires 1884; John H. Stubenranch, term expires in 1884. The county superintendent of schools annually reports all persons of school age that are deaf and dumb; also those too deaf to acquire learning in the common schools. The cost per pupil is $28 per quarter, and is paid by the parents or guardian; but when unable to do so, the expense is borne by the respective county. The regular appropriation is $11,000 per annum, drawn quarterly. Parents and
guardians are allowed to clothe their children.
The whole number admitted to the Institution is 621. Present number, 221. Last biennial appropriation, $27,839.
COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND.
The first person to agitate the subject of an Institute for the Blind was Prof. Sam- uel Bacon, himself blind, who, in 1852, established a school of instruction at Keokuk. The next year the Institute was adopted by the State, and moved to Iowa City, by act of the Legislature, approved January 18, 1853, and opened for the re- ception of pupils, April 4, 1853. During the first term 23 pupils were admitted. Prof. Bacon, the Principal, made his first report in 1854, and suggested that the name be changed.from "Asylum for the Blind " (which was the name first adopted) to that of "Institution for the Instruction of the Blind." This change was made in 1855, and the Legislature made an annual appropriation of $55 per quarter for each pupil; afterward this appropriation was changed to $3,000 per annum.
Prof. Bacon was a fine scholar, an eco- nomical manager, and in every way adapted to his position. During his administration the institution was, in a great measure, self-supporting by the sale of articles manufactured by the blind pupils. There was also a charge of $25 as an admission fee for each pupil. Prof. Bacon founded the Blind Asylum at Jacksonville, Illinois.
In 1858 the citizens of Vinton, Benton county, donated a quarter section of land and $5,000 for the establishment of the asylum at that place. On the 8th of May,
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that same year, the trustees met at Vinton and made arrangements for securing the donation, and adopted a plan for the erec- tion of a suitable building. In 1860 the contract for enclosing was let to Messrs Finkbine and Lovelace, for $10,420. In August, 1862, the goods and furniture were removed from Iowa City to Vinton, and in the fall of the same year the school was opened with 24 pupils.
The institution has been built at a vast expenditure of money, much greater than it seemed to require for the number of occupants. The Legislative Committee, who visited the college in 1878, expressed their astonishment at this utter disregard of the fitness of things. They could not understand why $282,000 should have been expended for a massive building for the accommodation of only 130 people, costing the State over $5,000 a year to heat it, and about $500 a year for each pupil.
The present officers are: Robert Car- others, Superintendent; T. F. McCune, Assistant Superintendent; Trustees: Jacob Springer, President; M. H. Westbrook, J. F. White, C. O. Harrington, W. H. Leavitt, S. H. Watson. Whole number of occupants, 436. Present number, males, 36; females, 50, Salary of superintendent, $1,200; assistant, $700; trustees, $4.00 per day and mileage. Annual appropriation, $8,000, and $128 per year allowed for each pupil. Annual meeting of trustees in June. Biennial appropriation in 1880, $3,000.
IOWA HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE
The Iowa Hospital for the Insane was established by an act of the Legislature, approved January 24, 1855. Gov. Grimes,
Edward Johnson, of Lee county, and Chas. S. Blake, of Henry county, were appointed to locate the institution and superintend the erection of the building; $4,425 were appropriated by the Legislature for the site, and $500 000 for the building. The commissioners located the institution at Mount Pleasant, Henry county, and a plan of the building was drawn by Dr. Bell, of Massachusetts. The building was designed to accommodate 300 patients, and in Octo- ber work commenced, superintended by Henry Winslow. The Legislature had appropriated $258,555.67 before it was completed. One hundred patients were admitted within three months. In April, 1876, a portion of the building was de- stroyed by fire From the opening of the Hospital to the close of October, 1877, there were admitted 3,684 patients. Of these, 1,141 recovered, 505 were improved, 589 were discharged unimproved, and 1 died. During this period 1,384 of the pa- tients were females.
The trustees are elected by the Legisla- ture, and all officers are chosen by the trustees. Superintendents are chosen for six years. Dr. Ranney was first chosen in 1865; salary, $2.000 annual. Whole number of patients admitted, 4,598; present num- ber males, 298; present number females, 235. Trustees paid $5 per day and mile- age, not to exceed 30 days each year. Annual meeting, first Wednesday in Octo- ber; quarterly, January, April and Sep- tember.
Present officers are: Mark Ranney, M. D, Superintendent; H . M. Bassett, M . D., J. P. Brubaker, M. D., and Max Witte, M.D., assistant physicians.
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HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, AT INDEPEND- ENCE.
The Legislature of 1867-8 adopted meas- ures providing for an additional hospital for the insane, and an appropriation of $125,- 000 was made for that purpose. Maturin L. Fisher, of Clayton county, E. G. Mor- gan, of Webster county, and Albert Clark, of Buchanan county, were appointed com- missioners to locate and superintend the erection of a building. These commis- sioners commenced their labors June 8, 1868, at Independence. They were an'hor- ized to select the most desirable location, of not less than 320 acres, within two miles of the city of Independence, that might be offered by the citizens free of charge. They finally selected a site on the west side of the Wapsipinicon river, about a mile from its banks, and about the same distance from Independence. The contract for building was awarded to David Arm strong, of Dubuque, for $88,114. It was signed November 7, 1868, and work was immediately commenced. George Josse- lyn was appointed superintendent of the work. The first meeting of the trustees was called in July, 1872 At the Septem- ber meeting, Albert Reynolds, M. D, was elected Superintendent of the Hospital; George Josselyn, Steward, and Mrs. Anna B. Josselyn, Matron.
The Hospital opened May 1,1873. Whole number of patients admitted, 2,000; pres- ent number (1882), 533; males, 290; fe- males, 243. Biennial appropriation (1880), $35,300.
The present officers are: G. H. Hill, Superintendent; term expires in 1882; salary, $1,600. H. G. Brainard, M. D.,
Assistant Superintendent; salary, $1,000. Noyes Appleman, Steward; salary, $900. Mrs. Lucy M. Gray, Matron; salary, $600.
SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME.
This institution is located at Davenport, Scott county, and was originated by Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, during the late rebel- lion. This noble woman called a conven- tion at Muscatine, September 7, 1863, for the purpose of devising means for the education and support of the orphan chil- dren of Iowa, whose fathers lost their lives in defending their country's honor. The public interest in the movement was so great that all parts of the State were largely represented, and an association was organized, called the Iowa State Orphan Asylum. The first meeting of the trus- tees was held' February 14, 1864, at Des Moines, when Gov. Kirkwood suggested that a home for disabled soldiers should be connected with the Asylum, and arrange -. ments were. made for raising funds. At the next meeting, in Davenport, the fol- lowing month, a committee was appointed, of which Mr. Howell, of Keokuk, was chairman, to lease a suitable building, solicit donations, and procure suitable furniture. This committee secured a large brick building in Lawrence, Van Buren county, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mount Pleasant, as Steward. The work of prepa- ration was conducted so vigorously that July 13, following, the executive commit- tee announced that they were ready to receive children. Within three weeks 21 were admitted, and in a little more than six months the soldiers' orphans admitted numbered 70.
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Miss M. Elliott, of Washington, was appointed the first Matron, but she resigned the following February, and was succeeded by Mrs. E G. Platt, of Fremont county.
The Home was sustained by voluntary contributions, until 1866, when it was taken charge of by the State. The Leg- islature appropriated $10 per month for each orphan actually supported, and pro- vided for the establishment of three homes, The one in Cedar Falls was organ- ized in 1865; an old hotel building was fitted up for it, and by the following Jan- uary there were 96 inmates. In October, 1869, the Home was removed to a large brick building about two miles west of Cedar Falls, and was very prosperous for several years; but in 1876 the Legislature devoted this building to the State Normal School. The same year the Legislature also devoted the buildings and grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, at Glenwood, Mills county, to an Institution for the Sup- port of Feeble-Minded Children. It also provided for the removal of the soldiers' orphans at Glenwood and Cedar Falls Homes to the institution located at Daven- port.
The present officers are: S. W. Pierce, ¡Superintendent; Mrs. F. W. Pierce, Matron. . Whole number admitted, 1,525; present number, males, 79; females, 90. The 18th Grand Army Corps appropriated $2,000 to build eight cottages, school house and other buildings; these have been completed, and the home will, when finished, accommo- date 200 children. Superintendent's sal- ary, $1,200 per annum. Trustees are elected for two years.
ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN.
An act of the General Assembly, ap- proved March 17, 1878, provided for the establishment of an asylum for feeble- minded children at Glenwood, Mills county; and the buildings and grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place were taken for this purpose. The asylum was placed under the management of three trustees, one of whom should be a resident of Mills County.
The grounds to be used were found to be in a very dilapidated condition, and thorough changes were deemed necessary. The institution was opened September 1, 1876, and the first pupil admitted Septem- ber 4. By November, 1877, the number of pupils had increased to 87. The whole number admitted has been 257. Present inmates number 200.
PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
The first penal institution was estab- lished by an act of the Territorial Legisla- ture,- approved January 25, 1839. This act authorized the Governor to draw the sum of $20,000, appropriated by an act of Congress in 1838, for public buildings in the Territory of Iowa. It provided for a Board of Directors, consisting of three persons, to be elected by the Legislature, who should superintend the building of a penitentiary to be located within a mile of the public square, in the town of Fort Madison, county of Lee, provided that the latter deeded a suitable tract of land for the purpose, also a spring or stream of water for the use of the penitentiary.
The first directors were John S. David and John Claypole. They were given the power of appointing the warden, the latter
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to appoint his own assistants. The citizens of Fort Madison executed a deed of 10 acres of land for the building, and Amos Ladd was appointed superintendent June 5, 1839. The work was soon entered upon, and the main building and warden's house were completed in the fall of 1841. It continued to meet with additions and im- provements until the arrangements were all completed according to the design of the directors. The estimated cost of the building was $55,933.90, and was designed of sufficient capacity to accommodate 138 convicts.
Iowa has adopted the enlightened policy of humane treatment of prisoners, and utilizes their labor for their own support. Their labor is let out to contractors, who pay the State a stipulated sum therefor, the latter furnishing shops, tools, ma- chinery, etc, and the supervision of the convicts.
The present officers of the prison are: E. C. McMillen, Warden, elected 1878 and 1880; Hiel Hale, Deputy Warden; W. C. Gunn, Chaplain; A. W. Hoffmeister, Physician; M. T. Butterfield, Clerk.
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