History of La Porte County, Indiana, Part 51

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : C.C. Chapman
Number of Pages: 930


USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 51


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OTHER OFFICERS OF THE COURT.


Every court must necessarily have a record of its proceedings kept, and therefore requires a Clerk who shall keep all the various records belonging to it. It is also necessary that the orders, judg- ments, etc.,shall be executed, and this requires some one who shall perform this work. These officers are, therefore, a part of the personnel of the court; and in giving the history of the court their relation to it must be preserved.


THE CLERKS OF THE COURT.


George Thomas was elected Clerk of the Court at the election on April 9, 1832, and served until 1835, when he was succeeded by William Hawkins who was re-elected in 1838. He was succeeded by Thomas P. Armstrong, who was elected in 1845 and served un- til the adoption of the new Constitution. At the first election under it in 1852, Volney W. Bailey was elected. He was succeeded by James Moore, who was elected in 1856; and he was re-elected in 1860. His successor was James H. Shannon who was elected in 1864, and re-elected in 1868. The last incumbent of the office was Charles Spaeth who was elected in 1872, and re-elected in 1876. His term of office will close in 1SS1.


THE SHERIFFS OF THE COUNTY.


The Sheriff's have held their office only two years, both under the old and new Constitutions. At the organization of the county,


2


1861 ..


1


1845.


557


IIISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.


Benjamin McCarty was elected, -- 1832. He was succeeded as follows: Adam G. Polk, 1834; Sutton Van Pelt, 1836, re-elected in 1838; William Allen, 1840; John M. Clarkson, 1842; Harrison F. Hinkley, 1844; Joshua S. McDowell, 1846; M. H. Orton, 1848; Herman Lawson, 1850 ; William Allen, elected again in 1852; William H. II. Whitehead, 1854, and re-elected in 1856; Joshua S. McDowell was elected again in 1858, and re-elected in 1860, dying in office; Stephen P. Mead, 1861, and re-elected in 1863; Ithamar D. Phelps, 1865, and re-elected in 1867; Daniel L. Brown, 1870; Edward Hawkins, 1874, and re-elected in 1876; and by Fitch D. Bowen, 1878.


This completes the court record, as far as we can follow it.


OTHER COUNTY OFFICERS.


Although the other county officers are not properly a part of the court history, yet we give them here under a sub-head of this chapter as a place very fitting for them. The Commissioners and the Examiners and Superintendents of Schools are given in their appropriate places.


COLLECTORS AND TREASURERS.


The Collectors have been as follows:


Nathan B. Nichols, 1832 N. W. Saxton .. 1837


Adam G. Polk. 1833


Alfred Lomax. 1838


William Hawkins .. 1834


William Allen. 1839


Chapel W. Brown. 1835


Willys Peck. 1840


Abram Hupp 1836


During this time the office of Treasurer was held by Aaron Stan- ton and others. In 1840, the two offices of Treasurer and Collector were merged into one. Since then the office of Treasurer has been filled by the following persons:


W. A. Place (re-elected). 1841


John M. Lemon (re-elected). 1847


Edmund S. Organ (re-elected) 1852


Abel D. Porter (re-elected). 1857


R. H. Rose (re-elected). 1800


D. C. Alexander (re-elected). 1864


Mark Allen (re-elected). 1868


G. W. Mecum (re-elected). 1872


Thomas J. Foster. 1878


COUNTY AUDITORS.


The office of County Auditor was created by act of the General Assembly. It was not filled until 1841. The following are those who have been incumbents:


John D. Collings 1841 John Walton (re-elected). 1858


Joel Butler. . . 1843


Jasper Packard. 1866


Andrew J. Wair (re-elected). 18-18


H. R. Harris (elected 1870). 1869


Reuben Munday 1848 E. J. Church (re-elected). 1874


36


558


HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.


COUNTY RECORDERS.


The following persons have held the office of Recorder:


George Thomas .. 1832


W. A. Place. 1856


William Hawkins. 1835


William Copp. 1863


Rurwell Spurlock (re-elected) 1842 Henry C. Brown (re-elected) 1867


Anderson Hupp .(re-elected) .. 1855


John H. Organ (re-elected) 1874


COUNTY SURVEYORS.


Following are the persons who were empowered by law to hunt for lines and corners with a transit or theodolite:


William Clark.


Elisha S. Bennett 1858


James Bradley . E. H. Leaming (re-elected twice). 1860


J. H. Wilson. 1847


J. P. Cathcart (re-elected). 1866


Elam Clark . 1849


Hiram Kenneday (did not serve). 1872


J. P. Cathcart.


1852


Hiram Burner. 1874


Daniel M. Leaming (re-elected). 1854


James E. Bradley. 1878


COUNTY CORONERS.


Those who have been charged with the duty of determining the causes of accidental deaths, etc., have been as follows:


M. W. Ruton. 1838


R. G. James. 1856


J. G. Newhouse. 1841


Luther Brusie.


1858


Jesse Wasson .. 1845


R. Friedel .. 1860


Andrew J. Wair 1848


Ludwig Eliel (was re-elected four times). 1862


F. A. McDowell. 1849


E. S. Organ.


1850


W. F. Standiford (elected). 1872


Henry Fox (re-elected) .. 1852


D. T. Brown (re-elected). 1874 .


Asa M. Warren. . 1855


NOTE .- In giving the above reports, the dates given are the ones on which the election to office occurred, and not the date at which the duties of the office were assumed.


THE MARRIAGE RECORD.


Closely allied with the courts is the marriage record, and we give it here. The institution of marriage is a holy institution, and ought to be most sacredly protected. The county has had its full share of "marrying and giving in marriage." Following is a list of the marriages, as shown by the records up to 1834, after which they become too numerous to detail: (In giving these, the following order is observed: 1st. The names. 2d. The date of license. 3d. The date of marriage. 4th. The officer legalizing.)


Charles Vail, Olive M. Stanton, June 30, 1832; July 1, 1832; Jacob Miller, Associate Judge.


Charles Mowlan, Charlotte Kambo, Oct. 23, 1832; Oct. 23, 1832; Rev. J. Sherwood.


Joseph P. Osborne, Urzilla Eahart, Feb. - , 1833; Feb. 14, 1833; Rev. J. Sherwood.


Nathaniel Harris, Nancy Clark, Jan. 19, 1833; Jan. 20, 1833 Eld. D. St. Clair.


559


HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.


Charles Egbert, Mary Thomas, Apr. 11, 1833; Apr. 11, 1833; Rev. J. Sherwood.


John Bailey, Matilda Bryant, May -, 1833; May 19, 1833; Rev. J. H. Armstrong.


Amos Stanton, Jane Fail, June 8, 1833; June 9, 1833; Eld. D. St. Clair.


J. M. Wilson, Emeline Winchell, June 15, 1833; June 16, 1833; Eld. S. Holmes.


Harvey Low, Emily Classon, July 2, 1833; July 4, 1833; Benj. McCarty, Probate Judge.


Jeremiah Horner, L. J. Stillwell, Ang. 23, 1833; Aug. 26, 1833; Benj. McCarty, P. Judge.


David Wilson, Rebecca Owen, Oct. 9, 1833; Oct. 9, 1833; Eld. David St. Clair.


Joseph Bay, Elizabeth Cissne, Oct. 12, 1833; Oct. 13, 1833; E. Provolt, J. P.


Thomas Singleton, Equella Hanon, Oct. 12, 1833; Oct. 13, 1833; Jacob Miller, Associate Judge.


George M. Earl, Sarah Booher, Dec. 6, 1833; Dec. 24, 1833; S. Clinger, J. P.


John Draper, Elizabeth Bolston, Dec. 7, 1833; Dec. 8, 1833; Rev. J. Sherwood.


Isom Campbell, Rebecca Richardson, Dec. 16, 1833; Dec. 25, 1833; Rev. Boyd Phelps.


Ancel Hemenway, Abigail Whitmore, Jan. 20, 1834; Jan. 22, 1834; Eld. David St. Clair.


John W. Robb, Sarah Hitchcock, Feb. 28, 1834; Mar. 13, 1834; R:S. Morrison, J. P.


John B. Plymale, Elizabeth Blake, Mar. 20, 1834; Mar. 20, 1834; William O. Ross, J. P.


>Purdy Smith, Surenna Beatty, Mar. 22, 1834; Mar. 23, 1834; E. Newhall, J. P.


John W. Cole, Eliza Payne, Apr. 4, 1834; Apr. 6, 1834; Elisha Newhall, J. P.


Elijah Stanton, Charlotte Bond, Apr. 10, 1834; Apr. 10, 1834; W. O. Ross. J. P.


Gabriel Drulinger, Elizabeth Chapman, Apr. 19, 1834; Apr. 27, 1834; Rev. Boyd Phelps.


Absalom Holder, Mary Blivin, May 3, 1834; May 8, 1834; Jacob Miller, A. Judge.


John D. Holmes, Hannah Richards, May 6, 1834; May 7, 1834; Rev. James Armstrong.


Archer G. Dumond, Elizabeth Martin, May 9, 1834; May 11, 1834; E. H. Brown, J. P.


Lewis Burns, Maria Brown, May 20, 1834; May 21, 1834; Rev. John Morrill.


Thomas Oliver, Debora Martin, May 28, 1834; May 29, 1834; Eld. David St. Clair.


560


HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.


William Van Orsdol, Mercy Miller, June 11, 1834; June 12, 1834; E. H. Brown, J. P.


Hiram Smith, Nancy Dawson, June 11, 1834; June 12, 1834; B. McCarty, P. Judge.


William Ireland, Mary Houseman, June 18, 1834; June 19, 1834; B. McCarty, P. Judge.


William G. Garner, Elizabeth Richards, June 18, 1834; June 19, 1834; E. H. Brown, J. P.


Edmund Fratibas, Hannah Thomas, June 21, 1834; June 24, 1834; E. H. Brown, J. P.


Levi Garwood, Charity Reed, Sept. 1, 1834; Sept. 2, 1834; Elisha Newhall, J. P.


Stephen D. Nichols, Mary Van Matre, Sept. 10, 1834; Sept. 10, 1834; Rev. Gilbert Rose.


Samuel D. Hall, Sarepta Heald, Sept. 27, 1834; Sept. 28, 1834; Eld. Samuel Holmes.


William S. Rice, Mary St. Clair, Oct. 1, 1834; Oct. 2, 1834; N. B. Nichols, J. P.


Timothy W. Hale, Mary D. Cornwall, Oct. 9, 1834; Oct. 9, 1834; Rev. John Morrill.


Henry Cooper, Cynthia Bolster, Ang. 28, 1834; Aug. 28, 1834; R. S. Morrison, J. P.


Benjamin S. Briant, A. M. Benedict, Nov. 5, 1834; Nov. 5, 1834; E. H. Brown, J. P.


Samuel Mares, Elizabeth Pagin, Nov. 3, 1834; Nov. 27, 1834; R. S. Morrison, J. P.


William James, Elizabeth Johnson, Nov. 22, 1834; Nov. 23, 1834; William O. Ross, J. P.


James Gordon, Sally Ann Quick, Nov. 24, 1834; Nov. 27, 1834; Samuel Flint, J. P.


John Parrott, Mary Wills, Nov. 26, 1834; Nov. 29, 1834; H. F. Janes, J. P.


Johu Coleman, Sarah Hesser, Nov. 29, 1834; Nov. 30, 1834; E. H. Brown, J. P.


Michael Brand, Susannah Webster, Dec. 1, 1834; Dec. 4, 1834; H. F. Janes, J. P.


Moses Emmerson, Elmira Wheeler, Dec. 4, 1834; Dec. 7, 1834; H. F. Janes. J. P.


Jonathan Ferguson, Mary Smiley, Dec. 4, 1834; Dec. 7, 1834; E. H. Brown, J. P.


Jesse Woodbury, Jr., Julia Ann Porter, Dec. 15, 1834; Dec. 16, 1834; Rev. John Morrill.


John B. Niles, Mary Polk, Dec. 15, 1834; Dec. 16, 1834; Ebenezer Ward, J. P.


Theodore Jones, Phebe Johnson, Dec. 20, 1834; Dec. 21, 1834; E. Newhall. J. P.


Edward Wright, Angeline F. Paine, Dec. 20, 1834; Dec. 25, 1834; C. W. Cathcart, J. P.


1


561


HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.


Horace Wood, Elizabeth McLane, Dec. 22, 1834; Dec. 23, 1834; David Evans, A. Judge.


Daniel Conant, Mary Ann Renn, Dec. 24, 1834; Dec. 25, 1834; Rev. Gilbert Rose.


-Peter Critchett, Margaret Rittenhouse, Dec. 30, 1834; Jan. 1, 1835; C. W. Cathcart, J. P.


George W. Cannon, Mary Robinson, Dec. 30, 1834; Jan. 1, 1835; Rev. Stephen Jones.


Peter Low, Elizabeth Anscomb, Dec .- , 1834; Jan. 1, 1835; E. H. Brown, J. P.


James Knaggs, Clarissa Low, Jan. 3, 1835; Jan. 6, 1835; E. H. Brown, J. P.


This completes the list of marriages up to January, 1835. Dur- ing the year 1835 there were 58 marriages in the county; and this " marrying and being given in marriage" has continued with unabated interest until, up to April 1, 1880, there have been 8,579 marriages in the county.


There has been one divorce granted in the county to about every 28 marriages. That would argue that about one 29th part of the marriages has been unbearably infelicitous. If this is true, then the homes of the county are, as a rule, happy ; and this may be used as an opening wedge to pry open the door which hides away the hidden springs of influence that make the people what they are, and causes them to produce such history as they do ..


CHAPTER XIV.


THE SCHOOLS.


THE PIONEERS LAY THE FOUNDATION.


The renowned Webster said : "We must educate, we must educate' or we must perish." There is no one thing, perhaps, which will contribute so much to the perpetuity of the institutions of America as the education of the masses. By this is not meant a biased training of one set of faculties of the mind to the exclusion of the rest, but a broad and liberal cultivation of all the powers which men possess. whether they be physical, intellectual, moral, or religious. The noblest specimen of manhood which can be found is in that man in whom all these powers and capacities are duly, and none are unduly, developed. And by education, is not meant that massing of knowledge, or what is called knowledge, which very frequently takes place; but that broad culture of the powers and capacities which men have that they may be able for any emer- gency that may arise. This, it would seem, would be important for every land and country; but it is especially truc of America where every man is a freeman and empowered with the elective franchise, and made an important factor in the great body politic; and where, it is to be hoped, every woman will soon be found also, as well as every creature which is capable of mature thought and subject to government. For this end, the schools of the State are preparing the women of this country. The schools are training them to think; and every creature which can thus become the producer of thought ought to be allowed to express it in the elective franchise; for a ballot is nothing but thought crystallized so that it shall take permanent and substantial form. Since the ballot is a thing of this kind, it becomes those, therefore, who exercise it that they shall be able to think; and to be able to do this, and to do it effect- ually and rightly, they must be educated.


While it is probable that the pioneers did not see this in its full force, yet they did discern the importance of it to some extent; and they made provisions for it. As soon as they had places in which to live, they began to think of some other place where they could make provisions for the education of the children. In the thicket, surrounded with a yard full of stumps, the little log house for school purposes arose almost simultaneous with the pioneers' log- cabins, and out of these have arisen the school system of the county.


(562)


563


HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.


As has been previously stated, the first school-house which was built in the county was on Lake Du Chemin, in Hudson township, in the year 1829. This was, however, a mission school, intended for the Indians; but it subsequently served for both Indian and white alike. But it is evident that this was the first school-house ever built in the county.


The next seems to have been at Springville, in Springfield town- ship. It was built during the year 1832; and Miss Emily Leaming was the first teacher who taught in it. Simultaneous with a part of this school was the one taught in New Durham township by Miss Rachel B. Carter ; but her school was taught in a double log cabin which was built for other purposes, and extemporized for this at the time.


And coming right up along with these two, or nearly so, was the school taught by Miss Clara Holmes in Scipio township, in 1833, in a log school-house built in the southeast edge of Door Village Grove.


And right along with this came the first school-house and school in La Porte. The school-house and school of 1833 in La Porte would make a very vivid contrast with the elegant school building which it now has, and the fine graded school which affords its advantages to every child in the city.


It was the year 1833, also, which saw the first school-house built in Hudson township, except the mission school already mentioned. The first teacher was a man named Edwards.


During the year 1834, the citizens of Kankakee township built a school-house on the Michigan road. It was, as all the houses were, of logs; and the first teacher was a man named Emerson. It seems that there were some difficulties about its location; and during the first term, from some canse, it burned down. It was soon replaced with another. Since that time the spot has been de- voted to school purposes.


In 1834 the first school-house was built in Michigan City. It was built by Mr. Thompson Francis, and served the purpose of religious gatherings also. The first teacher was probably a Mr. McCoy. From a very humble beginning have the Michigan City schools arisen to their present efficient standard.


In this year, Elder Silas Tucker, a Baptist minister, was the manipulator of the "birch" at Springville, having superseded Miss Leaming.


About this time also Mr. Joel Butler, who was afterward elected Auditor of the county, was a teacher in Union township.


The first school-house built in Galena township, was built in the year 1836, was of logs, and had for its first occupant Miss Amanda Armitage.


In 1835 Amos G. Webster, Jolın Wakefield, and E. S. Harding, built a school-house in Noble township; and, in January, 1836, Miss Rachel B. Carter, the New Durham township teacher, taught the initial school of this township.


564


HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.


The first school in Lincoln township was taught about 1836; and the first teacher was, no doubt, Mr. John B. McDonald; and the first lady teacher was Miss Elizabeth Viekory.


In Cool Spring township, the schools were probably opened in the year 1835 or 1836; and Ebenezer Palmer was among the first teachers, as were also Mrs. Rachel B. Jacobus, nee Rachel B. Car- ter, whom we have already met a number of times in these pioneer schools. In the year 1837 or 1838 William C. Talcott came into the township and taught near the little place called Waterford. He was then a Universalist preacher, but he has since then occupied the bench and the tripod, and is now familiarly known as Judge Talcott. He now lives in Valparaiso.


Such was the beginning of the schools of the county. At this time there was no free school, but every one had to contribute, out of his own pocket, for the support of the school; and the teacher generally " boarded around." The free-school system was not brought into discussion until years after this time; and it did not become a part of the school system of the State until the adoption of the new constitution in 1852. Hence the history of the schools is very briefly told during the years which intervene between that time and the time at which they began to unfold into the present system. No records of their work or progress were kept; hence all the history which can be given may be summarized in the fol- lowing statement: They were taught without system, every one learning as he could. They were without blackboard or other ap- paratus; and the children brought whatever books seemed good in their own sight. These schools kept on extending as the settle- ments increased, and a demand arose for them. This is a summary of the school history of the county, until the dawn of the new era in school affairs, not only in this county, but also in all the State.


With the adoption of the article of the new constitution estab- lishing free schools, and with the realization of a school fund from the sale of the school sections and from other sources, a new impetus was given to school affairs all over the State, and of course this county shared it with the rest. Formerly there had been no super- vision of the schools in the least. Any one could teach who had friends enough to pay them for it. But with the schools supported, in part at least, out of public funds, there must necessarily be some supervision of them. The new constitution and the laws enacted under it, provided for a County Examiner, who should examine all teachers before they were entitled to draw any of the public funds for teaching, to determine whether they were competent to teach. Under the influence of these provisions, the competency of the teachers has wonderfully increased since the pioneer days. At first this examination was made by a Board of Examiners, consisting of three men. Following is a list of the men who have constituted this Board of examiners, the Examiners and Superintendents, from 1852, the time of the adoption of the constitution until the present:


565


HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.


LIST OF COUNTY EXAMINERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.


F. P. Cummins, John C. Reid, appointed June, 1853, for one year.


F. P. Cummins, John C. Reid, appointed March, 1854, for one year.


Henry Stafford, F. P. Cummins, John C. Reid, appointed March, 1855, for one year.


John Sailor was appointed in the place of Henry Stafford Sept., 1855.


John C. Reid, John Sailor, M. K. Farrand, appointed March, 1856, for one year.


S. L. Trippe was appointed in the place of M. K. Farrand June, 1856.


Jasper Packard was appointed in the place of S. L. Trippe Dec., 1857.


W. B. Biddle was appointed in the place of John C. Reid Dec., 1857.


Jasper Packard, W. B. Biddle, A. T. Bliss, appointed September, 1859, for one year.


J. G. Laird was appointed in the place of W. B. Biddle Decem- ber, 1859.


Jasper Packard, J. G. Laird, Joel Foster, appointed March, 1860, for one year.


At this time in the history of this office the Board of three was done away with and a single Examiner substituted in its place.


Jasper Packard was appointed Examiner June, 1861.


J. G. Laird was appointed Examiner in place of Jasper Packard, resigned, March, 1862.


J. G. Laird was appointed Examiner June, 1864.


J. G. Laird was appointed Examiner June, 1865.


William P. Phelon was appointed Examiner June, 1868.


William P. Phelon was appointed Examiner June, 1871.


At this time the office of County Examiner was abolished, and the office of County Superintendent took its place.


James O'Brien was elected County Superintendent, June, 1873.


James O'Brien was elected County Superintendent, June, 1875.


W. A. Hosmer was elected in place of James O'Brien resigned, March, 1876.


W. A. Hosmer was re-elected County Superintendent, June, 1877.


W. A. Hosmer was re-elected County Superintendent, June, 1879.


Through the provisions of the constitution and the laws which have been made under it,-the supervision and oversight of the Examiners,-and especially since the inauguration of the County Superintendency,-the schools have been making rapid progress from what would be called in geological language a conglomer- ate state into a systematic and graded system. Through county


566


HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.


and township institutes, authorized by law and supervised by the Board of Education, the teachers have made great advancement in proficiency; and with this proficiency of the teachers, together with a growing professional spirit, a greater efficiency of the schools has arisen. From the pioneer school of a, b, c, d; z, y, x, w, etc .; a-b, ab, e-b, eb, i-b, ib, o-b, ob, u-b, ub, etc., and the " birch rod" govern- ment, the schools have passed through all the various stages until now they are graded and a course of study provided for them; and the children are taught to read by a series of exercises, pleasant and interesting, rather than by being required to study (?) the long, meaningless column of letters and abs.


It has been a matter of very great effort and work to transfer the schools from the old method of work, in which there was no system . in the school work, neither in the individual school nor in the schools of the county taken together, to that method of work which will supply a place and work for every pupil, it making no difference in which school he is, they being so thoroughly graded and systematized. But under the directing hand of the Superinten- dent, they are rapidly moving in that direction. To give a con- ception of the present status of the schools, so far as provisions are being made for their uniform and systematic work is concerned, the following extract is given fromthe circular of the Superintend- ent to teachers:


" The introduction of system into our country schools has received a large share of attention in the last three years. This step is but the means to the attainment of an end, yet it is a matter so impor- tant that it is worth the persistent and emphatic work which it has required in the past, and which it will demand in the future. Our success, in the past, with the graded course of instruction and its attendant features, has been even greater than was anticipated at first. Mistakes, however, have been more or less frequent, and it is certain that, in this matter, much depends upon the ability and energy of the teacher. As an aid to teachers in their future efforts in this direction, the following suggestions are offered:


"1. A graded course of study is placed in the hands of teachers to furnish them a guide in their work. Without such a guide, certain essential parts of the' work are very apt to be omitted. This is especially true of the oral instruction to which primary pupils are entitled. The course of instruction then should be faith- fully followed; and promotions, oral work,-in fact all of the efforts and influence of the teacher, should be consistent with its pro- visions.


" 2. The course of study indicates the time when the different studies should be commenced. There is a proper time when the various common-school branches should be taken up. To com- mence them earlier than this would be a detriment to the pupil; to delay, would be a waste of the pupil's time. Without a graded course of study, the pupils would commence such branches, whether early or late, just when they voluntarily brought their books to


567


HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.


school for that purpose, and many would omit certain branches entirely because of indifference, a desire to shirk, or a failure to realize their importance. In this matter, however, the teacher can exercise no compulsion. The law nowhere gives the school author- ities the right to compel a child to pursue a certain branch contrary to the parent's wishes. The course of study simply indicates when the teacher is to exercise his influence with a pupil to induce him to take up any certain study. The faithful teacher will not only do this, but he will go to the parents of the child when necessary, and endeavor to convince them that the study in question is a practical one and should not be omitted. This implies the ability, on the part of the teacher, to show that the various common-school branches embody knowledge and discipline which make the founda- tion which every child should build, no matter what his future work is to be. A reasonable parent will appreciate the additional argu- ment that the course of study contemplates only a reasonable amount of work for every pupil, and that the child should have his time in school fully occupied, if he would be trained up to habits of industry.




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