USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > History of Elkhart County, Indiana; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history: portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 67
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. TIIE CITY SCHOOLS.
What Elkhart city has lost by not being the county capital is more than compensated for in the number and magnitude of her
786
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
educational establishments. Here is a city of 7,000 inhabitants, possessing five substantial brick edifices and one frame building devoted to purposes of education, affording a seating capacity to 1,523 pupils, and employing 26 teachers. The amount of good accomplished by these institutions is incalculable. Though viciousness can never be wholly eradicated, there is found in edu- cation a benignant influence which softens the evil part of nature, and leads it upward in just such a manner as the botanist trains some inclining plant in a course where it would prove both ornamental and useful. The school will banish ignorance, as we understand it, it will ameliorate the condition of man by leading him into a knowledge of true liberty, to an exereise of the mental faculties, and above all to a recognition of the uses for which God intended bim. Beyond this man is incapable of proceeding. When he has completed the round of studies laid down in the curriculum the foundation of knowledge is laid, and he has arrived on the stage of comparative enlightenment. There are two sorts of ignorance, says the student of nature and theology. We philosophize to escape ignorance, and the consummation of our philosophy is igno- rance; we start from the one, we repose in the other; they are the goals from which and to which we tend; and the pursuit of knowl- edge is but a course between two ignorances, as human life is itself only a wayfaring from grave to grave. We never can emerge from ignorance. If, as living creatures
We are such stuff As dreams are made of, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep,
so, as cognizant intelligences, our dream of knowledge is a little light rounded with a darkness. One mortal, one nation or genera- tion of mortals, may flare a flambeau, and another twinkle a taper; still the sphere of human enlightenment is at best a print, com- pared with the boundless universe of night surrounding it. Science is a drop; nescience is the ocean in which that drop is whelmed.
Let us therefore ignore transcendentalism in education. Let us observe what is practical in it, and cast away all that partakes of the speculative. By this means we will arrive at a truer knowledge of ourselves; we will understand the economy of the Divinity, who placed us in the world, and being imbued with a sound, practical knowledge, we may one day become Christians, practical, not nom- inal, and being so, worship the God of the universe in peace, not selfishly and hypocritically, but liberally and earnestly, even as the
787
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
martyrs of the catacombs did in the ages past, when the Redeemer brought peace to men of good-will. Such a happy state of faith and morals can only be brought into existence by education. The means are at hand; pure minds and strong hearts can alone reach the desired goal; and it is a consummation devontedly to be wished that all to whom the management of schools shall be intrusted, and the teachers to whom the education of our youth shall be confided, should be men and women particularly suited to the important work, persons who can appreciate the responsibilities of their posi- tions, and who will not fail, on any occasion, to believe and incul- cate that what is Cæsar's belongs to Cæsar, and what is God's pertains to God.
In the latter part of 1879 a portion of the county press inquired into the condition of the schools of Elkhart and Goshen. In deal- ing with the educational houses of the former city, the editor of the " Goshen Times," compiled a summary of the County Superin- tendent's report, from which the following extract is taken :
" The total enumeration of school children in Elkhart is 2,000, and the actual attendance upon the public schools during the past term has aggregated very little short of 1,400. The last monthly report published showed nearly that number, and the enrollment was largely increased during the last six weeks of the term.
" Elkhart has six school buildings, with a seating capacity of 1,400 hundred. In two of the buildings there are unfurnished rooms which will be completed and seated as soon as needed. In the central part of the city, however, the buildings are overflowing, and it will not be many years before more buildings will be a necessity.
"Twenty-five teachers are employed in the schools, about 14 of whom are in the central building. The high school has a principal and two assistants. The course of study of the schools has been arranged with particular reference to practical ability in the preparation of pupils for after life.
" The School Board consists of the following gentlemen : Dr. W. H. Thomas, President; Aaron Work, Secretary; S. Maxon, Treas- urer; Prof. A. P. Kent is the Superintendent; C. M. VanCleve, Principal of the High School, assisted by Miss Kate Drake and Miss Florence C. Nichols."
Now, comparing the subscribed statistics taken from Superin- tendent Moury's report of September, 1880, an advance in attend- ance and an increase of school accommodation will be evident. It
788
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
will be seen that the frame buildings are gradually giving way to more pretentious and substantial structures; that a marked im- provement has taken place in every branch of the city school sys- tem, and that large balances remain to the credit of the people. This advance has been generally admitted. A reviewer of the city school superintendent's report says : "We are in receipt of the biennial and annual report of the public schools of Elkhart for the school year ending 1880. A close investigation of the report warrants us in the assertion that the public schools of Elkhart are not only in a flourishing condition but under the very efficient management of Supt. A. P. Kent are destined to advance materially. The high-school conrse is now bearing a prominent feature in these schools, and will undoubtedly be largely attended in the future."
The public schools of the city were first organized abont 1860, with C. J. Conn as principal and three lady assistants. The schools were held in a wooden building which occupied the site of the present central building, but which was burned in 1866. Among the super- intendents who had charge of the schools from 1860 to 1870 were Mr. Conn, Mr. Luce, D. A. Ewing and Valois Butler. In 1868 the present central building was erected, and at the time was considered a useless expenditure of public money, on the ground that it was far too large for the necessities of the city. The enormous growth of the city, however, soon proved that the Board were not unwise in their judgment. In 1870 there was an enrollment of 784 in the entire schools of the city. In 1880 the enrollment in the central building alone aggregated more than that number, and the average attendance in that building alone in 1880 was greatly in excess of the entire attendance in 1870. The building which at its erection had one floor entirely unused is now crowded from basement to belfry, and yet it is too small to accommodate comfortably all who belong within its walls.
In 1870 Prof. J. K. Walts assumed the duties of superintendent, and very much of the credit of careful organization and grading is to be ascribed to him. In 1874 he resigned, and J. M. Strasburg was elected to the vacancy, which he held for one year, to be suc- ceeded by M. A. Barnett. In 1879 this gentleman was succeeded by the present incumbent, Prof. A. P. Kent, a man who had been in business for several years in the city, and who was well known by the people.
In 1873 the fifth-ward building containing four rooms was com- pleted, south of the railroad; in 1875 the fourth-ward building of
ELKHART CITY HIGH SCHOOL.
791
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
the same size was erected; in 1878 the Weston school-house was finished and occupied; in 1879 the Beardsley school was erected. There are now six buildings in as many parts of the city, all filled to their utmost capacity.
The high school has been the cspecial care of all school officials. The course has been steadily advanced, and the aim of the present Board and superintendent is to make that school a model and an educational power. In his last report Superintendent Kent says:
"The course of study arranged for the high school is condensed and practical. The classical course fits graduates for the State University, at Bloomington, and the diploma granted by the School Board entitles candidates to enter that institution without an exam- ination. Year by year the amount of work required will be in- creased until the completion of the course will fit students for entrance upon the freshman year at Ann Arbor, or at any first-class university.
" Some slight changes were made last year in the studies in the course, and an English course of three years was arranged. It has been the experience of several years that many pupils choosing the English course have left school at the end of the second or third year, thus losing the benefit of many of the studies which are most important in completing the common-school education of the coming generation. With this experience to suggest it, a course has been prepared which embraces mnuch that has hitherto been lost by pupils who did not complete the four years. It is not too much to hope that this course will secure the continned attend- auce for three years of many who felt they could not spare four years in the school. It is also hoped in time to make the mental discipline obtained in the high-school course so complete that pn- pils who graduate here will take rank along side the graduates of the smaller colleges, seminaries and academies of the West. Such excellence of instruction may be attained, and it will be the aim of the present Board and teachers to secure it as soon as possible.
"The three years ' course will be suited to the wants of a very large class of young people from the surrounding districts. In its prep- aration the aim has been to preserve and introduce those studies which have double utility, one of mental discipline and another of every-day use in the arts of life. Those young men who desire to acquire a knowledge of the sciences beyond that obtained in the common schools of the county will find excellent opportunities for pursuing these branches under the leadership of competent instruct-
47
792
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
ors. The school is supplied with apparatus for succesfully teach- ing such branches. The course also provides for a careful drill in the studies required in the common school, and an effort will be made to fit students to become successful teachers. During the final term of the course those studies in which candidates for teach- ers' certificates are examined will be thoroughly reviewed, with a view to preparing candidates for the County Superintendent's examination.
"The attention of all who feel a desire for a course of study beyond that pursued in the district school is invited to the three years ' course. All foreign pupils will be gladly welcomed and entitled to the best the school can afford."
ELKHART CITY SCHOOL STATISTICS OF 1879-'S0.
There are five brick school houses and one frame, valued at $74,- 243.28; value of apparatus, maps, etc., $700; special school tax on $100.25 cents; total special school tax, $4,283.22; amount paid trus- tees for managing school matters, $111; revenue for tuition on hand Sept. 1, 1879, $1,697.29; received in February, 1880, $4,571.97; in June, $6,584.81; miscellaneous, $755.24; total $13,609.31; ex- pended since Sept. 1, 1879, $10,065.15; now on hand, §3,544.16; amount of special school revenne on hand Sept. 1, 1879, 84,991.65; received since, $6,479.03; expended, $6,394.24; on hand, $5,076.44. 756 male and 765 female pupils were admitted to school during the year, besides two colored pupils; average daily attendance, 1,194; average length of the schools, 180 days; one male and 24 female teachers were employed; wages, $4.35 and $2.07 per day.
GENERAL STATISTICS.
Total valuation of property in city .. $1,713,290
" school property. 74,243.28
Population of city by census.
6,941
Enrolled for school purposes, males 1,020.
66
females 1,015.
2,035
Enrollment in schools
1,523
Average belonging.
1,194
Cost of tuition on enumeration
$5.26
66
" population.
1.54
66
" average belonging. 8.95
. . " enrollment.
7.02
Enrollment in High School.
74
Graduates of High School 1880
8
Total, graduates of High School.
53
793
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
TEACIIERS.
High School.
3
Central Building.
11
Fourth Ward. .
4
Fifth Ward.
4
Beardsley
1
East Elkhart.
1
Weston.
1
Total
25
GENERAL SUMMARY.
Number days of school.
'77-78 190
190
180
Number of buildings. .
5
6
6
Number teachers, including superintendent, men.
3
2.7
2
women
22
23.9
24
Enumeration for school purposes
1,928
1,996
2,035
Number sittings in school.
1,312
1,371
1,374
Enrolled in High School.
74
75
74
Enrollment, Central Building.
942
928
875
Fourth Ward.
187
189
229
66
Fifth Ward.
262
285
300
47
60
67
Beardsley
57
67
61
Weston School.
17
65
Total enrollment
1,421
1,471
1,523
BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR 1880-'81.
A. Work, President; H. T. Browning, Secretary; S. Maxon, Treasurer; A. P. Kent, Superintendent.
Teachers for 1880-'81: High School, George W. Barr, Principal; . Kate Drake, Assistant; Florence C. Nichols, Assistant; George L. Nichols, Assistant. Central Building: Millie A. Herring, A Grammar; Hattie F. Goldie, B Grammar; Annie Lambie, C Grammar; Bessie Dinehart, C and D Grammar; Estella McKin- stry, D Grammar; Mrs. M. L. Hewitt, A Primary and D Gram- mar; Carrie E. Tinker, A Primary; Hattie Chase, B Primary ; Ada Maxon, B and C Primary; Esther McCleave, C Primary; Mrs. Maggie C. Stevens, D Primary. Fourth Ward : E. B. Myers, B C and D Grammar; Mary Hawley, A and B Primary; Estella Burns, Band C Primary ; Jennie Alvord, D Primary. Fifth Ward: Phebe Stephens, A Primary; Sylvia Higgins, B Primary; Fannie Kiblinger, C Primary; Ida Kiblinger, D Primary. East Elkhart: William D. Middleton, 1st Five Grades. Beardsley: Nellie B. Hart, Mixed, 1st Five Grades Weston: M. A. Bonnell, 1st Five Grades.
'78 79
'79-'80
East Elkhart.
794
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
THE CITY OF THE DEAD.
Grace Lawn Cemetery has usurped the place of the village bury- ing ground of former times. The growth of the necropolis has kept pace with that of the city, until now it assumes an extensive- ness and funereal beanty which arrest the attention of the passing traveler, and claim that peculiar admiration from the citizens which only a well-ordered cemetery can excite. This temporary resting place for the bodies of the dead is situate on the Elkhart river, and is approached from the city by the Middlebury road. The monn- ments are numerous and costly, perpetuating in enduring marble the names of those who aided materially in building up the city of Elkhart, as well as of many soldier patriots who gave their lives in defense of what all must hold forever dear, the integrity of this Republic.
Grace Lawn has been the scene of many a deep sorrow; but it has also witnessed a few pleasing spectacles. Judge I. N. Everett's oration. delivered on Decoration Day, 1878. was a beautiful tribute to the memory of the dead. He said, in concluding his peroration, that the larger number of fallen friends and comrades were not buried there. "They fell far away in the enemy's country. They are moldering on the fields of Shiloh, of the Wilderness, of Chick- amauga, in the valleys of West Virginia and Tennessee, in the trenches and rifle-pits of Petersburg and Atlanta, on the hills of Resaca, on the heights of Alatoona and Kenesaw mountains, or perchance one lies buried fathoms deep beneath the waves of ocean. No marble marks their resting place. No loving wives, mothers, fathers, or children bedew their graves with tears, or cover them with garlands, the last tributes of surviving affection. Let us not forget them on this sad occasion; but let the garlands of flowers, which they so nobly won, be here consecrated to their memory. Let all our patriot dead be honored in their quiet graves, now and hereafter, until the great Captain of the universe shall summon them to the final roll-call."
Grace Lawn is a monument to fidelity. It is honored in the possession of the dust of those gallant men, who sacrificed every- thing in the cause of the Republic. The head-stones placed above their graves are so many warnings to those who, in the future, might dream of subverting the principles of the Constitution, and are sad but strong remembrances of what we owe to the Union. Let us glance down the roll of honor.
795
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
SOLDIERS BURIED IN GRACE LAWN CEMETERY.
Of the 9th Ind. Vol. Inf., Geo. Kiblinger, Oliver Carlton, Charles Thompson, H. Wines and George Stephens; of the 14th, Owen James; of the 44th, Col. J. F. Curtis, Lient. F. Baldwin, Charles M. Henry, Isaac Marshall, Henry Messler, A. Sims Dav- enport and Jefferson Bender; of the 48th, Benj. Sweet, Lawrence Elliott, W. J. Monroe and Samuel Arisman; of the 74th, Capt. P. F. Davis, Charles Hinman and Charles Randall; of the 128th, I. C. Chamberlain; of the 133d, Tully Chamberlain; of the 1st Mich. Sharpshooters, Alex. Nickless; of the 12th Mich. Vet., Ambrose Dunne; of the 61st N. S. Col. Inft., Z. Z. Morehouse; of N. Y. Vol., Dan. C. Cutter, George Pettis and Win. Kennard; other Ind. Vol., Dr. Runyan, J. P. Galvin, J. D. Sherman, John Deming, Louis Delo, Mark Grant, John Titus and John Smith.
Let the memories of these men live on! Let their graves be kept green; and, in other years, when folly may, perchance, lead any section of our people into a wrong course, let the soldiers of the future follow in the tracks of past defenders, and, if necessary, die, guarding the rights of freemen and the first principles of the Republic.
SOCIETIES OF ELKHART CITY.
Elkhart City Medical Association .- The organization of the medical society was completed in June, 1877. It embraces some of the best known physicians in the city, viz .: Doctors C. S. Frink, C. S. Pixley, O. B. Harrington, J. A. Work and G. B. Pratt. There are other prominent medical men, such as Doctors Haggerty, Poy- neer and Taylor, who do not now belong to the society. The homco- pathic physicians, A. L. Fisher, Thomas, A. A. Fahnstock and Crockett, are outside this organization.
Elkhart Driving Park Association was organized in 1873-'4, with W.F. Wickwire, 1st President; C. H. Chase, 2d President; J. H. Pottfield, 3d President. The association is financially prosperous.
The Agricultural and Horticultural Societies comprise many of the leading men of the county, and contribute much to dissemi- nate useful knowledge among the agricultural classes.
The meetings of the Masonic order were held in the old hall, 94 Main St., until the erection of the Masonic building, 88 Main St.
Elkhart Chapter, No. 91, was organized on March 13, 1874. Among its present officers are: James Stephens, H. P., and C. W. Fish, Secretary.
796
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Kane Lodge, No. 183, F. & A. M., was organized, under dis- pensation, in February, 1855, and chartered June 5. Sol. D. Light, W. M., and Guy Lemon, Secretary, are among the officers.
Eagle Lodge, No. 368, F. & A. M., was formed on July 24, 1867. H. P. Wilcox is W. M., and George Barney, Secretary.
Eastern Star Chapter has been recently chartered, with Mrs. C. G. Conn as Matron, and Mrs. E. P. Willard, Secretary.
Glen Council of the Royal Arcanum, No. 252, with A. R. Burns, Regent, and Chas. Leonard, Sec'y, is a recent addition to the society organizations of the city.
German Workingmen's Society, with Charley Myers, President, and Julius Hunt, Sec'y, is another institution inaugurated here a short time ago.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, comprising Pulaski Lodge, Encampment No. 60, and the Naomi Lodge, No. 67, of the Daugh- ters of Rebekah, were among the earliest societies organized in the city. Elkhart Encampment, No. 104, was subsequently estab- lished.
Knights of Pythias .- Elkhart Lodge, No. 75, K. of P., was organ- ized in July, 1877; the present officers comprise E. P. Willard, P. C., and G. L. Thorpe, Recorder.
The Good Samaritan Lodge of Good Templars .- No. 34, was formed Dec. 22, 1858. Andrew Hay is the present W. C. T., and August Bnsscher, Secretary.
Concord Lodge, Knights of Honor .- No. 147, K. of H., was organized in August, 1875. C. S. Pixley is Dictator, and Dr. Kee- ley, Secretary.
A. O. U. W. This order was introduced into the city June 12, 1875. The present M. W. is A. A. Fahnestock, with Seymour Birch, Recorder.
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers was formed here May 10, 1872.
Machinists' and Blacksmiths' Union may be said to have com- pleted its organization in 1876.
Elkhart Silver Cornet Band .- This company of musicians was organized in 1868, and being subsequently reorganized, changed the name in October, 1879, to that of the "Trumpet-Notes Band." The uniform is more ornamental than useful.
Brown's Trombone Band, with Avery Brown as Director, takes a very prominent place in the district musical circle. The uniform worn by the members is at once useful and respectable, being blue with scarlet facings.
797
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
THE HOTELS.
The Clifton House occupies the site of the old Dawing Hotel, built in 1834. This was razed, and the Defrees House erected by Thompson Newell Newton and Presley. This building was burned in 1852; but during the subsequent year Beardsley and Davenport erected the Clifton House, and placed it under the man- agement of Lester Cook & Co .; this structure was also destroyed by fire in 1860. In 1863-'4 Messrs. J. R. Beardsley, B. L. Dav- enport and Silas Baldwin built the present hotel. It has been successively managed by Clark, Brown and Marr, the present pro- prietor who entered into possession July 29, 1880. There are 44 bed- rooms, dining hall, parlors, office, lavatories, and a telegraph office ( established Sept. 27, 1880 ) in the hotel proper, while the building gives place to three large stores. This hostelry comes next in an- tiquity to the Elkhart Exchange, the remnant of which may be seen near the confluence of the Elkhart and St. Joseph rivers. The various fires and vicissitudes to which it has been subjected does not interfere with its lineage: from 1834 to 1864 it fell, to be rebuilt. Like a Chicagoan edifice, it has been reduced to ashes often, and so often grew stronger and more extensive out of its ruins.
The Elkhart House was built in 1844 by Perley Thompson. In has since been enlarged and improved and takes a very promi. nent place among the hotels of Northern Indiana. W. F. Wick- wire has been the lessee for a period of 36 years.
There are many other hotels and boarding houses throughont the city, all more or less extensive and very liberally patronized.
THE RAILWAY HOUSE,
in connection with the Michigan Southern railroad depot, under the control of the genial Captain Tyler, does the largest business of any of the hotels. It is a most important factor in the make-up of the city, and offers a home to the traveler, which may not be excelled.
PERSONAL SKETCHES.
That much of the history of this township was made by the men whose biographies follow, is an undoubted fact. Therefore it is considered that the action of the historian, in dealing exclusively
798
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
with the history of the township, and leaving that portion of it which may be entwined closely with personal sketches, to be writ- ten by the biographers, is right and just. The value of histro-bi- ography cannot be over-estimated; it is as interesting as it is instructive, and with this belief the subject is entered upon with a hope that justice may be done to all, and a correct recital of inci- dents fully placed before the reader.
Dr. Johnson W. Allen .- The subject of this sketch, a promi- nent retired physician of Elkhart,is a native of Addison county, Vt., and was born March 4, 1811. His father, Truman Allen, was a native of Connecticut; his mother. Polly. nee Wheeler, was born in Ireland; he was brought up on a farm on the Genesee river, where his parents removed when he was but 3 years old; he received his literary education in the Geneseo Academy, after which he read medicine for five years; he studied in the hospital at Toronto, Canada; graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York city in 1835; he removed to Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, in the fall of 1835, where he practiced his chosen profession until 1848; he then came to Elkhart, where, by a thorough knowledge of his profession and energy, he built up a large practice, which he held through all the many years he labored in the cause. The constant labor of many years ha, so enfeebled him that he has retired, but has laid up for himself an abundance of this world's goods to make him comfortable the remainder of his years. He was married in 1838 to Miss Emeline E. Strong, by whom he has 1 son, William P. Mrs. Allen died in 1854, and the Doctor again married in 1858, this time Maria B. Seamans.
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