USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest > Part 38
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The whole number of children in the city, who are sre ioca- pacitated for instruction in the Common Schools from defact of vision, hearing or intellect, is reported at. 13
HIGH SCHOOL EXPENSES AND MANAGEMENT.
The current expenees for the High and Grammer schools for the year ending March 31, 1877. were. $13,881.62
And the pro rata share of General Expenditures 458.08
Total. $14,339.70
For the year ending March 31, 1878, the same expenditures amount to. $ 9,240.95 For the year ending March 31, 1879, the esme aggregated .. .. 7,959.01
Included, however, in the expenses for the year ending March 31, 1877, is an item for $1,023, for the outside iron stairway, attached that year to the building, which should not be regarded as part of the current expense, it being more in the nature of a permanent investment.
The cost per capita for educating the pupils of the High and Grammar schools, based on the average attendance and the current expenditures, was for the year just closed, $38.08
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING EXERCISES.
The graduating exercises at the High School, at the close of the last school year, were more than usually interesting, and drew a large audience to witness the ceremonies. The essays and orations of the graduates were all creditable, and some of them of more than ordinary merit, exhibiting much originality of thought and grace of composition. The ceremonies were conducted by Prof. Wood, who closed the exercises by con- ferring the diplomas and delivering a short but appropriate address.
The following paragraph is well worthy of republication, and is creditable to Mr. Read's head and heart.
In connection with these graduating exercises, it will not, perhaps, be considered out of place if I make a suggestion in regard to the style of dress and adornment proper to be dis- played by the graduates on such occasions. Setting aside the question of taste involved at such times, in the parade of elab- orate and expensive costumes, it should be borne in mind that our public schools are established for the use and benefit of the children of all the people of the city -rich and poor alike. A showy and costly style of dress, indulged in by those who are in circumstances to afford it, tends to discourage those who are not so well situated, from completing their studies to the grad- nating point. It seems to me that good taste and good feeling should rather dictate the adoption of a style, plain and inex- pensive, such as would become all conditions and be equally
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1879.]
within the reach of all; thus preserving the self-respect of all by subjecting none to mortifying contrasts on account of a dis- parity of conditions.
TEACHERS - HIGH SCHOOL.
E. Barton Wood, Clara Everett, Mary E. Murdock,
Sarah J. Ellsworth, Anna L. Wood,
Vanie Doe,
Jennie D. Adams, Mary E. Blackburn, Myra Manning.
PRIMARY AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
Albert Evans,
Ella F. Jackman, Jessie Goe,
Jennie Harshaw,
Mary Camburn,
Katie A. Glynn,
Georgie Ellsworth,
Lucy Rafferty, Henry C. Thom,
Libbie Sprague,
Ida Webster, Mary Marble,
Carrie Lamb,
Lillie Kimball,
Carrie Lawrence,
Katie C. Grady, James Brainerd,
Alice Gill,
Mary Turner, Grace Lindsley,
Cora Griffin,
Ida Jutton, Angie L. Greenlaw, Flora Gill,
Maggie Hawthorne, A. A. Spencer,
Libbie Watts,
Minnie Williamson, Genie Murdock,
Rilla Sanders,
Ella Jones, Ellen Brainerd,
Mary Schenich,
Nettie Freeman, Maggie Mason,
Mary E. Prock,
J. F. Hyer, Rosa C. Quinn,
Martina O'Hanlon,
Carrie E. Stroud, Cora B. Wyman.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, OSHKOSH. Geo. S. Albee, President.
The Normal School building is one of the finest structures in this city, and the school, under the management of its efficient faculty, has reached a high standard of excellence. It is, in fact, conceded to be one of the best educa- tional institutions in the State.
The President, Mr. George S. Albee, is a gentleman eminently qualified for the respon- sible position which he holds; and the faculty generally have given the fullest evidence of their qualifications, in the successful discharge of the duties of their respective positions. The scholars in this school are noted for thoroughness in their acquirements, and for their generally correct deportment - the discipline requiring the strictest conformity to the requirements of good morals.
There are two courses of professional instruction; the elementary, especially intended to prepare students for teaching in the com- mon district schools; the advanced, which pre- pares teachers for the higher grades of our public schools. The model department is organized as a school of observation, for the exemplification of the best methods of instruc- tion, and is also a school of practice, in which the students are trained in the business of teaching. Its appointments include a good library, a well-equipped chemical and physical laboratory, and ample cabinets of natural his- tory.
AIMS OF THE SCHOOL.
"In giving the needful academic culture in the higher courses, a correct method of dealing with mind is impressed by a care- ful unfolding of mental processes in the pupil's experience 24
with each branch, so as to substitute habits of correct and def- inite thinking for thoughtless memorizing.
Certain branches are dwelt upon until a clear understanding of the processes by which they are built up is gained ; while others, because of limited time, are treated more briefly, and with special reference to the information which they contain.
In the former class are the elementary, or " common school'' branches; those natural sciences which most nearly concern daily work and life, and those branches which tend most directly to cultivate logical thought and definite expression.
RECORDS OF STUDENTS.
A record of each pupil's standing in Recitation and Written Examination is kept, and the pupil's fitness to pass from any branch is determined by the combined average of his class standing and final examination.
DISCIPLINE AND SUPERVISION.
Experience has proved that knowledge and method in instruction are of little worth without prompt and close atten -. tion to school duties on the part of every pupil.
The discipline of the school is, therefore, closely observant of all departures from needful regulations. The student is expected to exhibit in his deportment all those qualities which he would have displayed by pupils in his own school. His character for courtesy, industry and integrity will, beyond mere scholarly attainments, mark his fitness for the teacher's work, and be made an imperative condition of certificate or gradu- tion."
Thirty-nine counties are represented in the enrollment of the school.
The Normal School was organized in 1871. Its growth is well indicated by the following table of enrollment in the Normal Depart- ment:
School year 1871-72 . 158
=
1872-73 . 224
1873-74 . 262
66 .. 1874-75 . 293
1875-76 . 325
1876-77 .
374
16 1877-78 . 374
66 1878.79 427
FACULTY.
George S. Albee (President), School Man- agement, Didactics and , Mental Science; Robert Graham, Vocal Music, Reading and Conductor of Institute; Waldo E. Dennis, Natural Science; L. W. Briggs, Book-Keep- ing; Anna W. Moody, History and Civil Government; Mary H. Ladd, Mathematics; Helen E. Bateman, English Grammar and Composition; Emily F. Webster, Latin; Lucy C. Andrews, Geography; Amelia E. Banning Drawing and Penmanship; Fannie Tower, . Mathematics and Grammar.
Preparatory Classes - Mrs. L. L. Cochran.
Model Department - L. W. Briggs, director; Maria S. Hill, Teacher and Critic, Grammar Grade; Frances E. Albee, Teacher and Critic, Intermediate Grade, Elizabeth B. Armstead,
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1879.
Teacher and Critic, Primary Grade; Carrie E. McNutt, Vocal and Instrumental Music.
OSHKOSII BUSINESS COLLEGE.
W. W. Daggett, Principal. This is one of the institutions that Oshkosh is proud of, and which draws a large number of pupils from abroad and has the reputation of being one of the best-conducted Commercial Colleges in the Northwest. It has acquired a national reputation for possessing unequaled facilities in every department for imparting a sound, practical business education. This educational institution is designed to supply the constant demand for thorough practical training in studies essential to business. It is so organ- ized as to accommodate either regular stu- dents, or those having but a few hours to spare from business pursuits during the day or even- ing. To accomplish this the instruction is individual, and adapted to the needs of each pupil who advances as fast as his abilities will allow, without the embarrassments of class organizations. Persons whose education is deficient, are thus, without regard to age, enabled to remedy the defect speedily, without publicity, and fit themselves for lucrative and responsible positions. Young men, on leaving the ordinary public or private schools, can here obtain what is usually omitted or imper- fectly taught in such schools, and become qualified to assume advanced positions on account of their superior attainments.
This college was organized by E. C. Atkin- son in September, 1867. Professor W. W. Daggett took charge of the school in Septem- ber, 1870, and became its sole proprietor in 1871. Mr. Daggett has that natural aptitude for teaching which is one of the essential requirements for the attainment of success in his calling, and possesses the most eminent qualifications for imparting to his pupils the most thorough knowledge of the branches taught.
All branches of a full academical course are taught, and the most competent assistants are employed. The general estimation in which the institution is held will be seen in the fact, that over three thousand students of both sexes have attended it since it was first organized.
GERMAN-ENGLISH ACADEMY.
This school was founded in 1858, and its special object is teaching the different branches ' in reading, grammar, arithmetic, history of the United States and of the world, geography, penmanship, drawing, singing, rhetoric, etc., in both the German and English languages; and to give, thereby, the scholar not only a per- fect English education, but also a thorough
knowledge of the German language. Gym- nastics is also one of the exercises.
In connection with the school proper is a Kindergarten, conducted on Froebel's system, for children from three to six years, and also a department for instructing the girls in handi- work.
The school is in a flourishing condition and the present teachers are: Professor Bareuther, Principal; Miss Helen Crary, Assistant; Miss Bertha Leist, teacher of Kindergarten; Miss Bates, Assistant; Mrs. Streuver teacher in female handiwork.
The management of the school is intrusted to the following officers: H. Bammessell, pres- ident; Val. Kohlmann, secretary; Ferd. Her- mann, treasurer; J. Staudenraus, Henry Zinn, Wm. Dichmann, A. F. Baehr, trustees.
The school building was destroyed by the great fire of 1875, but the society, by the liberal aid of the citizens of Oshkosh and of other cities in Wisconsin was enabled to erect a much larger and more commodious one, containing, besides the school-rooms, a fine hall for recita- tions. It is located on Court House Street.
ST. VINCENT'S ACADEMY.
St. Vincent's Academy and Parochial School, situated on Twelfth and Oregon streets, was built in the year 1874, and opened on the twenty-seventh of January, 1875, and is con- ducted by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and combines both the academic and paro- chial courses in its system of instruction. Small in the beginning, it flourished as timc passed, until at the close of the session, July 15, 1879, it averaged about two hundred pupils. The parochial course embraces the common branches of study in the English and German languages. The academic course for young ladies comprises all the higher branches of a complete and refined education. Music taught on piano, organ and the stringed instru- ments, with painting, drawing and fancy necdle- work, form part of the optional course of study in this school.
Religious instruction constitutes the basis of the educational plan of this school, but differ- ence of religion forms no obstacle to the admission of dissenting pupils. Originally intended as a school for day pupils, provisions have since been made to accommodate board- ers at moderate rates.
Among the incentives to study are the monthly bulletins to parents and guardians, and the Gold Cross of Honor at the annual commencement, held at the close of the sum- mer session.
.
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1879.]
ST PETER'S SCHOOL.
St. Peter's parochial school on Pearl Street, conducted by the Sisters of St. Dominic, has an attendance of about one hundred and thirty scholars.
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL.
St. Mary's church school, on Merritt Street, in charge of Sister Superior Mary Regis, has about the same number of scholars as St. Peter's school.
GERMAN LUTHERAN SCHOOLS.
The school of this denomination, on Fifth Street, Second Ward, is in a flourishing con- dition, and has an attendance of one hundred and thirty-five pupils. J. D Fredk. Meier is principal.
The school of the above donomination, on Eighth Street, Third Ward, is also in a pros- perous condition, with an attendance of one hundred and forty-six pupils. John L. Gru- ber is principal, and Herman Grule, assistant.
CHURCH HISTORY OF OSHKOSH.
CONGREGATIONAL.
One of the first church organizations in Osh- kosh was that of the Congregational. On July II, 1849, a number of persons assembled in the village school-house for the purpose of effecting an organization of that denomination; among them were Joseph Jackson, Emeline Jackson, Martha Anderson, Nodiah Sackett, Homer Barnes, Fanny B. Kellogg and others, assisted by the Rev. C. Marsh and Rev. H. Freeman.
The first pastor was the Rev. H. Freeman, who remained in that position until January, 1856, when the Rev. William H. Marble took his place, which he retained until July, 1862.
In 1850 the society commenced the erection of a house of worship, which was completed in June, 1851. This building was afterwards purchased with the lot on which it stood, on Upper Main Street, and was subsequently converted by C. McCabe into three stores.
In the spring of 1857, the society purchased the site of their present edifice, and com- menced the construction of a large church, which, in time was completed. It was destroyed by fire on the tenth of July, 1872.
The present edifice was completed on the 14th of December, 1873, but services were held for some time afterwards in the basement, as it was determined not to have the dedica- tory service until the church was out of debt. On the 24th of October, 1875, the dedication took place. The sermon was preached by the Rev. F. B. Doe; the Rev. W. A. Chamber- lain, and the Rev. Thos. G. Grassie, pastor of
the church, assisting in the ceremonies. It is an elegant structure and one of the chief archi- tectural ornaments of the city. Its cost, in- cluding pipe organ and furniture, was $30,- 000, and the church is out of debt.
METHODIST-EPISCOPAL.
The first religious meeting held in Oshkosh was in 1841, at the house of Webster Stanley, on which occasion a sermon was preached by the Rev. Jesse Halstead, of Brothertown. Afterwards, religious meetings were frequently held, at which Clark Dickinson exhorted.
In 1850, the Methodist Episcopal Society erected the edifice on Church Street, which they occupied as a place of worship until 1875, when they purchased their present handsome building on the corner of Main and Merritt Streets, and converted it into one of the finest churches in the city.
ST. PETER'S, CATHOLIC.
In 1850, St. Peter's Catholic Church was erected. It was a small structure, afterwards enlarged, and occupied the site of the present St. Peter's.
Before the construction of the former build- ing, divine services were held in Peter McCourt's house, and the first mass was celebrated in a small house on Ceape Street, although it is highly probable that the Jesuit missionaries, in the days of the French-Indian occupation, held divine services within the present limits of the city. The first Catholic clergyman officiating here was the Rev. F. J. Bonduel, who was sta- tioned for twelve years with the Indians at Lake Poygan.
The present fine edifice of St. Peter's is now approaching completion, and adds much to the church architecture of the city.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL'S, CATHOLIC.
This is one of the largest and handsomest churches in the city, and was erected in the year 1867 when the diocese of Milwaukee, at that time comprising the whole State of Wisconsin, was divided into three dioceses, viz: Milwaukee, La Crosse and Green Bay. That portion of Oshkosh on the south side of Fox River remained in the Milwaukee diocese. The church therefore belongs to that jurisdic- tion.
The parish house was erected the next year. The Rev. J. B. Reindl is the parish priest. A view of the church and the St. Vincent de Paul Academy will be found among the illustra- tions in this work.
CONGREGATIONAL, WELCH.
Among the earlier church organizations here is the Welch Congregational, which was organ-
188
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1879.
ized in the fall of 1849 with the Rev. David Lewis as pastor.
TRINITY, EPISCOPAL.
As early as 1850, religious services were held here by visiting clergymen of the above denomination. On January 17, 1851, the Right Reverend Bishop Kemper, D. D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church for the Dio- cese of Wisconsin, held divine service in the rooms over A. N. and A. H. Raymond's store. In 1853, the Rev. S. G. Callahan officiated here for a time, and in 1854 the Rev. D. A. Talford became the resident clergyman. In 1859 the present handsome church was built, and in 1866 enlarged and improved. .
FIRST BAPTIST.
In March, 1854, six persons met in the Court House to unite as a conference. In the following May a number of representatives of Baptist churches met in the Congregational Church of this place, as a council of recogni- tion, when eleven persons who were present were recognized under the name of the First Baptist Church of the City of Oshkosh, and in June of that year Rev. E. C. Sanders became its resident pastor. In 1859, the society erected a meeting-house on Jefferson Avenue, which was destroyed in the great fire of 1874. In 1876, the present beautiful edifice on the cor- ner of Church and May streets was completed.
CHURCH DIRECTORY.
After the date of these earlier organizations, churches of various denominations rapidly multiplied. They will all be found in the fol- lowing list:
Baptist Church -(First), 26 Church Street; Rev. H. O. Rowland, pastor.
Baptist Church -(Second), 31 Ninth Street; no regular pastor.
Calvinist Methodist Church -(Welch), 1912 Division Street; Rev. D. Davies, pastor.
Catholic Church -(St. Peter's), 59 High Street; Rev. J. O'Malley, pastor.
Catholic Church - (St. Mary's), 66 Merritt Street; Rev. J. Jaster, pastor.
Catholic Church - (St. Vincent de Paul), correr of Oregon and Thirteenth streets; Rev. J. B. Reindl, pastor.
Congregational Church-(First), corner of Algoma and Bond streets; Rev. K. C. Ander- son, pastor.
Congregational Church - (Welch), corner of Church and Franklin streets; Rev B. J. Evans, pastor.
Episcopal Church - (Trinity), corner of Algoma and Light streets; Rev. F. R. Haff, rector.
Episcopal Church - (Grace Chapel), corner of Eleventh and Minnesota streets; no regu- lar rector.
Episcopal Church -(St. Paul's), 9 Melvin Street; Rev. J. Blyman, rector.
Evangelical Reform Church -49 Eighth Street; Rev. J. H. Boesch, pastor.
Evangelical Society - Corner of Bay and Washington streets; Rev. A. Tarnutzer, pas- tor.
Lutheran Church - (Danish), Bay near Otter Street; Rev. T. H. Wald, pastor.
Lutheran Church - (German), 55 Eighth Street; Rev. P. Brenner, pastor.
Lutheran Church- (German), 36 Bowen Street; Rev. J. L. Daib, pastor.
Methodist Episcopal Church - (Algoma Street), corner of James; Rev. A. J. Mead, pastor.
Methodist Episcopal Church - (First), cor- ner of Main and Merritt streets; Rev. D. J. Holmes, pastor.
Methodist Episcopal Church - (German), 15 Tenth Street; Rev. A. H. Kopplin, pas- tor.
Methodist Episcopal Church - (Second), corner of Eleventh and Minnesota streets; Rev. J. W. Olmsted, pastor. .
Methodist Episcopal Church - (Wesleyan), Knapp, south of Ninth; Rev. C. C. Holcomb. pastor.
Presbyterian Church-(First), 16 Church Street; Rev. F. Z. Rossiter, pastor.
Presbyterian Church - (United), 21 Church Street; Rev, Wm. K. Ferguson, pastor.
Union Church - Punhoqua, north of Gra- ham Street; no regular pastor.
MISCELLANEOUS SOCIETIES.
MASONIC ASSOCIATIONS.
Oshkosh Lodge, No. 27 - Instituted April 23, 1849.
Centennial Lodge, No. 205-Instituted April 12, 1876.
Tyrian Chapter, No. 15-Instituted in 1856, and reorganized February 1860.
Oshkosh Commandery, No. 11 - Was insti- tuted July 3, 1873. /
ODD FELLOWS.
Winnebago Lodge, No. 120-Was organized February 15, 1868.
Oshkosh Encampment, No. 31.
Ivy Lodge, No. 38 - Daughters of Rebecca, was organized in 1874.
189
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1879.]
Union Lodge No. 179 - Was organized Jan. 19, 1871.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES,
Oshkosh Lodge, No 28, I. O. G. T-Was organized Feb. 8, 1858.
Reform Lodge, No. 2, I. O. G. T. -. Organ- ized Aug. 16, 1877.
Brooklyn Lodge, No. 26-Organized Nov. 11, 1869.
Sons of Temperance, Oshkosh Division, No. 27 - Organized June 4, 1873.
Winnebago Lake Division, No. 156-Organ- ized March 27, 1876.
Oshkosh Temple of Honor, No. 9- Organ -. ized Nov. 4, 1874.
Iron Clad No. 58 - Organized May 20, 1876.
Fidelity Council, No. 2, T. of H. & T .- Organized July 1876.
St. Peter's Temperance Association, (Catholic) - Organized 1872.
Oshkosh Union, T. of H. & T. - Organized Sept. 22, 1877.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union- Was organized April 14, 1874.
ANCIENT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN.
Oshkosh Lodge, No. 51 - Organized Jan. 1879.
Brooklyn Lodge, No. 57-Organized March 1, 1879.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
St. John's Lodge, No. 9 - Organized March 22, 1879.
Oshkosh Lodge, No. 25 - Organized March 22, 1879
MISCELLANEOUS.
Young Men's Christian Association - Reor- ganized May 22, 1879
Knights of Honor, (Crescent Lodge) No. 382 - Organized 1876.
German United Brothers - Organized in December 1853.
Druids, Columbus Grove, No. 6 - Organ- ized March 22, 1-867.
Sons of Herman Lodge, No. 2 - Organized in 1849.
Sons of Herman, (Detmold Lodge), No. 29- Organized Nov. 11, 1875.
Royal Arcanum, (Oshkosh Council), No. 215 - Organized Dec. 1878.
Casino Society - Organized in 1864.
Oshkosh Shooting Club -Organized in 1873.
Oshkosh Yacht Club - Organized in 1868.
Oshkosh Stock Growers Association -Incor- porated in 1872 with a capital of $15,000.
Northern Wisconsin Agricultural and Mechanical Association - Organized March 1870.
Oshkosh Library Association -Organized in I868.
Oshkosh Turnverein - Hall corner Merritt and Jefferson Avenue.
St. Aloysius' Benevolent Society, (Catholic), - Organized in 1872.
St. Joseph's Society, (Catholic) - Organized in 1867.
MILITARV.
Oshkosh Post No. 10, G. A. R. - Reorgan- ized 1873.
Oshkosh Guards - Organized 1875.
CHAPTER L.
History of the Newspaper Press of Oshkosh - Municipal Finance - The Several Issues of City Bonds - Amount Expended in Permanent Public Improvements.
HE history of the newspaper enter- prises of Oshkosh presents a theme of interest, in a historical point of view, and is a subject of curiosity as exhibit- ing the vicissitudes and rapid changes, the rise and fall, the struggles, and sue- cesses as well as failures, in the more early journalism of the now metropolitan city, with its vigorous and enterprising newspapers, filled with news of the latest events, even to the hour of going to press, from not only all parts of this country but also by cable from the most remote parts of the Old World.
The various issues, local and political, which gave rise to the earlier newspapers of Oshkosh, were too complicated to be of any interest, or even admit, in a brief chapter, of thorough explanation. Suffice it to say, that the editor- ial fire and the heated controversies of those days were only commensurate with the feeling engendered by the issues involved. It must be said of early journalism in Oshkosh that, although the newspapers were compara- tively small and meager, some of them were exceedingly bitter in their editorial tone, and the warmest rivalry existed between opposing publications which too often resulted in personal encounters between the editors and parties affected by the hot-headed articles that often appeared.
In early times, newspapers were started almost in a day, generally in the advocacy of some leading question or issue which absorbed special attention, and seldom outlived the settlement of the questions involved. To the large number of these questions, principally local, which, in fact, appertain to almost any newly settled and rapidly developing country,
190
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
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