USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > Centennial anniversary of Whiteside County Education Association, 1856-1956. Historical booklet > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
TUESDAY EVENING
Singing. Committee of arrangements reported Prof. Wilder and Miss Melvyn as Editors. Prof. Kelly and Miss McClave as Committee on criti- cism. Same Committee further reported programme of exercises for Wed- nesday. A resolution was then offered:
That a Committee of five be appointed to consider the Public School Policy of this State, and to report what action thereto, the judgment of the Institute deem necessary.
Committee consists of Messrs. Smith, Kelly, Wright, Deming and Wilk- inson. Prof. Wilder was then introduced to the audience by Mr. Deming, and for the space of an hour occupied the floor in an effort as popular and concise as it was chaste and elegant. His theme was, "Teachers, their duties and difficulties," which he comprehensively and intelligently in- vestigated in its bearing on the parent, the school house, and the teacher himself. The following resolution was then taken up for discussion :
Resolved, that the best interests of the Common Schools depend on the faithful and untiring efforts of the teacher.
The argument was opened by Prof. Kelly, succeeded by Profs. Wright and Wilder. Singing. Adjournment.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17
Singing. It was moved that our meetings hereafter be opened with prayer, an amendment that the Scriptures be also read was received, and the motion thus amended carried. Reading of the Bible with prayer by Prof. Wilder. Minutes of the Institute (to date) were then read. The Programme of the day was then taken up. Mental arithmetic by Mr. Flagg of Sterling. The subject of units was fully investigated. Singing and recess. History by Prof. Wilder. The Prof. showed the mythical character of the early history of every nation-traced the origin of our Anglo-Saxon-Gothic race, and closed by miscellaneous questions on United States History to members of the Institute. Recess. Grammar by Prof. Kelly. A minute explanation of his method of teaching a beginner the most important words of a sentence-their nature and office. Committee on Criticism reported errors in language and deportment.
-16-
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
Singing. Writing by Mr. Phinney. The relative merits of outline and descriptive maps were briefly considered. Elocution. This exercise was begun by Miss MeClave and continued by Mrs. Flagg. Recess. Arithmetic, by Mr. Smith, consisting of an examination of the Institute from Prime and Composite Numbers on to Fractions. Mr. Flagg then brought up the question, "Is it ever expedient to resort to corporal punishment in our schools?" After a spirited discussion by Messrs. Flagg, Phinney and Wilder the question was laid on the table.
WEDNESDAY EVENING
Singing. The question of corporal punishment was resumed. Prof. Kelly spoke favorably of proper castigation in extreme cases, deciding it an absolute benefit. Mr. Smith was then introduced to the audience by Prof. Wilder. His subject was, "The Best Method of Teaching." He be- gan by a neat allusion to the superiority of our present school architecture over that in vogue a quarter of a century ago-he graphically delineated the difficulties encountered and the advantages seeured by erroneous and by intelligent methods of teaching the young idea from the Alphabet up to Arithmetic, and concluded by offering the following sentiment:
"May the teachers of Whiteside County speedily assume such an exalted position as to be justly considered the model teachers of the Prairie State."
Much applause ensued at the close of the address. On motion a vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Smith for his able and instructive address.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 18
Scriptures and prayer. It was moved that the Institute be suspended, so as to allow the Teacher's Association to sit and dispatch the business before that body. Carried. The Institute accordingly stood adjourned and the Association convened.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON
The Institute again resumed its session. Grammar, by Prof. Kelly, in which the Institute was examined on the grammatical analysis of a few sentences selected for the purpose. Recess. Mr. Phinney then took up Cowdrey's Moral Lessons, and the exercise assumed an interesting char- acter, when several nice moral distinctions grew naturally therefrom.
THURSDAY EVENING
Mr. Deming, School Commissioner of the County, being called for took the stand. He congratulated the Institute on the increasing interest mani- fested in educational progress, and proceeded to give the following sta- tistics:
Number of schools in the county, 66, some of them private ones; 63 teachers engaged, male and female, receiving average wages of $24 per month, including board. Among teachers named above, 22 are thoroughly qualified; 29 medium; 3 need to go to school themselves. In 19 schools good discipline is maintained; in 31 medium; and in 4, below par. There are 2452 scholars on schedules, average attendance, 1705. In 33 schools the Text Books recommended by the State Superintendent are used. The interest on the county fund of $33,000 at 10 per cent is $3,300 for school support, added to which each township has further provision. Last year there was $6,400 State tax for the support of the common schools. Ex- perienced teachers were yearly increasing and he was confident that in- creased salary and increased interest in the cause, were working wonders. Mr. Deming then adverted to the importance of symmetrical education in its three capacities-physical, intellectual and moral-earnestly insisting on the mighty importance of excellent moral training in the school room thought that no school was complete without Bible and Dietionary-that mere pecuniary consideration should not wholly influence the teacher, his
-17-
reward was happy hearts and smiling faces, while his influence was co- existent only with the throne of God in the heavens.
It was moved that a copy of the address delivered by Mr. Deming be requested for publication. Carried. On motion, Prof. Wright of Lee County took the floor. The Prof. reviewed the formation of the present school law, showing how two years ago, Gov. Matteson convened the Legislature for the purpose of electing a State Superintendent, and secur- ing the passage of a Free School act-how, that the school act is a heter- ogeneous mass-neither readable nor understandable-how that a self- constituted convention assembled on which many amendments were pro- posed, in the reduction of the number of township and county officers, as more conducive to prompt and decisive action. He commended the laud- able enterprise of the early settlers in this country in making the erection of school houses a primary object, and vividly contrasted the pure moral atmosphere that surround the public school in opposition to the Academy, which he considered generally as hot beds of aristocracy, corruption and fancied greatness. Many of the counties in the southern portion of the State were opposed to a system which compels the expenditure of much tax in poorer counties, collected from themselves. The North, he was glad to say, was free from the charge. Mr. Deming thought multiplicity of officers, in the present case, no evil, but that each district having its own officers to direct its affairs, would be better satisfied.
The thanks of the Institute were tendered Prof. Wright for his attend- ance at our meeting. Adpourned.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 19
Singing. Prayer. Reading was the first exercise in order, by Prof. Wilder. A passage from "Merchant of Venice" was selected and consider- able enthusiasm was manifested to do justice to one of the most deeply tragic scenes in Shakespeare. Recess. Physiology by Prof. Wilder. This was one of the most profoundly interesting and instructive efforts of the session. The Prof. graphically described the different processes of diges- tion, circulation, and respiration-the constituents of the blood-the best principles of Dietetics. He explained the general laws of health, and held up in ridiculous light many injurious habits in common experience.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Singing. Spelling, by Miss Melvyn. The Institute was resolved into a Spelling Class, and drilled in her mode of conducting that recitation. Prof. Wright examined Institute on a few principles in Arithmetic. Prof. Wilder then delivered a fine, popular discourse on Physical Geography and As- tronomy, with ready explanations of any points that the topic seemed to call up in the minds of the teachers.
EVENING SESSION
Singing. Prof. Wilder occupied the floor on Chemistry and kindred topics. Editors, Prof. Wilder and Miss Melvyn, then read a paper before the Institute, embracing various articles in Departments of Wit, Morality, and Instruction, contributed by members of Institute. The following ser- ies of Resolutions was then adopted:
Resolved, that in the judgment of this Institute the proposed amend- ment of the School Law, providing for a better paid and therefore more thorough supervision of schools, should be adopted by our State Legis- lature.
Resolved, that the Institute regard the perpetuation of Free Schools as indispensable to the permanency of our Republican Institutions, and therefore appeal to our Legislature to maintain them at whatever cost.
Resolved, that this Institute recommend for adoption in schools the following Text Books:
Cowdrey's Moral Lessons; Wilson's Elements of Punctuation; Warren's Physical Geography; and Payson, Dunton & Scribner's Copy Books.
Resolved, that the Illinois Teacher, the organ of the State Teacher's
-18-
Association, ranks among our best educational periodicals, and that every teacher in Whiteside County should be a subscriber to the same.
Resolved, that we regard the American Journal of Education and Col- lege Review, published in New York City, as a noble and valuable educa- tional magazine, and that we recommend it to the patronage and support of every teacher desirous of occupying an honorable standing in the pro- fession.
Resolved, That as a proper expression of respect for the merits of Prof. Wilder, as a scholar and a man, the thanks of the Institute be unanimously tendered to that gentleman for the signal ability and uniform courtesy which he has displayed in the regulation of its exercises.
Resolved, That the thanks of the Institute be presented to the citizens of Como for the hospitality so generously extended to the members in attendance.
Moved, That a vote of thanks be tendered Mr. Phinney for his unwearied attention in making every necessary arrangement for the comfort of his teacher friends. Carried.
Moved, That a vote of thanks be tendered the Secretary for his efficient action. Carried. Singing. Adjournment.
W. W. Davis, Sec'y.
Whiteside County Educational Association
After one century of existence, the Whiteside County Ed- ucation Association can look back with pride upon its accom- plishments. It has shown forward-looking leadership through the years, being responsible for the introduction of many im- provements in our county educational system.
It was one hundred years ago, in September of 1856, that a group of Whiteside County educators under the leadership of County School Commissioner, Charles S. Deming, met in the Congregational Church in Como to hold a county teacher's institute. On the fourth day, the institute was adjourned so that the teachers present might organize an educational soci- ety.
Though there may have been earlier institutes than the one in Como, it was certainly one of the first to be held in White- side County. It was no doubt the need for some sort of perma- nent organization to sponsor the teacher's institutes, which caused the educators of Whiteside County to organize the so- ciety which was first known as the Whiteside County Teach- er's Institute.
Following is a report of the organizational meeting of the association as it was reported by W. W. Davis, first secretary of the society, and published in the STERLING REPUBLICAN of October 4, 1856 :
-19-
TEACHER'S ASSOCIATION HELD AT COMO, SEPTEMBER 18, 1856
Association convened. Mr. Phinney in the chair. Mr. Smith then offered the following resolutions which were received and adopted. They read as follows:
Resolved, That v. hen this Institute adjourn, it adjourn to meet on the last Monday of next March and continue until Saturday.
Resolved, That the President and Secretary of this association act as Chairman and Secretary of the Institute.
Resolved, That the Chairman of the Institute on its opening, shall ap- point the following committees, to be composed of two persons each, viz:
Finance Committee; Committee on Resolutions; Committee on Criticism; Committee of Arrangements.
Resolved, That upon the passage of these resolutions, the association proceed to elect by ballot certain of its members to conduct the exercises of Mental Arithmetic, Written Arithmetic, Reading and Elocution, History, Geography and Grammar, in order that thus previously appointed, they may come prepared to take the Institute along without delay, where their respective exercises are in order, and that in case vacancies occur, the chair have the power to fill them.
Resolved, That three ladies be elected by ballot to read essays before the next Institute.
Resolved, That four gentlemen be elected to deliver addresses on some educational topic before the Institute.
Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to give notice of time and place of holding next Institute one month previous in the Illinois Teacher and in all the county papers.
Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to prepare a synopsis of our proceedings during this session, and transmit a copy of the same to the Illinois Teacher, and each of the county papers.
The association then proceeded to ballot for officers, with the follow- ing result:
President. Mr. Smith; Vice President, Mr. Phinney.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Election continued. Secretary, Mr. Davis; Treasurer, Mr. Flagg.
Prof. Kelly was then elected to Mental and Written Arithmetic; Mr. Smith to Elocution and Davis, History; Miss McClave, Geography; Mr. Glen, Grammar. Three ladies, Misses Milligan, Melvyn, with Miss Dickey as alternate, and Mrs. Flagg, were elected to Essays. Messrs. Kelly, Davis, Phinney and Brookfield were elected to addresses. Messrs. Deming, Phin- ney and Flagg were elected Executive Committee.
Moved, That the place of holding next Institute be left to Executive Committee. Carried.
Moved, That same committee procure as competent a man as possible to lecture before next Institute, for fifty dollars. Carried.
Moved, That the Association hold its meeting on the first day of next Institute. Carried. Adjournment.
W. W. Davis, Sec'y.
When the first constitution was adopted is not known. There is in existence, however, a copy of the constitution as it was amended at the annual meeting in Morrison in 1859. A story of the 1859 meeting in the WHITESIDE SENTINEL indicates that this was the first change in the constitution and that it had to do with changing the time of the annual meeting from
-20-
September to August. The amended constitution of 1859 fol- lows:
FIRST CONSTITUTION
THE CONSTITUTION
of the WHITESIDE COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTE AS AMENDED AT MORRISON, ILLINOIS, AUGUST, 1859
ARTICLE I
This Society shall be known as the WHITESIDE COUNTY TEACH- ERS' INSTITUTE.
ARTICLE II
The object of this Society shall be the elevation of the teacher's pro- fession and the promotion of the cause of public instruction throughout the county.
ARTICLE III
The officers of this society shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Committee of three. The officers shall be elected by ballot during the last afternoon of each session of the Institute to serve from the close of the Institute at which they are chosen to the close of the next.
ARTICLE IV
It shall be the duty of the President, or, in his absence, the Vice Presi- dent to preside at all meetings, and to have the general supervision of the Institute when in session.
ARTICLE V
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a fair and accurate record of the proceedings of the Institute, draw and attest all orders on the Treasurer, and perform such other duties as the Society may require.
ARTICLE VI
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all monies of the In- stitute, disburse them as ordered by the Society, issue certificates of mem- bership to all paying the requisite fee, and record the date of the same in a book kept for that purpose.
ARTICLE VII
It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to preseribe the place of holding the annual sessions of the Institute, and to arrange the pro- gramme of exercises for each day.
ARTICLE VIII
Any friend of education may become a member of this Society by signing the Constitution, and by paying annually to the Treasurer the sum of one dollar for each gentleman, and fifty cents for each lady.
ARTICLE IX
The regular meeting of this Society shall be held annually, beginning on the last Monday of August, and closing on the Friday evening following.
-21
ARTICLE X
Seven members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of busi- ness.
ARTICLE XI
Any article of this Constitution may be altered or amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present-notice thereof having been given at least six hours previous.
This organization from the beginning adopted for its pur- pose "the elevation of the teacher's profession and the pro- motion of the cause of public instruction throughout the coun- ty." This aim has never been changed in one hundred years. The present day constitution gives the object of the associa- tion as being "the mutual improvement of its members and the general advancement of the educational interests of Whiteside County."
The constancy of purpose of this association is most vividly shown in the recorded minutes of the organization and in the columns of the newspapers of the county, which have from the beginning been very generous in the space allotted to re- porting the activities of this group.
The Whiteside County Teacher's Institute, later known as the Whiteside County Teacher's Association, and at present as the Whiteside County Education Association has from the beginning bent every effort to unite all the educators of the county into one solid group working for the advancement of education in the county. It has not hesitated in the past to castigate its own members and other members of the profes- sion for failure to support the work of the association.
In the days when travel across the county was no small item, this association divided itself into small units which met once monthly in institutes for the improvement of instruction. The annual institutes were retained, at which time all the teachers of the county came together to be instructed by out- standing educators from near and far, and to share their own experiences.
It was chiefly through the work of this association that the County Board of Supervisors was convinced that the County Superintendent of Schools should devote all his time to the work of his office. This change came about shortly ofter B. F. Hendricks came into office in 1882. Previous to this time the work of the County Superintendent of Schools was carried on in addition to regular school duties in one of the county schools, mostly on Saturdays and during vacation periods.
-22
A spirit of cooperation has always existed between the of- fice of the County Superintendent of Schools and the White- side County Education Association, resulting in mutual benefit. Continued unity and cooperation within educational ranks in Whiteside County can only mean even greater advancement in the schools of the county.
Whiteside County and the Whiteside County Education As- sociation have been the proving ground for many educators who have gone on to positions of prominence in the field of education. From our ranks have come outstanding professors of education, and heads of higher institutions of learning. S. B. Hursh, who for many years served as Superintendent of Wallace School in Sterling, was elected by the teachers of Il- linois to the Presidency of the Illinois Education Association in 1913.
Alfred Bayliss. Superintendent of the old Second Ward School in Sterling from 1874 to 1894, was elected Superintend- ent of Public Instruction by the people of Illinois at the turn of the century. Many others who have served in our midst have enjoyed outstanding success in the field of education, and it is only fair to say that many of our present day edu- cators in Whiteside County are providing leadership in state and national educational circles.
Any attempt to elaborate upon the many accomplishments of the Whiteside County Education Association and its in- dividual members would take far more space than this little booklet will allow. Let it suffice to say that the list would be long and let us look forward to an equally productive second hundred years.
Our association has brought to Whiteside County many nationally and internationally known leaders from all walks of life to appear before us on the lecture platform. These have been high spots in the history of our organization, mak- ing it possible for the members to hear from some of the out- standing thinkers of the day.
The work of the Whiteside County Education Association could not possibly have been as successful as it has had it not been for those who have so unselfishly given so much of themselves for the good of the organization. There are many who have served long and well in different capacities. To some has come the privilege of serving as president of the as- sociation. A nearly complete list of past presidents has been compiled, which follows:
-23-
Past Presidents of the
Whiteside County Education Association
1856 C. B. Smith, Sterling
1857 M. R. Kelly, Lyndon
1858 John Phinney, Como
1859 Maurice Savage, Unionville
1860 Grove Wright, Sterling
1861 Not active during Civil War period 1866 M. R. Kelly, County Supt.
1867 M. R. Kelly, County Supt.
1868 M. R. Kelly, County Supt.
1869 Michael W. Smith County Supt.
1870 Michael W. Smith, County Supt.
1871 Michael W. Smith, County Supt.
1872 Michael W. Smith, County Supt. 1873 L. M. Barrett
1874 L. M. Barrett
1875 L. M. Barrett
1876 B. F. Hendricks, Sterling
1877 B. F. Hendricks, Sterling
1878 B. F. Hendricks, Sterling
1879 W. L. Jennings
1880 George C. Loomis, County Supt.
1881 M. R. Kelly, Morrison
1882 Alfred Bayliss, Sterling
1883 Thomas Diller, Sterling
1884 M. F. Miller, Morrison
1885 C. H. Crandall. Sterling
1886 F. F. Harding
1887 W. J. Johnston
1888 R. V. DeGroff
1889 M. F. Miller, Morrison
1890 M. F. Miller, Morrison
1891 M. F. Miller, Morrison
1892 M. F. Miller, Morrison
1893 B. F. Canavan
1894 1895
1896 C. H. Marcy
1897 W. S. Ellison, Prophetstown
1898 W. S. Ellison, Prophetstown
1899 H. L. Chaplin, Sterling
1900 H. L. Chaplin, Sterling
1901 H. L. Chaplin, Sterling
1902 O. L. Miller, Sterling
1903 Alfred K. Jenkins, Sterling
1904 Alfred K. Jenkins. Sterling 1905 Frank Bell, Lyndon
1906 E. T. Austin, Sterling
1907 W. E. Weaver, Morrison
1908 J. S. Moyer, Morrison 1909 J. S. Moyer, Morrison 1910 H. B. Price, Fulton
1911 A. L. Hill, Sterling
1912 E. O. Phares, Rock Falls
1913 C. A. Shauliss, Lyndon
1914 O. A. Fackler, Erie 1915 C. H. Marcy, Sterling
1916 H. V. Baldwin Fulton
1917 C. A. Smith, Tampico 1918 E. O. Phares, Rock Falls 1919 Clarence Selby, Sterling
1920 C. R. Holesinger, Rock Falls
1921 Clyde E. Bates, Prophetstown
1922 W. E. Weaver, Morrison 1923 R. M. Robertson, Erie 1924 H. V. Baldwin, Fulton 1925 J. B. Wallace, Rock Falls
1926 W. S. Dimmett, Rock Falls
1927 E. R. Selleck, Sterling
1928 O. B. Redenbo Lyndon
1929 A. E. Truax, Prophetstown
1930 E. E. Liljequist, Fulton
1931 H. P. Hilbish, Erie
1932 O. A. Fackler, Sterling
1933 Forrest L. Dice, Albany
1934 Roscoe Eades, Sterling
1935 E. W. Vickrey, Tampico
1936 C. B. Mummart, Prophetstown
1937 H. U. Challand, Sterling
1938 E. H. Mellon, Morrison
1939 P. H. DiVall, Erie
1940 O. A. Fackler Sterling
1941 E. E. Small, Sterling
1942 Mabel M. Borman, Morrison
1943 Carl Thokey, Rock Falls
1944 Hortense Hunt, Fulton
1945 W. M. Layman, Prophetstown
1946 W. E. Miley, Lyndon
1947 E. S. Simmonds, Morrison
1948 Irene Marquis, Sterling
1949 E. A. Bowers, Prophetstown 1950 Loren Young, Erie
1951 Gunnar A. Benson, Sterling
1952 Dorothy Carlock, Fenton
1953 Fred Eckstrand, Tampico
1954 M. B. Neece, Fulton
1955 Leslie H. Janke, Morrison
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
The County Superintendent of Schools, or County School Commissioner as he was originally called, has played an im- portant part in the history of education in Whiteside County. Some the these men were truly outstanding leaders in the field and left a lasting impression on the schools of our county.
Twelve men have held this important office in the past one hundred sixteen years. The biographical sketches which fol- low will give you a brief glimpse of each of these gentlemen.
-- 24-
IBID - 1812
William Verill 1812 - 1815
Charles S. Deming 1815 - 1857
P
1. R. Kelly 1857 - 1809
Michael W. Smith 1869 - 1873
Orrin M. Crury 1873 - 1877
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.