USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume I > Part 61
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 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
"The Second, Ninth and Sixth Ward schools were the exemplars in Ger- man teaching proficiency. Principals Lan, Hillmantel and Wahl took charge of the work, and German in their hands attained a high rank of proficiency. In the English speaking schools German made but slow progress, especially among English-speaking children. In a few instances individual pupils of the latter class mastered the power to speak and write the German language.
During the World war German was abolished as a study in the schools.
The City Schools in the Nineties .- On March 1, 1892, George W. Peckham was elected superintendent of the schools to sneceed Mr. Anderson. The new superintendent had been connected with the Milwaukee schools since 1873, and from 1885 to the time of his election to the superintendeney had been principal of the high school. He brought to the office a familiarity of the city school system that he had gained during his years of experience as a teacher, as well as a high order of executive ability.
In the preparations made by the school board for an exhibit at the Ch'- cago World's Fair the proper steps were taken only ninety days before the opening. In this short time the teachers were able to prepare 100 volumes of written work. Photographs of buildings and laboratories were taken, maps and drawings from the upper grades were got together and mounted, a col- lection of kindergarten work, in which Milwaukee had always exeelled, was assembled, and when the great exposition was opened, Milwaukee was fairly well represented, considering the great haste in which the display had been arranged. Each department of the schools won an award of some kind; the high schools for excellence and improvement shown in literary and seientifie work and mechanical drawing; the elementary schools in clay modeling; also English, geography, and kindergarten work : and the volumes of pupils' work for comprehensive presentation of systems, statisties, courses of study, build- ings and practical manual training.
A Change in the Superintendency .- In 1896; 11. O. R. Siefert was elected superintendent of schools to succeed Mr. Peckham. Mr. Siefert had begun his professional career as a teacher in the parochial schools, where he taught for a number of years before he was appointed principal of the Seventh Dis- triet School in 1885.
The Polish population of Milwaukee requested the school board in 1896-7 increase the attendance and arguing that, as the German language had been
640
IHISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
to have their language taught in the public schools, claiming that it woukd made a part of the regular course of study, it was not fair to discriminate in favor of one foreign language against another. The board agreed that if it could be shown that 250 Polish children were in attendance at any public school the language would be taught in that school, but the required mumber eould not be mustered and the matter was dropped for the time being.
Mr. Carroll G. Pearse was elected superintendent in 1904 to succeed Mr. Siefert. In 1906, the school board appropriated $480.000 for new buildings. $250,000 of which was raised by an issue of bonds. The supervising force in 1907 was composed of the superintendent, two assistants for general duty, one assistant for directing the study of German, one supervisor of music, one of manual training, and one director of physical education.
In the Sixty-first ammal report of the Board of School Directors of the City of Milwaukee, for the year ending June 30. 1920, the officers are given as follows: President, Theo. P. Esser; secretary, Frank M. Harbach : superin- tendent, Milton C. Potter: assistant superintendents, Albert E. Kagel, Frank Kroening. Harold O. Berg, and Margaret Canty.
The names of the directors of the school board are as follows: G. W. Augustyn, Mrs. Vietor L. Berger, Loyal Durand, Morris Stern, Elizabeth II. Thomas, George F. Lnehring, James II. Derse, Theodore P. Esser, Wallace Reiss, Ingo W. Schnetzky, Edward Fresehl, Gertrude Sherman, Joseph HI. Zens, Richard B. Charlton, Ida L. Schell. In 1921 llugo W. Schnetzky was made president of the board. Milton C. Potter was re-elected superintendent.
Extension of School Playgrounds .- In view of the increasing value placed on space devoted to the physical activities of school children outside the school- houses, in these days, it is interesting to find in the president's report a refer- enee to the subject. "Playground additions," he says, "are sorely needed to modernize Milwaukee schools, and to guarantee happiness and natural activity to our school children. How far Milwaukee fails of approaching the ideal of 'a block for every school,' with every school yard reaching to the eurb line on every side, is well known to Milwaukee people."
Dwelling further on this idea, the president continues: "School architects throughout the United States, Mothers' Clubs without number, the Milwaukee City Club, and many professional committees. have all of them. long ago, re- peatedly recommended that no school grounds should be used as such for build- ing purposes until the full block bounded by the eurb line on all sides shall have been secured as the premises for the proposed building. This constitutes the basic fundamental for good light. good air, good exereise, freedom from interference, assurance of not interfering with the neighborhood life of adults. and the possibility of having sufficient space for the proper distribution of playing groups according to physical conditions, grades, ages, or according to sex."
A Review of Seventeen Years .- In the course of the Sixtieth annual report of the school directors, for the year ending June 30, 1919. the retiring presi- dent, Mr. William L. Pieplow, reviewed the work of the school board for the previous seventeen years, in the following interesting passage:
"It has been my privilege to serve Milwaukee For a little more than seven-
641
THIE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
teen years as a school director, during which period there acted as superin- tendents, H. O. R. Siefert, Carroll G. Pearse, and Milton C. Potter; and as secretaries, Henry E. Legler and Frank M. Harbach. With this evening I bring to a close my career in such official capacity. During recent weeks memories clustered thiekly relative to the administration of the school system during those many years.
"When I became a member of the school board there were twenty-three directors. who represented respectively as many wards. Among my asso- eiates in those early years were some splendid men, among this number with pride I mention : A. G. Wright, Jeremiah Quin, H. H. Schwarting, Charles L. Kissling, C. S. Otjen, Charles L. Aarons, Stanley Czerwinski, August S. Linde- mann.
"The new school law of 1905 wrought a tremendous change. It brought into existence the city's famous 'twelve-membership school board,' appointed by the cirenit judges. This board was chosen from the city at large, instead of from wards or any division. The existence of this board, though short- lived, marked a period of great progress. Its membership in the majority was composed of high-minded men, who, moreover, possessed the faculty of solv- ing intricate problems quickly with understanding, thereby expediting busi- ness. There served on this board worthy of mention : J. C. Crawford, Thomas J. Neacy, Glenway Maxon, David llarlowe, William A. Arnold, Joseph Ewens, John J. Tadych, Angust S. Lindemann, C. S. Otjen.
"The school law of 1907 increased the membership from twelve to fifteen, and since that time there has been no change in the constitution of the board. During these intervening twelve years, in addition to the board's present membership, I am pleased to mention as having faithfully served the public school system, the following: Mrs. C. W. Norris, J. M. J. Keogh, J. II. Pue- licher, Duane Mowry, Emmet Richardson, Charles L. Aarons, Samuel Connell, George Luehring.
Progressive Steps .- "During these years we may rightly count as steps forward made by the past and present boards :- Introduction of Manual Train- ing in the grades; institution of instruction for the blind ; incorporation into the public school system of the trade schools for boys and girls; establish- ment of open air schools for weak and siekly children; organization of un- graded classes and of subnormal elasses; special supervision of music, draw- ing, physical training, industrial arts and primary instruction ; definite sohi- tion of the foreign language question in the grades : abolition of the organiza- tions known as 'Fraternities' and 'Sororities' in our high schools.
"The creation of the Extension department which has jurisdiction of elementary evening schools, evening high schools, summer high schools, sum- mer elementary schools, social centers and playgrounds, as well as the licensing and supervision of all street traders of the city under sixteen years of age, deserves mention. The construction of school buildings under the direct con- trol of the board; scientific methods adopted in the making of purchases ; rules adopted giving to the superintendent of the schools initiative and re- quiring his recommendation in the matter of appointment and promotion of Vol. 1-4 1
642
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
teachers and principals and also in the matter of changing textbooks, were very important measures. Changes were made from time to time in the studies taught in the grades and in the methods of teaching them. In the high schools new courses have been offered and various rearrangements and readjustments made.
"The expansion of the school system has been remarkable and the improve- ments in many respects noteworthy. 'Forward,' Wisconsin's motto, was the course followed by the directors, and that is why Milwaukee is favorably recognized educationally today. With the routine work of the system and in the meeting and solution of the many problems which arise in a school organ- ization of the size of that of Milwaukee, the individual school director must necessarily devote much time and effort. I here attest the willing service that members of this board have rendered so freely to the community."
Interesting Summaries .- In the sixty-first annual report of the school board some instructive totals are given, as follows: All expenditures for school purposes for the year ending June 30, 1920, were $3,060,745.63.
The school buildings were as follows: Six high schools, a technical high sehool, a school of trades, a school for the deaf, and sixty-five distriet sehools, making a total of seventy-four school buildings.
The present inventory value of school property (according to the report) is as follows :
Grounds $1,730,310.00
Buildings 6,943,730.00
Equipment 615,482.12
Books 93.074.95
Supplies (fuel, etc.)
263.815.40
Total
$9,6-16,412.47
According to the Federal Census Bureau the population of Milwaukee on December 31, 1920, was 464,639. (It had been announced on May 25th as 457,147.) The school board's report gives the school population of Milwaukee (four to twenty years) as 130,891, and the population subjeet to compulsory attendance under the law (seven to fourteen years) as 58,708.
The enrollment in the day sehools was as follows:
In high schools 7.250
In technical high school 831
In school of trades for girls 667
In school for the deaf 160
In elementary schools and kindergartens. 51.599
Total 63,507
643
THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Average number belonging to day schools (daily membership) :
In high schools. 6,050
In boys' technical high school. 576
In school of trades for girls 464
In school for the deaf. 134
In grammar and primary grades. 42.912
In kindergartens 6,696
Total 56,832
Average daily attendance in day schools :
In high schools. 5,789
In boys' technical high school 536
In school of trades for girls. 409
In school for the deaf. 122
In grammar and primary grades 38,596
In kindergartens 4,993
Total .50,445
Teaching Force
Principals; one for each school.
73
Teachers :
In high schools 259
" In school of trades for girls. 32
In boys' technical high school. 32
In regular grades 956
In kindergartens
166
In all other, such as manual training, cooking, home visiting, etc. 112
Total 1,630
The Distribution of Teachers
In the high schools : 86 men, 163 women.
In the distriet and other schools: 82 men, 1,218 women.
Private Schools
The teachers employed in the Catholic schools were: 22 men, 301 women. The attendance in these schools was 17,015.
The teachers employed in the Lutheran schools were: 61 men, 30 women. The attendance in these sehools was 3,500.
The teachers employed in nonsectarian schools were: 90 men, 48 women. The attendance was 1,377.
Schools of Milwaukee County .- "The history of the rural schools of Mil- waukee County during the territorial period is veiled in obscurity." says Col. J. A. Watrous in his "Memoirs of Milwaukee County." "It is known that Rev. Enoch G. Underwood, a native of Virginia, settled on a farm in Wanwa-
641
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
tosa in 1835, and that he taught school there several winters during the early years of his residence, afterward becoming pastor of the Wauwatosa Baptist Church. It is also known that William W. JJohnson, who was born in Frank- lin County, Massachusetts, November 29, 1813, and received a good educa- tion in his native state, came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1842; that he set- tled in the town of Greenfield where he taught for a number of years, and from 1842 to 1848 was a member of the town board of school commissioners. In every neighborhood, as soon as a sufficient number of settlers was located therein, a school was established, but anything like a complete history of these early institutions of learning seems to be unobtainable. "
Colonel Watrous further comments, as follows: "The constitution of 1848, under which Wisconsin was admitted as a state, provided for a superin- tendent of public instruction. In 1849 that official made his first report, in which he gave a statistical abstract concerning the schools in each county. In Milwaukee County sixty-six districts reported, and from seventeen no report was received, hence, it seems, that at about the time the state was admitted there were eighty-three school districts in the county. Thirty-two districts reported log schoolhouses, fourteen frame, and twenty made no report. The value of school buildings was estimated at $3.925, the best schoolhouse in the county being valued at $300, and the poorest at $10. In thirty-seven school- houses there were no blackboards, and in thirty-eight no maps of any deserip- tion. The school population was 3,736, and the average length of the school term was a little less than five months. In 1850 there were seven brick school- houses reported, five new frame houses had been erected, and the average length of the term was nearly six months.
Growth of Schools in County .- " In 1854 the state superintendent, for the first time," continues Watrous, "included in his report a detailed statement of the school population, to wit: Town of Franklin, 570: Granville, 875 : Greenfield, 747; Lake, 608: Milwaukee (town), 679; Milwaukee (city), 7,808; Oak Creek, 608; Wauwatosa, 784: total. 12.679. The apportionment of the state Innd was 72 cents for each child of school age, giving to the Town of Franklin, $410: Granville, $630: Greenfield. $537: Lake, $437: Milwaukee (town), $488: Milwaukee (city), $5,621: Oak Creek. $437: Wauwatosa, $564.
"Prior to 1861." proceeds the above account. "each town had its own superintendent of schools. The Legislature of 1861 passed an aet abolishing the office of town superintendent and creating that of county superintendent. * * Under the law the counties were given the privilege of creating two districts and electing a superintendent For each. Milwaukee County did this. the first district embracing the towns of Franklin, Greenfield, Lake, Oak Creek and Wauwatosa, and the second district composed of the towns of Granville and Milwaukee (outside of the city ."
Colonel Watrous in his "Memoirs of Milwaukee County," a most excel- lent book of reference, gives a list of the superintendents of the county schools since the establishment of the office by law, with the year in which each was elected, which is quoted as follows :
"First District-William Lawler, 1861: James F. Devine. 1866: Thomas O'Herrin, 1874; James A. Ruan. 1880.
645
THIE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
"Second District-William Swain, 1861: Edward Tobin, 1864; Anson W. Buttles, 1866: James L. Foley, 1870; Thomas F. Clarke, 1878; George II. Fowler, 1880."
In 1881 the two districts were consolidated, and the superintendents were as follows: John Reilly, 1881; C. II. Lewis, 1884; Philip A. Lynch, 1886; M. D. Kelley, 1892; llerbert J. Piper, 1896; Emil L. Roethe, 1896; Lynn B. Stiles, 1898: Jesse F. Cory, 1902: Hugo A. Panly, 1907: Paul W. Huth, 1913: E. T. Griffin, 1917.
The information concerning the county superintendents of schools was revised and extended in May, 1921, by Mr. E. T. Griffin, the present county superintendent of schools.
.
-
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND THE GESU CHURCH
r
.
-
1
THE TRINITY HOSPITAL MEDICAL COLLEGE, MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
CHAPTER XXXVII
THE HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING
Marquette University .- In 1906, under a new charter, Marquette College became a university. As long ago as 1864 a charter for Marquette College was obtained from the Legislature, granting powers "to confer such literary honors and degrees as the trustees may deem proper." Many years before, however, the initial step had been taken in the foundation of this institution during a visit to Europe by Rt. Rev. John Martin Henni, Catholic Bishop of Milwaukee, in the interests of his diocese. While on this visit Bishop llenni was offered in trust the sum of $16,000 by Chevalier J. G. De Boeye, of Ant- werp, Belgium, for the purpose of establishing in his diocese an institution of learning under the direction of the Jesuits. The trust was accepted.
In 1853, two Jesuit fathers, Rev. J. L. Gleizal and Rev. I. J. Boudreaux, came to Milwaukee on which occasion Bishop Henni invited them to carry out the design to establish a college. Four years later St. Aloysius' Academy was opened in a small building which eventually was absorbed and superseded by the more pretentious St. Gall's Academy. The fund donated by Mr. De Boeye was used by the bishop to purchase a site for the future college, and trans- ferred to the Jesuits, and in 1863 they bought adjacent property sufficient to give them the ownership of the entire block bounded by State, Prairie, Tenth and Eleventh streets; and in 1864 a charter was obtained as above mentioned.
Laying of the Corner Stone .- On August 15, 1880, the corner stone of Marquette College was laid with appropriate ceremonies. On this occasion Hon. William J. Onahan, of Chicago, delivered an address. Mr. Onahan was often referred to as "the premier Catholic layman of the United States." He enjoyed the distinction of having been appointed by Pope Leo XUI "honorary private chamberlain," and in later years as the recipient of the "Laetere Medal" from the University of Notre Dame. One year later the first of the proposed college buildings was finished and opened for the reception of stu- dents who attended to the number of about one hundred. The classes in- creased in numbers so that by June, 1887, the college graduated its first class with the degree of bachelor of arts, In 1893, the yearly attendance had reached an average of about 275 students, "while its alumni and graduates," says the account printed in the "Columbian History of Education," "are already numerous in the city, working their way to prominence in business and the professions."
The student in this institution is taught systematically to "read that he may become a full man, to write that he may become an exaet man, and to
647
648
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
talk that he may become a ready man." according to Lord Bacon's dietum. Marquette University "has developed in a non-sectarian way until it is now an institution of and for all the people. In a recent campaign for funds to take care of its growing and war-time needs, Marquette has had the unstinted endorsement of Milwaukeeans of all ereeds in such a way that its future has become a rosy part of the city's outlook."
Departments of the University .- Under its present organization Marquette University consists of the following departments: College of Arts and Science; Applied Science and Engineering; School of Dentistry; R. A. John- ston College of Economies; School of Journalism : School of Law: School of Medicine ; Conservatory of Music: School of Pharmacy : Training School for Nurses; Marquette Academy : University High School. It is also an accredited school of the United States Army, and during the late war it was a part of the great American war machine. The board of regents are working constantly with the interests of both the university and the city in view. The executive officers are: Rev. Herbert C. Noonan, S. J., president : Rev. James D. Foley, S. J., secretary : Rev. Eugene Rudge, S. J., treasurer.
"When its foundation was first projected," says the Rt. Rev. Mgr. August Zeininger, in his sketch printed in Stearns' "Columbian History of Educa- tion in Wisconsin," "the noble-souled Bishop Henni desired that the institu- tion should be named after Pere Marquette, with the hope that his religions brethren, now two and a half centuries after he has gone to his reward, may make it a worthy monument to his great name."
Milwaukee-Downer College .- The Milwaukee-Downer College is a standard college for women. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. It is accepted by the Association of Amer- ican Universities. The college offers full four-year courses leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts. Bachelor of Sciences and various other branches.
The college campus is located in the northern part of the City of Milwau- kee. between Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River, and includes about forty-three acres of land on which are natural woods and open fields.
The Milwaukee-Downer Seminary is an independent institution controlled by the president and trustees of the college, but is immediately directed by its own dean and separate staff of teachers. "While the seminary is a college preparatory school, and its regular courses of study are designed to lay a sound foundation for successful college work. it has the equally important fimetion of providing adequately for those who do not wish to enter college. Pupils desiring to specialize in musie or in some department of art. those pre- paring for travel or study abroad, and those with a limited time to devote to formal study, are offered instruction to meet their needs. The literary course furnishes a sound and systematic training for those pupils who do not desire a college education, but wish a thorough training in a general education of high school scope."
Buildings and Endowment .- The buildings of the Milwaukee-Downer Col- lege consist of Merrill Hall, Holton Hall, Johnston Hall, MeLaren Hall. Greene Memorial Library, Albert Memorial Hall. Vogel Hall, Kimberly Hall, power- house, infirmary and other structures. In all there are sixteen bu ldings.
649
THE HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING
The total cost of grounds, buildings and equipment up to 1920 was $779,000. The endowment funds amounted to $666,000, in addition to which there are pledges due to be paid in 1922 which brings the total up to $1,511,000.
In the commencement address of President Ellen C. Sabin, June. 1920, she says that it is the seventieth commencement "since the first class of two members was graduated by Milwaukee College. It is the fifty-seventh since the first class of five members was graduated by Downer College, and it closes twenty-five years of the reorganized institutions under the name of Milwau- kee-Downer College."
Higher Accomplishments Attained .- While the material condition of the institution may profitably be dwelt upon, it is the higher aims and accomplish- ments that deserve especial emphasis. "The business of a college," continues the language of the address, "is to aid the young to seeure knowledge, to develop their powers, and to establish right character. It should be judged by its aim and accomplishment in these directions. It is, therefore, a matter of satisfaction that this college with its very modest resonrees has its place as a member of the Association of American Colleges; that it is accepted by the Association of American Universities; that it is an institutional member of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae ; that it is an approved member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Its graduates have from the first been weleomed by the graduate schools of universities. Those who wish to teach, find that their diplomas give privileges equal to those given by the diplomas of any other institutions. * *
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.