The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 74

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899

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From the opening of the fall term, Prof. A. C. Spicer, a graduate of the Academic Depart- ment of Alfred University, assisted by his wife, Mrs. Susanna M. Spicer, had the supervision of the school for the following seven years.

W. C. Mitford

STATE. SUPT. OF PUBUC INSTRUCTION MILTON

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

For the first three years of their charge, notwithstanding the extraordinary labors they out forth, the success of the school was varying. The academic building became untenable, ind the classes for a portion of the last two years, met in a private house, and, for want of suit- .ble accommodations, the school was suspended during two-thirds of the year 1853. From that ime, it became evident that better facilities in the way of buildings, apparatus and teachers must be secured, or the enterprise abandoned, and in order to do that it was felt that the sympa- hies and support of a larger number of people must be enlisted in order to place it in a better ondition. With this result, the history of the school as the Du Lac Academy ended.

THE MILTON ACADEMY.

The awakening of a new interest in the school led to the formation of a larger association of the inhabitants, and on March 31, 1854, a new charter was granted by the Legislature and the name changed to that recorded above. Another board of seven Trustees was constituted, and the school got into working order again. In the spring of 1854, the school was re-organ- ized under the former teachers, and kept in private residences until the fall of 1855. During that interregnum, a handsome and commodious building, constructed of Milwaukee pressed brick, was erected on a bluff in the southwestern part of the village. It was 40x44 feet in size, three stories high, and contained, besides a chapel, four recitation rooms and a boarding hall. Its cost was something over $4,000, which was paid mainly by the subscriptions of the stock- holders of the academy, in whom were vested the property and government of the institution.

In the fall of 1854, Prof. Albert Whitford was added to the Faculty, taking charge of the Department of Ancient Languages. He has been connected with the school ever since that time, except for two years when he was Principal of the De Ruglar Institute, and four years when he filled the office of Professor of Mathematics in Alfred University. During the year 1856, Prof. M. Montague instructed the classes in ancient languages. At this time, the Department of Music, principally instrumental, was created, and a proficient lady instructor placed in charge. At the same time, two courses of study were adopted, each embracing four years- the teachers' course and the classical course, and from the former, at the close of the academic year, three students, Miss Susan E. Burdick, Chloe C. Whitford and Ruth A. Graham, were graduated, being the first graduating class of the institution.

In the summer and fall of 1857, the need of another new building for dormitory purposes being greatly felt, the Hon. Joseph Goodrich and Hon. Jeremiah Davis were authorized to erect one with accommodations for about fifty students. It was erected as desired, on the grounds of the institution ; was constructed of cream-colored brick, and cost nearly $5,000, the greater part of which sum was contributed by the large-hearted gentlemen employed to build it. It is now called " the Goodrich Hall," and is occupied by lady students.

At the close of the spring term of 1858, Prof. Spicer and his wife resigned their positions in the Academy. Under their administration, many important improvements were effected, principal among which were the erection of two new buildings and a more complete arrange- ment of the classes, while such was the confidence reposed in their administrative ability that the attendance of students was more than doubled.

A Change in the Management .- After several unavailing efforts had been made to obtain a successor to Prof. Spicer as Principal of the institution, the Rev. W. C. Whitford, then Pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Milton, was prevailed upon to assume charge during the fall term, and was subsequently induced to become permanently connected with the school in the capacity of Principal. During his first year, he had associated with him Prof. Albert Whitford, A. M., and his wife, Mrs. Chloe C. Whitford, who became the Preceptress; Mr. S. S. Rock- wood, an advanced student ; Mrs. Flora A. Rockwood, and Mr. Wiot H. Clarke, a music teacher. In the following year, there were added to the Faculty Prof. G. M. Guernsey, A. M., a graduate of Amherst College, and Mrs. Ida F. Kenyon, who became teacher of vocal and instru- mental music and the German language. In the year 1861, Mrs. Ruth A. Whitford, who had

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

labored successfully in academic schools in New Jersey, entered upon the duties of Preceptress, and filled the position for three years. In the same year. Prof. N. C. Twining, A. M .. a grad- uate of the school, was called to the Department of Mathematics, which he held for seven years. Prof. Edward Searing, A. M., a graduate of the University of Michigan, began his work as instructor of the Latin and French languages, at the opening of the academic year in 1863. He remained in that professorship until 1873. when he was elected to the office of State Superin- tendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin. For the year ending July 4, 1865, Mrs. Eliza Johnson was Preceptress, being succeeded by Mrs. A. Miranda Isham. from Alfred University. who remained in that position until the close of the year 1869. Mrs. Alicia F. Adams was teacher of music from 1864 until the close of the summer term of 1867 ; and Miss Mary F. Bailey, A. M., a graduate of Alfred University, teacher of the German language from 1865 to 1873. Besides the members of the Faculty already mentioned, there were engaged, between the vears 1858 and 1867, for brief periods, the following teachers : Prof. O. M. Conover, Rev. A. H. Lewis, S. S. Wallihan, M. D., Rev. O. U. Whitford, Rev. S. A. Platts, Miss Emily C. Wyman and Miss Frances F. Pillsbury. C.

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In the winter and spring of 1863, a wooden building, three stories high, and containing twenty-two rooms, was erected near the grounds of the institution, at a cost of $2,000. It was erected for and is used by gentlemen for dormitory purposes. An addition to the main hall was begun in 1867, and finished the next year. That, with the bower in front and the repairs int n the old recitation-room, and the chapel, cost nearly $8,000, and doubled the accommodations o the hall for class purposes.

War Record .- During the war of the rebellion, none were more free with money and me than those connected with this Academy. The students gave money to the amount of hundreds of dollars, and, on receipt of the first news that the civil conflict had begun, twenty of the young men left their work and flew to obey their country's call. Of the graduates and students, 3111 volunteered into the service of the Union armies, of whom 43 perished by disease or by the bullets of the Southern Confederacy. The school raised, officered and sent into the army to full companies, known as Company K and Company H, which were assigned to the Thirteentr _th and Fortieth Regiments Wisconsin Volunteers, and parts of companies for the Second arend Forty-ninth Regiments.

MILTON COLLEGE.

The act incorporating the College was passed by the State Legislature in February, 186 57. and was formally accepted by the stockholders of the institution on the 13th of March, follo- ing. By the terms of the act, the same privileges were granted to the incorporators as the ose usually conceded to institutions of a similar character. The stock was divided into shares of $25 each, and the possession and government of the College vested in the original stockholder =ers. who were authorized to elect a Board of Trustees. to consist of not less than fifteen nor mo>ore than twenty-seven members, nine of whom formed a quorum for the transaction of busine == 88. One-third of their number, after the first election, were to be chosen each year and hold the _eir office three years. No religious test or qualification was required of any trustee, officer, pro- fessor, teacher or student of the institution.

On March 13. 1867, a Board consisting of twenty seven Trustees was elected, and on The 27th of the same month, they elected the following officers : President, Rev. W. C. Whitford. A. M .; Vice President, Rev. D. E. Maxson, D. D .; Secretary, A. W. Baldwin, Esq .; Tre=as- urer, C. H. Greenman. Subsequently the following Faculty were elected: Rev. William C. Whitford, A. M., President, and Professor of the Natural, Mental and Moral Sciences ; Edward Searing, A. M., Professor of Latin and French Languages ; Albert Whitford, A. M., Professor of Greek Language and Mixed Mathematics ; Nathan C. Twining, A. B., Professor of Pure Mathematics and Commercial Instruction : Miss A. Miranda Fenner, Preceptress, and Teacher of English Language and Literature ; Miss Mary F. Bailey, Teacher of German Language; Mn. Emma J. Utter, Teacher of Instrumental and Vocal Music : Forrest M. Babcock, Teacher of

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Penmanship ; Mrs. Ruth H. Whitford, Teacher of Painting and Penciling. At the same time, it was resolved to unite both the academic and the collegiate courses of study, an arrangement which the institution has since preserved in common with most of the colleges in the West.

Additions to the Faculty .- In 1868, Mayor S. S. Rockwood, A. M., was appointed Pro- fessor of Pure Mathematics, a position held by him until 1871, when he entered the White- water Normal School. In the same year, Miss Jane C. Bond, A. M., was elected teacher in the English department, a position which she has filled ever since, with honor to herself and credit to the College. Miss Ida Springstubbe, a graduate of a German Normal School, was also chosen teacher of the French and German languages, and remained in that position upward of two years. Prof. J. D. Bond, M. S., was teacher in the commercial department for four years. Prof. J. M. Stillman has given instruction in vocal music and voice culture for two vears, and Miss R. Mintie Howard in instrumental music for four years. Prof. J. W. Saun- ders, A. B., was elected in 1873, to the professorship of the German and Greek languages, the position of assistant teacher in the Latin classes being filled for three years by Prof. Lucius Heritage, A. B. Mrs. Chloe C. Whitford, A. M., has taught in the department of mathe- matics for over two years, a position that she formerly occupied, while for some time the com- mercial studies were relegated to the care of Prof. W. C. King.

The present members of the Faculty are: Rev. William C. Whitford, A. M., President : Albert Whitford, A. M., Acting President, Mathematics and Astronomy : Edward Searing, A. M., Greek and French Languages ; Rev. Elston M. Dunn, A. M., Mental and Moral Sciences : Henry D. Maxson, A. B., Rhetoric and Latin Language ; Miss Jane C. Bond, A. M., English Department ; Mrs. Chloe C. Whitford, A. M., German Language ; Mrs. Ruth HI. Whitford. A. M .. Penciling and English Department; Miss Mary Jane Haven, Vocal and Instrumental Music ; James Mills, Penmanship.

The explanation of the offices of President and Acting President, which are filled respect- ively by the Rev. William C. and Prof. Albert Whitford, is, that in 1877, when the former was elected to the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the latter, his brother, then filling a chair as a member of the Faculty, assumed temporary charge over the affairs of the College, such charge to continue until his brother's return, who will then again assume the duties and responsibilities of the presidency of the institution. Ilon. Edward Searing, at the close of his second term as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, returned to his old position in the College as the Professor in the Greek and French Languages. His work here has always been highly appreciated. He is the author of a popular text-book on the first six books of Virgil's AEneid. He is now preparing a similar work on the first six books of Homer's Iliad. The terms of tuition are very reasonable and are within reach of almost every one. The capital stock of the institution is divided into 1.100 shares, of $25 each, or a total valuation of 829,079.06, the largest individual amount of which is held by the estate of Hon. Joseph Goodrich, who furnished in all about $5,000 to this stock, the next largest being in the name of Pres. W. C. Whitford, who has contributed. at various times, nearly $4,500 to the stock.

Graduates .- The following is a list of graduates in the college department, together with the years they "came out :" 1867-Nathan C. Twining. A. M., Miss Isabelle L. Hall, A. M. 1870-Albert Salisbury, A. M., Jesse B. Thayer, M. S. 1871-M. Delano Fuller, M. S., George F. Holcomb, B. S .. Edwin Swinney, M. S., Albert D. Whitmore, B. S., Miss Inez C. Childs, M. S., Miss E. Albertine Utter. M. S. 1872-Jonathan D. Bond, M. S., L. Dow Harvey, M. S., Matthew White, A. B. 1873-E. Stillman Bailey, A. B., Albert R. Cran- dall, A. B., Miss Jane C. Bond, L. A., Miss Florence H. Williams, L. S. 1874-William H. Ernst, A. B., Watson C. Holbrook, B. S., Dwight Kinney, A. B., Arthur A. Miller, A. B., W. Burton Morgan, A. B .. Frederick D. Rogers, A. B., Robert D. Whitford, A. B., Mrs. Amelia C. Steele, L. S. 1875-Clark T. Havens, A. B., Lucius Heritage, A. B., D. Osmer Hibbard, B. S., Isaac L. Mahieu, A. B. 1876-Eva D. Cartwright, L. S., Charles M. Gates, B. S., W. D. Tickner, A. B., George F. Tuttle, B. S., Mrs. E. De Lette Saunders, L. S . Miss Florence G. Saunders, L. S., Miss Alice L. Miller, L. S. 1877-E. A. Thompson, B.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

S., A. G. Saunders, B. S., W. G. Bonham, B. S., Miss Ida Tracy, L. S. 1878-J. H. Boyle, B. S., Ira Flagler, B. S., H. S. Hulse, B. S., H. D. Kinney, B. S., O. E. Larkin, A. B., J. I. Stillman, B. S. 1879-C. E. Crandall, A. B., J. N. Humphrey, A. B., Miss Mary J. Haven, A. B.

Honorary Degrees .- The degree of Doctor of Divinity has been conferred upon the Revs. D. E. Maxson, T. R. Williams and Nathan Wardner ; that of Master of Arts upon Hon. John A. Smith, Prof. Chase, Mrs. Chloe C. Whitford, Miss. J. C. Bond and I. L. Mahieu, while the degree of Master of Science has but one representative, in the person of Mortimer T. Park.

Libraries and Societies .- A donation from Rev. Daniel Babcock enabled the College, in . 1871, to establish the " Babcock Library," which has now several hundred volumes. Three other libraries belong to the literary societies. The oldest of these latter is the Iduna Lyceum. which was organized by the lady students in 1854. The gentlemen sustain two large societies, the Orophilian and Philomathean, which have been in operation about eighteen years.

Teachers for the Public Schools .- The institution has devoted a large share of its work ever since its formation to prepare teachers for the public schools of the State. While those who have received instruction here are found in the other callings of life, and are winning in them substantial honors, yet the larger share of the graduates and others who have pursued the advanced studies have been engaged in teaching. A regular teachers' class, under the direction of the State Board of Normal Regents, was maintained in the institution for seven years subse- quent to 1857. During this time, State aid was received to the amount of several thousand dollars. A similar class has since been taught each year.

In the rural schools of Rock and adjacent counties, hundreds of the students of the Col- lege have been employed as teachers, and they have generally given excellent satisfaction to the pupils in their schools and to their parents.

In many of the graded and the high schools of the State, in the normal schools and in the State University are found, at the present time, a large number of teachers who were once enrolled in the classes of the College. They are noted usually for their thorough knowledge of the branches taught under their supervision, for their practical skill in managing their depart- ments or their schools, and for their constant enthusiasm in their work.

EVANSVILLE SEMINARY.

A committee of the Methodist Church General Conference of the United States having been appointed to divide the State into two or more general conferences, each of which has a seminary of its own, it appeared to Messrs. David S. Mills and O. F. Comfort a good opportu- nity to get a seminary located at. Evansville. Accordingly, on August 10, 1855, a meeting called by these two gentlemen was held, at which it was resolved to establish a seminary of high grade at Evansville, for the education of the youth of both sexes, and the persons present at the meeting thereupon elected a Board of Trustees, consisting of the following gentlemen: Ezra A. Foot, Henry G. Spencer, Jeremiah Johnson, W. W. Mclaughlin, David S. Mills, P. S. Bennett, Josiah Howard, Myron A. Rowley, William C. Kelly, Thomas Robinson, Hiram Griffith, Nelson Winston and Argalus Ballard.

At the next session of the Legislature, held in 1856, that body passed an act entitled, " An Act to incorporate the Evansville Seminary," which was approved on March 18 of the same year. Prior, however, to the passage of that act, and prior to the meeting held on August 10, 1855, Mr. David S. Mills and his wife donated two acres of ground for the purposes of a seminary, which were accepted, and subsequently, at the request of some of the Trustees, signed a subscription paper with the words "Seminary Park, cost $500," thus, to a certain extent, damaging his title to the ground, which he donated for the "express purposes of a sem- inary, upon the condition that a brick or stone building, three stories in height, and covering an area of not less than 2,500 square feet of ground, should be erected within two years, at which time, Mr. Mills would execute a deed in the name of the Trustees of the Seminary Park."

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Two years rolled by, and the Trustees, or some of them, called upon the donators of the land and stated that the building was completed and that they were entitled to a deed, asking also that as clear a deed as possible be given, because they desired to mortgage the premises, in order to raise money for its completion. Mr. Mills called their attention to the fact that the land was given for seminary purposes only, but, at their solicitation, gave them the deed with- out expressly embodying that fact in it, an omission which ultimately led to the closing of the Seminary, and subsequently to the airing of the matter in the courts.

The building being completed, a school was opened and taught there until 1870, when the premises were handed over to members of the Baptist denomination, on condition that they should endow it with $10,000. They acceded to the proposition, and re-opened it; but, a high school having been erected and opened in the mean time, a large number of the students attend- ing the Seminary withdrew and entered their names upon the books of the new institution. Finding that to be the case, the Baptist members declined to fulfill their portion of the contract relative to the endowment, and, in 1874, surrendered the building to the former Directors, who. thereupon, on January 6, 1876, called a meeting of the legal voters and passed a series of reso- lutions, declaring that the Seminary building had been abandoned as an institution of learning, and resolving to deed the building and lands over to.a corporation then organizing under the name of the Evansville Boot and Shoe Company. This was done, and the Company, by the appointment of a care-taker, virtually entered upon the premises.

This proceeding, not being in accord with the ideas of the projector of the Institute, he at once commenced a suit for recovery of the property, on the ground that the land had been given for seminary purposes only, and, therefore, should revert to him. But, by a peculiar ruling of the lower Court, which found facts in his favor and the law against him, he failed to obtain possession. He then entered exceptions to the ruling, and took the matter to the Supreme Court, where it now rests.

Following is a list of the Principals under whose charge it was from the date of its organi- zation to its abandonment : Mr. Romulus O. Kellogg, Miss M. Cleveland, Messrs. George A. Smith, Damon Y. Kilgore, Henry R. Colman and George S. Bradley.

JANESVILLE ACADEMY.

In 1843, a charter was granted to A. Hyatt Smith, William H. H. Bailey, Charles Stevens. J. B. Doe, Edward V. Whiton, and others, for the purpose, as set forth in their petition, of establishing an academy in the city of Janesville. A stone building, two stories high, with a basement, was erected on the west side of High street, between Milwaukee and Court streets, in what was then known as Bailey & Smith's Addition, was erected, and, in the early part of 1844, the Academy opened for business, with the Rev. Thomas J. Ruger as Principal. In those days, religious societies were more numerous than churches, and the Academy was frequently rented to different denominations desiring to hold services therein. Messrs. Alden, Woodward and Woodruff successively became the subsequent managers of the institution, and, about 1855, the property was purchased by the city and converted to the uses of a public school, being gener- ally known thereafter as the Janesville Free Academy, until the confines of its walls could no longer accommodate the pupils who sought admission. It was then torn down, and the impos- ing edifice known as the Central School was erected upon the site. Many of the business men of Janesville owe their education to the curriculum of the " Old Stone Academy."

MRS. L. PETERSON'S PRIVATE SCHOOL (JANESVILLE).

In 1855, Mrs. L. Peterson opened a private school in Janesville. Mrs. Peterson was born November 30, 1800, in Claremont, N. H., and has taught school fifty-one years. She has been giving private instruction to many of the children of Janesville for twenty-four years past, and lives to see the fruits of her labor on every hand.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

GERMAN LUTHERAN PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (JANESVILLE).

In 1876, the German Lutherans of Janesville purchased a lot near the corner of Academy and School streets and erected thereon a one-story building, 24x40 feet in size, at a cost of $1,000, for the accommodation of the parochial school in connection with their Church. J. Schlerf, the Pastor of the congregation, is also the teacher of the school. The attendance in winter is about seventy, while in the summer the scholars will not number above forty. Both German and English are taught.

SCHOOL OF ST. JOSEPH'S CONVENT (JANESVILLE).

St. Joseph's Convent. a large brick building, two.stories high, connected with St. Patrick's Church, was erected in 1863-64, under the direction of Father Doyle, of St. Patrick's Church. David Doolan was the contractor. The structure cost $12,000. A large number of Catholic .children are instructed at this school by the Sisters connected with it.

PROF. EDWARD SEARING'S ENGLISH AND CLASSICAL SCHOOL (UNION).

In the fall of 1857, Edward Searing, for two or three years previously a student and fou one year an assistant teacher of Latin in Cazenovia Seminary, New York, came to the village of Union, in this county, and opened a private "English and Classical " school. With the me exception of Evansville Seminary, then in a chrysalis state, there was at the time no school nearer than Janesville offering instruction in the intermediate and higher branches. Despite Ote the insignificant size of the village, the lack of suitable accommodations and the competition in Evansville, three miles distant, the new school was from the first a success. The second year ar. the number of students rendered necessary the aid of two assistants and taxed the capacity o - of the village in boarding facilities. At the close of the third year, equally prosperous as the proc. ceding, Mr. Searing gave up the school and returned East to pursue his studies. He was suc .c. ceeded by Mr. W. If. Peck, a graduate of Dartmouth College, afterward County Superintendent of Iowa County and editor of the Mineral Point Democrat, by whom the enterprise was cor an- tinued for a year with considerable success. After graduating from the University of Michig: in 1861, Prof. Searing returned to Union and conducted the school for another year, or unt = til he removed to Milton in the fall of 1862, when it was discontinued.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The public schools of Rock County compare favorably with those of any other county i £ in Wisconsin, and are superior to those of many. For this there are obvious reasons. The pre-es- ence, in opposite sides of the county, of Beloit College and of Milton Academy and Colleg ge, and their influence throughout, may have contributed largely to diffuse a general interest ₹ in education. The latter institution, especially, has trained and sent out many teachers for th the public schools, and some for the Normal Schools. Much good has also resulted to the count aty at large from the High Schools of Beloit and Janesville. These schools will be described her re- after.

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The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 74

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 899

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899