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 98

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 98

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"The last day of the fiscal year was signalized by the canceling of all outstanding warrants, leaving, as the financial statement shows, a handsome balance in the treasury. The teachers and others holding the obligations of the board were promptly paid throughout the year, insur- ing the ready, cheerful action which always at- tends the cash system."

In the summer of 1881 F. R. Feitshans, A. M., was elected Superintendent by the Board of Education, and now fills the position. The schools are in a flourishing condition, with every prospect of good work in the future as in the past. The following named constitute the corps of teachers now employed:

SPRINGFIELD CITY SCHOOLS.

City Superintendent-Prof. F. R. Feitshans.

FIRST WARD SCHOOL.

Principal-Mr. J. II. Collins. First Assistant- Miss H. Anna McCrillis. Assistants-Mrs. Nettie Buck, Miss Anna Fooshee, Miss Lillie Foley, Miss Dora Bennett, Mrs. Eliza McManus, Miss Mary Lieber, Miss Eleanor Maxwell.

SECOND WARD SCHOOL,

Principal-Mr. A. J. Smith. First Assistant- Miss Mary J. Sell. Assistants-Miss Kate L.

69-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Enos, Miss Kate Heberling, Miss Anna Kreuger, Miss Mattie Adams, Miss Julia E. Kane, Miss Hannah M. Fisher, Miss Lizzie Schlitt, Miss Augusta Schlitt, Miss Augusta Trapp, Mrs. Etta F. Stockdale, Mrs. Anna Q. Cory.

THIRD WARD SCIIOOL.

Principal-Mr. J. A. Johnson. First Assist- ant-Miss Sarah P. White. Assistants-Miss Carrie P. Moore, Miss Abbie Sutton, Miss M. M. E. Hansell, Miss M. Ella Winston, Miss E. M. Hughes, Miss Florence Whipple, Miss Benita Berry.

FOURTH WARD SCHOOL.

Principal-Mr. N. B. Hannon. First Assist- ant -- Miss Anna M. Pender. Assistants-Miss Nettie Wiley, Miss Mary Power, Miss Agnes Shepherd, Miss Carrie Klein, Miss Frances Kusel, Miss Anna C. Stevens, Miss Lou J. Mid- dleton, Miss Mary Sherwood, Miss M. Lizzie Pender, Mrs. M. J. Flowers.

SIXTH WARD SCHOOL.

Miss Jennie Irwin, Miss Kate C. Webster.

HIGH SCHOOL.

Principal-Professor F. R. Feitshans. First Assistant -- Mr. E. E. Darrow. Assistants -- Miss Mary Howard, Miss Emma F. Jones, Miss Emily A. Hayward, Mr. C. A. Pease.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.

Almost since the organization of the graded system, the teachers of the public schools of the city have had regular meetings, when they dis- cussed all matters pertaining to the government and success of their schools. Great good has resulted from these meetings, and the efficiency of the teachers is in a great measure due to the information obtained at these institutes.

GRADUATES OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.

It is but due to the young ladies and gentle- men who have graduated from the high school in this city since its organization, should be given in this connection. Among the names will be recognized several occupying prominent positions in society at the present time. The following embraces a complete list.

CLASS OF 1861.

Mary Hocker, Nettie Wiley, Ida Springer.

CLASS OF 1862.

Walter Campbell, Wallace T. Stockdale, James F. McNeill.

CLASS OF 1863.

Laura E. Clark, Annie M. Pender,

Maggie C. Doremus, Mollie C. Remann,

Emily W Huntington, Emily Starkweather,

Laura A. Lee, Virginia L. Stuart.

Benjamin M. Shaffner.

CLASS OF 1864.

William W. Billson, Elizabeth L. Lanphier,

George E Dawson, Annie Laurence,

George A. Withers, Fannie H. McCulloch,

Charles H. Yates, Viola F. Myers,

Alice A. Cutright, Juliet M. Ord way,

Fannie N. Devore, Olive L. Priest,

Lydia M. Gray, Augusta Trapp.

M. Lizzie Pender.

CLASS of 1865.

Alvin B. Judkins, Laura L. Clinton,

Horatio B. McBride, Almeda B. Milligan,

Thomas J. Nolan, Charlotte M. Moore,

James J. Rafter, Mary Reynolds,

Fedora J. Robinson.

CLASS OF 1866.

John S. Condell, William C. Wood,

George T. Enos, Porte Yates.

John C. Lanphier, Ella Bushnell,

Edward J. McClernand, Mary A. Canfield,

Henry C. Remann, Mary J. Clinton,

Patrick J. Rourke, Elizabeth M. Correthers,

Alfred Wiley, Kate V. Jackson,

Howard M. Wood, Elizabeth L. Lee,

Sophia A. Phelps.

CLASS OF 1867.

Samuel A. Fisher, Ella H. Mosely,

James L. Smythe, Laura Pickrell,

Emma F. Adams, Mary E. Priest,

Sophia I. Bennett, Annie E. Vredenburg,

Mary R. Lamb, Emily Watson,

Theodosia Woods.

CLASS OF 1868.

Charles A. Armstrong, Fannie Dunton,

Wilbur R. Condell, Laura Fitzhugh,

William L. Grimsley, Mary B. Hubbell,

Samuel Brooks Ives, Mattie E. Kane, Fannie Lamb,

Charles P. Kane,

Edward Dow Matheny, Maggie E. Muir,

Aaron C. Thompson, Lizzie Nottingham,

Frederick Trapp, Mary E. Tilburn,

Annie Adams, Addie VanHoff.

CLASS OF 1869.

Fred. F. Fisher, Mary L. Campbell,

R. Officer Newell, Francis V. Rafter,

M. M. E. Hansell, Virginia L. Hackney,

595

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Kate Anderson, Maggie E. Irwin, Callie Loose,

Emma C. Brown,

Annie Bunn, Lillie McManus,

Georgia A. Reeves. CLASS OF 1870.

John H. Brown, Emma L. Higgins, John E. Laswell, Jenneta Laswell,

Clifford R. Bateman,

Edith McCandless,

Susie B. Reed,

Lizzie Hood,

Itonia L. Baird, Lute Matheny,

Rebecca E. Baird,

Emma Post,

Kate G. Brewer,

Sallie E. Ray,

Jennie Dresser,

Abbie E. Sutton,

Kate Fitzhugh,

Hattie Groo,

Addie Tomlinson, Maggie Vredenburg,

Martha C. Mason.

CLASS OF 1871.

Isaac Diller, Emma Hopkins,

Richard Dodds,

Mary Power,

Jennie Corneau,

Fannie Shepherd,

Lillie Foley, Maria Venable,

Julia Herndon,

Rebecca Hudson,

CLASS OF 1872.

William Ruggles,

Laura Lloyd, Nettie S. Withey,

Henry Kane,

Grover Ayers,

Minnie Goodwin,

Kate I. Enos,

Alice I. King,

Kate E. Croley,

Mary Laswell,

Mary Seaman, Mary Irwin,

Jennie Kriegh,

Lizzie Adams,

CLASS OF 1873.

R. Francis Ruth,

Maggie Leeds,

Dennis R. Hageney,

Hannah L. Ives,

Kennedy Brooks, Kate Heberling,

Edward C. Haynie, Fred W. Sutton,

Dora Adams,

Hannah M. Fisher,

Ada B. McIntyre,

Charlie Wilson,

Ida C. VanGundy,

Fred. W. Yates, Lillie A. Washburn,

Enola Adams, Julia A. Winston,

Millie B. Anderson,

Gertrude Wright.

CLASS OF 1878.

Louis M. Myers, Nettie E. Brown,

B. B. Griffith,

Emma L. Gwynn,

Albert R. Cobbs, Jennie A. Call,

Lewis H. Miner, Emma C. Greene,

Benjamin O. Pearl,

Mollie Hamilton,

Edward Anderson, Clara Hamburger,

Charles E. Hamilton, William H. Turney,

Mollie E. Dennes, Katie I. Stanley,

Edwin F. Smith,

Isabel M. Churchill,

Newell Kane, Enoch Johnson, Lou. Enos,

Mary L. Johnson,

Eloise A. Griffith,

Delia Bunn, Mary E. Gordon,

Nettie C. Kimball, Lizzie C. Mahoney, Lou. J. Middleton, Clara Montgomery, Clara B. Ormsby, Julia E. Paine, M. Olive Porter, Mary Rippon, Agnes E. Shepherd, Alice L. Watson.

CLASS OF 1875.

Maurice E. Power, Lizzie Hughes,

Charles S. Rafter, Anna A. Hannon,

Samuel A. Tobin,

Lucy A. Montgomery,

Anna L. Burkhardt, Anna L. Power,

Sadie D. Bateman,

Carrie B. Phillips,

Dora Bennett, Nellie W. Queenan,

Mary Brewer,

Ella M. Rippon,

Mary E. Brooks,

Lizzie Schlitt,

Etta McCrillis, Amanda A. White.

CLASS OF 1876.

Edward L. Baker,

Frank Z. Crane,

Mary Billington, Mary L. Croley,

James W. Brooks, Mary E. Emmons,

Dora B. Claspill,

Clara C. Fosselman,

Mary E. Giblin,

Nellie Patterson,

William E. Gomes,

Lizzie C. Payran,

Viola Harris, Rachel E. Piper.

Rebecca HammersloughEdward Ridgely,

William Helmle, Albert Salzenstein,

Anne Lonergan, Amanda Schloss,

Eleanor Maxwell, Kate Wood,

John A. Piper.

CLASS OF 1877.

William H. Conkling, Fannie B. English,

John A. Cory, Emma T. Hartman,

James W. Johnson, Rosa IIoffman,

Eugene S. Kane, Nellie E. Holmes,

Edward McManus,

Louisa M. Kavanaugh,

John W. Reilly,

Anna K. Krueger,

John H. Ruckel,

Mary Leber,

Frank B. Smith,

Katie Phillips,

Wilson Stuve,

Isaacettia Seaman,

Samuel White,

Mary I. Schliff,

Samuel Grubb,

James M. Matheny, Carrie Klein, Lizzie G. Kidd,

Julia E. Kane,

Lillie V. Tillotson.

CLASS OF 1874.

Lizzie S. Hesser,

Eugene Colligan, William H. Conway, Z. Allen Enos, Harry L. Hampton, Lloyd E. Johnson, Richard C. Lorrimer, Edward W. Payne,

Ezra W. White,

Nellie C. Barrell,

Augusta Schlitt,

Isabel M. Pringle.

John P. J. Shanahan, William Henry Walker, Ada Fuller, Clarence Bennett, Rosalinda S. Priest, Anna B. Paynter, Flora Foley,

596

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

CLASS OF 1879.

Jno. M. Zane, Linnie M. Roll,

Thomas C. Kimber,

E. Eudora Porter,

Robert Matheny,

Clara Breusing,

Charles L. Sampson,

Clara Wallace,

Otto Bekemyer,

Mollie C. Stuve,

John O. Sylvester,

Margaret E. Smith,

Charles W. Zane,

Vannie L. Sheiry,

Francis A. J. Waldron,

Blanche Hough,

Huizinga M. Hurst,

Mary Ragland,

Alice C. Fagan,

Rose M. Henckle,

Zenetta M. Dedrich,

Dora Greb,

Lizzie E. Hopping, Minnie A. Blanchflowr,

Annie J. Conway, Sophie Krenger,

Emily H. Selby. CLASS OF 1880.

Hattie L. Adams,

Debbie S. Bell,

Ida M. Cantrill,

R. A. Carnochan,

Annie T. Cory, Sadie K. Culp,

Mary H. Hartman,

Martin Melvin Hazlett,

Chas. Frederick Helmle, Annie M. Lindsay,

Charles B. Lintwed,

Robert E. Lowe,

Laura Lnsk,

John H. McCreery,

Lewis S. Miller, Sarah L. Piper,

Nellie E. Saunders, Mary Ellen Winston,

CLASS OF 1881.

William D. Carpenter, Maggie E. Cobbs,

Fred E. Dodds,

Allice Dallınan,

Henry A. Johann, Anna Poffenbarger,

Edwin A. Reece,

Helen Saunders,

Willis F. Wright, Clara W. Staley,

Lizzie C. Armstrong, Florence Whipple,

Benita Berry,

Katie L. Ulrich.

CLASS SONGS.

As a specimen of the class songs of the gradu- ating classes of the High School, the following are given: the first being by the class of 1873, and the latter by the class of 1875:

CLASS OF '73.

Class-mates dear, with hearts o'erflowing, Breathe we now our last farewell, While the silent tear is showing Depth of feeling none can tell, And we feel with deepest sorrow, Broken now onr band must be, 'Till the dawn of Heaven's to-morrow Wakes the Class of Seventy-threc.

Chorus-School-mates all, farewell, farewell, May each life-path shining be; May Fame's loudest pæans swell, For the Class of Seventy-three.

We are reapers in Life's harvest, Some of fame and some of lore; Some to glean, to bind, to garner,

Living sheaves for Heaven's store. Each so reap that when Life's evening Hangs its veil o'er land and sea, We may hear the Master's plaudit, " Well done, Class of Seventy three." Chorus-School-mates all, etc.

From the Past and from the Present, Joy shall brighten our life's day, And our lives in thought and labor, Glide in usefulness away, And though far and wide we're scattered, Some on land and some on sea, Memory oft shall bring the triumphs Of the Class of Seventy-three. Chorus-School-mates all, etc. -0- -

CLASS SONG-'75.

Once more we stand in class array- Yet one more song we sing;

For hands must be unclasped to day, That long were wont to cling. With saddened hearts, but high resolves Life's battles to survive, We hear the bell-call that dissolves The Class of 'Seventy-five. Chorus-But in our hearts the golden chimes Of memory will ring, As often of the dear old times We fondly muse and sing.

Full oft in fancy's rosy light, These scenes will rise to view;

And many a retrospection bright, Will thrill our hearts anew.

As low, sweet echoes of a song, From distant mountain side,

These parting notes will time prolong,

O'er all life's ebbing tide. Chorus-And in our hearts the golden chimes Of memory will ring, While echoes from the dear old times, A pensive joy will bring.

Our work is done, these walls shall see Our faces nevermore; Oh! may we re-united be, Upon the Shining Shore.

Our songs are o'er-the curtain falls; These closing moments fly;

No more our feet shall tread these halls; One word remains-good-bye. Chorus-Yet in our hearts the golden chimes Of memory shall ring, And often of the dear old times We'll fondly muse and sing.

COMMEMORATIVE EXERCISES.

On the death of President Garfield, the High School held commemorative exercises, in which were read or recited selections from his speeches on facts in relation to his life, according to the following programme:

Music-Death of a Hero ( Beethoven)-Miss E. Kelchner.

The Life of President Garfield-Remarks by Professor A. J. Smith, of the Second Ward school.

John A. Conway,

Cora B. Ames,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Early Life-Read by Ed. Vincent.

Domestic Life-Read by Susie Wilcox. Later Life-Read by J. Brinkerhoff.

The Family of the President-Read by Ger- tie Converse.

Resolutions Passed by the Board of Educa- tion of Chicago-Read by John J. Amos.

Poem Written by Garfield when at College- Read by Lillie Burkhardt.

Essay-A Short Sketch-By Lulu Ames.

Lessons from President Garfield's Life-Rich- mond Patterson.

Extract from a Speech-Edwin M. Stanton.

Lake View Cemetery-Robert Walker.

Chant-" Thy Will be Done."

Extract from a Speech by General Woodford -Walter Sanders.

Description of Francklyn Cottage, where the President died-Read by Mollie Fisher, Second Ward school.

Poem on the late President-Read by Etta Morgan, of the Third Ward School.

The moral character of the late President- Read by Clara Helmle, of the Third Ward School.

Poem-On Garfield Death Has Laid His Hand -Written by Mrs. Wilson, of Springfield-Read by Ada Barnes.

SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

Editorial from State Journal, September 20- Read by Charles Burlingham.

Editorial from Sangamo Monitor-Read by May Curry.

Editorial from State Register, September 21- Read by Gertie Garland.

Editorial from Evening Post, September 22- Read by Ella Garter.

Expressions of sympathies from England and other countries-Read by Louis J. Palmer.

Hymn -- America.

SPIRIT OF THE PRESS, CONTINUED.

New York Herald -- Read by Charles Opel. New York Tribune -- Read by Laura Snyder. Boston Herald -- Read by Mary Rhoads.

A Heavy Day -- By Nora Cook and Emma Billington.

In Memoriam-Hattie Harris.

Rites at Washington-Will Hopping. Euthanatos-John Matthis.

Hymn -- God Save the People.

Closing Remarks by Superintendent Feitshans.

THE PRESENT SCHOOL YEAR.

The first monthly report (for September) of Superintendent Feitshans, was submitted to the

Board of Education, from which it appears that the number of pubils remaining in the various schools at the end of the month was :

First Ward. 399

Second Ward. 662

Third Ward .. 461

Fourth Ward. 499

Sixth Ward. 151

High School. 165

Total 2,337

The registered number of pupils is, two thou- sand five hundred and twenty-two ; average number belonging, two thousand three hundred and twenty-seven ; average number attending, two thousand two hundred and forty-six ; per cent. of attendance, ninety-six and four-tenths ; number of tardy marks, one hundred and forty- four; per cent. of tardiness, fifteen hunredths.

REV. JOHN F. BROOKS.

In connection with the educational history of Springfield, a sketch of Rev. J. F. Brooks is in place, as he has had longer connection with the schools of the place than any other man. The quotation is made from Power:

"Rev. John F. Brooks was born December 3, 1801, in Oneida county, N. Y. His parents were of New England origin, but emigrated to New York in 1792, when the whole region was a forest, with here and there a small settlement. Mr. Brooks graduated at Hamilton College, in that county, in 1828, and afterwards studied three years in the theological department of

Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut.

IIe

was ordained to the gospel ministry by Oneida Presbytery, in the autumn of 1831, and was married soon after to a daughter of Rev. Joel Bradley. They immediately left for Illinois, under a commission from the American Home Missionary Society. They traveled by canal, lake and stage to Pittsburg, thence by steam- boat, down the Ohio river to New Albany, Indiana. Any route to Illinois by the way of Chicago, in those days, was not to be thought of, as that place was just emerging from the condi- tion of an Indian trading station. At New Albany Rev. Mr. Brooks purchased a horse and 'Dearborn,' as it was then called, which was a one-horse wagon with stationary cover. In this they continued their journey, crossing the Wabash river at Vincennes. After passing a skirt of timber on the west side, they entered the first prairie of Illinois, in the midst of a furious storm. They were far from any house, with only the carriage as a protection, and that in danger of being upset by the gale. They weathered the storm, however, by turning the

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

back of their carriage to it, but the prairie was covered with water, and they conld only discern the path by observing where the grass did not rise above the water. They sought a house to dry their garments, and that night arrived at Lawrenceville, where Rev. Mr. B. preached his first sermon in Illinois, the next day being Sab- bath. About three days after they arrived at Vandalia, the State Capital, having been five weeks on the way from the vicinity of Utica, New York. After visiting several towns and villages, Rev. Mr. Brooks located for the winter at Collinsville, in the southern part of Madison county, preaching, alternately, there and at Belleville. In the spring of 1832 he moved to the latter place, where he continued five years, preaching there, and at several other points in St. Clair and Monroe connties.

About the second year of his residence at Belleville, he and his wife opened a school, which increased so rapidly they employed an assistant. They taught all grades, from A, B, C, to the classics and higher mathematics. Several attended that school, who afterwards entered the halls of legislation, and other de- partments of public life. In 1837, Mr. Brooks was chosen Principal of a Teachers' Seminary, which benevolent individuals were endeavoring to establish in Waverly, Morgan county. He taught there with success, but the general en- barrassment of the country, caused by the finan- cial disasters of 1837, compelled the relinquish- ment of that enterprise. During the time he was teaching he endeavored to preach one ser- mon every Sabbath, but the double labor induced bronchial affection, from which he has never fully recovered. In 1840, Mr. B. was called to Springfield to take charge of an academy for both sexes, though in different apartments, to be taught in a new brick edifice erected for that purpose on the west side of Fifth street, be- tween Monroe and Market. Here he continued his labors, with the aid of two assistants, for two years and a half. Many persons now promi- nent in business or in domestic life, received a portion of their education there. After this he labored for two years under direction of Pres- bytery, supplying vacant churches in this and adjoining counties. His health was now much impaired, and designing light labor, he opened a school for young ladies, in a small room near his own house. The applications soon outran the size of the room, which he enlarged, and his wife again assisted him. His school increased, his health improved, and he purchased the property on the corner of Fifth and Edwards

streets, re-arranging the two-story frame build- ing internally to suit the purposes of a school. This he opened as a Female Seminary, the autumn of 1849, with three assistants, and Mrs. Brooks in charge of the primary dapartment, held in the room he previously occupied. In addition to the usual conrse, Mr. Brooks added drawing, painting and music; two pianos were introduced, and this is believed to have been the first effort at teaching music in the schools of Springfield. This seminary prospered for four years, when Mrs. Brooks' health failed, and it became necessary to close the institution. Since her death in 1860, Rev. Mr. Brooks has devoted a large part of his time to hearing classes, and giving private lessons.

He was one of seven young men who banded together, while in their theological course in New Haven, for the establishment of a college in this State. Illinois College, at Jacksonville, is the result of their exertions. Mr. Brooks has been one of its trustees from the first.

He relates, as an illustration of the change of times in attending Presbytery in the State since he entered it, that a clergyman in those days must have his horse and saddle as certainly as his Bible and hymn book. The settlements were remote from each other, and a ride of three or four days to a meeting of Presbytery was a common experience. Once, in attending such a meeting, Mr. Brooks traveled in an east- erly direction srom Belleville, for two or three days, and found a sparse settlement, mostly of log cabins. They had erected a frame church building and roofed it, without siding or floor, with only a few rough boards for seats. The Presbytery opened its sessions, several sermons were preached, the sacrament administered, but rain came on before that body adjourned, and they moved to a private house, with only one room and a small side apartment. At meal time, Presbytery adjourned, that the table might be spread, and after evening service six or seven members lodged in the same room, on beds spread on the floor. People, in sustaining re ligious worship under such circumstances, made as great sacrifices, according to their means, as those who build their $50,000 churches do now. At this meeting, Mr. Brooks was entertained at a cabin where the only light admitted was through an open door, or one or two sheets of oiled paper, in place of glass windows. He met a man, however, in that settlement, from his native town, in New York, and he had two glass windows; but his neighbors thought him extrav- agant and somewhat aristocratic, to indulge in

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

such a luxury. Rev. Mr. Brooks resides west side of Fifth, between Edwards and Cook streets, Springfield, Illinois.

Mr. Brooks and Elizabeth C. Bradly were married in 1863. Mrs. Brooks now carries on a select school for young ladies and misses, on South Fifth street, being assisted by Mr. Brooks.

URSULINE CONVENT,

a chartered Educational Institute founded and carried on by Ursuline Nuns, members of an order founded in Italy, by St. Angela of Brescia, in the sixteenth century, for the education of youth. The order is a very widely extended one, having at least five hundred houses throughout the world, with a membership of 25,000 persons.

Three Ursuline ladies, well-known in this city, as Mother Joseph Tonelfe, Mother Charles Molony and Mother De Sales Coleman first came to this county (on the invitation of Right Rev- erend Junker, D.D., Bishop of Alton.) in 1857. They first rented and occupied for some time, what the old settlers will remember as the Franklin House; afterwards purchased the prop- erty of Mr. Britton on the corner of Sixth and Mason streets. Although having but poor and small accommodations, their schools were filled to their utmost capacity by rich and poor, and many ladies of this and other States now occupy- ing high social stations, remember with loving veneration, the small class-rooms, dormitories, and reflectories of the "Old Convent."

In 1867, the Nuns, with their pupils, removed to their present beautiful Convent, just outside the city, in the midst of a magnificent grove. The building is of brick, 103x67 feet, three stories high, with a basement and attic, and erected at a cost of $70,000. The rooms are all very lofty and spacious, the class-rooms being fourteen feet in height. The building is heated by a steam furnace; hot and cold waters are sup- plied in each story. Splendid bath rooms, fine recreation and dining halls, as well as well ven- tilated dormitories, leave nothing to be desired in point of healthfulness, and the quality of tuition and proverbially gentle mode of treat- ment, makes it an institution eminently suited for the purposes of education.

The Convent is surmounted by a fine belfry, commanding a view of the city and its environs. It contains a large bell of mellow, musical tone.

The Convent is supplied with a more than ordinary cabinet, containing some five hundred specimens, contributed mostly by friends. The walls are adorned with some fine paintings, one especially, the work of an old master, brought

from Rome and presented by Rev. H. D. Junk- ers. The worker's tapestry is especially fine, representing on a large scale historical and poetical subjects. The apparatus for teaching the sciences is very good.

To the Convent is attached a chapel, formerly presided over by Rev. T. J. Cowley, who died at the Convent, January 12, 1881, much lamented by all. The position is now filled by Rev. B. W. Alne, a clergyman of high intellectual en- dowments and a graduate of one of the most celebrated German Universities.

The present attendance of pupils at the Acad- emy is fifty-eight; at the Parish School, one hundred and fifty.

Many of the early members have departed this life, but the venerable Mother Joseph presides over it as Lady Superior. Mother Joseph is a pu- pil of the famous Ursaline Convent, of Black Rock, Cork, Ireland. She commenced her vows in the Charleston, South Carolina Cathedral, in 1835, the event having been taken by the cele- brated Benjamin West as a subject for a picture now in the Gallery of Art in Washington, D. C. There are at present twenty-six members in the institution. This Convent has branch houses at Jerseyville and Petersburg, of this State, having charge of an aggregate of two hundred and fifty pupils, making the total number of pupils under charge of Springfield Roman Catholic Ursaline Convent, four hundred and fifty-eight.

OBJECTS OF INTEREST IN CONVENT.

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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 98

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