USA > Illinois > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Illinois, 1810-1962 > Part 12
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Dr. Hall started his distinguished careen in medicine as a "horse and buggy" doctor in lit. Vernon shortly after his graduation from Northwestern University Medical School in 1390. He hung out his shingle from a two-room office with a coal stove. The young doctor, who started broke, paid five dollars a month for his office but economized by sleeping thene, too, as he couldn't afford to live in a boarding house.
From this small beginning the dedicated young doctor who was born in a log cabin in Hamilton County earned home town, state and national honors which come to few men. He was mayor of his home town ... served his country in three wars ... served his state as director of it's public health department. .. was honored as lit. Vernon's "Man of the Year" in 1946 ... and as America's "Doctor of the Year" in 1949.
Dr. Andy was born on a farm in Hamilton County, in 1355, the son of Hiram lesley and Julia (lichean) Hall. His father was a veteran of the mexican Jan and a colonel in the Civil ilar.
He got his early education in a log school where he sat on split log seats. He attended licheansbono High School and Northern Illinois Normal College before enrolling in the Northwestern Medical School.
After he earned his i. D. degree in 1890 he hung out his shingle in lit. Vernon, then a town of 4000 people; lit. Vernon and Jefferson County had thirty-two doctors, and it was tough going for a young doctor who was practically broke. But young Dr. Andy had the sane vizon, enthusiasm and sense of humor then that he maintained through his lifetime of service. He told the older, established doc- tons to "send me your scalawags and deadbeats." And the older doctors did. "I did about 20 worth of business my first month," Dr. Hall said. "I don't think I collected half that. Some of the patients I oot weren't in the habit of paying a doctor anything. " Dr. Hall didn't bother with sending out regular statements then. He usually billed his patients once a year. "Then a patient died, he just wrote across the record, "Settled by God."
Dr. Andy never turned down a call from patients, even when he had no means of transportation. When a call came in from the coun- try he would hop the first freight train in that direction, hop off when
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it got to the point nearest his destination, and walk the rest of the way. He became friendly, as Ir. Andy always did, with the freight train crews and before long he was allowed to ride in the caboose, in style. Some weeks he walked as many as 90 miles. Most of his patients couldn't pay in cash, but many brought him food and meat which helped keep the young doctor going.
In two years the young doctor had built up a good practice and was well known and liked throughout the county. By that time he was prospering to the extent that he could ride on horseback on in a rented nig from the livery stable to calls out in the county. In bad weather he continued to hitch nides on the freight trains.
In his second year in It. Vernon he met and fell in love with inna glazebrook, a teacher in the high school. On New Year's Day, 1392, they were married.
In those days in. Andy served as a doctor, surgeon and den- tist. Besides his medicine bottles, he carried a surgical kit which included forceps for extracting teeth. He performed many operations on the kitchen table in Jefferson County homes, using, kerosene Lamps 'on light and pressing members of the family into service as nurses and assistants.
In. Andy never stopped learning. Even though his practice kept him busy many hours a day he found time to read and study medical journals to keep informed of the latest techniques in surgery, obstret- nics and medicine.
In the spring of 1897 a group of Dr. Andy's friends per- suaded him to run for mayor -- and he was elected. "Those scalawags and deadbeats must have voted for me, "Dr. Hall said. It was his way of expressing his appreciation to his man! early-day patients who had come to love and respect him for the cane he gave their children whether they could on could not pay.
Dr. Andy was destined to serve his country in three wars -- and the first one cut his term as mayon short. He was the mayor of the town when the news was received of the sinking of the battleship laine. He promptly volunteered and served in the Spanish-American Van as a regimental surgeon with the 9th Illinois Volunteers with the nank of liajon. Then that war ended, Dr. Andy returned to lift. Vernon and to his practice.
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He was home only five weeks when the vian Department asked him to go to the Philippines as a regimental surgeon. Again Dn. Andy responded and served as surgeon in a field hospital at San Isidro. He was later transferred to a post under Brigadier General Fred Grant, son of U. S. Grant. For five months he practiced jungle medicine on the wild east coast of Luzon, then he went on to the Lingayan Gulf. He returned to the United States in 1901.
He resumed his practice here and, a year later, bought an automobile -- the first "horseless carriage" in Jefferson County. was almost more trouble than it was worth, " Dn. Andy said. "I had to get out to fix something on an average of every ten miles, It would frighten horses, too, and I had to stop and kill the engine to let them by."
Dr. Andy always figured his community service did not end with his medical practice. He served for eight years as president of the high school board, was active in the affairs of the American Legion, served as departmental surgeon of the United Spanish-American :Jan Veterans, and served as president of the Southern Illinois Medical Society.
Then the United States entered World Jan One, Dn. Andy was fifty-two years old, but he was among the first to volunteer and was in change of surgical services at Camp Upton, New York, He was mus- tened out in 1919, after the Armistice was signed.
He was seventy-five years old when World War Two broke out. Too old for active military service, he did his share on the home front, working hand at his profession in the absence of younger doctors away at wan and serving as chairman of the medical appeals board of Selective Service.
Dr. Andy was the first downstate Illinoisan to serve as state health chief. The state had its lowest death rate during his 1929-1933 tenn as Director of the Public Health Department. In four hard-working years Dr. Andy's department virtually wiped out typhoid and dysentery in the state and helped greatly to reduce deaths from smallpox and diphtheria. Through the efforts of lit. Vernon's doctor, the state legislature created a Sanitary Water Loand with powers to stop pollution in Illinois streams.
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Dr. Andy took great pride in his efforts during those four years to stop blindness in babies. He wrote a low requiring physicians to drop silver nitrate in babies' eyes at birth. The legislature passed it but the attorney general held that the law was unconstitutional and the governor vetoed it. Upset over the action, Dr. Andy declared, "It's not unconstitutional to save eyesight. " He took his case di- rectly to the people, making 500 talks throughout the state to explain the benefit of the law and pleading for the support of the people. The people didn't know much about the constitutional issue. But they loved and respected Dn. Andy and popular support for the measure became over- whelming, with the result that the legislature again adopted the Law. This time the governor signed it, and it is still a law in Illinois.
In 1938 Dr. Andy founded the "Fifty Year Club" of the Illinois Medical Society, composed of physicians who have served fifty years on more. He served as chairman of' this distinguished group for years and at the time of his death was serving as chairman, having been neap- pointed in August.
Honors piled up on top of honors fon Dr. Andy in the twilight of his life. In 1946 his home town gave him its highest honon, naming him lit. Vernon's "lian of the Year. " On December 6, 1949, he was named i menica's outstanding general practitioner by the American Medical Society. He was feted in lashington, D. C., and was given a hero's wel- come on his return to lit. Vernon.
On January 8, 1955 -- his 90th birthday -- Dr. Andy was honored at the biggest birthday party even held in Mt. Vernon. The party was held at the city hall, and the entire community took part. is he stood beside a huge birthday cake and greeted his hundreds of friends he was lauded as it. Vernon's "Best known, best loved and most respected citizen. " His well-wishers on that day announced plans for a party which will never be held -- on Dr. Andy's 100th birthday.
On his 96th birthday Dr. Andy was "given" a school. Eugene Field School was renamed in. Andy Hall School. It was the first time a school has ever been named for a litt. Vernon citizen.
Four years ago Dr. Andy retired from active practice, but he retained his Best for life and spent much time in his hobbies of fish- ing, hunting and watching the it. Vernon Rans play basketball. He had Long been known as lit. Vernon's No. 1 basketball fan.
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In the twilight of his life, although his health was failing, Dr. Andy retained his sharp wit and his sense of humor. On January 8, 1961, on his 96th birthday, he reported he was "feeling fine and planning a fishing trip. "
Just seven months before his death, on April 5, 1961, Un. Andy made a one-hour speech from memory as he related to the county's historical society little known facts about this county's part in the Civil. lar.
Dr. Andy was a genial host, entertaining friends at his big Prame home at 1802 Broadway, where he had resided for years.
He is survived by three doctor sons: Dr. Marshall Hall of lit. Vernon; Dr. Andy Hall, In., of St. Louis; and Dr. Wilford F. Hall of Bridgeport, Conn, a retired majon general of the U. S. Air Force; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Dr. Hall was the last of a family of ten children.
A LANDMARK GONE
(By The Editor of the lit. Vernon Register-News under date of November 27, 1961)
Dr. Andy had become more in lit. Vernon than a mere individual. Because of his great age and his notable career he had become almost an institution, a sort of landmark, a legend during his lifetime.
Doctor Andy was not an especially brilliant man. But he had something that was far, far more important than mere brilliance. He had integrity and character. He faced all life's problems boldly and resolutely in the good old American tradition. That is why we all Loved him.
There is little cause for grief at the end of a life that has been as long, and as filled with honors, respect and happiness as that of Doctor Andy. Nevertheless the entire community joins with his devoted family in mourning his passing.
It seems as though a landmark of our time and day has been removed.
The eldest of our tribe is gone. Our grand old man is dead.
HISTORY OF SCHOOLS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY
By Sidney Hinons (Delivered before the Southern Illinois Historical Society held in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, March 11, 1947) Probably the first educational law affecting the schools of Jefferson County was an act enabling Illinois to set apart Section
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Sixteen of each township for the use of the inhabitants for the support of schools. The sixteenth section so donated amounted to about a million acres for Illinois and over ten thousand acres por Jefferson County. That was really a great donation for education in that day. But the squatters took possession of the school lands and wasted the timber. The cause of education languished, the settlements were sparse, money. was scance, and there were no professional teachers. Things went on in this manner until in 1825 the Duncan school law, a good one but far in. advance of the population, was passed. It declared that the government must extend and encourage the improvement and cultivation of the schools. The people were not ready for a free school system. The law which was the initiation of a free system was repeated after two years, and for years there was very little done about formal education. School houses, school books, teachers and manner of instruction were of the most prini- tive character. The houses were of the Log cabin variety, the books were as nude as the cabins, and the teacher was sometimes the most primi- tive of all.
The first school even taught in Jefferson County was in 1820, by Joël Pace, who was then the county clerk. It was taught in a floor- Less cabin, without ceiling on window. The next school was taught by James Douglas at Old Shiloh. He boarded at Zadok (ascy's, and it was then that the Governor got his education from Douglas, That school house burned down, and another one was built. Emony licone thought the next school at Old Union. Other early teachers in the county, included: VI. L. Howell, Edward Maxey, E. Knapp and Anderson Booth. It seems that Edward laxey had change of the schools in the vicinity of it. Vernon from 1325 to 1837. An old contract recorded in one of the histories of the county reads: "I, Edward laxey, agree to teach a school of spelling, writing, and arithmetic, for five days each week and make up any lost time, according to my best skill and the scholars' several capacities, for four dollars for each scholar-two of which to be paid. in money and the rest in ponk on young cattle at the expiration of the term, " And below were listed the names of the parents signing for one on more scholars, some one-half time scholars, some one and one-half, some two or three.
In 1848 the framers of the Constitution of Illinois said the General assembly might provide a system of free schools, but it was
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several years later before the convention was held which said "The General Assembly shall provide a thorough and efficient system of free schools, whereby all children of the State may receive a good common school education" and compelling all parents to send their children to public schools.
The early course of study consisted of the Testament, the spelling book, the arithmetic and a little writing book, The schools were very loud, for every one "studied out loud" at the same time.
Shiloh Township
The people here took a deep interest in educational matters, and schools were organized very early. Among the early teachers were Joel Pace, who taught the first school in the county in 1320, Edward Maxey, a man named James Douglas of Old Shiloh, C. Knapp, Anderson Booth, Emory Moore at Old Union, and others. The old "Jefferson Academy," was one of the first school houses in the township. Shiloh has never let its interest lag in the cause of education.
Pendleton Township and Moones Proinie
The early churches and schools of these townships were on a pan with other portions of the county. The school houses were of the primitive log cabin style, often described in this work, and the first religious meetings were held in the cabins of the people on in summer beneath the spreading trees. The first school house of which we can Learn anything was a log cabin on Section 7 of Pendleton Township, and the first teacher was a man named Gibbs.
Rome Township
The educational history of Rome is similar to that of other portions of the county. So much has already been said upon the subject that little can be added here. The first school house in the township was a log cabin, eighteen by eighteen feet, on the land of M. D. Bruce, and is still standing. The first school in it was taught by mahulda liantin, who came here with her parents from Kentucky. Other early teachers were William Dill, S. Andrews (later. a merchant in Centralia), and C. Andrews.
Spring Garden Township
Who taught the first school in what is now Spring Garden Township we cannot say, non can we give the exact location of the first
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school house in the township. The early schools and school houses here were of the usual primitive kind.
Webber Township
Schools were taught in the township as soon as there were children to support them and money to pay teachers. One of the first school houses was a log cabin erected on Section 28, on Black Oak Ridge. Among the early "wielders of the binch" within this primitive temple of learning were Jehu Hodges, Joel Hawkins, John Vick, Brown and Davis, Another school house was built in the north part of the township which was known as the Young School House. Before this house was built a school was taught in the old Council Bluff Church. The Barren School House was perhaps the next one built. It received the name on account of the bannen country around it. About the year 1350 the precinct was divided into four school districts. The first school trustees in the township (prior to township organization) were D. B. Davis and C. M. Casey.
Elk Prairie Township
The early educational history of Elk Prairie Township is involved in considerable obscurity, and it is not definitely known now when on by whom the first school was taught, non where the first pioneer school house was erected.
Farrington Township
Dr. Gregory says the first teacher he went to school to was a lin. Joseph Price, and he thinks it was the first school in the town- ship. The doctor's description of that school and school house and his attendance at it is quite humorous. The house, he says, was a pole cabin about sixteen feet square, slab seats and without any floor except the ground. The fine was built in the middle of the room, and around this "council fine" the pioneer boys and girls attained the wis- dom and inspiration to fit them for after life. Dr. Gregory says he wore buckskin breeches and buckskin hunting-shirt, and on his way to school of a morning through the rain and snow his breeches, which were not very well tanned, would get wet and stretch out until they would be down under his feet. But, sitting around that log-heaped fine in that old school house, they would get dry and would draw up until they were nearly to his knees, thus displaying his "shapely shins," which
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had stood exposure to the elements until they were about like your? scaley-banked hickonies.
The next school teacher after Price was probably Ab salom Gregory, an uncle of the Dr. Gregory alluded to above. He was fol- lowed by Elder R. T. Camp, a Baptist preacher who, notwithstanding his holy calling, was as illiterate and unlearned as any of the fishermen of Galilee. William Johnson was also an early teacher. Another of the early school houses was built on itonse Creek. It was also a nude early log cabin. The next school house in this portion of the township was built at Farrington.
Grand Prairie Township
The first school, on one of the first, in this township was taught by a man owning the uncommon name of Smith. He boarded with R. Breezem but ran away before his school was finished without even ne- munerating lin. Breeze for his board. The first school house built was on the Poston form, and was a log cabin sixteen feet square, with slab seats, a puncheon floor and a stick chimney.
Mcclellan Township
The people of Mcclellan Township took an early interest in educating thein children. Then the settlements were still very sparse, schools were established. These were nude when compared to our present system, but they were better than no schools at all. The first teacher, on one of the first, in this section was Judge Baugh. He taught in a small log cabin on 2. ! '. Lee's farm. It was of small round logs , about eighteen by twenty feet in dimensions, and had been built by the Christian Church for a temple of worship in 1837. K second school house was built on Silas Rogers' place very early.
Field Township
The first school house in Field Township was built on Big Muddy on the lic( nany farm. It was a log cabin about sixteen feet square, and of the usual pioneer pattern with its slab seats, puncheon floor and old-time fireplace.
Casnen Township
The old log school house may still be seen here , as well as several neat frame school buildings. We know almost nothing of the Pinst schools in this township.
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Dodds Township
The pioneers, as soon as they had each prepared a habitation and enclosed a "patch" of land on which to raise the necessities of life, turned their attention to the erection of a school house. In 1838 the pioneers of Jacksons Precinct, now Dodds Township, erected a Log cabin on government land which in 1947 is the property of !. T. Sanders. Some one took the initiatory step by notifying the settlers within a radius of three on four miles that on a certain time at a designated place they would meet for the purpose of erecting a school house, Punctual at the time and place, armed with their "working tools" they, assembled and in a short time, considering the disadvantages under which they Labored, their work was consummated. The structure would not compane with the excellent temples of learning of the present, but it afforded them an accommodation for their early school. This building was about fourteen feet square. The walls were made of rough round logs from the forests; the chimney was of earth and sticks and the roof of clapboards. Slabs split from trees, the rough edges smoothed with an ax, constituted the floor. The windows were made by cutting out a log and pasting a greased paper over the aperture, which admitted all the light that was afforded the pupils. The furniture consisted of benches made from lange puncheons; desks on writing tables were formed by placing against the wall at an angle boards on puncheons. After the cabin was finished and furnished, a school was the next thing in order. Some one of the settlers canvassed the neighborhood and determined how many pupils would attend the school at a stated sun per capita.
It is thought that .I. T. Sanders taught the first school in this cabin, and it is not remembered that he went through any examina- tion. The qualifications required in those days were that the teacher possess the physical ability to govern the school and be sufficiently a scholar to teach reading, writing, and ciphering, especially the latter as far as the "double rule of three." lin. Sanders was very successful. From the beginning of this school, a new impetus was given to education, and each succeeding year the advantages have improved in this direction. About the year 1850 A. C. Johnson taught a school at a private residence in the township, and not far from the same time a
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log cabin, similar in construction to the one mentioned above, was built on the line between Section 10 and 11. In this school house lioses Smith and A. C. Johnson taught. As we have already stated, the interest in education began to grow. It is true that there were some who thought education was not essential to farm life, but they were Lew, and the majority were warmly in favor of schools.
Blissville Township
Blissville Township was not backward in educational matters, and schools were early established and school houses built. One of the first school houses in the township was built near where ¿li Gil- bert settled. It stood on the farm now owned by Cyrus Gilbert and was of logs sixteen by eighteen feet, the cracks daubed with mud. The first teacher was of the name of Bellis. Another pioneer school house. was on the land now vened by R. Gilbert, and A. Welch was one of the early, teachers here. A school house was built on the land of G. C. Hoyt, in Grand Prairie, and another on the land owned by the heirs of Reuben Green, In.
Bald Hill Township
The early history of education here is but a sample of what it was elsewhere in the early days. It cannot now be said who taught the first school here, on where the first school house was built. There is but one church building in the township, and that is Bald Hill Methodist Episcopal Church near the north line of the township. It is a frame building, and it has a very good membership for a country church.
Mt. Vernon Township
The people of lit. Vernon patronized schools in Shiloh Town-" ship for several years. In 1830-31 a log school house was erected in the northwestern part of the city, about where George. Howard's home is on North 14th Street. Scholars came from as far west as Bullock's Prairie to this school. It was built out of sight of town so that the children might study with less disturbance and that neighbors north and west might be accommodated. I.n. Talley was the first teacher, then John Bauch in 1833-34. In 1834-35 Abner Welchen and his daughter Pris- cilla taught the school. John Downer taught in 1036-37. After this year, the house fell into disuse.
Muss Rand taught a school on the west side of the square over Dr. Park's dwelling. To this school scholars came from six on eight
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