USA > Illinois > McLean County > The good old times in McLean County, Illinois : containing two hundred and sixty-one sketches of old settlers, a complete historical sketch of the Black Hawk war and descriptions of all matters of interest relating to McLean County > Part 3
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As a part of the history of McLean County, the following statistics of the schools are given as furnished by John Hull, County Superintendent :
17
M'LEAN COUNTY.
SCHOOL STATISTICS OF MCLEAN COUNTY, FOR THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30th, 1873.
NAME OF
Number of
School Districts.
Number of Pu-
pils in School.
Number of
Children of
School Age.
Total
Expenditures for
School Purposes.
Principal of
Township Fund.
Received from
Total number of
Attendance.
Mt. Hope ..
9
442
551
6,165 96 $
4,814 00 $
643 85
45,890
Funk's Grove
6
250
133
2,515 60
6,042 06
359 45
9,415
Randolph
10
320
481
6,898 15
3,462 29
895 86
23,251
Downs.
9
371
375
3,211 28
3,700 65
443 98
24,112
Empire
11
536
788
6,276 75
7,767 57
919 56
46,955
West ..
11
347
407
4,898 88
3,643 97
477 95
28,376
Bellflower
9
252
377
5,859 '30
10'078 12
402 11
17,449
Allin
7
434
390
4,436 74
3,834 59
510 34
23,227
Dale
7
380
341
3,974 19'
2.762 96
428 18
24,802
Bloomington
9
319
718
5,575 92
6,090 59
726 80
29,202
Old Town
7
206
395
2,483 63
2,683 51
381 57
16,263
Padua ..
9
380
486
5,152 13
3,685 39
546 68
25,177
Arrowsmith.
9
427
459
3,714 17
6,281 48
410 01
18,225
Cheney's Grove.
7
444
488
5,595 59
2,380 00
555 37
23,430
Danvers (24 N.)
10
416
542
3,960 40
2,904 30
582 23
29,144
Dry Grove ..
8
400
450
5,571 10
3,140 50
562 48
27,576
Normal
=1.00
251
388
5,814 33
8,168 88
492 17
25,721
Blue Mound.
9
294
385
4,200 62
9,252 08
478 74
24,281
Martin
6
167
273
2,180 50.
3,478 00
312 05
12,700
Cropsey (24 N.)
6
161
252
3,693 24
15,340 50
196 71
7,181
Danvers (25 N.)
3
73
73
848 22
A
91 64
2,989
White Oak.
1
116
137
1,501 91 B
2,782 25
184 86
7.784
Hudson.
329
427
2,996 31
3,636 65
522 98
25,782
Money Creek
6
929
359
3,409 06
3,124 00
424 23
20,034
Lexington
9
550
784
9,363 00
3,486 58
927 46
67,592
Lawndale
7
227
284
4,149 22
3,664 03
373 67
11,664
Cropsey (25 N.)
S
C .
160
1,513 GS
C
187 23
6,837
Gridley (2 E.) ...
4
182
212
2,522 64
A
304 94
13,855
Gridley (3 E.) ...
8
306
365
3,687 00
6,570 18
509 55
20,000
Chenoa ..
9
517
610
15,386 22
9,944 88
1,080 72
58.289
Yates
9
324
362
5,194 11
9,115 98
488 22
29,454
DISTRICTS.
1
87
115
729 37
1,105 00
150 10
6,337
Heyworth Scho'l
1
194
232
2,200 79
D
E
20,148
City of Normal.
1
430
843
12,685 74
D
812 12
60 000
City Bloomingt'n
1
3,247
4,981
72,290 52
D
5,718 02
487,050
252 13, 186: 18,879 $234,141 88 $ 155,015 93
$22,397 29
1,325,892
A. Reported to Woodford County.
B. Fund of whole Township.
C. Reported to Livingston County.
D. Receive semi-annually their portion of the interest on the funds of the town- ships of which they form a part.
E. Included in amount reported above for Randolph Township. The foregoing statistics are from the records in my office.
JNO. HULL, County Superintendent,
BLOOMINGTON, January 5th, 1874.
McLean County, Ill.
the State.
Days'
TOWNSHIP.
17,
248
3,485 61
7,074 94
295 46
11,200
Towanda ..
Kickapoo Union
2
STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.
ILLINOIS is a growing State, and its people have from its early settlement been conscious of its great destiny. In order to build up the educational interests of the State it was deter- mined, at an early day, to have a Normal School for the educa- tion of teachers. In accordance with an act of the legislature of February 18, 1857, the State Board of Education proceeded to receive bids from the various towns of the State for the loca- tion of the school. The county of McLean, and various indi- viduals living in it and the city of Bloomington, offered by far the greatest inducements. Meshach Pike, Joseph Payne, E. W. Bakewell and Judge David Davis, gave one hundred and sixty acres of land, and its public and private subscriptions amounted to one hundred and forty-one thousand dollars. The county itself subscribed seventy thousand dollars, to be obtained from the sale of swamp lands. In May, 1857, the school was located at Normal, on the land donated for that purpose. Plans and drawings for building were immediately called for and fur- nished by Mr. G. P. Randall of Chicago, architect and super- intendent of University buildings.
Mr. Charles E. Hovey was elected Principal of the Univer- sity, and immediately issued circulars announcing that it would be opened in Bloomington on the first Monday in October, 1857. The object of the Normal School was clearly seen in the conditions imposed upon the students and published in this circular. The qualifications were :
1. To be, if males, not less than seventeen ; and if females, not less than sixteen years of age.
2. To produce a certificate of good moral character, signed by some responsible person.
20
STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.
3. To sign a declaration of their intention to devote them- selves to school-teaching in this State.
4. To pass a satisfactory examination before the proper officers in Reading, Spelling, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography and the elements of English Grammar. Each county and each representative district was entitled to one student in the school.
On the fifth of October, 1857, at the time advertised, the school was opened in Major's Hall, which was fitted up for that purpose. There were at the opening forty-three students. As all of the counties and representative districts did not avail themselves of the privilege of sending students, the principal was authorized to receive candidates on examination and in compliance with the qualifications published in the circular.
The Normal School at the very outset showed its value and took a high standing among the educational institutions of the country. Its principal professor, Charles E. Hovey, (afterwards General Hovey), was a man of great energy and the best of judgment. In the year 1860 the splendid University building was completed, and the Normal School entered on its course of uninterrupted prosperity. During this year, in the month of June, the first commencement exercises were held in the new building.
Like all the educational establishments of the country, the Normal School was affected by the war to suppress the rebel- lion. Ten of its teachers entered the army, and among them was the honored principal. Their example was followed by nearly all the young men in the University, and the Thirty-third Illinois, of which they formed so large a part, was known through- out the war as the Normal Regiment. President Hovey entered the army in 1861 as Colonel of the Normal Regiment and was afterwards made a general. Leander H. Potter was made a colonel in the army and is now president of the Soldier's Col- lege at Fulton. Dr. E. R. Roe was made a colonel in the army and is now a United States marshal. Ira Moore was a captain in the army and is now principal of the Normal School at St. Cloud, Minnesota. J. H. Burnham was made a captain. and Aaron Gove an adjutant. Julian E. Bryant was made a lieuten- · ant, and during the war was drowned on the Texan coast. Joseph G. Howell was made a lieutenant in the army, and was
21
STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.
shot at Fort Donelson and buried in Bloomington Cemetery. Edwin Philbrook was made a sergeant, and Dr. Samuel Willard a surgeon. After President Hovey entered the army, the posi- tion of principal devolved temporarily upon Perkins Bass, Esq., of Chicago, who held it for one year and then yielded it to Richard Edwards, LL.D., who has held it until the present time.
The aim of the Normal School, as before stated, is to educate teachers in the duties of their profession.
Connected with the University is a Model School, which was started at the opening of the University in Major's Hall. It had a small beginning and was first taught by Miss Mary M. Brooks, a lady of remarkable talent. It has grown from this into the present large Model School, consisting of three depart- ments, in charge of four regular teachers, assisted by many of the Normal students. The range of instruction in the Model School is from the primary department to the course prepara- tory for college. Since the opening of the Model School it has been under the charge of many lady teachers, who have uni- formly given great satisfaction. One difficulty occurs with the employment of lady teachers; they will occasionally get married, and this is the cause of the many changes of instructors in the Model School.
Connected with the Normal School is a Museum of Natural History, which is estimated to be worth about one hundred thousand dollars. This is indeed a fine collection of specimens, illustrating the various branches of Natural History. These collections have been made by Professor Wilber, Professor Powell, Dr. Vasey, Richard H. Holder, Esq., and others. The greater part of the stuffed birds were given by Mr. Holder. These gentlemen are enthusiastic workers in the field of Natural History, and, it would seem, have not always received the en- couragement and support they deserve from the State. They have been obliged, in a great measure, to bear their own ex- penses ; and certainly their services, rendered as they have been with the greatest enthusiasm, are out of all proportion to the pay they have received. The Museum is a great benefit, not only to the Normal School but to the entire State, as by means of it every school in the State is encouraged to make collections.
22
STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.
The following extract from a circular, issued by Professor Forbes, the Curator of the Museum, shows its design and its value :
" The recent introduction of the natural sciences into our common school course of study has developed a general demand for specimens in Natural History, which I am trying to supply. It is designed to furnish, in time, to every school in the State which will properly use and care for it, a small collection, so selected as to illustrate in the best possible manner the branches required to be taught. The time and resources at my command are quite insufficient for this ; and, as it is a work undertaken solely for the benefit of the public schools, I make this call upon their officers and members for aid.
" The schools will encounter great difficulties in attempting to form good cabinets unaided, each for itself. Among others will be that of getting specimens correctly named, and that of securing, in a single circumscribed locality, a sufficient variety to fully cover the whole field of study. It will be an easy mat- ter, however, for the teachers and pupils of the State to collect and send to this Museum, in one or two seasons, a sufficient number and variety of specimens liberally to supply all our schools; and these I will undertake to name, select, arrange and re-distribute in such a manner as to give to each school partici- pating in the work the benefit of a judicious selection from the whole number sent by all.
" Good specimens in all branches of Natural History will be acceptable, and directions for preparing and shipping them will be sent upon application."
The cost of the Normal University to the State of Illinois is a matter of interest. President Edwards shows, in his decen- nial address, that all the money ever expended on the institution by the State is, up to the year 1870, $279,740.63, while the pro- perty belonging to it at that time and owned by the State amounted to $312,000, without including the Museum. When we consider that the Museum is worth one hundred thousand dollars, it will be seen that the investment made by the State is a pretty good one, from a purely financial point of view. When we consider further, that the State has given comparatively little of its own money to the institution, but has exercised its gener-
23
STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.
osity by expending the interest on a fund donated to this State · for educational purposes, by Congress, in the year 1818; and when we consider, too, the very moderate salaries paid to the teachers of the institution, it certainly appears to an outsider that the enthusiasm of the friends of education is far in advance of the liberality of the State. We have yet to see an example of a State which has been too liberal in educational matters. When money is expended by a State for educational purposes, it is usually laid out by men who are devoted to the work. We have yet to hear of such a thing as an educational "ring." Vil- lainy has no sympathy with science. When much money is expended for schools, little money is required for penitentiaries. It may seem like a sweeping remark, but we think it is strictly within the bounds of truth, to say that there is no better way for the State to expend money, as a mere financial speculation, than to lay it out for schools. Capital always follows intelli- gence. It seems very singular, sometimes, that our legislators are a little slow to see these things; but if the truth must be told, the explanation of the matter is, that teachers and friends of education do not understand the ways of politicians.
It is the business of teachers to instruct and improve the students under their charge, and it will readily be seen that the tendency of the profession must be to elevate and improve those who earnestly devote themselves to it.
It is not easy to over-estimate the value of the Normal School to the State of Illinois. Its graduates and students go out every- where to teach and to learn. The members of the faculty of the Normal School hold teachers' institutes annually at Normal, fre- quently attend county institutes, and by their example and expe- rience and earnestness in the profession in which they are en- gaged, do a great deal to elevate the tone of the teachers of Illinois, and point them to a higher standard of excellence.
PRESIDENT EDWARDS.
The principal of the Normal School is Richard Edwards, LL.D. He was born in Aberystwith, Cardiganshire, Wales, ou the twenty-third of December, 1822. His father was a stone and brick-mason, and his mother, whose maiden name was Jones, was the daughter of a small farmer. The family moved
24
STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.
to the United States and settled in Ohio in the Western Reserve, when young Richard was a little more than ten years old. He was employed on a farm until he was sixteen, and from that time until he was twenty-two he worked as a house carpenter. Up to this time he had received very little education, but his turn of mind was seen in his love of books and his habit of reading in the evening by the light of " hickory bark." He was very anxious to obtain an education, and by some good fortune made the acquaintance of two graduates of Harvard, who advised him to go to that scholastic paradise, Massachusetts. He was told that " the culture which he so much yearned for was the staple in which Massachusetts dealt." He went there and communed for a while with the angels in the heaven of learning. He taught school at Hingham and at Waltham, Mass., and was a member of the Normal School at Bridgewater.' In the spring of 1847 he went to Troy, New York, and became a student at the "Rensellaer Polytechnic Institute." Here he was for a short time an assistant teacher. It seems that he kept himself always employed. He was for a while a "rodman " on the Cochituate Water Works, which were then being built. In May of that year he became an assistant teacher in Bridgewater Normal School, of which he was a graduate. This school was super- intended by one of the best teachers of Massachusetts, the cele- brated Nicholas Tillinghast. Here Mr. Edwards remained until January, 1853, when he removed to Salem and took charge of the English High School there. Shortly afterwards he be- came the agent of the State Board of Education in visiting schools. For three years he was principal of the State Normal School in Salem, Massachusetts. In October, 1857, he accepted the position of principal of the city Normal School of St. Louis. In June, 1862, he was made President of the Illinois State Nor- mal University, where he has remained ever since.
Of course President Edwards has been obliged to go the way of all the earth and-get married. On the fifth of July, 1849, he married Miss Betsy J. Samson of Pembroke, Massachusetts. Her father, Mr. Thomas Samson, is still living in that town. They have had eleven children, ten of whom are still living.
As will be seen from the foregoing sketch, Mr. Edwards has received his education in a, very irregular manner, which he does not think is very advantageous.
25
STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.
IIe received the degree of A. M. from Harvard College and the degree of LL. D. from " a less illustrious, but still very honest source, riz : Shurtleff College, Alton, III."
President Edwards is a man of medium stature, and is very intellectual in his appearance. His manner is always pleasant, and he loves the profession in which he is engaged. When he- smiles, he shows by the expression of his eyes that he is tickled at something. Profound thought has frightened the hair from the crown of his head. He can endure a great deal of intellec- tual labor; and it seems that he is now occupying the place for which Providence designed him.
MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY.
Edwin C. Hewett, Professor of History, was born in Wor- cester County, Massachusetts, in November, 1828. He gradu- ated at the State Normal School in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, in 1852 ; the school was then in charge of Mr. Tillinghast. In January, 1853, Mr. Hewett became an assistant teacher at Bridgewater, where he remained for nearly four years. In the fall of 1858 he entered upon his duties as teacher in the Normal University, which have since been interrupted only by one year's absence by permission of the Board of Education. In 1863 he received the complimentary degree of A. M. from the Univer- sity of Chicago. His long and useful services as a teacher place him among the first of his most honored profession.
JOSEPH ADDISON SEWALL, M. D.,
Professor of Natural Science, was born in Scarborough, Maine, in 1830. He graduated from the Medical School of IIar- vard University in 1852. In 1854 he came West and taught and practiced his profession in Bureau and LaSalle Counties. He graduated in the Scientific Department of Harvard Univer- sity in the summer of 1860. In the fall of the same year he en- tered upon his duties at Normal, where he has remained until the present time. Professor Sewall has that enthusiastic love of natural science which has recently led to many interesting and useful discoveries.
26
STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.
THOMAS METCALF.
Thomas Metcalf, Professor of Mathematics, was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, in 1826. He graduated from the Normal School at Bridgewater, Mass., in 1848, under Mr. Til- linghast. After leaving the Normal School he taught in Charles- town and West Roxbury, Mass., for several years. He came to St. Louis in 1857, and entered upon his duties as instructor in the High School. From St. Louis he came to Normal, in the summer of 1862, and has since been constantly at his work of teaching in the University, with the exception of a few months in the spring of 1871, while making a trip to Europe. Like all the other members of the Normal faculty he loves his profes- sion, and it is this which leads him to excel.
ALBERT STETSON.
Albert Stetson, Professor of Languages, was born in Kings- ton, Mass., in 1834. He graduated from the Bridgewater Nor- mal School in the spring of 1853. After teaching for three years he entered Harvard University, from which he graduated in 1861. He taught in Provincetown, Mass., until the fall of 1862, when he came to Normal and entered on the duties of the chair which he now fills. He has been very efficient as a teacher and thoroughly understands the duties of his position.
JOHN W. COOK.
Professor John W. Cook was born in Woodford County, Illinois, in 1844. He graduated at the Normal University, in 1865, and entered upon his present duties, as member of the Faculty, in 1868.
HENRY MCCORMICK.
Professor Henry McCormick was born in Ireland, in 1837. He graduated at the Normal University, in 1868, and became a member of the Faculty in 1869.
MISS MYRA OSBAND.
Miss Myra Osband became Preceptress of the University in January, 1871, having previously been engaged in teaching at different places in New York and Illinois. This accomplished lady excels as a teacher and thoroughly understands her delicate and responsible duties.
27
STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.
The members of the Normal Faculty take the greatest pride in the University which they have helped to so high a standing, among similar establishments, in the United States. It is well known that the majority, and perhaps all of them, could obtain larger salaries elsewhere, and some very tempting offers have been made to them, but they still remain at their posts.
E. W. CoY.
Professor E. W. Coy, Principal of the High School in the Model Department, graduated at Brown University in 1858. He took charge of the Peoria High School in the fall of 1858, which position he resigned in 1871, when he came to Normal. But his service in the Peoria High School was not continuous from 1858 to 1871, as during that time he spent some time in practicing law and in superintending the public schools of Peoria.
MISS MARTHA D. L. HAYNIE.
Miss Martha D. L. Haynie, Assistant in High School, is a na- tive of Kentucky, although most of her life has been spent in Illinois. Her experience as a teacher has been long and varied.
B. W. BAKER.
B. W. Baker, Principal of the Grammar School, was born in Coles County, Ills., November 25, 1841. He was raised on a farm. At the age of twenty he entered the army and served from 1861 to 1864 in the 25th Ills. Volunteers. He was wounded at Pea Ridge and afterwards at Perryville. He was at the siege of Corinth, at the battles of Resaca, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, Kingston, Noonday Creek, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta. He was discharged in 1864. He entered the Normal University, from which he graduated in 1870. He then entered upon his duties as principal of the Grammar School, and still holds that position.
The little Primary School is a gem ; to many visitors it is the most interesting department of the whole University. It is now in charge of Miss Gertie Case, a graduate of the Model High School. Miss Case entered upon her present work in the fall of 1872; previous to that time she had won an enviable reputation in the public schools of Bloomington and Normal.
F
STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.
THE SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME.
THE following, taken from the second biennial report of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, explains and describes the institution and its object very clearly :
" The institution was incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly, approved February 16th, 1865, and subsisted entirely upon private charity, until by an Act approved March 5th, 1867, a certain fund in the hands of the Governor, known as the "deserters' fund," was donated to the Home, and farther appropriations made.
" The Home is located on a high and commanding tract of land, donated by the Hon. David Davis, Judge of the Supreme . Court of the United States, adjoining the thriving village of Normal, at the crossing of the Illinois Central and Chicago & Alton Railroads. A better selection could hardly have been made-beautiful, healthy, with fine railroad and educational advantages, it being the seat of the State Normal University.
"The building is a splendid structure, 140 by 80 feet, built in the Romanesque style of architecture, three stories of brick, with a basement of stone, surmounted by a fine dome. It is plain but substantial in finish, more attention being given to such arrangements as would secure the comfort and health of its inmates.
" The school building is a new brick structure, a short dis- tance from the Home proper. It contains six large rooms, furnished with the most improved equipments. One of the rooms is devoted to library and reading purposes, where a large number of the best papers and periodicals are kept on file.
" The persons entitled to the benefits of the Home are the indigent children (under fourteen years of age) of all soldiers who have served in the armies of the Union during the late rebellion, and have been disabled from disease or wounds therein, or have died or been killed during such service.
30
THE SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME.
" Blank forms for admission to the Home will be furnished at any time on application, by letter or otherwise, to Virginia C. Ohr, Superintendent Soldiers' Orphans' Home, at Normal, Mc- Lean County, Illinois.
Total number of children admitted to the Home, since its organization 642 Number returned to their friends or good homes provided by trustees. 356
Number of boys who have run away.
6
Total number who have died ..
5
Number remaining in the institution at date of report
275
642
642
Total number of females admitted to the Home since its organization.
275
Number of males admitted
367
Total
642
Average daily attendance
290
Expense per capita, per annum
$ 144 63
66
per month. 12 05
66
per day. 40
" This includes cost of subsistence, salaries of officers, teach- ers and other employes; in short, all expenses of the Home.
" We have very few special rules for the discipline and gov- ernment of the children, and these are made as emergencies arise ; acting upon the principle that a few rules, well kept, are of far greater value than many broken and trampled on. The law which guides and directs is that of love and kindness, par- taking as much as possible of the parental character. While the most implicit obedience to all rules and regulations is re- quired of each and every child, yet they are constrained to do so by direct appeals to their better natures ; by pointing out to them their social and moral obligations, one to another; by giving them aid and encouragement in their efforts to do right. They are, generally speaking, kind to each other, obedient to those in charge and industrious."
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