History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 42

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens > Part 42

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377

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

The widow occupies the old homestead, in the city of Macomb, which is a fine residence, and enjoys the respect and confidence of all.

J. R. Simpson, was elected commis- sioner of schools in 1853 and held the office two years.

Mr. Simpson was succeded by T. E. Brannen, who was elected in November, 1855, and who held that position for one term. He was an attorney of the city of Macomb where he practiced for some years. In about 1857, he left that city, going to Missouri.

At the election held in November, 1857, J. C. Thompson was elected to the office of commissioner. In the follow- ing year the office of

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

was created in 1859, Mr. Thompson was chosen to fill that office and held it un- til the 1st of January, 1862. Mr. Thomp- son was, also, an attorney, partner for a time with L. H. Waters. A short notice of him occurs in the history of the bar of the county.

L. A. Simmons was the next to occupy the office of superintendent of schools, being elected to the same in November, 1861, and serving until September 11, 1862, when having removed from the county, the office was declared vacant, and a successor appointed. As this gen- tleman is already noticed under the head of county judges, it is needless to repeat in this connection.

John Barge succeeded Mr. Simmons, having been appointed in September, 1862, by the board of supervisors, to fill the vacancy. In the fall of 1863, he was elected to the same office and filled out

the term. Mr. Barge is now engaged in teaching in the city of Rock Island, Ill- inois, where he has achieved considera- ble success.

D. Branch was the next incumbent of the office of school superintendent, occu- pying the office for four years. He was elected in 1865, and re-elected in 1867. Mr. Branch came to this county in about 1861, locating at Prairie City, where he and his wife taught school. On his elec- tion he moved to Macomb, where he af- terwards run the Macomb normal school, for which see further on in this chapter.

In 1869, L. H. Copeland was elected to this office, by a majority of 173, and held the same for one term of four years. Mr. Copeland is still a resident of this county, living in Macomb township.

John M. Dunsworth was elected to the office of superintendent in 1873. He was a native of Tennessee, born October 29, 1821: In an early day he came to Illi- nois, locating in Green county, where he remained for a short time, and then re- turned to his native state. After some years spent there, he returned to Illinois, coming direct to McDonough county and settling on a farm in Bethel township. Here he remained till 1850, when he went to California, and while there en- gaged in mining. In 1853, he returned to this county, and bought a farm on section 8, in Bethel township. He was married in July, 1869, to Mary Wallace, a native of Missouri, by whom he had one son, Ira, now living on the farm. Mr. Dunsworth held several prominent positions in the county, among which was that of supervisor. On the 29th of December, 1884, Mr. Dunsworth was called on to cross the dark and troubled

378

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

river of death, and his remains are in- terred in the cemetery in the township of Bethel.

H. A. Maxwell was elected to the of- fice of county superintendent in Novem- ber, 1877, and served the people in that position for five years.

Henry A. Maxwell was born near Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, October 28, 1845. His father, Thomas Maxwell, died in February, 1857. Two years af- ter the death of his father, the mother, Ann Maxwell, removed with her family of seven children to Industry, in this county, where her parents, John and Mary Baymiller resided.

Henry A. Maxwell received a good common school education. From the time of his father's death, until he was 18 years of age, he labored on a farm, contributing from his wages to the sup- port of his widowed mother and her family. In the mean time he vigorously pursued his studies, and in 1863 secured a certificate to teach school, teaching his first term during the winter of 1863 and and the spring of 1864, at what is known as the Coloma school house in Eldorado township. He taught at various points within the county and located in Bar- dolph in 1874, where he still resides. His success as a teacher, together with the great interest he manifested in the institute and other educational work of the county, gave him prominence as an educator, and in 1877 he was elected county superintendent of schools of this county. Having served his term of four years, he was unanimously appointed by the board of supervisors to serve the odd year occasioned by the change in the law relative to the time of electing

county superintendents." His adminis- tration of the office was quite successful and the educational interests of the county were greatly advanced.

In 1883 he represented Macomb town- ship on the board of supervisors and is now town clerk of his township. He also occupied the positions of village clerk and police magistrate of the vil- lage of Bardolph, and in addition is a notary public. Mr. Maxwell was mar- ried in September, 1867, to Mary E. Kee. Mrs. Maxwell was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, January 17, 1845, and is a daughter of William and Mary Kee, who emigrated to McDonough county in 1855. Her father died in July, 1882, and her mother resides at the old home- stead in Eldorado township.

Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell have nine chil- dren-Ella G., born June 15, 1869; Inez A., born January 27, 1871; Thomas, born January 22, 1873; Frederic, born February 6, 1875; William A., born January 9, 1877; Walter Kee, born Jan- uary 12, 1879; Harry V., born January 9, 1881; Anna M., born April 4, 1882, Bessie B., born February 14, 1884.

T. J. Dudman, the present incumbent of the office, was elected in November, 1881.

T. J. Dudman, who is now holding the responsible position of superintendent of schools of McDonough county, is a na- tive of Illinois, having been born in Han- cock county on the 19th day of Septem- ber, 1850. His parents were. Robert and Phœbe (Mills) Dudman, the former of whom was a native of the state of Indi- ana, and the latter of Pennsylvania. T. J. Dudman's early life was spent on a farm and in attending the district

379

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

schools in his locality. He subsequently attended the high school at Bowen, in Hancock county, after which he went to Carthage, Missouri, where he completed his education. After his graduation, he engaged in his profession both in Mis- souri and this state. He came to Mc- Donough county in 1879, teaching his first school here at Colchester. Subse- quently, he was engaged in the schools at Industry, and two years later found him principal in the normal college at Macomb. In 1881, he was elected to the 1 office of county superintendent of schools. His efforts toward the improvement of the schools of the county, is duly appre- ciated by the people generally. There can be no doubt that to Mr. Dudman's unceasing efforts is largely due the high position which the schools of the county have attained. In politics he is a staunch democrat, as is he also a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the fall of 1874, Mr. Dudman was united in marriage with Marietta Landson, and, as a result of this union, they have been blessed with five children-W. Ernest, Lewis A., Clarence A., George A. and Robert Loyd. Mr. Dudman is a very pleasant, genial gentleman, and, although a resident of McDonough county a comparatively short time, he has made numerous friends.

DEVELOPMENT.

McDonough, like nearly all new coun- ties, in its infancy was not blessed with public or district schools, and the rising generation was limited to draw what knowledge they did attain from spas- modic attempts at subscription schools,

that were established wherever the pop- ulation was large enough to warrant the attempt, and which sprang up, and died out, with surprising regularity. The rude log cabin, now viewed by so many of the eminent men of this country, with the glamour that memory throws around boyhood's halcyon days, was the only alma mater of many of them, and the foundations of the education of most of the members of the older resident fami- lies was laid in these rude cradles of learning. The 16th section of land in each congressional township, had, in- deed, been granted to each county for educational purposes, but there was lit- tle or no sale for land and the govern- ment price, $1.25 per acre, was all that could be derived from it, and the income was therefore but small. For some years the subscription schools flourished, but in 1837, a public school was opened in the city of Macomb, and under the tui- tion of Ellen Overton, served as the fore- runner of the fine system of education for which McDonough county is well known. For many years the advance was slow toward public instruction, but gradually it won its way into the estima- tion of the people.

In 1876, there were in the county un- der 21 years of age, 14,890 persons. Of these, 10,878 are between the ages of 6 and 21, or of school age. There were enrolled, during that year, 8,059 pupils in the various schools, showing that 2,819 or a little more than one-fourth of the number of those of school age were kept altogether from the schools; but notwithstanding this, there were but 14 females and 13 males between the ages of 12 and 21 that were unable to

380

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

read or write. . There were 156 school houses having a total value of $160,420. There was raised for all school purposes during that year $98,237, of which $55,566 was paid to. teachers; $5,520 for new school houses; repairs and improvements, $4,763; school furni- ture, $1,933; fuel and incidental ex- penses, $6,550; for bonds, $6,219; in- terest on bonds, $1,030; and a sum for other expenses which, added to the above, makes a total expenditure for school purposes of $84,454, or an aver- age of $10.48 for each pupil enrolled. The average wages paid male teachers outside of Macomb, Bushnell and Prai- rie City was about $43 per month, and female teachers $33. The highest salary paid any male teacher was $135 per month, the lowest salary, $25. The high- est paid any female teacher was $50; the lowest $20 per month. The number of first grade certificates granted during 1876 was 6; of the second grade, 352 .. There were 721 applicants for certifi- cates, of whom 416 were females.

From the last report of the county superintendent, T. J. Dudman, for the year ending June 30, 1884, a number of items have been compiled, which will best show, in tabulated form, the present condition of educational matters in Mc- Donough county:

Number of males in the county be- tween the ages of 6 and 21 4,757

Number of females. 4,634

Number of districts in the county 147 Number of graded schools. 11 .. Number of ungraded schools. 140

Number of male teachers employed .. 79

Number of female teachers employed Number of male pupils enrolled in

225

graded schools

1,192

Number of females 1,378

Number of males enrolled in un- .

graded schools .. 2,522

Number of females. 2,297

Whole number enrolled. 7,399

Whole number of public high schools 2

Number of brick school houses 9 ... Number of frame school houses. 142

Number of school houses built during the year 4

Number of districts having libraries ..

Number of volumes in same. 327

Average monthly wages paid male teachers. $ 47 44

Average for female teachers 29 80

Amount of district tax levy for schools 62,772 83

Estimated value of school property ... 181,552 00 Estimated value of school libraries ... 740 Estimated value of school apparatus 3,000

Number of first grade teachers' cer- tificates issued 10

Member of second grade. 143

Number of teachers' certificates to males 39

Number to females. 114

Number of male applicants rejected ..

Number of females 32

First grade certificates renewed dur- ing the year 2

Second grade certificates 24

Number of days spent in institute work 20

Number of teachers' institutes held in the county. 15

Number of teachers attending all in- stitutes 185

FINANCIAL STATISTICS.

As to the financial condition in school matters, below is presented the account of the various township treasurers with the school districts, for the year ending June 30, 1884:

RECEIPTS. -

Balance on hand June 30, 1882 $32,950 94

From distribution of trustees 11,584 39

Special district taxes received 57,918 69

From loans paid in 356 14

Tuition fees 166 50

381

From sale of school property . . 27 00

From district bonds for building. . . 1,310 00

From treasurers of other townships .. 817 25

Fees of transferred pupils 14 00

Rent

17 60

Borrowed

1,379 57

Delinquent tax and interest

250 60

Total $106,792 68

EXPENDITURES.

Amount paid male teachers in graded schools ... $7,715 70

Amount paid male teachers in un- graded schools 11,194 19

Amount paid female teachers in graded schools 15,054 45

Amount paid female teachers in un- graded schools

19,510 33

Paid for new school house built or purchased

3,531 96

Paid for school house sites and grounds .

15 41

Paid for repairs and improvements

6,804 52

Paid for school furniture.

1,131 91

Paid for school apparatus.

78 45

Paid for books for poor children . .

13 20

Paid for books for district libraries ..

59 15

Paid for fuel and incidental expenses Amount paid clerks of district boards Amount of interest paid on district bonds.

7,824 12

194 40

283 33

Amount paid of principal of district bonds.

2,111 64

Paid tuition of pupils transferred.

· 67 97

Amount paid treasurers of other town- ships 391 90

Amount of extra service, incidentals and interest

371 14

Paid borrowed money, etc .. 863 13

Total $77,218 90

Balance on hand June 30, 1884. 29,320 78

, Outstanding loans of district funds 253 00

Total

$106,792 68

M'DONOUGH COLLEGE.

The first steps taken toward the insti- tution of learning, that was known by the above name, was taken in 1835, when

the idea of establishing a college where more advanced scholars could receive instruction, began to agitate the public mind. Under the leadership of some of the progressive people of the county the project began to assume shape, and at the session of 1835-36 the general as- sembly was presented with a petition, numerously signed by the citizens of this county, praying for the passage of an act incorporating an educational in- stitution to be known as the McDonough College. In pursuance with this the necessary act was passed by the legis- lature, and was approved by Governor Duncan on the 12th of January, 1836. The act of incorporation named the fol- lowing gentlemen as trustees of the col- lege: William W. Bailey, Charles Hays, Moses Henton, William Proctor, James McCroskey, Joseph Gilmore Walker, George Miller, John M. Walker, Saun- ders W. Campbell and Alexander Camp- bell. These gentlemen commenced work in 1835 by erecting the building, which was soon completed. . A full col- lege course was not established then, but schools of a high grade were held in the building. Rev. James M. Chase and Rev. Stafford occupied the building for several years with a select school, as the Schuyler presbytery, who were to have the control and supervision of the college, did not feel warranted in organ- izing the college course. In 1848 a judgment was obtained by McGinnis & Banks against the trustees of the col- lege for work performed on the building, and under this the edifice was sold. The Masonic lodge of Macomb, knowing that the Grand Lodge of Masons of Illinois had in contemplation the foundation of

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

382

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

a Masonic college, purchased the build- ing with the intention of offering it to the order as an inducement for them to locate the college at Macomb. At the annual session of the Grand Lodge, in the same year, Dr. J. B. Kyle, in behalf of Macomb Lodge No. 17, made a tender of it to that body, but it was declined with thanks, the Grand Lodge having decided that it would not engage in the enterprise, deeming it unwise and haz- ardous. It was then tendered to the Schuyler Presbytery on condition that that body would establish and maintain therein a school of high grade, which . proposition was entertained and ac- cepted. The old charter having lapsed or been forfeited, a new one was then obtained, in which James M. Chase, William F. Ferguson, William K. Stew- art, T. S. Vail and W. R. Talbott were named as trustees. The Masonic lodge of Macomb then nominated Rev. Ralph Harris to a professorship in the college, which was ratified by the board of trus- tees on condition that Mr. Harris would take charge of the school and receive the the tuition fees as his salary.

Dr. Harris, who was both a clergy- man and physician-although he did not practice the latter profession-ac- cepted the offer, and the school was opened on the fourth Monday in Novem- ber, 1849. and continued for two years under his control. He was ably assisted in his labors by Miss Ellen Phelps.

In the early part of 1851 it was de- termined to inaugurate a full collegiate course, and on the 11th of June, Rev. William F. Ferguson, D. D., was unani- mously chosen by the trustees to fill the office of president of the college. He

was to enter upon the duties of the office at the beginning of the fall term in Sep- tember, at a salary of $700 per annum. A full college course was adopted, and the following gentlemen chosen as the faculty : Rev. William F. Ferguson, D. D., president and professor of mental and moral philosophy, political economy and evidences of christianity ; Rev. Ralph Harris, A. M., professor of languages; Thomas Gilmore, tutor.

In September, 1851, therefore, the faculty entered upon their educational work, although President Ferguson was not formally inaugurated until the fol- lowing March. One hundred and thirty- three students were enrolled in all the departments, during the first year. Mr. Ferguson occupied his chair until the day of his death, which occurred March 15, 1853. Rev. Ralph Harris, was, by the trustees, appointed president ad in- terim, until the next regular meeting of the board, and James W. Mathews was made teacher. At the regular meeting Rev. Ithamer Pillsbury was chosen pres- ident, and J. W. Mathews, professor of mathematics. On account of - business engagements, it was impossible for Mr. Pillsbury to take charge at once, so · Rev. John C. King was appointed pres- ident, pro tem. The latter entered upon the discharge of his duties and contin- ued therein for a few months when he made way for the regular appointee. Under Professor Pillsbury's administra- tion for a time, the college prospered fairly, but the synod of the Presbyter- ian church refusing to extend a helping hand to the institution as had been ex- pected, it was found beyond the power of those interested, to carry it on, and

383

.YTKUOD HDUOKOCOL HO YJOTATH HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

in 1855 it closed its doors, and the prop- erty reverted to the Masons, thus end- ing the career, of a highly useful insti- tution ..! - The building after this passed into the hands of Dr. Beverly R. West- fall, by purchase. It was sought after by several parties who wanted it for residence purposes, but the doctor hav- ing the interests of education at heart, would not part with it unless it was to be used for an academy or high grade school. In pursuance with this idea he disposed of it, in 1865, to Professor D. Branch, for $500 less than he was offered by other parties, under the condition that Mr. Branch would hold a collegiate school in the edifica for ten years. The professor agreed to the terms and in the same year a charter was obtained from the general assembly for the organiza- tion of

THE MCDONOUGH NORMAL AND SCIENTIFIC COLLEGE.

Mrs. Branch took hold of the school, while her husband attended to the duties of county superintendent of schools, and it throve apace. On the expiration of his terms of office, Mr. Branch gave it his personal attention and it became justly celebrated throughout a wide ex- tent of country for the high rank taken' by its .graduates. In 1878, Professor Branch disposed of the school and re- --- moved from this state oan vront of

The school is now under the supervis- ion and control of Professor Whitty.

WESTERN NORMAL COLLEGE, BUSHNELL.

+ In the spring of 1881, I. E. Wilson and C. F. Holcomb, being desirous of found- ing a normal college somewhere in the

state of Illinois, visited. several, large towns in the state for the purpose of find- ing ., a suitable, location. Among the many places visited was. Bushnell, and after taking into account all of its ad- vantages, including the fact of its being a railroad center, which was easily ac- cessible from all directions, it was finally settled upon as the future site of the Western normal college.

There was no college building, but the citizens generously secured and donated the use of the south public school build- ing, then vacant, afterwards destroyed by lightning in 1882; also three halls in Cole's block, which, together with the Christian church, formed the college buildings. This was done with the un- derstanding that if the college proved a success that they would give it substan- tial aid toward erecting a college build- ing. The college was a private enter- prise and therefore did not have the good will and nourishing care of any church or corporation, but notwithstand- ing this, the school opened July 20th, 1881, with about 15 pupils and four teachers in attendance. The number of pupils in attendance before the close of the term was about 20. The teachers were, I. E. Wilson, J. A. Lyons, E. P. Farr and W. E. Vaughan. Those not familiar, with the circumstances, can hardly realize the difficulties under wliich the college labored, but before the 'year closed it had enrolled about 300 dif- ferent students. About this time the proprietor, concluded to locate - else- -where, and the school was taken in hand by J. E. Chandler, and sometime in the latter part of 1882, the present site was -purchased and the building begun, but

384

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

owing to the severity of the weather, the walls were raised to but two stories that fall. Early the next spring the work was taken up and the building was com- pleted the following fall. To the erec- tion of this building, the citizens again

contributed several thousand dollars. The college building proper is a com- modious three-story brick, containing a chapel, a reading room, public and pri- vate offices, six recitation rooms, besides a chemical laboratory and 20 dormitory

OLLE

BAKER=COS

Western Normal College, at Bushnell.

rooms. The upper floor of the Chandler block is occupied by the business, art and music departments. These, together with other buildings, under the control of the college give it ample room for the accommodation of a large attendance. The school sustains 10 courses, includ- ing classic, scientific, teacher's, business, preparatory, music, fine art, penmanship,

phonographic and telegraphic. One feature about the college, and one likely to increase its patronage largely, is the fact that it owns and controls boarding halls, where board is put at actual cost, the design being to make it merely pay expenses. In this respect it is working quite a reform, and is bringing the cost of an education within the reach of all.

385

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

During the present year (1885) the ave- rage enrollment has been about 100 stu- dents, and the college is in an exception- ally healthy condition, and bids fair to become one of the foremost institutions of the state. There are now seven mem- bers in the faculty, J. A. Lyons being the principal. The community and all those interested in the welfare and suc- cess of the institution are deeply in- debted to J. E. Chandler, who contrib- uted of his own private fortune and sus- tained it while passing through its early existence, and is but just beginning to reap his reward by seeing it break forth into a healthy growth.

A detailed account of the various public schools throughout the county are given under their proper head in the his- tories of the townships, towns and cities, further on, to which the reader is re- ferred.

In early days schools were rare and poorly supported, but in these days the county is plentifully supplied with neat school houses, some of them elegant edi- fices, and a high grade of teachers are employed, and McDonough county can justly point with pride to her system of public schools, as the truest index of the intellectual cast of her best people.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE BAR.

Horace Greeley once said that the only good use a lawyer could be put to was hanging, and a great many other people entertain the same opinion. There may be cause for condemning the course of certain practitioners of the law, but the same may be said within the ranks of all other professions. Such men should not be criticized as lawyers, doc- tors, or the like, but rather as individuals who seek, through a profession that is quite essential to the welfare of the body politic as the science of medicine is to that of the physical well being, or theol- ogy to the perfection of moral nature, to

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History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 42

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150