USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County, Volume I > Part 40
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
In 1884 Rev. Heinrich Noehren organized on the south side an Evangelical church which later came to be known as Zion church. The society first erected a schoolhouse on property it had purchased on Greenfield avenue between Ninth and Tenth avenues, and used the building for services until its resources allowed the erection of the
376
MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
present church edifice. The pastor serving Zion at the present time is Rev. P. G. Wuebben.
Emanuel church, at Center and Nineteenth streets, of which Rev. Fred Moeckli is pastor, was founded in 1889 by Rev. William F. C. Koch, who presided over its destinies for many years. The church building was erected under the auspices of the Wisconsin synod before the church itself was organized. Salem church, at Twenty-seventh and Brown, was organized and the edifice built under the direction of the synod. Rev. F. Klingeberger has been pastor of the church ever since its inception. Since 1895 two other Evangelical churches have been erected in Milwaukee, Christus, at Pine and Russell avenues, of which Rev. C. H. Niefer is pastor, and Glaubens church, at Fifth and Clarke streets, of which Rev. F. Kupfer is pastor.
The Evangelical church also maintains in Milwaukee a parochial school, which has an enrollment of thirty-one pupils and gives employ- ment to one teacher.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
Although there have been two attempts to establish in Milwaukee a society practicing the doctrines of Universalism the efforts have not been successful. In 1844 the people interested in that faith came to- gether and held meetings in a small frame building at the corner of Michigan street and Broadway, where the Insurance building now stands. At first the services were conducted by visiting Universalist ministers, but late in 1844 Rev. C. F. Le Fevre, D. D .. became regularly installed as pastor. During the six years of his pastorate the church grew in numbers and prominence. A review of the career of Dr. Le Fevre appears in the biographical section of this work, to which the reader is referred. Dr. Le Fevre was succeeded by Rev. Z. Howe, a brother of the former United States senator from this state. Ill-health caused Mr. Howe's retirement within a year, and the church gradually became disorganized, the edifice being sold to the Metho- dists. For a time thereafter the Universalists united with the Uni- tarians for regular worship until the Northwestern Conference of Universalists determined to make another effort to establish a church in Milwaukee. Rev. J. H. Tuttle began a series of meetings in the city on the first Sunday in April, 1865, with the result of re-organizing the society. Mr. Tuttle was asked to become the pastor of the new congregation, but the health of his family prevented and Rev. Sumner Ellis was called. Services were held in a small church building at the corner of Jefferson and Michigan streets, and encouraged by the
377
CHURCH HISTORY
prospective growth of the society the members purchased a site at Grand avenue and Seventh street and erected thereon a fine edifice. Succeeding Rev. Mr. Ellis came Rev. Augusta J. Chapin and Rev. J. W. Hanson. Soon after the completion of the church it became apparent that the Universalists had over-estimated their resources, and subsequently their property passed into the hands of a Baptist society, and the congregation became disorganized. Since that time no effort has been made to establish a Universalist church in Mil- waukee.
OTHER CHURCHES.
The body of worshippers known as Christians had its first advo- cate in Milwaukee in William Sherman, who came to the city in 1868 and during his lifetime was a leading merchant of the city. It was not until 1884, however, that it was discovered that there were a number of disciples of the faith residing in the city and regular meetings were begun in the fall of that year, services being held in the Young Men's Christian Association building and in the New Hampshire block. On May 3, 1885, the society removed to a building at Hanover and Washington street and effected a temporary organiza- tion, which on Jan. 17, 1886, was made permanent. The society was incorporated under the laws of the state on Jan. 27, 1887. The pres- ent place of worship is at Walker street and Seventh avenue and the pastor is Rev. Claire L. Walker.
The society of Seventh Day Adventists had their first advocates in Milwaukee in Mrs. S. Bryant, Mrs. S. D. Guerin and Mrs. West- bury. It was in 1883 that Elder H. W. Decker, of the faith, came to Milwaukee and started holding meetings. In 1886 a tract and mis- sionary society was organized to spread the faith and Elder W. W.' Sharp held a series of meetings which resulted in the acquisition of several new members. The church was organized in May, 1887, with thirteen members, and the following year under the direction of the Wisconsin conference a mission was organized. The present home of the society at 865 Fifth street was erected in 1890. Rev. Richard T. Dowsett is in charge of the congregation.
There are four spiritualistic congregations in Milwaukee, which hold regular services. Of the Erste Deutsche Spiritualisten Kirche der Gnaden Sonne, whose place of worship is at Lee and Wall streets, August Vanslow is president, Herman Glass is vice-president, Herman Berg secretary and Andrew Ckmelirz, treasurer. The First church officers are H. C. Nick, president, Dr. H. Fowle, vice-president and Mary Plischke, secretary and treasurer. Of the Unity Spiritual
378
MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
Society Mrs. Charles Smith is president, Charles V. Schmidt, secre- tary, and Miss A. Schnurstein, financial secretary and treasurer.
The Reformed church has two congregations in Milwaukee, the First German on Fourth street between Cherry and Galena, of which Rev. H. C. Nott, is pastor, and the First Holland at Tenth and Harmon streets.
The Church of Jesus Christ (Latter Day Saints) meets at Twenty- seventh and Clark streets. The elder in charge of the congregation is C. L. Rueckert.
The Greek Orthodox church maintained an organization in Mil- waukee for some years, but within the past year the congregation has been disbanded.
MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
The organization of the Young Men's Christian Association in Milwaukee was the result of the wave of religious revival which swept over the United States and Canada in 1857 and 1858. The meeting called to organize the Milwaukee branch was held on Sept. 29, 1857, and 116 became charter members. At the first regular meeting held on Oct. 5 following 123 more united with the society. There was no general secretary during the early years of the asso- ciation, but rooms were maintained in what was known as the Miller block until that building was destroyed by fire and were then estab- lished in the Bowman block on Milwaukee street. The association prospered until the outbreak of the Civil war, and then the removal of so many young men caused a disorganization. Nothing more was done until 1870 when a revival of interest was shown in the organiza- tion, which kept it active for two years. During this period rooms were maintained in the Mack block at the corner of East Water and Wisconsin streets. Between 1872 and 1876 interest in the work of the association again lagged, although the organization was kept alive by Mr. Weidensall, secretary of the international committee of the asso- ciation, who visited Milwaukee semi-annually. It was not until 1876, however, that the re-organization of the association appeared feasible and at a meeting on Dec. 22, 1876, called by Mr. Weidensall, a con- stitution was adopted and the re-organization effected. Rooms were opened at 132 Grand avenue, and during the following few years were successively removed to 430 Broadway, the Birchard block, 158 Sec- ond street, the Evening Wisconsin building and 212 Grand avenue. W. E. Lewis was made state secretary of the association, and held the office for fourteen years until his demise. It was owing to his efforts
379
CHURCH HISTORY
that the boys' work was started in 1881 and the railroad branch two years later. It was in 1881 also that the German department of the association began its labors, holding meetings in the old La Crosse depot until the erection of the new building on Fourth street. The first general secretary of the Milwaukee association was Charles W. Turner, who served from April 2, 1877, to Nov. 1, 1882, leaving to enter the Methodist ministry. His successor was Mr. C. B. Willis, who has since had active charge of the work of the association. The building which at present houses the association was completed on Dec. 30, 1886, and occupied during the early part of the year follow- ing, free of debt. The building was gutted by a fire which swept the district in March, 1895, but was immediately rebuilt and refur- nished.
The Milwaukee branch of the Young Women's Christian Asso- ciation was organized at a meeting held on the evening of Oct. 4, 1892, in the Y. M. C. A. building, at which Miss Elizabeth Wilson, international secretary of the association, presided. It was soon afterward, on Nov. 17, that a room in the Hathaway block was secured for the use of the Milwaukee branch, where lunches were served. Miss Emily P. Dunlap, a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, was secured as general secretary. The society grew so rapidly that larger quarters became necessary and on May 19, 1893, new rooms were opened on the second floor of 452 Broadway. During a series of revivals held by Rev. B. Fay Mills in the old Exposition building some sixteen hundred dollars were raised for the association. This enabled the association to extend its work to the south side and open a branch at South Water and Reed streets. Within the past few years the association has taken possession of the building at 384 Jackson street. A new feature has been added to the work, the lunch room having been discontinued and the cafetaria established.
What is known as the People's Pulpit is maintained by Rev. Thomas E. Barr, who conducts weekly Sunday afternoon services in the Pabst theatre. The Salvation Army and Volunteers of America each maintain branches and do effective work in the city, the former having headquarters at 221 West Water street and the latter at 183 Third street.
CHAPTER XIV.
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
FIRST SCHOOLS TAUGHT IN MILWAUKEE-EQUIPMENT OF EARLY SCHOOLS-DAWN OF A BETTER DAY-UNIFORMITY IN TEXT-BOOKS- REPORT OF SCIIOOL COMMISSIONERS IN 1849-LATER REPORTS AND EXTRACTS FROM RECORDS-FIRST BOARD OF EXAMINERS-FENNIMORE COOPER POMEROY-COMPULSORY EDUCATION LEGISLATION-TEACHERS' LIBRARY-SCHOOL EXIIIBIT AT THE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION-EVEN- ING SCHOOLS-WILLIAM E. ANDERSON-PUBLIC SCHOOL AUXILIARIES. SUPPLEMENTARY READING-SCHOOL STATISTICS, ETC.
Donnelly, in his History of Milwaukee Public Schools, says: "The very first school taught in Milwaukee stood on what is now East Water street; but when the street was opened it was moved to the corner of East Water and Wisconsin streets. The name of the first teacher was Dr. Heth. His pupils consisted chiefly of the children of Solomon and Peter Juneau, who were the first white settlers."
During the year following the establishment of this school a large number of immigrants to the West located in Milwaukee, and in 1836 two other schools were opened-one by David Worthington on West Water street, not far from Huron, and the other on the west side, on Third street just north of Chestnut, though the location was then "in the woods." These early schools were subscription or pay schools, as at that time no public revenue had been provided for the main- tenance of public schools, except that derived from the school lands, and this was little or nothing, because land was so plentiful and so cheap that it was fully a generation before the lands donated for school purposes would command a price at all commensurate with the educational needs of the community. Even then the "sixteenth section" was frequently sold for a mere pittance of what it would bring to-day.
381
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The young folks who enjoy the benefits of the twentieth century schools have but a slight conception of the "advantages" enjoyed by their grandfathers and grandmothers in 1836. The equipment of those early schools was of the most primitive character. The schoolhouse was generally a log cabin or cheaply constructed frame shanty, prob- ably 18 by 24 feet, with a door in one end, a huge fireplace in the other, and two small windows on each side. Often these windows were not more than 24 by 30 inches in size, and on cloudy days the scholars who occupied seats in the corners or in the center of the room found it a difficult matter to study their lessons. Long, back- less benches were provided for the smaller children, while along the walls under the windows was arranged a broad board for a writing desk. Sometimes small tables with suitable seats were provided for the pupils old enough to write, though tables were regarded as a lux- ury and the school that could afford them was considered fortunate. The schoolmaster was furnished with a chair, a small deal table, a few books, a bottle of ink and a quill pen, as part of his duties was to "set the copies" in the writing books of the pupils. One of his accomplish- ments was to know how to make a good quill pen, as steel pens had not yet come into general use. Reading, writing and arithmetic- sometimes denominated the three R's-constituted the principal fea- tures of the curriculum, though occasionally an old map would be hung upon the wall and used for general exercises in geography. Text-books were of divers kinds, written by various authors, so that efficient class work was out of the question, and blackboards were rarely used in the pioneer schools. Yet, notwithstanding these condi- tions, strong men and women received their early training in the log schoolhouse of the frontier.
In 1827, while Wisconsin was a part of the Territory of Michi- gan, the legislature of that territory enacted that as soon as twenty families were settled in a town, they should select three commissioners of common schools, who should hold their respective offices for three years, and whose duties should be to lease the school lands and apply the proceeds to the establishment and support of the common schools, and it was under this law that the first school district in Wisconsin was organized soon after the creation of the territory in July, 1836. But for several years after this the pioneers were too much engrossed with the material development of the country to give much thought to the subject of education. On Oct. 13, 1837, the Milwaukee Sentinel had this to say on the subject of common schools. "There is probably no one subject of so much importance to this territory, and which will be more conducive to the future happiness and prosperity of the
382
MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
people, than the adoption of a wise and liberal system of common school education. A careful observer will perceive in the older-settled portions of the Union, that the general mass of the people are the most enlightened, and well-informed, where a liberal and judicious common school system has been adopted. The foundation is laid at the common school, and it is necessary that it be properly laid, of the right kind of material, under the care and superintendence of a master- workman, else the superstructure may fail in the end for the want of a right commencement."
Although the editor possessed sound views on the subject of educa- tion, and repeatedly admonished the people to take steps to improve the common school system, it seems that they were slow to act. Probably the main reason for this was a lack of revenue. No funds amounting to anything could be raised by the sale or lease of the school lands, and if the schools were to be brought to a higher standard it would have to be done by local taxation. But the average citizen is loath to give his assent to any policy that will increase his taxes; hence the schoolhouses were log huts or cheap frame shanties, the teachers poorly paid, and the school supplies limited to the least expensive kind. On June 7, 1845, nearly eight years after the editorial quoted above, and almost ten years after Dr. Heth's school was started, the Sentinel said: "There is not a public school in Mil- waukee, nor has there ever been one. The building used for school purposes in the first district is old, dilapidated, unpainted and half unglazed, without play-ground or shade. In this school, out of a school population of 325 children between the ages of four years and six years, only about thirty are in school, and these are of both sexes, and of all ages, pursuing their studies in text-books whose name is legion. Three hundred and eighteen dollars is all that is appropriated for the entire maintenance of the school, not one dollar for cach child entitled to receive a common school education."
The district referred to in this editorial was the east side of the Milwaukee river. Conard's History of Milwaukee (Vol. I. p. 128) says: "The amount realized from the school lands previous to 1840 was insignificant, and the west side school in the Second ward remained the only public school up to that year. There was practically no difference between the public and private schools in the manner of their support, as both had to be maintained by private subscriptions. From 1836 to 1846 but little progress seems to have been made in establishing a system of public education. It was a period, too, of hard struggle for mere existence and subsistence for several years following the panic of 1837. In 1845 we find an awakening on the part of the
383
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
people toward doing something for the improvement of the village schools. The Daily Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Sentinel were active in pointing out the lack of educational opportunities and in urging that steps be taken looking to the establishment of high grade schools which might be worthy of and which would secure the pat- ronage of the people."
But the dawn of a better day was near at hand. On the evening of Dec. 12, 1845, a public meeting was held at Trustees' hall on the west side for the purpose of "taking some action looking toward the improvement of the schools." The meeting was well attended and every- body present seemed to take a deep interest in the subject. L. W. Weeks was chosen to preside; I. A. Lapham and A. W. Hatch were secretaries. Rufus King. from the committee on schools and school systems, submitted the following report: "The whole number of school children between the ages of 5 and 16 years in the town of Milwaukee is 1,781. There are 13 schools in operation within the corporation limits, viz., 4 public schools and 9 private schools. Actual attendance at the public schools, 228; at the private schools, 356, or 584 in all. There is no public schoolhouse in the east ward (east side of the river). In the south ward (south of the Menomonee river) there is a good public schoolhouse. There are upward of 1,000 children for whom no adequate provision of school accommodation is made. There are but two public schoolhouses, one of them hardly deserving the name."
The committee making this report was composed of F. Randall, Rufus King, E. D. Smith, Richard Murphy and Moritz Schoeffler. After hearing the report the meeting instructed the committee to pre- pare a general plan of revision of the school system and report at another meeting on Dec. 17. 1845. At that meeting the committee pre- sented a plan which provided for a board of school commissioners, to be elected or appointed annually from the several school districts or wards, which was to have full control of the public schools, employ teachers, adopt text-books, etc. The committee further recommended "that the school board shall have power to elect its president, who shall serve the board as its clerk, and who will be required to make periodical examinations of the schools and report the results thereof . to the board." The report of the committee was adopted and subse- quently it formed the basis of that part of the city charter relating to the organization and management of the public schools. Donnelly says : "This report was the first important step that had been taken to improve the schools and was the first well-defined plan of im- provement that had been presented."
384
MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
Milwaukee was incorporated as a city on Jan. 31, 1846, the popula- tion at that time being about 10,000. The city was divided into five wards, viz., the First and Third on the east side; the Second and Fourth on the west side; and the Fifth on the south side. The first election under the city charter was held on April 7, 1846, and soon after the following school commissioners were appointed by the com- mon council : First ward: John H. Tweedy, Dr. James Johnson, Moritz Schoeffler ; Second ward, D. Van Deren, J. B. Selby, J. A. Messinger ; Third ward, Levi Hubbell, Rufus King, Edward Hussly; Fourth ward, Sidney L. Rood, A. W. Stowe, Henry G. Abbey; Fifth ward, James Magone, W. W. Yale, Aaron Herriman. The board met on April 14, 1846, and organized by the election of Rufus King as president and Henry G. Abbey as secretary. In June five schools were opened-one in each ward. The Second and Fifth ward school occu- pied the buildings that had been used for school purposes prior to the election of the board. The First ward school was opened in the base- ment of the old St. Peter's cathedral on Martin street, the use of which was generously tendered to the school board by Archbishop Henni. The Third and Fourth ward schools were opened in rooms rented by the board. Eighty pupils were enrolled in the First ward; 113 in the Second; 200 in the Third; 85 in the Fourth, and 170 in the Fifth, making a total enrollment of 648 out of a school population of something like 2.000 (the committee, it will be remembered, reported 1,781 on Dec. 12, 1845), and the average daily attendance in the five schools was respectively 50, 45, 125, 50 and 85, or 355 out of the enrollment of 648. Thus the average daily attendance was only about one-sixth of the total school population. Perhaps this was no draw- back to the work of the school board. The city had a school system, definite plans had been adopted for the establishment and maintenance of the public schools, but the revenues to meet the requirements were not forthcoming. Had the entire school population, or even the greater portion of it, sought admission to the schools, the problems confronting the school board would have been all the more difficult to solve.
The act of 1846 provided that in no year should the amount expended for school purposes exceed the amount of school reventes raised and appropriated in that year. The aggregate rate of taxation for the maintenance of the public schools was limited to one-fourth of one per cent. annually, and the tuition fees were not to exceed $1.50 per term of eleven weeks, these tuition rates to be collected in the same manner as other taxes. In order to be entitled to share in the public school fund, a school must have an average daily attendance of thirty pupils, and the English language must be taught as a branch
385
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
of education. Under these provisions the Milwaukee school board found itself handicapped by a lack of funds adequate to the needs of the schools, and at the same time it was prohibited from incurring indebtedness in order to provide for the educational wants of a rapidly growing population.
The first step toward securing uniformity in text-books came on Nov. 18, 1847, when Mr. Rood, of the committee on text-books, offered the following, which was adopted by the board: "Resolved, That the following text-books be used in the public schools of this city, to the exclusion of all others: The Eclectic reader, numbers one, two, three, four and five; the Eclectic speller; Town's analysis ; Davies' arithmetic, large and small; Wilson's history of the United States, large and small; Mitchel's geography, large and small; Mitch- el's outline maps; Winchester's writing books, numbers one, two, three and four."
The report of the board for the year ending April 1, 1848, showed eight schools in operation, employing twenty teachers at a salary expense of $2,767.49. The total expense incurred during the year was $3,512.99, as against $2,207 for the previous year. In explanation of this increase in the expenditures, the board says: "But the schools were open only nine months, and the aggregate attendance of scholars was 202 less than during the year just closed." Some idea of the growing population of Milwaukee at this period may be gained by comparing the number of children entitled to school priv- ileges, as given in the first three annual reports of the board. In 1847 the school population was 2,128; in 1848 it was 2,868, and in 1849 it was 4,235.
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.