USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee from its first settlement to the year 1895 > Part 35
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The institution was now receiving financial aid from the friends of Miss Beecher in the East, in- cluding Mrs. Lydia H. Sigourney, Mrs. A. B. Stone and other members individually, and col- lectively, of what was known as the "American Woman's Educational Association " of New York. In May, 1852, through the efforts of this associa- tion and of Miss Beecher with the people of Mil- waukee, the present site on the corner of Milwaukee street and Juneau avenne was purchased, and in June the corner stone of the main building of the college was laid. In the autumn of the same year the school opened in the still unfinished buildings. *The aid which was received from the East amounted to seventeen thousand eight hundred and ninety-four dollars, and that received from citizens of Milwaukee was thirteen thousand five hundred and forty dollars. The corps of teach- ers was in accordance with the plan of Miss Beecher and was made up as follows: Miss Mary Mortimer, department of superintending instruc- tion and teacher of normal school; Mrs. L. A. Parsons, department of elassification and arrange- ment and teacher of geography, history, mental and moral sciences ; Miss A. Loomis, department
of government and teacher of mathematics and natural science; Miss J. Millard, department of finance and correspondence and teacher of lan- gnage, literature, etc .; Mrs. E. B. Warner, depart- ment of primary instruction. There were various assistants in the different departments and in music and drawing. From this time on until 1857, Miss Mortimer was practically at the head of the institution, giving her entire strength and talents to its advancement. In April of 1853, by aet of the legislature, the name was changed to Milwau- kee Female College. In 1876 it was again changed to Milwaukee College, which name it now bears.
The financial crash of 1857 and the opening of the public high school at about that time, weak- ened the support which the college received, and Miss Mortimer retired from the institution and accepted a similar position at Baraboo. Miss Mary and Caroline E. Chapin were then given the management of the college and remained until 1861. During their administration the col- lege home was erected north of the main build- ing, and has since been occupied as a home for teachers and pupils wishing to live at the college. The Misses Chapin remained until 1863, and were assisted the last two years by Elizabeth Watson. Up to this time the college had not met the hopes of Miss Beecher. She complained that it was no more than a high school, and was carried on by a principal instead of a faculty having equal powers, and she suggests that it might as well be merged into the public school system. In September, 1862, but sixty pupils were enrolled in the college, the revenues were very much reduced, and in June, 1863, the ladies severed their connection with the college. At the beginning of the school year in the fall of 1863, Professor S. S. Sherman, one of the trustees, took charge of the college. Ile paid a small an- nual rental and made the institution self-support- ing. He remained for three years and added much during that time to its prosperity. The trustees were also able to make many needed improve- ments in the building and equipments. Professor Sherman had been very successful in the South in the management of a girls' school at Marion, Ala- bama, and returned North when the war broke out. He was a man of high ability as an edu- cator and in the practical management of school affairs. He was in the Milwaukee School Board for many years after, and the author remembers
* History of Milwaukee, 1881.
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his strong and conservative influence as a member of the High School Committee. Miss Beecher said that the college was not being run according to the original plan and protested against it. This caused the resignation of Professor Sherman. Upon the retirement of Professor Sherman, in 1866, Miss Mortimer was recalled, though not pre- cisely upon the terms desired by Miss Beecher and the Woman's Educational Association. Miss Mor- timer leased the institution for three years at five hundred dollars per year, and there was a division into departments, according to the original method. She had a faculty of four teachers of equal authority, and an attendance the first year of two hundred and ninety-six pupils, the largest number in the history of the college. Miss Morti- mer remained at its head until 1874, when she re- tired to a quiet home on the Milwaukee river, near the limits of the city. Here she lived until the time of her death three years after.
Miss Beecher died in 1878, and with her the American Woman's Educational Association. These two women were of opposite natures. Miss Mortimer was of a quiet, gentle disposition, while Miss Beecher was more spirited and aggressive. Both were alike in that they were women of the highest character and aims, and unselfishly de- voted their lives to the improvement and education of girls and young women. Upon the recommen- dation of Miss Mortimer, Professor C. S. Farrar was invited by the trustees to take charge of the college. At the end of the first year Professor Farrar was given a lease of the entire property for ten years, free of rent, he being required to pay all the expenses of the institution, including re- pairs and taxes, assessments, insurance and inter- est on the debt of two thousand dollars He was given the entire management, making his own terms as to tuition and adopting his own course of study.
Professor Farrar remained until 1889 and made many improvements in buildings and equipment during his administration. In 1876 Mr. Hiram Barbar of Horicon, Wisconsin, presented the college with a telescope, and W. P. McLaren built an observatory on the college grounds in which it was placed. In 1879 an additional building was erected on the college grounds, containing a large hall and rooms for the art department and for science. Many of the collections in science and art, contributed by President Farrar and others,
were destroyed by fire in 1883. In 1886 Professor Farrar enlarged the home at his own expense. This seemed to have been unnecessary, as the number of boarders fell off rather than increased.
In 1877 the alumnae of the college and other friends of Miss Mortimer founded the " Mary Mortimer Memorial Library," which now numbers more than a thousand volumes. In 1874 the " Ladies' Art and Science Class " was founded with Professor Farrar at its head. This organiza- tion still exists and includes and has included many of the strongest and most earnest and cultivated women in the city. Their studies have been largely confined to art and they have collected a large and valuable art library.
It is affirmed that Professor Farrar spent four- teen thousand dollars in making improvements and in trying to build up the college, and, becoming discouraged because no endowment was made by the trustees or other friends, he resigned in 1889. He was succeeded by Professor Charles F. Kings- ley, who was a young man twenty-eight years of age, and had been in charge of a collegiate school for young ladies in Rochester, New York. Soon after the accession of Professor Kingsley the Mil- waukee College Endowment Association was formed, consisting of more than one hundred women. Seventy-five thousand dollars have been raised by the association. The very generous gift of thirty-seven thousand dollars was made by the late Mr. E. D. Holton, and the remainder has been subscribed in smaller amounts. Professor Kingsley remained as president of the college until 1893. President Kingsley's aim was to raise the standard of the college and make it such in fact as well as in name. The lower classes of the preparatory department were discontinued. . This policy, how- ever, decreased the revenues of the college without. increasing the number in the upper classes. Dur- ing its entire history the institution had been obliged to depend for its income upon the receipts from tuition of the pupils attending ; and it was the hope of Mr. Kingsley that the endowment might become sufficient to enable them to be less dependent upon pupils in defraying the expenses of the college.
Mrs. Louise R. Upton was appointed to succeed Mr. Kingsley in the fall of 1893, and is still at the head of the institution. It has had a prosperous year under Mrs. Upton, and now has an enrollment of seventy-five students. The classes are doing
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elementary work, largely, and the attempt is not yet made, as formerly, to put all the energy of the institution into higher work.
It has a preparatory department and offers two college courses-a classical course and a literary course. It has been, and now is, the aim of the friends of the college to make it the leading educational institution in the West for the educa- tion of women, and it is hoped that the recent endowment is but the beginning of a fund which shall put the institution on a higher plane of in- fluence and usefulness.
Scores of the best women in Milwaukee re- ceived their education in Milwaukee College, and it has had a powerful influence in the past, which is felt even now in elevating the intellectual, esthetic and moral tone of society. Not a little of the culture of our city has emanated from those who unselfishly devoted their best energies, the best part of their lives, in sustaining and main- taining the high character, name and fame of the institution.
The only distinctively college preparatory school in Milwaukee is Milwaukee Academy. The pro- ject of founding such an institution originated with Mr. Albert Markham, who became its first princi- pal in 1864, and continued to hold the position until his death in 1887. The first academy building was located on the site of the present East-side high school. Several prominent citizens were inter- ested in establishing the academy. The first Board of Trustees were Charles F. Ilsley, president; B. K. Miller, secretary; T. W. Goodrich, treasurer; J. H. Imbusch, Dr. H. H. Button, John A. Dutcher, John H. Van Dyke, Joseph T. Bradford and John Nazro. Of these Mr. B. K. Miller has maintained his connection with the school to the present time. In the summer of 1877 the academy building on Knapp street was transferred to the city to be used for the public high school, and measures were immediately taken to erect another and bet- ter edifice. The new building was located on the southwest corner of Van Buren and Oneida streets, and is still occupied by the school.
After the transfer of the old school property to the city, the corporation styled Milwaukee Academy was dissolved, and the school came under more strictly private management, taking the name of Markham Academy. At the death of Mr. Markham in 1887, the academy passed into the hands of Cyrus F. Hill and Isaac Thomas,
graduates of Yale College. Under their adminis- tration the original name and corporate organiza- tion were resumed, and the school was again called Milwaukee Academy, by which name it is known to-day. Mr. Hill died in 1889, and in the fall of 1890 Mr. Thomas was joined by Dr. J. H. Pratt, who a year later became sole principal. In 1893 the value of the school property was enhanced, and the work of the principal made more efficient by the erection of a residence for the principal on the lot adjoining the school build- ing.
The work of fitting young men for college has always been made a prominent feature of the school, and in this line of work, especially, the academy has made for itself a good record. In the list of alumni of the academy are found the names of distinguished graduates of the Univer- sity of Wisconsin, Yale, Harvard, Johns Hopkins and other colleges and universities. The instruc- tion afforded by the academy is not, however, confined exclusively to college preparatory studies. The school carries on a well-planned and compre- hensive graduating course, which includes studies in English, mathematics, the physical sciences, French and German, and such other branches as conduce to general culture. The courses in English language and literature are especially broad and comprehensive. The study of the Eng- lish language is begun with the youngest pupils and is continued until graduation. By this an intimate knowledge of the principles of English grammar and of the foundation of rhetoric, as well as an acquaintance with the works of the best writers of English prose and poetry, is secured.
The school is managed on the basis that prep- aration for college begins when a boy begins to read, and the courses of study are arranged with reference to receiving boys of earliest school age and directing their studies until they are ready for university work.
The educated liberal Germans who came to Milwaukee previous to 1851, felt the need of a high-grade German and English school which should be conducted upon a plan similar to the schools of Germany. The German-English Acad- emy was incorporated under state laws, May 10, 1851, and a small fund was raised for its support. It opened in rented rooms on the West side-where it remained but a few months-with Peter Engel- mann as principal and F. Regenfuss as assistant
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and having an attendance of forty pupils. It was intended to have the instruction free, but the fund was insufficient and a tuition fee of fifty cents per month was required.
A building was purchased on Grand avenue in which the school found quarters in September, 1851. In the winter of 1852-3 a lot was purchased on Broadway, between Juneau avenue and Knapp street, and a building erected which was occupied in October, 1853, but was not completed until 1856. From this time on the school grew in num- bers and usefulness, and from 1864 to 1871 a considerable addition to the building was com- pleted on the north of the main building. In 1852, a ladies' society was incorporated for the purpose of giving financial aid to the academy, securing funds by membership fees, subscriptions and entertainments. They supported a teacher for instructing in all kinds of needle work and other useful domestic arts. This organization still continues to exist, and has given material aid to the institution during the forty-three years of its existence. Mr. Engelmann continued at the head of the academy until the time of his death, May 18, 1874. He was a man of high character and learning, and was educated at the University of Heidelberg. He became identified with the Ger- man revolutionists of 1848, and on account of the aid he gave to that movement was obliged to leave Germany. Mr. Engelmann was interested and active in all'educational agencies, and was very ac- tive in aiding to form and maintain the Wiscon- sin Natural History Society, and in making the collections for the society called the Engelmann Museum. This collection of books and specimens in all departments of natural science was turned over to the city in 1882, and with the additions since made is known as the Milwaukee Public Museum.
Mr. Engelmann was succeeded by Mr. W. N. Hailmann, who remained until February, 1878. Mr. Hailmann founded the first English kinder- garten in Milwaukee in 1875, which was main- tained in connection with the academy. In the year 1876 the German-Americans of the United States subscribed to a fund for the establishing of a normal school for the training of teachers according to the most approved principles of pedagogy. As a model school was necessary it was decided to put the normal in connection with a school already established, and the German-
English Academy of Milwaukee seemed most advantageous and was selected by the trustees.
In September, 1878, Mr. I. Keller was chosen principal of the two institutions. Mr. Keller was succeeded by Dr. H. C. Dorner of Milwaukee, and Mr. Dorner was followed by Mr. Emil Dapprich in 1888, who still remains the very efficient head of the institution. In 1890 Mrs. Elizabeth Pfis- ter and Mrs. Louisa Vogel donated the present grounds and beautiful and commodious building to the use of the academy and seminary. The two institutions are now on a good financial basis and are able to do excellent work. The academy teaches all the branches ordinarily taught in the public schools, and has good laboratory facilities in science, kindergarten, manual training for boys, needle and fancy work for girls, drawing and modeling, and an excellent gymnasium for physical culture. The academy serves as a model depart- ment for the seminary. Instruction in the semi- nary is free, but tuition in the academy is from twenty to eighty dollars a year. In 1890 it was decided to unite the normal department of the North American Gymnastic Union with the National German-American Teachers' Seminary, and accordingly a first-class gymnasium was built on the same grounds as the German-English Academy, then being built. In September, 1891, it was opened for classes with Prof. George Bro- sius as director.
The academy is now in a very flourishing con- dition, financially, and in the work it is doing. There are now nearly two hundred pupils in attendance. The academy has in prospect a donation of one hundred thousand dollars ; fifty thousand of which is given by Mr. Charles Pfister and Mrs. Elizabeth Pfister, on condition that fifty thousand more is raised by the German- Americans of the United States. Of the latter thirty thousand has already been raised. Of those in Milwaukee who have assisted in building and sustaining the academy may be mentioned, Henry Mann, Christian Preusser, Ferdinand Kuehn, T. J. Jacobi, Bernard Stern, Ignatz Friedmann, Albert Wallber, William Frankfurth, C. H. Boppe, Fred Kasten, B. A. Abrams, Val. Blatz, Guido Pfister and Charles Pfister.
Among the institutions for girls that had a great influence during their existence, upon the culture and education of society in Milwaukee, were the schools of the Misses Wheelock for American
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girls, and of Madame Anneke for Germans and Americans. Miss Martha Wheelock -afterward Mrs. William S. Trowbridge-and Miss Fannie Wheelock were accomplished women, and carried on their school at the corner of Jackson street and Juneau avenue.
Madame Anneke was a highly-educated woman, with advanced ideas in pedagogy and with rather pronounced ideas on freedom of religious opinion. The school continued in various localities and un- der different names, from its beginning in 1866 until 1888, when she was obliged to abandon the work on account of ill health. Madame Anneke was a woman of fine education in German, French and English; she was also a woman of high ideals and great force of character, and pro- duced a life-long impress upon all young girls who came under her care and instruction.
The West-side German-English high school was established in 1851, with J. Losse as the first teacher. Three years later a site was purchased on Fifth, between State and Prairie streets, and the school was incorporated. In 1861 this prop- erty was sold and a lot purchased on the corner of Seventh aud Prairie streets, upon which a com- modious building was erected. The school was in successful operation until 1877, when it was sold to the city, and has since been occupied for School Board offices and supplies, kindergarten and nor- mal school work. A similar school was formed on the South side in 1853, on the corner of Han- over and Ogden streets, with F. Geilfuss as its first teacher. The next spring the school was moved to Reed street, between Florida and Vir- ginia streets, where it flourished for four years and was then closed. In 1863 it was reorganized and incorporated, and in September it opened in a new frame building on the corner of Greenbush and Walker streets. In 1872 the frame building was replaced by a brick structure. In 1873 a kindergarten was established in connection with the school. In 1877 the school building was sold to the city and became the Fifth district primary. The school did not change its corporate name, but it continued as a kindergarten on Greenbush street, between Mineral and Washington streets. It has since been known as the South-side kindergarten.
The first business college was established in Mil- waukee in January of 1856, by Lowell Lincoln and Aaron Baylies, Jr., and in 1857 the institution was chartered by legislative enactment. Mr. Lin-
coln was born in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, and received a good education. He conducted his school successfully until 1867, when he disposed of his interest in the institution and it was merged into the Spencerian Business College, which is still in existence.
In 1863 the Spencerian Business College was es- tablished in Milwaukee, one of the series in many large cities known as Bryant, Stratton & Com- pany's. Mr. R. C. Spencer was the resident prin- cipal. In June, 1865, the college was placed on an independent basis and assumed its present name. In 1867 Bryant & Stratton purchased the assets of the " Lincoln Commercial College." Mr. Lowell Lincoln had established the pioneer commercial college in Milwaukee, but was drowned on the steamer " Sea Bird," which burned in the spring of 1867 on a trip from Milwaukee to Chicago. The next year Mr. Stratton died and the college was absorbed by the Spencerian College. Soon after, what was known as " Larigo's Mercantile College" was also merged in the Spencer College. In 1870 a charter was granted the college to grant di- plomas, confer degrees, establish model business houses and open business connections with other cities of the country. Mr. Spencer still retains the management of the college, and has al- ways taken an active interest in all educational matters connected with the city and state. He has left an impress upon the education of Milwau- kee which will long be felt and appreciated.
Bayer's Commercial College was founded by Doctor William Bayer in 1868, and has since con- tinued under the same name at 528 Market street. The number of pupils is limited to twenty-five and the school is carried on with the idea of in- dividual rather than class instruction.
Mayer's College was founded in 1876. This institution has increased rapidly in attendance since it was first started in quarters in the Public Library building. It admits pupils of both sexes, and includes in its courses of study German and phonography.
The McDonald College was organized in Mil- waukee in 1883, and their claim is that they were the first institution in Wisconsin to introduce shorthand. The institution now occupies quarters in the Matthews building on Grand avenue. It offers courses in book-keeping, shorthand, and in language, science and mathematics. It numbers one hundred and seventy-five pupils.
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The Milwaukee Business University is compar- atively young, and has quarters in the University building, corner of Mason and Broad way streets. H. M. Wilmot is principal, and it has an enrollment of one hundred and seventy-four pupils. There is also in Milwaukee Anton Rhende's Business Col- lege, Sixth and Chestnut streets, with one hundred and forty pupils, and the South-side Business Col- lege, Second and National avenues, with seventy pupils.
The first kindergarten in Milwaukee was started in the German-English Academy under the direc- tion of Mr. Peter Engelmann about 1873. This was the third kindergarten established in this country. The first, it is claimed, was in New York and the second in St. Louis. In 1874 the Mil- waukee Kindergarten Association was formed, which did much to extend the work in Milwaukee. At this time Mr. W. N. Hailmann came to Mil- waukee, and with his wife actively pushed on the kindergarten work. As many as eight kindergartens were soon established in different parts of the city through private munificence, and since that time many more have been established and maintained. The private kindergartens are generally supported by charity and are located in the poorer sections of the city and where there are no public school kindergartens. The public school kindergartens have become so fixed and important a part of the public-school system, that the necessity for the private kindergarten has not the urgency of former years. There were, however, in 1893, from the reports to the secretary of the School Board, eight mission kindergartens in Milwaukee, having in the aggregate about one thousand pupils in attend- ance. The Milwaukee Kindergarten Association was formed years ago, and opened their first kindergarten in the old Bethel Mission on Erie street, September, 1884. There are now six kindergartens under the direction of the associa- tion. Cooking schools are also connected with the most of these kindergartens, and in some, day nurseries are attached, where very young children are brought and made happy and cared for while their mothers are at work.
The association has also maintained a free kin- dergarten training school since its organization. Mrs. Isabel Carpenter was in charge of the train- ing school for eight years and was succeeded by Mrs. L. A. Truesdell, about two years ago. Mrs. George C. Swallow is president of the associa-
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