USA > Iowa > Pocahontas County > The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 13
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The Iowa State Teachers' Associa- State University, Iowa City. It pub- tion is a voluntary organization of ed- lishes quarterly a periodical of 80 pages ucators from the various departments entitled, The Annals of Iowa.
of that work in the state. This asso- ciation was formed at Muscatine, May 10, 1854, and holds an annual con- vention during the holidays.
The Agricultural Society, organ- ized in 1854, held the first state fair in October of that year. Previous to 1885, the annual exhibitions of the The Iowa Academy of Sciences, or- products of the state were held in ganized in 1886, has for its object the different localities, but that year encouragement of scientific work and large and valuable grounds were pur- the collection of a library for the chased at Des Moines, and the official state, consisting of the publications of
99
THE STATE INSTITUTIONS AND BUILDINGS OF IOWA.
the scientific societies of the world. The members of the latter are ap- It holds an annual meeting at the pointed by the governor, one each same time and place as the State year, and they hold office for a term of seven years. To regulate the prac- Teachers' Association.
The Educational Board of Exam- tice of medicine, a State Board of iners was created in 1882, to encourage Medical Examiners was created in training in the science and art of 1886, to consist of the physicians of teaching, and consists of the Superin- the State Board of Health and its tendent of Public Instruction, the Secretary. Every person practicing Presidents of the State University medicine in the state of Iowa is re- and State Normal School and two ad- quired to procure a certificate from ditional persons, one of whom must this Board.
be a woman, appointed by the govern-
The first geological survey of the or. This Board holds at least two ex- state was instituted January 31, 1855, aminations annually, and issues state by the appointment of James Hall, of certificates for five years and state di- New York, as State Geologist. The plomas for life, to competent, experi- second was authorized April 2, 1866, enced teachers who are examined by by the appointment of Charles A. it.
There are three State Boards of Con- trol that issue certificates to those en- tering their respective fields of effort, namely: The Commissioners of Phar- macy, created in 1880; the Board of Dental Examiners 1882, and the Board of Health, in 1886.
White, of Iowa City, as State Geolo- gist, and he published two volumes of valuable information. The third sur- vey was authorized in 1892, when the Geological Board appointed Samuel Calvin, of Iowa City, as State Geolo- gist. Three valuable volumes have been prepared by him and the survey is still in progress.
SCHOOL HOUSE OF SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, COUNCIL BLUFFS.
L. of C.
100 PIONEER HISTORYOF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
THE CHEMICAL LABORATORY, STATE UNIVERSITY, IOWA CITY.
101
EDUCATION, RELIGION AND PATRIOTISM.
X.
EDUCATION, RELIGION AND PATRIOTISM.
"The rewards of Heaven are to be the development of something within us, rather than the addition of something from without."-STINSON.
EDUCATION.
"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."
HE first school in the age by all suitable means the promo- present limits of tion of intellectual, scientific, moral Iowa was taught by and agricultural improvement." It Berryman Jennings, also required that every school dis- at Nashville, Lee trict support a school at least three county, in the last months each year. The right and du- months of the year 1830. In Decem- ty of a state to maintain a general ber of the same year, J. K. Robinson system of popular education and gen- began a term of school at Keokuk. In erously to support the same by a uni- the winter of 1833-4, Geo. Cubbage form levy of taxes, became thus clear- taught a school in a log church in Du- ly recognized and permanently estab-
buque. The first lady teacher was Mrs. Rebecca Palmer at Fort Madison in 1834. In 1837, Louisa King opened a school for young ladies, at Dubuque, and conducted it for several years. , In 1839, Alonzo Phelps established in the same city a classical school for both sexes, that was afterwards continued by Thomas H. Benton, Jr.
lished as the policy of the new state.
The school law of 1849, authorized the electors of any district to deter- mine whether a school of higher grade should be maintained, and several of the more populous districts, availing themselves of this favorable enact- ment, very early began to classify and grade their schools.
During the fifties, the increase in
The first building used chiefly as a public school house, was erected of population became very rapid and roughly hewn logs, donated by the there was a corresponding develop- patrons, at Burlington in 1833. The ment of school facilities. Rural com- school house built at Dubuque in 1844 munities and villages multiplied as if was the first one erected from funds by magic, towns put on the air of derived by taxation under the law of cities, larger school-houses were de- January 1, 1839, which granted the manded and supplied, and the need of voters of any school district the power graded and high schools became more to levy a tax, select a place and build keenly felt. Before 1860, the cities of a school house.
Dubuque, Davenport and Tipton had
The constitution under which Iowa made provision for a systematic or- entered the Union in 1846, declared: ganization and the selection of a city "The General Assembly shall encour- superintendent.
102
PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
Previous to 1857, the money raised raised in the district in addition to by general taxation proved insuf- the state and county apportionment ficient to maintain the schools as long and to maintain a free school in each a period each year as the people de- sub-district, at least six months in sired, and the term of school was each year.
supplemented by subscriptions on the . 2. Each county elects biennially a part of the parents or guardians of Superintendent of Public Schools, who the pupils in attendance. An en- examines teachers, issues and revokes lightened public sentiment at this certificates, visits schools, hears and time demanded that the schools be determines cases appealed from the free and wholly supported by general board of directors, has general over- taxation.
sight of the public schools of the coun-
In 1858, the General Assembly of ty and makes an annual report to the Iowa passed a comprehensive act, cre- Superintendent of Public Instruction. ating a State Board of Educa- 3. A State Superintendent of Pub- tion, providing for the examina- lic Instruction is elected biennially tion of teachers and, in general, em- by the people, who has general super- bodying the essential features of the vision of the County Superintendents admirable system of education in this and of the public schools of the state. state, of which, including recent mod- He renders written opinions on the ifications, we append a brief summary. administration of the school laws, de- 1. Each civil township forms a termines cases appealed from the de- school district and it is divided into cisions of County Superintendents, ap- as many sub-districts as there are points Teachers' Institutes in the va- neighborhoods requiring separate rious counties, prepares and distrib- utes school laws and blanks to the County Superintendents and makes a schools. When it is fully settled, the township will ordinarily consist of nine sub-districts, each embracing the biennial report to the General Assem- families residing on four sections of bly. land. Each sub-district elects annu- 4. The public schools are maintain- ed chiefly by funds derived from the following sources: ally, on the second Monday in March, a sub-director. These sub-directors compose the Board of Directors for First, By the interest on the Per- manent School Fund. This fund, now amounting to several millions of dol- lars, and constantly increasing, is de- rived from the sale of public lands do- nated by Congress, being section num- ber sixteen in each township, the ad- ditional grant of 500,000 acres in the Act of December 28, 1846, admitting Iowa into the Union and from five per cent on the sale of government lands within the state. the township, and meet regularly on the third Monday in March and September. In rural independent sub-districts,* the Board consists of three members, one of whom is elect- ed annually to serve a term of three years. In the independent districts of cities of the first class, the Board consists of seven members and in other independent city or incorporated town districts, of five members all of whom are elected for a term of three years. Second, By a county tax of not less than one mill nor more than two and one-half mills on the dollar, on the assessed value of all taxable property in each county. It is the duty of these Boards of Di- rectors to select sites and make con- tracts for the erection of school hous- es, to employ teachers, to determine the amount of tax necessary to be
*Lizard Township, Pocahontas County.
Third, By a district tax-amount unlimited-on all the taxable property
103
EDUCATION, RELIGION AND PATRIOTISM.
in each district township.
gentler sex employed became the
5. In addition to the provisions greater, and in 1897 they numbered made for the support of common 22,208 and the men only 5,824. The schools, the state appropriates fifty eminent fitness of women for the office dollars annually to each county hold- of teacher has thus been favorably ing a teachers' institute.
recognized in Iowa.
The constant and rapid increase in any public school or institution in the the amount expended for educational state, but no child shall be required purposes is indisputable evidence that to read it contrary to the wishes of his parent or guardian.
the public schools are appreciated by the people. The amount paid in 1897 for school purposes was $11,910,706.58 -all raised by voluntary taxation ex- cept the semi-annual apportionment of $816,044.27, a part of which is de- rived from the interest on the perma- nent fund.
The census of 1880 credited Iowa with a lower percentage of illiteracy than any other state of the Union. The interest the people of Iowa have
The pioneer log school house in- creased in numbers until 1861, when 893 were reported out of a total of 3, 479. As population and wealth increased school houses were built larger, of bet- always manifested in all that pertains ter material, more inviting in appear- to education furnishes abundant ance and more frequently supplied ground for confidence in the continued with the facilities necessary for the growth and development of their attainment of the highest degree of success in school work.
In 1849, the average value of each of the 387 school houses was about $100; in 1850 the average of the 3,208 buildings was $376; in 1874 of the 9,228 enable him to fill high positions with $802; and in 1891 of the 13,273, $1,040, credit and honor.
The gradual and continued improve- ment in the school houses and their surroundings is an index of the great mal School, Agricultural College and advancement in all valuable and de- the 275 other educational institutions sirable particulars.
If natural shade does not already exist on the school grounds, the law directs that trees for shade and orna- ment shall be planted. This enact- ment in buildings and grounds of ment of 1882 prepared the way for the $4,179,250, with an additional perma- nent endowment fund of $1,157,000.
state-wide observance of tree planting and since May 4, 1887, Arbor Day has been designated for this annual festi- val and the floating of the flag from the school house.
THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
After the adoption of the constitu- tion of 1857, the system of education in Iowa was modified by the creation
In 1850, seventy teachers out of of a State Board of Education that every hundred employed were men. was continued until March 23, 1864. This difference gradually diminished On December 24, 1858, this Board until 1862, when the number of the abolished the office of State Superin-
matchless system of free schools. In- telligent labor insures prosperity, and the public schools of Iowa afford the humblest boy an opportunity to ac- quire the intelligence necessary to
The higher education is provided for in the State University, State Nor-
established throughout the state by the churches or by individual enter- prise, employing, in 1895, 1,391 in- structors, and representing an invest-
The bible shall not be excluded from
"Four things a man must learn to do If he would make his record true: To think without confusion clearly; To love his fellow-men sincerely; To act from honest motives purely; To trust in God and Heaven securely." -HENRY J. VANDYKE.
104
PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
tendent of Public Instruction, and the youth the means of an intellectual secretary of this Board performed the culture essential to useful and honor- usual duties of that public officer, able life, they have also recognized the from December 29, 1858, to March 23, importance of the proper culture of 1864, when the Board of Education the moral faculties, and, desiring the was abolished and the office of Super- prevalence of sobriety, piety and good intendent of Public Instruction was order, they have not only taxed them- restored.
THE STATE BOARD OF CONTROL.
selves to provide facilities for public education, but have contributed volun- tarily large gifts to promote religious instruction, moral culture and the public worship of God.
There are sixteen State Institutions in Iowa, established by the legisla- ture. As they were founded provis- ion was made for their management Devoted christian men and women came with the first immigration in the permanent settlement of this ter- ritory. Loyal to their God, their christian profession and the moral in- terests of the communities they were establishing, they soon invited the services of the ministers of religion, and in their humble circumstances generously planned and labored to se- cure this beautiful region to the do- minion of their Lord. They endured privations, worshiped in lowly cabins, often in the shady groves, "God's first Temples," and by their fidelity to christian principles, made the relig- ious freedom, privileges and moral ex- cellence we now enjoy, a gracious pos- sibility. by the appointment of a separate board of trustees for each institution. This system of administration proved a source of considerable trouble to the several state officers in making their biennial reports to the Governor and was unsatisfactory from the economic standpoint. For these reasons the legislature in 1898 abolished the sever- al separate systems of independent management and organized a new system under one management, called "The State Board of Control." This Board, consisting of three members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of two-thirds of the senate in executive session, assumed control Ju- ly 1, 1898. It has been assigned complete authority over thirteen Enthusiasm in religious work led to of the State Institutions, which in- the discovery of Iowa. The settle- cludes all of them except the Univer- ment of the territory did not immedi- sity, the Agricultural College and the ately follow its discovery. One hun- Normal School. Over these three it dred and sixty years passed before the exerts supervisory control only so far first settlers came to found homes in as the management of their financial the area now constituting this state. affairs is concerned. This Board has In that period of time, through the its office in Des Moines, and its first leadings of Divine Providence, great or present members consist of Hon. intellectual and political changes oc- William Larrabee, Hon. L. G. Kinne curred. and Hon. John Cownie.
Inventive genius evolved new agencies of moral as well as intel- CHURCHES AND CHURCH WORK. lectual, mechanical and military pow- Walk about Zion, Mark ye well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces, er, that resulted in vast changes, not only in their geography, but also in the social condition and the religious That ye may tell it to the genera- ideas pervading christian nations.
tion following .- DAVID.
Under divine guidance this fertile
If the people of Iowa have shown and divinely favored region was re- great interest in securing for their served for settlement until these forces
105
EDUCATION, RELIGION AND PATRIOTISM.
were in effective operation and an in- section west of Lake Michigan to the telligent, liberal christian citizenship, Missouri river and north of the states hating oppression and loving right- of Illinois and Missouri. This was the eousness, should bring to this beauti- first Presbyterian church erected in ful land the highest type of christian. all this territory. The Catholics erected their first church in Iowa at civilization ever enjoyed by men.
The country east of the Mississippi this place the same year.
river was thrown open for settlement From these small beginnings, that in 1828, and Galena, in the vicinity of but dimly suggested speedy enlarge- the lead mines, became an active ment, have grown the great religious frontier town, with a resident minis- organizations that now flourish with ter. In 1833, the permanent settle- richness of blessing, in all parts of ment of Iowa began and on the 8th of the state and yield their rich fruitage August that year, a Congregational of cultured christian beneficence to minister from Galena, held religious carry the tidings of grace to other services at the home of Mrs. Willough- communities. Many of the three score by, in the settlement at Dubuque. So and four years, that have passed since far as known, this was the first relig- the first church was built in Iowa, ious service held within the bounda- were years of privation and hardship, ries of the state. Soon thereafter, in nevertheless the progress of the the same settlement, Father McMa- churches has been wonderful. Beau- hon, a Catholic clergyman, celebrated tiful and substantial church edifices mass in the home of Patrick Quigley. have been erected in every center of
On the 6th of November the same population and in addition thereto year, Rev. Barton Randle, a mission- 206 colleges, academies and other ec- ary of the Methodist Episcopal church, clesiastical institutions of learning visited Dubuque and held services in have been erected through their in- a private house. Early in the follow- strumentality. These religious edu- ing year, he organized a class* in the cational institutions represent a be- town and this appears to have been nevolent investment of more than the first religious society formed in $5,000,000, of which $1,000,000 is in the Iowa. During that season this soci- form of a permanent endowment for ety built a small church of logs, 20x26 their support. Thousands have de- feet, and this was the first church vised liberal things for the establish- building erected in the state. In the ment and maintenance of the church winter of 1835-6, Rev. Cyrus Watson, and her handmaid christian educa- a Presbyterian minister, preached tion, in Iowa.
about three months in this log build- ing, alternatnig with the Methodists. A Presbyterian church was organized and at his instigation measures were taken for securing a house of worship that resulted in the erection of a stone church, that after the lapse of some years, was transferred to the Christian church. The corner-stone of this building was laid July 1, 1836, in the presence of Judge Dunn, Chief Justice of the Territory of Wisconsin that embraced at that time the whole yast
EXHIBIT OF CHURCHI GROWTH IN IOWA.
1850
1870
1895
Church buildings,
207
1446
4480
Value
of b'dgs, . $177,425 $5.730,352 $15,105,085
Average of
66
$809
$3,963
$3,375
Seating capacity,
43,529
431,709
1,305,804
Denominations rep.,
13
--
43
Meth, church b'dgs,
76
492
1,382
Pres.
6.
38
224
454
Luth,
5
15
424
Cath,
66
18
195
411
Bap.
16
16
23
165
398
Christ.
66
11
48
255
Cong.
06
14
125
251
U. B.
66
28
156
Friends 66
5
60
82
Ref'd
60
4
17
66
Epis.
66
5
86
65
Other denominations
17
148
536
Population,
192,214
1,194,020
2,958,069
..
The statistics for the year 1895 show
*Four members,
HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE-Rear View of Main Building and Central Heating Plant.
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11
HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, INDEPENDENCE .- Front View of Main Building. Opened May 1, 1873. *
PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
106
107
EDUCATION, RELIGION AND PATRIOTISM.
that the communicant membership of resenting a membership of 365,441 per- the church was at that time, 571,264 sons, and the amount contributed for and the Sunday School membership their support was $172,442. Mrs. Mat- was 365,441. The voluntary offerings tie M. Bailey, for many years the ef- of the people for the support of the ficient secretary of this association, church that year, which was one of reported that 75 per cent of the Sun- "hard times," were as follows:
Salary of clergy, $2.076,055
Contingent Expenses paid .. 806,77 Paid for new buildings in 1894. 846,555 Paid for support of Sunday Schools ... 172,442
Making annual support of church. .$3,901,831
Value of Church buildings was $15,105.085 Value of Parsonages was 2,492,906
Making churches and parsonages. ... $17,597,991 Amount Invested in Christian Educational Institutions was .. 5,000,000
Making the amount of ..
.$22,598,091
Permanently invested in buildings and property belonging to the church in
day Schools of the state are contin- ued throughout the year; that at least one million copies of Sabbath School papers are distributed through them and that their libraries of religious books contain at least 100,000 volumes. These facts show that the people of Iowa are earnestly and generously en- gaged in the work of training the ris- ing generation in the principles of morality and religion.
PATRIOTISM.
When Iowa was opened for perma-
Iowa, and freely donated during the nent settlement, after the Black Hawk
first half century of her history. Indian war of 1832, the contentions re- It will be perceived this exhibit does not show the missionary offer- ings of the churches which now amount to nearly half a million dol- lars annually. It should also be noted that the voluntary offerings for the support of the church in 1892, before the hard times set in, were more than $5,000,000, instead of the $3,901,831 of 1895. garding the limitation or extension of Negro slavery that culminated in the civil war, had begun to agitate the country. The Missouri Compromise, adopted in 1820, as a settlement of this troublesome question, was in its most vital force, when in 1833 the pi- oneers crossed the Mississippi to found permanent settlements in Iowa. By the provisions of this compromise the The work of the church in every community is a vital factor in pro- moting its best interests. The work done by those devoted, godly men and women who laid the foundations for these grand results in the formative years of this commonwealth, did much to insure and accomplish its prosperity. This liberality demon- strates, not only that the christian people of Iowa are of a progressive disposition, but also that they are in prosperous circumstances and have regard for their religious convictions and privileges. area forming this state was conse- crated to freedom. Although, ac- cording to the census of 1840, sixteen slaves were held within its borders, under its territorial government, ulti- mate freedom from slavery was fully assured to this region. "Immigrants from the New England states flocked to this new field, bringing with them as one of their chief possessions, an in- telligent patriotism-a legacy of pa- triotic sires, who stood bravely for freedom at Lexington, Bennington and Bunker Hill. Other settlers com- ing from the Central and Eastern states to this free western country to Iowa has an active working State establish a new commonwealth, Sabbath School Association that holds brought with them a hearty affinity an annual convention. In 1895, there with that spirit. Others coming from were nearly 5,000 Sunday Schools; rep- the slave-cursed South, came to enjoy
108
PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA ..
a deliverance from the scenes and as- that more men volunteered for serv- sociations of that oppression. They ice at their country's call than were believed that all men were endowed required from this state. Her citizen equally by the Creator, with the right soldiery toiled in almost every march, to their own muscle, bone and natural fought in almost every battle and powers, and with equal rights to free- dom of thought and action in the pur- suit of happiness." *
bravely fell everywhere at the front. Her generals from hamlet and farm, made honorable history, earning re- tarnished the honor of Iowa in that terrible hour.
When there was a manifest tenden- nown on many fields and no foul stain cy to extend the baneful institution of slavery by the repeal of the famous Missouri Compromise of 1820, that from the time of its enactment had been regarded as a perpetual guaran- ty of freedom, to the great north-
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