History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 102

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950

USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 102
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 102
USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 102

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

had never before been attempted. Peo- ple were poor, accommodations for teach- ers were hard to find, many of the teachers were apathetie and little eared to spend the time and money necessary to attend the Institute, there were no railroads in the county, and failure seemed to be the inevitable result. But regardless of all these discouragements the Institute was called. A programme was carefully pre- pared and when the Institute convened, it was found that about half of the teachers in the county were in attendance, besides a number of teachers, in prospective. Ideas in relation to school government were exchanged, the teachers were each given a branch of study to explain and teach, and all entered with zest into the exercises of the day. No foreign teach- ers or instructors were present and the entire management of the Institute de- Volved upon Mr. Cooper. Under his con- trol everything passed off pleasantly and the teachers who had attended felt that they were better prepared to enter upon their school duties for the coming year. Thus it was that the Normal Institutes were established in the county.

The last Normal Institute was held in Forest City Sept. 17, 1883, and lasted for two weeks. The following named were present to participate in the exercises:

O. G. Belsheim, C. M. Halvorsen, M. A. Nelson, Hans Jacobs, Amelia Jensen, Minnie Welch, Carrie S. Knudson, Katie Halvorsen, Helen Halvorsen, Nettie Am- brose, Maggie Duffy, C. M. Flugum, Emma Rolands, Emma Brattrud, Tena Anderson, Hattie Lukens, J. S. Howard, A. M. Wing, Mareia Jones, Mary Cole, Bertha Anderson, Walter Irwin, J. Dunbar, John Sogard,

Petra Joice, Mina Watsold, L. T. Thomp- son, Mary S. Grasley, Mary L. Eiel, Net- tie Connor, Helen Nelson, Lena Chris- tianson, Emma T. Ilalvorsen, Rachel Bak- ken, Katie Fallen, Mina Christopherson, Kittie Gardner, Adda Hawkes, Arna So- gard, Sadie Sanborn, II. N. Palin, C. H. Ragan, H. II. Holton, Johanna Johnson and Maggie MeGrevey.

The Institute was called to order by the county superintendent, A. N. Brones, who, after a few words of greeting, intro- duced the instructor, Prof. E. R. Eld- ridge, of-the Eastern Iowa Normal School. Prof. Saunders, of Algona, acted as assistant instructor and under the efficient management of these two gentlemen the Institute was made both instructive and pleasant. An elaborate programme was carefully prepared and the session was probably the best ever held in the county. All entered heartily into the exercises, and the desire for obtaining and retain- ing everything that would tend to elevate the standard of teachers was manifest in the faces and actions of all present. The Institute was a thorough success. Besides several able lectures delivered by Profes- sors Eldridge and Saunders, the institute was indebted to Hon. John W. Akers, su- perintendent of public instruction, for a very interesting and instructive lecture en- titled "The Relation of Education to In- dustry."

WINNEBAGO COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIA- TION.

The first to introduce the organization of a county teachers' association to the teachers of the county was Martin Cooper, county superintendent, in 1870. At an Institute held in the fall of that year, it was determined to meet for the purpose

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

of organizing a teachers' association in the spring of the following year. This meeting, however, was never held, and ten years slipped rapidly by before a per- manent organization was effected. In the fall of 1881, at an Institute held in Forest City, the teachers resolved to hold a meeting in the spring of 1882, to effect the organization of a teachers' associa- tion. This meeting was held at Forest City, Superintendent A. N. Brones, chairman. Mr. Brones was elected per- manent chairman, and the association proceeded to the discussion of different school methods. Various ideas on school tactics were presented and discussed at length and the association adjourned to meet at Forest City, March 30, 1883.

The second teachers' association con- vened at Forest City, March 30, 1883, and was well attended by the teachers of the county. The meeting was presided ove by county superintendent, A. N. Brones. Papers on various educational topies were read and discussed by the members of the association and others. At the even- ing session Kittie Gardner delivered a se- lect reading, after which W. A. Chapman delivered a lecture on "Public Schools and Public Opinion." The members dis- persed feeling that the association was a success and both pleasant and profitable.

The third meeting was held at Lake Mills, June 29, 1883. A goodly number of teachers and friends of education were present, and all entered into the spirit of the exercises of the day, which resulted with great benefit to all, and especially the teachers. The topics of the day were: 'Principles Pertaining to Education and Teaching," by Henry Ernest; "Practical

Hygiene," by Mrs. M. A. Wing; "School Tactics," by Daniel Ragen; "School Gov- ernment," by Simon Sogard; and "Object Lessons," by E. F. Thompson. The asso- ciation then adjourned to meet at Lake Mills during the winter holidays.

The following review of educational matters in Winnebago county is furnished by A. N. Brones, county superintendent of schools.

"The general aspect of educational in- terests in this county is certainly gratify- ing, and we note a steady increase in in- terest and efficiency among our local edu- cators. The advancement made in the condition of our schools is justly due to the voluntary efforts of our teachers and school officers, and not to an appeal, on the part of the patrons, for better schools and better teachers.

"The Normals have done much to elevate our educational standard, and have been considered by our leading teachers as important factors, relative to the fundamental principles pertaining to education and teaching. The Normal In- stitute this year (1883), was more highly appreciated by those in attendance than ever before, and was participated in by an earnest, intelligent, and energetic class of teachers, who took much pride in ex- hibiting their part of the work in a skill- fnl and creditable manner. Experience has taught us that this is one of the best and most Beneficial elements in the work of professional instruction. It adds more to the essential qualification of teachers, and general advancement of education in this county than any other agency. Most of the teachers in this county are now taking educational journals and have also

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IIISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

procured works on methods of teaching, | and by a continual and successful effort to keep foremost in their profession, they are enabled to steadily move onward with the march of progress. The standard of qualification of teachers has recently been raised some over that of previous years, and the school boards of most of the townships have assisted me by grading the salaries of teachers according to the grade of certificate. This plan is encour- aging to teachers, as it provides them with an incentive to improvement, and produces a very beneficial effect upon our schools. By the aid of our school officers and teachers, I have just been able to complete the adoption of a uniform series of text-books for use in the public schools of our country. The change is apparently giving general satisfaction, and undoubt- edly will prove in the highest degree ef-

ficient in advancing our educational work.

"This being my second term in office, the experience of my position has by this time enabled me to better plan and direct the educational supervision of schools. To provide the public schools of our county with the most approved educa- tional instrumentalities is an important duty relative to this office, and is the highest privilege, as well as the sacred duty of parents, school officers and teach- ers.

"We may justly be proud of our free school system, and although it has its shortcomings and defects, yet, taken as a whole, it is the broadest and best ever organized. Our schools are the surety and defence of our national life, and the agents of our national prosperity."

CHAPTER XIV.

THE WAR-ITS CAUSES.

From the commencement of govern- aristocratic usurpation and popular rights. ment there have been two antagonistic History is crowded with descriptions and scenes of this irrepressible conflict. Two thousand years ago, when the aristocracy of Rome was headed by Cneues Pompey, Julius Cæsar, espousing the rights of the people, unfurled the banner of equal rights, and striding through oceans of blood which tossed their surges over every portion of the habitable globe, overthrew principles contending for mastery-slav- ery and freedom. Sometimes smolder- ing and even invincible; but the seeds were there and ever and anon would burst into flames, carrying destruction, death and desolation with it. A repetition of that great conflict, which, for ages, has agitated our globe-the conflict between

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the aristocratic commonwealth, and reared, over the ruins, the imperial common- wealth. Again on the field of Pharsalia, the aristocratic banner was trailed in the dust, and democracy, although exceed- ingly imperfect, became victor. It was aristocracy trying to keep its heel on the head of democracy which has deluged the Roman empire in blood.

But the nobles regained foothold, and regardless of these lessons renewed their oppression. Again they commenced sow- ing the seed which must surely bring forth terrible fruit. Over 200 years ago the aristocracy of France, housed in mag- nificent palaces, mounted on war horses, with pampered men at arms ready to ride rough shod on every embassage of vio- lence, trampled upon the suffering serfs until humanity could no longer endure it. The masses of the people were deprived of every privilege, save that of toiling for their masters. The aristocracy so de- prived the people, whose wives and daugh- ters through their brutality were forced to go to the field bare-headed and bare- footed, and be yoked to the plow with the donkey, that they dreamed that the wretched boors would dare even to look in defiance toward the massive and stately castles whose noblemen proudly strode along the battlements in measureless con- tempt for the helpless peasantry below.

But the pent up vials of vengeance of ages at last burst forth. These boors, these jacks rose, and like maddened hyenas, rushed upon their foes. Imbruted men, who for ages had been subjected to the most outrageous wrongs, rose by millions against their oppressors, and wreaked upon them every atrocity which fiend-like

ingenuity could devise. All the brutal and demon passions of human nature held high carnival, and it can truly be said that France ran red with blood. But at length disciplined valor prevailed. After one half of the peasantry of France had perished, the knighted noblemen, the aristocrats resumed their sway, and the hellish bondage, worse than slavery, was again placed upon the people. This war of the Jacks, or as it is called in history, Jacqueri, is one of the most interesting and warning events of the past; and yet it was all unheeded.

The oppression went on, growing more and more outrageous; the people were kept ignorant that they might not know of their wrongs; poor, that they might not resent them. That the lords might live in castles and be clothed in purple and fare sumptuously, the people were doomed to hovels, rags and black bread. The peasant must not place the bit of dough in the ashes by his fireside-he was com- pelled to have it baked at the bakery of his lord, and there pay heavy toll. He dare not scrape together the few crumbs of salt from the rocks of the ocean shore, he must buy every particle from his lord at an exhorbitant price. "Servants obey your masters," was interpreted to apply to all save of noble birth; and religion was converted into a method for subject- ing the masses. Bibles were not allowed to be read by these "boors," lest they learn what the Savior really taught, and a peasant detected with one in his hand, was deemed as guilty as if canght with the tools of a burglar or the dies of a counterfeiter. As associates for lords- the idea would have been considered con-

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trary to nature or reason. Thus Louis XV., surrounded by courtesans, deban- chees and the whoredom of his castle, once said: "I can give money to Voltaire, Montesquien Fontinelle, but I. can not dine and sup with these people." If the peasant with his wife and child toiling in the field, in cultivation of a few acres of land, managed to raise $640 worth of crops during the year, $600 of it went to the King, the Lord and the Church, while the remaining $40 was left to clothe and feed the emaciate family. Thomas Jefferson, in the year 1785, wrote from Paris to a friend in Philadelphia. "Of 20,000,000 of people supposed to be in France, I am of the opinion that there are 19,000,000 more wretched, more accursed in every circumstance of human existence, than the most conspicuously wretched individ- nal in the whole United States." It was this state of affairs which brought on the War of the French Revolution, inaugura- ting the most terrific of all Time's battles. Such combats earth never saw before, probably never will see again. Two worlds, as it were, came clashing together. Twenty millions of people, trampled in the mire, rose ghastly and frenzied, and the flames of feudal castles and the shrieks of haughty oppressors appalled the world. All the combined aristocracy of Europe were on the other side to crush the demand of the people for the equal- ity of man. Russia, Prussia, Sweden, Austria, England, Spain-all the kings rallied their armies to the assistance of France in subduing the oppressed masses, who, believing they were right, marched heroically to the victories of Marengo, Wagram and Austerlitz. But in the final

victories of the despots, aristocratic privi- lege again triumphed in Europe. In the meantime a similar though less bloody and terrifie battle had taken place in Eng- land ; the same ever rising conflict be- tween the united courtiers and cavaliers under Charles I, and the Puritans under Cromwell. With prayer, fasting and hymn, the common people, who had for ages been under the yoke of servitude, took to arms in defense of their rights, and many cavaliers bit the dust through their sturdy blows. But Charles II re- turned to the throne and again aristoc- racy triumphed. The oppressed were our Puritan fathers; again they were trodden under foot. Then it was that the heroie resolution was adopted to cross the ocean 3,000 miles, and there in exile establish and found a Republic, where all men, in the eye of the law, should be equal. The result is too well known to need rehear- sal. How they fought their way through all the dangers of the savage new world and succeeded in their object. How the aristocracy of England made the desper- ate effort to again bring the yoke to bear; to tax us without allowing us to be repre- sented in Parliament-to place the ap- pointment to all important offices in the hands of the king, who would send over the sons of England's noblemen to be our governors and our judges, and who would fill all our posts of wealth, dignity and power with the children of the lords.

Henee the War of the Revolution. We, the people, conquered, and established our government independent of all the world, placing as corner stone of the edi- fice, that "all men are born free and equal,

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. A

and are alike entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Then coming down to the great conflict of America, the Rebellion, it was a con- tinnance of that irrepressible conflict which has shaken the world to its utter- most depths for ages. It was based upon slavery, that which has caused the shed- ding of oceans of blood, and making mil- lions of widows and orphans.

The constitution, under which we are bound together, is in its spirit and legiti- mate utterance, doubtless, one of the most noble documents ever produced by the mind of man, and even now, when the ad- vancement of a century has dawned npon its use, not a paragraph requires changing to make it true to humanity. But yet in- glorionsly and guiltily we consented to use one phrase susceptible of a double meaning, "held to labor." So small and apparently so insignificant were the seeds sown from which such a harvest of misery has been reaped. In the North these honest words meant a hired man or an apprentice. In the South they were taken to mean slavery, the degradation and feu- dal bondage of a race. A privileged class assumed that the constitution recognized it, and the right of property in human beings. This class endeavored to strengthen and extend their aristocratie institution, which was dooming ever in creasing millions to life-long servitude and degradation. All wealth was rapidly accumulating in the hands of these few who owned their fellow-man as property. The poor whites, unable to buy slaves, and considering labor which was per- formed by them degrading, were rapidly sinking into a state of frightful misery.

The sparse population which slavery al- lowed, excluded churches, schools and villages. Immense plantations of thou- sands of acres, tilled by as many slaves, driven to work by overseers, consigned the whole land to apparent solitude. The region of the sonthern country generally presented an aspect of desolation which Christendom nowhere else could parallel. The slave-holders, acting as one man, claimed the right of extending this over all the free territory of the United States. Free labor and slave labor cannot exist together. The admission of slavery ef- fectually excluded free men from them. It was impossible for those men, cherish- ing the sentiment of republican equality, to settle there, with the privileged class, who were to own vast realms and live in luxury upon the unpaid labor of the masses. It was on this point that the conflict, in its fierceness commenced. From the year 1790 the strife grew hotter and hotter every year. The questions arising kept Congress, both the Senate and House, in one incessant scene of war- fare. There could be no peace in the land until this aristocratic element was effectually banished. The Hon. Mr. Iver- son, of Georgia, speaking of the antago- nism of the two systems, aristocracy and freedom, said, in the Senate of the United States, on Dec. 5, 1860:

"Sir, disgnise the fact as you will, there is enmity between the northern and south- ern people, which is deep and enduring, and you can never eradicate it-never. Look at the spectacle exhibited on this floor. llow is it? There are the northi . ern senators on that side; here are the southern senators on this side. You sit

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upon your side silent and gloomy. We sit upon our side with knit brows and portentous scowls. llere are two hostile bodies on this floor, and it is but a type of the feeling which exists between the two sections. We are enemies as much as if we were hostile States. We have not lived in peace. We are not now living in peace. It is not expected that we ever shall live in peace."

Hon. Mr. Mason, of Virginia, in con- tinuation of the same debate, said: "This is a war of sentiment and opinion, by one form of society against another form of society."

The remarks of Hon. Garrett Davis, a senator from Kentucky, are to the point: " The cotton States by their slave-labor, have become wealthy, and many of their planters have princely revenues- from $50,000 to $100,000 per year. This wealth has begot a pride, and insolence, and ambition, and these points of the Southern character have been displayed most insultingly in the halls of Congress. As a class, the wealthy cotton growers are insolent, they are proud, they are domineering, they are ambitious. They have monopolized the government in its honors for forty or fifty years with few interruptions. When they saw the sceptre about to dart from them, in the election of Lincoln, sooner than give up office and the spoils of office, in their mad and wicked ambition they determined to dispute the ohl confederation, and erect a new one, wherein they would have nn- disputed power."

Thus the feeling continued to grow stronger. One incessant cry became, "Abjure your democratic constitution,

which favors equal rights to all men, and give us in its place an aristocratic consti- tution, which will secure the rights of a priveleged class." They insisted that the domestic slave trade should be nurtured, and the foreign slave trade opened; say- ing, in the course and vulgar language of one of the most earnest advocates of slavery! "The North can import jackasses from Malta, let the South, then, import niggers from Africa."

The reply of the overwhelming majority of the people of the United States was decisive. Lincoln was elected and inangu- rated despite the conspiracy to prevent it.

Volumes could be and have been writ- ten up on these actions, but they are well known. We will merely mention the most prominent features, transpiring un- til the havoc of war actually set in.

On the 7th of November, 1860, it was known that Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States, and was to enter upon his duties on the 4th day of the following March. In the mean- time the executive government was vir- tually in the hands of the slave power. James Buchanan, the President, had been elected to the office openly pledged to to pursue the general policy the slave- holders enjoyed. The cabinet were all slaveholders and slave-masters. The United States Navy was scattered all over the face of the earth, leaving only two vessels for the defense of the country; the treasury was left barren; the army was so scattered in the remote fortresses in the far west, as to leave all the forts where they would be needed, defenseless; the United States Arsenals were emptied, the secretary of war sending their guns to

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the slave States, where bands of rebels were organized and drilling, prepared to receive them. One hundred and fifteen thousand arms, of the most approved pat- tern, were transferred from Springfield, Mass., and from Watervleit, N. Y., to- gether with a vast amount of cannon, mor- tar, balls, powder and shells were also for- warded to the rebels in the slave States.

On the 18th of February, 1861, the inang- ration of Jefferson Davis, as president of the Southern Confederacy, took place at Montgomery, Ala. Four days later the collector of customs, appointed by the confederate government in Charleston, S. C., issued the manifesto that all vessels, from any State out of the Confederacy, would be treated as foreign vessels, and subject to the port dnes, and other charges established by the laws of the Confeder- ate States. Thus by a stroke of the pen, the immense commerce of the Northern States was declared to be foreign com- merce, beneath the guns of the forts which the United States had reared, at an expense of millions of dollars.

Already a number of States had passed the ordinance of secession.

On the 4th of March, 1861, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated President, and assumed official duties.

At half past four o'clock on the moru- ing of the 12th of April, 1861, the rebels opened fire upon Fort Sumter, and, after enduring terrific bombardment from all sides the heroic defenders abandoned it, and were conveyed to New York. Fort Sumter was the Bunker Hill of the Civil War. In both cases a proud aristocracy were determined to subject this coun-

try to its swey. In both cases the defeat was a glorious victory.

On the next Monday, April 15, Pres- ident Lincoln issued a call for three months service of 75,000 volunteers. The effect was electrical. Within fifteen days it is estimated that 350,000 men offered themselves in defense of our national flag.

Thus the Civil War had burst upon the United States with all the suddenness of the meteor's glare. It was, however, but like the eruption of the volcano whose pent up tires had for ages been gathering strength for the final explosion. The conspirators had for years been busy pre- paring for the conflict. In the rebel con- vention which met in South Carolina to consummate the conspiracy, Mr. Inglis said: "Most of us have had this subject under consideration for the last twenty years." Mr. Keitt said: "I have been engaged in this movement ever since 1 entered political life." Mr. Rhett said: "It is nothing produced by Mr. Lincoln's election, or the non-execution of the fugi- tive slave law. It is a matter which has been gathering for thirty years." But more need not to be said, the result is too well known. Call followed call in quiek succession, the number reached the grand total of 3,339,748. The calls were as fol- lows:

April 15, 1861, for three months. 75,000

May 4, 1861, for five years. 64, 748

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History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 102

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 950

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950