USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume I > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
352
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
from then until September, 1873, the high school was continued in rented rooms on South Main street, where Post's second hand store now stands, and on Forest street, now occupied by Coughlin's meat market.
In the above month and year the present splendid four-story structure of brick and stone was occupied under the principalship of Professor C. A. Hutch- ins. The present high-school building is generally conceded to be one of the finest in the state and has one of the most attractive and beautiful schoolyards in the northwest. The building contains ten large school rooms, a fine office, a large and very pleasant assembly room, fine halls, commodious wardrobes, a large and choice library, a rare and extensive museum, and well furnished and well patronized reading room. The school is supported with the most com- mendable generosity, and is conducted with great thoroughness and efficiency. It affords the best commercial, scientific and classical advantages, and its graduates are numbered among the most cultured and successful men and women of the state.
Professor Hutchins having resigned the principalship and city superintendency of schools in 1866, was succeeded by Professor I. N. Mitchell, who was in 1892 succeeded by Dr. Ed. McLoughlin.
O. C. Steenberg graduated at Union College, Schenectady, New York, in 1861, and has for many years past been the proprietor of a large sash, door and blind factory in this city.
Professor C. A. Hutchins was educated at the Norwalk (Ohio) Academy, and afterwards pursued his studies under his brother at the academy and at home. From 1858 to 1861 he taught Latin and Greek at Wayland University, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He had charge of the Janesville schools for two years; of the Ionia, Michigan, schools four years; the schools of Baraboo, Wisconsin, one year ; was county superintendent of schools of Sauk county two years; princi- pal of the Beloit high school two years, and is now assistant state superintendent of schools of Wisconsin.
Professor I. N. Mitchell graduated from Michigan University, Ann Arbor, and for several years prior to his coming to Fond du Lac had successful charge of city schools in Michigan. He is at present instructor in Latin in the state normal school at Milwaukee.
Dr. Ed. McLoughlin graduated in 1875 at the Oshkosh normal school. He was principal of the New London high school from 1875 to 1878; county superin- tendent of schools of Fond du Lac county from 1878 to 1886; conductor of teachers' institutes ten years ; editor of the Fond du Lac Journal two years ; can- didate of the democratic party for state superintendent of public instruction in 1888; graduated from Rush Medical College in 1890 with the honors of his class ; was elected mayor of Fond du Lac in the spring of 1892 ; and was practicing med- icine in this city when he was elected principal of the high school and city super- intendent of schools.
Fond du Lac employs forty-six teachers, all capable and competent, several of whom have been connected with the city schools for twenty years and upwards. Those engaged in the high school besides the principal are : A. W. Phelps, teacher of Latin and Greek ; Miss Elizabeth Waters, geometry, English history and Eng- lish literature; F. L. Abbott, natural sciences ; Miss Emma D. Everdell, algebra, sentential analysis and English composition; and Miss Elizabeth A. Eastman, bookkeeping, stenography and algebra.
T
LINCOLN SCHOOL, FOND DU LAC
353
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
While Fond du Lac can honestly boast of an excellent school system and an excellent corps of teachers, its citizens carefully avoid calling attention to its schoolhouses, aside from the high and First street buildings. But a strong and earnest movement is already under way, having for its purpose the division of the city into five or six districts and the construction of as many handsome, comfort- able and thoroughly equipped schoolhouses. The world's fair year will un- doubtedly see two of these buildings in process of construction. Transeat in reali- tatem.
The above article was written in 1893, by Edward McLoughlin, superintend- ent of the Fond du Lac schools at that time, and covers the subject concisely and accurately. The article below was prepared by L. A. Williams, one of the suc- ceeding superintendents, who became thoroughly familiar with the schools during his seven years' management of them.
Early in the year 1894 the citizens of Fond du Lac awoke to a realizing sense of the importance of improving the conditions of school buildings and extending school opportunities in the city. An active campaign was inaugurated, which found its way into local politics, making better school buildings, improved courses of study and high standard of qualifications for teachers, the issues. As a result of this campaign a common council was elected, pledged to the selection of a board of education which would carry out the purposes declared as real issues in the campaign. Mayor E. E. Atkins in his inaugural address to the common coun- cil declared : "that he could not too forcibly call the attention of the council to the subject of our common schools, of the shabby, unhealthy and illy ventilated con- ditions of many of our school buildings-too many altogether for the fair name and fame of our beautiful city."
Immediately upon the organization of the new board of education the question of centralizing the school districts and building new schoolhouses was taken up. A site was purchased, and Allen D. Conover, an architect of Madison, Wiscon- sin, was selected to prepare plans for an eight-room school building, to be erected on the site purchased by the board of education on Union street. Dr. Edward McLoughlin, who had held the position of city superintendent of schools and principal of the high school for a period of two years, retired and accepted a very responsible and lucrative position in the city schools of Chicago. The board of education immediately took steps to elect his successor, and after considerable investigation and visitation throughout the state, selected L. A. Williams, of Madi- son, Wisconsin, as superintendent of city schools and principal of the high school. Mr. Williams moved to Fond du Lac in August, 1894, and began his work in conection with the public-school system of Fond du Lac.
The work of constructing the new building was pushed forward very rapidly and the building was completed and ready for occupancy at the opening of the winter term, in January, 1905. This building cost $13,583. At the time the Union school was completed the city of Fond du Lac had the following school buildings : High school, First street school, Second street school, Marr street school, Cotton street school, Grant street school. Ruggles street school, Cherry street school, Rees street school, Walnut street school, Sibley street school, Clin- ton street school, Amory street school, Doty street school. Fifth street school and Hickory street school; all being small wooden buildings, with the exception of the First street and the high-school buildings.
Vol. I-23
354
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
At the opening of the Union school, in January, 1905, with Mary Nugent as principal, the schools located at Ruggles street and Cherry street were abandoned for school purposes, although a night school was organized in the year 1895, and the sessions were held three times a week in the evening at Ruggles street school building, under the direction of the superintendent of schools, assisted by D. O. Williams and Miss Minnie De Sombre. This night school was opened January 7, 1895, and continued until April 25th of the same year. Instruction was given in the common branches, including reading, grammar, arithmetic, writing and spelling. The school was made up of pupils who worked in stores, factories and shops. It was difficult to classify the school according to grades, and much indi- vidual work had to be done. This school was continued for two years under the supervision of the board of education and the direction of the city superintendent of schools, and much good was accomplished through these night schools. The plan was abandoned after that for the reason that it required too much time for supervision, and the board did not feel justified in expending the amount of money required to maintain the same. With the opening of the schools in 1904, a system of kindergarten work was put in operation, this being the first attempt to do anything of this kind in the public schools of this city. Miss Rispah Harri- man, a trained kindergarten teacher, was secured by the board of education to carry out this work. The first public kindergarten was opened at the First street school building, and President F. M. Givens, in his report to the board of educa- tion, has this to say of the work: "I am pleased to say that it has proven a great success and is fully endorsed by our people. I would recommend that as soon as practicable additional kindergartens be opened in order to accommodate chil- dren in all parts of the city."
The demand for kindergarten schools sprang up all over the city and the board of education used its best effort to comply with the request for additional schools. Another was opened at Doty street and Miss Edith Merrick was selected as director of the work. As fast as new buildings were erected in the city, pro- vision was made to open kindergarten schools. The system of instruction became popular and very much in demand, and today Fond du Lac city has one of the best equipped systems of kindergartens of any city in the state of Wisconsin. Miss Laura Denman was selected, on the resignation of Miss Harriman, to su- pervise all of the kindergarten schools of the city. She served in that capacity for two years, when it was decided by the board of education to give up the general supervision of kindergartens and hold each director responsible for the work in her building, and all kindergarten directors were required to present. diplomas from credited kindergarten schools before being awarded positions.
In addition to the establishment of kindergarten schools in the city, the board of education took up the subject of drawing and music, these two important branches never having had a place in the public schools of this city prior to 1894. Miss Anna Talbot was secured for the position of director of music and draw- ing. She began her work in the public schools in September, 1894, and continued until January, when she tendered her resignation, which was accepted by the board of education. Miss Laurene Corbin, of Union City, Michigan, was selected to take her place of supervisor of music and drawing and began her work in January, 1895, continuing in that position for the remainder of that year and through the year of 1896, assisted by Miss Elouise Kent, when the board recog-
GRANT SCHOOL, FOND DU LAC
355
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
nized the fact that the work of both departments was too much for one super- visor, and drawing and music were separated, Miss Corbin continuing to have charge of the music, and Miss Emily Weaver, of New York, was selected as di- rector of drawing. Miss Weaver was a teacher of large experience and well qualified for her duties. She laid a broad foundation for this work in our public schools and achieved fine results.
The high-school building, although a substantial and imposing structure, was poorly arranged for school purposes and many changes were made in the build- ing to accommodate the increasing demands. The attendance began to increase very rapidly in the high school, necessitating upon the board of education the use of great care in the selection of teachers for high-school work and requiring the highest qualifications. As a result of this policy, teachers from the best col- leges and universities in the country were secured. The standard of the high school was greatly raised and the graduating classes increased in numbers each year. The board of education, recognizing the importance of qualification of teachers, passed a rule requiring all teachers, after a certain time, to present diplomas from normal schools before they could become eligible to positions as teachers in our public schools. By adopting this policy the teaching force was greatly improved and soon attained a very high standard. The work of centraliz- ing the schools by the erection of new and large buildings went on as rapidly as the funds of the city would permit. In 1896 a twelve-room school building was erected on Doty street, taking the place of Cotton street school, Sibley street school and Amory. This building was erected at a cost of $20,000 and was designed by Allen D. Conover, architect of the Union building. The same year the board erected the Lincoln school on Forest avenue-a beautiful four-room building, designed by J. W. T. Jennings, of Madison. This building was erected at a cost of $9,000 and was opened for school purposes in the year 1897, with Miss Emma Burrows as principal. Washington school was also opened the same year with Kenneth Brewer as principal.
The policy of building new and large school buildings was adopted by each succeeding board of education and the plan met with the hearty approval of the citizens of Fond du Lac. The next buildings to be constructed were Jefferson and Grant schools, the former a ten-room structure located near the site of the old Grant street school. This building was constructed at a cost of $22,075 and opened for school purposes in January, 1901, with Miss Elizabeth Nugent as prin- cipal. Grant school was constructed on the site of the old Marr street building and was opened for school purposes about the same time. This is a four-room. building, and the first principal was Miss Etta Gault. The building was con- structed at a cost of $9,190. The architects of both the Jefferson and Grant schools were Van Ryn & De Gelleke, of Milwaukee.
The next buildings to be constructed were the Mckinley school, located upon the site of the old Amory street school, at a cost of $19,000. Miss Bridget Crowe was the first principal, and Geogerson & Pillsbury were the architects. Then fol- lowed the erection of the fine school building in the southwestern part of the city known as the Franklin school. The need of a school building in this section of the city had long been apparent to the city officials, as that part of the city was cut off from school facilities by reason of the railroads and the river. The archi- tect of this building was Robert Messmer, and the cost was $19,900.
356
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
The next building constructed was located on Scott street, known as the Cleveland school, at a cost of $15,000. This is a beautiful four-room building, and plans were prepared by J. E. Hennen. Miss Bertha Saak was the first prin- cipal of the school. With the completion of the Cleveland school nearly every section of the city was provided with up-to-date, sanitary school buildings, special attention being given to heating, light and sanitary conditions. At the present time but two of the old buildings remain in the city to remind former residents of the character of the early day schoolhouse.
The increased attendance at the high school made it necessary to take steps to either enlarge the old building or build new. The board of education finally adopted a plan of reconstructing the old building and putting on substantial addi- tions. This work was completed and the building ready for occupancy in the winter of 1910. The east wing of this building has not as yet been constructed but plans are worked out so that the same can be erected when the occasion demands. With the completion of the east wing Fond du Lac will have a very large and finely equipped high-school building.
The old plan of naming the school buildings for streets was abandoned by the board of education upon the erection of the first new building, and thereafter as. fast as buildings were completed they were named after prominent characters in history, following the line of presidents as far as practicable.
During the year 1897 the board of education, through the superintendent, began to agitate the importance of adopting manual training and domestic science in the public schools of the city. The matter was given considerable study and the whole scheme was presented to the state department of public instruction. W. H. Chandler, then assistant superintendent of public instruction, visited Fond du Lac and met the board of education and many of our interested citizens rela- tive to taking up this work. Mr. Chandler pledged state aid as far as possible in carrying out this scheme. As a result of this conference the Gurney Refrigerator Company of this city promised to equip a room in the high-school building with carpenter's benches, and Henry Boyle, one of our generous hearted citizens, agreed to furnish the tools sufficient to begin the work of manual training. A. D. Werner, a local architect, was engaged to supervise the work in manual training, and in this way a start was made in this important branch. Soon after work in domestic science was taken up under the supervisorship of Miss Emma Conley. Miss Emily Weaver, who had formerly been the superintendent of drawing in the public schools, was invited by the board of education to take up the work of drawing and sewing, and after an absence of a year and a half she returned to the public schools of Fond du Lac to assume the supervisorship of these two important branches, and under the careful supervision of Misses Conley and Weaver the work progressed very rapidly.
The board soon discovered, that in order to make the manual training a suc- cess, it was necessary to secure the services of a trained instructor along this line, and James Farris, a graduate of the State University, was secured to take charge of this work, which he did for one year, placing the same on a sound foundation. Thus, from small beginnings, the work of manual training and domestic science has developed into important and necessary places in our public-school system. The plan of extending this work through the grades has finally been perfected
MCKINLEY SCHOOL, FOND DU LAC
357
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
and the board of education has made arrangements to install manual training and domestic science in the grades below the high school.
Fond du Lac, like all cities, has a number of children who are incapacitated from attending the regular day schools, by reason of defective hearing and lack of speech. In 1896 six of these unfortunate children were residing in this city and the board of education under the authority granted by the state, opened a school for the purpose of giving special instruction to the deaf mutes. Miss Anna Sullivan, an expert teacher of the deaf, was placed in charge of the work. This school has proven a valuable adjunct to the educational work in this city and continues to form a part of our educational system.
With the location of the railroad shops in Fond du Lac the population increased very rapidly, necessitating extra school facilities and many school rooms were required to accommodate the pupils, and we are proud to say that the educational growth of the city kept pace with the industrial development. The people demanded good school buildings, the most approved systems of education and the best equipped teachers that could be found. With this liberal policy towards school matters the city of Fond du Lac has attained a very enviable position among the cities of the state in matters of education. Good salaries are paid and the best qualified and equipped teachers are secured. The results attained certainly warrant the policy of liberality in educational matters.
The old policy of combining the city superintendent of schools and the prin- cipal of the high school in one person and requiring him to be responsible for the work of both departments was abandoned in 1898 and the two offices were sep- arated. Up to this time Mr. Williams had been both principal of the high school and city superintendent of schools. The rapid growth of the high school and the increased work of supervision, made necessary by larger schools and special lines of work, made it impossible for one person to do justice to both departments. A. R. Hager, a graduate of the State University, was selected as principal of the high school and began his duties in September, 1898. He was obliged to resign his position in the middle of the year on account of poor health, which materially affected his eyesight. Mr. Hager was a fine scholar and a most estimable gentle- man, and during his short stay in the city of Fond du Lac made many friends and left an impress upon the high school not to be forgotten. Upon his resigna- tion, the board of education, upon the recommendation of the city superintendent, promoted Miss Elizabeth Waters from the position of assistant principal to that of principal of the high school. Miss Waters is a graduate of the State Univer- sity and had been connected with educational work for some years, having taught in Minneapolis, and for seven years had been teacher of German and English literature in the high school of Fond du Lac. Miss Waters' strong personality and cheerful disposition endeared her to all of the pupils of the high school and with her fine preparation and natural abilities, she made one of the strongest principals in connection with the Fond du Lac high school. Soon after she accepted the principalship of the high school, the attendance increased very rap- idly and the work and responsibility of so large a school were greater than Miss Waters cared to assume and after several years as principal she voluntarily gave up the work and accepted her old position as teacher of German, which she still continues to hold. Miss Waters is a great student, using every means to advance herself in her chosen profession. She has spent two summers abroad in study
358
IHISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
and research, coming back to her school work with new information and inspira- tion for her pupils. 1. O. Hubbard, a graduate of the State University, and principal of the Grand Rapids high school, of this state, was selected as Miss Waters' successor, and still holds the responsible position. Mr. Hubbard is giv- ing excellent satisfaction in his work.
The high school of Fond du Lac has had many strong and able teachers, all of whom have acquitted themselves with credit and left a lasting impression upon their pupils. It is impossible in a sketch of this length to specialize to any extent. but the writer feels that recognition should here be made of the long and faith- ful service of Miss Emma Everdell in connection with the public and high schools of this city. For over thirty years Miss Everdell labored faithfully to instruct the pupils who came to her department. She always did her work well and dis- played great interest in her pupils. She was thorough in all she did and the pupils who came under her instruction learned things they never forgot. No teacher in the history of the high school of Fond du Lac ever served so long and so faithfully as did Miss Everdell. She finally gave up her work on account of impaired eye- sight and failing health. Too much cannot be said in praise of such teachers who devote their lives and energies for others and, were it not for the fact that they find recompense in having helped others in the struggle of life, they might not feel fully repaid for their efforts.
In 1901 L. A. Williams, who had served in the capacity of city superintendent of schools for seven years, resigned his position to take up the practice of law in the city of Fond du Lac. The board of education selected Myron E. Keats as his successor. Mr. Keats, who had formerly held the position of county super- intendent of schools in Fond du Lac county, had his preparation in the Whitewater State Normal School and supplemented the same by study and practical experience in teaching. He held the position for one year and was followed by William Wil- son, who had held the position of teacher of mathematics and physics in the high school for a period of five years. Mr. Wilson is a graduate of the Chicago high school and Beloit college. His first experience in teaching was in the high school at Fond du Lac. Mr. Wilson proved to be a young, wide-awake educator. He grasped the situation quickly and entered upon the discharge of his duties well equipped for the responsible position. The progress of the schools under Mr. Wilson's administration kept pace with that of his predecessors. He had a strong desire to enter the business world, for which he was especially adapted, and . finally gave up the position of city superintendent of schools, after holding the same for a period of seven years, and entered the insurance business, where he has made a great success.
The board of education then selected Thomas Lloyd Jones, principal of schools at Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, to succeed Mr. Wilson. Mr. Jones is a grad- uate of the State University and is regarded as one of the strongest educa- tional men in the state of Wisconsin. He was fearless and progressive along all lines. He brought to his position training, experience and equipment rarely seen in a teacher. He immediately made himself felt in connection with our school system. He emphasized the importance of thorough organiza- tion, business methods and economy. He demanded a high standard of quali- fication and insisted upon right relations between teachers and pupils and in- sisted that the homes should work with the schools in furthering the interests
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.