USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 24
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The schools of the country districts were slower to take advantage of the new and improved methods. Often the teachers were unedu- cated and had the crudest notion of the methods of instruction. Par- ticularly a knowledge of grammar was almost generally lacking among the country teachers. The times were hard, money was scarce, parents were poor and almost any person who desired, whether he was competent or not, could secure a school and become a teacher. The teacher offered his services at extremely low rates. Many schools were taught for $10 or $15 a month. Such teachers, usually having nothing else to do, could pass the winter and maintain them- selves and thus cared for little else. The parents were satisfied if he produced a certificate from the school commissioner and the latter would grant the certificate to the person recommended by the parents. The first instructors thus were not really teachers but were simply keepers of schools. They were not even instructors. The school commissioner was indulgent because good teachers were extremely scarce and the districts were compelled to employ the best they could secure. Often the certificates were renewed or tran- scribed from year to year, even though the teacher did not attend
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the institute, or make any advancement. One teacher in this county, wishing to have his certificate renewed, wrote as follows:
"Most Honorable and respectable Sir :- I have been Solicited to teach in this winter and if I Should teach for them it wd be necessary for me to have a certificate, permit me to ask you to transcribe a certificate for me. the district in which I am Solicited to teach is a half mile from the
. . . a distance of about twenty-five Miles from and there being no way of
gitting to by public conveynce these are the reasons why I ask you to transcribe, I have a certif. from county. I will send one along and would concider it a great obligement for you to transcribe, as the distance is great and the conveynce poor. Transcribe and oblige your humble servant
P. S. Direct your letter to
transcribe or write soon and oblige yours.
P. S. Please andorse this certificate and please return it."
The real difficulty at that time was the poverty generally of the whole country. The directors wanted cheap teachers and they voiced the sentiments of the school patrons. The school superin- tendent was satisfied if the parents were. Thus the supply met the demand. Why should teachers educate when it was not necessary in order to secure schools? it was asked. Thus in all the districts there was a general movement to save money even at the sacrifice of the children's education. Schoolkeepers instead of schoolteachers were wanted. Good professional teachers would demand three, four and five times as much as was paid to the usual country teacher. This meant heavier taxation and as the farmers generally had about all they could do to pay their taxes, low as they were, they objected to any change that would add an additional burden to their pay- rolls. The wages paid were $15 to $20 in summer and from $20 to $30 in winter. Thus persons throughout the county opposed any change, and there were many who called the common school systems new fangled notions and ridiculed any changes in the old, and to them satisfactory, system. This being the condition throughout the county, the teachers who desired improvement had an up-hill task before them. It was now necessary to educate the people generally to the new condition of affairs before any important and permanent improvement could be made. However, when once put in operation the new methods proved so satisfactory that enlightened public senti- ment supported the movement and favored the continuance of teachers' institutes and the system of school improvement inaugu- rated. But it required many years before all poor teachers were
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wholly eradicated from the educational system of the county. It was said by one of the teachers that "the idea is generally adopted that any man with education and shrewdness enough to obtain a cer- tificate will do well enough for a teacher provided he will teach low. Hence our schools are supplied with a set of trifling drones who have not energy enough to make a living at work."
From the institute of February, 1858, may be properly dated the revolution in school methods in this county. The association elected the following officers on that date: Ralph Grow, president; MI. Bigger, vice president; Tyler McWhorter, treasurer; J. E. Har- roun, secretary. Prof. S. Wright was present and assisted in the proceedings. During the session three lectures were delivered as follows: Moral Courage in Scholar and Teacher,. by Rev. J. S. Poage; Graded Schools, by Prof. S. Wright, of Lee County; Mutual Relations of Patrons, Teachers and Pupils, by J. K. Herbert; Objects of Education, by Rev. William Townley; Sundry Educational Topics, by Prof. S. Wright; Light, by J. H. Reed. These exercises, though new, were interesting and instructive in the extreme to all the teachers present and made a profound impression. Teachers were present from all parts of the county. At the close of the session there were adopted strong resolutions favoring uniformity of text books; requesting a greater attendance and better school apparatus; asking all teachers to attend the meeting of the association; favor- ing wages in proportion to the labors and qualifications of teachers without regard to sex; approving assistance to the proposed normal university; and recommending the organization of graded schools in the townships as feeders for high schools and colleges. This session was succeeded by branch organizations of teachers through- out the entire county under the leadership of J. E. Harroun, the new school commissioner. Among the branches organized were those at the following schoolhouses: Bates, Pryne, New Boston, Willits' Brickyard and the Bluff Church. Holbrook's school apparatus was recommended.
In January, 1858, the examination of the students of the Mercer Collegiate Institute embraced the following branches : Reading, arith- metic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, surveying, Latin and a few other branches. Rev. Wm. Townley was yet principal of the institute. In July, 1858, Rev. James R. Brown, a professor in Monmouth Col- lege, was elected professor of ancient languages in the institute. In the spring of 1858 Miss S. J. Woods taught a select school near Braucht's Hotel in Aledo. She charged $2.50 per quarter, in advance. At this time the educational movement throughout the Vol. I-16
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county was so great that public school libraries were considered and in every instance started in the different townships. So great was the demand throughout the state for such means of instruction that publishers or school authorities prepared such special libraries and sold them for very low rates in various counties. A. O. Moore, of New York, was one of the publishers to prepare such specific libraries. J. K. Herbert and J. A. Forsythe introduced Mr. Moore's library in this county. They visited the various districts and explained the usefulness of the collections of books.
The advancement in education in 1857-8 had never been paral- leled up to that date. Revolution in methods was complete. In Aledo, Millersburg, New Boston, Keithsburg and elsewhere new and better schoolhouses were immediately erected and many others were built in the country districts throughout the county. Particularly were all the facilities improved, such as text-books, reference books, blackboards, globes, libraries, etc. Within a few years scarcely a schoolhouse in the county could be found without fairly good equip- ment, but it must be admitted that when this wave of reform or improvement had subsided there was a tendency in many districts to return to former negligence and inefficiency.
In 1858 the Millersburg school district was one of the most important in the county. W. L. Green was instructor and was paid $35 a month for his services. That year he taught in an old build- ing not much better than a barn, but the reform compelled the direc- tors to erect a new building, which was occupied first in the fall of 1858. At once eighty children were enrolled in the village, with an average attendance of nearly fifty. The building was brick, two stories high, contained three rooms and at this time the entire school was graded in part. The Aledo Public School in 1858 contained four rooms, was two stories high, 32 by 50 feet, and the teachers were Rev. M. Bigger and F. H. Herdman. There was one room below and three above.
In August, 1858, the citizens of New Boston who were active friends of education, held an educational meeting on which occasion Prof. J. F. Eberhart, of Chicago, and Rev. J. S. Poage, of Aledo were the leading speakers. The committee of arrangements were David Kirlin, H. H. Roberts, E. P. Wood, E. J. Denison, A. Bur- dick, J. E. Willits, A. Howes, Ed Drury and R. P. Lytle.
In the summer of 1858 the schools of New Boston were revolu- tionized. Sixty varnished desks were secured and a similar number of two-braced chairs. In addition there were two desks for the teachers, a clock, an orrery, a tellurian, Pelton's hemisphere, a set of
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Mitchell's maps, a five-inch terrestrial globe, Page's normal chart, geometrical solids, cube root blocks, two numeral frames, a magnet, a prism, etymological chart, a universal school register, two una- bridged Webster's dictionaries, a set of Webb's normal charts and a set of McGuffy's charts, all costing about six hundred dollars. The schoolhouse was new, of brick, heated and lighted in modern style. It was a good building and a school in which the inhabitants from the start took the greatest pride. J. K. Herbert was the principal in 1858-9, and his assistant was Miss Maria Harroun. There were enrolled about one hundred and twenty scholars with an average attendance of about ninety. For many years previous to this date Simeon P. Smith had taught in New Boston Village and Township. He was well known and was one of the best instructors in the county. He took part in the early common school reform movement.
So great was the educational advanced movement in New Boston that in August a special educational convention was held in that village, on which occasion delegates were present from all portions of the county. Prof. J. F. Eberhart, an experienced instructor from Chicago, was present and delivered several interesting and instructive addresses. The occasion was made even more memorable by the pres- ence of the Keithsburg Brass Band, which furnished music. Rev. J. S. Poage delivered an interesting address on True Life, or Living and Existing. He dwelt upon the fact that it required moral courage to acquire and apply knowledge. Dudley Willits addressed the con- vention on the subject of the Present Occasion. Professor Eberhart delivered a second address on the subject of Free Schools. Rev. Mr. Hawks lectured before the convention on the subject The School- house and Printing Press. L. W. Myers spoke on Mercer County Schools. E. Stafford read an important paper on Free Books for Free Schools. Dr. Libby responded to the toast, The Ladies. The Keithsburg Band was called upon and replied with a musical pro- duction. One of the founders of the Mercer County Teachers' Asso- ciation was Tyler McWhorter. He took as much interest in the school advancement as any person in the county, except perhaps J. E. Harroun. J. E. Griffin spoke on the subject Devotees of Edu- cation. Rev. J. S. Poage's second address was on the subject of Female Teachers. R. C. Hardin spoke on Public Schools. J. E. Harroun delivered one of the most interesting addresses of the con- vention on the subject of Mercer County Teachers. A volunteer toast on the subject of Youthful Minds was responded to by Tyler McWhorter. The convention was held at a period when the Atlantic telegraph had just been recently completed by Cyrus W. Field.
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When this subject was referred to in the convention it elicited three rousing cheers for "Cyrus W. Field, the national school boy." Dr. Libby again addressed the convention on the subject of Our Worthy Marshal, a Modern Job. On this occasion the movement for the establishment of high schools at all the large centers throughout the county was projected. All the principal villages or cities had already taken preliminary steps, but the enthusiasm created by this convention gave additional momentum to the high-school movement. Several speakers advocated the construction of a high school at public expense near the center of every township and in every con- siderable village. Others declared that such a result could not be accomplished.
In September, 1858, the Teachers' Association held another ses- sion, there being present nearly forty teachers. There were present from abroad Professor Standish, of Lombard University, and Pro- fessor Hamill, of Monmouth College. At this session the gymnastic drill by Doctor Myers was an important feature and was loudly applauded and greatly admired by the teachers. The following program was carried out in full at this session: Orthography, Ralph Grow leader; Elocution, J. S. Poage leader; Mental Arithmetic, F. H. Herdman leader; Algebra, J. R. Whitman leader; Written Arithmetic, J. K. Herbert leader; Geography, A. M. Dickey leader ; Grammar, J. E. Harroun leader; Physiology, J. H. Reed leader; Physiology, M. Bigger leader; Theory and Practice, principal leaders. Essays: Uniformity of Text Books, W. W. Biggart; Thor- oughness and Accuracy, A. M. Dickey; Reading as an Accomplish- ment, F. W. Livingston ; Composition in School, Miss M. Harroun; History of Improvement in Text Books, F. H. Herdman; School Government, William Townley; Physical Geography, Tyler Mc- Whorter; Poem, J. H. Reed. Addresses by J. S. Poage, J. E. Har- roun, J. W. Lane, J. K. Herbert, principal, E. P. Wood, M. D.
The school collections of the county for the fiscal year 1858-9 were $6,964.48; expenditures the same; interest received $64; loan, $10; on hand, $54.
The Teachers' Institute of 1859 was one of the best ever held in the county thus far. There were present nearly fifty members. The new officers elected were: Warren Shedd, president; S. B. Atwater, vice president; Alexander Lamb, treasurer; F. W. Livingston, secre- tary. J. S. Poage, A. Lamb, W. W. Biggart and J. E. Harroun served as a committee on program. Among those present were: S. Hart, G. J. Baird, C. S. Richey, M. C. Clark, E. Forsyth, J. E. Griffin, A. J. Reid, J. A. McKee, J. R. Miller, W. H. Mckinney,
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Samuel Chaney, W. H. Voris, H. G. DePuy, James C. Pursee, Walter Pepper, W. H. McCoy, L. W. Myers, T. C. Swafford, J. K. Herbert, R. W. Kile, J. M. Hunter, R. M. Dihel, Charles Eaton, C. T. Chase, James McConnell, William Miller, Miss M. E. Morgan, Miss Jennie McMillan, Miss L. P. Worden, Miss Sarah Henderson, Miss Lizzie M. Voris, Miss Sarah Holmes, Miss Kate Miles, Miss Emily Allen, Miss Emma Hubbel, Miss Adaline Wolff, Miss Jennie Robb, Miss Mary Robb, Miss E. J. Graham. Exercises in all the leading branches taught in the common schools were given. Nearly all educational topics were discussed while the session lasted. Many lectures or interesting papers were presented to the institute. The resolutions adopted recommended uniformity in text- books, favored the introduction of vocal music in the schools, dis- approved of indiscriminate corporal punishment and urged the importance of better schoolhouses and equipment. This session was held in the old courthouse in Keithsburg.
The Eliza Township Teachers' Institute was organized in 1858 and held its first important session in the Boruff schoolhouse on October 15, 1859. Miles Shires was chosen president and Thomas J. Swisher, secretary. There were present in addition to those two, A. F. Waterman, A. B. Swisher and five or six others. At the next session in the Glancey schoolhouse there were present all of the above and in addition C. M. Clark and S. M. Dickey.
In February, 1860, the Teachers' County Institute was held at Millersburg. S. W. Atwater presided in the absence of Warren Shedd, president. There were present about twenty-five teachers, who adopted a program of lectures, speeches, discussions and essays, all of which was carried into effect. In February, 1860, the Associated Teachers' Institute met at New Boston. This association embraced several of the western townships of the county. They met at Pyrne schoolhouse and carried out the usual program. W. Pryne was chairman of this session, and P. Griffith, secretary. Among those present were J. E. Huston, T. C. Swafford, C. M. Clark, J. M. Hunter and R. W. Kile. The exercises were almost wholly in the common branches. In February, 1860, the school directors of Aledo purchased a full set of Holbrook's apparatus, consisting principally of a ten-inch globe, a five-inch hemisphere globe, tellurian, orrery, geometrical solids, a numeral frame, magnet, etc. At this time the Aledo schoolhouse and apparatus throughout were greatly improved. The seats were patents and the heating and lighting were up to the standard of that date.
In the fall of 1860 William P. Baker took charge of the Mercer Collegiate Institute at Aledo. He continued with the same until
.
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April, 1861, when he resigned with the intention of going to Mis- souri, but the commencement of the war prevented this course, whereupon he was continued during the summer. He announced that the children of accepted volunteers would not be charged tuition. In September, 1860, the teachers of Aledo were J. L. Pinkerton, principal; Miss Morgan, first assistant; Miss Harris, second assistant. Mr. Baker was still in charge of the Mercer Collegiate Institute. At the fall session, 1860, of the Teachers' Association, Warren Shedd, Joseph E. Harroun and John Ramsey were appointed a committee to ask the county board to help bear the expenses of the next annual meeting of the association and also for a remuneration to the school commissioner for services as such. The county board laid the whole subject on the table.
The school fund apportionment in the spring of 1861 was as fol- lows: North Henderson, $475.80; Rivoli, $412.65 ; Richland Grove, $472.05 ; Suez, $413.75 ; Greene, $368.25 ; Preemption, $423.80; Ohio Grove, $464.80; Mercer, $488.05; Perryton, $426.60; Abington, $411.95; Millersburg, $460.80; Duncan, $443.45; Keithsburg, $477.65; New Boston, $689.25; Eliza, $408.45; total, $6,736.70.
In the fall of 1861 all attempts of the teachers to hold institutes failed, owing to the war excitement. In October, Rev. W. W. Wil- liams was placed at the head of the Mercer Collegiate Institute. He was the pastor of the Old School Presbyterian Church at Aledo. In July, 1861, a new public schoolhouse for Aledo was proposed and soon afterwards work on the building was commenced. In Novem- ber, 1861, Joseph McCoy and Miss Madden were connected with the public schools of Aledo. At the same time M. V. B. Shattuck was principal of the New Boston schools.
In January, 1862, the teachers who took part in the New Boston Teachers' Institute were C. M. Waterman, M. V. B. Shattuck, J. McManus, Miss S. B. Huntington, Miss Hamby, C. W. Searls, Miss E. Dodge and others. Rev. J. Scott delivered a lecture on Practical Education, and Mr. Waterman showed the proficiency of his methods of teaching geography by singing or chanting. Several very instruct- ive essays were read.
In January, 1862, Amos F. Waterman, school commissioner announced that at the November session of the Teachers' Institute a prize consisting of Webster's Unabridged dictionary (pictorial edi- tion) would be awarded for the best essay on the subject Duties and Requisite Qualifications of the School Teacher. The second prize was to be Page's Theory and Practice of Teaching. Each teacher who wished to compete was required to forward to the school commissioner at Aledo his or her name and address, accompanied
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by twenty-five cents. This admitted such teachers to registry as a competitor. The essays were to be written on or before March 5th and forwarded to the commissioner, where all would be exactly copied in the same handwriting, the name of the competitor being omitted, and a number used instead. On the third day of the insti- tute the three judges chosen from different parts of the county would decide upon the comparative merits of the compositions and award the prizes.
The spring term of the New Boston High School commenced on Monday, February 24, 1862, and continued eleven weeks, under the management of Prof. M. V. B. Shattuck, assisted in the inter- mediate department by Mrs. Shattuck, and in the primary depart- ment by Miss S. B. Huntington. The tuition for the three depart- ments was respectively $4, $3 and $2. During the term Professor Shattuck gave special attention and instruction to persons who desired to become teachers. In fact he introduced and established a short normal course. A teachers' class was formed and conducted daily and instruction was given in theory and practice of teaching. Vocal music in each department was taught throughout the entire term and particular attention was given to composition and declamation. The school building at New Boston was one of the best in the state at this date. It had modern equipment throughout and had 500 square feet of blackboard. Board and room for students were easily secured in the city. James S. Thompson assisted greatly to make this high school and normal attachment a success.
At the Teachers' Institute in February, 1862, there were present C. M. Waterman, M. V. B. Shattuck. W. I. Steel, Mrs. Shattuck, C. Higgins, J. McManus, J. C. Cristoe, J. J. Arnold, O. N. Sanders, G. W. Black and others. At this time the teachers of Perryton also conducted an institute, there being present William Townsend, L. W. Hawes, J. A. McCorkle, Peter Griffith, Charles Wright. T. C. Swafford and others.
The Keithsburg Union School was in charge of T. C. Swafford in 1862-3. He was an experienced instructor and attended many of the institutes throughout the county in the country districts. He was assisted at Keithsburg by Miss Huntington and Miss Wolf.
In May, 1862, Miss Parnee Harroun opened a private school in the public-school building at Aledo. She charged a small tuition and had over thirty scholars. In September, 1862, Miss Madden was placed at the head of the public schools of Aledo. She was assisted by Miss E. Henderson and Miss Sanderson. Miss Madden had taught here the previous winter and had given almost perfect satisfaction.
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In September, 1863, James Gorton was placed in charge of the schools at Millersburg. He was a graduate of the Michigan State Normal School and had had several years' experience and was emi- nently qualified for his position. He was recognized as one of the most up-to-date instructors in the county at this time. He had one assistant.
The new school building at Aledo was ready for occupancy in 1863. It was 31 by 42 feet, two stories high, with a vestibule 14 by 20 feet. George P. Graham erected the building. This building was first occupied in September. W. McK. Young was the principal in charge and W. N. Graham had charge of the intermediate depart- ment and Miss Ena Marquis of the primary department. There were three rooms in this building, all supplied with patent seats, improved blackboards and the building was finished with a 300 pound bell. About the same time Hettie B. Townley opened a private school in a brick building owned by Mr. Paxton. She charged a small tuition and had about twenty-five scholars. The new organization of the Teachers' Association was established at Aledo in November, 1863. W. McK. Young presided and stated the object of the meeting. William N. Graham was secretary. These two teachers and Miss Ena Marquis were constituted a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws and report at an adjourned meet- ing on November 21st. In September, 1864, C. S. Kirk was prin- cipal of the Aledo public schools. Miss Lizzie Perkins and Miss Ena Marquis were assistants. The site of the new schoolhouse at Aledo was decided by vote.
At this time there were 100 schools in the county, which num- ber did not include the different departments of the graded schools. There were six graded schools. In more than one district there was an average attendance of sixty to seventy pupils-too many for any one teacher to properly instruct. He noticed that in all parts of the county the tendency to grade the schools prevailed. At this time there were in the county 8,967 persons under twenty-one years of age, and 6,134 between the ages of five and twenty-one. There was an attendance of 2,566 males and 2,497 females. This gave an average attendance of about fifty to each of the 100 schools. In six of the schools the Bible was read as a daily exercise. The com- missioner expressed the wish that it could and should be read in every school in the county. He urged the directors to make it a part of the daily exercises in the schoolrooms. Corporal punishment had almost wholly disappeared and there was great improvement in classification, text-books and the art of imparting instruction.
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