USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II > Part 32
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This cut represents the last Common Council of the City of Saginaw, under the old form of government, taken December 31, 1913. On January 1, 1914, the new Council took charge under "Commission" form of government.
1 -Albert W. Tausend, Mayor. Henry J. P. Graebner, Alderman 16th Ward.
3-Joseph Seemann, Allerman 7th Ward.
4-John O'Neil, Alderman 11th Ward.
5-Herbert S. Gay, Alderman 1st Ward.
21-John A. Manwell, Deputy City Clerk.
22-Edward S. Golson, Assistant in City Engineer's Office.
23- -Fred C. Trier, Alderman 20th Ward.
24-John Stenglein, Alderman 17th Ward. 25- Charles M. Martin, Reporter Courier-Herald.
11-John Southgate, Deputy Assessor.
12 Henry L. Schuch, Alderman 15th Ward.
13- -Charles F. Schmidt, Alderman 6th Ward.
14 George T. Johnson, Alderman 14th Ward.
15-Wm. H Barton, City Clerk.
16-George Phoenix, Alderman 12th Ward.
17-Thomas D. Madden, Alderman 18th Ward.
18-Fred R. Strutz, Alderman 9th Ward.
19-Geo. C. Warren, City Controller.
20-Otto E. Eckert, Assistant Engineer.
19
15
13
12
10
26-Herbert A. Otto, Alderman 13th Ward. 27-Edward H. Hartwick, Reporter Press. 25- Wm. H. Ferris, Alderman 5th Ward. 29-Frank Ardern, Alderman 19th Ward. 30-Herman W. Zah Zahnow, Alderman Sth Ward.
31- Sebastian Nothelfer, Alderman 10th Ward, 32 Chester M. Howell, Reporter News.
6-Albert E. Braun, Alderman 2nd Ward. 7-A. Elwood Snow, City Attorney. -Rudolph Asbeck, Jr., Alderman 4th Ward. 4 -- John Walhier, Janitor City Hall. 10-Wm. F. Jahnke, City Treasurer.
270
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
The Present Council
The new charter provided that the term of the first council should expire on April 11, 1915, and a new council elected for two and four year terms. At the primaries held on March 16, with a strong array of candidates in the field, Ard E. Richardson and Hilem F. Paddock were nominated for the office of mayor, George Holcomb was elected councilman (having received a majority ), and the choice of six other nominees for councilmen and twenty for supervisors was consistent with the idea of good government. Political influences, however, were still strong in moulding public opinion and party lines were drawn close, especially in the contest for the mayoralty.
The dominating faction of the Democratic party rallied to the support of Mr. Paddock, and conducted a quiet, inside campaign of great effective- ness. In this policy they were unconsciously aided by the supporters of Mr. Richardson, who adopted a blatant, laudatory method of conducting their campaign, featured by expressions so derogatory to the opposing nominee as to be almost vituperant in intensity. Other influences also were at work, reminding the people of certain acts of the chief executive, evidently prompted by the reformers of his party, including the disorganization of the police department, the fire department investigation farce, and other ill- advised matters, which at the time met with wide public disapproval. Al- though many voters were not impressed by the administrative abilities dis- played by the Mayor, they generally agreed that the city had never had a more conscientious and hard-working official - actuated by high ideals.
The election was held on Tuesday, April 6, 1915, and resulted very happily to the supporters of Mr. Paddock, he being swept into office by a majority of ten hundred and fifty-three. All the other councilmen, William F. Jahnke, Robert F. Johnson and William I1. Reins were re-elected to office by substantial majorities; and the supervisors elected were: Charles F. Bauer, Fred Bluhm, Sr., John J. Leidlein, George Schulz and Adam Sharp, for the four-year term, and Charles A. Beckman, Fred E. Curtis, John H. Deibel, Julius C. Hahn, and Chester \. Howell, for the two-year term.
City Officers, July 1, 1915
Mayor, President of the Council, Commissioner of Health and Safety Vice-President of the Council. Commissioner of Light, Water and Sewers Commissioner of Finance
Hilem F. Paddock
Commissioner of Public Works
Commissioner of Parks and Cemeteries
Robert F. Johnson William F. Jahnke George Holcomb William I1. Reins
Controller Deputy Controller Treasurer Deputy Treasurer. Clerk
Deputy Clerk ..
Assessor ..
Deputy Assessor Attorney Recorder and Police Judge.
Justice of the Peace ......
Ilealth Officer Physician Chief of Police
George C. Warren Carl .A. Werner William F. Jahnke Hoyt Holcomb Herbert S. Gav Frank Ardern Charles Spindler Charles Evans Robert T. Holland \\'illiam H. Martin Arthur Clements
Dr. A. J. O'Reilly Dr. F. W. Edelmann Patrick Kain
271
THE CONSOLIDATED SAGINAW'S
Chief of Fire Department.
Assistant Chief of Fire Department
Superintendent of Poor
Plumbing Inspector
City Electrician.
Inspector of Foods and Measures
George W. Wallis Robert B. Hudson .John Clark Joseph Schrems James Niven Noble R. Snell
City Engineer Assistant Engineer Superintendent of Parks
Herman H. Eymer Otto Eckert Daniel H. Ellis
Board of Estimates
Jacob Schwartz, President
W. E. McCorkle M. W. Guider Fred J. Buckhout James G. Macpherson
Board of Review
George S. Lockwood, President
James C. Cornwell F. C. Trier William A. Brewer Simon G. Koepke
2
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5
-
THE FIRST COUNCIL UNDER THE COMMISSION GOVERNMENT
1-Ard E. Richardson, Mayor 2-Robert F. Johnson
3- George Holcomb
4-William F. Jahnke
5-William H. Reins
272
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
Mayors of East Saginaw
1859 -William L. P. Little
1874
llerbert H. Hoyt
1860 -William J. Bartow
1875 }
Chauncey W. Wisner
1861 1 -Charles B. Mott
1876 1
1862
1877
-Bradley M. Thompson
1863 -William F. Glasby
1878
1864 -James F. Brown
1879
1865
Samuel W. Yawkey
1880
-John Welch
1866 -Dwight G. Holland
1881
1867 -Wellington R. Burt
1882 Leander Simoneau
1868
-James L. Ketcham
1884 )
1870 -John G. Owen
1885
1871 -Leander Simoneau
1886 7
1872 Charles L. Ortman
1887 )
1873
-William L. Webber
1888 1
1889 5 -William B. Baum
Mayors of Saginaw City
1857
1858 -Gardner D. Williams
1873 }
-Benton Hanchett
1874 1
1859 )
-George W. Bullock
1875
-Fred HI. Potter
1860 1
1876
1861 /
1877
George F. Lewis
1863 1 -Peter C. AAndre
1879 1
1864
1865 -Stewart B. Williams
1866 William M. Miller
1882 1
1867 )
1883 -Peter C. Andre
1868 -Alfred F. R. Braley
1884
Charles L. Benjamin
1869
1885 \
1870
-William Il. Sweet
1886 -Arthur Hill
1871
-George F. Williams
1887 -John H. Shackelton
1872
-William 11. Sweet
1888 -Lyman W. Bliss
1889
-Gilbert M. Stark
Mayors of the City of Saginaw
1890 )
1904 )
1891
-George W. Weadock
1905 -Henry E. Lee
1892 |
1ยบ06
18921
1906
1893 -William S. Linton
1907
-William B. Baum
1894 |
1908
1895
1908 )
1896 5
to 7-George W. Stewart, M. D.
18961
1912 )
to
1
-William B. Baum
1912 1
1904 J
1913 ( -Albert W. Tausend
1914 1 1915 1 -Ard E. Richardson 1915 -Hilem F. Paddock
-Henry M. Youmans
1862 1 -John Moore
1878 J
Lyman W. Bliss
1880 S 1881 1 Arthur Hill
John S. Estabrook
1883 -Frank Lawrence
1869
-William B. Mershon
HILEM F. PADDOCK Mayor of Saginaw 1915-1919
CHAPTER XIV OUR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Earliest Schools - A. S. Gaylord Takes Charge - The New "Union School"- Expansion of the Schools - The Union School District - Modern Buildings - The Arthur Jlill Trade School - The First School at East Saginaw - Building the "Academy"- Pioneer Teachers - Alonzo L. Bingham in Charge - Organization of Board of Education - Extension of the School System - Prof. Tarbell's Unique Action - The Burt Manual Training School - Sectarian and Parochial Schools - The First Public Library - The Public and Union School Library -The Butman-Fish Memorial Library - The Public Library - Hoyt Library - Literary and Reading Clubs - The Art Club.
O NE of the chief drawbacks to pioneer life in the wilderness was the want of schools, which, with the hardships and privations suffered by the early settlers, was keenly felt. Scarcely had the woodsman felled the trees that supplied the logs for his house, and disturbed the soil for planting potatoes and corn, ere his thoughts turned to the educa- tion of his children. Coming from New England or New York where in boyhood he had received such instruction and training as was afforded by old established schools, he naturally brought the educational habit with him, and his early efforts to provide school instruction speak well for his intelli- gence. It is therefore eminently fitting that some account of the inception and growth of the work which was started by our sturdy pioneers, should be included in this narrative of human progress.
The Earliest Schools
The first school in Saginaw County, or in fact in this section of Michigan, was opened in the Fall of 1834 by Albert Miller. It was located in a portion of the old log barracks which had been erected by the United States troops in 1822. In the little dingy room, the walls of which were hewed logs with mud and moss filling the crevices, and the windows covered with oiled paper. were gathered all the children for two or three miles around, from eighteen to twenty-five in number, some of whom were half-breeds. Here, in the forest wilderness, on the border of a great unknown territory stretching west- ward to the Pacific, was planted the first token of advancing civilization. It was in strong contrast to our present elaborate system, with brick and stone school buildings perfectly equipped, corps of intelligent teachers and thousands of pupils.
In 1837 School District No. 1. of Saginaw Township, was organized, and the first school house, a small frame building, was erected on the south side of Court Street near the site of the court house. Some years later it was removed across the street to ground now occupied by the county jail. The first teacher of this organized public school was Horace S. Beach, of New York City, whose efforts to instill knowledge in the young members of the community evidently were successful. for he retained the position until 1840.
During the following winter Henry A. Campbell and Dion Birney, the latter a brother of James G. Birney, followed as teachers, and in the Summer of 1841 the position was filled by Miss Catherine Beach, afterward Mrs. Samuel Shattuck. From 1842 to 1845 the school had several teachers suc- ceeding each other, including Ira Bissell, of Grand Blanc: Daniel Woodin,
275
OUR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
of St. Clair; and Edwin Ferris, of New York. During the term of Mr. Ferris the number of pupils became too large for one room and one teacher, and the school building was thereupon enlarged and Miss Harmony flay- wood employed as assistant. Shortly after Mr. Woodman, of Hamilton, New York, was employed as teacher for a few months.
In 1845 Miss Harriet A. Spaulding, a young woman of fine education and accomplishments, came as missionary from Boston. In the public schools she found an excellent opportunity to advance good work among the young, and was so employed during that year and in 1846. Her mission was not in vain, for years after her pupils still cherished letters written to them after her departure, which prove her sincere regard for them. From 1847 to 1850 there were several teachers, including Miss Eliza Booth, E. C. Erwin. Miss Anna Dayton, Joseph A. Ripley, of Tuscola. Charles T. Dis- brow, and Milo Woodward, of Ohio. In 1847, when the district school was in charge of Miss Booth, a private school was taught for several months by Miss Angeline J. Berry ; but the public school from its beginning generally met the educational needs of the time.
Augustine S. Gaylord Takes Charge
Early in April, 1851, Augustine S. Gaylord came here from Ohio and was employed as teacher of the school, which then had an average attendance of fifty-five scholars. In November of the same year Mr. Gaylord was appointed deputy county clerk, and relinquished the duties of teacher to Charles Johnson who filled the position until the Fall of 1853. At this time Saginaw City abolished the rate bill and made her school absolutely free, being one of the first towns in the State to take such action.
The new "Union School," which had been in process of erection on the south side of Court Street, at the east corner of Webster Street, was com- pleted late in 1853. It was a two-story frame building. divided midway of its length by a hall and double flight of stairs, and contained four rooms to accommodate about two hundred pupils. For sixteen years this school was the chief temple of knowledge to the rising generation, and within its walls many of the prominent citizens of Saginaw City received their early educa- tion. In 1868 the building was removed to the Fourth Ward, where it served the same cause for a number of years. It was afterward used as a parochial school by SS. Peter and Paul Church.
The first teacher of the new Union School was Charles R. Gaylord, who received a salary of five hundred dollars for the school year of forty-four weeks. This was the highest compensation ever before given to a teacher in the Saginaw school. He was assisted by Miss Mary Rice, of Grand Blanc, and the attendance in two rooms was about one hundred and fifty scholars. In the following year the number of pupils increased to one hin- dred and eighty, necessitating the employment of a second assistant teacher. The studies pursued were the common English branches, natural philosophy, algebra and Latin.
Mr. Gaylord was succeeded in 1855 by P. S. Heisrodt, who conducted the schools with characteristic vigor for four years. He was followed by A. L. Bingham, a life-long and successful teacher, whose memory is held in grateful remembrance by many of our older citizens. The principals who succeeded Mr. Bingham were: Isaac Delano, 1862-63; Lucius Birdseye. 1863-65; Joseph W. Ewing, 1865-69; C. D. Ileine, 1869-72; Cornelius A. Gower, 1872-76, and Cyrus B. Thomas, 1876 to 1885.
Among the well-known teachers at this period and for some years fol- lowing were: Miss Sibyl C. Palmer, Miss Sarah L. Johnston, Miss Josephine E. Johnston, Miss M. J. Alexander, Mrs. Juliette Fonda and Mrs. Mary H.
Y
PUES
T
A GROUP OF WEST SIDE SCHOOLS
Roeser Durand
Stone Bliss
Herrig
277
OUR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Prentiss. In 1881 George Hempel was principal of the High School, and Miss Isabella Ripsom and Miss Mary E. Gelston were his assistants. The lower grades were taught by the Misses Annie and Minnie De Land, Mary E. Atwater, Fannie G. Lewis, Lucy L. Townsend and Maggie A. Durand. The German-English course, fifth and sixth grades, was conducted by Con- stantin Watz; and Misses Emily Barck, Florence E. Guillott and Anna Rose taught the primary grades. Other successful teachers were Misses Emily Case, Carrie Redman, Gertrude Lee, Rhoda I. Van Zile, Jessie Lee, Emma Plessner, Sadie Ketcham and Lella M. Lyon. Mr. L. M. Fetzer was instructor in German-English in the Fifth Ward School.
Expansion of the Schools
In 1860 the population of Saginaw City was nearly eighteen hundred. and the need of additional school facilities began to be felt. Immigration to the valley during this decade was so rapid that it was difficult for those in charge of educational affairs to provide accommodations for all the chil- dren who would attend school. Every few years the school board provided for the erection of a new school, but it was not until 1868 that the demand was fully met.
The Sixth Ward school house, a two-story brick building, was erected in 1863 at a cost of three thousand dollars. Though of plain exterior, its two rooms furnished pleasant accommodations for one hundred and twenty pupils, who, after four years of primary instruction, were promoted to the Central School.
In 1865-66 a new brick school house was erected in the Third Ward, at a cost of seven thousand five hundred dollars. It was a two-story structure containing two large and well-lighted rooms, a wide hall and ample cloak room. The first four grades only were taught here, the scholars then being sent to the fifth grade in the Central School.
The First Ward School at the North End, or what was known as the Penoyer Farm, was a frame building, one story in height, was built in 1868, and enlarged in 1872. It contained three rooms in which the pupils com- pleted six grades of school work before promotion to the Central School.
The first really imposing school building in Saginaw City was built in 1867-68, and was called the Central School, its location being on the north side of Court Street, between Harrison and Webster Streets. It was con- structed of brick and stone, three stories in height, with a basement, and was crowned with a Mansard roof above which rose a lofty bell tower. This school house contained twenty-seven assembly and recitation rooms, capable of seating about eight hundred pupils. All the grades were taught here. pupils remaining twelve years in the school before graduation. Afterward, the building was provided with steam heat and thorough ventilation, when it was exceedingly well fitted for the purposes of education. Twenty years ago it was gutted by fire, rebuilt along modern ideas, newly equipped, and given the name, John Moore School.
The Fifth Ward School, occupying an entire square on Charles Street, one block north of Court, was a two-story frame building containing four rooms, and planned to seat about two hundred pupils. It was built in 1872 at a cost of five thousand dollars. Only the two primary grades were here taught, pupils being transferred at the end of the second year to the Central School.
In 1870, when the population of the city had reached seven thousand five hundred, the official school census showed twenty-one hundred children of school age (from five to twenty-one years), and the number of teachers employed was twenty-five. The total enrollment for that vear was four-
278
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
teen hundred, and the average daily attendance was about eight hundred. Ten years later the population had increased to ten thousand six hundred, and the teachers numbered thirty-five, including Superintendent Thomas and special teachers in penmanship, drawing and music. The total enroll- ment of pupils was seventeen hundred and sixty-seven, and the average daily attendance for the year was twelve hundred and thirty-three.
The Union School District
By a special enactment of the Michigan Legislature in 1865. the Union School District was organized, and put under the exclusive control of a school board of six trustees. Under this special act the schools were care- fully reorganized with three departments - primary, grammar and high school. Each of these departments covered four years, and a course of study was prescribed for the twelve years. The first class to complete the course graduated from the high school in 1870, and was composed of ten scholars, four boys and six girls.
During these years the services of several public-spirited citizens, who gave time and attention to promote the advancement of learning, stand out boldly. Such services were rendered, as a rule, without adequate reward or appreciation, unless the consciousness of doing a good work may be counted compensation. In the earlier years Hiram L. Miller, Dr. Davis, Jabez Suther- land and Dr. M. C. T. Plessner were conspicuous. Later, John Moore, William 11. Sweet, Benton Hanchett. Jay Smith. Dr. I. N. Smith. Dr. J. H. Jerome and D. B. Ketcham took an active and honorable part. In 1881 the school board was composed of David H. Jerome. president ; Otto Roeser. secretary; George L. Burrows, treasurer; and the other trustees were D. L. C. Eaton. A. T. Bliss and A. W. Achard.
In June, 1880, a committee of the Faculty of the University of Michigan. invited by the school board, visited the schools, and carefully examined into their organization and the methods and thoroughness of the instruction given. As a result the school was at once recognized as a preparatory department of the University, and its graduates of 1880 were admitted to the University classes without examination at Ann Arbor.
Modern School Buildings
In the last thirty years great progress has been made in providing proper and adequate facilities for education, and particularly in the erection of new and modern school buildings in convenient locations. The old frame struc- tures, in which many of our citizens prominent in business and social circles, received their early training, have gradually been replaced by buildings of brick and stone, equipped with the latest and best appliances for training the youthful mind. Enlargement and improvement of these earlier school build- ings is constantly going on, to keep pace with the increasing demands for space and better facilities. In 1915 the Union School District comprised ten modern schools, valued with their equipment at half a million dollars, in which convenience for students and teachers, and sanitary arrangements are prominent features.
The John Moore School, very properly named after an honored citizen, who was a member of the first board of trustees of the Union School Dis- trict, and who served many years after, is a modern brick structure erected on the foundation of the old Central School. It contains sixteen school rooms and the well furnished and equipped offices of the school board, which meets every month, all the business of the district being transacted through a competent clerical force under the direction of Arthur D. Bate. German is taught in eight grades in this school.
279
OUR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
THE JOHN MOORE SCHOOL
The Stone School, named after Farnum C. Stone who served the Union School District as treasurer for many years, is located at the corner of State and Stone Streets. It is a modern brick building containing sixteen class rooms, office of the principal. teachers' room, and also a room equipped with the necessary materials for first help in sick cases. The eight grammar grades are taught in this school, the blackboards being graded.
The Bliss School, named after Aaron T. Bliss who was president of the board for a number of years, is located at Bond and Bristol Streets. This is also a modern brick structure containing eight class rooms in which the first seven grades are taught.
The Herig School is named after Dr. E. A. Herig, who for thirteen years was a member of the board, hokling various offices and was chairman of the committee on teachers. This school is a substantial brick building completed in September, 1907, and has eight class rooms, ante-rooms, sani- tary wardrobes, graded blackboards and other modern appliances in school house architecture. The first six grades, including German, are taught in this school.
The Otto Roeser School, named after a prominent citizen who served the school district as secretary for many years, is a brick building remodeled with all modern appliances, and with heating and sanitary arrangements well carried out. There are eight class rooms in which the first six grades are taught, including German in the first and second.
The Williams School, named in honor of the family of Gardner D. Williams, one of the early pioneers in this section, is situated at the corner
280
IHISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
of Harrison and Williams Streets. It is a two-story brick building, and until recently four grades were taught by two teachers, but is not now in use.
The Jerome School, named after David Il. Jerome, one time governor of Michigan, is situated at the corner of Harrison and Dearborn Streets. It is a modern brick structure with all sanitary arrangements, and contains eight rooms in which the first seven grades are taught.
The Durand School, situated at the corner of Grout and Joslyn Streets, is named after a long-time president of the board, Lorenzo T. Durand, in honor of his faithful and efficient service. This school, which is modern in every respect, was erected in 1904 and enlarged in 1915, and has sixteen rooms, principal's office, teachers' room, graded blackboards and other con- veniences. German is included in the courses of study in this school.
The Arthur Hill High School, in which is the office of the superinten- dent of schools, is situated at the corner of Court and Harrison Streets, and is a modern building in every respect and perfectly equipped. Three com- plete laboratories, chemical, physical and biological, render valuable and indispensable aid to the students in science. There are full courses in Ger- man, French, Latin and English, and a well-equipped business department prepares students for commercial work. The County Normal Training School, which prepares teachers for county schools, is also in this building. The high school is affiliated with a long list of universities and colleges, at which the graduates are accepted without examination, on presentation of their diplomas. The school is named after our distinguished citizen. Arthur Hill, who in 1893 established four scholarships at the University of Mich- igan. One is awarded each year to the graduate student standing highest in his work during the senior year, and is valued at one thousand dollars.
THE ARTHUR HILL TRADE SCHOOL
281
OUR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Arthur Hill Trade School
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