USA > Missouri > Pettis County > The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches > Part 61
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Sedalia grew and prospered beyond even the most sanguine expecta- tions. The homesteads increased in number, and one by one the mem- bers of the different denominations who felt in their hearts a silent longing for their old familiar church in which they had been baptized, where they had sung and bowed their heads in prayer, and to which they had bidden farewell when they went west to seek new homes and new fortunes, banded themselves together and erected their house of worship. But as yet there was no German church. Preachers of rationalistic tendencies, who endeavored to organize a congregation representing their own weak, stale and profitless views and doctrines, met with no success, as they deserved, and finally abandoned the field. Then the Methodist Episcopal. Church sent her missionaries here and succeeded, with hard and faithful work, in establishing a congregation. By far the greater part of Sedalia's German population belonged to the Evangelical Church, the union of the two factions of the church of the Reformation-Lutheran and Reformed -- and their desire to worship in the church and in the manner of their ancestors was but natural. Finally the work was begun. When the child
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was born it was weak and puny and almost justified the fears, expressed on all hands, that it would not live to reach an age of usefulness. But it did live, nevertheless. The many diseases of infancy and childhood were, by the grace of God, successfully overcome and a strong and sturdy man- hood in time attained.
In 1875 the Rev. Charles Krafft, a member of the German Evangelical Synod of North America, at that time the German English Synod of the West, who was stationed and had charge of a congregation at Warrens- burg, Mo., visited Sedalia and commenced the work of gathering a sufficient number of people to constitute a congregation. He was an inde- fatigable and persistent worker and would not withdraw his hand from the task once commenced. The work was a difficult one and of only slow, almost imperceptible progress. The field which had lain barren for so many years and had, under the labors of insincere and careless work- men, borne no fruit at all, was now overrun by a luxurious growth of rank indifferentism. But little by little the work progressed and in due time a number of believers had been gathered and organized as the German Evangelical Immanuel Church of Sedalia. In a spirit of true Christian charity and brotherly love, the First Presbyterian and later the Old School Presbyterian Churches came to the rescue and kindly allowed the young congregation to hold their services in their respective houses of worship. Rev. Krafft occupied the pulpit every alternate Sunday.
The need of a building of their own became more and more pressing as the congregation grew and more regular services were required. Per- haps twenty families had joined the new church, and after mature and prayerful deliberation the erection of a suitable edifice was determined upon. A lot on the southwest corner of Main street and Washington Avenue was purchased, and in 1876 the corner stone was laid with impres- sive ceremonies. In due time the house was finished and dedicated to the sacred uses to which it was henceforth to be put. It was only a modest little church 60x20, containing besides the audience-room of 40x20, four rooms in the rear to serve as a temporary parsonage which was, as may be inferred from the given dimensions, not extraordinarily spacious.
Rev. Krafft was now unanimously chosen pastor, and in the same year removed from Warrensburg to Sedalia and entered upon the duties of his new field. For four years he continued in this work, and under his care- ful, zealous and conscientious ministration his charge became stronger and well organized. In July, 1880, he severed his connections with the church. At the time mentioned he was chosen missionary preacher in Kansas by the Synod and accepted the position. With sincere regret his church bade him farewell and Godspeed.
Rev. Aug. Pistor, a young graduate just from the Theological Semi- nary, was sent to temporarily occupy the vacant pulpit until a successor
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to Rev. Krafft should be chosen. This was done in October, when Rev. R. A. Johns, of St. Louis, was unanimously elected. He accepted the call and immediately took charge of the pastorate. Quietly and unostenta- tiously the work went on without any of the often more than doubtful expedients to which churches only too frequently resort-yet it went on. A new organ was bought, gas fixtures introduced and coal oil done away with, the property (fences, etc.) was improved and other changes for the better made.
In the spring of 1882 it became apparent that the church was too small to accommodate the rapidly growing congregation. An alteration of the former was, therefore, determined upon. At a cost of, perhaps, $500 the walls and partitions in the rear were removed and the audience room accordingly enlarged, pulpit and platform remodeled, an entrance hall added to the front and a spacious study for the pastor built in the rear. All these changes were completed, and the re-dedication of the church took place on Sunday, May 14, which was a day of gladness and rejoic- ing. The church property may at the present writing be valued at about $4,000. The congregation numbers forty families (not members, but families.) In the Sunday School about 200 children are enrolled. A Women's Aid Society was organized in 1881, which is steadily growing in numbers as well as in usefulness. A Widows' and Orphans' Aid Asso- ciation is also in good working order. The future is bright with great promise, and the blessed success of the past justifies the hope that, as the years roll on, the Prairie Queen prospers and grows, and with it her German population, the German Evangelical Church of Sedalia will con- tinue to thrive in the Master's work and become more and more acceptable to God and useful to His people.
ST. VINCENT CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Occasionally, as early as the building of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, Father Walsh, of Jefferson City, came to Sedalia and held services in the section house near the present site of the Missouri Pacific shops. Also Father Mueller, of Jefferson City, and Father Hiller, of Boonville, visited this place and held services early in the city's history. In 1865 Father Calmer, of Tipton, took regular charge of the small congregation here and held services at Mr. P. R. Myers' residence. He was succeeded by Fathers Quinlan and Murry. In 1866 Father Swift took charge, and next year built the pastoral residence in the rear of the old church. The first church building was 24x60 ft., an addition to which was made during Father Swift's administration, also a new school house was commenced on a lot purchased from Gen. Smith just east of the church. Services were for a time held in White's Hall, until the school house was covered in.
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The Sedalia Catholic Benevolent Society contributed $500 towards the building, and had a hall finished in the second story, where the members hold their monthly meetings. About the same time work was commenced on the new brick church, and by the united efforts of the priest and peo- ple the new edifice, 48x96 feet, and thirty feet high, was so far finished that in the spring of 1875 services were held in it, and the congregation greatly increased. Many have been the trials through which this people, comparatively poor, had to pass. The needed funds to continue were generously furnished by Mr. John Scullin's loaning Father Graham, on his own personal responsibility, means to furnish it. The old pastoral resi- dence being sold out for previous debts the pastor had to vacate, and live for several months in the school hall, until June, 1875, when a small resi- dence was built in the rear of the church.
One of McShane's bells from Baltimore was purchased for the church at a cost of nearly $500, including the frame-work. In 1877 the Sisters of St. Joseph took charge of the schools. At the residence of the Sisters on the corner of Washington avenue and Fourth street there is a select school and convent which is well conducted and patronized. The church has a large membership, with Father J. T. D. Murphy as pastor.
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS.
In 1881 the Seventh Day Adventists built a church on Moulton and Ninth streets, which cost $1,500. The congregation contains about forty persons, and they have preachers and lecturers from abroad, and local lecturers.
CHAPTER IX .- EDUCATIONAL.
The Public Schools-Sedalia Seminary-Sedalia Business College-The Press-The Buzoo-The Eagle-Times-The Sedalia Journal-The Democrat.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not, the Pierian spring; For shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking deeply sobers us again." -- POPE.
Common schools are the glory and pride of free America. Colleges and universities develop and stimulate the occasional master mind; but the common schools educate and train the nation's multitudes, fitting them for citizenship. The eminent J. P. Wickersham says: "The dearest interest of a nation is the education of its children." Among the citizens of Sedalia there is a healthy and growing sentiment in favor of public schools. That old conservative element which retards and embarrasses the onward progress of modern thought has no preceptible following
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here. The people are content with nothing less than the best advantages that good appliances and superior instructors will afford. When in 1880 it was proposed to expend $10,000 for more ample accommodations, six- teen hundred votes were cast in its favor, and only forty-nine opposed it.
Again, in April, 1882, a proposition to levy a five-mill tax for the erec- tion of two new brick school buildings was carried with only twenty votes in opposition to the measure.
The people of Sedalia have reason to feel proud of their well organized schools and efficient teachers. The members of the Board of Education are men well qualified for their responsible trust, both as regards their knowledge of their duties, and their active interest manifested.
The first schools taught in Sedalia were private enterprises, supported by subscription and tuition assessments. The first school was "kept" in the first store room, situated on the present site of John Gallie's lumber yard. The store was owned by T. M. Hodge, and the school was taught by E. W. Washburn and his daughter, now wife of J. D. Claycomb, of Longwood township. This was during the war, and only a few pupils attended. Judge Washburn was a good teacher. Miss Laura Moses was the next teacher. She afterwards married Judge Chan. P. Townsley. Next, W. H. Allison built a frame school house, a little north from the Missouri Pacific general offices in East Sedalia. The building which he erected was two stories, and cost about $2,000. It was originally intended for a female seminary, and doubtless had the site been selected near the center of town, the project would have succeeded. Although a good scholar and fine teacher the enterprise failed and the building was sold. This school was the most important up to the fall of 1866, when the common school system was adopted. The school interests and conveni- ences of Sedalia at first did not grow apace with the business; the families of several men doing business here lived in Georgetown where fair school advantages were offered. The present generation know nothing of the disadvantages to which the first residents of the city were subjected in school matters. The history of the common schools of Sedalia properly begins in the fall of 1866, and we shall give only a succinct sketch of their organization and workings from that time to the present, (July 1882.)
At an election of the qualified voters of the city, held the 15th day of September, 1866, in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly author- ing any city, town or village to organize for school purposes, the follow- ing Board of Education was elected: Wm. Beck and F. Crandall, for a term of three years; A. Ensel and Thos. J. Montgomery, for a term of two years; E. W. Washburn and William Bloess, for a term of one year. At a meeting of the members of the Board, held Sept. 19th, 1866, for the purpose of organization, E. W. Washburn was elected President; F. Crandall, Secretary, and Wm. Beck, Treasurer.
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An enumeration of the children in the city between the ages of five and twenty-one being authorized by the Board, the number reported October, 1866, was as follows: Whites-Males, 262; Females, 283. Total, 545. Colored-Males, 108; Females, 113. Total, 221. Total number of children in the district of school age, 766.
Taking the present limits of school age, the above number would approximate 670, which, compared with the last enumeration, 3,664, gives a fair exhibit of the growth of the city during the past sixteen years, and also somewhat of the difficulties which the different Boards have encount- ered from year to year, in providing adequate means for the accommoda- tion of the rapidly increasing number of pupils.
Initiatory steps were taken in the early part of 1867 to erect two suitable school buildings; one north and the other south of the Pacific railroad, and to this end the ground on which the Broadway school building was after- wards erected, was purchased; city bonds to the amount of $30,000 were issued; a committee was delegated to visit St. Louis and Chicago to obtain the best plans and specifications for school buildings, and other active preparations were entered upon by the school board to provide school facilities at as early a date as possible. July 5th, 1867, A. Ensel and William Bloess resigned, whereupon Richard Ritter and A. C. Marvin were appointed to fill the respective vacancies.
At a meeting of the Board held August 12th, 1867, Prof. G. O. Brown, of Ohio, was elected Superintendent of the Sedalia Public Schools for a term of six months, commencing on the first day of January, 1868, at a salary of $140 per month, to which position he was again elected for the year 1868-69, at a salary of $1,500. He, in connection with Prof. G. W. Ready, then principal of the High School, succeeded in organizing the schools in such a manner as to render them at once popular with the citizens; efficient in their management as to the gradation and progress of the pupils, and the whole system was placed upon a permanent and sure basis. Surrounded by serious obstacles at the outset,they, by their energy and their adaptation for the work, assisted by an efficient School Board, succeeded in placing the Sedalia Schools in the front rank of city graded schools.
The Broadway school buildidg was erected during the year, 1867, in accordance with plans submitted to the Board by the committee appointed for that purpose.
The first school was organized Feb. 10th, 1868, in the Broadway build- ing, with the following corps of teachers: Grammar grades, Misses Pea- body and Griffin, at a salary of $60 per month; Intermediate grades, Mrs. Brown and Miss Tindall, at a salary of $50 per month, each; Primary grades, Misses Adamson and Groesbeck, at a salary of $40 per month, each; Prof. G. W. Ready, principal of the High School, at a salary of
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$85 per month. At a subsequent meeting the salaries of the Primary teachers were increased to $50 per month, and Miss Jennie Bard employed as an assistant, at a salary of $40 per month. Mr. Miller was employed to teach the colored school, north of the railroad, in the building prepared for that purpose.
At a meeting of the Board held May 30, 1868, it was unanimously agreed to issue bonds to the amount of ten thousand dollars, for the pur . pose of erecting a new building north of the railroad for the further accommodation of the pupils residing in that portion of the city.
CONQUEROR
ST. CLOUD STOCK FARM-R. W. GENTRY, SEDALIA, MO.
For the school year 1868 -- 69, all the teachers employed the previous year were re-elected, and Misses Kidd and Joplin added to the number.
At the school election, held Sept. 12, 1868, Dr. J. F. Tobias and J. P. Leake, were chosen members of the Board, and upon a re-organization, E. W. Washburn was again chosen president, F. Crandall, secretary, and Wm. Beck, treasurer. E. W. Washburn resigned his position as a mem- ber of the Board Jan. 30, 1869, and on February 4th, Dr. Thos. J. Mont- gomery was chosen to fill the vavancy. A re-organization being neces- sary, F. Crandall was elected president, Wm. Beck, secretary, and J. P. Leake, treasurer.
On May 29, 1868, Prof. G. W. Ready was elected Superintendent of 24
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the Schools, a position he continued to fill for nine consecutive years, which alone is sufficient evidence of his ability as an educator, and of his worth as a citizen.
During the year 1870, the two-story brick building north of the Pacific Railroad, now known as the Franklin School, was erected and occupied, with W. O. Dunlap, principal, and Misses Kidd, Maddox and Wad- leigh, assistants.
Owing to the want of funds, the school term for the year 1871-72 was shortened to thirty weeks, which, with the exception of one year, con- tinued to be the case until the year 1876-77, when it became necessary to make the term only twenty-four weeks. During the following year the same length of term again was held. This was found to interfere very materially with the grading and progress of the schools. Private classes were formed after the close of the public schools, which unavoidably gave rise to fresh difficulties at the opening of the schools the following year. Circumstances beyond the control of the School Board and Superintend- ent, unfortunately, rendered this course imperative.
On May 29, 1873, a proposition was submitted to the qualified voters of the city, to issue bonds to the amount of $12,000, for the purpose of erecting a two-story brick building in East Sedalia, on the block situated on East Broadway, which had been previously purchased for that pur- pose. The proposition failing to receive the required number of votes to secure its adoption, the Board proceeded to erect a two room frame build- ing, which was completed and used as a school the same year. This school, known as Washington School, was under the care of Miss Mary Green as principal, and Miss Minnie Chappelear as assistant.
In August, 1874, Prof. E. R. Booth was elected principal of the High School, and at the close of the term, the following pupils having com- pleted the regular course of study, were awarded diplomas:
Misses Maud Gent, Ellen Hackett, Georgia Jackson, Dora Lamy and Bettie Rogers.
This was the first class that graduated from the High School, and the only one previous to the class of 'S1. Four of the members were elected teachers in the schools of this city for the following year, and three still continue to hold the positions to which they were then chosen. They have faithfully and successfully discharged the duties pertaining to their respective positions, reflecting credit alike upon themselves and the school from which they graduated.
At a meeting of the School Board, held August 8, 1876, it was deter- mined to suspend the High School department in consequence of the lim- ited funds at the disposal of the Board. For the same reason the Ger- man department was also abolished.
As a result of this action of the Board the High School department
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was eliminated during the two subsequent years, and only partially restored for two years more.
In consequence of changes made in the school law of the State, vacan- cies were created in all the positions held by the different members of the Board, April, 1878, and at the regular election held at that time, the fol- lowing gentlemen were chosen to fill the vacancies thus created: David Blocher, A. H. Conkwright, John A. Lacy, Henry Lamm, J. H. Mertz and E. L. Phipps.
It was but natural that changes should be expected upon the election of an entirely new Board of Directors. The patrons of the schools were desirous of an extension of the school session, and increased school facilities. The board set themselves assiduously to work at carry out the wishes of the people. The school term was lengthened to thirty-six weeks, and two additional rooms secured for East Sedalia and one for Lincoln School. To accomplish these, and at the same time meet past indebtedness, it was found necessary to reduce the salaries of the teachers from that paid in former years at least twenty per centum, and also to ask for an additional tax levy. This was generously responded to by the citi- zens, at a special election held for that purpose. To curtail the expenses still further, it was deemed best to abolish the office of superintendent, and to make the principal of Broadway School the chief executive officer. Before the opening of the schools, however, it was deemed impractitable, by a majority of the committee on rules and regulations, to dispense entirely with supervisory work, and to a certain extent the same duties that are usually discharged by a superintendent, were delegated by them to the chief principal. An assistant was employed for Broadway School, so that the chief principal was left without the care of a room, and his time could be partly devoted to the general management of the schools. This plan is still pursued, and in accordance with a resolution of the board, one-half of his time is devoted to teaching, the other half to supervision.
NAMES OF GRADUATES-SEDALIA HIGH SCHOOL.
1875. Maud Gent, Georgia Jackson, Ellen Hackett, Dora Lamy, Bet- tie Rogers.
1881. Winnie Armes, Mamie Demuth, Annie Devlin, Orlena Heinline, Stella Heinline, Mamie Hogue, Fannie Owens, Sallie Porter, Addie Reed, Lucy Reynolds, May Slaughter, Allen Sturgis, Lizzie Wagenlander, Merritt Yeater.
1882. Nellie Branen, Mamie Cully, Allie Chapman, Hattie Gold, Syl- via Sheldon, Kittie Shively, Madge Sturgis, Lewis Waller.
The following is a list of the members of the respective school boards, with date of official term:
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1866-67. E. W. Washburn, Pres .; F. Crandall, Sec .; Wm. Beck, Treas .; Wm. Bloess, A. Ensel, Dr. Thos. J. Montgomery.
1867-68. E. W. Washburn, Pres .; Richard Ritter, Sec .; Wm. Beck, Treas .; A. C. Marvin, Dr. Thos. J. Montgomery, F. Crandall.
1868-69. E. W. Washburn, Pres .; F. Crandall, Sec .; Wm. Beck, Treas .; J. F. Tobias, J. P. Leake, T. J. Montgomery.
1869-70. F. Crandall, Pres .; Wm. Beck, Sec .; J. P. Leake, Treas .; T. J. Montgomery, Richard Ritter, J. F. Tobias.
1870-71. J. F. Tobias, Pres .; Wm. Beck, Sec .; J. P. Leake, Treas .; Richard Ritter, Henry Suess, D. H. Smith.
1871-72. J. F. Tobias, Pres .; Wm. Beck, Sec .; D. H. Smith, Treas .; Henry Suess, Abram Meyer, J. D. Brown.
1872-73. Henry Suess, Pres .; H. B. Fletcher, Sec .; D. H. Smith, Treas .; J. D. Brown, A. Meyers.
1873-74. Henry Suess, Pres .; H. B. Fletcher, Sec .; D. H. Smith, Treas .; A. Meyer, J. D. Brown, E. Lamy.
1874-75. Henry Suess, Pres .; L. B. Jackson, Sec .; D. H. Smith, Treas .; C. M. A. Chaney, John Stryker, E. Lamy.
1875-76. Henry Suess, Pres .; H. B. Fletcher, Sec .; D. H. Smith, Treas .; C. M. A. Chaney, John Stryker, B. H. Ingram.
1876-78. B. H. Ingram, Pres .; L. B. Jackson, Sec .; D. H. Smith, Treas .; C. M. A. Chaney, John Striker, Elias Bixby.
1878-79. David Blocher, Pres .; Henry Lamm, Sec .; E. L. Phipps, Treas .; A. H. Conkwright, John A. Lacy, J. H. Mertz.
1879-80. David Blocher, Pres .; Henry Lamm, Sec .; E. L. Phipps, Treas .; A. H. Conkwright, John A. Lacy, J. H. Mertz.
1880-81. David Blocher, Pres .; Henry Lamm, Sec .; E. L. Phipps, Treas .; A. H. Conkwright, J. A. Lacy, J. H. Mertz.
1881-82. David Blocher, President; Henry Lamm, Secretary; J. H. Mertz, Treasurer; Dr. A. H. Conkwright, C. H. Gauss, Judge Charles Richardson.
1882-83. G. L. Faulhaber, President; Dr. A. H. Conkwright, Secre- tary; C. H. Gauss, Treasurer; Charles Richardson, J. H. Mertz, J. N. Dalby.
The dimensions, cost, location, etc., of the four school buildings together with a complete list of teachers is given herewith.
BROADWAY SCHOOL .- This school is located on Broadway, between Kentucky and Moniteau streets, and was established in the year 1867. It was first proposed to erect a three-story brick building, containing twelve rooms, but the cost was found to exceed the estimates, as made by the architect and the building committee, and the plans were changed to a two-story brick building, containing seven school rooms, one recitation room, a library room, and superintendent's office. During the summer of
.
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1880, an additional story was added to the building, so that it now contains twelve school rooms, a library room and superintendent's office. The size of the rooms on the first and second stories is 293 by 333, and on the third floor, 24 by 283. Each room is provided with a cloak room 5 by 20, and a teacher's closet, where maps and other appliances can be stored. Ventilating flues are attached to all the rooms. The entire cost of the building and grounds has been about forty thousand dollars.
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