USA > Illinois > Clinton County > New Baden > New Baden centennial, 1855-1955 > Part 2
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In its first 100 years New Baden may be said to have had its "growing pains." The history recorded here is evidence that these "pains" have not all disappeared, nor will they ever disappear if there is to be continued growth. New Baden can look back with pride on its first century. Let us hope that we may in the time allotted to us on this earth, do as much to further the growth and encourage the goodness of the home, the church, the schools, business, and the social and cultural heritage which is ours.
Page Fourteen
A DESCRIPTION OF NEW BADEN BEFORE 1896
This is an excerpt from a letter written by Mrs. Helena Griesbaum, a senior citizen and long time resident of New Baden, describing the town of New Baden prior to the cyclone. Her memory is excellent and she gave a clear picture of New Baden as she remembered it. She was born in New Baden in 1876. She told of her father Peter Johnson, an early settler of New Baden who came from Copenhagen, Denmark. He was a peddler, she said, and he went about the country selling groceries and dry goods and buying poultry and eggs. Every three or four weeks he would drive to St. Louis with horses and covered wagon to sell the poultry and eggs and bring more groceries and dry goods home.
THE DESCRIPTION :
There were houses and businesses on both sides of Hanover Street. There was only one street north of Hanover Street. A goodly portion of what is the south side of Hanover Street was farm land up to the 1900's.
Starting at County Line and going along North Side of the Hanover street.
There was an ice house in which they stored ice which had been cut from ponds in big blocks. It supplied ice to all the taverns. This burned down when I was about six. It was operated by Ben Speiser.
Then came the old Bachmann home and the Melchoir Kiefer home. These homes are no longer standing.
The Speiser Dance Hall was next and then Old Lady Speiser's saloon.
Conrad Woerner then had a wagon shop, his home, and an old frame house all in one yard.
My parent's home, Peter Johnson, came next; next was the Golden- berger home and blacksmith shop; then the Duggenburger or Jonas home; the William Rust home - he was a tailor.
The Hettersheimer home was at the corner of Nagele's. (Where Manwaring Garage is now). 1
There was a bridge to walk over the Hog River - then the Monken home. He was a school teacher.
Then there was the City Hall.
The Blaetz building was next. (In its place is the Hempen Hardware Store).
Then Old Lady Wanger had a saloon and her residence. (Where Hertenstein Garage is now).
Where there is now a hotel there was a mill and the block in which it was located was referred to as "the mill block." There were no houses in this block.
The Stempel house - I think Hoggs lived in it then.
Dr. Kruger's drug store was where Lillie Griesbaum had her living
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rooms.
Next was Valentine Heinzmann's saloon and home. He suffered the loss of part of an arm during the Civil War.
Then the Laurence Speiser place. He was a butcher. Just before the graveyard was the dear old schoolhouse.
George Ebel's home was where Rathmann's Park and Tavern are now. Now for the South Side of the Street, again starting at the County Line:
Fritz Kram's home at corner - (brick) still standing. Then the Christ Schlosser home.
Henry Hummel home - they had a well and I believe it is there yet.
Then the Hurst home and then the Oswald home
Where Hill's Bakery is John Bassler lived. He was the mailman and had to go to Trenton for the mail.
Then Uncle Rudolph Hertenstein's store and living rooms. Grandpa Hertenstein's house was next. William Griesbaum's farm was all the way to the corner of Hanover Street.
The Striegel home was where old Wangler later lived.
Next was the Stahler home and blacksmith shop. This is one of the oldest residences in the town.
Christ Schumacher store and living rooms (where Goebel's Store is now).
Henry Hummel store, implement shop, living rooms, and the park where picnics were held.
Then the old Schrag house. Then the Grasholz home. The son, Ferdi- nand Grasholz was the painter and band leader.
Tony Griesbaum farm was just across from the school and we went skating and sleighing there at recess time.
The Kuhner house was where Wilken's home is now.
Now for the back Street just North of Hanover Street:
Just behind the Peter Johnson home was the Pius Meyer home and across the street from the Meyer house was the Georger home, which is still there. In back of the Georger home was the brick yard which is now the city dump.
Then Grandpa Butzow's home - he was the carpenter boss.
The Birkley home - parents of Mrs. Krumreyer (then Mrs. Moritz Haas). Mr. Krumreyer was the tinner.
Mueller's house was where Wuebbels live now.
Then the old Andrew Mueller house which I think is the oldest in town.
Heinzmann Park was behind the Andrew Mueller place. Town picnics were held there.
There was the Butzow lumber yard where the Hempen and Baehr resi- dences are now,
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..... .....
I
Looking NORTH on HANOVER STREET about the turn of the Century
NEW
ST GEORGE CHURCH BADEM IL
ST. GEORGE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Page Seventeen
ST. GEORGE PARISH
Prior to 1894, the Catholic families of New Baden attended church at Germantown, Highland, or other nearby towns. In the year 1894 plans were made to organize a parish in New Baden. Joseph Griesbaum and Henry Stempel represented the people of New Baden and a parcel of ground was purchased. Reverend Gerard Toennies was appointed to or- ganize the new parish and build a church. The men who served on the first building committee were Xavier Griesbaum, Sr., Leopold Kiefer, and Felix Zinck.
The first Holy Mass was celebrated in the old Town Hall on November 11, 1894. About this time an acre of ground was purchased for a cemetery. The same cemetery still serves the parish. The congregation at this time numbercd 40 families.
The church was erected at a cost of $7,500. It was dedicated in De- cember of 1895. It was a two story brick structure with the upper floor serving as the church, with a seating capacity of 200. The church and school were not damaged in the cyclone of 1896; and in the same year a rectory was built by the parish. Father Toennies became the resident pastor. In 1906, the building of a larger church was undertaken and it was dcdi- cated in 1908. In 1922 the present rectory was built and the former rec- tory was renovated and enlarged to accommodate the Sisters, who had occupied a small four room frame house across from the school.
Reverend Francis Hodapp now serves the parish and the following church societies are active: St. Agnes Young Ladies Sodality, Holy Name Sodality, Christian Mothers and Altar Society, which is affiliated with the National Council of Catholic Women and Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers.
Trustees of the church are John H. Billhartz, Jr. and Herman H. Hemann. Directors are John Peters and Herman Mueller.
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ZION EVANGELICAL and REFORMED CHURCH
The origin of Zion Church goes back to 1895, when Mr. Christ Trost, a member of a neighboring church at Trenton, organized an Evangelical Sunday School in New Baden. This Sunday School grew and prospered and soon led to thoughts of organizing a church. The first meeting place of the Sunday School was in a room of the Public School. Prior to this the families had attended church in neighboring towns. During the summer of 1895 a Sunday School picnic was held. The interest continued and in 1898 the church was organized. It was known as the German Evangelical Zion Church. Those serving on the first church board were: Andreas Mueller, president; William Stolz, secretary; Rudolph Hertenstein, treas- urer, and Louis Butzow, member.
A plot of ground was purchased and the erection of the church began in August, 1898 and was dedicated December 11th. The Reverend Fritz, pastor of the Summerfield church, was in charge of the dedication. In 1899 the church officially joined the Evangelical Synod of North America, which later became the present Evangelical and Reformed Church. Reverena Fritz and student pastors from the church seminary at Wellston, Missouri, supplied the pulpit until July 16, 1899, when the first full-time pastor was installed, Reverend H. F. Grotefendt. A parsonage was built at this time and still serves as the home for the pastor.
The oldest organization of the church is the Women's Guild, which originated on October 11, 1898. It was known as the Ladies Aid and had 40 church members. This group has contributed much to the building of the church. In 1922 the organization became affiliated with the Ladies Aid Federation and in 1941 became a part of the Women's Guild. The church choir has been active for more than 50 years; at present there are 12 mem. bers. The Adult Fellowship Club of the church was founded in 1947.
The church was re decorated and services were held on the Fiftieth anniversary. On March 2, 1950 fire broke out in the church hall and spread throughout the church, causing complete ruin to the re-decorated church. The congregation, together with Reverend Harold Behle, began a complete rebuilding program immediately. The rebuilt church was dedicated June 3, 1951.
The present pastor is Reverend G. F. Brink, who has served since 1953. The church council members are: President Gustav Bassler; Vice- President Harry Krausz; Recording Secretary Raymond Brede; Financial Secretary Raymond Ullrich; Treasurer Oscar J. Mallrich, and Member William Bitterberg.
Page Nineteen
ZION REFORMED and EVANGELICAL CHURCH
OLD M. E. CHURCH
Page Twenty
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Methodist Church was organized July 21, 1902. The first trustees were Rudolph Hertenstein, Charles Harpstrite, Oscar Mitzel, Oscar Harper. Mrs. Barbara Singler, Philip Weiss, Joseph Arbegg, Charles Engelhardt, and Oscar Carney. The name adopted was the Methodist Episcopal Church of New Baden, Illinois. This was set forth in an affidavit by Z. J. Farmer, a minister from Trenton, and notarized by George J. Monken, Notary Public, on August 25, 1902; it was recorded with the County Recorder of Deeds August 26. In the same year Rudolph Hertenstein deeded the ground on which the first church stood to the church. It was located direct- ly across the street to the cast of George Hertenstein's present home.
The first minister was Reverend Matthews. The organizations of the church were: Ladies Aid - now the Gleaners' Class, Epworth League -- now Methodist Youth Fellowship, and the Men's Class.
The present church was built in 1922 and the minister is Reverend Guy Watson. The church board is made up of the trustees and the stewards. The trustees are Dr. E. C. Asbury, Orville Phillips, Ed Dagit, Earl Gildig, John Dagit, Oscar Poos, and George Hertenstein. The stewards are Charles Cook, Gus Laux, Matt Berberich, Josephine Asbury, Hilda Kennedy, Lily Watson, Vivian Hertenstein, Margaret Poos, Amanda Dagit, John Weatherford, and Robbie Odom.
NEW M. E. CHURCH
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PUBLIC SCHOOL
The subject of popular education, within the territory which now comprises the State of Illinois, was discussed twenty two years before the State was made into a territory. The famous Ordinance of 1787 recognized the importance of education for everyone. To encourage this principle, educational provisions were made by this National Ordinance and werc later incorporated in an Act of Congress, adopted April 18, 1818 to enable the State of Illinois to be created. These provisions provided that section 16 in every township should be used for school purposes. that 3% of the sale of public lands should go for education and that one entire township should be appropriated to the use of a "seminary of learning." Since that time the permanent school fund has been increased in various ways.
The first Governor, Mr. Bond, recommended that certain steps be taken in education. It was not until the second session in January. 1819. that the Legislature followed his suggestion and provided for the appoint- ment, by the County Commissioners in each County, of three trustees in each township. Thesc men were to lay out section 16 in lots of not more than 160 acres nor less than 40 acres. These lots were to be leased for 10-year terms for the purpose of creating revenue for school purposes. In 1825 a law was passed which provided for a system of free schools. This law was only the first of many and it contained only general pro- visions. Some of these were: (1) Schools to be open to white citizens between ages 5 and 21 years. (2) Gave County Commissioners court power to organize districts which should contain not less than fifteen fami- lies each. (3) The affairs of each district were to be managed by the board of trustees who could levy a tax for school support.
In 1828 the sale of the 16th section and the seminary township was authorized. The law was expanded in 1837; but it was not completely revised until 1841. The office of State Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion was made a separate office in 1853. This bill also directed the State Superintendent to frame a bill for the unification of the school system of the state. Mr. Ninnian Edwards was the first Superintendent and his recom- mendations were incorporated in a law passed in 1855. This law embraced all of the essential principles now in force.
Singe the school laws prior to the 1840's were in a chaotic condition, education in Clinton County, as well as over the State, was a matter of private enterprise. Schooling was provided by tutors, private schools, 01 the grouping of families to secure an education for their children.
The first legal action taken to establish the common school system in our county was in 1825. James Outhouse was appointed County School Commissioner to dispose of section 16 as provided under the Act of 1828. He resigned without performing this duty and in 1832, Zophar Case, Sr.
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was appointed to this office. He executed the duties of his office compe- tently, and the present system of education in the county is said to have grown from his capable efforts.
Mr. James Wightman was the first County School Commissioner clected and O. B. Nichols was the first County Superintendent of Schools.
The residents of Lookingglass Township built a small log building near the center of the Township in 1829. The Township erected a log school house on Section 24 and established a school in 1844 which was taught by Joseph Ostendorf.
The first school in New Baden was a frame building located on the site where Mrs. Martha Graminski's home now stands. This building was torn down and a brick structure was erected. The first teacher was Mr. Chinn. Early teachers in the first school were: John Weber, John Morlock, and John Monken. After the mine opened in 1897, this school building was turned into a residence and a new school was built which is known as Washington School.
The Washington School was built near the turn of the century. The original building was two rooms. Within a few years two rooms were added above these. The next addition called for the building of the two north rooms, one on the lower floor and one on the upper floor. After the fire in 1926, the old gym and the rooms above it were added. Construction was 'begun in 1954 on a new addition consisting of a gymnasium, two shower rooms, cafeteria, additional furnace room, first aid room, two rest rooms, and a lobby; the cost, $126,000. It will be ready for occupancy at the beginning of the fall term in 1955.
The first school records available are from 1909. The following Board of Education was serving at this time: President, F. A. Billhartz, Secretary, Fred Heithaus; Members, Henry Wangler, Louis Goldbeck, Henry Bassler, Henry Singler, and Ed Harpstreith. The teachers employed were: William Ullrich, principal; Henry Griesbaum, assistant principal; Joseph Kiefer, Room 3; Millie Gaffner, Room 2, and Francis Meiner, Room 1.
The present board members of New Baden Elementary School Dis- trict 68 are: LeRoy Brede, president; J. W. Bann, secretary; George Rath- mann, Bernard Hempen, Alfred Brown, George Hertenstein, and David Riding. Present faculty members are: Herall C. Largent, principal; Ferd Kaufman, Room 4; Miss Marion Morgan, Room 3; Mrs. Charlene Peters, Room 2; Mrs. Frances Thorpe, Room 1, and George Barton, music.
In minutes of a board meeting held June 4, 1909, the Board of Edu- cation voted to pay all bills against the school for the graduation of the High School Class; the first recorded graduate was Golda Haskins. A mo- tion was made and carried to award her a High School Diploma, May 31,
Page Twenty-three
1912, in a ceremony befitting the occasion: this diploma was from a two year high school.
The school burned on April 19, 1926. The renovated building with its additions was dedicated Wednesday, December 29, 1926. Elementary and high school classes resumed here shortly thereafter. The Certificate of Recognition for a four-year course was in 1928. The members of the first High School Board of Education for District 72 were: Tony Gildig, presi- dent; Henry Hempen, vice-president; John Dagit, secretary-treasurer; Bert Baird, and Dr. J. W. Hardy.
Present members of High School Board of District 72 are: William Beine, Jr., president; Theodore Medcalf, Leonard Fiedler, Earl Gildig, Edward Krausz, Charles Cook, Robert Schomaker, and Herall C. Largent, secretary. Present faculty members are: Fred Widicus, Curtis Kinney, William Daters, Miss Chrystal Maddex, George Barton, and Herall C. Largent, principal. Mr. Largent is Superintendent of Schools and has served since 1950. Custodians for the grade and high school building are Arthur Nagele and Oliver Baehr.
The New Baden Community High School offers an excellent academic curriculum. At the present time. the only vocational field offered is in business education.
SCIENCE
ENGLISH
MATHEMATICS
General Science
English I
General Mathematics
Biology
English II
Algebra I
Chemistry
English III
Geometry
Physics
English IV
Advanced Algebra Trigonometry
MUSIC
Band-4 years
SOCIAL STUDIES World History
BUSINESS EDUCATION General Business
Boys Chorus-4 years
United States History
Typewriting
Girls Chorus -- 4 years
International Gov't.
Shorthand
Mixed Chorus-4 years
Sociology
Office Practice
State and Local Gov't
Bookkeeping Advanced Shorthand
PHYSICAL EDUCATION - 4 years.
COMPETITIVE SPORTS - Baseball, Basketball, Track, Tennis.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR - Student Council, National Honor Society, Year- book, Newspaper, Girls Athletic Association, Drama, Class Organi- zations.
In 1819, the County Commissioner was empowered to appoint three trustees in each township to obtain financial support for the schools as provided by law. These trustees appointed the Township Treasurer to Page Twenty-four
FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL IN NEW BADEN
handle the funds of the schools. In 1952, a seven-member County Board of Trustees was elected and in 1954, the office of Township Trustee was abolished. The school boards now appoint a treasurer. Mr. O. W. Bill- hartz serves as the treasurer for the elementary and high schools.
A Parent-Teachers Association was organized January 19, 1928 under the superintendency of Mr. Krug. This organization was disbanded Janu- ary 30, 1934. A new P.T.A. was organized in the 1953-1954 school year for the Washington School. Mrs. Imogene Cook was the first president of this group and Frank Towell is serving as president at the present time.
PRESENT DAY PUBLIC SCHOOL
Page Twenty-five
LL
LL
PUBLIC SCHOOL
NEW BADE. N.LL.
PUBLIC SCHOOL PRIOR TO ADDITIONS
==
2
I
OLD ST. GEORGE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Page Twenty-six
ST. GEORGE SCHOOL
The first school of St. George Parish was held on the lower floor of the church. It was opened in September, 1895, under the direction of the Sisters Adorers of the Most Precious Blood of Ruma, Illinois. The two large rooms to the front of the building were used as class rooms, while the three rooms in the rear served as a Sisters' residence. Two nuns were engaged as teachers, Sister Rosina and Sister Thecla.
In 1908, there were 125 children attending the parochial school, which had by this time been enlarged by transforming the Sisters' quarters into a class room. Shortly after 1922 two more class rooms were added to the school by building partitions through the parish hall, situated on the second floor of the school building, and two more teachers were added to the staff.
During the years, 1930-1943, St. George School became a district school. It is one of the few public parochial schools in the state. Now in the year 1955, the former church and school stand no more. It has been razed and a beautiful new school for the children of St. George Parish was completed in 1953. There are approximately 170 students enrolled and five Sisters serve as teachers. The faculty includes Sister Henrica, principal; Sister Mary Richard, Sister Alphonsa, Sister Winifred, and Sister Huberta. Herman Kuhn is the custodian of the school.
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NEW ST. GEORGE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Page Twenty-seven
SPORTS and RECREATION
From the carliest days of New Baden, the sports which created the greatest interest were baseball and bowling. New Baden had many ball clubs through the years, the names of a few here in mentioned: New Baden Victors of 1910, Machine Runners Team, Shufflers Ball Team, and the New Baden Ball Team of 1916. At the present time the New Baden Base- ball Club plays a regular schedule and is in the Greater St. Clair County League. The team is managed by William Beine. Jr. About 1948 a Booster Club was formed to raise funds for the ball club and to further baseball in the community. This club included Alfred Brown, George Rath- mann, the American Legion and the baseball team.
A girls' softball team was organized in 1954. In 1955 they joined the Girls' Twilight League and are playing a regular season schedule. The team is managed by James Swinney. There were many men's softball teams, among these: Holy Name, Players Guild, Drugstore Cowboys, and the WPA team.
At one time the Woerner Bowling Alleys, once located in the rear of Kiefer's tavern, were famous for their bowling matches and New Baden had many excellent bowlers. Bowling alleys were also located in the building which now houses Welling's store. There are no bowling alleys in New Baden at the present. However, there are locally sponsored teams in other towns.
In the early days very little ready-made entertainment was available. Church affairs, local picnics, and family gatherings provided the major entertainment. One lady recalled that it was a Sunday ritual when she was young for the girls to go down to the depot to watch the passenger train arrive at the station.
New Baden was actively interested in music, for many bands and orchestras were in existence from time to time. The earliest orchestra that can be recalled was the Griesbaum Orchestra begun in 1894, and continued for about 25 years. Members of the group were the Griesbaums-Emil, Xavier, Louis, Phillip, Henry and the Hummel brothers, Julius and Grover. Mr. Julius Hummel also recalled the Star Band of New Baden with Xavier Griesbaum as the first leader. Mr. Hummel then became the leader and also instructed new members. The band gave concerts in the City Park: the band stand was behind the old City Hall. Members of the Star Band included Leader Julius Hummel, Xavier Griesbaum, Henry Griesbaum, Oscar Mallrich, John Koch, Adolph Reuter, Louis Bassler, Lawrence Kal- tenbronn, Herman Hemann, Henry Kuhn, Fred Beine, Emil Strotheide, John Strotheide, Cecil Duffner, and William Lehrter.
The old Nagele Hall was the most popular spot in New Baden. Roller
Page Twenty-eight
skating was enjoyed there during the week and dancing on the weekends. The Hummel Orchestra played for many of the dances. Movies were occasionally shown here, also. Many activities were held at Hummel Park including dancing, picnics, and outings. Heinzmann Park, behind the old Andrew Mueller house, was also a picnic and outing area.
In later years popular dance orchestras in New Baden and surround- ing towns were Tom Fortune and his Silver Moon Orchestra, Oscar Mall- rich Orchestra, and William Lehrter Orchestra. At present there are three orchestras in New Baden who play for dancing. They are the Jack Peters Orchestra, Bob Goebel Orchestra, and Richard Rakers Orchestra. The first two may be called modern dance orchestras and the latter plays "oldtime" music. They are members of Local 175 of the American Federation of Musicians.
At present the annual fund raising picnics of the various organiza- tions are held in the City Park. These include the Chamber of Commerce Homecoming, Firemen's Picnic and American Legion Picnic. The annual school picnic is held at Rathmann's Park, where family outings, dances, and picnics are held. Dances are also held in the new Legion Home.
The town has had two movie theatres; one no longer stands and the other is not operating.
Before the music program was brought into the school, there was a community band (in the 1930's) which played concerts and marched in parades. This band was discontinued.
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