USA > Illinois > Peoria County > The History of Peoria County, Illinois. Containing a history of the Northwest-history of Illinois-history of the county, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc., etc. > Part 69
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In 1874 Miss Whiteside reported :
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426
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
" Peoria county represents a free school population of 9.992 pupils enrolled, and an outlay of $128,887.67 for the support of free schools the past year. Besides this the Board of Supervisors voted $4,900 for the support of our County Normal school the coming year.
"Thereare fourteen graded schools in the county, of these the city of Peoria contains seven, with an enrollment of 3.427 pupils, and a corps of 55 teachers. The High School of Peoria numbers 150 pupils, and its course of study compares favorably with those of older and larger cities.
" Elmwood has a high school, and five departments in its grammar and primary schools.
"Chillicothe has a high school and four departments.
" Brimfield has four departments ; Princeville, three ; Lawn Ridge, two; Kingston, two ; Rochester, two.
" The public spirit and intelligent appreciation of the American free school system, which | rovides so com- pletely for an education of all the people, paid for by all the people, are unmistakably evident in all parts of the county in substantial school-houses, often handsome edifices, built at considerable cost. But with all this liberal outlay of money in providing school-houses, models of comfort and convenience, a careful observer will see one of two serious evils in almost every school district in our land. One is a want of sympathy and confidence on the part of parents toward the teacher. The first of these evils we are trying to overcome by a general course of institutes throughout the county, held on Saturdays. We held ten last year, and I have advertised to hold sixteen this year. The good resulting from these popular meetings has been far greater than I dared to hope for. Parents meet us most heartily and generously. They feel a new pride in, and respect for, their teacher as he presents a bright class or fine exercise. They see that the teacher is working for the best interests of their children, and as they understand better his meth- ods and aims, they are led to a higher appreciation of his efforts, and this appreciation, in turn, animates the teacher to nobler endeavors. Another valuable feature of our meetings is the individual improvement in each teacher who presents a paper or exercise, for the close concentration of thought and reading on a given topic results in positive strength in that direction. And such is the cordial co-operation of the teachers in this effort for their improvement, that I have always obtained from four to six carefully prepared exercises at each session. * * *
"There are comparatively few colored children in this county, and they are quietly allowed the same rights and privileges as the white children."
In concluding her report, Miss Whiteside added : " The Board of Supervisors allow me two hundred and fifty days at four dollars per day. They also allow me one hundred dollars per year for office rent, and they generously granted que seventy dollars I asked for to free our . drill ' from debt. These allowances made a sum total of $1,170. Since the completion of the present Court-house rent is avoided, for handsome and convenient quarters were provided in the lower part of the building for the Superintendent."
Mr. J. E. Pillsbury, the present incumbent of the office, was elected in November, 1877, and entered upon the duties of the office the following December. He had pre- viously been connected with the city schools, having been principal of the Second Dis- triet school for more than twelve years.
School statistics compiled from Superintendent Pillsbury's report, including the months from Oct., 1878, to June 30, 1879 :
Number of males under 21 years of age.
12,751
Number of females under 21 years of age.
12,718-25.499
Number of males between the ages of 6 and 21
8,551
Number of females between the ages of 6 and 21
S.758-17,619
Number of school districts
159
Number of districts having school five months or more
15S
Number of public schools.
161
Whole number of months of school.
1,209
Average number of months of school.
7.4
Number of male pupils enrolled
5,4So
Number of females enrolled.
5.334-10,814
Number of male teachers employed.
114
Number of female teachers employed
221- 335
Number of months taught by male teachers
628 45
Number of months taught by female teachers.
1.342-1,97012
Grand total number of days attendance.
1,090,744
Number of graded schools.
12
Number of months taught in graded schools.
$37
Number of ungraded schools
148
Number of months taught in ungraded schools
1,133 /2
Number of public high schools.
3
Number of school-houses built during the year
Whole number of school-houses in the county
160
Number of stone school-houses
1
Number of brick school-houses.
27
427
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
Number of frame school-houses
126-161
Number of private schools
7
Male pupils in private schools
866
Female pupils in private schools
S22-1,688
Number of teachers in private schools
34
Number of districts having libraries.
16
Number of volumes bought during the year for district libraries
I02
Whole number of volumes in district libraries.
1.750
FINANCIAL STATISTICS.
Balance in treasury October 1, IS78
$ 38,857 59
Amount of State and county funds received from County Superintendent. 19,729 07
Amount of fines and forfeitures received from County Superintendent. 108 78
Amount of interest on township fund received.
3,526 85
Amount of special district taxes received.
72,735 55
Amount received from sale of school property.
2,172 56
Amount from district bonds to pay outstanding indebtedness.
18,000 00
Amount from railroad and other back taxes
1,484 04
Amount from tuition
292 3I
Amount from treasurer Union district.
485 80
Total amount received during the year ending June 30, 1879.
-$157,392 55
Amount paid to male teachers
$ 26,789 59
Amount paid to female teachers
49,145 82
Whole amount paid to teachers
75,935 41
Amount paid for new school houses.
1,295 00
Amount paid for school sites and grounds
160 00
Amount paid for repairs and improvements
6,016 34
Amount paid for school furniture
2,324 50
Amount paid for school apparatus_
518 45
Amount paid for books for district library
88 73
Amount paid for fuel and other incidental expenses
5,278 68
Amount paid township treasurers for services
2,034 05
Amount of interest paid on district bonds
2,135 27
Amount paid on principal of district bonds
19,785 30
Amount paid on outstanding indebtedness by new issue of bonds
100 00
Miscellaneous
5.320 79
Amount paid janitors Music
150 00
Insurance
12 50
Amount paid treasurer Union district
199 28
Total expenditures for the year ending June 30, 1879.
$121,634 70
Balance on hand.
35,757 85
Total of expenditures and balances
$157,392 55
Principal of township fund_
56,583 76
Amount of township fund loaned
54,903 69
Amount loaned on personal security
36,239 73
Amount loaned on real estate security
18,663 96
Average monthly wages paid male teachers
45 8712
Average monthly wages paid female teachers
33 II
Amount borrowed for building purposes.
200 00
Amount of district tax levy for support of schools
99,666 24
Amount borrowed to pay outstanding indebtedness
22,700 00
Estimated value of school property.
314,605 00
Estimated value of school apparatus.
4,126 00
Estimated value of school libraries.
2,785 00
COUNTY NORMAL SCHOOL.
This institution was established in 1868 by the joint action of the Board of County Supervisors and the Board of School Inspectors of the city of Peoria. The object of this school, as with normal schools wherever they have been established, was to afford those who intended becoming professional teachers a better opportunity of thoroughly quali- fying themselves, under the training of old and experienced educators, for the duties of that honorable avocation, than otherwise afforded.
The committee, under whose management this school was inaugurated, was com- posed of Messrs. Loren Wilder, George Jenkins and Dr. G. L. Lucas on the part of the
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428
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
Board of Supervisors, and B. L. T. Bourland, William F. Bryan and Dr. John N. Niglas from the City Board of School Inspectors, to which were added N. E. Worthington, County Superintendent, and Charles Feinse, Superintendent of City Schools.
The first business meeting of this committee was held at the office of Dr. Niglas, on the 25th of July, 1868. Present, Messrs. Wilder. Lucas, Bourland, Niglas. Feinse and Worthington. Dr. Niglas was elected chairman and N. E. Worthington was chosen secretary. The selection of a principal was discussed, and at a subsequent meeting. Prof. S. H. White, of the Brown School, Chicago, was elected to be principal, and his salary fixed at 82,500 a year. The city provided the building and defrayed one-fourth the current expenses, and the county three-fourths. The school was opened on the 9th of September, on the lower floor of the High School building, with Prof. S. H. White as principal, with no assistant until the opening of the second term, when Miss Jeanette Hannay was engaged as assistant and head of the training department, which was then established.
The management was under a joint committee from the two bodies- the Board of Supervisors and the City Board of Education - called the Normal Board. A sub-com- mittee of this board, consisting of one member from each, and the superintendent of the county and city schools, with the principal, had direct control. The last named commit- tee (the sub-committee) was clothed with full power to make all purchases, settle all accounts and make all needed regulations.
RULES FOR ADMISSION.
Applicants for admission to the benefits of this school were required, males to be six- teen and females at least fifteen years of age, and declare it to be their intention to be- come permanent teachers, and, if residents of the county, to give preference to the schools of the county in making engagements to teach : but pupils from other counties were not required to make this pledge. Applicants were also required to pass a satis- factory examination in spelling, reading, arithmetic, to per centage, the geography of North America and Europe, especially that of the United States, and English grammar through etymology. Especial attention was given to the applicant's knowledge of the fundamental rules of arithmetic, and his ability to perform examples in them rapidly and correctly. A practical familiarity with the common abbreviations, punetuation marks, and the common rules for the use of capital letters, was also required.
COURSE OF STUDY.
The course of study was arranged as follows :
FIRST VEAR.
First Term - 16 weeks.
Second Term - 13 weeks
Third Term=12 weeks.
Reading.
Reading. Spelling.
Reading. Spelling.
Writing.
Spelling.
Grammar.
Grammar,
Grammar.
Arithmetic.
Arithmetic.
Arithmetic.
U. S. History. !
Civil Government.
U. S. History.
Geography.
Geography.
SECOND YEAR.
First Term - 16 weeks.
Second Term - 13 weeks.
Third Term -13 weeks.
Mental Philosophy.
Methods of Instruction.
Methods of Instruction.
Algebra.
Algebra.
Geometry.
Geography.
Physiology.
Botany.
Natural Philosophy.
Zoology. Rhetoric.
Analysis of English Words. English Literature.
Rhetoric.
Alternate.
Geography.
Alternate.
The growth of the school was gradual. During the first year the total number of
429
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
students was fifty-six ; average number, thirty-one. During the second year, the total number was sixty-nine ; average number, thirty-five.
At the end of two years the management of the school passed to a County Board of Education, provided under an act of the State Legislature approved March 15, 1869, in- tended for the better and more uniform management of normal schools.
At the beginning of each year pupils intending to teach within a year, were organ- ized in a class in school economy, embracing school organization, school government and other questions involved in school management. Special classes were organized in a study whenever the number desiring to enter that study was sufficient to justify the course and the number of organized classes would permit.
This department was in the same building with the normal and afforded easy access for observation by the pupils of the latter. It embraced classes in the first four years of the course of study for the public schools of the city. Under the management of the training teacher, the pupils were introduced to the actual work of school instruction.
The text-books used in the school were Hilliard's Sixth Reader, Guyot's Common School Geography, Greene's Grammar, Hagar's Common School Arithmetic, Seavey's Goodrich's U. S. History. Olney's Complete School Algebra, Olney's Elements of Geom- etry, Dalton's Physiology, Swinton's Word Analysis, Haven's Rhetoric, Gray's " How Plants Grow," Cooley's Elements of Natural Philosophy, Nicholson's Zoology, Haven's Mental Philosophy, Wickersham's School Economy, and Wickersham's Methods of In- struction.
LIBRARY.
The library contains four hundred and eighty-five volumes. Among its works of reference are the revised edition of the American Encyclopedia, Chambers' and Zell's Encyclopedias, Webster's and Worcester's Unabridged Dictionaries, Allibone's Dictionary of English Authors, Chamber's Encyclopedia of English Literature, Lippincott's Gazet- teer, Thomas's and Appleton's Biographical Dictionaries, besides the works treating es- pecially of the different studies taught in the course, the leading works being accessible to the students at all times for consultation.
CABINET.
The cabinet contains a human skeleton, a life-size manikin, and other preparations in papier maché, from the celebrated establishment of Auzoux, in Paris, a full set of the Bock-Steger models, and other appliances for use in teaching physiology. It is probable that no other school in the State, except the medical colleges, has so large an amount of illustrative material as this for teaching this important subject.
For instruction in natural history there is a collection of skeletons illustrating the osteology of the classes and some of the orders of vertebrates, and other preparations. It received during the year 1876, from Miss Emma Smith, of Peoria, several cases illustra- ting the orders and some of the families of the insects of the county. Miss Smith col- lected and arranged these for the school from a desire to aid and encourage teachers in studying one of the most important divisions of natural history.
SUPERVISION.
Appropriations by the County Board of Supervisors, were never adequate to the proper maintenance and support of this school. First, it was sought to economize by dismissing one of the teachers. In 1879 the Board made an insufficient appropriation, and the school was suspended in June. This action was influenced, perhaps, by com- plaints that came up from the country districts that only the sons and daughters of the rich and well-to-do of those who were able to defray the expense of board, etc., in the city -were benefited by the Normal, There were also some unfriendly influences in
430
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
Peoria that were also brought to bear against appropriations for its support, and the doors of the institution were allowed to be closed.
The Normal School building, proper, was built by the city of Peoria in 1871. It is a two-story briek structure. and was erected at a cost of $15.000. It is now used for the eighth (Peoria) district school.
PEORIA SCHOOL WORK AT THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.
Under the direction and supervision of Miss Whiteside, a work of three volumes was prepared from the ungraded schools of the county for the Centennial Exposition at Phila- delphia in 1876. One of these volumes contained specimens of penmanship, spelling and letter-writing. and a second one on arithmetic. Each of these volumes was a compil- ation of the best work of the pupils of the schools of the county, and involved a labor of no small magnitude on the part of the Superintendent. The third volume was an Insti- tute book and embodied the proceedings of the Institute, the most valuable papers read by the teachers of the county, historical sketches and other edneational matter. This volume was honorably mentioned by the Centennial Board.
A work of a character similar to that of the ungraded schools was prepared by the city graded schools, and also a volume of Normal school work, and forwarded to the Cen- tennial. These volumes were honorable alike to those by whom they were prepared and forwarded. and the schools of the county.
ORDER FOR BUILDING THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE.
Verbatim copy of the original order issued for the erection of the first publie school- house in Peoria Co .. now in the possession of Mr. John Ferguson of Hallock Township.
In pursuance of the order of the legal voters of Peoria School District No. 1, the Trustees made the following appointment of families in classes. to ereet and finish a school-honse sixteen by eighteen feet, and at least ten feet high from the ground from the eave-bearers, as follows, to wit : --
The first class to consist of
Henry Neely, To cut the logs for the body, and sills, ribbs, butting poles, joists, James Walker. John Hamlin, John Barker. sleepers, eave-bearers, chimney and chinking stuff, door, facing curtain. to split puncheon stuff for floor, benches, and all other necessary timber for the said house.
The second elass to consist of
Isaac Waters. James Latham. William Clark, Aug. Langworthy,
To eut and split 700 clap-boards, hew the puncheon-stuff for floor, seats and lay the floor.
The third class to consist of
William Holland, Abner Eads,
Geo. Sharpe, Alva Moffatt.
To haul all the timber and stone for the house, and to chink the same, cut out and face the door and windows, and cut out the fire-place.
The fourth class to consist of
Isaac Hyde, John Dixon. To build the chimney and daub the house, make the door, windows, Jno. L. Bogardus, { and writing tahle and hang the door, and bank the house, etc.
Archibald Allen.
All the classes to join to raise and cover the house, and lay the loft floor.
To Mr. Elijah Hyde. - You are requested to call on each individual in the above classes, and notify all those belonging to the first, second, and third classes to meet and perform their several portions of labor from Wednesday to Friday next both inclusive,
431
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
and the fourth class to meet and perform their respective portions of labor also from Monday to Wednesday next both inclusive, and you will fail not to serve the same on each of the above named persons on or before the 12th day of the present month, and make due return thereof, and thereof fail not, on pain of five dollars.
Witness,
(Signed) NORMAN HYDE, Clerk of Peoria Common School District No. 1.
Peoria, Dec. 25th, 1825.
CHAPTER XV. OLD SETTLERS' UNION.
Oh ! a wonderful stream is the river of Time, As it runs through the realm of tears, With a faultless rhythm, and a musical rhyme, And a broader sweep, and a surge sublime, As it blends in the ocean of years. -B. F. TAYLOR.
Since the time when Abner Eads. I. Hersey, Seth Fulton, Josiah Fulton, S. Daugh- erty, J. Davis and T. Russell, pitched their tents against the remnants of Fort Clark, in the early Spring of 1819, the years have been so full of change that the visitor of to-day. ignorant of the past, could scarcely be made to realize that during these years a popula- tion of more than sixty thousand has grown up within the limits of the county whose history we are writing. From a savage wild this land has become a center of civiliza- tion, net-lined with fences, and checkered with the fairest fields of cultivation.
It is not strange that among the pioneer settlers of any new country a deep-seated and sincere friendship should spring up, that would grow and strengthen with their years. The incidents peculiar to life in a new country - the trials and hardships, priva- tions and destitutions- are well calculated to test not only the physical powers of endu- rance, but the moral, kindly, generous attributes of manhood and womanhood. They are times that try men's souls and bring to the surface all that there may be in them of either good or bad. As a rule, there is an equality of conditions that recognizes no dis- tinctions. All occupy a common level, and as a natural consequence. a brotherly and sisterly feeling grows up that is as lasting as time, for " a fellow feeling makes us won- drous kind." With such a community, there is a hospitality, a kindness, a benevolence and a charity unknown and unpracticed among the older, richer, and more densely popu- lated commonwealths. The very nature of their surroundings teaches them to " feel each other's woe, to share each other's joy." An injury or a wrong may be ignored. but a kind, generous, charitable act is never forgotten. The memory of old associations and kind deeds is always fresh. Raven locks may bleach and whiten: full. round cheeks wither and waste away ; the fires of intelligence vanish from the organs of vision : the brow become wrinkled with care and age, and the erect form bowed with accumu- lating years, but the true friends of the " long ago" will be remembered as long as life and reason endure.
The surroundings of pioneer life are well calculated to test the " true inwardness" of the human heart. As a rule. the men and women who first occupy a new country - who go in advance to spy out the land and prepare it for the coming of a future peo- ple -are bold. fearless, self-reliant and industrious. In these respects, no matter from what remote sections or countries they may come, there is a similarity of character. In
432
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
birth. education, religion and language, there may be a vast difference, but imbued with a common purpose - the founding and building of homes-these differences are soon lost by association, and thus they become one people, united by a common interest, and no matter what changes may come in after years, the associations thus formed are never buried out of memory.
In pioneer life there are always incidents of peculiar interest, not only to the pio- neers themselves, but which, if properly preserved, would be of interest to posterity, and it is a matter to be regretted that the formation of Old Settlers' Associations, or Unions, has been neglected in so many parts of the country. The presence of such associations in all the counties of a common country, with well kept records of the more important events, such as dates of arrivals, births, marriages, deaths, removals, nativity, ete., as any one ean readily see, would be the direct means of preserving to the literature of the country the history of every community, that, to future generations, would be invaluable as a record of reference. and a ready method of settling important questions of con- troversy. As important as these associations are admitted to be, their formation has not yet become general, and there are many counties in the Western country whose early history is entirely lost because of such neglect and indifference. Such organizations would possess facts and figures that could not be had from any other source. Aside from their historic importance, they would serve as a means of keeping alive and further ce- menting old friendships, and renewing among the members associations that were neces- sarily interrupted by the innovations of increasing population, cultivating social inter- course, and creating a charitable fund for such of their old members as were victims of misfortune and adversity.
In the Summer of 1876, a few of the earliest settlers, actuated by the motives sug- gested in the preceding paragraph, determined to call a meeting of old settlers for the purpose of organizing an Old Settlers' Association. The meeting was held at the Court- house on the 4th day of July, 1867. Hon. John Hamlin presided and Colonel Charles Ballance acted as Secretary.
After a full and free discussion of the subject it was resolved to organize a Society of Old Settlers, and Messrs. George C. Bestor, Edward F. Nowland and Charles Ballance were appointed as a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws to be submitted to a future meeting to be held at such time and place as the committee should appoint.
Pursuant to the action of this committee, a general meeting of old settlers was held at the Court-house on the 27th of July, 1867, which was largely attended - Hon. John Hamlin presiding, and Charles Ballance, Esq., acting as Secretary.
Mr. Ballance, of the committee appointed for that purpose, reported a constitution which was adopted, viz. :
PREAMBLE.
For the information to be derived from social intercourse, and reminiscences of the settling of this part of the country, we, the undersigned, agree to form ourselves into a society to be called the " Old Settlers' Union of l'eoria and Vicinity." under the following constitution, to wit ;
ARTICLE I. The officers of this society shall be a President, two Vice Presidents, a Recording and Correspond- ing Secretary, and a Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected by a majority vote of the society at the first meeting and at cach yearly meeting of the society ; and they shall hold their offices respectively until their successors shall have been elected and are ready to enter upon the performance of their duties.
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