USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > The history of Black Hawk County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion > Part 42
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It is impossible to find any reports of educational matters in this county prior to 1858, when the Seventh General Assembly passed "An act for the Public Instruction of the State of Iowa," and organized the present school sys- tem. By this act, which went into force March 20, 1858, each civil township was made a school district, and the number of districts and district officers was thus greatly reduce t. By the same act, the office of County Superintendent of Schools was created, and appropriations made in aid of Teachers' Institutes.
The first Teachers' Institute held in the county, of which any recollection remains, was at Cedar Falls, October 8-13, 1860, conducted by J. L. Enos, of Cedar Rapids. Those in attendance were: T. Steed, L. J. Hammond, W. C. Porter, R. C. Hall, J. S. Livingston, E. B. Lamb, W. H. Merwin, Peter Liv- ingston, T. H. Leslie, Dr. John Kerr, E. H. Wilcox, Wilbur F. Poor, Jennie Gardner, Anna Gardner, E. A. Leslie, Alice Doolittle, Sarah A. Dougherty, Lois A. Dunham, Anna E. Jaynes, N. Collins, E. A. McStay, Anna Bullock, Mary E. Pratt, Mary A. Barnard, M. J. Collier, Mrs. D. C. Overman, Mrs. Joseph Chase, Phebe Tondro, Susan McNalley, Emma Hall, W. Garrison, L. F. Barnard, W. W. Engle, M. J. Engle, M. W. Collins, Eliza Dixon, M. J. McStay. The officers chosen for the ensuing year were: J. M. White, President; E. B. Lamb, Vice President ; L. F. Barnard, Secretary ; T. Steed, Treasurer ; Mrs. D. C. Overman, L. J. Hammond, E. H. Wilcox, Executive Committee.
Between October 5, 1860, and October 4. 1861, there were 70 public schools in Black Hawk County ; number of pupils attending school, 2,347 ; number of teachers-males, 44 : females, 64; average weekly compensation to males, $5.21; to females, $3.16; amount paid teachers during year, $6,353.60. The total population of the county in 1860 was 8,244.
The following abstracts from the Superintendent's reports for 1860. 1867 and 1877 will show the progress of the educational interests of the county, since the period when records are accessible :
1860.
1867.
1877.
Township Districts.
17
22
11
Independent Districts
..
...
81
Ungraded schools.
...
...
5
Number of schools ..
78
108
141
Average duration-months.
...
7.58
Number of male teachers
54
84
Number of female teachers.
12
139
197
Average compensation-males, per week ...
$6 46
$7 50
month $35 34
Average compensation-females, per week ...
3 08
6 25
29 83
Number of persons between ages of 5 and 21 years-males .
1,461
3,307
4,380
Number of persons between ages of 5 and 21 years-females
1,371
3,225
4,183
56
Sub-Districts.
114
136
Graded schools ..
. .
...
368
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Pupils enrolled.
2,103
6,080
6,172
Average attendance
1,275
3,403
4,281
Cost of tuition per pupil-Summer, per week
.22
.21 -
month, $1 32
School houses-frame
25
72
127
brick
10
stone
3
5
10
logs
7
9
..
Value of school houses
$8,695 25
$84,088
$170,150
Value of apparatus
49 50
2.139 20
3,249
Number of volumes in libraries.
32
32
61
Total expense for paid teachers.
4,132 74 18,978 78
47,030 86
Following is the Financial Statement for 1877 :
SCHOOL HOUSE FUND.
Total receipts during the year.
$47,511 23
Paid for school houses and sites
5,425 42
Paid on bonds and interest
35,134 31
On hand
6,951 50
CONTINGENT FUND.
Total receipts
$25,696 67
Paid rent for school houses
1 60
Paid repairs for school houses.
3,197 90
Paid for fuel.
4,837 87
Paid Secretaries.
642 66
Paid Treasurers
527 15
Paid records and apparatus.
913 56
Paid various purposes.
6,932 44
On hand
8,743 49
TEACHERS' FUND.
Total receipts
$79,655 94
Paid teachers 47,030 86
On hand
32,625 08
Number of teachers receiving certificates of first grade.
54
Number of teachers receiving certificates of second grade.
129
Number of teachers receiving certificates of third grade.
98
Total number of certificates granted
281
Number of applicants rejected.
118
Number of applicants examined
399
Average of applicants, male ..
.25
Average of applicants, female.
.23
No experience in teaching, males
7
No experience in teaching, females
35
Taught less than one year, males.
39
Taught less than one year, females ..
49
Number of schools visited by County Superintendent
142
Number of visits
187
Educational meetings held.
3
Appeals decided.
1
Compensation of Supt. from October 1, 1876 to Oct. 1, 1877. $1,232
Number of private schools
4
Number of private school teachers.
19
Number of pupils in private schools.
370
A Teachers' Normal Institute was held at Waterloo, commencing March 26, 1877, continuing two weeks. E. Baker, Conductor; J. K. Sweeney, M. F. Avery, T. R. Hamlin and Miss M. McCowen, Assistant Instructors ; C. W. Van Coelln and J. C. Gilchrist, Lecturers. Total number of teachers in attend- ance, 205-41 gentlemen and 164 ladies.
Graded Schools of 1877 .- Cedar Falls: Male teachers, 3; female teachers, 12; J. McNaughton, Principal, salary 81,200. East Waterloo : Female teach- ers, 10; J. K. Sweeney, Principal, salary $1,200. La Porte City : Female
Winter, 66
.38
.27
4
...
369
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
teachers, 4; E. M. Sharon, Principal, salary $680. Waterloo: Female teach- ers, 9; Prof. W. H. Robertson, Principal, salary $1,390.
The private schools are : Prairie Home Female Seminary-Miss A. Fields, Principal : 4 teachers employed ; 65 pupils. Conservatory of Music-E. W. Burnham, Principal ; teachers, 3. Our Lady of Victory (Catholic)-Lady Crescentia, Principal ; teachers, 5 ; pupils, 145.
The present efficient Superintendent of Schools is James S. George, Esq .. and the present condition of the schools in the county is thus summarized in his last annual report :
The raising of the grades of certificates has produced a very beneficial effect upon teachers and schools.
It has incited our teachers to more application and study, and I can plainly see that they are giving much closer attention to their school work. I find the people generally in favor of elevating the standard of their teachers and schools ; and I also meet, in my efforts to accom- plish this much-to-be desired end, not a little opposition from teachers. I have been sorely tried in a few instances by teachers and their relatives asking, and even demanding, particular favors. I have been forced to the conclusion that nepotism is, perhaps, as common here as in many other parts of the State ; but by the strict observance of law and official instructions, I have it in a great measure under subjection.
We held our Normal Institute this year last Spring, having an attendance of 205 members, and it proved in all respects a success. The attendance would have been much greater had it not been for prevailing sickness at the time, and that a number of schools were in session. The ยท State Norinal School is in a very prosperous condition, but is much in need of more room. An appropriation should be made by the State this Winter for its enlargement.
The State can well feel proud of this institution, and should give liberally toward its en- couragement and support.
In the compiling of my report, I have labored, as usual, under great embarrassments in pro- curing prompt and correct reports from school Secretaries and Treasurers.
The difficulty will continue to occur until the Legislature afford to the Superintendent some relief. The law as it now is, renders him completely powerless ; and if he is refused reports by these officers, he has no efficient way provided to enforce compliance with the law. I often won- der why our law makers are so dilatory and lax concerning these important r gulations. It is to be hoped that our Legislature will act wisely and promptly in this matter.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
On page 201 of this work will be found a brief account of the inception of this institution, which promises to be such an important adjunct to the common school system of Iowa.
It is needless to say that the people of Black Hawk County fully appreciate the establishment of the Normal School in their midst.
The first Commencement Exercises were held on Wednesday, June 27, 1877. There were six applicants for graduation, but two of the number were denied diplomas on account of their youth, though they were allowed to participate in the exercises. The subjects discussed by the class were as follows :
Maude Gilchrist, Cedar Falls, " Progression the Law of the Human Race :" R. O. Benton, Mason City, "Superstitions ;" Mary Flagler, Cedar Falls, " Public Sentiment ;" Ada Coates, Green Mountain, "The Triumph of Peace;" Eva M. Donohue, Mason City, "The Value of Character ;" David K. Bond, Hopkinton, " Penn and Lycurgus."
The average attendance by terms during the Normal year was ninety.
At the Commencement of 1878 (July 11), the orations were : "Civiliza- tion." Loren E. Churchill. Finchford ; "Vicissitudes of a Poet's Life," Maude Gilchrist ; "Safety Lies in a Medium," David K. Bond, Hopkinton ; " Misan- thropy," Rome O. Benton, Mason City.
The number of students in attendance during the past year was 237, of whom 153 were ladies. There are two literary societies-the Philomathean and the Alpha-both of which are heartily sustained by the students.
370
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
The officers chosen by the Trustees for the coming two years are: S. G. Smith, President ; J. J. Tolerton, Vice President; E. Townsend, Treasurer ; W. C. Bryant, Secretary.
The faculty for 1878-9 is as follows: J. C. Gilchrist, A. M., Principal, and Professor of Mental Philosophy, Moral Philosophy and Didactics ; M. W. Bartlett, A. M., Professor of Ancient Languages and Natural Science ; D. S. Wright, A. M., Professor of Mathematics and Ancient Literature; Miss S. Laura Ensign, Teacher of Geography, History, Botany, et al. ; Miss Mary E. Bradley, Teacher of Drawing, Penmanship and Bookkeeping ; William Pat- tee, Steward, and Mrs. Parsons, Matron.
Students seeking admission to this school are required to be, if males, at least 17, and, if females, at least 16 years of age ; to produce a certificate of good moral character, signed by some responsible person ; to sign a statement of their intention in good faith to follow the business of teaching in the public schools of the State; to produce a certificate showing that the applicant has passed the examination required to obtain a teacher's certificate of the lowest grade, and that he has been appointed to the school. Such examination and appointment must be made, and such certificate is signed by the Superintendent of Schools for the county in which the applicant resides. Students need not hesitate to correspond with the institution before this appointment, or even if failing to get it.
Each county is entitled to one student for every four thousand inhabitants, or part thereof; but admission will not be refused to any applicant who can be admitted without prejudice to the rights of others under the apportionment. Practically, the school is open to all.
Students not intending to become teachers can enter the school, provided there are accommodations untaken by student teachers ; but such students must pay tuition at the rate of two dollars ($2.00) per month.
THE PRESS.
Cedar Falls Banner .- In 1854, it became necessary that Cedar Falls and Black Hawk County should have a newspaper. Accordingly, Wm. H. McClure and Dr. Meredith purchased at Tipton a six-column hand press and the neces- sary outfit of material, both having seen hard service, but capable of more, and on the 11th of July, the first number of the Cedar Falls Banner was issued. A. F. Brown was the editor; Samuel C. Dunn and Joseph Farley, printers. The sheet was a six-column folio, "independent in all things." In October following, Dr. Meredith sold his share to S. H. Packard, Esq., who assumed the editorial duties. McClure & Packard afterward sold the concern to Hill & Ball, who were succeeded by Wm. H. Hartman, in 1857 or 1858, who soon after removed the concern to Waterloo and began the publication of the Water- loo Courier.
The Banner had a circulation of about six hundred, copies being sent to every State in the Union, and one or two to China. It was a most useful little paper, and was of material help in calling attention to the natural advan- tages of Iowa as a home for immigrants and attracting settlers hither.
A file of the Banner was kept, and was introduced in evidence in a case being tried at Waterloo some years ago. Its owner, who prized it highly, not finding it convenient to take the bulky package home with him, left it in the Clerk's office for a more convenient occasion. The Clerk conscientiously used up the entire file for kindling fires, very much to the regret of all the early settlers.
371
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
The Cedar Falls Gazette was given to the expectant citizens of that town for the first time on Friday, March 16, 1860, by H. A. and G. D. Perkins. publishers and editors. In the " Salutatory " the editors say. " We come with a strong determination to work with a will for your interests, to leave no honor- able means untried to enhance your prosperity, promote your interests, and give publicity to the many natural and artificial advantages with which this point is favored." The politics of the new paper was defined to be in accord with the Republican platform of 1856. The paper was a folio sheet, seven columns to the page. Four years afterward, it was enlarged one column to the page. During the war, George D., the younger brother, enlisted in the volunteer serv- ice. but was discharged for disability, after a year's service. In 1865, Henry A. Perkins was appointed Postmaster of Cedar Falls. July 13, 1866, the brothers sold the paper and material to Rev. S. B. Goodenow, who had just withdrawn from the Independence Guardian. This gentleman retained con- trol till March 22, 1867, when he disposed of the property to Mr. C. W. Sny- der, of Clinton, and A. C. Holt, of Cedar Falls. Mr. Holt remained in the paper till the Summer of 1868, when he disposed of his interest to E. A. Snyder. Early in 1869, the Snyder Brothers sold to George K. Shaw and L. D. Tracy. In two short weeks the partners quarreled, and the firm was dissolved, C. W. Snyder buying out Shaw, who took possession of the Grundy County Atlas. For two or three weeks the Atlas and the Gazette were fairly sulphureous with epithets, the doughty Shaw, among other things, challenging Rev. Mr. Tracy to fight a duel with him. The latter gentleman retired April 15, 1869, when E. A. Snyder again stepped into his old place. The Snyder Brothers continued its ownership till 1877, when Mr. Merchant purchased of them a one-third interest, and the firm still remains the same. The Gazette has always been regarded as one of the very best newspapers in Iowa, being always courteous and fair in political matters, and most painstaking and indus- trious in its local department.
The Northwest Democrat was established by a stock company at Cedar Falls, and the first number issued in June, 1862. Its first editor was a decided partisan, and his management drew down on the sheet the ire of the Repub- lican portion of the community to the extent of threatening to suppress the paper. Early in 1863, the owners of the paper decided to conclude its brief life till the kindly touches of time should allay the bitter feeling then existing.
The Cedar Falls Recorder was begun in October, 1872, by S. G. Sher- burne. It was a good sized quarto sheet, Democratic in politics. Mr. Sher- burne remained as proprietor till February, 1874, when he sold out to H. C. Shaver, who had been foreman of the office. In November, 1875, Mr. Shaver sold to L. Hawkins, who converted it into a semi-religious paper ; but finding the experiment a hazardous one, he disposed of the property, six weeks after- ward, to J. B. Abbott & Co., who made it a Republican paper. It soon passed back to H. C. Shaver, who changed its politics to its original position. In May. 1877. I. Van Metre purchased a half interest, and assumed editorial control. The Recorder is now an eight-column folio sheet, all printed at home, and has a large circulation among the Democracy of Black Hawk County. The office is on the first floor of No. 1 Main street. The proprietors are now arranging to have the presses run by water power from the mill race, which can be sup- plied very cheaply,
Two other journals have been published at Cedar Falls-the Record, by A. C. Holt, in 1866. and the Real Estate Journal, by T. L. French & Co .. two or three years after. Both were advertising papers.
372
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
The Iowa State Register and Waterloo Herald made its appearance on Saturday, December 15, 1855, Wm. Haddock, editor and proprietor. It was an eight-column folio, and, for the time, a very handsome and creditable sheet. In his salutation to his readers, the editor says : " In politics, our paper will be independent, and not merely neutral ;" and further on, that he is a firm believer in " the doctrine of State rights, and that the South ought to be per- initted to hold slaves unmolested so long as there is no help for it under the Constitution." But he was opposed to extending slavery into the territories, and in the struggle growing out of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, the paper took Republican grounds, and then, like most independent journals, was everything by turns and nothing long.
In the latter part of its life, the paper missed frequent issues, the business of the office was neglected, and dissatisfaction was manifested by the patrons in various ways, in hopes of spurring up the publisher to better things; but all without avail. After repeated threats of encouraging the starting of another paper, the citizens did finally extend material aid to Hartman & Ingersoll, which resulted in establishing the Courier, which soon proved a formidable com- petitor. In October, 1859, the Register was discontinued, and the material was sold to parties in Waverly, who were about to start a Democratic paper there.
The Waterloo Courier .- In August, 1858, W. H. Hartman, then a young man " chock-full of days' works," and ambitious of winning fame and wealth as a newspaper publisher, resurrected the defunet Banner, at Cedar Falls, and in November following, Geo. D. Ingersoll became associated with him. They inade a desperate struggle to keep it waving; but times were tight, money scarce, and the publishers, finding it hard to live on faith and corn meal alone, suspended the paper again, and on Christmas Day, 1858, moved the material to Waterloo, where, on January 18, 1859, the Courier was born. It was first issued as a seven-column folio. Patronage was light, and it was only by the most rigid economy that both ends were made to meet. On the 1st of January, 1860, the paper was enlarged to an eight-column sheet, the death of the Register making such enlargement possible and necessary. In September of the same year, Hartman bought out Ingersoll, and the Courier continued with him as sole proprietor until November 14, 1864, when J. W. Logan became half owner. In 1865, the paper was again enlarged by adding an extra column to the page, and other improvements were made. In April, 1871, Hartman & Logan sold out the entire establishment to Aldrich & Woodruff, but in October of the same year, Mr. Hartman again became part owner by purchasing Mr. Aldrich's interest. On February 5, 1874, Mr. Woodruff sold out to A. J. Felt, and the firm name was changed to Felt & Hartman. On the 16th of April following, the paper was again enlarged and changed to a seven-column quarto. August 16, 1875, Mr. Hartman purchased Mr. Felt's interest, and since that date, has been sole editor and proprietor.
The early years of the Courier were full of troubles and struggles for exist- ence ; but now it is considered one of the best newspaper properties in the in- terior of the State, and it is blessed with a patronage which insures its publisher a good, liberal income.
The Iowa State Reporter, next in order, was started May 13, 1868, by H. Q. Nicholson, and was then almost the only paper in the State issued in quarto form. It was started as a Democratic paper, although Black Hawk was one of the strong Republican counties of the State, giving only 841 Democratie votes out of 3,421 cast at the election of that year. But the paper was neatly printed, ably edited, and its publisher soon worked up a list of about 1,000 subscribers,
373
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
and a handsome advertising patronage. In November, 1868, Mr. Nicholson was called East by the serious illness of his father, and during his absence the paper was continueil by the boys in the office so long as there were any coal piles in the neighborhood and the paper dealers had faith enough to send on white paper. When these two supplies were cut off, the paper had to stop, but the boys were full of grit to the end, and in their last number let themselves down with the following explanation :
" Owing to the rapidly increasing business which an appreciating commu- nity is bestowing upon us, we find it necessary to remove our material and ma- chinery to more capacious quarters. Therefore, we shall be compelled, however reluctantly, to suspend the publication of the Reporter for a few weeks, as our machinery is so heavy and extensive that the change cannot be effected without incurring the above suspension."
But the suspension was a permanent one, so far as Mr. Nicholson was con- cerned. His father died December 20, 1868. which made it impossible for him to return and resume its publication On February 11, 1869, the material and subscription list were purchased by Smart & Parrott. At that time the office was in the building on Fourth street, now occupied by Seaman & Son, and was too small and inconvenient for printing office purposes. The new proprietors secured a lease of the rear rooms in the second story of Union Hall Block, but did not commence the publication of the Reporter again until the office was moved to the new location, which was in April, and on the 14th of that month the Reporter again appeared, but as a Republican paper.
On the 31st of May, 1871, the paper was enlarged to a six-column quarto, and other improvements made, and at that time it was the largest newspaper in the county.
The next era in the life of the Reporter was October 16, 1872, when the establishment was moved from Union Block into the building specially erected for its occupancy, on Sycamore street.
On June 18, 1873, a change was made in the firm, James L. Girton becom- ing a partner, and the firm name was changed to Smart, Parrott & Co. On March 17, 1875, J. J. Smart sold out his interest to J. P. Sherman, and the firm name was changed to Parrott, Girton & Sherman, who are the present publishers.
Der Deutsch Amerikaner .- The first number of this paper was issued August 29, 1872. one side English and the other German. It was published by a company and edited by A. Schill. On the 1st of January, 1873, Mr. Martin Blim became proprietor and editor, and on the 21st of February follow- ing, discontinued the English part of his paper, making it exclusively German. It is enjoying a fair degree of prosperity, and its subscription list is constantly increasing.
The La Porte Progress was established November 30, 1870, by Dr. Jesse Wasson. It was a seven-column folio, Independent in politics, and edited with ability. In February, 1872, the Progress was enlarged to eight columns. It is now edited by its original editor, Dr. Wasson, and in politics is Democratic.
The La Porte City Republican first appeared in July, 1852, W. H. Brink- erhoff, editor and publisher. After struggling against fate for eleven long, weary months, the Republican succumbed to the inevitable, and suspended for want of adequate support.
Burroughs' Journal was first started in Streator, Ill., by Rev. J. W. Bur- roughs, but was removed to Raymond, Black Hawk County, Iowa, in July, 1874. It is a six-column quarto paper, devoted to the discussion of religious topics, mainly. It is published weekly, and is printed at Raymond.
374
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
RAILROADS.
Dubuque &. Pacific Railroad .- The necessity for railroads was felt by the early settlers of Iowa to be a vital one, and whenever a project was pre- sented to any settlement, it was sure to meet hearty welcome. In 1854, a preliminary survey was made for a line westward, by the Dubuque & Pacific Company, then just organized, and the people of Black Hawk County felt that the hour of their prosperity was near at hand ; while the residents of Waterloo and Cedar Falls saw in the future the thriving cities that have sprung up. But the company, having limited capital, and the people east of Black Hawk being able to do but little, the road progressed very slowly.
To insure the building of the Dubuque & Pacific Road to Cedar Falls, the inhabitants contributed freely by donations of cash and lands, and also by taking stock ; the principal contributors being the Overmans, Brown, Dr. Meredith, Mullarky and others : the amount in all being about $100,000.
The county of Black Hawk was asked to aid the enterprise by subscribing to the capital stock of the company to the amount of $200,000, and the people voted to do so. The bonds were prepared and are still preserved in the county archives as a memento of railroad excitement and the sanguine hopes of the people. It is said that the County Judge at that time (1856) refused to sign these bonds, and consequently they were never issued. The reasons for this refusal are not clearly apparent: but it is said that the city of Waterloo became largely identified with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad, which was probably thought to be of more importance to that city than the Dubuque & Pacific. In consequence of their refusal to comply with the terms of the agreement, it is alleged that the line of the road, after being partially graded and designed to cross the Cedar in the city of Waterloo, was changed to its present route, and the depots established north of the city.
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