USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 64
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539
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Number of pupils enrolled. 4,639
Number of pupils in attendance. 3,197
Total number of teachers in the county .. 233
Of which are males ... 82
Of which are females.
151
Length of school in days :-
Summer term.
7,990
Wiuter term.
9,272
Average compensation of male teachers
per week
$10.13
Females.
6 85
Average cost of tuition per week for each
pupil, (summer).
.33
Same in winter.
.32
Total number of school-houses in the
county
131
Brick
3
Stone.
3
Frame
122
Log.
3
Total value of school-houses in the county $84, 160 Number of volumes in district libraries. . 19
Value of apparatus. 903.70
The number of schools visited by the County Superintendent his year. 118
Number of visits made this year. 207
As to the examination of teachers, the total number examined in 1871 was :- Males. 74
Females. 98
Number received premium certificates. .. 5
Nu uber received first grade certificates. . 42
Number received lower grade. 96
Total number certificates issued.
143
Number applicants rejected. 29
J. R. Stewart, in the same report, from which the above items were taken, under the head of "General Remarks," reviews Tama county's educational interests as follows :
"In my report for 1869-70, I mentioned that a noticeable advancement had al- ready been made in taste regarding the construction of school-houses. Many of our districts imitate the best samples of school architecture they can find, and
build to a degree of perfection and con- venience, quite up to their ability. Eight new houses have been built since that report, and four, then in progress of con- struction, have been completed.
"The complaints I then made in regard to irregular attendance, may still be made, but with less severity than then. In many of our schools the teachers have adopted a system of regular weekly reports to parents under the heads of punctuality, standing, deportment, absence, and grades upon recitation. In all such cases the per cent. of punctuality has improved wonderfully. Nine different boards of directors have arranged the course of study for their schools and appointed their visiting committee, which has both sys- tematized their work, and given the schools a sense of responsibility to, and oversight, by some authorized body. The practice among boards generally, however, is to "let the machine run itself, " to hold the regular meetings required by law, fix the salaries of teachers, adjust the boundaries of districts when the necessity arises, and having done this, stand aside and let their opportunity and the interests of the school depart, hand in hand, 'down the back entry of time. '
" Educational Work .- The Institutes of the county have been well attended, and given valuable aid to our schools. The teachers deserve much praise for the in- terest they have taken in them. Few teachers have been absent from them. An effort was made to keep up township as- sociations by the teachers during last winter. The effort was only partially successful. It will be renewed again the coming winter. Small reference libraries
540
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
have been put into a number of our schools during the year, and I think the need of them is now felt by all the teachers, and by most boards. Something has been done to fill up the lack of maps, charts, globes, etc., but furnishing peddlers have done much to disgust honest buyers, and so hindered many schools from being sup- plied.
" My statistical report will show visita- tions, examinations, etc., and the general expenses of the schools to the county. The cost of our schools is much more than it should be, considering their. effi- ciency. They are slowly gaining ground, and will soon give ample return for all their cost.
"I am compelled to close this report, at this late date, with one township not yet heard from. That township failed last year and the showing it makes, is mainly from my own estimates."
From the report of the Superintendent for 1880, we learn that Tama county had the following :
Number of district townships 12
Number of independent districts. 76
Number of sub-districts 95
Number of ungraded schools. 167
Number of rooms in graded schools 26
Number of teachers employed
336
Male teachers.
115
Female teachers
221
Average compensation to male teachers
$31.19
Average compensation to female teach- ers. .
25.54
Number of children between the ages of five and twenty-one years.
7220
Of which are male ..
3749
Of which are female.
3471
Enrollment in public schools
5853
Total average attendance.
3422
Average cost of tuition per month per pupil
$1.65
Number of school houses in the county 172
Of which are frame 163
Of which are brick. 6
Of which are stone. 3
Total value of school houses. $133,399
Total value of apparatus. $1,854
Number of volumes in libraries. 59
For the year 1882, the following table gives the number of scholars in each dis- trict township, how many are enrolled and how many are in average attendance :
Average No. en-[ No. in
attendance. rolled.
twp.
Buckingham
.108
160
161
Carroll.
122
259
314
Clark.
86
219
184
Crystal
133
259
268
Grant.
99
208
218
Highland.
113
178
230
Indian Village
151
1:54
247
Lincoln
107
194
194
Oneida
133
306
272
Perry
105
127
195
Tamia (outside city).
27
36
43
York ..
205
The independent city districts arranged to cover the same facts stand as follows :
Buckinghamı.
19
65
69
Dysart. .
104
150
203
Gladbrook.
124
168
208
Montour. .
109
136
22t
Toledo City
246
323
472
Traer City.
170
272
318
Tama City
312
392
504
In 1882, Superintendent J. P. Hendricks published a pamphlet of instructions to teachers entitled, " Course of study for the ungraded schools of Tama county." The object in view in presenting this course of study to the teachers and direc- tors of the country schools of the county, was to establish, if possible, uniform classi- fication and to introduce the principles ob- served in the best graded schools. It was not expected that the methods of operation would be, or ever could be, followed as fully, and with the same exactness, as in a well graded school of several departments. Still the steps of progress can he desig-
541
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
nated and followed. The studies are so arranged as to be adapted to the natural development of the faculties of the mind. The course also provides for a number of terms of study, and as an incentive for faithful work, presents a definite end to be attained. That is, the pupil takes up each branch of study and pursues it until a sufficient knowledge of it is acquired to allow him to advance to a higher grade, and finally, to graduate in the course of study. In short, the plan makes graded schools of every educational institution in the county.
Another important improvement has just been adopted by Prof. Hendricks in what is termed "School Record." It is a blank which is given each teacher to be filled just before the end of the term, which will show to the successor just how far each scholar has advanced in studies, and obviates that necessity of spending time in reviews, determining where to place scholars, as in former days. It is really a report of classification and progress and is very beneficial as it enables the teacher to at onee know the condition of the school.
Tama county has two hundred and fifty persons authorized to teach in the public schools, and among this number are found some of the most successful teachers in the State. Many have had the advantage of training in professional schools. Thirty- six of the teachers completed the course of study in the County Institute, in 1882, and over one hundred entered the second year of the course. For scholarship, natu- ral ability and successful experience, the teachers of Tama county rank with the best in Iowa. Of the two hundred and
fifty teachers, two hundred and five are now actively engaged in teaching; have a total enrollment of about 5,675 pupils, and an average attendance of nearly 3,200. There are but two grades of certificates in the county. First grade requiring an aver- age of ninety per cent and an experience of three terms teaching, and the second grade requiring an average standing of eighty per cent. All teachers pass a rigid examination in the branches required by law to be taught in the schools. In these examinations it is aimed to find out not only what the applicant knows of the branches of study, but also, how well he ean impart his knowledge to others. Atten- tion is given to the scholarship as it is an axiom that a person can not tell others what he does not know himself. The schools are succeeding nicely and the attempt to secure uniformity of text books is meeting with mueh encouragement. About one hundred and twenty-five of the schools are now working under the graded system, and the County Superintendent urges the teachers to do practical work. This they are doing, as a rule, the useful and necessary being attended to first.
SCHOOL FUND COMMISSIONER.
When Tama county was organized in 1853, educational matters in fowa were managed in a primitive way. The School Fund Commissioner was the only educa- tional officer, and as the name implies, had especial control of the school funds, and, in fact, his authority extended no farther. There were no publie examinations of teachers as in later days, as the directors themselves examined the teachers they wished to employ, and if not satisfactory, the applicants were rejected.
542
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
When the county was temporarily organized by the election held in March, 1853, there were two candidates for the office of School Fund Commissioner, D. F. Bruner and Anthony Wilkinson, both of whom are still residents of Tama county. The result was, that both parties received an equal number of votes, so neither was elected. This made a vacancy in the office, and in July, Noah Myers was appointed to fill it. Noah Myers came from Washington county, Indiana, and in 1852, with his family, settled in Toledo township. In 1857, he removed with his family to Missouri, where, when last heard from, he still lived. Mr. Myers was natu- rally bright and smart ; quick spoken, genial and pleasant. A peculiarity of his external appearance was that in walking, he always carried his head to one side. Hle figured in the Whig and Know-Nothing parties.
In April, 1856, Lewis S. Frederick was elected to the office of School Fund Com- missioner, and was the last person elected to the office. Frederick came to Tama county with his family in 1853, and settled in Spring Creek township, where he en- gaged in farming. He was a very pleasant man, and to all appearances, was in com- fortable circumstances ; but during his official career in Tama county, Le sue- ceeded in appropriating a large amount of the school funds. He had been handling a good deal of money, and had collected considerable that had been due the county on mortgages. Suspicions were aroused that he intended to make some move of this kind, and that he had been using public money for private purposes. Ile was therefore arrested and placed in
charge of the village Constable. During the evening of the day upon which he was arrested, he pulled off his boots and asked the Constable to allow him to step to the door. The request was granted, and no sooner did Fredericks reach the rear of the house, than he made a run for liberty, and evading most diligent and careful search, succeeded in making his escape. This was late in the fall of 1857, after the ground was frozen. The amount he suc- ceeded in obtaining is variously estimated at between five and ten thousand dollars, although a portion of the sum was replaced by the bondsmen, a bill being passed through the General Assembly permitting the county to accept the proportionate amount of the bond from the various sign- ers. Frederick's family soon after left the county, and it is supposed, joined him. In all the years that have passed since that time, he has never been heard from except indirectly.
Jeremiah Harden was then appointed to till the vacaney in the office of School Fund Commissioner, and served until the office was abolished by law. Harden was a native of Michigan, from which State he came in 1854, and settled in Toledo with his family. He was a carpenter, and did not allow the duties of the office to inter- fere very much with working at his trade. Ile remained bere until 1859, when he left for parts unknown.
During the winter of 1857-8 the office of School Fund Commissioner was abol- ished by an aet of the General Assembly. The duties of that office, as regards the management of the school funds, devolved upon the County Judge, and subsequently, when the Board of Supervisors was cre-
E. B. Hep har.
4
545
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
ated, these duties passed into their hands, and still remain there. The duties of the Commissioner, so far as schools and edu- cational matters in general are concerned, passed into the hands of the
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, which office was at that time created. llis duties then were the same as at the pres- ent day, except that now he has charge of the Normal Institute Fund, which at that time did not exist.
The first Superintendent of Schools was Woodhull Helm, who was elected in April, 1858. Helm was a native of New York, and came to Tama county in 1855, settling with his large family in Indian Village township, where he engaged in farming. When elected, he did not move to the county seat as there was but little to do. He was a pleasant, affable gentleman, and a man of integrity and worth. He was a medium sized man, heavily built, and was badly crippled by the rheumatism. He remained in the county until after the war, and then, being interested in some mining enterprises in the South, he went to North Carolina. lle afterwards moved to Col- orado, where he died some years ago. A number of his relatives still remain in Tama county.
In October, 1859, John Ramsdell was elected County Superintendent, and two years later was re-elected, serving four years. Ile is now an enterprising citizen of Tama City, and has since been Mayor of that place. He was born in Salem, Massachusetts, January 1, 1810. Ile is a son of William Ramsdell of that place, who was an old sea captain, having spent many years on the ocean. John remained
in his native town until sixteen years of age, and then followed a sailor's life for eight years. At the expiration of that time he engaged in the leather trade at Milford, New Hampshire, in which business he continued to engage until 1853, when he removed to Tama county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm upon which he lived until 1879, and then settled in the town of Tama City. Mr. Ramsdell helped to organ- ize this township, and was one of the first trustees. In polities he was formerly an Abolitionist and Whig, but is now identi- fied with the Republican party. Since his settlement here he has taken an active part in the business interests of the town; at the present time holding the office of Director and Trustee of the Water Power; also the Presidency of the Paper Company, and is a Director of the First National Bank of Tama City. During the year of 1831 he was united in marriage with Miss Theresa T. Moore, a native of Milford, New Hampshire, and a daughter of Humphrey Moore, D.D., a Congregational minister. They have nine children living -John M., Charles E., Theodore G., Frank H., Henry E., Maria T., Edward E., and Fred B. Mrs. Ramsdell died in 1864, and Mr. Ramsdell was again married in 1865 to Sarah Dascomb, a daughter of Colonel Luther Dascomb, of Milton, New Hampshire. They have one daughter- Mary R.
T. I .. Downs succeeded Mr. Ramsdell to the superintendency, being elected in October, 1863, and re-elected in October, 1865. Downs came to Tama county from Illinois in 1858, and settled with his family in Carlton township, near where Garwin has since been platted. Ile was
35
546
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
C
a school teacher by profession and fol- lowed teaching most of the time until elected to office. He was a well educated man, pleasant and genial, and gave good satisfaction as an official. In personal ap- pearance he was tall and slightly built; was an energetic fellow, and of rather a nervous temperament. lle died about the time his term expired. His widow lives in Montour.
His successor was J. R. Stewart, who qualified in January, 1868, and being re- elected in 1869 served until January, 1872. Mr. Stewart was a native of Pennsylvania and came here from Chicago, where he had been teaching school. Upon his ar- rival here he followed the same profession, becoming principal of the Toledo schools. Upon being elected he opened an office at the county seat, and attended to the duties in a most efficient and satisfactory man- ner. He was a thoroughly educated and well read man; gentlemanly and courteous, affable and pleasant, and made many friends. lle had the "knack" of suiting himself to the company he was in and often in the evening he would go with the young people, and have as good a time as any of them did. Shortly after serving his term of office he went back to Illinois, and is now upon the editorial staff of the Illinois State Journal, in Springfield, Illinois.
Rev. Fayette Hurd was the next Super- intendent of Schools of Tama county, commencing duties in January, 1872. He was a Congregational minister preaching in Montour at the time of his election. Soon after his term expired he left the county. lle was a well educated man, having graduated from some one of the
eastern colleges, and was well fitted for the place to which he was elected.
In October 1873, A. H. Sterrett was elected to the office and served for two years. Sterrett was a native of either New York or Pennsylvania, and settled in Tama county about the time of the war, engaging as a teacher in Toledo. Ile was fairly educated, well read, pleasant and affable and made many friends. In per- sonal appearance he was rather prepossess- ing, with dark eyes and hair, and of medium size. As a teacher, it is said he was too severe in his punishments, consequently was not much beloved by his scholars. As Superintendent of Schools, he gave good satisfaction. lle is now a traveling agent of a harvester company, and lives in Grin- nell, Iowa.
HI. A. Brown was his successor, as County Superintendent, being elected in the fall of 1875, and re-elected two years later. Ile was a Baptist preacher and came to Toledo from Des Moines to fill the pulpit of that denomination, several years prior to his election. Hle was a thoroughly educated man, pleasant, genial, a great talker, and a "preacher of long sermons." He made a good Superintendent, educational matter being closely attended to while he was in office. Soon after the expiration of his term he went to Belle Plaine, where he was principal of the graded schools. From there he went to Des Moines.
Succeeding Mr. Brown, A. 11. Sterrett was again elected and served until Janu- ary 1882.
In the fall of 1881 John P. Hendricks, the present County Superintendent of
2
547
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Schools was elected, and is making one of the best officials the county has had. He is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, born near Bremen, October 21, 1858. His parents, John and Nancy (IIufford) Ilendricks, were also natives of Ohio. John was reared on his father's farm until fourteen, then went to the Iowa Agricul- tural College at Ames, Story county, remaining two years. He then engaged in teaching school one year in Highland township, two years in Carlton, and from there went to Tama City, where he was Assistant Principal of the High School for three years. Mr. Hendricks then went to Montour, and while teaching his first term there received the nomination for County Superintendent, being elected to that position October 11, 1881. Ile finished his fall term of school, and qualified for the above office January 2, 1882. In poli- ties he is a Republican, and is a warm supporter of prohibition. Mr. Hendricks was elected President of the County Superintendents' Association, of Iowa, December 29, 1882, at the meeting held in Cedar Falls. He is a young man of much ability, and is filling his position with entire satisfaction to all. Ile is thorough in his work, and the educational status of Tama county is becoming in excellent condition under his efficient management.
NORMAL INSTITUTE.
By an act passed by the General Assem- bly of Iowa, in 1873, the County Superin- tendents were required to commence, and each year to hold a Teachers' or Normal Institute at some convenient point in each county, for the drill of those who were, or who intended to become teachers. The object of this was to furnish teachers an
opportunity to review and enlarge their knowledge of the branches to be taught, to acquaint themselves with important methods of teaching, to awaken an increased desire for self-improvement in knowledge, skill and power to control others, and to give them more confidence and ability in managing the affairs of the school. For the purpose of defraying the expenses incident to such gatherings, the Institute Fund was created, to which the State annually pays five thousand dollars, the balance being made up by the one dollar examination fees paid to the County Superintendent, and the membership fee of one dollar charged each member who attends the Institute. This fund is under the exclusive control of the County Superintendent. There is no law compell- ing teachers to attend these institutes; but each applicant for a certificate is required to show good cause for not having attended. The matter is also greatly assisted by the County Superintendent, who makes all certificates expire on the first day of August, no matter at what time they were issued; thus leaving no excuse for a teacher's absence.
The first Institute was held at Toledo in 1874, beginning October 12, and closing November 6, by A. II. Sterrett, County Superintendent, and ex-officio manager of the Institute. The exercises were conducted in the Court-House, and there were one hundred and sixty-eight persons in attend- ance. As this was the first ever held in the county, all were anxious for its snecess, and all participated in the exer- cises with earnestness, making the time spent very profitable, not only to the teachers, but to all who attended.
548
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
The last Normal Institute in Tama county was held at the Court-House in Toledo in August, 1882, and was a great success. There were two hundred and thi ty-seven names enrolled. It was more largely attended than any ever held in the county, and in fact, excelled by few counties in the State. The work of the Institute was careful and thorough in character-no mere surface work-but solid, earnest, honest labor.
The instructors and lecturers at this Institute were as follows:
J. P. Hendricks, County Superintendent and Conductor.
Prof. W. II. Brinkerhoff, Principal elect of Toledo Schools, Physiology and Physical Geography.
Miss Etta Musser, Assistant Principal, Toledo Schools, Geography.
Prof. J. R. Caldwell, Principal Dysart Schools, History and Civil Government.
Prof. F. B. Gault, Superintendent Mason City Schools, Didacties and School Law.
Prof. S. M. Cart, Principal Tama City Schools, Language, Composition and Cal- isthenics.
Miss Mary D. Carr, Cedar Falls, lowa, Arithmetic, Reading and Model School Work.
Pres. W. M. Beardshear, President of Western College, Geology and Bot- any.
Prof. S. N. Fellows, State University, School Government.
LECTURERS.
Hon. S. P. Leland, Chicago, Ill.
lIon. J. W. Akers, Superintendent Public Institute, Des Moines, Iowa.
Prof. W. M. Beardshear, President Western College, Toledo, lowa.
Miss Ella A. Ilamilton, Des Moines, Å‚owa.
Prof. S. N. Fellows, Iowa State Univer- sity, Iowa City, Iowa.
During the ceremonies Miss Ida F. Peek came forward and in an appropriate address presented a fine copy of Shakes- peare and Baneroft's complete History, to Connty Superintendent John P. llen- dricks, in token of the appreciation of his work by the teachers of Tama county.
One of the county papers in speaking of this Institute says: "At the last session of the County Institute there were 237 teachers in regular attendance. Thirty- six of these completed a three years' course of study prepared for the County Institute. Besides the branches of study required by law, the graduating class passed an examination in the elements of Geology, Botany, Physical Geography and the principles and practice of teaching. An average of ninety-two per cent. in all branches, and a successful experience of three or more terms in teaching, and a previous training in three or more Insti- tutes were among the requirements. It is an honor to the county and the teacher to have a class of this number at the head of the Institute alumni. "
The graduates from the Normal Insti- tute in 1882 were as follows:
Eva Aldrich, W. W. Hunter,
Anna R. Braner, Mary E. Helm,
Agnes Brown, Alinetta B Hiatt,
Orpha K. Bruner, Jesse Johnson,
Laura J. Bruner, Julia M. Kennedy,
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