USA > Minnesota > Faribault County > The history of Faribault County, Minnesota : from its first settlement to the close of the year 1879 : the story of the pioneers > Part 69
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Frederick received his education mainly in private schools and from private tutors. When quite young he went to sea and became a sailor. He sailed seven years on salt water and two on the American lakes. During his sea-faring life he visited many countries. He emigrated to America in 1854 and located in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming and clerking oc- casionally.
While a resident here, he was, during one session of the state legislature, postmaster of the senate.
At the breaking out of the war of the rebellion. he enlisted at Madison, Wisconsin, in the Third Wisconsin, but falling ill, he wassoon after discharged.
In December, 1861, he came to Minnesota and located at Rochester, where he was employed as a elerk in the large dry goods house of A. Nelson. He was married in the spring of 1863 to Miss Lena Larson. They have had eight chil- dren, two of whom are dead.
Mr. Brown remained at Rochester until 1866, when he came to this county, locating at Blue Earth City, where he went into the mercantile business in company with Colburn Nelson, in which business he continued some years.
Mr. Brown and his wife are members of the old Norwegian Lutheran Church, and he has always been a republican in politics.
Mr. Brown was elected secretary of state of the State of Minnesota in 1890, and was re-elected in 1892. Since retiring from public office, Mr. Brown has been largely engaged in farming operations in this county.
F. P. BROWN.
657
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
SECTION TEN.
THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
The public school system of Minnesota is, in many respects, an honor to the intelligence of the people of the State, and a blessing, the value of which can never be fully estimated.
The public school fund, provided by law, and well secured for the support of free public schools is more liberal, perhaps, than that of any other state in the Union, and should ever be guarded with jealous care. And there has, as yet, been but one attempt made, by public plunderers, to get the fund into shape, by legisla- tion, so that it might be reached by them. But the project was de- feated by the honesty and ability of the state auditor.
Prior to the adoption of the county superintendent system, the schools were first without any supervision, except that of the trus- tees. Then followed the town superintendent system, by which a superintendent for each township, or township district, had the supervision of the schools. After this came the district examiner system, in which an examiner was appointed, by the county board, for each county commissioner district in the county. This system obtained at the time of the adoption of the county superintendent system. The examiners who were appointed under that system, in the several districts, are named in the history of the several years.
The earliest printed reports, relating to schools in this county, other than mere scant statistics, were made in 1861, by three of the town superintendents. They are preserved here as a matter of cu- riosity, and read as follows:
BRUSH CREEK DISTRICT.
"L. J. Whitney, superintendent, reports one teacher licensed, oue school; no school house yet; no school furniture. School not classified 'to suit my no- tions.' Not opened with reading nor prayer. 'Less jealousness and to be more united' would greatly improve. People too little interested."
DOBSON AND CAMPBELL DISTRICT.
"Wm. Hill, superintendent, reports two teachers licensed; two (2) schools: one log school house, one hired; neither have out-houses; one is graded; de- ficient in everything else; schools properly classified, and opened by reading the scriptures. We want two new school houses and a few more scholars. People generally interested, though there are some exceptions."
GUTHRIE DISTRICT.
"John McKinney, superintendent, reports two teachers licensed; two schools held in log dwelling houses, on the prairies-owners in them, too. Schools properly classified; not opened with reading or prayer. Thing needed, 'spur the trustees.' People interested 'considerably.' "
658
HISTORY OF
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
The principle duties of the superintendent, briefly stated, are to examine and license teachers, visit and inspect the schools of his coun - ty at least once in each term. give advice to teachers, organize and con- duct teachers' institutes, encourage teachers' associations, introduco the best modes of instruction, receive the reports of district clerks, and transmit an abstract of the same to the state superintendent and report annually the condition and prospects of the schools under his care, besides many other minor duties which cannot be enumerated here. The term of office was formerly one year, but it was subsequently made two years.
By the law establishing the county superintendent system of school supervision, the board of county commissioner of the sev- eral counties were authorized to adopt the system and appoint a superintendent when deemed advisable.
The system was adopted in this county. January 2d. 1866, and A. H. Pelsey was appointed superintendent for the year 1866, at an annual salary of $175. On the sixth of September, 1866, he was appointed for the year 1867, at a salary of $200. On Septem- ber 4th, 1867, he was appointed for the year 1868, and in January following. the salary for 1869 was raised to $300. Mr. Pelsey resigned the office, October 1st, 1868.
Mr. Pelsey came to this State from Wisconsin, and located at Blue Earth City, about the year 1865, where he and his wife were for a long time engaged in the public schools. He subsequently studied medicine and located at Minnesota Lake, where he engaged in practice, and where he died.
While a resident of Blue Earth City, he took quite an interest in public educational affairs, and also somewhat in politics.
On the the resignation of Mr. Pelsey, Sheridan J. Abbott, of Winnebago City, was appointed superintendent to complete the re- mainder of Mr. Pelsey's term, and also for the year 1869, which he served.
SHERIDAN J. ABBOTT.
Mr. Abbott, who has long been a prominent resident of the county, is a na- tive of Ohio. He was born in Lorrain county in that state. March 25th, 1839. Ile removed with his people to Marquette county, state of Wisconsin, in 1849. His early education was obtained in the district schools of his native state and in Wisconsin, and at college in Ripon, in the latter state, which he attended for some time, but did not graduate.
He commenced reading law when about sixteen years okl, with Hon. Il. G. Webb, at Wautoma, Wisconsin, reading during the summers, and teaching school in winters. He taught many terms. He was admitted to the bar, at Berlin, Wisconsin, when about twenty years old. and then engaged in the prac- tice of law.
He was married, in 1860, to Miss Julia HI. Potter, of Marquette county, Wisconsin. They have three children. Mr. Abbott was at one time county
S. J. ABBOTT.
659
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
attorney of Marquette county, Wisconsin, and resigned the office just before coming to Minnesota. He came to this county in 1867, and located at Winne- bago City, where he engaged in the practice until 1886, when he removed to Delavan, in this county, where he continued his business.
With a very brief exception. Mr. Abbott has been a republican from his youth. His family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
He was elected a member of the State legislature in 1892, and attended the session of 1893.
On September 9th, 1869, the county board appointed the Rev. J. D. Todd, of Winnebago City for a part of the year, 1870, but he declined the office, and on the sixteenth day of the same month the board appointed Richard W. Richards, of Minnesota Lake, for three months, from January Ist, 1870, to April 1st following, at an annual salary of $300.
On the twenty-fourth day of March, 1870, Mr. Richards was ap- pointed for two years, from April 1st, 1870, and the salary was raised to $400 per annum. On January 2d, 1872, he was again ap- pointed for two years, from April 1st, 1872, and the salary was raised to $600 per annum, and on January 7th, 1873, the salary was increased to $800 per annum. By act of March 7th, 1873, the com- missioners were required to fix the salary "at not less than at the rate of ten (10) dollars for each organized district in the county, not exceeding one hundred districts, but if the number of districts ex- ceeded one hundred, the salary should not be less than $1,000, nor more than $1,250 per annum." This act took effect as to the salary of the superintendent of the county, June 10th, 1873. On January 6th, 1874, Mr. Richards was again appointed for two years, from April 1st, 1874.
The time for making the new appointment came on at the Jan- uary session of the county board, in 1876. There were three appli- cants for the appointment, and the commissioners, not being able to agree, the matter was deferred to the March session.
In the meantime an act was passed by the legislature making the office elective at the next general election in this and several other counties, and provided that the present incumbents should continue to hold their offices until the first day of January, 1877. Under this provision Mr. Richards held over.
By act approved March 1st, 1876, it was enacted: That any woman, of the age of 21 years and upwards, belonging to either of the classes mentioned in section 1 of article 7 of the constitution of the State of Minnesota, who shall have resided in the United States one year, and in this State for four months next preceding any elec- ·tion held for the purpose of choosing any officer of schools, or any school district meeting called to consider any measure relating to schools, shall be entitled to vote at such election or meeting, in the school district of which she shall at the time have been for ten days
660
HISTORY OF
a resident, and any woman so entitled to vote shall be eligible to hold any office pertaining solely to the management of public schools. It having been determined that women, under the above act could not vote for superintendent, an additional act was passed in March, 1885, by which women belonging to the above mentioned classes were permitted to vote for county superintendent, and they are eligible to hold the office of superintendent.
Mr. Richards was elected superintendent in the years 1876, 1878. and after an interval of one term, was again elected to the office in the years 1882 and 1884.
Mr. Richards was born in Oneida county, New York, July 14th, 1838. His father, who was a carpenter by trade, was born in Wales, and came to America about the year 1835. lle died when Richard was about four years old. Soon after his father's death, Richard went to live with a friend with whom he made his home for a number of years, and attended the common schools until he was about twelve years old, when he was engaged as a clerk in a grocery store, in Utica, New York, where he remained about two years, and after this he was employed as a copying clerk for some three years in the law office of lion. Roscoe Conkling, in Utica. His health failing he went into the country to re- eruit, and afterwards entered Fairfield Seminary as a student. He taught his flrst term of school in Fulton county, New York, in the winter of 1854-5. The next three years were spent in school, during the spring and autumn, and teach- ing a four months' term of school in winter. During this time his preparation for college was completed, and in 1858 he entered Union college, Schenectady, New York. Ile became principal of the Johnstown, New York, schools, a po- sition which he resigned in 1861, to accept a more Incrative position, as teacher in the state of Maryland, but the rebellion breaking out about this time, his plans were disarranged. Ile then enlisted in the military service, becoming a member of the 31th regiment, New York state militia, in answer to the first call for troops. At Albany he was exposed for many hours to a cold rain, and in consequence was attacked with lung fever, and was not mustered into the ser- vice of the United States, as his regiment was mustered out at the expiration of term of service. In the fall of JEGl he emigrated to Wisconsin, where he engaged in teaching. In the summer of 1862 he was appointed superintendent of schools of the west half of Dodge county, Wisconsin.
In 1863 he was appointed a clerk in the office of the secretary of state, Wis- consin. where he remained some time, then in 1864 he entered the office of the adjutant general, Wisconsin, as a clerk, where he remained until the close of the war. Ile was also. during the session of the legislature of Wisconsin, in 1864, enrolling clerk of the assembly.
In 1865, he removed to St. Louis, Mo., where the only work he could find for some thine was that of street car conductor, in which he was employed about seven months, when he secured the position of shipping cierk in a glass manufacturing company. After a few months' service in this position, he was chosen bookkeeper and paymaster of the concern. Here he remained until the factory was burned, in December, 1866. In January, 1867, he came to this county and purchased a farm in Minnesota Lake township, and came there to reside in the following April.
On the eleventh of February, 1867, he was married to Miss Winifred Morris, of Painfeld, N. Y. They had three children, two of whom are dead. Ilis wife died in July, 1873.
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R. W. RICHARDS.
661
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
In the spring of 1872 Mr. Richards removed to Blue Earth City where he has since resided. He was married in April, 1879, to Mrs. Mary A. Loomis, of this county.
Mr. Richards' official history as superintendent, is detailed above. He has held various other official positions, as secretary of the Agricultural society many terms, and as an officer of the Sunday school association, and has always been a worker in the temperance cause, and was Deputy G. W. C. Templar in this State for 1875 and 1876, and organized many lodges of that order in the state.
He has been a member of the Presbyterian church since 1856, and always a stalwart republican in politics. During late years Mr. Richards has been chief clerk in the county auditor's office, and has been a member of the board of ed- ucation at Blue Earth City, of which he is at this time president.
It is gratifying to the writer to record the fact here that from the early settlement of the county, to the present time, the people of all parts of the county have taken a large interest in the subject of education, and that they have made rapid progress in the increase of the number and standing of the schools, and the building of school houses, as is attested by the history of the several years of the county. Our schools take rank with the common schools of other parts of the State, and our graded schools compare favorably with schools of like grade anywhere in the northwest. No people can interest themselves in a better cause than that of the proper educa- tion of the young.
THE COUNTRY SCHOOL HOUSE.
THE DISTRICT SCHOOL.
The country school house! the little red school house! the little white school house!
"Within, the master's desk is seen, Deep scared by raps official; The warping floor, the battered seats, The jack-knife's carved initial; The charcoal frescos on its wall; Its door's worn sill, betraying The feet that, creeping slow to school, Went storming out to playing!"- Whittier.
Many scores of country school houses have been built in the twenty townships of this county. In some respects the country school houses are the most important structures in the county. How could we get along without them? Their uses are manifold. Let us enumerate some of them. In some one of them the township cau- cuses meet, to elect delegates to the higher political bodies. Here the people assemble to hear political speeches and the discussion of the great party issues of the times. Here the district school meet- ings are held. Here, in some predesignated one, the electors of the town assemble, each year, to elect their town officers and decide im-
662
HISTORY OF
portant township questions, and often stormy contests occur, and high words of rival candidates are heard. It is in the school houses that the people of the country meet to hear lectures and organize their local societies. Here too, are the great spelling contests, the singing schools, and here the local debating societies meet to discuss and settle great social and moral questions, and declaim selections from the speeches of Adams, Patrick Henry, Webster, Clay, Cor- win, and other eminent orators, of by-gone days. And it is not in the fine churches, but in the country school houses, that the great majority of the people of the county assemble for stated public re- ligious services, and it is here many of the great religious revivals occur, and many church societies are organized from time to time.
Yet none of these are the uses for which the school houses were built. These uses, so far as the purposes of the erection of school houses are concerned, are but secondary.
These buildings were erected, principally for the use of the several school districts, for school purposes. They are not public halls, or churches, however appropriate, their use as such, may be, but school houses. And the importance in this respect, of our dis- trict school houses, may be partially realized. when it is known that it is not in the high schools, academies, colleges, or universities, but in the common, public, free schools, that by far the greater number of our people get their education, or all the schooling they ever get. And from these schools, as their starting point, where they discover their capacity, get their first training, become imbued with their first impulses and ambitions, have come, many, who have won im- perishable names, ripe scholars, great orators, able jurists, wise and patriotic statesmen, great philanthropists and christian leaders. in the pulpit, and in the missionary fields.
The country school-house! The district school! What remem- brances of boyhood's and girlhood's years these words awaken! How many terms of winter, or summer schools, or both, did we at- tend? And the teachers! do we, in looking back, remember them? How we loved some of them, and how we feared others. How dif- ferent they were in their manners and methods. How we often tried their patience. And perhaps we may remember too, the "sproutings," the fernlings, the dunce scat punishments, the chid- ings we received and deserved, and we may recollect, also, the oft expressed kindly words of praise and encouragement. And we know now, whatever we thought then. that most, if not all of our teachers, are entitled to our gratitude and kindly remembrance.
But all who have been school children, have other memories of their young school days-the warm friendships, the games, the petty quarrels, the rivalries and contests, the triumphs and defeats.
663
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
the young love matches and jealousies. And many a love match, made in the country school house, has proved to be a life match.
The existence of a free government, such as ours, its growth, stability and success rests in the virtue and intelligence of the peo- ple. An educated people can never be long deprived of their rights, or enslaved. And a free State must have many men of education to conduct its affairs. The State. therefore, and every citizen thereof, has a vast interest in the education of the young, and their preparation for the varied duties of life and good citizenship. In this favored land, the free district school is the most important fac- tor in the education of the people. And especially is this the fact in this portion of our country, in which its population is made up of many nationalities.
There is no power known in this land which wields so mighty an influence in the unification, harmonization and Americanization of its people, as the free district schools. Their doors are open to all alike, the rich and the poor, and their training, lessons and ad- vantages, are for all the children of one common country. But our free school system has some powerful enemies who, for ulterior purposes, are opposed to any methods of education but such as may be directed by them. Then there are others, who, because of their own ignorance, or immorality, or disregard of the public welfare, or their selfishness, or avarice, would destroy the whole system of pub- lic schools, maintained at public expense. Besides these, it may be remembered that all despotisms, either in church or State. really whatever their pretenses may be, believe in keeping the masses of the people in ignorance. They cannot live in the light of public in- telligence. All these need to be watched. We must permit no soph- estries, or promises, or professions of favor, to blind our eyes, or threats, or auguries of evil to deter us from maintaining, extending and perfecting our free school system.
There are some things that are peculiarly and essentially American, the outgrowth of American conditions and American necessities, that must be insisted upon, and our free common school system, maintained at the public expense and to which every citizen who enjoys the liberties and protection of the State, must contribute his lawful proportion, whatever his original nationality, or notions may be, is one of them.
And now, we should remember, while engaged in the affairs of life and perhaps giving but little attention to the schools ourselves, that he in whose hands the people have placed the greatly impor- tant trust and duty of the supervision of our district schools, is the county superintendent.
664
HISTORY OF
SECTION ELEVEN.
THE COUNTY SURVEYORS.
The duties of county surveyor are, to "execute any survey of lands which may be required, by order of any court, or upon appli- cation of any individual. or corporation " He is required to take an oath of office, and give an official bond. His term of office is two years. He may appoint as many deputies as he may need. He is required to keep a record of all surveys made by him. or his depu- ties, and is paid for his services, by those who employ him, at the rate of four dollars per day.
Orville Kimball was the first county surveyor of this county. He was either appointed by the county board, or was elected at the general election, in 1856, but no record now remains of the matter. He left the country in the spring of 1857. He designed going to California, when he left here, and a number of years afterwards it was said by some of his relatives, residing in Massachusetts, that Mr. Kimball had located in Canton, China, engaged in the mercan- tile business, and became very wealthy.
On the sixth of July, 1857, J. A. Kiester was appointed sur- veyor, by the county board, and, at the next general election of 1857, he was elected to the office for a full term. He was succeeded by S. A. Safford, of Winnebago City, who was elected in 1859. He re . moved from the county the next spring, when J. H. Welch, of Ver- ona, was, on the fourth day of June, 1860, appointed by the county board, to fill the vacancy, and was elected to the office, at the general election of that year, for a full term. Mr. Welch also re- moved from the county, temporarily, and the office became vacant in 1861.
John Harvey Welch was born in Royalton, Niagara county, New York, March 21, 1833. Hle worked at home, on the farm, and attended the common schools, until he was seventeen years old. He then engaged in school teaching, occa- sionafly, and attended the Union School, at Lockport, New York, until twenty- one years of age. He came west in 1854, and spent three years engaged as a civil engineer, on railroads, in Wisconsin. He came to this county in May, 1857, and located on a pre-emption claim, in the town of Verona. Mr. Welch was married March 8th, 1859, to Miss Martha J. Hazeltine, of Dodge county. Wis- consin. They have had tive children, two of whom are now dead. In 1861, Mr. Welch was appointed, by President Lincoln, register of the United States land office, then located at Chatfield, Minnesota. In October, of that year, the office was removed to Winnebago City, in this county. llc then became a resi- dent of Winnebago City, where he has ever since resided. He held the office of register about six years. In 1863, he engaged, also, in the general mercantile business at Winnebago City, and, in 1966, in the hardware trade, in which he continued until 1887, when he sold out. He was appointed, in 1889, postmas- ter of Winnebago City. In 1860, Mr. Welch was one of the board of county commissioners, and he has held various local offices, as chairman of the town
665
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
board of supervisors, president of the village council, and member of the board of education, of Winnebago City. Mr. Welch is a republican in politics. Ile cast his first vote for Freemont, for President, in 1856. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church.
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