USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume I > Part 20
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume I > Part 20
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In Union Township the first school was taught in 1860, on the east line of the township, an account of which has been given in the North Bend schools. With the growth of the township and county the schools here
.
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
157
have kept pace with others and are today fully abreast of the others in Dodge County-see last report of county superintendent.
In Webster Township the first school was taught in a sod hovel belonging to Andrew Derick, in section 26. In 1872 the first schoolhouse was built and the first to teach therein was D. C. Westfall. There are now nine schools in the township.
In the Village of Dodge, at first the people sent their children into the rural district to attend school a half mile off of the plat, but the following season a building was erected in the village and ever since the place has had good schools, well taught and well attended. As early as 1891 there were 200 pupils enrolled there.
In Cuming Township the pioneer school was taught by Mrs. Mary E. Parks, in her own house, in 1871. The first school building was erected in 1873 in section 28, where Mrs. Augusta Boor taught first.
Mary Weber taught the first school in Everett Township in 1868, in section 34.
In Maple Township the first school was taught by L. M. Keene, in section 10, in a "dug-out." in 1869. A schoolhouse was built in 1871 in the center of section 14 at a cost of $345.
1
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT-1919
The following report made July 1, 1919, for the schools in Dodge County contained among numerous items these: District number, num- ber and kind of schoolhouses, enrollment in districts and total in county, number of male and female teachers in county by districts and other general information given in totals for the entire County of Dodge.
Dist.
Kind of
Enroll-
Teachers
No.
Buildings
ment
Male
Female
1
Seven brick
2,255
5
63
2
One frame
54
..
2
3
One frame
32
1
4
One frame
58
3
5
One frame
22
1
6
One frame
13
1
7
One frame
21
1
8
One brick
318
1
12
9
One frame
22
1
10
One frame
36
1
11
One frame
25
1
12
One frame
41
.
2
13
One frame
26
1
14
One frame
11
1
15
One frame
19
1
16
One frame
33
1
17
One frame
28
1
18
One frame
22
1
19
One brick
77
3
20
One frame
16
1
21
One frame
21
1
22
One frame
62
2
23
One frame
28
2
24
One frame
19
1
25
One frame
15
1
26
One brick
274
3
11
.
.
. .
158
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
Dist.
Kind of
Enroll-
Teachers
No.
Buildings
ment
Male
Female
27
One frame
31
1
1
28
One frame
25
. .
29
One frame
28
. .
1
31
One frame
9
1
32
One frame
11
1
33
One frame
36
1
34
One frame
32
1
35
One frame
37
1
36
One frame
26
1
37
One frame
17
1
38
One frame
36
39
One brick
103
4
41
One frame
11
1
42
One frame
25
. .
1
43
One frame
9
. .
1
45
One frame
27
1
46
One brick
138
1
7
47
One frame
26
1
48
One frame
25
1
49
One frame
115
4
50
One frame
14
.
1
52
One frame
23
1
53
One frame
31
1
54
One frame
23
1
55
One frame
20
1
56
One frame
26
1
57
One frame
18
1
58
One frame
12
1
59
One frame
29
1
60
One frame
34
1
61
One. frame
28
1
62
One brick
222
1
8
63
One frame
22
1
64
One frame
29
1
65
One frame
25
1
66
One frame
19
1
67
One frame
23
.
1
68
One frame
23
1
69
One frame
17
1
70
One frame
27
1
1
72
One frame
23
·
1
73
One frame
19
1
74
One frame
9
1
75
One frame
8
1
76
One frame
12
. .
1
77
One frame
11
1
78
One frame
17
..
1
79
One frame
34
·
1
80
One frame
17
·
1
1
40
34
1
1
44
One frame
24
1
51
One frame
34
1
30
One frame
30
1
159
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
Dist.
Kind of
Enroll- ment
Teachers
No. Buildings
Male
Female
81
One frame
18
1
82
One frame
15
1
83
One frame
33
1
84
One frame
28
..
85
One frame
24
1
Totals
7,350
13
194
The total number of males enrolled in county is 3,675 ; number females, 3,635. The total number of schoolhouses in county is ninety-three. Aver- age wages paid males is $132.89; paid females, $69.85. Total amount expended for all school purposes for last year was $267,882. Paid for books and charts, etc., $14,944; for furniture, $1,148. Value of all schoolhouses in county, $653,970; for all text-books, $24,520. Value of all charts, maps, etc., $16,862. Total indebtedness of county for school purposes, $177,679 ; outstanding bonds, $176,700.
THE GRADED SCHOOLS OF DODGE COUNTY
District No. 1-Fremont has twelve grades, sixty-seven teachers, total enrollment, 1,128; graduates last year (1919), fifteen boys and for- ty-five girls.
District No. 2-Ames, ten grades, two teachers, twenty-nine enrolled ; graduated, three boys and five girls.
District No. 4 Eight grades, two teachers.
District No. 8 North Bend, twelve grades, thirteen teachers, enrolled, 223; five boys and eleven girls graduated.
District No. 19-Nickerson, ten grades, three teachers; four boys and five girls graduated.
District No. 22-Ten grades, two teachers ; three boys and three girls graduated.
District No. 23-Ten grades, two teachers.
District No. 26-Hooper, twelve grades, four teachers, 193 in grades. Number of graduates, five boys and twelve girls.
District No. 39-Snyder, twelve grades, nine teachers, 104 in grades; graduates, three boys and five girls.
District No. 46-Dodge, twelve grades, five teachers; three boys and five girls graduated.
District No. 49-Uehling, twelve grades, five teachers, 101 in grades; two boys and three girls graduated.
District No. 62-Scribner, twelve grades, nine teachers, 164 in grades ; six boys and eleven girls graduated.
PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS
Besides the common public schools in the county there are the fol- lowing schools :
The Midland College, Fremont (Lutheran).
The St. Patrick's parochial (Catholic), Fremont.
The German Lutheran (parochial), Fremont.
The St. Venceslaus (Catholic), Dodge.
The St. Leo's, Snyder.
The Lutheran parochial, Hooper.
The Lutheran at Winslow.
. .
. .
1
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DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
The Lutheran at Scribner.
The second one at Scribner of the Lutheran faith. The Lutheran at Snyder.
1920 WAGES FOR TEACHERS
Word was given out in the month of August, 1920, that teachers' wages in Dodge County had been raised as follows: The average for the coming school year is fixed at a little more than $110 per month. One man teacher is to receive $135 per month, and one woman will receive $130 per month. The lowest wages will be paid to two women, who are to receive $80 per month.
VALUATION AND TAX LEVY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS
The 1919 assessed valuation and tax levy in the various school districts in Dodge County was as follows:
Dist.
Assessed
Levy
Dist.
Assessed Value
Levy
No.
Value
Mills
No.
1
$2,309,026
43
37
$ 67,830
14
2
118,967
27
38
95,952
13
3
65,071
20
39
210,497
30
4
205,683
15
40
89,438
8
5
68,452
18
41
110,112
8
6
79,321
8
42
101,251
10
7
75,383
13
43
85,243
10
8
378,817
42
44
58,284
21
9
170,948
4
45
98,104
10
10
86,889
20
46
276,789
35
11
180,704
6
47
107,775
8
12
99,281
28
48
68,883
14
13
49,963
20
49
146,748
35
14
104,634
6
50
45,227
16
15
132,952
6
51
58,453
14
16
120,775
30
53
142,805
15
18
100,009
10
55
58,114
15
20
87,330
10
56
75,647
16
21
61,968
14
57
68,619
14
22
110,162
20
59
107,335
6
24
66,606
26
60
91,832
13
25
122,842
10
61
56,993
12
26
262,983
55
62
307,966
35
27
130,333
16
63
140,749
6
28
77,695
14
64
87,930
18
29
75,872
14
65
121,717
10
30
87,733
12
66
98,366
14
31
53,989
14
67
72,463
16
32
70,979
12
68
68,900
14
33
50,614
20
69
89,719
16
34
73,370
14
70
49,190
31
35
106,043
12
71
(and 27) .
36
45,880
35
72
81,454
13
18
17
82,029
13
54
74,079
13
19
141,623
34
58
55,816
18
23
96,163
16
52
74,865
Mills
i
161
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
Dist.
Assessed
Levy
Dist.
Assessed
Levy
No.
Value
Mills
No.
Value
Mills
73
$
112,636
12
82
$
79,013
14
74
53,819
16
83
59,671
13
75
73,549
10
84
111,009
8
76
59,690
16
85
82,216
20
77
51,871
17
Fract. 1
16,221
23
78
67,664
16
Fract. 2
11,340
28
79
45,440
27
Burt 49
3,875
16
80
53,646
22
Colfax 29
2,230
10
81
65,332
14
Washington 24.
275
54
THE FREMONT BUSINESS COLLEGE
At the corner of Sixth and Main streets, Fremont, June 3, 1889, there was established by Prof. T. R. Hamlin a business college which grew to be one of much note. The first year the enrollment reached 225 pupils. The second year it reached 500. One special feature of this institution was that pupils were given Greek, Latin and French and the common branches for the price of one scholarship. Many a young man and woman were here taught commercial law, shorthand, telegraphy, elo- cution, penmanship, bookkeeping and a general practical business education.
After a number of years, with changes in the affairs of educational matters, and the establishment of other schools throughout the state, this institution gave way and ceased to exist as one of the institutions of Fremont, many preferring the course given at Professor Clemmons' Nor- mal School, noted in this chapter.
FREMONT NORMAL SCHOOL AND BUSINESS INSTITUTE
This high educational institution in Fremont, which occupied the buildings and present site of the Midland College, was established in 1884 by Prof. W. P. Jones, who founded the school and superin- tended the construction of the original buildings. He conducted the school about three years, when he was overtaken by death, after which his widow ran the school another year and in 1888 Prof. William H. Clemmons, that most excellent and gifted educator, succeeded to the management and full control of the institution. He greatly enlarged the buildings, which became a three-story brick structure (as today) 80 by 132 feet, containing nine recitation rooms, with library and chapel. As far back as 1892 twelve instructors were employed. All the branches were taught, but especially the teachers' preparatory course became won- derfully popular. In the normal course the study was in preparatory course, teachers' course, scientific course, classic course, commercial course, music, typewriting, stenography and law.
The campus, situated in the northeast part of the city, is indeed an ideal spot and as the years have come and gone has been greatly improved and beautified by trees now well grown, and with ample room the land owned by the Midland College today is among the finest places in all Nebraska for such an institution as was the "Fremont Normal," and which has been transformed into the Midland College, since the death of Professor Clemmons in 1918.
It should be recorded as an historical fact that the Fremont Normal was conducted under a local corporation composed of the best business
162
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
factors in and around Fremont. The directors were in 1891-2 and for years later: E. H. Barnard, president ; C. Christensen, vice-president ; Manly Rogers, treasurer ; F. Hammond, secretary ; John Hauser, L. M. Keene, J. C. Lee, E. F. Gray, John Knetchel, L. D. Richards, A. Trues- dell, George R. Loomis.
During the year 1890, 800 students attended this school. The found- ing and fostering this institution in Fremont by her own citizens was but the part of true foresight and great wisdom.
THE MIDLAND COLLEGE
The buildings and grounds of the old Normal School and Business College at Fremont, mentioned above, were sold to the Midland College of Atchison, Kansas, a Lutheran institution, founded in 1887, the date of purchasing the Fremont College being September 10, 1919. For many years there had been a feeling that the Kansas institution should have been located nearer the center of the Luthran population-somewhere in the State of Nebraska in place of in Kansas. After the death of Pres- ident William H. Clemmons of the Fremont College there was a chance to secure a fine college property, which the authorities of the Lutheran Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America investigated thor- oughly and finally decided to purchase and change the seat of their col- lege from Atchison, Kansas, to Fremont, Nebraska.
This college is under the control of a board of trustees composed of twenty-nine men : part are chosen from the city where the institution is located, and the remainder from the district synods of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa and the Alumni Association. The president of the col- lege is ex-officio advisory member. While this college is under the direction of a church denomination, it is in no particular narrow or sec- tarian. She has among her students those of various denominations from all parts of the United States.
The Western Theological Seminary was established in 1895. At first it was a separate institution, but now a part of the college, under the direction of the president of the college and board of trustees, and a separate faculty.
The following paragraph is a statement made by the board in its first year-book or bulletin after removing from Atchison to Fremont:
"The buildings and grounds of Midland College are valued at $225,000. A campaign for $500,000 for endowment and new buildings is now being carried on and (at this writing) more than half of the amount has already been secured. The new building program contem- plates an administration building, girls' dormitory, boys' dormitory, gymnasium, Carnegie library, and a Theological Seminary building. The institution is maintained by a liberal annual subsidy from the Board of Education of the United Lutheran Church of America, interests from endowment, student's fees, and direct gifts from friends of Christian education."
The story of the change from Atchison to Fremont is best told in an article in the Fremont Tribune in September, 1919, when the college was first opened in Fremont. This is an extract from President E. E. Stauffer's article :
"About a year ago the attention of a number of churchmen was called to Fremont, Nebraska, where the Fremont Normal college, a school which had been successfully conducted for over thirty years and in which thousands of young men and women had been educated and pre-
163
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
pared for life service, could be obtained at a very reasonable price. This school was situated in the very heart of the best part of Nebraska, sur- rounded by a constituency which would support the college not only by sending their young people, but also by generous financial aid. After much negotiation on the part of the Commercial club of Fremont and the two Lutheran synods of Nebraska, the board of trustees of Midland college was induced to pass a resolution to move Midland from Atchison to Fremont, and to purchase the Fremont Normal college, this however upon the agreement that Fremont should give $75,000 and that the two Nebraska synods should raise at least $300,000 in addition. It was readily proven that this amount could be raised and by July 15, 1919, in just a little less than four weeks, a sum amounting to $250,000 had been subscribed and the campaign was inaugurated to secure $500,000 in addition to the liberal contribution of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Luckey of Lincoln, Nebraska, for the endowment of Midland college. On the 29th day of July, 1919, the board of trustees, in a special meeting held in Atchison, Kansas, took the final action which led to the removal of Midland college from Atchison to Fremont."
THE FUTURE
Continuing his article Doctor Stauffer says: "The program which has been inaugurated for the further development of this institution is a big one and not at all impossible. Already forty acres of land has been purchased in addition to the nine and one-half acres already pos- sessed upon which to build the larger Midland. The entire program which is now under way, is given in another article which appears in this issue. Everyone who knows the situation is fully agreed that a new day has dawned for Midland College and that the future is bound to see this institution one of the largest and the strongest of the schools in Nebraska and the Central West. The Church which established this institution in Fremont is to be congratulated on its far-seeing vision and the wonderful possibilities which will come through the wise adminis- tration of its educational affairs. While Midland college is under the auspices of the United Lutheran Church of America, which is composed of forty-five district synods all using the English language, with the exception of two and these two synods using one other language only in part, this is in no wise narrow or sectarian, for young people of all faiths are received and the greatest courtesy and fairness is manifested in every way. Those in charge are possessed with the conviction that the building of character is fundamental and that all good character must be founded upon the truths through the teachings of Jesus and that no education can be finally of use to the world that is not based upon Christian principles."
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The 1919-20 officers of the board of trustees are: Louis T. Bang, president, Emporia, Kansas ; C. B. Harman, D.D., vice-president, Omaha, Nebraska ; Rev. Paul Menenoeh, secretary, Eureka, Kansas; Henry C. Dahl, treasurer, Fremont, Nebraska.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Louis T. Bang, chairman, Emporia, Kansas; E. E. Stauffer, D.D., secretary, Fremont, Nebraska ; Henry Diegel, Atchison, Kansas; B. D. Zimmerman, Atchison, Kansas; Henry Monke, Fontenelle, Nebraska.
164
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
Of the present faculty it may be said that Ezra Eugene Stauffer, D.D., is the president, and Wilber E. Tilberg, A. M., dean.
During the first year after this institution was removed to Fremont, in all departments, there were 697 students enrolled.
While it is not the province of the historian to speculate on the future, but simply record the past and present, it may not be saying too much for this college and its new home, to place it in high rank among the great educational institutions of the growing west, within another score of years, if not in less time.
HISTORY OF FREMONT COLLEGE-BY PROF. G. H. MOHLER
The extraordinary development of the north central portion of our country during the last third of a century has called into existence almost innumerable public schools. To instruct in these schools an army of teachers is necessary. To meet this condition, training schools have been established by public and private enterprise. It is the avowed purpose of these schools to be teachers of teachers, that is, to prepare persons, both in theory and practice, for the profession of teaching in the common and graded schools.
Such were the conditions which called into existence the Fremont Normal College and Business Institute, a short history of which follows :
In August, 1883, Prof. William P. Jones, of Chicago, having learned from the report of the state superintendent of public instruction of Nebraska that there was an unusual call for teachers in the common and graded schools of the state and that this call could not be met with properly trained and competent teachers, determined to found a school somewhere within the state, whose aim should be to train young people for the responsible position of teaching.
After much thought and inquiry regarding conditions and the con- sideration of the merits of various sections and cities, he decided to establish such a school in Fremont, provided sufficient encouragement should be shown by the citizens. Accordingly a mass meeting was called, the proposition thoroughly canvassed and a hearty co-operation of the citizens was assured. Subscription lists met with such liberal response that soon enough funds were available to meet the expense for the erection of a suitable building.
The first earth was excavated on May 18, 1884, and the cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1884, according to the ritual of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The structure rapidly progressed to completion and the school met in its first session and for organization on the morn- ing of October 21, 1884. The enrollment for the first day was thirty-six students, principally from the city. The attendance gradually increased until by the middle of the first year nearly 150 students were enrolled. There were at that time but four recitation rooms and the business practice room, other rooms in the building being utilized as living rooms and for dormitory purposes. The school moved along in steady progress until the death of Professor Jones on August 3, 1886. Upon the death of Professor Jones the management of the school devolved upon the widow, Mrs. Mary E. Jones, who conducted it with varying success until May 12, 1888, when the school entire was purchased by Prof. W. H. Clemmons. During its entire history, with the exception of a time imme- diately preceding the purchase by Professor Clemmons, the college has had a steady and healthy growth.
165
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
From an enrollment of thirty-six students, the yearly attendance reached from 800 to 1,200, depending upon the time of the year, being greatest during the summer and winter seasons.
At first there were but four regular recitation rooms, and the faculty consisted of only four members, but as the attendance increased other recitation rooms were provided and the faculty increased by the addition of new members as necessity dictated.
At first the name of the school was the Fremont Normal School and Business College. About the year 1900 the courses of study were increased, regular schedules were provided and degrees conferred upon graduates from the higher courses of study. At this time the name of the school was changed to Fremont College and Business Institute. The college, however, still maintained the preparatory departments, but laid particular stress upon the regular higher graduating courses.
The school continued to prosper in attendance and enthusiasm until about the period of the European war, when, in common with other educational institutions of the country, the student body was materially reduced. This together with the establishment of a number of other schools in the state had a very marked effect upon the attendance, although the college continued to maintain the regular courses of study and schedules of classes.
Since its founding, the college has suffered several severe misfor- tunes from fire. On October 14, 1907, practically the entire main build- ing was destroyed by fire. The fire started at the highest point upon the roof at the noon hour, and as the roof was of shingles, spread rapidly over the entire building. The city fire department was hampered by defective apparatus and the building continued to burn until night, when there was nothing remaining but the bare hot walls and portions of the lower floor. Such a catastrophe would have completely discouraged most men, but President Clemmons and the faculty kept the student body together and the regular classes were called the next morning in impro- vised quarters. A large tent upon the campus was utilized for classes as was a portion of the dining hall. Some of the classes were held upon the lower floor of the burned building, with only the blue sky overhead. Beside the loss on the main building, much of the furnishings was destroyed. As the fire started immediately above the main exit, very little of the furniture and laboratory equipment was saved, which was a very serious obstacle to the work of the school for some time.
The insurance, while entirely inadequate to reconstruct the building, provided a nucleus toward a building fund, and the reconstruction was at once begun. Before Christmas most of the class rooms were ready for use and school was progressing in spite of the noise of the carpen- ters' hammers. The reconstructed building is much better in arrange- ment and construction than formerly, having new furnishings and new floors, with a tile roof on the entire building.
On the night of February 7, 1916, practically the entire west dor- mitory, half a block in length and two stories in height, was destroyed by fire. This fire started at the middle of the building at about midnight. As the weather was very cold the efforts of the fire department were handicapped by snow and ice. The building continued to burn for the remainder of the night, and nothing was left of the long main hall and the south wing, of almost equal size, but the bare walls. Beside the loss on the building, the students occupying the rooms lost the greater portion of their belongings. Again was the heavy hand of financial loss laid upon the institution, and again the insurance carried was not sufficient
166
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
to reconstruct the building. However, with his usual energy President Clemmons began the work of clearing away the debris and during the remainder of his ownership of the school partially rebuilt the destroyed portion of the structure.
In 1916 President Clemmons was elected state superintendent of public instruction of Nebraska and upon his removal to Lincoln, the management of the college was largely delegated to his wife.
Mrs. Clemmons took up the work with much energy and skill and managed the affairs, both financially and scholastically, with marked success, carrying the institution through a very critical period of its history.
While yet state superintendent, President Clemmons suffered a severe decline in health, making it impossible for him to give proper attention to his office, and to the affairs of the college. As the entire charge of the institution was too great a burden for Mrs. Clemmons, it was though best to turn the management of the college over to some competent and practical head that the work so well begun might be continued and that even a greater work might be accomplished in the future than had been done in the past.
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