USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1 > Part 56
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John Pickerill taught the first school In Me- chanlcsburg Township in 1828. The building was located on Section 27. The first school house In the village was erected In 1837 and was a frame bullding ; and the second of brick in 1842. The Mechanicsburg Academy was incorporated about 1854 and a good brick building, two stories in height, forty by sixty feet, was erected. This school flourished for a few years. Those In charge at various times were Profs. Loomls, Cum- mings, Hatch and McNutt.
Six years after the first settlement in Pawnee Township, the schoolmaster put in his. appear- ance, and, in 1824, the first school was opened in a ioft of the log cabin . of Justus Henkle. Ten or tweive children were gathered in this upper room and taught by John Johnson.
Back in 1847, in what is now Oak Ridge dls- trict, there were oniy two dwelling houses, one owned by Wiillam Bradley on the north side of the creek, and the other by Elisha Sanders on the south side. In 1851, a log house was pur- chased on Lick Creek, removed to the southeast quarter of Section 3 for a school house. As the
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
school section of land was unsold, there was no money to support the school, hence the first school was taught gratultously by John Megredy In the winter of 1851-52. About a dozen pupils attended. The spring and summer following, the school was taught by Miss M. A. Thompson, a niece of Judge James H. Matheny, the prin- cipal part of the salary heing paid by Mr. Me- gredy and Mr. Smith. The second winter term was taught by B. F. Fox, Jr., and the summer term hy a Mr. Smith. In 1852, the school section was sold, the township was divided into dis- trlets, and the settlement around Brush Creek became the first district. Megredy, Smith, and Courtney were the first school directors of this district. These directors had a tax levied for the erection of a school house. Certaln persons opposing this move, made an effort to stop the collection, but falled. A house eighteen by twenty feet was built upon a site agreed upon by those especially Interested in a school at that place. The opposition secured a special act of the Leg- islature for the removal of the building to the prairie beyond the reach of those living in the district, which provision was carried out. Later those interested in the school secured the pas- sage of an act by the Legislature empowering the directors to sell the bullding, which was ac- cordingly done. It was purchased by Mr. Me- gredy and removed to the present location of the school. In 1856, this district was first called Oak Ridge, and from that time, has been known as the Oak Ridge School. In 1873, the building was sold at public sale and purchased by Charles Lamb for $34, and a new and more snhstantial one took its place.
DESCRIPTION OF SCHOOL BUILDING .- The first school in Rochester Township was taught in 1823 by Samuel Williams, an account of which, with that of other early schools of that sectlon, written by Mr. Williams, has been preserved and Is as follows :
"In the summer of 1823, I taught the first school in the township, in a log cabin, located on the open prairle on land now owned by Robert BII- lings. In 1824, there was a school, taught in the Sattley settlement hy Richard E. Barker. In 1824-25, there was a school taught on the south side of the river, near Clark's mills, by Jabez Capps, a worthy man and an excellent scholar, but, as reported, so easy with children In regard to discipline, that his school was considered by some as defective.
"The first school house on Round Prairie was built in the year 1827 or 1828. William Jones was employed to teach, and, when he had taught only one day, that night the house was burncd. It was supposed to have been the work of a ma- llclous person, who had been opposed to the location.
"The following is the description of a school house on Sugar Creek, in which I taught school In 1824: It was built of logs ; was abont fourteen by sixteen feet in size, very low ; had a clap- board roof, kept down by poles ; the chimney was made of wood and clay, with stone back wall, and jambs; the size of the fireplace was about three feet by six ; the house was daubed, both inside and out, with clay mortar, up to the roof. If I remember correctly it had a puncheon floor below, hut none above; the door shutter was made of clapboards fastened together by wooden plns, and hung on heavy wooden hinges. Wheu raising the house the upper and lower half of two logs, in the south end and west side, were cut out for window spaces, in which strips of wood were placed up and down, on which paper was pasted, and afterwards greased, in order to ad- mit the light. In the lower logs, two-inch auger holes were bored, in which strong plns were In- serted as a basis for the puncheon writing desks or tables. The seats or henches were made of split logs. There were two or three clapboard shelves, on which spare books and the children's dinner baskets were usually placed. There were a small puncheon table and a split-bottomed chair for the use of the teacher. This completed the furniture of the room. Now all was ready for the admission of teacher and puplls, who, in those early times, enjoyed much pleasure, and seemed prond when meeting together in the very modest and humble school house."
The first school in the Immediate vicinity of Rochester was taught In the winter of 1823-24 by Richard E. Barker In a log house built for another purpose but transformed into a school house. In 1826 It was burned and, for a time, the people had no place of meeting and no school. In 1831 the first house for school purposes was bullt. While, in the maln, It was according to the plan then in vogue, it was rather better, as timber was donated hy Edward Clark. The seats and desks were made of sawed walnut boards. This glft of lumher was made on condition that, if the building was ever used for any other than school purposes, the donor should receive pay for
ENGRAVED BYHENRY TAYLOR JR.CHICAGO
2. W. Huauch
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
the iumber at customary prices. In 1837, this building was replaced by a better one, and the first teacher who occupied it was Samuel Wil- liams, who had conducted a school in a private lionse. Several houses were built on this site, one succeeding another, and for years this was the only school honse within miles of that place. It was often overcrowded, at times with sixty or seventy scholars.
For many years the school in Rochester was conducted in a building of stone, the material for which was obtained at Samuel Williams's quarry on the South Fork of the Sangamon river. It was considered an exceptionally good building for its time, and was nsed nntil 1865, when a two- story frame building took its place. From that time the Rocbester school has been graded and taught by a principal and one or more assistants.
The first school in Salisbury Township was erected in 1823, on the place owned later by Mr. Batterton. Cassell Harrison was the first teacher and John F. Harrison the next. The first school house in Sallsbury was erected the next year after the platting of the village. It was of logs and served the purpose of a school for several years when a brick building took its place. The school has been graded since 1868.
TalkIngton Township was settled later than many other parts of the county and cannot boast of the old-time school house, yet the first building was of logs. The first school in what Is now Taik- ington Township was conducted In an upper room of the dwelling house of Charles Hopkins and was taught by Miss Parsons. The first building for schooi purposes is said not to have been erected until 1851, and it had glass windows.
Before the deep snow, many families had set- tled in Williams Township, and these pioneers very early sought the services of the school- master. The first school was taught in the winter of 1821-22 in a log cabin on Fancy Creek, and Patrick Lynch was the teacher. One among the earliest teachers was Erastus Wright, well known in all parts of the county, who taught in a small log cabin on Section 7, as early as 1823.
The village of Williamsville Is in District No. 5, which was organized in 1855. The first school house was erected that same year. It was a frame building of one room, eighteen by twenty feet. In 1867, a brick school house was built at a cost of $12,000, containing four rooms.
In Clear Lake Townshlp, about the year 1828, two school houses of the regulation type of
that day, were built. Riley Jones taught in the one on the south side of the river in 1828.
The town of Riverton, in that township, was at first known as Howlett, named for a wealthy distiller who lived there. At first the people of the place sent their children to the old Crack- neck school. In 1863, Mr. Howlett employed Miss Kate Watson as teacher and provided a house for the school on the Howlett homestead. The school was made free for all who desired to attend. After one term in this house, the school was opened in Mr. Howlett's office at the distillery with Miss Bettie Lewis as teacher. This . arrangement, however, did not continue long as the district was divided. The village school was then conducted for several years in a log cabin known as "The Kinsley House." In a few years there was felt the need of better accommodations for the school, and it was de- termined to build. Mr. Howlett's liberality was again manifested by his donating a site and furnishing the brick for a building, which was completed and ready for use in 1867. Several changes and additions were made as the school grew, and some years later a good sized build- ing was erected. In 1906, the present bullding was erected at a cost of $20,000 and is said to be the best building in the county outside of Springfield.
Besides the bullding at Riverton, otber ex- cellent schooi houses have been built, in recent years at New Berlin, Pawnee, Mechanicsburg, and Cbatham. The best and most modern coun- try school buildings are the Leonard School, north of Illiopolis; The Foutch, southwest of New Berlin ; Cottage IIill, west of the city; West Grand, southwest of the city; Mt. Zion, three miles soutbeast of Curran; and Cantrall, built of concrete, west of Illlopolis.
OFFICE OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT .- Prior to 1857, this office was known as County School Commissioner, but about that date it was ebanged to County Superintendent of Schools. In the early years of its existence, it was not a position of great importance, the incumbent de- voting only a small portion of his time to the duties of the office. Besides making an annual report to the State Superintendent, the school iands and the examination of teachers were about the only matters to which he gave much attention. It is difficult to find any record of the first Commissioners in Sangamon County. In some counties. previous to 1855, other county
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
officials attended to the school matters, and this may have been true of this county. The fol- iowing is a list of those who have held this po- sition, with date of assumption and term of office, since the office of State Superintendent was created: I. S. Britton, 1855, two years; Rev. Francis Springer, 1857, two years; J. S. Bradford, 1859, two years or more; Rev. N. W. Miner, 1863, two years; O. S. Webster, 1865, four years; Warren Burgett, 1869, four years ; Patrick J. Rourke, 1873, nine years ; A. J. Smith, 1882, four years ; A. M. Brooks, 1886, four years ; N. B. Hannon, 1890, elected for four years but died while in office, bis daughter, Miss Annie Hannon, being appointed to fili the unexpired term; A. M. Brooks, 1894, four years; Cbaries Van Dorn, 1898, eight years; Edgar C. Pruitt, 1906, reelected in 1910, and present incumbent.
I. S. Britton, School Commissioner in 1855-56, in his report to the State Superintendent, says tbat the condition of the schoois in the county is very much improved in the last year, which was due to the two-mill tax for school purposes. "As common sense would teach, it has put life into the system, and shows at once, as the old proverb says, 'Money makes the mare go,' so does it make the schools go, and without it they wouldn't go." He says there is iack of uni- formity in the use of text-books. Those that predominate are the Elementary Speller and Sanders' Readers, Ray's Arithmetic, Mitchell's Geography, and Smith's Grammar.
Concerning the teachers of that time he adds : "There are few professional teachers in the county, especially outside of Springfieid and the villages in the county. A farmer, mechanic, clerk, or something else most of the time, and teacher occasionally, is still the practice. Fe- maie teachers are generally the most steady in tbe practice of their profession, and have fewer diverse employments to withdraw tbem from it. They, however, for the most part, hardly acquire sufficient practice and experience to properly qualify them as instructors before their mar- riage takes them from their profession, for sel- dom are any found in its pursuit after such event. Notwithstanding, from iong and thor- ough experience, females are found to be most suitable, as weil as tbe most economical, for common school instructors. Our teachers are deficient both in literary attainments and prac- tical experience, but even of such as are to be had, the supply is by no means sufficient. This
has been the case for years, and will doubtiess continue to be so untii the proper and only sure remedy is adopted; that is, the establishment of a normal school." Then foiiows a strong plea for· such a school.
The following year, 1857, the first Normai School was established in Iiiinois at Normal near Bloomington.
According to Superintendent Britton's report, in 1855 Sangamon County had 88 schools; in 1856, 109. The roli of teachers in 1855 numbered 66 inen and 43 women; in 1856, 102 men, 61 women. In tbe schools outside of Springfield, in those years, there were more than twice as many men teaching as women. The highest salary paid a man was $65; tbe highest paid a woman was $40.
For more than a quarter of a century the office of County Superintendent bas been one of spe- cial importance in organizing and unifying the work of the rural and viliage schoois. Quite generally uniform courses of study have been adopted, better text-books introduced, and the standard of teachers' qualifications raised. The County Teachers Institute, held annually by the Superintendent, has been of great value to the teacbers, affording an opportunity to receive in- struction in methods of teaching and school man- agement from the best lecturers and normai in- structors of the country. Many of the rural schools, as well as those of the towns and city, are carefully graded and pupils are regularly promoted. Eighth grade graduating exercises for the country pupiis of the entire county are held annually at Springfield. The diplomas given tbose completing the course, admit to the High Schools.
At the present day better school houses in country districts are being buiit, more attention is paid to interior decorations and furnish- ings, and the grounds are better kept and more carefully beautified by planting shade trees and sbrubbery, and cultivating flowers.
The present County Superintendent, Mr. Ed- gar C. Pruitt, has introduced, and is emphasiz- ing, certain special features in the interest of the rural and village schools, some of which are as follows : township examinations; grauting promotion certificates to seventh and ninth grade pupiis who pass, as has been done heretofore for eighth grade pupils; the teaching of ninth and tenth grade studies in country scbools; tak- ing an annual excursion of boys to the University
TEACHERS' TRAINING SCHOOL, SPRINGFIELD
1
1
LAWRENCE SCHOOL, SPRINGFIELD
FEITSHANS SCHOOL, SPRINGFIELD
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
of Illinols; observing "Education Day," at the County Farmers' Institute; conducting spelling matches; standardizing the country schools through the State Department of Education (twenty-six schools already having heen placed upon the list) ; inaugurating Boys' Rally Move- ment at the State Fair and County Farmers' In- stitnte; organizing Boys' and Girls' Ciubs to study and discuss subjects pertaining to rural Ilfe ; encouraging hoys to attend the short conrse in agriculture at the University of Illinois ; using camera and stereopticon to stimulate taste for art and better conditions ; securing libraries for all the country schools; and enconraging pupils to join the State Pupils' Reading Circle.
In 1910, there were enrolled in all of the public schools of the county 16,193 pupils. Of this number there were in graded schools 6,104 boys and 5,997 girls, making a total of 12,101. In ungraded schools there were 2,143 boys and 1,949 girls, making a total, In ungraded schools, of 4,092. Of the 16,193 pupils in the county, 7,911 were in the city of Springfield, and 8,282 in the villages and country districts outside.
The total amount of money expended last year for public school purposes was $416,680.70. All of this sum was raised by local taxation, except $14,145.41, the greater part of which was re- ceived from the fund provided by the State ap- propriation.
EARLY SPRINGFIELD SCHOOLS.
The first school in the city of Springfield was taught by Mr. Andrew Orr In 1821. He was suc- ceeded in the summer of 1822 hy Mr. Erastus Wright. These teachers, and also Mr. Mendall, who foliowed Mr. Wright, taught in a log school house located west of tbe present High School building near the northeast corner of what was known as Hutchinson's Cemetery. The building, as described, was the typical school house of the pioneer days. It was eighteen by twenty feet, constructed of rough logs. The oniy window ex- tended the entire length of one side, a log having been left out for that purpose, and its place sup- plied with a row of small panes of glass. The seats were made of slabs sawed from the sides of logs, with two boies bored in each end and sticks driven In for legs, the fiat sides being on top. There was no hack of any kind for the pupils to lean against, and in many cases, the hoys' and girls' feet could not touch the floor. There were
10 desks for the books, but these were placed upon sbeives resting on long pegs driven luto boles made in the wall.
In 1827, Mr. Thomas Moffett followed Mr. Men- dall as teacher. He had iately come from Ken- tucky, where he had obtained several years of experience as a teacher. After the first terin, Mr. Moffett moved his school near to the present business center of the city. His iast term was taught in the first Court House of the County.
In the following year, 1828, a log school honse was erected near the intersection of Adams and Second Streets. This building was twenty by thirty feet, and was used for school house, church, and varlous other public purposes. The first temperance society in Central Illinois is said to have been organized in 1828, In this building, by Rev. Mr. Bergen. Mr. J. B. Watson was tbe oniy teacher who conducted a school in this house. He taught bere from 1828 untii 1834, with the exception of one year when the school was closed on account of hls ahseuce. During this year, 1830, a school was conducted In another part of the town by John Calboun, more widely and better known as a politician than as a ped- agogue. Tuition in Mr. Watson's school, which was paid by those who subscribed puplls, was from $1.50 to $3.00 for each pupil per term of eieven weeks. Tbls seems to bave been a very small snm, but It must be noted that tbe neces- saries of life were generally just as cheap in proportion. It Is said that a man of that time brought to town twenty-five dozen eggs and, being offered only twenty-five cents for the whole lot, broke them, declaring tbat his hens should not labor for such low compensation. Chlekens could be bought for thirty cents a dozen.
Prior to 1829, only one school at a time had been conducted. During that year, Miss Jane E. Bergen opened a school in her father's house, which she taught until 1832 wben she was mar- ried. This school was continued by Mr. Chase, wbo at the same time was performing the dutles of rector of the Episcopal church then recently organized. Two years later he was succeeded by Mr. Clark wbo tanght until the summer of 1836. Other teachers who conducted schoois in this locality about that time were MIr. John Waters and Mr. Caleb Williams. Several small schools were started by ladles, one of which was conducted by Miss Cbapin, afterwards Mrs. Albert Haie.
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
THE SPRINGFIELD ACADEMY .- Prior to 1839, no organized effort had been made to establish a school, nelther had a good school house been erected. The people at this time began to feei that they must provide for better school facil- ities, uot only because of the benefits that their children would derive from a well-conducted school, but, as well, on account of the reputation of the community abroad. Dnrlug the few years preceding this time, men had been attracted to the town of Springfield who laid the foundations for the future and were, for many years, the most prominent and enterprising citizens of the place. A number of these men came together, formed a joint stock company to incorporate the "Springfield Academy," the act being dated March 1, 1839.
In accordance with this act, the organization was completed, the first Board of Directors con- sisting of the following: Washington Iles, F. Webster, Stephen T. Logan, John F. Rague, N. II. Ridgely, Robert Allen, and Charles R. Ma- theny. An academy building was at once erected on South Fifth Street, between Monroe Street and Capitol Avenue. Messrs. Town and Sill opened the first schooi in this building before it was completed. They did not remain long, but were succeeded the next year, iu the fall of 1840, by Rev. J. F. Brooks, who lived, iabored, and taught in this community for nearly half a century. He wrote a text-book on English Grammar, a work of merit.
For two years, this school was open to both sexes, and then for a few months and nntii Mr. Brooks ceased his connection with it, only to femaies. From the spring of 1843 until 1833, none but males were admitted. For a time this school was under the charge of Mr. Allard and later Mr. Kimbail. In 1844, Rev. Francis Springer took control ou his own responsibility. and remained at its head until 1847, when he was succeeded by Mr. A. W. Esterbrook.
THE FEMALE SEMINARY .- In 1849, Mr. James F. Brooks, who has already been mentioned, a native of New York and a graduate of Hamil- ton College, opened a school for young women in a two-story frame building on the corner of Fifth and Edwards Streets, which was known as the Female Seminary. He was assisted by his wife who had charge of the primary department and three other women, ail of whom are re- membered as teachers of superior ability. This schooi flourished for four years when it was
closed on account of the Ill health of Mrs. Brooks. It was attended by mauy of the well- known young women of that time, some of whom are still living and look back with pleasure to the days spent in that institution. In addition to the ordinary branches, music, painting and drawing were taught. A music room was equipped with two pianos, and, for the first time piano lessons were given in a school in Spring- field. The old building still stands in the back part of the lot on the northeast corner of Fifth and Edwards Streets, being now used as a barn.
Among a few relics of this school still pre- served, are the minutes of a meeting of the young ladies of the semiuary held in honor of the IIungarian exile, Kossuth, who was then making a tour of the United States. These min- utes contain a detailed account of the eloquent speeches made in behalf of the mission of this patriot and the cause he represented, as well as one or two delivered in opposition to his canse. Among those who participated in this meeting were the Misses Elizabeth Collins, Elizabeth Salter, Jane Moffet, Margaret Watson, Julia Ridgely, Anna Van Bergen, Lelia Hickox, Emily Huntington, Sarah Rumsey, Louise Watson, Jo- anna Lindiey.
An institution for higher education, under the control of English Lutherans, was opened in 1852, and Rev. Francis Springer was its president until 1855. The first year one mindred and sixty students were enroiled. During Rev. Francis Springer's presidency, and for several years fol- lowing, this institution was known in Springfield and vicinity as the coliege, and was attended by many of the young men of the city, some of whom have attalned uational and even inter- national prominence.
This coilege finally passed into the control of the German Lutherans and is now conducted as a theological seminary, and attended by many students from all parts of the country.
FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS .- In writing the history of the public free schools of Springfield, we must begin with March 2, 1854, when the city charter was amended creating the "Springfield School District," and authorizing the City Council to establish and maintain free schools for the edu- cation of all white persons between the ages of five and twenty-one years. The Council was em- powered by the amended charter to appoint a "Board of School Inspectors" consisting of seven members, and to prescribe their duties. In ac-
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