Lee County, Illinois - Chapter 14: Educational History of Lee County Schools, 1914

Chapter 14: Educational History of Lee County Schools

On This day of tlu' lia})}))' New Year. 1914, the compiler of this dcjiartnicid completes his work and sul)nnts his manuscript of the work attempted.

A retrosi)('cti(in (d' the history of education within the horders of Lee county, Illinois, covers a period of about eighty years and records the evohition of a school system of marked efficiency. Prom the most meager and Inuiilih' in the homes of pioneer.s, through the period of the log or slab housing for pupils, to the matted floor of the real "Parlor School," with its standard equipment, aye, even further to the larger range of equipment to be foiuxl in our "Superior School." on the one side of our considerations, and the splendid edifices known as our city high school buildings, on the other side - all have developed within the si)an of life accorded to many an individual living today.

Progress has been the keynote of eft:"(trt, and the pursuit of ideals has ever been actuated l)y wortluness of motive, each year providing the very best that circumstances permitted - each improved condition being sc^cured by sacrifices commensurate with the ideals attained, and by the cooperative organization of the work of thousands of minds. ;uid the translation of dominant thought into action. Priceless indeed the heritage, to those who now have oiDportunities. that today stand a mute, unanswerable argument against the persistent assaults of destructive criticism.

It is well that we pause on this eve of greater, and still gi'eater possibilities, and take inventory. Some of the early history of education in specific school imits has been felt secure in the writings of previous historians, and has given way f(U' more of the condi-

Doubtless, errors are here recorded, but conliicts of data have been presented, and revisions of date by specilic contributors liave been permitted. It is thought that, in the main, this series of records is correct.

The hrst school (^ipeued within the Ijorders of Lee county was that conducted in Father Dixon's home at Dixon's Ferry, during the winter of 1833-34. The building was Ijegun by Joseph Ogee, a French-Indian half-breed and interpreter, who established a ferry at Dixon in the spring of 1828. Father Dixon purchased the feriy in 1830, and completed the house, which probably stood at the northwest corner of First street and Peoria avenue. John K. Robison was the first teacher, being succeeded by a Miss Butler of Bureau count3% and here the children of Father Dixon were instructed, others coming from outside homes, as the pioneer town grew. There is a record to tlie effect that the Dixon cliildreu attended school at Buffalo Grove, with the children of O. AV. Kellogg, during one wintei', and that the Kellogg children attended at Dixon during the following winter - an arrajigement made mutually advantageous by the heads of these households.

In 1836 the last of the hostile tribes of Indians disappeared from Lee county, leaving the country open to settlement. While Dixon contained but four families at this time, the rapid increase in numbers warranted the erection of the first schoolhouse in 1837. This building was a one-story frame structure, 20x30 feet. It was erected by subscription and stood on lot L block 69, not far from the cemetery. It was moved, in 1839, to lot "), block 17, and was the general assembling place of the (then) for a number of years. Llere school opened in the fall of 1837, H. Bicknell being the teacher, and enrolling about twenty-live pupils. Parents sending children to this school contril)uted tti its financial support - the custom of the day.

In 1838 the fii'st schoolhouse in Brooklyn town was erected at Mehigin's Grove, near the old (Chicago stage road. Zachariah Melugin, the landloi'd of the village inn, became the fii'st teaclier.

The organization of Lee county occurred in 1839, and E. R. Mason was the first county supei'intendent of schools - then known as school commissioner. Into his care was placed the organization of the crTide beginnings of our school system, and to the work of file ]n-ivate instnictoi' and the teachei' in the pioneer school w:is added the first attempts ;it ;i course of study, classificati(Mi. and general school equipment, his log cabin serving the twofold purpose of schoolliduse and tavern for a year preceding the erection of the school building.

Further to the east, in Wyoming town, we lind a school building known as "The Little Red Pole Schoolhouse," not over twelve feet square, and erected expressly for school purposes - perhaps in 1836.

Thus do we lind the early beginnings of the establishment of schools - principally along the Indian trails and stage routes. These schools were all necessarily small, and were, in each case, established and maintained entirely by individual contributions, the public school system not having then been established. Thus are recorded the days of "boarding round" by teachers, who often received not to exceed $1.25 per week for their services, and of the time when it often occurred that some pupils were older than their teachers.

The history of an old schoolhouse formerly located about a half mile southeast of the Gap Grove schoolhouse, is very obscure. The building is now a milkhouse on the Howard Martin farm. On the southwest corner of the farm now owned by Joseph Gooch, near the forks of the road, once stood a log house, which some claim as the true historic schoolhouse, the information indicating that fifty pupils were once enrolled here. In 1863 the old chui'ch at Gap Grove was transformed into a schoolhouse, situated on the site of the i:)resent school building at that place. Later this Iniilding was sold for $20, and converted into a l^arn on the old H. M. Gilbert homestead. The present school building at this point became its successor.

At an early day an "advanced school'' was taught by a Mr. Judd, in a log schoolhouse near the John L. Lord homestead, to which many came f I'om a distance on horseback. In 1837 there was a schoolhouse at the Gap, neai'ly opposite the town hall. In 1838 a small frame school building, which was never finished, in the center of Sugar Grove, was presided over for two winters l)y W. W. Bethea.

In 1847 a frame schoolhouse was built on or near the site where in 1858 a brick church with basement for school purposes was erected. This old "frame" building may be seen on the Fletcher Seavey homestead. Thus it 'ndll be seen that these old landmarks are being preserved by this substantial comnmnity. who have erected a tablet along the public highway - a memorial to the first schoolhouse in Palmyra.

The frame building replacing the one destroj^ed is used for church i^urposes, and its basement is perhaps the Ijest equipped one-room rural school building in Lee county, made so, largely, by the long period of superior service rendered to this school by its teacher, Mrs. (jertrude E. Russell, who taught twenty-one years consecutivel_y in this school, retiring at the end of the last school j^ear, 1913. Not oul_y one of the ablest and most efficient of Lee county's teachers, but one who commanded the highest salary, $70 per month foi' nine schodl months, during the latter years of her incumbency.

As early as 181-3, there was a blacksmith shop at Prairieville. while the village was located and platted in 1855. Here we find a two-story brick building erected at a cost of $3,000, some fifty years ago. A soldiers' monument, costing $900 and erected by voluntary contributions, in 1869, stood on the beautiful school grounds here for many years, only to be removed h> tlie Palmyra cemetery at Sugar Grove several years ago. No other momunent to the memory of the soldier dead iu Lee county is known to the writer.

The "Brick" selioolhouse in South Dixon, located three miles from Dixon, on the Chicago i-oad, is notable in that it was the center of great intellectual activity for many years. Built at an early date, E. B. Edson was its first teachei'. and at (me time its attendance reached 120.

The first regular school in Willow Creek was started in one of Israel Shoudy's log houses in 1848. Martha Vandeventer was the first regular teacher, although others had preceded her in an irregular way. In 1819 a frame school liuilding was erected by subscription, and while it was being completed, dwellings were used when the weather was too cold for the use of tlu' log cabin. The first ))oai'(l of examiners to i)ass upon the qualifications of teachers for this school, consisted of John Smith, in granunar and geography ; II. G. Ilowlett, in mathematics and reading: and John Colvill, in writing and spelling.

In the summer of 1847 a stone selioolhouse was liuilt on Hennepin avenue in the city of Dixon, on the site now occupied by Scriven's blacksmith shop. Henry T. Noble was one of the early teachers. In 1845 there were 149 persons imdei" twenty years of age in the district, and seventy-fiAc of these were enrolled iu the public and select schools.

In 1855 the "Dixou Collegiate Institute" was opened in the basement of the Lutheran church, under the auspices of the Rock River Presbytery, under the care of Rev. W. W. Harsha. Later, in the same year, the corner-stone of the institute was laid, in what is now Bluft" Park. This school was endowed to the extent of $25,000, with generous contributions in grounds, etc., by Dixon citizens. By special act of the Legislature this institution was incorporated in 1857. The school being discontinued, it later became the home of different private schools, and finally gave way to residences.

The Union schoolhouse was a two-story brick, located on the site of the J. C. Ayres residence on Peoria avenue. It was built in 1855 at a cost of $6,000, and was torn down in 1874. Here the old wooden desks were replaced by the more modern type of furnishings.

In 1857 a female seminary was started under the auspices of the Episcopal church, and in 1861 a female seminary was established in the Collegiate Institute building. In 1858, a high school department was added to the course of study of the public schools. In 1862 E. C. Smith became superintendent of schools. "Dixon Seminary" was opened in the Collegiate building in 1863. The Dement town school was built in 1866, and in 1868 the old building in North Dixon was erected at a cost of $20,000, and the next year the "Red Brick" building on the south side was built. The latter cost $30,000. A primary brick structure served a period of usefulness on the North Dixon side, it being erected at a cost of $1,000, and gave way in 1889 to the new high school building, completed the next year, just west, at a cost of $15,500.

The "White Brick" school, on the south side, was completed in 1887, at an initial cost of $5,500, it being enlarged and improved in 1892 at a cost of $17,000. Several years ago this was destroyed by fire and the splendid new edifice known as the Central school became its successor.

In 1902, a kindergarten was established in the North Dixon schools. It has been continued until the present time, and now enrolls seventy children, taught by three teachers. Manual training was introduced into the south side schools during the same year - the same being maintained on an improved basis today. The Truman school in Morrill town, the west end of Dixon, cost $7,000, and was erected in West Dixon during the same year.

Dixou for a lung period of years. Tlie Uemeut town school was named " \\ oodwoitii ^Selloo^' at tliis time, in honor of Airs. L. L. Woodworth who taught in the same room of this school for thirtytwo years. At the same time the south side Red Brick school changed its name to E. (J. Smith school, in honor of its former superintendent.

The Northern Illinois Normal School and Dixon Business College began its existence in the Seminary building in 1881, with John C. Tlint as jjresident and Jesse B. Dille as principal.

These quarters were oc-cupied but one year, when, upon the completion of the new buildings in West Uixon, the permanent home of this prominent institution of learning was established. Scholarships to the extent of $20,000 were subscribed as an inducement to secure its location in this city, and the college building, prox^er, and the Ladies' Dormitoi'v were completed when iirst occupied. The Gentlemen's Dormitory was completed in 1888.

This new school was jiopular from the very tirst and grew rapidly under its splendid business management until it registered nearl}'- twelve hundred students (1891 ), with a corps of instructors uum))ering about forty. Courses in preparatory, teachers, scientific classic, business, music, telegraphy, art, etc., were maintained, this institution drawing students from nearly every section of the United States, as well as from Canada, and enjoying merited popularity as the leading educational center of northern Illinois. This school is today the property of Prof. I. F. Edwards, who for sixteen years occupied the position of county superintendent of schools of Lee county, and is still in o])eration, with an encouraging attendance.

Steinmann College began its existence in 1882, luidcr the direction of Charles A. Steinmann, who conducted the school successfully for a innnlier of years. It is located on a beautiful elevation on the banks of Rock liver adjoining Assembly Park, on the north. Maj. F. B. Floyd now conducts a military school here, with most gratifying results.

Coppins' Commercial College is located in tlie heart of the city, and, under the skilled management of W. H. Cop])ius, this school ministers to the needs of those desiring work in its lines.

St. iNlary's Parochial School was founded in 1897. Its location is in lilocl< 7. on Peoria avenu(\ <>n a ]>lat <tf ground 200 hv 300 feet, the same ha\iug once been a portion of the estate of G. L. Schuler. The course includes primary and gi'ammar grades and the teachers are Sisters of the D(miinican Order. The home of this order is at

The folloAviug history of the Lee Center Academy is from the pen of Mr. ISherman L. iShaw, whose abilities and residence in this village qualify him as the logical authority for his contribution :

During the period between the years of 1850 to 18b(J, one of the best J^nown schools in this section of the state was the Lee Center Academy.

The location being on one of the best known and most traveled east aud west stage roads in northern Illinois, made it easy of access from all points. There were students in attendance from Rockford and Mount Morris, towns that had academies, as well as from other towns aud even from outside the borders of the state.

The jDeople were fortunate in securing some very able instructors during the early days of the school. The one man among all the list that is given most credit for building up the school was Simeon Wright, who afterward became state superintendent of schools.

The village of Lee Centei- was laid out in 1846. Roswell C. Streeter, father of Allison J. Streeter who gained prominence in the Clroenback party and in the Grange, donated the location for the academy.

During a noon hour one of the pupils wrote a note and dropped it where it could lie f ou.nd by the teacher. ^IcChesney was offended by the contents of the note. One of the older bo_ys, an innocent party, was accused of writing the note. His denial angered McChesney. who attempted to administer punishment in the good old-fashioned way. The young man, however, secured a handful of the teacher's whiskers, separated him from some of his raiment, and on the whole had rather the best of the argument. Tlie affair created so much feeling that the teacher did not finish his term. Following McChesney came H. C. Tjeonard. wlio with his wife and her sister lived and kept house in the upper rooms of the schfiol building.

It was duriug the time that ISimeon Wiight had charge of the school that the building of the stone part was agitated and as the result of his energy and work it was built.

Henry C. Nash, j)robably the most popular and best loved of any of the teachers, died before his term of school had ended. His widow taught in the primary department for three or four years after his death.

Mr. Nash was succeeded by Professor Monroe. One of the old students writes : "Professor Monroe was a genius in certain ways ; a brother was principal at the East Paw Paw Seminary in those days, and occasionally visited the Lee Center Academy, his coming being in the nature of a high class entertainment. The two brothers were devout worshipers of Sir Walter Scott and could spout the Lady of the I^ake by the hour. Apparently they had at their tongue's end every dialogue and recitation to be derived from the voluminous writings of tlie Scot, and when they foregathered and unlimbered we were not obsessed pro tempore with the idea of anything but a classical education, the stimulus for the same being furnished without stint until the close of the session for the day. It was customary at the close of the winter session of the school to have an 'Exhibition,' and the one which signalized the end of Professor Monroe's winter term was the limit. The various departments of the school entering into the preparation with unusual interest, the result being a program of more than two hours, delivered to an audience that crowded to repletion the lower room of the old stone building.

The next principal, Professor Springstead, was a minister, who did not believe it necessary to indulge in mild theatricals, and before another exhibition was given by the school, the war tocsin had sounded and many of the older students had marched away to the "music of the fife and drum."

Among the other teachers were Reverend Barrett, Rev. James Brewer. Joshua T. Reade, E. W. Newton, C. L. Nettleton, Miss Lottie Kellogg, teacher of music; Misses Sarah and Minerva Loomis. Misses Carrie and Lottie Whitcomb, Miss Spaulding, Miss Mary A. Wright (Mrs. C. F. Lynn). Miss Sei'aphine Gardner (Mrs. E. C. Smith), Miss Harriette Hatch (Mrs. Dr. Frank Gardner). Miss Katie Franklin (Mrs. E. W. Nevrton), and a number of others.

By a special act of the State Legislature, approved Feb. 21, 1859, the Lee Center Uuion Graded School aud Union District No. 1 was incorporated. The first election under this act was held Oct. 3, 1859, and Dr. Charles Gardner, Lyman C. Wheat and L. Cyrenus Sawyer were elected to serve as directors.

Lee Centre Academy

This institution is now ready to receive pupils in the different departments of study. Thorough teaching in common English branches will be secured, while pi'ovision is also made for instruction in the higher branches of an English education, including the Natural Sciences, and Latin and Greek.

Yoimg men intending to fit themselves for admission to our colleges. Eastern or Western, will find here good advantages for accomplishing their object. Young persons wishing to qualify themselves for teaching, will i-eceive particular attention.

To persons at a distance, not acquainted with our school we state that it is situated in the center of Lee county, Illinois, in the midst of a moral and well-educated rural population. Its distance from Amboy on the Illinois Central Railroad, is four miles, and from Franklin on the Dixon Airline, seven miles.

tSuon after the village of Harmon was platted in 1872, a schoolhouse was built on the present site ; a larger frame building succeeded this one, which was burned in 1899. In 1900 the present brick structure was erected with three departments. Ten grades of work are offered here.

The history of education in Sul)lette town dates back to an earlyday, when Thomas Eessenden's log house was used for this purpose. A slab building on the Thomas Tourtillott place was next used. This structure, later known as the "Sheep Pen," was early used as a shelter for those pre-empting land in this section. Maria Coleman tirst taught liere. Following this Joseph Carey taught in Mrs. Tourtillott 's house, and in about 1850 John Bacon taught in Mrs. Richardson's house. In 1844 a third school in the township was established, tliis school offering opportunities for advanced work. In 1847 a school was held in a "lean-to" along the side of the log house of Daniel Pratt. In 1848 a school was opened at Knox Crove, along the stage road. This log building extended the course of study somewliat furtlier, and drew pupils from a much greater distance. The village school at Sublette, containing two departments, has been in use for a long period of years, and off'ers eight grades of work.

In the village of Paw Paw, a two-story building received an addition of similar size in ]883, all being consumed by fire in 1884. In its stead a two-story brick building was erected, and in 1897 this too was consumed by tire. In 1897 the present structure was com])lcted, at a cost of $15,000. This building is modern, and the course of study offers twelve grades of work. This school is on the "accredited list," and teaches manual training, and sewing.

The first schoolhouse in Steward was erected in 1882, and cost $3,000. Fire destroyed this liuilding in 1903. and the present structure, costing $7,000, succeeded it. There are four flourishing de])artments here, offering ten grades of work.

The early schools of Anil)oy wer(^ at Rocky Ford and Binghamton. The Iniilding at Rocky Ford is still in existence, and is used for school purposes, while that first erected in the Bin*»'- hamton district has been removed. This building stood in t> center of section 11, on the northwest corner of the crossroads. In this building Reverend Ingersoll (fatlier of Col. Robert U. Ingersoll) often preaclied, and Robert often accompanied liiui. In Amboy city the tirst school building was built in 1857. in 18G-1- the frame building in Gilson's addition was completed. Followiug this the old Methodist church was purchased, and in 1868 the two-story brick on the west side was added to the system. In 189(J a modern building was erected at a cost of about fifteen thousand dollars. Some two or three years ago the "East Frame" building was entirely remodeled and modernized. Twelve grades of work are offered here, besides domestic science, manual training, etc.

Ashton's new $35,000 brick scliool building is the finest of its class in Lee comity. This building, just completed, is now being occupied for the fii'st time, and replaces the three-story building .so long the school home in this city. Twelve years of woi'k are given in this school.

The schools of Bradford town, wliilc all inral. have made strong advances in their standards of physical equipment and efficiency. A traveler who called at one of these si'hools called at the county superintendent's office recently, aud inijinred relative to that "Parlor School, the tiuest one-room couutiy school 1 ha\-(' seen iu Illinois." The salesman's reference was to tin- Weishaar School. District No. 89, Miss Clara C. Waguer, teacher. The writer uot<"s, in passing, that the contrast between the crude equipment of the log cabin school and such as this t^q^e presents, marks a distinct epoch in the evolution of the rural school.

The schoolhouse at West Brooklyn is a two-story frame building that has served for a number of years as a school home for the children of this village. There are three departments and ten years of work are completed.

Franklin Urove's first and only frame school building was built in 1856, and enlarged in 1S67. In 1894 the present building of stone and brick replaced the former one, at a cost of $9,000. Twelve years of work are here accomplished in the four departments, with added classrooms.

Nachusa's first school is the present one, built in 1868. There is a good enr(-»llment here, and the eight grades of work are taught by one teacher.

The schools at Nelson and Eklena are similar to those at Nachusa. and the schools of Reynolds and Viola towns rank high in profieienc5% ^^^ being rural.

Compton accommodates her pupils in a three-room, two-story frame building, the successor of the one-room school that stood some twenty years ago in the west part of the village, the school made famous by the suj^erior work of one of its instructors, Will Farrand, a brother of Judge R. IS. Farrand of the circuit bench.

A parochial school of two rooms at Sublette, a German Evangelical school of one room in Brooklyn town, and a Norwegian school in Willow Greek complete the general review of the educational past. Elsewhere in the county, not mentioned above, the same general evolution of the school system obtains.

The matter of improvement of school conditions generally has, for a number of years, been given careful attention. Under varying forms of specific requirement, state diplomas have been issued to such schools as met certain requirements. On Jan. 1, 1910, sixtyseven Lee county schools had received state diplomas. Following is the list of such schools, which includes rural, village and high schools :

Plans for the reorganization of the standards of schools, and for classification of different types of the same, materialized about the year 1908. These revised plans provided for standard oneroom schools, superior one-room schools, and standard graded schools, a diploma and door-plate being issued in each case. The new requirements for the standard one-room schools included special consideration of seat sizes and seat arrangement, heating and ventilating, and a general advance in school equipment and paraphernalia. The prerequisite conditions were first established by a personal inspection of a number of schools by a state inspector of schools who visited such schools in company with the county superintendent of schools, and met the directors of such schools at the schoolhouse for special conference. This occurred in 1911. since which time the recommendations of the county superintendent have been accepted by the state superintendent on Jan. 1, 1914, the following one-room schools, foiiy- three in numlier, have complied with the added requirements, and have received the new diploma with the designating door]ilate, which has the words "Standard School" set in gold color upon a black background :

Twelve schools are nearly ready to enter this list, and will in all probability, be so registered before the close of the present school year. Additional to this there is a long list of those who have made the start, they having installed new seats, and provided imi^i'oved physical ecjuipment, at a cost of hundreds of dollars. Verily the rural school is coming more nearly into its very own, and improved conditions are indicating in an immistakable manner the progressive sentiment that today permeates every avenue of life's activities.

The "Superior School" diploma is issued for modern architectiire, and for genei'al I'eqnircments far in excess of those indicated for "Standard Schools,'' it being the intention to make such schools models for the guidance of new structures to be Iniilt in the days to come. This diploma is issued upon personal inspection of the state inspector, only.

In I'eceiviug fi'om the state educational department, the third di]doma to bo issued in the great State of Illinois, for perfection of physical equipment as exem])lified in a school building, and proficiency in legular school work. Lee county regards with j)ride the new "Suiierior School" at Searboro.

The liouor shown its directors in sending from Springfield a re]v,cs('ntative from the state superiutondent's office to deliver a di])loma and a door^dato is an hon(n' quite unusual.

It was through the tireless energy, and thi^ beautiful philanthropic sjurit of Miss Ida M. Durin. of Searboro, daughter of one of Lee county's foremost pioueei's. that the idealization of tills splendid type of school architecture became possible.

In the summer of 1911, Miss Uurin uutitied the county superintendent of schools that she would contribute one-half of the cost of a new'modei n schoolhouse, provided the school district would raise the other one-half of the cost, and proceed at once with the erection of the building.

This proposition was accepted, and the district's portion of funds was also made inamediately available, by the purchase of the district bonds at a low rate of interest by Miss Durin.

Plans f(_>r the including of sanitary features, and all regulations for comfort and utility, were developed by Miss Durin, who superinten dented every detail of the construction, in person.

This buikling conforms to every modern item of perfection. In architecture, it is a model. In sanitary appointments it seems to be more than jDerfect. The lavatories established thei'ein have porcelain and nickel furnishings. The libraryroom is a little gem by itself, stored with just such books as the school demands. The wardrooms are examjdes of perfect arrangement. The seats are all graded to adapt themselves to the size of the pu]iils to ()ccu])y them from the first to the eighth grades. All light is admitted to the room from the rear and left-hand side of the ^lupils. All outbuildings are approached by broad cement walks, the groimds are beantitied by trees, shrubbery and flowers, and the school is pi'ovided with jiure sparkling drinking water from a well, e(|uipped with modern bu))bler drinking appliances.

The number "3" indicated on the "Superior Diploma" issued to this school indicates that it is the third one granted by the state superintendent's office to any school within the borders of Illinois, a most gratifying and remarkable fact.

The capacity of the new school building was far inadequate to contain tli(jse who had assembled to assist in the formalities of the occasit)n, and the auditorium of the chni'ch adjacent was used for this purpose.

Conspicuous on the program was the "History of Our School," by Mr. G. T. Noe, clerk of the board of directors. His notations showed that the first school at this place was tanght in James Thompson's original log cabin. In this deskless school-room the seats were slabs with( mt backs, placed around the walls of the room. In 1S54 a schoolhouse was built by subscription, and three years later became the property of the school district by pui'chase. Fire destroyed this structure in 1864, and the Ellsworth schoolhouse replaced it in 1865.

The iirst teacher in this school was Mi's. Maria Ellsworth, aud it was beautifully appropriate to have her present, aud to listen to her leminiscences of the days when she received $1.25 per week for her services, and boarded round.

The site of this school was some distance south of the new -Superior ISchool, well sheltered ou the north, west, aud south by the trees of Twin Grove. In recent years, this site was changed to the present location in iScarboro, where the old building gave way for the modern new one. The old building was sold by the tiuistees, and now forms a part of a store building in the village, and is occupied by C C. Eisher, with a stock of general merchandise.

Aliss Eunice Eisher, daughter of Jacob Eisher is the present efficient teacher in this school, she is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and holds a life certificate from that state. By her painstaking efforts, splendid judgment, and general professional ability, she has caused the school to maintain a standard of work connneusurate with expectations. Manual training, music, sewing, and the elements of domestic science are taught in this school in addition to the regular course of study.

The State Inspector, Mr. U. J. Holi'man, conmiented with much enthusiasm, on the general conditions found here, indicating, "I find everything up to expectations." Plans are now developing for tlie visit of the state inspector, with a view to a beginning in the third list of schools, the ' ' Standard Graded School. ' ' Doubtless a school of this type will soon grace the list as a pioneer in this departure.

This portion of this contribution for history's page would be incomplete without due recognition of the faithfulness and loyalty of Lee county's teachers, without which these splendid achievements would be seriously interfered with ; and to the large body of pupils and patrons whose zeal and fidelity know no rest. All credit to them, they who bear the burdens in shine and shadow. The inspector's compliment to those responsible for the excellent foundation for achieving these results for the general welfare of the i-ising generation is most a]»])r()pi'iate in this chronicle. "Lee county has a grand foundation for this woi'k of improvement, in which there is honor enough fur us all."

The school systems of today are well organized. Accredited courses of study are given in several of the schools maintaining the full four-year work, while schools maintaining but two years of such work, are given full, or lilieral ei'edit for tlie work done. Rural school work is specifically planned and executed, and splendid standards maintained. Monthly reports to the homes are general. Bi-monthly tests are provided for prospective graduates from rural schools and a "Central Examination" paves the way with "half -credit" for graduation. "Central Examinations" are personally conducted by the C(^)unt3' superintendent who reviews the work of each gradnate, presciibing in the individual case for deficiencies, none worthy being barred from graduation until the opening of schools in the succeeding year. One hundred and twentyfive out of a class of one hundred and twenty-six graduated last year, and the new High School Tuition Act, i^assed by the last (U'lieral Assembly now makes the district responsible for all tuition papiieuts necessary to give all pupils a high school education.

Among the new school laws enacted by the last (Forty-eighth) General Assemldy. we may note the following: The addition of $1,000,000 to the "distributable fund foi' the distribution of lf)U. The act to provide high school privileges for eighth grade graduates, the home district Ix'coming responsible for the payment of the tuition of all such pupils, during the present (1913-1914) school year, and each year thereafter. The act to provide for the certification of teachers, to take effect July 1, 1914, whereby the county will issue nine different forms of teachers" certificates, instead of two, at presen.t, and whereby the exannnations for teachers' certificates will be wholly in the hands of the state examining board. The act relative to the election of members of boards of education provides for nominations by petition, such petitions to be filed at least ten days prior to the election and all ballots to be furnished by the district.

The first annual report of the county superintendent of schools, now available in the office of said officer, bears the date of 1869, and was made by Superintendent James H. Preston. The following items of interest are taken therefrom :

Total persons under 21 years of age, 13.513; number between 6 and 21, 8,862 ; number enrolled in schools, 8,310 ; number of school districts, 144 ; number of schoolhonses, 145.

Highest monthly salary of men, $120 ; lowest monthly salary of men, $20 ; highest monthly salary of women, $50 ; lowest monthly salary of women, $10.

The annual report of the same officer for 1873, forty years ago, shows inq)roYed school conditions. Five hundred and sixty acres of the school section of Viola were sold during this year for about $12.50 per acre. The remainder was sold later at about the same price, and the Hamilton section was sold in 1892 for about $7.00 per acre. One cannot help thinking that if the sale of these Lee county lands which were set aside for the perpetuation and maintenance of schools, might have been deferred, our schools would have ijrohted immeasurabl_y thereby.

Of those enrolled in pnblic schools 617 were in high schools. There were 103 high schodl graduates and 124 gi-adnates from the cijmmon schools.

Da 1911 an exhibit of the prodncts of the connties traversed by the Illinois Central railroad was held at the Illinois State Fair. Mr. Ernest -T. Hecker of Amboy, Illinois, had charge of Lee county's exhibits on this occasion, and took some tine prizes.

Co-incident with this event, and maintained each year thereafter, a Boys' State Fail' School has lieen maintained by the Illinois State Farmers' Association, to which Lee connty has sent representatives each year - the same being boys from the country and city schools.

The 1911 class consisted of C. O. Rosenkrans, Miles Leavens and Charles W. Jeanblanc, from Paw Paw. Amboy and Lee Center respectively. F. B. Haley and Ernest J. Hecker, both of Amboy, constituted the 1912 class, while George King and Roy Thompson, both of Amboy. composed the 1913 class.

In all rural schools, and in several of the high schools, the Illinois State Course of Study is fundameiitally the basic guide for the classification of pupils and for the work prescribed for study.

The subject of agriculture is now required for graduation from the rural schools. The subjects of manual training, sewing and domestic science are also fast becoming popular in rural schools, while drawing and vocal music are taught in a large per cent of the country schools. Exhibits of such work in local centers, and at the county fair, indicate that the popiilarity of these subjects is radiating from the cities and villages to the smaller rural centers, where, too, the larger training of vocational faculties blends harmoniously with mental proficiency.

Standing, as it were, upon an eminence, from which we review the splendid records of the past, warming the heart with a glow of satisfaction, and making plain, and ever more plain, the duty of all into whose care is entrusted, during the plastic fonnative years of childhood, the moulding of character - the great leadership in matters of a better citizenship for the imborn days, and we pledge ourselves, one and all, to a rededication of faithfulness of effort, and a continuance of worthy motive in the great cause of education - for the children's sake.