USA > Iowa > Henry County > The history of Henry county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 64
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
1859, the Rev. Mr. Judd resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. B. R. Gif- ford in 1860. The latter served until February, 1864, when he resigned, and in April of the same year his place was filled by the Rev. Charles B. Stout. During the Rectorship of the Rev. Mr. Stout, the church was built at a cost of $6,000. It is of the early Gothic style of architecture. The edifice still serves the worshipers. Their old church was sold to the colored Method- ists.
Mr. Stout was Rector until 1870. The Rev. Mr. Cooper came in from that time until 1872, when the Rev. Mr. Wilson succeeded him, remaining until 1873, when the Rev. F. P. Nash, Jr., was called to the rectorship. His term lasted until 1874, and he was succeeded by the Rev. F. P. Nash, Sr. In 1875, the Rev. J. C. Farrer was called to this parish, where he has remained until the present time. There is a prosperous Sabbath school in connection with the church proper.
Second Baptist Church .- The Second Baptist Church society (colored) was organized on July 17, 1863. The number of their members is in the neigh- borhood of one hundred. Shortly afterward they bought a church-building which they devoted to worship. The society have a Sabbath school and quite an extensive library.
German Presbyterian Church .- This society, organized in 1864, under the pastorate of Rev. W. F. Bruechert, built a church in 1867, at a cost of $3,500, the Pastor then being the Rev. F. Smith. The Church at present has a membership of thirty-two. It supports a Sabbath school, which supplies a library. The present Pastor is the Rev. M. Puettel.
United Presbyterian Church .- This society was organized in 1864. The progress of the society was not such as to warrant the building of a church, and a clinging to the name has been the extent of their efforts. They have no Pastor.
Colored Methodist Church .- The society known as the Colored Methodist Church, was organized in 1865, and to-day numbers nearly one hundred mem- bers. The society, soon after its organization, purchased the church formerly owned by the Protestant Episcopalians, and at present use the same building. In connection with the Church is a Sabbath school and library. Rev. Charles Holmes was the first Pastor of the Church.
The Swedish Church .- For the past ten years, the Swedish population of Mount Pleasant have been holding a series of meetings, using the Court House for such purpose. The society is not organized under any particular leader, but contains members who are also members of the regular church at Swedes- burg.
Unitarian Church .- Although for a few years past certain ones adhering to the doctrines of the Unitarian Church have occasionally met for worship in the Universalist house, yet no organization was ever effected, and the society is without a Pastor. As the inhabitants of the place increase, perhaps a society will be regularly formed.
Catholic Church .- The Catholic Church of Mount Pleasant was organized twenty-five years ago, and, in 1859-60, a church was built under the pastorate of Father Slattery.
The first permanent or resident Pastor was Father Wheeler. Then came Father Magnet; next, Father Slattery, who was followed by Father Naughton, succeeded by Father James Carney, who gave way to Father Shannon, who in turn was followed by Father Walsh, the present minister. The Church mem- bership numbers between three and four hundred.
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527
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Henry County Sabbath-School Association .- The Henry County Sabbath School Association was organized on January 30, 1867. The first meeting was held January 28, 29 and 30, of that year, there being one hundred and twenty- one delegates present. The first officers of the Association were as follows: Rev. E. Gunn, President; Rev. H. M. Corbett, Scott Township; Rev. E. P. Smith, Wayne Township; W. H. Frank, Jefferson Township ; Thomas Down- ing, Trenton Township; John P. West, Marion Township; Edward Kenyon, Canaan Township ; W. D. Waller, New London Township; Rev. J. W. Pickett. Centre Township ; William Scott, Jr., Tippecanoe Township; W. R. Crew, Salem Township; Edward Barney, Jackson Township, and Leander Abbe, Baltimore Township, Vice Presidents ; John S. Woolson, Secretary ; J. H. Whiting, Treasurer. Executive Committee-Rev. E. Gunn, Chairman ; Rev. E. P. Smith, Rev. J. C. McClintock, Rev. Alex. Burns, Rev. J. W. Bird, John S. Woolson.
The report of the first convention showed 28 schools represented. These aggregated an attendance of 2,873 scholars; 311 teachers ; 6,222 library books and 1,193 Sabbath-school papers taken. The average number of schools open the whole year, according to the report, was 16.
Centre Township Sabbath-School Association .- This Association was organ- ized in January, 1867, its design being to hold four meetings each year. The Association officers when organized, were as follows : Rev. J. W. Pickett, Presi- dent; Prof. J. McCarty, Vice President; George C. Van Allen, Secretary ; and John P. Grantham and Dr. John Irwin. The Association is still in suc- cessful operation.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF MOUNT PLEASANT.
The educational interests, which to-day are the pride of Mount Pleasant, began in the humble and unpretentious manner which characterized the actions of the first settlers of Iowa. No sooner was a village platted than some one, impressed with the necessity of laying the corner-stone of a future town aright, introduced the primitive school. The influence of the intelligent class of men who settled Mount Pleasant asserted itself almost before the ink was dry upon the original draft of survey.
There seems to be a trifling doubt as to who is entitled to the honor of opening the first school in the embryo village; but that is not of suffi- ient importance to rob the man who inaugurated systematic work in this locality of his just reward in history. It is believed by Mr. Presley Saund ers, the founder of Mount Pleasant, that a Mr. Daniels first taught school in a log cabin erected as a dwelling by Mr. Horton, prior to the building of a schoolhouse, in 1836 or early in 1837. Be that as it may, it is acknowledged that the first school ever taught in a cabin erected expressly for the purpose was under the charge of John P. Grantham, in 1837. The little house stood " in the edge of the brush," and was paid for by private subscription. It was located in what is now the west part of town, near the residence of G. C. Van Allen. Naturally, the attendance was small. It is stated that, John Milton Wallace, H. M. Snyder and Mr. Agey were engaged as teachers in the original schoolhouse.
In 1845, Prof. Howe came from Ohio and commenced teaching. The history of the celebrated Howe Academy forms an interesting special chapter. Prof. Howe opened his first school in a room adjoining the Jail, and subsequetly built the edifice now so widely known. The Mount Pleasant Collegiate Insti-
528
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
tute was designed in 1842, but did not develop into definite form for several years later, as is set forth in the chapter on the Iowa Wesleyan University.
The history of the growth of the public schools was prepared, on the occa- sion of the Centennial celebration, July 4, 1876, by Mr. Edwin Van Cise, Secretary of the Board at that time. From this authentic compilation we take much of the information given in this chapter.
The first attempt to establish a system of common schools in the territory of Iowa, was by act of the Territorial Legislature, approved June 16, 1840. This provided for the formation of school districts in each township, possessed of corporate powers, and capable of suing and being sued. The School Board was elected annually, and consisted of a Moderator, a Director and an Assessor. The district had power to designate a site for schoolhouse, to purchase or lease the same, and impose a tax not exceeding $500 annually for such purpose. They were also permitted to vote a tax sufficient for purchasing a library case, and a snm not exceeding $10 annually for purchase of books. School was not to be kept open more than three months in the year. The duties of the Moderator, Assessor and Director were such as those names severally imply, and each was settled to such compensation for his services as should be voted in the district meetings. In addition to these, there were chosen at each annual mecting, three School Inspectors for the township, who were to describe and number the districts in their .township, apportion among them the school and library money, and " examine annually all persons offering themselves as can- didates for teaching primary schools in their townships, in regard to moral character, learning and ability to teach school," and if such examination was satisfactory, give them each a certificate; to visit all schools in their township twice a year, and to draw each $1 per day for actual services. The Township Clerks were ex officio Clerks of the Board of School Inspectors, and were expected to keep their records in a book kept for that purpose. As is the case with almost every county which was then in existence, no records of are now extant in Henry County, to prove a compliance with this law. The first settlers were not aware, apparently, of the importance of records of any description, and avoided the labor of preparing them whenever they could do so. If Centre Township ever had a school record in those days, it has long since disappeared. Probably no organization under the statute was attempted here.
Iowa was admitted as a State in 1846, and among the early transactions of the First General Assembly was the adoption of " an act supplemental and amendatory to an 'act to establish common schools,' approved January 16, 1840." The new bill was approved January 24, 1847, and provided for the election annually of three Directors in each district, these to elect one of their number Moderator and another Clerk, who was to make out all their reports and keep their records. Again the law was ignored, so far as the preservation of records is concerned, at least, if, indeed, records were kept. The powers and duties of the Board were much the same as in the former act. One Inspector was hereafter to be chosen in each township instead of three; duties much the same. An investigation of the Township Clerk's books reveals the fact that an organization was effected under the law, and that such an officer as District Clerk was chosen, and notes issued in payment of his salary ; but that is all that can be found. A State Superintendent of Public Instruction, with a salary of $1,200 per annum, was provided for by this bill.
At the Second General Assembly, an entire new act was passed in relation to common schools, repealing all former legislation on the subject. This pro- vided for a State Superintendent, to be elected triennially, a School Fund
529
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Commissioner in each county, to be elected biennially, and three Directors- one as President, one as Secretary and one as Treasurer-in each school dis- trict, to be elected annually. The School Fund Commissioner loaned the school money, apportioned the annual interest, divided and numbered the districts, etc. The Board of Directors were endowed with power and authority very similar to that possessed by our present Board. In addition, they examined their own teachers. This act was approved January 15, 1849.
It is at this time, 1849, that the first official school record of the county begins, showing definite organization of a school district in Mount Pleasant.
The School Fund Commissioner, A. Mckinney, by notice to James Craig, May 8, 1849, announced that he had formed a new school district, to be known and designated by the name and style of " School District No. 1 in the township of Center, in the county of Henry and State of Iowa," the boundaries of which are as follows : " Beginning at the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of Section No. 3, thence west on the township line one and a half miles, thence south to the northwest corner of Section 16, thence west 40 rods, thence south 160, thence east to the southeast corner of Section 16, thence west to the northeast corner of Section 16, thence east 160 rods, thence north to the northeast corner of Ford Barnes' land, thence west to the northwest corner of said Barnes land, thence north to the line dividing Sections 3 and 10, thence east 80 rods, thence north to the place of beginning." Craig was directed to notify the citizens, as required by law, to meet on the 19th day of May, at the Court House, and elect officers, a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, to constitute a Board of Directors for said district. This election was duly held at the Court House, May 19, 1849, when sixteen votes were cast, and E. Killpat- rick elected President, James Craig, Secretary, and Robert Miller, Treasurer. On the 12th day of July, another meeting was held, when a committee was appointed to report a plan for a schoolhouse and probable cost of the same. The subject of levying tax for building was adjourned from meeting to meeting, voted down August 18 by a vote of seven to fourteen, defeated again at a meet- ing August 25, carried unanimously at a meeting the first Monday in October, the action rescinded at a meeting January 12, 1850, but finally re-adopted Feb- ruary 19, 1850, and a committee appointed to carry it out. The taxable property wasnow estimated at $80,000. Shortly afterward, lots were bought of Mr. Lash for $60, located a few blocks southeast of the square, and a schoolhouse erected costing $805.50. This house was let by contract and built by James H. Davis. It is a little interesting to notice that at thistime the annual expenditures of the Contingent Fund were about $60 to $75, including $30 for salary of Secretary and twelve cords of wood at $1.50 a cord.
The first school taught in the new building (1851) was a very economical one indeed. Wilson R. Woodruff was employed as Principal, at a salary of $25 a month, and Phebe J. Jenkins as Assistant, at a salary of $9 per month. The term was only three months, so that the amount drawn out of the teachers' fund was only $102. A six-months term was subsequently taught by the same parties at the same rate. May 12, 1852, new teachers were employed, Alex Savage, Principal, at $23 per month, and D. L. Burnett, Assistant, at $9 per month. They only taught three months. A five-months term followed in the winter of 1852-53, with J. B. Dickey as Principal, at a salary of $23 per month, and D. L. Burnett, Assistant, at $10 a month. Lest any should remark, however, upon the smallness of these salaries, it may be well enough to remind them that these were " ante-war prices," and that at the time of which we write the enumera-
530
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
tion of the district showed only 275 persons between the ages of five and twenty- one years, with an average attendance at school of 100.
By the annual election of 1850, M. L. Edwards was chosen President; James Craig, Secretary, and Harpin Riggs, Treasurer, and it was under their administration the new schoolhouse was built. Subsequently, May 3, 1852, H. L. Burnett was chosen President ; Ford Barnes, Secretary, and H. Riggs, Treas- urer. In 1853, the same officers were continued without a vote. On May 1, 1854, there were five ballots cast, H. M. Snyder receiving five for President ; Ford Barnes, four for Secretary, and H. Riggs, four for Treasurer. At the election May 7, 1855, only four votes were cast, and the following Board chosen by unanimous vote : Ford Barnes, President; C. Nash, Secretary, and H. Riggs, Treasurer. During these years, W. H. Dinsmore, E. P. Smith'and Thomas Sypherd had served successively as Principal in the school and Kedria Brown, D. L. Burnett and Amanda M. Davis as Assistants, at the sal- ary of $25 a month for Principal and $10 a month for Assistant. Of course, the branches taught at these schools were only the common branches, as still required by law. In 1856, Rebecca Van Tress was chosen Principal of the schools, at $25 per month, and Miss P. M. Riggs, Assistant, at $12 a month. This was the first appearance of Miss Van Tress as a teacher in the schools, and she has been in almost continuously ever since.
At the annual meeting in 1855, a committee was appointed to see about purchasing another lot, and by the minutes of the Board, March 25, 1836, it seems that more room was needed, and effort was making to lease a room. At a special meeting of the district, held May 21, 1855, a special tax of $3,000 was voted toward building a new schoolhouse. The taxable property of the district was then $300,000. At a meeting held May 30, this levy of $3,000 was reconsidered and the school question discussed at length on a proposition of of Mr. Howe to sell the district his lots and building for $4,000. Without action, adjournment was taken, and another meeting held June 13. No action was taken here, except to vote down Judge Palmer's excellent motion to build three schoolhouses instead of one large one. The district has since seen that he was right. A new Board was elected in 1858, and the schoolhouse question continued to be discussed. On the 4th of May, 1857, a special election was held to ratify the school act of the last Legislature and organize themselves, which was done, and a new Board of six members elected, viz .: Samuel L. Howe, E. Crane, Alvin Saunders, T. W. Woolson, Harpin Riggs and Chauncey Nash. A number of meetings were held and much interest aroused. It was finally resolved to lease Mr. Howe's buildings temporarily for school purposes and proceed at once to erect a school-building, to cost not less than $12,000 nor more than $20,000. This was the present Union School building, begun in 1857 by A. C. Strawn, contracted on a bid of $16,870, and completed in the fall of 1858, at a total of $20,085.21. The ground was bought of Mr. Howe for $2,000. For Mr. Howe's building, a rent of $700 was paid, while he was also engaged as Principal of the school at a salary of $800 for the year, and Miss Newton as Assistant, at $25 per month ; Miss Van Tress and Miss Clark in primary department at $25 and $20 respectively. Other assistants were subse- quently employed. During this time, it seemed there was not a tax levied for teachers' fund, but instead a tuition fee was charged, Mr. Howe, as Principal, collecting the same and accounting to the Board. The old schoolhouse property was sold to W. H. Taylor September 18 for $1,050. The district by this time became somewhat involved in its new school project, new levies were made, orders were issued in quantity of different sizes to Mr. Strawn, the contractor,
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
ranging from $3 to $100, drawing 10 per cent interest. Loans were obtained of the permanent school fund at different times, of which $1,123 still remains unpaid. Among the men who served on the Board, or were otherwise conspic- uous in furthering the public schools, and especially the new school-building at this period, besides those already named, were J. C. Lockwood, A. Goan, M. L. Edwards, Dr. S. Stebbins, Dr. J. Holmes, Dr. Chamberlain, Dr. McClure, H. Ambler, Dr. W. Bird, J. H. White and others. The new building was not completed and ready for use until Monday, December 13, 1858, when the school was formally opened. The house is a commodious brick, three stories in height, with high-school room and recitation-rooms on third story, two main rooms, with each a recitation-room, on each of the other stories. From a minute of November 10, it is ascertained that "whereas Mr. S. L. Howe offers his services and that of his son Edward to superintend and teach the public school at $50 per month, therefore, Resolved, That this Board accept the same," etc. The school accordingly opened under their charge. Beside them, Misses Amanda Brown, Louisa Newton, Sarah C. Alden, Maria Hemenway, Anna Clark and Jennie Clark were employed as teachers at $20 per month each. The branches to be taught were limited by resolution of the Board to orthography, reading, writing, geography, English grammar, arithmetic and algebra. This school ran four months. For the subsequent summer school, it was very difficult to obtain a Principal. The place was offered at $25 a month to J. S. McGregor and B. L. Cozier, and declined by each of them, then to Dr. McClure at $30, and declined. Finally, it was accepted by Edwin Booth at $22 per month. His sister served as his assistant, and a corps of teachers were employed for lower rooms. Mr. Booth acted as his own janitor.
The coming year, 1859, Prof. J. Allison Smith was employed as Superin- tendent of the Schools, at $900, a position which he held continuously until the winter of 1862-63, when, on entering the army, he was succeeded by S. W. Pierce temporarily, and by Rev. E. Gunn for the balance of the year. Mr. Smith returned from the army and resumed his place as Superintendent in the fall of 1863, and was again elected in the fall of 1864. The last year, his sal- ary was raised to $1,000.
For the school year 1865-66, Edwin Van Cise was chosen Superintendent, at a salary of $1,000. Declining a re-election, he was succeeded the following year by Prof. Henry Vosburgh, as Superintendent of the Schools, at a salary of $1,200 a year, and B. L. Cozier as Principal of the High School, at a sal- ary of $75 per month. Prof. Vosburgh accepted the Principalship of a school in Nebraska, and was released from his position here May 28, 1867. B. L. Cozier continued as Principal of the High School, in which he has since been retained, with a growing salary, reaching the past year $100 a month. Under Mr. Cozier's charge, in 1868, a class of 10 members was graduated from the High School ; in 1869, a class of 16; in 1870, a class of 14; in 1871, a class of 10; in 1872, a classof 15; in 1873, a class of 18; in 1874, a class of 12; in 1875, a class of 15; in 1876, a class of 17; in 1877, a class of -; and in 1878, a class of -. To each member of these classes a diploma was granted by the Board.
The district was organized as the Independent District of Mount Pleasant, in 1860, and has since maintained this organization with only the changes made by change in laws. It included the territory embraced in the corporate limits of the city of Mount Pleasant, but subsequent additions, north and south, have enlarged this area.
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
A house was rented and a separate school opened for colored children in 1863. This was maintained for four or five years, when they were admitted with the whites, at the other buildings.
The need of additional room being felt, in 1863 the Board purchased of the county Lots 9 and 10, in Block 47, for $100, of which the county donated one- half, and resolved to erect a new schoolhouse thereon. A levy of 4 mills was voted at the annual meeting in 1864. The house was not built, however, until the spring of 1866, when the contract was let to A. C. Strawn, and a building two stories high, with four rooms, erected at a cost of $9,200. In 1868, the Advent Meeting-house, on Main street, was rented for primary-school purposes, and has been used until the Centennial House was erected.
In 1869, the district township of Center tendered a part of its territory, with schoolhouse, lying north of town. This was accepted and incorporated in the Independent District. In 1876, a new cession of territory was made on the south side of town, and accepted by the Board, still further enlarging the limits of the district.
At the annual meeting, it was resolved to levy a tax for another school- building for primary grades, and a lot has since been purchased by the Board, for $1,000, and a contract let for building a two-story house, at about $3,000, which has been completed and occupied.
The Independent District comprises the following described territory, viz .: The territory included within the incorporated city of Mount Pleasant, and also that territory lying on the north of the city, included within the following lines : Beginning on the south line of Section 3, fifty rods east of the south- west corner of the southeast quarter of said section, and thence running north, to the east and west middle line of the section ; thence west, on the said middle- line, fifteen rods; thence north, to the north line of the section ; thence west, on the section line, to the northwest corner of Section 4; thence south, to the corporation line ; thence east ; thence south, and then easterly again, along said corporation line, to the place of beginning. And also that territory lying south of the city limits included within the following lines: Beginning at the city limits, eighty rods north of the center of Section 16, and running thence south, through the center of said section, one hundred and sixty rods ; thence east, one hundred and sixty rods ; thence north, eighty rods ; thence east, eighty rods; thence north, eighty rods, to the city limits.
The Independent District is divided into the following districts, viz .:
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