USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112
After leaving the county superintendent's office, Superintendent Glas- cock became deputy state superintendent of public instruction. Later he be- came superintendent of the State Institution for the Blind at Indianapolis. At the time of his death he was superintendent of the city schools at Bloom- ington, Ind., and was also an instructor at Indiana University, at Bloom- ington.
Capt. Lee O. Harris, poet and prose writer, was appreciated by the peo- ple of this county while he lived. and since his death they have not ceased to honor his memory. He took great interest in establishing and perfecting the organization of our high schools, and deserves to be known as the father of the township high school system of Hancock county.
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
The county board of education has always been composed of the county superintendent. ex-officio chairman : the township trustees and the presidents
208
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
of the school boards of incorporated cities and towns. The first board of education of Hancock county under the new law met on September 1 and 2. 1873. In fulfillment of the purpose for which it was organized, it made a number of rules and regulations for the schools of the county, some of which certainly "blazed" the way for things we have today. AAmong those of special interest to teachers are the following :
"All teachers in the public schools shall be at their respective school rooms at least twenty minutes before the time of commencing school. They shall not permit loud and boisterous talking in the school room, running over the floor, and climbing over the desks, and other unnecessary noise before school and during recess.
"Teachers shall prohibit communication during study hours and exer- cise due diligence in preserving the school buildings, furniture, apparatus, etc., in a neat and respectable condition.
"Every teacher shall make fires, sweep and scrub the school room in which he is employed to teach. or have the same done at his own expense. except in buildings where a janitor is employed by the trustee or trustees.
"The study of primary arithmetic may be begun when the pupil has finished the third reader; primary grammar when the pupil hias read one term in the fourth reader; United States history when the pupil has finished the fourth reader; and physiology when the pupil has read one term in the fifth reader.
"No public school shall be taught on Saturday more than one day dur- ing a term, except in connection with the township or county institutes.
"In no school shall any teacher conduct two classes of the same grade in two different text books on the same subject.
(Signed) "JOHN H. BINFORD, President. "A. H. BARRETT, Secretary."
During these early years of the board's organization the record shows that they considered and discussed such matters as an equitable plan for pay- ment of teachers : the wants of the school, such as the proper seating of the houses, more and better blackboard room, outline maps, charts, dictionaries, globes, ash buckets, shovels, pokers, necessary rear buildings, etc. The adoption of text books was also made by the county board until the passage of the state text book law in 1889. In 1874 the following text books were unanimously adopted : Montieth's geographies, two books; Harvey's gram- mar. Barnes' history and Steel's physiology. In 1876 the American Educa- tional readers, Ray's arithmetics and McGuffey's spellers were adopted. In
209
EDUCATION.
1877 Ridpath's history and Harper's geographies were added to the list. These books, with a few changes, continued to be used in the county until the state adoption was made in 1889.
The selection of text books was a matter that gave the board more or less concern for many years. People of the county felt the burden of fre- quent changes and protested against them. The county papers during those years had occasion to publish many letters. from "patrons of the schools." in which the "patrons" expressed their views on the text book question. Various organizations from time to time also adopted resolutions touching upon changes of text books. One series of such resolutions, adopted by the Hancock county council of the Patrons of Husbandry, or "Grangers." on April 4. 1874. is offered herewith :
"IThereas, it is stipulated by the law of the state that the township trus- tees and trustees of incorporated cities and towns, may or shall establish a series of text books to be used in the common schools, and
"Il'hercas, an entire change of said books would involve a very heavy additional expenditure of money upon an already almost intolerably taxed people, at a time when it seems to us that economy and reform should be the watchword of everybody, individually and collectively. in public as well as private life, and
"Whereas, there seems to be no necessity for a change, as the school districts are already very satisfactorily and uniformly supplied with a series of books that seems to us in the main to be unsurpassed in quality or price, and
"I'hereas, we represent directly in common council the Patrons of Hus- bandry of at least one thousand and five hundred adults, and we believe almost the entire population of Hancock county, and we know of none asking. demanding, or pressing a change except book publishers, amateur agents and speculators, and
"Il'hercas, an order for a change would perhaps be respected by a por- tion of our people and disregarded by others, if for no other reasons, because of financial inability to comply with such order, and as there is no power in law by which a change can be enforced, the difficulty that should be avoided would, in our opinion be greatly increased, instead of diminished : therefore.
"Resolved. that in accordance with the foregoing, we respectfully though earnestly, memorialize said board of trustees, and request that they make no further change upon this subject."
(14)
210
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
As a matter of fact book agents were active and publishing houses vied with each other in securing the adoption of their books by county boards of education.
On several occasions the board also ordered the county superintendent to prepare a course of study for the county. These manuals also included statistical matter, lists of teachers, etc. The earlier ones are lost, but in 1884 Superintendent R. A. Smith prepared a manual of about thirty pages for the county. In 1886 Superintendent Will H. Glascock prepared one of forty pages, and in 1889 another of about forty-five pages. In 1890 Superinten- dent Quitman Jackson issued a "Manual of the Public Schools of Hancock County" of forty-two pages. Since that time the state course of study has been made full and complete, and no other manuals have been issued.
During the several years just prior to 1900 high school classes were formed and the organization of the township high schools was begun. The state high school course had not been very fully developed nor had a state adoption of high school text books been made. This necessitated further action of the board during these years in preparing a county high school course of study and in adopting high school text books. In 1898 the board organized the schools on a three-year basis with uniform text books, examina- tions and promotions. From time to time the county superintendent was ordered to prepare a manual for this purpose. Uniformity was maintained in the county in these matters, so that, if necessary. students could go from one school to another without additional expense or loss of time. The com- pletest of these manuals was a small booklet of thirteen pages issued on May 1, 1906. The following tabulated statement taken from the manual shows in a general way the scope of the work included in this three-year high school course :
COURSE OF STUDY FOR HANCOCK COUNTY TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOLS.
Years
Second Term Latin Phy. Geog. History
I Algebra English A I
History A
Algebra B
A
B
II
Algebra
English IIA
First Term Phy. Geog. A History C or Physics A Physics A or History C
Latin B
Algebra English D
IIB
B History D or Physics B Physics B or
Latin C
III Geometry English
Geometry English
Latin
IIIA
Latin D
B
IIIB
History D
E
C
The following excerpts from the pamphlet will also show the thought of the board in making the course :
211
EDUCATION.
The foregoing courses have been arranged with a view toward intensive rather than extensive study.
The work in rhetoric has been designed to provide for all the drill pos- sible in sentence, paragraph and theme writing; to give a knowledge of the principles underlying composition and literary work, and to give the pupil a basis for the study and appreciation of the mechanical side of an author's work as well as of his ideals.
The courses in literature have been arranged with two objects in view : to give the pupil a close acquaintance with a few American authors, and to enable him to make an intensive study of two forms of literature, the novel and drama.
The suggestions for the study of the novel and drama have been ap- pended simply for the sake of uniformity of work as far as uniformity is desirable.
PLAN FOR STUDY OF NOVELS.
I. The story-plot, action, etc.
I. Does the plot have structure ?
2. Are there many incidents ?
3. The chief incidents.
2. Characters.
Who are the principal characters? Groups of characters ?
2. How portrayed? Author describe them?
Others talk about them? By their actions ?
3. Setting, background, or place. Much description ?
1. What is the author's conception of life?
I. Hopeful or depressing ?
2. Does he look at many characters superficially or study a few deeply ?
5. Purpose of the Novel.
Is the story worth while? Why ?
PLAN FOR STUDY OF PLAY.
1. The Story.
I. The incidents with reference to arrangements. Which belong to introduction, which to climax, which to conclusion ?
212
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
2. Why have these incidents been selected rather than others ? Characters.
I. Who are the chief characters ?
2. What is the principle by which the characters are formed into groups ?
3.
Do the characters act according to their nature?
4. Is the end of each character justified by actions in the play ?
3. What use is made of conversation and descriptive passages ?
4. As far as can be judged, does the dramatist punish evil and reward good? Does he have faith in man, and does he leave a hopeful or depressing view of life?
5. Is the theme of the play real and universally true? Does it apply to us ?
6. What is the essential difference between comedy and tragedy? Show in the play before you how, if tragedy. it might have become comedy. and if comedy. it might have become tragedy.
COMBINATION OF CLASSES.
Twelve recitations will be required to carry out the present course of study without combining classes and alternating subjects. Wherever this can be done physics will be put in the third year and mediaeval and modern history in the second year. If the teaching force of a school should not be sufficient for twelve recitations daily then the second and third years should combine their work in physics and mediaeval and modern history. taking those subjects in alternate years. Physics will be taken up in the autumns of the even years, '06. '08. etc. ; mediaeval and modern history in the autumns of the odd years, '07. '09, etc.
As the course is now arranged there should be no other combinations.
REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.
General.
The school year is divided into two terms or units. In order to be en- titled to a diploma the student must be able to present passing grades in each subject for each unit of work as indicated by the course. If a student's work is not up to the standard required in any subject such additional work shall be required of him as will justify the principal of the high school in giving him a passing grade.
213
EDUCATION.
Physics.
Each student shall be required to keep a laboratory note-book in which he illustrates and explains all experiments that he performs or that may be performed before the class. Each pupil shall be able to present such a lab- oratory note-book before he is entitled to a diploma.
Thesis.
Each pupil shall prepare a thesis upon some subject related to the work he has gone over.
High school examinations will be held at the end of each term. Teach- ers will be notified as to the dates of these examinations. Each member of the above named committee will prepare lists of questions for each examina- tion on the subjects assigned to him, and send the same to the county super- intendent three weeks before the dates of the examination.
TEXT BOOKS ADOPTED BY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Algebra-Wells, D. C. Heath & Company.
Plane Geometry-Wells, D. C. Heath & Company.
Latin-Bennett's Foundations, Allyn & Bacon. Caesar-Kelsey's, Allyn & Bacon.
Ancient History-Myers, Ginn & Company.
Mediaeval and Modern History-Myers, Ginn & Company.
Physical Geography-Dryer's, American Book Company.
Principles of Rhetoric-Spalding. D. C. Heath & Company. Physics-Hoadley, American Book Company.
English References-Newcomer's American Literature, Moody & Lovett's First View of English Literature.
Since the passage of the law in 1907 the high schools of the county have been organized in conformity with the state high school course of study.
TEACHERS' ASSOCIATIONS.
There were likely few, if any, general teachers' meetings in the county prior to 1860. In February, 1861, a notice was inserted in the Hancock Dem- ocrat, calling a meeting of all the teachers of the county at one p. m., February 16, 1861. at Forest Academy, three and one-half miles northeast of Green- field, for the purpose of organizing a teachers' association. The notice recited that the teachers would be addressed by Professor G. W. Hoss. of Northwestern Christian University, and that in the evening J. H. Stevenson, principal of Greenfield Academy, would address the association.
214
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The weather on that day was inclement and the roads were almost im- passable, vet a number of teachers were present. J. H. Stevenson was elected president of the meeting. and M. V. Chapman, secretary. During the afternoon the teachers adopted the following :
CONSTITUTION.
"Article 1. This association shall be known as the Hancock County Teachers' Institute.
"Article 2. Its object shall be. first, the improvement of its members in knowledge of the branches common to the profession ; secondly, in modes of teaching.
"Article 3. The officers shall be a president, two vice-presidents. a secretary and treasurer, who shall be elected annually by ballot. These offi- cers taken as a body, shall constitute an executive committee.
"Article 4. Any teacher or other friend of education may become a member of this institute by signing the constitution and paying fifty cents into the treasury."
.After the adoption of this constitution the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President. J. H. Stevenson : vice-presidents, Martin V. Chapman and William T. Pratt: secretary. Richard Frost ; treas- urer, J. E. Earls.
When the organization had been completed the hour was growing late. and George Lipscomb. a teacher present, moved the association that the organization of classes be deferred until after another preliminary meeting. This motion was carried. After a long discussion it was determined to hold another preliminary meeting at the Masonic Hall at Greenfield on March 30. and a strong effort was made to have a full attendance of the teachers at the second preliminary meeting. Quite a long argumentative appeal was made to the teachers through the local papers, setting forth the necessity and the advantages of such an organization. Their efforts were attended with a fair measure of success. Over forty names were enrolled at the meet- ing and the Masonic Hall was filled with visitors. Professor Iloss deliv- ered his lecture on "Parents and Teachers," and among the local people. James L. Mason, W. R. Hough. Parr and Stevenson, made short addresses. Before the adjournment quite a contest arose as to the place of holding the next meeting. The "Forest Academy" people had no hope of getting the meeting, so they united with the eastern teachers in an effort to have the meeting held at Cleveland. Many teachers of course wanted to have the meet- ing held at Greenfield. They were led by Stevenson, Bond and Silver. The
215
EDUCATION.
eastern teachers were led by Welling and Chapman. It was finally decided to hold the meeting at Greenfield on August 12. 1861. The vote stood, Greenfield, 21: Cleveland. 19. as reported by Richard Frost, secretary.
In the meantime the county was stirred with the excitement of the Civil War, and it became necessary for the teachers to make some changes in their arrangements. In July, 1861, the following notice appeared in the local paper :
"Session of the Hancock County Teachers' Institute, which was to have been held in Greenfield, has been changed to Cleveland. Owing to unavoid- able circumstances, many influential teachers have been called away to the battlefield from this place and vicinity-those upon whom much depended for its success ; hence its removal.
"It will commence Monday, August 12, 1861, at the M. E. Church.
"It will be opened by a lecture by Prof. Miles J. Fletcher. Superinten- dent of Public Instruction of the State."
In the above notice, likely, we have the only reference to a depletion in the ranks of the teachers on account of enlistments in the army. In this con- nection, though it was perhaps an extraordinary instance even for that time, the following humorous incident is taken from the issue of the Hancock Democrat of September 11, 1861, as illustrative of what was likely to tran- spire during those days :
"GOT THE WAR FEVER.
"William Dunlap, a school teacher of Jackson township, went off very suddenly with the disease on Monday of last week. He opened his school as usual on the morning of that day, took the fever about to o'clock a. m .. boarded the cars at 12 m., and before night was a soldier in the War for the Union, armed and equipped. Bully for Hancock!"
But to resume. The institute at Cleveland was reported a success. Not- withstanding the excitement of the times, many teachers were present and great interest was manifested. The session continued for one week. Classes were organized in elocution, with Prof. E. M. Butler in charge. Physiology was taught by Dr. A. B. Bundy, of Cleveland, and rhetoric and composition. by Professor Hoss.
On motion of Professor Smith. of Indianapolis, the following reso- lution was adopted at this meeting: "That we, as teachers, approve the in- troduction of music into our common schools as an agreeable and harmon- izing agent in discipline and mental culture."
Many visitors were in attendance during the week, and before the insti- tute closed, they adopted the following resolution, offered by Mr. Bedgood :
216
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"Resolved, that we as citizens of Cleveland and vicinity, having been happily, intellectually and beneficially entertained by the sessions of the Teachers' Institute in our village, we vote to the professors, teachers, and members our cordial thanks."
"After a social reunion on Friday evening, on which occasion a num- ber of toasts were read and responded to, the session adjourned, all de- lighted with having spent a pleasant and profitable week at the Institute.
"M. V. CHAPMAN, President. "RICHARD FROST, Secretary."
From the report of this meeting it is evident that a good spirit pre- vailed. Certainly the institute was not without its feature of entertainment, and, if we judge rightly, elocution and gymnastics must have been happily combined in Professor Butler. Immediately after the close of this institute the following notice was published in the Hancock Democrat :
"Mr. Editor : Please announce that Mr. Butler will repeat the exercises in Gymnastics, in Masonic Hall, on Friday night next, which he exhibited with so much applause at the Teachers' Institute.
"I think Mr. Butler will highly entertain anyone who will favor him with an audience, as I had the pleasure of witnessing his exercises at the Institute. It will be free to all."
On Saturday, October 12, 1861, a one-day session was held by the teachers of the county at the Masonic Hall at Greenfield. This meeting was known as the "Teachers' Association" and was "appointed by the institute." The following was the order of the exercises on that day .
Open. 9:30 .1. M. Recitations commence, 10:00. Written Arithmetic, 10:45. J. E. Earls, teacher. Discussion of same. 11:00. Orthography, 11 :45, Miss Mattie Rawles, teacher. Discussion of same. 12:00.
AFTERNOON.
Open. 1:30. English Grammar, 2:15. D. S. Welling. teacher. Discussion of same. 2:30. Primary Reading. 3:15. E. M. Butler, teacher. Discussion of same. 3:30. Miscellaneous Business. 4:00.
217
EDUCATION.
On Saturday evening. December 28, 1861, the teachers of the county gave an entertainment at the Masonic Hall at Greenfield. It was given for the purpose of arousing interest in the teaching profession and of elevating the profession in the county. The entertainment was advertised as a "Teach- ers' Exhibition" and among those taking part in it were : \. E. Sample, Jolm Bousloy, Eli Butler. George L. Lipscomb, Richard Frost, Henry Snow, Melissa Bond, Leonidas Milburne, A. V. B. Sample, James Shap. Dr. Butler, Bell Mathers, George West, M. V. Chapman, Samuel Wales, L. O. Harris, J. E. Earles. E. M. Lucinda, Joseph Hunt, J. M. Alley, William Pilkington, Pelatiah Bond, W. H. Judkins, George Glass. We have no report of this entertainment.
On Monday, August 11, 1862, the second regular session of the Han- cock County Teachers' Institute convened at the Masonic Hall and con- tinued for two weeks. Classes were organized and recitations conducted daily in the subjects given below: Elocution, E. M. Butler, teacher : Eng- lish grammar. H. Mendenhall, teacher; intellectual arithmetic, M. Collier, teacher : natural philosophy. William Fries, teacher ; physiology; geography ; vocal music, William Morgan, teacher; object lessons, G. W. Hoss, teacher; gymnastics, Hunt and Butler, teachers.
The following text books were used during this institute: Readers. McGuffey's sixth: music, Golden Wreath ; written arithmetic. Ray ; intellec- tual arithmetic, Stoddard; physiology. Cutler: rhetoric. Quackenbos.
E. M. Butler was president of this institute and A. V. B. Sample, secretary.
Though the first general session of the Hancock County Teachers' Insti- tute was very enthusiastic, the organization seemed to have difficulty in hold- ing the attendance of the teachers. After the meeting in .August. 1862, re- ports of the institute are very meager and the organization seems to have been abandoned after a year or two.
On December 3. 1864, a number of teachers met at the Masonic Hall at Greenfield for the purpose of effecting another organization. James Williamson was elected chairman of this meeting and George E. Lipscomb. secretary. At this meeting the following resolution was adopted :
"Resolved, first, that a school be established at this place to be known as the Hancock County Normal Institute.
"Resolved, second, that the officers of the institute shall consist of a president, two vice-presidents, a secretary and a treasurer. These officers shall constitute a board of managers and teachers, and shall take charge of such classes as may be organized."
218
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Following the adoption of these resolutions the following officers were elected : President. M. C. Foley ( then county examiner) ; vice-presidents. .. J. Johnson and G. L. Lipscomb: secretary. James Williamson : treasurer. Richard Frost.
The institute was to meet at the Masonic Temple at Greenfield once every two weeks on Saturday at 10 a. m., and was to adjourn at 4:00 p. m. Arrangements were made for conducting classes in the following subjects : English grammar, James Williamson, teacher; mental arithmetic, George Lipscomb, teacher; written arithmetic. M. C. Foley, teacher : spelling. Rich- ard Frost. teacher.
Arguments were again presented through the county papers showing the necessity of raising the standard of teaching and urging the teachers to attend. The following statement taken from the Hancock Democrat, gives a good idea of the spirit of the teachers in making this effort:
"We call your attention to the secretary's report of the organization of a normal institute for the purpose of drilling and perfecting teachers in their profession, and the advancement of the cause of education throughout our county, and ask your hearty cooperation with us in the good work. This is not merely an experiment, but a bona fide institution, thoroughly organized and entered upon with determination to succeed. The benefits to our educa- tional interests arising from it are many and various. Among the principal. aside from the drilling of the teachers, is that it will tend to establish a uni- form system of teaching throughout the county, which all teachers must acknowledge would in itself be an ample reward for the exertion. The nucleus is formed, and if teachers and the friends of education will gather about it and lend us their assistance, the educational interest of Hancock county will receive an impetus that will overcome all the difficulties we have formerly labored under."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.