USA > Illinois > Washington County > History of Washington County, Illinois > Part 11
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· Boarding Around .- It was the custom for the teacher to receive, in addi- tion to his per capita subscription price, free board ; that is, he would board with one of his pupils one week, the next with another, and so on.
SCHOOL OFFICERS.
There being no legalized school system, there were no officers who held office or exercised its functions by authority of law ; the only officer known being the "committee-man " or director before mentioned. He held his office by consent of the employers, and at their pleasure. His duties were to contract with teachers, examine them as to their qualifications, and to call the employers together to decide questions that arose during the term of school. He exercised a sort of supervision over the school.
PERSONAL MENTION OF EARLY TEACHERS.
Rev. Horatio Burns, Rev. James Walker, Andrew Foster, James Hend- ricks, James G. Burns, James Steele, G. W. Cone, Mr. Wehr and Dr. J. C. Yount, were among the Pioneer teachers of Washington County.
PRESENT SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
There are at present eighty school-houses in the county ; of these ten are brick, and the remainder frame buildings.
A majority of these are large, substantial, and in many instances, neatly and tastefully finished. In many districts, the houses are surrounded with beautifully laid out and highly ornamented grounds. They are provided, many of them with wells, with the modern appliances for raising water; & decided improvement upon the old custom of bringing it from the wells of neighboring farm-houses.
BRANCHES TAUGHT.
The present school law prescribes as the legal branches to be taught in the schools of the State, the following: Orthography, Reading in English, Penmanship, Arithmetic, English Grammar, Modern Geography, History of the United States; and in addition to these the School Directors may require the elements of Natural Philosophy, Botany, Zoology, Physiology and Hygiene. In all the schools the seven branches first enumerated are taught, and in many, the last named sciences constitute a part of the course of study.
TEXT-BOOKS USED.
The text-books in general use in the county are : Harvey's, Monroe's, and the National series of Readers ; Worcester's, Wilson's, and the Na- tional Spellers; the Spencerian system of Penmanship; Felter's, White's, Robinson's and Ray's Arithmetic ; Green's, Harvey's and Clark's Gram- mars; Swinton's, Monteith's, and the Eclectic Geographies ; Anderson's and Swinton's Histories; Steele's treatises on Natural Philosophy, Physiology and Hygiene, and Natural History, are the most popular; while Youman and Gray are the standard in Botany.
TEACHERS' QUALIFICATIONS.
The teacher of the Public School must be a man of moral character. He must be thoroughly qualified to teach in detail the branches of Reading, Orthography, Penmanship, Arithmetic, English Grammar, Modern Geogra- phy, and History of the United States, to entitle him to a license to teach of the second grade of qualifications; and in addition to this, for a first grade
he must understand the elements of the "Natural Sciences," Physiology, and Hygiene. His knowledge of the branches must not be merely of a technical character; he must understand the great principles from which all formulas are deduced pertaining to the subjects with which he has to deal. His qualifications must be such, that he is able to demonstrate every propo- sition with which he comes in contact, to the inquiring mind, which it is his business to develop and expand.
MODE OF TEACHING.
It is generally accepted that the true theory of teaching is to develop and cultivate the reasoning faculties, and not to store the mind with isolated facts, like stocking a cellar with fruit and vegetables to be brought forth and used when the occasion requires. It is the province of the teacher to teach his pupils to think-to think systematically ; to follow the path of reason from cause to effect ; to search after truth, by applying to all things the test of reason ; and not, that by following a certain rule prescribed, cer- tain results will be obtained, or that by turning certain screws, certain effects will be produced ; but we must teach them why certain causes produce cer- tain effects-and in truth he must be a man that can use his reasoning powers-not constitute himself, like the ancients did the oracle at Delphos, a mere answerer of questions.
SCHOOL OFFICERS.
The school officers of the county are Superintendent, Township Trus- tees, Township Treasurer, and School Directors. The County Superin- tendent's. duties are, to examine teachers, distribute public funds to the townships, advise and counsel with school officers and teachers, make and transmit to the State Department a report of the condition of the schools in the county yearly, and to visit schools when required to do so by the County Board.
The duties of School Trustees are, to form and alter the boundaries of school districts, and distribute public funds to the school districts. They have the control of the school funds of their respective townships, and the title to all school property vests in them.
The School Treasurer is the custodian of the township and district funds. He pays them out upon the order of the School Directors and Trustees. He is also Clerk of the Board of Trustees, and is required to keep a record of all their proceedings. Directors are required to see that comfortable and well furnished houses are provided for the use of the school, employ teachers, etc.
GRADED SCHOOLS.
The graded schools in the county are located at Nashville, Ashley, Okaw- ville, Richview, Irvington, Oakdale and Dubois.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
Below will be found a table of statistics showing the condition of the Public Schools of Washington County, for the year ending September 30th, 1878, as shown by the report of the County Superintendent of Schools.
Males under 21, 5,957
Females under 21
.5,610
Total,. .11,567
Males between 6 and 21,
.4,008
Females " =
.. 3,761
Total, .7,769
Number of School Districts,
85
Whole number of months' school sustained,.
.525
Male pupils enrolled,
2,302
Female " .2,046
Total, .4,348
Number of Male Teachers,.
.74
«
" Female 'Teachers,
56
Total,
130
Total enrollment,
320,290
Number of School-houses, 80
" Brick School-houses,
10
=
" Frame "
.70
" Males from 12 to 21 unable to read and write,.
24
" Females "
=
.. 16
Total
40
Digitized by
¥ having Schools,. .. 85
36
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Amount of funds received from County Superintendent, ... $7,946.72
« from all other sources,. .$46,682.04
= paid to male teachers, $16,347.53
"
" female teachers,. .$7,418.55
Value of School property, $77,732.75
" apparatus,. .. $1,513.00.
Prin. of Township fund,. .$30,178.75
Highest wages to any male teacher, .$100.00
"
" female teacher, $60.00
Lowest wages to any male teacher, .$20.00
"
" female teacher, .$13.00
Number of first grade certificates issued during the year, .. 24
" second " «
... 64
2
" Boards of Education, ... ... 1
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
John Crain was appointed in 1835, and re-appointed in 1840. Jacob Goodner was appointed in 1842.
Z. H. Vernor was appointed in 1843.
Harry Nevill was appointed in 1847.
Z. H. Vernor was appointed in 1853.
William H. Clayton was elected in 1861, and re-elected in 1865.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
Alden C. Hillman was elected in 1866. Samuel C. Page was elected in 1873.
James W. Hudson was elected in 1877.
PRESENT SCHOOL TREASURERS.
TOWNSHIP.
NAME.
POST OFFICE.
Town. I N. R. I W.
A. C. Gilmore.
Centralia
Illinois.
4 24
Henry Johnpeter.
.. Carlyle
=
3"
... J. J. Justice
. Irvington
=
2
4
.. T. W. Cameron
Ashley
=
3
.Adam Kuhn ..
Dubois
=
I
=
.Adam Haun ...
.. Hoyleton
3
2
2 "
A. B. Jack
Beaucoup
4
.. Fred Going.
Okawville
.
2
3ª
L. Krughoff.
Nashville
=
=
3 “
.. James Steele ..
.Oakdale
3
4“
Wm. Schenmetzler.
Okawville
=
2
4"
.C. T. Neunlist.
. Addieville
=
=
I
5 4
.. J. F. Sieving.
.Venedy
2
.. H. E. Doeling.
Stone Church
4
4
5 “
Robt. White.,
.Tilden
SCHOOL FURNITURE.
In nearly all the districts, the school-houses are provided with the "patent desk seat," a luxury in comparison to the seats occupied by the pupils of "ye olden time schools."
Blackboards, upon which are elucidated the exercises of the day, greet the eye of the visitor, upon his entrance to almost every school-room in the county. It is no uncommon thing to find the walls of the school-room adorned with maps and charts, to facilitate the labors of the pupil. Globes and scientific apparatus are found in some of the best regulated schools.
Foremost among the manufacturers of school office and church furniture of the United States is the firm of A. H. ANDREWS & Co., 213 WABASH AVENUE, CHICAGO.
Simply as an industrial establishment, it is one of the most successful in the entire West. Their names have literally become a household word, not only throughout the length and breadth of this country, but also in many foreign countries.
They have done much for the cause of education by beautifying and rendering attractive the school-rooms of the country, and not only that, but in providing for the physical comfort and bodily rest of the pupils.
In this special field, Mr. A. H. Andrews, the senior member of the firm, has always been an enthusiast, and to-day hundreds of thousands of pupils are reaping the benefit of his enthusiasm; while other hundreds of thousands, who have finished their school course, look back upon the school-rooms fur- nished with luxuriously easy seats, convenient and comfortable desks, as the pleasant accompaniments of their school-life, that it will always be a joy to remember. And the house of A. H. Andrews & Co. were the pioneers in this
elaborate and beautiful style of school-house furniture. That they have imitators and copyists is not strange-business success in any line will always attract competition and attempted imitation.
For the benefit of patrons of this work, cuts are inserted, exhibiting more clearly than words can express, the beauty, convenience and durability of the modern styles of school furniture.
ONLY FIFTEEN INCHES FROM THE EYE TO THE BOOK. "[" shows the lid turned up for Book-Easel. position for the lid as a Writing Desk. " when Desk is used as a Settee.
THE TRIUMPH SCHOOL DESK.
FOLDED BOOK-BOX LOCKED Showing Desk and Seat occu- pying on/y 10 inches in space.
And here is unother style much used.
The patent dovetailed "Triumph" desk is the most perfect in its propor- tions, and much the strongest and most durable school desk made. The seat and back are so curved as to enable the pupil to maintain an erect and healthful posture, and to perform his work with an ease and comfort unknown in the use of chair-desks, or even in most of the folding-seat desks. By the improved method of construction, the "dovetail" process, and the use of steel wire rods inserted into the slat-like continuous dowels (see cut of desk in process of setting up), a degree of firmness, strength and durability is obtained that is not equaled or approached by any other method, and which more than doubles its value.
Boards of directors or persons wishing school or office furniture may be sure of finding what they need, at fair prices, at the great establishment of this firm in Chicago.
Digitized by
I S. R. I "
M. Ten Eyck ..
1
" High Schools in County,
37
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
CHAPTER XI. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
EARLY HISTORY OF METHODISM OF WASHINGTON CO., ILLINOIS.
BY REV. L. F. CULLOM.
BOUT the year 1819, Daniel Whittenburg, Joseph Whittenburg, John Phillips, George Lowe and their families, emigrated from East Tennessee and located near the present village of Beaucoup ; soon after their arrival, Daniel Whittenburg, being a local min- ister of the M. E. Church, proceeded to organize the first society of this de- nomination in the county. The spot now occupied by the M. E. Church building at Beaucoup, was chosen and set apart by the above named parties, as the most suitable place for the location of church and camp-ground.
The first building was of logs, and for years resounded with the happy songs and jubilant praises, of those early pioneers, " as from pure hearts fer- vently" they worshiped God. This appointment of the church became the headquarters of Methodism in this part of Illinois, and retained this promi- nence for a good many years.
The camp-meetings held at this point became an annual attraction, the peo- ple coming forty and fifty miles to attend them, and it is believed through the instrumentality of these historic meetings of the church a good was ac- complished that has been permanent. As to the early ministers of those days, very little information can be obtained; associated with the name of Rev. Daniel Whittenburg, are those of Revs. Orcenith Fisher, Simeon Walker, and a gentleman by the name of Houts,-some of the preachers who labored for the salvation of souls in those early days. That apostle of pio- neer preachers, Rev. Peter Cartwright also, proclaimed the gospel of peace during a transient stay among the people, about the year 1844.
The organization of the church in Nashville is said by the oldest inhabi- tants of the county to be contemporary with the commencement of the city itself, about the year 1830-31.
Zenas Vernor and family moved to Nashville about the year 1833, and ac- cording to the statement of Mrs. Vernor, who is still living, there was at that time but seven, families in the place; a Methodist class was then organ- ized at the house of Rev. Orcenith Fisher, a local minister, and that Rev. Simeon Walker was the pastor of the little flock, visiting and preaching for them once in four weeks. Some of the early members of this class were, Orcenith Fisher and family, Nicolas Darter and family, Zenas Vernor and family, Jacob Goodner and family, David Ramsey and family, Livesay Car- ter and family, Samuel Anderson and family, Fletcher Watts and family.
The first church building erected in Nashville was placed upon lots near the centre of the city, deeded to the church by Zenas Vernor; according to the best information obtainable, this house, whose time-honored walls still stand, was erected about the year 1840; this house is of brick.
A parsonage was built immediately adjoining the church about ten years later, whose walls have long since perished. A new one however is now in course of building on the same site.
Up to the fall of 1852 the Methodist organizations of Washington county were under the control of the Illinois Conference; at that time, by vote of that ecclesiastical body the Conference was divided, and the Southern Illinois Conference was formed, and these societies fell under the jurisdiction of the newly formed Conference.
The succession of pastors from that time to the present we have been able to obtain-for the circuit until the station was formed, and for the station up to the present. 1851-2, Rev. J. A. Robinson ; 1852-3, Rev. John Thatcher; 1853-4, Rev. John Thatcher; 1854-5, Revs. Henry Allyn and Z. R. Piercy; 1855-6, Henry Allyn and Z. R. Piercy; soon after Conference Henry Allyn died, and his place was supplied by Rev. Simeon Walker; 1856-7, Rev. J. H. Holloway ; 1857-8, Rev. I. M. Stagg. This year Nashville appears first as a station. 1858-9, Rev. I. M. Stagg; 1859-60, Rev. Moses Shepherd ; 1860-1, Rev. A. B. Morrison ; 1861-2, Rev. J. D. Crum; 1862-3, Rev. E. Joy; 1863-4, Rev. J. C. Willoughby ; 1864-5, Rev. J. C. Willoughby ; 1865 -6, Rev. W. B. Bruner ; 1866-7, Rev. M. N. Powers; 1867-8, Rev. M. N. Powers; 1868-9, Rev. L. Casey ; 1869-70, Rev. J. P. Davis ; 1870-1, Rev. D. W. Phillips; 1871-2, Rev. D. W. Phillips; 1872-3, Rev. M. House ; 1873-4, Rev. M. House; 1874-5, Rev. J. D. Gillham ; 1875-6, Rev. Geo. W. Farmer; 1876-7, Rev. Geo. W. Farmer ; 1877-8, Rev. J. H. Hill; 1878-9, Rev. L. F. Cullom.
The names of some of the pastors of the Nashville Circuit, since its separa- tion from the station, I have obtained, and give them, viz. : 1873-4, Rev. D. Elam ; 1874-5, Rev. D. Elam; 1875-6, Rev. J. P. Youngling; 1876-7, Rev. J. P. Youngling; 1877-8, Rev. A. Campbell ; 1878-9, Rev. T. J. Davis.
The M. E. Church at Richview was first organized at the home of Samuel White, about two and a half miles from the present town. A beautiful grove on this gentleman's farm was selected for a camp-ground, and dedica- ted to Him who dwells not alone in temples made with hands, but who con- descends to meet and bless his people when their hearts are contrite and their penitence sincere.
These pious pioneers continued to worship God in the home of Mr. White and beneath the shadows of the tented grove until the year 1842, at which time the first church house was built in old Richview, and immediately there- after the society at Mr. White's and a small society which had been formed at John Tate's, became members of this church. Some of the members of this newly formed society were Samuel White and family, W. H. White and family, Thomas Livesay and family, William Livesay and family.
Among the names of ministers who served this society either in the capa- city of pastor or local preacher, we give the following, viz. : Rev. G. W. Robbins, Rev. Simeon Walker, Rev. D. Whittenburg, Rev. Orcenith Fisher, Rev. James Walker, Rev. W. W. Mitchell, Rev. David Caughlin, Rev. W. B. Bruner, Rev. Levi S. Walker, Rev. Eugene May, Rev. C. Lathrop, Rev. W. F. Whitaker, Rev. J. W. Lowe. These are only a few of the names of the many excellent men of God who have lived and labored here.
At this place still lives, at the home of his son, Rev. Simeon Walker, spending the evening of a well-spent life in quiet and peace ; from this place the Rev. W. W. Mitchell was taken up to the more excellent glory.
Liberty Church, in Washington county, was organized in 1831 ; its pro- minent members were, David S. White, Lewis Tate, James Locke. Beyond the names of these persons and the date of this organization, no other fact of noteworthy importance has been obtained.
The venerable George Lowe, now an honored member of the church at Richview, informs me that in 1832 he found a society of Methodists at the home of Alex. Anderson, the principal members of which were, Alex. Ander- son, Roberson Logan, John Darter, and John Livesay.
The dates of the organization of the M. E. Church at Ashley, Irvington and Okawville, I have not been able to obtain. The names of some of the ministers who have served these people have however been obtained :
Ashley .- Rev. O. H. Clark, Rev. M. N. Powers, Rev. W. H. Tyner, Rev. R. Thatcher, Rev. E. Treadgold, Rev. J. W. Vancleve.
Irvington .- Rev. L. S. Walker, Rev. E. May, Rev. D. W. Phillips, Rev. L. Casey, Rev. David Moore.
Okawville .- Rev. C. M. Halliday, Rev. C. J. Houts, and Rev. W. Mc- Morrow, who is the present pastor.
There are without doubt numbers of names that ought to appear here in this roster that are not here. The writer of this sketch only came to this county a few months ago, and therefore is personally unacquainted with the early or later history of the church, and has only obtained the facts here collated by the most careful gleaning. It is however hoped that this narra- tive is in the main correct.
CHURCHES OF THE "GERMAN EVANGELICAL SYNOD OF NORTH AMERICA."
BY REV. H. BUCHMUELLER.
There are eight churches in Washington county, more or less connected with the German Evangelical Synod of North America. Three are members of said Synod, and four more receive their ministers from said Synod. One church in the county is an out-parish up to this time. Seven settled ministers of the German Evangelical Synod of North America preach the gospel regu- larly to well attended congregations. The Theological Seminary of this Synod is near Marthasville, Warren county, Missouri, built in 1849 and 1850. One of the first students of this Seminary was Rev. Charles Witte, and was sent to Washington county in the summer of 1851.
At that time the county was thinly settled and the Germans gathered from near and far whenever a minister occasionally came to preach the gospel, in a school-house or even in a farm-house. The Germans of the Grand prairie to the number of twenty-five concluded to build a church, and then have their own minister and regular Sunday service. They elected Rev. Charles Witte for their minister and organized as:
1. The German Evangelical ST. PAUL's CHURCH in Grand Prairie, Wash-
Digitized by
38
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
ington County, Illinois, and a constitution was adopted. The church was a plain frame building without pews. Two long trestles on each side of the church and planks across were the seats; but we were happy in having the word of God every Sunday. A board-partition separated a room in which Rev. C. Witte lived. In 1853, a parsonage was built. On Sunday afternoon Rev. C. Witte preached also at Plum Hill, and near Nashville. In the spring of 1857, Rev. C. Witte left the county, and the congregation elected Rev. H. Buehrig, but he was always sickly here, and in order to restore his health he left for a northern clime. In 1859, Rev. A. Mueller was elected. The congregation grew so, that the need of a larger church was felt. And as some of the members lived a great distance from this church, they parted and built a new church at Okawville, and Rev. A. Mueller followed the call of the new congregation in 1863. For a longer time then Rev. F. Daries preached here in the St. Paul's church as out-parish from Plum Hill. In 1865, the congregation elected Rev. Chr. Mohr, who worked faithfully some nine years. Since 1876, Rev. J. G. Hanger is minister of this church. The congregation has church, parsonage, grave-yard, and some land. The mem- bership is some thirty families. This congregation is a member of the Ger- man Evangelical Synod of North America.
2. German Evangelical ST. JOHN'S CHURCH of Plum Hill, Washington County, Illinois. Rev. C. Witte preached on Sunday afternoons in different school-houses between Plum Hill and Nashville. The fruit of his labor was the organization of two new congregations. In February, 1854, the St. John's congregation was organized with the above name. A constitution was delib- erated and adopted by twenty-one members. The congregation elected four trustees, viz: J. H. Ankesheil, J. H. Renken, J. F. Mangenalker, and F. H. Schorf heide. It was determined to build a frame church on the north-east corner of Mr. J. F. Mangenalker's land, and four acres of land were obtained. A committee was appointed to take subscriptions for the church. In the spring of 1855, the church was finished and dedicated. Then a parsonage was built. The first minister was Rev. G. Maul, who came in June, 1855, and left in January, 1859. His successor was Rev. M. Kruse, from March, 1859, until February, 1865. The congregation then elected Rev. Fr. Daries, June, 1865. In 1875, it was concluded to build a new church of brick, with steeple. The old one to be altered for a school-house. In October, 1875, the new and well finished, one of the finest of our churches in the county, was dedicated. The Church had an expense of $9,201. Rev. Fr. Daries could not long enjoy the new church; his heavenly Lord hastened home with his faithful servant. He died January 21st, 1876. At present Rev. Fr. Doehring is minister since June, 1876. The membership is fifty.
3. German Evangelical ST. PAUL'S CHURCH of Nashville, Washington County, Illinois. On the 18th day of July, 1854, a meeting was held in the house of Mr. J. Hoffman near Nashville. to organize a congregation. A constitution was unanimously adopted by nine members. The following members were elected first trustees of The St. Paul's church: Fr. Krughoff, E. H. Hoffman, H. Buhrman, and John E. Hoffinan. Also a committee was appointed to take subscriptions for a church. August 21st, 1854, it was concluded by the members of the church to build a frame church in the north-east part of Nashville. In October, 1854, the congregation elected Rev. M. Kruse as minister. At the same time the church was to be built, and to get the pine lumber eight wagons were sent to St. Louis to get the same. The Presbyterian congregation of Nashville opened kindly their church for the members of the St. Paul's church to hold their Sunday meetings. In the spring of 1855, the church was finished, and a small parsonage was built near the church. Rev. M. Kruse received a call to the St. John's church at Plum Hill, and followed the same in March, 1859. In June, 1859,the St. Paul's church joined the Evangelical Synod of North America, and became a member of said Synod. Rev. L. Austmann was elected minister, and came in October, 1859, and continued till March, 1866. In the year 1861, a number of families living in the North prairie organized an out-parish of the St. Paul's church, and built a church by father Krughoff. Rev. L. Austmann preached there every two weeks in the afternoon. At an assembly held January 12th, 1863, all the mem- bers of the St. Paul's church living in North prairie were honorably dismissed to form their own congregation. After Rev. L. Austmann had left, the con- gregation had for a long time no minister, and Rev. F. Karbach preached the gospel every two weeks. The parsonage had been enlarged, and improve- ments were made onthe property. In September, 1866, Rev. . J. Rapp followed the call of the congregation. At the same time the congregation concluded to enlarge the church by building a school-room to the church, with steeple, and also a bell was bought. Rev. J. Rapp followed a call of the congrega- tion at Central City and Centralia, in September, 1868. The St. Paul's church
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