History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 135

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168

USA > Wisconsin > Green County > History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 135

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).

960

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

tions, and commit them to writing, which must be in good, clear, lucid, correct English. The school child of twenty years ago, could not indite a correct sentence, could not put its lesson upon slate or paper, but behold the trans- formation! Many a child now can, and does present every day, his lesson clearly, freely and artistically expressed upon slate or paper, as required. This change has been brought about by a system of language lessons and teaching that cannot well be described; if any reader be inclined to be a skeptic, he is most cordially and earnestly invited to visit some of our public or mixed schools, and observe for himself. I have thus singled out language to illustrate the tidal wave that has been moving onward in our system of education. I might have taken his- tory, arithmetic or philosophy, but let the above presentation of the method of teaching lan- guage suffice for all. The yoemanry and peas- ants of education have not accepted the really improved methods in spelling; we are in immi- nent danger of being thrown back and of los- ing all vantage ground gained. The land is full of spelling books, the product of some morbid octogenarian mind, or the very unostentatious book of some "very nice school master." The second year in high school contains some very fine studies both for mental discipline and in- tellectual culture; the ologies here make their first appearance, only to be emphasized through the two following years.

Some regard the study of the ancient classics as a mooted question, thinking the study of our own tongue sufficient to secure a liberal education to the rising generation. The opponents of the study of the Latin and Greek in our schools may be classified under two heads: 1st. Those who have never studied these languages, whether from accident or choice matters not; 2d. Those who have had more or less experience in their study, but from various causes utterly failed to accomplish their supposed purpose. It would be a difficult thing to-day to find a cultured

scholar of the classic school who would ac- knowledge that the study of either of the great classics is a failure; and surely, the judgment of one less qualified to speak, would be most empatically worthless, though harmful. Those pupils who graduate from our High School, having the drill and discipline of the classics, are by far stronger intellectually than those who receive the common English training. The classicals also make the better teachers in our schools. The pupil who accomplishes the course prescribed for the second year comes to the third year pretty well prepared to master its problems. There are in this year experimental as well as objective studies; physics and chem- istry, being experimental, are more than coun- terbalanced by botany, a delightful and alto- gether objective study. The senior year, or fourth year of the course, is given up to Eng- lish literature, moral philosophy, general his- tory and political economy; at least these are the leading studies. The training the pupil gets from these last named studies is of incalculable worth. His experiments in physics and chem- istry are well calculated to train him to close, careful, thoughtful investigation of the momen- tous problems of his responsible life. English literature must, if it do not awaken a taste for higher literature, develop his already feeble taste and strengthen it for accurate and exhaust- ive research in the realm of letters, pure, spot- less. The valueless must give place to the best, the hurtful to the invigorating, trash to sense, and all that is ephemeral to history, philosophy and jurisprudence. The course in the classics is not outlined, but consists of a thorough train- ing in the grammar, reader, Cæsar, Cicero and Virgil. The course in Greek is optional, em- bracing only two years' time. The grammar, reader, Xenophon, Euripides and Homer's Iliad constitute the course. Our high school gradu- ates are admitted to all the courses of the uni- versity, provided they take our classical course. They are admitted to the university as fol-

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

961

lows (without examination): To the classical, both ancient and modern; to the scientific, to any special course. We deem this a great privilege, and one which our graduates feel sworn not to betray. The most of our grad- uates are admitted to advanced standing at the university, and many of them have received first honors at graduation from the scientific and classical courses of the university. So exactly is this the case to enter the university from the Monroe High School, is to enter with high honor and standing.

COURSE OF STUDY.

FOURTH CLASS.

Classical.

English.

Spring Term

Arithmetic, English Grammar, Geography. Reading.

Arithmetic, English Grammar.

Geography, ( Reading.

Fall Term ...

Arithmetic. English Grammar,

Arithmetic, English Grammar,

Physical Geography, } Physical Geography, Reading,

{ Reading.

Winter Term {

Physical Geography, } Physical Geography, Reading. ( Reading.

THIRD CLASS.

Classical.

English.

Spring Term -

( Algebra, Latin,

Algebra, Physiology,

U. S. History.

( U. S. History.

Algebra,

Fall Term ...

Latin,

Algebra, Physiology,

U. S. History.

( U. S. History.

Algebra,

WinterTerm - Latin,

(Physics.

Algebra, Physies, (English History.

JUNIOR CLASS.

Spring Term

Botany, ₹ Physics, ( Latin.

Botany, Physics,

History of England.

Fall Term ...

Plane Geometry, Book Keeping, Latin.

Plane Geometry, Book Keeping, ( Science of Governm't.

Winter Term -

Plane Geometry, Rhetoric, Latin.

Plane Geometry,

Rhetoric, ( Chemistry .

SENIOR YEAR.

Solid Geometry,

Spring Term - English Literature, Latin.

- Solid Geometry, English Literature, ( Chemistry.

Fall Term ..

General History, Political Economy, Latin.

( General History, Political Economy, ( Trigonometry.

Winter Term < Moral Science, Latin.

( General History, Moral Seience, { Trigonometry.

Final spring term, Seniors will review selected studies.

German and Greek optional, German after first, and Greek after second year.

Spelling and English Composition general exercises throughout the course.

The following is the programme of studies:

SPRING TERM.

Fourth Class .- Arithmetic, English Grammar, Geography, Reading.

Third Class .- Algebra, Latin, Physiology, U. S. History. Junior Class .- Botany, Latin, Physics, English History.

Senior Class .- Solid Geometry, Latin, English Literature, Chemistry.

FALL TERM.

Fourth Class .- Arithmetic, English Grammar, Physical Geog- raphy, Reading.

Third Class .- Algebra, Latin, Physiology, U. S. History. Junior Class .- Plane Geometry, Latin, Book Keeping, Science of Government.

Senior Class .- General History, Latin, Political Economy, Plane Trigonometry.

WINTER TERM.

Fourth Class .- Algebra, English Grammar, Physical Geog- raphy, Reading.

Third Class .- Algebra, Physies, Latin, English History. Junior Class .- Plane Geometry, Latin, Chemistry, Rhetoric. Senior Class .- General History, Latin, Spherical Trigonom- etry, Moral Science.

(Spelling and English Composition, general exercises throughout the year. German and Greek optional.)

CONCLUSION.

The people of Monroe have toiled without ceasing, have waited for long weary years that they might have a school in which to educate their children ; they now feel they have not waited in vain. The public school as it now exists, has grown from a mere nucleus to a school of the first rank. The opponents of the " high school system" are usually, 1st, the bigoted and ignorant ; 2d, the educated who are personally interested in some private school, or those too intent on present money making to assist in public improvements, especially when they demand any outlay of public money. There is still another element that quite fre- quently presents itself, the demagogue, who, for political or other reasons, usually local, harangue the dear people, and stir them up to oppose the unjust school tax. We can say without any fear of successful refutation, Monroe has never been cursed by the blasting influences from any of these antagonistic agencies. The people one and all have always heartily supported their schools. Very soon after the schools were graded, the school board were fortunate in se- curing the service of distinguished educators as principals, assisted by a corps of competent teachers. I may be pardoned for mentioning the names of the gentlemen who have been in-

Algebra, English Grammar,

[ Algebra,

English Grammar,

( General History,

962

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

strumental as principals, in bringing the schools up to so high a standard of perfection.

E. E. Woodman, widely and favorably known, since leaving the schools, as a civil engineer and editor, was a teacher of fine ability. We think he succeeded Prof. W. D. Parker, now president of the River Falls Normal Schools. Prof. Parker is one of those aggressive educa- tors, who continually push on toward the light seen in advance. His executive ability is of the highest order, akin to that so often found in the discipline of the regular army. In rank, he stands at the head of his profession; many in- ferior to him, but few, if any, his equal.

Prof. R. W. Burton, now of the Janesville public schools, can also be put down as one of the very foremost educators in our public schools. In him the Monroe public schools had a thorough disciplinarian, a gentleman of culture, and a teacher of undoubted integrity. Bold, even to rashness, he ruled so that no rogue could ever say "I beat the professor." His pupils had great respect for him, because of his real manliness and unflinching courage, his per- severence and courtly manner.

Last, but not least, of this brace of four prin- cipals, is Prof. B. M. Reynolds. A New Eng- lander by birth, he imbibed that almost sacred Puritan system of discipline, not of the Con- necticut blue law stripe, but of that noble out- spoken kind that sends terror to the hearts of rogues, and conviction to the heart of the hon-

est and deserving pupil. His will is unconquer- able, his heart as tender as a child's, his purpose as fixed as the "rock-ribbed hills," yet discour- tesy is a word not known to his vocabulary. Untiring in industry, every teacher in his corps knows that under Prof. Reynolds, she must con- sider work as of the first importance. In his every day discipline he is strict to severity, exact- ing to the least minutiæ; stern, withoutsmile or blanching cheek, he compels obedience by his frowns, wit, biting sarcasm, or stinging rebukes; he reduces irrepressibles by testing the stitches in their coat collars. Thus firm and resolute,

he carries all by storm ; his pupils recognize in him a model worthy of imitation. Although Prof. Reynolds remained in the public schools of Monroe but one year, he left impressions for good that will long remain. These impressions are amongst us to-day to aid us in our work, to strenghen our efforts. We think his work did more to unify the schools of our city than any other influence wielded in their behalf. The writer of this article followed Prof. Rey- nolds in 1873, and has had charge of the schools since that time June, (1884.)

A. C. Dodge, a gentleman of high standing in the community, and well and favorably known in this State for his lofty public spirit, has been president of the board of education for a great many years, and by his tact and ability, aided always by a full corps of six members, made up of the best citizens of Monroe, has contributed very much to the present prosperous state of the public schools.

I have always been assisted and sustained by my corps of teachers, by the board of education, and by the good people of our city in my school labors. This assistance, though unsought, has come to me while surrounded by toil, trial and perplexity, to cheer me on, to sustain my feeble efforts and to supplement a needed want. Of the many teachers who have aided me so effectively, I might, iu justice, say very much; they have been constant, untiring, patient, enduring. Their number is not legion, for a very wise policy has been pursued by the board; teachers have held their positions not by favor, but purely by merit. Our teachers, with but one exception, are high school graduates, all having received diplomas from the High School during the past eleven years, except two, who graduated previous to 1873. The question, "can I have my place next year," is rarely ever heard here; the ques- tion "do you desire to remain another year," has completely displaced it. We regard this as a wise policy and cannot fail of bringing in its train blessings untold for the schools. We have been most effectively aided, too, by the

963

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

county superintendents; here, too, the people of Green county have been both felicitous and wise. During the past eleven years we have had but two different persons elected to the office. I say for the last eleven years, I might extend the time still further back and still speak the truth. D. H. Morgan and T. C. Rich- mond are the two gentlemen referred to. Mr. Morgan was succeeded by Mr. Richmond who held the office one or two terms, I do not re- member which, and he in turn was succeeded by Mr. Morgan, who still holds the office. Mr. Richmond is a gentleman of most approved manners and a scholar of acknowledged ability. While in office, he labored with zeal and assid- uity, never flagging but always renewing and redoubling his best efforts to advance the cause of education in the whole county. I am largely indebted to him for strong support and scholar- ly advice in my arduous labors. We regretted his determination to leave the school work for a different field of labor. Since leaving the edu- cational field he has graduated from the law de- partment of our State University, has been a student of "Old Harvard," and has now a law office in the city of Madison. He has made for himself a name coveted by many, in the oratori- cal field, pleading for prohibition, and demand- ing that the most wicked of all things, "Rum" shall be banished from our midst.

Mr. Richmond was succeeded in the superin- tendency by the man whom he succeeded, D. H. Morgan. My poor words must surely fail to express the deep feeling of regard that the peo- ple of Green county hold, in both heart and memory, for her most popular educator and cit- izen. Nor have the people of this county de- ceived themselves in this respect; nobly has he responded, and nobly does he continue to do so. To see Mr. Morgan, is sufficient; he expresses in his every look, word, act, his genuine honesty, his upright integrity, his unquenchable love of of justice. His education was academic, hence exact, thorough, practical; now past middle life, he has gleaned from every golden educational

harvest, for years, sheaves heavy with wisdom, fraught with knowledge and full of the bread for the intellect. Modest, yet unflinching in dnty; inclined to reticence, yet eloquent when duty calls him to the front, for actual and needed service, although timid almost to a loss of self possession, yet bold, aggressive and per- severing beyond all expectation, when the bugle blast of duty sounds the advance. His sensitive nature is most prominent, yet self is the last thought; dnty, the sublime cause of education, and his friends receive his most untiring efforts, his every careful thought, feeling and purpose. There is no man in Green county, to whom the county owes deeper and more lasting gratitude. He has not wrought for self; while others work to increase the amount of stock, the number of bushels of grain; have added acres to their es- tate, thousands to their bank account, Mr. Mor- gan has labored to exalt the happiness of every home, by educating the heart and intellect of its members. His work is a work that tells for the future, not for the present, and knowing him and his work so well, I can safely say that long after he has resigned all, his office and its duties to his successor, his soul to God, he will be most blessed by his fellows. Strictly temperate in all his acts, no one will ever have opportunity to learn from him anght but sobriety. Aside from his school work, he is a valued and valuable member of the community; no man is better or more favorably known in "Sylvester," than he; the sick, the poor, the unfortunate, the needy; whether it be of advice or aught else, ask him, freely for relief, it is bestowed as freely, for Mr. Morgan knows full well the intrinsic worth of the old maxim, "He who gives quickly, gives twice."

THE CHURCHILL SCHOOL ..

The pupils and teachers of the first ward were made happy in February, 1884, by the occu- pancy of the new building called the Churchill building, in honor of Norman Churchill a mem- ber of the board of education, a mechanic, ma- chinist, and an appointee of the board to super-

964

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

intend the erection of the building. The en- tire board are deserving of great credit for the excellent building with its unique appointments. The building is two stories high, with a base- ment containing three large furnaces. There are six school rooms, ample as to size and conven- ience. According to the last school census, the number of boys and girls were about equal, the whole number being 1,400 of school age. Of these at least 1,200 attend school during the year.

CORPS OF TEACHERS IN 1883 AND 1884.

Assistants in High School-L. S. Hulburt and Mary Dunwiddie.

First Grammar-Emma Van Wagenen and Anna Sheehan.

Second Grammar - Cora Corson, Nan. C. Hawes, Jennie Carpenter and Mrs. Alice L. Weirich.

Second Primary-Sadie Willey, Clara A. Pe- ters and Julia B. South.

First Primary-Flora Wood, Mary Isley, Car- rie Pinney, Lily Wells and Addie Caughey.

N. C. Twining, Principal.

The following are the members of the board of education, for 1884: A. C. Dodge, president; S. W. Abbott, clerk; A. W. Goddard, treasurer; Hon. John Bolender, Hon. John Luchsinger, S. C. Cheny and N. Churchill.

PROMINENT CITIZENS.

The following named citizens are representa- tives of the character and enterprise of the population of the city of Monroe.

quainted. Here the subject of our sketch grew to manhood, and was married Oct. 17, 1808, to Elizabeth Burton. She was born in Virginia, Jan. 3, 1788. He bought thirty-six acres of land in Garrett county, and lived there until 1816, then emigrated to Indiana, and set- tled in Jennings county, where they were pio- neers. He bought government land five miles northwest of Vernon, the county seat, and built a log cabin, into which the family moved before the doors or windows were put in. This was their home until 1824. During that year a mail route was established from Indianapolis to Lawrenceburg, and he having secured the con- tract, removed to Indianapolis. He carried the mail six years, always on horseback. His

horse was his boat in high water and his bridge in low water. When the water was so high that the horse was obliged to swim, Mr. Evans would throw the mail sacks over his shoulders and hold the straps with his teeth. While car- rying the mail he had bought eighty acres of timber land, a half mile from the northeast cor- ner of the plat of the village of Indianapolis. He settled on that land in 1830, and lived there two years, then sold and moved to Parish Grove, or the lost land, as it was then called, twenty miles west of Indianapolis. The fol- lowing year the land there came into market, and he bought 120 acres and lived there until 1840. He had sold the land in 1839, and in- vested the money in live stock, and in 1840 started with a drove of stock for the north west. As he traveled along, he was looking for a good place to settle, but did not find a suitable loca- tion until he arrived in Green county. He had sold all his stock in Illinois. He purchased 160 acres of land in the town of Clarno. The fol- lowing year he bought forty acres that cornered his first purchase. He lived there twelve years, then came to Monroe and bought twenty-two acres of land, that he laid out into town lots and made it an addition to the village of Mon- roe. He lived here until 1868, then sold and

Enoch Evans, the oldest person living in Green county, was born in Stokes Co., N. C., Oct. 27, 1788. When he was in his fifth year, his parents with a colony of about sixty fami- lies, emigrated to Kentucky. They made the journey through the wilderness with horses, carrying their goods on the backs of the ani- mals. They spent about a year at Boone Sta- tion. His father then bought government land in Garrett county, which was in the vicinity of the home of Daniel Boone, with whom the subject of our sketch was well ac- moved to West Virginia and bought two lots

965

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

in Charleston, built a house and lived there three and a half years, then returned to Green county and lived for a time in Monticello and Brodhead. His home is now with his son, Wil- liam, in Monroe. In 1875 he met an irreparable loss in the death of his wife, which occurred July 9, of that year. There were eleven chil- dren born to them, four of which are now liv- ing-Thursey, now the wife of William Car- son, lives in Missouri; Elijah lives in Nebraska; Elisha lives in Charleston, W. Va., and Wil- liam, who lives in Monroe. Mr. Evans was county treasurer in Jasper Co., Ind., and also postmaster there. He has been a member of the M. E. Church for seventy-one years, having joined in 1813. Now in his ninety-sixth year, he enjoys very good health and retains his men- tal faculties in a remarkable degree.

Joseph Kelley was born in Pike Co., Ohio. When a boy, he went to Indiana, where he re- mained until 1835. He then came to Green county. He was a bold, daring man, without fear for anything, and accumulated a large property. He was for many years among the mountains in California. In 1856, he went to Charles City, Iowa, where he at present resides. He owned the site and was. the founder of Charles City.

Thomas L. Wells, one of the pioneers of the town of Clarno, was born in Muskingham Co., Ohio, April 2, 1830. When he was five years old his parents came to Wisconsin and located in Green county. He attended school in a rude log cabin, with a puncheon floor, slab seats and windows made of greased paper. There were many Indians in the county at that time, and the settlers were often frightened by them. On Jan. 14, 1856, he was married to Mary A. Niffenegger. Five children blessed this union- Sarah Etta, born Nov. 7, 1856, and died Dec. 19, 1863 ; William F., born Sept. 8, 1860 ; Lil- lie A., born Dec. 31, 1862; Henry E., born Jan. 9, 1867, and Rosetta, born March 16, 1870. When Mr .. Wells came to Green county, there

was not a house upon the site of the present city of Monroe.

Peter Wells, who settled in the town of Clarno in 1835, is a native of Muskingum Co., Ohio, born in November, 1814, son of Mathew and Sarah (Beard) Wells, who settled in Ver- milion Co., Ind., in 1828, and came to Wiscon- sin in 1836, then a Territory, and took up land in Green county, removing to Fayette Co., Iowa, in 1848, where they remained until their death, which occurred in 1854. William, one of the boys, was the founder of "West Union." Peter came west with his parents. He was married in Indiana to Jane Bowman in 1834. They had eleven children, six of whom are now living- Charles, Adeline, Matthew, Thomas B., Catha- rine and Joshua. In February, 1853, Mrs. Wells died. She was a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Wells came to this county a poor man, but by industry, hard work and good judgment, he has accumulated property, until he is among the wealthy business men of the county. At one time he was the owner of 1,000 acres of land, but has divided it up among his children.

Alpheus DeHaven, one of the earliest settlers of the county, was born in Montgomery Co., Penn., Oct. 22, 1800. His parents were John and Mary (Supplee) DeHaven, and they had ten children, six sons and four daughters. Al- pheus, the subject of this sketch, when seven- teen years old, was apprenticed to the trade of carpenter and joiner. After learning this trade he worked and traveled in several States, among other places, he went to New Orleans, and while on a trip up the Mississippi, was on the boat Helen Mc Gregor, which blew up at Mem- phis. In 1828 he went to Cincinnati and en- gaged in the lumber trade, and was also a con- tractor and builder, which he followed for some time. In 1832, he was married to Diadama Tillotson, by whom there were four children, one of whom is now living-Stephen B., re- siding in Missouri. Mrs. DeHaven died May

966

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

3, 1840. She was a member of the M. E. Church, a sincere Christian, and highly re- spected in the community where she lived. In June, 1841, he was again married to Elizabeth Hawley, by whom he had eight children, six now living-Olive, wife of Dr. F. W. Byers, of Monroe ; Wesley W., Willard G., Laura E., wife of M. P. Maine ; Martha Alice, now Mrs. Charles Stoneman, and George W. His second wife died in April, 1860. She was also a mem- ber of the M. E. Church. In October, 1860, he was again married to Mrs. M. P. Maine nee Sarah Drummond, whose parents died when she was a child, and she was brought up by an uncle, and in 1837, was married to M. P. Maine. There were three children by this union, all of whom are now living-Frances C., now Mrs. A. B. Webber, of Lawrence, Kansas; Mortimer P. and Orville B. In April, 1836, Mr. DeHaven came to Green county and settled in what is now the town of Clarno, but then an unorgan- ized territory, and engaged in farming. In February, 1877, he came to Monroe, where he has since resided. He is one of the leading members of the M. E. Church, and the present class leader. He is one of the oldest Odd Fel- low's in the west. He was initiated in Penn- sylvania Lodge No. 1, of Philadelphia, in 1824, and assisted in organizing the first Odd Fel- low's lodge in the State of Ohio, namely-Ohio No. 1, of Cincinnati. He is now an honorary member of Monroe Lodge No. 72, of this city.

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.

History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 135

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168