Logan County, Illinois - Chapter 22: Educational - in General, 1911

Chapter 22: Educational - in General

The first attempt to establish a free school system in Illinois was made in January, 1825, in the passage of a bill in the General Assembly, introduced by Joseph Duncan, afterwards a Governor of the state. It nominally appropriated two dollars out of each one hundred dollars received into the state treasury, to be distributed to those who had paid taxes or subscriptions for the support of schools. So small was the aggregate revenue of the state, at that time, that the sum realized from this law, would have been but little more than one thousand dollars per year. The law therefore remained practically a dead letter and was repealed in 1829, when the state inaugurated the policy of selling the seminary lands and borrowing the proceeds for the payment of current expenses. Congress, however, in its prior division of the Northwest Territory, had made provision for the granting of every sixteenth section of land, the proceeds from the sale thereof to be applied to a fund for the promotion and maintenance of popular education.

The system of free schools, as it exists to-day, based upon general taxation for the creation of a permanent school fund, had its origin as late as the year 1855, the system of free schools existing prior to that time being limited to the fortunate districts possessing funds derived from the sale of school lands, situated within their respective limits. The office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction was created by act of the Legislature in February, 1854, and the act of 1855 was but a natural corollary of the previous measure, giving to the people a uniform system, as the earlier one had provided an official for its administration. Since then there have been many amendments to the school law, but these have been generally in the direction of securing greater efficiency, but without departure from the principle of securing to all the children of the state the equal privilege of a common school education.

The first schools in Logan County, as in all other sections of Illinois, were private subscription schools and were known as "pay schools," each patron paying a certain amount for each scholar, the tuition being usually graded by the branches taught. The teachers of that day were, as a general thing, an itinerant class. They were, however, as a rule, excellent teachers and are yet' kindly remembered by those of their pupils who still survive. The first school houses were models of simplicity. Like most other buildings of that time, they were usually made of unhewn logs. For windows, a log was cut out of the sides at a suitable place, and the opening covered with greased paper, instead of glass, to admit the light. The floor was sometimes the bare earth, or at other times rough-hewn puncheons. A large fireplace, having a chimney made of small slats of wood and large lumps of mud, furnished the means for supplying heat. The door was hung on wooden hinges. The seats were made of sawed slabs without backs, and supported by wooden legs, inserted in holes, bored with a large auger. Wide slabs fastened to the wall served the purpose of writing desks.

The first school teacher to teach school in Logan County was Erastus Wright, and he taught school at James Latham's house in Elkhart Grove, during the winter of 1821-22. The settlement of James Latham in Elkhart Grove in 1819 has already been detailed at length, in the chapter on early settlement, and in the same chapter will be found a brief sketch of Erastur Wright. Mr. Wright's birth in Massachusetts in 1779, his coming to Illinois in 1821, by way of Chicago, and his intended location in Sangamon County are there narrated. Springfield had just been selected as the new county seat of the newly created county of Sangamon and what is now Logan County was a part of the new county of Sangamon. James Latham had just been selected the first Probate Justice of the new county and Mr. Wright met Judge Latham on his arrival at the new town of Springfield, which consisted then of three or four log cabins. Judge Latham arranged with Mr. Wright to come to Elkhart Hill and teach what was the first school taught in the limits of what is now Logan County. Mr. Wright only taught school at Elkhart Grove during that winter, returning the next year to Springfield, near which place he entered land. He soon after built the first frame house erected in Springfield. As one of his eccentricities, it is stated that, in 1824, he built a park and traded eighty acres of land in Schuyler County, for an elk, to place in the park. Old citizens of Springfield remember that Mr. Wright often rode the elk and drove it in harness, the same as a horse, although he used to state that the elk was rough to ride and was not very kind in the harness.

Referring to Mr. Wright as a teacher, Robert Latham, who was one of his pupils, used to say that Mr. Wright would take him on his knee and point out the letters with the blade of a jack-knife, and when he did not pay close attention, would gently prick him on the forehead with the knife and thus not only secure attention but impress upon the young pupil's mind a remembrance of the names of the letters of the alphabet. Subsequently Mr. Wright was elected School Commissioner of Sangamon County, of which Logan County was then a part and oc- cupied that position at the time Logan County was created a separate county, in 1839. In later years Mr. Wright laid out several additions to the original town of Lincoln, and conducted a real estate office in Lincoln for several years, spending a portion of his time in Lincoln and a portion in Springfield. His death, which occurred Nov. 21, 1870, was the result of an accident, he being run over by a passenger train at the Chicago & Alton depot at Springfield. He was one of the earliest Abolitionists and was always fearless in advocating his doctrines. He acquired considerable property and was liberal toward all benevolent objects, and every public enterprise was sure to elicit his co-operation.

The first school house built in the county is said to have been built on Lake Fork, near John Turner's. It was, as a matter of course, a log structure and to supply light a log from one side was entirely removed and window glass inserted. Pegs were inserted in the logs on one side of the room, on which a long board was placed and on this the pupils learned to write, standing during the exercise. The seats were of slabs, with legs sufficiently high to keep the feet of the smaller ones from the floor, while the older ones were in an equally awkward position from the seats being too low. In this school house, as in all of the early ones, Webster's Elementary Spelling Book and the Testament were the principal books used. The former was the established authority on orthography and it was considered an honor, that was attained by few, to be able to spell correctly all the words in that book. Many of the old settlers delight to narrate their experiences in those early "spelling bees" and look back at them with pride and pleasure. Some of the few scattered settlements in those days could not afford to employ a teacher and were therefore compelled to do without, or send their children through the timber or across the prairie to some more fortunate settlement where a school was in operation. Some were sent a distance of six to nine miles, walking the entire distance, morning and night of each day, in order that they might avail themselves of the opportunity of acquiring the limited education, which opportunity thus offered.

John Buckles, who came to Logan County with his parents in 1822, in describing the log school house, which he attended in his early days, said, in 1897: 'The building was one in which to-day the farmer would not store his implements. Floor or desks they had none and chairs and stools were unknown, but instead they used logs for benches, the ground for a floor and their knees served as desks. Arithmetic was the only study thought beneficial to the boy; but for the girl, this study was considered useless and so she was never allowed to waste her valuable time in that direction." In a letter written to the Logan County Old Settlers' Association in 1878, Charles S. Capps thus described one of the early school houses which was located on Salt Creek, north of the present city

"By the way, I will try to describe our school house; it was called 'Brush College.' It was a most primitive structure; not a particle of iron, glass or sawed lumber used in its construction; it was built of logs, with the cracks daubed with mud; the roof was of clapboards, kept in place by weight poles which were pinned fast to the wall; the door was of clapboard and had wooden hinges and a wooden lock, with a buckskin latch string hanging out. Logs had been left out of each side for windows. These openings were dressed smooth with the ax, and perpendicular pieces of wood set in at intervals of ten or twelve inches for sash. On these was pasted paper, which was greased to make it more transparent. The desks were of hewed puncheon, set slanting on pins, driven in the wall under the windows. The seats were made of puncheons or slabs, hewed out with the ax, with wooden pins for legs. We sat with our backs to the teacher so as to face the light and the desks. The floor was of puncheons; the chimney was made of sticks and mud, the jambs reaching about half way to the dirt hearth inside, and the hearth was large enough to hold a quarter of a cord of wood. In cold weather a large fire was kept up, built against a huge back-log, and the latter required the united strength of the master and pupils to put it in place. Mr. Hackney, father of Jacob Hackney, was out first teacher. I recollect as schoolmates the Downing, Patterson, Parks, Fletcher, Morrow, Allen, Jackson, Harry and Laughery boys and girls."

The oldest school document extant, having reference to educational matters in what is now Logan County, and in fact the oldest official Logan County document of any kind, for it antedates the formation of the county, is a petition for the sale of certain school lands in township seventeen, range two west. This petition recites that "the subscribers are white male inhabitants, over the age of twenty-one years," it is dated Aug. 18, 1834, and is signed with the quill pen signatures of the following well-known pioneers in what was known as the Lake Fork country : Carter Scroggin, Rial Birks, Champney Pendleton, John Lucas, Abraham L. Mann, John McGee, James Powers, Jesse Lucas, Abraham Lucas, John Turner, Charles Barney, John D. Copeland, Elijah Friend, Lewis Barney, Luther Barney, John Voshad, George Girtman, Solomon Blue and Barnabas M. Blue. The document was acknowledged before Thomas Moffett, Justice of the Peace, and is endorsed by William Copeland, Jeremiah Birks and Carter Scroggin, trustees. A' similar petition from the congressional township, in which Middletown was and is now located, bearing date June 27, 1836, is verified by the oaths of John Deskins and Alexander Ewing and was acknowledged before Peter Price, Justice of the Peace. Still another, dated Aug. 19, 1841, contains the signatures of school patrons of what is now Atlanta township, then a part of DeWitt

Early Teachers

Among the earliest teachers in the county were Thomas R. Skinner and William Copeland, both of whom taught in the Buckles' neighborhood. The former was afterwards County Surveyor and later County Judge, being an incumbent of the latter position when he died, in 1857. William Copeland, best known as "Uncle Billy," was one of the early settlers. The school house in which they taught possessed a single door and no window, light and air coming through the cracks between the logs. Some of the pupils were John Buckles, Mart Turley, Isom Birks, Amelia Cass and Leonard Scroggin. Hiram Bowman was an early teacher and came from Ohio in the thirties. He also preached at times, and taught and preached in what is now the Atlanta neighborhood. He built a large two-story frame building on the state road in 1839. William Hackney taught at "Brush College" on Salt Creek in 1836. He was the first School Commissioner of Logan County, serving from 1839 to 1841. John W. Hawes taught in what is now Eminence township in 1834, coming from Kentucky, that year. He afterwards engaged in mercantile pursuits in Atlanta. Samuel Briggs was one of the first teachers in Postville and succeeded Mr. Hackney as School Commissioner of the county in 1841. Eliza W. S. Hood was probably about the first lady teacher in the county. She taught in what is now Aetna township. Contemporaneous with her were Sanford Turley, B. W. Starr and William Stallings. The latter was clerk of the Commissioners' Court of the county for a number of years. He was especially noted as a penman and records still existent, made by him, with a quill pen, in the peculiar handwriting of early days, resemble copper plate. Well-known early teachers were Silas R. Alexander, John M. McIntosh and Michael Finfrock. These, with Sarah Robinson and Mary A. Robinson, taught in what is now Mt. Pulaski, Laenna and Lake Fork townships. Other teachers in the early forties were Andrew P. Waring, John E. Dougherty, Hiram H. Hedrick, John Buckles, William Rankin, Thomas Faris, William H. Young, Ira Wakefield, John Medcalf, Alonzo Davis, Clark Provin, Caroline A. Higgins, David P. Bunn, Samuel C. Parks and E. Dutch.

The earliest school schedule extant in the county is one made out by Silas R. Alexander, teacher Oct. 6, 1841, of a school taught by him, "'being situated on the premises of G. W. Turley's."" Reference will be made to this schedule in connection with the sketch of the schools of Mt. Pulsaki. Another Mt. Pulaski school schedule, still in existence, was made out by Michael Finfrock, teacher, Dec. 9, 1842, and a third Mt. Pulaski schedule was made by David P. Bunn, teacher, Dec. 26, 1845, and filed with James Primm, School Commissioner at that time. A schedule, dated Dec. 31, 1845, is certified to as correct by J. M. McIntosh, teacher. It was of a school "kept" by him, in what is now Lake Fork township, in the school room adjacent to John Huston. The names of the scholars were Elizabeth, Levina, M. J. and Louisa Huston, James Huston, Sr., and James Huston, Jr., William Mann, James, Lydia and Hannah Turner, James, Kitty, W. R. and C. T. Robinson. The term reported began Monday, Oct. 20, 1845, and ended Wednesday, Dec. 31, fifty-one days. The greatest number of days attended by any one pupil was forty-two days. The remainder averaged about one-half or one quarter of the time. The report is certified to by John L. Mann, David Sims and John Bigger, directors.

Another schedule, in existence, shows a school taught by Clark Provin in the same township, from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15, 1845. The pupils were James, Betsy, Mary J., Lavina, Louisa and Emily Huston, James and Lydia Turner, Vanderman, Franklin, Jane and George Friend, Newton Dyer, Anna and Cynthia Provin, Richard, William, Eliza, Sarah, Robert and F. M. Martin, John, Hannah and David Sims, and Sarah, Minerva and Allen Lucas. The certificate, signed by Thomas Lucas, Elijah Friend and Drury Martin, trustees, sets forth that "at a meeting of the employers of Clark Provin, the above named teacher, held at the school house, on the fifth day of December last, pursuant to notice, we were duly appointed trustees of said school, that we have performed the duties of such trustees, by visiting said school and superintending the same, that we have examined the foregoing schedule and find the same to be correct, that the scholars named therein were, at the dates of their attendance, residents of the townships as therein set forth, and that there was due said teacher for instructing the scholars named in the schedule, at the times therein mentioned, the sum of twelve dollars and fifty cents in township seventeen and in township eighteen, seven dollars and fifty cents." It will thus be noted that this being the emolument for a month and a half of teaching, about thirteen dollars per month was the average teacher's wage.

An early Elkhart school schedule shows date of Oct. 6, 1845, the school beginning April 29, 1845, and ending Aug. 7, 1845, amount due $50.00, Samuel C. Parks being teacher. The pupils named were Mary, Martha, Lucy, Susan and Henry C. Latham, Will Broadwell, Maria, Mary, Margery, William and Garrett Constant, James and Philip Miles, Richard Chapman, James and Sarah Hubbard, Isabel and J. T. Davis, Charlotte, Colin, Charles and Elizabeth Cowardin, James McGee, Samuel Long, James Briggs and Mary Stinnett. This same school was taught by Caroline A. Higgins from Dec. 11, 1845, to March 13, 1846, and the teacher's wage for that period was thirty dollars. Alonzo

Davis taught school on what was called "the Noah Chenoweth land," located between the present sites of Elkhart and Broadwell from Jan. 1, 1845, to March 29, 1845, and again from Nov. 11, 1845, to Feb. 109, 1846. His pupils were Thomas, Alexander, Benjamin, Charles P., Sarah and Nancy Wiley, Isabella, Thomas, Perry and John T. Davis, Thomas Gardner, William England, George Reed, David K. Turley, Margery Constant and William Broadwell.

Early School Commissioners

Logan County was organized into a county Feb. 15, 1839. The school officer of a county, at that time, was known as the School Commissioner, and his duties were substantially of the same character now performed by the County Superintendent of Schools. William Hackney was the first School Commissioner of Logan County. He was appointed to that position by the County Commissioners at their December meeting in 1839. He retained this office until he was succeeded by Samuel Briggs in August of 1841. Samuel Briggs was the first School Commissioner elected to the position. Mr. Briggs resigned as School Commissioner March 6, 1843, and James Primm was appointed to fill out'the unexpired term. Ezekiel Bowman was Commissioner from 1844 to 1846, James Primm again served during portions of the years 1846 and 1847 and Samuel Emmett was elected to the office in 1847, serving until 1849. All of these early educators of the county were well-known settlers. James Primm was first clerk of the Circuit Court of the County, the first Master in Chancery and was Postmaster at Postville. Ezekiel Bowman was afterwards Probate Justice of the county, was Sheriff from 1846 to 1848 and again from 1852 to 1854. He was at one time Postmaster at Mt. Pulsaki. He died while in the military service of the United States during the Civil War. Samuel Emmett, was Circuit Clerk of the county from 1848 to 1856.

At the time of the formation of Logan County in 1839, there were just seven primary and common schools in the territory included in the new county of Logan, 150 scholars and out of a population of 2,333, in the county, there were 238 persons, over the age of 21, who could not read or write. The amount of state school fund coming to the county in 1840 was approximately $250. The School Commissioner's report for the year 1843 shows nine townships participating in the distribution of the state school fund of $240.32, coming to the county that year. They were as follows: Town 17, range three, 31 scholars; received from school fund, $6.86; James Robinson, treasurer. Town 22, range two, 83 scholars; school fund, $18.41; D. G. Thompson, treasurer. Town 19, range 4, 171 scholars; school fund, $38.07; Colby Knapp, treasurer. Town 21, range two, 245 scholars; school fund, $54.11; John Hawes, treasurer. Town 17, range two, 155 scholars; school fund, $34.33; John Lucas, treasurer. Town 18, range two, 161 scholars; school fund, $35.65; M. Finfrock, J. M. McIntosh and Mary A. Robinson, teachers. Town 18, range one, 44 scholars; school fund, $9.75; Sarah Robinson, teacher. Town 17, range one, 68 scholars; school fund, $17.07; Sarah Robinson and J. M. McIntosh, teachers. Town 20 range three, number of scholars not given; school fund, $27.90; B. S. Dunn, trustee. This report would indicate that the number of pupils in the public schools that year approximated about 1,000. This report locates the schools in 1843 as being only in what are now known as, Elkhart, Eminence, Corwin, Mt. Pulaski, Laenna, Lake Fork and West Lincoln townships. The latter was the Postville school.

The report of 1844 shows the amount of state fund received as $246.32, divided among the schools in the same townships as in 1843. The number of scholars in the several townships were reported as follows (present name of township being used, in place of number and range) : Elkhart (south half), 31 scholars, James Robinson, treasurer; Eminence (north half), 83 scholars, D. G. Thompson, treasurer; Corwin, 171 scholars, Colby Knapp, treasurer; Eminence (south half), 245 scholars, John Hawes, treasurer; Mt. Pulaski, (south portion), 155 scholars, John Lucas, treasurer; Mt. Pulaski (north portion), 161 scholars, John M. McIntosh and Mary A. Robinson, teachers; Laenna, 44 scholars, Clark Provin and Sarah Robinson, teachers; Lake Fork, 68 scholars, Clark Provin, Sarah Robinson and John M. McIntosh, teachers; West Lincoln (Postville school), 126 scholars, William H. Young, teacher. Total number of scholars, 1,084. As in 1843, one-third of the pupils attending school in the county in 1844 were in what is now Eminence township. The report for 1845 shows 1,576 scholars in the schools of the county, divided as follows (present township names being used): Lake Fork, 61; Mt. Pulaski, 212; Elkhart, 98; Laenna, 58; Aetna, 132; Corwin, 230; Oran, 98; West Lincoln (Postville), 131; Atlanta, 242; Eminence, 314. The amount of school funds received from the state in 1845 amounted to $301.

A: few records still exist of early school elections in the county, during the forties, thus giving the names of early patrons of the Logan County schools. Among the school trustees then elected are the following, the present name of the township being used: 1843, Atlanta, Elisha Bushnell, Zebulon Cantrall, Samuel Bevan, Samuel Hoblit and James Tuttle; 1841, Mt. Pulaski, Alexander Rigdon, James Wade, Thomas L. Scroggin; 1844, Mt. Pulaski, N. M. Whitaker, George Snyder, William Friedrich; 1845, Lake Fork, Thomas Lucas, Elijah Friend, Drury Martin; 1845, Elkhart, Richard Latham, A. E. Constant, John F. Miles; Broadwell, Henry Wiley, Daniel Wiley, John Klein; 1845, Laenna, William R. Robinson, David Sims, John Bigger; 1845, Mt. Pulaski,

Samuel C. Parks was elected School Commissioner in 1849 and continued in the position for three terms until 1855. He was, at the time of his election, a practicing attorney at the Logan County bar, but the duties of School Commissioner at that period were not so onerous as to interfere with the practice of his profession. Mr. Parks later became one of the leaders of the Logan County bar and was appointed Judge of United States Courts in three western territories. A sketch of his life will be found in the chapter of this work, entitled, "Bench and Bar." By 1852, the number of children in the schools of Logan County had increased to 3,005. Schools had been established in all of the townships except what are now known as Prairie Creek, Orvil, Sheridan, East Lincoln and Hurlbut. The amount of school fund received from the state in 1852 was $346.21. The school-attending population in 1852 was distributed among the townships as follows (the present name of the townships being used) : Lake Fork, 86; Laenna, 134; Mt. Pulaski, 574; Elkhart, 263; Aetna, 187; Chester, 200; Broadwell, 155; Corwin, 346; Oran, 162; West Lincoln, 118; Atlanta, 394; Eminence, 384. Mt. Pulaski was the banner school township at that time, the town of Mt. Pulaski being at that time the county seat and the most populous town in the county. In 1853, the number of school children in the county increased to 3,146, there being a slight gain in each township where schools were taught. : the county. Mr. Webster was succeeded by J. E. Cummings. Mr. Cummings, like Mr. Parks, combined the duties of the office with the practice of law, but only for about a year, when he was succeeded by David D. James, who was elected in 1857 and served one term until 1859. In 1859, William G. Starkey was selected by the voters as School Commissioner and served a single term. By 1855 there were 3,486 children attending the Logan County schools. The only two townships in which there were no schools were East Lincoln and Hurlbut. The number of school children were distributed among the townships as follows (the present name of townships being used): Lake Fork, 129; Mt. Pulaski, 621; Elkhart, 335; Laenna, 131; Aetna, 166; Chester, 188; Broadwell, 259; Corwin, 375; Oran, 195; West Lincoln, 118; Sheridan, 69; Atlanta, 431; Eminence, 397; Orvil, 130; Prairie Creek, 72. The amount of school fund received from the state in 1855 was $431. By 1856 the number of school children in the county had increased to 4,000 and there were schools in every township, except Hurlbut, East Lincoln being added with 336 pupils. In 1857 Hurlbut was also added with 105 pupils and this was the first year in which it could be said that each congressional township in Logan County was provided with a public school.

J. H. Beidler was elected School Commissioner in 1861 and served one term. Mr. Beidler has the distinction of being the father of the Teachers' Institute idea in Logan County. Prior to 1861, at irregular intervals, teachers' meetings were held in the county, but they were not popular, were poorly attended and there was no organization for regular or effective work. Mr. Beidler was a believer in the effectiveness of teachers' organizations and endeavored to create public sentiment along those lines. He succeeded in a measure and the first teachers' institute was held in April of 1862, at the seminary building in Atlanta, under the direction of Commissioner Beidler and J. M. Wilson. It was attended only by teachers in the northern part of the county. As a result of the interest aroused at this institute, however, Mr. Beidler called a meeting of teachers for the Court House at Lincoln, for June 21, 1862. The meeting was quite well attended. It was called to order by Mr. Beidler, who stated the object of the gathering to be, to effect a permanent organization of the teachers and school officers of Logan County for the general advancement of the educational interests of the county. He also suggested that arrangements be made looking to the holding: of a county teachers' institute each year. The following temporary officers were then elected: President, W. H. Bennett; Vice Presidents, John A. Smallwood and Calvin M. Grapes; Recording Secretary, John Blain; Corresponding Secretary, George W. !Dominique. The following committee was ap- pointed to report a plan for permanent organization: J. H. Beidler, C. M. Grapes, G. W. Dominique, A. R. Chestnut and W. P. Randolph. The committee reported that the organization be known as "The Logan County Educational Society ;" that a meeting for permanent organization be set for July 18th, next ensuing, and that committees on constitution and program be appointed. This report being adopted, the following committees were appointed: On constitution and by laws, J. H. Beidler, A. R. Chestnut, George W. Dominique; on program, C. M. Grapes, W. P. Randolph and C. H. Miller.

Pursuant to the above action, the Educational Society met at the Court House in Lincoln, June 18, 1862. The report of the committee on constitution and by laws was read and adopted and the following permanent officers were elected: President, A. Johnson; Vice Presidents, A. M. Miller and David Vanhise; Secretary, C. H. Miller; Executive Committee, C. M. Grapes, W. G. Starkey, J. C. Hanna. After the business matters were attended to, general discussion took place as to various matters of educational interest, which was participated in by a number of those present. In the evening, Newton Bateman, of Springfield, delivered a lecture at the Court House on "The Importance and Necessity of Education." The movement for a teachers' organization, thus hopefully begun, did not result permanently. The minds of all were too greatly engrossed in the civil conflict, which was calling for every resource of the nation. The issues connected with the war occupied universal attention and educational matters were, for a time, held in abeyance. The institute planned for the summer of 1863 was therefore abandoned. Mr. Beidler's term expired, as Commissioner, in the fall of that year, and he retired from the office, being succeeded by A. S. Guthrie, and no further effort was put forth to establish teachers' institutes, until after the war.

The report of 1860 shows that there were in the public schools of Logan County, that year, 6,260 pupils. There were ninety school houses and about roo teachers. Three of these school houses were in Lincoln and one in Postville. The school-attending population of 1860 was thus distributed as to townships, (the present name of townships being used) ; Aetna, 278; Chester, 188; Broadwell, 375; Corwin, 436; Oran, 259; East Lincoln (not including the town of Lincoln), 557; West Lincoln (not including the town of Lincoln), 375; Sheridan, 140; Atlanta, 926; Eminence, 529; Orvil, 354; Prairie Creek, 209; Laenna, 140; Mt. Pulaski, 715; Elkhart, 426; Hurlbut, 89; Lake Fork, 194; Lincoln school, 460. Commissioner Beidler, in a brief report, made in 1862,

School Commissioner in 1863 and served until 1865. He was succeeded by James G. Chalfant, who was elected in 1865 and served until 1869. In 1865, the duties of the school officer of the counties were considerably enlarged and the name of the office was changed from that of School Commissioner to County Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Chalfant was therefore the first County Superintendent of Schools of Logan County. He was elected to the office, soon after returning from the Civil War, being a member of the 106th Illinois Infantry.

In January of 1867, County Superintendent Chalfant issued a public statement in the local press as to the general condition of the schools in Logan County. Excerpts of the same are here given. The discrepancy between this statement and the reports given prior to this statement, as to the matter of the number of pupils in the county schools, is not due to a decrease in number but to a more careful taking of the school census. Mr. Chalfant said: "There are 100 school districts in the county, 86 of which number had from six to nine month's school, a part of the remainder only three months and a part no schools whatever. There are 10,274 white persons, under the age of twenty-one years, in the county, 6,816 of whom, are eligible to the benefits of our public schools. Out of this number, 5,322 attend the various schools in the county. There have been thirteen new school buildings erected this year, the greater portion of which are good buildings. The new house recently completed at Lynn Grove, the one in the Britt neighborhood in the northern part of the county and the one at Eminence are all fine buildings and should serve as models. I feel compelled, however, to say, that there are school houses in certain portions of the county, at present, that positively would not make decent hog pens, into which scores of children are thrust and expected to receive an education adequate to the requirement of the times. The whole number of teachers employed during the year 1866 was 134, of these 73 were males and 31 females and the grand total of salaries was $27,037. The amount received for school purposes during 1866, was $48,328.84, the amount expended being $48,- 135.67. There has been 125 certificates issued during the past year, seventy-five per cent of which, have been of the second grade, and yet, our present corps of teachers is far superior, in my opinion, to any that have preceded it. The necessity of holding a county teachers' convention, as often as twice a year, urges itself strongly upon my mind, and I purpose calling a teachers' meeting during the first week of April next, and there being no appropriation made by the county for the purpose, it will therefore be necessary for the teachers themselves to defray the expenses of said convention."

Pursuant to this call of Superintendent Chalfant, what was really the first regular teachers' institute held in Logan County, took place at the High School building, in Lincoln, April 3, 1867, and continued three days. There were seventy-eight teachers in attendance and many spectators. Mr. Chalfant presided and, prior to permanent organization, B. F. January acted as Secretary. A committee, composed of B. F. January, J. F. McGaw and S. G. Benedict, were appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws. Subsequently, their report was adopted and a permanent organization was formed by the election of Mr. Chalfant as President and B. F. January as Secretary. The following township Vice Presidents were appointed, as provided for in the constitution, namely: Aetna, G. W. Pleasant; Atlanta, J. B. Tenney; Broadwell, T. G. Keller; East Lincoln, Andrew McGalliard; Elkhart, Charles Orendorff; Eminence, John Beezley; Hurlbut, W. N. Bock; Laenna, R. D. Clark; Lake Fork, Henry A. Williams; Middletown, William McMasters; Madison, Jeremiah Mathews; Oran, J. B. Curry; Orvil, M. A. Miles; Mt. Pulaski, W. P. Leathers; Prairie Creek, Nelson Chestnut; Sheridan, Joseph Coffman; West Lincoln, W. A. Cowdrey. The following committees were also appointed: Reception, B. F. January, J. G. Chalfant, W. G. Starkey, Jennie Wheelock, Ada Lecompt; Finance, J. G. Chalfant, G. F. Carl, George Colvin; General Arrangements, A. S. Guthrie, G. F. Carl, B. F. January; Executive, Mollie Morris, Nellie Wakefield, A. S. Guthrie, S. G. Benedict and J. F. McGaw. The literary exercises of the day consisted of an address by J. G. Rolfe, of Chicago; essays by Anna Congdon, of Atlanta, and Margery Constant, of Elkhart; exercises in orthography by A. S. Guthrie; exercises in arithmetic by Dr. A. J. McGlumphy, of Lincoln University and George F. Colvin, of Atlanta; exercises in grammar by B. F. January, of Lincoln; exercises in geography by Miss M. A. Eastman, of Atlanta, and Miss D. Wheelock, of Lincoln; exercises in history by J. F. McGaw. The evenings were occupied by addresses on educational subjects by State Superintendent Newton Bateman, of Springfield and Dr. A. J. McGlumphy, of Lincoln University. The Board of Supervisors, at its session in September of the same year, voted to appropriate annually fifty dollars toward meeting the expenses of the institutes.

By the provisions of the by-laws for the government of the teachers' institutes, adopted at the April meeting, meetings were to be held semiannually. The second institute was held at Lincoln, beginning Sept. 3, 1867. Lectures were delivered at this meeting by Prof. Richards, of Lincoln University, Dr. A. M. Miller, of Lincoln, Dr. Edwards, of * Normal University, Prof. J. F. McGaw, of Mansfield, Ohio, and Dr. A. J. McGlumphy, of Lincoln University. Special exercises were conducted by E. Lynch and B. F. January. The next meeting was held at Elkhart, beginning April 6, 1868, and continuing five days. Lectures were delivered by Prof. Mitchell, of Springfield, Prof. S. S. Hamill, the well known elocutionist, and Prof Thomas Metcalf, of the Normal University. Special exercises were conducted by J. G. Chalfant, F. M. Jordan, J. B. Curry, J. C. Scullin, W. R. Goodwin, R. H. McCord, Miss Kanaga, J. F. McGaw and B. F. January. The next session was held in the Christian church, at Atlanta, beginning Aug. 24, 1868. Special exercises were conducted by J. F. McGaw, B. F. Conner, J. W. Monser, W. C. Howard, W. C. McMasters, R. H. McCord, J. C. Scullin, W. R. Goodwin, J. B. Curry, Miss Amanda S. Thomas, Miss Mary Pegram, M. D. Bevan and J. G. Chalfant. The next institute was held at the C. P. church, at Lincoln, beginning March 29, 1869. J. G. Chalfant was elected President, J. S. Wren, Secretary and Miss Nellie Wakefield, Treasurer. The institute continued for five days. Lectures were delivered by Dr. J. M. Gregory, Regent of the Illinois Industrial University, Dr. A. J. Me- Glumphy, of Lincoln University and Rev. George W. Minier, of Tazewell County. Special exercises were conducted by J. B. Curry, J. C. Scullin, Prof. Hewitt, Alexander Peabody, J. S. Wren, J. F. McGaw, W. R. Goodwin, S. G. Benedict and W. C. McMasters. Essays were read by Misses Anne Tibbetts, Carrie Prince, A. A. Ingols, Nellie Wakefield and M. B. McCrea. On the morning of the fifth day, the institute visited Lincoln University in a body.

The next institute was held in the public school building, in Mt. Pulaski, beginning Aug. 31, 1869 and was the last institute held during Mr. Chalfant's first incumbency of the office of County Superintendent of Schools. The work of instruction at this institute was divided as follows: B. F. Conner, orthography; L. T. Regan, history and geography; Dr. C. A. Holbrook, physiology; Dr. M. Wemple, reading and hygiene; J. C. Scullin, grammar; S. G. Benedict, written arithmetic, and W. C. McMasters, mental arithmetic. Lectures were delivered by Dr. A. J. McGlumphy and J. G. Chalfant. J. S. Wren resigned as Secretary and was succeeded by F. L. Matchett. In his report to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Prof. Chalfant, in 1868, referring to the work of the teachers' institute in Logan County, said: "The teachers' institute is doing a noble work in Logan County. It has been the means of making almost an entire revolution in educational affairs. Three years ago, the teachers' institute had but few advocates; now it is universally regarded as the most effective agency to build up and advance the interests of our common schools." In September of 1868, a teachers' organization was formed in Lincoln, of the local teachers. The organization meeting was held at the city council rooms, Sept. 26, 1868, and J. F. Hyde was chosen President and D. W. Carl, Secretary. James G. Chalfant was succeeded as County Superintendent by Levi T. Regan in 1869. The report for the year 1868 show 6,310 scholars in the county, 105 school houses, 100 school districts, 174 teachers, 168 teachers attending the institutes, two graded schools, and seven school houses built during the year. The report for 1869 is substantially the same, with six school houses erected during the year.

County Superintendent Chalfant in January of 1869 made the following public statement, as to the schools of Logan County: '"The whole number of white persons, under twenty-one years of age, in the county is 10,828. The number eligible to the privileges of our common school is 7,045. The aggregate of all the schedules filed shows an actual attendance of 6,310. The number of teachers employed in 1868 was 174, 92 males and 82 females, who have drawn from the common school fund the aggregate salary of $39,481. There are 105 organized school districts in the county and 105 houses, in which schools are taught. Seven new houses have been built during the last school year, all of which are a credit to the communities, in which they have been erected, yet it must be recorded with regret that a few of the dillapidated shells, spoken of in a former report, are still standing for public condemnation. The amount of state and county funds received through the hands of your superintendent is $9,180.18 and the special district tax funds received by the various township treasurers is $53,444.99. The principal of the township fund, as per last report, amounts to $48,869.16 and the interest collected thereon, during the year, ending Sept. 30, 1868, amounts to $3,954.87. The total amount received for all school purposes during the year is $65,028. 36."

Levi T. Regan became County Superintendent of Schools in December of 1869, and served one term of four years until 1873. The report of Mr. Regan for the year 1870 shows 6,667 scholars in the county schools, 107 school houses, five school houses built during the year, 107 school districts, 169 teachers and seven graded schools. Of the 107 school houses, 101 were frame and six were brick. There was a school reported held in every school district. Mr. Regan, in his report, says: "Nearly all of our school houses are large enough and comfortable. Many are neat and tasteful in appearance. Comparatively few have shade trees around them. Three-forths of them have good desks, blackboards, globes and charts. A few have outline maps. A new school house has just been completed at Lincoln, at a cost of $42,- ooo. It is a beautiful building, large, convenient and well ventilated. In Atlanta, a building is in progress of erection, to cost $25,000. Of the buildings erected in the county districts, one is a model of beauty, convenience and comfort, and the remainder are in every way creditable to the districts to which they belong." The report in 1871 shows 6,579 scholars in the county schools, 178 teachers, 106 school houses and six graded schools. To this report, Mr. Regan adds: "With a population of less than 25,000, Logan County has paid, since July 31, 1870, including over $35,000 for new school houses, nearly $200,000 for school purposes. I have endeavored, by public evening lectures, and the holding of township institutes, to educate public opinion and secure an active, intelligent co-operation, between teachers and parents. Several of the teachers' meetings were held in school houses in the country, beginning on Thursday evening and continuing through Friday and Saturday, and were well attended, day and night, by the patrons of the school." The report of 1872 shows 6,458 pupils, 177 teachers, 118 school houses, eight graded schools and nine school houses built during the year. The report of 1873 shows 6,658 scholars, 174 teachers, 107 frame school houses, seven brick school houses, six graded schools, two high schools, $55,839 paid teachers, $3,708 paid for new school houses and $83,631 as the total amount expended for all school purposes, during the year. The highest mouthly wages of teachers for the year were $150 and the lowest $30.

In 1870, the Board of Supervisors increased its annual appropriation, for institute purposes, from $50 to $100. Township institutes were also established. The first semi-annual institute held under Mr. Regan's administration was held at Atlanta, beginning March 28, 1870. At this institute, a re-organization took place and a new constitution and new by-laws were adopted. The County Superintendent was ex officio President. The remaining officers were elected as follows: Vice President, B. F. Conner; Recording Secretary, T. L. Matchett; Corresponding Secretary, James Lynch; Treasurer, Lizzie Splain. Lectures were given during the institute, by Dr. Newton Bateman, State Superintendent, Dr. Richard Edwards, of Normal University, Prof. D. M. Harris, of Lincoln University,, Superintendent Regan and J. Woodmiller. Special exercises were conducted by B. F. Conner, W. C. Mc- Masters, D. W. Carl, G. F. McAllister, E. A. Leeper, O. Scott, W. Montgomery, J. B. Curry, A. H. Hinman and J. T. Galford. Among the resolutions adopted was the following: 'We hereby pledge ourselves, as teachers, to use our influence, toward the universal adoption of the Spencerian System of penmanship throughout Logan County, and that if not qualified to teach this system, that we will so qualify ourselves that we can do so, at as early a date as possible; and that our object, in so doing, is to prevent the changes of styles of writing, with every change of teachers in our schools."'

The next institute was held at the Baptist church in Lincoln, beginning Oct. 24, 1870, and continuing five days. The following officers were elected: President, Levi T. Regan, County Superintendent: Vice President, Alexander Peabody, of Sheridan; Recording Secretary, J. F. Hyde, of Lincoln; Corresponding Secretary, J. I. Houts, of Lincoln; Treasurer, J. S. Wren, of Lincoln; Executive Committee, Jo T-Galtord, pb;

The institute held in the year 1871 was quite a successful one, beginning Oct. 16th and continuing one week. It was held at the Baptist _ church in Lincoln and was attended by eighty per cent of those actively engaged in teaching in the county. Officers were elected as follows: President, L. T. Regan; Vice President, George F. McAllister; Recording Secretary, E. G. Hudson; Corresponding Secretary, S. P. Beers; Treasurer, D. C. Hicks. The instructors for the week were as follows: Arithmetic and geography, Dr. A. J. McGlumphy, of Lincoln University; Spelling and Pedagogy, Prof. E. C. Hewitt, of Normal University; Elocution, Prof. S. S. Hamill, of the Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington; Grammar, Prof. H. L. Boltwood, of Princeton. Lectures were delivered by Dr. Newton Bateman, State Superintendent, President, J. C. Bowdoin, of Lincoln University, Prof S. S. Hamill, Dr. R. Edwards and Prof. I. Wilkinson. The following executive committee was appointed: R. H. Frost, C. A. Holbrook, J. H. Millholland, L. C. Bell and Mary T. Robinson.

A four weeks' institute was held in 1872, beginning July 15 and continuing until Aug. 9. The following officers were elected: President, L. T. Regan; Vive President, Miss M. A. Richards; Recording Secretary, R. Brooks Forrest; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Emma Mayfield; Treasurer, E. G. Hudson; Executive Committee, A. M. Scott, T. P. Longan, W. H. Derby, Emily F. Hughes, Hettie G. Shrock. Sixtyfive members were enrolled. The list of instructors were as follows: Botany, L. T. Regan; Pedagogy, I. Wilkinson; Arithmetic and Grammar, Dr. A. J. McGlumphy; Natural Philosophy, D. M. Harris. The Board of Supervisors having failed to make any appropriation for this institute, the instructors above gave their vacation time and their services, without pay or reward. Another four weeks' session was held in 1873, beginning July 14, a twenty days' institute was held in the summer of 1874 and one of similar duration in 1875. At these institutes the instructors were principally Dr. A. J. McGlumphy and Dr. D. M. Harris, of Lincoln University and Prof I. Wilkinson, of the Lincoln city schools,

In the fall of 1873, James G. Chalfant, who had been County Su- | perintendent from 1865 to 1860, was again elected Superintendent and served one term until 1877. Mr. Chalfant's report for 1874 shows 6,898 children in the county schools, 118 school districts, 217 teachers, 3 graded schools and 123 school houses, of which 7 were brick and 116 frame, There was paid to teachers, during the year, for their services, $61,742; there was expended for all school purposes during the year, $83,761. The highest monthly wages paid any teacher in the county was $122 and the lowest $25. In his report, Mr. Chalfant said: "There are now thirty-nine schools in Logan County, in which the sciences are taught, and in a majority of these, instruction is given in all four of the additional branches. At first, there existed grave doubt, in the minds of our people, as to the propriety of attempting to teach the sciences in our public schools. This was succeeded by a fair analysis of the results obtained by the few schools that entered upon the trial and I am now happy to say that the current of public opinion is rapidly tending toward their general adoption.' Referring to the color question, he said: "The recent act of the legislature allowing colored people equal facilities to those guaranteed white children, is generally acquiesced in, with but little outward show of resistance. In the city of Lincoln, a separate school house, comfortable and commodious, together with a suitably qualified teacher, is provided for them. At two other points in the county, they attend with the white children and no serious objection has thus far been raised, on account of such attendance. I believe it to be the best policy, however, for the time being, to provide separate accommodations for the colored children, in all cases where there are a sufficient number to justify it."

The report for 1875 shows 7,002 pupils, 121 school districts, 217 teachers, 126 school houses, of which 7 were brick and the remainder frame. There was $59,797 paid to the teachers of the county, in salaries, and $83,486 for all school purposes, during the year. The report for 1876 shows $89,075 expended for school purposes, which was increased in 1877 to $96,158. The report of the latter year shows 6,334 pupils, 202 teachers, 7 graded schools, $8,294 expended for new school houses, $62,021 expended in teachers' salaries and places the value of all the school houses and grounds in the county at $196,800. In 1876, about eighty teachers attended an institute at Lincoln, beginning July 17 and closing Aug. 11. Officers were elected as follows: President, J. C. Chalfant; Secretary, George H. Cox; Executive Committee, John R. Barnett, Lizzie Splain, Mattie Bobbitt. Lectures were delivered by Dr. Sewell, of Normal, President Adams, of the Illinois Wesleyan University and S. M. Etter. Special exercises were conducted by George Turner, C. L. Hatfield, J. G. Chalfant and John R. Barnett. In 1877, the Logan County Teachers' Institute met in joint session with the Normal Institute of Lincoln University. The officers elected were: President, J. G. Chalfant; Vice President, A. R. Taylor; Secretary, John R. Barnett; Assistant Secretary, H. F. Reed; Treasurer, H. G. Bergen. The instructors were Dr. A. R. Taylor, Prof. B. F. McCord and Prof. A. E. Turner, all of Lincoln University and Prof. S. S. Hamill, of Normal, Dr. J. M. Gregory, of the Illinois Industrial University, gave the closing lecture.

Derby S Administration

In the fall of 1877, William H. Derby was elected County Superintendent to succeed Mr. Chalfant. Mr. Derby served one term of four years. His report for 1878 shows 5,970 pupils actually enrolled in the schools of the county. The number of children, in the county, between the ages of six and twenty-one was 8,756. There were 226 teachers in the county, 111 female teachers and 115 male teachers. There were 127 public schools, and 121 school houses, 7 of the latter being brick and

114 frame. There were four school houses built during the year. The amount paid in teachers' salary was $61,948, amount paid for new school buildings, $12,949, and the amount expended during the year for all school purposes, $124,725. In addition there were 7 private schools, with 8 teachers and 234 pupils. The report of 1879 shows 5,983 pupils enrolled in the county. The report of 1880 shows 6,609 pupils, 203 teachers, $51,420 expended in teachers' salaries, $1,490 for new school houses and $76,327 for all school purposes, during the year. The monthly wages paid male teachers averaged $45.10 and female teachers $38.16. The report for 1881 shows 6,382 pupils, 192 teachers, 125 school districts, 126 school houses, 10 graded schools, $51,571 paid teachers, and $75,381 expended, during the year for all school purposes. The report for 1882 shows 6,457 pupils, 115 school districts, 192 teachers, 9 graded schools, 122 school houses, $52,866 paid out in teachers' salaries, $1,745 expended for new school houses, and $74,124 expended for all school purposes, during the year.

A two weeks' institute was held at Lincoln in 1878, beginning July 22 and ending Aug. 2. The sessions were held at Lincoln University and the attendance was not as large as usual. Institute work was conducted by Dr. A. R. Taylor and Dr. D. M. Harris, of Lincoln University, also by W. H. Derby, S. M. Guttery, M. B. Ransdell and others. A two weeks' institute was also held in 1879, from Aug. 4 to Aug. 15. The following officers .were elected for the year: President, W. H. Derby, Vice President, I. N. Ewing; Secretary, Alma Braucher; Treasurer, S. M. Guttery. The principal instructor was A. R. Taylor and about forty teachers attended the institute. In 1879 and 1880, township institutes were held in most of the townships and several held monthly or bi-monthly meetings. At the county institute in 1880, about 35 teachers attended and Dr. A. R. Taylor acted as instructor. A lecture was delivered by Prof. John W. Cook, of Normal. Officers were elected as follows: President, W. H. Derby; Secretary, P. H. Quaid; Treasurer, Lois Dyer; Executive Committee, J. S. Wren, J. S. Cole, Lois Dyer, Lydia H. Porter, R. B. Lorimer. In 1881, the institute was conducted but one week, commencing Aug. 8. It was in charge of Dr. A. R. Taylor and Superintendent Derby. Commencing Aug. 20, 1882, a five days' institute was held. Special exercises were conducted by W. H. Derby, J. S. Wren, J. L. Ring, G. W. Reeder, J. J. Armstrong, C. H. Dixon, George W. Walker, J. B. Curry, A. R. Museller, T. W. Butcher, W. C. McMasters, B. F. Simpson, W. B. Miller, T. G. Seeley, W. B. Lloyd and John Blain.

twelve years, until 1894. The various reports of Mr. Guttery during these sixteen years vary comparatively but little in detail, as will also be noted with reference to the reports heretofore given, for a period of fifteen years or more. This is not surprising, when it is considered that the population of the county has varied but little in a similar period. The population of the county in 1870 was 23,053. It increased only to 25,- 041 in 1880; it was substantially the same in 1890, that is, 25,489, and in 1900 had increased only to 28,680. It is not surprising, therefore, that from 1870 to 1900, there is but little variation in the number, of the pupils, in the county schools each year, the number of school houses and teachers. This is no evidence of lack of progression in educational work, the progress being made evident in better methods, better scholarship and greater efficiency and results, than in numerical increase.

Mr. Guttery's report in 1884 shows the following school statistics for the year: Number of males under twenty-one years of age, 6,274; females, 6,022; total, 12,296; males between the ages of six and twentyone years, 4,263; females, 4,034; total, 8,297; male pupils enrolled in graded schools, 937; females, 1,103; male pupils enrolled in ungraded schools, 2,268; females, 1,917; total, 6,225; total number of teachers employed, 171; total number of school districts, 118, all but one hav-

119; total, 125; built during the year, 7; public high school, 1; graded schools, 11; highest monthly wage paid male teacher, $120; female, $65 ; lowest paid male teacher $30; female, $25 ; average paid male teachers, $50.51; female, $37.85; amount paid teachers, $58,011; paid for new school houses, $3,946; total expenditures, $81,030.34; estimated value of school property, $203,395.

For 1890, his report shows 6,074 pupils, 116 school districts, 173 teachers, 13 graded schools, 121 school houses, 8 of the latter being brick, 3 school houses built during the year, $65,278 paid teachers; $1,869 expended for new school houses, and $65,278 expended for all school purposes during the year. His last report for 1894, shows 6,470 pupils, 116 school districts, 183 teachers, 16 graded schools, 122 school houses, 4 school houses built during the year, $68,784 paid teachers, $5,468 expended for new school houses and eee expended for all school purposes during the year.

Beginning with Mr. Guttery's term, there was a Se orpaiti7aten along teachers' institute lines and on Nov. 25, 1882, at a meeting of teachers held at the Christian church in Lincoln, 'here was organized what was called "The Logan County Teachers' Association." This was to take the place of the old organization which had been conducting annual institutes. A constitution was adopted, setting forth the object of the association "'to attain the highest good in the work of the public schools and advance the common interests of the teachers." The constitution provided for four regular sessions each year, the first, second and third sessions to be held on the last Saturday of November, February and May and the time of holding the fourth session to be determined by the Executive Committee and the County Superintendent of Schools. The following were elected as first officers of the Association: President, S. M. Guttery; Vice Presidents, W. B. Lloyd and T. G. Seeley; Secretary, Lizzie Anderson; Treasurer, G. F. Ambrose; Executive Committee, J. S. Wren, G. F. Ambrose, G. W. Reeder, J. J. Armstrong, Carrie Wren. The original organization included fifty-nine teachers, the membership increasing from year to year. The original membership was as follows:

One day sessions of the Association were held in February and May of 1883 and, commencing Aug. 20, 1883, a weeks' session was held at the Christian church in Lincoln. Many matters of educational interest were discussed. The township institute idea had not proven the success anticipated and it was modified by dividing the county into seven districts for the holding of local institutes. Oran and Aetna townships were included in one district; Atlanta, Eminence and East Lincoln in another; Mt. Pulaski and Chester in a third; Orvil and Prairie Creek in a forth; Sheridan and West Lincoln in a fifth; Corwin and Broadwell in a sixth; Hurlbut and Cornland in a seventh. A five days' session was held in 1884, beginning Aug. 18th. Special lectures were given during this session by William Hawley Smith, of Peoria, Prof. W. B. Powell, of Aurora and Prof. O. F. McKim, of LaHarpe. In 1885, a four weeks' normal institute was held at the University building, beginning July 27th. At this institute, the county was redivided into districts, as follows: District No. 1, Atlanta, Eminence and East Lincoln township, J. B. Curry, chairman; District No, 2, Orvil and West Lincoln, Charles H. Scholz, chairman; District No. 3, Sheridan and Prairie Creek, Agnes Rourke, chairman; District No. 4, Corwin and Broadwell, E. L. Carnahan, chairman; District No. 5, Oran and Aetna, W. C. Holman, chairman; District No. 6, Elkhart and Hurlbut, J. C. Mountjoy, chairman; District No. 7,

Laenna, Lake Fork, Chester and Mt. Pulaski, E. B. Hart, chairman. A two weeks' institute also followed in 1886, beginning Aug. 9th, the same being held at the University building. The instructors were Prof. A. E. Turner, of Lincoln University, Prof. Jesse Hubbard, of Pontiac, and Prof. W. R. Whetsler, of Lincoln. Lectures were delivered by Prof. Hubbard and President A. A. Kendrick, of Shurtleff College. The institute of 1877 was a four week's session, beginning Aug. Ist, and the same instructors participated as in 1886, with the addition of Miss Lottie E. Jones, of Danville. A lecture was delivered by State Superintendent Richard Edwards. A similar institute was held in 1888, as in 1889. At the latter, a lecture was delivered by Seth S. Avery, of Indiana. The county was this year again redistricted, six districts being created in place of seven. The meeting places of these districts were Lawndale, Beason, Mt. Pulaski, Emden, New Holland and Broadwell.

In 1889, the new revision of the school law was passed. Prior to this law, teachers' institutes had been held in the county, as voluntary organizations, under the control and direction of teachers' associations heretofore referred to, expenses of the same being met by dues paid by the members of the association, supplemented at times by small appropriations by the Board of Supervisors. The law of 1889, however, made definite provision for teachers' institutes and provided that County Superintendents should hold annual institutes, sessions to be not less than five days, the County Superintendent and the State Superintendent jointly to procure instructors. The examination fees paid by teachers were to be utilized to pay the expenses of these institutes. As a result of this act, teachers' associations were not as important factors in the educational life of the county as formerly, although the same were kept in existence, to more or less extent. The annual institutes, under this law, have become normal schools of instruction, have attained a great degree of efficiency and have contributed largely to the continuing improvement of the county schools.

After twelve years' service as County Superintendent, Mr. Guttery was succeeded in 1894 by J. S. Cole, who served one term until 1898. Mr. Cole's first report in 1895 showed about 14,000 children under 21 years of age in the county, nearly 10,000 of whom were of school age. During the year 3,400 pupils were enrolled in the 18 graded schools, under the direction of 70 teachers, while over 3,000 were enrolled in the 105 ungraded schools, under the direction of 109 teachers. The total days of attendance of pupils in the graded schools were nearly 412,000 and in the ungraded schools about 319,000. The average monthly wages paid male teachers amounted to $55.85, female teachers, $42.21. His last report in 1898 showed 13,280 children in the county under 21 years of age, 9,464 between the age of 6 and 21, 118 school districts, 6,260 scholars in the public schools, 185 teachers, 125 school houses, 4 school houses built during the year, $73,819 paid in teachers' salaries, $2,110 paid for new school houses and $109,086 paid out, during the year, for all educational purposes. There were 20 graded schools, with 72 rooms, 3,212 pupils and 80 teachers. There were 8 private schools with 713 pupils. There were also three high schools, Lincoln, Atlanta and Mt. Pulaski. During Mr. Cole's incumbency of the Superintendency, teachers' institutes were held annually during the month of August and were well attended. ; GRAM'S ADMINISTRATION.

Mr. Cole's term as County Superintendent expired in December of 1898, when he was succeeded by Evan P. Gram. Mr. Gram served one full term, when he was re-elected in 1902. He did not fill out his second term, dying during his incumbency of his office in 1905. Mr. Gram's report of the county schools in 1900, show 6,267 pupils, 120 school districts, 189 teachers, 21 graded schools, 127 school houses, 14 of which were brick and the remainder frame houses, $74,988 paid in teachers' salaries $2,021 expended for new school houses and $103,821 paid, during the year, for all education purposes. His last report in 1904 shows 13,601 children in the county under 21 years of age, 10,657 between the age of 6 and 21, 6,400 pupils enrolled in the schools, 119 school districts, 128 school houses, 196 teachers, 21 graded schools, $170 as the highest monthly, wages paid male teachers, $73 the highest paid female teachers, $40 the lowest paid male teachers, $32 the lowest paid female teachers, $65 the average paid males and $49 the average paid females, 233 pupils in private schools, $84,908 paid in salaries to teachers, $1,666 paid for new school houses built and a total of $125,850 paid, during the year, for all educational purposes. During Prof. Gram's incumbency an effort was made to reorganize the Logan County Teachers' Association, with a view to bringing to the county educational talent as lecturers. A meeting was held for that purpose in November of 1902, at which E. P. Gram was elected President, Agnes Rourke appointed Secretary and Treasurer and A. Middleton, G. B. Coffman and B. E. Nelson were appointed a committee on constitution and by-laws. Quarterly teachers' meetings were held in Lincoln, however, independent of this organization, throughout Prof. Gram's terms.

Upon the death of Mr. Gram in 1905, before the expiration of his term of office, the Board of Supervisors, at its June meeting of that year, appointed Prof. D. F. Nickols to succeed Mr. Gram as County

Superintendent. In the fall of 1906, Mr. Nickols was elected to that office and so satisfactory were his services in that capacity, that in 1910 he was re-elected without any political opposition, no party nomination being made against him, this being the first time that this had occurred in the history of the county. Shortly after Prof. Nickols became Superintendent, a further re-organization was made Dec. 1, 1905, of the Logan County Teachers' Association. The following officers were elected: President, Anthony Middleton; Vice President, Anna Wodetzki; Secretary-Treasurer, Mary A. Murphy. D. F. Nichols, G. D. Schmidtgen, C. H. Scholz, Agnes Rourke and Nellie Toomey were appointed a committee on program, and L. D. Ellis, P. M. Hoke and W. W. Womack, a committee on constitution and by-laws. Prof. A. W. Furr, of Jacksonville, delivered a lecture at this session. At the February meeting in 1906, the constitution and by-laws reported by the above named committee were adopted. This constitution provided for semiannual meetings of the association. An address was made at this session by Prof. J. K. Stableton, of Bloomington. At the November meeting in 1906, Miss Anna Wodetzki was elected President, Miss Houlihan, Vice President, and Mary A. Murphy, Secretary. An address was delivered by Prof. M. E. Bogart, of Valparaiso, Ind.

At the November meeting, 1907, of the Logan County Teachers' Association, S. A. Edwards was elected President, W. W. Womack, Vice President, and Nellie Toomey, Secretary. Addresses were delivered by Prof. D. O. Barto, of the University of Illinois, and Prof. F. G. Barnes, of the Illinois Wesleyan University. The session of February, 1908, was addressed by Prof. D. C. Ridgley, of the Illinois State Normal University and Prof. H. W. Shryock, of the Southern Illinois State Normal. At the November meeting of the same year, Anthony Middleton was elected President, W. W. Womack, Vice President and Clyde Purcell, Secretary. The enrollment showed 166 teachers registered during the day. At the February meeting, 1909, there was an attendance of 175 teachers. At the November meeting of the same year, Mertis Whitaker was selected as President, H. D. Lukenbill as Vice President and Maude W. Mount as Secretary. Lectures were delivered at this meeting by Prof. Bagley, of the University of Illinois, and Prof. E. A. Turner, of Normal. At the February session of 1910, addresses were delivered by Prof. David Felmly, of Normal, and Prof. Thomas H. Briggs, and at the November meeting of 1910, addresses were delivered by Prof. C. A. McMurry, of De Kalb, and Prof, O. L. Manchester, of the State Normal School, at Normal. The present officers of the association are Alfred H. Greening, President; Mabel Wymer, Vice President; Secretary-Treasurer, Maurine Guttery.

tory of the county. There has been substantially a complete re-organization along all lines of county educational effort. A county uniformity of text book has been established and maintained, the books being the same in every district. A county course of study has been devised which is a supplement to the state course of study, made especially to fit the county uniform texts. A more efficient means of classification has been introduced. Monthly report cards are mailed to each teacher, so that the county office is kept in close touch with each school. A course of study has been arranged for the ninth and tenth grades that enable pupils, who complete the work as outlined, to enter the third year of any high school, consequently, graduates from the tenth grade have done what is recognized as two years of standard high school work. Regular attendance, on the part of pupils, has been encouraged by issuing certificates and diplomas for perfect and punctual attendance. Teachers' reading circles have been established as well as the inauguration of pupils' reading circles, library advantages have been increased and every school in the county now has a good library. There has been a revival of interest in spelling by the re-instatement of the spelling book in the grades. An elementary course in agriculture has been introduced: County commencements have been established for pupils who complete the course in the village and country schools. Annual commencements were held in Lincoln in 1909 and 1910 and at these two commencements, there were 120 scholars who graduated.

In addition to the above, close connection has been kept with the State Superintendent's office, resulting in the standardization of sixteen rural schools last year and this work is being followed up this year. County school exhibits are now annually prepared for the Illinois State Corn Exposition, and last year the Logan County schools won first prize for the Cornbelt District and sweepstakes for the entire state, a total of $530 in prizes. Libraries and supplies were purchased with this money and apportioned to the schools, which participated. Educational day has been established in connection with the Farmers' Institute and prizes are awarded for the best school exhibit. The summer teachers' institutes are largely attended and have reached a high degree of excellence. The instructors at the session held from Aug. 22 to Aug. 26, IQIO, were Prof. W. E. Lugenbeel, of Winona Lake, Prof. E. A. Turner, of Normal, Prof. Joseph Carter, of Champaign and Miss Esther White, of Highland Park. A county oratorical and athletic association for the public schools has also been organized. All of these improvements, in connection with the selection of competent and efficient teachers, the awakening of a wholesome school spirit, annual school exhibits and the greater interest that has been aroused, among teachers and pupils, to perfect the school system and attain to a more efficient scholarship, has had the result of greatly raising the general standard of the Logan County

The following is a summary of various matters of interest connected with the schools of Logan County, as shown by Prof. Nickol's report, for the year ending June 30, 1910: Children in the county under 21 years of age, 13,812; between the ages of 6 and 21, 9,867; number of school districts, 122; number of graded schools, 23; number of schools, 130; number of pupils enrolled, 5,896, of which 1,453 are in the City of Lincoln; number of school houses, 130, of which 18 are brick structures ; number of private schools, 8; pupils in private schools, 391 ; number of teachers in private schools, 18; number of volumes in district libraries, 13,564; highest monthly wages paid male teacher, $170; highest paid female teacher, $103; lowest paid male teacher, $50; lowest paid female teacher, $40; average monthly wages paid male teachers, $86; average paid female teachers, $56; value of school property, $398,- 300, of which $140,000 is an estimate of the value of school property in Lincoln; paid in salary to teachers, during the year, $103,271; paid for new school houses, $28,796; total school expenditures for the year, $177,- 500; number of pupils who passed ninth year examinations, 96; pupils passing tenth year examinations, Wese

Roster Of Teachers

The present roster of teachers for the Lincoln, Atlanta and Mt. Pulaski schools will be found in the next chapter, in connection with the sketch of the city schools of the county. The roster of teachers of all other schools in the county is as follows, the number indicating the district: