USA > Indiana > Wabash County > History of Wabash County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 23
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
A short time later, in 1837, that useful pioneer, John Anderson, turned one room of his double cabin into a school. This was located on Squirrel Creek, and the teacher engaged was Jacob Heilman.
The next institution of learning was established in 1838. The neighbors (also south of Eel River in Paw Paw ) built a round-log cabin with clapboard roof, puncheon floor and door and desks, pole seats with legs, and huge dirt and puncheon fireplace and stick-and-clay chimney, with log left out for light. The first teacher in that house was Daniel Showalter.
The first school in the Gamble settlement, and one of the earliest in Paw Paw Township and the county, was one mile south of Roann. The log cabin schoolhouse was built about 1839, and Ward MeLees was the first teacher. Samuel Gamble was one of the scholars and walked three miles to school.
NORTH MANCHESTER AND LIBERTY MILLS
North Manchester and Liberty Mills established subscription schools about the same time, in the winter of 1838-39. Miss Harriet Tullis conducted one on Lot 39, in behalf of the children of Liberty Mills, and Thomas Keeler did the same for the juveniles of the rival town farther west.
At Judge Comstock's town the schools were taught in a different house each winter until about 1841, when a schoolhouse was erected on Lot 51. This was a frame building erected by the citizens, whose labor was contributed gratis. The salary of the teacher was made up by subscriptions, as was the case throughout the township until the present school system came into force.
FIRST PRIVATE SCHOOLS ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTY
About 1839 a school was taught in the old Jesse Moyer house, in the southwestern part of Pleasant Township. D. B. Allen was the teacher. Vol. 1-14
210
HISTORY OF WABASHI COUNTY
Villagers of La Gro claim that Gen. John Tipton, the Indian agent, built a schoolhouse on the site of their town about 1839. Outside of the village, the first school was opened at about the same time a mile and a half north of Peabody's Creek.
As we have elsewhere noted, Waltz Township was late in being set- tled, as its lands were the last to be cleared of Indian titles. Schools were therefore founded at a comparatively late day-the first one on the north side of the Mississinewa, opposite Somerset, not being built until 1846. This served as both first school and first meeting house.
PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDS COLLECTING
By the time all the townships of Wabash County were in a position to assume school taxes under the general aet of 1852, they were also entitled to their quotas of several accumulated funds. In the year 1837 the school fund of the state, at first consisting of the Congressional Township Fund only, was increased by an act of the Legislature direct- ing that one-half of the surplus revenue of the United States deposited in the state treasury be distributed among the several counties of the state in amounts proportionate to the taxable polls in each county, to be loaned out by officers appointed for that purpose for the benefit of the common schools of the county.
In 1845, by further legislative enactment, it was directed that all the funds that had accumulated, or might be received from the sale of the saline lands of the state, should be likewise distributed among the several counties, and loaned in the same manner and for the same object prescribed for the surplus revenue funds previously distributed. During the same year the bank tax fund went to swell that collecting for the support of the common schools. These constituted the productive branch of the school funds from which, since those several dates, the public schools of the different counties have been in great measure sup- ported. Besides the funds above enumerated, there were others known as prospective and unproductive, all of which were set forth in the first report of the state superintendent of publie instruction as follows: Productive, $2,278,588; unproductive, $1,560,400; prospective, $1,150,- 000. Total, $4,988,988.
QUOTA OF WABASH COUNTY
By the estimated amount for distribution among the several counties of the state for the year 1854, the first made under the law of 1852, the proportion of Wabash County, on the estimated basis of eighty cents
211
IIISTORY OF WABASII COUNTY
per capita on the enumeration for that year, was as follows: Chester Township, $658; La Gro, $854; Liberty, $520; Noble, $1,090; Pleasant, $592; Waltz, $618. Total, $4,332.
BAD OUTLOOK IN 1853
The acting examiners in Wabash County in 1853 were Josiah Bowles, who had licensed twelve teachers during that year, and D. Whitinger, who had licensed eighteen. In his report to the state superintendent Mr. Bowles says : "In regard to teachers and schools which have come under my observation, there is little improvement under the new system ; and my own convictions are that we cannot look for good teachers and good schools so long as the present 'Thomas Dillworth straddle-bench schoolhouses' remain. There is not in our township one single school- house which will bear the appellation of a tolerably good one. Ilow shall this evil be remedied ? Would it not be proper for the Legislature to pass an act empowering the township trustees to levy a tax to meet the great demands for good schoolhouses? Unless we have good school- houses we cannot have good schools."
FIGURES FOR 1854-60
By the enumeration of 1854, there were 5,232 children of school age in Wabash County-183 less than the previous year. Of that number 2.921 were males and 2,311 females, and the attendance had been: Males, 2,219, and females, 1,763.
The figures for 1855 show: Total between the ages of five and twenty-one years, 5,900-3,118 males and 2,782 females; 82 school dis- triets and 31 schools; $3,394.43 expended for tuition; $4,809 assessed for building schoolhouses-$1,759 in La Gro Township and $3,140 in Noble ( Wabash).
In 1856 there was a better showing-6,280 children (3,226 males and 3,054 females), of whom 4,176 attended school within the year. The tuition was $5,996.82. There were 107 districts and 99 schools, employing 83 male and 17 female teachers outside of Wabash, and $7,006.28 assessed for building schoolhouses. The congressional town- ship fund amounted to $15,057.31 during the year; amount refunded, $2,328.11; interest collected, $1,342.39. The common school fund amounted to $6,854.99; refunded within the year, $1,419.38; interest collected, $55.43. Total school funds, $21,912.30; interest collected, $1,898.82. No school lands remained unsold.
The superintendent's report for 1860 makes the following showing
212
HISTORY OF WABASHI COUNTY
for Wabash County: Total enumeration, 7,305; males, 3,855, and fe- males, 3,450. Received in tuition during the year, $11,347, for an average length of term of eighty-eight days. Apportioned for the year, $7,946.40; amount of congressional township funds at the close of the previous year, $18,748.68; total amount at the date of auditor's report, $18,758.68, including ten aeres of unsold school lands valued at $50. Amount for distribution that year, $1,982.82; amount of common school fund at the end of the previous year, $6,726.58. Amount added by the commissioners of the sinking fund within the year, $8,484.58. Total amount, June 1, 1860, $15,290.76. Total amount for apportionment, $6,477.01.
COUNTY SCHOOLS IN 1870-82
According to the report for 1870, 7,915 were enumerated-4,077 males and 3,838 females. The amount of school revenue on hand Sep- tember 1, 1869, was $17,678.55. Tuition, $41,917.46; amount expended, $22,692.54; amount on hand, $19,224.92; amount of special revenue on hand, September 1, 1869, $13,268.62; amount afterwards received, $14,- 466.69; total, $27,735.31; amount expended, $17,028.37; amount on hand, $10,706.94. Amount apportioned to Wabash County October 15, 1870, on a basis of 7,915 school children enumerated, $3,856.50.
The report for 1880 makes the following showing: School popula- tion, 8,525; attendance, 6,563; revenue from tuition, $69,156.31; amount expended during 1878-79, $43,253.92; amount on hand, $25,902.39. Special school revenue on hand, $15,355.02.
By the state superintendent's report for the year 1882, it appears that the children of school age in Wabash County amounted to 8,543, and the attendance was 6,775. The total revenue from tuition was $79,885.72; amount expended, $44,860.46; balance on hand September 1, 1882, $35,025.26. The same report indicates that at the end of the school year August 31, 1882, there wer in the county 141 schoolhouses, of which 74 were brick and 67 frame, of a total value of $207,250. For that year there was a special fund of $37,168.68, from which $10,950 was expended for schoolhouses.
HIGHI CONDITION IN 1913-14
Twenty years after the above figures were compiled the population of Wabash County had increased only about 2,000, yet the condition of the schools was far better. From the county auditor's report for the
213
HISTORY OF WABASHI COUNTY
year ending December 31, 1913, it appeared that the special school fund amounted to $94,734.31 and the tuition fund to $79,359.91.
NUMBER OF TEACHERS
The report of the county superintendent of schools for 1913-14 gives a roster of all the teachers in the county, from which it is gleaned that there are 225, divided by townships, school districts and wards as follows :
La Gro Township-La Gro District, 9; Lincolnville, 5; Dora, 2; country schools, 7. Total, 23.
Chester Township-North Manchester District, 8; Liberty Mills, 3; Servia, 3; country schools, 9. Total, 23.
Pleasant Township-Laketon District, 8; Disko, 3; Ijamville, 2; No. 10, 2; country schools, 3. Total, 18.
Paw Paw Township-Roann District, 9; Urbana, 7; country schools, 5. Total, 21.
Liberty Township-La Fontaine District, 10; country schools, 5. Total, 15.
Waltz Township-Somerset District, 6; country schools, 8. Total, 14.
Noble Township-Linlawn District, 9; White's Institute, 4; Rich Valley, 2; country schools, 11; Chippewa, 9. Total, 35.
City of Wabash: Superintendent and supervisors, 5; high school teachers, 14; East Ward School, 8; Miami School, 8; West Ward School, 8; South Side School, 8; Century School, 8. Total, 59.
North Manchester Public Schools-Superintendent and high school teachers, 6; Central School, 4; West Ward School. 4; North Ward School, 4. Total, 18. 1
TOWNSHIP ENROLMENT
The enrolment by townshirs is as follows: La Gro, 550; Noble, 629; Waltz, 302; Liberty, 279; Paw Paw, 271; Chester, 416; Pleasant, 317. Total, 2,764.
Altogether there are 429 pupils enrolled in the township high schools, as follows: Chester, 50; Chippewa, 18; LaFontaine, 43; LaGro, 51 ; Lake- ton, 48; Lincolnville, 38; Linlawn, 35; Roann, 62; Somerset, 42; Urbana, 42.
OLD-TIME COUNTY EXAMINERS
Previous to 1873 the schools of the county were supposed to be under the active supervision of an examiner, of whose early duties and per-
214
HISTORY OF WABASII COUNTY
formances little need be said. Previous to the reformatory law of 1852 his chief duty was to go through the form of examining teachers who applied for certificates ; and usually the applicant was far more proficient than the examiner. The certificate was supposed to be granted for a period which was gauged on the correctness of the answers received. The grade of examiners and teachers was materially raised during the two decades prior to 1873, the list of the former including such intelligent and worthy citizens as C. E. Hazen, William W. Beck, Charles S. Parrish, Joseph Mackey, Warren G. Sayre and Alvah Taylor.
CHANGE TO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENCY
When the change to the county superintendency was made in 1873, the official duties of the head of the schools were greatly enlarged. Ile became, in fact, an active superintendent, giving all his time and abilities to the improvement of the public system of instruction, being accountable both to the state superintendent of public instruction and the county board of education. Schoolhouses have been improved, teaching methods advanced in accordance with the general progress of scientific education, hygienic reforms introduced of both an architectural and per- sonal nature, and in every way the local system has kept pace with the rapid advance of the general forward movement in all educational mat- ters, whether of theory or practice.
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP INSTITUTES
No one influence has had a better effect on the county system of pub- lic instruction than that exerted through the institutes and normals. As early as 1865 and 1866, institutes were held in the county under the supervision of the county examiner. The first ones which really drew the attention of teachers to their importance were those held in 1866 and 1867, during the administration of Warren G. Sayre, but it was not until 1874 that they were considered permanent institutions of the county system.
In his report for that year, Irvin F. Stratton, the first superintendent of schools of Wabash County, says in his report to the state superin- tendent : "Our County Institute, the best held in the county for two years, met in Wabash, October 20-24, inclusive, was well attended and did much good. On account of the size of our townships and bad weather, out township institutes were not as well attended as they should have been, but they were beneficial in their results and will be the means of elevating our teachers and thereby elevating our schools. Nearly one
215
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
hundred of our teachers attended normal classes in this county from six to eight weeks, and this, too, the first work of the kind which had ever been done in the county. The average ability in Wabash County will be 20 per cent. higher this year than ever before. County superin- tendeney is entitled to a fair share of credit for all good results herein indicated."
In 1875, 170 teachers were present at the annual institute, held at the City of Wabash, and from that year to the present the attendance has practically included every regular teacher in the county. In this work from first to last Miss Adelaide Steele Baylor took a leading part, serv- ing for some years as secretary of the county institute.
The township institutes continue to be the most constant source of improvement to the teaching force of the county, as they are held throughout the school year-the first Saturdays of the month in Waltz and Chester townships; second Saturdays in Pleasant and Paw Paw; and third Saturdays, in Noble, Liberty and La Gro.
Various rules and regulations are in force to ensure a full attendance, the most efficacious being those which provide for a fine for non-attend- ance and the fact that the trustees will pay teachers only on the days when the township institutes are being held.
The Indiana Statutes says: "That no teacher shall receive wages for attending township institutes, unless he or she shall attend the full session of such institute and perform the duty or duties assigned." The law also states that a teacher forfeits one day's wages for every day's absence, unless such service shall be occasioned by sickness or such other reason as may be approved by the township trustee."
Suggestions in the last report of the county superintendent: "The program committee should follow the suggestions given in the insti- tute outline very closely. Definite assignments should be made and those on duty should prepare their work thoroughly before presenting. The leader who conducts the work in the Teachers' Reading Circle Books is expected to conduct a model recitation by having her lesson well out- lined and using the institute as a class. Both the leader and elass should recite with books closed. Teachers should enter the institute as if they meant business by removing hats, gloves, etc., not acting as if it was a holiday and they were posing for a camera. The township principals should require the leaders to furnish them with copies of the outlines which they expect to use in presenting the T. R. C. books. Well prepared papers are much more desirable than rambling talks when leading in the discussion of other subjects on the program. From time to time township principals will be expected to report the character of the
1
216
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
PRESENT COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT AND TRUSTEES
217
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
work done by each member. A further test will be made by giving writ- ten examinations on the T. R. C. books.
"The following topies are to be on the program some time during the year: Reading in the primary grades. Discuss the plans given in the State Course of Study, the Ward Manual and county plans."
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS
Following Mr. Stratton in the county superintendency up to the present time have been : Isaac Macey Good, George T. Herrick, Irvin F. Stratton, Harvey A. Hutchens, John N. Myers, Avery Williams, Lincoln O. Dale, John W. Lewis, Robert K. Devericks.
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
The County Board of Education serving in 1913-14, is as follows : County Superintendent-Robert K. Devericks, Wabash. Trustees- Edward J. Singer, Chester Township; Jacob M. Wagoner, Paw Paw Township; Frank Ireland, Pleasant Township; D. E. Purviance, Lagro Township; B. F. Hubbard, Noble Township; Harmon L. Emrick, Waltz Township; JJacob Sailors, Liberty Township. Board of School Superin- tendents-J. L. Henderson, LaFontaine; C. F. Albangh, Somerset ; A. B. Oswalt, Lincolnville; Chi Waggoner, Linlawn ; H. S. Jeffrey, Lagro; S. J. Birk, Urbana; Howard Williams, Chester; E. E. Roby, Laketon; J. E. Landis, Roann; L. H. Whiteraft, Chippewa. Truant Officer-Joe W. Davis, Wabash.
PRESENT BROAD FIELD OF SUPERINTENDENT
There is no detail in the county system of public education which the superintendent does not guide-teachers, township superintendents and pupils are all under his watchful eye and active mind, and all are held to their tasks with kindness, but firmness. Every year more is required of him and of them, as in every other field of human endeavor. To illustrate these observations let us quote from the last report of County Superintendent Devericks, the extraets being taken from various portions of his interesting exposition.
TOWNSHIP SUPERVISION
"The trustees are hiring the township superintendents with the expressed understanding that they are to supervise the township schools.
1
m
218
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
This has been done in the past to some extent, but this year they are expected to keep even more closely in touch with the work of the teacher. It is also to be hoped that the teachers will cooperate with them in this work. The superintendent of schools, where certified high schools are located, will have direet supervision of the grades and in a measure will be responsible for the work done by the teachers. It is expected that the township superintendents will visit each district school at least twice within a year. They are to ask the teachers to submit plans of their work, and specimens of the work done by the pupils at stated times. Arrangements for monthly examinations and many other plans may be made by them. Questions arising as to the grading and promotion of pupils should be referred to the township superintendent or the superin- tendent of the graded schools as the case may be.
SUPERVISION IN GRADE BUILDINGS
"Superintendents of graded schools are expected to have complete charge of their respective buildings and their word should be law in all matters pertaining to school work, subject only to the rules in the County Manual. When rules are made the teachers should enforce them without question whether they believe they are right or not. Teachers often make the great mistake of letting pupils know that they are not in sympathy with the superintendent. Pupils should never know of any differences that exist between them. If a teacher is as- signed a certain part of the work in general discipline, asked to do work in a certain manner, asked to take her turn staying at the build- ing during the noon hour, or to perform any other duty, she should be ready and willing to cooperate with the superintendent for he of all others should know what is best for the schools.
"The superintendent is expected to supervise the work of all teachers very closely. Note books should be so arranged that he can within a few minutes in the morning know all that they are planning to do during the day. Teachers' meetings are very helpful, if properly conducted, and only questions of general interest are discussed.
HYGIENE OF THE SCHOOL -
"It is the trustee's duty to place a thermometer in each sehool- room and it is the teacher's business to keep uniform temperature and see that the rooms are properly ventilated. A board should be placed under the lower sash so that the air may enter between the upper and lower sashes. Improper heating and poor ventilation is
219
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
not only a detriment to the health of the children, but they are unable to accomplish what is expected of them in their studies. Teachers should be careful about allowing pupils to sit in the direct sunlight. Teachers should write a large, plain hand on the blackboard. Win- dow shades should be in good repair and raised or lowered by the teacher at the proper time. It is no great wonder that the eyesight of so many children is affected when you consider the poorly lighted schoolrooms. It is worth while for the teacher to spend some time during the day in safeguarding the body of the child, as well as in developing the mind.
APPEARANCE OF TEACHERS AND PUPILS
"There are two extremes in the appearance of teachers and pupils both of which seem to be reached in this county. It is the teacher's duty to teach the children to be neat and clean and is entirely within the duties of the teacher to see that their hands and faces are clean, hair combed, the teacher guiding them by precept and example. On the other hand, we find some boys that are snobbish and in many in- stances girls that do their hair up ridiculously and wear gowns more suitable for parties than for schoolrooms where comfort is so much desired. It is perhaps a lady's own business to dress as she pleases but teachers must remember that school girls are apt to pattern after them and as a result spend several hours each day in artificial deco- rations when the time is needed so much in study.
MEDICAL INSPECTION LAW
" 'It shall be the duty of all teachers to immediately send home any pupil who is perceptibly ill in any way, or who is unclean and emits offensive bodily odors or who is infested with lice or other vermin; and the truant officer shall arrest and prosecute parent or guardians who do not rid their children of vermin and bodily uncleanliness, when notified to do so. Refusals of parents or guardians to free their children or wards of vermin or to bathe and cleanse them, making them fit to go to school, shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars and imprisonment for ten days, or both. And if the refusal or negleet of parents or guardians to bathe and eleanse their children or wards makes it necessary, then the truant officer, upon order of the school authorities, shall have it done, the cost to be paid by the school authorities from the school funds.'
-
220
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
SUCCESS GRADES
"Success grades will be made out at the end of the school year. According to law, these grades must be used in computing the wages of teachers during the following year. By the standard used in this county it is intended that teachers with one year's experience, who are successful, and their work entirely satisfactory shall receive 90 per cent. Those whose work is not satisfactory may drop as low as $5 per cent. Those whose work is satisfactory will be raised according to the success of the teachers but it is intended that after teaching three years that those who have been an entire success shall receive 95 per cent. Ordinarily it will take four or five years to reach the 95 per cent mark. By this seale after teaching a year, the length of license will be deter- mined largely by the success grade, 90 per cent giving the applicant an excellent chance to get a twenty-four-month and 95 per cent a good chance to get a thirty-six-month. These grades are fixed by the county superintendent after advising with the local superintendent, and the township trustee.
"It is a difficult matter to estimate the grades by schedule or in any other manner, except by placing a general estimate upon the value of the teacher. However, there are many things that affect the grades and although a teacher may have been successful in many respects and may feel that she should have a certain grade, yet there are many minor details that may change the grade considerably from what may seem fair on a general estimate. For example, a teacher may do good teaching but if the Institute work is poor, the appearance of the teacher is not satisfactory, the program not followed, school property not cared for, ignorance of 'Plans,' schoolroom untidy, teaching for money only, failure to keep up with the profession by at- tending Summer Normal and many other things any one of which may make considerable difference in the grade. The three most im- portant factors which determine the success grades are professional interest, daily preparation of the teacher and the discipline of the school. Any one of these may cause absolute failure.
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.