USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 17
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May 3 the 1852 St of lowa Alemakea County Linton Township
Know allmen Buy these Presantes that the under sind Partes Wm Hale and Mary Ann Hale whwo was joined together in the Solomon bond of matrimono on the fourth of Aprele Eighteen fifty two Has this day Buy Mutul cont of Booth Parteyes Desolvd the solem bond of Matrimoney Now in the presentes of theese witness wee doe Fermly vow and Protest aggans tring tolive to gether any longer. For it is im posibel for us to in joy peece and hapines As man and wife For Reson Best none tourselfs We doe further eck nolleg that Wee have taken oureon time to Reflect on this mater and it is uter im Posibel For us to at- temp any to liv to gether in Peece and Hapines Now in the Presents of these witness 1 doe Here Buy asine all of My Lawful and just Clame Against Wm Hale as alawful and wed husban and also to all Pursonal Property or Real Estate Aires or Enter for ever in the Present of the witness I doe Here Buy eck knoleg this to be afree and voluntary Act of my will I doe here buy ack this to bee My Bond An seel.
MARY ANN HALE SEAL Wee the under sind Witness doe here buy Eiknolleg that wee have this day seen Boath Partis to gether and it is Em Posibel for them to liv together any longer Sian seeled and delivrd in the Presons of
WM L COWES
THOMAS DICKSON SEAL
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF NEW ALBIN
a
CHAPTER XV
COUNTY SCHOOLS
It would naturally be expected in a state so devoted to its public school system as was our own state from its beginnings, that in a county like ours, largely set- tled from New England and other parts of the East where the free school priv- ileges were most highly prized, an effort would be early made for the attainment of similar privileges for the families of the pioneers. And so it was, that as soon as the log cabin was provided for shelter, and the first essentials of a habitation supplied, the parents looked about for other families, the nearest perhaps some miles away, with whom to unite in setting up a neighborhood school, that their young children might not be deprived of the rudiments of an education.
To the founders of Postville belongs the honor, it is believed, of opening the first school in the county (aside from the Old Mission), in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Post, in the summer of 1848. The first schoolhouse was built near Hardin in 1849. In the central portion of the county the first school was undoubtedly that taught by L. W. Hersey, in 1853, in a log cabin built by Deacon Azel Pratt for a dwelling in the fall of 1850. The first school in Lansing was in 1850 or '51. The first in Waukon in the winter of 1854-5, taught by L. O. Hatch. Previous to this D. D. Doe taught in Makee township just east of Waukon. Quite early in the fifties, Reuben Smith built a small schoolhouse on his place on Yellow river, and employed a teacher to instruct his children, probably admitting those of his neighbors to the benefit of the school also. The first public school in Smith's dis- trict was taught by C. T. Granger in the winter of 1854-5. He became the hon- ored chief justice of the supreme court of Iowa; and still retains his residence in Waukon, though spending much of his time of late years in California.
More complete history of the principal schools of the county will be found in the chapters relating to the various towns.
The improvement of educational conditions by means of associations of teach- ers and school officers was given early attention. The first official mention of teachers' institutes in the educational records of Iowa, occurs in the annual report of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, Jr., superintendent of public instruction, December 2, 1850.
In March, 1858, an act was passed authorizing the holding of teachers' insti- tutes for periods of not less than six working days, whenever not less than thirty teachers should desire. The office of county superintendent was created this year, and he was authorized to expend not to exceed $100 for any one institute, for teachers and lecturers. The first institute in Allamakee county was held at Waukon, in September, 1860, R. C. Armstrong being county superintendent at the time. And since 1868 the record of annual institutes is complete.
181
182
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
In addition to the official institutes a teachers' association was kept up for a number of years, "designed to aid in carrying out the object of the state law re- quiring county institutes to be held, and to make the same profitable to all ;" and to this end it solicited the county superintendent to use as many evenings as pos- sible for lectures on subjects connected with county schools.
A county association of this character was organized at Waukon. April 24, 1869, with the following officers :
President-J. IT. Hazleton, Lansing.
Vice Presidents-A. M. May. Waukon; Anna W. Robinson, Makee: S. S. Robinson, Jefferson ; H. Booth, Franklin ; L. Jackson, Taylor ; F. W. Sencebaugh, Paint Creek : Jennie Grattan, Ludlow : Mrs. Reed. Post ; Catherine Tovey, Union Prairie : H. R. Andrews, Lafayette ; L. P. Stillman, Center : Harvey Miner. Fair- view; S. H. Butts, Linton; Rosa Schott. Waterloo: Amelia Wolcott, Lansing : M. Agnes Ratcliffe, lowa.
Secretary-Hattie C. Keeler. Postville.
Treasurer-DeEtte Clark, Waukon.
Executive Committee-l'resident and secretary, ex-officio ; and Geo. M. Dar- ling, Lansing : A. J. Miller, Rossville; Miss Mary E. Post. Ion.
Other members were: Flora Peck, Katie St. Cyr, Mary E. Johnson, Eva Mc- Lenahan. Zetta E. Crouch, Dell Huffman, Dora E. Clark, Malinda Marietta. Emma M. Newell, Ella Ml. Hayward, Emma AA. Spaulding. W. P. Dodds, Emma E. Hayward, Emma Able, Rachel E. Hall.
For purposes of comparison of school conditions in the county at three dif- ferent periods, we have with the assistance of County Superintendent Peck pre- pared the following statement :
Value of school houses
1873 $75,285.00
1881 $82,741.00 1.204.00 19
1912 $154,625.00 10,378.00
Value of apparatus
Volumes in libraries
No. of persons between 5 and 21
7.511
7.250
5.640
Number enrolled
5,502
5.413
3.980
Average cost of tuition per month. per pupil
$0.72
$1.40
$2.43
Amount paid teachers
$26,11I.97
$53-477.66
Paid for fuel, rent. etc.
6.452.00
$28,023.12 6,754.32 968.50
11.547.55
Paid for secretaries and treasurers
793.37
Number of school houses :
Frame
95
125
Brick
4
Stone
IO
+ +
Log (1877, 22) Total (1873, 117)
120
133
Average compensation of teachers per monthi :
Nales
$38.88
$31.66
$72.49
Females
27.59
22.56
38.58
.
17
0
1.352.01
9.895
No fair comparison can be made of the teachers' certificates issued in these periods, owing to the different methods of classification from time to time. 1t
183
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
is safe to say, however, that the standard of qualification has kept pace with the increase of salaries paid. until now the requirements of the rural teacher are far greater than they formerly were. For the year ending in October. 1881. there were 258 certificates issued as follows: Professional, 5; first class, 36; second class, 70 ; third class, IIO.
During the past year there were 201 issued, as follows : First grade. 9 : second grade, 96; third grade, 43; provisional. 52: special certificates, I.
The enumeration of 1912, and enrollment, are given as follows :
SCIIOOL TOWNSHIPS
Enumeration
Enrollment
Center
234
172
Fairview
97
75
Franklin
210
164
French Creek
174
147
Hanover
I22
84
Iowa
136
89
Jefferson
223
212
Linton
203
138
Ludlow
227
189
INDEPENDENT DISTRICTS
Capoli, No. I
14
7
Capoli, No. 2
14
9
Village Creek
4I 20
Prairie
33 23
Mound City
20
18
Climax
19
14
Wexford
34
27
Russell
36
23
Lafayette Center
41
31
Lafayette No. 2
27
23
Three Corners
44
24
Lansing No. I
517
276
Lansing No. 2
35
18
Lansing No. 3
65
45
Lansing No. 4
35
25
Lansing No. 5
29
19
Lansing No. 6
21
19
Lycurgus
64
48
Howard
17
17
Makee
38
18
Paulk
12
12
Hanson
42
24
Fan
48
15
Ell
24
18
Waukon
622
406
184
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
28
24
Storla
Ness
51
30
Cross Roads
23
18
Waterville
55
47
Paint
29
23
Cherry Mound
24
2.4
Dahl
30
25
North West
30
12
Evergreen
33
24
Lybrand
26
18
West Grove
33
25
Minert
25
IO
Woodland
14
12
Myron
21
IS
Empire
38
IS
Highland
34
35
South Grove
20
9
Postville
333
262
Hardin (joint district, part in Clayton Co. ) .
21
25
Monona (joinst district, record in Clayton Co.)
II
New Albin
220
161
Little Paint
14
12
St. Joseph
26
23
Harper's Ferry
142
II.4
Excelsior
17
14
Spring Brook
23
15
Paint Rock
67
32
Wheatland
45
25
Harmony
42
30
English Bench
30
23
Clear Creek
31
23
Union
33
21
Columbus
25
15
Eells
38
15
Union Prairie No. 2
30
25
Pleasant Ridge
25
30
South West
28
20
Helming
34
22
Union Prairie No. 6
30
26
Emmett
24
16
Iowa River
21
26
Dorchester
79
60
New Galena
31
26
Bear Creek
34
I9
Washington
2.4
14
Waterloo Ridge
50
29
Bergen
51
40
185
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
Upon request, County Superintendent Peck has kindly contributed the follow- ing interesting items relating to the present conditions, which indicate a gratify- ing progressiveness in the educational interests of the county :
Allamakee county is composed of eighteen townships, nine of which are divided into sixty-three independent school districts and nine into school town- ships containing sixty sub-districts.
Ludlow township in 1911 erected a modern school building in district No. 8 and at the spring election, 1913, the people of the same township voted to erect a similar building in district No. 7.
Franklin township in 1912 built two modern schoolhouses in districts Nos. 4 and II. Waterville at the spring election in 1913 voted $2,000 for the erection of a two-room school building.
A number of schools in the county have installed the Smith or Waterbury- Waterman systems of heating and ventilation.
Lansing, Waukon and Postville have fully accredited high schools. New Albin about eleven grades, and Harper's Ferry, ten.
The St. Patrick's Parochial school, located at Waukon, besides doing eleventh grade work, offers a normal and business course. This school supplies many teachers for the rural schools.
The Immaculate Conception School, under the direction of Franciscan Nuns, is located at Lansing.
An attempt has been made to grade the rural schools of the county and en- courage the pupils to remain in school until they have completed the eighth grade and then attend some high school. Pupils who pass the eighth grade examination in the rural schools are given a certificate admitting them to their nearest high school and the local district must pay their tuition for four years.
Two examinations are given each year to eighth grade pupils who care to write for a diploma. In 1907. 30 diplomas were granted; in 1908. 72; in 1909. 115; in 1910, 131 ; in 1911, 151; in 1912, 108.
The average compensation paid female teachers per month in 1906-97 was $31.01, and in 1911-12 was $38.58. The average compensation paid males per month for the same years was $62.89 and $72.49, respectively.
A spelling contest is held in the county each year and has been very beneficial to the pupils.
School fairs were held in 1910-11-12 and teachers were asked to make exhibits of work actually done in the schools or the products of the industry of the school boys and girls in the home, on the farm or in the shop.
A school field day was held in connection wth the fairs. About two thousand people attended each fair and viewed the exhibits. It brought patrons, pupils and teachers together and I believe has increased the interest in school matters.
Individual drinking cups have been placed in over one-half of the schools.
A professional teachers' library was started in 1907 by small contributions of the teachers, and 141 teachers have joined. The books are kept in the office of the county superintendent and a record kept of the books read.
Agriculture has been introduced by teachers using some text on the subject as a supplementary reader.
186
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
SUMMARY OF THE ANNUAL REPORT, 1911-12
Value of schoolhouses $154.625.00
Value of apparatus 10,378.00
Volumes in libraries
9,895
Number of persons between the ages of 5 and 21 5,640
Number enrolled in each corporation 3,980
Average cost of tuition per month, per pupil.
2.43
Amount paid teachers
53,477.66
Paid for fuel, rent, etc.
11.547.55
Paid for secretaries and treasurers
1,352.01
W. L. PECK,
County Superintendent.
Waukon, March 27, 1913.
.
CHAPTER XVI
PUBLIC UTILITIES
THE STANDARD TELEPHONE COMPANY was incorporated August 15, 1895, for a term of fifty years, with a capital of $25,000, divided into small shares of $5.00 each. This made it possible for many to invest small amounts in the enterprise, making it popular with the people, and its early growth was remarkable. Mr. V. HI. Stevens of Waterville was the originator of this corporation, having begun in a small way with a local plant, which proved so successful that he con- ceived the idea of branching out into a wider field. The result was the perfect- ing of the above organization, with principal place of business at Waukon, but with Lansing, Postville. New Albin and Decorah capital likewise interested. The first officers elected were: President. V. H. Stevens; Vice-President, Her- man Boeckh; Secretary, John J. Dunlevy; Treasurer, O. J. Hager; Directors were the above officers ex-officio and J. F. Dougherty, W. O. Bock, and Robert Hufschmidt.
This is not intended as a detailed history of this corporation, but only an out- line of its more important and patent transactions.
For the first few years, after the putting into operation of the first simply constructed lines, the company was able to pay good dividends, thus increasing its popularity and necessitating increased construction. It apparently continued to prosper, and Mr. Stevens continued as manager for some eight or ten years, during which time the capital was increased three times, viz. : January 12, 1899, to $50,000 ; January 8. 1900, to $100,000; and January 6, 1902, to $200,000.
But injudicious expenditure of capital, loss of business on account of the organization of farm telephone companies, increased cost of operating and main- tenance, the necessity for expending more and more capital to improve and rebuild the system, and other causes, had so decreased the revenues that later the company passed its first dividend.
January 1, 1904, Mr. Ellison Orr was employed as general superintendent and has proven an efficient manager, as shown by the official reports on file in his office. The cheaply and hastily constructed lines and exchanges first built were soon found to be inadequate for the business of the company, and besides were beginning to go down from natural decay.
Since Mr. Orr has had charge of the business the entire net revenues after the payment of general, operating and maintenance expenses, have been expended in entirely rebuilding the toll lines, exchanges and farm lines belonging to the company, which when completed will provide adequate construction for giving service equal to the best.
187
188
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY ·
On April 9, 1907, a mortgage and deed of trust was executed to B. F. Thomas, trustee, to secure an issue of $50,000 six per cent bonds, due June 1, 1918, the purpose being to refund an old floating indebtedness of $35,000 and provide a fund of $15,000 with which to begin repairing, improving, equipping and extend- ing the lines and town exchanges of the company.
From the report for the year ending December 31, 1912, we glean the follow- ing interesting facts :
Capital stock actually paid up, $126,290.00, or 25,258 shares at $5.00.
The company operates in Allamakee. Clayton, Fayette and Winneshiek coun- ties in Iowa, and Houston and Fillmore in Minnesota, with lines across the Mississippi to La Crosse and De Soto. The gross receipts for the year are given as $48,281.51 ; general, operating, maintenance and all other expenses as $33.571.56; three-fourths of which amounts were in Iowa. The difference or net revenue was expended in rebuilding.
The company has 190 miles of toll lines in lowa and 8814 miles in Minne- sota. The total miles of pole lines is given as 528, of which 27814 is toll line as stated above, the remainder being in exchanges and farm lines. Number of instruments on town exchanges in Iowa, 1,472; on rural or farm lines, 717. The number in the principal town exchanges being as follows: Decorah, 618; Wau- kon, 471; Elkader, 216; Garnavillo, 141; Monona, 148; Lansing, 134; Gutten- berg, 112; the foregoing figures include farm phones ; and Caledonia, 225: and Preston, 240; no farm phones included.
Total number of phones in use December 31, 1912, in Iowa 2.363; in Min- nesota. 491 ; total, 2,854 : an increase of 178 during the year. Total valuation of all fixed properties, $106,164.93.
About seventy-five employees are carried on the company's pay rolls, includ- ing thirty-six salaried operators and local managers, twenty station operators, five trouble-men, two district managers, two general office employees, five to twelve in construction gang, with foreman; and superintendent.
Although it is generally understood that a controlling amount of stock is now owned by outside parties, the affairs of the Standard Telephone Company are carried on entirely independent of any other concern, the present officers being residents of this county, as follows: President, M. W. Eaton ; Vice-President (vacant ) ; Secretary, Ellison Orr; Treasurer, (). J. Hager; Directors, W. T. Gilchrist, Matt Heiser, P. S. Narum, Henry Luhman.
The mileage in Allamakee county and valuation for assessment are fixed by the Board of Supervisors as follows: Mileage, 148.25 ; valuation, $43 per mile.
OTHER TELEPHONE COMPANIES operating in Allamakee county, with their mileage and valuation as fixed by the Board of Supervisors in 1911, are as follows :
lowa Telephone Company, 42.25 miles, in Post, Ludlow, Union Prairie, Makee, French Creek and Union City : valuation, Sioo per mile.
Eitzen and New Albin Telephone Company. 19 miles, in Union City and lowa townships ; $16 per mile.
Ludlow Telephone Company, 60 miles, in Union Prairie and Ludlow ; $16.
Luana-Monona Farmers' Telephone Company, 6 miles, in Linton, at ȘII.
Paint Creek Farmers' Telephone Company, 202.75 miles, in Center, Fairview.
HORSESHOE BEND. LANSING
4
RIVERSIDE BROOK TROUT FARM, LANSING
191
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
French Creek, Jefferson, Makee, Linton, Lafayette, Lansing, Paint Creek and Taylor townships, at $16 per mile.
Union Prairie Telephone Company, 17.25 miles, at $12.
Highland Northeastern Telephone Company. . 60 of one mile in Waterloo, at $12.
Bear Creek Private Telephone Company, 6 miles, in Waterloo, at $12.
Bergen Farmers' Telephone Company, 5 miles, in Waterloo, at $12.
Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company, 33 miles, in Post and Franklin, at $12 per mile.
Frankville and Postville Telephone Company, 12 miles, in Post, at $12.
Glenwood Farmers' Telephone Company, 12 miles, in Union Prairie and city of Waukon, at $12.
Winnebago and Jefferson Telephone Company, one-half mile in lowa town- ship, at $20.
Harmony Telephone Association, 11.50 miles, in Union City, at $11.
lowa River Farmers' Telephone Company, 18 miles, in Union City and Iowa townships, at $10 per mile.
Henderson Prairie Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company, one mile, in Post township, at $16.
New Albin and Sand Cove Telephone Company, 11 miles, in Lansing and lowa townships, at $20.
New Albin and Irish Hollow Telephone Company, 8 miles, in lowa, at $12.
Nordness Telephone Company, 14 miles, in Ludlow and Post, at $12.
Pleasant Ridge Telephone Company, 2 miles, in Post, at $14.
Sattre Telephone Company, I mile, in Hanover, at $12.
State Line Mutual Telephone Company, 6.50 miles, in Union City and Water- loo, at $12.
South Harmony Telephone Company, 7.75 miles, in Union City, at $10.
North Ridge and Jefferson Telephone Company, one-fourth mile in Iowa, at $160 per mile.
Patterson Creek Telephone Company, 11 miles, in Hanover, Union Prairie and Makee townships, at $10.
Silver Creek Farmers' Telephone Company, 8 miles, in French Creek and Makee, at ȘI0.
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAILWAY
Dubuque Division has 35.81 miles of line in Allamakee county, along the entire eastern border, built in 1872, assessed valuation $7,000 per mile.
Waukon Branch, 22.81 miles, at $3,000 per mile.
Iowa and Dakota Division has but 4.02 miles in this county, assessed at $8,300 per mile.
CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC RAILWAY
Has but 1.61 miles, in Post township, assessed at $4,200 per mile.
192
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
UNITED STATES EXPRESS COMPANY
Operates on this small mileage of the C .. R. I. & P., and is assessed at $35 per mile.
WELLS, FARGO & CO. EXPRESS
Operates in this county over the lines of the C .. M. & St. P. Rv., 62.64 miles, and is assessed at $35 per mile.
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY
Covers all rail lines in the county, and is assessed 64.59 miles, at $80 per mile.
UPPER IOWA POWER COMPANY
On March 28. 1896, the City Council of Waukon granted to Charles F. Speed a franchise for the construction and operation of an electric light and power plant in Waukon, and at a special election held April 21, 1896, the action of the council was sustained. Mr. Speed was acting in the interest of Messrs. Clark W., Helmus W. and Mackey J. Thompson of La Crosse, Wisconsin, by whom he was then employed as manager of the lighting plant at McGregor, lowa.
In casting about for some one of experience in the electrical field who would become financially interested with them and erect and operate the plant, the Thompson brothers were directed by a mutual friend to Burtis & Howard, electrical contractors of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who were in the business of con- structing municipal lighting plants and who having previously looked over both Waukon and Decorah, with a view to securing franchises in these towns, took up with their proposition and joined them in the organization of the Waukon Electric Light Company in May, with Clark W. Thompson, President and Treasurer. W. H. Burtis, Vice-President, Helmus W. Thompson, Secretary, and M. S. Howard, Superintendent. Early in June active operations were begun on the construction of a steam plant near the depot and the lines for distributing the current, and the plant was completed and put in service September 21, 1896 ( first night of the County Fair ).
In September, 1896, the city of Decorah granted a franchise to Burtis & Howard, and the Decorah Electric Light Company was organized, W. H. Burtis being made President and Manager, M. S. Howard, Vice-President and Treas- urer, and H. L. Tanner, Secretary, and a light and power plant constructed which was put into operation in February, 1897.
The matter of water power from the Upper lowa or Oneota river was given some consideration at this time and a visit was made in January, 1897, to a power site in Winneshiek county on the Frank Drew farm near the Winneshiek and Allamakee county line, a site which has since been developed, the plant at that point being known as Power Plant No. 1. The project did not appear feasible at that time, however, and nothing further was done until October. 1903. when a systematic study of the river was begun with a view to determining the minimum flow and normal flow. By 1905 the business in both towns had increased to such an extent as to tax the capacity of the existing steam plants and it seemed advisable to construct a hydro-electric plant and transmission sys-
193
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
tem to supply the needed power, rather than to install additional steam machinery. Negotiations were therefore begun looking to the consolidation of the Waukon Electric Light Company and the Decorah Electric Light Company, and the con- solidation was consummated in June, 1906, under the name Upper Iowa Power Company, with the principal office at Decorah, and the officers of the company were W. H. Burtis, President and Manager ; M. S. Howard, Vice-President and Treasurer, and J. H. Duncan, Secretary.
In the meantime surveys had been made and a power site seven miles below Decorah on the James Lannon farm in Winneshiek county, a few hundred feet up the river from the point where the abandoned grade of the Waukon and Mis- sissippi Railway, between Waukon and Decorah, crossed the river, was selected, and plans were prepared by a Cleveland engineering firm for a dam and power plant at this point on which work was begun early in May, 1906. The work on this dam and power plant and the transmission line to Decorah was completed in the latter part of March, 1907, and was only awaiting the completion of the sub-station at Decorah to begin supplying that place with power, when on March 24th, a beautiful spring Sunday. the dam was undermined and destroyed. The failure occurred when the river was at its normal stage, and was due to faulty design by the engineers who planned the work, the foundations not having been carried to sufficient depth to prevent undermining.
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