USA > Iowa > Floyd County > History of Floyd County, Iowa : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 21
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The medical department was established in 1869.
Since April 11, 1870, the government of the University has been in the hands of a Board of Regents.
Dr. Black resigned in 1870, to take effect Dec. 1, and March 1, 1871, Rev. Geo. Thatcher was elected president.
In June, 1874, the chair of military instruction was established, and Lieut. 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.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
The University has gained a reputation as one of the leading institutions of the West, and this position will doubtless be main- tained. The present educational corps consists of the following, besides President Pickard: in the collegiate department, nine profes- sors and six instructors, including the professor of military science; in the law department, a chancellor, two professors and four lectur- ers; 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 grad- uates are admitted 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 department, 140; in med- ical 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, though limited, work. What is wanted is more room, and increased facilities of every kind. Other institu- tions 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 General 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 agri- culture and the mechanical 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 com- pleted in 1868, and the institution was opened in the following year. The college is modeled to some extent after Michigan Ag- ricultural College.
Tuition is free to pupils from the State over 16 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 institution one of the best of its kind. Sale of spirits, wine and beer as a beverage is forbidden by law within three miles of the College. The current expenses of this institution are paid by the
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income from the permanent endowment. A. S. Welch, LL. D., is president, and is assisted by 12 professors and eight instructors. Whole number of students admitted, 2,600; present number, 240. The College Farm comprises 860 acres, of which 400 are in cultiva- tion.
DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE.
By an act of the Legislature of Iowa, approved Jan. 24, 1855, the Iowa Institute for the Deaf and Dumb was established at Iowa City.
In 1866 a great effort was made to remove the Institute to Des Moines; but it was finally permanently located at Council Bluffs, and the school opened in a rented building. In 1868 Commis- sioners were appointed to locate a site, and superintend the erection of new buildings, for which the Legislature appropriated $125,000. The commissioners selected 90 acres of land two miles south of the city.
In October, 1870, the main building and one wing were com- pleted and occupied. In February, 1877, fire destroyed the main building and east wing, and during the summer following, a tor- nado 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 the classes were dismissed and the number of pupils reduced 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 superin- tendent 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 appropria- tion is $11,000 per annum, drawn quarterly. Parents and guard- ians are allowed to clothe their children.
The whole number admitted to the Institute 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. Samuel Bacon, himself blind, who, in 1852, estab- lished a school of instruction at Keokuk. The next year the Insti-
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tute was adopted by the State, and moved to Iowa City, by act of the Legislature, approved Jan. 18, 1853, and opened for the recep- tion 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 economical 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, that same year, the trustees met at Vinton and made arrangements for securing the donation, and adopted a plan for the erection of a suitable building. In 1860, the contract for enclosing was let to Messrs. Finkbine & Lovelace, for $10,420. In August, 1862, the goods and furniture were re- moved 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 occu- pants. The Legislative Committee, who visited the College in 1878, expressed their astonishinent 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 accom- modation 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 Carothers, 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 superintend- ent, $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 appropri- ation in 1880, $3,000.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
IOWA HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
The Iowa Hospital for the Insane was established by an act of the Legislature, approved Jan. 24, 1855. Gov. Grimes, Edward Johnston, of Lee County, and Charles S. Blake, of Henry County, were appointed to locate the institution and superintend the erection of the building; $4,425 were appropriated by the Legis- lature for the site, and $50,000 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 October work commenced, superintended by Henry Winslow. The building was not ready for occupancy until March, 1861. 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 destroyed 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, and 589 were discharged unimproved; 1 died. During this period, 1,384 of the patients were females.
The trustees are elected by the Legislature, and all officers are chosen by the trustees. Superintendents are chosen for six years. Dr. Ranney was first chosen in 1865; his present term expires in 1886; salary, $2,000 per annum. Whole number of patients ad- mitted, 4,598; present number of males, 298; present number of females, 235. Trustees are paid $5.00 per day and mileage, not to exceed 30 days each year. Annual meeting, first Wednesday in October; quarterly, January, April and September.
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.
HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, AT INDEPENDENCE.
The Legislature of 1867-'8 adopted measures 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. Morgan, of Webster County, and Albert Clark, of Buchanan County, were appointed commissioners to locate and superintend the erection of a building. These commissioners commenced their labors June 8, 1868, at Independence. They were authorized to select the most desirable location, of not less than 320 acres, within
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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 Armstrong, of Dubuque, for $88,114. It was signed Nov. 7, 1868, and work was immediately commenced. George Josselyn was appointed superintendent of the work. The first meeting of the trustees was called in July, 1872. At the September meeting, Albert Reynolds, M. D., was elected Superin- tendent 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; present number (1882), 533; males, 290; females, 243. Biennial appropriation, 1880, $35,300.
The present officers are: G. H. Hill, Superintendent, term ex- pires 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 Rebellion. This noble woman called a convention at Muscatine, Sept. 7, 1853, for the purpose of devising means for the education and support of the orphan children of Iowa, whose fathers lost their lives in defending their country's honor. The public interest in the move- ment was so great that all parts of the State were largely repre- sented, and an association was organized, called the Iowa State Orphan Asylum. The first meeting of the trustees was held Feb. 14, 1864, at Des Moines, when Gov. Kirkwood suggested that a home for disabled soldiers should be connected with the Asylum, and arrangements were made for raising funds. At the next meeting, in Davenport, the following 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 Law- rence, Van Buren County, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mount Pleasant, as Steward. The work of preparation was conducted so vigorously that July 13, following, the executive committee an- nounced 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 Legislature appropriated $10 per month for each orphan actually supported, and provided for the establishment of three Homes. The one in Cedar Falls was organized in 1865, an old hotel building was fitted up for it, and by the following January 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 support of feeble-minded children. It also provided for the removal of the soldiers' orphans at Glenwood and Cedar Falls Homes to the insti- tution at Davenport.
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 appro- priated $2,000 to build eight new cottages, school-house and other buildings; these have been completed, and the Home will, when furnished, accommodate 200 children. Superintendent's salary, $1,200 per annum. Trustees are elected for two years.
ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN.
An act of the General Assembly approved March 17, 1876, pro- vided 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 in a very dilapidated condi- tion, and thorough changes were deemed necessary. The institu- tion was opened Sept. 1, 1876, and the first pupil admitted Sept. 4. By November, 1877, the number of pupils had increased to 87. The whole number admitted has been 257. Present inmates number 200.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
THE PENITENTIARY.
The first penal institution was established by an act of the Terri- torial Legislature, approved Jan. 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 build- ing 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 to appoint his own assistants. The citizens of Fort Madison exe- cuted 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 improvements until the arrangements were all completed ac- cording 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, machinery, etc., and the supervision of the convicts.
The present officers of the prison are: E. C. Mc Millen, War- den, elected 1878 and 1880; Hiel Hale, Deputy Warden; W. C. Gunn, Chaplain, A. W. Hoffmeister, Physician; M. T. Butterfield, Clerk.
The whole number of convicts admitted up to the present time (1882) is 3,387. Number of males in 1881, 350; females, 3; num- ber of guards,3 3. The warden is chosen biennially by the Leg- islature, and receives a salary of $2,000 per annum.
ANAMOSA PENITENTIARY.
In 1872 the first steps toward the erection of a prison at Ana- mosa, Jones County, were taken, and by an act of the General As- sembly, approved April 23, this year, William Ure, Foster L.
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Downing and Martin Heisey were appointed commissioners to construct and control prison buildings. They met on the 4th of June following, and selected a site donated by the citizens of Ana- mosa. The plan, drawings and specifications were furnished by L. W. Foster & Co., of Des Moines, and work on the building was commenced Sept. 28, 1872. In 1873, 20 convicts were trans- ferred from the Fort Madison prison to Anamosa.
The officers of the Anamosa prison are: A. E. Martin, Warden; L. B. Peet, Deputy Warden; Mrs. A. C. Merrill, Chaplain; L. J. Adair, Physician; T. P. Parsons, Clerk. The whole num- ber admitted since it was opened is 816. Number of males in 1882, 133; females, 2. Salaries of officers the same as those of the Fort Madison penitentiary.
BOYS' REFORM SCHOOL.
By act approved March 31, 1868, the General Assembly· estab- lished a reform school at Salem, Henry County, and provided for a board of trustees, to consist of one person from each Congressional District. The trustees immediately leased the property of the Iowa Manual Labor Institute, and Oct. 7 following the school received its first inmate. The law at first provided for the admission of children of both sexes under 18 years of age. The trustees were directed to organize a separate school for girls.
In 1872 the school was permanently located at Eldora, Hardin County, and $45,000 were appropriated for the necessary buildings.
In 1876 the law was so amended that only children over seven and under 16 years of age are admitted.
The children are taught the elements of education, in particular the useful branches, and are also trained in some regular course of labor, as is best suited to their age, disposition and capacity. They are kept until they arrive at majority, unless bound out to some responsible party, which relieves the State of their care. Occasion- ally they are discharged before the age of 21, for good conduct.
The institution is managed by five trustees, elected by the Legis- lature. Whole number of boys admitted, 818. There are 204 inmates at present, and also 63 in the girls' department, at Mitchell- ville. The biennial appropriation for 1880 was $16,900.
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STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
By act of the General Assembly approved Jan. 28, 1857, a State Historical Society was provided for in connection with the Uni- versity. At the commencement, an appropriation of $250 was made, to be expended in collecting and preserving a library of books, pamphlets, papers, paintings and other materials illustrative of the history of Iowa. There was appropriated the sum of $500 per annum to maintain this society. The management consists of a board of 18 curators, nine appointed by the governor, and nine elected by vote of the society.
The State Historical Society has published a series of very valuable collections, including history, biography, sketches, remi- niscences, etc., with quite a large number of finely engraved portraits of prominent and early settlers, under the title of " Annals of Iowa."
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
This society is conducted under the auspices of the State, and is one of the greatest promoters of the welfare of the people under the management of the State government. It should receive more pecuniary assistance than it does. The Society holds an annual Fair, which has occurred at Des Moines since 1878. At its meetings subjects are discussed of the highest interest and value, and these proceedings are published at the expense of the State.
The officers are a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer and five directors. The last hold office for two years, and the other officers one year.
FISH HATCHING-HOUSE.
This was established in 1874, and has for its object the supplying of rivers and lakes with valuable fish. The General Assembly first appropriated the sum of $3,000. Three fish commissioners were appointed, and the State is divided into three districts, one for each commissioner. The Hatching-House was erected near Anamosa, Jones County, and is conducted in the same manner as similar houses in other States. Since 1876 there has been but one com- missioner, B. F. Shaw. Mr. Shaw is enthusiastic in his work, and has distributed hundreds of thousands of small fish of various kinds in the rivers and lakes of Iowa. The 16th General Assembly passed an act in 1878 prohibiting the catching of any kind of fish except brook trout from March until June of each year.
EDUCATIONAL
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
In no subject connected with our civilization and progress have the people taken so deep an interest as in that of education. The public schools have especially engaged the attention of our best citizens and legislators. The germ of the free public-school system of Iowa, which now ranks second to none in the United States, was planted by the first settlers. They had migrated to the " Beauti- ful Land" from older States, where they had enjoyed to some ex- tent its advantages, and they determined that their children should be similarly favored, in the land of their adoption.
The system thus planted was expanded and improved until now it is justly considered one of the most complete, comprehensive and liberal in the country. Nor is this to be wondered at when it is remembered that humble log school-houses were built almost as soon as the log cabins of the earliest settlers were occupied by their brave builders. In the lead-mining regions of the State, the first to be occupied by the white race, the hardy pioneer provided the means for the education of their children, even before they had comfortable dwellings for their families. School-teachers were among the first immigrants to Iowa. Wherever a little settlement was made, the school-house was the first thing undertaken by the settlers in a body ; and the rude, primitive structures of the early time only disappeared when the communities increased in population and wealth, and were able to replace them with more commodious and comfortable buildings. Perhaps in no single instance has the magnificent progress of the State of Iowa been more marked and rapid than in her common-school system and in her school-houses, which, long since, superseded the log cabins of the first settlers. To-day the school-houses which everywhere dot the broad and fertile prairies of Iowa are unsurpassed by those of any other State in this great Union. More especially is this true in all her cities and villages, where liberal and lavish appropriations have been voted, by a . generous people, for the erection of large, commodious and elegant
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buildings, furnished with all the modern improvements, and cost- ing from $10,000 to $60,000 each. The people of the State have expended more than $10,000,000 for the erection of public school buildings.
The first school-house within the limits of Iowa was a log cabin at Dubuque, built by J. L. Langworthy, and a few other miners, in the autumn of 1833. When it was completed, George Cabbage was employed as teacher during the winter of 1833-'4, and 35 pupils attended his school. Barrett Whittemore taught the school term, with 25 pupils in attendance. Mrs. Caroline Dexter com- menced teaching in Dubuque in March, 1836. She was the first female teacher there, and probably the first in Iowa. In 1839, Thomas H. Benton, Jr., afterward for 10 years Superintendent of Public Instruction, opened an English and classical school in Dubuque. The first tax for the support of schools at Dubuque was levied in 1840.
At Burlington, a commodious log school-house, built in 1834, was among the first buildings erected. A Mr. Johnson taught the first school in the winter of 1834-'5.
In Muscatine County, the first school was taught by George Bumgardner, in the spring of 1837. In 1839, a log school-house was erected in Muscatine, which served for a long time as school- house, church and public hall.
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