USA > Iowa > Iowa County > The history of Iowa County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 22
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The common school system has recently been greatly improved by the in- auguration of normal institutes, under the auspices of the superintendent of public instruction, and also by the establishment of a permanent State normal school at Cedar Falls. The total permanent school fund, November 1, 1877, was $3,460,348.76. This is being augmented from different sources, and the interest only is applied toward the support of the common schools.
STATE UNIVERSITY.
By an act of Congress of July 20, 1840, the secretary of the treasury was authorized to set apart and reserve from sale not exceeding two entire town- ships of land in Iowa, for the use and support of a university. The consti- tution under which Iowa was admitted into the Union contained a provision requiring the General Assembly to take measures for the protection, im- provement, or other disposition of the land granted by Congress for the university, and to create from the proceeds of the same a permanent fund for the use of a university. A bill was passed by the first General Assembly, establishing at Iowa City an institution to be called the "State University," with such branches as, in the opinion of the General Assembly, the public convenience might thereafter require. The same act also granted for the use of the university the public building, with ten acres of ground, at Iowa City, the same to be used, however, for the purposes of the State government until the removal of the capital. By acts of January 15, 1849, and January 16, 1849, two branches of the university, located respectively at Fairfield and Dubuque, were established, and placed upon equal footing, "in respect to funds and other matters," with the university established at Iowa City by the act of 1847. The branch at Fairfield was organized May 6, 1849. A site of twenty acres of ground was purchased and a building erected, upon which twenty-five hundred dollars had been expended. The building was almost destroyed by a hurricane in 1851. No aid from the State or the University fund was ever given in support of the branches. The board at Fairfield requested the termination of its relation to the State, and, in ac- cordance with this request, an act was passed January 24, 1853, severing the connection. The branch at Dubuque was never organized. The new con- stitution, which took effect September 3, 1857, provided that "the State University shall be established at one place, without branches at any other place, and the university fund shall be applied to that institution and no other."
164
HISTORY OF IOWA.
At a special meeting of the board, February 21, 1850, it recognized the "College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Upper Mississippi," an institu- tion at Davenport established under the laws of the State as the "College of Physicians and Surgeons of the State University of Iowa," but with the express stipulation that such recognition should not render the university liable for any pecuniary aid, nor was the board to acquire any control over the property or management of the medical association. Soon after this the medical college removed to Keokuk. This arrangement was terminated by the operation of the new constitution.
In March, 1855, the University was partially opened for a term of sixteen weeks, and there was an attendance of from seventy-five to one hundred students during the term. The first regular catalogue was published for the year 1S50-7. At a meeting of the board, Angust 4, 1858, the degree of Bachelor of Science was conferred upon Dexter Edson Smith, being the first degree conferred upon a student of the University.
From 1860 to 1877, inclusive, the total number of ladies in the collegiate department was 2,994, and gentlemen 3,941; total number of ladies in the law department since its organization, 6, and gentlemen, 632; total number of ladies in the medical department since its organization 48, and gentlemen 469.
The presidents since its organization have been :
Amos Dean, of Albany, N. Y., elected July 16, 1855.
Silas Totten, D. D., LL.D., elected Oct. 25, 1859.
Professor Oliver M. Spencer, elected August 19, 1862.
Professor Nathan R. Leonard, elected June 26, 1866, as president pro tem., during absence of President Spencer in Europe fifteen months by leave .of the board.
James Black, D.D., elected March 4, 1868.
Rev. George Thacher, elected March 1, 1871.
C W. Slagle, of Fairfield, elected president pro tem., June, 1877.
J. L. Pickard, elected in 1878.
The faculty of the University consists of the president, nine professors in the collegiate department, one professor and six instructors in military sci- ence; chancellor, three professors and four lecturers in the law department; eight professor demonstrators of anatomy; professor of surgery and two lecturers in the medical department, and two professors in the homeopathic medical department.
The law department was established in June, 1868; the medical depart- ment in 1869; the chair of miltary instruction in June, 1874, and the depart- ment of homeopathy in 1876.
From 1858 to 1876, inclusive, the General Assembly has made appropria- tions for buildings, and for the support of the University, sums aggregating $264,757. The Seventeenth General Assembly, by an act approved March 22, 1878, made an appropriation, as an endowment fund, of $20,000 annually, and an additional appropriation of $10,000 for repairs of buildings, fences, walks and other purposes. On the 30th of September, the University held interest bearing mortgage notes amounting to $195,423.13; contract notes amounting to $10,357.74, and a fund known as the Saline fund, amounting to $4,106.85. These amounts, aggregating $209,887.72, constitute a per- manent fund, the interest of which goes to the support of the University. There were also, September 30, 1877, remaining unsold, 2,059.70 acres of University lands, and 3887.10 acres of Saline lands, making a total of 5,946.86
165
HISTORY OF IOWA.
acres, the proceeds of which when sold, will go to increase the permanent University fund. At five dollars per acre these lands will add to the perma- nent fund $29,734, which amount added to the above will give to the Uni- versity a permanent endowment fund of $239,621.72.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
By an act of Congress passed in 1862, a grant of 240,000 acres of land was made to the State for the endowment of schools of agriculture and the . mechanical arts. Under this act 240,000.96 acres were appropriated to the State; but as 35,691.66 acres were located within railroad limits, which were computed at the rate of two acres for one, the actual number of acres in the grant was 204,309.30. In addition to this grant Congress also gave its assent to the State to use for the same purpose the five sections of land in Jasper county, which had been selected for the seat of government of the State. There were also donated in Story and Boone counties for the use of the institution 921 acres, making a grand total of 208,430.30 acres. This last donation of 921 acres was made by citizens of Story and Boone counties.
The General Assembly passed an act which was approved March 22, 1858, establishing the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm. Under this act a board of trustees was appointed, which at a meeting in June, 1859, received propositions for the location, and in July the offer of the present location in Story county, was accepted. In 1864 the General Assembly ap- propriated $20,000 for the erection of a College building, and in 1866 an additional appropriation of $91,000 was made. The building was com- pleted in 1868. An office was opened in Fort Dodge for the sale of the Col- lege lands, and Hon. George W. Bassett was appointed agent for their sale. From the establishment of this agency in August, 1865, to November 1, 1867, the amount received on sales of lands was $68,782.81, and the amount of interest collected on leases for the same time was $338,931.78, making a total of $406,714.65, which is a permanent endowment fund.
The courses of study in the College, as revised in 1877, are as follows: 1-The Course in Science as related to Agriculture. 2-The Course in Mechanical Engineering. 3-The Course in Civil Engineering. 4-The Ladies' Course in Science. 5-Course for Juniors and Seniors in Special Industrial Sciences. 6-Post-graduate Courses of Study. 7-The Prepar- atory Course.
Manual labor is required of students, but no student can pay more than one-half his expenses in work. This labor is divided into two classes; one for which wages are paid, which applies only to students whose sole purpose is the acquisition of skill and practice. The unpaid labor applies to work which accrues solely to the benefit of the College.
The four courses are divided into twelve schools, each embracing a prom- inent science, to-wit: 1-School of Agriculture. 2-School of Horticulture. 3-School of Veterinary Science. 4-School of Domestic Economy. 5 .--- School of Military Science. 6-School of Literature and Language. 7-School of Mathematics and Physics. 8-School of Chemistry. 9- School of Biology. 10-School of Philosophy. 11-School of Mechanical Engineering and Architecture. 12-School of Civil Engineering.
166
HISTORY OF IOWA.
By the terms of the law, tuition in the Agricultural College is made forever free to pupils from the State, over sixteen years of age, who have resided in the State six months prior to their admission. Each county in the State has a prior right of tuition for three pupils, and additional pupils to the extent of the capacity of tlie College are distributed by the board of trustees among the counties in proportion to the population.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
The State Normal School was established by the General Assembly, at Iowa Falls, in 1876, and under the law the property of the Orphans' Home, at that place, was transferred for the use of the Normal School. The first Board of Directors organized June 7th, of that year. H. C. Hemenway was chosen President: J. J. Tolerton, Secretary, and E. Townsend, Treasurer. At the same meeting, Prof. J. C. Gilchrist, A. M., was elected Principal of the school.
The course of study consists of two classes, scholastic and professional: The first embraces English Literature, Mathematics, Science, History and Art. The second embraces Practice-Teaching Classes, The Theory of Education, School Management, Instruction, School Economy, How to Teach, School Laws of Iowa, General Laws and Decisions, Classification of Knowledge, Genesis of Knowledge; Educational- Character of, Branches of Study, Methods of Advanced Classes, History of Education, Philosophy of Education, Lives of Great Educators, Graded Schools, Institute Work.
Students completing the Elementary or Didactic Course receive certifi- cates showing the course completed by the student, and those graduating in the Scientific Course receive diplomas, with the degree " Bachelor of Didac- tics."
.
A student must be eighteen years of age and have attended this school one year, before he will be entitled to receive either a certificate or diploma. Before receiving certificate of examination in the Elementary Didactic Course, the applicant must have had at least two terms of successful experi- ence in teaching, and before graduating in the Scientific Course he must have had at least one year of such experience.
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
COUNTY.
LOCATION.
TITLE.
Des Moines
Burlington
Burlington University
Fayette .
Fayette.
Upper Iowa University
.
Fremont.
Tabor.
Tabor College .. .
Henry
Mount Pleasant
Iowa Wesleyan University
Henry
Salem.
Whittier College.
Humboldt
Humboldt
Humboldt College.
Jefferson
Fairfield
Parson's College
Linn
Mount Vernon
Cornell College
Linn
Western
Western College.
Mahaska
Oskaloosa
Oskaloosa College
Mahaska
Oskaloosa
Penn College
Marion
Pella .
Central University of Iowa.
Mills
Malvern.
Baptist College
Page
College Springs
Amity College
Polk
Des Moines.
University of Des Moines
Poweshiek
Grinnell
lowa College.
Scott.
Davenport.
Griswold College.
Warren
Indianola.
Simpson Centenary College.
Winneshiek
Decorah
Luther College.
· ·
167
HISTORY OF IOWA. -.
ACADEMIES AND OTHER PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.
COUNTY.
LOCATION.
TITLE.
Allamakee
Waukon.
Waukon Seminary
Allamakee
Lansing
Sisters' School.
Allamakee.
Lansing
Mrs. Houghton's School
Appanoose.
Moulton.
Moulton Normal School.
Appanoose
Centerville
Centerville Academy.
Benton.
Vinton .
Tilford Academy
Benton
West Irving
Irving Institute .
Benton
Blairstown. .
Blairstown Academy.
Benton
Vinton
Eclectic Institute. .
Black Hawk.
Waterloo
Conservatory of Music.
Black Hawk. ..
Waterloo
Cedar Valley Institute.
Black Hawk
Waterloo
Prairie Home Seminary
Black Hawk
Waterloo
Our Lady of Victory.
Buchanan:
Independence
Notre Dame .
Chickasaw
Bradford
Bradford Academy
Chickasaw
Fredericksburg
Select School
Clarke.
Murray.
Graded School.
Clarke.
Osceola.
Osceola Private School.
Clayton
Elkader.
Sisters' School
Clayton
Guttenburg
Sisters' School
Clayton.
McGregor ..
Sisters' School
Clayton Clinton
Lyons.
Riverside Institute.
Clinton
Lyons
Seminary of Our Lady of Angels.
Clinton
Lyons
Latin School
Clinton
Clinton.
Business College
Clinton
De Witt.
Sisters' School.
Clinton
Olive Township
Norwegian. ..
Davis
Bloomfield
Southern Iowa Normal and Scientific Institute.
Davis
Troy. . .
Hopkinton.
Lenox Collegiate Institute.
Delaware
Petersburg.
Petersburg Catholic School
Des Moines.
Kossuth
Kossuth Academy
Des Moines.
Burlington
Young Ladies' School.
Des Moines.
Burlington
German Evangelical Zion School.
Des Moines.
Burlington
St. John's Convent ..
Des Moines.
Burlington
St. Paul's School.
Des Moines
Burlington
St. Patrick's School ..
Dubuque
Dubuque.
German Theological Seminary
Dubuque
Dubuque
St. Joseph's College.
Dubuque
Dubuque
St. Joseph's Academy.
Dubuque
Dubuque. Dubuque.
St. Patrick's School.
Dubuque
Dubuque
Academy of Visitation.
Dubuque
Dubuque
St. Maria, (German).
Dubuque
Dubuque
Private Primary ..
Dubuque
Dubuque.
Private Boarding School.
Dubuque
Dyersville
St. Francis
Dubuque
New Vienna.
St. Boniface
Dubuque
Cascade.
Church School
Dubuque
Table Mound.
Church School
Dubuque
Dubuque
Church School
Dubuque
Sherrill's Mount
St. Peters'.
Dubuque
Epworth.
Epworth Seminary
Dubuque
Farley
Church School. .
Greene.
Jefferson.
Jefferson Academy
Grundy.
Grundy Center
Grundy Center Academy.
Guthric.
Panora.
Guthrie County High School.
Hamilton
Webster City.
Webster City Academy ·
Hardin
Ackley
Catholic School.
Des Moines
Burlington.
Mr. Gordon's School for both sexes
Des Moines
Burlington
Graff's School.
Des Moines
Burlington
German-American School ..
Des Moines.
Burlington
First German Evangelical School
St. Mary's School.
Dubuque
Troy Normal and Classical Institute
Delaware.
Clayton Center.
German School.
168
HISTORY OF IOWA.
ACADEMIES AND OTHER PRIVATE INSTIUTIONS-Continued.
COUNTY.
LOCATION.
TITLE.
Hardin
Alden. .
Private School.
Hardin
New Providence.
New Providence Academy
Hardin
Eldora. .
Eldora Academy ...
Henry
Mt. Pleasant.
Female Seminary, and Howe's Academy.
Henry
Mt. Pleasant.
German College.
Henry
Mt. Pleasant.
German Primary.
Henry
New London.
Academy.
Howard
Cresco.
Iowa
Marengo.
Root's Winter School
Iowa
Lytle City
Catholic School .
Jasper
Lynnville
Lynnville Seminary
Jasper
Prairie City
Hazel Dell Academy
Jefferson
Pleasant Plaine
Pleasant Plaine Academy.
Jefferson
Fairfield.
Fairfield Academy, and Private School.
Jefferson
Fairfield.
High School.
Johnson.
Iowa City
Johnson
Iowa City
Jones
Anamosa
Anamosa Academy.
Jones.
Olin.
Olin High School.
Keokuk.
Baden.
Baden Select School.
Keokuk.
Coal Creek.
Friends' Select School.
Keokuk.
!German Township
German Lutheran School
Kossuth
Algona . .
Algona College.
Lee
Denmark . .
Denmark Academy.
Linn.
Cedar Rapids.
Collegiate Institute.
Louisa.
Grand View
Eastern Iowa Normal School.
Lucas.
Chariton.
Chariton Academy.
Mahaska.
Hopewell
Hopewell Academy.
Mahaska
Oskaloosa.
Select School. .
Mahaska
Rose Hill.
Select School ..
Marion.
Knoxville.
Knoxville Academy.
Marshall.
Albion
Albion Seminary
Marshall.
Le Grand.
Le Grand Christian Institute.
Marshall
Le Grand.
Le Grand Institute
Marshall
Stanford.
Stanford Institute.
Mills .
Glenwood.
Private School.
Mitchell
Osage
Cedar Valley Seminary.
Muscatine
Wilton
Wilton Seminary, and Collegiate Institute.
Muscatine
Muscatine
Sisters' School, and German School.
Muscatine .
Muscatine
Business College.
Pocahontas
Fonda ..
Teachers' Normal. .
Polk
Des Moines
St. Ambrose School.
Polk
Des Moines.
St. Mary's School, (German).
Polk
Des Moines.
Business College
Polk
Mitchellville
Mitchell Seminary.
Pottawattamie
Council Bluffs.
St. Francis' Boys' School.
Pottawattamie
Council Bluffs
St. Francis' Girls' School.
Pottawattamie
Council Bluffs
German School.
Scott.
Davenport
St. Margaret's, and Sisters' Academy.
Scott
Davenport
St. Cunigundus'
Scott .
Davenport
Birmingham Academy
Wapello
Ottumwa
Wapello
Ottumwa
Female Seminary, and Pecks' Normal. Ackworth Seminary.
Warren.
Ackworth.
Washington Academy.
Webster.
Fort Dodge.
Convent of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Webster.
Fort Dodge.
German School.
Winneshiek.
Decorah .
Decorah Institute, and Business College. ...
Winneshiek .
Spillville.
Catholic School
Woodbury
Sioux City.
German School
St. Anthony's, and Business College.
Van Buren
Birmingham
Van Buren
Farmington
Select School ...
Convent of St. Joseph, and Commercial College.
Washington
Washington
Private School.
South Side Academy
Jasper
Newton. .
McClain's Academy, and St. Joseph's Institute. St. Agatha's Seminary
169
HISTORY OF IOWA.
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
Hospitals for the Insane-College for the Blind-Institutions for the Deaf and Dumb-Or- phans' Homes-Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children-The Penitentiary-The Additional Penitentiary-State Reform School-State Historical Society.
HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, MT. PLEASANT, HENRY COUNTY.
THE General Assembly, by an act approved January 24, 1855, appropri- ated $4,425 to purchase a site for a Hospital for the Insane, and $50,000 for the erection of a building. Edward Johnston, of Lee county; Charles S. Clarke, of Henry county, and the Governor (Grimes), were appointed to se- lect the location and superintend the erection of a building. They made the location at Mt. Pleasant, Henry county, and adopted a plan with suffi- cient capacity to accommodate three hundred patients. Henry Winslow was appointed to superintend the erection of the building. The building was not ready for occupancy until March, 1861. Within the first three months about one hundred patients were admitted. Richard J. Patterson, M. D., of Ohio, was appinted Superintendent, and in 1865 he was succeeded by Dr. Mark Ranney. From the opening of the Hospital to the 1st of No- vember, 1877, there had been admitted 3,584 patients, of whom 1,141 had been discharged recovered, 505 improved, 589 unimproved, and one died. The total number discharged was 2,976, leaving 60S under treatment.
HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, INDEPENDENCE, BUCHANAN COUNTY.
In 1868 a bill passed the General Assembly making an appropriation of $125,000 for the erection of an additional Hospital for the Insane, at Inde- pendence, Buchanan county. A board of commissioners was appointed, who commenced their duties June 8, 1868. They made the location about a mile from Independence, on the west side of the Wapsipinicon river, and about one mile from the river. The building was ready for occupancy April 21, 1873. On the 1st of October, 1877, the Superintendent, Albert Reynolds, M. D., reported 322 patients in the hospital.
COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND, VINTON, BENTON COUNTY.
In August, 1852, Prof. Samuel Bacon, himself blind, established an in- stitution at Keokuk for the instruction of the blind. In January, 1853, the General Assembly passed an act by which the State adopted the institution at Keokuk, and on the 4th of April, of the same year, it was opened for the reception of pupils, at Iowa City. A board of trustees was appointed, with authority to receive propositions and make a permanent location. Liberal donations were made by citizens of Vinton, Benton county, and that place was selected. In October, 1862, the institution was opened at Vinton with twenty-four pupils. Up to 1878 about $285,000 have been expended in buildings and improvements connected with this institution. During the period of two years, ending November 6, 1877, about 135 pupils were in attendance. The faculty is presided over by Rev. Robert Carothers, A. M., as Principal.
170
HISTORY OF IOWA.
INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB, COUNCIL BLUFFS, POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
This institution was established first at Iowa City, by an act of the Gen- eral Assembly, approved January 24, 1855. W. E. Ijams was the first Principal. He resigned in 1862, and the board of trustees appointed Ben- jamin Talbot his successor. In 1868 commissioners were appointed to re- locate the institution and superintend the erection of a building, and the sum of $125,000 was appropriated to commence the work. It was located about two miles south of Council Bluffs, and connected with it is a tract of about ninety acres of ground. The main building and one wing were com- pleted October 1, 1870, and immediately occupied. On the 25th of Feb- ruary, 1877, the main building and east wing were destroyed by fire, and and on the 6th of August, of the same year, the roof of the new west wing was blown off and the walls partially injured by a tornado. About 150 pupils were in attendance at the time of the fire. About half of the classes were dismissed, reducing the number to about seventy. The institution re- mains in charge of Benjamin Talbot as Superintendent. By an act of the General Assembly, approved March 25, 1878, the sum of $40,000 was ap. propriated for the purpose of rebuilding and completing in a plain and sub- stantial manner the main building.
SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOMES, DAVENPORT, CEDAR FALLS, GLENWOOD.
In 1866 the General Assembly passed an act establishing three Homes for the soldiers' orphans, as follows: located at Davenport, Cedar Falls, and Glenwood. This was the result of a movement inaugurated by Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, during the civil war. In October, 1863, she called a convention at Davenport, to devise measures for the support and education of the orphan children of Iowa soldiers who had fallen in the na- tional defense. An association was formed, and provision made for raising funds. A sufficient amount of funds was raised to open the Home, and at a meeting of the Trustees in March, 1864, they decided to commence op- erations at once. A large brick building in Van Buren county was secured, and on the 13th of July, of the same year, the executive committee re- ported that they were ready to receive pupils. In little more than six months seventy pupils were in attendance. The Home continued to be sus- tained by voluntary subscriptions until 1866, when it was assumed by the State and the three Homes established as above stated. In 1876 the Homes at Cedar Falls and Glenwood were discontinued, and the pupils remaining in them removed to the Home at Davenport. The buildings at Cedar Falls were appropriated to the use of the State Normal School, and those at Glen- wood to the use of the Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children. September 30, 1877, there were in attendance at the Home in Davenport 139 sol- diers' orphans, and forty-one indigent children, the Sixteenth General As- sembly having passed an act opening the Home for the admission of in- digent children.
ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN, GLENWOOD, MILLS COUNTY.
By an act approved March 17, 1876, an Asylum for Feeble- Minded Children was established at Glenwood, Mills county. The buildings and grounds for the Soldiers' Orphans' Home were by the same act transferred
171
HISTORY OF IOWA.
to the use of the new institution, which was placed under the management of three trustees, who held their first meeting at Glenwood, April 26, 1876. The property having been repaired, the Asylum was opened September 1, 1876, and the school organized on the 6th with only five pupils. In Novem- ber, 1877, the number had increased to eighty-seven.
THE PENITENTIARY, FORT MADISON, LEE COUNTY.
The Territorial Legislature by an act approved January 25, 1839, provided for the election by joint ballot. of the Council and House of Representa- tives of the Territory, of three directors to locate the Penitentiary within one mile of the public square in the town of Fort Madison, and provided further, limiting the cost of the Penitentiary to an amount not exceeding forty thousand dollars. The same act authorized the Governor to draw the sum of twenty thousand dollars which had been appropriated by Congress for the erection of public buildings in the Territory of Iowa, to pay for materials and work on the building. The location at Fort Madison, how- ever, was coupled with a proviso that the citizens of that place and Lee county should execute to the directors a deed for ten acres of ground. All the conditions were complied with, and the erection of the building was commenced July 9, 1839. The main building and warden's house were completed in the autumn of 1841. Since that time additions and other im- provements have been made.
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