USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 21
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Hon. Ninian W. Edwards, appointed by the governor as the first state superintendent under this act, had the honor of framing the bill for a Frce School System. It met with ready acceptance from the legislature, and took the form of law February 15th, 1855.
It forbade the employment of a teacher for a public school with- out a legal certificate of qualification. It prescribed a state tax of two mills on the dollar, to be added annually to the six per cent. revenue from the school funds, and required that schools should be kept in operation at least six months in each year.
The system thus inaugurated-the first of which really made schools free by providing for a sufficient state and local tax for their support-continues substantially the state system to this day, with alterations in some details. While the new law promised more vigorous action among the people, the scarcity of competent teachers was a serious trouble. Whence were they to come ? What methods should be adopted to secure them? To meet this want of efficient teachers and supply the increased demand, the Northern Normal was established in 1857. From this time the change in the grade of teachers became apparent. This demand for competent teachers increased beyond the supply so much, that the Southern Normal was established in 1869, for the especial "training of teachers for the public schools of this State." County Normal Schools were in the same year authorized "for the purpose of fitting teachers for the common schools."
The vital principle of the present law is this : The property and wealth of the state, as well as the county, shall educate their youth.
Many important changes in the school laws were made by the thirty-first general assembly. The law as amended went into effect July 1st, 1879. It requires all school officers having the care of school funds to strictly account for the same. The county superin- tendent must annually examine the books and accounts of each township treasurer. The school month is made to correspond with the calendar month. To make legal contracts, teachers must have certificates at the time of making their contract.
Treasurers are elected for two years. Graded schools in citics are placed under the control of Boards of Education instead of the city council. Efficient means for refunding indebtedness are provided.
The corner-stone of our educational structure has been well laid, and firmly established in the appreciation of an intelligent people ; it advances gradually towards that perfection which will, no doubt, be attained by future generations. Older states, and European nations, view with admiration and study with delight our educational system, andnow many of its branches are ingrafted into theirs.
Such is a rapid survey of the growth of the common schools in
Illinois. They are the fruitage of a generation's constant and laborious effort.
The schools of Christian county have nobly performed their part toward the general advancement of the cause of education in the statc. Laboring for many years under very great disadvantages, without properly organized districts, with very inferior school buildings, the early settlers of the county struggled manfully to educate their children with the limited mcans afforded them. It was a custom among the first settlers of the county, (who usually located along the lumber belts), when a few families became settled, to open a school somewhere in the neighborhood.
Sometimes these schools were held in a room in some farmer's house ; but usually they were held in rude log buildings, with a fire-place occupying the most of one end of the house, a log sawed out of one side to furnish light and ventilation, and in many cases the only furniture consisted of rough puncheon benches, with a slab
fastened to the wall for a writing-desk. The writer well remembers his first experience as a teacher in Christian county, in a school- house very similar to the one described above, and located near the Ralston Bridge, in South Fork township.
Many of the most substantial professional and business men of our county received their rudimentary cducation under these disadvan- tageous circumstances.
The first school in the county of which we have any record, was taught by Elijah Hanon in the winter of 1826-27. This school was taught two miles east of Taylorville, in a house that stood on the land now owned by W. W. Hall. It was a log school-house of the description given above. In order to convey an idea of the inconvenience under which the people at this early day labored, it may be stated that Daniel and Martin Miller attended this school, and resided with their father at what is known as the " Elgan Mill," on South Fork, a distance of about fourteen miles. They would walk to school on Monday morning, and board until Friday even- ing with a family near the school-house, and again walk home. Daniel Miller was afterwards elected school commissioner of the county.
In 1831-2, Archibald Mccullough taught a school at the same place. He is said to have been a fine scholar. Robert White taught a school at Campbell's point in 1831-2. The school-house was built on land owned by Joseph Matthews. This is said to be the first house erected specially for a school-house in the county.
In the same year Michael AArchie taught a school in a house on his brother's farm, on Buckhart crcek, near where the Springfield and Decatur road crosses.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
In 1832-3, Crosthwait taught a school in the house spoken of above on Hill's farm. He was a professional teacher.
In 1834-5, the Hon. H. M. Vandeveer taught the first school in the extreme north part of the county. The building in which this school was taught, was located on Mosquito ercek, on land then owned by old Mr. Fletcher, now a part of the land owned by Moses Stafford, on the Decatur and Springfield road.
The salaries in the above cases ranged from eight to fifteen dollars per month.
From sueh beginnings as these our schools have grown to their present fair proportions.
In 1846 we find the first report of the schools of the county made by Daniel Miller to Campbell Thompson, secretary of state and ex-officio state sup't of schools. The report is as follows:
Whole number of Schools in the County 6
Scholars attending 173
Children under twenty years of age. 1,236
Whole amount of funds for School purposes. $69 03
Averages paid Male Teachers per month, $14 00
Female Teachers. $10 00
In 1878 the present county superintendent reported as follows :
Whole number of Schools in the County. 158
Scholars attending. 7,293
Whole amount of "State School " fund for the County 8 8 567 06
Special District School Tax. $34,391 88
of Principal of Town School Fund $58,466 13
Estimated value of School Property $140,725 00
Average wages paid Male Teachers per month $40 50
" Female Teachers. $24 67
The above rate of increase in the number of schools is equalled by the quality and convenience of the present school buildings in the county. Commodious, well-ventilated and well-furnished school- houses may now be seen on all sides on our prairies, as well as along the timber lines ; while the magnificent two and three-story school buildings that adorn our cities and towns attest the progressive intelligence and refinement of the present generation. And it may safely be stated that the methods of teaching and the qualifications of teachers have kept fairly abreast of the number and quality of the school buildings.
It will be proper here to give a brief history of the efforts that have been made in the county to assist and encourage teachers in a thorough preparation for their work. I refer to Teachers' Associa- tions and Normal Institutes.
In the Pana Herald of January 4, 1858, a call was issued for a meeting of " teachers and others interested in the cause of educa- tion," to be held in Pana on the 29th and 30th days of January, 1858. This call was signed by E. B. Hartshorn, principal of the Pana Academy; M. S. Beckwith, editor of the Herald; E. B. Hawley, R. W. Orr, W. D. Vermillion, Rev. W. C. Merritt and others. In response to this call a number of teachers and others assembled at the Presbyterian church in Pana, on Friday evening, January 29, 1858. and effected a temporary organization by elcet- ing Dr. Thomas Finley president and O. O. Alexander secretary. A number of names were enrolled, the necessary committees ap- pointed, and addresses delivered by Mr. Gmming, of Hillsboro, and Rev. HI. C. Merritt, of Rosemond. On the next day a consti- tution was adopted, and a permanent organization effected by the election of Dr. IL F. O'Farrell, president, B. R. Hawley, vice- president, E. B. Hartshorn, secretary, and Dr. Thomas Finley, treasurer. The executive committee consisted of Rev. H. C. Mer- ritt, M S. Beckwith and Mrs. II. R. Hawley. These officers were to serve for one year.
I have been thus particular in describing the organization of this association as it was the first teachers' organization ever made in the county. The name adopted for the organization was the "Christian County Teachers' Association."
The second meeting of the association was held in Pana on the 18th of March, 1858, at which much good was accomplished. This meeting was addressed by Simon Wright, State Agent, and Mr. Mer- win, of Chicago.
The association held its third meeting at Taylorville, on the 20th of August, 1858. At this meeting the late Dr. Calvin Goudy took quite an active part, as he always did in matters pertaining to the publie welfare.
The fourth meeting of the association was held in Rosemond on the 16th of October, 1858. At this meeting the work was more of the nature of Institute work than formerly, and it was resolved to make the next meeting strictly Institute in its character.
On the 17th day of December in the same year, another meeting was held at Rosemond. On the evening of this day an able educa- tional address was delivered by the Hon. S. W. Moulton. Ou the following day Richard Edwards, afterwards president of the State Normal University, delivered a scholarly address.
The sixth and last meeting was held at Pana March 17th and 18th, 1859.
There was quite a large accession to the membership at this meeting, and quite an interest manifested in the work. It ad- journed to meet at the call of the executive committee. This call never was issued. Thus closed the labors of the first teachers' or- ganization in the county.
No further efforts were made in this direction until 1870. On the 10th of January, of this year, Mr. W. F. Gorrell, then county superintendent of schools, organized the first regular normal insti- tute ever held in the county. This was also held at Pana. In addition to other instructors, Mr. Piper, of Iowa, president Ed- wards, of state normal school, and other prominent educators, de- livered lectures before the institute. This meeting lasted six days, and resulted in mueh good.
The second session of this institute was held in Taylorville, com- mencing August 7th, 1870, under the supervision of Superintendent Gorrell. This session lasted six weeks. The third meeting was held at Taylorville, commencing January 1st, 1871. It lasted six days, and was largely attended. The fourth meeting commenced on August 1st, and lasted six weeks. The fifth and last meeting, under the management of Superintendent Gorrell, was held in Taylorville, commencing on July 22d, 1872, and continued six weeks. Much good resulted to the cause of education in the coun- ty from these normal institutes.
On the 31st day of August, 1874, another normal institute was organized in Taylorville, under the management of R. W. Orr, then county superintendent of schools. This meeting lasted six days. These institutes have been hield annually, with one excep- tion, since that time.
It has been the object of the superintendeut to have the instruc- tion in these institutes largely performed by home teachers. In this he has been ably seconded by the leading teachers of the county. Prominent among these I wish to mention J. R. Edmonds, principal east ward, Pana; L. S. Ham, principal cast side school, Taylorville; S. W Culp, principal Morrisonville school ; W. C. Griffith, formerly principal of the east side school, Taylorville, and T. R. Lakin, of Buckey prairie.
In addition to these, many of the teachers in the country schools have come forward and ably performed the work assigned them in the way of class drill, essays, etc. In this connection I wishi also to
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
make special mention of the lady teachers of our county who have nobly contributed to the success of these teachers' meetings.
Prominent educators from different parts of the state have also been employed to deliver lectures at each of these meetings. Of these I will mention ex-state superintendent, S. M. Etter; state superintendent, James P. Slade ; Robert Allyn, president of the Southern Illinois Normal, at Carbondale, and president Radford of Eureka college.
As an adjunct to the county institutes, loeal or township organi- zations have been kept up in most parts of the county during caeh school year. The result of these efforts has been a marked im- provement in the standard of the qualification of our teachers.
Christian county has also been fairly represented in the "State Normal University," at Bloomington, showing that our people ap- preciate the advantages of a normal training.
In the following list I show the names of parties who have at- tended from the county, together with the date of their enrollment at the university, so far as I have been able to obtain them. If any are omitted it is on account of my inability to obtain their names.
October 5th, 1857, Henrietta M. Pope; October 5th, 1857, Henry HI. Pope ; January 20th, 1858, Rufus Angel; January 20th, 1858, T. L. Bacon ; Sep- tember 12th, 1859, Walter F. Locker; January 4th, 1860, Kate L. Bacon ; April 7th, 1862, Thomas N. Lakin; September 8 h, 1862, Charlotte Evans; September 11th, 1862, Sarah E. Worley ; April 16th, 1863, Rebecca A. Rieh- ardson; September 7th, 1863, Charles F. Goodrich; September 7th, 1863, Abraham J. Overholt; September 7th, 1863, Stella Bowling ; September 7th, 1863, William S. Richardson; September 7th, 1863, D. Dwight Shumway ; April 4th, 1864, Francis M. Ilewett; September 10th, 1866, Emma A. Hawkes; April 8th, 1867, Mary L. Shaw ; September 7th, 1868, Noi Goudy ; April 24th, 1870, William O. Robertson; September 12th, 1870, Robert W. Johnson; July 4th, 1871, Ellen B. Travis; July 4th, 1871, William F. Tra- vis; January 6th, 1871, John W. Augur ; September 11th, 1871, Rebecca May ; September 11th, 1871, John II. Conner ; January 2d, 1872, Harriett E. Baldwin ; April 11th, 1872, Mary E. Dunafon ; April 8th, 1872, William T. Kelley ; April 8th, 1872, Joseph W. Miller; September 7th, 1872, Harriett E. Lowe; January 1st, 1873, T. F. Myres; January 1st, 1873, Meredith M. Myres; January 1st, 1873, Leon Casalett; January 1st, 1873, William J. Smith ; September 8th, 1873, Clara Work; April 6th, 1874, Seabury J. Den- nis ; September 14th, 1874, Gilbert HI. Sallee; January 4th, 1875, Alice L. De Garmno; April 12th, 1875, Joseph Hastings; April 12th, 1875, Edwin E. Rosenbery ; September 6th, 1875, William II. Johnson ; January 4th, 1876, Myra A. Compton; September 4th, 1876, Mary L. Divis; September 4th, 1876, Alice Shafer ; September 4th, 1876, Isaac J. Jolinson ; April 2d, 1877, C. W. Stites ; Miss Mary L. Parsons.
The following are the names of teachers who attended the State Normal from other counties but who have since taught in this county : W. C. Griffith, D. M. Gibbs, Julia Gibbs, H. C. Beans, C. H Andrews, and Miss Alpha Watts.
The importance of a normal training for teachers has been elcarly shown in the work of the above named teachers in our county.
The first County School Commissioners (as they were then called), were appointed by the County Commissioners' Court.
The following is a list of names of school commissioners, and county superintendents, in the order of their appointment and election :
II. M. Vandeveer, appointed May 16, 1839; Jolmn W. Wheat, elected Aug. 2, 1841; Thos. S. Leachman, Aug. 7, 1843; Daniel Miller, Ang. 4, 1845; James C. Morrison, Aug. 2. 1847 ; James C. Morrison, Nov. 6, 1849; James C. Morrison, Nov. 4, 1851 ; Richard Sparks, Nov. 8, 1853; Jesse IIanon, Nov. 7, 1855; S. S. Cisna, Nov. 3, 1857 ; S. S. Cisna, Nov. 5, 1861 ; James A. Ryan, Nov. 3, 1863; A. McCaskill, Nov. 7, 1865; W. F. Gorrell, Nov. 2, 1869; R. W. Orr, Nov. 4, 1873; R. W. Orr, Nov. 6, 1877, and present incumbent.
The Board of Supervisors has already authorized the county
superintendent to visit each of the schools of the county at least once in cach year, which has added much to the cfficieney of their work.
The following is a list of the present township treasurers in the county.
W. D. Coffman, T. 13, N, 1 W; A. L. Augur, T. 15, N, 1 W; J. B. Gordon, T. 14, N, 1 E; George Wree, T. 16, N, 1 W; John W. Shake, T. 12, N, 3 W; Daniel Waters, T. 15, N, 3 W; John Eldredge, T. 14, N, 4 W; Iverson Stokes, T. 14, N, 3 W; J. C. Clower, T. 12, N, 4 W; John Aehinbach, T. 13, N, 3 W; Enoch Flemming, T. 12, N, 2 W; John A. Bridge, T. 12, N, 1 E; James San- ford, T. 11, N, 3 W; C. D. Burdick, T. 13, N, 1 E; A. B. Leeper, T. 12, N, 1 W; Martin Brown, T. 11, N, 4 W; P. S. Dodge, T. 11, N, 1 W; O. Z. Hous- ley, T. 15, N, 2 W; J. P. Weber, T. 13, N, 4 W; G. I. Ladd, T. 11, N, 1 E; V. E. Foy, T. 13, N, 2 W; John W. Miller, T. 11, N, 2 W; J. F. Bauer, T. 14, N. 2 W; Henry Kirk, T. 14, N. 2 W.
In a few of the above townships, where they are situated in two counties, the treasurers reside in that part of the township lying outside of Christian county.
Thus I have briefly sketched the history of the schools of Chris- tian county. Supplied as the county now is with excellent and well furnished sehool-buildings, thoroughly trained and efficient teachers, an intelligent and liberal class of citizens, the future edu- cational prospects of the county are bright and encouraging.
The improvement in school furniture has kept pace with the change in the kind of school-houses. Foremost among the manu- facturers of school, office and chureh furniture of the United States is the firm of A. H. Andrews & Co., 195 and 197 Wabash Avenue, Chicago.
For the benefit of patrons of this work, cuts are inserted ex- hibiting more clearly than words can express, the beauty, conve- nience and durability of the modern styles of school furniture.
ONLY FIFTEEN INCHES FROM THE EYE TO THE BOOK.
"1" shows the lid turned up for the Book-Easel.
6 position for the lid as a Writing Desk.
" 3" when Desk is used as a Settee.
Simply as an industrial establishment, the manufactory of A. H. Andrews & Co. is one of the most successful and enterprising in the entire west, Their names have literally become a household word, not only throughout the length and breadth of this country,
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
but also in many foreign lands, wherever comfort in the school- room is considered a necessary adjunct to facilitate study.
They have done much for the cause of education by beautify- ing aud renderiug attractive the school-rooms of the country, and in providing for the physical comfort and bodily rest of the pupils.
In this special field, Mr. A. H. Andrews, the senior member of the firm, has always been an enthusiast, and to-day hundreds of pupils are reaping the full benefit of this enthusiasm ; while hun- dreds of thousands, who have finished their school course, look back upon the school-rooms furnished with luxuriously easy seats, convenient and comfortable desks, as the pleasant accompaniments of their school-life, that it will always be a joy to remember. And the house of A. H. Andrews & Co. were the pioneers in this elabo- rate and beautiful style of school-house furniture. That they have imitators and copyists is not strange-business success in any liue will always attract competition and attempted imitation.
THE TRIUMPHI SCHOOL DESK.
The patent dovetailed "Triumph " desk is the most perfect in its propor- tions, and much the strongest and most endurable school-desk made. The seat and back are so curved as to enable the pupil to maintain an erect and healthful posture, and to perform his work with ease and comfort unknown in the use of chair-desks, or even in the most of the folding-seat desks. By the improved method of construction, the " dovetail" process, and the usc of steel wire rods inserted into the slat- like continuous dowels (sce cut of desk in process of setting up), a degree of FOLDED-BOOK-BOX LOCKED. firmness, strength and durability is obtained that is not equalled or ap- Showing Desk and Seat occupy- ing only 10 inches space. proached by any other method, and which more than doubles its valuc.
The following cut illustrates another style much used. The seat and back is the same as described above. The end of the desk is open instead of having a lid as the "Triumph."
Board of directors or persons wishing school or office furniture may be sure of finding what they need, at fair prices, at the great establishment of this firm in Chicago.
CHAPTER XIII.
PATRIOTISM OF THE COUNTY.
B EFORE entering into detail of the causes and results of the Black Hawk war, we give our readers a brief sketch of the celebrated warrior, who figured so conspicuously in those sanguinary campaigns. Macuta Mahicatah, is the Indian name for Black Hawk. He was born in the Sauk village in the year 1767, and was an Indian of considera- ble talent and sagacity, shrewd, and eloquent iu council; he, how- ever, deported himself in that demure, grave and formal manner incident to almost all Indians. It is said he possessed a mind of more than ordinary strength, but slow and plodding in its operations. Iu comparison he could not be classed with the great Indian char- acters, such as Philip, Brant, Logan, Tecumseh, and such illustri- ous men. By the portraits of him now extant, the reader of char- acter will readily observe in his large, high forehead and the lines worn by care in his face, massive jaws and compressed lips, a char- acter iudicative of more than ordinary ability. His ambition was to distinguish himself as a great warrior ; yet he was merciful to the weak, the women and children. The only road for an Indian to distinguish himself and become a great man, is in war. So soon as he kills an enemy he may paint on his blanket a bloody hand, which will entitle him to a scat in the councils. In 1810 and 1811 Black-Hawk aud comrades were "nursing their wrath to keep it warm," against the whites. A party of Sacs, by invitation, went to sce the prophet at Tippecanoe. They returned more angry against the Americans. A party of Winnebagoes had massacred some whites, which excited for murder the Sac band headed by Black- Ilawk. A part of his band and some Winnebagoes attacked Fort Madison in 1811, but were repulsed. Black-Hawk headed the Sacs in this attack.
In 1812 emissaries from the British arrived at Rock Island with goods, and sccured Black-Hawk with five hundred warriors to go with Col. Dixon to Canada. When they reached Green Bay there were assembled there bands of the Ottowas, Pottawatomics, Winnebagoes and Kickapoos, under the command of Col. Dixon. Black-Hawk and band participated in the battles of River Raisin, the Lower Sandusky, and other places, but getting dissatisfied with the hard fighting and small amount of spoils, he, and twenty com- rades, left for the Sauk village at Rock Island, where he remained for many years at peace, with the exception of a small battle on the Quiver River settlement in Missouri, in the presents limits of St. Charles County, where one white man and an Indian were killed.
The principal cause of the Indian troubles in '31-'32, better known as the Black-Hawk war, was the determination of Black- Hawk and his band to remain in their ancient village, located on Rock River, not far from its jimetion with the Mississippi. The gov- ernment having some time previously, by various treaties, purchas- ed the village and the whole country from the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians, had some of these lands surveyed, and in 1828 some of the lands in and around the ancient village were sold ; the collision between the two races for the possession of the property produced the first disturbance between the Indians and the government. Seeing that war was inevitable the Governor of Illinois made a call on the militia of the State for seven hundred men on the 26th of May, 1831, and appointed Beardstown, on the Illinois river, as the place of rendezvous. The call was responded to with that prompt- ness characteristic of the early pioneers of this State. Their habits of life were such that all were familiar with the rifle. After march- ing eight days, the mounted militia reached a point a few miles below the Sae village on the Mississippi, where they joined the
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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