Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 57

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

cordance with the authority given to the Conneil, that body passed an ordinance August 21, 1854, defining the powers and duty of the Board, and divided the city into fonr suh-districts, eorre- sponding with the four wards of the city. Lots for buildings were acquired and steps taken to erect school honses in the First and Third Ward Districts. These were completed in 1856 at a cost of abont $10,000 each, and were considered, at that time, excellent buildings for school pur- poses. These buildings, with some additions and Improvements made since, are known as the Palmer and Edwards Schools, having been used as grammar schools for fifty-four years. In April, 1906, the fiftieth anniversary of the open- ing of these schools was ohserved with appro- priate exercises, being attended by several en and women who were pupils at the beginning.

The First Ward School had for its Principal at the opening, Rev. Francis Springer, and the Third Ward, Mr. A. W. Esterhrook. During the first year, 739 pupils were enrolled. The num- hers increased so that for the next year, accom- modations were secured In basement rooms in the Baptist and First Presbyterian Churches.

The first Board of School Inspectors, appointed hy the City Conncil In 1855, was composed of well-known eltlzens, as follows: R. V. Dodge, President ; Alexander Starne, John W. Prlest, J. S. Bradford, Thomas Mather, William Butler, and Isaae S. Britton, these men constituting the first School Board of the city.

A great impetus was given to free schools in Illinois In 1855. This year marks the enactment of a school law, some of the main features of which are embodiments of the fundamental prin- ciples of universal education, and have made It possible to provide school facilitles for the children of the State, at first for whites only, but later for all regardless of color. Under this law, and from that year (1855), all property in the State of Illinois has heen taxed for the maintenance and support of the common free schools.

In 1857, the second year of these schools, Rev. . Francis Springer was succeeded as Principal of the First Ward School hy Mr. Volney Hickox, while Mr. A. W. Esterbrook continned as Prin- cipal of the Third Ward School. Before the end of this school year, Mr. Hickox resigned and Mr. Andrew M. Brooks, who, for so many years, was connected with the eity schools, and

who still lives here at an advanced age, was elected Principai of the First Ward School.

In 1858, hildings were erected in the Second and Fourth Wards, at a cost of about $10,000 each, and were opened for the admission of pupils in September of that year. The Second Ward School is now known as the Trapp, and the Fourth Ward School as the Lincoln School. In the year 1858, there were twenty-two teach- ers employed in the eity public schools.

The office of Superintendent of City Schools was created. by the City Council In the fall of 1858, and Mr. S. M. Cntcheon was appointed to this position, serving until June, 1860, when Rev. Francis Springer was made Superintendent. He served until November, 1861, when he re- signed to enter the service of his conntry in the Civil War. The Superintendents since then have heen : J. D. Low, 1861-65; Andrew M. Brooks, 1865-69; Samnel Willard, 1869-70; J. C. Bennett, 1870-75; Andrew M. Brooks, 1875-81; F. R. Felts- hans, 1881-86; A. J. Smith, 1886-88; J. H. Col- lins. 1888-1905; Edward Anderson, 1905-07; J. II. Collins, 1907 until the present time, (1911), having held this position twenty-one years, and having been connected with the schools of the city as Principal of Grammar School, Principal of High School, and Superintendent for twenty- nine years.

While many teachers have held their positions in the Springfield schools for long periods, the speclal honor of having served the longest time, belongs to Miss Mary J. Sell, of the Trapp School, who is now completing her fiftieth year of ser- vice in the grammar schools of the city.

NAMES OF SCHOOLS .- When the public school system was organized in 1854, the city already having been divided into four wards, the school authorities decided to erect a building in each of these snbdlvisions. The last of the four school honses was completed in 1858, and these buildings were known for more than a quarter of a century as the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Ward Schools.

In 1881, It was resolved to drop the numbers and to name each of the grammar schools in honor of somne worthy citizen who had been prominently identified with the city In a business or official capacity, or who had rendered public service to the State and Nation. In accordance with this idea, the sixteen grammar schools now . existing In Springfield have been named as fol- lows :

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

The Palmer School was named for Hon. John M. Palmer, Major General in the Civil War, Governor of Illinois, and United States Senator ; the Edwards School, for the Hon. Ninian W. Edwards, the first State Superintendent of Pub- lic Instruction in Iilinois; the Stuart School, for Hon. John T. Stuart, a prominent attorney, three times a member of Congress and, for several years, law-partner of Abraham Lincoln; the Hay School, for Hon. Charles E. Hay, who was Mayor of the city several terms and member and Pres- ident of the Board of Education ; the Iles School, for Major Elijah Iles, one of the early settlers of Springfield; the Dubois School, for Hon. Jesse K. Dubois, for a number of years a resident of the city and, for two terms, State Auditor; the . McClernand School, for Major General John A. McClernand, a member of the Board of School Inspectors for several years soon after the present school system was organized; the Law- rence School, for Hon. Rheuna D. Lawrence, at one time Mayor of the city, and, for six years, President of the Board of Education; the Felts- hans School, for F. R. Feitshans, Principal of the High School for nine years, and Superin- tendent of Schools from 1881 until 1886; the Bunn School, for Mr. Jacob Bunn, many years identified with the business interests of the city and during the latter years of his life President of the Illinois Watch Company; the Enos School, for Mr. Zimri Enos, a resident of the city for more than eighty years, and for a number of years a member of the Board of Edu- cation ; the Converse School, for Mr. Henry Converse, closely identified with the city's inter- ests over forty years ; the Trapp School, for Dr. Albert Trapp, President of the Board of Edu- cation a number of years; the Matheny School, for Judge James H. Matheny, a resident nearly seventy years, and Judge of the Sangamon County Court seventeen years; the Lincoln School, for Abraham Lincoln, the "Martyr Pres- ident," whose Springfield home is located near this school; the Ridgely School took its name from the village in which it was located, named for the family of which Mr. Nicholas Ridgely was the head. When this village became a part of the city the school retained its name. Two other schools are known as the Springfield IIigh School and the Teachers' Training School.

COURSE OF STUDY .- The charge often made that the course of study in the elementary schools is overcrowded and the three R's are neglected,

should not apply to the Springfield schools, be- cause the importance of reading, spelling, the fundamentals of arithmetic, writing, and train- ing iu the use of our mother tongue, is empha- sized, and these subjects are given the right of way on the daily program of recitatlons.

During the past fifteen years music has re- ceived special attention under the direction of a supervisor. In each of the eight grades of the grammar schools, fifteen or twenty minutes are given to this subject on the daily program. While music is an elective in the High School, large classes are organized for chorus work.

Drawing is regarded as a practical subject, closely related to all Industrial effort requiring skill, and most valuable in training the eye to see correctly and the hand to execute skillfully. It is taught, under a supervisor of that subject, to the pupils of all grades.

Industrial work, including manual training and domestic science, is provided for all the pu- pils in both grammar and high schools.

Under the compulsory attendance law, all pupils between the ages of seven and fourteen are required to attend school during the entire session, and a truant officer is employed to as- sist in the enforcement of this law.

ENROLLMENT AND PROPERTY VALUATION .- The Annual Report of the City Public Schools for the fiscal year ending August 31, 1910, shows an enrollment of 7,911 pupils. Eighteen buildings were in use for school purposes with a seating capacity of 8,300. Two hundred and sixteen teachers-twenty-four men and one hundred and ninety-two women-were employed.

The valuation of school property is as fol- lows: Buildings, $670,000; ground, $264,000; furniture, $32.600, a total of nearly one million dollars. The total amount expended for school purposes during the last year was $270,095.S0, of which sum $152,435.50 was paid as salarles to teachers.

The maximum salary paid to women in the grades, first to eighth, inclusive, is $750. This amount is received by all who have had the re- quired years of experience. The maximum paid to men in the High School is $1,400; to women, $1100; to Principal of grammar school, $1,600; High School, $2,800; to Superintendent, $3,000.

SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL .- At a meeting of the Board of School Inspectors of the city of Springfield, held July 20, 1857, the Committee on Examination of Teachers was instructed to

J. TAYLOR SMITH

SARAH TAYLOR SMITH

FREDERICK E. SMITH

VINCENT G SMITH

LIBRARY V. THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

inquire into the expediency of revising the course of study. The members of the Board at that time were: John W. Priest, President; E. Ba- ker, Secretary ; Isaac G. Britton, J. Marvin, Chas. E. Dodge, John A. McClernand, and J. S. Vred- enburgh. That the report of this committee was deemed au important one, is indicated by its great length, occupying neariy eight closely written ledger pages of the record. It was pre- sented at the meeting of July 27, and was signed by Isaac S. Britton, Chas. E. Dodge, and J. Marvin.

Several of the higher branches had already been taught in the ward schools, but this report advised that thesc be stricken from the course, and that a separate and independent department be organized, to be called "The Department of Science," which should include Naturai Phil- osophy, Physical Geography, Elements of Alge- bra, Physiology and Hygiene, General Exercises in Elements of Elocution and in Composition, and the Grammar of Composition and Declama- tion ; aud that this department be placed in charge of a male preceptor to receive a salary of $500 a year, and for the present occupy a room of the second floor of the Third Ward School building.

At the end of this lengthy report, the com- mittee summarized its recommendations in eight resolutions, the fifth one relating to the "De- partment of Science." When presented to the Board for the consideration of that body, Mr. McCiernand moved to ameud by striking out the fifth resolution and all of the report relating to the establishment of a "Department of Sci- ence," and insert the following :

"Resolved, That a Central or High School be established with such rules, regulations and course of study as hereafter may be adopted, to be taught by a competent teacher hereafter to be selected, said school to be taught in some central and convenient building."

Upon the vote being taken, a division was calied for and five members were recorded as voting for the amendment and two against it. The report, as amended, was then unanimously adopted, which was the first official action re- iating to the establishment of a ·free high school in Springfield.

At a meeting of the Board, August 24, 1857, Mr. McClernaud, Chairman of the Committee, appointed to recommend studics for the High School, made this report: "The committee

charged with the duty of selecting and reporting the course of study to be pursued in the Central High School, respectfully report that they have diligently considered the important subject re- ferred to them, and, as a result of their delib- erations, recommend the following studies :

For the male pupils, Natural Philosophy, Po- liticai Economy, Surveying, and Bookkeeping.

For the female pupils, the same studies, with the substitution of Botany and Physiology for Surveying and Bookkeeping.

Before adoption, the report was amended to include Algebra and Geometry, and a review of Grammar, Geography, and Arithmetic.

The school opened in September, 1857, in a small building on Market Street, now Capitol Avenue, just west of Spring Street, with Mr. Beaumont Parks as Principal, and Mr. Charles D. Arnold as assistant. No record of the at- tendance of the first year has been kept.

On account of the building being too small and not centrally located, the next year the school was transferred to the Fourth Ward building uow known as the Lincoln School, lo- cated at Eleventh Street and Capitol Avenue. Mr. Andrew M. Brooks was made Principal of both the Ward School and the High School. Forty-two pupils were enrolled. This year the course of study was revised and a number of subjects added. A classical course, including Latin and Greek, was provided for those prepar- ing for college. The next year Mr. George Tour- tellot was elected Principal, with Miss Sophia Chapin as assistant. Tuition for those living outside of the school district was fixed at $21 a year.

At the beginning of the third year, the school was located in the Academy Building on South Fifth Street, near the middle of the block be- tween Monroe Street and Capitol Avenue, the building having been procured by the City Coun- cil for this purpose. Here the High School was conducted for six years. This was not consid- ered a suitable place for the school, and very soon the Board began to petition the council for a new building.

After the council had decided that a new building should be erected for high school pur- poses, it was several years before an agreement upon the selection of a site could be reached. The records of the meetings of the council dur- ing the several years that body was trying to secure a location for this school. indicate that

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

there was more than ordinary iuterest taken in the subject. In severai clty elections It seems to have been the paramouut issue, and more than one aspiring statesman was relegated to pri- vate life on account of his positiou on this im- portant question. Finally the site was located at the southeast corner of Madison and Fourth Streets, and, In 1865, a new huilding was com- pleted at a cost of $65,000. This building was considered, at that time, one of the best for educational purposes in the State, and its occu- paney by the school transferred from the "Acad- emy" huilding, marks the beginning of a new and Important era in the history of the public schools of this city.

The Springfield High School was conducted in this building for almost a third of a eentury, and in it hundreds of the boys and girls of the community, as well as many from the surround- ing eountry, received their academic training. The people were proud of the High School and gave it a hearty support. Connected with its bistory during these earlier years of its exist- enee at Fourth and Madison Streets, in the three-story brick building, are Interesting asso- ciations which many of the older citizens, their children, and in some instances, thelr grand- children, delight to cherish in their memories. From this school, while located in this building, were graduated thirty-two classes, aggregating more than nine Inindred. The annual com- mencements and class reunions were events of more than ordinary interest and largely at- tended.

From time to time the courses of study were revised to keep pace with educational progress. It appears that in the earlier years of this school, the boys and girls were taught, to some extent at least, in separate classes, and tbat there were studies prescribed for hoys which girls were not permitted to take, and other studles for girls that are not found in the courses prescribed for hoys.

Among the studles required for several years were Evidences of Christianity, Moral Philos- ophy, and Mental Philosophy. Dr. Samuel Wil- lard, Superintendent of Schools In 1869-70, sug- gested to the Board that these studies were of doubtful valne in high school course, and that other more useful branches sbould he substituted for them. He made tbese recommendations as "all ortitodox Christian and a father of ehildren in the High School," believing that they shouid

not study these branches until they had. reached mature years. Dr. Willard's successor. Mr. Bennett, followed up this suggestion, and these branches were stricken from the course.

Before the High School was established in the building at the corner of Fourth and Mad- ison Streets, the ueed of a library was felt and the City Council on several occasions during these early years appropriated as much as $100 at a time for this purpose. Besides this, pupils and otbers donated books.

In 1883, a four year's English course was adopted and has been a special feature of the work in the High School ever since, improve- ments being made from time to time.

In 1887, application was made to have this school placed upon the accredited list of Michl- gan University. After a visit of a committee of the faculty of that university, to examine the work, a favorable report was made, and, there- after, graduates of the High School, upon appii- cation, have been admitted to that university without examination. Since then, other lead- ing colleges and universitles, among which are Cornell, Wellesley, Vassar, Illinois and Chi -. cago. have extended the same privilege.

A few years prior to 1900, the plan of semi- anunal promotions was adopted in the grades of the grammar schools. The first mid-year class was admitted to the High School in February, 1901, and four years iater, February, 1905, the first mid-year class was graduated from that school. From that time, classes have been grad- uated seml-annually.

The present High School building, located east of Pasfield Street, between Washington and Adams Streets, was completed and first occu- pied by the sehooi in October, 1897. It was erected at a cost of about $75,000, which was considered a very low figure for a building of its size and excellence. When the contract was let in 1896, bullding materiai and labor could be secured at the lowest prices known for many years.

Almost every subject taught in a secondary school is provided for in the varlous courses of the High School, and a large amount of liberty is allowed pupils in selecting studies. A certain amount of English, mathematles, and history, however. is required of all pupils taking a full course, and the other subjects are eiective. The courses are all four years In length and are as foilows : Business, including shorthand and

NEW EDWARDS SCHOOL, SPRINGFIELD

BUNN SCHOOL, SPRINGFIELD

2800K

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

typewriting ; English and Scientific; Latin, Ger- wian, and French. In connection with these courses, manual training can be taken by the boys and domestic science by the girls.

The manual training include mechanical drawing, bench work In wood, wood-turning, forge work, sheet-metal work, making various useful articles of tin, sheet-iron, and copper, Pattern making, molding and foundry work, bench and machine mnetal fitting.

The subject of domestic science extends over the four years and includes basketry, weaving, sewing, all kinds of cooking, the study of foods of every variety, sanitatlou, household manage- ment, dressmaking, millinery, canning and pre- serving fruits and vegetables, marketing, prepa- ration of food for the sick, hygiene of the sick- room, duties of a nurse, and all the related sub- jects, as bacteriology, dietetles, chemistry, and physiology.

In the IIigh School during the past year, 860 pupils were enrolled and twenty-seven teachers were employed. The expenditures were $37,125 of which the sum of $30,000 was paid for sal- aries of teachers.

IIIOH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS .- The following are the names of those who have filled the position of Principal of this school since its organiza- tion : Beaumont Parks, 1857, one year ; Andrew M. Brooks, 1858, one year; George W. Tourtel- lot, 1859, one year; Andrew M. Brooks, 1860, five years; William Baker, 1865, three years ; Benjamin C. Suesserott, 1868, one year; Edwin P. Frost, 1869, three years ; Andrew M. Brooks, 1872, two years; F. R. Feitshans, 1874, uine years ; J. II. Collins, 1883, five years ; William Helmle, 18SS, eleven years; Lucius M. Castle, 1899, ten years; Frank D. Thomson, 1909, aud who is the preseut principal, 1911.

Miss Emma F. Jones has the honor of having been a teacher in the IIigh School for thirty-five years, frou 1872 until 1907, when she resigned.

The first class was graduated from the IIIgh School in 1861 and consisted of three members. During the half century just completed, 2,109 young men and young women have received di- plomas awarded at the commencement exercises of this school. Besides these, thousands of others have attended and received instruction within its walls for one or more years. Many

have received their academic training here which prepared them to enter the colleges and unlver- sitles. The people of the community have ap- preciated the advantages afforded at this insti- tution and have given It their hearty support.

The High School is truly "the people's col- lege." Within its precinct of learning the children of all classes have met upon the same plane, received the same instruction, and eu- joyed the samue privileges. Such a school is one of our great Democratic institutions of which the American people are justly and truly proud.

TEACHERS' TRAINING SCHOOL-The Teachers' Training School was established, in 1882, in the former resideuce of General John A. McCler- nand, which had been purchased by the Board of Education for school purposes. The object of this school is to train, each year, a limited number of High School graduates to teach in the primary and intermediate departments of the city public schools. The course is one year In length, and so arranged that the pupil-teachers get three or four hours practice-teaching, each day, uuder efficient and careful supervision, and also receive iustruction In School Management, Pedagogy, Psychology, and several other subjects related to the training of teachers.

The Teachers' Training School has been con- ducted without additional expense, which is due to the fact that, each year, it has provided in- struction for one hundred fifty or two hundred children in that section of the city, which could not have been given elsewhere without extra teachers and additional rooms. In 1905, a mod- ern school building, well-equipped and furnished, was provided for the Teachers' School at a cost of $40,000.

At the present time, nearly one-half of the teachers in the grades below the High School, have taken the teachers' course provided in this school, and are as successful In thelr teaching as the best secured elsewhere.

Those who have directed this school have been women of superior ability and specially trained for this kind of work. The folowing have been the Principals : Miss Marian Darcy, 1882-84; Miss Elizabeth Baumgartner, 1884-98 ; Miss Sadle E. Montgomery, 1896-1907 ; Miss Mary S. Mack, 1907-08; Miss Emma G. Olmstead, 1908-11 ..

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

CHAPTER XXVII.

EDUCATIONAL - HIGHER INSTITUTIONS.

CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - EARLY EFFORTS TO SECURE MEANS OF THEOLOGICAL TRAINING-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SEMINARY AT FORT WAYNE, IND., IN 1846-ITS REMOVAL TO ST. LOUIS IN 1861 AND TO SPRINGFIELD IN 1871- SUBSEQUENT STRUGGLES AND DEVELOPMENT-THE NOTABLE CAREER OF PROF. CRAEMER-ITS TERM- INATION IN 1891-PRESENT FORCE, NUMBER OF GRADUATES AND FIELDS IN WIIICH THEY HAVE LABORED.

(By Rev. J. S. Simon.)

THE PRACTICAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY of the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other States at Springfield, Illinois.

The establishment of Concordia Seminary dates from the earlier half of the nineteenth century. Its beginning and growth was small and insigni- ficant. During new spiritual movements which made themselves felt in Germany at that time, after the sad days of dearth during the reign of Rationalism, William Loehe, a highly gifted, energetic, and for missionary work, enthusiastic clergyman, toiled in Neuendettelsau, Germany. On one of his journeys, in 1841, an appeal for the support of German Protestants came to his notice, in which the spiritnal needs of emigrated Lutherans in the United States were described and funds solicited. This made a deep impres- sion on Loehe.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 57

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 864

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864