The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 69

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical
Number of Pages: 964

USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 69

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In compliance with a resolution previously introduced by Mr. Cram, the Committee on Course of Study, Mr. Ham, reported, May 18, a new course of study for the high school, to go into operation with the beginning of the school year in September. Mr. Ham, in his report, said :

" Instead of a single course extending over four years, with few optionals, as heretofore, it is believed the course herewith submitted will better meet the wants of the people, and have a tendency to make the school more useful and of more extended benefit, without increasing the expense. The course of study proposed is divided into three parts, each a full course in itself:

" Classical .- This is a four-years course designed for such as wish to pre- pare for college, or obtain a good classical education. It embraces mathematics and many of the natural sciences.

Latin-Scientific .- This, also, is a four-years course, adapted from the course heretofore existing in the school, and is designed to accommodate those who wish to obtain a higher education than our ward schools afford without entering college. It embraces Latin, mathematics, the natural sciences, English litera- ture, political economy, etc.

" Business .- This is a two-years course only, and is designed for such as wish to obtain an education that will fit them for a business life-give them, in short, a. good 'practical education.' It embraces commercial arithmetic and book-keeping, German, natural philosophy, English composition, chemistry, etc. It is believed this course will supply a want long felt in our school system.

" It is thought a system of lecturing, by Principal and assistants, upon kindred topics, can be introduced with profit, and it is recommended."

The course of study for the high school, as recommended by Mr. Ham, was adopted by the Board, with the following modification, proposed by Mr. Cram, viz .:

" That the studies named for the second year of the business course be elective, under the direction of the Principal; provided, that at least four studies in the course be taken."

The new course of study has now been in successful operation for four years, and seems to be giving satisfaction. This, together with the course of study pursued in the ward schools, is published herewith.

At the semi-annual meeting, September 18, Thomas Hardie was re-elected as Secretary, and Joseph Herod as Treasurer, of the Board.

On the 13th day of December, of this year, J. H. Thedinga departed this life. Mr. Thedinga, who had been a Director for nineteen consecutive years; was, as the foregoing pages show, an active participator in the business of the Board, and to his careful management of the financial affairs of the district may be attributed, in a great degree, their present excellent condition. He was ever faithful to his trust. As a mark of respect to his memory, the Board attended his funeral in a body, and caused to be placed upon record an expres- sion of their appreciation of him as a man, their love for him as an associate, and their deep sorrow at his final separation from their councils.

572

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

December 28, F. A. Gniffke was unanimously elected as a Director to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Thedinga.

February 19, 1877, a writ of mandamus was served upon the officers of the Board by the District Court, commanding the admittance of a colored pupil to the First Ward School. Service was accepted by the President, and the child admitted. This being considered a test case, the Board made no defense, and, on the 22d of the same month, ordered the colored school to be discontinued.

At the annual election, March 12, 1877, M. M. Ham and R. E. Graves were re-elected as Directors for the full term, and F. A. Gniff ke for two years, that being the unexpired term of the late Mr. Thedinga.

The new Board was organized March 19, by the election of M. M. Ham, President.

Mr. Cram submitted the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That the thanks of the Board be extended to our retiring President, Mr. Jennings, for the uniformly courteous and effective discharge of the duties of his position.

Ex-President Jennings returned his thanks to the Board for the acknowl- edgment contained in the resolution, that he had, while acting as President, discharged his duties effectively. He had always devoted his best energies as an officer to the welfare of the public schools of the city ; and, on the floor, acting in the capacity of a Director, he would continue to give his time and attention to their welfare, as he considered the best interests of the public schools and of our city to be identical.

At the semi-annual meeting of the Board, held September 17, Joseph Herod was re-elected as Treasurer, and Thomas Hardie as Secretary.

On the 22d of September, Hon. Christian Wullweber, formerly President of the Board, and for many years a School Director of the district, was sum- moned to his final account. The Board, at its regular meeting on the 27th, as a mark of respect to his memory, adopted resolutions of condolence and sym- pathy, which they caused to be spread upon the records "as an evidence of their appreciation of his services, and their desire to transmit for future emula- tion his good name."

During this year many desirable improvements have been made on school buildings, and an additional room opened in Couler Avenue School, all of which building is now occupied. Preliminary steps have also been taken, looking to the erection of a new schoolhouse on Seminary Hill.

During the summer of 1877, a question of title to certain school property arose between the city of Dubuque and the school district, the city claiming the right to certain 42 feet, Lot 602, on which stands the old brick building formerly occupied by the colored school. The question was submitted to Mr. Cram, as attorney for the district. October 8, Mr. Cram submitted the follow- ing opinions and recommendations :

1. That the city owns the south 42 feet of Lot 602; and has a valid title thereto.

2. These premises were purchased by the city for school purposes during the period when the schools were managed by the city.

3. When the city ceased to manage the schools, the District Township and the Independent District, who successively succeeded the city in the manage- ment of the schools, continued to use these premises for school purposes, but for many years prior to placing the colored school there, these premiscs were not used. and they are not so used or required now.

575

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

4. The school districts have used these premises only as licensee of the city, and the city can revoke it now that the premises are not used or needed for school purposes, but are needed in the judgment of the city for the public use as a street.

5. The city has the right to declare the premises a street, and is not liable to the district for their value, because the city owns the premises, and the dis- trict does not own them. The city can appropriate its own property to such public uses as the public in its judgment demands.

6. The Independent District is not damaged by the vacation of such license, because the district does not use the premises, and does not require them for use.

7. I advise the passage of the following resolution :

Resolved, That this district surrenders its rights in certain 42 feet, Lot 602, in Dubuque, to the city of Dubuque, said district to receive the avails, if any, realized by sale or disposition of the building on the premises, provided the city executes the instrument left with the City Recorder for its execution, by which the city releases to said district all rights of the city in certain premises as described in said instrument.

The resolution was adopted, and the city subsequently executed a deed releasing all claims to school lots heretofore transferred to the school district by the city. The Board in return gave a quit-claim deed to the city, of south 42 feet of Lot 602. Thus, what might have been expensive litigation was avoided, and the question of title to all other school property in the city was definitely settled.

For a number of years past, the Board had been negotiating for the pur- chase of the lot on the south adjoining the Third Ward School premises, but, owing to defects in the title, could not consummate the purchase. In October last, a clear title was obtained, and the property deeded to the district for the consideration of $2,500. The acquisition is a most desirable improvement to the Third Ward School, as affording at least a limited play-ground for the children.

In January, 1878, the Board published the twelfth annual report, in pamphlet form, entitled, "Public Schools of Dubuque." This was the only pamphlet report published for a period of ten years. It is the work of Thomas Hardie, the efficient Secretary of the Board, and is a very comprehensive and perfect record. March 11, 1878, John D. Jennings and De Witt C. Cram were selected Directors for three years.

At the annual meeting in March, the Board re-elected M. M. Ham, and J. H. Thompson as President pro tem.

During the summer of this year, the Ruttan system of heating and ven- tilating was introduced into the First, Third and Fifth Ward Schoolhouses, and the old system of heating by steam and ventilating by windows was thereafter discontinued in said buildings. The cost of this new system was about $5,300.

At the semi-annual meeting of the Board, September 16, Thomas Hardie and Joseph Herod were respectively re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer for one year. March 10, 1879, F. A. Gniffke and J. H. Thompson were re-elected Directors for a term of three years each.

At the annual meeting of the Board, March 16, M. M. Ham was re-elected President, and J. H. Thompson, President pro tem.

The successful operation of the Ruttan system of heating in the other ward schools last winter, caused the Board to adopt the same for the Fourth Ward School, and furnaces were accordingly introduced into that school this summer, reserving the High School building for the introduction of steam heating from the Steam Heating Co.'s works, should they prove a success.

576

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

The cost of the Fourth Ward School furnaces, flues for ventilation, etc., was about $1,200.

At the semi-annual meeting of the Board, September 15, Joseph Herod and Thomas Hardie were re-elected Treasurer and Secretary for one year.

During this year two lots of ground adjoining the Fourth Ward Schoolhouse were purchased for $2,000, and added to the grounds of that school. The brick dwelling thereon was remodeled and made into a cozy primary school, which relieved the large building in a great measure from its over-crowded condition. The beneficial results of the improvements to the grounds and building of this school is thus referred to in the last monthly report of the Principal. Speaking of the progress and present excellent condition of the school, he says : "This. has, I think, been largely due to our enlarged play-grounds, and improved heat- ing and ventilating. Our new heating and ventilating apparatus is, I think, the most perfect I ever saw."

At the annual election, March 18, 1880, R. E. Graves and W. W. Wematt were elected Directors, the latter to succeed M. M. Ham, who could not be pre- vailed upon to accept a re-election. The retirement of President Ham was deeply regretted by his fellow-citizens, and especially by his colleagues in the Board, for he had rendered most effective service to the schools.

At the annual meeting, March 15, the new Board was organized by the election of J. D. Jennings at President, with J. H. Thompson as President pro tem.

The foregoing is a brief history of the public schools of this city. The facts stated are drawn from official records, and will serve to give a correct idea of the rise and progress of the Dubuque educational system from its origin to the present day.

At this time, there are seventy-three teachers employed, three of whom are specials, and who give instruction in German after the regular school hours in the ward schools. Sixty of the teachers, out of the regular corps of sixty- nine, have received their education in the city schools. Under our system there is no superintendent employed, the Board itself taking the general super- vision and establishing rules which require uniformity in the course of study and text-books throughout the district. Each Principal is independent in his own school, and governed only by the rules of the Board, which apply equally to- all. Ilis time is divided between teaching the highest class and superintend- ing the various departments under his charge. At the close of each term, all sixteenth-class pupils are required to submit to a competitive examination before a standing committee of the Board. This examination is critical and thorough ; the pupil reaching a general average of 70 per cent in the studies pursued in the grammar course, is entitled to a certificate of admission to the high school. Thus a spirit of generous emulation is awakened and fostered. The Principals of the several schools are independent of each other, but equals in position. They cordially co-operate with the Board in securing uniformity of modes of discipline and instruction in the several schools. Their only strife is to excel. Harmonious and united in their work, they produce beneficial results, such as are not always found under the superintendent system.

The Board of Education, it is believed, has always practiced economy in expending the school moneys, consistent with the objects for which the expendi- tures have been required.

The school buildings, while of ample dimensions for the accommodation of all the pupils enrolled, have been built in a style severely plain. No money has been expended for mere architectural display, and, while citizens cannot

577

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

point the stranger visiting the city to superbly elegant monuments of the architect's skill on which the money or credits of the people has been lavished, they can with pride say, that, in the buildings and school accommodations, they have all that efficiency requires, and a surplus of money in the treasury, with- out a dollar of indebtedness.

Besides, they know that the schools have earned for themselves a name at home and abroad for worth and effectiveness, which it will doubtless be the pride of the citizens to uphold, when those who are now engaged in the work will have long passed from the stage of action.

Cost of School Property .- The following amounts have been paid for lots, school buildings and furniture since the organization of the school district in 1844 :

Year.

Amount Expended.

1849

$ 1,396

1856

58,430

1857

12,000

1864.

3,500

1865*

32,250

1866

18,000

1868

250

1869

625

1870.

4,000

1871.

926

1874.

9,080

1875.

2,500

1878

7,000

Total

$149,957

The last report of the Auditor on treasury accounts up to December 1, 1879, shows the amount on hand as follows :

Teachers' fund.

$2,062.83

Contingent fund.

586.77

Total

$2,649.60

All debts are paid up to April 1, 1880, and the district does not owe a cent on notes, bonds or otherwise.

The following tax was levied for the support of the schools for the year 1879-80 :

Teachers' fund.

$28,000

Contingent. 16,000

Course of Study .- The course of study is a most perfect and excellent one. It has been, by careful attention, developed into a perfect system. Below we give the branches of study taught :

Primary Department-Reading, spelling, counting, mental and practical arithmetic, printing, writing, definitions and oral instructions.

Secondary Department-Reading, spelling, definitions, punctuation, geog- raphy, penmanship, mental and practical arithmetic, and oral instruction.

Grammar Department-Reading, spelling, mental and practical arithmetic, grammar, geography, penmanship, composition, U. S. History, physics and oral instructions.

High School-First Year-Arithmetic, Latin, physiology, algebra, botany, English composition, German and book-keeping. Second Year-Algebra, Cæsar, general history, geometry, commercial arithmetic, natural philosophy, geology, chemistry, Constitution and political economy, and German. Third

578

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

Year-Geometry, Cicero, Greek, natural philosophy, chemistry and geology. Fourth Year-Trigonometry and surveying, Virgil, Anabasis, rhetoric and English literature, natural philosophy, Constitution and political economy.

Teachers .- The following are the names of teachers and their positions in the public schools of the city of Dubuque January 1, 1880 :

High School-Prof. Hiram L. Peet, Principal ; Prof. Charles B. Van Slyke, Prof. I. Pillsbury, Miss Tenie Norton and Miss Jennie L. Smith, Assistants ; Miss Louise M. Kompe, German teacher.

First Ward School-Prof. James E. Welsh, Principal ; Miss Lizzie A. McPoland, First Assistant Principal, A room, Grammar Department ; Miss Annie A. O'Shea, Second Assistant Principal, A room, Grammar Department ; Miss Emma A. Marshall, C room, Grammar Department ; Miss Elinor M. Murphy, D room, Grammar Department; Miss Mary L. Keeley, A room, Secondary Department ; Miss Julia A. Robinson, B room, Secondary Depart- ment ; Miss Mary S. Dunphy, C room, Secondary Department ; Miss Lizzie E. Poole, D room, Secondary Department; Miss Mary R. Lucas, A room, Primary Department; Miss Sallie O'Neil, B room, Primary Department ; Miss Mary Vandever, C room, Primary Department ; Miss Minnie J. Black- wedel, D room, Primary Department ; Mr. Fred Strieter, German teacher.

Third Ward School-Prof. Thomas M. Irish, Principal ; Miss Clara E. Poor, First Assistant Principal, A room, Grammar Department; Miss Gertie E. Karrick, Second Assistant Principal, A room, Grammar Department ; Miss Eliza G. Royce, C room, Grammar Department; Miss M. Alice Hardie, D room, Grammar Department; Mrs. Olive E. Weston, E room, Grammar Department ; Miss Laura A. Hollingsworth, A room, Secondary Department ; Miss Annie Trew, B room, Secondary Department ; Miss Hallie E. Jones, C room, Secondary Department ; Miss Isabella Collinson, D room, Secondary Department ; Miss Julia J. Crawford, E room, Secondary Department; Miss Jennie L. Walker, A room, Primary Department ; Miss Juliette F. Hewitt, B room, Primary Department; Miss Julia O'Connor, C room, Primary Depart- ment ; Miss Sophie A. Schaffer, D room, Primary Department; Miss Theresa M. Gorman, E room, Primary Department; Miss Hattie Goff, F room, Primary Department. Miss Emma Bechtel, G room, Primary Department ; Miss Maggie Vaupel, German teacher.

Fourth Ward School-Prof. William J. Shoup, Principal ; Miss Bridget M. Phelan, First Assistant Principal, A room, Grammar Department ; Miss Amelia Bowdish, Second Assistant Principal, A room, Grammar Department ; Miss Ellen M. Keneally, C room, Grammar Department ; Miss Belle Jackson, D room, Grammar Department; Miss Minnie A. Dixon, A room, Secondary Department; Miss Genevieve Cummins, B room, Secondary Department ; Miss Matilda Krakow, A room, Primary Department; Miss Anna L. Wilkin- son, B room, Primary Department ; Miss Margaret Enright, C room, Primary Department; Rev. Herman Ficke, German teacher.

Fifth Ward School-Prof. Charles G. Kretschmer, Principal ; Miss Rosa E. Fengler, First Assistant Principal, A room, Grammar Department : Miss Anna Riland, Second Assistant Principal, A room, Grammar Department ; Miss Belle McLenan, C room, Grammar Department ; Miss Ella B. Richards, D room, Grammar Department; Miss Eugenia A. Kretschmer, A room, Sec- ondary Department ; Miss Helen Sauer, B room, Secondary Department ; Miss Stella Sheridan, C room, Secondary Department ; Miss Anna McLenan, D room, Secondary Department ; Miss Etta J. Hancock, A room, Primary Department; Miss Annie M. Sage, B room, Primary Department; Miss

579

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

Louisa Ruehl, C room, Primary Department ; Miss Kate Reinfried, D room, Primary Department; Miss Lizzie G. Brown, E room, Primary Department ; Miss Mary A. Vogt, F room, Primary Department; Prof. Charles G. Kretsch- mer. German teacher.

Couler Avenue School-Under the supervision of the Principal of the Fifth Ward School ; Miss Minnie T. Wilber, A room, Grammar Department ; Miss Anna C. Kaltenbach, A room, Secondary Department ; Miss Sarah A. Lynch, A room, Primary Department; Miss Rosa Blochlinger, B room, Primary Department.

West Dubuque-Prof. James M. Walsh, Principal ; Miss Ada Schenkowitz, Primary Department.

South Dodge Street School-Under the supervision of the Principal of the First Ward School ; Miss Mary Kerr, Secondary Department; Miss Maggie A. Collinson, Primary Department.

Dodge Street School (ungraded)-Prof. Orester A. Brownson, teacher.

MONTHLY SALARIES PAID.

Principals of High and Ward Schools $150 00

Male assistants in High School, average.

85 00

Female assistants in High School, average.

50 00

German teacher 45 00

Female teachers First Ward School, average. 36 30

Female teachers Third Ward School, average ...

38 08

Female teachers Fourth Ward School, average.

38 61

Female teachers Fifth Ward School, average ..

38 21

Female teachers Couler Avenue School, average 35 00

Female teachers West Dubuque School, average .. 30 00

Female teachers South Dodge Street School, average. 37 50

Male teachers in West Dubuque and Dodge Street Schools, each.

60 00

Special German teachers in Ward Schools, each.

25 00

The female teachers are paid according to grade of certificate and time of service. This accounts for the difference in the average payments to teachers in the several schools. Sixty of the seventy-one teachers of the regular corps received their education in the public schools of this city. The reader will please note that fact.

The total number of pupils enrolled in the schools at the present time is 3,153.

Monthly enrollment, 5,950 ; average daily attendance, 2,695.

The present value of school property is stated at about $160,000.

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.

German Theological Presbyterian Seminary .- Some twenty-five years ago, the Rev. A. Van Vliet, Pastor of a small German Presbyterian church at Dubuque, appreciated the urgent need of an evangelical ministry among the Germans in the United States. They were mostly as sheep without a shep- herd, or, what was worse, under the influence of bad men.

After considering the subject, Mr. Van Vliet determined to seek young men who were suitable and willing to enter upon the work, and educate them for the ministry, with the assurance that the Presbytery would license them in due time. He began with two young men, and this was the small beginning from which the present institution has arisen. Instruction was first given in the parson- age, and, in a few years, a small lot, 25x120 feet, on which were two small frame buildings, was purchased for the purpose. The number of students grew from two to eighteen, when the Rev. G. Moery, a former student, was selected

580

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

as an assistant and contributed to the success of the institution, by his self- denying labors.

As years rolled by, the accommodations again became too small, and, in the summer of 1872, the Episcopal Seminary, at the head of Iowa street, was pur- chased for $10,000. It is beautifully situated, surrounded by some of the most elegant private residences in the city, and will afford ample accommoda- tions for an extended period.

For a number of years, the school was under the Presbytery of Dubuque, and Dane, Wisconsin, being managed by a Board of Directors, elected by each Presbytery. In 1865, it was placed in care of the General Assembly, under whose control it still remains. Since its humble beginning, forty-five young men have been educated for the ministry, seventy churches have been organ- ized and many preaching stations established. Thousands have heard the word through the ministry of those whom this humble institution has sent out, yet the needs have not been lessened nor the opportunities diminished.

The course includes the system of education which obtains in modern schools and colleges, supplemented by a theological curriculum, requiring the services of three professors, and necessitating seven years from the date of matriculation until completed.

There are twenty-nine students at present enrolled, and the property is valued at $15,000.

The Faculty is as follows : Rev. A. C. Smith, of Galena, President ; Rev. J. Conzett, Professor of Theology ; Rev. A. J. Schlager, of Biblical and Ori- ental Literature ; Rev. G. Moery, Instructor in Academical Department.

St. Joseph's College .- The pressing need of an institution capable of fur- nishing a higher grade of Catholic education was the origin of this school of learning, which' was opened in September, 1873, by Rt. Rev. John Hennessy. It was located at the corner of Fourteenth and Prairie streets, and the Rev. W. Downey installed as President, with the Revs. P. Burke and F. E. Moore among its professors. In 1877, the Rev. P. J. McGrath, still serving, succeeded Father Downey, and the school flourished with each succeeding year.

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The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 69

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Number of Pages: 964

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical
Number of Pages: 964