USA > Illinois > DuPage County > History of Du Page County, Illinois 1876 > Part 3
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This institution was founded in 1846, at Fort Wayne, Ind., from which place it was removed to its present location in 1864, and the work was completed in the fall of the same year. The object of the institution is to educate teachers for the Evangelical Lutheran Con- gregational Schools. The Faculty consists of Prof. Lindemann, Director, and four Professors. The num- ber of students is 80.
WHEATON COLLEGE.
The Faculty consists of J. Blanchard, President, and eleven Professors and instructors. During the last year there were 222 students in attendance. The present term 132 names are enrolled. Of these, 23 belong to the regular College classes, the remainder are distributed in the Classical Preparatory, English Preparatory and Commercial Departments. The buildings are commo- dious and well constructed. The grounds are spacious and handsomely laid out, and planted with shade and ornamental trees.
Endowments have been secured for three professor- ships, amounting to $28,000. The institution has a
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HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
Normal Department, in which students are fitted for teaching.
NORTH-WESTERN COLLEGE, NAPERVILLE.
This institution was established here in 1870. It is under the management of President A. A. Smith, assisted by a corps of ten professors.
The regular classical course of study corresponds with that of the best colleges in the country. The institu- tion has a Ladies' Department, German Department, a Commercial and a Preparatory Department. Special attention is paid to those preparing themselves for teaching.
The institution will not, we feel assured, disappoint the hopes of its most sanguine friends.
The value of the building, furniture and grounds is estimated at $46,000. The endowment fund is some- thing over $70,000.
RELATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.
The relations existing between the public schools and the colleges should be the most amicable. Their influ- ence is reciprocal, their dependence mutual. The schools look to the colleges for qualified teachers, and the col- leges to the schools for well prepared students. Our professors and teachers recognize this dependence, and labor together for a common object-the improvement of the public schools. If the free schools were what they should be, and will, it is hoped, ere long become, there would be no need of the " Preparatory Departments," which so degrade the standing of many colleges.
This idea of "going to college" to learn the simplest rudiments of education is most mischievous in its tend-
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1237428
REPORT OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
ency. How exalted in dignity must the position of a college President appear when he is called upon to tell " what Primer he is using this term." His position is one that demands relief, and it is sure to come when the system of instruction is graduated from the primary school up to the college, but not while the college is obliged to lower its standard by receiving pupils from the primary.
Besides, however highly we may estimate the power of college discipline, can we willingly accept or act on the impression that all education rising above the alpha- bet is to be sought in private institutions, at an expense which excludes the children of the poor ?
The colleges are not to blame for this state of things. It is believed they would gladly rid themselves of the evil, but it has clung to them with unyielding tenacity. Elevate the aim in the public school.
EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
The following extract showing the progress of educa- tion in the county during the last eleven years, is taken from a late Report of the County Superintendent of Schools :
The actual duties and labors of the County Superin- tendent have two general divisions; office work, and work out of the office. The office work is various, and requires some degree of attention each day ; for official correspondence ; for posting, arranging, abstracting, and filing official books and papers; for the special examination of such teachers as cannot attend on the regular days, and the miscellaneous details and duties necessarily belonging to a well regulated county office.
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HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
The correspondence of the office is voluminous in the aggregate, embracing a wide range of topics of educa- tional interest. It is estimated that more than one thousand communications are sent annually from this office, not including circulars, which are issued, as they seem necessary, to secure better educational work in the county.
The work out of office is also of various kinds, among which may be mentioned the following :
1. Public Examinations-Instead of requiring all the teachers of the county to meet the Superintendent in his office, he holds examinations at such localities as will be for the greatest convenience of the teachers. There are six of these places in the county, and there have been eight public examinations in each year. The answers of candidates are chiefly written, for the reason that, in this way, the incompetent may the better see their own deficiencies. Twenty to thirty applicants are sometimes examined in a class ; and the consideration of their manuscripts occupies many hours. 2130 teachers have been examined during the last eleven years.
2. Visiting Schools-During the greater part of my term of office, this work has occupied the larger part of my time. Since the time of the Superintendent has been restricted to one hundred days in each year, it has not been possible for me to give that attention to this work which its importance demands. My purpose in these visits has been to ascertain what the school was in its ordinary condition and progress, and to make known to the school and teacher the impressions made by the exercises upon my mind, commending good order and good recitations, and reproving disorder and listlessness, and endeavoring to show the children the importance of faithful, diligent and thorough work in obtaining an education.
3. Teachers' Institutes-The relation of Teachers' Institutes to the highest success of our common school
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REPORT OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
system is most intimate. Their importance is unques- tioned. The County Superintendent may render much valuable service in connection with these meetings.
When I entered upon the duties of my office, eleven years ago, my first aim was to ascertain, as thoroughly as possible, the actual condition of the schools, that I might learn how best to direct my efforts for their improvement. I found apathy among the people, and indifference among the teachers. The services of well qualified teachers were of the first importance. A series of public examinations was held, at which candidates were required to pass an examination, in accordance with the spirit of the school law, as it then was.
At the first of these, there were more than sixty applicants, of whom less than twenty received certifi- cates. Subsequent examinations justified the apprehen- sion that, unless something was done to aid and encour- age in the work of preparation those whose attainments fell below the required standard, serious difficulty would be experienced in obtaining a necessary supply of teach- ers for all the schools. Justice to the teachers themselves also seemed to require that, in consideration of the increased demand made upon them, such assistance should be rendered.
To avoid the anticipated difficulty of this provision, the idea of offering my own services as instructor to any who might wish to avail themselves of such an offer, suggested itself, and was immediately acted upon. Invi- tation was extended to all the teachers of the county to join a teachers' class, to be organized at the county seat in September, and to continue two weeks. Instruction was to cost nothing. The only expense to be incurred was a small sum for board. Nearly one half of all the teachers accepted the invitation, bringing with them, as had been suggested, such text-books, in the various branches, as their own choice determined. The organiz- ation of classes was effected, and the daily exercises were
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HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
conducted in a manner intended to convey the best impression of a well regulated school. A portion of each day was occupied in familiar conversation upon subjects connected with teaching and school manage- ment. At the close of the first week, a written examin- tion was required, covering all the leading points of the recitations and discussions up to that time ; and on Fri- day of the second week, the exercises of the session were concluded with the reading of an essay by each member of the class.
Without entering upon further detail of the plan pursued, I may be permitted to add that the results of this meeting were, in a high degree, satisfactory. The interest manifested, the zeal awakened, the warm expres- sion of approval from those present, together with the many positive results which are known to have followed, not only afforded gratification, but established in my mind a conviction of the importance of this means to help onward the cause of education in the county.
Thus originated the DuPage County Institute, the first session of which was held in October, 1866, and which has served so well to awaken the enthusiasm of the teachers, and to secure the adoption of better modes of teaching.
Sixteen sessions have been held, occupying eighty- four days of the County Superintendent's time, and affording instruction to more than fifteen hundred teachers.
For several years, this Board appropriated funds to defray the expenses of these meetings, but latterly, the aid has been withheld.
4. The Superintendent's time is often employed in settling controversies. Many cases arise, in which teachers, directors, trustees, and others, desire to con- sult with him, and the requisition thus made cannot be met by slight attention, for it involves or demands a careful study of the school law, and its official and
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REPORT OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
judicial interpretations. Litigation, however, is often thus avoided.
I now proceed to notice some of the changes which the eleven years of my official terms have wrought.
In 1865, there were eighty-nine School Districts in the county ; there are now ninety-two. There were then 4917 school children ; there are now 6142. There were then 4023 of these children attending the public schools ; there are now but 3683. In 1865, there was but one graded school in the county ; there are now eight. Then, 133 teachers were employed ; now, there are 173. The average wages of female teachers then was $21 per month; it is now $33. Male teachers were then paid an average of $35 per month ; they now com - mand $48.
In 1865, first grade certificates were granted to twenty-nine teachers; in 1876, to twenty-one. In 1865, second grade certificates were granted to 100 teachers ; in 1876, to 143. In 1865, the whole number of teachers examined was 186 ; during the past year, there were examined 210.
There were then, in the county, many poor, dilapida- ted school buildings. There are now nine well constructed buildings of brick ; seventy-six good frame buildings, and one comfortable log school house. Wheaton and Turner now have school edifices that compare favorably with the best in the State. The estimated value of the school property in the county is $117,100.00.
The amount expended for school purposes, in 1865, was $24,413.00; in 1876, it was $56,048.00. The township fund amounted to $15,947.00, in 1865; it now amounts to $18,686.00.
In 1865, the cost of education per annum, for each child, was $6.10. During the past year the cost has been $11.92. This increase is owing to the falling off in attendance, and to the large amounts raised in the several districts for building purposes.
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HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
During the early portion of my term of office the time of the Superintendent was unrestricted; and, with the opportunity thus offered, every means within my con- trol, both official and personal, was employed to advance the educational interests under my care.
Of the benefits resulting from these efforts, I may say that a new spirit became prevalent among both teachers and people. In the former it was manifest in an in- creased desire for higher attainments, better preparation for their work ; in the latter by an awakened interest in the welfare of the school.
As to the importance of thorough supervision, there can be no difference of opinion among those who are in the least acquainted with the wants of the schools. And, considering the subject in an economical point of view, I think it may be conclusively shown that the results under the present restrictions of time to one hundred days must be proportionally far inferior to such as might be realized under a more liberal provision. It would seem to be but the part of common prudence to insure the well doing of a work of such consequence, or, at least, to allow and induce its faithful fulfillment by enabling those intrusted with its performance to devote to it that attention which is manifestly essential to the safety of the common school interests. Such full pro- vision and opportunity would seem necessary to a com- plete realization of the benefits contemplated in the wise enactment of the Legislature which created the office and assigned to it duties second to none in importance, infe- rior to none in their influence upon the educational wel- fare of a great State.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
C. W. RICHMOND, County Superintendent of Schools. ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.
The law organizing the county was approved Feb- ruary 9th, 1839. The boundaries of the county, as
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LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT.
specified in the first section of the act, embraced not only the present limits but the north half of two town- ships of Will County. The same section contained a proviso, as follows :
That no part of the county above described now forming a part of Will County, shall be included within the said County of DuPage, unless the inhabitants now residing in said part of Will County shall, by a vote, to be given by them at the next August election, decide, by a majority of legal voters, that they prefer to have the said territory made a part of the said County of Du Page.
A vote of the inhabitants of the two half townships was had at the election mentioned in the proviso quoted, and, although great exertions were made to produce a different result, the proposition was rejected by one vote.
By the fourth section of the act, Ralph Woodruff, of LaSalle County, Seth Reed, of Kane County, and H. G. Loomis, of Cook County, were appointed commis- sioners to locate the county seat, and were to meet at the Pre-emption House in Naperville, on the first Mon- day of June, 1839, or within thirty days thereafter. There was a proviso to the fourth section, as follows :
The commissioners shall obtain for the county, from the claimant, a quantity of land, not less than three acres, and three thousand dollars, for the purpose of erecting county buildings, which sum shall be secured to the county commissioners, and paid out, under their direc- tions, for the purposes aforesaid.
Naperville was selected as the county seat, and on the 17th day of June, 1839, a quit-claim deed was executed to the county commissioners, conveying all the title one claimant had (the undivided half ) to the public square. The county never had title to the other half as a claim.
In regard to the title of the county to the public square, upon which the county buildings were erected at
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HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
Naperville, we here insert so much of the records as is necessary to give a correct understanding of its situa- tion.
By reference to the proceedings of the county com- missioners, we find that on the 7th day of June, 1842, the following orders were entered on record by them, viz :
It is ordered by the court that Bailey Hobson be and he is hereby appointed a commissioner for the County of DuPage, to apply for and obtain from the Government of the United States of America, in pur- suance of the act of Congress in such case, made and provided, a pre- emption to the following described quarter section of land, to-wit : The south-west quarter of Section 18, Township 38, North Range IO, east of the third principal meridian, the same being the quarter sec- tion upon which the seat of justice for the County of DuPage is located.
WHEREAS, Bailey Hobson, by an order entered on the records of this court, has been appointed a commissioner to apply for and obtain from the Government of the United States a pre-emption to the south west quarter section of Section 18, Township 38, North Range 10, east of the third principal meridian, for the use of said County of Du- Page, and there being several persons who have a just and equitable claim to a part of said quarter section, is ordered by this court that the said Bailey Hobson, commissioner aforesaid, be and he is hereby authorized and empowered for and in behalf of the said County of DuPage to convey by good and sufficient deed to all those persons severally who have a just and equitable claim to any part or portion of said quarter section, the several proportions which any such indi- viduals may be justly entitled to of said quarter section of land, upon condition that such individuals, who liave a just claim to any portion of said land, shall pay to the said commissioner, for the use of said county, one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre for the several pro- portions they are entitled to, together with a further sum of money sufficient to cover and pay any and every expense which the county aforesaid, through their said commissioners, may have to incur in proving a pre-emption to said quarter section, and all their expenses attending the conveyance of said land from the county to said indi- viduals.
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LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT.
In compliance with the first order, a pre-emption was obtained under the act of Congress of 1822, by Mr. Hobson, as commissioner for the county, to the south- west one quarter Section 18, Township 38, north Range 10, east, and he, as such commissioner, received a "dupli- cate" for the land, which is recorded in the Recorder's office in Book 1, page 541. Whether the patent for the land has been obtained from the Land Office or not we do not know.
In compliance with the second order of the county commissioner, all the land entered by the commissioner, except the public square, was conveyed by him to C. B. Hosmer and Lewis Ellsworth, the former receiving a deed for that portion lying north of the "Galena road," and the latter for that lying south of the road.
We omit a further history of the "claim," as it is for- eign to our intentions to state anything more than what is necessary to explain the situation of the title to this property.
About $5,000 was subscribed by the citizens of Na- perville to erect a court house, which was built in 1839. The brick offices were subsequently erected.
After the final settlement of the county seat at Wheaton, this county property was deeded to the village of Naperville, in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
The first election for county officers was held at the Pre-emption House in Naperville, on the first Monday in May, 1839. S. M. Skinner, Stephen J. Scott and L. G. Butler were by law appointed judges of election.
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HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
The officers elected at this time served until the general election, August 5th, same year.
In 1849 the clerk of the Circuit Court was made ex- officio recorder ; the County Court and the office of Pro- bate Justice were succeeded by the County Court, com- posed of a County Judge and two County Justices of the Peace. The office of County Commissioners' Clerk was succeeded by County Clerk, the County Judge and the two County Justices sitting together for the transac- tion of County business, and the County Judge with the Clerk constituting a court, for the transaction of Pro- bate business. Under this provision Nathan Allen was elected County Judge in 1849, and Charles Gary and Peter Northrup were elected County Justices.
In 1850, the township organization law was adopted, and the first Board of Supervisors elected.
The following is a list of those who have served the county in the Legislature of the State :
1836-Capt. Joseph Naper, of Naperville.
1838-Capt. Joseph Naper, of Naperville.
1842-Jeduthan Hatch, of Lisle.
1844-Julius M. Warren, of Winfield.
1846-Capt. E. Kinne, of Bloomingdale.
1848-Warren L. Wheaton, of Milton.
1850-Willard T. Jones, of Naperville.
1852-Capt. Joseph Naper, of Naperville.
1854-E. O. Hills, of Bloomingdale.
1856-Truman W. Smith, of Winfield.
1860-F. H. Mather, of Milton.
1862-A. S. Barnard, of Lisle.
1864-S. P. Sedgwick, of Bloomingdale, resigned ; H. C. Childs, of Milton, elected to fill vacancy.
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OFFICERS OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
1866-H. C. Childs, of Milton.
1868-H. C. Childs, of Milton.
1870-Wm. M. Whitney, of Downer's Grove.
1874-James Claflin, of Lombard; V. Fredenhagen, of Downer's Grove.
1876-James G. Wright, of Naperville. COUNTY CLERKS.
1839-Clark A. Lewis, of Warrenville; elected July 14th, died the same month.
1839 to 1846-Allen C. McIntosh, of Naperville.
1847 to 1852-Hiram H. Cody, of Bloomingdale.
1853 to 1860-Myron C. Dudley, of Bloomingdale.
1861 to 1864-C. M. Castle, of Naperville.
1865 to 1868-F. J. Fischer, of Addison.
1868-H. B. Hills (vacancy), of Blooming- dale.
1869 to 1876-J. J. Cole, of Downer's Grove. CIRCUIT CLERKS.
1839 to 1842-Patrick Ballingall, of Naperville.
1843 to 1846-E. B. Bill, of Naperville.
1847 to 1849-John J. Riddler, of Naperville.
RECORDERS.
1839 to 1842-S. M. Skinner, of Naperville. 1843 to 1846-A. S. Jones, of Naperville.
1847 to 1849-John J. Riddler, of Naperville. CLERKS AND RECORDERS.
1850 to 1851-John J. Riddler, of Naperville.
1852 to 1855-Peter Northrup, of Addison.
1856 to 1859-John Gloss, of Wayne.
1860 to 1867-W. M. Whitney, of Winfield.
1868 to 1876-John Gloss, of Wayne.
TREASURERS.
1839-Morris Sleight, of Naperville. 1839 to 1842-Stephen J. Scott, of Naperville. 1843 to 1844-Robert K. Potter, of Naperville.
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HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
1845 to 1846-John J. Kimball, of Naperville. 1847 to 1848-Nelson A. Thomas (vacancy) of Naper- ville.
1849 to 1854-Henry F. Vallette, of Milton.
1855 to 1856-William J. Johnson, of Milton. 1857 to 1858-Hiram Standish, of Naperville. 1859 to 1860-Henry F. Vallette, of Milton.
1861 to 1862-S. M. Skinner, of Naperville.
1863 to 1868-Daniel N. Gross, of Naperville. 1869 to 1872-Joel Wiant, of Winfield ; Henry M. Bender, of Bloomingdale. 1873 to 1876-Lewis C. Stover, of Milton.
SHERIFFS.
1839 to 1841-Daniel M. Greene, of Lisle.
1842 to 1843-Hiram Fowler, of Naperville.
1844 to 1845-R. N. Murray, of Naperville.
1846 to 1849-George Roush, of Naperville.
1850 to 1851-C. R. Parmlee, of Lisle. 1852 to 1853-Truman W. Smith, of Winfield.
1854 to 1855-A. C. Graves, of Winfield. 1856 to 1857-James J. Hunt, of Naperville. 1858 to 1859-A. C. Graves, of Winfield.
1860 to 1861-T. S. Rogers, of Downer's Grove. 1862 to 1863-James J. Hunt, of Naperville. 1864 to 1865-Samuel E. Shimp, of Naperville. 1866 to 1867-Philip Strubler, of Naperville.
1868 to 1869-Charles Rinehart, of Wayne. 1870 to 1876-John Kline, of Wayne.
COUNTY JUDGES.
1839-J. W. Walker, of Downer's Grove. 1839 to 1842-Lewis Ellsworth, of Naperville.
1843 to 1846-Nathan Allen, of Naperville.
1847 to 1848-John J. Kimball, of Naperville.
1849 to 1851-Nathan Allen, of Naperville. 1852-Jeduthan Hatch, of Lisle. 1853 to 1859-Walter Blanchard, of Downer's Grove.
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OFFICERS OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
1860-Seth F. Daniels (vacancy), of Milton. 1861 to 1864-Hiram H. Cody, of Naperville.
1865 to 1868-Seth F. Daniels, of Milton.
1869 to 1872-M. C. Dudley, of Naperville.
1873 to 1876-A. S. Janes, of Milton.
COUNTY SURVEYORS. 1839-L. Meacham, of Bloomingdale.
1839 to 1846-Joel B. Kimball, of Naperville.
1847 to 1858-Horace Brooks, of Milton.
1859 to 1861-J. G. Vallette, of Milton. 1862-James M. Vallette (vacancy) of Naper- ville.
1863 to 1866-A. S. Janes, of Milton.
1867 to 1870-James M. Vallette, of Naperville.
1871 to 1876-A. S. Janes, of Milton.
CORONERS.
1839-H. L. Peaslee, of Naperville. 1840 to 1841-E. G. Wight, of Naperville.
1842 to 1843-Nathan Loring, of Naperville. 1844 to 1845-Jacob Keefer, of Naperville. 1846 to 1847-D. C. Gould, of Naperville. 1848-LaFayette Avery, of Milton. 1849 to 1851-C. C. Barnes, of Naperville. 1852 to 1853-F. C. Hagerman, of Winfield. 1854 to 1855-W. B. Stewart, of Naperville. 1856 to 1857-Alfred Waterman, of Milton. 1858 to 1861-H. C. Daniels, of Naperville.
1862 to 1863-Dr. Brown, of Milton.
1864 to 1865-H. C. Daniels, of Naperville. 1866-Clinton Cushing. 1867-George W. Beggs, of Naperville.
1868 to 1869-F. C. Hagerman, of Winfield. 1870 to 1876-H. C. Daniels, of Naperville. SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
1839 to 1842-Lewis Ellsworth, of Naperville. 1843-R. N. Murray, of Naperville.
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HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
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