History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 97

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 97

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"The Fourth Ward school house, on the corner of Market and Twelfth streets, is con- structed precisely on the same model as that of the Second Ward. The size of the lot is two hundred and forty feet on Market, by one hun- dred and fifty-seven feet on Twelfth. The ex- penditure of grounds and improvements, as also the capacity of the house are the same as that of the Second Ward."

The High School occupied a building on Fifth street, between Monroe and Market, while the colored children were compelled to attend school in a shanty in the rear of the African church, on North Fourth street. This African school was established the year previous, under Mr. Cutcheon's administration. Says Superintendent Springer of it in his first report: "Humble as it is, the school it contains has furnished the most satisfactory evidence of the capacity and aptitude of the colored children to acquire the rudiments of a good education. In rapidity of advancement and propriety of behavior, these youthful descendants of the African race com- pare very advantageously with the more favored children of Caucasian blood." The number en- rolled this year was one thousand, six hundred and nine. A. M. Brooks was the Principal in the High School.

The war for the Union having commenced, Mr. Springer resigned the Superintendency, and J. D. Low was appointed to fill the vacancy. There were enrolled during the year, two thou- sand and forty pupils, with an average number belonging of one thousand three hundred and twenty-four, and an average attendance of one thousand one hundred and thirty-three. Con- siderable trouble was experienced in the proper gradation of the schools, but an effort was made to improve the system. During the year the members of the school succeeded in collecting a library of over four hundred volumes, and as stated by the Superintendent, the books were also used. He recommended an annual appro- priation for the purpose of procuring new books for the library.

For the school year 1862-3, J. D. Low was continued as Superintendent, with A. M. Brooks as Principal of the High School. Thirty-one teachers were employed. The entire cost of the schools were $17,845.60.

589

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

J. D. Low was ie-appointed Superintendent for the year 1863-4. The whole number of pupils admitted this year was two thousand two hun- dred and sixty-four, with an average number be- longing of one thousand four hundred and twen- ty-eight, and an average attendance of one thou- sand three hundred and eighty-four. The Super- intendent, in his report, says: "While we have not accomplished all that we hoped, we have yet made substantial progress."

A. M. Brooks was made Superintendent for the year 1863-4, and submitted his first annual report in the summer of 1865. The whole num- ber of pupils enrolled was two thousand two hundred and ninety-four, with an average num- ber belonging of one thousand four hundred and seventy, and an average attendance of one thou- sand four hundred and one; a better record than any previous year. The City Council at last waked up to the necessity of making an appro- priation for a High School building, and one was erected, an honor to the city.

The Springfield High School building is situ- ated on the corner of Fourth and Madison streets. The building is seventy-five feet long, fifty-eight feet wide and three stories high, with basement for furnaces, fuel rooms and other purposes. The walls are brick, eighteen and one-half inches thick with corners of dressed stone. The foun- dations are of stone, two feet thick. Two pro- jections 25x14 feet contain the stairways. There are two entrances, one on Fourth street, the other on Madison, affording easy access to all parts of the building. The school rooms, six in number, are of ample size, well lighted, heated by wood furnaces, and well provided with black- boards. The floors are deafened, and a truss is placed under each, giving great firmness and strength. A Mansard roof, made of slate and tin, and self-supporting, allowed the construction of a large and commodious chapel in the third story of the building. It is a fine hall, well lighted and ventilated. Its size is 72x55 feet, twenty-three feet high, giving abundant room for the public exercises of the school, and also for lectures and meetings of every kind con- nected with the public schools of the city. Two entrances enable the audience co enter or leave the chapel with great facility. The rooms are furnished with single desks of the most approved pattern and best material.

The High School building, together with ad- ditions to the Second and Fourth Ward School buildings, afforded ample accommodations for eight hundred more pupils.

The colored school was still forced to meet in the old building described by Mr. Springer as a shanty.

The whole number of pupils enrolled in 1865-6 was two thousand five hundred and fifty-two; average number belonging, one thousand seven hundred and twelve; average number attending, one thousand five hundred and ninety-three.

In 1866-7, the salaries of the teachers were raised, the Principal of the High School receiv- ing $1500 per year, and the Principal of the ward schools each $1250; Thomas York, the Principal of the colored school, $900. The assistants in High School each received $700; and those in ward schools from $350 to $500; generally the latter sum. The number of pupils enrolled, two thousand eight hundred and sev- enty; average number belonging, two thousand and thirty-one; average attending, nineteen hun- dred and fourteen. There was expended this year for school purposes, $642,814.41. The library was increased this year, by a donation of several hundred volumes, from the Springfield Library Association. The grade of the ward schools was raised this year somewhat, which relieved the High School of a large number of pupils too immature for the requirements usually re- quired from those who pursue academical studies.

The colored school was also furnished with a suitable building, and provided with furniture equal to the best in the ward schools. The Superintendent recommended the erection of suitable buildings for primary schools.

The whole number of pupils enrolled in 1867-8, was thirty-one hundred and six; average number belonging, twenty-one hundred and sixty; average number attending, twenty hun- dred and forty, and the per cent. of attendance, nine hundred and forty-four. There was ex- pended this year for school purposes, $36,317.86. Complaint was made by the Superintendent, of the way the City Council used school funds.

In the report of Superintendent Brooks for the year 1868-9, says: " The past year has been one of success with many of the teachers, who have labored diligently in preparation for the class-room, in carrying out more fully, methods already known, and introducing improved plans of instruction. The expenditures this year amounted to $34,029.85. The whole number en- rolled this year, for some cause, was less than the previous, being two thousand seven hundred and thirteen; average number belonging, two thousand and forty-eight; average attending, one thousand nine hundred and forty-seven. The hall in the High School building was fitted np

590

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

by the pupils so that exhibitions could be given without incurring extra expense, and the pupils of the ward schools were invited to give their future exhibitions in this hall. Benjamin C. Suesseratt was Principal of the High School this year."

In March, 1869, the legislature passed an act vesting in a Board of Education, consisting of nine members, "All the rights, powers and privi- leges, in relation to schools, school property, real or personal, or school funds, now vested in the City Council of the city of Springfield." The Board of Education was required to certify to the City Council in June each year, the amount of money needed and required for school pur- poses for the fiscal year, commencing the first Monday in September succeeding each report. The City Council was then required to levy and collect the amount of money so reported, by tax- ation, and the Board of Education alone, through its proper officers, were permitted to expend it. The first Board of Education con- sisted of Rev. Francis Springer, President; Rev. J. K. McLean, B. M. Griffith, William E. Shutt, T. W. Dresser, A. L. Knapp, John L. Million, C. A. Helmle, Charles Ridgely.

Samuel Willard was Superintendent for the year 1869-70, Mr. Brooks declining a re-elec- tion. Mr. Willard's report was made in the summer of 1870. There were enrolled this year two thousand six hundred and thirty-seven pupils. Rev. Edwin P. Frost was the Principal of the High School. The graduating class this year consisted of twenty-one young ladies and gentlemen. The expenses of the school this year were $44,211.33.

J. C. Bennett was elected Superintendent for the year 1870-71. The expenses of the schools for the year were $43,567 79.

For the year 1871-2, J. C. Bennett was retained as Superintendent, with A. M. Brooks Principal of the High School. There were forty-six teachers employed, and the total expenditures were $41,792.05. The whole number of pupils was two thousand five hundred and ninety- three ; average number belonging, one thousand nine hundred and fifty-nine ; average number attending, one thousand eight hundred and six- ty-three.

In 1872-3 the same teachers, including Super- intendent, and Principal of High School, were generally employed. The expenditures this year were $50,483.03, of which $32,481.84 was for salaries. The schools were considered pros- perous.

J. C. Bennett was unanimously re-elected Superintendent for 1873-4, by the Board of Edu- cation, at their regular meeting, but declining the position, at a subsequent meeting A. M. Brooks was elected, with the understanding that he should remain Principal of the High School. Mr. Brooks' report for the year is very full and complete. There were two thousand six hundred and nineteen pupils enrolled ; average number belonging, one thousand nine hundred and fifty- nine ; average attending, one thousand nine hundred and two. The expenditures this year were $53,345.03, of which $30,404.01 was for teachers, janitors, Superintendent and clerk. The library now numbers three thousand vol- umes.

For the year 1874-5, A. M. Brooks was again elected Superintendent, and F. R. Feithans, Principal of the High School. They were both re-elected for the year 1875-6.

The eighteenth annual report of the Superin- tendent shows two thousand six hundred and sixteen enrolled for the year ending June, 1876; average number belonging, two thousand and thirty-four; average attending, one thousand nine hundred and seventy-seven. The per cent. of the registered number attending was 75.6. This was the best showing in the history of the schools

The City Schools sent to the Centennial Ex- position nine volumes of written work-seven from the Ward Schools and two from the High School. The Second Ward School sent a vol- ume of maps, and the Third Ward two volumes of drawings; two volumes of school reports and two of amateur papers by the pupils of the High School were also sent, making sixteen volumes in all.

The money paid for the paper and binding, together with the amount assessed upon the city, to bear the expenses of the educational department of Illinois at Philadelphia, was ob- tained by an exhibition given by the pupils of the Ward Schools. The teachers and scholars exerted themselves to gain a fair position among the schools of the country, and favorable reports of their success were received from visitors who had compared the work of our schools with that sent from other cities.

The enrollment for 1876-7 was two thousand five hundred and fifty-nine, with an average number belonging of two thousand one hundred and ninteen; average attending, two thousand and fifty-eight; per cent. of registered members attend- ing, eighty and four-tenths, a very gratifying in- crease.

591

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

As usual, a large audience of the friends of the schools assembled to hear the graduating exer- cises of the senior class of the High School. Miss Lillie Washburn delivered the salutatory and Mr. Charles Wilson the valedietory. The names of the class, their grades and the programme used on the occasion, will be found in another place. No abatement of the interest shown in former years was perceived, and the efficiency of the public school system was attested by the number and character of the friends who were present.

The most noted event of the year was the for- mation of the Alumni Association of the High School. This body was regularly organized, and at the close of the year public exercises, such as are usual on such occasions, were held. An oration was delivered by Mr. George E. Dawson, of the class of 1864, a poem recited by Mrs. F. J. Janness (Miss Fedora J. Robinson), and a bi- ographical sketch of the members was also read by Mrs. Laura J. Johnson (Miss Laura J. Clin- ton), both of the class of 1865. The oration, poem and sketch were ordered to be printed by the society. After the literary exercises were concluded, the members repaired to the Leland Hotel, where a sumptuous repast awaited them. Regular toasts were given and responded to by Messrs. McNeil, McClernand, Patton, Rourke, Kane, Feitshans and Brooks. The friends of the school regarded this association with much favor, and expect that in the future the influence of the society will be feltin promoting the cause of education in our city.

Superintendent Brooks, in the twentieth an- nual report, for the year 1877-8, says:

"The whole number enrolled is two thousand seven hundred and seventy-six; the average number belonging two thousand three hundred and three and three-tenths; the average number attending, two thousand two hundred and fifty- three and nine-tenths; and there are nine hun- dred and seventy-two tardy marks. The per cent. of the registered number attending is eighty-one and two tenths, that is, more than four-fifths of the whole number enrolled were in constant attendance. The per cent. of the aver- age number belonging attending, is ninety-seven and nine-tenths, and the per cent. of tardiness is eleven one hundredths. There is a gain in the registered number of two hundred and seventeen; in the average number belonging, of one hundred and eighty-four and five-tenths, and in the aver- age number attending, of one hundred and nine- ty-five and nine-tenths. There are ninety-one fewer cases of tardiness, with an increase of over two hundred pupils. The books in which the

permits for re-entrance are recorded, show a great advance in this important matter of attend- ance. These books cover a period of nine years, and the contrast between the number of permits issued last year, and the number for 1871-2, is very striking. In a few of the best schools of our country a better attendance is found, and this fact will cause the faithful teacher to thor- oughly canvass every case of absence, and thus bring one of the chief obstacles to the pupil's progress within the narrowest limits possible."

The entire expenses of the schools this year were $35,449.32.

For the year 1878-9, Superintendent Brooks reports:

"The past year has been one of quiet pro- gress. An effort has been made to advance in every direction as far as possible, and to allow no retrograde movement. No special effort has been attempted, and the examinations have been held with a view to have each division of the conse of study thoroughly mastered.

"The attendance at the schools has been good, as is shown by the following statements. The number on the annual register is two thousand seven hundred and seventy-six; the average number belonging, two thousand one hundred and seventy-one; the average number attending is two thousand one hundred and fourteen; and there are eight hundred and seventy-eight tardi- nesses on the rolls. In many departments, the attendance is excellent, in a few there is still room for improvement."

The cost of the schools this year was $28,- 069.72, of which $25,278.50 was for salaries.

From the report of Superintendent Brooks for the year 1879-80, the following extraet is taken: " The attendance during the past year was di- minished, and the efficiency of the schools con- siderably impaired, by the absence of many pupils who left school on account of the scarlet fever in the city. But for this reason, quite an increase of numbers would have been reported.

" The whole number of pupils enrolled is two thousand seven hundred and forty ; the average number belonging is two thousand and sixty- nine; the average number attending is two thousand and two, and the number of tardy marks, eight hundred and eighty-two.

" The whole amount expended was $31,955.09; the whole amount of serip redeemed was $48,- 131.06. A debt of $16,175.97 was paid, quite a number of repairs made, and a balance of $1,512.72 left in the treasury at the close of the fiscal year. The teachers and other employes of the Board were paid promptly at the end of

592

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

each month, thus securing a cordial and hearty co-operation in the work of the schools.

The school property, before the close of the year, was put in good repair. About all that can be done for the building now in use, has been accomplished. The fact is patent to all who have taken pains to be informed on the subject, that the present accommodations fall far short of what is imperatively needed; and that we should have larger school rooms, properly heated, lighted and ventilated. While great improve- ments have been made in almost everything else, most of our school rooms are no better than those in use a quarter of a century ago. The modern furniture placed in the First, Second, Third and Fourth Ward schools during the pres- ent year, forms a striking contrast with the an- tiquated and nondescript affairs used as desks in most of the schools. The children cannot be accommodated any longer with even the poor seats so long in use, and a large amount of money as has been stated several times before in previous reports, is annually wasted, because the rooms in the lower grades are not large enough to seat as many pupils as a primary teacher is able to in- struct. Measures will doubtless be taken dur- ing the coming year, to obtain the improvements demanded by the wants of the pupils, and a proper regard for the economical disbursement of the funds raised for the support of schools.

The Superintendent, Andrew M. Brooks, and Principal of the High School, Professor Feits- hans, were retained for the years 1880-81, as well as the greater number of teachers in the ward schools. As showing the present condition of the schools, the twenty-third annual report of the Superintendent is drawn on pretty liberally. In his report, he says:

"The whole number of pupils registered during the past year was two thousand seven hundred and ninety-two; the average number belonging, two thousand one hundred and fifty and four- tenths; the average number attending, two thousand seventy-eight and two-tenths; and the number of tardinesses, one thousand one hundred and seventy-three. The figures show a gain over last year in the number of pupils attending. The attendance of the different schools is given in he table below, and in another place, the at- endance of each school is given in detail, pre- enting the standing of each district, in this par- icular, for each month of the school year:

ber. . .

Registered Num-

Belonging. . . ..

Average Number

Attending ... ...

Average Number

dance ....

Per cent. of Atten-

of Tardiness. ..

Number of Cases

Per cent. of Tar-

First Ward ..

452

363.3

353.6

97.3

150

.10

Second Ward

801

610.5

591.9

97.

246

.10

Third Ward.

507

432.2

415.5

96.1

353

.20

Fourth Ward

635

473.

455.1

96.2

206

.11

Sixth Ward.

180

139.9

134.2

96.

.18

High.

154

131.5

127.9

97.2

120

.23

Total.

2,792

2150.4 2078.2

96.6

1,173

.13

"The whole amount expended for the support of the city schools was $36,181.34. The receipts amounted to $37,242.18, and the balance on hand is $3,882.83.

" The following table shows the amount paid for tuition alone, and also the entire expendi- ture in each school. For the purpose of com- parison, the table taken from the report of 1880 is also given:

1880-81.

1879-80.

SCHOOL.

Amount expended for tuition alone.

Entire expendi- ture.

Amount expended for tuition alone.

Entire expendi- ture.

First Ward.

$ 4,192 20

$ 6,035 77

$ 4,034 23

$ 5,020 89

Second Ward ..

5,319 00

7.637 64

5.391 90

6, 439 45

Third Ward ...

3,979 23

5,619 54

3,855 20

4,820 49

Fourth Ward ..

4,68 00

6,528 70

4. 640 13

6, 416 11

Sixth Ward ...

990 00

1,590 95

990 00

1,565 63

High ..

4,410 00

6, 727 30

4,230 00

5,333 38

General expen-

ses, salary of

Superintend-

ent, printing,

etc ..

2,041 44

2,359 14

Total

$ 23, 758 52

$ 36,181 34|

$ 23, 141 46

$ 31,955 09

diness ..

SCHOOL.

...

" This table shows that the amount paid for tuition is about the same as it was last year, but the general expenditure has increased consider- ably. This increase was caused by the extensive repairs rendered necessary on account of so small an amount being expended for this pur- pose for several years, the finances of the board not allowing a greater appropriation than was sufficient for the preservation of the property, and even that was not fully done, some of the fences and other wood-work, for the want of paint, being badly injured.

593

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

" The cost per month for each pupil attending, for tuition alone, for the past eight years, is given in the table below:

1874. $1.40

1875. 1.36

1876. 1.40

1877 1.33

1878. 1.19

1879. 1.15

1880. 1.28

1881.

1.27

"The cost per annum for each pupil attending, for tuition alone, is $11.43. The entire cost for each pupil is $17.40. The cost for tuition in the High School is $34.48. The entire cost in the High School for each pupil attending is $52.68.

"The teachers' meeting was convened regu- larly, as in the preceding year. No pains was spared in the attempt to make the meeting a success. The discussions and other topics pre- sented in the programmes, were such as were deemed, for the time being, most profitable to the teachers and the schools. To make these meetings affairs of mere enjoyment and enter- tainment, seems desirable to some who appear to forget that the sole design of the Insti- tution is to improve the members in the art of teaching. To present topics of practical value in the school-room should be the sole aim of those conducting the exercises. The points to be discussed should be made as interesting as possible, and this will not be a difficult matter, if the object requiring the teachers to assemble be fully understood.

" The closing exercise of the school year, the graduation of the Senior Class of the High School, was held at the Opera House on Friday, June 17. The following young ladies and gen- tlemen received their diplomas from Dr. Albert H. Trapp, the President of the Board: Lizzie C. Armstrong, Benita Berry, Maggie E. Cobbs, William D. Carpenter, Alice Dallman, Fred. E. Dodds, Henry A. Johnson, Anna Poffenbarger, Edwin A. Reece, Helen Saunders, Clara W. Staley, Katie L. Ulrich, Florence Whipple and Willis F. Wright.

"Fred. E. Dodds delivered the salutatory, and Miss Florence Whipple the valedictory. A full programme of the exercises will be found in an- other part of the report. As usual, a large and attentive audience testified by their presence their interest in the public schools.

" This is the twenty-first class. The names of three hundred and forty-five graduates are found on the roll of the alumni of the High School. Of this number, one hundred and nineteen are gentlemen, and two hundred and twenty-eight

are ladies. As far as we can learn, all are use- fully employed. It has been our good fortune to sign over three hundred diplomas presented to those who have finished the course of study of this school, and it is with much satisfaction that we note the fact that not one of these testi- monials is in the possession of a worthless char- acter. To promote the thoroughness of the school, allowing no unworthy person to take a place among its alumni, should be the earnest aim of those who are intrusted with the care of the institution.

"We think that the teachers as a class may be justly commended for an earnest and successful discharge of their duties. In their work they have given prominence, as they should, to the instruction of their classes, and in this they were especially successful, as was evinced by the care- ful, searching examinations which their pupils passed with more than ordinary credit. The range of the questions was sufficiently wide, and enough time was taken to show with accuracy the attainments of the scholars. At the close of these examinations it was a source of gratifica- tion to the Superintendent to reward the labor of the teacher, as far as he was able, by commend- ing the class for the good standing acquired, in most cases, by diligent study.

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History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 97

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084