History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 75

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 738

USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 75

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The Minneapolis Light Infantry was organ- ized in July, 1879, and sworn into state service October 9, following, by S. A. Sims, mustering officer. The company had at that time a mem- bership of thirty-two persons, and the highest officer was second lieutenant, to which place Mr. Sims was elected, and F. B. Moore was chosen orderly sergeant. In December the number of officers was increased, Mr. Sims elected first lieutenant and W. L. Eldred. second. At this time they received fifty breech-loading Spring- field rifles, and fatigue equipments. In Febru- ary, 1880, the office of captain was created and J. P. Rea elected. In October. 1880, they re- ceived twenty-five more rifles and equipments from the state. During the summer season the company meets in squads for rifle practice on their range in the East Division. The present officers are captain, J. P. Rea ; first lieutenant, S. A. Sims ; second lieutenant, G. M. Naylor : orderly sergeant, F. S. Barnard: second sergeant, J. G. Rogers, third sergeant and quarter-master, Perry Harrison ; fourth sergeant. E. D. Hill ; color sergeant, d'B. O. Scott : corporals, E. L. Lockwood, A. Baker, C. Langdon, and F. L. Foote. The officers of the civil organization are, J. P. Rea, president; G. M. Naylor, vice-presi- dent; F. W. Greene, recording secretary ; Wil- liam Wright. financial secretary; E. L. Goddard, treasurer. The first child born after the organi- zation of the regiment was a daughter of N. F. Warner. This child, Mary E. Warner, born May 23d, 1880, was, on the 25th of the same month. adopted as the "Daughter of the Regiment."

The Minneapolis Zouave corps of the Minne- sota National Guards, was formerly the Knights of Pythias drill corps, but organized independ- ent of that order, February 14th, 1880, and was mustered into state service on the 24th, of the same month. The officers are A. A. Ames, captain; G. R. Seaton, first lieutenant; L. E. Har- rison, second lieutenant; C. B. Case, orderly ser-

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geant: Mr. Harrison resigned January 5th, 1881. and Albert Marsh was promoted to his place. When mustered into service, the corps numbered thirty-six men besides the officers, and now has seventy-five and a drum corps of seventeen mem- bers. The intention is to form the corps into an infantry and cavalry company. and battery with two pieces.

Minnesota Agricultural and Mechanical Asso- ciation. The officers are : Wm. S. King. presi- dent: Charles 11. Clarke, secretary: Valentine G. ITush, treasurer: and an advisory board com- posed of Win. W. Folwell. President University of Minnesota. chairman: Hon. D. L. Buell, Hous- ton county: James Archer. Hennepin county; . C. Easton. Fillmore county, David L. How. Scott county: 11. F. Morse. Winona county: Hon. John F. Meagher. Blue Earth county; Hon. J. P. Rahilly. Wabasha county; Gen. James HI. Baker, Blue Earth county: Col. W. H. Feller, Wabasha county; lon. E. S. Brown, Washington county; Hon. J. A. Thatcher, Goodhie county: Hon. Knute Nelson, Douglass county: Hon. Jared Ben- son. Anoka county: Hon. T. C. MeCure, Stearns county. This association organized in the season of 1877. has become thoroughly identified with the interests of not only Minneapolis and Minnesota, but of the entire north-west. Its efforts in the direction of laying before the public, the vast resources of the north-west, as demonstrated in the unqualified success of its annual fairs and ex- positions, have been largely conducive to the gen- eral interests of Minneapolis, in that, large gath- orings of people from all parts of the United States, are here brought face to face with west- ern and particularly Minnesota energy and enter- prise. The results shown from year to year, thus far. in the improvement of stock and machinery, and in the general growing spirit of emulation, proves the value of such a stimulus as this or- ganization. The management disburses annually for expenses and in premiums not less than forty thousand dollars, has always paid its lia- bilities, and aims to keep not only pace with the general growth, but a place at the front, in the rapid and wonderful prosperity of the coun- try. With an advisory board made up of well known and representative men, located in differ- ent parts of the state, the expentive control of its affairs rest solely in the hands of the president,

Win. S. King. and secretary. Charles H. Clarke. Patriotism and public spirit alone, actuate, and a desire to forward the march of improvement, alone rules. The association so far may be said to have paid its own way, only a comparatively small sum, commensurate with the large outlay. having been contributed or donated. The atten- dance at the annual gatherings approximate 100,- 000 people that come from a distance, the city of St. Paul by its close proximity, and frequent railroad connection, receiving its full share of the immediate patronage of so large an attendance. This association was not organized with a view of taking the place of any similar organization already in existence. but solely inde- pendent, with a settled location to grow and ae- emulate with Minneapolis.

The Hahnemann Medical Society of Hennepin county, Minnesota, was organized September 16th, 1872, and was the result of an informal meeting of the homeopathie physicians of the city. beld in Dr. W. 11. Leonard's office. September 2d of that. year. A constitution and by-laws were adopted and signed by Drs. D. M. Goodwin. W. II. Leon- ard. G. T. Flanders, T. R. Huntington, M. II. Wallens, and Petrus Nelson. Dr. Huntington died in March, 1873. The membership of the so- ciety continued to grow rapidly, and during the eight years of its existence the following events of importance have occurred : In April, 1875, a medical fee-bill was established. regulating the charges of the society ; a joint committee of both the homeopathie and alopathie schools met and agreed on the rates which they should charge. In May, 1880, the joint committee met and drew up a schedule. fixing the rates for certain surgical operations. The same month, a plan was formed for the establishment of a free dispensary, where the poor might secure such medical aid as they stand in need of. The result was that it was opened in Cottage Hospital. About 1,500 people, who were unable to pay for medicines. have been treated. nearly 3,000 prescriptions have been put up, and about 300 families, who were unable to apply personally at the dispensary. have been visited. The officers of the society are: A. A. Camp. president ; M. L. Swain. vice-president ; A. J. Hutchinson, secretary and treasurer : D. M. Goodwin, A. E. Higbee, and W. Il. Leonard. censors. Monthly meetings are held.

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ACADEMY OF SCIENCE-ATHENAEUM.

The Union Medieal Society was organized early in 1856, with A. E. Ames, president ; C. L. An- derson, vice-president : Dr. Wheelock, secretary ; C. W. Le Bontillier. treasurer. Among the old * members were Drs. A. E. Ames, C. L. Anderson, Wheelock, C. W. Be'Boutillier, A. E. Johnson, W. H. Leonard, Loewenberg. A. Ortman. Ward, A. J. White and W. D. Dibb. Of these. Drs. Johnson, Leonard and Ortman remain; the rest are dead, or have removed from this city. June 7th, 1870, the society re-organized as the Ilenne- pin County Medical Society, with Drs. A. E. Ames, and N. B. Hill, both sinee deceased, as president and vice-president. The present ofli- cers are, O. J. Evans, president ; C. L. Wells, vice-president : A. (. Fairbairn, secretary : W. Miller, treasurer ; W. A. Hamilton, librarian. The meetings are held the first and third Mondays of each month, at places designated before ad- journment.

Minnesota Academy of Natural Sciences. The initiatory step to the formation of this institnion which has for several years maintained an un- ostentatious but not unproductive activity in our midst, was taken on January 4th, 1873, when a number of gentlemen gathered in the office of Dr. Johnson. to discuss the feasibility of forming a society, having for its object, " The cultivation of Natural Science in general, and especially the sciences of Geology and Archaeology." Prof. E. W. B. Ilarvey was elected chairman, and Dr. Charles Simpson, secretary. It was resolved to incorporate a society under the general law, with the above name, and a committee consisting of Charles Simpson, E. W. B. Harvey. and A. E. Johnson, was appointed to frame the articles of incorporation which were more fully discussed at the next meeting, at which time the first ofli- cers of the academy were elected as follows: president, A. E. Jolinson ; vice president, S. C. Gale; secretary, Charles Simpson : correspond- ing secretary, A. E. Ames; treasurer. E. W. B. HIarvey; trustees, Paris Gibson, C. E. Rogers, W. IT. Leonard, A. F. Elliot, O. V. Tousley, and M. D. Stoneman. From this time onward there has been a gradual increase in numbers and interest, so that the rolls now show about fifty members in place of the eleven charter mem- bers. The earlier meetings of the academy were held in the office of Dr. Johnson. but in Novem-

ber of 1875, the academy removed to the west side and was installed in commodious rooms in Centre block, 214 Nicollet Avenue. The muse- uns, which are chietly dependent upon occa- sional donations, have assumed respectable pro- portions, notably in the direction of ornithology through the labors of Dr. Hatch and others ; valuable contributions to the mineralogical and entomologieal cabinets were also secured, while the library contains a large number of valuable government reports, and proceedings of various scientifie societies. The academy has, from time to time, published bulletins containing not only interesting discussions of living scientific ques- tions, but the results of extensive original investi- gation. It has also proven its publie spirited- ness by securing the services of eminent platform speakers. Within a short time it has been found expedient to divide the academy into seetions, for purposes of co-operative investigation and study, each section forming an organic part of the academy. During the early part of 1881, a protracted session of the academy was held at which papers by scientific men from different sections of the country were read. To this course of lectures and essays the general public was in- vited, and responded largely. Thus began an era of broader influences for the institution, and it took its place among the educational influences of the state.

Minneapolis Athenaeum. Early in the spring of 1859, it was announced that Bayard Taylor would visit the north-west and would lecture be- fore any literary society or library association that would pay his expenses, the balance of the receipts to be applied to the benefit of such as- sociation. A few of the citizens met together at the office of Nicholas & Charlton and resolved to organize a library association. A committee was appointed to draw articles of incorporation. They reported on the 18th of May, 1859, that it was not expedient to draft articles of incorpora- tion, but recommended that the "constitution of the Young Men's Library Association" be, and it was adopted, and the officers elected. May 25th, 1859, Mr. Taylor delivered his lecture, the proceeds of which amounted to one hundred and forty-one dollars and seventy-five cents. Fifty-eight dol- lars and twenty-five cents were paid to Mr. Tay- lor, and the balance was received by the associa-

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tion. The name "Minneapolis Athenaum" was adopted: it was thought best that the society should be a chartered corporation, and public notice was given that a meeting would be held on January 30, 1×60, to take measures to procure a charter. A draft of a charter was made and sent to Jesse Bishop to be presented to the legis- lature for enactment, but was refused. as it was unconstitutional to grant. and also unnecessary, as there was a provision under the general stat- utes for the organization of scientific and educa- tional societies, including libraries. During the summer of 1865, the lot on which the Athenaum building now stands, was purchased for $1.500. and the structure erected in 1866. subscriptions to the amount of $10.693.93 being received for that purpose. Dr. Kirby Spencer, who died March 10th. 1570. a shareholder and staunch friend of the Atheneum. left a fund of about $45.000 which yields an income of $2.000 annually, to be invested solely in books for the library. The li- brary is valued at between $18,000 and $20,000. and consists of about 9,000 volumes, besides which are received forty magazines and fifteen weekly and daily newspapers. The present ofli- cers are: J. E. Bell. president: R. W. Laing. vice- president: W. H. Hinkle. secretary: C. Med. Reeve, treasurer: T. B. Walker. C. A. Bovey and I. G. O. Morrison, directors.

CHAPTER LXIX.

EDUCATIONAL PTBLK' SCHOOLS-UNIVERSITY MACALESTER COLLEGE - PRIVATE SCHOOLS - BUSINESSCOLLEGES AUGSBURG SEMINARY KINDERGARTEN SCHOOLS.

The educational system of Minneapolis is justly a source of satisfaction and pride to the citizens. It consists of public graded schools, providing a course of instruction preparatory to the Univer- sity, private schools, supplementary to these, and finally the I'niversity and theological Seminaries. However perfect the system of public schools may be. a field is always open for private institu-

tions, more especially for families of wealth, whose children can be afforded higher culture in what are called the ornamental branches. In the lower grades of education a similar demand is found in all towns. even under our democratie govern- ment. These wants are supplied in Minneapolis by several institutions that rank high in the es- timate of their patrons. The great demand, however, will always be for what the Germans call the " bread and butter sciences," by which term they intend those branches of education that are immediately convertible to practical use, by means of which a man may secure more ele- vating employment and command higher wages.

It has long ceased to be a matter of pride to know how to read and write. but it is a positive disgrace not to know how: so the voice of the people, more potent than any state law on the subject. compels the education of all children, at least in the primary branches. Primary educa- tion is a 'sine qua non' in the struggle for exis- tenee; above the primary, branches more or less liberal in the regard to the true function of edu- cation usually operate to the discouragement by the public of the more liberal branches taught in the high schools of the country. When all vote and all feel at liberty and consider themselves qualified to pass judgment on plans and methods of education, it is not strange that differences in opinion exist. The higher the culture of the critic. the more ready he is to admit that there is no science of education, and it must remain em- pyrical until a superior of Edison shall arise, who can take brains upon his experimental table, lo- cate the mind itself and each of its faculties, ex- plain the subtle relation between it and matter, and show a course of training by which each in- dividual faculty can be cultivated, developed or even created. Fortunately for Minneapolis, its educational interests have fallen into the hands of high-minded and cultivated men, whose liberal views have extended beyond the limited range of the ordinary critic. Fortunately, too, business has so engrossed those, who might otherwise be intrusive crities, that greater progress in the right direction has taken place in the school system than would have been possible in an eastern town, where wealth, secure position and leisure afford unlimited opportuniny for interference. Narrow criticism looks to minutiae and technicalities

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while broad culture looks to the development of the active powers of the mind. The former re- gards the possession of knowledge as the end of education, while the latter regards that education as the most complete, which permits the longest pleasurable extending of the attention on a given subject. In a word knowledge is the mean and culture the end toward which the educational system of Minneapolis gravitates. The result of the system is, and must be the development of the highest degree of fitness for the exigencies of life. The value of property permanently invest- ed for school purposes in Minneapolis amounts to $2,241,897.59.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

This view of education requires an elastic sys- tem adapted to the variety of minds with which it has to deal. Such a system has been formu- lated under the management of O. V. Tousley, which has extended over a period of about twelve years. During this time the present extensive arrangements have been perfected. At the time of Prof. Tousley's appointment as principal of the high school, only four of the present seliool buildings had been erected. Ten have since sprung up in the various parts of the city most convenient for the daily attendance of pupils.

The first legislation of Minnesota was an act, passed by the first territorial legislature on the last day of its session, November 1st, 1849, to es- tablish and maintain common schools.

On the 3d of March, next preceding. congress, in the act by which the territorial government of Minnesota was established, provided in section 18, "That when the lands in the said territory shall be surveyed under the direction of the gov- ernment of the United States, preparatory to bringing the same into market, sections number- ing eighteen and thirty-six in each township in said territory, shall be, and the same are hereby reserved for the purpose of being applied to schools in said territory, and in the states and territories hereafter to be created out of the same." This gave Minnesota about 3,000.000 acres of land for the support of public schools.

To Governor Ramsey. the first territorial gover- nor, Minnesota is indebted for timely suggestions pertaining to educational matters, and for appeal- ing to congress for gifts of publie lands for higher

learning. The school code of 1849 is declared to be an honor to the legislative assembly that passed it.

The history of the educational institutions of Minneapolis begins, before the legislative aet re- ferred to, and before the territorial organization, by the little school of Miss Electa Bachus, on the east side, with the school-house built in 1849 ; and on the west side, that of Miss Mary E. Miller, commenced December 3d, 1852, already referred to.

" The earliest books of record in the possession of the board of education contain the following proceedings, and relate to the east side :

" The board of public school directors for the city of St. Anthony, consisting of John L. Love- joy, Orrin Curtis, John B. Giltillan, Martin Stites, S. F. Rankin, and Charles Crawford, duly elected at the annual city election for said city, on the third day of April, 1860, held their first meeting at the office of Orrin Curtis, in said city, on Saturday, April 7th, 1860, at 7 o'clock P. M.

"A resolution offered by Mr. Gilfillan was adopted, to the effect that the secretary be in- structed to notify the trustees of the several school districts in this city that this board is duly organized, and require them to deliver up to this board the books and effects of their respective districts, and also to make a report of their pro- ceedings as required by law.

"The first records in the possession of the west side Board of Education are dated June 23d, 1865. The salary of the principal, Professor Jenness, was at that time fixed at $1,000; his principal assistant, Mr. Riegel, $400; and a force of female teachers, among whom are some who are still employed as teachers, had salaries ranging from $325 to $375. In October, 1865, it was determined to lay the foundation for the Union (now Washington) school building, which was completed the following season, and is now the oldest publie school building in the city. The first move for the Central (now Winthrop) building, on the east side, was made April 13th, 1865, when it was voted to be expedient to buy a site for a building, which was done, and the building erect- ed in 1867."

We may safely pass to the beginning of the present incumbency, without omitting any im- portant details. Professor Tousley began his ad-

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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

ministration as principal of the high school in 1869. and was subsequently chosen superintend- ent. The influence of his liberal ideas was soon felt, and from them was developed the present edneational scheme of the city. Perfect harmony has existed between the school board and the superintendent. and such confidence is felt in him that much of the power vested in them is rele- gated to him.

In the management of the schools several items are especially noteworthy. All religions exercises are forbidden in the schools ; by which provision all eauses of controversy growing out of the hete- rogeneous element of the population are avoided. Another item is that. while culture is demanded on the part of the teachers in all grades. in the primary. especially. a cheerful temper full of sun- shine is considered an essential requisite of a teacher. A third point. and one which is especi- ally valuable. is that frequent examinations are required in the intermediate and higher grades, by means of which the varying capacities of pu- pils are measured and provision is made for the rapid advance of some and the corresponding de- lay of others. Examinations are required. under the direction of the superintendent. of all pu- pils before passing from one grade to an- other. It would be impossible to touch on all the many valuable and progressive features of the public schools, such as general and oral lessons, the introduction of supplemental reading matter. +te .. etc. It is sufficient to say that the educational systems of the older states have been canvassed and from their several de- partures, modified by good judgment for the dif- fering conditions. an admirable system has been developed.

The public schools are divided into four de- partments, viz: Primary, intermediate, grammar school and high school. The primary schools in- clude the first, second and third grades : the in- termediate, the fourth and fifth; the grammar schools, the sixth, seventh and eighth.

The total expense of conducting the schools of the city during the last year was $$5, 131.87: of which sum $68,728,75 was salaries of teachers. This does not include expenditures for bonds, in- terest, or permanent improvements. Fourteen 8 'hool buildings are in use in the city, viz: Wash- ington, built in 1866, value of building and site

$40.000: Lico. 1867.$16.063 Jackson, 1867, $15.000; Winthrop. 1867. 845.500; Madison, 1870, $14,000; Everett. 1871, $8,100: Marcy, 1872, $14.000; Franklin, 1873. $18,000; Adams. 1874, $19.000 : Summer, 1876, $17,000 ; Jefferson, 1877, $29.763: Monroe, 1878. $22,920 ; Humbolt, 1878, $13.589 ; 1Tigh school. 1878. $86,427. Total value of buildings with estimated value of sites, $359,- 362. Unoccupied real estate for school purposes, in addition is $5,400. The number of sittings furnished for pupils is 5,618.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

From the recently taken United States census it appears that the children of this city are distri- buted as to ages as follows: Under five years, 5.362: five years. 1.231 ; between six and fifteen years. 7,157; between fifteen and twenty-one years 5,619. Total under twenty-one, 19.399.

From the last report of the board of education it appears that 6,142 pupils were enrolled in the schools. Of this number 352 were between fif- teen and twenty-one. Our schools thus reach over eighty per cent. of the pupils who in the west attend the common schools. It is believed that this is a larger per cent. of what may be termed (for the lack of a better word) schoolable persons than in any other state this side of the Alleghany mountains.

An examination of the schools of the country shows that, of the pupils that enter the schools at the age of six years. a larger per cent. reach the high school in Minneapolis than in almost any other city. Out of an enrollment of 5,000 in round numbers, there are now 300 in attendance at the high school which is six per cent .; and upon this basis schools seldom reach five per cent. This shows at once the tendency of the scholars toward the high school, and its close sympathy with the connecting grades below it. It is also a noteworthy fact that among all the graduates of the high school. over seventy-five per cent. have been from the families of intelligent mechanies and people of limited. or. at the most. of moderate means -showing that the interests of these classes of the people are closely bound up in maintaining a high school in fact, as well as in name. Not ten per cent. of the graduates are from the families of the really rich.

The average number of pupils in daily attend-

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ance is 4,248. The cost per pupil, based on average daily attendance is $19.24: based on the total number enrolled, $13.31 per capita. The whole number of teachers employed is one hun- dred and twenty, of whom five are males. The money necessary for the maintenance of public schools is derived partly from the general school fund of the state, which has become large by reason of the careful husbandry of government land endowment, and from direct taxation. The power of taxation is vested in the board of educa- tion, the only limitation of which is, that the tax shall not exceed the generous allowance of fifteen mills.

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History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 75

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 738

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 738