History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 55

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 55
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 55

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Few newspapers in the world have had so singlar a history as the " Banner." It is doubtful whether ever before any political paper has gone the rounds, and alternately advocated the tenets of all parties and factions, and repeated its original position, and made the entire cycle in twelve years, and yet received liberal support in nearly all its tortuous course. It proves that our people's minds are flexible ; and further, that a newspaper is valued more for its news and intelligence and advertising facilities than for its political platform.

In the month of August, 1881, Mr. Russell, of the " Democrat," being offered an advantageous position at Kansas City, sold his inter- est to the senior partner ; and on the first of October so much was transferred to Mr. Eames as to make him an equal partner, and the firm name became Geiger & Eames. The paper is in a fairly prosper- ous condition ; is still democratic, but, as heretofore, liberal, and not trammeled by platforms or the opinions of leaders, and generally finds sufficient scope and liberty within the expansive and elastic folds of its alma mater.

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

ALEDO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The first school taught in Aledo was by J. E. Harroun, but in what building we cannot learn. This was during the winter of 1856-7. In the following winter Rev. Bigger opened a school in his residence. at the then south end of College avenue, and known as the Dr. Woods house. It is now the property of E. L. Wolff, and has been thor- oughly overhauled and refitted, and is occupied as a parsonage by Rev. Thomas Stephenson of the first Presbyterian church. In the spring of 1857, the new school-building, now the court-house, was occupied, and Frank Herdman was employed in the capacity of assistant. Mr. H. had no department under his charge, as in the graded system of the present day, but occupied a recitation room, the classes leaving Mr. Bigger's room at stated hours for recitation. We remember Frank as a fine elocutionist, and that his methods of teaching were then far in advance of the age. Mr. Bigger was a man of finished education, and proved himself a good and thorough teacher.

During the two following winters the schools were taught by Mr. Baird and wife of New York. They were earnest Methodists, and made many friends here, especially among the membership of that church. The next term was taught by Mr. Pinkerton, and Misses Morgan, Har- ris and Shutledge, all of Pennsylvania. Joseph McCoy, Mrs. A. M. · Young, and Miss Madden, the latter of Monmouth, taught in the win- ter of 1861-2. The two former still reside in Aledo.

During the next year we cannot learn who taught the school, except that Mr. McCoy was principal. About this time a new school build- ing was contracted for and erected ; the one until then used having been refused by the school board, from the contractors or builders, on account of some alleged fault in its erection. It was taken by the pro- prietors of the town, and by them sold to the county at a nominal figure, and has ever since been used as a court-house. School opened in the new building, in block 55, and a part of the one now used, in the fall of 1863, with Mr. Mckay Young, Win. N. Graham, and Miss Eva Marquis as teachers. Mr. Young is the present police magistrate of Aledo, and Mr. Graham is cashier of the Farmers' Bank. The fol- lowing year Sennit Kirk was principal and Miss Libbie Perkins was one of his assistants. James McMillen presided in 1865-6, assisted by Mr. Pardee, Mrs. Lizzie Porter, wife of John Porter, of the "Record," and Miss Nettie Smith. The latter resigned during the term and Anna McMillen filled the vacancy. During the latter year an addition was erected to the school-house, giving six large class rooms and one recitation room. The entire building is of frame, two low stories in height; arranged with some view to convenience but no attention

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paid to securing a proper ventilation. In 1866-7, Mr. Pardee was principal, assisted by Mrs. Porter, Miss M. M. Burbank, now Mrs. Wilson, of Keene, New Hampshire, and Miss Emma Stevens, now Mrs. J. H. Abercrombie, of Aledo. J. E. Harronn was principal the following year. Mr. H. was one of the leading educators of our county, and as such, we give elsewhere a brief sketch of his life, so far as it pertains to this history. Mrs. Mary Walker, Mrs. Porter, Mrs. A. M. Young, Misses M. M. Burbank, Emma Stevens, and Anna Maury, were teachers in 1868-9. The latter is now Mrs. Wm. Bunting, of David City, Nebraska. In 1869-70, Sylvanus B. Atwater, now of Greene township, presided, assisted by Miss A. E. Frazier, now county superintendent of schools, Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Young, Misses Eva and Jennie Marquis, and Ella Gailey. C. W. Sherman was principal in 1870, 1871-2, two terms, assisted by Mrs. Young, and Misses Amanda and Tilla Frazier, Miss Burbank, and Miss Belle McCoy, now Mrs. W. L. Duncan, both terms, and Miss Thornton the first term, or a part of it. Mr. Sherman was at that time a local preacher in the Methodist church, but after his work as a teacher ended here, he entered the itineraey, but has since severed his connection with the church and is now a traveling evangelist.

A. U. Barler (now deceased), was principal for three terms, begin- ning in the fall of 1872 and ending in the spring of 1875. Assistants same as the last year except that Miss Barcroft succeeded Miss Bur- bank. Second term Misses Mollie Walker, Ella Gailey, Edith Pruyn, N. A. Campbell, Louisa Merryman and Mrs. Comfort were employed as assistants. Mrs. Comfort and Miss Pruyn resigned early in the term, Miss Marie Hebbard and Miss Olivia Pattison being employed to fill the vacancies.

Alex. Stephens, of Washington, Iowa, was elected principal in 1875, and still holds that position. A full account of his school work will be found in a brief sketch of his life, hereto appended. His assist- ants the first year were : Misses Ella Gailey, N. A. Campbell, Marie Hebbard, Blanche Rutledge, Tilla Frazier and Millie E. Reed, latter of Monmouth. A new department was added to the school this year, and the school-building not being large enough, a small building about one block distant, on the east side of College avenue, was leased and fitted up for a school-room. A year or two prior to this a tax was author- ized, levied and collected, for the purpose of building additional room, but until 1881, the citizens could never agree upon a location, although the question was submitted to them nearly every year. The increase of the enrollment from year to year rendered more departments and more room necessary, and the upper floor of a brick building south of

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

the railroad was leased and fitted up so that it could be used, but the rooms were poorly arranged, and were at the best but a poor excuse and make-shift for a village whose greatest pride is in her churches and her public schools.

Assistants for the following years were :

1876-7 .- Miss N. A. Campbell, Blanche Rutledge, Ella M. Gailey, Marie Hebbard, Emma Crawford, Tilla Frazier, Camilla Reed.

1877-8 .- Same as above, except that Misses M. J. Thomas and Lettie Long took the places of Misses Rutledge and Frazier.

1878-9 .- Misses Campbell, Rutledge, Gailey, Crawford, Hebbard and Reed, and Mrs. M. J. Waterman, and Mrs. T. H. Ennis. The lat- ter only taught three months and was succeeded by Miss N. A. Wilson.

1879-80 .- Misses Campbell, Gailey, Hebbard, Cora D. Harvey, Zerie Miller, May I. Allen, Mrs. Waterman, and Mrs. M. J. Taylor.

1880-81 .- Mr. K. M. Whitham, Misses Campbell, Rutledge, Mil- ler, Frazier, Allen, Mrs. A. M. Hall, Mrs. Waterman.

At the term of 1880-81, K. M. Whitham was employed as teacher of the grammar department, a position he has since well filled, and which he will doubtless fill during the next term. He is a young man of more than average ability, and should he devote his life to the pro- fession, would make a place for himself among the best educators of the land. He is utilizing his vacations by reading law in the office of L. D. Holmes, and this profession may prove more attractive than that of teaching.

In the fall of 1881 the course of study was advanced to include Latin, German, geometry, trigonometry and book-keeping, and Miss Mary E. Turnbull, of Monmouth, was employed as teacher of these branches and assistant principal, a position which she was well quali- fied to fill and the duties of which she discharged in an eminently sat- isfactory manner.

The teachers for the past term were : Alex. Stephens, principal ; Miss Mary E. Turnbull, assistant ; K. M. Whitham, grammar depart- ment ; Miss Campbell, fourth intermediate ; Miss Rutledge, third intermediate ; Miss Zerie Miller, second intermediate ; Mrs. A. M. Hall, first intermediate ; and the Misses Mary I. Allen and Tillie Matthews, primary departments.

Enrollment for school year 1881-2, 460. The school is fitted up with maps, globes and other apparatus ; a human skeleton and ana- tomical charts have been added recently, and also a collection of insects and other zoological specimens.

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MERCER TOWNSHIP.

The first students graduated were in the class of 1878, and were the following : Sadie Eames, Clarence Fargo, Una Evans, Hilma Lundblad, Leota Hause, Norma Pepper, Mamie Cunningham.

1879 : Zerie Miller, Emma Ives, O. T. Moore, Lizzie Hause, Retta Galloway, Fred. Hollenback, L. W. Thompson, Harvey S. Pyles, Will. H. Morrison, Cassie Thompson, Kittie Lynch.

1880 : Mattie Evans, Fannie Porter, Grace Pitts, Mable Pepper, Rosa Wolff, Hulda Lundblad, Will McKenney, Lou. L. Walker, Horace Edwards.

1881 : Louie Wright, Georgia Cole, Flora Harvey, Eda Hudson, Minnie Leet, Lizzie Porter, Alma Bickett, Zoe McCoy, Logan Steph- ens, Robert McKinney, John McKinney, Frank Edwards, Fred Strong, Amos Cole, George Strong, Frank Evans.

Miss Zerie Miller, one of the teachers above mentioned, is worthy of special mention, as she is a graduate of the school in which she has so long held her present position. The circumstances of her widowed mother were such that an academic or collegiate course was entirely out of the question, but she early set to work to fit herself for teach- ing, and by untiring labor and a happy tact in making the most of the advantages within her reach, she has attained a success beyond her brightest anticipations.

Miss May I. Allen, who has taught one of the primary depart- ments for the past three years, resides in Warren county, adjoining the Mercer line. Her education has been liberal, and she is peculiarly fitted in nature and disposition for the position. She is the friend, playmate and companion of the little ones under her charge, and has not only won their hearts, but the esteem of their parents, and her pupils have ever shown a marked and rapid degree of advancement.

Misses Rutledge and Campbell have long held positions and have proven excellent teachers. Mrs. Hall has just closed her second term in a most satisfactory manner, while Miss Matthews, in her single term, has well earned the esteem of the school patrons.

In 1881, by vote of the people, the directors were authorized to borrow money to build additional school-buildings, to levy a tax to re- pay the same, and block 101, south of the railroad, was selected and purchased for a school site. Dissatisfied parties procured an injunction against building there, which, though not sustained in the courts, de- layed the work until too late to build last year. In the spring of this year (1882), a petition signed by over 200 of the voters of the district, was presented to the directors asking them to call an election to vote upon the question of rescinding the vote selecting block 101 as a school site, and authorizing the erection of a building large enough to

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

accommodate the entire district, upon block 55, the present school site. The election was held, and both propositions carried by decisive majorities. Another election was held upon the question of purchas- ing the east half of the block, but this was defeated. The directors are now receiving bids for the erection of a building of which the following, compiled from the plans and specifications, is a description, and is an extract from an article prepared by the writer and published in the Aledo "Record" of July 5, 1882: The building is to be of brick, with stone foundation, 73 feet 10 inches by 65 feet 6 inches on the ground, with vestibule on east and west sides each 33 feet by 10 feet 5 inches, and on the south 19 feet by 5 feet 9 inches, the two former running to top of building, the latter only to top of basement. In the basement will be two class-rooms, each 31×23 feet, with ceiling 10 feet 2 inches high ; two fuel and storage rooms, two large furnaces for heating, closets, halls, stairways, etc. The first and second floors will each contain four class-rooms, two 32x 23 feet each and two 31 × 23 feet each. The second floor will contain in addition a recitation room over north hall 15×17 feet, and principal's reception room and appa- ratus room over east hall. The ceilings on both floors will be 13 feet high. Separate doors, halls, stairways and closets are provided for boys and girls, two closets for the pupils and one for the teacher con- nected with each room. Ample ventilation of the most approved kind is provided for, in the shape of cold and foul air ducts. Doors and windows are to be stone capped. The halls are provided with huge folding or double doors, opening either out or in. A large belfry and cupola, with iron coping on the roof, completes the description. The specifications require the best of work and the use of the very best material. The floors are to be of southern yellow pine, of boards not more than 4 inches in width. Those of the two upper floors are to be made double, the inner one being covered with 12 inches of mortar, for the purpose of deadening the sound. The floors do not lie directly upon the joists, as in ordinary buildings; the latter are crossed with furring two inches square, and the floors laid on these, lengthwise with the joists. The furnace rooms are to be floored and covered with brick. All rooms are to be provided with blackboards on two walls, to be made of slate from a Pennsylvania quarry, to be in slabs 7×4 feet in size and 4 inch in thickness, to be bedded in flush with plaster- ing and just above the wainscoting. The specifications certainly call for one of the best arranged school-buildings in western Illinois, one of which any community may well feel proud; just what the schools of Aledo deserve and what the district needs.

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PROF. ALEX. STEPHENS.

The subject of this sketch was born December 16, 1840, in Perry county, Pennsylvania, and was the second child of William L. and Margaret (Elliott) Stephens, and was reared on his father's farm until the age of fifteen years, when he commenced a course at the Market- ville academy in the summers and teaching during the winters. He graduated in 1856, and for the next two years had charge of the math- ematical department of that institution.

In 1859 he entered Bloomfield college, in the same county, and completed the classical course in 1862. He then commenced the study. of medicine, but, for what he deemed good reasons, abandoned it at the end of six months, and in the fall of 1863 entered the State Normal school, where he spent a year in special training for a teacher. He taught at various points in his native state until 1872, when he emi- grated to Washington, Iowa, and accepted the principalship of the South Ward school, which he held until 1875, assisting also in the conduct of the county Normal school. In the latter year he moved to Aledo and took charge of the public schools as principal, a position he has held until the present time, and which he has been offered for the coming term. During his administration the standard improvement in the school has been greatly advanced, and it now ranks among the best in the state; has risen high in the favor of the people, and of his colaborers in the profession, and has secured a substantial and endur- ing reputation as an educator. He is of a genial, kindly disposition, earnest and thorough in any work he undertakes, and a man calculated not only to make friends, but also to keep them.

In 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Leonard. They have but one child, Logan, now in his sixteenth year. They have here a commodious and well furnished residence where they are ever pleased to meet any and all of their hosts of friends, and are never happier than in dispensing their hospitality.

The graduates of the school give to Prof. Stephens the utmost credit and veneration for his kindly direction and assistance during their school days, and are ever warm in their expressions of gratitude and appreciation.

The work accomplished by him in and for the Aledo public schools is outlined in the following extract from a report of the last commence- ment by the writer of this sketch, and published in the Aledo "Record" of May 24, 1882. It speaks for itself: "For the school year of 1875 and 1876 the enrollment was 360; last year it was 470. During the first there were 5,679 days of absence, last year but 1,832; cases of tardiness first year 1,708, last year only 45; neither absent or tardy

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

first year 12, last year 123; over forty per cent failed to pass for ad- vancement the first year, less than twenty per cent failed last year ; per cent of punctuality first year eighty, last year ninety-nine and ninety-nine one-hundredths. We do not believe that there is another school in the state that can show such a record as this last item. And punctuality means nine o'clock in the morning and one o'clock in the afternoon, not one or two minutes after these hours. There have now been fifty- two certificates of graduation issued within the past five years. Of those holding them sixteen are now or have been teaching, and six hold first grade certificates from the county superintendent. The certi- ficates are for the scientific course, which includes orthography, read- ing, penmanship, arithmetic, English grammar, geography, United States history, zoology, botany, natural philosophy, algebra, composi- tion, civil government, and word analysis. We have good reasons to be proud of our schools, proud of our principal, proud of his assistants, and proud of the graduates. We believe that the Aledo public schools equal, if they do not surpass any in the state."

J. E. HARROUN.

Prominent among the educators of Mercer county was J. E. Har- roun, and he merits a place in our history.

Joseph Elliott Harroun was born in Crawford county, Pennsyl- vania. He removed when a young man to Galesburg, Illinois, and entered Lombard University, from whence he came to Mercer county, in 1853, teaching school at the Pryne school-house, two miles east of New Boston, the winter of that year. In March, 1855, he married Miss Margaret A., daughter of William Willits, of New Boston township, and removed to Wapello, Iowa, where he edited the " Wapello Intel- ligencer," for some months. In the spring of 1856 he came back to Mercer county, locating in Aledo, where he erected the first building, in which he opened and kept the first boarding-house. He was the first postmaster of Aledo, and it is said that he carried the mail around in his hat. He taught the first school in the village, in the winter of that year, and held for some years the office of town clerk. In 1858 he was elected county superintendent of schools, and proved one of the best and most efficient officers that have ever filled that position. During his term of two years he visited every school district in the county, ninety in all, giving all the schools a personal supervision ; helping and advising the teachers ; making a suggestion here and there, but always in a kindly spirit, and with no air of dictation. He was the warm friend and supporter of the earnest teacher, but had little patience with those who tanght merely to "fill in the time." He

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also held institutes and gave lectures, and was prominently connected with the county normals and institutes. He introduced the first orrery and telurian ever in the county, and carried them with him in his school visits, explaining their workings to each school. He spoke in an easy, happy manner, that won and held the attention of pupils. His methods and ideas were all new, and by some deemed peculiar ; but if so, it was only that they were in advance of the times, as they have since been adopted and made an integral part of our school system as relates to methods of teaching. He was one of the first teachers in the county to attempt to impart instruction orally, and insisted that his pupils should study the meaning of their lesson, rather than the words.

His term of service as superintendent was of great benefit to the schools of the county, and he is entitled to all the more credit for his labors when we remember that at that time there was no salary to the office.

In 1858 Mr. Harroun removed to a new farm he was opening three and one-half miles southeast of Aledo, where he resided until about two years ago. During that time he taught school a part of the time, at Gingle's corners, Perryton township ; Freer's school-house, and in his home district, Mercer township ; and at Sunbeam ; in all, nine terms. In 1876 he taught in New Boston.

While farming he paid considerable attention to the improvement of stock, making short-horn cattle a specialty, and his herd was fre- quently exhibited at our connty fairs, where it always attracted atten- tion. He was for years prominently connected with the agricul- tural board, serving as vice-president and secretary for six years. He took an active part in the removal of the fairs from Millersburg to Aledo, and in purchasing and fitting up the new grounds.

In 1880 he received the appointment of clerk of the district court of Cassia county, Idaho Territory, and selling his farm he removed to Albion, in that country, where he still resides. He is now probate judge and deputy clerk of the district court of that county.

He was a member of the 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., in the late war, enlist- ing as a private but soon rising to the rank of orderly sergeant, and being commissioned lieutenant of his company prior to the close of his term of service. He participated in the marches, engagements, and manifold trials incident to army life in connection with his regiment.

He is the father of six children, viz. : Adella T., born February 12, 1856 ; married February 22, 1876, to Sanford M. Huston ; now resides at Geneva, Nebraska. Dora C., born July 30, 1858; married

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March 10, 1880, to Govert H. Stephens, of Sunbeam, Mercer county, where they still reside. Lulu M., born June 6, 1861 ; died July 14, 1878, in Aledo. William Corwin, born May 21, 1866; resides with his parents at Albion. Ada, born October 12, 1868 ; died December 22, 1868. Jessie A., born October 31, 1870 ; resides with her parents.

Mr. Harroun and his family have many warm friends yet in this county. Mrs. H. was raised here, and they still feel a deep interest in all pertaining to their old home, and we doubt not will be among the most eager readers of this history.

THE SEAT OF JUSTICE.

By the act of the legislature, of January 31, 1835, creating the county of Mercer, New Boston was designated as the "temporary county seat"; and in 1837 an act was passed appointing William McMurtry, of Knox county ; Thomas Spragins, of Jo Daviess; and John S. Stephenson, of Ogle, commissioners to select a permanent loca- tion. They selected Millersburg as the site, making their report Sep- tember 15, 1837, which was signed by the last two named. John and Sarah Miller donated the amount of land required by the act, making their deed therefor December 18, 1837.

This decision was not satisfactory to the citizens of the west side of the county, and in 1839 they secured an act authorizing an election in April of that year, to vote for or against removing the county seat to New Boston, which, however, resulted in favor of retaining the "seat" at Millersburg.

Here a two-story frame court-house was built, and a stone jail; but the latter was of little use in holding such prisoners as desired to gain their freedom, for they could, and frequently did, dig out the soft mor- tar and remove stones enough to gain a safe and easy egress. We remember when a boy of being shown a hole in the gable of the build- ing through which a prisoner had recently made escape from "durance vile." To render the building more secure the county commissioners had it lined throughout with three-inch oak plank, held in place by three-cornered studs in the angles, these being driven full of nails to prevent their being cut into.

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 55

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424