USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Columbia > History of Columbia and Columbia precinct, Monroe County, Illinois, 1859-1959 and centennial celebration, Columbia, Illinois, July 3-4-5, 1959 > Part 6
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In 1927 Troop 1 under the sponsorship of the Evan- gelical Church, furnished Scoutmaster, Rev. E. J. Wes- erbeck, pastor of the church. This is the first troop registered in the E. St. Louis Boy Scout Headquarters.
The records from here on are through the courtesy of Mrs Oliver C. Hoffmann and Mrs. Harry Niemann, who went to the East St. Louis Headquarters and re- searched for four full hours, making a detailed record for the Columbia Scout organization.
In 1928-9 Alvin G. Klein was the Scoutmaster of Troop 39; from 1930 to 1934, Rev. E. J. Westerbeck.
Troop 19 under Scoutmaster Ray Tunze, who served from 1934 to 1941; Rea O'Nelll, 1942-45; Wm. D. Ham- mack, 1946; Gilbert Arnin, 1947-51; Norman Kutterer, 1952; (1953 they dropped the charter, but re-registered in 1954) with Charles Schultz Scoutmaster. He served until 1956; Oliver C Hoffmann has served from 1957 to 1959. The sponsoring organizations are as follows: From 1928 to 1939 the Evangelical Church and Sunday School; from 1939 to 1947 a group of citizens; from 1948 to 1959 the Columbia American Legion Post 581.
Assistant Scoutmasters through the years were: Homer C Ludwig. J. Lewis Weible. Robert Volkert, George F. Vogt. Joyce L Volkert, Jack Divers, Charles J. Lepp, Alvin Farmer, Elmer J. Bieber, Robert Goessling, Ervin Kossina and Harry L. Breitenstein.
The committeemen for this year are: Horace C. Volkert, Charles Schultz, Ernst W. Huch, Lester Eckert, James H. Garris, George Elder, Alphonse Vogt, Harry Niemann and Raymond F Todd.
A Mothers' Auxiliary was formed on April 24, 1958 for the purpose of helping the Boy Scouts In securing money for their troop. Officers were: Mary Ann Hoff- mann. Chairman; Priscilla lluch, Vice Chairman and Dorothy Niemann, Secretary-Treasurer.
COLUMBIA GIRL SCOUTS
The Columbla Girl Scouts were organized on May 3, 1937. The organization meeting was held at the home of their leader, Miss Luellle Ebel. The Girl Scouts were sponsored by the Columbia Household Science Club Mrs. F. W. Weinel was elected president of the troop com- mittee and Mrs. E. G. Rauch, secretary-treasurer at a meeting held May 5, 1937 at the public school which for n time was their meeting place. Thirty-five girls wanted to become Scouts. A camping trip was proposed and it was held at Camp Vandeventer. Due to the resig- nation of Miss Ebel, who was to be married. Miss Cora- lynn Landgraf was named captain, and Miss Armina Nollau, Miss Winnifred Fiege, Miss Evelyn Ludwig and Miss Florence Rohm lieutenants.
In September of 1938 Mrs. C. L. Volkert was named chairman of the troop committee and Mrs. Virginia Land- graf secretary. Misses Marian Weinel, Kathleen Brucker and Violn Vogt were assistants to Misses Evelyn Ludwig and Armina Nollau at the camp which thirty-two girl scouts attended together with the troop committee.
In 1939 Captain Landgraf resigned and Miss Evelyn Ludwig took her place, with the Misses Winnifred Fiege, Marian Weinel, Dolores Fiege, Armina Nollau and Kath- leen Brucker as lieutenants. The Scouts began selling cookies as a means of raising funds and this continues to this day. They also had card parties and conducted paper drives.
The Girl Scouts camped at Vandeventer In August of 19-10 and again in 1941. In that year Mrs. John Land- graf was selected as troop chairman and Mrs. Rea O'Neill secretary-treasurer.
In 1941 Mrs. David Rydeen and Mrs. Rea O'Neill were named lieutenants to assist Miss Ludwig. Mrs. Virginia Landgraf was named chairman of the troop committee with Mrs F. W. Weinel treasurer and Miss Jeannette Ilills secretary.
At this time there were 22 senior scouts and 17 juniors. First Aid courses were given by Rea O'Neill and Ilome Nursing by the County Nurse. The Girl and Boy Scouts gave card parties and plays to help lift the debt on the Scout Hut.
In August of 1942 Mrs. F. W Welnel was elected chairman of the general Scout Committee, Mrs. Esther Richert, secretary and Miss Dorothy Weinel treasurer. The Scouts again camped at Vandeventer.
In 1944 the records show that the Intermediates, the Brownies and the Seniors had separate organizations for the movement was growing by leaps and bounds. The meetings convey the many aspects of what the Girl Scout movement offers to the community. In 19-15, 72 girls went to camp, an increase over the 1944 campers.
In August of 1945 Mrs. Fred Bruenig was made the new president with Mrs. Esther Richert secretary. Due to the polio epidemie there was no camping at Van- deventer but a Day Camp was held here at the Seout Hut, 31 girls attending.
As the meetings become more complex we must, he- cause of lack of space, give only the names of the chair- men from 1917 to 1939- 1946-47 Miss Alfrieda Ereidecker; 1948-49 Mrs Bland Rudolph; 1950 Miss Alfrieda Brel- decker: 1951 Mrs. Gertrude Swartz: 1952 Mrs Ida Thimp- son: 1953-57 Mrs. Jean Henderson: 1957 Mrs June Hasler; 1958 Mrs. John Ryan. Present officers are Chairman Mrs. D. Hetherington; Vice Chairman. Mrs John Ryan, Serro- tary. Mrs. Margaret Daab; Treasurer, Mrs. Deruthy Eppinger.
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THE HISTORY OF SCHOOLS IN COLUMBIA
The earliest pioneer schools in Columbia were sub- scription schools. Each child had to pay a small sum of money or some medium of exchange, per month or quar- ter. The teacher "boarded around". Teachers were peo- ple who had a smattering of education and a desire to impart or share their knowledge with someone else.
Charles Walker taught a school in a log cabin within the corporate limits of Columbia near the Waterloo road as early as 1815. Levi Piggott kept a school in a log house near a spring that ran into Biggs Creek (now. Palmer Creek), in a clearing in the woods a little north of Columbia as early as 1817.
Some of the earliest teachers in Columbia were Char- les McCann. an Irishman; Albert Laphardt, a Swiss; James McKee, a Scotsman, and son of John McKee, second mayor of Columbia.
Books were scarce and the New Testament, biog- raphies of prominent men, Bible stories and such books as the pioneers had brought along with them from their former homes were used as readers.
Arithmetic included addition, subtraetion, multiplica- tion and division. Writing was taught hy the teacher writing an old adage in his best writing on the black- board, or the slate of the pupil. The pupil copied this over and over again until he became proficient in that saying and then another was substituted. If the teacher was a good writer, it is safe to say the pupil became a good one too.
With the coming of the Germans, education became more advanced. Germany had enjoyed a common school system as early as 1600. They had good schools and Sun- day schools. The German immigrants, led by teachers and preachers came to this new country with the desire and firm resolution to found homes for themselves and their children by honest and hard labor. Merchants, skil- led tradesmen and wealthy agriculturists came, and schooling became important. 1833-35 brought a number of highly educated Germans to Columbia and with them came the desire for education.
Three parochial schools were established early in Co- lumbia's history: the Catholic, the Lutheran and the Evangelical.
While the Catholic parish was yet a mission a paro- chial school was established by the Rev. P. Baltes of Wa- terloo, in 1853. A log cabin was erected on what is now the sanctuary of the church and this was used as a school building.
Mr. Theodore Lemkes was the first teacher of the Immaculate Conception School. Until 1874 the school was taught by lay sisters. In 1874 the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, Kentucky were given charge of the school. The first three sisters to teach at Columbia were Sisters In- nocentia, Stanislaus and Veronica. In 1887 the Sister Adorers of the Most Precious Blood of Ruma assumed di- rection but in 1901 they were superseded by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Lay teachers again taught from 1907-09 when the Most Pre- cious Blood Sisters returned. The original school was used until 1870, when the original church was remodeled and converted into a school building. In 1874 at a cost of $2340 a one-story brick addition was added to the origi- nal church building to provide a home for the sisters who supervised the school. The building was further im- proved, enlarged and remodeled into three class rooms. when the parish acquired a neighboring property for a Sis- ters' residence. In 1921 a new school was built, and the
old one removed to make a playground. In 1938 a school bus was purchased to take high school students to East St. Louis high schools, and in 1946 a new bus was pur- chased for the same purpose.
A Lutheran school was erected in 1849 and this building was used as a church and school until 1854, when a separate church building was erected.
The earliest Lutheran Christian Day School teachers were Gottlieb Heid, 1849-54; B. Guenther, 1856-62; P. Rexe, 1862-65; W. Bunge, 1865-67; O. Gertenbach, 1867-75; P. S. Merz, 1880-81. From that time on the Lutherans called their own minister and he taught school also.
St. Paul's Evangelical Church also conducted a paro- chial school. The first confirmation class was confirmed in 1855 and every year thereafter, Rev. G. Steinert being the teacher of the first class.
It is difficult to ascertain from the records when the first school house was built. There is some evidence that the school was built shortly after the construction of a brick church in 1849, and that this building was also of brick; for in the minutes of 1887 it is indicated that both the old church and the school house were to be wrecked to get the good bricks from both buildings for the "back- ing" brick for the new church which was completed in 1888. Some of the brick from the 1849 church and school building are therefore in the north wall of the present church.
The minutes of January 1, 1875 record the authority to procure a school teacher. In May 1875 the first school board was named: Henry Denges, Jacob Bersche and Chris- tian Dahmer. In 1877 the school closed temporarily be- cause the teacher, Theodore Bornemann, left, and a new teacher was to be procured as soon as possible.
There is no further indication that a new teacher was ever procured and since the building was wrecked a few years later it can be assumed the children then went to the public school.
Special religious instruction was given by the pastors even on week days preparatory to confirmation, and this often extended over two years. It can reasonably be as- sumed that in the period from 1849-1874 the pastor did the instructing in the little brick school house adjacent to the church, as this was the established custom in smaller churches who could not afford a resident teacher. The names of the ministers and teachers of the school after Rev. Steinert who served from 1854-61 up to 1876 were: Rev. M. Fotsch 1861-63; Rev. T. Klingsohr 1863-66; Rev. E. Otto 1866-70 Rev. L. Reymann 1870-72; Rev. W. Wahl 1872-73; Rev. J. Hoffmann 1873-74; Rev. Carl Kautz 1875-1880.
These parochial schools must have been of a high order of scholarship for in 1889, the General Assembly of the State of Illinois passed an act concerning the educa- tion of children, and it was decided that the various private day schools under the auspices of the trustees and Pastor of the Columbia Roman Catholic Church and the private dav school conducted by the Trustees and Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul church are regarded as schools under this act. This ruling was obtained by Char- les Schuler of the Shoemaker school. There being no mention of the Evangelical Day School it is assumed that it no longer existed after the opening of the public school.
There were also a number of other schools in Colum- bia. A German school was taught in the Rudolph Land- graf home by Henry Heitzenroeder. The directors of this
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THE OLD COLUMBIA GRADE AND HIGH SCHOOL
RAZED TO PROVIDE SITE FOR NEW SCHOOL
2
school were John Weinel, Christian Beck, Henry Schu- macher Christian Breidecker, and Edward Victor Heilig- stedt. This school was bought by the above-mentioned trustees from George Divers for $100 on October 2, 1854. There are yet blackboards on the walls and a hole in the ceiling from which the bell rope hung. This building was also used as a library and singing society (Gesangverein) meeting place after the building of the public school in 1876.
There was also a school in the Methodist Episcopal Church in a frame building in the rear of the Henry Kunz residence. This school was taught by James E. Varnum and a Mr. Reider. This building was erected in 1865; an- other Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was built in 1866, a brick building. on the site of the new high school. School was in session here until 1876 when the new public school was completed.
There were other schools in various parts of the city: the Ginder House in the Guy Haltenhof building, taught by Mr Ginder; another in back of the Rose Drug store; another in the Harmacek house at Whiteside and Main taught by a Mr. Axley, then spelled Exley; James McKee taught the first "American" school where August J. Vol- kert's Tavern is now located.
The first public school building in Columbia was erected in 1876. It was a handsome brick structure with Ilmestone trimming erected by Fred Koch and Son at a cost of about $13,000. It contained six school rooms and two large halls. The records from 1876 to 1893 are lost so up to that time we have had to rely on our older citi- zens for Information. They say the early teachers In the public school were Lewis and James Lemen; Mr. Weber, Mr Dollinger. Mr. Limbach: Mr. Bergner, a former Luther- an school teacher; Mr. Holmes; Mr. Gans; Julla Wilson; John Delaney: James McKee. A list of Columbia teachers in an 1899 teachers list when Henry Eisenbart was county superintendent of schools Includes Fred G. Rapp. Mueller school: Maggie U'rmey Sand Bank; Emilie Wagner, E'ter and Nellie L. Weible, Riverview.
From 1893 to 1897 the teaching staff of the Columbia Public school was: E. T. Weible, Charles Breidecker James McKee, R P. Brlegel and Lewis Lemen. In 1898 James Lemen replaced Lewis Lemen after Miss Julia Wilson sut- stituted for Lewis Lemren for a short time. From 1899-190-1 the teachers remained the same. In 1905 Lorenz A. Vogt was called and this corps served until 1910 when Mr. Welb-
le became ill, and W. C. Heyl taught In his place. Mr. Weible passed away in 1911 after one-third of a century of teaching. Many of these years he was director of music at Teachers' Institute. He also worked untiringly for the school library.
In 1910 Elbert Waller of Tamaroa, Illinois joined the staff. G. W. Smith petitioned the school board to es- tablish a high school, which they did in 1910 with Elbert Waller the teacher. There was one pupil, Consuelo Joy Smith. In 1911 O. B. Harris took Mr. Waller's place. Other teachers on the staff were: R. P. Briegel, Mrs. J. M. Jack- son, Lorenz Vogt, James Lemen, James McKee and Char- les Breidecker. This year a few more pupils entered high school-Anna Belle Weible, Hilda Kunz, Leota Clark, Ardell Vogt and Consuelo Smith. This year Summers College of Commerce began a commercial school with J. W. Hurst and O. B. Harris as teachers. This was In the library room of the grade school. There were day and night classes with tuition.
In 1912 Mr. Breidecker passed away after 29 years of teaching in the school. Mr. Breidecker was an artist to his finger tips, and under his teaching of drawing some very beautiful work was achieved. It was the fad in those days to have autograph albums in which your tencher wrote a beautiful verso. Mr. Breidecker embellished his verses with the most exquislte of drawings, and lettered the verse so that it looked like a steel engraving. He was also a mathematical wizard, and the historian can well remember the thorough drilling he gave on mental arith- metic.
School picnics were always held on Pentecost Monday In the good old days, and that day there was generally a rushing of winds and a downpour of rain either in the morning before the start of the event or In the evening after it was over. This day was an EVENT in Columbia. Children, dressed in their best hib and tucker assembled at the school at the call of the old school bell. Ench child was given a flag and free tickets for pink lemonade The parnde assembled, with the Columbia Star Band leading. Each room fell in line, with room banners ann uncing the grades. There was shouting and general hilarity ns the parade moved to the Lutheran and Catholic school's where these children joined In. The end of the parade was Tu:ne Park where huge crocks of pink lemonade awaited the thirsty marchers.
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IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL
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The school board members, E. A. Weinel, F. G. Rapp, E. H. Gundlach, J. M. Arnin, Joe Rauch, and patrons of the school Emil Brucker, E. J. Schneider and G. W. Smith had pockets full of nickels which were awarded the youngsters for feats of skill or strength or just because.
In the evening the parade reassembled and marched back to the school, the band still gamely playing, and children still able to shout and sing.
The last day of school there was an entertainment in the Turner Hall. Each room gave a program of dialogs. recitations and songs and school was over for the year.
In 1912 women teachers were employed. This year saw Kitty Morgan, Elizabeth Daoust, now Mrs. F. W. Weinel, Louise Zimmer, Mary I. James, in addition to James Lemen, James McKee, R. P. Briegel and O. S. Hays. In August of 1913 O. S. Hays resigned and F. L. Eversull took his place. Olga Quernheim was added to the teach- ing staff.
In 1914 George W. Smith, a member of the school board petitioned for a four-year high school. He was aided and abetted by R. P. Briegel and F. L. Eversull. This was established and Francis Blair, then state superintendent of schools, came down from Springfield to inspect the high school, gave it his blessing, and so began Columbia's four year high school.
In 1913 the first two year high school graduating class included Anna Belle Weible, Hilda C. Kunz, Ardell Vogt, Leota Clark and Consuelo Smith, with O. S. Hayes the teacher. The first four year high school graduating class was made up of Mildred Briegel, Harry L. Metter and Con- suelo Smith with F. L. Eversull the teacher.
There was a shortage of teachers at that time, and Mr. Briegel and Mr. Eversull gave the necessary encourage- ment and push to propel a number of Columbia high school graduates to go on to college and become teachers. Many of them taught in the grades and high school here after they became qualified. It was the policy of the school board to give preference to home town applicants.
In 1915 the high school was accredited. The enroll- ment was getting larger and it was felt a community high school would benefit both the city and country. An election was held Jan. 20, 1920 and a community high school established, the vote being 107 for and 47 against. Fifty pupils were enrolled and Agriculture, Domestic Science and Commercial courses were offered in addition
to the college entrance work. A cafeteria functioned in the basement, for farm children enrolled.
But this school district was short-lived for on Feb. 11, 1922 it was dissolved, the vote being 985 against and 408 for.
In 1940 the cornerstone of the first part of the present high school was laid, and in 1941 the high school erected.
The second Community High School District, School District No. 4 was organized in 1951, which included a high school. This school district, then as now, includes a 62 mile area in and around Columbia.
Enrollment in the grades and high school grew rapidly and by 1954 the entire school was too small. In January of 1954 work was started on a $496,000 project to enlarge and rebuild the high school and grade school. The school built in 1876 was demolished and a brand new and mod- ern grade school built and the high school enlarged. This school is complete with music rooms, gymnasium, cafe- teria, work shop and new and modern equipment through- out. There are six school busses for the out-of-town chil- dren, which deliver them in the morning and take them home at night.
'To celebrate the completion of the buildings on Feb- ruary 18, 1956 a high school alumni reunion, banquet and dance was held at the high school building. Over four hundred alumni from the classes of 1913 to 1955, their wives or husbands, teachers of the school, past and pres- ent, and honored guests were present at the banquet and more came later. A guided tour of the school had been arranged by B. D. Middleton, superintendent of Columbia Unit No. 4, after which the group enjoyed dancing in the new gymnasium.
At that time in 1956, the school seemed spacious enough to accommodate Columbia's crop of young Americans. With the rapid expansion of the city, however, the school is now straining at its seams.
A number of the Superintendents through the years include: R. P. Briegel, Carl Struckmeyer, N. A. Rosan, Wm. Unzicker, and the present superintendent, B. D. Middle- ton, who came here January 4, 1951.
Some of the early school board members were: E. F. Schoening, J. M. Arnin, F. J. Miller, John Pfeffer, Chas. Diehl, Sr., Hy. Giffhorn, H. N. Kunz, E. L. Bersche, Hy. Rueck, E. A. Weinel, E. H. Gundlach, F. G. Rapp, Jos. Rauch, G. W. Smith, Fred Kraus, Henry Beckmann, Dr. O. W. Bollinger, Chas. Schiemer, Dr. Richard Grossmann.
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Space does not permit the naming of more.
The present corps of teachers includes: May Elizabeth Ahlberg, Emilio Bassy, Herta Berger, Leona Blowers, Harry J. Brinkman, Rosa Brinkman, Wayne Challacombe, Jac- queline Clifford, Robert Dosler, Mabel Evans, Viola Hal- tenhof, Eleanor Faye Homes, Carolyn Houser, Elmer Hun- ter, Florence Jaenke. Sherman Jarvis, Patsy Killlan, Marie Kremmel, Janet Messerli, Roberta Meyers, Richard Purdue, Reve Rendleman, Mary Ann Roediger, Uhl Sackman, Reba Shelton, Vernon W. Smith, James O. Stanley, Anna Walker and W. S. Woodress.
The present Board of Education includes Harold Har- res, President; Oliver Rey, Secretary; John L. Gummer- sheimer, Wilbert Kremmel, William McConkey, Walter Rodemich and Robert P. Cash.
B. D. Middleton is the Superintendent. Mrs. Morris Frank, Secretary.
P. T. A. Officers nre: Mrs. Orville Schmidt, President; Lester Deffenbaugh, Vice President; Herta Berger, Secre- tary; Mrs. Alvin Lepp, Treasurer.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENTS IN 1959
In this Centennial year, 1959, Columbia high school won awards in music and in basketball which will be dif- fieult to duplicate.
The Columbia High School Band, under the direction of Uhl O. Sackman was awarded a superior rating at the District Music Contests held March 4 at Bethalto, Illinois. This is the first time that the Columbia Band had been awarded a rating of 1 In a Distriet eontest, which entitled it to participate in the State Finals.
At the State music contest held at McMurray College at Jacksonville, Illinois, Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25 Larry Vardiman received superior rating for a French horn solo; the woodwind duet composed of Jackie Andrea and Janet Baltz, good rating and the concert band excellent rating.
Other solo and ensemble entries consisting of Larry Stumpf, alto saxophone solo; Harold Weisenborn, trombone solo; Arnold Stechmesser, trumpet solo; Karen Klein, Larry Stumpf and Judy Langhans, saxophone trio and Connie
Kremmel, Shirley Deffenbaugh, Pat Pomeroy and Janet Baltz, piano accompanists all were awarded excellent ratings,
These accomplished young people, guided by Uhl O. Sackman, director, are waxing a record of this award win- ning musle, which they will package in Centennial garb and sell as souvenirs of the Centennial.
The Columbia Eagles basketball team, also spread their wings this Centennial year and turned in one of the greatest seasons In the history of the school, a 29 and 2 record, including the O'Fallon Invitational tournament, the District Championship and the Kaskaskia conference cham- pionship. Nelson Mathews was selected on the All South- ern team of the State of Illinois; received outstanding commendation on the All-State team and was selected to the East Side All Stars. He is a four year varsity man.
The coach of this championship team is Elmer Hunter; assistant coach Emillo Bassy, The team includes Richard Roessler, Ronnie Edmonds, Harold Weisenborn, Roger and Ralph Schneider, Art Ritter, Ricky Kean, Nellle Mathews, Larry Pieper, Melvin Rehg, Jerry Landgraf and Chester Vogt.
In 1950 the Eagles were District Champs under the leadership of Coach Edd L. Ghent, with a 23-10 record. Way back in 1920 or 21 the high school made a clean sweep of all events in a county field meet and were county basketball champs. Robert English was the coach at that time.
Some of the records of the baseball team of Colum- bia High are as follows: Kaskaskia Conference won by Columbia in 1941; County Conference Champions In 1950; Columbia is Kaskaskia Conference Champion In 1959 with a conference record of 8 wins and 0 losses. Boys on this year's team are Roger Schneider, Ralph Schnelder, Cap- tain; Harold Weisenborn, Nelson Mathews, Larry Pieper, Marvin Rodemich, Art Ritter, Chester Vogt, Richard Roes- sler, Melvin Rehg, Ralph Wink, Ronnie Edmonds, Marty Kaempf, Jerry Landgraf, Arnold Stechmesser and Curtis Hayden. The team was coached by Vernon W. Smith.
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