USA > Iowa > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882 > Part 45
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On motion of Stephen B. Gardner, the meeting was organized by appointing Jno. M. Colman, president pro tem, and James P. Carleton, secretary pro tem. On motion of P. H. Patterson, the meeting proceeded to an election of officers, Jesse Bowen and A. E. McArthur acting as tellers.
383
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
On the first ballot Rev. Jas. L. Thompson was elected president; on the first ballot Anson Hart was elected secretary, and on the second ballot Augustus E. McArthur was elected treasurer.
The officers having taken their seats, on motion, a committee was appointed to draft a code of by-laws for the government of the board, and required to report the same at the next meeting. John M. Colman, Wil- liam C. Reagan, James P. Carleton, Jesse Bowen and Joseph Williams were appointed said committee. On motion of P. H. Patterson, it was decided that measures be adopted to procure as soon as practicable, a competent professor of languages; whereupon a committee was appointed for that purpose, consisting of Peter H. Patterson, John M. Colman, and Jas. L. Thompson, with power to make arrangements with the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in this city, for suitable rooms in said church, for college purposes, until such time as a college edifice shall be erected; said committee was also authorized to solicit donations either by the employment of an agent, or otherwise, as they may think proper, for the purpose of carrying into effect the objects of the charter, and also to employ forthwith a male and a female teacher for the primary department of the college.
A committee, consisting of Rev. B. Weed and George B. Bowman, was appointed to lay before the Rock River Conference, at its next annual meeting, the charter of this institution, and the proceedings of the board, and to solicit the conference to take the institution under its patronage. On motion, a ten cent piece with the name of the president written across it was adopted as a seal for the present use of the board, and Jesse Bowen appointed to procure from an artist of this city, a permanent seal for the institution. It was ordered, that the secretary procure the publication in the papers of this city of the proceedings of this meeting, signed by the president and countersigned by the secretary. On motion, the board adjourned to meet on the last Monday in May next, at 1 o'clock P. M., at the office of Patterson & Carleton.
JAMES L. THOMPSON, President.
ANSON HART, Secretary.
SNETHEN SEMINARY.
In 1844 the Methodist Protestant denomination established a school at Iowa City with the above title.
A religious paper, called The Colporteur, was commenced to be published at Iowa City in November, 1844, and the first number of it speaks thus of the "Snethen Seminary:"
After the Rev. Mr. Talbot had contracted for the Mechanics Academy, in Iowa City, for a common school department, as well as for a department to qualify youth to enter upon their collegiate course of study, the quarterly conference in the M. P. Church of Iowa City, in order to afford to young men the facility of completing their whole course of study without removal,, resolved to establish a collegiate and theological
384
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
department in their meeting-house, both stories of which were to be fitted up for the purpose, and occupied till other necessary buildings could be obtained. It was also resolved to throw the seminary, thus organized, under the control of the annual conference.
The conference adopted an elaborate plan of organization and manage- ment, providing a preparatory, a collegiate, and a theological department, with a specially extensive curriculum for the latter. The managers appointed were:
Trustees .- William Patterson, John C. Coleman, Wm. B. Snyder, Thomas Snyder, treasurer; E. Metcalf, L. S. Swafford, John Conn. -
Professors .- Nicholas Snethen, president; Wm. K. Talbot, John N. Coleman, Ward D. Talbot, W. B. Snyder, of sacred music.
The same pauper contains report of $290 contributed for this seminary in small sums by members of the M. P.denomination in Illinois. But nev- ertheless it was a "weak sister," and never gained any very substantial foothold or fame as an institution of learning, and soon died out entirely. The M. P. denomination was a combination of Methodist doctrine with Congregational church polity-that is, Methodists who rejected the epis- copacy or government by bishops.
INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND
Was established at Iowa City, January 10, 1833, with Samuel Bacon as principal. Mr. Bacon himself was a blind man; and it is remembered as a remarkable circumstance that he would go alone all over the city, would find any store or office he wished to, and could recognize persons he was acquainted with by their walk, even before hearing them speak. The legislature appropriated $3,000 per annum for the support of this institute, to which was added $25 admission fee for each pupil. By the judicious management of Mr. Bacon, a surplus of $5,000 was deposited in the treasury at the time of his relinquishing the charge of the institution. It was removed to Vinton, Iowa, in 1862.
Mr. Bacon afterward went to Nebraska and the State blind asylum at Nebraska City was established under his management in 1875. The writer hereof has often seen him going about the streets of that city entirely alone, just as he used to do here. His facility in this regard was a stand- ing marvel to the people.
The following additional points are of Johnson county interest.
First Board of Trustees .- Robert Walker, of Johnson county, president; Geo. W. McCleary, of Johnson county, secretary; Robert Huchinson, of Johnson county, treasurer. Samuel Bacon, principal of the institution.
Number of blind reported in the State in 1859, 190; number of pupils in the institution, 36. From the report of Mr. S. Bacon, superintendent, made to the legislature in December, 1854, the following is taken:
"The course of instruction and division of time is as follows: The pupils rise at half-past 5 o'clock A. M .; geography from 6 to 7, breakfast and recess from 7 to 8, arithmetic and algebra from 8 to 9, recess ten minutes, one hour grammar and writing, ten minutes recess, one hour instrumental
385
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
music and reading print; from 12:30 to 2 P. M., dinner and recess; from 2 to 5 the pupils are engaged in some kind of work, the males in the manu- facture of brooms, &c., the females in sewing, knitting and bead work; supper and recess from 5 to 7, history from 7 to 8. The younger pupils retire at 9, the older ones at 10 P. M. In addition to the above course, the pupils receive instruction on the piano, and geometry is taught to a small class. The news of the day is read to the pupils from the various papers sent to the institution, gratis. The pupils evince a great interest in their various pursuits, and feel grateful that there is a place provided for their education.
"For the support of the institution the legislature made an appropriation of $3,000 per annum, to which was added a charge of $25 as an admis- sion fee for each pupil. This sum, together with the amount realized from the sale of articles manufactured by the pupils, such as brooms, brushes, &c., proved sufficient, under the judicious management of Mr. Bacon, to defray all the expenses of the institution, and leave an annual surplus in the treasury, which amounted, at the time of Mr. Bacon's removal, to $5,000. Mr. Bacon is blind, having lost his sight in the eighth year of his age. He was educated at the Institute for the Blind, at Columbus, Ohio. He organized and established the Blind Asylum at Jacksonville, Ill. Mr. B. is a ripe scholar, and as a mathematician is excelled by few. In his removal from the superintendency of the institution, the public have sus- tained a great loss, and the pupils have been deprived of a most efficient manager and sincere friend.
"By an act of the legislature, the institution was removed to Vinton, in Benton county, in the year 1862."
DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE.
The Institution for the Deaf and Dumb was established at Iowa City by an act of the legislature of January 24, 1855. The number of deaf mutes then in the State was 301; number of pupils attending the institu- tion, 50. The first board of trustees was composed of the following named gentlemen: Hon. S. J. Kirkwood, Hon. E. Sells, W. Penn Clarke, J. P. Wood, H. D. Downey, Wm. Crum, and W. E. Ijams, principal. On the resignation of Mr. Ijams in 1862, the board appointed in his stead Mr. Benjamin Talbot, for nine years a teacher in the Ohio Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, who came well recommended as a suitable person to fill the position. He pledged to the institution a hearty devotion to its inter- ests, and the most earnest efforts to secure its advancement; and right well has he redeemed his pledge. The number of admissions to the insti- tution for the year 1862-3 was 63; for the year 1863-4, the number was 64. The following is a list of the trustees and officers for the year 1866-7:
Trustees-Gov. Wm. M. Stone, ex-officio, Hon. Ed. Wright, secretary of state, ex-officio, Hon. D. F. Wells, superintendent of public instruction, ex-officio.
Officers .- N. H. Brainerd, president; B. Talbot, ex-officio, secretary ; Thomas J. Cox, treasurer; T. M. Banbury, M. B. Cochran, M. D., Ben- amin Talbot, A. M., principal.
.
386
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
Assistant Teachers, etc .- Edwin Southwick, Ellen J. Israel, Conrad S. Zorbaugh, Henry A. Turton, Miss Lou J. Turton, Mrs. Mary B. Swan, matron; Mrs. Mary M. Askens, assistant matron; T. S. Mahan, M. D., physician.
FIRST SCHOOL FUND APPORTIONMENT.
March 1, 1847, all of the townships except Monroe had made return of their school census-children between the ages of 5 and 21 years- according to law, and received their first apportionment of school funds. (Naughty Monroe got none.) The following report of the county treas- urer shows from what sources the school fund was at that time derived: Am't rec'd for grocery licenses, fines, etc., in my last report. $141.60
Am't rec'd for school tax in my former report ... 166.86
Am't rec'd for grocery licenses and fines since my last report 30.00
Am't rec'd for school tax since my former report. 125.00
Total
$463.46
The record then continues:
The whole amount of school funds as reported by the treasurer in his hands on the Sth day of March, 1847, being $463.46, and the whole num- ber of children in ten townships as returned by the school inspectors in the township on and before the first day of March, 1847, being 1,142.
I have proceeded on this 9th day of March, 1847, to make an appor- tionment of the above fund among the townships, as follows, to-wit:
To Iowa City township, having +13 children, the sum of $170.60
66 Big Grove 66
147
66
66
60,73
" Liberty
111
66
66
45.86
66 Washington 66
96
66
66
39.57
66 Newport 66 66
91
66
66
. .
37.61
66 Pleas'nt Valley
66
59
66
66
24.38
66 Scott
59
66
66
24.38
Penn
66
66
59
66
66
66
24.38
Clear Creek 66
47
66
19.42
66 Cedar
66
40
66
60
66
66 16.53 .
Whole number returned . . 1122
Whole am't sch'l fund. . $463.46
March 9, order given to Isaac Bowen, chairman of school inspec-
tors in Scott twp., on treasurer for.
$ 24.38
March 11, order given to Robert Walker of Pleasant Valley twp. 24.3S
March 31, order given to A. Gilliland of Clear Creek twp.
19.42
24.38 April 12, order given to F. Bowman of Penn twp.
45.86
June 16, order to J. H. Stover of Iowa City twp.
170.60
July 9, order to B. Henyon, Newport twp.
37 61
Sept. 18, order to S. H. Bonham, Washington twp. 39.57
Nov. 13, order to D. W. Spurrier, Big Grove twp
60.73
SCHOOL FUND APPORTIONMENT-1875.
"The following is the April apportionment of school funds for Johnson county, for the year 1875. This apportionment includes the collections
May £ 4, order given to Wm. B. Ford of Liberty twp.
387
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
of teachers, school house, contingent and special teacher's funds, for the quarter ending April 1, 1875, and the first semi-annual apportionment of the temporary fund for 1875:
Township.
Amount
Township.
Amount
Cedar.
2,200.27
Washington
2,088.70
Big Grove
1,976.57
Sharon .
2,358.70
Jefferson
1,201.06
Liberty.
1,555.24
Monroe.
1,919.66
Fremont.
2,392.08
Oxford
2,182.08
Pleasant Valley
894.67
Hardin .
860.40
Lincoln.
1,418.84
Madison
1,240.56
Lucas.
3,861.10
Penn.
988.53
Iowa City
11,696.03
Clear Creek
1,229.52
Newport
1,403.04
Graham
2,403.05
Scott .
1,732.69
Total
$49,102.18
LOVELL SWISHER, Treasurer.
SCHOOL FUNDS IN 1881.
The State Auditor made in 1881 two apportionments of interest from the permanent school fund of the State. One of these apportionments was made on the 7th day of March, and the other on the 5th of Septem- ber. Johnson county was apportioned $4,146.40 for the year, on the basis of forty cents. for each youth of school age, the total number of whom as reported was 10,366. But it seems that the amount of the State school interest fund only admitted of the sum of $2,208.34, being apportioned to Johnson county, leaving a deficiency due her of $1,938.06 for the year; and accordingly warrants on the revenue were drawn in her favor for this deficiency.
This historian requested the county superintendent to furnish for this history a statement for 1882, of total number of school children in the county ; number, value, and location of school houses; number of teachers employed; average salaries; school tax levy; etc., etc. But no such state- ment has been received. The following statement published in 1870 is worth preserving here:
In 1869, there were 136 schools, and 129 school buildings; nine of brick, two of stone, 115 frame, and three of logs, with an average attendance of 6,843 pupils, and 117 teachers. In addition to this there are seven private schools and two colleges. The average cost of tuition per pupil was thirty-five cents per week, and $28,739 84 was paid for instruction in the county schools. Value of school buildings $112,478 00.
THE JOHNSON COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.
At the teachers' institute in August, 1880, Supt. Wilson Blaine sug- gested that a teachers' association of Johnson county be organized; and by his personal effort an organization was effected. J. C. Armentrout was
Ind. Dist. Coralville. .
666.22
Ind. Dist. West Branch.
77.45
Union
3,035.72
388
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
elected president; and the vice-presidents were, Miss Lydia McKray, Miss Tillie Dearman and Miss M. L. Slaight. Recording secretary, J. F. Wicks; corresponding secretary, Ed. S. Loyd; treasurer, Miss Allie Hazen.
During the first year of its organization the association held two regular meetings at Iowa City. Under the direction of the executive committee, township organizations have been formed in Union, Washington, and Fremont townships. The regular meetings of these associations have been well attended, and the teachers have responded cheerfully to the work assigned them by the executive committee.
The Johnson County Teacher's Association met at the Iowa City High School building, Friday, August 25, 1882. The forenoon was devoted to literary exercises. The afternoon session closed with the election of offi- cers, as follows:
President-Wilson Blaine.
Vice-Presidents -- Miss Carrie Lewis, Ima Brooks and Maggie Paulus. Recording Secretary-Miss Nellie Clearman.
Corresponding Secretary-Mr. Roland Sherburn.
Treasurer-Miss Hattie Applegate.
Executive Committee-Prof. J. C. Armentrout, Prof. Amos Hiatt, Miss Hattie Smith and Miss Emma Vandenburg.
LOCAL HISTORY OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
The origin and general history of the State University is given in the general State history which occupies the earlier pages of this volume. But there are many matters pertaining to the University, which are more especially local to Iowa City and Johnson county-and these are presented here.
THE OLD CAPITOL BUILDING.
The old capitol building, now the key-stone of the University group, will doubtless continue for many years to be the most important edifice in Johnson county. Hence, the following report on the progress of its erec- tion, the difficulties encountered, where building materials were procured, etc., is worth preserving:
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, IOWA CITY, December 1, 1842.
To the Honorable, the Council and the House of Representatives :
In obedience to law, I hereby submit my annual report, as Superintend- ent of public buildings at Iowa City. On entering upon the duties of my office, I received from my predecessor tools used in the quarry, and for the workmen in the building; also, a set of blacksmith tools, some iron, and some steel; likewise, the window frames and sash for the two upper stories of the capitol, a portion of the timber for the roof, which was
.
389
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
partly framed, some oak flooring, and some rough boards, and other tim- ber on and about the building. My first object was to consult the territo- rial agent, in relation to the means within his control for carrying on the work. I examined the old quarry, and found that the means of the office would not justify even a commencement there. I lost no time in making the necessary examinations, and succeeded in finding a fine bed of rock on the bank of the Iowa river, about ten miles northeast of the city, which presented a very promising appearance. Immediately, I set hands to work to open the quarry, and also in preparing boats for the transporta- tion of the rock, and on the first day of April commenced stone cutting at the capitol. On the commencement of the masonry, the walls of the cap- itol presented a very irregular appearance, varying in height about seven feet, the east front being to the top of the upper windows, while a part of the west front was but a little above the lower part of the same tier of windows. The east front has been carried up from the lower part of the antæ-caps a height of eight feet, and a portion of the west front has been carried up fifteen feet. I succeeded in completing the south gable, but owing to the low stage of the river in the fall, it was impossible to trans- port rock down, for the north gable end, except at an increased expense, which would have been incompatible with the state of the funds in the hands of the agent. I therefore enclosed it roughly with boards.
The whole number of cubic feet laid into the walls of the capitol, since the first of last April, are fifteen thousand, eight hundred and eighty-three. Of superficial feet of cut stone, four hundred and fifty-six, and of superfi- cial feet in moulded cut stone, or antæ-caps, four hundred and eight. The masonry of this part of the building has been the most expensive, it being nearly all solid, and the face of it all cut stone.
The roof is substantially framed, and braced with strong iron bars and bolts at every part where it was thought to be necessary to add to its strength and durability. It is covered with Alleghany pine shingles, which were purchased at Cincinnati. The roofs of the porticos are framed and extended to the front of the building, in a situation to be joined to, with convenience, when the porticos are ready for covering. The cornices are in an unfinished state. The cupola is completed to its first contraction or diminish, and temporarily covered.
Four rooms have been prepared, and every arrangement made for the accommodation and comfort of the legislature in the new edifice that has been in my power to make. And I mainly attribute the consummation of the favorable result, to the untiring energy and skillful management of the territorial agent in the financial department. The law defin- ing the duties of the Superintendent of Public Buildings, requiring him to keep an account of the expenditures, has to some extent been superseded by the act of last session, which requires the territorial agent to sell lots for work and materials on the capitol. I therefore refer your honorable body to the report of the territorial agent for an exhibit of the expendi- tures on the capitol for the present year. All of which is respectfully sub- mitted.
W. B. SNYDER, Superintendent of Public Buildings.
25
390
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
Stone- quarry.
EXPLANATION.
A, Central hall (the old state house, but
now the main university building.)
B, Library hall (old north hall).
H
C, Classical hall (old south hall).
D, Medical hall
E, Armory, and art hali.
F, Homeopathic medical department.
G, Mercy Hospital (clinic hall).
H, Observatory (Sidereal Hall).
I, Professor Hinrich's central station of
the Iowa state weather service.
K, Unitarian church.
L, Congregational church.
M, Methodist Episcopal church.
N, Catholic church.
P-O, Post-office.
Q. Presbyterian church.
R, Iowa City Academy (University pre- paratory).
FAIRCHILD
STREET.
S, St. Joseph's Institute (catholic).
T, St. Agatha's Seminary (cathollc).
U, City hall (city offices, fire-engines, etc.)
W, City High School Building.
DAVENPORT STREET.
STREET.
STREET.
Q
-
MARKET
STREET.
MADISON STREET.
CAPITOL
I
T
R
72
M
JEFFERSON STREET.
L
B
CAMPUS.
K
STREET.
CITY PARK.
STREET.
G
STREET.
A
IOWA
AVENUE.
E
C
UNIVERSITY
P-O
DUBUQUE
LINN
GILBERT
A
U
WASHIINGTON
STREET.
Diagram showing the location of all buildings connected with the State University, and other public buildings or places in the same vicinity.
River
CHURCH STREET.
BLOOMINGTON STREET.
N
CLINTON
W
391
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
NOTES ON THE DIAGRAM.
A. The central edifice-formerly the State Capitol-is of the Doric order in architecture; John F. Rague, of Springfield, Illinois, was the architect. It is 60 feet east and west, by 120 feet north and south, and two stories high above the basement, facing Iowa Avenue, which corres- ponds in width to its length. It is built of limestone, rough hewn, except the basement, facings, pilasters and gables, which are of cut stone. The foundation walls are six feet thick, and sunk to an average depth of six feet below the natural surface of the ground, and thoroughly grouted. Those of the basement are four feet thick, and of the lower story three, and of the upper, two feet. The basement walls are capped with a water table of cut stone sixteen inches thick, which projects sixteen inches from the exterior face of the walls. The stone used is all fossil-bearing lime- stone of the Devonian age of geology.
At the main entrance from the east is a portico, supported by four mas- sive columns, 12 feet in advance of the walls of the upper stories. The east and west fronts are the same in style and finish, except that the west portico, deemed superfluous, has not been constructed. On each of the fronts are eight pilasters, each four feet wide, and projecting ten inches from the face of the walls, with cut stone caps supporting the architrave. Through the centre of the first and second stories from east to west is a vestibule, 30 feet wide, intersected by a hall, 7 feet wide, through the center of the first story from north to south. On either side of the hall is a suite of rooms, one of. which has been appropriated for the President's office, and the others for recitation. The entire north half of this floor is devoted to lecture room, laboratory, working cabinet, and working library of the department of natural science, under Prof. Samuel Calvin. The hall and vestibule are formed by interior brick walls, eighteen inches thick. Those of the vestibule extend to the roof, and support the base of the cupola. In the center of the vestibule is a flight of spiral stairs, lead- ing to the upper apartments. The upper story originally consisted, aside from the vestibule, of two large rooms, each 43 by 52 feet, the one on the north occupied by the Senate, and on the south by the House of Repre- sentatives. These have since been sub-divided and appropriated for lec- ture room and library of the law department; and the large northeast room to the cabinet or museum of natural history.
B. Library hall, the north building, is 61×90 feet, of brick, and two stories above basement. The first floor is entirely occupied by the depart- ment of physics and chemistry, in charge of Prof. G. Hinrichs. The second floor was originally designed and built for a chapel, its internal plan being of the approved English type of church architecture, with elaborately ornamental stained glass windows allowing only a very "dim religious light" within. But that foolishness was all changed in 1882, and this grand room now serves the triple uses of library, reading-room, and
392
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
chapel. The general University library occupies the north half of the room, all conveniently arranged on adjustable alcove shelves. The south half is the chapel and reading room, with open access to cyclopædias, dictionaries, and other standard reference books. The gallery occupies the space over the vestibule, 13 feet deep, and is entirely occupied as a special library and conservatory of State publications.
C. Classical Hall, (formerly called the south building,) was erected under the superintendence of Thos. M. Banbury, is 45 feet east and west, by 108 feet north and south, and is three stories high above the basement. The basement and facings are of cut stone, and the superstructure of brick. It was gotten up on the "cheap" order, for want of funds, and is a perpetual eye-sore to tastes æsthetic. Its most striking architectural feature is a duodecennial verbosity of chimneys. One large room is devoted to the department of elocution and oratory, serves also as gym- nasium for the lady students. The classical department, the engineering department, and the college society rooms, are likewise in this building.
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