USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Historic sketch and biographical album of Shelby County, Illinois > Part 20
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The second school about which any infor- mation can be gleaned, and the first to be taught in Shelbyville, was conducted in the old log court house in 1827. by Joseph Oliver, a prominent character in the early affairs in the county. Mr. Oliver served as postmaster at this time, and, for lack of better accommoda- tions, kept the mail in his hat. Thus the post office was wherever Mr. (). was to be found. The old court house was used as a school house for many years ; here John Perryman taught in 1831 and Addison Smith years after : Charles Wood-
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ward, still a resident of Shelbyville, occupied it in 1841. There was usually a school of some kind in the village, but no building to be used exclusively for school purposes, was erected until the building of the Academy in 1854. The first school in the same township, but east of the river, was taught in 1831, by Daniel J. Green, in a small log cabin. Bushrod W. llenry taught in the same house seven years later, and, in the same year. S. R. Davis taught where Oak Grove Chapel was afterwards built.
The second school house in the county was built in 1832, in Richland township. It was built of. round hickory logs, and the windows were of greased paper. James Rouse and Wil- liam Robinson were the first teachers to wield the rod and instruct the youth of that locality in "book-learning."
In Ash Grove township. John Price was the first teacher, holding school in an empty cabin on his place : the second was taught in a cabin on the farm of .A. G. Frazer, by a one- armed man named Younger Green. This man afterwards taught the first school in the first school house. a small log building erected on the southeast corner of Section 4. and which. for several years, was without any other floor than the bare earth.
Th first school house in the northwestern part of the county, was built in Flat Branch township, near the centre of Section 12: and being centrally located, was largely attended by children of surrounding townships. David Si- mon was the first teacher, and J. C. Rodman the second. The first school building in Wind- sor township was built in 1835: near the Ben Bruce place on Upper Sand Creek, tht first school being taught by S. R. Davis. Other carly teachers were Mrs. Elizabeth Jones. Sarah Clay, and the daughters of Addison
Smith, above mentioned. In Big Spring town- ship the first school was taught by Thomas Bell, in an empty house belonging to John Spain. S. R. Davis and John Fleming taught in Holland township in 1837-38, but it was not until about 1845 that a building was erected for school pur- poses. This was on Section 29, near the Dan Gallagher place. In Oconee, near where the Ilinton school house now stands, was built the first one in that township. A small log school house was built just north of where Moweaqua now stands, in 1836, and "Old Hickory," a log cabin standing near the centre of Section 3, was doubtless the first school house in Tower Hill township. The old "Ehn School House." on Section 34. in Rural township, was erected in 1845.
By the year 1850 nearly all of the town- ships of the county were organized, and the management of the local affairs was turned over to the board of trustees and directors, and from that time on there was a gradual improvement in the schools throughout the county. l'ar- ticularly was this noticeable after the enactment of the new school law in the early 50's, referred to in the beginning of the chapter. The rough and uncouth school houses with their earthen or puncheon floors, rough benches, and greased paper windows, of which we have attempted to give some little idea in the preceding pages. have been displaced by the neat, comfortable and handsome structures of frame and brick. which are now to be found throughout the length and breadth of the county, and are nu- merous enough to be in close touch with every home.
With all due respect to the memory of the teachers whose names appear in this chapter. and the many others who did splendid self- sacrificial work in those early days, we still must say they, whose attainments were limited,
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and whose abilities were undeveloped, have been superseded by a class of teachers of rare mental and teaching ability, who are in the front rank of their chosen profession, and whose fitness for the positions they occupy is demonstrated by the high character of the schools over which they preside. Shelby county teachers are, as a class, earnest and dili- gent in their preparation for their schoolroon duties, devoted to their work, and untiring in their efforts to raise the already high standard of their respective schools.
'This year. 1900. there are in the county 169 school districts, with 170 school houses. There are 235 qualified teachers, of whom 120 are females. The number of male pupils in the un- graded schools of the county is 3.184: females. 2.969. There are eleven graded schools, with a total of 1.276 male. and 1.262 female pupils. making total number of pupils of all ages in the county. 8.691. There is but one High school, that of Shelbyville, which is doing most excellent work, and graduating pupils who are in attendance from all parts of the county.
Superintendent Randle possesses high qualifications for the important position he oc- cupies, being an educator of rare ability. With Principal Roberts and a large corps of compet- ent teachers in the school, Shelbyville has the reputation of having the best public and High school in Central Illinois. The building in which this High school is conducted, was built in 1869, at a cost of about $50,000, and is a model of neatness, convenience and beauty.
The estimated value of all property in the county used for school purposes, is $200.000. a great increase over that of twenty years ago. The amount distributed this year to the several township treasurers, from the state school fund. is $7.727.01. The principal of the town- ship school fund belonging to the townships of
the county, is $37.123.47. This is a loanable fund. the interest upon which is the principal revenue for the support of the schools. The special levy for school tax for 1goo, was $81 .- 031.46. The names of the several township treasurers, with their post office addresses, are given as follows :
Township. Treasurer. P. O. Address.
Oconee. 10-1 B. S. Sloan Oconee
Oconee. 9-1 B. E. Burgess Shinkle
Herrick. John Adams Herrick
Cold Spring W. M. Fellers . Skates
Tower Hill. J. W. Dean .. .. Tower Hill
Rural W. E. Killam .. Tower Hill
Flat Branch. P. G. Ludwig . . Moweaqua
Moweaqua. B. H. Mellenery Moweaqua Dry Point. 9-3. . . James W. Jones ... Cowden
Dry Point. 10-3. . . James Barton Lakewood
Rose .FF. 1). Crook Shelbyville
Ridge John W. Boys. . Shelbyville
Pickaway. Bryant Corley .Yantisville
Penn. 13-3. Bryant Corley. .. Yantisville
Penn. 14-3 11. 1. Wagner. Dalton City
Holland. 9-4 M. C. Butler .. .. . Fancher
Ilolland. 10-4. S. T. Gallagher Mode
Shelbyville. 11-4. .. C. W. Steward, Shelbyville Shelbyville. G. S. W. S. Middlesworth, Sbye Okaw. .O. E. Stumpi .. . . Findlay
Todd's Point E. S. Combs Findlay
Prairie. 9-5. W. F. Lane Shumley
Prairie. 10-5. D. Mautz Stewardson
Richland John N. Storm. . Strasburg
Windsor. F. M. Jones . Windsor
Sigel
F. Hoene Sigel
Sigel. D. Mautz Stewardson
Sigel. Wm. A. Dooley Trowbridge
Big Spring .Wm. A. Dooley Trowbridge
Ash Grove. Preston Closon. Sexson
The first Teachers' Institute held in the county was in Shelbyville, in the summer of
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1875. John Stapleton, then County Superin- tendent, T. F. Dove, then Superintendent of Schools in the city, and Professors McCormick and De Garmo, of the State Normal University, were the four gentlemen who conducted that Institute.
The county superintendency is an import- ant factor in bringing the schools of a county up to a high degree of excellency. The real value of this superintendency can be only conjectured, not estimated. The work of a good, conscien- tious superintendent is arduous and his duties important, and no man of ordinary qualifica- tions should be elected to such a prominent po- sition. In the selection of County Superintend- ents, however. Shelby has been singularly for- tunate, ever having placed in that office a man eminently fitted to discharge its duties, and to raise the educational work of the county to a still higher level; and the present incumbent, J. A. Montgomery, is no exception to this class.
The first school commissioner of the coun- ty was Joseph Oliver, appointed in 1831. hold- ing the office, with several others, until 1841. when he was succeeded by Edward Evey. Mr. Ever continued in service until succeeded by Judge Moulton, in 1853. Samuel King was elected to that office in 1861, and served four years, or until 1865. In that year the title of the incumbent of the office was changed to "county superintendent of schools," and the term extended to four years. Anthony T. Hall was elected in 1865, and continued in office until his death in the autumn of 1872. The vacancy was filled by the appointment of E. A. MeGrew. John Stapleton was elected in 1873: Homer S. Mouser in 1877 ; and he was succeed- ed by W. B. Marshutz: M. Barbee was the suc- cessor of Mr. Marshutz, and he. in turn, was succeeded by J. A. Montgomery.
SHELBY SEMINARY.
A chapter on the schools of the county would not be complete did it not contain an al- lusion to the okl Shelby Seminary, or Academy. This was established in 1854, in response to a popular demand for an institution of higher grade and character than the schools then ex- isting. U'p to that time there had been no building in Shelbyville devoted solely to school purposes, but in that year the Shelby Academy. as it was at first called, was erected on North Broadway, where it still stands, a monument to the broad minds of the progressive citizens who were responsible for its inception forty-six years ago. Early in the year previous, however, the good work had its beginning. but the build- ing was not ready for occupancy until '54. Hon. S. W. Moulton was tendered the principalship. but it was declined by him. Then Charles W. Jerome, a teacher in the Danville Seminary. was secured for the position, which he held for fifteen years, barring a few which he spent as a soldier in the Civil war. Associated with Mr. Jerome at the beginning, was R. M. Bell, an able assistant. About seventy pupils were pres- ent the first day, which number increased to one hundred before the end of the term. Dur- ing the vacation the school was extensively ad- vertised as "Shelby Male and Female Acad- emy," and at the beginning of the second ses- sion there was an increased attendance, and Rev. C. C. Burroughs was made preceptor and teacher of mathematics. At the close of this session Mr. Bell retired, and Jasper L. Dou- thit took the place left vacant. Among other teachers who were employed in the Seminary during its existence, were: Miss Oliva .1. Smith, Berky Myers, Parker M. McFarland. A. M .; Rev. W. H. Webster, Eugenia A. Morri- son, Ann E. Rhoads, Judson A. Roundy, Mar-
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garet E. Osbond. Mary Osbond. Thos. Easter- day. A. M. Hess. D. W. Jacoby. Rev. G. A. Pollock. Parkhurst T. Martin, lone S. Daniels, James M. North, Mrs. Anna Headen, Martha C. Kerr, and Mary .A. Hall.
The Seminary had a peculiar mission to fulfil. that of preparing the way for a suitable educational system in Shelbyville, and well did it play its part. The establishment of the school system and High school was the signal for the passing of this institution. The property was transferred to the Board of Education of the city, and the Shelby. Seminary ceased to exist.
No one can estimate the value of its work. or measure the influence it still has over the many who look back to the days of earnest educational effort spent within its walls, as the happiest of their lives ; and in their memory live over again the experiences and associations which have left their impress upon their charac- ter. It is ever spoken of with reverence, and
will never cease to be remembered by those who knew and loved it.
Charles W. Jerome, mention of which was made as the first principal of the Academy, still lives, and is a resident of Atlanta, Georgia. He is revered and beloved by those who knew him in the olden days as a faithful friend, an earnest and competent educator, a kind teacher and a thorough christian gentleman of high charac- ter.
lack of space compels us to close this brief sketch of the schools of Shelbyville. We will say, however, that our schools have never before been in the excellent condition in which they are now to be found, and yet the improve- ment still continues. AAnd while we laud the ex- cellent school system which makes this possible we must not forget the scores and scores of noble, self-sacrificing teachers of the past and present, who have put into this work the very best of their talents.
SHELBY COUNTY IN WAR.
By ELGIN H. MARTIN.
CHAPTER XII.
The County of Shelby took its name from Isaac Shelby. He was a patriot-an officer in the Revolutionary war. Such being the case. those who came after him might naturally be ex- pected, at least in some degree, to be like- minded. A patriot is certain to inculcate love of country among his associates, and that Mr. Shelby did this is shown by the martial spirit shown by his successors in the work of building up and giving foundation to a new country. Among the early settlers of the country were a number of soldiers of the war of 1812. Promi- nent among these was Joseph Oliver, whom many of the okler people of the county yet remember. for he lived to a ripe old age. He and two of his eller brothers, John and Richard, served in the cavalry against the British, and did val- iant service.
In the spring of 1832. Blackhawk, a Sac Indian chief. took the war path with his war- riors and threatened the extermination of the white settlers of Central Illinois. For their pro- tection Gov. Reynolds called for several hundred volunteers and appointed Beardstown as their rendezvous. The call was responded to with a promptness characteristic of a truly brave people. and none responded with more alacrity than did the hardy pioneers of the good county of Shel- by. Parts of two companies were raised in this county. These companies were commanded by Captains Daniel Price and Peter Warren.
Among those who enlisted from Shelby in these companies were : William Price, Elijah Biggs. John Cochran. Jr. ; Green Frazier, John Perdew. Nathan Curry. A. G. Frazier, Abner Poe. David Elliott. John Simpson, Samuel Parks, Samuel Rankin, Levi Casey. John Green, Charles Welch, Thomas Hall, Jordan Ball. Thomas Scribner, Joseph McCain John Hall. William Green, James Whosong. William Templeton. William Sherrell, 1. Mosely. Many of the de- scendants of these men yet live in the county. Capt. Daniel Price was one of the early settlers of Ash Grove township, while Capt. Peter War- ren-afterwards a colonel and brigadier-general of militia-was a resident of the Sand Creek set- tlement. It need not be said that the Shelby county contingent in these two companies did good service in the campaign against and vic- tory over Black Hawk and his warriors. The success of this campaign and the treaty which followed brought peace to the - settlers. which has not since been broken.
Shelby county volunteers also gave a good account of themselves in the Mexican war in 1846-47. Illinois contributed six regiments of troops for this war. These were commanded re- spectively by Colonels John J. Harden, Wm. HI. Bissell. Fernis Forman, Edward D. Baker. James Collins and Edward W. Newby. Colonel (afterward general) Edward D. Baker, distin- guished himself later in the war of the Union. losing his life at the sanguinary battle of Ball's Bluff. Oct. 20, 1861.
A company of Shelby county men was raised for the Third regiment-Col. Forman. (f
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this company James Freeman became captain ; W. L. McNeil, second lieutenant ; David Evey. third lieutenant : John Casey, first sergeant : N. Corley, third sergeant ; Orville Robertson, fourth sergeant, and Wm. Price. Michael Halbrook and L. F. Doyle, corporals. The privates were : Vithur Bankson, Benton Beck, James Chatham, Franklin Chatham, Jones Clair, G. W. Delap. William Griffith, Abraham Gordon, Clayborn Hooper, Joseph Hooper. E. Lang, Samuel Mat- ney, Jackson Massey, Geo. W. Mckenzie, Henry Phelps, John Row (wounded at Cerro Gordo). Josiah O'Riley, Hardin Smith, Benjamin Wel- don. Laben Warren. William Smith, Lewis Scribner, David Vanwinkle. Adolphus Banning. William H Jackson, Washington Fanning. David Truitt. Nelson Farlow, Aaron Barker. James Brannon, John Barnes, Jesse I. Reed, Able Jackson, Stephen Ring. B. T. Webb, John Corbin. Howell Smith. The following members of the company died in the service : Michael Halbrook, John Cook, Solomon Pierce, John Myers. James Goodwin, Elijah Conner, Andrew Henderson. William Killam, Washington Moore, John Jayne, Alexander Dixon, James Curry, Calvin Williams. Fred Clossen.
This company. (B, of the 3d regiment), left Shelbyville June 22, 1846, and were mustered into the United States service at Alton soon afterward. The regiment was a part of Gen. Shield's brigade, and participated in the siege and capture of Vera Cruz, and the memorable battle of Cerro Gordo. where the regiment greatly distinguished itself.
Company "G." of the Sixth regiment was also partly made up of Shelby county men. The records show the following as residents of this county : First Lieut. Rely Madison, Second Lient. Simon Lundy. (. P. Helton, corporal ; Joab Kelley, corporal: (died in the service) : Mason B. Kelley, corporal; (died in service) :
Michael T. Brewster. corporal; Privates W. A. Clements, Joseph Evey, William Corbin. Sam- ucl Craig. Thomas Dobbs, James Wadkins. Elias Corbin, James Wilson, Harvey Tresner. (died in service), John Tresner, John Davenport. Noble J. Brand, Dudley Hopper, Lewis Clark, (died in service), and Joseph Moore. This regiment served about nineteen months. most of the time on garrison duty. Of those named above Oliver P. Helton is yet living and a resi- dent of Shelbyville.
SHELBY'S PART IN THE GREAT WAR FOR THE UNION.
While the sons of Shelby were more than willing to shed their blood for their country in the war of 1812 and the Mexican war it remained for the stupendous conflict for the preservation of the nation to bring out their stalwart and in- vincible patriotism. It might well have been supposed that the long years of peace and quiet between 1848 and 1861 would unfit the people for martial pursuits ; but far from it. When the stars and stripes were fired upon by treasonable hosts at Fort Sumter, Shelby county's loyal sons were not the last to be stirred to action. Fort Sumter fell April 13, 1861. On the 15th Gov. Yates, of Illinois, received the following dispatch from Washington :
"Call made on you by to-night's mail for six regiments of militia for immediate service. "SIMON CAMERON. "Secretary of War."
In ten days over ten thousand men tendered their services to the Governor, and more than the state's full quota was in camp at Springfieldl. Of this tender, one full company was made up of the flower of Shelby's young patriots. This company (B, of the 14th), however. was not ac- cepted under the first call.
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SEVENTH INFANTRY.
The adjutant-general's reports show but one Shelby county man as a member of the Seventh.
EIGHTTIL INFANTRY.
This regiment had for its Colonel, Richard J. Oglesby, a man well and favorably known by the older Shelby county people. He became a Major-General of Volunteers ; was among the most efficient of the many volunteer officers con- tributed by the state, and subsequently served his country in a civil capacity as Congressman, Governor, and U. S. Senator. The regiment was organized for the three months' service. April 25, 1861, and July 25, 1861, was re-organ- ized for three years. It took part in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, among theni Forts Henry and Donelson, the seige of Corinth, and was especially distinguished in the battles of Raymond and Champion Hill. The regiment "veteranized"-re-enlisted for another three year term -- March 24, 1864, and participated in the campaign against Mobile and Fort Blakely and was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La .. May 4. 1866. Shelby county contributed five recruits to this gallant regiment.
NINTH INFANTRY.
This regiment was mustered into the three months' service April 28, 1861, and for three years, July 26, 1861. It was a fighting regiment, having participated in no less than one hundred and ten battles and skirmishes. Col. Jesse J. Phillips (recently deceased) was for a time in command of the "old ninth," which for a short term served as mounted infantry. Among its most important battles were : Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, seige and battle of Corinth, Sherman's campaign to Atlanta, and his memor-
able march to the sea. The regiment was mus- tered out at Louisville, Ky .. July 9, 1865.
The muster roll of Company "H" shows the names of five Shelby county men.
THE ELEVENTHE INFANTRY
Was organized and mustered into service at Springfield, April 30, 1861, and re-enlisted for three years' in the following July. This regi- ment is notable for the number of its command- ing officers and their distinguished service. The Eleventh had four Colonels. The first two were W. 11. L. Wallace and Thos. E. G. Ransom, both of whom were afterward given the star of a brig- adier-general. The third, Col. Ganet Nevins, was killed in action during the seige of Vicks- burg; the fourth and last was Col Jas. H. Coates, who was breveted brigadier-general at the close of the war. The regiment participated in the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson, Corinth, seige of Vicksburg ; was also engaged in the campaign against Mobile, Spanish Fort, and Fort Blakely. The regiment was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., July 14. 1865. Four men from Shelby were members of Company G. of .
the Eleventh.
COMPANY "B" OF THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY.
This has always been known as "Capt. Hall's company," for the reason that he was in the lead in its enlistment, and went out as its commanding officer. D. C. Smith, Hon. S. W. Moulton, Leander Webster, Geo. 1). Chafee and others were also active in its organization. Co. B's first officers were: Cyrus Hall, captain : Dudley C. Smith, first lieutenant : Milton Lean- der Webster, second lieutenant. Sergeants Geo. A. Poteet. Fred P. Harding, Jas. J. Durkee,
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Jerome J. Hines. Corporals Malcolm Copeland. Eli F. Chittenden. Eleazer Slocum and James Dugan.
The company left Shelbyville 100 strong to go into camp at Jacksonville, May 8, 1861. They were mustered into the state service on the with and into the United States service on the 25th of the same month. Before leaving Shelby- ville a beautiful silken flag was presented to the company by Samuel W. Moulton in behalf of the ladies. This flag was carried through the war and is now in the possession of Geo. Wright, of Decatur, who was captain of the company the last year of the war. In September. 1861. Capt. Hall was promoted to be major and Lieut. Web- ster captain in the newly organized 7th cavalry. when D. C. Smith became captain. Geo. A. Poteet ist lieutenant, and Geo. Wright 2d lieu- tenant of the company. Other members of this company who received promotion were: Cyrus Hall became a brigadier-general: D. C. Smith raised and commanded the 143rd infantry ; Geo. A. Poteet became lieutenant-colonel. and E. Slocum captain in the 115th infantry; M. H. Copeland became captain of company .A. of the 14th : H. M. Peden became captain of company E: Henry Harbough, a private, was promoted to be second lieutenant of the company, while Parkhurst T. Martin, another private, of Co. B. raised and commanded Co. K. of the re-organ- ized 14th.
In addition to more than 100 men in Co. B. Shelby was represented in several other com- panies of the 14th.
After the consolidation of the 14th and 15th regiments, in the fall of 1864, two companies of one year men (1 and K), were organized and joined the 14th. The officers of these were : Company I-Captain. P. J. Taylor ; Ist lieut .. Jacob Brown : 2nd lient .. Benj. J. Puckett. Com-
pany K-Captain, Park. T. Martin: ist lieut .. Elam H. Robinson: 2nd lieut .. Marshall B. Martin.
After a campaign in Missouri the Four- teenth was ordered to Tennessee and distin- guished itself at Shiloh, where the gallant regi- ment with Col. Hall leading. made the final charge in the sanguinary struggle, losing half its men in killed and wounded. The 14th participated in the seige and battle of Corinth. was with Grant at Vicksburg, with Sherman in the Altanta campaign, and with that intrepid leader in his memorable march to the sea. The regiment was mustered out at Ft. Leavenworth. Kansas, Sept. 1865.
Shelby county was also represented in the Fifteenth. Twenty-first. (Gen. Grant's regiment ). Twenty-second. Twenty-third. Twenty-sixth and Thirty-first infantry. Twenty-two Shelby coun- ty men served in those organizations.
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